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Riley
When Riley Cotswald, a writer at work on her second novel, finally leaves her husband, she gets way more than she bargained for. Her characters' lives echo her own dilemmas, and she feels a kinship to them as they come alive on her desktop. Her best friend Jennifer does not understand this but loves Riley. Maybe too much. After a particularly infuriating conversation with her husband Cameron, Riley impulsively gets involved with Edward, a socially-challenged man who had asked her out once, only to be rejected. When Riley runs into him again, she takes out her rage and frustration in a way that delights and intoxicates Edward but was a one-time event for Riley. Edward looks for ways to pursue the relationship but is frustrated at every turn. He begins to stalk Riley and then resorts to the Dark Web to find ways to retaliate against her. What follows is complicated, intense, and completely unforeseen.
534 pages, Paperback
Published October 15, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 9, 2020
This story starts out with some serious psychological ponderings, the kind many people would experience, making it relatable. The questions are interesting, and the uneasy protagonist has some things to work out. The tale was penned by a psychologist, and this shows in the great and detailed characterization.
Riley is a writer composing a novel, and the secondary story of her book is interwoven throughout her own story. She often makes self-comparisons with her characters.
There are different types of relationships explored in depth here, and in an entertaining fashion. This tale is all about introspection occasionally pierced by moments of intense action. The characters consider going down very different roads, and so readers will wonder if they’ll make good choices or really terrible ones, amping up the suspense. Danger exists, based on those choices. The author has written complex, unpredictable, all-too-human characters to drive the drama unfolding in their lives, such as Edward, who stalks Riley after she jilts him. Readers will surely rethink their opinions of the protagonists, the antagonists, and the secondary characters more than once.
Though the pace is not quick, the large amount of internal ponderings offers a great view into the human psyche and so is worth the read.
Riley is a writer composing a novel, and the secondary story of her book is interwoven throughout her own story. She often makes self-comparisons with her characters.
There are different types of relationships explored in depth here, and in an entertaining fashion. This tale is all about introspection occasionally pierced by moments of intense action. The characters consider going down very different roads, and so readers will wonder if they’ll make good choices or really terrible ones, amping up the suspense. Danger exists, based on those choices. The author has written complex, unpredictable, all-too-human characters to drive the drama unfolding in their lives, such as Edward, who stalks Riley after she jilts him. Readers will surely rethink their opinions of the protagonists, the antagonists, and the secondary characters more than once.
Though the pace is not quick, the large amount of internal ponderings offers a great view into the human psyche and so is worth the read.
March 17, 2020
Author Riley Cotswald is tired of her marriage. Cameron, her soon to be ex-husband, is married to his job and in the last few years they have slowly drifted apart. Even though they have separated, life doesn’t seem that much different, other than opening up new possibilities for different relationships with others.
When she makes a snap decision to sleep with a man she barely knows, Riley’s life becomes a nightmare. Her one-time lover believes they are going to have a relationship. When she turns him down, he wants to make her pay for what she has done to him. He fantasizes about being with her again as well as getting even with her for hurting him.
Her best friend Jennifer is there for her, suggesting Riley might want to contact a local women’s shelter to see what steps she can take to stop the man she thinks is stalking her. Mildred, the director of the shelter, immediately bonds with Riley and offers to help her. She recommends a private investigator, surprising both girls, but they soon realize it is a necessary step in moving on.
Riley is an easy to read, yet complicated book about these new and old relationships and how these interactions touch and change both Riley and all of the other characters. Like most people, all of their relationships are complicated.
As an author, Riley spends much of her day inside her own head. She takes the reader along for the ride, adding even more depth to the novel by creating a fascinating story within the story. This gives the reader two books in one. The complexity of the story and characters for Riley as well as the book Riley is writing is a double treat for readers.
This is the first book I have read by Paul Martin Midden and I loved it. I cannot wait to read his previous books. I highly recommend it.
DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I have a material connection because I received a review copy from publicist Maryglenn McCombs in exchange for a fair and honest review. Copyright © 2020 Laura Hartman
When she makes a snap decision to sleep with a man she barely knows, Riley’s life becomes a nightmare. Her one-time lover believes they are going to have a relationship. When she turns him down, he wants to make her pay for what she has done to him. He fantasizes about being with her again as well as getting even with her for hurting him.
Her best friend Jennifer is there for her, suggesting Riley might want to contact a local women’s shelter to see what steps she can take to stop the man she thinks is stalking her. Mildred, the director of the shelter, immediately bonds with Riley and offers to help her. She recommends a private investigator, surprising both girls, but they soon realize it is a necessary step in moving on.
Riley is an easy to read, yet complicated book about these new and old relationships and how these interactions touch and change both Riley and all of the other characters. Like most people, all of their relationships are complicated.
As an author, Riley spends much of her day inside her own head. She takes the reader along for the ride, adding even more depth to the novel by creating a fascinating story within the story. This gives the reader two books in one. The complexity of the story and characters for Riley as well as the book Riley is writing is a double treat for readers.
This is the first book I have read by Paul Martin Midden and I loved it. I cannot wait to read his previous books. I highly recommend it.
DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I have a material connection because I received a review copy from publicist Maryglenn McCombs in exchange for a fair and honest review. Copyright © 2020 Laura Hartman
March 15, 2020
Riley by Paul Martin Midden
When Riley, a writer behaves sexually impulsively, the one-night stand becomes a nightmare. As a psychologist, the author delves into dangerous behaviors that can trigger disasters and more.
When Riley, a writer behaves sexually impulsively, the one-night stand becomes a nightmare. As a psychologist, the author delves into dangerous behaviors that can trigger disasters and more.
March 15, 2020
This book delves into the psychology of relationships, and how the unintended effects of people’s impulsive behaviors might produce abhorrent results not anticipated. Look before you leap might be a good subtitle.
March 15, 2020
With a psychologist insight into abnormal behavior, Paul Midden shows how and why a man allows his darker side to show.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews