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Cristina
Can she finally escape?
Desperate to flee her past, Cristina Rodriguez plans to start a new life in a picturesque hilltop home with an ocean view. The same place where, four years earlier, a young girl was kidnapped and murdered.
At first, both the house and the California beach town nearby seem perfect. Fresh air. Fresh faces. And the ocean is just ten minutes away. But as Cristina and her daughter set about rebuilding their lives, they soon discover that the past is not ready to let go so easily.
A page-turning psychological thriller from a #1 Amazon Bestselling author, Cristina will grab you from the first page and keep you hooked until the last...
What readers are
"I was absolutely spellbound the minute I started this book."
"Parent had me sitting on the edge of my seat until the very end."
"I just meant to flip through the first few pages, but I was drawn into the story by the third page and just could not put it down."
"This book was impossible to put down. It is gripping from the first to the last page. I felt like I knew the characters personally. Great book! I'm recommending it to everyone I know."
Desperate to flee her past, Cristina Rodriguez plans to start a new life in a picturesque hilltop home with an ocean view. The same place where, four years earlier, a young girl was kidnapped and murdered.
At first, both the house and the California beach town nearby seem perfect. Fresh air. Fresh faces. And the ocean is just ten minutes away. But as Cristina and her daughter set about rebuilding their lives, they soon discover that the past is not ready to let go so easily.
A page-turning psychological thriller from a #1 Amazon Bestselling author, Cristina will grab you from the first page and keep you hooked until the last...
What readers are
"I was absolutely spellbound the minute I started this book."
"Parent had me sitting on the edge of my seat until the very end."
"I just meant to flip through the first few pages, but I was drawn into the story by the third page and just could not put it down."
"This book was impossible to put down. It is gripping from the first to the last page. I felt like I knew the characters personally. Great book! I'm recommending it to everyone I know."
373 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 7, 2016
166 people are currently reading
155 people want to read
About the author
Jake Parent
4 books34 followersJake Parent is the author of Cristina, a psychological thriller. His first book, Only the Devil Tells the Truth, was a #1 Amazon Bestseller. His influences include Charles Bukowski, Stephen King, Maya Angelou, John Steinbeck, Mac Dre, Honoré de Balzac, Ella Fitzgerald, John Sanford, Jimi Hendrix, Ernest Hemingway, and many more. He grew up in San Jose, CA but now lives in the Washington, DC area.
Sign up to receive alerts about new releases from Jake Parent (and that’s the only thing that ever gets sent to this list): http://eepurl.com/bXzepr
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
September 12, 2016
Originally published here: https://joyfulantidotes.com/2016/09/0...
For me, this book had two different stories; two different pasts determined to haunt Cristina. First is Anthony, Cristina’s deranged but very wealthy ex-husband, who is determined to take Anise from her solely as a means of punishment, and who will do anything to win. Secondly, there is the history of Cristina’s new home, where four years earlier, a young girl was kidnapped and murdered. In my opinion, these stories didn’t connect and could easily have run independently of each other in separate books. However, both stories had me gripped and my interest was held as the story changed from one “past” to another. Separate or not, together the stories successfully showed Cristina as the sassy, strong woman she was.
Cristina is the type of character you route for. I found here a good female lead, not just because of her strength, but the confidence she built up following years of feeling worthless. Cristina is described as a curvy, sexy Latino woman – and she knows this. She dresses to enhance her sex appeal and there are times throughout the book where she is admiring her own body. Admittedly, these scenes had me uncomfortable at first; they seemed too raunchy. But, I realised that my discomfort was a consequence of society’s claims that woman should not flaunt themselves, or even love themselves for that matter. I applaud Parent for creating a character not afraid to do either.
In terms of how the story is told, Parent was successful in building suspense, whether it be the slow build-up of Cristina’s back story or the mind-boggling “who done it?” question I continually asked myself. His writing style was fluid and easy and the end product for me was a combination of Gone Girl and The Lovely Bones. The story smoothly went from pleasant to creepy, allowing the creepy scenes to become even more so.
I would certainly recommend Cristina to anybody looking for a quick-read thriller – just don’t read it alone at night!
For me, this book had two different stories; two different pasts determined to haunt Cristina. First is Anthony, Cristina’s deranged but very wealthy ex-husband, who is determined to take Anise from her solely as a means of punishment, and who will do anything to win. Secondly, there is the history of Cristina’s new home, where four years earlier, a young girl was kidnapped and murdered. In my opinion, these stories didn’t connect and could easily have run independently of each other in separate books. However, both stories had me gripped and my interest was held as the story changed from one “past” to another. Separate or not, together the stories successfully showed Cristina as the sassy, strong woman she was.
Cristina is the type of character you route for. I found here a good female lead, not just because of her strength, but the confidence she built up following years of feeling worthless. Cristina is described as a curvy, sexy Latino woman – and she knows this. She dresses to enhance her sex appeal and there are times throughout the book where she is admiring her own body. Admittedly, these scenes had me uncomfortable at first; they seemed too raunchy. But, I realised that my discomfort was a consequence of society’s claims that woman should not flaunt themselves, or even love themselves for that matter. I applaud Parent for creating a character not afraid to do either.
In terms of how the story is told, Parent was successful in building suspense, whether it be the slow build-up of Cristina’s back story or the mind-boggling “who done it?” question I continually asked myself. His writing style was fluid and easy and the end product for me was a combination of Gone Girl and The Lovely Bones. The story smoothly went from pleasant to creepy, allowing the creepy scenes to become even more so.
I would certainly recommend Cristina to anybody looking for a quick-read thriller – just don’t read it alone at night!
August 7, 2016
Within reading the first sentence, I was hooked and pulled in. I sat with my kindle in hand and started devouring this book. Where was this? Why hadn't I heard about it? The main character is a latina! EEEEEKKKK! I haven't read a book this year yet where the main character was a latina. This one definitely ranked up there on my list. Did I mention the main character is a latina?!
You can read my full review on my blog here http://bondingoverbindings.blogspot.c...
You can read my full review on my blog here http://bondingoverbindings.blogspot.c...
October 12, 2016
Rate: 3.5 *
Cristina, the latest book from American writer Jake Parent, is a psychological suspense novel.
Published in July 2016 by Modern Minimalist Press, I received my copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
What did I think?…… Keep reading to find out…
Cristina Rodriguez is escaping a life that was full of hardship and tragedy. With her daughter Anise, she moves to the seaside town of Pleasure Point, California to start all over again.
The victim of abuse, both inside & outside her marriage, Cristina, after leaving her now ex husband Anthony, sets up home in a new town, with new faces and new friends.
After learning of the brutal death of the little girl who lived in the house she has viewed, Cristina, undeterred, decides she can cope with the memories that are tucked away in the walls and puts in an offer that is accepted.
The excitement, the pure joy of Cristina to finally be able to provide a safe haven for Anise is felt within the opening pages of the novel. Cristina is young. With all her life experiences, she is still quite naive and has not really researched the area properly. It is a house with stunning vistas and a bedroom for Anise. They are Cristina’s priorities and with her decision made she moves her life to Pleasure Point.
As the plot line reveals, all is not as it seems in Pleasure Point.
Once a thriving economy, the town now survives primarily on the tourist trade. It is a town, quite honestly, I would run a mile from!!
Some of the individuals described in the novel are more like characters out of a horror movie. There are parts of town no person should enter. A crack den, where people left with hardly any semblance of humanity spend their days, crawling around like wild animals.
‘At first she thought he must be some kind of creature risen from the dead. The few chunks of stringy hair remaining on his head looked as though they had been singed by fire. His mouth gaped open, showing rotted teeth the color of a school bus. The filthy white t-shirt hanging off his gaunt shoulders was tattered, his blue jeans completely ripped down one side, revealing a bare leg covered in red sores. He was not wearing underwear.
But none of these things were as frightening as his black eyes. Set deep in a high forehead covered with the same raging pustules as his legs, the man’s oversized pupils were motionless.
Cristina felt, for that moment, like the dark, lifeless orbs were calling to her.’
The descriptions make for quite an uncomfortable read and that would be a strength of Jake Parent’s writing. You can almost smell the decay and visualize the horrors of a life lost to this evil.
Cristina finds herself caught up in many difficult and traumatic situations. She does befriend a few eccentric characters who provide her with stories of the destruction the town has suffered, sometimes at the hands of it’s own residents.
There is an underlying menace of a cult living well hidden within Pleasure Point. A constant reminder of a very upsetting time in the town’s very turbulent history.
There are scenes of the occult present in Cristina so be warned if this is your night time read!!!
Cristina Rodriguez is a born fighter. She is of Latino origin, with some very strong support by her side. She has seen enough and experienced enough in her own past, allowing her to face head on the challenges and fears that this new move has presented to her.
She worries for her life and that of Anise but she has a backbone that all the past abuse has failed to destroy. Cristina is a survivor.
Cristina is quite a disturbing read. There are scenes within the book that make for uncomfortable reading.
Jake Parent has incorporated quite a number of topics in the novel – violence, sex abuse, drugs, the occult and also, be warned, there are a number of explicit sex scenes. Cristina is a tough read, but it does have, at it’s core, a mother wanting to protect her child from the dangers of society.
Cristina is a story of survival against all the odds.
Cristina, the latest book from American writer Jake Parent, is a psychological suspense novel.
Published in July 2016 by Modern Minimalist Press, I received my copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
What did I think?…… Keep reading to find out…
Cristina Rodriguez is escaping a life that was full of hardship and tragedy. With her daughter Anise, she moves to the seaside town of Pleasure Point, California to start all over again.
The victim of abuse, both inside & outside her marriage, Cristina, after leaving her now ex husband Anthony, sets up home in a new town, with new faces and new friends.
After learning of the brutal death of the little girl who lived in the house she has viewed, Cristina, undeterred, decides she can cope with the memories that are tucked away in the walls and puts in an offer that is accepted.
The excitement, the pure joy of Cristina to finally be able to provide a safe haven for Anise is felt within the opening pages of the novel. Cristina is young. With all her life experiences, she is still quite naive and has not really researched the area properly. It is a house with stunning vistas and a bedroom for Anise. They are Cristina’s priorities and with her decision made she moves her life to Pleasure Point.
As the plot line reveals, all is not as it seems in Pleasure Point.
Once a thriving economy, the town now survives primarily on the tourist trade. It is a town, quite honestly, I would run a mile from!!
Some of the individuals described in the novel are more like characters out of a horror movie. There are parts of town no person should enter. A crack den, where people left with hardly any semblance of humanity spend their days, crawling around like wild animals.
‘At first she thought he must be some kind of creature risen from the dead. The few chunks of stringy hair remaining on his head looked as though they had been singed by fire. His mouth gaped open, showing rotted teeth the color of a school bus. The filthy white t-shirt hanging off his gaunt shoulders was tattered, his blue jeans completely ripped down one side, revealing a bare leg covered in red sores. He was not wearing underwear.
But none of these things were as frightening as his black eyes. Set deep in a high forehead covered with the same raging pustules as his legs, the man’s oversized pupils were motionless.
Cristina felt, for that moment, like the dark, lifeless orbs were calling to her.’
The descriptions make for quite an uncomfortable read and that would be a strength of Jake Parent’s writing. You can almost smell the decay and visualize the horrors of a life lost to this evil.
Cristina finds herself caught up in many difficult and traumatic situations. She does befriend a few eccentric characters who provide her with stories of the destruction the town has suffered, sometimes at the hands of it’s own residents.
There is an underlying menace of a cult living well hidden within Pleasure Point. A constant reminder of a very upsetting time in the town’s very turbulent history.
There are scenes of the occult present in Cristina so be warned if this is your night time read!!!
Cristina Rodriguez is a born fighter. She is of Latino origin, with some very strong support by her side. She has seen enough and experienced enough in her own past, allowing her to face head on the challenges and fears that this new move has presented to her.
She worries for her life and that of Anise but she has a backbone that all the past abuse has failed to destroy. Cristina is a survivor.
Cristina is quite a disturbing read. There are scenes within the book that make for uncomfortable reading.
Jake Parent has incorporated quite a number of topics in the novel – violence, sex abuse, drugs, the occult and also, be warned, there are a number of explicit sex scenes. Cristina is a tough read, but it does have, at it’s core, a mother wanting to protect her child from the dangers of society.
Cristina is a story of survival against all the odds.
May 3, 2017
My first Jake Parent novel. I liked it so much I read his first novel as soon as I finished Chritina. That novel was just as good if not better!
August 26, 2016
Can we just talk about this cover for a moment? It's beautiful. I love it. I want it as a poster! Piqued my interest immediately and once I read the description I was sold. I was lucky enough to win a copy of the ebook from the author but this in no way affects my opinion. My reviews are always honest.
I loved this book. It was exciting, tense, and sexy. There were even some moments that really creeped me out, and I always enjoy that. The writing flows great. Not a difficult read. I read it in one sitting because it pulled me in. I loved the characters and couldn't wait to see how it ended. Might be a nice beach read, or even on a relaxing, stormy day off. Just make sure you have time to read the whole thing then, because you'll probably want to. You might end up like me and finishing it at six in the morning after just deciding to read a few chapters.
Cristina is a beautiful, strong single mother. She's also an addict in recovery. Having dealt with her demons, she's a fantastic mother to her little girl and wants to give them a new life away from her abusive ex husband. This means moving to seemingly quiet, beautiful Pleasure Point. Striking ocean views, a brand new start, and attractive surfers, what could be better? However, the house she moves into has a terrible past. Years ago, a young girl about her daughter's age was stolen from her bed. She was found dead a month later and her stepfather was found dead with a suicide note confessing to the crime. Her mother then hung herself in the house. While disturbed by the history of her house, she doesn't let it stop her from making it a home for her and her daughter. She then begins to have frightening nightmares about the family that used to live there, and she learns some disturbing things about the town's history. But she also meets a handsome surfer and makes friends with a charming neighbor. When her ex tries to force his way back into her life and the frightening events in the house escalate, she has to figure out how to keep her child safe. And maybe unearth some town secrets on the way.
I loved this book. It was exciting, tense, and sexy. There were even some moments that really creeped me out, and I always enjoy that. The writing flows great. Not a difficult read. I read it in one sitting because it pulled me in. I loved the characters and couldn't wait to see how it ended. Might be a nice beach read, or even on a relaxing, stormy day off. Just make sure you have time to read the whole thing then, because you'll probably want to. You might end up like me and finishing it at six in the morning after just deciding to read a few chapters.
Cristina is a beautiful, strong single mother. She's also an addict in recovery. Having dealt with her demons, she's a fantastic mother to her little girl and wants to give them a new life away from her abusive ex husband. This means moving to seemingly quiet, beautiful Pleasure Point. Striking ocean views, a brand new start, and attractive surfers, what could be better? However, the house she moves into has a terrible past. Years ago, a young girl about her daughter's age was stolen from her bed. She was found dead a month later and her stepfather was found dead with a suicide note confessing to the crime. Her mother then hung herself in the house. While disturbed by the history of her house, she doesn't let it stop her from making it a home for her and her daughter. She then begins to have frightening nightmares about the family that used to live there, and she learns some disturbing things about the town's history. But she also meets a handsome surfer and makes friends with a charming neighbor. When her ex tries to force his way back into her life and the frightening events in the house escalate, she has to figure out how to keep her child safe. And maybe unearth some town secrets on the way.
September 1, 2016
OUTSTANDING! I only give a book five stars if it "pains" me to pause while reading it AND if I continue to think about it when I am not reading it. Often books claim to grip-you-from-the-start; this one is the epitome of that phrase! The characters seem so realistic that you would not believe this is fiction. The pace of the plot never dampened, so there was never a "good" time to take a break! The setting was so captivating, that I had no problem visualizing the environments that will certainly haunt me for a long time. Haunt in a good way of course. The writing facilitated both the hungry speed-reader and the patient connoisseur of dialogue. It was presented as raw reality instead of the usual extremism attached to character personas, which was incredibly refreshing. It was also a beautiful snapshot of real life drama: the light in the dark and vice versa. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to be thrilled by a rollercoaster of suspense and examination of the human psyche!
July 20, 2016
This is one of the best books I have read recently. If not that pesky thing called "job" I would have finished all 409 pages in one sitting. The plot draws you in right away and won't let go till the very end. You get behind the main heroine and want to protect her from all that is lurking around the corner.
Jake D. Parent has improved his craft tremendously since his debut novel and I can't wait for his next book.
Jake D. Parent has improved his craft tremendously since his debut novel and I can't wait for his next book.
May 22, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. Jake Parent did an amazing job making you feel the characters and their struggles! Bravo-!!!
September 14, 2016
Reviewed by: Sandra
Rating: 4 stars
Review: “It had been four years since the little girl’s body was found, mutilated and buried in a quarry near her home in Pleasure Point, California. The same home Cristina Rodriguez now wanted to buy.” (7)
I don’t know if I’d be willing to live in a house were a lot of deaths took place. But, then again, people die everywhere.
Having led a poor life, battling drugs and low-life scumbags, and escaping an abusive relationship, Cristina is a character that is both rough around the edges and nurturing at the same time. She’s a tattooed recovering addict with a young daughter and only wants to make a life for herself in a new home. She is a feisty Latina! The best thing about her was that she comes from a long line of tough Mexicans, which made her as resilient as they come. Like her abuela always said: “quit crying and do what you need to do, because the only two choices you have in life are to fight or to give up.” Yes, Cristina’s past isn’t pretty and she’s had her problems, but her trying to make up for it and wipe the slate clean makes her an endearing character, especially when it came to her daughter. Her story is written with a raw, richly urban, and destitute Hispanic voice. Being Hispanic myself, I definitely related to this aspect.
“Cristina had always been a magnet for the eccentric people of the world.” (81) And you can’t get any more eccentric than ghosts!
The story started off slow, at first, but it becomes easier and more interesting once you get into it. It was well-written with a cast of well-defined and relatable characters. I must admit that some of the characters are pretty kooky and just plain weird. Of course, once the ghostly brick-a-bracs started happening, that’s when it started getting better. A troubled history, a strange disappearance, and the wandering spirits that linger in that house—that mixed with Cristina’s bold, snarky attitude and her fight to survive made for a compelling read.
Readers will root for Cristina as she learns to face her fears, fight for her daughter, bury the past, and tries to put the demons to rest.
A great read!
Rating: 4 stars
Review: “It had been four years since the little girl’s body was found, mutilated and buried in a quarry near her home in Pleasure Point, California. The same home Cristina Rodriguez now wanted to buy.” (7)
I don’t know if I’d be willing to live in a house were a lot of deaths took place. But, then again, people die everywhere.
Having led a poor life, battling drugs and low-life scumbags, and escaping an abusive relationship, Cristina is a character that is both rough around the edges and nurturing at the same time. She’s a tattooed recovering addict with a young daughter and only wants to make a life for herself in a new home. She is a feisty Latina! The best thing about her was that she comes from a long line of tough Mexicans, which made her as resilient as they come. Like her abuela always said: “quit crying and do what you need to do, because the only two choices you have in life are to fight or to give up.” Yes, Cristina’s past isn’t pretty and she’s had her problems, but her trying to make up for it and wipe the slate clean makes her an endearing character, especially when it came to her daughter. Her story is written with a raw, richly urban, and destitute Hispanic voice. Being Hispanic myself, I definitely related to this aspect.
“Cristina had always been a magnet for the eccentric people of the world.” (81) And you can’t get any more eccentric than ghosts!
The story started off slow, at first, but it becomes easier and more interesting once you get into it. It was well-written with a cast of well-defined and relatable characters. I must admit that some of the characters are pretty kooky and just plain weird. Of course, once the ghostly brick-a-bracs started happening, that’s when it started getting better. A troubled history, a strange disappearance, and the wandering spirits that linger in that house—that mixed with Cristina’s bold, snarky attitude and her fight to survive made for a compelling read.
Readers will root for Cristina as she learns to face her fears, fight for her daughter, bury the past, and tries to put the demons to rest.
A great read!
August 20, 2016
Title – Cristina 59
Author – Jake Parent
Genre – Mystery, Suspense, Psychological Thriller
406 Amazon Pages
Rating 3 stars out of 5 Posted 8/20/16
Cristina Rodriguez – recovering drug and alcohol addict now in A.A. She's divorced from a brutal, sadistic husband.
Casey Peters – surfer, shop owner, boyfriend. He's a recovering drug and alcohol addict.
Location Pleasure Point, California near the Pacific Ocean.
Cristina had a lousy childhood, ran away from home and got into hard drugs supported mostly by prostitution.
Casey was straight and at the top of his profession when he became hooked on drugs.
Cristina and her five year old daughter Anise move to the picturesque small town of Pleasure Point to escape Anthony, the ex-husband. The house they buy was the scene of the brutal murder of a four year old girl and her parents. It is questionable that the real murderer was caught.
In addition to the genres listed by the author, the story also relies heavily on the occult. The ghost of the young murdered girl appears to give Cristina clues about who murdered her and her parents. Of course, the clues are so generic they could fit any male. Then a Catholic Priest performs an exorcism to drive the ghost away. But, of course that doesn't work.
The cast of colorful characters is entertaining. Half are eccentric and downright weird.
The editing is good, but in my opinion there are far too many fragmented sentences.
The plot is weak. A development company owns most of the beach property and wants to build the city into a classy tourist mecca. Why then would they leave standing a rotting, abandoned old part of town that has become the home of large numbers of filthy, infected, hard core drug addicts? Only because it is crucial to other aspects of the plot.
Warning! Contains explicit sexual descriptions and abundant cursing.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
Author – Jake Parent
Genre – Mystery, Suspense, Psychological Thriller
406 Amazon Pages
Rating 3 stars out of 5 Posted 8/20/16
Cristina Rodriguez – recovering drug and alcohol addict now in A.A. She's divorced from a brutal, sadistic husband.
Casey Peters – surfer, shop owner, boyfriend. He's a recovering drug and alcohol addict.
Location Pleasure Point, California near the Pacific Ocean.
Cristina had a lousy childhood, ran away from home and got into hard drugs supported mostly by prostitution.
Casey was straight and at the top of his profession when he became hooked on drugs.
Cristina and her five year old daughter Anise move to the picturesque small town of Pleasure Point to escape Anthony, the ex-husband. The house they buy was the scene of the brutal murder of a four year old girl and her parents. It is questionable that the real murderer was caught.
In addition to the genres listed by the author, the story also relies heavily on the occult. The ghost of the young murdered girl appears to give Cristina clues about who murdered her and her parents. Of course, the clues are so generic they could fit any male. Then a Catholic Priest performs an exorcism to drive the ghost away. But, of course that doesn't work.
The cast of colorful characters is entertaining. Half are eccentric and downright weird.
The editing is good, but in my opinion there are far too many fragmented sentences.
The plot is weak. A development company owns most of the beach property and wants to build the city into a classy tourist mecca. Why then would they leave standing a rotting, abandoned old part of town that has become the home of large numbers of filthy, infected, hard core drug addicts? Only because it is crucial to other aspects of the plot.
Warning! Contains explicit sexual descriptions and abundant cursing.
This review was provided in exchange for a free book.
Vigilant Reader Book Reviews.
August 1, 2018
Made it to page 10
This is one of worst ( it’s in the top 3) I’ve read this year ( it’s 8/1). Every box is checked: feisty feminist, recovering alcoholic, single mother with adorable 5 year old, uber shapely Hispanic gal, and nr. LA beach location. There will be others; I didn’t get that far. There’s nothing wrong or remarkable about any of these characteristics deployed judiciously (like they might be by a better writer), but ticked off as early, often and serially as this young lady author does so is borderline funny. Remember, this is by page 10. (Oh, I didn’t mention the black, lesbian AA sponsor). This is not a murder mystery; it’s a sociology master’s thesis. If you want characters that ring true and are not covertly looking for therapy of some kind, look for another book; ANY other book.
This is one of worst ( it’s in the top 3) I’ve read this year ( it’s 8/1). Every box is checked: feisty feminist, recovering alcoholic, single mother with adorable 5 year old, uber shapely Hispanic gal, and nr. LA beach location. There will be others; I didn’t get that far. There’s nothing wrong or remarkable about any of these characteristics deployed judiciously (like they might be by a better writer), but ticked off as early, often and serially as this young lady author does so is borderline funny. Remember, this is by page 10. (Oh, I didn’t mention the black, lesbian AA sponsor). This is not a murder mystery; it’s a sociology master’s thesis. If you want characters that ring true and are not covertly looking for therapy of some kind, look for another book; ANY other book.
September 12, 2016
Wow! What a ride with this one! The author should be proud!
The storyline is exceptional, Jake's writing style unique, and it has all you need in this one to keep you gripped from page one to the very last page for a murder mystery. Lace a bad childhood, drug and alcohol use to escape her past and a divorce from an abusive husband and you have an excellent book! Cristina has all that and MORE.
Do not hesitate a moment to buy and read this one. As it is why I gave it 5-Stars . . .
High Suggest this one!
The storyline is exceptional, Jake's writing style unique, and it has all you need in this one to keep you gripped from page one to the very last page for a murder mystery. Lace a bad childhood, drug and alcohol use to escape her past and a divorce from an abusive husband and you have an excellent book! Cristina has all that and MORE.
Do not hesitate a moment to buy and read this one. As it is why I gave it 5-Stars . . .
High Suggest this one!
January 21, 2018
Great thriller. Kind of figured out who the bad guy was close to the beginning but still good.
May 14, 2017
Incredibly unrealistic and predictable. The ending was silly. An FBI agent sends a civilian, who less than an hour before was hanging by her wrists in the bad guy's basement, onto a rocky ledge pounded by ocean waves to save her daughter while he (the FBI guy) waits in the darkness to take a shot? Come on.... That ending combined with the ghost girl made me a bit angry for having bought this book. The relationship with the sadistic xhusband had a ring of reality to it, hence the 2 stars. I don't usually leave reviews but I bought this book based on the ones I read....not sure if they are real or planted. This was no, on the edge of your seat thriller.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 4, 2018
Couldn't relate
A pretty good book but I had no frame of reference to Christina. I live in a small town in Ohio and have never seen a Hispanic person. I had to use a Spanish/English dictionary a lot but it was more than that. I can't imagine why people get addicted to drugs and quite a few characters were. It's a weakness of character and I have no sympathy for addicts. Her character was weak enough to be a prostitute her self for drugs. Totally unacceptable behavior. I couldn't relate to any character.
A pretty good book but I had no frame of reference to Christina. I live in a small town in Ohio and have never seen a Hispanic person. I had to use a Spanish/English dictionary a lot but it was more than that. I can't imagine why people get addicted to drugs and quite a few characters were. It's a weakness of character and I have no sympathy for addicts. Her character was weak enough to be a prostitute her self for drugs. Totally unacceptable behavior. I couldn't relate to any character.
October 27, 2017
This was a quick read, interesting characters, but pretty predictable. I suspected the "whodunnit" from almost the beginning and was disappointed at being right. No twist or surprise, unfortunately. That said, hopefully this author will grow into some better plots. Loved his protagonist Cristina.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 21, 2017
Predictable but entertaining.
June 4, 2017
Entertaining easy to read book
This is a good book that gets exciting toward the very end. I enjoyed the book and would read others by this author.
This is a good book that gets exciting toward the very end. I enjoyed the book and would read others by this author.
June 22, 2017
Not a bad read, however I figured out the plot very early on.
December 22, 2017
Slow burn
Starts slowly but stick with it, great and unexpected twist towards the end, enjoyed the book and will read more by this author
Starts slowly but stick with it, great and unexpected twist towards the end, enjoyed the book and will read more by this author
March 3, 2019
It was a decent read, but pretty predictable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 12, 2016
I received a free copy of this book to review. However, the following review is my honest opinion. This book may not be suitable for younger audiences. Reader discretion is advised. For more reviews like this one, check out my blog: https://quillsandroses.wordpress.com/
Cristina is no stranger to abuse and drugs. But now, sober and divorced, she moves to a new town with her daughter, hoping distance will give them space to start a new life. With the divorce settlement, she can afford to buy a cheap house. However, the low price tag does come with a catch: the house was home to a guy who murdered his stepdaughter. But they’re gone now, right? So what could go wrong?
As it turns out, a lot. Cristina meets a psycho neighbour during her first day in town. She discovers the town, which once seemed like paradise, has a very shady underbelly in the form of a druggie cult. And to top it all off, her ex instigates a custody battle.
It’s not all bad, though. Cristina does meet some great people, and a great guy. But that’s when the dreams start. Dreams of the little girl who used to live in the house, the girl who was found broken and lifeless. The dreams warn Cristina not to trust him. She has to find out why, quickly. Because maybe the murders aren’t finished yet. And maybe her own daughter’s life is at stake.
The Writing: 10/10
"All the family love made it difficult to watch her grandmother’s Ford Taurus disappear down the driveway. [Cristina’s] eyes started to burn. But before any tears could come, she lit a cigarette and put on her tough face. […]
In that moment, a month seemed like a year. And the perfect house ten minutes from the beach again felt like it was about a million miles from anything that mattered." -Jake Parent, Cristina
Cristina was pitched to me as a psychological suspense/thriller, but I think it fits the suspense category better than the thriller one. This novel is told in third person from Cristina’s point of view (I mean, she is the titular character) and you can feel every emotion she feels. The pacing is rather slow for a thriller but perfect for a suspense. And boy, is there lots of suspense.
The suspense is there because we care about the characters. Or at least I do, and I’m pretty sure you would. The characters have tons of personality. Their personalities are built by what they do and what they say. They’re round, complex, lovable, and alive. It’s not only the main character who has personality, either. Even the side characters are amazingly fun and complex. Cristina’s daughter sometimes seems to break character by saying things far too wise for her age, but then again, kids do that sometimes.
The town is wonderfully constructed and real. The beach is alive with laughter and fun, and the scary places are terrifying. I can’t say much about this, other than it is such a good read.
There are quite a few flashbacks, which generally slow the story down, but in this case, it didn’t. By the time the flashbacks came around, I was so in love with the characters that I really cared and wanted to know what happened to them.
There does happen to be mature content, so unfortunately, some readers may need to shy away from this one.
The Feels: 9/10
Sorry guys, no perfect 10s for this one. I really loved this book, but there were a few bits that weren’t super excellent.
When I was 1/4 through the book, I had the oddest feeling I knew who the murderer was. I was right. I’m not sure if it’s because I’ve read too many mysteries, or because the hints were obvious. It wasn’t bad necessarily that I knew who the bad guy was; it just made the ending have less oomph because I wasn’t surprised by the big reveal at all. It was still a lovely ending anyway and a great conclusion to the book.
I also found it a bit weird how Cristina starts off the book by characterising herself sexually. As the book goes along, nearly every guy she meets ends up with their eyes glued to her boobs. As this repeated itself over and over, I felt it was almost comical. I’ve certainly never seen a guy lose track of where he was going because he was checking out a hot girl. (Then again, I’ve seen guys walk into lamp posts because they were playing Pokemon Go). I feel like it’s to emphasise how hot she is, coupled with how stupid guys are, but it seemed rather overdone to me.
But those are just minor blips in the book. It’s really the characters that won me over. Typical me, my favourite character is Danny, a side character. I still love Cristina, of course, and that’s what got me engaged in the story. I loved her, so I cared about what happened to her. And some of the things that happened to her were frankly terrifying. The book had me on the edge of my seat, which means it succeeded in what it set out to do.
Conclusion: Filled with lovable characters and terrifying twists, this novel will have you on the edge of your seat, hoping your favourite characters survive the night.
Cristina is no stranger to abuse and drugs. But now, sober and divorced, she moves to a new town with her daughter, hoping distance will give them space to start a new life. With the divorce settlement, she can afford to buy a cheap house. However, the low price tag does come with a catch: the house was home to a guy who murdered his stepdaughter. But they’re gone now, right? So what could go wrong?
As it turns out, a lot. Cristina meets a psycho neighbour during her first day in town. She discovers the town, which once seemed like paradise, has a very shady underbelly in the form of a druggie cult. And to top it all off, her ex instigates a custody battle.
It’s not all bad, though. Cristina does meet some great people, and a great guy. But that’s when the dreams start. Dreams of the little girl who used to live in the house, the girl who was found broken and lifeless. The dreams warn Cristina not to trust him. She has to find out why, quickly. Because maybe the murders aren’t finished yet. And maybe her own daughter’s life is at stake.
The Writing: 10/10
"All the family love made it difficult to watch her grandmother’s Ford Taurus disappear down the driveway. [Cristina’s] eyes started to burn. But before any tears could come, she lit a cigarette and put on her tough face. […]
In that moment, a month seemed like a year. And the perfect house ten minutes from the beach again felt like it was about a million miles from anything that mattered." -Jake Parent, Cristina
Cristina was pitched to me as a psychological suspense/thriller, but I think it fits the suspense category better than the thriller one. This novel is told in third person from Cristina’s point of view (I mean, she is the titular character) and you can feel every emotion she feels. The pacing is rather slow for a thriller but perfect for a suspense. And boy, is there lots of suspense.
The suspense is there because we care about the characters. Or at least I do, and I’m pretty sure you would. The characters have tons of personality. Their personalities are built by what they do and what they say. They’re round, complex, lovable, and alive. It’s not only the main character who has personality, either. Even the side characters are amazingly fun and complex. Cristina’s daughter sometimes seems to break character by saying things far too wise for her age, but then again, kids do that sometimes.
The town is wonderfully constructed and real. The beach is alive with laughter and fun, and the scary places are terrifying. I can’t say much about this, other than it is such a good read.
There are quite a few flashbacks, which generally slow the story down, but in this case, it didn’t. By the time the flashbacks came around, I was so in love with the characters that I really cared and wanted to know what happened to them.
There does happen to be mature content, so unfortunately, some readers may need to shy away from this one.
The Feels: 9/10
Sorry guys, no perfect 10s for this one. I really loved this book, but there were a few bits that weren’t super excellent.
When I was 1/4 through the book, I had the oddest feeling I knew who the murderer was. I was right. I’m not sure if it’s because I’ve read too many mysteries, or because the hints were obvious. It wasn’t bad necessarily that I knew who the bad guy was; it just made the ending have less oomph because I wasn’t surprised by the big reveal at all. It was still a lovely ending anyway and a great conclusion to the book.
I also found it a bit weird how Cristina starts off the book by characterising herself sexually. As the book goes along, nearly every guy she meets ends up with their eyes glued to her boobs. As this repeated itself over and over, I felt it was almost comical. I’ve certainly never seen a guy lose track of where he was going because he was checking out a hot girl. (Then again, I’ve seen guys walk into lamp posts because they were playing Pokemon Go). I feel like it’s to emphasise how hot she is, coupled with how stupid guys are, but it seemed rather overdone to me.
But those are just minor blips in the book. It’s really the characters that won me over. Typical me, my favourite character is Danny, a side character. I still love Cristina, of course, and that’s what got me engaged in the story. I loved her, so I cared about what happened to her. And some of the things that happened to her were frankly terrifying. The book had me on the edge of my seat, which means it succeeded in what it set out to do.
Conclusion: Filled with lovable characters and terrifying twists, this novel will have you on the edge of your seat, hoping your favourite characters survive the night.
November 29, 2016
Cristina Rodriguez desperately needs a new start. Having left an abusive relationship, she is living with her Grandmother and Uncle, sharing their sofa with her young daughter Anise. She thinks she has found her perfect place in a small house on the edge of the Californian town of Pleasure Point. With a secluded location and a beautiful ocean view, it is everything that she wants for her and her daughter.
Read more…
But, much like Cristina, this house has a past, one which does not match the idyllic location. Four years earlier a young girl was taken from the home and murdered. This was just the start of the tragedy which claimed the lives of her whole family. And if you look beyond the beautiful ocean views and the constant redevelopment of the town by big Corporate developers, the town of Pleasure Point is not quite as peaceful and picturesque as it seems. For the town’s history is as dark and disturbing as the life Cristina is trying to escape.
Cristina bears not only the physical scars of her past, but emotional ones too. As she tries to settle into her new home with Anise, she is soon haunted by ghosts from the past, and her future suddenly does not appear to be quite as safe and sure as she had hoped.
…
‘Cristina’ by Jake Parent is a chilling and atmospheric story, one which I felt compelled to keep reading, no matter how hard the subject sometimes got. And it certainly did. This is possibly not a book for the faint hearted. There is a real tension throughout the book, despite the setting of Pleasure Point, which is seemingly beautiful and tranquil. At least on the surface, the parts that the tourists see. There is a darker side to the town, one of drug use, abandoned buildings and almost festering decay that Jake Parent describes so vividly you can almost feel your skin crawl as you picture it.
There are some very strong themes throughout the story. Cristina is a born survivor, a strong Latino woman who has suffered through self-abuse and an abusive relationship to become an independent mother who would do anything to protect her child. The themes of drug use, cults, physical and sexual abuse and also psychological abuse all feature, although I don’t feel any were overly gratuitous. You were never in any doubt of what was happening, and Parent did not shy away from talking about the subjects, but the way in which they were told, through recollection of memories or almost flashbacks driven by current events, gave them that slight detachment which made it easier to read. It may still be a trigger for some so caution is advised. This can be a dark book at times. That said there were also moments of beauty and levity which gave me, as a reader, a lift just as things were about to become too dark. Jordan and Danny are definitely two very uplifting characters who should bring a smile to your face, and the relationship and love between Cristina and Anise and also her Grandmother and Uncle is very touching..
Cristina is a well developed character and her dedication to her daughter made her very easy to like. She is not a virtuous character by any means; she is obsessed with how she looks, thrives on how it affects those around her (this is a little much at times but perhaps understandable given that, despite everything she has been through, she is still relatively young) and you could easily condemn her for her selfish actions in her teens. But you cannot deny how the character has turned her life around and her determination, quick mouth and persistence were very endearing. The relationships she develops in the town are strong and show the easy-going side of her nature and yet when pressed to defend her daughter she will attack, and with some gusto. I really kind of liked her.
Beyond the story of Cristina and her battle to keep her daughter from her ex, you have the mystery of the child, Annie, who was abducted from the home Cristina purchased. There is some essence of her spirit remaining within the home and Cristina is haunted by dreams of the child which drive her to find out more about the house. Something is clearly amiss, and it is this mystery which weaves like a fine thread throughout the novel which adds an extra layer of suspense and intrigue. Are the dreams an omen or just a by-product of Cristina scaring herself thinking about the history of her new home? Are her nerves about trusting her new neighbours and friends driven by a real threat or trepidation after being so let down in her past? You’ll have to read to find out but I really did enjoy this extra element of the unknown, the drifting fog from the ocean and the dank decay of the rough end of town adding to the feeling of unease.
This is a great book; an edgy psychological suspense with a fierce heroine and a real element of the unknown which made me want to read onward.
A very creepy, be careful just who you trust 4 stars.
Read more…
But, much like Cristina, this house has a past, one which does not match the idyllic location. Four years earlier a young girl was taken from the home and murdered. This was just the start of the tragedy which claimed the lives of her whole family. And if you look beyond the beautiful ocean views and the constant redevelopment of the town by big Corporate developers, the town of Pleasure Point is not quite as peaceful and picturesque as it seems. For the town’s history is as dark and disturbing as the life Cristina is trying to escape.
Cristina bears not only the physical scars of her past, but emotional ones too. As she tries to settle into her new home with Anise, she is soon haunted by ghosts from the past, and her future suddenly does not appear to be quite as safe and sure as she had hoped.
…
‘Cristina’ by Jake Parent is a chilling and atmospheric story, one which I felt compelled to keep reading, no matter how hard the subject sometimes got. And it certainly did. This is possibly not a book for the faint hearted. There is a real tension throughout the book, despite the setting of Pleasure Point, which is seemingly beautiful and tranquil. At least on the surface, the parts that the tourists see. There is a darker side to the town, one of drug use, abandoned buildings and almost festering decay that Jake Parent describes so vividly you can almost feel your skin crawl as you picture it.
There are some very strong themes throughout the story. Cristina is a born survivor, a strong Latino woman who has suffered through self-abuse and an abusive relationship to become an independent mother who would do anything to protect her child. The themes of drug use, cults, physical and sexual abuse and also psychological abuse all feature, although I don’t feel any were overly gratuitous. You were never in any doubt of what was happening, and Parent did not shy away from talking about the subjects, but the way in which they were told, through recollection of memories or almost flashbacks driven by current events, gave them that slight detachment which made it easier to read. It may still be a trigger for some so caution is advised. This can be a dark book at times. That said there were also moments of beauty and levity which gave me, as a reader, a lift just as things were about to become too dark. Jordan and Danny are definitely two very uplifting characters who should bring a smile to your face, and the relationship and love between Cristina and Anise and also her Grandmother and Uncle is very touching..
Cristina is a well developed character and her dedication to her daughter made her very easy to like. She is not a virtuous character by any means; she is obsessed with how she looks, thrives on how it affects those around her (this is a little much at times but perhaps understandable given that, despite everything she has been through, she is still relatively young) and you could easily condemn her for her selfish actions in her teens. But you cannot deny how the character has turned her life around and her determination, quick mouth and persistence were very endearing. The relationships she develops in the town are strong and show the easy-going side of her nature and yet when pressed to defend her daughter she will attack, and with some gusto. I really kind of liked her.
Beyond the story of Cristina and her battle to keep her daughter from her ex, you have the mystery of the child, Annie, who was abducted from the home Cristina purchased. There is some essence of her spirit remaining within the home and Cristina is haunted by dreams of the child which drive her to find out more about the house. Something is clearly amiss, and it is this mystery which weaves like a fine thread throughout the novel which adds an extra layer of suspense and intrigue. Are the dreams an omen or just a by-product of Cristina scaring herself thinking about the history of her new home? Are her nerves about trusting her new neighbours and friends driven by a real threat or trepidation after being so let down in her past? You’ll have to read to find out but I really did enjoy this extra element of the unknown, the drifting fog from the ocean and the dank decay of the rough end of town adding to the feeling of unease.
This is a great book; an edgy psychological suspense with a fierce heroine and a real element of the unknown which made me want to read onward.
A very creepy, be careful just who you trust 4 stars.
January 5, 2017
I'm not going to lie; I was a little worried about this one. As I've said MANY times, we accept books based SOLELY on the information that is provided (by either the author, publicist, and/or publisher)....and although I could clearly see that the potential was there, I was scared that Cristina wasn't going to stand out.
There was a chance that it was going to be like the masses.....a simple mean to pass some time.....something that I would forget as soon as I finished the final page.
Boy do I love when I'm proven wrong! Cristina delivered. Jake D. Parent had me sitting on the edge of my seat, and piqued my interest until the very end. You know when you're reading a book and it's so good that you're tempted to skin over the "filler" content to find the good stuff?? This is one of those books! It will have you drawing conclusions, gasping in horror, and literally screaming "WHAT?!?!?".
The blurb simply says it best: "Cristina will grab you from the first page and keep you guessing until the very end." I couldn't agree more, and I can confidently say that anyone (regardless of your choice genre), who picks this one up, won't be disappointed.
You can find this review (along with many more) here, on the CommonBookSense blog. Check it out!
There was a chance that it was going to be like the masses.....a simple mean to pass some time.....something that I would forget as soon as I finished the final page.
Boy do I love when I'm proven wrong! Cristina delivered. Jake D. Parent had me sitting on the edge of my seat, and piqued my interest until the very end. You know when you're reading a book and it's so good that you're tempted to skin over the "filler" content to find the good stuff?? This is one of those books! It will have you drawing conclusions, gasping in horror, and literally screaming "WHAT?!?!?".
The blurb simply says it best: "Cristina will grab you from the first page and keep you guessing until the very end." I couldn't agree more, and I can confidently say that anyone (regardless of your choice genre), who picks this one up, won't be disappointed.
You can find this review (along with many more) here, on the CommonBookSense blog. Check it out!
January 5, 2017
I'm not going to lie; I was a little worried about this one. As I've said MANY times, we accept books based SOLELY on the information that is provided (by either the author, publicist, and/or publisher)....and although I could clearly see that the potential was there, I was scared that Cristina wasn't going to stand out.
There was a chance that it was going to be like the masses.....a simple mean to pass some time.....something that I would forget as soon as I finished the final page.
Boy do I love when I'm proven wrong! Cristina delivered. Jake D. Parent had me sitting on the edge of my seat, and piqued my interest until the very end. You know when you're reading a book and it's so good that you're tempted to skin over the "filler" content to find the good stuff?? This is one of those books! It will have you drawing conclusions, gasping in horror, and literally screaming "WHAT?!?!?".
The blurb simply says it best: "Cristina will grab you from the first page and keep you guessing until the very end." I couldn't agree more, and I can confidently say that anyone (regardless of your choice genre), who picks this one up, won't be disappointed.
You can find this review (along with many more) here, on the CommonBookSense blog. Check it out!
There was a chance that it was going to be like the masses.....a simple mean to pass some time.....something that I would forget as soon as I finished the final page.
Boy do I love when I'm proven wrong! Cristina delivered. Jake D. Parent had me sitting on the edge of my seat, and piqued my interest until the very end. You know when you're reading a book and it's so good that you're tempted to skin over the "filler" content to find the good stuff?? This is one of those books! It will have you drawing conclusions, gasping in horror, and literally screaming "WHAT?!?!?".
The blurb simply says it best: "Cristina will grab you from the first page and keep you guessing until the very end." I couldn't agree more, and I can confidently say that anyone (regardless of your choice genre), who picks this one up, won't be disappointed.
You can find this review (along with many more) here, on the CommonBookSense blog. Check it out!
December 23, 2016
Tuck in for the perfect holiday read. Great job sweeping the reader along to the end. I am not a fiction reader, but very much enjoyed this!
December 31, 2018
Snooze, Snooze, it just was too much of nothing for too long. Filling with no mystery, suspense or anything else to keep me reading.
June 13, 2018
Predictable
April 24, 2017
This book really kept my interest! Great read!
April 27, 2017
This novel is replete with bizarre, one dimensional caricatures, instead of likable and believable characters. It is marred by a gratuitous bathtub masturbation scene which neither advances the storyline nor contributes to character development.
I don't have the time to go into everything that is wrong with this book.
I think the one star rating I gave it was too generous.
I don't have the time to go into everything that is wrong with this book.
I think the one star rating I gave it was too generous.
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