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Envy
She wants your life – and she’ll do anything to get it…
Erica has always wanted to be exactly like her neighbour, Faye: beautiful, thin, and a mother. But Faye’s life isn’t as perfect as it seems – she has a terrible secret, and slowly but surely, it is threatening to destroy her and everything she holds dear.
When Faye’s daughter Tamsin goes missing after school, the police turn to Erica. But is Erica the only one who has been enviously watching Faye? Or is there another threat hiding in the shadows…?
An unsettling, claustrophobic thriller about jealousy, greed and desire from Sunday Times bestseller Amanda Robson.
Erica has always wanted to be exactly like her neighbour, Faye: beautiful, thin, and a mother. But Faye’s life isn’t as perfect as it seems – she has a terrible secret, and slowly but surely, it is threatening to destroy her and everything she holds dear.
When Faye’s daughter Tamsin goes missing after school, the police turn to Erica. But is Erica the only one who has been enviously watching Faye? Or is there another threat hiding in the shadows…?
An unsettling, claustrophobic thriller about jealousy, greed and desire from Sunday Times bestseller Amanda Robson.
432 pages, Paperback
First published April 4, 2019
150 people are currently reading
786 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews
February 8, 2019
Envy is your run-of-the-mill psychological thriller focusing on obsession, stalking and well, yeah...envy.
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Meet Erica, the stereotypical overweight woman with major issues from her past.
▪️
Insert beautiful, thin, self-absorbed Faye who seems to be and to have everything that Erica has ever dreamed of for herself.
▪️
Commence stalking.
▪️
Inevitably Erica discovers that Faye isn't without faults afterall. Shocker.
▪️
Erica gets even stalkier.
▪️
Insert an equally stalky dude.
▪️
Throw in some unrealistic cray cray shit for good measure and top it all off with a "really?" ending.
▪️
The End.
__________________________________
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
__________________________________
Meet Erica, the stereotypical overweight woman with major issues from her past.
▪️
Insert beautiful, thin, self-absorbed Faye who seems to be and to have everything that Erica has ever dreamed of for herself.
▪️
Commence stalking.
▪️
Inevitably Erica discovers that Faye isn't without faults afterall. Shocker.
▪️
Erica gets even stalkier.
▪️
Insert an equally stalky dude.
▪️
Throw in some unrealistic cray cray shit for good measure and top it all off with a "really?" ending.
▪️
The End.
__________________________________
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 21, 2019
I adored Amanda Robsons last book, Guilt. I devoured it in a day so when NetGalley approved me an ARC to download of her latest, Envy, I nearly jumped for joy and threw every other ARC aside to start this.
Anyone who has read Robsons work before knows that she has a unique writing style which may not be to everyone's liking. I will say that it does work for me but I completely understand why others will find it off putting. Each chapter is titled by it's narrators name, however, while in those chapters it can change perspective from one paragraph to the next. I kept having to go back to see who I was reading about and I realized that just because it was one characters chapter doesn't mean you won't hear from others. I *think* it's the authors way of keeping the reader disoriented but it could prove frustrating to many.
Do you like unlikable and unreliable narrators? Robson hits it out of the park when it comes to despicable people.
We have Erica who is a lonely, overweight, and shy young woman that becomes obsessed with watching her model neighbor, Faye. She would love nothing more than to exchange lives with this enchanting woman. While she'sstalking watching Faye she witnesses the unforgivable. Now it's time for Faye to learn her lesson.
Faye, is 34 years old and has been told by many in her profession that her days of modeling success are behind her. Her vanity has even begun to takes it toll on her marriage with Philip. While Philip is away and she at a party she has a one night stand with someone who manages to bolster her ego but it comes with a high price to pay.
This book is full of crazy people which I happen to love but the ending really missed the mark for me. It left me feeling that I either missed a piece of the puzzle somewhere or maybe I just didn't fully understand it.
All in all this is a fun book about creepy people obsessing over other creepy people. If that's your thing then you'll probably enjoy this. 3.5 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Anyone who has read Robsons work before knows that she has a unique writing style which may not be to everyone's liking. I will say that it does work for me but I completely understand why others will find it off putting. Each chapter is titled by it's narrators name, however, while in those chapters it can change perspective from one paragraph to the next. I kept having to go back to see who I was reading about and I realized that just because it was one characters chapter doesn't mean you won't hear from others. I *think* it's the authors way of keeping the reader disoriented but it could prove frustrating to many.
Do you like unlikable and unreliable narrators? Robson hits it out of the park when it comes to despicable people.
We have Erica who is a lonely, overweight, and shy young woman that becomes obsessed with watching her model neighbor, Faye. She would love nothing more than to exchange lives with this enchanting woman. While she's
Faye, is 34 years old and has been told by many in her profession that her days of modeling success are behind her. Her vanity has even begun to takes it toll on her marriage with Philip. While Philip is away and she at a party she has a one night stand with someone who manages to bolster her ego but it comes with a high price to pay.
This book is full of crazy people which I happen to love but the ending really missed the mark for me. It left me feeling that I either missed a piece of the puzzle somewhere or maybe I just didn't fully understand it.
All in all this is a fun book about creepy people obsessing over other creepy people. If that's your thing then you'll probably enjoy this. 3.5 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
March 20, 2019
Having read Obsession another book of Amanda Robson’s I knew I was in for a treat when I received this.
Erica who is shy and overweight is obsessed with watching the beautiful Faye, who passes her flat every day with her 2 children on the way to and from school. She is envious of her beauty and lifestyle and likes to follow her around.
Faye and her husband Phillip have 2 children, Faye is beautiful and likes everyone to notice it, she has done small modelling jobs but hopes to get noticed by a top modelling agency.
When Faye makes a terrible mistake with her husbands friend Jonah, who is also obsessed with her beauty. Everywhere she goes he turns up pushing his way into her life. One terrible decision can cause such chilling consequences that will affect everyone.
Told over 4 people’s view points this is a book with short chapters that are easy and gripping to read. I thoroughly enjoyed this story full of secrets and twists.
Thank you to Netgalley for a copy in exchange for a review.
Erica who is shy and overweight is obsessed with watching the beautiful Faye, who passes her flat every day with her 2 children on the way to and from school. She is envious of her beauty and lifestyle and likes to follow her around.
Faye and her husband Phillip have 2 children, Faye is beautiful and likes everyone to notice it, she has done small modelling jobs but hopes to get noticed by a top modelling agency.
When Faye makes a terrible mistake with her husbands friend Jonah, who is also obsessed with her beauty. Everywhere she goes he turns up pushing his way into her life. One terrible decision can cause such chilling consequences that will affect everyone.
Told over 4 people’s view points this is a book with short chapters that are easy and gripping to read. I thoroughly enjoyed this story full of secrets and twists.
Thank you to Netgalley for a copy in exchange for a review.
April 21, 2019
3☆ A good Thriller
Envy is exactly what this story is about.
It's about a women watching from the shadows wanting what another has.
I have mixed feelings about this book.
On one hand I enjoyed the stalking aspect and the abduction, but it was a little predictable.
Erica has been watching Faye for a long time. Faye is successful, pretty, has a loving hubby and adorable children, everything Erica doesn't have.
But Faye has done something that is sure to jeopardise her family and her perfect life.
After all secrets have a way of coming out.
So when Faye's Daughter Tasmin is abducted.... who could possibly of taken her and why?
Unfortunately I found this plot to be a lil disjointed at times.
The chapters are told by several points of view which I actually don't mind. However what I found was on occasions the points of view changed to different characters which meant it got a lil muddled.
I felt that because of the chopping and changing I didn't feel a connection to the characters. They was well written, a lil predictable but not likeable, but they wasn't really meant to be likeable, they all had there flaws and was pretty complex.
Overall a good thriller, based on Envy, jealousy, greed and revenge with a few twists.
I would recommend Envy to other readers as it does have potential to a suspenseful thriller.
Thank you to Avon Books for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily
My Review is also on my Blog Website :-
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2019/0...
Envy is exactly what this story is about.
It's about a women watching from the shadows wanting what another has.
I have mixed feelings about this book.
On one hand I enjoyed the stalking aspect and the abduction, but it was a little predictable.
Erica has been watching Faye for a long time. Faye is successful, pretty, has a loving hubby and adorable children, everything Erica doesn't have.
But Faye has done something that is sure to jeopardise her family and her perfect life.
After all secrets have a way of coming out.
So when Faye's Daughter Tasmin is abducted.... who could possibly of taken her and why?
Unfortunately I found this plot to be a lil disjointed at times.
The chapters are told by several points of view which I actually don't mind. However what I found was on occasions the points of view changed to different characters which meant it got a lil muddled.
I felt that because of the chopping and changing I didn't feel a connection to the characters. They was well written, a lil predictable but not likeable, but they wasn't really meant to be likeable, they all had there flaws and was pretty complex.
Overall a good thriller, based on Envy, jealousy, greed and revenge with a few twists.
I would recommend Envy to other readers as it does have potential to a suspenseful thriller.
Thank you to Avon Books for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily
My Review is also on my Blog Website :-
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2019/0...
February 13, 2020
I really really wanted to like Envy, and when I first started it I was really excited by what I read. I found it easy to get into and interesting to start with. I loved the writing and also how the book was divided up into short chapters. I also liked the different points of view (something that I love about Lisa Jewell's writing). But I gave up midway through, as the story simply lost its way. Keep in mind that I am an extremely fussy reader (I love books that fly along at cracking pace). Other, more patient, readers might actually like Envy. I'm not giving up on Amanda Robson, though, because I really loved her style. I'm going to check out another book of hers, Obsession, as that's had some fantastic reviews.
April 3, 2019
Well this is a right tale of stalking,obsession, fury, longing and ENVY!
Based around the characters of Faye who is beautiful and a model, Erica who is not but wants Faye’s life, Philip Faye’s hubby and Jonah, Philip’s best mate who wants Faye....the book then in short, snappy, direct chapters ( sometimes half a page ) details how these 4 become entangled in their own wants, desires and lusts and just how far ALL of them will go to get what they want!
I LOVED the short chapters although of course this meant the character narration changed almost constantly but I liked how often the first line of the new chapter was the last line of the last chapter but from
a different characters perspective ( if makes sense )
The subjects covered are dark and thrown in as almost a by line was sexual violence from one character, its a small part of the book but came as somewhat of a nasty shock
The story, which could easily hurtle out of control, keeps its on track yet doesn’t lose its urgency and for 90% its full on and vibrant, however the last 10% of the book seems rushed compared to the rest and a couple of the characters do ‘things’ that dont seem in context with how they have been for the rest of the story
None the less a very well written book with a 100% fitting title, Envy is about Envy, all forms and just how deep this emotion can run in some people, you will loathe what the characters become and do but that is a sure sign the author has done a great job
8/10 4 Stars
April 22, 2019
This was another brilliant book by Amanda Robson. I’ve read her other book obsession which was also brilliant. There was always so much going on and a lot of drama. I liked how they had the different chapters with the 4 main characters and I liked that the chapters weren’t that long either. The characters were all really interesting and I was intrigued to find out what would happen next with them all. It was very well written and I really enjoyed this book and really looking forward to reading more from the author.
March 24, 2019
Envy - there is so much of it in this book. This was a very quick read for me with short chapters. The story is told from multiple points of view but at times it was a bit hard to follow who was talking as it changes quite abruptly in the same chapter without warning. Aside from that it was a great read that keeps you engaged from the very start. In saying that all 4 main characters are completely unlikable and have so many issues combined. I wouldn't want to be friends with any of them!!
Erica is lonely and obsessed with Faye, the beautiful mother and model who lives near her. She watches her take he kids to school, go to the gym and pretty much everything else everyday. Faye seems to have the perfect life from the outside but she had a terrible mistake and it is threatening to ruin everything for her. Then there are the men - Phillip, Fayes husband and Jonah his best friend. Jonah is creepy and nasty and wants something that he can't have. Phillip loves his wife and kids and will do anything to protect them. When their daughter Tasmin goes missing Faye might be thankful for her stalker - or will she?
Thanks to Avon Books UK and Netgalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased.
Erica is lonely and obsessed with Faye, the beautiful mother and model who lives near her. She watches her take he kids to school, go to the gym and pretty much everything else everyday. Faye seems to have the perfect life from the outside but she had a terrible mistake and it is threatening to ruin everything for her. Then there are the men - Phillip, Fayes husband and Jonah his best friend. Jonah is creepy and nasty and wants something that he can't have. Phillip loves his wife and kids and will do anything to protect them. When their daughter Tasmin goes missing Faye might be thankful for her stalker - or will she?
Thanks to Avon Books UK and Netgalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased.
January 12, 2020
3.5 stars
Envy is about this woman called Erica who gets obsessed with Faye, a beautiful woman/model who crosses in front of her apartment everyday in her way to take her children to school. Erica will start stalking her and wanting to become Faye at all costs.
This book is narrated from four different perspectives and Faye is the only one who narrates what happens to her, the rest of them talk about Faye using "you" so for example they would say something like "You look so good today, who are you going to see?". I really liked that fact because it felt really eerie to read but sometimes it got confusing because you couldn't tell whose POV where we on (but that may be because I received an e-arc, hopefully that will be fixed in the finished copies).
I think I mentioned it in one of my reading updates but this book really got inside my head, it was scary how everyone was obsessed with Faye, everyone watching what she was doing, acting as if nothing was happening when in reality those people were so different from what they decided to show in front of other people. I even started thinking "What if I'm being watched and followed all the time without noticing like Faye?", it was a really bad thought to have late at night lol.
There was a little romance thrown inside this book which I didn't enjoy, especially how it ended. . I also think is important to mention that this book makes references about suicide and rape as well as mental issues without getting too specific or graphic.
Moreover, after the 60% mark everything started to feel rushed and I didn't particularly like the ending in general. I don't want to spoiled it but I was hoping for something darker.
Envy is about this woman called Erica who gets obsessed with Faye, a beautiful woman/model who crosses in front of her apartment everyday in her way to take her children to school. Erica will start stalking her and wanting to become Faye at all costs.
This book is narrated from four different perspectives and Faye is the only one who narrates what happens to her, the rest of them talk about Faye using "you" so for example they would say something like "You look so good today, who are you going to see?". I really liked that fact because it felt really eerie to read but sometimes it got confusing because you couldn't tell whose POV where we on (but that may be because I received an e-arc, hopefully that will be fixed in the finished copies).
I think I mentioned it in one of my reading updates but this book really got inside my head, it was scary how everyone was obsessed with Faye, everyone watching what she was doing, acting as if nothing was happening when in reality those people were so different from what they decided to show in front of other people. I even started thinking "What if I'm being watched and followed all the time without noticing like Faye?", it was a really bad thought to have late at night lol.
There was a little romance thrown inside this book which I didn't enjoy, especially how it ended. . I also think is important to mention that this book makes references about suicide and rape as well as mental issues without getting too specific or graphic.
Moreover, after the 60% mark everything started to feel rushed and I didn't particularly like the ending in general. I don't want to spoiled it but I was hoping for something darker.
April 20, 2019
This was the disjointed book I have ever read. There were no decent characters to be found.
This line really bothered me...”You pause.You swallow. I watch your Adam’s apple move up and down your pretty throat.” Technically, we have them, but they are not prominent. If so, are they attractive?
Lastly, the fact that the book changed POV, often within the same paragraph, in the same first-person voice, made it impossible to read. This is because the chapters we named after the four principal characters, yet the POV kept changing, so we did not always know who was talking.
This line really bothered me...”You pause.You swallow. I watch your Adam’s apple move up and down your pretty throat.” Technically, we have them, but they are not prominent. If so, are they attractive?
Lastly, the fact that the book changed POV, often within the same paragraph, in the same first-person voice, made it impossible to read. This is because the chapters we named after the four principal characters, yet the POV kept changing, so we did not always know who was talking.
January 30, 2019
ENVY is the story of Faye, a semi-unsuccessful model who has two young daughters and a loving husband. Faye doesn't know this, but her neighbor, Erica, is watching her every move. Erica is overweight, struggles with issues from her past, and is pretty much a recluse with only one "friend" to her name. She wishes she were Faye...the beauty, the family.
What Erica finds out through her watchful eye is that Faye isn't as perfect as she initially thinks. When she witnesses something unsavory, Erica decides it's time for her to intervene, no matter how extreme her measures are.
ENVY is a dark thriller with plenty of twists. The characters are pretty unlikable, but that did not stop me from devouring it and eagerly flying through to see how everything would turn out. Author Amanda Robson does a wonderful job painting some drab characters and ones who are better off, and keeping the tension rising all the while. A lot of reviews talk about the "weak/confusing" ending, but I actually liked the way everything wrapped up. I was hooked until the very last sentence, and I will definitely be adding more books by Robson to my reading queue.
Thank you to NetGalley, Amanda Robson, and Avon Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
What Erica finds out through her watchful eye is that Faye isn't as perfect as she initially thinks. When she witnesses something unsavory, Erica decides it's time for her to intervene, no matter how extreme her measures are.
ENVY is a dark thriller with plenty of twists. The characters are pretty unlikable, but that did not stop me from devouring it and eagerly flying through to see how everything would turn out. Author Amanda Robson does a wonderful job painting some drab characters and ones who are better off, and keeping the tension rising all the while. A lot of reviews talk about the "weak/confusing" ending, but I actually liked the way everything wrapped up. I was hooked until the very last sentence, and I will definitely be adding more books by Robson to my reading queue.
Thank you to NetGalley, Amanda Robson, and Avon Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 17, 2019
A story of sexual obsession and envy told from the perspective of four characters. It started out well enough, mother of two and model Faye being watched and stalked by someone who wanted what she had. Its well written but I lost interest after about 160 pages and skim read the rest (which because of the short chapters, sometimes only a few paragraphs, isn't difficult to do). I couldn't get behind any of the characters, and whilst this doesn't normally stop me enjoying a book, for me to feel invested in the story, I have to at least care what happens. Here I just felt indifference. I wouldn't not recommend it to others but it just didn't gel with me.
March 28, 2019
The first third of this book was quite good, but then it just became messy and very unrealistic. The ending had no point to it whatsoever
April 28, 2019
I’ve read Obsession by this author so I was looking forward to reading more from this author. I wasn’t disappointed.
This story is about four characters. Faye a beautiful woman, her husband Philip, Erica who wants to be Faye and Philips best friend Jonah who wants Faye.
The only negative I found is the point of views changing without me knowing. Kinda confusing.
I found this to be a well written engaging read that kept my attention from start to finish. If your looking for a book full of tension then I recommend this read.
This story is about four characters. Faye a beautiful woman, her husband Philip, Erica who wants to be Faye and Philips best friend Jonah who wants Faye.
The only negative I found is the point of views changing without me knowing. Kinda confusing.
I found this to be a well written engaging read that kept my attention from start to finish. If your looking for a book full of tension then I recommend this read.
December 14, 2019
Faye appears to have everything, beauty, nice figure, children and a husband Philip, everything that Erica, who lives opposite, has not. Erica becomes infatuated with Faye and when she is not spying on her from her flat window, she is following her, to the school and Faye's modeling assignments. However, Erica's infatuation changes when she suspects that Faye has been unfaithful to Philip, and takes extreme measures.
Written from the point of view of four characters, Faye, Philip, Erica and Jonah in short chapters, this book was a delight to read, and has many unexpected twists.
Written from the point of view of four characters, Faye, Philip, Erica and Jonah in short chapters, this book was a delight to read, and has many unexpected twists.
February 8, 2020
"But I still sense someone’s presence. Someone’s eyes burn into my flesh".
Envy by Amanda Robson
Envy was a fun read. It is a twisty psychological thriller about obsession, secrets and of coarse..envy. Lots of envy!
I did moderately enjoy this book but not as much as I could have. I liked the beginning and middle very much but it seemed to run out of steam as it approached the end.
SPOILERS:
There is no real way to do this review without spoilers. I am all for plot twists but one thing I do not like in my thrillers are characters who behave in a completely different way then they have through the book.
That pertains to Faye's husband. To put it bluntly I could not buy into the ending at all. The idea that this one woman had not one, not two but THREE stalkers seemed highly implausible and I really did not buy Hubs as a deranged killer. His voice toward the end started to sound exactly like the Voice of Jordan, his stalker friend and as a result I could not really take the ending as seriously as I'd have liked.
I would still recommend it. It is easy to read, fun and twisty and surprisingly touching in some respects. I adored the characters of Rose and Mouse.
I wish the book had not gone all topsy turvy with turning Hubs in to a nutter but until that happened, I'd have likely given this a four because it was a fun read.
If you can suspend your disbelief and just have fun with it, chances are you will like Envy.
Envy by Amanda Robson
Envy was a fun read. It is a twisty psychological thriller about obsession, secrets and of coarse..envy. Lots of envy!
I did moderately enjoy this book but not as much as I could have. I liked the beginning and middle very much but it seemed to run out of steam as it approached the end.
SPOILERS:
There is no real way to do this review without spoilers. I am all for plot twists but one thing I do not like in my thrillers are characters who behave in a completely different way then they have through the book.
That pertains to Faye's husband. To put it bluntly I could not buy into the ending at all. The idea that this one woman had not one, not two but THREE stalkers seemed highly implausible and I really did not buy Hubs as a deranged killer. His voice toward the end started to sound exactly like the Voice of Jordan, his stalker friend and as a result I could not really take the ending as seriously as I'd have liked.
I would still recommend it. It is easy to read, fun and twisty and surprisingly touching in some respects. I adored the characters of Rose and Mouse.
I wish the book had not gone all topsy turvy with turning Hubs in to a nutter but until that happened, I'd have likely given this a four because it was a fun read.
If you can suspend your disbelief and just have fun with it, chances are you will like Envy.
February 5, 2019
This started as a riveting read; a jealous woman, obsessed over the beauty and lifestyle of an attractive mother, begins to stalk her. A man, obsessed with the same woman and her beauty is determined she will be his. Sounded like just my cup of tea, and for a good proportion of the book I was hooked! The writing was different, full of short, punchy sentences and paragraphs that I appreciated and helped make the book an easy read. However, the story lost its way for me after the stalking part of the plot concluded. I felt the other threads were competing for attention and neither really won. The conclusion felt unrealistic, as there was no prior build up to the character behaving this way. So, while I enjoyed the majority of the book and liked Amanda Robson's writing style, it's not one I'd ever choose to go back and read.
*I received a copy of the book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
*I received a copy of the book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 22, 2019
Faye is desperately trying to peruse a modelling career and with the knock backs regarding her age she is feeling down in the dumps. However their are some people out there watching and noticing her every move and wanting to be just like her and Faye can not escape them, or can she?
I loved how the chapters were very short and flitted from character to character giving the story pace and a sense of urgency. It felt a little repetitive in language at times but this supported the understanding of the characters personalities and state of mind.
I loved how the chapters were very short and flitted from character to character giving the story pace and a sense of urgency. It felt a little repetitive in language at times but this supported the understanding of the characters personalities and state of mind.
May 16, 2019
This is an enjoyable story about some very unlikable, selfish people dealing with their obesessions and what happens when they all have to face the consequences of their actions. I thank Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
July 21, 2019
I picked this up because I was a huge fan of Amanda Robson's debut novel Obsession but Envy turned out to be quite the disappointment.
Firstly, I find the synopsis to be misleading because the missing daughter was only a tiny fraction of the whole storyline. Same goes for Erica, who was supposedly the stalkerish antagonist. But she didn't even seem like a real person, let alone come across as dangerous. Faye's secret wasn't that explosive either.
As such, the stakes aren't very high for a psychological thriller, which made me not really care for what happened next or what happened to the characters or the outcome. This is especially since none of the characters were likeable. While this is common for a thriller, there is usually at least one character that I would be rooting. But not this time.
Lastly, the ending fell flat and wasn't satisfying so it's hardly even worth talking about.
Firstly, I find the synopsis to be misleading because the missing daughter was only a tiny fraction of the whole storyline. Same goes for Erica, who was supposedly the stalkerish antagonist. But she didn't even seem like a real person, let alone come across as dangerous. Faye's secret wasn't that explosive either.
As such, the stakes aren't very high for a psychological thriller, which made me not really care for what happened next or what happened to the characters or the outcome. This is especially since none of the characters were likeable. While this is common for a thriller, there is usually at least one character that I would be rooting. But not this time.
Lastly, the ending fell flat and wasn't satisfying so it's hardly even worth talking about.
February 22, 2019
Aristotle defined envy as “pain at the sight of another’s good fortune, stirred by those who have what we ought to have.”
Erica’s picture, or better stated - Erica’s mugshot, is the illustration you’d find beside that definition of envy. Yes friends! Erica wants what she can’t have; that being everything that Faye has. How far will Erica go to get what she wants? You gotta read to find out!😘
Envy was an enjoyable read; not as good as Robson’s book, Obsession. However, I must say it’s still a read deserving of 3.5 stars to which I’ve rounded up to 4 due to the love of her previous work! ❤️
Erica’s picture, or better stated - Erica’s mugshot, is the illustration you’d find beside that definition of envy. Yes friends! Erica wants what she can’t have; that being everything that Faye has. How far will Erica go to get what she wants? You gotta read to find out!😘
Envy was an enjoyable read; not as good as Robson’s book, Obsession. However, I must say it’s still a read deserving of 3.5 stars to which I’ve rounded up to 4 due to the love of her previous work! ❤️
December 14, 2019
This was a fast, fun read! The chapters are short and from a different POV each time so the book never felt like it was dragging. I love how each character’s story ended. My only complaint is that I wished Jonah had been hit by a bus but hey, you can’t win ‘em all right?
Incidentally, did anyone else who’s read this book picture Christian Bale’s character from American Psycho as Jonah? I think that fact alone may have been a huge part of why I loved this book 😊.
Incidentally, did anyone else who’s read this book picture Christian Bale’s character from American Psycho as Jonah? I think that fact alone may have been a huge part of why I loved this book 😊.
January 29, 2019
3 stars. A fun read full of twists and turns. Hard to follow at times with the way the narratives were written. It would be one persons POV/chapter but it would switch to someone else talking and I didnt know who. There were many plot scenarios that I wasn't sure why they were there or how they fit.
Granted, I flipped excitedly through this book, so it was good. I just felt like it fell flat sometimes and the ending was disappointing to me.
Thank you #Netgalley, the author and the publisher for my free ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Granted, I flipped excitedly through this book, so it was good. I just felt like it fell flat sometimes and the ending was disappointing to me.
Thank you #Netgalley, the author and the publisher for my free ARC in exchange for my honest review.
March 25, 2019
This is the third book I've read by Amanda Robson, the story is well plotted and paced, with twists and turns and a creeping sense of menace.
The characters were well written and realistic. Both Erica and Faye drew me in and I was fascinated by everything about them.
Envy is a gripping novel with dark elements and unexpected turns that will pull you in from the beginning and have you eager to find out what happens.
The characters were well written and realistic. Both Erica and Faye drew me in and I was fascinated by everything about them.
Envy is a gripping novel with dark elements and unexpected turns that will pull you in from the beginning and have you eager to find out what happens.
February 12, 2019
Envy is about a couple named Philip and Faye. They live with their two girls. Unknown to them Faye has someone obsessed with her by the name of Erica. Philip has a long time friend that also seems to be obsessed romantically to Faye. One night something happens and Faye’s world is turned upside down by a secret. Very good book. .
April 23, 2019
Faye and Philip and their daughters Tamsin and Georgia live a comfortable life. Faye is a model who dreams of success but despite working hard on her body and looks hasn’t hit the big time and as she is in her mid-30s, she is getting worried about being past her best.
Erica has had a sad life – brought up in care after her mother died of a drug overdose, she spies on Faye, watching her from her flat window. Overweight and dowdy Erica dreams of being like Faye – beautiful, thin and with a gorgeous family of her own.
But Faye has a secret – her life is not as enviable as people believe. After a one night stand with her husband’s best friend Jonah, she is wracked with guilt and is revolted by what she did. But Jonah doesn’t want to let her go…
Things take a disturbing turn when Tamsin goes missing after school, taken by Erica who believes Faye isn’t a good enough mother, believing she herself can do a better job.
It took me a little while to get used to how this book was written. We hear from quite a few characters, all written in the first person in the present tense which was unusual – I can’t recall reading a book written in this way before. It is a very quick read – sometimes we just hear a couple of lines from a character and none of the chapters are very long. It was a good way to keep the tension strong.
A tale of obsession and jealousy, none of the characters are very likeable. Faye is a little self obsessed but is a good mother. Erica is a little nuts but has had a difficult life. Jonah, the man Faye sleeps with is just vile – creepy and threatening. And once Philip, Faye’s husband discovers the affair, he develops trust issues (not surprisingly) and also develops an unhealthy interest in Faye’s movements.
I wasn’t entirely convinced by the ending but overall this was a fast paced and tense thriller.
Erica has had a sad life – brought up in care after her mother died of a drug overdose, she spies on Faye, watching her from her flat window. Overweight and dowdy Erica dreams of being like Faye – beautiful, thin and with a gorgeous family of her own.
But Faye has a secret – her life is not as enviable as people believe. After a one night stand with her husband’s best friend Jonah, she is wracked with guilt and is revolted by what she did. But Jonah doesn’t want to let her go…
Things take a disturbing turn when Tamsin goes missing after school, taken by Erica who believes Faye isn’t a good enough mother, believing she herself can do a better job.
It took me a little while to get used to how this book was written. We hear from quite a few characters, all written in the first person in the present tense which was unusual – I can’t recall reading a book written in this way before. It is a very quick read – sometimes we just hear a couple of lines from a character and none of the chapters are very long. It was a good way to keep the tension strong.
A tale of obsession and jealousy, none of the characters are very likeable. Faye is a little self obsessed but is a good mother. Erica is a little nuts but has had a difficult life. Jonah, the man Faye sleeps with is just vile – creepy and threatening. And once Philip, Faye’s husband discovers the affair, he develops trust issues (not surprisingly) and also develops an unhealthy interest in Faye’s movements.
I wasn’t entirely convinced by the ending but overall this was a fast paced and tense thriller.
May 31, 2020
I found the perspectives a bit short and choppy, although the characters were easy to get in to. I enjoyed Faye’s account with her vanity, domestic drama and failure-to-launch modelling career. However, it was overall lacking in depth. Erica was too cliché and felt almost surplus to the storyline. Maybe less perspectives and more substance to the main one would have escalated it.
June 17, 2021
This book was a difficult one to rate. On one hand, it was nice having an easy read after Jane Austen. However, the plot was too ridiculous… having three major problems in a short novel just seems like too much. I don’t regret reading it, but I think it had potential to be better.
February 22, 2019
2.5 Stars
I’m really hoping that with this book done I’m at the end of a triad of books I haven’t liked.
This was an average, predictable and banal read. The plot by itself is nothing very unique. The characters are all unlikable. The ending is disappointing.
When you first start reading this book you think there are 2 narrators but as you read further you realize that there are more! Each narrator unfortunately had a very similar voice and you had different people’s commentary in another person’s narration, making it hard to remember whose narration you are reading! However the chapters are short enough to go through them fairly quickly. All the narrators are unreliable but the fact that you can’t empathize with even one of them makes this book difficult to enjoy.
About the plot, well to sum it up: Erica stalks Faye, wants to be like her, then sees that Faye is far from perfect, keeps stalking her, craziness ensues, we find another sinister stalker who knows what Faye is up to, more madness, ends unrealistically.
I did like the author’s writing style but all in all this was something I was tempted to quit reading multiple times. I didn’t simply because it was quick enough to get through.
Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
#NetGalley, #Envy
Also shared on: https://romasharma.blogspot.com
I’m really hoping that with this book done I’m at the end of a triad of books I haven’t liked.
This was an average, predictable and banal read. The plot by itself is nothing very unique. The characters are all unlikable. The ending is disappointing.
When you first start reading this book you think there are 2 narrators but as you read further you realize that there are more! Each narrator unfortunately had a very similar voice and you had different people’s commentary in another person’s narration, making it hard to remember whose narration you are reading! However the chapters are short enough to go through them fairly quickly. All the narrators are unreliable but the fact that you can’t empathize with even one of them makes this book difficult to enjoy.
About the plot, well to sum it up: Erica stalks Faye, wants to be like her, then sees that Faye is far from perfect, keeps stalking her, craziness ensues, we find another sinister stalker who knows what Faye is up to, more madness, ends unrealistically.
I did like the author’s writing style but all in all this was something I was tempted to quit reading multiple times. I didn’t simply because it was quick enough to get through.
Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
#NetGalley, #Envy
Also shared on: https://romasharma.blogspot.com
April 10, 2021
I was hooked at the beginning of this story and if I had given a review partway through, this might have gotten a five-star review. However, after the climactic event midway through, Philip, one of the main characters, started to behave in a way that seemed to be very out of character. In addition, Erica, another main character, underwent a few months of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and was a totally different person… How unrealistic. Anyone who knows about this type of therapy realizes that, while it is an effective therapy, it can take many years of DBT to effect healing and change and an individual. Most of the characters were shallow and unlikable, and I found myself not caring what happened to any of them. The end was totally off base and unrealistic and definitely didn’t make sense. I would not recommend this book.
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