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The Argument
It happens to every mother. One day, the daughter whose whole world you once were, becomes someone you barely know. And you don’t know the secrets she’s hiding…
One hot summer night, 15-year-old Olivia comes home late from a party she was strictly forbidden from going to, and she and her mother, Hannah, start arguing. Soon Olivia speaks the words that every parent has heard from their teenage child:
‘I hate you. You’ve ruined my life. And I’m never speaking to you again.’
Olivia has never been an easy child, a sharp contrast to her easy-going, happy-go-lucky little sister. But Hannah thinks Olivia’s outburst is the end of a normal family argument. In fact, it’s only the beginning of a nightmare…
After one day of silence, Hannah thinks Olivia is taking a teenage sulk too far. After two days, she starts to feel anxious that something more serious could be going on. After a week, when her daughter still hasn’t spoken, Hannah knows that Olivia is hiding a bigger darkness – something that could threaten to tear their precious family apart…
The Argument is an unputdownable psychological thriller that asks how far we can push our families before they finally break. Perfect for fans of Gillian Flynn, The Woman in the Window, and The Silent Patient.
One hot summer night, 15-year-old Olivia comes home late from a party she was strictly forbidden from going to, and she and her mother, Hannah, start arguing. Soon Olivia speaks the words that every parent has heard from their teenage child:
‘I hate you. You’ve ruined my life. And I’m never speaking to you again.’
Olivia has never been an easy child, a sharp contrast to her easy-going, happy-go-lucky little sister. But Hannah thinks Olivia’s outburst is the end of a normal family argument. In fact, it’s only the beginning of a nightmare…
After one day of silence, Hannah thinks Olivia is taking a teenage sulk too far. After two days, she starts to feel anxious that something more serious could be going on. After a week, when her daughter still hasn’t spoken, Hannah knows that Olivia is hiding a bigger darkness – something that could threaten to tear their precious family apart…
The Argument is an unputdownable psychological thriller that asks how far we can push our families before they finally break. Perfect for fans of Gillian Flynn, The Woman in the Window, and The Silent Patient.
235 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 6, 2019
2763 people are currently reading
2082 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Jenkins
25 books349 followersVictoria Jenkins is a Welsh author who has made a name for herself writing the highly popular Detective King and Lane series of novels. The first novel in the series was “The Girls In The Water” that Jenkins first published in 2017, to much critical acclaim and popularity among crime fiction fans.
The series of novels features Detective Constable Chloe Lane and Detective Inspector Alex King, who are the lead investigative characters that solve some mysterious murders in their hometown.
Jenkins lives with her husband and daughter in South Wales, where her series of crime novels featuring Detectives King and Lane is based.
The series of novels features Detective Constable Chloe Lane and Detective Inspector Alex King, who are the lead investigative characters that solve some mysterious murders in their hometown.
Jenkins lives with her husband and daughter in South Wales, where her series of crime novels featuring Detectives King and Lane is based.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 284 reviews
December 12, 2019
The Argument by Victoria Jenkins is a psychological thriller that is centered around one family’s drama. The story begins with a mother, Hannah, and her daughter, Olivia carrying out that ages old teenage rebellion argument of how parents just don’t understand with the point of view switching between mother and daughter throughout the book.
Hannah is home alone while her husband is away working when she catches her teenage daughter sneaking back into their home. Olivia had been told repeatedly that she couldn’t attend a party happening that night so Hannah is not at all surprised that Olivia didn’t listen to her parents once again.
It becomes obvious to Hannah that Olivia has done more than just sneak out when she smells alcohol on her which of course helps trigger the argument between the two. Hannah remembers those days of her teenage years regardless if Olivia believes that o r not so she is more than determined to keep her daughter safe even if that means enduring another silent treatment.
I would take a wild guess that almost everyone can relate to the teenage ups and downs and thinking parents are horrible at at least one point since we all were once a teen ourselves. Sure, some kids get a little more rebellious than others but this story seemed like a normal family set up until you start really diving in and peeling back the layers. Definitely full of twists and turns to keep the pages turning all from that simple set up at the start which made for an engaging read.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Hannah is home alone while her husband is away working when she catches her teenage daughter sneaking back into their home. Olivia had been told repeatedly that she couldn’t attend a party happening that night so Hannah is not at all surprised that Olivia didn’t listen to her parents once again.
It becomes obvious to Hannah that Olivia has done more than just sneak out when she smells alcohol on her which of course helps trigger the argument between the two. Hannah remembers those days of her teenage years regardless if Olivia believes that o r not so she is more than determined to keep her daughter safe even if that means enduring another silent treatment.
I would take a wild guess that almost everyone can relate to the teenage ups and downs and thinking parents are horrible at at least one point since we all were once a teen ourselves. Sure, some kids get a little more rebellious than others but this story seemed like a normal family set up until you start really diving in and peeling back the layers. Definitely full of twists and turns to keep the pages turning all from that simple set up at the start which made for an engaging read.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
December 5, 2019
Olivia goes to a party without her parents consent. This then starts a chain of events. All Hannah and Michael wanted was to keep their two daughters safe. Olivia has reached her mid teens and has become quite rebellious.shes acting completely out of character at school and she's giving her parents the silent treatment. She's getting noticed but for all the wrong reasons.
Nearly the first 70% is about family drama rather than a thrilling read. Hannah is not the best role model. She's quite a despicable character. In fact, I could not warm to any of the characters. The pace is very slow with not a lot happening until we get to the twist. But for me, the twist came too late. The ending was unexpected. There was no build up and I felt there were some loose ends needing tied up.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Bookouture and the author Victoria Jenkins for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Nearly the first 70% is about family drama rather than a thrilling read. Hannah is not the best role model. She's quite a despicable character. In fact, I could not warm to any of the characters. The pace is very slow with not a lot happening until we get to the twist. But for me, the twist came too late. The ending was unexpected. There was no build up and I felt there were some loose ends needing tied up.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Bookouture and the author Victoria Jenkins for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 12, 2019
Isn’t ‘argument’ one of those words that you always spell wrong? it is me
Anyway this book is anything but just an argument, in fact my only small criticism is the title which really doesn’t do the book justice
It starts as a good family drama, obviously building a picture for us all and hinting that there is more to come
And come it does, once it starts there is no stopping and it has to be one of the most shocking set of twists in a book this year
It made me feel disgust, horror and incredulity as to what this family were/are and what they have done/are doing
It is really difficult to not give anything away as writing this but I am determined not to as want the feeling of repulsion to go through you as it did me as you discover just what the book leads to and what this family is
A devastatingly good book, well written and narrated and if this book doesn’t leave you shuddering nothing will
Brilliantly well done
10/10
5 Stars
Anyway this book is anything but just an argument, in fact my only small criticism is the title which really doesn’t do the book justice
It starts as a good family drama, obviously building a picture for us all and hinting that there is more to come
And come it does, once it starts there is no stopping and it has to be one of the most shocking set of twists in a book this year
It made me feel disgust, horror and incredulity as to what this family were/are and what they have done/are doing
It is really difficult to not give anything away as writing this but I am determined not to as want the feeling of repulsion to go through you as it did me as you discover just what the book leads to and what this family is
A devastatingly good book, well written and narrated and if this book doesn’t leave you shuddering nothing will
Brilliantly well done
10/10
5 Stars
December 31, 2019
Arrrghhhh! While it seems I’m in the minority here , I really didn’t enjoy The Argument. 90% was pretty boring and the other 10% where all the ‘action’ happened was in my opinion ,ridiculous.
Thank you next !
Thank you next !
November 21, 2019
The Argument by Victoria Jenkins is a twisted psychological thriller that kept me guessing. We follow the perspectives of Hannah and her fifteen-year-old daughter Olivia. Hannah loves being a stay-at-home mom. She has two beautiful daughters, a lovely home, and a husband who loves her dearly. She knows that she's a bit strict and overprotective of her children but she has their best interests at heart. Olivia is sick and tired of being told what to do by her parents and is determined to break all their rules. At first, you can't help but feel sorry for Hannah who is having a hard time coping with Olivia's sudden hatred towards her. Or maybe you feel sorry for Olivia who just wants her mother to love her as much as she loves her younger sister Rosie. But all is not as it appears to be. That's because one of them is an unreliable narrator and the other one is withholding information from the reader. I enjoyed this book. The plot is dark, addictive, and had just the amount of tension and suspense to keep me turning the pages. This was one messed up family and while I had a few theories about what was going on, the twist completely shocked me. If you like thrillers centered on family drama, then this is the perfect book for you. Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 9, 2020
THE ARGUMENT is a psychological thriller by Welsh author, Victoria Jenkins, who has made a name for herself writing the highly popular Detective King and Lane series of novels. This is a standalone novel that tests the limits of a family before it breaks.
Fifteen-year-old Olivia is everything her younger ten-year-old sister, Rosie isn’t, wild, stubborn and always questioning everything. Her mother, Hannah has her hands full. Hannah is home alone with her daughters while her husband, Michael is always working.
One hot summer night, Olivia comes home late from a party she was strictly forbidden from going to, and she and her mother, Hannah, start arguing. Soon Olivia speaks the words that every parent has heard from their teenage child:
‘I hate you. You’ve ruined my life. And I’m never speaking to you again.’
Olivia has never been an easy child, a sharp contrast to her easy-going, happy-go-lucky little sister. But Hannah thinks Olivia’s outburst is the end of a normal family argument. In fact, it’s only the beginning of a nightmare…
As a mother she can only hope her pre-teen will grow out of this phase quickly.
And so, begins the days of silence, as Olivia refuses to speak and as the days increase, Hannah starts to feel anxious and knows that Olivia is hiding a bigger darkness – something that could threaten to tear their precious family apart…
Hannah is more than determined to keep her daughter safe even if she has to go through this silent treatment.
Then the house is broken into and other weird things start to happen in this family drama.
The novel alternates between Hannah and Olivia’s POV’s…but only one is truthful. Not everything is as it seems.
I enjoyed this book with its dark, addictive plot, engaging characters and increasing level of suspense through its many twists and turns to a final shocking twist.
Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and Netgalley for my digital copy.
Fifteen-year-old Olivia is everything her younger ten-year-old sister, Rosie isn’t, wild, stubborn and always questioning everything. Her mother, Hannah has her hands full. Hannah is home alone with her daughters while her husband, Michael is always working.
One hot summer night, Olivia comes home late from a party she was strictly forbidden from going to, and she and her mother, Hannah, start arguing. Soon Olivia speaks the words that every parent has heard from their teenage child:
‘I hate you. You’ve ruined my life. And I’m never speaking to you again.’
Olivia has never been an easy child, a sharp contrast to her easy-going, happy-go-lucky little sister. But Hannah thinks Olivia’s outburst is the end of a normal family argument. In fact, it’s only the beginning of a nightmare…
As a mother she can only hope her pre-teen will grow out of this phase quickly.
And so, begins the days of silence, as Olivia refuses to speak and as the days increase, Hannah starts to feel anxious and knows that Olivia is hiding a bigger darkness – something that could threaten to tear their precious family apart…
Hannah is more than determined to keep her daughter safe even if she has to go through this silent treatment.
Then the house is broken into and other weird things start to happen in this family drama.
The novel alternates between Hannah and Olivia’s POV’s…but only one is truthful. Not everything is as it seems.
I enjoyed this book with its dark, addictive plot, engaging characters and increasing level of suspense through its many twists and turns to a final shocking twist.
Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and Netgalley for my digital copy.
December 29, 2019
I gave this one two stars because from the back matter, it seemed the author likes her readers and wants to entertain them and also cares about issues of domestic abuse. But that did not save this book, which went from slow and tedious for the first 2/3 to utterly preposterous. It is easy to create mystery when the characters hide not only the thoughts that preoccupy them, but even what they read, write, hear, and see from the reader. Daughter Olivia's bizarre behaviour seems mysterious till we find out what has really been going on at home. Whilst events are narrated from both Oliva's and her mum Hannah prespective, they simply omit all the critical information till the final section of the book. Characters who seemed ordinary suddenly turn into monsters. The blurbs for this one misled me; it's not at all like Gillian Flynn. The claim in the subtitle for an "unbelievable twist" turns out quite truthful: it was impossible that the characters could keep it hidden not only from the reader, but never happen to mention it to themselves. Sometimes I imagine that authors try to create characters who are conscious that they in a story book and think, "Ooh, must not mention that - it would be a spoiler," even if in real life they couldn't contain themselves. That seems like cheating to me.
December 27, 2019
Hannah is a stay-at-home mom with two beautiful daughters, a beautiful home, and a loving husband .Hannah is home alone while her husband is away working when she catches her rebellious 15 year old Olivia sneaking back home after a late night party.
When Hannah smells alcohol on Olivia it triggers the argument between the two which results in Olivia not talking to her mom for several days . Then the house is broken into and other strange things start to happen and secrets are revealed.
The Argument by Victoria Jenkins is a psychological family drama alternating between Hannah and Olivia’s POV’s and only one of them is reliable.I did feel it was a little slow and repetitive midway but then it picks up pace and there are plenty of twists and turns after that thus making it a highly entertaining read .
I would like to thank Bookouture & NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review.
This and more reviews at https://chloesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
When Hannah smells alcohol on Olivia it triggers the argument between the two which results in Olivia not talking to her mom for several days . Then the house is broken into and other strange things start to happen and secrets are revealed.
The Argument by Victoria Jenkins is a psychological family drama alternating between Hannah and Olivia’s POV’s and only one of them is reliable.I did feel it was a little slow and repetitive midway but then it picks up pace and there are plenty of twists and turns after that thus making it a highly entertaining read .
I would like to thank Bookouture & NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review.
This and more reviews at https://chloesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
December 3, 2019
It starts off with daughter Olivia being told by mom Hannah that she cannot attend a party. Being 15 years old, she's doing what most teenagers do .... sneak out of the house and attend the party anyway. After all... what can happen ... right?
Hannah waits up, worrying about her daughter, especially since her husband is out of town working. When Olivia finally gets home, she's slightly tipsy, and the argument begins.
What parent has never heard ... I hate you ... I'm never going to speak to you again ... at least once?
Olivia is determined, if nothing else. She doesn't speak for a day ... she doesn't speak for a week... Hannah is almost enjoying the peace and quiet. But then ... she doesn't know what the future holds .... and a nightmare begins.
What starts out as a family drama, it soon turns into something much more deadly. There are twists and turns that rival a roller coaster ride. Surprise after surprise kept me riveted to the pages. And the ending was utterly unpredictable.
Many thanks to the author / Bookouture / Netgalley for the digital copy of this unputdownable psychological thriller. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Hannah waits up, worrying about her daughter, especially since her husband is out of town working. When Olivia finally gets home, she's slightly tipsy, and the argument begins.
What parent has never heard ... I hate you ... I'm never going to speak to you again ... at least once?
Olivia is determined, if nothing else. She doesn't speak for a day ... she doesn't speak for a week... Hannah is almost enjoying the peace and quiet. But then ... she doesn't know what the future holds .... and a nightmare begins.
What starts out as a family drama, it soon turns into something much more deadly. There are twists and turns that rival a roller coaster ride. Surprise after surprise kept me riveted to the pages. And the ending was utterly unpredictable.
Many thanks to the author / Bookouture / Netgalley for the digital copy of this unputdownable psychological thriller. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
November 24, 2019
To say that the family in this story is royally screwed up is an understatement. The parents don't have the least bit of redeeming social value as human beings, although by the end it was pretty clear how they came to be that way. The best I can say is that others in the story - themselves seriously flawed - managed to escape, though certainly not unscathed.
While I can't say I really "enjoyed" the book, I can't deny the almost inescapable "can't put it down" aspect. Had I not started it on an evening when a couple of favorite TV shows and a couple too many glasses of Labbatt's Blue hadn't intervened, there's no doubt I could have polished it off in one day (at 235 pages, not all that difficult to do).
The title refers to a battle of words between 15-year-old Olivia and her mother, Hannah, when Olivia returns home late after going to a party her parents had nixed. Olivia is so enraged at what she considers her parents' unrealistic, controlling attitudes that she announces she will never speak to her mother again. And by golly, she sticks to her guns - much to the angst and anger of her parents.
As for her parents, Hannah and Michael wish Olivia could be like her little sister, Rosie, who's both outgoing and compliant. Little do they know, though, that despite their efforts to keep Olivia from turning Rosie into a cohort, the two girls have formed a solid bond. As the story progresses, readers learn that there's much more going on in Olivia's head than typical teenage rebellion - and once that realization dawns on her mother, things begin to turn sour. Meantime, weird things start happening in what Hannah always considered a close-knit household - things that worry Hannah even more than the silence of her elder daughter.
Honestly, I did guess the biggest "twist" a while before it was revealed, although to be fair I wasn't sure I was right until I read it with my own eyes. Toward the end, things got really hectic, and yes, from that point on, nothing would have stopped me from getting to that last page. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read an advance copy.
While I can't say I really "enjoyed" the book, I can't deny the almost inescapable "can't put it down" aspect. Had I not started it on an evening when a couple of favorite TV shows and a couple too many glasses of Labbatt's Blue hadn't intervened, there's no doubt I could have polished it off in one day (at 235 pages, not all that difficult to do).
The title refers to a battle of words between 15-year-old Olivia and her mother, Hannah, when Olivia returns home late after going to a party her parents had nixed. Olivia is so enraged at what she considers her parents' unrealistic, controlling attitudes that she announces she will never speak to her mother again. And by golly, she sticks to her guns - much to the angst and anger of her parents.
As for her parents, Hannah and Michael wish Olivia could be like her little sister, Rosie, who's both outgoing and compliant. Little do they know, though, that despite their efforts to keep Olivia from turning Rosie into a cohort, the two girls have formed a solid bond. As the story progresses, readers learn that there's much more going on in Olivia's head than typical teenage rebellion - and once that realization dawns on her mother, things begin to turn sour. Meantime, weird things start happening in what Hannah always considered a close-knit household - things that worry Hannah even more than the silence of her elder daughter.
Honestly, I did guess the biggest "twist" a while before it was revealed, although to be fair I wasn't sure I was right until I read it with my own eyes. Toward the end, things got really hectic, and yes, from that point on, nothing would have stopped me from getting to that last page. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read an advance copy.
December 11, 2019
Okay, any parent of teens know what silent treatment is. That is the premise of this incredible psychological thriller by Victoria Jenkins.
Olivia, 15-years-old, came home from a party late one night. She knew she was going to be in big trouble, but she really didn't care. However, her actions led to a major rift with her mother and they then got into a huge argument. Olivia leaves the room furiously, determined not to speak to her mother any time soon. Ever, in fact.
Her mother, Hannah, has a hard time trying to figure out why Olivia is so different from her younger sister, Rosie. Olivia is headstrong, argumentative and difficult. Conversely, Rosie is sweet and gentle. The girls get along just fine. However, Olivia does not get along well with their parents.
Hannah thinks things will blow over in a few days and then get back to normal. After a week or so passes, she becomes very unsure. Her husband is always working away from home, leaving Hannah with the bulk of care when it comes to their home and daughters.
A family drama? Is that what this book is? Notice the genre, a psychological thriller. Why is that? Things begin the become revealed in this story. Shocking, jaw-dropping things. I do not want leave a single spoiler in this review. Suffice it to say that the author has floored me with this story. It took a sharp turn at some point. So sharp in fact that it took my breath away. I nearly dropped my device because I was so thrown off. So, kudos to Ms. Jenkins for cutting me off at the knees with this fantastic book. I cannot wait to see what she has to offer next to us greedy readers.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.
Olivia, 15-years-old, came home from a party late one night. She knew she was going to be in big trouble, but she really didn't care. However, her actions led to a major rift with her mother and they then got into a huge argument. Olivia leaves the room furiously, determined not to speak to her mother any time soon. Ever, in fact.
Her mother, Hannah, has a hard time trying to figure out why Olivia is so different from her younger sister, Rosie. Olivia is headstrong, argumentative and difficult. Conversely, Rosie is sweet and gentle. The girls get along just fine. However, Olivia does not get along well with their parents.
Hannah thinks things will blow over in a few days and then get back to normal. After a week or so passes, she becomes very unsure. Her husband is always working away from home, leaving Hannah with the bulk of care when it comes to their home and daughters.
A family drama? Is that what this book is? Notice the genre, a psychological thriller. Why is that? Things begin the become revealed in this story. Shocking, jaw-dropping things. I do not want leave a single spoiler in this review. Suffice it to say that the author has floored me with this story. It took a sharp turn at some point. So sharp in fact that it took my breath away. I nearly dropped my device because I was so thrown off. So, kudos to Ms. Jenkins for cutting me off at the knees with this fantastic book. I cannot wait to see what she has to offer next to us greedy readers.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.
September 4, 2021
Interesting look inside a family presenting a façade of perfection to the outside world. Then. . . when behind closed doors, it gets real, with some seriously abusive and dysfunctional familial relationships going on. When dark family secrets are uncovered, exposing years of horrendous shame and deceit, the truth is out, but at what cost? Should some secrets be kept if the the truth does more harm to innocents than good? Food for thought....
High octane and full of intrigue - especially the last 25% of the book.
Thank you, Ms. Jenkins for shining a light on a topic which is all too often still considered taboo.
High octane and full of intrigue - especially the last 25% of the book.
Thank you, Ms. Jenkins for shining a light on a topic which is all too often still considered taboo.
December 5, 2019
Thank you so much to Bookouture and Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this book. Unfortunately, I did not enjoy this book as much as I had hoped that I would. I read the premise and right away I was hooked and knew that I had to read it. It sounded like a book that would be suspenseful and very relatable. The synopsis let us know that this was going to be about a tumultuous mother-daughter relationship, which I feel like every girl who has ever been a teenager can relate to. The early reviews also made me think that this book was going to be everything that I wanted in a thriller.
Let's start with the positive things that I liked about the book. I really liked how every now and then we got an excerpt from a diary. I found this to be fun because we weren't sure whose diary it came from. It could have been the mother's (Hannah) diary or the daughter's (Olivia) diary. I found it fun to try to guess whose it was along the way. I also liked Olivia's perspective. She felt very real. Her thoughts and actions were an accurate portrayal of a teenage girl going through the tough years of high school.
There were a lot of things that I didn't really like about this book. I didn't like Hannah's perspective at all. She was unlikeable from the very beginning and that never really changed even when the author tried to get us to have sympathy for her. The writing style made it really hard to connect with the story. It was written in the third person and as a reader, I felt very removed from the situation. There were points where I felt like the author was trying to be lyrical/metaphorical and it just wasn't working for me. This continued to get a little better as the story progressed, but not by much. The Argument does have a huge twist, but we really don't get to it until about the 80% mark. So leading up to it was very dry and there were so many points that I wanted to just put the book down and not return to it. The twist came out completely left field for me. There were no clues or hidden clues leading up to that point that would have even hinted at the twist. It made the book feel very disjointed and it never really recovered from it.
For such a great synopsis, this book and I just didn't click.
Let's start with the positive things that I liked about the book. I really liked how every now and then we got an excerpt from a diary. I found this to be fun because we weren't sure whose diary it came from. It could have been the mother's (Hannah) diary or the daughter's (Olivia) diary. I found it fun to try to guess whose it was along the way. I also liked Olivia's perspective. She felt very real. Her thoughts and actions were an accurate portrayal of a teenage girl going through the tough years of high school.
There were a lot of things that I didn't really like about this book. I didn't like Hannah's perspective at all. She was unlikeable from the very beginning and that never really changed even when the author tried to get us to have sympathy for her. The writing style made it really hard to connect with the story. It was written in the third person and as a reader, I felt very removed from the situation. There were points where I felt like the author was trying to be lyrical/metaphorical and it just wasn't working for me. This continued to get a little better as the story progressed, but not by much. The Argument does have a huge twist, but we really don't get to it until about the 80% mark. So leading up to it was very dry and there were so many points that I wanted to just put the book down and not return to it. The twist came out completely left field for me. There were no clues or hidden clues leading up to that point that would have even hinted at the twist. It made the book feel very disjointed and it never really recovered from it.
For such a great synopsis, this book and I just didn't click.
June 5, 2023
Review coming soon.
January 6, 2020
In 'The Argument', Olivia rebels against her parents (Hannah and Michael) by going to a party and gives them the silent treatment once she gets home. Her change in behaviour and refusal to speak lead Hannah to believe that something could be troubling her. Will they figure it out before it's too late?
An okay premise dashed by substandard writing. The book suffered from snail-like pacing, uneventfulness and repetitiveness that made watching paint dry sound far more appealing. It was torturous having to endure page after page of characters dwelling on their thoughts without actually knowing their thoughts because everything was vague and details were withheld. Their self-censorship in thoughts was illogical.
As if that wasn't bad enough, the characters were unlikeable and dull. It was like reading about a bunch of potted plants. Their behaviours were unrealistic and annoying especially when they avoided having conversations to keep the reader clueless. House got broken into? Cupboard got vandalised with the curious word 'LIAR'? Daughter out of control? Do nothing!
Aside from committing the cardinal sin of telling rather than showing, the story remained a snoozefest even when major revelations were shoehorned at the last minute. Not only have those been done to death (and much better); they were ridiculous and unbelievable as there were no clues or hints whatsoever, with plenty not adding up:
Overall, 'The Argument' was painfully plodding, tedious and forgettable due to the horrendous writing, flat characters and rushed info dump.
An okay premise dashed by substandard writing. The book suffered from snail-like pacing, uneventfulness and repetitiveness that made watching paint dry sound far more appealing. It was torturous having to endure page after page of characters dwelling on their thoughts without actually knowing their thoughts because everything was vague and details were withheld. Their self-censorship in thoughts was illogical.
As if that wasn't bad enough, the characters were unlikeable and dull. It was like reading about a bunch of potted plants. Their behaviours were unrealistic and annoying especially when they avoided having conversations to keep the reader clueless. House got broken into? Cupboard got vandalised with the curious word 'LIAR'? Daughter out of control? Do nothing!
Aside from committing the cardinal sin of telling rather than showing, the story remained a snoozefest even when major revelations were shoehorned at the last minute. Not only have those been done to death (and much better); they were ridiculous and unbelievable as there were no clues or hints whatsoever, with plenty not adding up:
Overall, 'The Argument' was painfully plodding, tedious and forgettable due to the horrendous writing, flat characters and rushed info dump.
November 15, 2019
The problem with catch phrases on book covers is that they tend to oversell the story—and sure, maybe it sells more books, but readers will look at it more severely had the catch phrases not been there. In here, I was therefore to expect a “gripping psychological thriller” with “an incredible twist.” Instead of gripping, it stalled and felt bleak. I didn't guess the twist, but I'll be damned if any reader does. When it finally came—80% in, no less—I just wanted to close the book and be done with it. Why? Because it's the worst of twists: it's the one where there's nothing whatsoever that hints the reader, there's no building toward it. So yes, it is indeed incredible, as in not credible: it makes no sense—shock value perhaps?—so out of character that you have to wonder if you're not reading the end of another book. I couldn't connect with the characters before said twist, let alone understand their motivations. After the twist, I didn't even want to try anymore.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 1, 2020
After enjoying Victoria Jenkins' King and Lane series I was disappointed with her last book,
"The Divorce"
, which was her first in the thriller genre. With THE ARGUMENT I was hoping for something a little more intriguing...and I must say I was pleasantly surprised. A book that is surrounded by a single argument sounded fascinating.
The story surrounds Hannah Walters, a stay at home mum, with two beautiful but equally different daughters - Olivia and Rosie. With a loving husband, Michael and a beautiful home, what more could Hannah want? How about a bit more respect and appreciation from her defiant and rebellious teenage daughter? Why couldn't she be more like Rosie, her golden child?
And so it starts with...well...an argument.
Fifteen year old Olivia Walters is told by her mum Hannah that she cannot go to a party. But being 15, does she listen? Of course not! She's 15! So she sneaks out of the house and attends the party anyway. Her mother is fraught with worry, suspecting that Olivia defied her and went anyway, so she waits up. When she does finally get home she's a little tipsy and she shouldn't be surprised to find her mother waiting up for her.
And so the argument begins...
...and it ends with the words every parent has heard from their teenager at some time or another. "I hate you! I am never going to speak to you again!"
But Olivia is determined. She doesn't speak for a day, two days...and soon it turns into a week. Hannah continues to engage with her daughter despite her silence until she decides that two can play that game. She even begins to enjoy the peace and quiet. Until...the nightmare begins...
Late one night, Hannah hears a crash from downstairs. Someone is in their house. But when she and Michael go to investigate, they find Olivia on the stairs. Michael orders her to her room as they continue downstairs. They find the back door windows smashed and a frightening message scrawled on the cupboard doors. Just one word. LIAR.
Did Olivia do this? Was she coming upstairs or going down? Hannah knows her daughter doesn't understand the lengths to which she goes to protect them, believing her mother to be a tyrant. But if she did do this, what exactly does Olivia know?
The nightmare doesn't end there. Keys going missing, phone calls from the school, a stranger on her doorstep. What does it all mean? Is Olivia trying to destroy them? Her own daughter? But then, Hannah holds a secret far greater than anyone knows. And she is sure that it is the reason behind Olivia's defiant and disturbing behaviour.
What starts as a family drama soon turns into something far more deadly. To say that this family is somewhat dysfunctional is an understatement. No one is who they appear to be and all of them are completely screwed up in so many ways. The parents, seemingly protective and loving, don't have any redeeming qualities to them. Michael is distant and never there. Hannah seems to be in a bubble of her own with a narrative that is sometimes as chaotic and confused as she is. Olivia got up my goat from the beginning, blaming everything and her whole life on the way her parents treat her. But then, what teenager doesn't? In her eyes, her behaviour was a reflection on their treatment of her. I found her to be self-entitled, selfish and a bit of a brat. Rosie, despite her age, seemed to be the most mature of them all...and far wiser than her 10 years.
Told from the alternating perspectives of Hannah and Olivia, as well as the odd diary entry, THE ARGUMENT is more than just an argument. It's more than just a family drama. It takes family drama to a whole new level. Only one of these narratives is truthful...and nothing is as it seems.
I normally don't like slow burns but this one was different. There was something about the narratives that just drew me in and I couldn't put it down. The suspense built slowly and the tension was palpable. 70% of the book was family drama so when the twist came and turned everything on its head, I wasn't expecting it! It seriously blew me away...and that doesn't happen often. While I was beginning to put the pieces together I never really expected them to fall into place...
A very different but well-crafted plot, THE ARGUMENT is a psychological thriller that pushes the boundaries. A seriously twisted domestic drama that shatters the illusion brilliantly.
An intriguing and twisted thriller where nothing is as it seems! I enjoyed this book far more than I thought I would. Definitely recommend.
I would like to thank #VictoriaJenkins, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheArgument in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
The story surrounds Hannah Walters, a stay at home mum, with two beautiful but equally different daughters - Olivia and Rosie. With a loving husband, Michael and a beautiful home, what more could Hannah want? How about a bit more respect and appreciation from her defiant and rebellious teenage daughter? Why couldn't she be more like Rosie, her golden child?
And so it starts with...well...an argument.
Fifteen year old Olivia Walters is told by her mum Hannah that she cannot go to a party. But being 15, does she listen? Of course not! She's 15! So she sneaks out of the house and attends the party anyway. Her mother is fraught with worry, suspecting that Olivia defied her and went anyway, so she waits up. When she does finally get home she's a little tipsy and she shouldn't be surprised to find her mother waiting up for her.
And so the argument begins...
...and it ends with the words every parent has heard from their teenager at some time or another. "I hate you! I am never going to speak to you again!"
But Olivia is determined. She doesn't speak for a day, two days...and soon it turns into a week. Hannah continues to engage with her daughter despite her silence until she decides that two can play that game. She even begins to enjoy the peace and quiet. Until...the nightmare begins...
Late one night, Hannah hears a crash from downstairs. Someone is in their house. But when she and Michael go to investigate, they find Olivia on the stairs. Michael orders her to her room as they continue downstairs. They find the back door windows smashed and a frightening message scrawled on the cupboard doors. Just one word. LIAR.
Did Olivia do this? Was she coming upstairs or going down? Hannah knows her daughter doesn't understand the lengths to which she goes to protect them, believing her mother to be a tyrant. But if she did do this, what exactly does Olivia know?
The nightmare doesn't end there. Keys going missing, phone calls from the school, a stranger on her doorstep. What does it all mean? Is Olivia trying to destroy them? Her own daughter? But then, Hannah holds a secret far greater than anyone knows. And she is sure that it is the reason behind Olivia's defiant and disturbing behaviour.
What starts as a family drama soon turns into something far more deadly. To say that this family is somewhat dysfunctional is an understatement. No one is who they appear to be and all of them are completely screwed up in so many ways. The parents, seemingly protective and loving, don't have any redeeming qualities to them. Michael is distant and never there. Hannah seems to be in a bubble of her own with a narrative that is sometimes as chaotic and confused as she is. Olivia got up my goat from the beginning, blaming everything and her whole life on the way her parents treat her. But then, what teenager doesn't? In her eyes, her behaviour was a reflection on their treatment of her. I found her to be self-entitled, selfish and a bit of a brat. Rosie, despite her age, seemed to be the most mature of them all...and far wiser than her 10 years.
Told from the alternating perspectives of Hannah and Olivia, as well as the odd diary entry, THE ARGUMENT is more than just an argument. It's more than just a family drama. It takes family drama to a whole new level. Only one of these narratives is truthful...and nothing is as it seems.
I normally don't like slow burns but this one was different. There was something about the narratives that just drew me in and I couldn't put it down. The suspense built slowly and the tension was palpable. 70% of the book was family drama so when the twist came and turned everything on its head, I wasn't expecting it! It seriously blew me away...and that doesn't happen often. While I was beginning to put the pieces together I never really expected them to fall into place...
A very different but well-crafted plot, THE ARGUMENT is a psychological thriller that pushes the boundaries. A seriously twisted domestic drama that shatters the illusion brilliantly.
An intriguing and twisted thriller where nothing is as it seems! I enjoyed this book far more than I thought I would. Definitely recommend.
I would like to thank #VictoriaJenkins, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheArgument in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
December 13, 2019
The Argument by Victoria Jenkins is a seriously twisted domestic drama that starts slowly and then shatters with a deviation that I really didn't anticipate.
One night, Hannah Walters' 15-year-old daughter, Olivia, comes home late from a party she was forbidden from going to, and they start arguing. Soon, Olivia speaks the words that every parent has heard from their teenage child: ‘I hate you. You’ve ruined my life. And I’m never speaking to you again.’ The following day, Olivia is not talking to her parents. Is this an ordinary family argument or the start of what was a loving family tearing itself apart?
Having thoroughly enjoyed Victoria Jenkins’ first psychological thriller, The Divorce, I was ecstatic to learn that she was releasing another book this year. The Argument is an intriguing read and packed with family drama in every sense of the word. It was a fantastic story that had me guessing all the way through. I loved the author's easy style of writing and the characters were all believable, well rounded, and perfectly credible, though not all likeable. Olivia was perfectly portrayed as a churlish, moody teenager and was definitely the star attraction for me. Cold and distant Hannah was more difficult to connect with, as was Hannah's husband Michael, but all had great parts to play.
Unlike her previous novel, which was a steady and solid read, The Argument was more of a nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat thriller, that had me in its clutches until I reached the startling reveal. The story is told alternately from Olivia and Hannah’s perspectives. Rather cleverly, Victoria Jenkins first made me believe in a fairly commonplace phase of teenage rebellion. Olivia's behaviour appears just like any other girl's of a similar age, over-dramatising her family life. Yet, gradually and unobtrusively, the everyday images and conceptions I had formed about the Walters family shifted until I threw all of my assumptions out of the window.
The plot itself is well-crafted, intense, gripping and very compelling. It is a slow burn to start with, but as the story progresses and the tension builds, it made me question the characters' motives. The chapters that are sourced from a diary where the author is anonymous adds another layer of mystery to the story, until it all comes together in the surprising, shocking and thrilling denouement.
The Argument is a psychological thriller that asks how far we can push our families before they finally shatter. A must-read that sits very well in the psychological thriller genre, it was a delight to read and is very highly recommended.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel at my own request from Bookouture via NetGalley and this review is my own unbiased opinion.
One night, Hannah Walters' 15-year-old daughter, Olivia, comes home late from a party she was forbidden from going to, and they start arguing. Soon, Olivia speaks the words that every parent has heard from their teenage child: ‘I hate you. You’ve ruined my life. And I’m never speaking to you again.’ The following day, Olivia is not talking to her parents. Is this an ordinary family argument or the start of what was a loving family tearing itself apart?
Having thoroughly enjoyed Victoria Jenkins’ first psychological thriller, The Divorce, I was ecstatic to learn that she was releasing another book this year. The Argument is an intriguing read and packed with family drama in every sense of the word. It was a fantastic story that had me guessing all the way through. I loved the author's easy style of writing and the characters were all believable, well rounded, and perfectly credible, though not all likeable. Olivia was perfectly portrayed as a churlish, moody teenager and was definitely the star attraction for me. Cold and distant Hannah was more difficult to connect with, as was Hannah's husband Michael, but all had great parts to play.
Unlike her previous novel, which was a steady and solid read, The Argument was more of a nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat thriller, that had me in its clutches until I reached the startling reveal. The story is told alternately from Olivia and Hannah’s perspectives. Rather cleverly, Victoria Jenkins first made me believe in a fairly commonplace phase of teenage rebellion. Olivia's behaviour appears just like any other girl's of a similar age, over-dramatising her family life. Yet, gradually and unobtrusively, the everyday images and conceptions I had formed about the Walters family shifted until I threw all of my assumptions out of the window.
The plot itself is well-crafted, intense, gripping and very compelling. It is a slow burn to start with, but as the story progresses and the tension builds, it made me question the characters' motives. The chapters that are sourced from a diary where the author is anonymous adds another layer of mystery to the story, until it all comes together in the surprising, shocking and thrilling denouement.
The Argument is a psychological thriller that asks how far we can push our families before they finally shatter. A must-read that sits very well in the psychological thriller genre, it was a delight to read and is very highly recommended.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel at my own request from Bookouture via NetGalley and this review is my own unbiased opinion.
November 23, 2020
Not the thriller I was expecting! The first 75% was SLOW...way too slow. Yawn. It focused on a mother and daughter's tumultuous relationship. 15 year old Olivia thinks her mom is way too strict. After all, she's not allowed to go to parties like other girls her age. While Hannah, the mother, believes her daughter is too immature and needs strict rules to keep her safe. The plot alternates between Olivia and Hannah's perspectives.
The final 25% had some action but required a serious dose of reality suspension. I was doing some heavy eye rolling...Honestly, the reveals and twists were just too much.
I don't do well with thrillers that are over the top implausible. They seem silly and it's hard for me to take the plot seriously. This was a case of the sillies. However the good news is that I made it to the end hence two stars rather than one.
Not a book that worked for me. Everyone is different though so others may enjoy it much more than I did. I received a copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The final 25% had some action but required a serious dose of reality suspension. I was doing some heavy eye rolling...Honestly, the reveals and twists were just too much.
I don't do well with thrillers that are over the top implausible. They seem silly and it's hard for me to take the plot seriously. This was a case of the sillies. However the good news is that I made it to the end hence two stars rather than one.
Not a book that worked for me. Everyone is different though so others may enjoy it much more than I did. I received a copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 20, 2019
The Argument by Victoria Jenkins is a psychological thriller.
First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Bookouture, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
My Synopsis: (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
The argument between Hannah and her 15-year old daughter Olivia was the beginning. Olivia had snuck out of the house to go to a party she was told she was not allowed to attend. Did Olivia not realize that her mother was just trying to protect her? Olivia decided that her parents were going to get the silent treatment.
When the house was broken into, and Hannah's prized kitchen defiled, she wanted to call the police, but her husband convinced her that it was probably Olivia, and did she really want to take it that far? Hannah gives in, as Michael is generally right. He tries to protect them all.
Between the things that were happening to Hannah, and Olivia's sudden behavioral changes, something had to give.
But everyone is keeping secrets, and when Olivia finally starts talking again, so does Hannah. But it may be too late to save this family.
My Opinions:
This was rather sad, rather dark, rather disturbing, and really quite brilliant. The writing was superb, and although I couldn't really see where the characters were coming from until later, the book definitely held my interest. I think most of us have done something a little rebellious in our teens, so I could sort of see both sides of the "argument"....until I couldn't. This family was....different.
The suspense built slowly. I think when the big twist came, my jaw dropped. I really wasn't expecting it, and it blew me away. That doesn't really happen that often.
The book was about the naivety of youth, of how things that happen in your teens can affect you later in life. It is about control. It is about family dynamics. It is about over-protective parents who feel justified in their actions. It is about teens that have to rebel. It's also about mental health.
I have read a number of psychological thrillers this last year, and this was definitely one of the best. WTG Victoria Jenkins!
For a more complete review of this book and others (including author information and quotations), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
February 16, 2024
A psychological thriller? I’m not sure there was anything thrilling about this. It was more like psychologically disturbing. However, once I finished this novel, I thought if it could conjure up that many emotions in relatively short read, this must be well written.
Parts of the plot were predictable, but it wasn’t all given away very easily. You had to wait and suffer for it through the disturbing parts. I would have to say that the characters were fairly well developed, although some more slowly than others.
It’s hard to say you enjoy a book like this, but again, if it stirs up so much feeling for the characters, it must be an indication that the writer did a good job.
The story starts out as an argument between a mother and 15 year-old daughter resulting in the silent treatment by the daughter. Olivia, the daughter, being at a difficult age, presents quite a challenge for her parents. Somewhat of a loaner and outsider at school and socially she struggles to fit in. Hannah, the stay at home Mom, and Michael the doting father, present a united front of doing everything they can to provide what is best for their daughters and to keep them safe from this crazy world. But appearances aren’t always what they seem to be…. None of these broken and selfish characters are really likable. The author make twists and turns on every page. You keep hoping for a little normalcy but it doesn’t happen. What is normal with teenagers anyway. Lots of things going on in this book and an unexpected abrupt ending.
Although the flow of this book was rocky at best, I’m considering reading another by this author… so I guess that says something.
Parts of the plot were predictable, but it wasn’t all given away very easily. You had to wait and suffer for it through the disturbing parts. I would have to say that the characters were fairly well developed, although some more slowly than others.
It’s hard to say you enjoy a book like this, but again, if it stirs up so much feeling for the characters, it must be an indication that the writer did a good job.
The story starts out as an argument between a mother and 15 year-old daughter resulting in the silent treatment by the daughter. Olivia, the daughter, being at a difficult age, presents quite a challenge for her parents. Somewhat of a loaner and outsider at school and socially she struggles to fit in. Hannah, the stay at home Mom, and Michael the doting father, present a united front of doing everything they can to provide what is best for their daughters and to keep them safe from this crazy world. But appearances aren’t always what they seem to be…. None of these broken and selfish characters are really likable. The author make twists and turns on every page. You keep hoping for a little normalcy but it doesn’t happen. What is normal with teenagers anyway. Lots of things going on in this book and an unexpected abrupt ending.
Although the flow of this book was rocky at best, I’m considering reading another by this author… so I guess that says something.
December 8, 2019
Whoa!! What a book!! It is twisted in darkness, wrapped in delusion, and shaded in hypnotism. A brainwashing of sorts. Victoria Jenkins best book to date.
Mother and daughter can have a rocky relationship. This pair did too. Olivia sneaked out for a party, mom was angry. Mobile phone was taken as the punishment. Olivia stopped talking to mom. For many days. Then one day she did. And secrets popped up, crawling slithering worms which left devastation.
Having read most of her books, I expected a suspenseful thriller from the author. But what I got was a story which explored the dark warped minds. You have to read it to believe it. The story laid down the right foundation till 60%. 8 loved how it lulled me deeper into their relationship giving me both their POV. I knew I had to read carefully as a sense of danger pinged my senses.
And WHAM!! I was hit by a revelation so powerful that it changed all that I knew. I could see everything with different eyes. The author skilfully had laid rose tinted glasses on my kindle, and when that was removed with a snap, I was sent reeling into the stratosphere.
Holly Fuck!! That was quite unexpected. Plop on my arse I went!! And I stayed there for the rest of the time long after the book was done!! Whoa! What a ride.
Mother and daughter can have a rocky relationship. This pair did too. Olivia sneaked out for a party, mom was angry. Mobile phone was taken as the punishment. Olivia stopped talking to mom. For many days. Then one day she did. And secrets popped up, crawling slithering worms which left devastation.
Having read most of her books, I expected a suspenseful thriller from the author. But what I got was a story which explored the dark warped minds. You have to read it to believe it. The story laid down the right foundation till 60%. 8 loved how it lulled me deeper into their relationship giving me both their POV. I knew I had to read carefully as a sense of danger pinged my senses.
And WHAM!! I was hit by a revelation so powerful that it changed all that I knew. I could see everything with different eyes. The author skilfully had laid rose tinted glasses on my kindle, and when that was removed with a snap, I was sent reeling into the stratosphere.
Holly Fuck!! That was quite unexpected. Plop on my arse I went!! And I stayed there for the rest of the time long after the book was done!! Whoa! What a ride.
November 24, 2020
How many times have you seen a book cover that says there's an incredible twist in the story, and then when you read it you're like "wait, that was the incredible twist? I saw it coming from a mile away!"? Well, "The argument" is not that book. The TWIST (and I write that in caps that incredible of a twist it was) made my jaw hit the floor when it happened.
I will keep my review short cause I don't wanna give anything away. For the first half of the book it's more of a domestic suspense story, with a pretty complicated mother-daughter relationship, where I must say I was more on Hannah's side, not understanding Olivia's brattish behavior. I think this part was a bit slow, dragging along in some aspects. But then the TWIST happened and the story became an unputdownable thriller. I literally have no nails left! I couldn't put it down for the last few chapters so engrossed was I.
"The argument" was my first book by Victoria Jenkins but certainly won't be my last.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I will keep my review short cause I don't wanna give anything away. For the first half of the book it's more of a domestic suspense story, with a pretty complicated mother-daughter relationship, where I must say I was more on Hannah's side, not understanding Olivia's brattish behavior. I think this part was a bit slow, dragging along in some aspects. But then the TWIST happened and the story became an unputdownable thriller. I literally have no nails left! I couldn't put it down for the last few chapters so engrossed was I.
"The argument" was my first book by Victoria Jenkins but certainly won't be my last.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 25, 2020
Fab book - 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ What a twist! 😮 Just when you think you understand what is going on and the path the story is taking you down, there is a big unexpected and shocking twist! This was a fast paced short read which packs a punch. You never know what goes on behind closed doors and the image families portray to the outside world is not always what they seem. Will definitely be reading more books by this author in the future 😊
December 10, 2019
This is a seriously twisted domestic drama that starts out slowly and shatters with a deviation that I really didn't expect. Sure, mothers and teenaged daughters don't always see eye to eye...
Whenever I see the words, psychological thriller, I get a bit blasé. I've read hundreds of them and pride myself on spotting those important clues that give away the direction long before the denouement. Since this novel is narrated by both mother and daughter, I figured one of them had to be unreliable. Is it Hannah, the overprotective mother who just wants to keep her daughters safe or is it 15-year-old Olivia who is doing everything she can to try the patience and love of her parents? Then there's Michael, the doting husband, who's given Hannah everything she ever dreamed of having after a pretty bad childhood. And, Rosie, the younger sister who just follows the rules and appears to be the daughter they love more. There's a lot going on and I'll say no more so that you can appreciate this disturbing tale WITHOUT SPOILERS.
I've decided to rate this 4 stars because of the ending. I did read this in a single sitting over a couple of hours because I just had to know before I slept. Some of it seemed very slow but that was what ended up making the startling climax and conclusions so "in your face." It sure brought out all the feels. I can't wait to read more reviews!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read, review and recommend.
PS - upon reflection, I think that this title isn't really the best choice for a book with this dark and disturbing dysfunctional family dynamic. If I was really creative, I could think of a better one!
Whenever I see the words, psychological thriller, I get a bit blasé. I've read hundreds of them and pride myself on spotting those important clues that give away the direction long before the denouement. Since this novel is narrated by both mother and daughter, I figured one of them had to be unreliable. Is it Hannah, the overprotective mother who just wants to keep her daughters safe or is it 15-year-old Olivia who is doing everything she can to try the patience and love of her parents? Then there's Michael, the doting husband, who's given Hannah everything she ever dreamed of having after a pretty bad childhood. And, Rosie, the younger sister who just follows the rules and appears to be the daughter they love more. There's a lot going on and I'll say no more so that you can appreciate this disturbing tale WITHOUT SPOILERS.
I've decided to rate this 4 stars because of the ending. I did read this in a single sitting over a couple of hours because I just had to know before I slept. Some of it seemed very slow but that was what ended up making the startling climax and conclusions so "in your face." It sure brought out all the feels. I can't wait to read more reviews!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read, review and recommend.
PS - upon reflection, I think that this title isn't really the best choice for a book with this dark and disturbing dysfunctional family dynamic. If I was really creative, I could think of a better one!
January 26, 2020
Dreadful!
January 2, 2021
WOW...I did not see that coming!!
This book knocked me backwards, slapped me across the face and left my jaw on the floor.
In fact, I'm seriously considering pressing charges ;)
The teenage years! That awkward, angsty, hormonal age where you walk a fine line between childhood and adulthood. It's also that unfortunate time when teenage girls develop a heated love/hate relationship with their mothers.
I'm glad to have all that over and done with! But for fifteen year old Olivia and her mother Hannah, this decisively horrible age has just hit its peak. After a mother-daughter argument to end all arguments, things spiral from bad to worse.
But which one is telling the truth? Because on is a liar and the other is in danger.
Told from the alternating perspectives of Olivia and Hannah, the characters were spot on!
The teenage perspective, particularly, was so accurate it gave me chills. (Thank you for making me relive my hellish teenage years Ms. Jenkins!)
This was a thrilling mystery that kept me guessing. Sometimes I would side with Olivia, other times I would side with Hannah. Lots of crazy stuff happens over the course of this book, and it's a real toss-up which one is telling the truth and which one is lying.
And the big reveal!! I read a lot of thrillers. So many that I'm rarely shocked by the twists. But I honestly did not see this one coming!
This book knocked me backwards, slapped me across the face and left my jaw on the floor.
In fact, I'm seriously considering pressing charges ;)
The teenage years! That awkward, angsty, hormonal age where you walk a fine line between childhood and adulthood. It's also that unfortunate time when teenage girls develop a heated love/hate relationship with their mothers.
I'm glad to have all that over and done with! But for fifteen year old Olivia and her mother Hannah, this decisively horrible age has just hit its peak. After a mother-daughter argument to end all arguments, things spiral from bad to worse.
But which one is telling the truth? Because on is a liar and the other is in danger.
Told from the alternating perspectives of Olivia and Hannah, the characters were spot on!
The teenage perspective, particularly, was so accurate it gave me chills. (Thank you for making me relive my hellish teenage years Ms. Jenkins!)
This was a thrilling mystery that kept me guessing. Sometimes I would side with Olivia, other times I would side with Hannah. Lots of crazy stuff happens over the course of this book, and it's a real toss-up which one is telling the truth and which one is lying.
And the big reveal!! I read a lot of thrillers. So many that I'm rarely shocked by the twists. But I honestly did not see this one coming!
December 9, 2019
This is a great psychological thriller that took me by surprise.
The book is about an argument between Olivia and her mum but there is so much more to it than that. After the argument Olivia refuses to speak to her parents and things spiral out of control from there.
I can’t say much more about the story as I really don’t want to spoil it for you.
I didn’t feel empathy for either Hannah or her daughter at first, and I think this was intentional.
This is a great story that has a shocking twist in store.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
The book is about an argument between Olivia and her mum but there is so much more to it than that. After the argument Olivia refuses to speak to her parents and things spiral out of control from there.
I can’t say much more about the story as I really don’t want to spoil it for you.
I didn’t feel empathy for either Hannah or her daughter at first, and I think this was intentional.
This is a great story that has a shocking twist in store.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
December 3, 2019
**Publication Date: December 10, 2019**
Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Unique mystery...
PLOT SUMMARY: Olivia is fifteen and having a serious argument with her mother Hannah. After uncharacteristically attending a party without permission, and rather than airing out their differences like normal people, Olivia chooses to maintain the silent treatment with her mother. She will not speak one word to her. And when her father returns home from his business trip, well, she will maintain silence with him too. The only family member she won’t freeze out is her sister Rosie.
What is really going on behind these toxic family dynamics? Is there a reason behind this stand-off? And why is Olivia trying so desperately to be noticed? Why does everyone seem to be keeping secrets?
PROS: Lots of twists and turns in this one, that’s for sure. An underlying tone of menace pervades the whole novel, and I was very interested in the big reveal at the end.
CONS: The plot was...what exactly? A bit unlikely? Impossible to guess? Something about it didn’t fit quite right with me.
YES or NO: It’s a YES - I enjoyed it and won’t forget it in a hurry, at the same time, there were a few problems with the plot..
4 Stars
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me early access to this book!!
Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Unique mystery...
PLOT SUMMARY: Olivia is fifteen and having a serious argument with her mother Hannah. After uncharacteristically attending a party without permission, and rather than airing out their differences like normal people, Olivia chooses to maintain the silent treatment with her mother. She will not speak one word to her. And when her father returns home from his business trip, well, she will maintain silence with him too. The only family member she won’t freeze out is her sister Rosie.
What is really going on behind these toxic family dynamics? Is there a reason behind this stand-off? And why is Olivia trying so desperately to be noticed? Why does everyone seem to be keeping secrets?
PROS: Lots of twists and turns in this one, that’s for sure. An underlying tone of menace pervades the whole novel, and I was very interested in the big reveal at the end.
CONS: The plot was...what exactly? A bit unlikely? Impossible to guess? Something about it didn’t fit quite right with me.
YES or NO: It’s a YES - I enjoyed it and won’t forget it in a hurry, at the same time, there were a few problems with the plot..
4 Stars
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me early access to this book!!
December 10, 2019
When Hannah's 15-year-old daughter Olivia defies her parents and sneaks out to a party, I thought, ok, not great behavior, but how many teenagers have done the same thing. Olivia's response when caught isn't odd either, she tells her mother she hates her and will never speak to her again. Then some strange events start happening to Hannah, and she is sure she knows who is to blame. Not her younger daughter and certainly not her husband, which means Olivia must have an agenda and Hannah does like it, not one bit.
The Argument wasn't at all the book I thought it would be. Distraught parents, a rebellious teenager, and the perfect younger sister are all present and accounted for, but an unreliable narrator makes the things that occur appear obvious until the author turns everything upside down. All I can say without entering spoiler territory is nothing is as it seems. This was a quick read at just over 200 pages, and when I reached the end, I looked back and could see how skillfully the author had fooled me. My first book by Victoria Jenkins and not my last.
The Argument wasn't at all the book I thought it would be. Distraught parents, a rebellious teenager, and the perfect younger sister are all present and accounted for, but an unreliable narrator makes the things that occur appear obvious until the author turns everything upside down. All I can say without entering spoiler territory is nothing is as it seems. This was a quick read at just over 200 pages, and when I reached the end, I looked back and could see how skillfully the author had fooled me. My first book by Victoria Jenkins and not my last.
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