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A review by charvi_not_just_fiction
The Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I'm so confused whether I like this book or not.
To begin with, we have an extremely interesting premise - a mother who vanished and reappeared 16 years later. But the execution was a bit lacking.
First off, our mc Bell is kinda annoying. I wasn't a huge fan, it felt like if you took away her trauma and insecurity there would be nothing left. She's so freaking suspicious and distrustful of every blade of grass in this world - I get where she's coming from and I get she's not meant to be a very likeable character but I just wanted a different pov at some points.
The mystery itself is so interesting but it massively stagnates in the middle. Literally nothing happens for a while after Rachel's appearance which like?? should be the most interesting and happening part?? Rachel herself was written quite well and I enjoyed trying to decipher the mystery surrounding her.
Honestly, though I figured a couple of things out (the trick at this point is to guess who or what will be the most shocking and surprising culprit, lol) but still, the ending was a banger. The last 2 or 1 hours (I was listening to the audiobook) were shocking in the best way. There was so much I hadn't anticipated and it was all quite fast-paced and thrilling - as I'd hoped the whole book would be.
In the end, all the loose ends got wrapped but I wish this book had been more well-rounded than it turned out to be.
To begin with, we have an extremely interesting premise - a mother who vanished and reappeared 16 years later. But the execution was a bit lacking.
First off, our mc Bell is kinda annoying. I wasn't a huge fan, it felt like if you took away her trauma and insecurity there would be nothing left. She's so freaking suspicious and distrustful of every blade of grass in this world - I get where she's coming from and I get she's not meant to be a very likeable character but I just wanted a different pov at some points.
The mystery itself is so interesting but it massively stagnates in the middle. Literally nothing happens for a while after Rachel's appearance which like?? should be the most interesting and happening part?? Rachel herself was written quite well and I enjoyed trying to decipher the mystery surrounding her.
Honestly, though I figured a couple of things out (the trick at this point is to guess who or what will be the most shocking and surprising culprit, lol) but still, the ending was a banger. The last 2 or 1 hours (I was listening to the audiobook) were shocking in the best way. There was so much I hadn't anticipated and it was all quite fast-paced and thrilling - as I'd hoped the whole book would be.
In the end, all the loose ends got wrapped but I wish this book had been more well-rounded than it turned out to be.