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Countdown to Kill
»Ich liebe meinen Ehemann. Über alles und bis in den Tod. Ich liebe ihn so sehr, dass ich ein ganzes Jahr auf diesen einen Tag gewartet habe. Morgen ist es endlich so weit, dann ist Killing-Kurtis-Tag. Mir wird ganz schummrig vor Aufregung. Urteilt nicht vorschnell über mich. Ihr wisst schließlich nicht, was passiert ist. Und ich wette, ihr würdet ähnlich handeln, wärt ihr an meiner Stelle.« Charlene Jackman
434 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 10, 2015
55 people are currently reading
1156 people want to read
About the author
Lauren Rowe
70 books5,844 followersUSA Today and internationally bestselling author Lauren Rowe lives in San Diego, California, where, in addition to writing books, she performs with her dance/party band at events all over Southern California, writes songs, walks her dogs, and spends time with her family and friends.
Much to Lauren’s thrill, her books have been translated all over the world in multiple languages and hit multiple domestic and international bestseller lists. To find out about Lauren’s upcoming releases and giveaways, and to check out loads of bonus material, sign up for Lauren’s emails at www.LaurenRoweBooks.com.
Lauren loves to hear from readers! Send Lauren an email from her website, say hi on Instagram @laurenrowebooks, and/or come by her Facebook page by searching Facebook for “Lauren Rowe Author.”
Much to Lauren’s thrill, her books have been translated all over the world in multiple languages and hit multiple domestic and international bestseller lists. To find out about Lauren’s upcoming releases and giveaways, and to check out loads of bonus material, sign up for Lauren’s emails at www.LaurenRoweBooks.com.
Lauren loves to hear from readers! Send Lauren an email from her website, say hi on Instagram @laurenrowebooks, and/or come by her Facebook page by searching Facebook for “Lauren Rowe Author.”
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 141 reviews
June 19, 2015
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Lauren Rowe delivers a tale of a married woman counting down the days till her “Happy Killing Kurtis Day”. Kurtis is the heroine’s porno king husband who has promised to film a legit movie starring the heroine.
Charlene aka Buttercup has been told countless times by her Daddy that she deserves nothing but the BEST out of this life. Buttercup has had this mantra drilled into her beautiful head and gosh darn it no matter the circumstances NO ONE will interfere with her dreams of being a legendary movie star just like Lana and Marilyn.
"Nothing but the best for Charlie Wilber's Daughter."
”Well, like I always say, thank God I’m so gosh darned pretty.”
Buttercup is a character unlike any other and I absolutely loved her! She is a Texan girl who throws out one liners and colloquialisms. Being from New York myself, her humor was downright hilarious and dare I say a hoot?
”Yes, ma’am. It’s so hot, I saw two trees bribing a dog on my way here.”
”Good lord, people hanging around a bus station on a Tuesday afternoon sure aren’t what I’d call a bunch of lookers – I could hire half of ‘em to haunt a house.”
Buttercup is witty, delusional, egotistical, cunning while at times showing just the right amounts of naiviety. The story takes her from a young girl through adulthood right up to the Killing Curtis day and beyond. Buttercup has a husband and also is counting down the days till her first love Wesley meets up with her in Hollywood so they can have their happily ever after.
"Every day is Happy Kissing Welsey day as far as I'm concerned."
The plot was so cleverly written mapping out her childhood, her arrival in Hollywood including those baseball cards, the flower deliveries and lastly the unique characters. The author truly did a wonderful job delivering originality and entertainment with a group of very flawed characters that you can’t help but like. The writing was refreshing, addicting and this book is indeed a standalone!
"No one can tell Charlie Wilbur's daughter what she can and can't do!"
July 13, 2015
*** ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT !! ***
Charlene,aka,Buttercup lives in a trailer park with her alcoholic mother and her Daddy,who she just adores.Her Daddy tells her every day how pretty and special she is and that she deserves the best things in life and after all
Buttercup dreams of being the next Hollywood star and wants to be just like Lana Turner and Marilyn Monroe.One day her Daddy comes home and announces he is going to Hollywood and after all he's only one deal away from making it big.He tells her once he's settled in the big mansion,living the dream that he will send for her.She is distraught but totally believes in what her Daddy tells her.The years go by however and not only does Daddy not send for her but he hardly contacts her.
Events take a different turn and she finds herself in foster care where she meets a sweet,goofy boy called Wesley.He just adores Buttercup and will do anything for her
Buttercup totally believes it's her sacred destiny to be the next big star so when she's 18 she leaves Wesley behind,promising to meet him in Hollywood when he turns 18.Once in Hollywood she meets Kurtis, a Porn Film maker.He becomes obsessed with her but Buttercup's not daft,oh no,not Charlie Wilbers daughter so she turns on the charm and manipulates the situation to her advantage.But Kurtis completely underestimates Buttercup and when he lets her down she has to put another plan in motion.
I absolutely adored Buttercup.Her actions and the way she manipulates situations and people should have had me hating her but I just couldn't.She is one of the most entertaining characters I've read about.She knows what her goal is and firmly believes her actions are justified and,after all she's just following her sacred destiny Yes,she loves herself but I loved her right back!
Buttercup is from Texas and her southern drawl and inner dialogue is just hilarious and she comes out with some brilliant statements
The twists and turns,especially towards the end had me gripped.
The writing flows beautifully,it's one of those books you cannot put down...you know when you're reading a book and you think one more chapter,which turns into nothing getting done..it's that addictive,even the despicable characters are entertaining.
Cannot recommended highly enough!!!!
Charlene,aka,Buttercup lives in a trailer park with her alcoholic mother and her Daddy,who she just adores.Her Daddy tells her every day how pretty and special she is and that she deserves the best things in life and after all
"Nothing but the best for Charlie Wilber's Daughter"
Buttercup dreams of being the next Hollywood star and wants to be just like Lana Turner and Marilyn Monroe.One day her Daddy comes home and announces he is going to Hollywood and after all he's only one deal away from making it big.He tells her once he's settled in the big mansion,living the dream that he will send for her.She is distraught but totally believes in what her Daddy tells her.The years go by however and not only does Daddy not send for her but he hardly contacts her.
Events take a different turn and she finds herself in foster care where she meets a sweet,goofy boy called Wesley.He just adores Buttercup and will do anything for her
"Every day is happy kissing Wesley day as far as I'm concerned"
Buttercup totally believes it's her sacred destiny to be the next big star so when she's 18 she leaves Wesley behind,promising to meet him in Hollywood when he turns 18.Once in Hollywood she meets Kurtis, a Porn Film maker.He becomes obsessed with her but Buttercup's not daft,oh no,not Charlie Wilbers daughter so she turns on the charm and manipulates the situation to her advantage.But Kurtis completely underestimates Buttercup and when he lets her down she has to put another plan in motion.
I absolutely adored Buttercup.Her actions and the way she manipulates situations and people should have had me hating her but I just couldn't.She is one of the most entertaining characters I've read about.She knows what her goal is and firmly believes her actions are justified and,after all she's just following her sacred destiny Yes,she loves herself but I loved her right back!
"Well,like I always say,thank God I'm so gosh darned pretty"
Buttercup is from Texas and her southern drawl and inner dialogue is just hilarious and she comes out with some brilliant statements
"Oh Wesley"I stroke Wesley's cheek to calm him down."Kurtis is an old man -he's thirty six"I scoff "Trust me,baby,Kurtis doesn't even have working parts anymore"
The twists and turns,especially towards the end had me gripped.
The writing flows beautifully,it's one of those books you cannot put down...you know when you're reading a book and you think one more chapter,which turns into nothing getting done..it's that addictive,even the despicable characters are entertaining.
Cannot recommended highly enough!!!!
June 26, 2015
Very entertaining read! I'll try to review soon ;)
August 14, 2021
LOL...This was such a roller coaster ride and I absolutely abhorred and loved the main character -Buttercup- in equal measures. OMG!
All I can add to the numerous reviews is that payback is a bitch and Wesley is the irony that Buttercup did not see coming. Heheheheh...
All I can add to the numerous reviews is that payback is a bitch and Wesley is the irony that Buttercup did not see coming. Heheheheh...
February 11, 2023
**SPOILERS**
Not a romance. Wouldn't even call it "romantic suspense". This is more like a ridiculous crime intrigue fiction. I read it anyway because I've read some good Lauren Rowe romance (The Club: Obsession, Captain, etc.). Her books are usually funny and this book sounded OTT ridiculous from just the blurb. Skimmed this book until the end just to see how it unfolded.
Interesting and unpredictable story/chars. 20yo wanna-be actress h was like a dumb blonde but with secret smarts to manipulate situations to fit her goals. For example, she married her Hollywood porn-king husband (OM2) 2 years ago just coz she could see that he was getting impatient with her to finally smex him and she didn't want to lose the gains she'd already made with him. She had an "aww shucks" kind of sociopathic bent like her dad and (as we find out @ the end) her ex-BF of sorts (OM1). They seemed like simple country folks but some of their dialogue and h's POV showed their twisted mindsets.
Unpredictable that her seemingly-naive 19yo ex-BF confessed @ the end that he was that neighboring boy across her parents’ trailer who killed her friend’s cute cat as well as her almost-stepdad (just coz h lied about him molesting her) and others who got in her way later in life.
Sexual History:
18yo h was de-virginized by her late-30s/early 40s husband OM2. He was also the 1st to touch her boobs and only 1 to oral her & more. But for weeks, she wouldn’t give her virginity to him yet mostly as a power play coz she didn’t really trust him. She had a feeling he wasn’t faithful to her and may not fulfill his promise to make her a non-porn actress.
Her childhood friend-boyfriend OM1 was her 1st kiss and one who she practiced kissing a lot until she moved out of their small town. She wouldn’t let OM1 touch her boobs since he didn’t want her to get carried away then and she knew the power she wielded by holding him off sexually and promising more so she could manipulate him to take the fall for her when she was 18 and go to juvie as a result of his younger age. When they were reunited 2 years later, she finally let OM1 touch her boobs and smex her.
No info if OM1 had other lovers before he started kissing h and during their 2-year separation. OM2 had many previous lovers and had always cheated on h with buxom brunette (OW) the whole of their 2-yr marriage. OM2 sent OW weekly bouquet of flowers, which h found out about and used to sabotage OM2.
Not a romance. Wouldn't even call it "romantic suspense". This is more like a ridiculous crime intrigue fiction. I read it anyway because I've read some good Lauren Rowe romance (The Club: Obsession, Captain, etc.). Her books are usually funny and this book sounded OTT ridiculous from just the blurb. Skimmed this book until the end just to see how it unfolded.
Interesting and unpredictable story/chars. 20yo wanna-be actress h was like a dumb blonde but with secret smarts to manipulate situations to fit her goals. For example, she married her Hollywood porn-king husband (OM2) 2 years ago just coz she could see that he was getting impatient with her to finally smex him and she didn't want to lose the gains she'd already made with him. She had an "aww shucks" kind of sociopathic bent like her dad and (as we find out @ the end) her ex-BF of sorts (OM1). They seemed like simple country folks but some of their dialogue and h's POV showed their twisted mindsets.
Unpredictable that her seemingly-naive 19yo ex-BF confessed @ the end that he was that neighboring boy across her parents’ trailer who killed her friend’s cute cat as well as her almost-stepdad (just coz h lied about him molesting her) and others who got in her way later in life.
Sexual History:
18yo h was de-virginized by her late-30s/early 40s husband OM2. He was also the 1st to touch her boobs and only 1 to oral her & more. But for weeks, she wouldn’t give her virginity to him yet mostly as a power play coz she didn’t really trust him. She had a feeling he wasn’t faithful to her and may not fulfill his promise to make her a non-porn actress.
Her childhood friend-boyfriend OM1 was her 1st kiss and one who she practiced kissing a lot until she moved out of their small town. She wouldn’t let OM1 touch her boobs since he didn’t want her to get carried away then and she knew the power she wielded by holding him off sexually and promising more so she could manipulate him to take the fall for her when she was 18 and go to juvie as a result of his younger age. When they were reunited 2 years later, she finally let OM1 touch her boobs and smex her.
No info if OM1 had other lovers before he started kissing h and during their 2-year separation. OM2 had many previous lovers and had always cheated on h with buxom brunette (OW) the whole of their 2-yr marriage. OM2 sent OW weekly bouquet of flowers, which h found out about and used to sabotage OM2.
December 9, 2019
AUDIBLE 5 stars!!
HOLY SH*T what in the helllll? This is not really a romance story but wow, just wow. I'm thinking some of the low reviews are because of the expectation the story is a romance. This story is so well written, you feel the crazy.
Ok so the only negative I can think of is for some it may be too long or go long in some of her parts where she's thinking /talking-I was fine with it and it added to the state of mind of the character.
No real spoilers per say but definitely a good look into "crazy".
Not sure why this book hasn't had more buzz, definitely worth the read.
The author narrated this one and truthfully I didn't care for her narration of her first book so I was a bit worried , but holy hell she did a phenomenal job. She didn't just read, she acted the entire story out. Well done!!
HOLY SH*T what in the helllll? This is not really a romance story but wow, just wow. I'm thinking some of the low reviews are because of the expectation the story is a romance. This story is so well written, you feel the crazy.
Ok so the only negative I can think of is for some it may be too long or go long in some of her parts where she's thinking /talking-I was fine with it and it added to the state of mind of the character.
No real spoilers per say but definitely a good look into "crazy".
Not sure why this book hasn't had more buzz, definitely worth the read.
The author narrated this one and truthfully I didn't care for her narration of her first book so I was a bit worried , but holy hell she did a phenomenal job. She didn't just read, she acted the entire story out. Well done!!
Read
September 2, 2015 DNF @ 15%
Countdown to killing Jamie...... 52 PAGES!!!
I tried....I mean I really tried. Normally I would say 15% is way...WAY...too soon to DNF a book but Buttercup is driving me insane!!
Countdown to killing Jamie...... 52 PAGES!!!
I tried....I mean I really tried. Normally I would say 15% is way...WAY...too soon to DNF a book but Buttercup is driving me insane!!
May 18, 2015
4.5 Stars!
As many others have said, this is not anything like Lauren Rowe's previous trilogy The Club (which I loved). DO NOT LET THIS TURN YOU AWAY! This is a great read along the lines of Gone Girl. There are some areas that could be thinned out with editing, but sill a very intriguing read.
Buttercup was one narcissistic SOB! I've met plenty in real life, but never read one that was so textbook.
The colloquialisms were a riot. How one person can come up with so many, I have no idea.
Just when I thought I had it all figured out, like a smart girl..BOOM! NOT!
READ IT!
ARC kindly given by author for an honest review
As many others have said, this is not anything like Lauren Rowe's previous trilogy The Club (which I loved). DO NOT LET THIS TURN YOU AWAY! This is a great read along the lines of Gone Girl. There are some areas that could be thinned out with editing, but sill a very intriguing read.
Buttercup was one narcissistic SOB! I've met plenty in real life, but never read one that was so textbook.
The colloquialisms were a riot. How one person can come up with so many, I have no idea.
Just when I thought I had it all figured out, like a smart girl..BOOM! NOT!
READ IT!
ARC kindly given by author for an honest review
Read
August 17, 2020It's crazy. It's twisted. But so much fun!
Available now!
US: http://amzn.to/2yGylOV
UK: http://amzn.to/2ja0yGO
Available now!
US: http://amzn.to/2yGylOV
UK: http://amzn.to/2ja0yGO
June 15, 2015
As a huge fan of The Club, I'll tell you right now that this is completely different, and yet you will recognize the snarky wit of our beloved author. In true Lauren Rowe style, this story is riddled with hilarious metaphors, questionable life-choices, and steamy sexual innuendo. Couple this unique style with a recipe for murder, and you've got a blockbuster on your hands! Whether or not the heroine in this story ever becomes a 'famous actress', I sincerely hope that whomever is chosen for the starring role, in the inevitable movie, is Oscar worthy. This story deserves nothing less! I scored an advance copy of this book, as a dedicated love monkey, and can say without a shadow of a doubt, that this is Rowe's best book yet! Love it!
June 15, 2015
Countdown to Killing Kurtis by Lauren Rowe
5 stars!!
I was toying between a 4.5 and 5 for this book but for the sheer entertainment value I decided to go with a 5. I know you are probably thinking ENTERTAINMENT???? This is a book about KILLING YOUR HUSBAND!! Yes it is, but it is so much more than that. I think that Lauren Rowe has just invented her own genre...romantic comedy with a dark edge. I first stumbled across Lauren Rowe’s writing with her Club series, it was here that I fell in love with her wit and humour and her crazy writing style. Fans of The Club will love this too, yes it is vastly different but Lauren Rowe’s voice is prevalent throughout.
Buttercup was a Texas girl and was a one in a million, she was a character that you should surely hate but cannot help but love. Her internal dialogue, her wit and classic one liners had me in hysterics throughout this book; she truly was one of a kind. She hadn’t had the best start in life but her dad had groomed her into believing that she was perfect, she was beautiful...Marilyn Monroesque, she was worth the moon and stars and she should expect nothing less, after all she was Charlie Wilber’s daughter. She had had the worst start in life, trailer living with an out of work father and a mother who if she wasn’t working was constantly intoxicated. She had more or less brought herself up on meagre money and food, but she never lost her sense of worth. She was going to be a Hollywood actress; after all she was damn good at it.
Buttercup was self-educated through reading books, she was a total book worm, but she definitely wasn’t a woman of the world. She was extremely sheltered and when events take a turn for the worse and she ends up in foster care, her life as she knew it was going to change and it is here that she meets Wesley. Buttercup has Wesley wrapped around her little finger, her acting skills coming into full force, but deep down you knew that what they had was real. Because of age differences they are separated when Buttercup hits eighteen, now on her way to Hollywood, she has to wait a year before Wesley can join her.
Hollywood is definitely not what Buttercup expected and her ideals and aspirations are shot down within minutes, but it is here that she is introduced to porn film maker Kurtis. Kurtis promises her the world and delivers practically nothing, just money and sex and nobody, and I mean nobody does that to Charlie Wilber’s daughter.
This book was a rollercoaster, just when you think that you have it all figured out, something else happens that throws another spanner in the works. I was constantly guessing, constantly on the edge and is anyone who or what they seem? While you are so engrossed trying desperately to connect the dots the suspense and angst is perfectly balanced with a book full of laugh a minutes. There are characters that you should hate but cannot help but love and then there are characters that you love that you should hate. Lauren Rowe turns everything and everyone on their heads.
The character development was fantastic and their individuality shone through the pages. Even though I was horrified and mortified by Buttercup she was such a lovable character, you just couldn’t help it. She was crazy, annoying yet totally addictive. Her bubbly and outgoing disposition on one side and then dark, evil and deadly on the other, she truly was a Jekyll and Hyde character.
As I said above, this is unlike anything I have read before, but I totally loved it. I thought I was going to get a dark, twisted, suspense type read but instead I got that with a huge helping of Buttercup. I highly recommend this entertaining read and if you haven’t read The Club series either, then pick them up too. Lauren Rowe is a truly talented author, a refreshing writing style that I could read forever.
www.theromancecover.com
5 stars!!
“I reckon my husband better start thinking about giving his heart to Jesus, ‘cause his ass is mine.”
I was toying between a 4.5 and 5 for this book but for the sheer entertainment value I decided to go with a 5. I know you are probably thinking ENTERTAINMENT???? This is a book about KILLING YOUR HUSBAND!! Yes it is, but it is so much more than that. I think that Lauren Rowe has just invented her own genre...romantic comedy with a dark edge. I first stumbled across Lauren Rowe’s writing with her Club series, it was here that I fell in love with her wit and humour and her crazy writing style. Fans of The Club will love this too, yes it is vastly different but Lauren Rowe’s voice is prevalent throughout.
“Yes, ma’am. It’s so hot, I saw two trees bribing a dog on my way here.”
Buttercup was a Texas girl and was a one in a million, she was a character that you should surely hate but cannot help but love. Her internal dialogue, her wit and classic one liners had me in hysterics throughout this book; she truly was one of a kind. She hadn’t had the best start in life but her dad had groomed her into believing that she was perfect, she was beautiful...Marilyn Monroesque, she was worth the moon and stars and she should expect nothing less, after all she was Charlie Wilber’s daughter. She had had the worst start in life, trailer living with an out of work father and a mother who if she wasn’t working was constantly intoxicated. She had more or less brought herself up on meagre money and food, but she never lost her sense of worth. She was going to be a Hollywood actress; after all she was damn good at it.
“Well, like I always say, thank God I’m so gosh darned pretty.”
Buttercup was self-educated through reading books, she was a total book worm, but she definitely wasn’t a woman of the world. She was extremely sheltered and when events take a turn for the worse and she ends up in foster care, her life as she knew it was going to change and it is here that she meets Wesley. Buttercup has Wesley wrapped around her little finger, her acting skills coming into full force, but deep down you knew that what they had was real. Because of age differences they are separated when Buttercup hits eighteen, now on her way to Hollywood, she has to wait a year before Wesley can join her.
Hollywood is definitely not what Buttercup expected and her ideals and aspirations are shot down within minutes, but it is here that she is introduced to porn film maker Kurtis. Kurtis promises her the world and delivers practically nothing, just money and sex and nobody, and I mean nobody does that to Charlie Wilber’s daughter.
“Porno-King-Lying-Cheating-Bastard-Motherfucker-Sack-of-Shit-Husband-of-Mine-Kurtis-Asshole-Jackman is gonna find out exactly what that means in regards to him.”
This book was a rollercoaster, just when you think that you have it all figured out, something else happens that throws another spanner in the works. I was constantly guessing, constantly on the edge and is anyone who or what they seem? While you are so engrossed trying desperately to connect the dots the suspense and angst is perfectly balanced with a book full of laugh a minutes. There are characters that you should hate but cannot help but love and then there are characters that you love that you should hate. Lauren Rowe turns everything and everyone on their heads.
The character development was fantastic and their individuality shone through the pages. Even though I was horrified and mortified by Buttercup she was such a lovable character, you just couldn’t help it. She was crazy, annoying yet totally addictive. Her bubbly and outgoing disposition on one side and then dark, evil and deadly on the other, she truly was a Jekyll and Hyde character.
“Well, butter my butt and call me a biscuit.”
As I said above, this is unlike anything I have read before, but I totally loved it. I thought I was going to get a dark, twisted, suspense type read but instead I got that with a huge helping of Buttercup. I highly recommend this entertaining read and if you haven’t read The Club series either, then pick them up too. Lauren Rowe is a truly talented author, a refreshing writing style that I could read forever.
“Might as well send the fucker off with a smile on his face.”
www.theromancecover.com
October 14, 2019
This book...
I can't say it's as clever as Gone Girl or even close.
The problem with this book is none of the characters were very likable. Wes came close but all that changed by the end.
There were problems like how was she so educated by two parents who weren’t. Who taught her to read, write, count, etc? We’re told she’s home schooled by reading books. She goes to library to get book, and librarian says how she shouldn’t be reading a particular title. Why this librarian is so unfamiliar with what books she checks out when she checks books out often doesn’t make sense?
Worse it's not as if I have to like the main character to enjoy, but then the plot needs to carry the book.
Unfortunately, in this case, it didn't.
Where it tried to be mysterious, I just didn't care enough about the mystery or the characters to finish. It's a wonder to me I actually did. (Though I must admit I speed up the narration 1.5x to help me get through. Something I don't do very often.)
Worse, after forcing myself to finish, the "twist" fell flat to me. I saw where it was going to come from if not the exact details.
I would love to give this one at least 3 stars, but the inner monologue of the main character was almost unbearable. Besides being an unlikable character, she droned on and on to the point I wanted to give up. The back and forth between past and present also did nothing to help the story.
In the end, this was a miss for me. However, you might like it.
I liked another book by this author and will give her another try.
I can't say it's as clever as Gone Girl or even close.
The problem with this book is none of the characters were very likable. Wes came close but all that changed by the end.
There were problems like how was she so educated by two parents who weren’t. Who taught her to read, write, count, etc? We’re told she’s home schooled by reading books. She goes to library to get book, and librarian says how she shouldn’t be reading a particular title. Why this librarian is so unfamiliar with what books she checks out when she checks books out often doesn’t make sense?
Worse it's not as if I have to like the main character to enjoy, but then the plot needs to carry the book.
Unfortunately, in this case, it didn't.
Where it tried to be mysterious, I just didn't care enough about the mystery or the characters to finish. It's a wonder to me I actually did. (Though I must admit I speed up the narration 1.5x to help me get through. Something I don't do very often.)
Worse, after forcing myself to finish, the "twist" fell flat to me. I saw where it was going to come from if not the exact details.
I would love to give this one at least 3 stars, but the inner monologue of the main character was almost unbearable. Besides being an unlikable character, she droned on and on to the point I wanted to give up. The back and forth between past and present also did nothing to help the story.
In the end, this was a miss for me. However, you might like it.
I liked another book by this author and will give her another try.
July 18, 2015
Let me start my review by saying that I can totally understand why most people have been completely blown away by this book, it's clever and it's different, so why not me? Well I struggled with Buttercup from beginning to end, I know for this book to work she had to be the way she was and so yes she was perfect for the book but not perfect for me, my problem is I need to like my characters and I didn't in all honesty like her in fact she drove me mad at times, I struggled to find any redeeming qualities or anything I could lock onto and like but it says a lot about this book that it could completely hold me right until the last word when I didn't even like any of the characters, that's a first for me I think.
June 15, 2015
When I began this book, I of course read the blurb, so I didn't go into this blind. I did know that this would be a dark book. It was a very disturbing book to read, it was very raw and beautifully organized. It was equivalent to a crazy, intense, LifeTime movie, if I had to categorize it. I was completely blown away. I can't say that I was speechless, well, because after completing the book, I asked myself: What the hell did I just read? And that response is not to be taken negatively. When I finished the book, my mind was blown. I went back and read passages again. I found myself thinking about the book on my drive to work and even blabbed my mom's ear off on the way from the airport. When I began the book, I worried I was going to be overwhelmed with too many flashbacks. And that my mommy brain wouldn't keep up. But as the words continued on the page, I was able to follow with ease. I anticipated every chapter, every nugget of information. I had to hold on, I felt the author made every word and phrase in this book with a purpose. And the emotions, the rage, the love, just made me enjoy this book more. I thought I had the book figured out, which is a bad habit of mine, but I did not see what came and sat in my lap. Charlene, did everything in her right mind, to gain a Hollywood career. It was embedded in her mind that she is Charlie Wilber's Daughter and she is definitely going to be somebody! This girl was told this hundreds upon hundreds of times. Yet it was that influential moment from her father, that paved the way for money, fame, lies and death. Saying I loved this book does not do it justice! So I will mic drop right now, ending this 5 smooches review with "Nothing but the best for Charlie Wilber's Daughter".
~Sarah
~Sarah
July 9, 2015
Charlie 'buttercup' Wilber has a dream. One day she wants to be the leading lady that everyone loves, she want to be on the big screen in Hollywood and nothing anyone says or does will stand in her way because......
'Nobody tells Charlie Wilber’s Daughter what she can and can’t do.'
Wesley Miller fell for Buttercup the day he laid his 15 year old eyes on her. He'll do anything to be the one she depends on, anything to be the one she needs more than air and the only one who can truly protect her.
Kurtis Jackman is a big shot porn producer in Hollywood. When Buttercup lands in his office she knows he's the key to her future of stardom, she'll do anything to fulfil her life's dream, even marry a man she doesn't love.
I've honestly never read anything quite like this. Throughout the whole story I couldn't decide if I wanted Buttrercup as my new bestie or if I should strangle the ever loving shit out of her. This sweet, ditsy, southern belle was an utter genius when it came to getting her own way. She had men eating out of the Palm of her hand and women bending over backwards to help her out all in the name of a childhood dream.
I loved her southern character and her witty sayings. The relationship with her father early on was comical. I just really wish we had more adult Buttercup and Wesley though and maybe a little bit from Kurtis's POV, but all in all this was an enjoyable read.
'Nobody tells Charlie Wilber’s Daughter what she can and can’t do.'
Wesley Miller fell for Buttercup the day he laid his 15 year old eyes on her. He'll do anything to be the one she depends on, anything to be the one she needs more than air and the only one who can truly protect her.
Kurtis Jackman is a big shot porn producer in Hollywood. When Buttercup lands in his office she knows he's the key to her future of stardom, she'll do anything to fulfil her life's dream, even marry a man she doesn't love.
I've honestly never read anything quite like this. Throughout the whole story I couldn't decide if I wanted Buttrercup as my new bestie or if I should strangle the ever loving shit out of her. This sweet, ditsy, southern belle was an utter genius when it came to getting her own way. She had men eating out of the Palm of her hand and women bending over backwards to help her out all in the name of a childhood dream.
I loved her southern character and her witty sayings. The relationship with her father early on was comical. I just really wish we had more adult Buttercup and Wesley though and maybe a little bit from Kurtis's POV, but all in all this was an enjoyable read.
June 4, 2015
5 What The Fuck...Wow Stars!
Holy hell, that was a fun ride! This book is unlike any other book I've read.
I've got to say that I was not expecting what I got! I thought it would be good, but what was delivered was great!
First off, the internal dialogue of Buttercup was hilarious! The sayings she had, the way she talked...her character was written extremely well! I can't even imagine coming up with that much southern banter. At first, I thought Buttercup was crazy and delusional, just like her daddy. Then I realized she was very intelligent as well as naive and the way she was raises just instigated the crazysauce lol. In the end, I loved Buttercup, even with all her naive, crazy, intelligence.
The plot was perfect! I was not expecting the twists it took. I was not expecting everything, literally every little detail, to come full circle. The delivery of this story is magnificent!
The dialogue had me spitting Texas drawl in my head. I could clearly picture this book playing in a smooth movie in my head! I felt the emotions the main characters were giving off as I read.
This was the first book by this author that I have read and I can say, with ease, that I will be picking up more of her books!
Here's a tiny excerpt...my favorite line in the book:
I am Charlie Wilber’s Daughter. Yes, sir. And one day very soon, Mr. Porno-King-Lying-Cheating-Bastard-Motherfucker-Sack-of-Shit-Husband-of-Mine-Kurtis-Asshole-Jackman is gonna find out exactly what that means in regards to him
**ARC kindly provided by author in exchange for an honest review**
Holy hell, that was a fun ride! This book is unlike any other book I've read.
I've got to say that I was not expecting what I got! I thought it would be good, but what was delivered was great!
First off, the internal dialogue of Buttercup was hilarious! The sayings she had, the way she talked...her character was written extremely well! I can't even imagine coming up with that much southern banter. At first, I thought Buttercup was crazy and delusional, just like her daddy. Then I realized she was very intelligent as well as naive and the way she was raises just instigated the crazysauce lol. In the end, I loved Buttercup, even with all her naive, crazy, intelligence.
The plot was perfect! I was not expecting the twists it took. I was not expecting everything, literally every little detail, to come full circle. The delivery of this story is magnificent!
The dialogue had me spitting Texas drawl in my head. I could clearly picture this book playing in a smooth movie in my head! I felt the emotions the main characters were giving off as I read.
This was the first book by this author that I have read and I can say, with ease, that I will be picking up more of her books!
Here's a tiny excerpt...my favorite line in the book:
I am Charlie Wilber’s Daughter. Yes, sir. And one day very soon, Mr. Porno-King-Lying-Cheating-Bastard-Motherfucker-Sack-of-Shit-Husband-of-Mine-Kurtis-Asshole-Jackman is gonna find out exactly what that means in regards to him
**ARC kindly provided by author in exchange for an honest review**
March 6, 2017
Lauren Rowe is an amazing writer, point blank and period!
After loving THE CLUB series, a romance trilogy she has gone with her talent and ventured to the dark side. No not the Darth Vader dark side. The dark side of romance writing.
Countdown to Killing Kurtis is a gritty yet whimsical novel about some less then nice characters that you can't help but fall in love with. The story spans the lead, Charlene WIlber aka Buttercup Bovier's life from childhood to her 20s.
Charlene grew up in a bad situation as a child. Her mom is a raging alcoholic, her dad a delusional narcissist. He believes everything is beneath him and everyone. After an argument with his wife he splits and tells Charlene he will back for her after he strikes it rich in Hollywood. Charlene having been "home schooled" by her dad will do anything she needs to, to be with him. And boy oh boy do I mean anything.
Fast forward to the semi present and we have Charlene heading to Hollywood where she changes her appearance to look like her idol, Marilyn Monroe and meeting porn king Kurtis Jackman. He promises her the world by saying he wants to make a movie for her, especially after he learns of her good ole church, god fearing upbringing, LOL.
The ride from there to the epic and i do mean EPIC conclusion is a wild one, twist, turns, deceit, lies and slight of hand at who is what. As in those you hate, you will love and those you love you will hate.
My only negative thing about this book is the voice of Buttercup. She is a texas girl who speaks in many, many, twangy, annoying southern sayings. Now I am from New York so I am sure most others would hate a book in my New York accent of fuggedaboutit and how you doin. BUT while I see her twang as a negative it makes you feel like you are really in the brain of Buttercup so is it really negative if that was the intention of the author. NO.
5 STARS. definitely recommend this for those readers who like a twisted romance.
After loving THE CLUB series, a romance trilogy she has gone with her talent and ventured to the dark side. No not the Darth Vader dark side. The dark side of romance writing.
Countdown to Killing Kurtis is a gritty yet whimsical novel about some less then nice characters that you can't help but fall in love with. The story spans the lead, Charlene WIlber aka Buttercup Bovier's life from childhood to her 20s.
Charlene grew up in a bad situation as a child. Her mom is a raging alcoholic, her dad a delusional narcissist. He believes everything is beneath him and everyone. After an argument with his wife he splits and tells Charlene he will back for her after he strikes it rich in Hollywood. Charlene having been "home schooled" by her dad will do anything she needs to, to be with him. And boy oh boy do I mean anything.
Fast forward to the semi present and we have Charlene heading to Hollywood where she changes her appearance to look like her idol, Marilyn Monroe and meeting porn king Kurtis Jackman. He promises her the world by saying he wants to make a movie for her, especially after he learns of her good ole church, god fearing upbringing, LOL.
The ride from there to the epic and i do mean EPIC conclusion is a wild one, twist, turns, deceit, lies and slight of hand at who is what. As in those you hate, you will love and those you love you will hate.
My only negative thing about this book is the voice of Buttercup. She is a texas girl who speaks in many, many, twangy, annoying southern sayings. Now I am from New York so I am sure most others would hate a book in my New York accent of fuggedaboutit and how you doin. BUT while I see her twang as a negative it makes you feel like you are really in the brain of Buttercup so is it really negative if that was the intention of the author. NO.
5 STARS. definitely recommend this for those readers who like a twisted romance.
May 8, 2015
"Well butter my butt and call me a biscuit" this book is outstanding!
This book was gloriously thrilling and twisted. And I absolutely LOVED it!
I never read thrillers or books like this but as I love Lauren's writing style I just had to give it a go!
Buttercup is a perfectly twisted psychotic woman, who despite some of her actions and insane plans you can't help but love her! The way Lauren writes her is brilliant, it was as though I could actually hear her talking at points! She was totally hilarious! Despite being slightly crazy Buttercup is loveable and vulnerable and at points I really felt for her.
The other characters in this book are amazing and all play a great role in the story, not once did I sit and think "ok so what relevance did they have"
Wesley takes the whole "controlling possessive alpha" to a whole other level, maybe a whole other planet!
I love Lauren's wit and humour which pours out in droves during this book. Some one liners made me howl with laughter! And I couldn't have described the husband any better if I'd tried (Porno-King-Lying-Cheating-Bastard-Motherfucker-Sack-of-Shit-Husband-of-Mine-Kurtis-Asshole-Jackman)
I loved the reference to The Club, that was genius!
The constant twists and turns in this book kept me flipping the pages like a woman possessed. I couldn't read it fast enough just to see what was going to happen. And the last couple of chapters, holy wow! Didn't see it coming at all!
This is a mega 5 star read for me! I'll recommend it to anyone! Lauren you are amazing!
*** ARC received in return for honest review ***
This book was gloriously thrilling and twisted. And I absolutely LOVED it!
I never read thrillers or books like this but as I love Lauren's writing style I just had to give it a go!
Buttercup is a perfectly twisted psychotic woman, who despite some of her actions and insane plans you can't help but love her! The way Lauren writes her is brilliant, it was as though I could actually hear her talking at points! She was totally hilarious! Despite being slightly crazy Buttercup is loveable and vulnerable and at points I really felt for her.
The other characters in this book are amazing and all play a great role in the story, not once did I sit and think "ok so what relevance did they have"
Wesley takes the whole "controlling possessive alpha" to a whole other level, maybe a whole other planet!
I love Lauren's wit and humour which pours out in droves during this book. Some one liners made me howl with laughter! And I couldn't have described the husband any better if I'd tried (Porno-King-Lying-Cheating-Bastard-Motherfucker-Sack-of-Shit-Husband-of-Mine-Kurtis-Asshole-Jackman)
I loved the reference to The Club, that was genius!
The constant twists and turns in this book kept me flipping the pages like a woman possessed. I couldn't read it fast enough just to see what was going to happen. And the last couple of chapters, holy wow! Didn't see it coming at all!
This is a mega 5 star read for me! I'll recommend it to anyone! Lauren you are amazing!
*** ARC received in return for honest review ***
May 7, 2015
4 STARS
Oh me, oh my! I did not see this coming....
As a huge fan of The Club, super excited to get an ARC of this... and damn it did not disappoint.
My mind is spinning! HUGE turn of events, holy moly!!
"It never ends well, Jeb."
Wesley & Buttercup... "We're fate"
Bravo!!
Oh me, oh my! I did not see this coming....
As a huge fan of The Club, super excited to get an ARC of this... and damn it did not disappoint.
My mind is spinning! HUGE turn of events, holy moly!!
"It never ends well, Jeb."
Wesley & Buttercup... "We're fate"
Bravo!!
June 15, 2015
Buttercup was just a girl in a trailer park. Just a girl with a dream and one that is about to make it all come true. But this naive small town girl is not as simple-minded as she comes across. The big day is coming; Killing Kurtis Day. The day her husband will meet his end.
Okay. So this is one of those books that I just could not feel. I read through a few of the early reviews and can see that so many loved this one, so let’s just chalk this up to personal tastes. Buttercup was a hard character for me to really like, not only because she is a wee-bit off her rocker but I really found her chatter nerve-wracking. I know that many loved this about her, but it just didn’t work for me. I struggled with trying to find a connection to her, something in her that allowed me to overlook her behavior and I am not sure if this was due to me be less forgiving of the female characters overall or if she just didn’t really have any redeeming qualities.
What I did enjoy, because believe me although this was not a blow-me-away-read, I still did enjoy it – was the mind fuck of it all. I don’t mind a dark read or a really messed in the head character, so the aspects of this story line did draw me in. Typically that sort of dark story line would be enough to grab me, but I think what I was missing was any romantic ties that softened the bit of crazy I was exposed to. With most dark reads in this genre, we are given a glimmer of hope with the budding love story, we find our redeeming qualities in the deranged characters by the way they interact with one another – but the love aspect of this story just never surfaced for me.
In the end this was a very well written story with a very original plot that most will love and I have no doubt the high ratings will only soar once it is released, but this just failed to hit the for me personally.
Okay. So this is one of those books that I just could not feel. I read through a few of the early reviews and can see that so many loved this one, so let’s just chalk this up to personal tastes. Buttercup was a hard character for me to really like, not only because she is a wee-bit off her rocker but I really found her chatter nerve-wracking. I know that many loved this about her, but it just didn’t work for me. I struggled with trying to find a connection to her, something in her that allowed me to overlook her behavior and I am not sure if this was due to me be less forgiving of the female characters overall or if she just didn’t really have any redeeming qualities.
What I did enjoy, because believe me although this was not a blow-me-away-read, I still did enjoy it – was the mind fuck of it all. I don’t mind a dark read or a really messed in the head character, so the aspects of this story line did draw me in. Typically that sort of dark story line would be enough to grab me, but I think what I was missing was any romantic ties that softened the bit of crazy I was exposed to. With most dark reads in this genre, we are given a glimmer of hope with the budding love story, we find our redeeming qualities in the deranged characters by the way they interact with one another – but the love aspect of this story just never surfaced for me.
In the end this was a very well written story with a very original plot that most will love and I have no doubt the high ratings will only soar once it is released, but this just failed to hit the for me personally.
June 22, 2015
Buttercup was a hard character for me to really like, not only because she is weird but I found her inner monologue boring. I didn’t find a connection to her, something appealing to overlook her behavior.
There is a lot of rambling going on in the beginning, reading while being in the mind of a ten-year-old whining about her dad’s disappearance is not my thing. Later you can guess the storyline, it is quite a mindfuck. The end came very fast, just when I was expecting another twist or turn. Other dark novels in this genre provide a love story to justify how the deranged characters interact with eachother, but I did not get it here.
In the adult part this was a well written story with a very original plot, but this book just didn’t do it for me personally.
There is a lot of rambling going on in the beginning, reading while being in the mind of a ten-year-old whining about her dad’s disappearance is not my thing. Later you can guess the storyline, it is quite a mindfuck. The end came very fast, just when I was expecting another twist or turn. Other dark novels in this genre provide a love story to justify how the deranged characters interact with eachother, but I did not get it here.
In the adult part this was a well written story with a very original plot, but this book just didn’t do it for me personally.
May 1, 2015
you, Lauren, are a freaking genius.
I just read Countdown to Killing Kurtis. I. Could. Not. Put. It. Down.
Seriously. Brilliant.
(the review system asks when I finished reading the book, which was May 1 at 8 am. It should ask when I started reading it, bc that would be May 1 at 4 am.)
I just read Countdown to Killing Kurtis. I. Could. Not. Put. It. Down.
Seriously. Brilliant.
(the review system asks when I finished reading the book, which was May 1 at 8 am. It should ask when I started reading it, bc that would be May 1 at 4 am.)
August 1, 2015
Well now....I did not like any of the characters except for the brief Jeb. But that did, in no way at all, take away my enjoyment of this story ! I can be very fussy at times, but this story really grabbed my interest and held on like a dog with a meaty bone. I Liked It!
October 8, 2018
Dieses Buch ist anders, als was man sonst so liest. Man ist gute Protagonisten gewohnt. Manche, die nicht immer perfekt sind, aber eigentlich einen guten Kern haben. Butterblume oder auch Charlene wird diese Erwartungen nicht erfüllen!
Es beginnt mit einem kleinen Einblick in die Gegenwart, ein Tag vor dem Killing-Kurtis-Tag, der so sehnlichst erwartet wird. Dann beginnt ihre Geschichte in ihrer Kindheit und wechselt sich mit ihrer Ankunft mit achtzehn in Hollywood ab. Wir versuchen also zu ergründen, was mit diesem armen Mädchen passiert ist, dass sie nun in dieser verzwickten Lage steckt.
Nach und nach merkt man den negativen Einfluss ihres Vaters, den sie über alles liebt, der sie aber zu einer verwöhnten und auch eingebildeten Person macht, die ihren eigenen Willen durchsetzt. Butterblume lässt sich nur ungern was vorschreiben. Sie ist manipulativ, hinterlistig und scheint eine notorische Lügnerin zu sein. Selbst die Personen, die sie eigentlich mag, behandelt sie oft schrecklich.
Ihr Traum ist es, Schauspielerin zu werden, und dafür muss sie nach Hollywood, um entdeckt zu werden. Sie hat schon ziemlich genaue Vorstellungen von der Zukunft, die sie sich mit ihrem Vater ausgemalt hat. Bis zum Killing-Kurtis-Tag ist sie gerade mal zwanzig Jahre alt und ihre Wünsche und Handlungen werden immer von den Gedanken beherrscht, die sie sich mit ihrem Vater gemacht hat. Ob man ihrem Vater die Schuld an all ihren Taten zuschieben kann, ist wohl eine berechtigte Frage, aber sie ist ja auch selbst für ihre Taten verantwortlich. Sie ist sehr jung und man könnte sie naiv nennen, wenn auch nicht auf die gewohnte Art und Weise, denn Butterblume träumt wie ein Kind und handelt wie eine arrogante und gefährliche Erwachsene.
Schuldgefühle sind ihr nicht fremd, aber sie lässt sich von so etwas nicht aufhalten.
Von "The Club" von der Autorin war ich wenig begeistert, aber ich gebe immer gern eine zweite Chance und hier war ich nicht enttäuscht! Positiv überrascht hat mich, wie ungewöhnlich ich dieses Buch mit ihrer Protagonistin eben fand. Dann ist da die ziemlich erwachsene Kulisse, denn Butterblume landet bei Kurtis Jackman, dem Porno-König, der sie zu einem Filmstar machen soll. Wie genau sie sich das vorstellt? Sie glaub nun einmal, dass sie über Nacht berühmt wird, weil sie so hübsch ist. Dass der Produzent für Erwachsenenfilme da an etwas anderes denkt, geht nur langsam in ihren Kopf. Ihre verzwickten Gedanken und Handlungen, die sich selbst so oft widersprechen, fand ich am faszinierendsten.
Was mir weniger gefiel, waren die etwas banale Sprache und einige plumpe Konversationen. Also fand ich vielleicht wieder Lauren Rowes Schreibstil nicht so gut, obwohl die Handlung deutlich interessanter ist, als bei anderen Titeln.
Fazit
Zwar konnte mich Lauren Rowe nicht so ganz mit ihrem Schreibstil überzeugen, aber die Protagonistin von "Countdown to Kill" war so ungewohnt, dass mich das Buch richtig mitreißen konnte. Sie ist sehr ehrgeizig und nichts kann ihr im Weg stehen!
Es beginnt mit einem kleinen Einblick in die Gegenwart, ein Tag vor dem Killing-Kurtis-Tag, der so sehnlichst erwartet wird. Dann beginnt ihre Geschichte in ihrer Kindheit und wechselt sich mit ihrer Ankunft mit achtzehn in Hollywood ab. Wir versuchen also zu ergründen, was mit diesem armen Mädchen passiert ist, dass sie nun in dieser verzwickten Lage steckt.
Nach und nach merkt man den negativen Einfluss ihres Vaters, den sie über alles liebt, der sie aber zu einer verwöhnten und auch eingebildeten Person macht, die ihren eigenen Willen durchsetzt. Butterblume lässt sich nur ungern was vorschreiben. Sie ist manipulativ, hinterlistig und scheint eine notorische Lügnerin zu sein. Selbst die Personen, die sie eigentlich mag, behandelt sie oft schrecklich.
Ihr Traum ist es, Schauspielerin zu werden, und dafür muss sie nach Hollywood, um entdeckt zu werden. Sie hat schon ziemlich genaue Vorstellungen von der Zukunft, die sie sich mit ihrem Vater ausgemalt hat. Bis zum Killing-Kurtis-Tag ist sie gerade mal zwanzig Jahre alt und ihre Wünsche und Handlungen werden immer von den Gedanken beherrscht, die sie sich mit ihrem Vater gemacht hat. Ob man ihrem Vater die Schuld an all ihren Taten zuschieben kann, ist wohl eine berechtigte Frage, aber sie ist ja auch selbst für ihre Taten verantwortlich. Sie ist sehr jung und man könnte sie naiv nennen, wenn auch nicht auf die gewohnte Art und Weise, denn Butterblume träumt wie ein Kind und handelt wie eine arrogante und gefährliche Erwachsene.
Schuldgefühle sind ihr nicht fremd, aber sie lässt sich von so etwas nicht aufhalten.
Von "The Club" von der Autorin war ich wenig begeistert, aber ich gebe immer gern eine zweite Chance und hier war ich nicht enttäuscht! Positiv überrascht hat mich, wie ungewöhnlich ich dieses Buch mit ihrer Protagonistin eben fand. Dann ist da die ziemlich erwachsene Kulisse, denn Butterblume landet bei Kurtis Jackman, dem Porno-König, der sie zu einem Filmstar machen soll. Wie genau sie sich das vorstellt? Sie glaub nun einmal, dass sie über Nacht berühmt wird, weil sie so hübsch ist. Dass der Produzent für Erwachsenenfilme da an etwas anderes denkt, geht nur langsam in ihren Kopf. Ihre verzwickten Gedanken und Handlungen, die sich selbst so oft widersprechen, fand ich am faszinierendsten.
Was mir weniger gefiel, waren die etwas banale Sprache und einige plumpe Konversationen. Also fand ich vielleicht wieder Lauren Rowes Schreibstil nicht so gut, obwohl die Handlung deutlich interessanter ist, als bei anderen Titeln.
Fazit
Zwar konnte mich Lauren Rowe nicht so ganz mit ihrem Schreibstil überzeugen, aber die Protagonistin von "Countdown to Kill" war so ungewohnt, dass mich das Buch richtig mitreißen konnte. Sie ist sehr ehrgeizig und nichts kann ihr im Weg stehen!
October 20, 2017
Growing up Charlene was always her daddy's girl and was told she was amazing and could do wonders, that she was the prettiest and smartest girl in the world. As she got older, Charlene planned to go to Hollywood and become a famous actress like Marilyn Monroe. It even helped that she looked similar to Monroe. When Charlene was in her teens, her dad left, and Charlene had a new step-daddy, that was until one night she snapped. Put into foster care, Charlene meet a guy who would become her best friend and boyfriend. Charlene then went to Hollywood and met Kurtis and later married him. Though of course, he was like any sleazy movie producer full of promises but no follow through, he also was a bit of a mean drunk. Charlene decided that Kurtis must pay and therefore decided that in one year Kurtis would be dead as nobody double crosses Charlie Wilber's daughter. Countdown to Killing Kurtis had a dark fiction feel but was more of a romantic suspense novel with a bit of a killer twist to the characters. Countdown to Killing Kurtis by Lauren Rowe was an interesting read and perfect if you are in the mood for a Dark Romantic Suspense novel
June 14, 2015
****I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review!***
This book...what can I say about this book...it was INSANE, CRAZY, OVER THE TOP AMAZING!!! This book is unlike anything I have ever read before! I finished it over a day ago, and I am still trying to wrap my head around it. Lauren Rowe's writing knows no boundaries, and she is brilliant once again. While this book is completely different from The Club Trilogy, you can anticipate that her quirky and unique sense of humor are very present.
Charlene, AKA "Charlie Wilber's Daughter," AKA "Buttercup" was intense. She was so well written it's just ridiculous. I have never had so much whiplash from a book in all of my life. This girl was just insane. She was vulnerable, flawed, calculating, smart, beautiful, confident, clever, demanding, tough, and narcissistic. At times you wanted to shake some sense into her, others you wanted to give her a hug and tell her everything would be okay, and then there were the times you were cheering for her to get everything that she wanted.
This book is told in two parts essentially. Part of the book is told from Buttercup's perspective while she is growing up, and the other part of the book is told from her perspective once she reaches Hollywood and meets Kurtis Jackman. It is clear from the beginning how unusual her upbringing was, and how that played a role in who she became. She was a lot of "different people" over the course of this book, since she played many roles with the people in her life. I can't get into too much detail here since I don't want to give anything away.
From a young age, Buttercup was told that she should never settle for less than the best. She was beautiful and smart, and no one should tell her what she could and couldn't do. Growing up like that you can only imagine how she may behave as a teen and then an adult. The one constant thing in her life was her father, and once that constant was gone, her whole life changed. Things took a dark turn and only got worse from there on.
Kurtis started out sweet and generous towards Buttercup, although you could tell he had some ulterior motives. As their marriage progressed, he became a much darker man. One who was capable of terrible things. While he was not an honorable man by any means, he became very possessive of his wife. Living under such intense scrutiny, and with so many lies between them, it is easy to see how their marriage began to crumble.
There was also Wesley. The sweet, pimple faced boy who only saw the good in Buttercup. Who wanted nothing more than to be with her, and to protect her from everything bad in this life. He was a shy boy who didn't seem to be the brightest bulb in the box, yet seemed to share a real connection with Buttercup. His story was just shocking, unbelievable, intriguing, and fantastic. Let's just say that when he is reintroduced into Buttercup's life, things move to a whole new level of weird and suspenseful.
This was a book about real people with real flaws. They had selfish motivations, they were bad people who did bad things, and also "good" people who did "bad" things. It really makes you think about things. Is someone truly "bad" if they've done something bad, or can they be redeemed? Are they really a "good" person who just did one bad thing? If someone is raised with no real morals, does that mean that it is who they truly are or is it that they just don't know right from wrong as most of us do? I found myself pondering these questions and more as I read along.
Nothing in this book is as it seems. This is a book that keeps you guessing until the very end. Every thing that you thought you knew, or was revealed, had to be reevaluated at the very end. There were still more revelations to come. No one ends up being who you think they are, and I like that it wasn't easy to figure out. I like that it was full of dark twists and crazy turns. That the characters jumped from good to bad and back to good again in the space of a heartbeat. The lengths that these characters went to for their happy ending are just out of this world. The ending was perfect. I thought that everyone got what they deserved, and I was just simply amazed by how perfectly it was written. This book had me smiling, cringing and groaning the whole way through.
The only thing about this book that I thought could have been improved on was the speed at which events occurred. There were a few parts that seemed to drag on just a bit that I wish had either been left out or condensed. Other than that, this book was nothing short of perfection. It is a fresh story with a superb cast of characters, funny sayings that will have you laughing out loud and shaking your head all at the same time, and an ending that is sure to please anyone.
I HIGHLY recommend this book! Lauren Rowe has the talent and the ability to write in any genre, about any topic, and you can rest assured that it will be done better than you could have hoped for. I urge you to give this book a shot even if you don't really read a lot of thrillers. There is something in here for everyone. Go 1-CLICK NOW!!!!
This book...what can I say about this book...it was INSANE, CRAZY, OVER THE TOP AMAZING!!! This book is unlike anything I have ever read before! I finished it over a day ago, and I am still trying to wrap my head around it. Lauren Rowe's writing knows no boundaries, and she is brilliant once again. While this book is completely different from The Club Trilogy, you can anticipate that her quirky and unique sense of humor are very present.
Charlene, AKA "Charlie Wilber's Daughter," AKA "Buttercup" was intense. She was so well written it's just ridiculous. I have never had so much whiplash from a book in all of my life. This girl was just insane. She was vulnerable, flawed, calculating, smart, beautiful, confident, clever, demanding, tough, and narcissistic. At times you wanted to shake some sense into her, others you wanted to give her a hug and tell her everything would be okay, and then there were the times you were cheering for her to get everything that she wanted.
This book is told in two parts essentially. Part of the book is told from Buttercup's perspective while she is growing up, and the other part of the book is told from her perspective once she reaches Hollywood and meets Kurtis Jackman. It is clear from the beginning how unusual her upbringing was, and how that played a role in who she became. She was a lot of "different people" over the course of this book, since she played many roles with the people in her life. I can't get into too much detail here since I don't want to give anything away.
From a young age, Buttercup was told that she should never settle for less than the best. She was beautiful and smart, and no one should tell her what she could and couldn't do. Growing up like that you can only imagine how she may behave as a teen and then an adult. The one constant thing in her life was her father, and once that constant was gone, her whole life changed. Things took a dark turn and only got worse from there on.
Kurtis started out sweet and generous towards Buttercup, although you could tell he had some ulterior motives. As their marriage progressed, he became a much darker man. One who was capable of terrible things. While he was not an honorable man by any means, he became very possessive of his wife. Living under such intense scrutiny, and with so many lies between them, it is easy to see how their marriage began to crumble.
There was also Wesley. The sweet, pimple faced boy who only saw the good in Buttercup. Who wanted nothing more than to be with her, and to protect her from everything bad in this life. He was a shy boy who didn't seem to be the brightest bulb in the box, yet seemed to share a real connection with Buttercup. His story was just shocking, unbelievable, intriguing, and fantastic. Let's just say that when he is reintroduced into Buttercup's life, things move to a whole new level of weird and suspenseful.
This was a book about real people with real flaws. They had selfish motivations, they were bad people who did bad things, and also "good" people who did "bad" things. It really makes you think about things. Is someone truly "bad" if they've done something bad, or can they be redeemed? Are they really a "good" person who just did one bad thing? If someone is raised with no real morals, does that mean that it is who they truly are or is it that they just don't know right from wrong as most of us do? I found myself pondering these questions and more as I read along.
Nothing in this book is as it seems. This is a book that keeps you guessing until the very end. Every thing that you thought you knew, or was revealed, had to be reevaluated at the very end. There were still more revelations to come. No one ends up being who you think they are, and I like that it wasn't easy to figure out. I like that it was full of dark twists and crazy turns. That the characters jumped from good to bad and back to good again in the space of a heartbeat. The lengths that these characters went to for their happy ending are just out of this world. The ending was perfect. I thought that everyone got what they deserved, and I was just simply amazed by how perfectly it was written. This book had me smiling, cringing and groaning the whole way through.
The only thing about this book that I thought could have been improved on was the speed at which events occurred. There were a few parts that seemed to drag on just a bit that I wish had either been left out or condensed. Other than that, this book was nothing short of perfection. It is a fresh story with a superb cast of characters, funny sayings that will have you laughing out loud and shaking your head all at the same time, and an ending that is sure to please anyone.
I HIGHLY recommend this book! Lauren Rowe has the talent and the ability to write in any genre, about any topic, and you can rest assured that it will be done better than you could have hoped for. I urge you to give this book a shot even if you don't really read a lot of thrillers. There is something in here for everyone. Go 1-CLICK NOW!!!!
June 15, 2015
3.75 Star Review by Jennifer Hagen
“Nobody tells Charlie Wilbur’s daughter what she can and can’t do.”
This is the mantra that Charlene’s father has her repeat time and time again. Her father is a little on the simple-minded side with grandiose plans never amounting to anything. His teleportation configuration system is as nonexistent as his elaborate mini golf courses. He lives for his dreams and that is what he has taught Charlene. Her mother is drunk all the time, but still manages to be the only bread winner in the family working at a diner. Her father decides that the big money is to be made out in California, not in Texas where they reside. Her father leaves them when Charlene is 11 years old. He left an indelible imprint on Charlene that she is beautiful and nobody can tell her what to do. Charlene is homeschooled and her life is all about books. She loves, loves movie stars especially Marilyn Monroe, but has never seen an actual movie. Charlene thinks her life will play out just like those of the movie stars when they were discovered at a malt shop. All she has to do it get to California and she will be living in her daddy’s mansion, because that’s where he said he will be. Charlene didn’t fall too far from the apple tree…she is about as naïve and dimwitted as her father. But at least she has her looks going for her and that will make everything in life better, right?
Well, like I always say, thank God I’m so gosh darned pretty.
Conceited much? Holy Lawd this girl…she drove me nuts with her ramblings and her metaphor/limerick internal dialogue. It was funny at first, but after hours of it, I needed to stop the drawl I was imagining a Texas brogue to sound like. I needed to get back to my straight no-accent Norwegian roots. I wanted to say Charlene was low on the IQ side and very naive, but I had to remember the way she was brought up.
Charlene went out to California at the age of 18 for two reasons – 1) to find her father, and 2) to become a famous movie star. This is how she meets Kurtis. Kurtis has offered to make his dream movie and place Charlene as the star of the show. This is her dream come true! She is going to be famous just as she has always dreamt it would happen. Oh wait…Kurtis has a hidden agenda…
Kurtis has just laid his cards on the table and he’s calling my bluff. No movie about Marilyn Monroe’s gonna come out until Kurtis gets in. Inside me, that is. If this is a game of chicken, it’s clear which of us is gonna have to swerve first – me. And I don’t like it one little bit.
Charlene was a very frustrating character to read. I wanted to think she was a dim light, but she is actually a genius when it came to getting away with murder. It must be from all the books she read as a child. Kurtis does something that makes Charlene so mad she could kill him and that’s how her plan comes to fruition. It is totally justifiable in her eyes.
Well, under the circumstances, I reckon there’s no doubt Kurtis deserves to die. I think any reasonable person would reach the same conclusion. If I’m gonna fly off the handle and stab Kurtis in our house, then I might as well just forget about the killing part and drive myself right over to the police station and turn myself in. Because that’s just about how long it’ll take for the police to come arrest me.
She is very intelligent when it comes to what she knows she can and can’t get away with. Her plan is meticulous and well thought out. She accounts for every detail. Well except for that one small detail…the breath he’s still taking.
Wait just a goddamned minute—Kurtis’ lip just twitched. This fucker is breathing. This fucker’s alive! Oh sweet Jesus, this can’t be happening.
As with anything that doesn’t work for Charlene she just moves into plan B mode..and plan C…and however many plans it takes for her to succeed. And succeed she does…at the end she’s a famous movie star just as her husband promised her from the beginning. Whether or not he’s there to bask in her glory you will have to read to find out.
I’m a little scared at the author’s meticulously plotted storyline…she left no stone unturned and all her bases covered. She knew precisely what she was talking about and how to get away with murder. This story is very clever and unique, and I can certainly understand how others will see it as a 5-star read, but for me it just wasn’t my cup of tea. It is humorous, but I found it to be slow moving during the first half and by the time it was moving at a quicker pace it had lost my interest. The writing is excellent, but yet for myself I just couldn’t find myself connecting with anybody or any part of the story.
“Nobody tells Charlie Wilbur’s daughter what she can and can’t do.”
This is the mantra that Charlene’s father has her repeat time and time again. Her father is a little on the simple-minded side with grandiose plans never amounting to anything. His teleportation configuration system is as nonexistent as his elaborate mini golf courses. He lives for his dreams and that is what he has taught Charlene. Her mother is drunk all the time, but still manages to be the only bread winner in the family working at a diner. Her father decides that the big money is to be made out in California, not in Texas where they reside. Her father leaves them when Charlene is 11 years old. He left an indelible imprint on Charlene that she is beautiful and nobody can tell her what to do. Charlene is homeschooled and her life is all about books. She loves, loves movie stars especially Marilyn Monroe, but has never seen an actual movie. Charlene thinks her life will play out just like those of the movie stars when they were discovered at a malt shop. All she has to do it get to California and she will be living in her daddy’s mansion, because that’s where he said he will be. Charlene didn’t fall too far from the apple tree…she is about as naïve and dimwitted as her father. But at least she has her looks going for her and that will make everything in life better, right?
Well, like I always say, thank God I’m so gosh darned pretty.
Conceited much? Holy Lawd this girl…she drove me nuts with her ramblings and her metaphor/limerick internal dialogue. It was funny at first, but after hours of it, I needed to stop the drawl I was imagining a Texas brogue to sound like. I needed to get back to my straight no-accent Norwegian roots. I wanted to say Charlene was low on the IQ side and very naive, but I had to remember the way she was brought up.
Charlene went out to California at the age of 18 for two reasons – 1) to find her father, and 2) to become a famous movie star. This is how she meets Kurtis. Kurtis has offered to make his dream movie and place Charlene as the star of the show. This is her dream come true! She is going to be famous just as she has always dreamt it would happen. Oh wait…Kurtis has a hidden agenda…
Kurtis has just laid his cards on the table and he’s calling my bluff. No movie about Marilyn Monroe’s gonna come out until Kurtis gets in. Inside me, that is. If this is a game of chicken, it’s clear which of us is gonna have to swerve first – me. And I don’t like it one little bit.
Charlene was a very frustrating character to read. I wanted to think she was a dim light, but she is actually a genius when it came to getting away with murder. It must be from all the books she read as a child. Kurtis does something that makes Charlene so mad she could kill him and that’s how her plan comes to fruition. It is totally justifiable in her eyes.
Well, under the circumstances, I reckon there’s no doubt Kurtis deserves to die. I think any reasonable person would reach the same conclusion. If I’m gonna fly off the handle and stab Kurtis in our house, then I might as well just forget about the killing part and drive myself right over to the police station and turn myself in. Because that’s just about how long it’ll take for the police to come arrest me.
She is very intelligent when it comes to what she knows she can and can’t get away with. Her plan is meticulous and well thought out. She accounts for every detail. Well except for that one small detail…the breath he’s still taking.
Wait just a goddamned minute—Kurtis’ lip just twitched. This fucker is breathing. This fucker’s alive! Oh sweet Jesus, this can’t be happening.
As with anything that doesn’t work for Charlene she just moves into plan B mode..and plan C…and however many plans it takes for her to succeed. And succeed she does…at the end she’s a famous movie star just as her husband promised her from the beginning. Whether or not he’s there to bask in her glory you will have to read to find out.
I’m a little scared at the author’s meticulously plotted storyline…she left no stone unturned and all her bases covered. She knew precisely what she was talking about and how to get away with murder. This story is very clever and unique, and I can certainly understand how others will see it as a 5-star read, but for me it just wasn’t my cup of tea. It is humorous, but I found it to be slow moving during the first half and by the time it was moving at a quicker pace it had lost my interest. The writing is excellent, but yet for myself I just couldn’t find myself connecting with anybody or any part of the story.
August 5, 2015
***I'm creating an addendum to the previous review, which is still listed below. After settling down and having time to ruminate over the book (and after someone pointing out how I really needed to do just that), I must say that the intricate way the author laid out the psychological interworkings of this story is flawless. My problem is with the CHARACTERS, not the story itself. I HATED the main character and subsequent other characters. Instead of putting the book down, I felt compelled to read on, and that was due to the author's ability to create a compelling story. So for that, I also change my rating slightly.
Obviously, my initial review put me in a minority (a minority of one, in fact). There was a twist of epic proportions that threw me for a loop at the end, and that twist caused a little psychological damage to me, only because it proved to me I'm not who I thought I was. It's not fair to judge the book on the fact that it made me feel dumb. It did not affect others in the same way, so don't let my rants dissuade your reading of this book. Please read it!***
Original Review:
What is up with all the good reviews of this book? Are all of you crazy?
Awful, awful people converge to make one awful mess. How are we supposed to want any kind of happy for a main character who is so utterly manipulative and totally unlikable? I'm supposed to root for a high-functioning sociopath? How can anything she does in the story be justified? The teaser says something like, "If you were in my shoes, you'd kill your husband, too." No, Buttercup, not even close.
The author also pulls a bait and switch. Just when I thought there was one person in this story worth liking, the tides turned causing a tsunami that crushed my soul and took with it any ounce of goodness left in the world (well, the world that existed inside this book anyway). I feel so duped and heartbroken.
I won't compare this to the author's other works, all of which I absolutely adore, because there is absolutely no comparison to be made. (I did catch the reference to the good series in this book, though.) I can't fathom how this was written by the same author. (I mean I can, but just, ugh.)
Beyond that, the Texan in me is completely pissed. No one I know from my state speaks like this character. Her endless stupid similes were ridiculous. I'm sick of books portraying people from Texas as backward hicks, and the fact that she lived in a trailer? This character perpetuates the offensive hick-ish stereotypes that ignorant people continue to lap up and think are "adorable."
Obviously, my initial review put me in a minority (a minority of one, in fact). There was a twist of epic proportions that threw me for a loop at the end, and that twist caused a little psychological damage to me, only because it proved to me I'm not who I thought I was. It's not fair to judge the book on the fact that it made me feel dumb. It did not affect others in the same way, so don't let my rants dissuade your reading of this book. Please read it!***
Original Review:
What is up with all the good reviews of this book? Are all of you crazy?
Awful, awful people converge to make one awful mess. How are we supposed to want any kind of happy for a main character who is so utterly manipulative and totally unlikable? I'm supposed to root for a high-functioning sociopath? How can anything she does in the story be justified? The teaser says something like, "If you were in my shoes, you'd kill your husband, too." No, Buttercup, not even close.
The author also pulls a bait and switch. Just when I thought there was one person in this story worth liking, the tides turned causing a tsunami that crushed my soul and took with it any ounce of goodness left in the world (well, the world that existed inside this book anyway). I feel so duped and heartbroken.
I won't compare this to the author's other works, all of which I absolutely adore, because there is absolutely no comparison to be made. (I did catch the reference to the good series in this book, though.) I can't fathom how this was written by the same author. (I mean I can, but just, ugh.)
Beyond that, the Texan in me is completely pissed. No one I know from my state speaks like this character. Her endless stupid similes were ridiculous. I'm sick of books portraying people from Texas as backward hicks, and the fact that she lived in a trailer? This character perpetuates the offensive hick-ish stereotypes that ignorant people continue to lap up and think are "adorable."
May 8, 2019
BRILLIANT, TWISTY, WTF WAS THAT THRILLER!
This book was absolutely the BEST mindfuck!
Heroine Buttercup Bouvier is a Texas beauty, escaped from a deadend trailer trash life, to fulfill her sacred destiny of becoming a legendary actress. Just like her idol Marilyn Monroe. Her path from the trailer park to Hollywood in search of her dream and her missing daddy are filled with characters and obstacles. They may or may not be in her best interests, but always underestimate the charming Southern belle and the lengths she'll go to manipulate them in pursuit of her dream and/or exact revenge if they stand in her way. What a journey it is because things usually don't go her way and she has to improvise constantly! Is it blind luck or evil genius?
Buttercup's tale takes place in past/present countdown fashion between the ages 10-24, and I swear her life jumps from the frying pan into the fire. She's an unapologetically self-absorbed narcissist, but never felt like a psycho or sociopath to me because of her charm, her deep feelings, and frequent regret for her actions, even if it was self-serving. After all, she's been duped and wronged, as well. I thoroughly loved her uniqueness in so many ways. She has one goal, but also falls in love, misjudges and makes mistakes, as complications ensue with dominoe effect. And, Buttercup isn't always the one in control, especially when she misplaces her trust in a prince charming who promises to make all her dreams come true. And perhaps she's not even the cleverest manipulator. You'll love to hate some characters, and hate to love others.
The story had a lighter feel due to her constant use of downhome and witty Southernisms and her sweet, albeit manipulative, personality. It felt sweet and darkly bittersweet at the same time, because let's face it, she is a devious dynamo. I actually liked and sympathized with her though, It was strangely endearing that she was simultaneously naive and a devilishly clever manipulator and so young. Despite the subject matter of murder and manipulation, I was entertained, not shocked, by what happens because of the well-crafted storyline filled with surprises. It ends ingeniously and I grinned like a cat who ate the canary. Well done!
This book was absolutely the BEST mindfuck!
Heroine Buttercup Bouvier is a Texas beauty, escaped from a deadend trailer trash life, to fulfill her sacred destiny of becoming a legendary actress. Just like her idol Marilyn Monroe. Her path from the trailer park to Hollywood in search of her dream and her missing daddy are filled with characters and obstacles. They may or may not be in her best interests, but always underestimate the charming Southern belle and the lengths she'll go to manipulate them in pursuit of her dream and/or exact revenge if they stand in her way. What a journey it is because things usually don't go her way and she has to improvise constantly! Is it blind luck or evil genius?
Buttercup's tale takes place in past/present countdown fashion between the ages 10-24, and I swear her life jumps from the frying pan into the fire. She's an unapologetically self-absorbed narcissist, but never felt like a psycho or sociopath to me because of her charm, her deep feelings, and frequent regret for her actions, even if it was self-serving. After all, she's been duped and wronged, as well. I thoroughly loved her uniqueness in so many ways. She has one goal, but also falls in love, misjudges and makes mistakes, as complications ensue with dominoe effect. And, Buttercup isn't always the one in control, especially when she misplaces her trust in a prince charming who promises to make all her dreams come true. And perhaps she's not even the cleverest manipulator. You'll love to hate some characters, and hate to love others.
The story had a lighter feel due to her constant use of downhome and witty Southernisms and her sweet, albeit manipulative, personality. It felt sweet and darkly bittersweet at the same time, because let's face it, she is a devious dynamo. I actually liked and sympathized with her though, It was strangely endearing that she was simultaneously naive and a devilishly clever manipulator and so young. Despite the subject matter of murder and manipulation, I was entertained, not shocked, by what happens because of the well-crafted storyline filled with surprises. It ends ingeniously and I grinned like a cat who ate the canary. Well done!
May 28, 2015
I was gifted this book for an honest review. This is the first Lauren Rowe book I've read. WOW!!! Seriously unique 5 STAR read!!!! Her previous works WILL be added to my TBR list!
Countdown to Killing Kurtis is the story of a young girl set out to make something of herself in Hollywood. Through whatever means, necessary! The main character, Buttercup is a good Texan girl that's had to do a few bad deeds in order to achieve her rightful spot in the limelight. " No one can tell Charlie Wilbur's daughter what she can and can't do!" Her youth and innocence allows her the advantage of never being suspected of doing any wrong! With a drunk mother and an estranged father, Buttercup can only depend on herself. Does she succeed in achieving her dreams in her Countdown to Killing Kurtis? Find out now in this comic yet serious journey of Charlene "Buttercup Bovier" McEntire!! Releasing June 15, 2015
Missy - reviewer for Mommy's Naughty Playground
Countdown to Killing Kurtis is the story of a young girl set out to make something of herself in Hollywood. Through whatever means, necessary! The main character, Buttercup is a good Texan girl that's had to do a few bad deeds in order to achieve her rightful spot in the limelight. " No one can tell Charlie Wilbur's daughter what she can and can't do!" Her youth and innocence allows her the advantage of never being suspected of doing any wrong! With a drunk mother and an estranged father, Buttercup can only depend on herself. Does she succeed in achieving her dreams in her Countdown to Killing Kurtis? Find out now in this comic yet serious journey of Charlene "Buttercup Bovier" McEntire!! Releasing June 15, 2015
Missy - reviewer for Mommy's Naughty Playground
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