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A review by nadiamasood
The Five Year Lie by Sarina Bowen
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This book is more of a romantic suspense than a domestic thriller.
Set against the backdrop of Portland, Maine, this novel intertwines elements of romantic suspense with tech-driven intrigue. It’s a story surrounding corporate espionage, cybersecurity threats, and police corruption.
Although the plot felt somewhat slow and predictable to me, the concept of a tech-centric suspense was both innovative and frighteningly realistic. However, the characters’ actions especially toward the end felt a bit over-the-top.
The highlight of the book for me was the portrayal of Ariel’s relationship with her son. The author captures Ariel’s commitment to being a good mother and her frantic efforts to keep her son safe as the stakes rise. Yet, the lack of genuine danger to Ariel’s safety kept the book from being a true thriller in my opinion.
If you're a fan of romantic suspense with a tech twist and prefer violence that isn't too graphic, this novel is a good choice.
Set against the backdrop of Portland, Maine, this novel intertwines elements of romantic suspense with tech-driven intrigue. It’s a story surrounding corporate espionage, cybersecurity threats, and police corruption.
Although the plot felt somewhat slow and predictable to me, the concept of a tech-centric suspense was both innovative and frighteningly realistic. However, the characters’ actions especially toward the end felt a bit over-the-top.
The highlight of the book for me was the portrayal of Ariel’s relationship with her son. The author captures Ariel’s commitment to being a good mother and her frantic efforts to keep her son safe as the stakes rise. Yet, the lack of genuine danger to Ariel’s safety kept the book from being a true thriller in my opinion.
If you're a fan of romantic suspense with a tech twist and prefer violence that isn't too graphic, this novel is a good choice.
Minor: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Stalking, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment