Sunday, January 3, 2021

REVIEW: Every Last Secret by A.R. Torre

 


Shel: When telling my cousin about Every Last Secret, I likened it to Single White Female or Fatal Attraction--though I'm realizing that I'm dating myself with those references. If those references mean nothing to you, here's what you need to know--this novel is really hard to put down once you start it. It's categorized as "psychological fiction" --and that's probably the best way to put it. Torre's ability to capture the nuances of all types of relationships and what makes them work or fracture is one of the many things that really shine in this novel. Her powers of observation--of our human nature, our needs, our manipulations, and what we do to create the lives we want or we want to project--were spot on.
Court: Dang, could not have said it better. This one was so good and I couldn't put it down either. I have always loved Torre's writing, but she definitely keeps getting better and upping her ability to craft a story that is nuanced, and enthralling and just keeps me hooked right to the last page. These people are all so flawed, but the insight we get into their thinking is spectacular. The execution of the story is so good, and I had to stay up wayyyy too late to see how it ended.

Shel: Alessandra Torre did a fantastic job of pulling me into the novel and making me completely invested in not what was happening but how it was happening. Torre seemingly removed the mystery of 'who done it' in the prologue so it appeared to be less about the end result and more about how Cat, Neena, William, and Matt got to there. I found myself strongly HATING characters and hate reading parts of chapters. Alternatively, I also found myself actually liking things at the end that I don't know that I should have--does that make me a psychopath?! Perhaps. I blame Torre for it all--the strong feelings, the inability to do an ounce of work, the one more chapter-ing until all hours of the night--because she once again wrote a novel that I couldn't get enough of. Court: YAS! I know who I am a fan of in the end, and while that probalby also makes me seriously messed up in the head these people are so very human and it is what makes this book exciting. They are down to their base instincts here, and how they navigate the game of being a big fish in a little pond. A.R. Torre has a beautiful gift to be able to keep us guessing where the story was going and ultimately surprised me by what I found out. 


Shel: While I didn't have to get to the end to figure some things out, I truly enjoyed the entire journey to the end. And I liked the end--the sense of completion and yet the unexpected sense of melancholy that colored the last pages and left me with the most interesting sense of satisfaction and longing. Court: I felt the same way. It is a stand alone book, for sure, but I loved how satisfied I feel having read it. I was afraid to keep reading because I wanted it to last, but also very happy with the entire book front to back, and that is kind of a rare thing to get sometimes. I realllly enjoyed this book, and you must check it out! 

BUY IT: https://amzn.to/3nEFO6i

Welcome to the neighborhood. Watch your husband, watch your friends, and watch your back.

Cat Winthorpe has worked hard to get what she has: a gorgeous home; social standing; and William, her successful, handsome husband. Then a friendly new couple moves into the estate next door. While cautious, a good neighbor like Cat greets them with open arms and warm hospitality.

Neena Ryder isn’t a fellow lady of leisure. A life coach with off-the-rack dresses, personal issues, and a husband who hasn’t delivered, she’s anxious to move up in the world. This beautiful new town is a step in the right direction. It’s also making Neena aware of what she doesn’t have. Namely, William. When Neena’s infatuation escalates into obsession, it’s just a matter of eliminating a few obstacles to get the life she wants. The life next door.

As Neena’s secret fixation grows, so does her friendship with Cat. But beneath their cordial interactions is a wealth of temptations, secrets, and toxic jealousy. For both women, the desire for a perfect life can turn perfectly dangerous.

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