Welcome to Litsy!

The Girl Before was certainly a thriller worth reading with many twists I didn‘t expect. I enjoyed reading it.

**I enjoyed this book, but wasn‘t a huge fan of the ending.

Borrowed from a friend: starting another psychological thriller. First read by JP Delaney

Easily one of my favorite books! Such a twisted story line that pulls you in right from the beginning. It‘s a perspective jumping book that is two story lines taking place at the same house. WORTH THE READ I PROMISE!! JP Delaney became one of my favorite authors. If you like twisted #psychologicalthrillers add this to your stack! #thriller #suspense #thegirlbefore
The adaptation on HBO of this was actually pretty accurate to the book!

I picked this a long time ago at B&N and then ended up doing the audio version of this book — or so I thought. I had this confused with the book by Rena Olsen which is nothing like this. I‘m glad I reread the description before I took for donation. Good story, between a pick and a so-so.

I did the audio version of this book.It kept me listening until the end,but it wasn‘t one of my favorites.The story line was different.Some very strange and disturbing things took place.There‘s a definite trigger warning for anyone who gets grossed out by exotic cuisine.Read it,&you‘ll know what I mean.I‘d have to say that in the end,this book was your typical psychological thriller.Its been made onto a series on HBO Max which I‘ll probably watch.

There were some oddities in this one, but for the most part I enjoyed it and it kept me guessing.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4546111388?book_show_action=false&from_rev...

My word, this was so stupid. The new Kristen Bell series on Netflix that so perfectly satirizes all of these “Girl/Woman” thrillers was made to mock books like this.

What rock have I been under, I had no idea this was turned into a show on HBO! Not my favorite of his books, but I'll definitely give it a watch! (I'm a big fan of Gugu 💜)

A must read. Proof that the book is always better than the film/TV adaptation, although this was also good.
Read the book before the TV series like I did!

Told in alternating narratives of the girl before (Emma) and the girl now (Jane). Both go through an intense vetting process to be considered as occupants of an austere, high tech home designed by Edward. The questionnaire is long and extremely intrusive, causing the women and readers to wonder why. Many plot twists and turns. I was completely fooled! Heard there is a mini series based on the book-

September 13, 2021 Update on this book: If you are a psychological thriller fan and a person who likes reading about narcissists, then this book is for you. I really like this book so far! I am about halfway through. DANG these authors are so good at what they do.

August 14, 2021 Two days ago I received this book from Amazon. I am so happy and excited to read it soon but FIRST I have to get through Daisy Jones and the Six and The Silent Patient. I was thinking of reading both at the same time but I am a person who LOVESSSSS suspense so I will keep that suspense going!!! What are my new followers reading? Feel free to leave a comment

Twisty and creepy, and told in dual timelines, which I do love. Then - Emma needs a safe Haven after a traumatic break-in at her previous flat. Now - Jane wants a fresh start after suffering a great personal loss. They both thought the house at One Folgate Street, built by an eccentric and controlling but brilliant architect, would be the answer. But the house of their dreams turned into a nightmare for both.

#bookspinbingo
#tbrdeckofcards

And when I realized you had secrets too,I was glad.I thought we could be honest with each other.That we could finally rid ourselves of all the clutter from our past. Not our possessions,but the stuff we carry around inside our heads.Because that's what I've realized.You can make your surroundings as polished and empty as you like. But it doesn't really matter if you're still messed up inside. And that's all anyone's looking for really, isn't it?

Book 122
Mediocre mystery about two different women that at different times rent a smart house by a famous architect. The first woman died in the house. It was okay to listen to but not reccomendable.

Suspense is the genre I never knew I needed. I‘ve been obsessed lately and this book by a new author (for me) did not disappoint. The dual narration added layers to the suspense. The odd premise of the plot also kept my interest. In this novel,both narrators take the reader on a journey as they apply to live in a house that comes with a bunch of rules and stipulations. Add in an eccentric landlord and a mysterious back story.

For anyone who has finished this... I‘m almost halfway through and I‘ll pretty put-off by the Japanese restaurant scenes and the storyline of Isabel. Should I bail now?

This wasn‘t a fast paced story, but I was really surprised at some of the reveals. Though it didn‘t keep me glued to the chair turning pages until about 60 pages left, it had enough mystery to keep my attention. I‘m glad I didn‘t heed the negative reviews, I enjoyed this book. It was entertaining and low pressure.

“1. Please make a list of every possession you consider essential to your life.”

#FirstLineFriday

Wow, I have to say that I loved reading every page this book had..never a dull moment between Emma and Jane

Although it was challenging, I did manage to unhaul some books this month! If you want to know what they are and why I‘m unhauling them, you‘ll have to watch the video! 😉 https://youtu.be/11cAmX5FuxE

#booktubenetwork #bookvideo #bookunhaul #bookwormproblems #gettingridofbooks #readingpreferences #booked #toomanybooks #bookaddiction

Hank the Book Sniffer‘s expression pretty much says it all here. He was not impressed with the book‘s sniffiness. I was not impressed with the author trying to swap tragedy and eccentricity for real character development. Warning: graphic sex - kinda felt like the author was trying to replicate that whole 50 Shades ridiculousness. Vapid little page turner. Can‘t wait to see how the septuagenarians in book club liked it 😂 #hankthebulldog

I read this book long back, just didn't get time to review it. The synopsis was gripping and that's what made me read the book. Overall the book is an okayish read, makes you turn pages, but turns out to be a cliche as it ends.
3.5/5🌟
#thriller #suspense #mystery #newyear

Picked this one up in the bargain bin at the grocery store for $3.33.

I got about half way through before I started to lose interest. It didn't grab my attention and have me turning pages for more which I know is what the author was going for. I finished it but I was as disappointed by the end as I was by the middle.

I had to bail. The plot seemed to be solid but I could not take the vulgarity anymore. I am not interested in reading explicit sexual details. I want a book with a good plot, characters, and beautiful details. This book just did not measure up.

Yessss! This was fantastic on audiobook!

3 hours and 1.5 audiobooks later I have 5 dozen crab rangoons 😍 I fried up 2 dozen so I can bring them to work tomorrow, and the rest are going in the freezer. So far this audiobook has me intrigued! 🤔

#SummersEndReadathon

Perplexed about this book - it has a good pace & writing style but oh my, what a terrible set of unrealistic characters, not to mention a predictable & non-convincing story.

Anyone else read this? Would live to hear your thoughts.

I‘ve been in a slight reading slump for awhile so I decided to switch up genres and I‘m so glad I did.

I couldn‘t put this book down. I had to find out what happened to Emma. I usually can figure out what happens early on in the book but this time I was surprised!

And I just found out Rob Howard is directing the movie. I can‘t wait to see it.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is a really chilling psychological thriller. Imagine moving into the home of your dreams only to have it turn into the house of your nightmares. It was a quick read - a great way to spend a lazy afternoon.

Love is always one sided

The dead can seem impossibly perfect

The only person you can really change is yourself

Not all abuse if physical
The need for absolute control
Is another kind of Ill treatment

I know that when I know more about the women he loves I‘ll understand him better

Two damage people don‘t make a whole

Would you live in a smart house if everything you did was monitored? And you were required to fill out frequent questionnaires? And you had 200 rules to follow?

Then: Emma. She decides after an upsetting break-in, this is just the house for her.

Now: Jane. After a devastating personal loss, Jane decides this house could be a new start.

Jane quickly becomes obsessed with finding out what happened to the girl who lived there before. Great ending!

Not ready for the review yet because I am only halfway but I admit I am enjoying it so far!

I see the mixed reviews and my opinion could change, but so far, it is keeping my attention. I am definitely appreciating the author‘s full attention to detail regarding the two similar main characters...

Both given the chance, at different times, to live in an architect‘s “smart” house. As long as they follow his rules.

Maybe today‘s newspaper 📰 supplement reminds me of my last book. 😄
The supplement is about a day that ordinary people offer other ordinary people insights and free entry into their own private houses/homes. Mainly because they – the houses – are architecturally special or remarkable or beautiful …

Seems, there were open doors all over the world, yesterday, doesn‘t it, @ReadingOverSleeping ❓😂

😊 Which I never read. I‘m not even tempted to.

Just wanted to say that.

But James‘ books are one of those pop-cultural phenomena that end in everybody roughly knowing what it‘s all about – even if one wants to belong to the – small amount of – people that skip out on the hype. 🤷🏽‍♀️

Now I understand the mixed ratings.

Yeah, at times the book definitely feels like a mix of “Enemy in my Bed” and “50 Shades …” but it got me hooked from the very beginning and never let me go – until the end, that, the closer it came, more and more turned out to be a bit flat. Maybe too much a bit hasty turns in too few pages. 🤷🏽‍♀️

But overall I was highly engrossed and loved the combination of technical and lifestyle issues it dealt with.

This book is a bit like watching “Titanic”.
You _know_ how it all ends but you can‘t stop watching.

Same here. Almost from the very beginning I sense disaster in the “plotish air” but, yeah, you‘re right that, no, I can‘t put it down.