Member Reviews

I wanted to love this one but it just felt very amateurish. The writing a little too simple, the story line a little too bonkers.

Was this review helpful?

THAT WAS STUNNING!

The developpement of the whole story is outstanding but this epilogue ?! I couldn't stop turning pages again and again ! I wanted to know the final word, I wanted to see if Zara would understand all of this and if or how she would escape !

I was deep into this book just as Zara : I discovered Jane, I felt in love we Jane, I wanted to become Jane and then...

Maybe I could recommand to add some TW on the first pages so people now where they're going

Was this review helpful?

The description of I WANT YOU MORE by Swan Huntley sounded fantastic; I couldn't wait to read it. The beginning of the books is well done, pushing Zara into a corner where she has not choice but to accept the ghostwriting gig with chef Jane Bailey. Even Jane's insistence of Zara moving in was somewhat believable. However, from there, it was very hard to suspend disbelief. It didn't seem plausible that Zara would go the route she does and Jane's secret was obvious fairly quickly. At least half of the story was predictable and on-the-nose. I had high hopes for this book, but it was ultimately disappointing.

Was this review helpful?

Oh my goodness! I couldn't put this one down. It had me on the edge of my seat the whole time.

Zara Pines is a ghostwriter who recently lost her father and unexpectedly did not receive what she was expecting in his will. With no work prospects and someone subletting her apartment she has little direction in which path to take next. When her agent calls with a job opportunity to ghost write a memoir for the current it-girl of a popular food channel show. What starts off as spending two weeks living with Jane Bailey, in her East Hampton home, but quickly becomes a friendship, or an obsession. Zara begins wearing Jane's clothes, working out with Jane, even being mistaken for Jane.

The ending left me with more questions than answers and I cannot wait to discuss this with my virtual book club and see what the thought!

Was this review helpful?

This one grabbed my attention from the opening pages. It gave me Emma Cline Guest vibes since the main character is a guest in a Hamptons home. The book has a mysterious feel to it and it kept me turning the pages. I thought the two main characters were well developed. I found the ending a little unusual but I can’t wait to discuss it with my book club.

Was this review helpful?

This is one of those books you read like you watch a horror movie, "no, don't do it", "why are you doing that", "be smarter" (to keep it PG). It kept me on edge as the single white female vibe got stronger and stronger. The end was a bit of a wild ride in the best way.
It's a book that sucked me in quick and was a compulsive read. I think it will be a buzzed about book and make for great book discussions.
If you need full believability in your reads this one might be a bit out there for you, but if you can bend and believe people can exceed our expectations of what they'll do then give this one a shot.

Was this review helpful?

The beginning of this book hit real close to home for me. But as the story unfolded I couldn’t stop reading. Fully immersed in the world Swan Huntley had created. It is an unexpected thriller that will keep you enthralled until the last page.

I had the pleasure of watching Swan speak at the Zibby event I attended in January, and she was absolutely amazing. When she talking about this book I couldn’t wait to request it and read it. Swan is amazingly funny and real, she is definitely an author to keep on your radar.

Was this review helpful?

The cover caught my attention and I immediately started reading this book so well written full of twists and turns.A downward spiral that had me racing through the pages.Swan Huntley is an author I will be following.#netgalley #zibbybooks

Was this review helpful?

I don’t normally go for thrillers but loved this cover and was intrigued by the premise. It’s about a ghostwriter called Zara who goes to live with her celebrity client in her mansion in East Hampton while compiling the information for her book. Things are obviously not as bright and sun-soaked as they seem…

I found this to be quite an easy read and it became pretty addictive as the details unravelled, but equally found the main character to be really irritating and gullible. I know some characters must make stupid decisions in order to let storylines progress, but she was TOO stupid to be believable. It reaffirmed my ambivalence towards thrillers - like, yeah they’re usually easy to read but I ultimately get nothing from it. Not for me unfortunately! 2.5 stars.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to Zibby Books for the advanced reader copy for our show. This novel hits store shelves on May 21st.

If you have been hunting for the next Verity, I've got good news- this upcoming summer thriller will more than satisfy fans of this thriller.

Zara believed that when her father passed away, she would be rewarded for her vigilance, showing up for him at his bedside. As she dreams of all the ways she can use her inheritance, she's shocked when he leaves his entire inheritance to his university instead of his daughter.

Zara walks away with a mere $5,000 for her troubles- a far cry from the beach house she envisioned living in as he took his dying breath.

Luckily, Zara is a gifted writer, and she pulls herself out of her financial demise through a series of well-received ghostwriting gigs. Now successfully sought after, she acquires a lucrative opportunity to ghostwrite a celebrity chef's memoir.

Jane Bailey has made her fortune by creating $30 or under dishes for Food Television, combining inexpensive ingredients with unique flavors from unexpected flavor combinations.

The fact that Zara's never heard of Jane seems fine with her as this job comes with a sumptuous stay at her home equipped with all the modern amenities, including a maid, gym, pool, and Jane's signature dishes served at every meal.

But as she falls asleep on the first night, she hears the unsettling clicking of a security camera.

As the women collaborate on unearthing Jane's troubled past, she finds that this homey exterior comes from a difficult childhood where she had to learn to fend for herself and may explain some of the paranoia. Zara realizes that not only does this backstory endear her to Jane more, but it pulls her into her orbit in other ways that surprise her.

If you like stories of obsession or found yourself pulled into the themes of our book club book, One's Company, you will likely find similar threads in this novel.

I was unfamiliar with Huntley's writing, but if this indicates the kinds of stories she writes, I will have to look for her other books because this twisted story is just the kind of thriller I appreciate.

Was this review helpful?

A literary thriller that gives some weird juju vibes and ends with a bang.
I saw Swann Huntley speak on a writers panel and was immediately excited to read her book. She said she sort of accidentally wrote a thriller but I think she nailed it. The two women in this book intertwine in super creepy single white Female ways and even though I suspected what was going to be revealed I still found myself rapt. Definitely an author to watch!

Was this review helpful?

I had high hopes for this one! The description and cover really sold me. Overall, it did not feel done. I felt as if the writing and pacing of the story needed some editing. The obsession between the two women also abruptly started with no sort of explanation as to the emotions. It felt way off. Jane was also something I couldn’t get fully behind. Her southern Appalachian personality felt cheesy and pushed too hard. Unfortunately, I wouldn’t want to purchase or sell this book myself. I think it will do well on a shelf based on the description and cover alone.

Was this review helpful?

thank you so much to the publisher and netgalley for the advanced copy! wow, this book is a fascinating downward spiral. i flew through the last 25% because i simply *needed* to know how it ended. and that ending..... i'm still thinking about it! it makes me want to go back and reconsider earlier events through an entirely new lens.
it did start a little slow, but once it got going i was really drawn in. this isn't my usual genre by any means, but i was hooked all the same.

Was this review helpful?

In Swan Huntley's gripping psychological thriller, "I Want You More," aspiring author Zara Pines is thrust into a twisted tale of obsession and betrayal when she accepts a job ghostwriting the memoir of culinary superstar Jane Bailey. Despite her initial disdain for Jane's celebrity status, Zara finds herself drawn into Jane's world, captivated by her charisma and charm. As the two women collaborate on the memoir, their connection deepens, blurring the lines between professional and personal. They share intimate moments, indulge in gemeinsamen activities, and even begin to dress alike. Their bond grows stronger, leading to an intense emotional attachment that consumes both of them. However, the façade of their perfect relationship begins to crack when an unexpected event forces them to confront hidden truths and question the very foundation of their connection. Huntley skillfully weaves a web of deceit and manipulation, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they navigate the shifting dynamics between Zara and Jane. The novel delves into the dark recesses of human desire, exploring the complexities of fame, envy, and obsession. As the story progresses, the boundaries between reality and illusion become blurred, leaving readers uncertain of who they can trust and what is truly at stake. With its exploration of identity, betrayal, and the intoxicating nature of obsession, "I Want You More" is a thought-provoking and unsettling read that will linger in readers' minds long after they turn the last page. Huntley's evocative prose and expert pacing create a vivid and immersive atmosphere, drawing readers into the twisted world of Zara and Jane. Overall, "I Want You More" is a gripping and unsettling psychological thriller that delves into the dark and twisted depths of human relationships. It is a must-read for fans of suspenseful and thought-provoking fiction that challenges the boundaries of trust and explores the complexities of human desire.

Was this review helpful?

First of all, thank you to Zibby Books and Net Galley for an opportunity to read this ARC!.

This one honestly isn't my typical read, just based on the blurb. But the cover got me intrigued. There was something about it that said there was more than meets the eye based on that cover vs. the blurb. Being completely honest, I got about halfway through and thought "okay, what's going on here?" and I put the book down and didn't pick it back up for several days because, quite frankly, I had stopped caring. But, I picked it back up the other night with half of the book still to read, and friends, I did not put that book down until it was done.

I was shocked. I was horrified. I couldn't look away. And then, when I thought I had it all figured out, blammo, one last thing I wasn't expecting that left me wondering what I had just read.

Was this review helpful?

I've read Swan Huntley's other books and was delighted to see that she had a new title available.

I WANT YOU MORE is a smart, snappy novel that would be perfect for book clubs.

What begins as a story of obsession turns into something more, especially as we begin to wonder just what is going on with Jane.

Huntley does a fabulous job at character development, and the energetic pacing keeps us turning pages.

Recommended for fans of edgy, dark stories about characters who seem like real people.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance e-galley; all opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

Was this review helpful?

Let me start out by saying I love Swan Huntley. I have read all her books and I follow her on IG. If she is anything like her characters, quick witted, intelligent, snide, funny, and confident, I want to be her best friend. I Want You More is one of those love stories that is based on obsession and mystery. Something is off here but you just can't figure out what it is. I love Zara, but what a young and vulnerable girl. I hated Jane, something is off with her. . I loved the character building, the settings, and the plot, ultimately love her writing style. I highly recommend anything by Swan Huntley, but I loved this the most.

Was this review helpful?

Thanks to Zibby Books and the author for this ARC. This book kept me rapt with attention throughout the twists and turns. I wish the author had developed Zara’s character more, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book!

Was this review helpful?

Okay, I TORE through this. Huntley has a way with words for sure because I was glued to every page (and I can be a pretty distractable person). Action-packed, darkly humorous at times, interesting from start to finish. Super juicy and it ventures into some disturbing territory, especially for any readers who have experienced domestic abuse. Anyway, I am seriously living for the emergence of more sapphic horror and I'd snap up anything by this author in the future.

Was this review helpful?

Thanks to Zibby Books and NetGalley for the ARC. I'm rating this book for five stars. First, how juicy is this cover? I knew I needed to read Huntley's story and hoped it was as good as the cover page. Well, it was. I read this book super fast because I couldn't put it down. The action flows quickly and a host of characters entertained me. I would read it again with a book club because there is much to discuss!

Was this review helpful?