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The Ends of Things: A Novel
A propulsive literary debut,
The Ends of Things
is both a thought-provoking suspense and a meditation on female friendship and agency—perfect for fans of
The White Lotus
and authors like Catherine Steadman and Rachel Hawkins.
She thought she had the perfect life … until she met a stranger in paradise.
Laura Phillips always wanted to travel the world but was too afraid to go it alone. So when her new boyfriend, Dave, invites her on a romantic getaway to the remote island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas, she jumps at the chance.
As soon as they arrive at the Pink Sands resort, Laura and Dave are handed cocktails garnished with umbrellas and led to a luxurious suite. It’s a lovers’ paradise. But when they head down to the pristine beach, Laura notices an oddity among the sunbathing a woman vacationing alone. Intrigued, Laura befriends the woman, Diana, and as they spend time together, Laura finds herself telling Diana secrets she’s never shared with anyone.
But when Diana unexpectedly disappears, Laura suddenly realizes how little she knows about this mysterious woman.
The police suspect Diana may be in danger, and soon Laura herself becomes embroiled in the investigation. Her worries swiftly turn into Who is Diana? Where did she go? Is she dead? Murdered? As Laura races to find out what happened—and prove her own innocence—she quickly realizes that nothing in this sun-soaked paradise is what it seems, and it’s impossible to know who she can trust. What started out as a dream getaway is turning into a terrifying nightmare …
Book discussion questions are available s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/www.blackstoneaudio.c...
PLEASE When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
She thought she had the perfect life … until she met a stranger in paradise.
Laura Phillips always wanted to travel the world but was too afraid to go it alone. So when her new boyfriend, Dave, invites her on a romantic getaway to the remote island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas, she jumps at the chance.
As soon as they arrive at the Pink Sands resort, Laura and Dave are handed cocktails garnished with umbrellas and led to a luxurious suite. It’s a lovers’ paradise. But when they head down to the pristine beach, Laura notices an oddity among the sunbathing a woman vacationing alone. Intrigued, Laura befriends the woman, Diana, and as they spend time together, Laura finds herself telling Diana secrets she’s never shared with anyone.
But when Diana unexpectedly disappears, Laura suddenly realizes how little she knows about this mysterious woman.
The police suspect Diana may be in danger, and soon Laura herself becomes embroiled in the investigation. Her worries swiftly turn into Who is Diana? Where did she go? Is she dead? Murdered? As Laura races to find out what happened—and prove her own innocence—she quickly realizes that nothing in this sun-soaked paradise is what it seems, and it’s impossible to know who she can trust. What started out as a dream getaway is turning into a terrifying nightmare …
Book discussion questions are available s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/www.blackstoneaudio.c...
PLEASE When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
Audible Audio
First published January 14, 2025
19 people are currently reading
38749 people want to read
About the author
Sandra Chwialkowska
1 book87 followersSandra Chwialkowska is a Canadian television writer and producer. She worked on many television series including Lost Girl, Remedy, Rookie Blue, X Company, Ransom and The Detail.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 243 reviews
January 2, 2025
I beg of you not to read the synopsis before reading this book. First off, it’s somewhat misleading and, second, some of the biggest suspense plot twists are revealed. All you need to know is that it’s about a young woman named Laura who goes away with her new boyfriend to a Bahamian island. There she meets a mysterious woman who intrigues her, but when this stranger suddenly disappears, Laura is pulled into the investigation. That’s it. That’s all you need to know. I mean, other than what I’ve said in my review, of course…
A powerful story of self-worth, female friendship, and the journey of finding oneself, The Ends of Things wasn’t necessarily my normal type of novel. After all, while billed as a suspense/thriller, it was more of a juxtaposition of mild suspense with a women’s lit core. That being said, from Laura’s dynamic character study to the thought-provoking premise, I was utterly absorbed by the unwinding plot until the very last page. So, despite the genre switch that occurred about two-thirds of the way into the book, I rolled with the change in direction and lapped up every word.
The most successful aspect of this character-driven storyline was easily Laura herself. At the same time, the secondary characters didn’t quite live up to her in any real sense. Even Dave, who was certainly well-crafted and had a vivid persona, felt marginalized in comparison to her. It was the pivotal character of the enigmatic woman, however, that could’ve used a bit more inclusion into the plot. Specifically, I would have loved to know more about her before, during, and after. That alone, though, shows how invested I was in the story as I wanted to know so much more about her backstory by the end of the soul-satisfying conclusion.
All said and done, I really wish this book had been listed as something other than literary suspense. While I guess that it did somewhat fit into that box, I also believe it set some up to be disappointed. I, however, was not one of those readers. Compelling and poignant, it made me think of my own traits and behaviors through Laura’s own lens. For that reason alone, I’m sure that this book will stick with me far longer than I would’ve imagined before diving in. So if you like a literary feel and a moral of the story that will make you think long and hard, I highly recommend grabbing a copy of this one ASAP. Rating of 4.5 stars.
Thank you to Sandra Chwialkowska and Blackstone Publishing for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: January 14, 2025
Trigger warning: missing person, mention of: infidelity
A powerful story of self-worth, female friendship, and the journey of finding oneself, The Ends of Things wasn’t necessarily my normal type of novel. After all, while billed as a suspense/thriller, it was more of a juxtaposition of mild suspense with a women’s lit core. That being said, from Laura’s dynamic character study to the thought-provoking premise, I was utterly absorbed by the unwinding plot until the very last page. So, despite the genre switch that occurred about two-thirds of the way into the book, I rolled with the change in direction and lapped up every word.
The most successful aspect of this character-driven storyline was easily Laura herself. At the same time, the secondary characters didn’t quite live up to her in any real sense. Even Dave, who was certainly well-crafted and had a vivid persona, felt marginalized in comparison to her. It was the pivotal character of the enigmatic woman, however, that could’ve used a bit more inclusion into the plot. Specifically, I would have loved to know more about her before, during, and after. That alone, though, shows how invested I was in the story as I wanted to know so much more about her backstory by the end of the soul-satisfying conclusion.
All said and done, I really wish this book had been listed as something other than literary suspense. While I guess that it did somewhat fit into that box, I also believe it set some up to be disappointed. I, however, was not one of those readers. Compelling and poignant, it made me think of my own traits and behaviors through Laura’s own lens. For that reason alone, I’m sure that this book will stick with me far longer than I would’ve imagined before diving in. So if you like a literary feel and a moral of the story that will make you think long and hard, I highly recommend grabbing a copy of this one ASAP. Rating of 4.5 stars.
Thank you to Sandra Chwialkowska and Blackstone Publishing for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: January 14, 2025
Trigger warning: missing person, mention of: infidelity
January 4, 2025
A thrilling suspense noted as the author's debut!! This short read made me want to go to a beach in the Bahamas.
Laura, a lawyer in the same practice as her boyfriend, Dave. After 6 weeks of dating, they take a romantic trip to a remote island, Eleuthera in the Bahamas. What should be paradise, turns into a nightmare. Everything appears off-kilter in the beginning with Laura's social awkwardness with zero confidence and her relationship with Dave. They are both unsure of each other.
Diana, a woman of mystery is on the beach alone and Laura becomes obsessed with her. One thing leads to another that by chance they run into each other one night when neither can sleep. Laura shares all her secrets about one of her past friends, Chloe and their toxic relationship that no longer exists.
When Diana disappears on one of the trails with Laura, she becomes a suspect. I was so unsure about some of the choices Laura would make and her evasiveness to the truth.
While the cold temps are outside, it felt good to bask in the sun in this fiction.
Thank you NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my review!
Laura, a lawyer in the same practice as her boyfriend, Dave. After 6 weeks of dating, they take a romantic trip to a remote island, Eleuthera in the Bahamas. What should be paradise, turns into a nightmare. Everything appears off-kilter in the beginning with Laura's social awkwardness with zero confidence and her relationship with Dave. They are both unsure of each other.
Diana, a woman of mystery is on the beach alone and Laura becomes obsessed with her. One thing leads to another that by chance they run into each other one night when neither can sleep. Laura shares all her secrets about one of her past friends, Chloe and their toxic relationship that no longer exists.
When Diana disappears on one of the trails with Laura, she becomes a suspect. I was so unsure about some of the choices Laura would make and her evasiveness to the truth.
While the cold temps are outside, it felt good to bask in the sun in this fiction.
Thank you NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my review!
January 1, 2025
Laura Phillips's new boyfriend, Dave, invites her on a romantic getaway to the remote island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas and she jumps at the chance. Laura befriends Diana, a woman who seems to be on her own at what's basically a couple's resort. When Diana unexpectedly disappears, Laura realizes how little she knows about this mysterious woman. I agree with another reviewer who recommended not reading the synopsis before starting the book although I'm sure I did read it before requesting this debut novel. By the time I started it I'd forgotten what I read and I rarely read them again right before beginning a book.
In the synopsis, this book is referred to as "thrilling suspense" which is totally misleading in my opinion. Don't get me wrong, I really liked the story but it's more about friendship and introspection than anything else. Laura is very realistically portrayed and I loved her as a character. There is a bit of a mystery involved and mild suspense but more of a character study than anything else. I liked the ending and would definitely read another book by Sandra Chwialkowska, a fellow Canadian. I looked the location up on the internet and it looks every bit as beautiful as it sounds, especially the Glass Window Bridge and the pink sands.
Quite a few times Laura refers to herself as the "good girl" and that's funny because my next Netgalley read is a book called "Good Girl" by Aria Aber.
Thank you to Blackstone Publishing via Netgalley for approving my request to read this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: January 14, 2025
In the synopsis, this book is referred to as "thrilling suspense" which is totally misleading in my opinion. Don't get me wrong, I really liked the story but it's more about friendship and introspection than anything else. Laura is very realistically portrayed and I loved her as a character. There is a bit of a mystery involved and mild suspense but more of a character study than anything else. I liked the ending and would definitely read another book by Sandra Chwialkowska, a fellow Canadian. I looked the location up on the internet and it looks every bit as beautiful as it sounds, especially the Glass Window Bridge and the pink sands.
Quite a few times Laura refers to herself as the "good girl" and that's funny because my next Netgalley read is a book called "Good Girl" by Aria Aber.
Thank you to Blackstone Publishing via Netgalley for approving my request to read this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: January 14, 2025
August 25, 2024
3.5. This cover is so good - it drew me right in. Thank you to NetGalley, Blackstone Publishing and Sandra Chwialkowska for allowing me this ARC in exchange for my honest review of this debut novel.
The story begins with Laura and Dave, two lawyers who have recently begun dating, traveling to the Bahamas for a 3 day vacation. The first half of the book is a lot of foreshadowing that something was going to happen but you’re never really sure what or when. Labeled as a “thrilling suspense” I kept waiting for it. Laura is a bit insecure in relationships and wonders how she and Dave ended up together really.
Laura’s childhood ex best friend plays a huge role in this book. After a while I was thinking does a women in her 30’s really still obsess that much about a lost friendship from over a decade ago?
An encounter on the island spurs Laura to act in a way which causes a dominos effect. This is the lackluster thrilling suspense.
I plowed thru this book waiting and wondering … and then it just kind of ended with a hmmm ending. This novel has the great bones to be a suspenseful thriller but took way too long to get there and then just kind of dies at the end.
The story begins with Laura and Dave, two lawyers who have recently begun dating, traveling to the Bahamas for a 3 day vacation. The first half of the book is a lot of foreshadowing that something was going to happen but you’re never really sure what or when. Labeled as a “thrilling suspense” I kept waiting for it. Laura is a bit insecure in relationships and wonders how she and Dave ended up together really.
Laura’s childhood ex best friend plays a huge role in this book. After a while I was thinking does a women in her 30’s really still obsess that much about a lost friendship from over a decade ago?
An encounter on the island spurs Laura to act in a way which causes a dominos effect. This is the lackluster thrilling suspense.
I plowed thru this book waiting and wondering … and then it just kind of ended with a hmmm ending. This novel has the great bones to be a suspenseful thriller but took way too long to get there and then just kind of dies at the end.
June 23, 2024
3.25 stars rounded. This one started off strong, with a mysterious woman on a remote island, and had all the makings of a twisty thriller - but about halfway through, the pace slowed down, the writing felt repetitive, and the plot got a bit stagnant. The resolution was not at all what I expected, and the very end of the book felt strange and forced, like we had changed genres altogether and delved into a contemporary fiction situation. Overall, a great set up for a book, but the execution and ending left me feeling confused and disappointed.
I received this book from NetGalley as an ARC, and this is my honest & voluntary review.
I received this book from NetGalley as an ARC, and this is my honest & voluntary review.
January 29, 2025
OVERVIEW:
A suspense novel that finishes in a way that is supposed to be profound, but somehow falls flat.
The setting for the novel is gorgeous, however, on a relatively unknown island in The Bahamas.
OF NOTE:
- Quite a few f-bombs.
- A few moderately descriptive sex scenes.
A suspense novel that finishes in a way that is supposed to be profound, but somehow falls flat.
The setting for the novel is gorgeous, however, on a relatively unknown island in The Bahamas.
OF NOTE:
- Quite a few f-bombs.
- A few moderately descriptive sex scenes.
January 13, 2025
The Ends of Things
4⭐️
Fabulous writing! Every scene, character, and emotion clearly played out in my mind as I read, making me feel fully immersed in the book’s world. This was a psychological suspense told from the POV of Laura. Laura is a 30-something lawyer living in New York City. Her life is orderly, routine, and predictable. A new romantic relationship leads to a spontaneous island vacation. Laura is still getting used to being part of a couple and allowing herself to believe is this is the life she deserves. She finds herself heading thoughts constantly being distracted by a woman at the resort completely alone. This isn’t a twisty or thrilling read, but it’s a deep emotional ride that will resonate with anyone who has experienced shaky self-confidence, Good Girl Syndrome, or the complexities of romantic and friendship relationships.
Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. This review will be shared on NetGalley and Goodreads. Pub Date Jan 14 2025
4⭐️
Fabulous writing! Every scene, character, and emotion clearly played out in my mind as I read, making me feel fully immersed in the book’s world. This was a psychological suspense told from the POV of Laura. Laura is a 30-something lawyer living in New York City. Her life is orderly, routine, and predictable. A new romantic relationship leads to a spontaneous island vacation. Laura is still getting used to being part of a couple and allowing herself to believe is this is the life she deserves. She finds herself heading thoughts constantly being distracted by a woman at the resort completely alone. This isn’t a twisty or thrilling read, but it’s a deep emotional ride that will resonate with anyone who has experienced shaky self-confidence, Good Girl Syndrome, or the complexities of romantic and friendship relationships.
Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. This review will be shared on NetGalley and Goodreads. Pub Date Jan 14 2025
July 6, 2024
I would give this book 2.5 stars. On a good note it did keep my interest and I wanted to see where it was going, but now that I’ve finished I just feel a bit confused with the plot and resolution.
It started off pretty well, with the main character Laura going on a nice vacation with her boyfriend Dave, and she notices a woman, Diana, who’s vacationing alone. The women go on a hike together and after Laura is done trauma dumping about her ex best friend on Diana, they get into a minor argument. Laura steps away to pee in the woods and when she comes back Diana is gone. She sees some weird things on her way back alone and assumes the worst, which causes her to obsessively spiral. All of this was interesting but then the book just takes a turn. There’s a lot of repetition in the middle and then suddenly she discovers Diana is alive and perfectly fine, and finds it weird that a random woman would report her missing (i would too.) Then the book ends by her going home and reuniting with her ex best friend because Diana had used her phone to help them reconnect and the book ends with them becoming friends again and alludes to them preparing to go back to being best friends.
My main issue with this is that i would not consider this to be a mystery or thriller being as nothing happened at all, and especially with the ending feeling like we switched genres to a chick lit or contemporary fiction.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
It started off pretty well, with the main character Laura going on a nice vacation with her boyfriend Dave, and she notices a woman, Diana, who’s vacationing alone. The women go on a hike together and after Laura is done trauma dumping about her ex best friend on Diana, they get into a minor argument. Laura steps away to pee in the woods and when she comes back Diana is gone. She sees some weird things on her way back alone and assumes the worst, which causes her to obsessively spiral. All of this was interesting but then the book just takes a turn. There’s a lot of repetition in the middle and then suddenly she discovers Diana is alive and perfectly fine, and finds it weird that a random woman would report her missing (i would too.) Then the book ends by her going home and reuniting with her ex best friend because Diana had used her phone to help them reconnect and the book ends with them becoming friends again and alludes to them preparing to go back to being best friends.
My main issue with this is that i would not consider this to be a mystery or thriller being as nothing happened at all, and especially with the ending feeling like we switched genres to a chick lit or contemporary fiction.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 26, 2024
Thank you Netgalley for the advance copy!
I liked the book overall. It’s interesting when you think you’re reading one thing but then it turns out to be something else.. I went into this thinking it was a thriller/suspense, but I would consider this more women’s fiction with a hint of suspense.. overall though, great for a first novel!
I liked the book overall. It’s interesting when you think you’re reading one thing but then it turns out to be something else.. I went into this thinking it was a thriller/suspense, but I would consider this more women’s fiction with a hint of suspense.. overall though, great for a first novel!
April 3, 2025
#ad many thanks for the copy of the book @lavenderpublicrelations + @blackstonepublishing #partner
& @librofm #partner for the ALC
The Ends of Things
Okay I can see why this book has such a low rating, but for me this was a solid 4 star read that I really enjoyed.
It’s only not a 5 star read because the chapters are kinda long and jump around between the current time and memories of Laura’s life spanning from school age to adult. The twist fell a little flat.
However, I enjoyed the setting and found Laura’s character fascinating. It was nice to see her grow into herself - as she had always been so insecure, comparing herself to other women too much, and had no confidence.
While on an impromptu vacation, David and Laura, who have only been dating for six weeks only, become tangled up in the disappearance of Diana, a woman Laura befriended, after she vanishes during a hike with Laura. All Laura found was the woman’s broken bracelet when she returned from peeing. The disappearance becomes a point of tension between the couple.
Memorable:
✓ Women not being able to travel alone safely - whereas men can without any worry of something bad happening to them.
✓ Artemis story.
✓ The sexist categorizing of women - most men are “unfkable” How. About. That. 👏🏻 bc this happens in life so much
✓ When people show you who they are believe them! - big believer in this one #bye
✓ Bohemian time
The plot of the book did feel a little ridiculous.
But. Narrator did a fantastic job. Her voice is one of the soothing ones. Which made for a fantastic read. Followed along with my copy of the book.
Will def read this author again tho - there’s a solid promise in her writing.
& @librofm #partner for the ALC
The Ends of Things
Okay I can see why this book has such a low rating, but for me this was a solid 4 star read that I really enjoyed.
It’s only not a 5 star read because the chapters are kinda long and jump around between the current time and memories of Laura’s life spanning from school age to adult. The twist fell a little flat.
However, I enjoyed the setting and found Laura’s character fascinating. It was nice to see her grow into herself - as she had always been so insecure, comparing herself to other women too much, and had no confidence.
While on an impromptu vacation, David and Laura, who have only been dating for six weeks only, become tangled up in the disappearance of Diana, a woman Laura befriended, after she vanishes during a hike with Laura. All Laura found was the woman’s broken bracelet when she returned from peeing. The disappearance becomes a point of tension between the couple.
Memorable:
✓ Women not being able to travel alone safely - whereas men can without any worry of something bad happening to them.
✓ Artemis story.
✓ The sexist categorizing of women - most men are “unfkable” How. About. That. 👏🏻 bc this happens in life so much
✓ When people show you who they are believe them! - big believer in this one #bye
✓ Bohemian time
The plot of the book did feel a little ridiculous.
But. Narrator did a fantastic job. Her voice is one of the soothing ones. Which made for a fantastic read. Followed along with my copy of the book.
Will def read this author again tho - there’s a solid promise in her writing.
January 11, 2025
thank you to Blackstone Publishing, Sandra Chwialkowska, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book!
Overall, I really enjoyed this read! The writing style was really digestible and I found a lot of the characters interesting. I stayed captivated by the story until about 80% in, when I became sooo confused by the “plot twist”. I was waiting for the rug to get pulled out from under me, and something crazy to happen, and it just never did. It felt like the story dragged on and unimportant things were emphasized after the initial “plot twist”, when the story could’ve just ended around 70%-80%. Once again, it was still a fun read, just had something missing for me.
Overall, I really enjoyed this read! The writing style was really digestible and I found a lot of the characters interesting. I stayed captivated by the story until about 80% in, when I became sooo confused by the “plot twist”. I was waiting for the rug to get pulled out from under me, and something crazy to happen, and it just never did. It felt like the story dragged on and unimportant things were emphasized after the initial “plot twist”, when the story could’ve just ended around 70%-80%. Once again, it was still a fun read, just had something missing for me.
January 16, 2025
Well on the positive side it was a super quick read……..not sure that balances out the negative for me.
I do understand Laura’s mindset about traveling/eating alone and the personal growth it takes to move past that. I was very much like her about that many years ago. But other than that and her obsession with Chloe and Diana, it’s hard to relate to her. Dave is an awful person which I’m pretty sure everybody but Laura knew from the beginning. There was really no mystery or thrill. Very much felt like women’s fiction.
I would say 2.5/5 stars for me which I absolutely hate to do.
I do understand Laura’s mindset about traveling/eating alone and the personal growth it takes to move past that. I was very much like her about that many years ago. But other than that and her obsession with Chloe and Diana, it’s hard to relate to her. Dave is an awful person which I’m pretty sure everybody but Laura knew from the beginning. There was really no mystery or thrill. Very much felt like women’s fiction.
I would say 2.5/5 stars for me which I absolutely hate to do.
January 4, 2025
This was one of the most repetitive books I’ve ever read—whole sentences and thoughts were repeated, as if it hadn’t been edited. The story was a strange mix of thriller, coming-of-age fiction, and mundane details, but none of it added up to anything meaningful.
The pacing dragged, the characters lacked depth, and the plot went nowhere. It was both boring and annoyingly unrealistic. I’m not sure how I managed to finish it.
The pacing dragged, the characters lacked depth, and the plot went nowhere. It was both boring and annoyingly unrealistic. I’m not sure how I managed to finish it.
May 2, 2025
I honestly didn’t feel any connection to the main character at all. I do sympathize with her perspective on traveling and doing things alone, but that’s kind of all I could sympathize with. When I got to the last page, I felt like there should’ve been more to the story.
February 11, 2025
THE ENDS OF THINGS is an addictive story that captured my attention from the start. There was plenty of suspense and mystery. But at the end, it took a turn that I didn't expect. Now that I understand what the author was trying to do, I feel the title of this book was perfect. Overall, it's a good debut!
Many thanks to Libro for the audiobook and Blackstone Publishing for my gifted copy.
Many thanks to Libro for the audiobook and Blackstone Publishing for my gifted copy.
September 25, 2025
Not the worst book I’ve read, but it was a whole lot of nothing
June 1, 2025
Thank you to Lavender Public Relations #partner for the gifted finished copy to review.
First off, this cover is stunning and is why I wanted to read this one. Second, I do think it is more of a contemporary read than a thriller but cannot get into the why much without spoiling it, so I’ll just leave it at that for consideration. This was a very well-written story that I was vested in right from the start. I thought the author did a great job with the setting and helped me to feel as if I was there with the characters. The FMC frustrated me with her choices, but it tracked with her character, so overall it didn’t detract from how much I liked this one. I thought the audio was great. The narrator did a fantastic job, and I was happy to have read it this way. Overall, this was a one-sitting read that kept me engaged the entire time.
First off, this cover is stunning and is why I wanted to read this one. Second, I do think it is more of a contemporary read than a thriller but cannot get into the why much without spoiling it, so I’ll just leave it at that for consideration. This was a very well-written story that I was vested in right from the start. I thought the author did a great job with the setting and helped me to feel as if I was there with the characters. The FMC frustrated me with her choices, but it tracked with her character, so overall it didn’t detract from how much I liked this one. I thought the audio was great. The narrator did a fantastic job, and I was happy to have read it this way. Overall, this was a one-sitting read that kept me engaged the entire time.
January 8, 2025
3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ rounded up. I love it when books allow me to self-reflect - to see myself differently at the end. This book was like a mirror for me, probing at the tiniest of insecurities.
Laura's mom has always told her, "The world is for married couples, not single people." Dating just doesn't seem to work out for Laura. When David finally asks her out in the middle of the law firm, Laura can't believe it. After two months of dating, he asks her to take a trip with him to Eleuthera, in the Bahamas, and Laura is ecstatic. When they get to their luxury resort, Laura discovers an unusual woman named Diana who has traveled by herself. Intrigued by Diana's bold confidence and nonchalant air, they become acquaintances and decide to hike together while David meets with a client. When Diana goes missing on the hike, Laura becomes a person of interest as she tries to find out what actually happened to her hiking partner.
I found this book to be uniquely dissonant. On one hand, the plot, conflict, relationships, and ending carried at an unexpectedly monotone pace. On the other hand, I think that this is what I DID enjoy about the book. There was mystery, high stakes, and wonder. There were no thrills. The protagonist, Laura, had a complete character arc, but no other characters did. Though the book felt much ado about nothing, I found that to be somewhat refreshing. Since completion, I have been thinking quite a bit about the storyline, along with it's ending. I am still not sure how the title fits, but that could just be me.
Thank you Netgalley, Sandra Chwialkowska, and Blackstone Publishing for this eARC in exchange for my honest review
Laura's mom has always told her, "The world is for married couples, not single people." Dating just doesn't seem to work out for Laura. When David finally asks her out in the middle of the law firm, Laura can't believe it. After two months of dating, he asks her to take a trip with him to Eleuthera, in the Bahamas, and Laura is ecstatic. When they get to their luxury resort, Laura discovers an unusual woman named Diana who has traveled by herself. Intrigued by Diana's bold confidence and nonchalant air, they become acquaintances and decide to hike together while David meets with a client. When Diana goes missing on the hike, Laura becomes a person of interest as she tries to find out what actually happened to her hiking partner.
I found this book to be uniquely dissonant. On one hand, the plot, conflict, relationships, and ending carried at an unexpectedly monotone pace. On the other hand, I think that this is what I DID enjoy about the book. There was mystery, high stakes, and wonder. There were no thrills. The protagonist, Laura, had a complete character arc, but no other characters did. Though the book felt much ado about nothing, I found that to be somewhat refreshing. Since completion, I have been thinking quite a bit about the storyline, along with it's ending. I am still not sure how the title fits, but that could just be me.
Thank you Netgalley, Sandra Chwialkowska, and Blackstone Publishing for this eARC in exchange for my honest review
February 8, 2025
Don’t read. It is not good and so misleading
December 22, 2024
3.5 This book is about a young career-driven woman who is going to an island with her new boyfriend for a much needed vacation. She rarely travels, but is excited for this next chapter of her life. She’s been told that the world is made for couples, and is appreciating the benefits of being in her new relationship. When she gets to the island and the couples-resort, she notices a woman who is at the resort alone and becomes fascinated (obsessed?) with her. When they go on a hike together and the woman disappears, the remainder of the novel is about her search for this woman, how it impacts her life, and a journey of self-discovery.
Parts of this book felt really relatable to me as a woman in my thirties who has experienced the insecurities, gender-bias, and overall frustrations that were mentioned in this book. It did feel overly detailed at times and I think this made the plot feel slow occasionally. I also went into this book expecting a thriller, and after reading it felt it was much more a self-discovery book and this really impacted my experience. Would recommend this to women who have gone through a recent breakup, or career change. Overall it was well written and a quick read.
Thanks for the ARC from NetGalley. This book will be published Jan 13, 2025.
Parts of this book felt really relatable to me as a woman in my thirties who has experienced the insecurities, gender-bias, and overall frustrations that were mentioned in this book. It did feel overly detailed at times and I think this made the plot feel slow occasionally. I also went into this book expecting a thriller, and after reading it felt it was much more a self-discovery book and this really impacted my experience. Would recommend this to women who have gone through a recent breakup, or career change. Overall it was well written and a quick read.
Thanks for the ARC from NetGalley. This book will be published Jan 13, 2025.
July 17, 2024
Thank you NetGalley/Blackstone Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
2.5☆
While this book kept my attention and I needed to know what would happen next, I feel like I know less than I did before I started it?
The ending was confusing and honestly made the whole book make no sense..
The book kept giving but you just end up with nothing once it's over.
2.5☆
While this book kept my attention and I needed to know what would happen next, I feel like I know less than I did before I started it?
The ending was confusing and honestly made the whole book make no sense..
The book kept giving but you just end up with nothing once it's over.
March 10, 2025
2.5? i thought this was gonna be more of a thriller but the ending was pretty dull😃👍🏼
November 2, 2024
I thought this debut novel sounded interesting. It started off with a strong female protagonist -- Laura, a hard-working NYC attorney known as the "contract queen" at her firm. She and her boyfriend of two weeks, Dave -- also a lawyer at the same firm -- are jetting off to the Bahamian island of Eleuthera for a few days of relaxation and fun. They check in at the plush Pink Sands resort, where all the guests are couples, except one woman, who appears to be enjoying her solitude. Yet Laura cannot fathom why anyone would come to a couple's resort by herself. It gets to the point where she is spending more time worrying about this woman, Diana, than having quality time with Dave. Laura eventually meets Diana, who isn't forthcoming about her life or her reasons for being at the resort, but Laura tells Diana everything about herself, especially her long-ago best friend Chloe and the break-up of their friendship, which Laura still hasn't gotten over.
Okay, so this book is touted as a suspense, and that part happens when Diana disappears while on a hike with Laura. Laura freaks out with worry, and we learn that Laura is one of those people who always expect the worst to happen in any situation, doesn't trust most people, and can't let go of past mistakes or things that she feels were done wrong to her. Laura wants to go to the police, but Dave tries to dissuade her, because apparently another woman disappeared several years prior in the same dangerous area (the hike was along steep cliffs with no guardrails).
There is quite a bit going on, and I don't want to give away too much, but it kept my interest. I only gave it three stars, because there is way too much time spent on Laura's history with Chloe and others in her past, and the "mystery" part just isn't as well-developed as it could have been. My biggest thought after finishing the book was "Laura obviously needed therapy and lots of it." It just brought down the story because her character was so wrapped up in dread and insecurity.
Thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the e-ARC and the opportunity to review this book.
Okay, so this book is touted as a suspense, and that part happens when Diana disappears while on a hike with Laura. Laura freaks out with worry, and we learn that Laura is one of those people who always expect the worst to happen in any situation, doesn't trust most people, and can't let go of past mistakes or things that she feels were done wrong to her. Laura wants to go to the police, but Dave tries to dissuade her, because apparently another woman disappeared several years prior in the same dangerous area (the hike was along steep cliffs with no guardrails).
There is quite a bit going on, and I don't want to give away too much, but it kept my interest. I only gave it three stars, because there is way too much time spent on Laura's history with Chloe and others in her past, and the "mystery" part just isn't as well-developed as it could have been. My biggest thought after finishing the book was "Laura obviously needed therapy and lots of it." It just brought down the story because her character was so wrapped up in dread and insecurity.
Thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the e-ARC and the opportunity to review this book.
January 2, 2025
Thank you to Blackstone Publishing, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book!
Honestly not sure where to go with this review, I mean what was that?! It was great starting out it had everything it needed to be a great book, It had me hooked from the beginning wanting more. it was a pretty fast read at first... then it just kinda fell off and flopped..
I'll give it a 2.5 rounded up to 3 (maybe!?)
This is gonna sound kinda harsh but feels like this is a book someone started writing this on Vacation and didn't quite finish, then got home realized it was still not over and just kinda threw things together at last minute, I don't feel like ending really made much sense, after the festival it just kinda ended and it dragged on from there.. I would preferred her staying there and working at Joe's rather than what we got.
I was def intrigued by the Diana parts, thank god for her because otherwise there would have been nothing else going on in this book, Dave was just boring but he's a man so i guess that's a given. Would have loved for more of the girls relationship to blossom before what happened happened.. (trying to not give away spoilers here lol) But might have been better to get to know her more, I realize as i say this it would have messed with some of the plot..
The last bit was kind of cute when she realized what Diana did but what was with the standoffish bish she ran into at the plane!? I mean she had every right to be mad at her but I guess Diana was just kinda over it at that point having talked to the cops, I just wish there was more thought put into the ending... I feel like it just fell of the cliff she thought her friend went over.
(COMING BACK TO THIS EDIT LIKE A WEEK LATER!! I knew places like this existed Obviously but didn't realize this is actually a real place!!!! After you read this book look up the location to get a feel for it, although I didn't see any "pink sands" in videos i watched but holy crap try to catch the drone video if you can!!) IT'S BEAUTIFUL and seeing that Bridge after this and the cliffs give you a eery feeling realizing what Laura thought happened to her "friend"
https://youtu.be/FX00sYRIOis?si=Xs54a...
Honestly not sure where to go with this review, I mean what was that?! It was great starting out it had everything it needed to be a great book, It had me hooked from the beginning wanting more. it was a pretty fast read at first... then it just kinda fell off and flopped..
I'll give it a 2.5 rounded up to 3 (maybe!?)
This is gonna sound kinda harsh but feels like this is a book someone started writing this on Vacation and didn't quite finish, then got home realized it was still not over and just kinda threw things together at last minute, I don't feel like ending really made much sense, after the festival it just kinda ended and it dragged on from there.. I would preferred her staying there and working at Joe's rather than what we got.
I was def intrigued by the Diana parts, thank god for her because otherwise there would have been nothing else going on in this book, Dave was just boring but he's a man so i guess that's a given. Would have loved for more of the girls relationship to blossom before what happened happened.. (trying to not give away spoilers here lol) But might have been better to get to know her more, I realize as i say this it would have messed with some of the plot..
The last bit was kind of cute when she realized what Diana did but what was with the standoffish bish she ran into at the plane!? I mean she had every right to be mad at her but I guess Diana was just kinda over it at that point having talked to the cops, I just wish there was more thought put into the ending... I feel like it just fell of the cliff she thought her friend went over.
(COMING BACK TO THIS EDIT LIKE A WEEK LATER!! I knew places like this existed Obviously but didn't realize this is actually a real place!!!! After you read this book look up the location to get a feel for it, although I didn't see any "pink sands" in videos i watched but holy crap try to catch the drone video if you can!!) IT'S BEAUTIFUL and seeing that Bridge after this and the cliffs give you a eery feeling realizing what Laura thought happened to her "friend"
https://youtu.be/FX00sYRIOis?si=Xs54a...
June 25, 2024
I’m not even sure how I’m supposed to review this book…🤔
To start, this was a major page-turner for me and I needed to know how it would all pan out. But now that I’ve finished…..huh?! That’s how it ends?! I’m dumbfounded and definitely scratching my head with this one.
This story follows newly dating couple Laura and Dave, who take a brief trip to an all-inclusive resort in the Bahamas. They are both lawyers working for the same firm and need a few days of rest and relaxation. Except…that’s the last thing they end up finding when Laura becomes a little too focused on a fellow female resort guest who’s vacationing alone.
On a positive note, this was really suspenseful and I had a hard time putting it down. Had I had the opportunity, I most likely would have read it in one sitting. I had no idea where it was headed or who could be trusted- the exact recipe for my perfect book.
On the other hand…WTF? That’s the ending? And that’s what was going on the whole time, and why? I rated this book 4/5 stars simply based on me truly enjoying it and it being such a gripping story. But how it all came together was a big disappointment for me. Not at all what I had expected- keeping it from being a 5-star rating.
My only other true “complaint” is that this is one of those books with a booksmart successful career woman who is a total dolt in regular life. A woman with zero common sense who can’t make a good rational decision if her life depended on it. These types of female main characters make my eyes roll right out of my head.
If you pick this one up, keep in mind it will be going in a very odd direction that you don’t see coming - at all!
*Thank you @netgalley and @blackstonepublishing for this advanced copy. This novel doesn’t hit bookstores until 1/14/25!
To start, this was a major page-turner for me and I needed to know how it would all pan out. But now that I’ve finished…..huh?! That’s how it ends?! I’m dumbfounded and definitely scratching my head with this one.
This story follows newly dating couple Laura and Dave, who take a brief trip to an all-inclusive resort in the Bahamas. They are both lawyers working for the same firm and need a few days of rest and relaxation. Except…that’s the last thing they end up finding when Laura becomes a little too focused on a fellow female resort guest who’s vacationing alone.
On a positive note, this was really suspenseful and I had a hard time putting it down. Had I had the opportunity, I most likely would have read it in one sitting. I had no idea where it was headed or who could be trusted- the exact recipe for my perfect book.
On the other hand…WTF? That’s the ending? And that’s what was going on the whole time, and why? I rated this book 4/5 stars simply based on me truly enjoying it and it being such a gripping story. But how it all came together was a big disappointment for me. Not at all what I had expected- keeping it from being a 5-star rating.
My only other true “complaint” is that this is one of those books with a booksmart successful career woman who is a total dolt in regular life. A woman with zero common sense who can’t make a good rational decision if her life depended on it. These types of female main characters make my eyes roll right out of my head.
If you pick this one up, keep in mind it will be going in a very odd direction that you don’t see coming - at all!
*Thank you @netgalley and @blackstonepublishing for this advanced copy. This novel doesn’t hit bookstores until 1/14/25!
January 16, 2025
Laura is a lawyer, who along with her fellow lawyer boyfriend, Dave, decide to take an impulsive romantic vacation to a Bahamian island after having dated less than two months. Once there, Laura notices a woman staying at the same resort who appears to be traveling alone. This brings to mind all of Laura’s own dreams of travelling with her childhood best friend, her own insecurities of going anywhere alone, and how she measures up to other women. Upon striking up a conversation with this woman, they decide to go on a hike together, where the woman disappears, thus creating the mystery part of the narrative.
This book started out strong but stalled out by the end. I think the issue is this book is being promoted in the thriller genre, rather than the women’s fiction genre where it belongs. While there is certainly a mystery involved, it turns out to be anticlimactic and not really the focus of the book. Instead, it’s a study of the various relationships women have with one another, their social expectations and the judgements they pass among themselves.
I enjoyed the mystery part of the narrative, but found the obsession Laura still had with her childhood friend rather tiresome. It did serve to lay the groundwork for her internal struggles, her preoccupation with the solo woman traveler, and further thoughts of her relationships with other women, but if the lure of a suspenseful story in an exotic locale is what drew you to the book to begin with, you may end up disappointed.
Blackstone Publishing via NetGalley kindly provided me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book started out strong but stalled out by the end. I think the issue is this book is being promoted in the thriller genre, rather than the women’s fiction genre where it belongs. While there is certainly a mystery involved, it turns out to be anticlimactic and not really the focus of the book. Instead, it’s a study of the various relationships women have with one another, their social expectations and the judgements they pass among themselves.
I enjoyed the mystery part of the narrative, but found the obsession Laura still had with her childhood friend rather tiresome. It did serve to lay the groundwork for her internal struggles, her preoccupation with the solo woman traveler, and further thoughts of her relationships with other women, but if the lure of a suspenseful story in an exotic locale is what drew you to the book to begin with, you may end up disappointed.
Blackstone Publishing via NetGalley kindly provided me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 22, 2025
With the weather being so cold across the United States at the moment, who wouldn't want to flee to pink sand beaches and all-inclusive amenities by the sea? There are quite a few books that promise the allure and (ocean floor) depths of The White Lotus. And while, yes, many of those books do offer the glossy, escapist nature of the iconic TV series, Sandra Chwialkowska's debut novel, THE ENDS OF THINGS, is perhaps most similar to the show: It also uses the structure and plot elements of a luxury resort thriller to say much more about the characters involved in it than who actually ends up missing.
DO NOT read the synopsis before diving into this one. Go in blind, trust me! All you need to know is that a woman named Laura, perhaps conservative when it comes to living her life, gets whisked away to Eleuthera in the Bahamas with her new boyfriend, Dave. This is Laura's first significant relationship in a while and her first trip with a beau. So why does everything feel so off? Her chance encounter with a woman named Diana, there alone, might have all the answers Laura's been looking for.
What makes this novel so unique are the lasagna slice layers of thriller plot points, cooked together with a strong, saucy point of view on dating, relationships and travel. The novel has an ending that will certainly frustrate some readers, but I found deeply fulfilling in its cruelest ironies. That Chwialkowska is a television producer helps explain why this book feels so cinematic throughout, peppered with interesting flashbacks and moments of gripping suspense.
What I got stuck on with this debut, and I think some others might as well, is how little I could connect with Laura, a woman seemingly desperate to hurl blame anywhere else but at herself. Her fear of living life is near crippling, and living in her mind makes this one a bit frustrating at times. That she doesn't necessarily seem to have learned anything at the end of the book is where I would've loved an alternative ending, as Chwialkowska has given us a narrative that could suggest such. And, at just 210 pages, it feels like there was some story left behind, specifically as this is meant to be a character-driven work of literary suspense.
Thank you to Lavender Public Relations and Blackstone for my gifted early copy of the book! THE ENDS OF THINGS is out now!
DO NOT read the synopsis before diving into this one. Go in blind, trust me! All you need to know is that a woman named Laura, perhaps conservative when it comes to living her life, gets whisked away to Eleuthera in the Bahamas with her new boyfriend, Dave. This is Laura's first significant relationship in a while and her first trip with a beau. So why does everything feel so off? Her chance encounter with a woman named Diana, there alone, might have all the answers Laura's been looking for.
What makes this novel so unique are the lasagna slice layers of thriller plot points, cooked together with a strong, saucy point of view on dating, relationships and travel. The novel has an ending that will certainly frustrate some readers, but I found deeply fulfilling in its cruelest ironies. That Chwialkowska is a television producer helps explain why this book feels so cinematic throughout, peppered with interesting flashbacks and moments of gripping suspense.
What I got stuck on with this debut, and I think some others might as well, is how little I could connect with Laura, a woman seemingly desperate to hurl blame anywhere else but at herself. Her fear of living life is near crippling, and living in her mind makes this one a bit frustrating at times. That she doesn't necessarily seem to have learned anything at the end of the book is where I would've loved an alternative ending, as Chwialkowska has given us a narrative that could suggest such. And, at just 210 pages, it feels like there was some story left behind, specifically as this is meant to be a character-driven work of literary suspense.
Thank you to Lavender Public Relations and Blackstone for my gifted early copy of the book! THE ENDS OF THINGS is out now!
February 10, 2025
Laura Philips has always wanted to travel but has been too afraid to do it alone. Now she has a boyfriend, and he's suggested that they get away to the Pink Sands resort on the remote island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas. She's ecstatic to be finally traveling and can't wait to take in the sights. But shortly after they arrive, she notices a woman who seems to be vacationing on her own. Curious to see what type of woman does this, Laura becomes a bit obsessed and befriends the mysterious woman, Diana. She finds herself opening up to Diana in ways she never has before. But when Diana suddenly disappears, she finds herself in the middle of the investigation. What happened to Diana?
This was totally bingeable! It was a quick, easy read that I just couldn't put down. As much as I couldn't stand the FMC, Laura, I was drawn into her life. I actually felt bad for her because her paranoia was off the charts! The best way I can put it is she was like a train wreck that I couldn't look away from. It definitely made for an entertaining read. I really needed to know what happened to Diana and was pretty shocked when I found out. I also loved the references to the Greek goddess Artemis & her Roman counterpart Diana. This was a good domestic suspense that I thoroughly enjoyed and would definitely recommend. It's a great debut, and I'm excited to read more by this author!🩷
This was totally bingeable! It was a quick, easy read that I just couldn't put down. As much as I couldn't stand the FMC, Laura, I was drawn into her life. I actually felt bad for her because her paranoia was off the charts! The best way I can put it is she was like a train wreck that I couldn't look away from. It definitely made for an entertaining read. I really needed to know what happened to Diana and was pretty shocked when I found out. I also loved the references to the Greek goddess Artemis & her Roman counterpart Diana. This was a good domestic suspense that I thoroughly enjoyed and would definitely recommend. It's a great debut, and I'm excited to read more by this author!🩷
March 1, 2025
Laura and Dave are both attorneys at the same firm. They are a new couple when they decided to go on an inclusive relationship to the Bahamas. On the trip Laura meets Diana. Diana is comfortable being single and on a vacation alone, which Laura admires. When the women decide to go on a friendly hike together, Diana goes missing. The story follows Laura through the investigation and also through some of her memories from childhood.
Truthfully this story isn't much if a mystery or thriller. It almost feels like fiction with a hint of women literature. It really focuses on the societal stigma of being a single woman and being comfortable being alone. Women's friendships are also another topic heavily analyzed. It was an okay, quick read.
Truthfully this story isn't much if a mystery or thriller. It almost feels like fiction with a hint of women literature. It really focuses on the societal stigma of being a single woman and being comfortable being alone. Women's friendships are also another topic heavily analyzed. It was an okay, quick read.
July 30, 2024
This book started out as the fast paced page turning thriller I was expecting. Such a good start with a lovely set up for the story and character introductions. The story slowed down a bit in the middle, but was still suspenseful. I was a bit disappointed in the ending as it was fairly anticlimactic and not where I thought the story was heading based on the lead up and some speculations. While it was not the ending I was craving I still enjoyed this book.
Thank you to Netgally for providing this ARC.
Thank you to Netgally for providing this ARC.
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