Just Like Home

This story elicited a lot of intrigue and curiosity initially but seemed not very well executed. It never really gained any sort of fluidity or momentum and notably had ideas that were not followed through with or appeared forced. The story wasn't over all bad it just could have been better written and the conclusion was quite lackluster leaving more questions than answers.

I don't even know where to start with this book. I loved [b:The Echo Wife|52379735|The Echo Wife|Sarah Gailey|https:i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1588791809l/52379735._SY75_.jpg|73056559] and had such high hopes for Just Like Home. I wrangled my Cocktail Hour co-hosts into reading it and, while I'm sure our discussion on 4/1/23 will be lively, I wish I hadn't.

While the Cocktail Hour will be FILLED with spoilers, this review won't be. So let me try to sort of some of the good, the bad, and the downright ugly in a vague way that won't give anything away.

The Good
For the most part, the language and writing voice was enjoyable. There was a visceral feel to much of the descriptions that placed me right there and I appreciated that a lot.

Vera's childhood parts were the best bits of the book. Her love for her father, their interactions, her discovering things about herself, all great.

The concept of her Best Friend. I can't really say anything else about this but it was a great idea and parts of the execution worked well and I loved those.

The Bad
Also the language. Lots of repetitive descriptions (what exactly is clean sweat and why is it used SO MUCH) and so many metaphors and similes. SO MANY!

The Ugly
The entire set up and Vera's responses and actions surrounding James. This made no sense to me at all. None. Not even a little bit. She has no reason to speak to, let alone spend time with, this guy. But she does. Repeatedly. Why? I don't get it. It actually made me angry several times that I couldn't quit reading this book.

A lot of what was going on seemed ridiculous and unbelievable as far as what Vera was doing and why. I couldn't buy into it and that ruined the book for me.

I think that part of the reason even thinking about this book makes me mad is that there was SO MUCH potential here. The overall idea of the story is great. I was engaged with the relationship between Vera and Francis. Daphne was a bit over the top when Vera was a kid but that was okay. Vera's friend was unique and interesting and sort of awesome but wasn't strong enough to overpower my disappointment and frustration in the current-day events and actions.

I don't think I can recommend this one.

Oh, I listened to most of the book but read the last several chapters. The narrator was okay but eyeball reading made for a better experience for me.

I got the ebook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

good for her

No spoilers here. I liked the premise - serial killer father, family secrets, house haunted, daughter returns home. Lots of twists and turns. Didn't like much of the middle. Thought the pacing was slow and didn't find characters believable or relatable. Ending a surprise. Expected more than it delivered.

I picked this one up because it was the the January 2023 pick for the Wine & Crime Book Club - it found its way onto the voting poll because the club previously read THE ECHO WIFE and we had a big bag of mixed reactions, but we really enjoyed discussing the book.

Audiobookers - this book is narrated by Xe Sands, whom I *love* but I do think her musical voice alone doesn't do the fear that builds throughout the story. I would recommend immersion reading if at all possible or just sticking to the physical book.

JUST LIKE HOMEis a legitimate thriller - there was a chapter that had me breaking out into a cold sweat reading it and resulted in bad dreams that night. I freaking love it when a book does that! THIS is what I look for in thrillers!!

I enjoyed the mystery of what happened in our main character's past, as well as the mystery of what (or who) is pulling shenanigans now that Vera is back to go through her old childhood home in preparation to sell it after her mother dies. Sarah Gailey nailed this one as far as atmosphere and setting the story in what readers come to believe is a haunted house. I had so many different theories and one was even kind of right in the end!

What kept this one from a higher rating was the ending. It just didn't quite land with me. It pulled the plug on the fear factor and made it...cozy? Is that the right word? I would have preferred something a bit more violent - I think this narrative would have excelled as one where it just ends, readers are left using their imagination as to what really happened.