Member Reviews
I wish I had liked this book more. It wasn’t bad, I just couldn’t get into it as much as I wanted. There were parts that were so interested and I didn’t predict the twist, it was a slow burn and I feel like a bit more action sooner would’ve made this a four star for me.
THE DIVORCE
BY VICTORIA JENKINS
Lydia and Joshua Greene show up for marriage counseling at psychologist Karen Fisher's home where her clients can feel comfortable in a warm inviting setting
Karen Fisher specializes in helping couples with marital problems fix their troubled marriages. What was most intriguing to me is how the book hints at our early child developmental stages and how that shapes our personalities and perceptions as adults It really is fascinating how scientists such as Bruce Lipton has proven through his research through cellular biology the psychology of how the mind is programmed as we are children and how we subconsciously act out those early childhood developmental programs without being conscious of our actions. We are like tape recorders with the record button pushed taking in our parents and our siblings and our society thoughts and actions about ourselves whether or not they are accurate or not as our brainwaves are in a theta state from birth to age seven. Those around us can see our actions when we become adults but until we become above the veil of consciousness to our own actions we cannot see our actions and remain blind until we gain insight into our behavior. It is only by becoming conscious of our actions that allow us to change self defeating actions that don't serve our best interests. In a round about way The divorce by Victoria Jenkins is relating these themes in fleshing out Karen's character development during Karen's ruminations in her long chapters.
Lydia seems meek and abused on some level by her angry husband Joshua. Especially when he says Lydia's memories are not reliable. It becomes apparent to Karen that Joshua reminds her of her abusive first husband. Karen really wants to help this couple but comes to the conclusion that she thinks both Lydia and Joshua are hiding something much more sinister. But what are they hiding? What is Karen hiding? Is Karen in danger? Is Lydia in danger? We get a peek st this couples marital problems and their relationship issues through their sessions and all three of them have alternating chapters each letting us see their own thoughts and points of view separately. Karen's chapters are especially long. The beginning is a slow burn but as the novel progresses things pick up the pace. Victoria Jenkins is an undeniably a very talented writer who before this novel wrote police story mysteries but was interested in writing a novel of psychological suspense. This novel was not how I thought it was and I don't think it is anything like Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn which the synopsis blurb of this book claims. This suspenseful novel was very enjoyable and has a mind blowing ending.
I am a little torn about how to phrase the review for this book. Anyone who has seen my reviews for thrillers knows that I have a hard time clicking with the new ones. On one hand, I did click with this one but at the same time, I felt a little let down by a few of the parts and the order in which they occurred but not enough to regret picking up the book like I sometimes do with some of the more recent bestsellers.
It is a very brief book and can be summed up as a total of maybe ten days of events. This is something that works in the story's favour because of the time investment in reading it, and the time it takes for the plot twists to unravel and the ending to be revealed to us. Overall I was pleasantly surprised (as pleasant as can be while reading about a deranged plot) by the ending but I felt like I should have had more of a heads-up with regards to the background of our leading lady in order to fully accept the tale. Karen is a marriage counselor who is still mourning the death of her husband. She is alone in a house that she holds the sessions in and her latest couple are giving her the creeps. She is torn by the things she is being told and the odd signals that their behaviour is giving her. The plot is as simple as that. The situation of a lone woman who has no friends or family nearby being faced with something like this is very eerily described and has enough strength for the reader to keep hoping that the unknown danger would pass.
Without revealing any spoilers, I would say that although I did not expect the ending to turn out the way it did. I would have liked to know more about connected events that might have had me partially guess the ending, but I would have still appreciated it more.
I would recommend this to regular readers of this genre. I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is completely based on my own reading experience.
3.5, color me intrigued stars. There was something very compelling about the story and the writing. By the time I made it to the twist, I had two thoughts. 1. Duh, that should have been so obvious to you, you dumb dodo head (speaking to myself) and 2. I'm a little let down that it wasn't something more sinister. I think I'm just in the mood for something scary and nefarious and shocking and so twisty that I just sit and stare at the pages. That wasn't the case here, and that isn't necessarily a bad thing. It was a bit twisty and turny, and an overall great way to escape for a few hours.
A marriage guidance counsellor with a history of previous failed marriage starts counselling a couple with underlying issues which she doesn’t see initially. I thought this was a slow book to begin with which picked up to deliver an interesting ending with a twist. I am looking forward to reading other books from this author.
This was another brilliant offering by one of my favorite authors. I loved the way the reader is brought into the picture of how this couple's problems started, and you start feeling sympathy for a woman whose husband is abusing her.... I did not see the ending coming! Recommended.
This is the first book I've read from author Victoria Jenkins. The story is a slow burning one but not everything is as it seems with it. The pace increases though and there are plenty of twists and turns to keep you interested.
Worth taking the time to check this one out
The Divorce - Victoria Jenkins
An easy read with an intriguing plot about a couple seeking marriage counselling. As the couple bicker and bring up events from their relationship the counsellor struggles with her own emotions and flashes back to events in her own life. Are the couple really who they say they are?
This was an excellent book about a couple going through marriage counseling. I really enjoyed all the POVs and the plot twists in this book. It kept me fully engaged and entertained.
Y'all… I loved this book!! It was my first read from Victoria Jenkins and I am so happy that I was able to read it. She has such a way with words. The start of this novel really captured my attention and drew me in. I had no idea what was going to happen... go read it!
I picked this book based off of the description. I was intrigued by the enticing thriller and the mention that people that loved gone girl would like this book and they weren't wrong! I really enjoyed reading this and the narrative. Through this book trying to get to the bottom of where this couple went wrong was enthralling. I definitely recommend this book!
Thank you to the publisher and to Netgalley for allowing me to read this novel in exchange for an honest review.
This story was a bit slow paced for me, and I didn't particularly engage with the characters. Having said that, the story was clever and the ending unexpected.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book! Good plot with a twist at the end that kept me guessing. I enjoyed the character development and the flashbacks throughout the story.
Here's an author I just can't get enough of. So when The Divorce by Victoria Jenkins came available, I had to reschedule my day to find time to read the lastest book by Victoria. WoW......She did not disappoint. Her latest book was a 5/5 read. I loved it. I love the way she writes her books and all the characters are believable Plus, you can relate to them as well, which can be a good or bad thing.
Victoria's latest book os a is a psychological thriller and I highly recommend it
Big Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own own and are in no way biased
Good writing and concept but slow moving
This is told from three different perspectives in counseling sessions. I thought that was pretty clever and different. Unfortunately the voices didn’t read all that differently when the character changed so, a few times, I had to go back and check who it was...
It’s made clear right from the beginning that something is going on beyond what is being said. What that is isn’t revealed until about the 80% mark and almost nothing happens until that point. Had the reveal been satisfying then maybe I could have been on board but eh, not so much.
I did feel compelled to finish this story so it isn’t bad just not as good as I thought it would be. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and Bookouture for a copy in exchange for a review.
3-4 stars. This was a very well developed story, but I think it was a bit slower paced than I prefer. I found it to have some great insights and the ending was pretty shocking, but I did struggle getting to the parts that were more enjoyable; because it was slower paced. Overall, I would recommend to those who enjoy slow burn, surprise endings, and outsiders (not in the marriage) points of view!
Will make sure I let others know about it.
This book was not for me. I wanted to put it down multiple times but decided to power thru due to the reviews and the build up I could tell was happening.
The ending was a complete disappointment and I felt like the build up was a lie.
I know many people enjoyed this book but it just didn’t work for me.
Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for my copy.
The Divorce was completely unexpected! I thought it would simply chronicle the therapy sessions of a couple divorcing yet it turned into so much more. Well written and will keep you interested until the very last page.
Thoroughly enjoyable read. Was actually way better than I expected (and I already had high hopes!!) would definitely recommend!
Five out of five stars for The Divorce by Victoria Jenkins!
This title was a great read - if the book looks good to you from the description, go for it!!! I was captivated until the very last page!
Many thanks to the publisher and netgalley, who provided this free ebook in exchange for my honest review.