DNF Reviews

I've been having trouble finding a book that can hold my attention and have DNF'd more than usual.  I don't usually do DNF reviews, but making an exception until I find a book I can love!

The Good Daughter

by Alexandra Burt

To be published on Feb 7, 2017

by Berkley

Synopsis from Goodreads: Dahlia Waller's childhood memories consist of stuffy cars, seedy motels, and a rootless existence traveling the country with her eccentric mother. Now grown, she desperately wants to distance herself from that life. Yet one thing is stopping her from moving forward: she has questions. In order to understand her past, Dahlia must go back. Back to her mother in the stifling town of Aurora, Texas. Back into the past of a woman on the brink of madness. But after she discovers three grave-like mounds on a neighboring farm, she ll learn that in her mother s world of secrets, not all questions are meant to be answered...

My take: One of my favorite books is White Oleander, and I was hoping that The Good Daughter might offer a similar story of the dark, dysfunctional relationship between a mother and daughter.

But the pace of the was slow and it just didn't grab me. I went on Goodreads and found that many others had the same issue, so decided to lo

The Cruelty

by Scott Bergstrom

To be published on February 7, 2017

by Feiwel and Friends

Synopsis from Goodreads: When her diplomat father is kidnapped and the U.S. Government is unable to help, 17 year-old Gwendolyn Bloom sets off across the sordid underbelly of Europe to rescue him. Following the only lead she has—the name of a Palestinian informer living in France—she plunges into a brutal world of arms smuggling and human trafficking. As she journeys from the slums of Paris, to the nightclubs of Berlin, to the heart of the most feared crime family in Prague, Gwendolyn discovers that to survive in this new world she must become every bit as cruel as the men she’s hunting. 

My take: I thought I saw this book's main character pitched as a teen Lisbeth Salander. I mean, first off ... is that necessary, since Lisbeth is barely out of her teens? Turns out the answer is no. In the part of the book I read, Lisbeth would not be pleased with Gwen, who's kind of a poser. This book just felt soulless -- I didn't like the writing or connect with the character at all.

Four of a Kind

by Kellie Sheridan

Published on January 4, 2017

by Patchwork Press

Synopsis from Goodreads: The odds of giving birth to identical quadruplets: 1 in 13 million. The population of Fairview, a town where all anyone talks about is the Fairview Four’s return after fourteen years: 47,327. The chance of Reagan meeting a guy who sees her as one of a kind: better than she thinks. Following in her sisters’ footsteps—and, all too often, their shadows—is nothing new to Reagan. But a disastrous first day at Fairview High forces her down a new path, one that could lead to seeing herself as more than just someone else’s sister. Things aren’t going as smoothly for Reilly, Reece, and Rhiannon though. How can Reagan let herself be happy—or dare to fall in love—when she may be the only one who can bring her family back together?

My take: This is the story of a set of quadruplets who were once on a reality show and are now moving back to their mom's small hometown. It's pitched as Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants meets Gilmore Girls. Well, that was probably way too much to hope for. While the part of this is I read was well-written and very sweet, it just lacked any edge or sense of purpose. The "Jon and Kate"-type reality show that the sisters were on isn't a part of the story, sadly. I gather that there will be four books, one about each of the sisters. Reagan, the narrator of this one, wasn't a very compelling main character.  This book could be great for younger readers or those who want a very sweet, PG reading experience, but not so great for me.