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The Beloveds
"The Beloveds" is a dark psychological thriller, a sinister tale of obsession, in which sibling rivalry fuels a deadly resentment in Betty Stash, the irredeemably bad narrator of the book.
Betty’s younger sister Gloria, has it all, the husband who should have been hers, and the inheritance that she feels has been stolen from her. The Prize she seeks? Nothing less than the destruction of everything her sister holds dear.
A sociopath out to change her luck by any means open to her, betrayal is the least of her sins – how far will she go to get what she wants?
Betty’s younger sister Gloria, has it all, the husband who should have been hers, and the inheritance that she feels has been stolen from her. The Prize she seeks? Nothing less than the destruction of everything her sister holds dear.
A sociopath out to change her luck by any means open to her, betrayal is the least of her sins – how far will she go to get what she wants?
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 3, 2018
43 people are currently reading
2716 people want to read
About the author
Maureen Lindley
4 books57 followersMaureen Lindley was born in Berkshire and grew up in Scotland. She was trained as a psychotherapist and also worked as a photographer, antique dealer and a dress designer before writing her first book, The Private Papers of Eastern Jewel. Maureen lives in the Wye valley on the Welsh borders with her husband.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 247 reviews
March 25, 2018
Let me count the reasons I LOVED this novel…
1. Gothic feel with a mansion that is an integral part of the story.
2. Mounting tension as the pages turn.
3. Creepy narrator who converses with the house.
4. The witty, yet dark and disturbing humor.
Told from the point of view of Elizabeth (Betty) Stash, who is not the golden, favorite child of her mother. The beloved child is her sister, Gloria, who basks in all her goodness. Betty believes that her sister “makes everything sound like a story from Beatrice Potter.”
Betty begins plotting a scheme to take the family mansion, called “Pipits” back after her late mother leaves it to her favored sister, Gloria. After all, Betty is emotionally attached to the estate and its abundant gardens. She speaks to it, and it greets her. Tension mounts as Betty’s obsession with taking what is rightfully hers (in her mind anyway) spins out of control. We now are treated to the heinous plot she has concocted and can only hold our breath until the end.
Atmospheric, wickedly funny and insanely creepy! Can you tell I absolutely enjoyed this twisted tale? This one will stay with me for a while!
Thanks to Gallery books and Netgalley for this Arc.
1. Gothic feel with a mansion that is an integral part of the story.
2. Mounting tension as the pages turn.
3. Creepy narrator who converses with the house.
4. The witty, yet dark and disturbing humor.
Told from the point of view of Elizabeth (Betty) Stash, who is not the golden, favorite child of her mother. The beloved child is her sister, Gloria, who basks in all her goodness. Betty believes that her sister “makes everything sound like a story from Beatrice Potter.”
Betty begins plotting a scheme to take the family mansion, called “Pipits” back after her late mother leaves it to her favored sister, Gloria. After all, Betty is emotionally attached to the estate and its abundant gardens. She speaks to it, and it greets her. Tension mounts as Betty’s obsession with taking what is rightfully hers (in her mind anyway) spins out of control. We now are treated to the heinous plot she has concocted and can only hold our breath until the end.
Atmospheric, wickedly funny and insanely creepy! Can you tell I absolutely enjoyed this twisted tale? This one will stay with me for a while!
Thanks to Gallery books and Netgalley for this Arc.
April 8, 2018
4 troubling stars
For many of us, we hold onto something in our lives. It can be a memory, a trinket, a place where our memories and our lives seem to be tied together. It can be a room we once lived in, a forest we once played in, or even a house we lived in. For most of us, this memory holds us for a small bit of time. For Elizabeth this memory consumes her. You see what Elizabeth most holds dear, what she loves the most is her childhood home. It is hers body and soul, she loves it, desires it, and speaks to it as it speaks to her.
However, the unspeakable happens and when her mother dies the house is bequeathed to her sister, Gloria. Gloria is a beloved. She has everything beauty, intelligence, and most seriously of all, a husband who Betty fashioned herself to have. Betty has lost what is rightfully hers and sets out on a very determined and sinister road to get what she wants back. She plans, she initiates a deranged pathway to her ultimate goal and shows that she has not a normal bone in her body. She is consumed by rage, by her hatred of all the beloveds, most especially her sister, because Betty is not and never will be one of them. She is the ultimate subject of what makes for a psychopath, a cunning, intelligent, maneuvering woman who feels not a single ounce of regret or sorrow for what she has done.
This book was enticing as we wonder if Betty will ever face a reckoning for acts of depravity and malice. Maureen Lindley has written a book that weaves the story well and makes one realize that often horrible things are hidden inside one's persona.
Thanks are extended to Maureen Lindley, Gallery Books, and NetGalley for providing an advanced copy of this novel.
For many of us, we hold onto something in our lives. It can be a memory, a trinket, a place where our memories and our lives seem to be tied together. It can be a room we once lived in, a forest we once played in, or even a house we lived in. For most of us, this memory holds us for a small bit of time. For Elizabeth this memory consumes her. You see what Elizabeth most holds dear, what she loves the most is her childhood home. It is hers body and soul, she loves it, desires it, and speaks to it as it speaks to her.
However, the unspeakable happens and when her mother dies the house is bequeathed to her sister, Gloria. Gloria is a beloved. She has everything beauty, intelligence, and most seriously of all, a husband who Betty fashioned herself to have. Betty has lost what is rightfully hers and sets out on a very determined and sinister road to get what she wants back. She plans, she initiates a deranged pathway to her ultimate goal and shows that she has not a normal bone in her body. She is consumed by rage, by her hatred of all the beloveds, most especially her sister, because Betty is not and never will be one of them. She is the ultimate subject of what makes for a psychopath, a cunning, intelligent, maneuvering woman who feels not a single ounce of regret or sorrow for what she has done.
This book was enticing as we wonder if Betty will ever face a reckoning for acts of depravity and malice. Maureen Lindley has written a book that weaves the story well and makes one realize that often horrible things are hidden inside one's persona.
Thanks are extended to Maureen Lindley, Gallery Books, and NetGalley for providing an advanced copy of this novel.
March 30, 2018
The Beloveds by Maureen Lindley is going into my oh my gosh what did I just read pile of books. When finished with this one I felt a bit like I needed to go wash my eyes or perhaps even my brain clean from reading this one and going so far into the mind of such a disturbed character.
Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Stash is the narrator of The Beloveds and readers will quickly learn that Betty isn’t exactly a likable and cuddly narrator, You see Betty began her jealousy in childhood believing that when her sister, Gloria, was born that Gloria was a “beloved”. Beloveds are those who get anything in life they want and luck follows them around like a shadow.
Without knowing it Gloria seemed to come into Betty’s life and steal the love of their mother becoming the golden child. Then as time went on Gloria’s stole Betty’s friend Alice away and then Gloria set her sights on Henry, the man that was supposed to be Betty’s love.
Betty had moved away and married but when the death of her mother came she returned to claim the family home that she thought was rightly hers but even after her passing Betty’s mother rewards the “beloved” sister Gloria with the deed to the family home. This is what sets into motion Betty’s plan for revenge and reclaiming what she believes is truly hers.
Picking up this book and beginning to read is like diving into a very dark and disturbing mind of a psychopath. The world from Betty’s eyes is one that is completely out to get her and she will go to extreme lengths to change that. It honestly took me a bit to settle in since Betty wasn’t very likable but eventually the pages started flying by waiting to see how far it would all go. At the end I’m not sure I was a huge fan of the last little twist there either as I was kind of expecting more leaving me to rate this one at 3.5 stars.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Stash is the narrator of The Beloveds and readers will quickly learn that Betty isn’t exactly a likable and cuddly narrator, You see Betty began her jealousy in childhood believing that when her sister, Gloria, was born that Gloria was a “beloved”. Beloveds are those who get anything in life they want and luck follows them around like a shadow.
Without knowing it Gloria seemed to come into Betty’s life and steal the love of their mother becoming the golden child. Then as time went on Gloria’s stole Betty’s friend Alice away and then Gloria set her sights on Henry, the man that was supposed to be Betty’s love.
Betty had moved away and married but when the death of her mother came she returned to claim the family home that she thought was rightly hers but even after her passing Betty’s mother rewards the “beloved” sister Gloria with the deed to the family home. This is what sets into motion Betty’s plan for revenge and reclaiming what she believes is truly hers.
Picking up this book and beginning to read is like diving into a very dark and disturbing mind of a psychopath. The world from Betty’s eyes is one that is completely out to get her and she will go to extreme lengths to change that. It honestly took me a bit to settle in since Betty wasn’t very likable but eventually the pages started flying by waiting to see how far it would all go. At the end I’m not sure I was a huge fan of the last little twist there either as I was kind of expecting more leaving me to rate this one at 3.5 stars.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
December 11, 2017
⭐️⭐️ / 5
My reviews and (maybe) some other random thoughts can also be seen at
https://readingbetweenwinessite.wordp...
____________________________________________________________
Oof, I do not have many good things to say about The Beloveds so I am sorry in advance. If you are looking to see a good review of this book, you are not going to see it from me. I just want to throw out that I know writing a book is very hard work, and I could never write one myself, so this isn't a reflection on the author. This book was just not a good fit for me.
First of all, I did completely adore this cover though. It is beautiful and is what drew me to the book before I even knew what it was about.
For being contemporary, this book just had an old feel to it. I wouldn't have been surprised if it would have been set in the 50s or 60s. I don't know if it was the writing or what it was, but it just felt like it was set in a different time period for some reason. I didn't mind that of course, but I'm interested to see if anyone else will have that same vibe from this book.
I will say that this book was incredibly detailed without seeming too detailed, if that makes sense. I didn't feel overpowered by detail, but rather it made me feel completely immersed in the story.
The premise of this book seemed great. A jealous older sister determined to get back the house that she felt entitled to? Sign me up! Unfortunately, I just didn't really think much of anything happened during The Beloveds. It started out good enough, but I soon lost interest and found myself really bored. This book was not hard for me to put down even in the last 30% of the ARC when shit was getting crazy, I just still wasn't engaged. Full disclosure, I pretty much skimmed the last 50% of this book because I just was NOT into it.
I've read and loved plenty of other psychological thrillers (The Last Mrs. Parrish, The Couple Next Door, The Girl on the Train, and The Good Daughter to name a few), but this one somehow fell flat for me. Parts of it were creepy, especially Betty's "relationship" with Pipits, but I got really sick of the "I'm enraged at my sister because she got the house, but I am the one entitled to it" theme. Also, I thought this book was supposed to be about Betty getting Pipits (aka "House") back, then she literally does practically nothing except whine and act jealous for half the book.
I think it would have helped if there would have been other perspectives in this book, instead of everything through Betty's eyes. I felt like she did a lot of bitching and moaning in this book. That is the best way for me to describe how I felt about Betty and the way she acted the entire book. She was just so nasty and bad-tempered. I suppose that was the point, but I couldn't handle it for the entire book.
The drama with Betty's drinking and the stuff with her apartment neighbors at the end kind of lost me as well. More of Betty showing her true colors and that she wasn't right in the head, but I didn't care for it and was just ready for the book to be over.
Final Thought: While I wouldn't recommend this, I just don't think I was the intended audience. This is more of a slow burn, character driven, jealous/rather crazy sister, takes a long time to see action type of book. I guess the best thing to say is if you are ok with what I have said above you should still check it out. The majority of people have been liking this one, and I am the oddball out at the moment.
*This book is set to be published on 03 Apr 2018*
*HUGE thanks to Gallery Books for providing me with an electronic ARC of this book via NetGalley. My review is completely honest and unbiased*
My reviews and (maybe) some other random thoughts can also be seen at
https://readingbetweenwinessite.wordp...
____________________________________________________________
Oof, I do not have many good things to say about The Beloveds so I am sorry in advance. If you are looking to see a good review of this book, you are not going to see it from me. I just want to throw out that I know writing a book is very hard work, and I could never write one myself, so this isn't a reflection on the author. This book was just not a good fit for me.
First of all, I did completely adore this cover though. It is beautiful and is what drew me to the book before I even knew what it was about.
For being contemporary, this book just had an old feel to it. I wouldn't have been surprised if it would have been set in the 50s or 60s. I don't know if it was the writing or what it was, but it just felt like it was set in a different time period for some reason. I didn't mind that of course, but I'm interested to see if anyone else will have that same vibe from this book.
I will say that this book was incredibly detailed without seeming too detailed, if that makes sense. I didn't feel overpowered by detail, but rather it made me feel completely immersed in the story.
The premise of this book seemed great. A jealous older sister determined to get back the house that she felt entitled to? Sign me up! Unfortunately, I just didn't really think much of anything happened during The Beloveds. It started out good enough, but I soon lost interest and found myself really bored. This book was not hard for me to put down even in the last 30% of the ARC when shit was getting crazy, I just still wasn't engaged. Full disclosure, I pretty much skimmed the last 50% of this book because I just was NOT into it.
I've read and loved plenty of other psychological thrillers (The Last Mrs. Parrish, The Couple Next Door, The Girl on the Train, and The Good Daughter to name a few), but this one somehow fell flat for me. Parts of it were creepy, especially Betty's "relationship" with Pipits, but I got really sick of the "I'm enraged at my sister because she got the house, but I am the one entitled to it" theme. Also, I thought this book was supposed to be about Betty getting Pipits (aka "House") back, then she literally does practically nothing except whine and act jealous for half the book.
I think it would have helped if there would have been other perspectives in this book, instead of everything through Betty's eyes. I felt like she did a lot of bitching and moaning in this book. That is the best way for me to describe how I felt about Betty and the way she acted the entire book. She was just so nasty and bad-tempered. I suppose that was the point, but I couldn't handle it for the entire book.
The drama with Betty's drinking and the stuff with her apartment neighbors at the end kind of lost me as well. More of Betty showing her true colors and that she wasn't right in the head, but I didn't care for it and was just ready for the book to be over.
Final Thought: While I wouldn't recommend this, I just don't think I was the intended audience. This is more of a slow burn, character driven, jealous/rather crazy sister, takes a long time to see action type of book. I guess the best thing to say is if you are ok with what I have said above you should still check it out. The majority of people have been liking this one, and I am the oddball out at the moment.
*This book is set to be published on 03 Apr 2018*
*HUGE thanks to Gallery Books for providing me with an electronic ARC of this book via NetGalley. My review is completely honest and unbiased*
April 15, 2018
3.75 stars
Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced ebook in exchange for an honest review.
What the hell did I just read? The main protagonist, Betty, was more than a few letters short of the alphabet and her obsession with her childhood home reminded me of a certain short story with a lady wanting to climb into some wallpaper (see The Yellow Wallpaper). For the life of me I just couldn't put it down, it was that addictive!!
Seriously, I probably would have walked by this book in the bookstore. There's a level of cray-cray in this story that is masked by that gorgeous cover. But Maureen Lindley has created a character that is so compelling that I am fairly certain if a sequel pops up, it will be in a psychiatric ward. Although there were times I was hoping in a switch of narrative because it did feel terrifying to be following Betty.
Maybe don't read this at night!
Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced ebook in exchange for an honest review.
What the hell did I just read? The main protagonist, Betty, was more than a few letters short of the alphabet and her obsession with her childhood home reminded me of a certain short story with a lady wanting to climb into some wallpaper (see The Yellow Wallpaper). For the life of me I just couldn't put it down, it was that addictive!!
Seriously, I probably would have walked by this book in the bookstore. There's a level of cray-cray in this story that is masked by that gorgeous cover. But Maureen Lindley has created a character that is so compelling that I am fairly certain if a sequel pops up, it will be in a psychiatric ward. Although there were times I was hoping in a switch of narrative because it did feel terrifying to be following Betty.
Maybe don't read this at night!
February 10, 2022
(Review from 2018)
I'm super excited to be on The Beloveds blog tour with Titan Books today, and wow, what a book! I was hesitant going into this one as I'd seen some very mediocre reviews, but I needn't have worried. This was absolutely enthralling and the perfect for my bookish tastes.
The writing is insanely captivating. We know that Betty is deranged but somehow Lindley has us siding with her? From the very start, I felt contempt towards Gloria and Henry, when really I should have been looking out for them. Without giving anything away, there is a crucial scene around halfway through where things don't seem to be going as planned, which should really be a good thing considering Betty is the bad guy, but I actually found myself exclaiming "oh no!" and hoping the plan carried on as expected. I was siding with this evil, jealous sister because Lindley makes her voice so witty, intelligent and charming.
This book also featured my favourite type of narrator but in female form - she's so malicious. I feel like she was even better than some of the others I love due to her pure hatred of everything. Patrick Bateman is a psychopath but he gets nervous and cares about what people think of him. William Heming is a creep but he makes an effort to be liked by his peers. Betty Stash cares about nothing other than her beloved house. Although her hard demeanour sometimes cracks when she shows emotions like guilt or love, which just makes her feel more like a real person.
A couple of the more mediocre reviews for this book state it's a bit too long and drags in places, but I found it's pacing perfect for the meat of the story. Similar to American Psycho, there is a reasonable amount of what appears to be simply banal filler, but it works so well in this type of book.
As for the story in this novel, honestly, it's an unoriginal plot - of one person being insanely jealous of another - however, it is wholly original at the same time. Rather than a fixation on the person, on their lover, on their life, Betty is instead fixated on a house. She doesn't care about money or having friends or even being in love, all she needs is her childhood home and she'll be happy.
I can't really say much more about this story without spilling out all its beautiful secrets. All I can say from here is that if you like a book with a slow pace, a sinister narrator, beautiful writing, and a just-on-the-wrong-side-of-disturbed storyline - pick this up!!
I'm super excited to be on The Beloveds blog tour with Titan Books today, and wow, what a book! I was hesitant going into this one as I'd seen some very mediocre reviews, but I needn't have worried. This was absolutely enthralling and the perfect for my bookish tastes.
The writing is insanely captivating. We know that Betty is deranged but somehow Lindley has us siding with her? From the very start, I felt contempt towards Gloria and Henry, when really I should have been looking out for them. Without giving anything away, there is a crucial scene around halfway through where things don't seem to be going as planned, which should really be a good thing considering Betty is the bad guy, but I actually found myself exclaiming "oh no!" and hoping the plan carried on as expected. I was siding with this evil, jealous sister because Lindley makes her voice so witty, intelligent and charming.
This book also featured my favourite type of narrator but in female form - she's so malicious. I feel like she was even better than some of the others I love due to her pure hatred of everything. Patrick Bateman is a psychopath but he gets nervous and cares about what people think of him. William Heming is a creep but he makes an effort to be liked by his peers. Betty Stash cares about nothing other than her beloved house. Although her hard demeanour sometimes cracks when she shows emotions like guilt or love, which just makes her feel more like a real person.
A couple of the more mediocre reviews for this book state it's a bit too long and drags in places, but I found it's pacing perfect for the meat of the story. Similar to American Psycho, there is a reasonable amount of what appears to be simply banal filler, but it works so well in this type of book.
As for the story in this novel, honestly, it's an unoriginal plot - of one person being insanely jealous of another - however, it is wholly original at the same time. Rather than a fixation on the person, on their lover, on their life, Betty is instead fixated on a house. She doesn't care about money or having friends or even being in love, all she needs is her childhood home and she'll be happy.
I can't really say much more about this story without spilling out all its beautiful secrets. All I can say from here is that if you like a book with a slow pace, a sinister narrator, beautiful writing, and a just-on-the-wrong-side-of-disturbed storyline - pick this up!!
April 11, 2018
Please note that I received this book via NetGalley. It did not impact my review or rating.
Spoilers about the book "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier are below.
Look there can only be one "Rebecca". This book is in on way or shape at the level of "Rebecca" on it's best day. The main character is insane. She also does very terrible things and is never caught. The voice of the main character feels older than what the book setting is. At one point I thought the book started in the 1950s or something, but no it seems to be in modern settings. The ending left me unsatisfied. If you are going to have me follow the ramblings of a Mrs. Danvers character, at least let some sort of comeuppance occur.
"The Beloveds" is just a long and overly tedious book into the mind of a psychopath (our main character is named Betty) who is obsessed with her family home. When her mother dies and leaves the home to her sister and her husband (Gloria and Henry Bygone) Betty plans ways in which to get the house she rightfully sees as her inheritance.
There's nothing to Betty besides being cruel and petty. You would think that people would see another side to her, but based on what we are given to glimpse as a reader, she seems to be either drunk on gin and or taking pills most of the time. Considering her supposed weight (and the book mentions how very little she eats these days), how she wasn't passed out in all times is baffling to me. Betty is obviously supposed to be a stand-in for Mrs. Danvers. But for me, Mrs. Danvers wasn't obsessive about Manderley, she was obsessive about Rebecca and keeping Manderley the way that Rebecca wanted it.
The other characters are not developed very well. Probably because Betty takes no notice of them except to rage about her sister being seen as a Beloved, and other people as Beloved (they can do no wrong and are perfect). There are hints here and there that the character of Gloria is becoming suspicious of her sister, but that's all there are, hints. She seems just as clueless as other people in this book.
Telling the book via first person POV was just a mistake. As a reader you don't have the chance to get away from Betty. You read about the terrible things she does (there's a comment made that you find out she murdered the family's pet when she was a child) and then you just keep reading about things she is doing/planning with no hint about it from other people. I just felt mentally exhausted by the time I got to the end of this book.
The flow was not that great. We just stumble from one of Betty's schemes to another with her comments about how the house was talking to her and how her sister was a beloved and she didn't see why. Somehow we skip ahead months and years in this book with no reference for it except a quick word here and there said. Since I got an advance copy, hopefully the final book has some chapter headings with month/year included.
The setting of this book mainly takes place at the family house in the country somewhere, not close to London, but in the general area. Sorry if I sound vague, but the author didn't really describe things in a way for me to get a sense of where this was besides somewhere in England. The house also doesn't even come alive for me the way in which Manderley does for me as a reader while reading "Rebecca". I still don't even get why Betty is obsessed with a house that doesn't seem to be anything special.
The ending was a disappointment. The author just sets up that more bad things are coming. Why this is marketed as a mystery astounds me. There is no mystery here.
Spoilers about the book "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier are below.
Look there can only be one "Rebecca". This book is in on way or shape at the level of "Rebecca" on it's best day. The main character is insane. She also does very terrible things and is never caught. The voice of the main character feels older than what the book setting is. At one point I thought the book started in the 1950s or something, but no it seems to be in modern settings. The ending left me unsatisfied. If you are going to have me follow the ramblings of a Mrs. Danvers character, at least let some sort of comeuppance occur.
"The Beloveds" is just a long and overly tedious book into the mind of a psychopath (our main character is named Betty) who is obsessed with her family home. When her mother dies and leaves the home to her sister and her husband (Gloria and Henry Bygone) Betty plans ways in which to get the house she rightfully sees as her inheritance.
There's nothing to Betty besides being cruel and petty. You would think that people would see another side to her, but based on what we are given to glimpse as a reader, she seems to be either drunk on gin and or taking pills most of the time. Considering her supposed weight (and the book mentions how very little she eats these days), how she wasn't passed out in all times is baffling to me. Betty is obviously supposed to be a stand-in for Mrs. Danvers. But for me, Mrs. Danvers wasn't obsessive about Manderley, she was obsessive about Rebecca and keeping Manderley the way that Rebecca wanted it.
The other characters are not developed very well. Probably because Betty takes no notice of them except to rage about her sister being seen as a Beloved, and other people as Beloved (they can do no wrong and are perfect). There are hints here and there that the character of Gloria is becoming suspicious of her sister, but that's all there are, hints. She seems just as clueless as other people in this book.
Telling the book via first person POV was just a mistake. As a reader you don't have the chance to get away from Betty. You read about the terrible things she does (there's a comment made that you find out she murdered the family's pet when she was a child) and then you just keep reading about things she is doing/planning with no hint about it from other people. I just felt mentally exhausted by the time I got to the end of this book.
The flow was not that great. We just stumble from one of Betty's schemes to another with her comments about how the house was talking to her and how her sister was a beloved and she didn't see why. Somehow we skip ahead months and years in this book with no reference for it except a quick word here and there said. Since I got an advance copy, hopefully the final book has some chapter headings with month/year included.
The setting of this book mainly takes place at the family house in the country somewhere, not close to London, but in the general area. Sorry if I sound vague, but the author didn't really describe things in a way for me to get a sense of where this was besides somewhere in England. The house also doesn't even come alive for me the way in which Manderley does for me as a reader while reading "Rebecca". I still don't even get why Betty is obsessed with a house that doesn't seem to be anything special.
The ending was a disappointment. The author just sets up that more bad things are coming. Why this is marketed as a mystery astounds me. There is no mystery here.
March 16, 2018
There was a little girl who had a little curl
Right in the middle of her forehead;
When she was good, she was very, very good,
And when she was bad she was horrid.
-Mother Goose Nursery Rhyme
It's hard to believe there's a more horrid girl than Elizabeth Stash (a.k.a. Betty). She's paranoid, narcisstic, psychopathic, sociopathic, and oh yes, a murderer.
So what's not to love? Nothing, if you ask her. In her view, she's perfect - and perfectly willing to blame everyone else in the world when things don't go her way.
From the time her younger "Beloved" sister Gloria was born, you see, Betty was deprived of her rightful first-born status by a mother who clearly loved baby sister best. And from there, it's downhill all the way. Not only did near-angel Gloria steal Betty's mother, she stole her best friend Alice and Henry, the love of her life. To add insult to injury, Henry, married sister Gloria; but as it turns out, that wasn't the mother of all snubs. No, that happened when the girls' mother died, leaving the family home, dubbed Pipits, to Gloria and Henry. And now Betty - who believes in her heart of evil hearts that the house should be hers - sets out to set things right.
The entire book is narrated by Betty, thus exposing her ever-more-delusional plans and plots to first, get the property back, and later, to get revenge on everyone she's convinced has wronged her. Emphasis on everyone; in addition to Gloria, Henry and Alice, there's her art gallery owner husband Bert, cantankerous downstairs neighbors at her London apartment building, Gloria's elderly cleaning lady; the list goes on and on and on.
I'll stop here and say if you don't enjoy watching an already demented mind become more sinister by the day, this probably isn't your cup of tea. Plenty happens, but it's always shaded by Betty's twisted perspective, which is enhanced by copious amounts of gin and a few tranquilizers. As a student of psychology, I found the story riveting right up to the end; but that, alas, is where my enthusiasm ends. I rather felt as if I'd just been dashed in the face with a bucket of cold water - it's that abrupt. All I'll say further is that if it's closure you want, you'll be disappointed (I'll acknowledge, though, that in many ways, it's appropriate given the rest of the story).
All in all, its quite an interesting and different tale. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Right in the middle of her forehead;
When she was good, she was very, very good,
And when she was bad she was horrid.
-Mother Goose Nursery Rhyme
It's hard to believe there's a more horrid girl than Elizabeth Stash (a.k.a. Betty). She's paranoid, narcisstic, psychopathic, sociopathic, and oh yes, a murderer.
So what's not to love? Nothing, if you ask her. In her view, she's perfect - and perfectly willing to blame everyone else in the world when things don't go her way.
From the time her younger "Beloved" sister Gloria was born, you see, Betty was deprived of her rightful first-born status by a mother who clearly loved baby sister best. And from there, it's downhill all the way. Not only did near-angel Gloria steal Betty's mother, she stole her best friend Alice and Henry, the love of her life. To add insult to injury, Henry, married sister Gloria; but as it turns out, that wasn't the mother of all snubs. No, that happened when the girls' mother died, leaving the family home, dubbed Pipits, to Gloria and Henry. And now Betty - who believes in her heart of evil hearts that the house should be hers - sets out to set things right.
The entire book is narrated by Betty, thus exposing her ever-more-delusional plans and plots to first, get the property back, and later, to get revenge on everyone she's convinced has wronged her. Emphasis on everyone; in addition to Gloria, Henry and Alice, there's her art gallery owner husband Bert, cantankerous downstairs neighbors at her London apartment building, Gloria's elderly cleaning lady; the list goes on and on and on.
I'll stop here and say if you don't enjoy watching an already demented mind become more sinister by the day, this probably isn't your cup of tea. Plenty happens, but it's always shaded by Betty's twisted perspective, which is enhanced by copious amounts of gin and a few tranquilizers. As a student of psychology, I found the story riveting right up to the end; but that, alas, is where my enthusiasm ends. I rather felt as if I'd just been dashed in the face with a bucket of cold water - it's that abrupt. All I'll say further is that if it's closure you want, you'll be disappointed (I'll acknowledge, though, that in many ways, it's appropriate given the rest of the story).
All in all, its quite an interesting and different tale. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
January 1, 2019
3 stars--I liked the book.
This is a novel narrated by a sociopath. Her mind is a dark and twisted place, both unloving and illogical. I thought it was interesting that the book didn't go the way I thought it would--it deviated several times and surprised me.
Writing and characters were both good. However, I found Betty's voice to be tiring, since she doesn't change and constantly repeats herself.
This is a novel narrated by a sociopath. Her mind is a dark and twisted place, both unloving and illogical. I thought it was interesting that the book didn't go the way I thought it would--it deviated several times and surprised me.
Writing and characters were both good. However, I found Betty's voice to be tiring, since she doesn't change and constantly repeats herself.
January 2, 2018
I received this through NetGalley in exchange for my review. The narrator of this book is dark and twisted. Feeling denied her inheritance of the home she loves, she sets out to recover it. As she falls deeper into alcoholism and psychosis, her thoughts get darker. Good narrative and gothic feel. The end, however, seemed to veer off topic. This section would have been better earlier in the book, as it shows the protagonist’s character.
December 31, 2018
Book 100! Happy New Year!
I thought the book was well written, but I can't say I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was eerie and compelling, but you see from its inception that the book is written from the point of view of a sociopath - which I do not find pleasing. It was scary and sad and painful all at once. The people around her were naive and "too good." All beloveds around her. Not one person who suspected the ugly truth. Its so clear that there was deep mental illness, and a lifetime disconnect, and a lack of moral compass or relationally. And yet, no one suspected her capable of the continued evil inside of her. So if you like that kind of thing....
I thought the book was well written, but I can't say I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was eerie and compelling, but you see from its inception that the book is written from the point of view of a sociopath - which I do not find pleasing. It was scary and sad and painful all at once. The people around her were naive and "too good." All beloveds around her. Not one person who suspected the ugly truth. Its so clear that there was deep mental illness, and a lifetime disconnect, and a lack of moral compass or relationally. And yet, no one suspected her capable of the continued evil inside of her. So if you like that kind of thing....
April 8, 2018
Betty adores only one thing in her life: her childhood home, called Pipits, and desires nothing else than to live in it. Alone. So when her mother passes away and wills the home to her younger sister Gloria and her husband, Henry, Betty is beyond angry and ruined. She puts Henry and Gloria in a class called the Beloveds; people she deems loved and admired and lucky in love and everything they do. Betty, of course, is on the outside looking in on these Beloved sort. She vows she will do whatever it takes to get Pipits back, at any cost.
This novel features Betty talking to us directly in a conversational style, which I liked. However, sadly, the rest of this one didn't work too well for me. For one thing, it's just maddeningly slow. There is so much talk from Betty and she is so mean, crazy, and cruel. Halfway through the novel, I felt as if nothing had happened, other than her rantings. Beyond her being mentally ill, the whole book is built on her obsession for this house, and it became a bit much for me. I understand that it should be creepy, but it just didn't work for me.
For much of the novel, Betty isn't really even that good at being evil, she's just mean-spirited and a ranting drunk. I kept reading out of a morbid curiosity, but I really wasn't all that interested or engaged or drawn to anyone in the novel. In fact, I just despised Betty completely and couldn't even find myself liking her as a "bad guy." She was just mean. Also, again, I felt somewhat bad despising someone who was so clearly mentally ill, but she was so hateful, and her obsession with this house was just all-consuming and hard to empathize with.
Overall, this one didn't work for me. It was so slow, with such a despicable main character with odd motivations. However, I've read a lot of reviews where others really enjoyed its creepy nature, so it may work for you.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Netgally in return for an unbiased review (thank you!); it is available everywhere as of 04/03/2018.
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This novel features Betty talking to us directly in a conversational style, which I liked. However, sadly, the rest of this one didn't work too well for me. For one thing, it's just maddeningly slow. There is so much talk from Betty and she is so mean, crazy, and cruel. Halfway through the novel, I felt as if nothing had happened, other than her rantings. Beyond her being mentally ill, the whole book is built on her obsession for this house, and it became a bit much for me. I understand that it should be creepy, but it just didn't work for me.
For much of the novel, Betty isn't really even that good at being evil, she's just mean-spirited and a ranting drunk. I kept reading out of a morbid curiosity, but I really wasn't all that interested or engaged or drawn to anyone in the novel. In fact, I just despised Betty completely and couldn't even find myself liking her as a "bad guy." She was just mean. Also, again, I felt somewhat bad despising someone who was so clearly mentally ill, but she was so hateful, and her obsession with this house was just all-consuming and hard to empathize with.
Overall, this one didn't work for me. It was so slow, with such a despicable main character with odd motivations. However, I've read a lot of reviews where others really enjoyed its creepy nature, so it may work for you.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Netgally in return for an unbiased review (thank you!); it is available everywhere as of 04/03/2018.
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April 13, 2018
A really excellent character voice here, very divisive. A little tiny bit draggy in places but overall an excellent look at extreme sibling rivalry. Full review for the official tour near publication.
January 17, 2018
via my blog: https://bookstalkerblog.wordpress.com/
'The loathing I experienced at the sight of her pulsed in that part of me, somewhere middle chest, a dark liverish thing that’s still there after all these years.'
Betty Stash knows she isn’t a beloved, no one is making her world spin with all things lovely and delightful nor breaking their backs to make her happy. She isn’t like her blessed, younger, golden sister Gloria that charms her way into everyone’s bones at first meeting. Nothing is easily won for Betty, she has had to fight for every crumb of love and attention since Gloria came into the world. She has the husband who was meant to be Betty’s, even her best friend Alice was Betty’s first but this time, when their mother shocks everyone by leaving Gloria the family mansion, Betty isn’t going to go down without a fight. If it requires feeding the evil rot inside her soul, so be it. This time it will require extreme measures! The mansion doesn’t talk to Gloria and Henry as it does to Betty, despite the way they insinuated themselves within its crumbling walls during their mother’s lifetime. It’s a sacrilege the plans they have made to ‘renovate it’. She can’t bide her time much longer, each change to the home gutting her, enraging her! This is meant to be her inheritance!
The cracks in Betty’s marriage are no longer a thing she can patch up, especially now that an interloper has wielded her way in, usurped her position with the business and in the marriage bed while she has been away. Doesn’t it just figure Bert too has turned against her, isn’t that the way her entire life has been? Maybe she doesn’t love Bert any longer, but no way in hell is she going to cave in, give up yet another thing that is meant to be hers, and certainly not to so pathetic an adversary. Despite her schemes, fate has other plans. Is Betty is losing her mind, or simply coming home to herself?
This is a disturbingly dark book and it’s perfect in its rottenness. There is no redemption here, don’t look for it! Betty is always the victim, and nothing infuriates her more than goodness because for someone so gnarled and twisted up inside, light and purity in others is fraudulent, it’s make-believe! Don’t say it, but oh I felt bad for Betty, trapped in the wretchedness of her own mind. Just when you think she is redeemable the books laughs at your earnestness with the ending! The house will always be calling to her, old and crumbling or reborn, it needs her!
Leave all hope at the door… errr… first page. It’s so evil I love it, here is a character you can despise. Listen, this is a mind that is crumbling as much as the house. She manipulates, she is poisonous and as she is family, Gloria feels sisterly affection because that’s how it is with family, it’s love and hope. Gloria has too forgiving a nature to even imagine the horrors that spin in her sister’s monstrous mind and she feels sorry for her. Love gravitates to Gloria, she cannot face that the cursed luck comes with her older sister, it isn’t a reality she could ever understand. Henry is a little wiser, as is Alice. But Alice hasn’t enough time, even her plan to put distance between her dear friend Gloria and her former tormentor Betty isn’t cunning enough to outwit her.
Betty is the spider, the rest of the world is her meal.
Yes, yes, read it but make sure you aren’t in a dark head space already!
Publication Date: April 3, 2018
Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books
'The loathing I experienced at the sight of her pulsed in that part of me, somewhere middle chest, a dark liverish thing that’s still there after all these years.'
Betty Stash knows she isn’t a beloved, no one is making her world spin with all things lovely and delightful nor breaking their backs to make her happy. She isn’t like her blessed, younger, golden sister Gloria that charms her way into everyone’s bones at first meeting. Nothing is easily won for Betty, she has had to fight for every crumb of love and attention since Gloria came into the world. She has the husband who was meant to be Betty’s, even her best friend Alice was Betty’s first but this time, when their mother shocks everyone by leaving Gloria the family mansion, Betty isn’t going to go down without a fight. If it requires feeding the evil rot inside her soul, so be it. This time it will require extreme measures! The mansion doesn’t talk to Gloria and Henry as it does to Betty, despite the way they insinuated themselves within its crumbling walls during their mother’s lifetime. It’s a sacrilege the plans they have made to ‘renovate it’. She can’t bide her time much longer, each change to the home gutting her, enraging her! This is meant to be her inheritance!
The cracks in Betty’s marriage are no longer a thing she can patch up, especially now that an interloper has wielded her way in, usurped her position with the business and in the marriage bed while she has been away. Doesn’t it just figure Bert too has turned against her, isn’t that the way her entire life has been? Maybe she doesn’t love Bert any longer, but no way in hell is she going to cave in, give up yet another thing that is meant to be hers, and certainly not to so pathetic an adversary. Despite her schemes, fate has other plans. Is Betty is losing her mind, or simply coming home to herself?
This is a disturbingly dark book and it’s perfect in its rottenness. There is no redemption here, don’t look for it! Betty is always the victim, and nothing infuriates her more than goodness because for someone so gnarled and twisted up inside, light and purity in others is fraudulent, it’s make-believe! Don’t say it, but oh I felt bad for Betty, trapped in the wretchedness of her own mind. Just when you think she is redeemable the books laughs at your earnestness with the ending! The house will always be calling to her, old and crumbling or reborn, it needs her!
Leave all hope at the door… errr… first page. It’s so evil I love it, here is a character you can despise. Listen, this is a mind that is crumbling as much as the house. She manipulates, she is poisonous and as she is family, Gloria feels sisterly affection because that’s how it is with family, it’s love and hope. Gloria has too forgiving a nature to even imagine the horrors that spin in her sister’s monstrous mind and she feels sorry for her. Love gravitates to Gloria, she cannot face that the cursed luck comes with her older sister, it isn’t a reality she could ever understand. Henry is a little wiser, as is Alice. But Alice hasn’t enough time, even her plan to put distance between her dear friend Gloria and her former tormentor Betty isn’t cunning enough to outwit her.
Betty is the spider, the rest of the world is her meal.
Yes, yes, read it but make sure you aren’t in a dark head space already!
Publication Date: April 3, 2018
Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books
August 1, 2018
Delightful read. I know that is ironic to say considering you are in the mind of a complete sociopath, but occasionally an author puts you somewhere uncomfortable so skillfully that you want to stay there a while. While this book has been compared to the likes of Daphne Du Mauier (how I loved the book "Rebecca") I am not sure I can draw that exact same conclusion. The setting is modern, the conflict one of sibling rivalry, and the viewpoint completely different. Just know that if that is the reason you are picking this one up.
This story is still told with wonderful skill, as we sit in the head of Betty, one of the dumping ground souls of the universe. Her warped thinking is so delusional you can't help but be pulled into the fear that is created by her thoughts. Not since reading "A Good and Happy Child" have I so enjoyed a modern story of flat out madness. This is not a book about possible demonic possession, but one of a broken mind. Betty becomes more unhinged, revealing her cracks to you as a reader, one ugly shifting piece at a time. Drawn to the sister she can't stand, Gloria, she feels she is owed her reward, and must find a way to accomplish it. Gloria, is a beloved- as is anyone whom favor smiles on. Gloria has inherited the home Betty felt for sure would be hers, a home which speaks to her, a home which sees the only affection that Betty has for any one or anything.
It was interesting how sometimes as a reader my sympathies fell in Betty's direction. Other times, I wanted to scream into the pages to warn Gloria of the doom she must indeed be in. An unsettling ending literally made me exclaim out loud, wishing for more of this dark story. This won't be a 5 star suspenseful read for everyone. The pacing can be slow, there's no gratuitous gore and as far as violence goes it is minimal, all things considered in today's world of "thrillers". But i believe that is part of the power of the story. The author doesn't use guts and gore and sexual depravity to rattle your nerves. She uses nothing but a broken, jealous mind. I found myself completely drawn to the characters, picturing the whole setting in my mind, seeing the reactions of those she interacts with (which is how you must sometimes gauge the true gravity of the situation, as this is first-person perspective in Betty's maddened state) and how brilliantly they filled you in as to the frightening place she is at.
I loved it. I couldn't put it down. I can't wait to discuss it friends (oh how I need to discuss this!) and I will be looking for more by this author. What a ride. This is one I will enjoy reading again.
This story is still told with wonderful skill, as we sit in the head of Betty, one of the dumping ground souls of the universe. Her warped thinking is so delusional you can't help but be pulled into the fear that is created by her thoughts. Not since reading "A Good and Happy Child" have I so enjoyed a modern story of flat out madness. This is not a book about possible demonic possession, but one of a broken mind. Betty becomes more unhinged, revealing her cracks to you as a reader, one ugly shifting piece at a time. Drawn to the sister she can't stand, Gloria, she feels she is owed her reward, and must find a way to accomplish it. Gloria, is a beloved- as is anyone whom favor smiles on. Gloria has inherited the home Betty felt for sure would be hers, a home which speaks to her, a home which sees the only affection that Betty has for any one or anything.
It was interesting how sometimes as a reader my sympathies fell in Betty's direction. Other times, I wanted to scream into the pages to warn Gloria of the doom she must indeed be in. An unsettling ending literally made me exclaim out loud, wishing for more of this dark story. This won't be a 5 star suspenseful read for everyone. The pacing can be slow, there's no gratuitous gore and as far as violence goes it is minimal, all things considered in today's world of "thrillers". But i believe that is part of the power of the story. The author doesn't use guts and gore and sexual depravity to rattle your nerves. She uses nothing but a broken, jealous mind. I found myself completely drawn to the characters, picturing the whole setting in my mind, seeing the reactions of those she interacts with (which is how you must sometimes gauge the true gravity of the situation, as this is first-person perspective in Betty's maddened state) and how brilliantly they filled you in as to the frightening place she is at.
I loved it. I couldn't put it down. I can't wait to discuss it friends (oh how I need to discuss this!) and I will be looking for more by this author. What a ride. This is one I will enjoy reading again.
March 24, 2018
2.5/5 stars
The Beloveds is a psychological thriller. I love this genre. But honestly for much of this book I could not figure out what genre I was reading.
The narrator is Elizabeth (also known as Lizzy and Betty) (1st person POV). The book is set in the UK.
The book is about two sisters: Elizabeth and Gloria. Gloria has always been the "beloved" one. And Elizabeth is cunning and crazy. And she is obsessed with their childhood home.
I usually enjoy books where the main character is obsessive or stalkerish. But for some reason I could not connect with Elizabeth at all. She is not very nice. She does not like her sister. She is just very negative. She is just so unappealing that it made it hard for me to like her story.
It's difficult when the narrator is so unlikable. Readers have to care about the story. I really did not care about any of the characters.
I actually liked the second half of the book a lot more. The setting was different. And I enjoyed the story with the neighbors. But I wondered how the story would end. I sort of liked the last part of the book until the very end (the last lines did not work for me at all).
The book is crazy and creepy and the narrator is controlling and a loner. It was definitely interesting to see how her mind worked. Unfortunately I just didn't really connect with the story like I would have wanted to.
Thanks to netgalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for allowing me to read this book.
April 2, 2018
Betty has grown up in the shadow of her little sister Gloria. She decides at an early age that her sister is a "beloved"; one of those lucky people who has everything good come into their lives without effort. Gloria received the most of their mother's love and attention and then when Betty brings home a potential boyfriend named Henry, he falls under the spell of her youngest sister also.
Betty's one comfort is the family home called Pipits, after the birds that lived in the meadows surrounding the estate. As the oldest child, Betty fully expects that the home will be left to her after the unexpected passing of their mother.
Surprisingly, their mother leaves her vast wealth to Betty, but Pipits is willed to Gloria and her husband Henry for their growing family. Filled with rage, Betty hides her anger and resentment while secretly plotting to keep Pipits for herself.
This gothic tale is a slow burn as we watch Betty's carefully constructed life crumble with the loss of what she considers her rightful inheritance.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for a digital ARC to review.
Betty's one comfort is the family home called Pipits, after the birds that lived in the meadows surrounding the estate. As the oldest child, Betty fully expects that the home will be left to her after the unexpected passing of their mother.
Surprisingly, their mother leaves her vast wealth to Betty, but Pipits is willed to Gloria and her husband Henry for their growing family. Filled with rage, Betty hides her anger and resentment while secretly plotting to keep Pipits for herself.
This gothic tale is a slow burn as we watch Betty's carefully constructed life crumble with the loss of what she considers her rightful inheritance.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for a digital ARC to review.
April 19, 2018
For my written review, please check out the link below:
Debra's Book Cafe
Debs :-)
Debra's Book Cafe
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March 23, 2018
Rating: 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars.
Betty Stash loves nothing and no one more than she loves Pipets, her childhood home. Every inch of House (as she calls it) is precious to her—perhaps a bit too precious, as we learn in the beginning of the book that she has been recently diagnosed as an objectophile. As the oldest daughter, she expected to be the one to inherit Pipets. After the death of her mother, Betty learned Pipits was to be inherited by younger sister Gloria. She is enraged, thinking it yet another example of "beloveds"—beautiful, lucky people—having things work out perfectly for them at the expense of someone else. Betty is determined to have Pipets for herself, however, and has no problem doing whatever it takes to make that happen.
What I liked:
Betty's obsession with the house was oddly captivating to read about. Her need to be on the grounds or in the house itself was pretty creepy sometimes, especially as you see how brazen she becomes about it.
This novel isn't a true gothic, but it definitely puts off a gothic vibe at various points in the story, which I really enjoyed.
A portion of the story takes place in London, at Betty's former residence. I don't want to spoil what happens, so I'll just say that the issues she has with her downstairs neighbors—a couple she considers to be another pair of "beloveds"—perfectly illustrate how increasingly unhinged she has become. When things come to a head, her extreme narcissism convinces her she did nothing wrong, and her neighbors were to blame for everything.
What I didn't like:
Gloria and her husband Henry—despite Betty's increasingly bizarre behavior—never once seemed to suspect that she was up to no good. Henry clearly wanted Betty to leave many times, but it was always more indicative of his discomfort at having her around when he had (very briefly) dated her in the past, or simply wanting to be alone with his wife and baby.
Gloria was completely clueless about Betty's bitter resentment of her, which felt like a bit of a stretch because she's a psychodynamic psychotherapist. Shouldn't she have noticed something was off about her sister?! And yet—despite some pretty big red flags that should have screamed Betty was involved in certain incidents—she never once suspected a thing.
What disappointed me:
The ending felt premature. A highly significant thing happened; a twist I didn't expect that literally made me gasp aloud. I hurried to go to the next page, excited to see what would happen now, only to realize I'd reached the end of the book.
Perhaps other who read it will feel that it was a natural end point. I can see how it works as an ending, but it didn't work for me. I felt there were more than a few loose ends that prevented it from having a truly satisfying ending.
Final thoughts:
Cool premise for a story, but the cluelessness of Henry and Gloria and the abrupt ending dampened the enjoyment I felt in reading other portions of the book. Still, I'm giving the book 3.5 stars because it kept me reading despite any dissatisfaction I felt at times.
I received an advance review copy of this book courtesy of Gallery Books via Netgalley.
Betty Stash loves nothing and no one more than she loves Pipets, her childhood home. Every inch of House (as she calls it) is precious to her—perhaps a bit too precious, as we learn in the beginning of the book that she has been recently diagnosed as an objectophile. As the oldest daughter, she expected to be the one to inherit Pipets. After the death of her mother, Betty learned Pipits was to be inherited by younger sister Gloria. She is enraged, thinking it yet another example of "beloveds"—beautiful, lucky people—having things work out perfectly for them at the expense of someone else. Betty is determined to have Pipets for herself, however, and has no problem doing whatever it takes to make that happen.
What I liked:
Betty's obsession with the house was oddly captivating to read about. Her need to be on the grounds or in the house itself was pretty creepy sometimes, especially as you see how brazen she becomes about it.
This novel isn't a true gothic, but it definitely puts off a gothic vibe at various points in the story, which I really enjoyed.
A portion of the story takes place in London, at Betty's former residence. I don't want to spoil what happens, so I'll just say that the issues she has with her downstairs neighbors—a couple she considers to be another pair of "beloveds"—perfectly illustrate how increasingly unhinged she has become. When things come to a head, her extreme narcissism convinces her she did nothing wrong, and her neighbors were to blame for everything.
What I didn't like:
Gloria and her husband Henry—despite Betty's increasingly bizarre behavior—never once seemed to suspect that she was up to no good. Henry clearly wanted Betty to leave many times, but it was always more indicative of his discomfort at having her around when he had (very briefly) dated her in the past, or simply wanting to be alone with his wife and baby.
Gloria was completely clueless about Betty's bitter resentment of her, which felt like a bit of a stretch because she's a psychodynamic psychotherapist. Shouldn't she have noticed something was off about her sister?! And yet—despite some pretty big red flags that should have screamed Betty was involved in certain incidents—she never once suspected a thing.
What disappointed me:
The ending felt premature. A highly significant thing happened; a twist I didn't expect that literally made me gasp aloud. I hurried to go to the next page, excited to see what would happen now, only to realize I'd reached the end of the book.
Perhaps other who read it will feel that it was a natural end point. I can see how it works as an ending, but it didn't work for me. I felt there were more than a few loose ends that prevented it from having a truly satisfying ending.
Final thoughts:
Cool premise for a story, but the cluelessness of Henry and Gloria and the abrupt ending dampened the enjoyment I felt in reading other portions of the book. Still, I'm giving the book 3.5 stars because it kept me reading despite any dissatisfaction I felt at times.
I received an advance review copy of this book courtesy of Gallery Books via Netgalley.
April 13, 2018
I had originally rated this with 4 stars (a 3.5 that I rounded up) but upon letting everything soak in a few days I'm going to leave the rating at 3.5 but round down because overall when I compare this book to others I've given 4 stars recently it just does not equal the quality.
Speaking of comparing this book to others, it finally occurred to me that I was subconsciously comparing this book to Eileen by Otessa Moshfegh which I had read about a month ago. I had some of the same issues with that book that I did this one. However, I can say this one fared better in my mind than Eileen. Both had unlikable, mentally ill female lead protagonists and was primarily a drawn out character study. This is going to probably seem a bit odd but I had trouble with this book because I found myself actually feeling sorry and kind of liking the main character. I'm sure she was written to be unlikable and despicable and made to do some horribly unforgiveable things so I don't believe the author set out to have readers sympathize. In this book I could see the dysfunction of mental illness at every turn and maybe because of that I felt a bit bad for her circumstances in life. I think the story would have been more enjoyable for me had the main character been truly evil and non-redeemable. I also had trouble feeling much for the "Beloveds" who were pivotal in the downfall of the main character. Again, I know we were getting their stories filtered through the eyes of the main character but even where there were glimpses non-filtered I still at best could only drum up ambivalence. Ho hum...
The book was set in modern times but I had a hard time relating to the characters as contemporaries. At one point someone takes a cell phone from their pocket and it jarred me a bit. I knew it was not set earlier but somehow it just felt out of place. I suppose this is the "Gothic" feel others are talking about. It didn't work for me. I didn't care much for the swirling unpinned down time setting.
In compliance with FTC guidelines------I received this book free from a Goodreads Giveaway in exchange for an honest review. The content of this review is not influenced by that fact. The feelings expressed are solely mine. I sincerely appreciate the chance to read and review this book.
3*(3.5)/3.47
Speaking of comparing this book to others, it finally occurred to me that I was subconsciously comparing this book to Eileen by Otessa Moshfegh which I had read about a month ago. I had some of the same issues with that book that I did this one. However, I can say this one fared better in my mind than Eileen. Both had unlikable, mentally ill female lead protagonists and was primarily a drawn out character study. This is going to probably seem a bit odd but I had trouble with this book because I found myself actually feeling sorry and kind of liking the main character. I'm sure she was written to be unlikable and despicable and made to do some horribly unforgiveable things so I don't believe the author set out to have readers sympathize. In this book I could see the dysfunction of mental illness at every turn and maybe because of that I felt a bit bad for her circumstances in life. I think the story would have been more enjoyable for me had the main character been truly evil and non-redeemable. I also had trouble feeling much for the "Beloveds" who were pivotal in the downfall of the main character. Again, I know we were getting their stories filtered through the eyes of the main character but even where there were glimpses non-filtered I still at best could only drum up ambivalence. Ho hum...
The book was set in modern times but I had a hard time relating to the characters as contemporaries. At one point someone takes a cell phone from their pocket and it jarred me a bit. I knew it was not set earlier but somehow it just felt out of place. I suppose this is the "Gothic" feel others are talking about. It didn't work for me. I didn't care much for the swirling unpinned down time setting.
In compliance with FTC guidelines------I received this book free from a Goodreads Giveaway in exchange for an honest review. The content of this review is not influenced by that fact. The feelings expressed are solely mine. I sincerely appreciate the chance to read and review this book.
3*(3.5)/3.47
January 2, 2020
This is a good book. I enjoyed reading it although the simmering tension seemed to drag in some places (in my opinion of course). The character narrative is really interesting and its focus is jealousy and sibling rivalry. Overall, a great read and I am glad to be starting 2020 with it!
‘I have always wanted to be an only child, but I think I could have borne a brother more easily than a sister’.
For my Pop Sugar Reading Challenge this is my book for ‘a book you meant to read in 2019’.
‘I have always wanted to be an only child, but I think I could have borne a brother more easily than a sister’.
For my Pop Sugar Reading Challenge this is my book for ‘a book you meant to read in 2019’.
March 30, 2018
Thanks to Gallery Books for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!
This cover instantly drew me in. THE BELOVEDS by Maureen Lindley wasn't what I was expecting it to be and I was very happy that Emily (book.happy) told me that it wasn't a thriller. That's good to know going into this read - its more fiction with a dash of mystery to it.
A Beloved is someone that is lucky enough in life to have nothing go wrong for them. Everything effortlessly is given to them - beauty, happiness, fortune, and more. Unfortunately for Betty her sister Gloria is a beloved. The two couldn't be more opposite from each other. Gloria has the looks, the personality, the friends, and the husband that all should have been Betty's. To make things worse she inherits the family manse when it was supposed to be for Betty.
The final straw was losing her rightful inheritance, Betty quickly approaches the point of no return as she is determined to get the estate returned to her. At it's core, this is a vicious sibling rivalry between sisters. Lindley brings us into the unhinging mind of Betty as she tries to have the life her Beloved sister has. I will say that both characters had their moments of annoyance - but that keeps things mixed up for the reader. You can't always have likeable characters!
Overall, if you're looking for a thriller, then this won't be for you. If you like Gothic vibes mixed in with your modern fiction and to dive into the mind of someone slowly losing their sanity, then THE BELOVEDS needs to be added to that never-ending TBR.
I give this 4/5 stars!
This cover instantly drew me in. THE BELOVEDS by Maureen Lindley wasn't what I was expecting it to be and I was very happy that Emily (book.happy) told me that it wasn't a thriller. That's good to know going into this read - its more fiction with a dash of mystery to it.
A Beloved is someone that is lucky enough in life to have nothing go wrong for them. Everything effortlessly is given to them - beauty, happiness, fortune, and more. Unfortunately for Betty her sister Gloria is a beloved. The two couldn't be more opposite from each other. Gloria has the looks, the personality, the friends, and the husband that all should have been Betty's. To make things worse she inherits the family manse when it was supposed to be for Betty.
The final straw was losing her rightful inheritance, Betty quickly approaches the point of no return as she is determined to get the estate returned to her. At it's core, this is a vicious sibling rivalry between sisters. Lindley brings us into the unhinging mind of Betty as she tries to have the life her Beloved sister has. I will say that both characters had their moments of annoyance - but that keeps things mixed up for the reader. You can't always have likeable characters!
Overall, if you're looking for a thriller, then this won't be for you. If you like Gothic vibes mixed in with your modern fiction and to dive into the mind of someone slowly losing their sanity, then THE BELOVEDS needs to be added to that never-ending TBR.
I give this 4/5 stars!
March 12, 2018
Oh I liked this book. It was a little odd and strange. And for once the narrator that seems unreliable was just out there and reliable ha ha. I felt bad for Betty at first but that didn’t last long. She’s a very troubled person to say the least.
I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.
I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.
March 21, 2018
I'm not even sure where to start with this book. It's very unique and odd, and I ended up really enjoying it. It's about two sisters, and their family home, and the sisters' relationship reminded me a lot of Blair & Serena from Gossip Girl. The main character (Betty) is definitely the Blair, and her sister (Gloria) is the Serena AKA a Beloved.
This story has a lot of gothic elements, and there were some parts that reminded me of We Have Always Lived in the Castle. Betty is incredibly attached to Pippits like Merricat is attached to the Blackwood home, but Betty takes it to the next level; she allows it to ruin her life, and the lives of those around her.
This is a portrait of mental deterioration - specifically of a woman in relation to a house. There are references to Great Expectations & The Yellow Wallpaper, which was fun. Lindley's writing was gorgeous, and it was so interesting to read a gothic novel set in the current time. It worked well for me.
Betty is quite extreme, but you can relate to her base level emotions if you have an understanding of jealousy or pettiness. She & Gloria were both awful (in my opinion), but I honestly preferred Betty's doom and gloom to Gloria's incessant optimism.
This was a really interesting characters study, and the main character does some really evil things. She's just living within so many delusions that she doesn't see that she's caused all of her own problems.
This was a fun read because I had no idea where it was going to end up. There were some slow parts, but overall, it held my attention. Thank you so much to Gallery Books for sending me an early copy. The Beloveds is out on 4/3!
This story has a lot of gothic elements, and there were some parts that reminded me of We Have Always Lived in the Castle. Betty is incredibly attached to Pippits like Merricat is attached to the Blackwood home, but Betty takes it to the next level; she allows it to ruin her life, and the lives of those around her.
This is a portrait of mental deterioration - specifically of a woman in relation to a house. There are references to Great Expectations & The Yellow Wallpaper, which was fun. Lindley's writing was gorgeous, and it was so interesting to read a gothic novel set in the current time. It worked well for me.
Betty is quite extreme, but you can relate to her base level emotions if you have an understanding of jealousy or pettiness. She & Gloria were both awful (in my opinion), but I honestly preferred Betty's doom and gloom to Gloria's incessant optimism.
This was a really interesting characters study, and the main character does some really evil things. She's just living within so many delusions that she doesn't see that she's caused all of her own problems.
This was a fun read because I had no idea where it was going to end up. There were some slow parts, but overall, it held my attention. Thank you so much to Gallery Books for sending me an early copy. The Beloveds is out on 4/3!
October 28, 2018
Wow!! This is a gorgeously written gothic style tale set in contemporary times that blew me away with its beauty. The writing was so stunning and lush, which only serves to amplify the stark contrast with the the book’s protagonist who is as dark as they come. A stunning portrait of a descent into madness from the perspective of a woman deep in the throes of turmoil and a pain that threatens to take over her splintering identity, and threatens all those around her with unthinkable violence. The protagonist isn’t likeable...at all. But, she is utterly captivating. Beautiful work by Maureen Lindley. I can’t wait to see what she writes next. I received this from the author as part of a Goodreads giveaway. I wish I had gotten to it sooner.
January 11, 2018
Betty Stash has never much cared for anyone or anything other than her parents house, which she expected to inherit on her mother's death. She appears to have been in a state of quiet jealous rage ever since her beautiful and "beloved" sister was born. Much of the action in this story takes place in Betty's mind for at least the first half of the book, which made it a little slow and draggy in my opinion, until at last Betty seemed to make the switch from petty, whining, narcissist to full on evil psycho.
I received an advance copy for review.
I received an advance copy for review.
December 24, 2017
If you love a twisted, dark protagonist, you will love this book. I was engaged from the beginning, but the ending left me less than satisfied. There was no resolution of tension so unless there is a sequel, I can't rate this any higher.
December 27, 2017
The main character talks to the "House" as if it is an actual person. She was certainly deranged. She does a couple of totally deplorable things! It was kind of boring to me.
April 9, 2018
The Beloveds was a novel I had such high hopes for and, disappointingly, my expectations were never met. As much as I love character explorations, Elizabeth's nasty, whiny attitude completely turned me off from any enjoyment. This is an adult in her 40s who still harbors a grudge against her younger sister for being the favorite when they were children. She thinks nothing of lying, stealing, even murdering in her attempt to get back at Gloria. I wanted so much from this one and I'm left with the idea of what could have been.
For the full review and more, head over to The Pretty Good Gatsby!
For the full review and more, head over to The Pretty Good Gatsby!
May 16, 2020
This books was a quick read for me. It’s a thriller told from the villain’s perspective. In the vein of You by Caroline Kepnes, I went back and forth between rooting for the evil main character and being appalled by her actions. A good discussion point, I believe, is that Elizabeth is so clearly mentally unstable, and this is something her therapist sister seemingly fails to recognize throughout the entire novel.
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