nicolem_young's reviews
169 reviews

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A book that I loved, an absolute must read, and now a favorite of mine. It’s a book that will live on my shelves forever and I would re-read in the future. I would pick up anything else by this author without question. This book is now one of my all-time favorites.

I loved this book when I had to read it in school as a 16 year old and love it now after reading it again as a 33 year old.

It is one of those books that will be loved throughout the years because your perception and understanding of it changes each time you read it. The story grows as you do.

The characters always made me feel many different emotions towards them including anger, sympathy, pity, understanding, and disgust.

The story touches on real things that happen in life. Death, broken marriage, affairs, greed, lost love, wanting to reinvent yourself, and so much more.

The only thing I don’t think I will ever understand is why Jordan, Nick, Tom, Daisy, and Gatsby didn’t just drive into the city that fateful night in their own cars. It will never make sense to me.

This book also shows how the acts of one or two people can destroy so many lives.

DID NOT FINISH — I will not rate a book that I shelf as “did not finish.” I don’t believe it’s fair to put a rating on books I didn’t read from beginning to end.


DNF on page 215

DID NOT FINISH — I will not rate a book that I shelf as “did not finish.” I don’t believe it’s fair to put a rating on books I didn’t read from beginning to end.

DID NOT FINISH — I will not rate a book that I shelf as “did not finish.” I don’t believe it’s fair to put a rating on books I didn’t read from beginning to end.

DNF: Page 97


I normally don't find it fair to review books that I DNF but for this particular book I just couldn't help myself.

I was so excited to read this book and had such high hopes.
I have followed the trial of Aaron Hernandez since the day he got arrested because I'm a huge sports fan. I have read and watched numerous accounts of his life and crimes. I picked up this particular book to get a different insight on everything and hopefully learn something new.
I didn't learn a single thing. This is all just the recycled information you can find anywhere else.

It is so poorly written and the amount of grammatical errors throughout the book are surprising. It is nothing more than a biased account of who Hernandez was and why he couldn't have possibly been guilty (Although, I do believe he was innocent of the double homicide in Boston). Baez does nothing but toot his own horn about how amazing of a lawyer he is and how he could have done a much better job with this investigation than authorities did.

If you are thinking about picking up this book. Don't. Do yourself a favor and don't waste your time.

0 Stars= I did not finish

TRIGGER WARNINGS: ALCOHOLISM, SEXUAL ASSUALT, INTERTILITY, TRAMATIC CHILD INJURY

This book ended up being a DNF for me. I got to page 178 and therefore feel like I gave it a very fair chance before throwing in the towel.

Throughout the book, I believe the author meant for us to feel sorry for Daisy (the mom) and be pissed off at Simon (the dad). For some reason, I felt the opposite. I could not stand Daisy and found her to be quite insufferable. It was like all she did was put down her husband and preach about how perfect and amazing she and Millie (their daughter) were. Get off your high horse, girl, and put away that "holier and thou" attitude. Please and thank you.

Daisy has turned a blind eye to Simon's alcoholism for years. YEARS. It leads to the occurrence of a catastrophic event, and we are supposed to believe he is the only one to blame? That is not the move, Daisy. That is not it, honey. After said event occurred, Daisy babied Millie to high hell, and I just couldn't deal with that. Maybe it's because I'm not a mother and never wish to be one. I don't know. Daisy is shiesty. Shiesty, shiesty, shiesty!

This is marketed as being a thriller of sorts and in some ways it is. But I personally feel like this is more of a story showing how alcoholism can wreak havoc on a family and the lives of the people they love. I suppose it is a domestic thriller of sorts.

I did jump ahead to the epilogue and read the twist that was in there. All I can say is, WHAT IN THE WORLD WAS THAT MALARKY!? What in the actual Peter, Paul, and Mary was that? Adele Parks must have been puffing the magic dragon when she thought up that little gem.

Spoiler

Daisy was so desperate for a child, and after their failed IVF attempt, she apparently decided to take matters into her own hands. She found a used condom in the bathroom trash can (while at a party) and INSEMINATED herself with the sperm inside. That is 50 shades of crazy. Is that even possible? And it was her BEST FRIEND'S HUSBAND'S SPERM! That is so messed up.

I actually felt horrible for Simon and didn't have a lick of sympathy for Daisy. But at the end of the day, Daisy seemed to think she was some kind of angel. And I love that for her. Just not for the readers.

This book just fell flat for me on so many levels. The only lie here is that this story is worth reading.