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A Necessary end [Unknown Binding]
How far would you go to get what you wanted? The author of Don’t Try to Find Me returns with a taut, riveting novel of psychological suspense—a domestic drama full of secrets and twists—about a woman determined to have a child, her ambivalent husband, and a pregnant teenager with a secret agenda of her own. “I know now that there was no other way things could have turned out. Tragedies are inevitable, just like the great love stories, like us.” Thirty-nine-year-old Adrienne is desperate to be a mother. And this time, nothing is going to get in her way. Sure, her husband, Gabe, is ambivalent about fatherhood. But she knows that once he holds their baby, he’ll come around. He’s just feeling a little threatened, that’s all. Because once upon a time, it was Gabe that Adrienne wanted more than anything; she was willing to do anything. . . . But that was half a lifetime ago. She’s a different person now, and so is Gabe. There are lines she wouldn’t cross, not without extreme provocation. And sure, she was bitten once before by another birth mother—clear to the bone—and for most people, it’s once bitten, twice shy. But Adrienne isn’t exactly the retiring type. At nineteen, Leah bears a remarkable resemblance to the young woman Adrienne once was. Which is why Adrienne knows the baby Leah is carrying is meant to be hers. But Leah’s got ideas of her Her baby’s going to get a life in California; why shouldn’t she? All she wants is to live in Adrienne’s house for a year after the baby’s born, and get a fresh start. It seems like a small price for Adrienne to pay to get their baby. And with Gabe suddenly on board, what could possibly go wrong?
Unknown Binding
First published July 7, 2015
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About the author
Holly Brown
9 books239 followersHolly Brown is a practicing marriage and family therapist and author of the novels DON'T TRY TO FIND ME, A NECESSARY END, THIS IS NOT OVER, and HOW FAR SHE'S COME. She teamed up with three internationally bestselling thriller writers (Sophie Hannah, B.A. Paris, and Clare Mackintosh) for THE UNDERSTUDY.
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August 11, 2016The characters are loathsome. Their agenda – calculating, self-absorbed, manipulating, downright unlikable. Adrienne and Gabe won’t exactly pull at your heartstrings, you feel zero sympathy towards them and as their secrets along with their true colors are revealed, it’s no surprise your arm length distance served you correctly. Leah is a snake in the grass, you know from the start she is sneaky, not to be trusted. Brown does a wonderful job with the realistic interaction and complexity of the characters.
The narrative has a few surprises matched with predictable scenarios. Plenty of secrets make the story exciting casting an overall darkness. The narration alternating between Adrienne and Gabe reveals their psychological state, their very different perspectives are full of humor and bold faced honesty, you comprehend their strength and weaknesses, their vulnerability and invincibility. The dynamics of their marriage is plausible and a hoot.
Brown’s therapy background infused in her characters psychological make-up make this a darkly fascinating read with surprising twists. Smooth writing paired with a fast pace makes this very entertaining with despicable protagonists.
http://ravenhairedgirl.com
The narrative has a few surprises matched with predictable scenarios. Plenty of secrets make the story exciting casting an overall darkness. The narration alternating between Adrienne and Gabe reveals their psychological state, their very different perspectives are full of humor and bold faced honesty, you comprehend their strength and weaknesses, their vulnerability and invincibility. The dynamics of their marriage is plausible and a hoot.
Brown’s therapy background infused in her characters psychological make-up make this a darkly fascinating read with surprising twists. Smooth writing paired with a fast pace makes this very entertaining with despicable protagonists.
http://ravenhairedgirl.com
July 2, 2015
A pregnant teenager, a couple who can't conceive, and a deal Gabe and Adrianne can't pass up. Or was it really such a good deal?
Adrianne was so desperate to have a baby that she and Gabe signed up for a birth mother site that would give them access to unwed mothers who wanted to put their baby up for adoption. They got burned on the first mother and Leah sounded too good to be true so they took the “deal.” Leah arrived at their home within 24 hours with her flight paid for and with her own secret agenda.
I was apprehensive about their decision and about Leah the second I read about it. Leah was going to have the baby, stay with them for a year, be paid $400 a month with all medical expenses covered but with the stipulation that she could still decide to keep the baby.
A NECESSARY END kept me on the edge of my seat as the characters interacted and as Leah continued to show her true colors and carry out her plan. Ms. Brown addressed a social situation that could escalate to this height.
Ms. Brown does a superb job of keeping the tension of the book's situation very high.
A NECESSARY END is a gripping psychological thriller with characters that were well developed but ones that I wanted to shake and tell to wake up and see what actually was going on. There was a good deal of betrayal as well as manipulation.
If you enjoy books with characters you don't trust from the start and a gut feeling that all isn't as it really seems A NECESSARY END is a book you won't want to miss. The ending revelations and the ending itself are definitely a surprise and not what I expected. 5/5
This book was given to me free of charge and without compensation in return for an honest review
July 10, 2015
4.5 stars
What a great thriller, that gets you thinking...keeps you burning through the pages. There are so many twists and many turns that I was surprised by. This is one of those novels that slowly reveals bits of information that causes you shout out loud. It is a crazy adventure and one that will not soon be forgotten. If you love to be taken on a literary ride A Necessary End, is the book for you! 4.5 stars
What a great thriller, that gets you thinking...keeps you burning through the pages. There are so many twists and many turns that I was surprised by. This is one of those novels that slowly reveals bits of information that causes you shout out loud. It is a crazy adventure and one that will not soon be forgotten. If you love to be taken on a literary ride A Necessary End, is the book for you! 4.5 stars
May 5, 2017
I finished this in one day, I was that enthralled by the writing, the characters, and the story. Amazingly, Holly Brown is consistent from book to book. I have been satisfied almost equally by each book she's written and with the level of suspense and the detail in the character outlooks or their intricate psychology.
Brown nails the inner workings of the main characters: both Gabe and Adrienne were complex but unique people, and while they clearly had their faults, hearing their thoughts makes it hard not to empathize. I understand that this is another one of those books that goes in that category of books with "difficult/unlikable leads," but damnit, name me a compelling, complex, original character that isn't difficult. And I felt Gabe was pretty decent, even if Adrienne was struggling with her morality. Even side characters like Trevor were pretty meaty-one small action from them could easily change the tide.
While I wasn't completely satisfied with the ending; maybe I'll message the author a few questions- I had a feeling that a hatchet was about to fall from the sky over Gabe and Adrienne the whole time, and that kept me going. I was just waiting for this crazy adoption scheme to go bad. I mean, why didn't they go for two separate agreements! Adrienne clearly was neither trusting enough nor self-aware enough to realize that living with a baby while knowing the adoptive mother could take it away at any time- for a whole year afterwards- would drive her (or anyone, IMO) crazy.
Things did get a bit implausible by the end-- or maybe the characters pasts had always had implausible bits in them, I just didn't know about the extent of their pasts- but the drama was high and kept me interested the whole time.
Leah felt less like a drawn out character and a bit more like a reaction to the circumstances-- she's a doppelganger to Adrienne in looks and personality but with different life circumstances, but she has these crazy circumstances- but she sure threw a wrench into these peoples lives. You could just see the track their life would or could have taken if she hadn't added that "one year living rent free with the people who adopt my baby" thing into the contract. Plus, as a reader, being kept at arms length from Leahs character was a natural state, as I couldn't be sure of her motivations- we didn't get to see into her mind the way we did Adriennes.
I can understand how trying to adopt can get desperate, and why a couple would be drawn into this, (although Gabe just sort of ends up going along with stuff day to day until he's like HOW did I get here) so interestingly, my favorite part of the book was the first half. Plus Leah and Adrienne were so antagonistic to one another. So Gabe was the mediator for a bit. The Patty storyline was a bit wonky. I liked how Brown imposed or inserted a lot of the outside details, like the TV show, or the car lot, or the poker. Yes. I wanted some of these stories to go alternate routes, but I liked the ride.
From the reviews I read, seems that other people preferred the second half more. But the first half was rife with possibility, and the characters weren't all stuck in that house, with the mewling, constantly throwing up baby. I def liked the first half the best.
I give this 4.5 stars, but only because I wasn't totally satisfied with the ending, and I felt the second half had some leaps that felt too implausible but without enough shock/awe value or impact to justify the level of implausibility. I'm probably being too picky there. If you like psychological suspense, I recommend "The Necessary End" and the other two books out there by Brown. She's great at demonstrating how women competitively pit themselves against each other. The worldview of "there's only so much happiness to go around, and if it goes to someone else, it's not going to me" and how having that philosophical worldview impacted others was really explored here.
****************
SPOILER:
I do wonder who gave the tip to the police. Was it Mel?
*******************
Brown nails the inner workings of the main characters: both Gabe and Adrienne were complex but unique people, and while they clearly had their faults, hearing their thoughts makes it hard not to empathize. I understand that this is another one of those books that goes in that category of books with "difficult/unlikable leads," but damnit, name me a compelling, complex, original character that isn't difficult. And I felt Gabe was pretty decent, even if Adrienne was struggling with her morality. Even side characters like Trevor were pretty meaty-one small action from them could easily change the tide.
While I wasn't completely satisfied with the ending; maybe I'll message the author a few questions- I had a feeling that a hatchet was about to fall from the sky over Gabe and Adrienne the whole time, and that kept me going. I was just waiting for this crazy adoption scheme to go bad. I mean, why didn't they go for two separate agreements! Adrienne clearly was neither trusting enough nor self-aware enough to realize that living with a baby while knowing the adoptive mother could take it away at any time- for a whole year afterwards- would drive her (or anyone, IMO) crazy.
Things did get a bit implausible by the end-- or maybe the characters pasts had always had implausible bits in them, I just didn't know about the extent of their pasts- but the drama was high and kept me interested the whole time.
Leah felt less like a drawn out character and a bit more like a reaction to the circumstances-- she's a doppelganger to Adrienne in looks and personality but with different life circumstances, but she has these crazy circumstances- but she sure threw a wrench into these peoples lives. You could just see the track their life would or could have taken if she hadn't added that "one year living rent free with the people who adopt my baby" thing into the contract. Plus, as a reader, being kept at arms length from Leahs character was a natural state, as I couldn't be sure of her motivations- we didn't get to see into her mind the way we did Adriennes.
I can understand how trying to adopt can get desperate, and why a couple would be drawn into this, (although Gabe just sort of ends up going along with stuff day to day until he's like HOW did I get here) so interestingly, my favorite part of the book was the first half. Plus Leah and Adrienne were so antagonistic to one another. So Gabe was the mediator for a bit. The Patty storyline was a bit wonky. I liked how Brown imposed or inserted a lot of the outside details, like the TV show, or the car lot, or the poker. Yes. I wanted some of these stories to go alternate routes, but I liked the ride.
From the reviews I read, seems that other people preferred the second half more. But the first half was rife with possibility, and the characters weren't all stuck in that house, with the mewling, constantly throwing up baby. I def liked the first half the best.
I give this 4.5 stars, but only because I wasn't totally satisfied with the ending, and I felt the second half had some leaps that felt too implausible but without enough shock/awe value or impact to justify the level of implausibility. I'm probably being too picky there. If you like psychological suspense, I recommend "The Necessary End" and the other two books out there by Brown. She's great at demonstrating how women competitively pit themselves against each other. The worldview of "there's only so much happiness to go around, and if it goes to someone else, it's not going to me" and how having that philosophical worldview impacted others was really explored here.
****************
SPOILER:
I do wonder who gave the tip to the police. Was it Mel?
*******************
July 5, 2015
Original review can be found at http://kristineandterri.blogspot.ca/2...
**I received an advanced readers copy from William Morrow via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!**
I struggled with this book. I mean I really struggled with it. I'm not sure if I can put it into words effectively but I will try...
It started out as an adoption story where a couple was desperate for a baby. Scratch that...part of a couple was desperate for a baby. Each chapter went back and forth between Adrienne and Gabe as the story unfolded. Honestly the whole thing was just messed up. First off, Gabe did not want a baby but Adrienne did not care one bit in her selfishness because her desire was so strong. All of a sudden Leah entered the picture and the craziest not to mention dumbest (excuse my bluntness) adoption plan is hatched. I'm sorry but Adrienne and Gabe were conned once before, you think they would learn something and or be a little smarter. Once bitten, twice shy obviously did not apply to them. Once bitten, twice as dumb would better describe them.
Enough of the plot...here were my issues...
1. None of the characters were likeable, not even a little bit. Adrienne and Gabe were so selfish and self centred that it made it hard to get past the first few chapters without giving up. I am being really kind when I say that I disliked them. Leah screamed trouble right from the very beginning.
2. The story itself dragged on and on. The first three quarters of the book were not very exciting and there were so many rabbit trails that I struggled to get through it. I kept waiting for something, anything to happen. Everything was crammed into the end of the book. I honestly think a good 100 pages (if not more) needed to be deleted from the story in order for the timing and flow of the story to work effectively.
3. I knew the twist was coming but it came too late. I was no longer interested by the time it happened. It seemed like the desired effect was a Gone Girl type of plot but it didn't work for me. It was too busy and there were too many branches that it just made me more annoyed at it. I gave it a couple days before writing this review because I hated Gone Girl when I finished it but upon reflection I thought it was genius. My thinking was that I would feel the same way about this book but it didn't happen.
Obviously this book was not for me but I do however think that it would make a good book club book. I can visualise many a heated conversations about many aspects of this book. If it was shortened and the timing fixed I probably would have liked it a lot more.
**I received an advanced readers copy from William Morrow via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!**
I struggled with this book. I mean I really struggled with it. I'm not sure if I can put it into words effectively but I will try...
It started out as an adoption story where a couple was desperate for a baby. Scratch that...part of a couple was desperate for a baby. Each chapter went back and forth between Adrienne and Gabe as the story unfolded. Honestly the whole thing was just messed up. First off, Gabe did not want a baby but Adrienne did not care one bit in her selfishness because her desire was so strong. All of a sudden Leah entered the picture and the craziest not to mention dumbest (excuse my bluntness) adoption plan is hatched. I'm sorry but Adrienne and Gabe were conned once before, you think they would learn something and or be a little smarter. Once bitten, twice shy obviously did not apply to them. Once bitten, twice as dumb would better describe them.
Enough of the plot...here were my issues...
1. None of the characters were likeable, not even a little bit. Adrienne and Gabe were so selfish and self centred that it made it hard to get past the first few chapters without giving up. I am being really kind when I say that I disliked them. Leah screamed trouble right from the very beginning.
2. The story itself dragged on and on. The first three quarters of the book were not very exciting and there were so many rabbit trails that I struggled to get through it. I kept waiting for something, anything to happen. Everything was crammed into the end of the book. I honestly think a good 100 pages (if not more) needed to be deleted from the story in order for the timing and flow of the story to work effectively.
3. I knew the twist was coming but it came too late. I was no longer interested by the time it happened. It seemed like the desired effect was a Gone Girl type of plot but it didn't work for me. It was too busy and there were too many branches that it just made me more annoyed at it. I gave it a couple days before writing this review because I hated Gone Girl when I finished it but upon reflection I thought it was genius. My thinking was that I would feel the same way about this book but it didn't happen.
Obviously this book was not for me but I do however think that it would make a good book club book. I can visualise many a heated conversations about many aspects of this book. If it was shortened and the timing fixed I probably would have liked it a lot more.
August 5, 2015
A Necessary End by Holly Brown kept me riveted and thoroughly intrigued by the mind games the characters play on each other dangling a valuable prize--the darling baby Adrienne has longed for. As their secrets are revealed, the reader is left constantly wondering who is really the one to fear. Brown is excellent at getting into the minds of her characters and unveiling their innermost doubts, desires and dreams. The entire situation is foolish but desperate people often go to desperate measures to get what they really want.
And the ending! I'm still trying to resolve how I feel about the ending. With that said, it is definitely an exciting conclusion.
Assume nothing while reading A Necessary End, but make sure you read it.
And the ending! I'm still trying to resolve how I feel about the ending. With that said, it is definitely an exciting conclusion.
Assume nothing while reading A Necessary End, but make sure you read it.
December 23, 2016
Psychological suspense never stops in this intriguing story about a woman who goes to any means to have a child, no matter what the cost.
The one thing lacking in Adrienne' marriage is a child even though about her husband Gabe is not sure he wants to be a father. A pregnant teenager, Leah, agrees to come live with the couple until her baby is born and they can adopt it. Unforeseen events happen that cause an upheaval in all of their lives that no one ever would imagine.
The narrations of Gabe and Leah are intriguing, revealing shocking secrets. There are so many twists in this book that I never even saw coming! You will have to read it to discover what happens at the shocking ending.
I received this book from Goodreads in exchange for an honest review.
The one thing lacking in Adrienne' marriage is a child even though about her husband Gabe is not sure he wants to be a father. A pregnant teenager, Leah, agrees to come live with the couple until her baby is born and they can adopt it. Unforeseen events happen that cause an upheaval in all of their lives that no one ever would imagine.
The narrations of Gabe and Leah are intriguing, revealing shocking secrets. There are so many twists in this book that I never even saw coming! You will have to read it to discover what happens at the shocking ending.
I received this book from Goodreads in exchange for an honest review.
July 12, 2016
I received this book as a gift via a Goodreads giveaway. I only gave it a three-star rating because even though I enjoyed Holly Brown’s writing style of using two different points of view, I was disappointed how long it took for the characters to draw me into the story. Once they did, it was an excellent way of showing Adrienne’s selfish desperation and obsession to have a child, and a good way to show Gabe's reluctance.
September 9, 2015
For me, A Necessary End by Holly Brown ranks somewhere between a 4 and 4.5. It was a gripping page-turner, nearly from start to finish. But, that does't mean it wasn't without flaws.
First off, I didn't seem to connect with (or really like, for that matter) any of the characters in particular. I don't really see that as a bad thing, though. All of them seemed to have character development (both growth and degradation) and actually seemed as though they could be people you meet in the real world. Though all of the characters were very different, they all seemed to have one thing in common - selfishness. Whether their intentions were good or not, every character had their own agenda, in which they were willing to go through extreme things to follow through. While every character said the baby's welfare was their top priority, it seemed they used him as a scapegoat for their own selfish priorities, their own wellbeing.
As for the writing, I didn't think this was too bad! It's probably not one of my favorites, but it was a pretty good book! I read this in a matter of days. Actually, I could barely put the thing down. I'd start reading it and realize I'd read for a couple hours. It was definitely a page-turner. One thing I really loved about Holly Brown's writing was the fact that she's very good at pacing out the suspense. She did a phenomenal job of revealing little details about the pasts of Adrienne, Gabe, and Leah as your read on throughout the book. She did a really great job at not making things predictable, like a lot of other books tend to do. I'm normally pretty good at guessing what the outcome will be in books, but this time I can honestly say I was sort of shocked at points, upon discovering a new tidbit about the characters' past lives.
There were a couple things I wasn't too fond of, though. Sometimes I found the dialogue to be sort of lacking. I'm around the same age group that the character Trevor is and I can honestly say I've never met a soul who talks like him - the vocabulary (if you can call it that), the slang that I've not heard used by anyone in this age group, the... "airheadedness," for lack of a better word. To me, it just seemed a little forced and, at times, basically cringeworthy. It was basically the stereotypical teenager. I didn't mind the dialogue for any other characters, though. Another thing that I didn't enjoy so much was any part that contained a lot of poker lingo - so basically half of Gabe's chapters. I know poker was sort of an integral topic in this book but I don't know a thing about poker, nor am I interested in it. So the chapters in which Gabe was involved in a poker game, I basically skimmed.
I really enjoyed this book! It was kind of refreshing to read considering it's not a genre I normally read. It hooked my attention and held onto it throughout the duration of the book. The ending left me hoping that there will be a sequel. There are so many questions that are left unanswered! Overall, I really love how Brown kept you guessing until the very end and then some! This book really makes you think about how your actions can affect the lives of those around you.
First off, I didn't seem to connect with (or really like, for that matter) any of the characters in particular. I don't really see that as a bad thing, though. All of them seemed to have character development (both growth and degradation) and actually seemed as though they could be people you meet in the real world. Though all of the characters were very different, they all seemed to have one thing in common - selfishness. Whether their intentions were good or not, every character had their own agenda, in which they were willing to go through extreme things to follow through. While every character said the baby's welfare was their top priority, it seemed they used him as a scapegoat for their own selfish priorities, their own wellbeing.
As for the writing, I didn't think this was too bad! It's probably not one of my favorites, but it was a pretty good book! I read this in a matter of days. Actually, I could barely put the thing down. I'd start reading it and realize I'd read for a couple hours. It was definitely a page-turner. One thing I really loved about Holly Brown's writing was the fact that she's very good at pacing out the suspense. She did a phenomenal job of revealing little details about the pasts of Adrienne, Gabe, and Leah as your read on throughout the book. She did a really great job at not making things predictable, like a lot of other books tend to do. I'm normally pretty good at guessing what the outcome will be in books, but this time I can honestly say I was sort of shocked at points, upon discovering a new tidbit about the characters' past lives.
There were a couple things I wasn't too fond of, though. Sometimes I found the dialogue to be sort of lacking. I'm around the same age group that the character Trevor is and I can honestly say I've never met a soul who talks like him - the vocabulary (if you can call it that), the slang that I've not heard used by anyone in this age group, the... "airheadedness," for lack of a better word. To me, it just seemed a little forced and, at times, basically cringeworthy. It was basically the stereotypical teenager. I didn't mind the dialogue for any other characters, though. Another thing that I didn't enjoy so much was any part that contained a lot of poker lingo - so basically half of Gabe's chapters. I know poker was sort of an integral topic in this book but I don't know a thing about poker, nor am I interested in it. So the chapters in which Gabe was involved in a poker game, I basically skimmed.
I really enjoyed this book! It was kind of refreshing to read considering it's not a genre I normally read. It hooked my attention and held onto it throughout the duration of the book. The ending left me hoping that there will be a sequel. There are so many questions that are left unanswered! Overall, I really love how Brown kept you guessing until the very end and then some! This book really makes you think about how your actions can affect the lives of those around you.
December 20, 2015
I read this novel in one day. It was fast paced, enjoyable, and appreciated how twisted the characters were. If you want a quick, relentless read, check this one out!
March 2, 2016
Read more at http://rainbowreviews.wix.com/reading free or on Instagram @RainbowReviewsKC
Story Line - 5
Writing Style - 4
Characters - 4.5
Excitement Factor - 5
Believability for type and topics - 4.5
Similarity to other books - 5
Cover art: 4; Dust Jacket Art - 5
Title Relevance - 4.5
Adrienne is dying to have a child. And after a major let down from their former-chosen-birth-mom, she is constantly updating her and her husband's adoption profile. But when Gabe doesn't really want to be a father, how will he handle an odd arrangement with the birth mother?
You may like this book if you like the following sub-genres:
Adoption Stories
Suspense
Family Drama
Much like the first book I read by Holly Brown, this served up some suspense and helped you see just how far a person will go to get the only thing they've ever wanted. I loved this book, and if not for a few minor things, this would've easily been given a 5.
If you aren't adopted, or haven't been through an adoption situation, this book may seem very far fetched. After all the trying, after all the failing, they finally meet the birth mother who seems like a good fit for both parties. But what makes this story unbelievable to the un-adopted-eye is that arrangement that's set up. And I thought about this as separately as I could since I am adopted - I even struck up the synopsis of the book with my dad, and he said he wouldn't have done it. BUT, you never really know until you're in that position. I think this is a more modern story, for sure. I can't see this happening in the 90s by any means, but they bring in really good parts to the adoption process. But aside from the adoption process, we get all these little components of family drama - and how people really handle being pushed to their limits, or better yet, their spouses' limits. Overall, this story line was just really well done. However, I really hated all the poker talk. There were a few chapters that were all poker, and I kind of wanted to stab my eyes out. But trust me, if you like poker-talk, there's detailed events taking place in this book. If this could've been done in brief or less of it, I would've been much happier with the story line... (not that you can get any higher than a 5)
The characters were really well done in this (as were they in her first book). Usually when we get family stories, it can feel really "meh" and "blah." But, Brown did a great job of showing us that (a) a family can be defined in many ways, which I think is such an important component of this book - challenging the statement of "you're not his/her real mom is something said often in adoption stories, (b) spouses can disagree on the largest wants/dreams for themselves and their future and how spouses truly handle those situations, which I found to be a really telling portion of want and desire, and the opposing want and desire on the other end; and finally, for me, the most important thing is to see how individuals grow and change and, yes, regress. In Brown's first novel, Don't Try to Find Me, the character development and character details were so well done. It wasn't even just descriptions of the characters. It was that we felt for each character. And they weren't all the same! There was a specific difference Gabe and Trevor; and Leah and Adrienne; and Patty had her own kind of thing going. The secondary characters even prove to have a really large role in this book, which was surprising for me because so much of the things you feel about Adrienne and Gabe are based on these secondary characters who seem to hold very little presence and value in the story itself. The one thing I really didn't care for was that a specific moment (now that I'm really thinking, maybe two moments) was brushed over when it really should've held more by way of closure. I felt like we just hit these moments on the tip of the tongue then said, "OK, back to the family life." But overall, the character exploration was done fantastically.
This story line was certainly unique. And I think based on the uniqueness of the adoption terms, the story itself just grew even more unique. I've read one another adoption story (And Then I Found You by Patti Callahan Henry) and this just felt very different. Maybe it was the stage of the adoption, or maybe it was the circumstances, but this felt so alone in the possibility of likeness to other books, which for me, was a great asset. I'm sure for others, it would've been comforting to have it more alike other books. But let's be honest, adoption isn't the first topic you think about when picking up a new read. And it wasn't just unique, it was exciting (excluding the long moments discussing Poker). From the beginning, you're kind of cheering this family on, hoping they get their baby (at least Adrienne has our support anyways). And then things just keep happening and you're like, "Seriously?" It's an -on-the-edge-of-your-seat- kind of read.
The hardcover was bland - dark spine, light blue covers (with a tiny inscription of the publishing company's logo on the front... which I thought was kind of greedy, but that doesn't reflect the author, because it is probably part of the contract or some bullshit like that). But the dust jacket wasn't anything revealing. It felt like looking out a rainy window, although, I'm not sure what it was intended to reflect on in the book. It just felt kind calm when the book was anything but.
Holly Brown's first book, Don't Try To Find Me, received 4 stars; the review can be read at the link provided above.
Story Line - 5
Writing Style - 4
Characters - 4.5
Excitement Factor - 5
Believability for type and topics - 4.5
Similarity to other books - 5
Cover art: 4; Dust Jacket Art - 5
Title Relevance - 4.5
Adrienne is dying to have a child. And after a major let down from their former-chosen-birth-mom, she is constantly updating her and her husband's adoption profile. But when Gabe doesn't really want to be a father, how will he handle an odd arrangement with the birth mother?
You may like this book if you like the following sub-genres:
Adoption Stories
Suspense
Family Drama
Much like the first book I read by Holly Brown, this served up some suspense and helped you see just how far a person will go to get the only thing they've ever wanted. I loved this book, and if not for a few minor things, this would've easily been given a 5.
If you aren't adopted, or haven't been through an adoption situation, this book may seem very far fetched. After all the trying, after all the failing, they finally meet the birth mother who seems like a good fit for both parties. But what makes this story unbelievable to the un-adopted-eye is that arrangement that's set up. And I thought about this as separately as I could since I am adopted - I even struck up the synopsis of the book with my dad, and he said he wouldn't have done it. BUT, you never really know until you're in that position. I think this is a more modern story, for sure. I can't see this happening in the 90s by any means, but they bring in really good parts to the adoption process. But aside from the adoption process, we get all these little components of family drama - and how people really handle being pushed to their limits, or better yet, their spouses' limits. Overall, this story line was just really well done. However, I really hated all the poker talk. There were a few chapters that were all poker, and I kind of wanted to stab my eyes out. But trust me, if you like poker-talk, there's detailed events taking place in this book. If this could've been done in brief or less of it, I would've been much happier with the story line... (not that you can get any higher than a 5)
The characters were really well done in this (as were they in her first book). Usually when we get family stories, it can feel really "meh" and "blah." But, Brown did a great job of showing us that (a) a family can be defined in many ways, which I think is such an important component of this book - challenging the statement of "you're not his/her real mom is something said often in adoption stories, (b) spouses can disagree on the largest wants/dreams for themselves and their future and how spouses truly handle those situations, which I found to be a really telling portion of want and desire, and the opposing want and desire on the other end; and finally, for me, the most important thing is to see how individuals grow and change and, yes, regress. In Brown's first novel, Don't Try to Find Me, the character development and character details were so well done. It wasn't even just descriptions of the characters. It was that we felt for each character. And they weren't all the same! There was a specific difference Gabe and Trevor; and Leah and Adrienne; and Patty had her own kind of thing going. The secondary characters even prove to have a really large role in this book, which was surprising for me because so much of the things you feel about Adrienne and Gabe are based on these secondary characters who seem to hold very little presence and value in the story itself. The one thing I really didn't care for was that a specific moment (now that I'm really thinking, maybe two moments) was brushed over when it really should've held more by way of closure. I felt like we just hit these moments on the tip of the tongue then said, "OK, back to the family life." But overall, the character exploration was done fantastically.
This story line was certainly unique. And I think based on the uniqueness of the adoption terms, the story itself just grew even more unique. I've read one another adoption story (And Then I Found You by Patti Callahan Henry) and this just felt very different. Maybe it was the stage of the adoption, or maybe it was the circumstances, but this felt so alone in the possibility of likeness to other books, which for me, was a great asset. I'm sure for others, it would've been comforting to have it more alike other books. But let's be honest, adoption isn't the first topic you think about when picking up a new read. And it wasn't just unique, it was exciting (excluding the long moments discussing Poker). From the beginning, you're kind of cheering this family on, hoping they get their baby (at least Adrienne has our support anyways). And then things just keep happening and you're like, "Seriously?" It's an -on-the-edge-of-your-seat- kind of read.
The hardcover was bland - dark spine, light blue covers (with a tiny inscription of the publishing company's logo on the front... which I thought was kind of greedy, but that doesn't reflect the author, because it is probably part of the contract or some bullshit like that). But the dust jacket wasn't anything revealing. It felt like looking out a rainy window, although, I'm not sure what it was intended to reflect on in the book. It just felt kind calm when the book was anything but.
Holly Brown's first book, Don't Try To Find Me, received 4 stars; the review can be read at the link provided above.
April 2, 2020
This was a very entertaining book. I really liked that it was not predictable. The story is about Adrienne and Gabe, who live in San Francisco. Adrienne wants to adopt a baby, they manage to contact Leah, a 19-year-old pregnant girl who lives on the East Coast. Leah informs Adrienne that she is still not sure whether to give her baby to Adrienne because there are other couples who want to adopt her baby. Therefore, Adrienne buys her a plane ticket straight to San Francisco so she can stay at her place and try to be Leah's only choice. Fortunately, Leah agrees, however, when she gets to Adrienne's house she begins to make certain changes, this includes being able to stay longer and asking her to support her with money, even after she gives birth, in exchange for the baby. It is a book that kept me intrigued the whole time. I loved that the author was alternating the point of views of Gabe and Adrienne. The plot twists in the book are awesome I can't wait to read more books by Holly Brown!
August 23, 2015
Holly Brown is a practicing marriage and family therapist and that career has obviously afforded her excellent fodder for her gripping novels.
Her newest is about a couple who are desperate for a child and turn to adoption when they are unable to conceive themselves. After being bilked by one birth mother, they find a young woman they believe to be perfect, and reach out to her.
What starts out as an uplifting and hopeful story quickly deteriorates into one that illustrates how quickly people's good intentions can be derailed for something they want.
Her newest is about a couple who are desperate for a child and turn to adoption when they are unable to conceive themselves. After being bilked by one birth mother, they find a young woman they believe to be perfect, and reach out to her.
What starts out as an uplifting and hopeful story quickly deteriorates into one that illustrates how quickly people's good intentions can be derailed for something they want.
July 9, 2015
This was a riveting novel with a ton of twists and turns you will NOT see coming. Holly Brown is a master at writing a novel that will stress you out--in a good way. That will have you biting your nails and wondering what will happen on the next page. I had no idea where the story was going and that thrilled me. I loved, loved, loved this book and recommend it to fans of Mary Kubica (author of THE GOOD GIRL + PRETTY BABY).
July 25, 2015
A fascinating premise, riveting writing and a memorable cast of characters make up Holly Brown's novel, "A Necessary End." I found myself reading "just one more chapter" until I looked up, it was 4 a.m. and I was turning the last page.
I also so appreciated Brown's style of alternating the voices of the characters, and presenting the story in this psychological suspense that doesn't "talk down" to the reader - she writes in "layman's" terms.
A satisfying read that I highly recommend.
I also so appreciated Brown's style of alternating the voices of the characters, and presenting the story in this psychological suspense that doesn't "talk down" to the reader - she writes in "layman's" terms.
A satisfying read that I highly recommend.
June 24, 2020
A few pages in I almost stopped reading this book. I thought it might be too fluffy. I stuck with it and began to enjoy the characters as there always seemed to be questions of what they were up to. I didn't have a good feel for what was going to happen and some events took me by surprise. That makes for a good read!
December 1, 2019
A Necessary End
This is a book I could not put down. It was very well written & I enjoyed the story being told from two different perspectives. Great twists & turns. I look forward to reading more of her books!
This is a book I could not put down. It was very well written & I enjoyed the story being told from two different perspectives. Great twists & turns. I look forward to reading more of her books!
May 6, 2016
http://openbooksociety.com/article/a-...
A Necessary End
A Novel
By Holly Brown
ISBN: 9780062356376
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer jerjen
Synopsis:
How far would you go to get what you wanted? The author of Don’t Try to Find Me returns with a taut, riveting novel of psychological suspense—a domestic drama full of secrets and twists—about a woman determined to have a child, her ambivalent husband, and a pregnant teenager with a secret agenda of her own.
“I know now that there was no other way things could have turned out. Tragedies are inevitable, just like the great love stories, like us.”
Thirty-nine-year-old Adrienne is desperate to be a mother. And this time, nothing is going to get in her way.
Sure, her husband, Gabe, is ambivalent about fatherhood. But she knows that once he holds their baby, he’ll come around. He’s just feeling a little threatened, that’s all. Because once upon a time, it was Gabe that Adrienne wanted more than anything; she was willing to do anything. . . . But that was half a lifetime ago. She’s a different person now, and so is Gabe. There are lines she wouldn’t cross, not without extreme provocation.
And sure, she was bitten once before by another birth mother—clear to the bone—and for most people, it’s once bitten, twice shy. But Adrienne isn’t exactly the retiring type.
At nineteen, Leah bears a remarkable resemblance to the young woman Adrienne once was. Which is why Adrienne knows the baby Leah is carrying is meant to be hers. But Leah’s got ideas of her own: Her baby’s going to get a life in California; why shouldn’t she? All she wants is to live in Adrienne’s house for a year after the baby’s born, and get a fresh start.
It seems like a small price for Adrienne to pay to get their baby. And with Gabe suddenly on board, what could possibly go wrong? (Goodreads)
Review:
Adrienne and Gabe have almost the perfect marriage. They love each other, they understand each other and they are perfect together in all ways. In all ways except for the one thing that matters most to Adrienne, the ability to have a child of their own. So Adrienne does what she does best, she comes up with a solution to this setback. They can adopt a baby and then their family will be complete (Gabe feels that they are complete with just the two of them). And even though the first adoption attempt fell through, Adrienne does not give up. When Leah, a birth mother wanting to give her baby up, contacts Adrienne, it looks like Adrienne’s dream will come true. Leah tells her that the baby’s father, Trevor, wants nothing to do with her and Leah is sure she wants to give her baby up for adoption. Arrangements are made for Leah to come and visit so that she can meet the possible adoptive parents and decide if they are the right choice. Everything goes down from there.
The characters are well developed, well rounded and three dimensional. But none of them are likable and they are not characters you can root for. And I would not have wanted it any other way.
Adrienne is very self-centered and will do whatever it takes to make sure she achieves her goals. We see that when we learn about her past, when she was a teenager in love with Gabe. And it is reinforced when we read about her desire and determination to adopt a child. She will not let anyone or anything stand in the way of her goal of becoming a mother.
Gabe is a weak man and, in my opinion, has no backbone. He has let Adrienne control his life for many years and he is content with that. He does not want to become a father, he is happy with his life of two, him and Adrienne. It seems to me like a decision that important should be made by both people and both should be in total agreement. But Gabe let Adrienne have total control over all important matters in their lives.
Leah is a teenager who has not had a good childhood. She finds herself pregnant and alone and decides to take advantage of her situation to improve her lot in life. She is a skilled schemer and does not feel any guilt using Adrienne’s fierce desire for a child to her advantage. She realizes that she can get Gabe and Adrienne to be in opposition of each other and use that to achieve her own goals (sounds a little bit like Adrienne).
Trevor is another weak male, but he is young and letting his hormones control many of his decision, so that is understandable.
He knows that he is in love with Leah, and wants to be with her. But he also realizes that he is not ready to be a father and does not want that responsibility. As immature as he is, he is the only one who is willing to do what is right.
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is a fast read (at least for me because I did not want to put it down). The chapters alternate between Adrienne’s point of view and Gabe’s point of view. This worked very well and I liked getting more of an insight into both of their perspectives. I feel it added another layer to the story. The author is very talented in creating an atmosphere of psychological tension that kept me turning pages at a fast clip. The ending was jaw dropping for me and was not what I was expecting at all.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted psychological thriller. Although it is not a feel good read, it is a compelling read. When I was not reading it I found myself thinking about the book and wondering what was going to happen. That does not happen often when I am reading. I would not recommend this book for young adults due to some language but not enough usage to detract from the story line. This is the first book that I have read by this author and I look forward to reading more of her work.
A Necessary End
A Novel
By Holly Brown
ISBN: 9780062356376
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer jerjen
Synopsis:
How far would you go to get what you wanted? The author of Don’t Try to Find Me returns with a taut, riveting novel of psychological suspense—a domestic drama full of secrets and twists—about a woman determined to have a child, her ambivalent husband, and a pregnant teenager with a secret agenda of her own.
“I know now that there was no other way things could have turned out. Tragedies are inevitable, just like the great love stories, like us.”
Thirty-nine-year-old Adrienne is desperate to be a mother. And this time, nothing is going to get in her way.
Sure, her husband, Gabe, is ambivalent about fatherhood. But she knows that once he holds their baby, he’ll come around. He’s just feeling a little threatened, that’s all. Because once upon a time, it was Gabe that Adrienne wanted more than anything; she was willing to do anything. . . . But that was half a lifetime ago. She’s a different person now, and so is Gabe. There are lines she wouldn’t cross, not without extreme provocation.
And sure, she was bitten once before by another birth mother—clear to the bone—and for most people, it’s once bitten, twice shy. But Adrienne isn’t exactly the retiring type.
At nineteen, Leah bears a remarkable resemblance to the young woman Adrienne once was. Which is why Adrienne knows the baby Leah is carrying is meant to be hers. But Leah’s got ideas of her own: Her baby’s going to get a life in California; why shouldn’t she? All she wants is to live in Adrienne’s house for a year after the baby’s born, and get a fresh start.
It seems like a small price for Adrienne to pay to get their baby. And with Gabe suddenly on board, what could possibly go wrong? (Goodreads)
Review:
Adrienne and Gabe have almost the perfect marriage. They love each other, they understand each other and they are perfect together in all ways. In all ways except for the one thing that matters most to Adrienne, the ability to have a child of their own. So Adrienne does what she does best, she comes up with a solution to this setback. They can adopt a baby and then their family will be complete (Gabe feels that they are complete with just the two of them). And even though the first adoption attempt fell through, Adrienne does not give up. When Leah, a birth mother wanting to give her baby up, contacts Adrienne, it looks like Adrienne’s dream will come true. Leah tells her that the baby’s father, Trevor, wants nothing to do with her and Leah is sure she wants to give her baby up for adoption. Arrangements are made for Leah to come and visit so that she can meet the possible adoptive parents and decide if they are the right choice. Everything goes down from there.
The characters are well developed, well rounded and three dimensional. But none of them are likable and they are not characters you can root for. And I would not have wanted it any other way.
Adrienne is very self-centered and will do whatever it takes to make sure she achieves her goals. We see that when we learn about her past, when she was a teenager in love with Gabe. And it is reinforced when we read about her desire and determination to adopt a child. She will not let anyone or anything stand in the way of her goal of becoming a mother.
Gabe is a weak man and, in my opinion, has no backbone. He has let Adrienne control his life for many years and he is content with that. He does not want to become a father, he is happy with his life of two, him and Adrienne. It seems to me like a decision that important should be made by both people and both should be in total agreement. But Gabe let Adrienne have total control over all important matters in their lives.
Leah is a teenager who has not had a good childhood. She finds herself pregnant and alone and decides to take advantage of her situation to improve her lot in life. She is a skilled schemer and does not feel any guilt using Adrienne’s fierce desire for a child to her advantage. She realizes that she can get Gabe and Adrienne to be in opposition of each other and use that to achieve her own goals (sounds a little bit like Adrienne).
Trevor is another weak male, but he is young and letting his hormones control many of his decision, so that is understandable.
He knows that he is in love with Leah, and wants to be with her. But he also realizes that he is not ready to be a father and does not want that responsibility. As immature as he is, he is the only one who is willing to do what is right.
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is a fast read (at least for me because I did not want to put it down). The chapters alternate between Adrienne’s point of view and Gabe’s point of view. This worked very well and I liked getting more of an insight into both of their perspectives. I feel it added another layer to the story. The author is very talented in creating an atmosphere of psychological tension that kept me turning pages at a fast clip. The ending was jaw dropping for me and was not what I was expecting at all.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted psychological thriller. Although it is not a feel good read, it is a compelling read. When I was not reading it I found myself thinking about the book and wondering what was going to happen. That does not happen often when I am reading. I would not recommend this book for young adults due to some language but not enough usage to detract from the story line. This is the first book that I have read by this author and I look forward to reading more of her work.
October 5, 2023
i’m gonna have to write this review after i’ve processed it all
okay i have let this book marinate and i have a lot to say. starting off, every character is extremely unlikable. adrienne is delusional with no return. she goes above and beyond to make sure she ends up with child that she take no time to think about literally anything. then there’s gabe. gabe has a lot of issues. he started off strong because at least he had morals but he just went downhill. leah is just a giant snake. trevor was an idiot. with all that being said, i still enjoyed the book. it turned into more than just “will adrienne and gabe get to keep the baby?” there was suspense i didn’t expect and a whole plot twist that i never would have saw coming. i’m giving this a 3.2 just for the last 100 pages or so, but the characters were truly insufferable.
okay i have let this book marinate and i have a lot to say. starting off, every character is extremely unlikable. adrienne is delusional with no return. she goes above and beyond to make sure she ends up with child that she take no time to think about literally anything. then there’s gabe. gabe has a lot of issues. he started off strong because at least he had morals but he just went downhill. leah is just a giant snake. trevor was an idiot. with all that being said, i still enjoyed the book. it turned into more than just “will adrienne and gabe get to keep the baby?” there was suspense i didn’t expect and a whole plot twist that i never would have saw coming. i’m giving this a 3.2 just for the last 100 pages or so, but the characters were truly insufferable.
July 6, 2015
A Necessary End by Holly Brown is a very highly recommended, dark, sometimes funny, sometimes perversely skewed novel of psychological suspense about an adoption among disagreeable people.
Adrienne, a 39 year old 2nd grade teacher, is desperate to be a mom. She is a member of a web site dedicated to connecting potential parents with a birth mother. She and Gabe, her husband, work on a profile that she is sure will attract a birth mom and they will get the baby she wants more than anything. She thought she had arranged an adoption before with a birth mother, but that didn't work out. She is sure this time will work. They have written the perfect profile page.
Gabe, a car salesman, isn't quite sure he wants to be a father, but he does know that he wants to keep Adrienne happy. If looking for a baby will do that, then hopefully it won't interfere too much with his recreational poker playing. But he was used to Adrienne always putting him first...
When 19 year old Leah responds to their profile and has Adrienne fly her out to California, she has an agenda of her own. Leah looks like a prettier, younger Adrienne and she claims the birth father looks like Gabe. Leah has some unconventional demands. If the baby gets to live in California, she wants to live there too and she expects Adrienne and Gabe to make it happen - if they want the baby. She wants to live with them for a year, be paid $400 a month, and they have to pay for health insurance costs for her and the baby. Then, after a year, Leah will sign the adoption papers for the baby Adrienne is sure the baby is a boy and that it is meant to be her son.
Even though their lawyer advised them against it, Adrienne, Gabe, and Leah sign a contract containing all of Leah's stipulations. What could possibly go wrong?
Admittedly all these characters are unlikeable, self-centered, and calculating, so why did I enjoy this novel so much? I wanted to shake every last character here and tell them, "Snap out of it!" and then ask, "Why would you agree to that?" and "What's wrong with you?" Oh, but then things started to get darker and diabolical and twisty and nothing is quite as it seems. I'll admit I raced through this novel and stayed up way-to-late finishing it. It is that good. This is a perfect stuck-overnight-at-the-airport book!
The presentation and the writing is perfect. The chapter alternate between Adrienne and Gabe narrating the story. Also included are past conversations of Adrienne with the failed first birth mother and their relationship. While this is ostensibly a book about birth mothers and a couple looking for a baby, it becomes a much different novel as more facts are revealed. Just when I started to get comfortable, a new little fact would be revealed that made me sit up and think, "What...?" Assume nothing while reading A Necessary End, but make sure you read it.
Disclosure: My Kindle edition was courtesy of HarperCollins for review purposes.
Adrienne, a 39 year old 2nd grade teacher, is desperate to be a mom. She is a member of a web site dedicated to connecting potential parents with a birth mother. She and Gabe, her husband, work on a profile that she is sure will attract a birth mom and they will get the baby she wants more than anything. She thought she had arranged an adoption before with a birth mother, but that didn't work out. She is sure this time will work. They have written the perfect profile page.
Gabe, a car salesman, isn't quite sure he wants to be a father, but he does know that he wants to keep Adrienne happy. If looking for a baby will do that, then hopefully it won't interfere too much with his recreational poker playing. But he was used to Adrienne always putting him first...
When 19 year old Leah responds to their profile and has Adrienne fly her out to California, she has an agenda of her own. Leah looks like a prettier, younger Adrienne and she claims the birth father looks like Gabe. Leah has some unconventional demands. If the baby gets to live in California, she wants to live there too and she expects Adrienne and Gabe to make it happen - if they want the baby. She wants to live with them for a year, be paid $400 a month, and they have to pay for health insurance costs for her and the baby. Then, after a year, Leah will sign the adoption papers for the baby Adrienne is sure the baby is a boy and that it is meant to be her son.
Even though their lawyer advised them against it, Adrienne, Gabe, and Leah sign a contract containing all of Leah's stipulations. What could possibly go wrong?
Admittedly all these characters are unlikeable, self-centered, and calculating, so why did I enjoy this novel so much? I wanted to shake every last character here and tell them, "Snap out of it!" and then ask, "Why would you agree to that?" and "What's wrong with you?" Oh, but then things started to get darker and diabolical and twisty and nothing is quite as it seems. I'll admit I raced through this novel and stayed up way-to-late finishing it. It is that good. This is a perfect stuck-overnight-at-the-airport book!
The presentation and the writing is perfect. The chapter alternate between Adrienne and Gabe narrating the story. Also included are past conversations of Adrienne with the failed first birth mother and their relationship. While this is ostensibly a book about birth mothers and a couple looking for a baby, it becomes a much different novel as more facts are revealed. Just when I started to get comfortable, a new little fact would be revealed that made me sit up and think, "What...?" Assume nothing while reading A Necessary End, but make sure you read it.
Disclosure: My Kindle edition was courtesy of HarperCollins for review purposes.
January 30, 2021
I’m surprised with all the lower ratings of this book. I did not expect the end at all and found a lot of twists and turns. This was the story of a family adopting a child from an 18 year old mother. Except the 18 year old wanted to love with the couple for a year before she signed the adoption papers. It highlights the lengths someone could go in order to have a child .
August 11, 2015
Here is what USA Today said about the book, causing me to read it: In this thoughtful, perceptive novel about adoption, a happy couple finds out how dangerous it is to want to be happier still. Gabe and Adrienne can't conceive, and, desperate to be parents, agree to an "open adoption," which means that their baby's mother, a beautiful 19-year-old named Leah, will come and live with them for a year before legally relinquishing the child. What could go wrong? Brown is a practicing family therapist, and seems more interested in the psychology of the situation than its potential for suspense – at least until the last hundred pages, which flash by in a thrilling burst, only slightly diminished by an improbable conclusion. A Necessary End isn't perfect, but it offers a glimpse of a writer whose sensitivity to the nature of the modern family, and all of its possibilities for tragedy, could soon lift her into a league with Paula Hawkins and Jodi Picoult.
Here is what I thought of the book: The author failed to make much happen in the first 100ish pages. Then she started to divulge interesting information about the characters and by the last 100ish pages she was zooming along with plot twist after plot twist. One of the three main characters proved to be armed – and legged – and dangerous. This character was unworthy of any sympathy and got incrementally more evil as the book progressed. Had I known this before reading the book, I would not have read it. I like to believe that people are basically good and choose not to have my nose rubbed into the fact that some people are not.
Here is what I thought of the book: The author failed to make much happen in the first 100ish pages. Then she started to divulge interesting information about the characters and by the last 100ish pages she was zooming along with plot twist after plot twist. One of the three main characters proved to be armed – and legged – and dangerous. This character was unworthy of any sympathy and got incrementally more evil as the book progressed. Had I known this before reading the book, I would not have read it. I like to believe that people are basically good and choose not to have my nose rubbed into the fact that some people are not.
March 22, 2016
* I received a copy of the book through a giveaway on Goodreads. *
This is a wild, twisted novel, full of unlikable characters . . . and yet I couldn't put it down. I wanted to look away from the whole giant mess these people were making and the awful events I suspected were coming. But I kept turning the pages. And cringing. And turning the pages. I just had to see what happened.
June 28, 2016
My advice is to wait for the Lifetime movie. The "Necessary End" was uh, quite unnecessary. The author is a therapist which gave me high hopes for this thriller, but the characters were oddly two dimensional and their motivations by the "necessary" end were pretty indecipherable.
August 3, 2016
I couldn't put the book down as I was so entranced by how awful each character was. A lot of anticipation was built up in the first half of the book and then it sort of fizzled out with a quick unexpected ending.
July 20, 2015
This is an awesome story...how could you not feel for all involved in this Novel....this is another awesome win from Goodreads! I really,really recommend this book!
June 28, 2016
Kept me up all night!!
Great story! So many twists and turns. Nothing is black and white in this book. The fact a person can have both evil, goodness and a conscience is real.
Great story! So many twists and turns. Nothing is black and white in this book. The fact a person can have both evil, goodness and a conscience is real.
December 12, 2016
Wow , Can Holly Brown write an amazing suspenseful thriller. I had to know how it ended and I wasn't disappointed! Fans of Gone Girl and the Couple Next Door will love this.
July 17, 2019
This book was a fun read but the ending was too tidy and felt wrong somehow.
December 6, 2019
Entertaining albeit strange book about adoption, teaching, selling cars, poker, and many peculiar relationships.
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