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Survive the Night
Survive the Night: A Novel | Riley Sager
242 posts | 219 read | 1 reading | 69 to read
Its November 1991. George H. W. Bush is in the White House, Nirvana's in the tape deck, and movie-obsessed college student Charlie Jordan is in a car with a man who might be a serial killer. Josh Baxter, the man behind the wheel, is a virtual stranger to Charlie. They met at the campus ride board, each looking to share the long drive home to Ohio. Both have good reasons for wanting to get away. For Charlie, its guilt and grief over the murder of her best friend, who became the third victim of the man known as the Campus Killer. For Josh, its to help care for his sick father. Or so he says. Like the Hitchcock heroine shes named after, Charlie has her doubts. Theres something suspicious about Josh, from the holes in his story about his father to how he doesnt seem to want Charlie to see inside the cars trunk. As they travel an empty highway in the dead of night, an increasingly worried Charlie begins to think shes sharing a car with the Campus Killer. Is Josh truly dangerous? Or is Charlies suspicion merely a figment of her movie-fueled imagination? What follows is a game of cat-and-mouse played out on night-shrouded roads and in neon-lit parking lots, during an age when the only call for help can be made on a pay phone and in a place where there's nowhere to run. In order to win, Charlie must do one thingsurvive the night.
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jdiehr
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Panpan

So annoying.

So repetitive.

This is my first Riley Sager and will most likely be my last.

I hated it so much that I found myself wishing the heroine would just die so I wouldn't have to hear about the "movies in her head" anymore.

suvata Now, that‘s an honest review. 1mo
Sleepswithbooks @jdiehr - Riley‘s books all aren‘t that bad 😂 Don‘t bail based on this one alone. I can absolutely relate to wanting a character to die, in my case, this particular one as well (I‘m laughing so much at your post because I relate!!). 1mo
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Erinreadsthebooks This one irked me, too, but I did enjoy his book about the haunted house. The one with the neon green font, can‘t recall the title at the moment 😅 1mo
BarbaraBB I read this one by him and hated it just as much. Won‘t read him again (edited) 1mo
25 likes6 comments
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hollylynnbee
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Pickpick

This book was something. It was slow at first but the end picked up! 🚗

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StellaDz
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Mehso-so

A Goodreads review said this book is full of completely unreliable characters, gaslighting to the extreme (between characters and for readers), ridiculous motives and a lack of common sense. And I agree. This premise drew me in, and it was wild, but it was absurd. The one character I did like, I didn‘t get to see the real character because of said gaslighting and stupidity. I‘m seeing these trends in thrillers and they do not agree with me.

⭐️⭐️

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JanuarieTimewalker13
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Pickpick

👌🏽This book was SO much fun….harrowing, confusing, then it all clicked…such a great “get out of a reading slump” book. Fun ride…lots of fun film and music references…set in 1991.

JanuarieTimewalker13 Book 3 completed 2/5/24 9mo
dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 9mo
Leftcoastzen 😻👏 9mo
53 likes3 comments
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AmandaBlaze
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Perfect 👍🏻 10mo
Eggs Well played👏🏻👏🏻 10mo
31 likes2 comments
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DHill
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This started out ok. An interesting storyline, but it‘s drug on a bit and heading into the fairly ridiculous. 80% in and I‘m still interested to see how it ends, though, so there‘s that.

42 likes1 stack add
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OriginalCyn620
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Charityann I love the pumpkin!🎃 13mo
StayCurious cool picture! 13mo
34 likes2 comments
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Christy2318
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Pickpick

I see why people hated this, but bonkers is one of my favorite things. Main character - stupid people want to be heroines too. Best part is the roadtrip through the dead of night 1991. No cell phone, hoping for a pay phone when you stopped somewhere. This is probably less scary if you have never been stranded on an isolated stretch of road without a cellphone or GPS tracking. #scarathlon #magicalmonsters 21 points ⬇️

Christy2318 To me this was a very GenZ riff on horror movies that would have gone straight to VHS. I told kid I liked it and then summarized the plot. He said it sounded terrible. 😂 13mo
30 likes1 comment
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ChelseaM6010
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Pickpick

“One passenger. One night. One road trip. One suspected serial killer behind the wheel. . .”— What a wild ride!
The story is centered around Charlie, a girl hitching a ride from a guy named Josh. They met via a university ride-share scheme.
I don‘t really want to give too much away with this book as I feel it best to go in blind. I gave it 3 ⭐️
This was my #Doublespin for August!

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!!! 1y
14 likes1 comment
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DebinHawaii
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#SummerSpecial

Two books from my #TBR about #Survival from killers.
😱🔪🩸

Eggs These both sound awesome 👏🏻 1y
44 likes1 comment
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Nalbuque
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Pickpick

Twisty story over the coarse of a road trip, essentially. Took me only 2 days to read it, so yeah, I‘d say it was good, but not as exciting as tiktok is making it sound. Starts a bit slow, but picks up with time…mildly disorienting, with a decent amount of action cool quick thriller.

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SomedayAlmost
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Mehso-so

First 2 hours & last 2 hours were quite good. Unexpected twist. Liked unreliable narrator with mental health issues (active in her battle to understand reality, if not in battling her foes). Tension and plot sag in the middle as much of the action takes place in the past and not during the present dangerous car ride. #nothisbest #thrillers

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rambiepaige
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Enjoying the writing style in this one so far!

15 likes1 stack add
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CoffeeK8
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This month‘s #BOTM. I love the new socks so much!

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Bzosche
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“Sometimes you can‘t simultaneously be smart, brave, and careful. Sometimes you need to choose one.”

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TorieStorieS
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Pickpick

Set in 1991 (along with authentic 1991 Lisa Frank supplies recently found!!) Sager‘s fifth novel politely asks you to buckle up from the beginning- and I could not put it down after! Charlie‘s obsession with movies is more of a coping mechanism and in the aftermath of her roommate‘s grisly death, she decides to flee college and return home to OH- but will she make it? With a surprising plot & chilling moments, this kept me up late into the night!

IndoorDame Wow! Lisa Frank! 2y
EvieBee These are from your collection?!? If so, they are pristine! I always remember the dolphins. 2y
TorieStorieS @IndoorDame @EvieBee I uncovered these at my dad‘s house- preserved in a closet for years! 2y
49 likes3 comments
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ImperfectCJ
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Panpan

I wasn't enamored, but I was pretty much going along with this novel until about 70% in when I rolled my eyes so hard I pulled something. Knowing that, at my age, any little misjudgement in movement can cause injury, I should have quit then, but curiosity kept me listening to the end. That last third was quite painful but went fast (at 2x). On the plus side, my kids love when I rant about books, so, score for them. 👍

#TeamSlaughter #scarathlon

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Crazycatlady1
Pickpick

This book was intense. Charlie is a young woman struggling with a lot of death and grief. She decides to leave college and head home for a visit when things go wrong. No one can be trusted and no one‘s coming to help. Will Charlie be able to rescue herself? I‘m not telling… ya gotta read this book!!

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MissKane
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Mehso-so

Sad to give this a “so-so” rating. Sager is currently my favorite author but I felt of all the Sager novels I‘ve read this was left me wanting more. It felt a little lackluster even though the twist was great. I didn‘t care for the “movie” approach either.

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MrT
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Pickpick

Cyprus 2022 Holiday Reads

I got a little tired of the 'movie in my mind' repetition, the last third was more enjoyable than the beginning, I figured out the twists and THE END. An enjoyable sunbathing read but not as cracking as Sagers HBD.

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Victoriahoperose
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Pickpick

This was impossible to put down, but I figured it out almost right away which definitely disappointed me. I loved the writing and the way that Sager incorporated the movie theme throughout the book all the way to the end. I liked the element of disbelief in this book and the unreliable narrator, but I felt like it was just so unrealistic that it took away from the story. Overall, I liked it, but not my favorite one by this author.

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candc320
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Pickpick

I‘ve liked each of Riley Sager‘s novels and this was no exception. Super fast-paced (I listened to the whole audiobook in a day) with lots of twists and turns it was exactly what I expected it to be. I also really enjoyed the many 90s references and the film noir nostalgia. Nothing particularly new or mind blowing here, but just a solid entertaining story. 🌟🌟🌟🌟

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CBee
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Mehso-so

This is my 4th Sager and I‘m totally underwhelmed. I FLEW through it, especially as I got towards the middle, but then I figured out the ending!! I can‘t stand when that happens. Anyway, it was just meh - his other books are SO much better. This was my #doublespin 👍🏻 @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 2y
69 likes1 comment
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Madison91
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Pickpick

Obsessed with Riley sager. Would recommend to anyone

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LoverOfLearning
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Mehso-so

This was my first Riley Sager! Cross that off my list!

A game of cat and mouse is about to play out. Josh is a stranger driving Charlie home from college. A stranger who may be the Campus Killer. In order to win, Charlie must do only one thing . . . survive the night.

I liked the concept of this story a lot but it definitely fell flat for me. And like the last thriller I read I found it predictable.

I was happy for the quick read.

3.5 stars.

Twainy It‘s my least favorite. So it would only get better for you 😁 3y
LoverOfLearning @Twainy which one by him was your favorite? 3y
Twainy Hmmm Home Before Dark or Lock Every Door. Solid 4+ stars. Popcorn reading! Easy entertainment. 3y
BookDragonNotWorm I like his other books, but this one was disappointing. 3y
LoverOfLearning @Twainy I'll check them out! 3y
48 likes2 stack adds5 comments
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MelKelsey
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Pickpick

Book 45

I listened to a thriller about a college student who, after finding a ride home via a ride share board, is fearful that she may be in the car with her roommate's murderer. The novel jumped right into the suspense, and I worried it was premature. The drama continued and evolved throughout the novel but was overdone. The main character was frustratingly stupid, and I figured out the ending before the reveal. It was engaging. 3.5 ⭐s

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LoverOfLearning
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Cozy on my couch with a book in hand!

Just picked this one up! Hoping for a quick scare!

Thoughts?

Smartypants Finished that one a few months ago and it was awesome! Couldn‘t put it down. Now, it‘s not great literature but the escapism was awesome!! 3y
LoverOfLearning @Smartypants I'll have to.let you know thoughts once I finish it! So far I'm 40 pages in. :) 3y
she.hearts.horror I found this book very underwhelming — especially considering the author was a film major. It was also really unclear who his target audience was. While I understand that the timing of the book had to be when cell phones didn‘t exist, the film references seemed generations before anyone in his reading demographic would be really familiar. 3y
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LoverOfLearning @she.epeolatry I have so far been thinking the same thing! It's keeping me interested so far at least. Well see how the rest goes! 3y
she.hearts.horror @LoverOfLearning Good luck. It‘s not the worst but probably my least favorite of all his books — which is sad because I love movies as much as I love books. 😭 3y
LoverOfLearning @she.epeolatry yeah I'm giving it 3.5 stars. I liked the concept and the storyline but yeah it was very predictable for me. Was really not shocked at all I enjoy the first half more then the 2nd. But I did appreciate the very last chapter. 3y
LoverOfLearning @she.epeolatry and I agree I didn't know 1 film mentioned...should've targeted the reader better. but I did like Josh's music choices! 3y
45 likes7 comments
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Reagan
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Lucy approves… of anytime I cuddle with her. It snowed here so bed is where I will stay for the foreseeable future.

5feet.of.fury Lucy! I really liked that book 🎥 3y
Reagan Oh my gosh it was so good @5feet.of.fury maybe my favourite Riley Sager book so far. 3y
5feet.of.fury @Reagan between this and Final Girls for me! So good 3y
54 likes1 stack add3 comments
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APLitlife
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Mehso-so

Not my favorite. Didn‘t care much for the characters and the ending was horrible.

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ItsAnotherJen
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Pickpick

Another book tok recommendation! After about 40% of the book, I was struggling to even continue with this one. It was getting boring. I wasn't into it at all. One of the most unreliable narrators ever, and I was questioning what was really even happening here. Then...then it got interesting.
I really enjoyed the 2nd half of the book. I liked the ending, never would of guessed that's how things would of played out! Not realistic but good.

5feet.of.fury Agree! Needs a suspension of disbelief but, it‘s a fun one! 3y
103 likes1 stack add1 comment
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GinaKButler
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Up next on 🎧

#bookspinbingo

16 likes1 stack add
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MyNamesParadise
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Pickpick

Charlie (who‘s a girl) agrees to ride with a stranger named Josh to go home from college; the drive is from New Jersey to Ohio. She doesn‘t know if she can trust him after signs suggest he could be the Campus Killer. But she doesn‘t know if she can trust herself bc she has “movies in her mind” where she dissociated from reality & will admit it was an overused trope. It does have some good twists with a decent ending. I‘d read more of Sager.

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Lmass23
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Always read with a buddy!

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jackilynn
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Mehso-so
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FantasyChick
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Panpan

It's entirely possible that I may have already read my most disappointing book of the year. I look forward to Sager's latest every summer and I tried with this, I really did. The twists weren't bad but predictable and kind of cheesy. The slow, SLOW pace couldn't keep me interested. The characters were very bland. What I did like was the style...which I didn't understand until the end. But that was fun. I hope his next one's better 🤞

Lizpixie Yeah, his books are always hit or miss for me too. Can‘t stop acquiring them though! I may have a problem🤔 (edited) 3y
TheAromaofBooks I still haven't read any of his books, although I have several of them on my TBR. I'll probably not start with this one, though haha 3y
monalyisha Yikes! I have faith in others on your list! Good luck. 🍀 3y
MaleficentBookDragon Oh no! Sorry. I agree some of his are much better than others. 3y
36 likes5 comments
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Traci1
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Panpan

Well, I finished it. It was bonkers, and not in a good way. It didn't help that the narrator over-enunciated every T. Omg was she irriTaTing. But even if I'd read it in print, I'd have really disliked it. The characters were awful and impossible to like, and the story was just ridiculous. There are loads of 5 star reviews of this one on goodreads, so maybe it's just me. 🤷‍♀️

xicanti Ugh. That kind of too-crisp diction makes me grit my teeth. 3y
Laughterhp I‘ve given up on reading Riley Sager. I haven‘t really enjoyed any of his books. My friend read this one and told me all the crazy stuff that happened. It seems very ridiculous. 3y
70 likes2 comments
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Traci1
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Does this book get any less stupid? A little over halfway through, and it just gets more and more ridiculous.

Trashcanman Are you going to DNF? 3y
FantasyChick I'm not quite to the halfway mark yet but I'm feeling about the same. Definitely not enjoying this as much as Sager's other works 3y
Traci1 @Trashcanman thinking about it. It's just driving me crazy the dumb decisions that are going on. 3y
See All 6 Comments
Traci1 @FantasyChick this is my first Sager, and I am not impressed. 3y
Readerann Looks like one to avoid! 🙏 3y
Traci1 @Readerann I did not think it got better. But the reviews on goodreads are mixed, so who knows? Maybe this just isn't the author for me. 3y
66 likes6 comments
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LauraRenae
This post contains spoilers
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Pickpick

Part of me wishes that the book had allowed for the ambiguity of the unsolved crime, a storyline that would have been a little less safe. The final reveal was cliche but overall the book achieved its purpose - a solid thriller that held my attention and made me want to speed through. #bookspinbingo

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jackilynn
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House work done for the day so now time to kick back, relax, and enjoy what is left of my weekend.

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LauraRenae
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Already off to a good start with #BookSpinBingo, moving on to my second pick (tagged book). Sager's novels are often 'meh' for me but I can also never resist the hype.

TheAromaofBooks I still haven't read a Sager, although a few of them are on my TBR! 3y
9 likes1 comment
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kplovesbooks
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#12BooksOf2021 #10thbookof2021 #October
Loved, loved, LOVED this book!! 😍 I never thought a thriller could be described as special, but this is it. My 4th favorite book all year.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Would have been 5, but I always knock a star for language. Otherwise, 5 is not even enough, that's how much I loved it!)
@Andrew65

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DarkMina
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Andrew65 A good choice. 3y
kplovesbooks This is my October pick! 🙌😊 3y
DarkMina @kplovesbooks Great choice! 😁 3y
11 likes3 comments
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nmadriga
Panpan

I genuine did not care for the story until 2/3 of the way through only to be incredibly underwhelmed by the “twist” ending. The story itself could have been cut in half and changed nothing to the overall plot…

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Kaylamburson
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Pickpick

This book requires you to suspend your disbelief as it's all a bit ridiculous and unrealistic. And the plot moves forward because a college girl makes the world's stupidest decisions, which I hope no one in real life would make. With that said, Sager once again keeps you on the edge of your seat & desperate to know more. However, the "why" the MC, Charlie, is in this situation in the first place is not strong and undermines the overall plot.

Megabooks I remember this making me laugh with its absurdity. 3y
Kaylamburson It was so absurd. Not the strongest story of Sager's. @Megabooks 3y
APLitlife The ending🙄 3y
Kaylamburson Truthfully I no longer remember it 😂. Except that it was all absurd haha @APLitlife 3y
56 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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H_SQUARED
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My reading buddy ❤️ I‘m halfway through the book and loving it!

TheSpineView Adorable! 3y
16 likes1 stack add1 comment
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OutsmartYourShelf
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Pickpick

I do so look forward to a new Riley Sager book & this one is a belter of a read. It starts off quite slowly, but as things pick up, the tension mounts, & I found myself flying through the final 40% of the book. It requires a hefty suspense of disbelief -but if you can do that, the twists keep on coming, & you won't be disappointed. 5🌟

My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Hodder & Stoughton, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

33 likes1 stack add5 comments