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What It Seems
A page-turning novel of suspense about the perfect family, and the perfect lies, by the bestselling author of When I’m Gone and The Waiting Room.
Adopted by her controlling foster mother at the age of eight, twenty-year-old Tara has seen little of the outside world. Lonely, punished for the slightest offense, her only distraction comes from watching the Feely family’s online videos. They’re an affectionate vlogging quintet and an internet sensation. Most important, they are Tara’s mental refuge. Then the opportunity arises for them to be something more. When Tara accepts an internship with the close-knit clan, they’re her escape.
Daring to run away, and defying Mother’s rules, Tara is welcomed into the loving fold. But the more Tara gets to know them, the more she realizes that not everything is as it seems. As secrets slowly surface, the image of the perfect family begins to crack. For Tara, it’s another trap.
To claim a life of her own, she’ll need a new escape plan. Because as the show’s popularity explodes, reaching even more fascinated viewers, Tara can’t shake the feeling that Mother is among their ranks. She’s watching. She’s waiting. She’ll never let her go.
Adopted by her controlling foster mother at the age of eight, twenty-year-old Tara has seen little of the outside world. Lonely, punished for the slightest offense, her only distraction comes from watching the Feely family’s online videos. They’re an affectionate vlogging quintet and an internet sensation. Most important, they are Tara’s mental refuge. Then the opportunity arises for them to be something more. When Tara accepts an internship with the close-knit clan, they’re her escape.
Daring to run away, and defying Mother’s rules, Tara is welcomed into the loving fold. But the more Tara gets to know them, the more she realizes that not everything is as it seems. As secrets slowly surface, the image of the perfect family begins to crack. For Tara, it’s another trap.
To claim a life of her own, she’ll need a new escape plan. Because as the show’s popularity explodes, reaching even more fascinated viewers, Tara can’t shake the feeling that Mother is among their ranks. She’s watching. She’s waiting. She’ll never let her go.
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First published March 17, 2020
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About the author
Emily Bleeker
13 books1,720 followersEmily lives in suburban Chicago with her family. Between writing and being a mom, she attempts to learn guitar, sings along to the radio (loudly), and embraces her newfound addiction to running.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 527 reviews
February 27, 2020
Twenty year old Tara was adopted by her controlling foster mum at the age of eight. She led a very solitary and isolated life, but she did what she could to get through each day. This was no life for a child, but escaping never seemed possible or was it?
I really had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately I felt there was something lacking and I just couldn’t connect with the story or the characters. Although this book wasn’t for me don’t let my opinion stop you from reading it as there are many people who enjoyed this book. Give it a go and you can make up your own mind.
With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for my digital copy to read and review.
I really had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately I felt there was something lacking and I just couldn’t connect with the story or the characters. Although this book wasn’t for me don’t let my opinion stop you from reading it as there are many people who enjoyed this book. Give it a go and you can make up your own mind.
With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for my digital copy to read and review.
May 10, 2020
I need to give this a 3.75* rounded down to a 3*.
The first bit was gripping. It had me wondering about the circumstances of this story. Plus the emotional impact everything was having on this girl. The girl who sits chatting to her dolls each night, the child who has to creep her use of the computer and her obsession with a live family she watches online that she envies.
Her “mother” isn’t her biological mother. She’s cruel, controlling and bullying.
The mother of her “pretend” she is pregnant.
It had all the ingredients of a good book.
I’ve read 4 books by this author and loved every one. I’m sad to give this less than a 4*. But it lacked something for me. Like a cake without flavour or moistness.
I still liked it. I’d say, go ahead and read it. Ignore me because you might like it much more than me.
It might be where I started it and the beginning of the pandemic? I was very reluctant to read.
So it may not be the book, it may be me and what’s happening in the world?
If you read it, let me know how you get on. I’m interested as I might have to reread if my trusted friends like it.
The first bit was gripping. It had me wondering about the circumstances of this story. Plus the emotional impact everything was having on this girl. The girl who sits chatting to her dolls each night, the child who has to creep her use of the computer and her obsession with a live family she watches online that she envies.
Her “mother” isn’t her biological mother. She’s cruel, controlling and bullying.
The mother of her “pretend” she is pregnant.
It had all the ingredients of a good book.
I’ve read 4 books by this author and loved every one. I’m sad to give this less than a 4*. But it lacked something for me. Like a cake without flavour or moistness.
I still liked it. I’d say, go ahead and read it. Ignore me because you might like it much more than me.
It might be where I started it and the beginning of the pandemic? I was very reluctant to read.
So it may not be the book, it may be me and what’s happening in the world?
If you read it, let me know how you get on. I’m interested as I might have to reread if my trusted friends like it.
October 19, 2023
Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an egalley in exchange for an honest review.
In her latest thriller novel, Emily Bleeker gives us 20-year-old Tara, a young woman held captive by her foster mother and treated very cruelly. Tara is forced to masquerade as a pregnant woman in order to steal from stores, but late at night talks to her dolls and watches YouTube videos. One channel, in particular, that of the Feely family, has Tara dreaming of what it would be like to live in the "perfect" family. When an opportunity to be part of the Feely family presents itself, Tara takes it and manages to break free from " Mother." But Tara will soon discover that the Feely family is far from perfect.
I enjoy Emily Bleeker's writing and her characters tend to find themselves in really intriguing situations. I was quite terrified in the beginning but as the story unraveled, it seemed less thriller-like and more contemporary drama. I know it's a book of fiction but the implausibility meter was off the charts in this one. In the end, I "liked" it but didn't fall in love.
Goodreads review published 01/03/20
Expected publication 17/03/20
In her latest thriller novel, Emily Bleeker gives us 20-year-old Tara, a young woman held captive by her foster mother and treated very cruelly. Tara is forced to masquerade as a pregnant woman in order to steal from stores, but late at night talks to her dolls and watches YouTube videos. One channel, in particular, that of the Feely family, has Tara dreaming of what it would be like to live in the "perfect" family. When an opportunity to be part of the Feely family presents itself, Tara takes it and manages to break free from " Mother." But Tara will soon discover that the Feely family is far from perfect.
I enjoy Emily Bleeker's writing and her characters tend to find themselves in really intriguing situations. I was quite terrified in the beginning but as the story unraveled, it seemed less thriller-like and more contemporary drama. I know it's a book of fiction but the implausibility meter was off the charts in this one. In the end, I "liked" it but didn't fall in love.
Goodreads review published 01/03/20
Expected publication 17/03/20
May 19, 2020
What It Seems is the first book I have read by Emily Bleeker and although I liked it, I didn't love it. I guess my expectations after reading the blurb of the book were pretty high and the book didn't turn out to be how it sounded in the blurb.
The strongest point about the book was 20 year old Tara and her story about the dismal life and the psychological and emotional damage she suffers constantly at the hands of her foster 'Mother' with whom Tara is living since she was 8 years old. By suffering both physical and mental torture at the hands of her foster mother, Tara has lost all sense of self worth and self love; she is constantly reminded that her birth parents gave her up willingly, a point which she doesn't completely understand. Her only friends are her dolls and a sparrow who visits her and her only outlet are the YouTube family videos she loves to watch, especially of the Feely family.
For Tara, the Feely family represent the ideal family for her and when an opportunity arises for her to both accept an internship with them and escape her foster mother's clutches, she grabs it. However, she soon realises that her ideal family is not who they show themselves to be and on top of that her foster mother is still adamant to get her back.
The weakest point in the book were the Feely family. I thought that this family would be hiding some dark, sinister secret but it was nothing of the sort. Also, the characterisation of every member of the Feely family was vague... they just seemed like types rather than real characters.
The best parts of the book were the ones that dealt solely with Tara, her inner musings and her interactions with her dolls as they clearly show how vulnerable, scared and starved of love she is while still clinging onto this hope that things will get better. And it is for these parts that I rate the book around 3-3.5*.
My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Lake Union Publishing and the author Emily Bleeker for the e-Arc of the book. I look forward to reading more books of the author and will look out for her other titles.
The strongest point about the book was 20 year old Tara and her story about the dismal life and the psychological and emotional damage she suffers constantly at the hands of her foster 'Mother' with whom Tara is living since she was 8 years old. By suffering both physical and mental torture at the hands of her foster mother, Tara has lost all sense of self worth and self love; she is constantly reminded that her birth parents gave her up willingly, a point which she doesn't completely understand. Her only friends are her dolls and a sparrow who visits her and her only outlet are the YouTube family videos she loves to watch, especially of the Feely family.
For Tara, the Feely family represent the ideal family for her and when an opportunity arises for her to both accept an internship with them and escape her foster mother's clutches, she grabs it. However, she soon realises that her ideal family is not who they show themselves to be and on top of that her foster mother is still adamant to get her back.
The weakest point in the book were the Feely family. I thought that this family would be hiding some dark, sinister secret but it was nothing of the sort. Also, the characterisation of every member of the Feely family was vague... they just seemed like types rather than real characters.
The best parts of the book were the ones that dealt solely with Tara, her inner musings and her interactions with her dolls as they clearly show how vulnerable, scared and starved of love she is while still clinging onto this hope that things will get better. And it is for these parts that I rate the book around 3-3.5*.
My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Lake Union Publishing and the author Emily Bleeker for the e-Arc of the book. I look forward to reading more books of the author and will look out for her other titles.
January 29, 2020
So, I did that thing that reviewers aren’t supposed to admit (but we totally do). I spent the last 50% of this book hate-reading it.
I’m actually admitting that with NO SHAME WHATSOEVER because this is…kind of a train wreck.
I never believed in a single one of our characters. Our 20 year old (12 year old) main character who apparently literally stinks and who is smart enough to figure out how to fake an ultrasound photo but who can barely put a pair of pants on. Our male lead who is both unobservant, incurious, and… just kind of there. Our over-the-top villain who does everything but tie our heroine to the railroad tracks while snickering.
I didn’t believe our plot. I couldn’t figure out why anyone would hire stinky girl or why the family had two extra children who had practically no role in anything or why our girl stinks at all!
So, yeah. I didn’t like this. I did finish it. Why? Because I kept hoping for some huge conflagration in which Stinky is unmasked and everything falls apart.
Le sigh. Even that disappointed.
*ARC provided via Net Galley. Sorry I hated it. 2 stars because I finished it.
March 13, 2020
I haven't read a whole lot by Emily Bleeker yet, in fact the only other book I have read is Working Fire, so I wasn't quite sure what to expect with What It Seems. What I got was a real page-turner that I had a hard time putting down!
What It Seems had a couple of surprises, but overall I could definitely see the direction it was going. It is not a thriller, but more suspenseful and I spent a lot of the book wondering where things would end up. I didn't feel like there was too much mystery, but the writing was really good, and I found myself glued to the pages.
I loved that What It Seems was different from the books I've been reading lately and that Bleeker went a different direction than a lot of authors right now. Even though I felt like I knew what was going to happen (which I did) it didn't remove any of the enjoyment for me, and I loved the pacing! If you are looking for something quick that you can read in one sitting that is more suspenseful than thriller, I would check this out!
Thank you to NetGalley for my advance review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
What It Seems had a couple of surprises, but overall I could definitely see the direction it was going. It is not a thriller, but more suspenseful and I spent a lot of the book wondering where things would end up. I didn't feel like there was too much mystery, but the writing was really good, and I found myself glued to the pages.
I loved that What It Seems was different from the books I've been reading lately and that Bleeker went a different direction than a lot of authors right now. Even though I felt like I knew what was going to happen (which I did) it didn't remove any of the enjoyment for me, and I loved the pacing! If you are looking for something quick that you can read in one sitting that is more suspenseful than thriller, I would check this out!
Thank you to NetGalley for my advance review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
March 25, 2020
OK, I’m gonna be pushy right now.😆
If you have never read an Emily Bleeker book, please, please, please, go immediately and get one. Preferably this one, because it’s it’s book birthday today, but also - just get them all. Because every single one is SO FLIPPING GOOD.
Emily Bleeker is one of my most favorite authors. I anticipate every new release and devour them like a ravenous lion feverishly attacking it’s prey. OK, that was weird, but no joke - I have never read one of her books that I didn’t love. Not even a "meh” book on her roster.
And this one was no exception.
Locked away her entire childhood by a controlling, psychotic foster “Mother”, Tara finds solace in an internet sensation family she wishes was her own. When she finds a way to apply for an internship with this “perfect” family, she plots her escape. But she soon realizes these vloggers may not be as wonderful as she thought. And will she ever really be able to escape Mother?
Full of nail-biting situations, and so much creepiness and unease, I was unable to put this one down and read it in just one sitting. Fast-paced, totally unpredictable, and full of twists and turns that are so enjoyable, What It Seems is a psychological suspense homerun, and should definitely be your next read.
If you have never read an Emily Bleeker book, please, please, please, go immediately and get one. Preferably this one, because it’s it’s book birthday today, but also - just get them all. Because every single one is SO FLIPPING GOOD.
Emily Bleeker is one of my most favorite authors. I anticipate every new release and devour them like a ravenous lion feverishly attacking it’s prey. OK, that was weird, but no joke - I have never read one of her books that I didn’t love. Not even a "meh” book on her roster.
And this one was no exception.
Locked away her entire childhood by a controlling, psychotic foster “Mother”, Tara finds solace in an internet sensation family she wishes was her own. When she finds a way to apply for an internship with this “perfect” family, she plots her escape. But she soon realizes these vloggers may not be as wonderful as she thought. And will she ever really be able to escape Mother?
Full of nail-biting situations, and so much creepiness and unease, I was unable to put this one down and read it in just one sitting. Fast-paced, totally unpredictable, and full of twists and turns that are so enjoyable, What It Seems is a psychological suspense homerun, and should definitely be your next read.
February 17, 2020
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: March 17, 2020
Tara was adopted by her foster mother when she was eight years old. Since then, she has barely left her house, spending most of her days locked in closets and catering to her foster mother’s nasty moods and attitude. Now twenty, Tara sees an escape through the form of The Feely’s, her favourite YouTube family, when they post an ad looking for an intern. Does Tara have what it takes to escape her mother’s clutches once and for all?
“What It Seems” is Emily Bleeker’s fifth novel. I have not been fortunate enough to read most of her work, although I did get the chance to read “The Waiting Room”, which intrigued me enough to give this one a shot. This was a tough one to review, as the beginning of the novel had a “Room” vibe to it, and I was desperately intrigued, and then it veered off course, only to return toward the very end.
Bleeker narrates this novel from the protagonists’ perspective, and we hear Tara’s story as she lives it. I thoroughly enjoyed the beginning and the ends of the novel, and I wanted to hear more about Tara’s foster “mother” and her descent into crazy. Needless to say, I did not get such indulgences, as the novel took a surprise detour into the world of YouTube videos and popular Internet families.
“What It Seems” was trying to be modern, including the popularity of media influencers and vloggers, but for me, this part of the story was far less entertaining. I wanted to know more of Tara’s story when she was with her foster mother, before, during and after, and I was disappointed.
That being said, this novel was still entertaining. Although I really didn’t connect to any member of The Feely family, I wanted Tara to do well, and I rooted for her to succeed. I was satisfied at the ending of this novel, as it answered all questions and brought the appropriate people to justice.
Expected publication date: March 17, 2020
Tara was adopted by her foster mother when she was eight years old. Since then, she has barely left her house, spending most of her days locked in closets and catering to her foster mother’s nasty moods and attitude. Now twenty, Tara sees an escape through the form of The Feely’s, her favourite YouTube family, when they post an ad looking for an intern. Does Tara have what it takes to escape her mother’s clutches once and for all?
“What It Seems” is Emily Bleeker’s fifth novel. I have not been fortunate enough to read most of her work, although I did get the chance to read “The Waiting Room”, which intrigued me enough to give this one a shot. This was a tough one to review, as the beginning of the novel had a “Room” vibe to it, and I was desperately intrigued, and then it veered off course, only to return toward the very end.
Bleeker narrates this novel from the protagonists’ perspective, and we hear Tara’s story as she lives it. I thoroughly enjoyed the beginning and the ends of the novel, and I wanted to hear more about Tara’s foster “mother” and her descent into crazy. Needless to say, I did not get such indulgences, as the novel took a surprise detour into the world of YouTube videos and popular Internet families.
“What It Seems” was trying to be modern, including the popularity of media influencers and vloggers, but for me, this part of the story was far less entertaining. I wanted to know more of Tara’s story when she was with her foster mother, before, during and after, and I was disappointed.
That being said, this novel was still entertaining. Although I really didn’t connect to any member of The Feely family, I wanted Tara to do well, and I rooted for her to succeed. I was satisfied at the ending of this novel, as it answered all questions and brought the appropriate people to justice.
dnf
March 21, 2020Dnf @ 55%
April 12, 2020
What It Seems by Emily Bleeker is a tense and taut thriller that kept me fully engaged and turning the pages with a growing sense of unease. This is the first novel that I have read from this author, but I am certainly looking for more to add to my always growing TBR list.
Tara was adopted by her foster mother when she was eight years old. Never having a clear understanding of why her birth family abandoned her, Tara is a damaged young woman who has found herself the victim of emotional and psychological abuse at the hands of 'Mother'. Her only outlet is watching YouTube videos of seemingly happy families. When the opportunity of an internship arises with her favourite blogging family, the Feelys, Tara, now calling herself Angela, finds it within herself to escape the clutches of Mother, and lands not only the job, but a place within the family that she has come to love. But not everything is as perfect as it appears from the outside, and Tara must find a way to not only reconcile herself with this surprising dose of reality, but to also break free from a mother who does not want to let her go.
This was a fast-paced read that kept me sufficiently and satisfyingly unsettled throughout,
Many thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this ARC.
Tara was adopted by her foster mother when she was eight years old. Never having a clear understanding of why her birth family abandoned her, Tara is a damaged young woman who has found herself the victim of emotional and psychological abuse at the hands of 'Mother'. Her only outlet is watching YouTube videos of seemingly happy families. When the opportunity of an internship arises with her favourite blogging family, the Feelys, Tara, now calling herself Angela, finds it within herself to escape the clutches of Mother, and lands not only the job, but a place within the family that she has come to love. But not everything is as perfect as it appears from the outside, and Tara must find a way to not only reconcile herself with this surprising dose of reality, but to also break free from a mother who does not want to let her go.
This was a fast-paced read that kept me sufficiently and satisfyingly unsettled throughout,
Many thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this ARC.
April 15, 2020
3.5 stars rounded up.
TW: child abuse/torture, one brief scene of animal abuse, one brief scene of attempted sexual harassment
This is the story of Tara, a 12-year-old in a 20-year-old's body. For eight years she has been the victim of an abusive, sadistic, controlling adopted mother who has forced her to shoplift to help put food on the table. Tara hasn't attended school since she was hit by a car at the age of 8 and then adopted by "Mother." She doesn't watch television, play games or leave her room except to eat meals.
While in her room, Tara's door is deadbolted from the outside and it's her "job" to list all of her stolen items on eBay. But while she has a computer, she's not allowed to use it except for her job. Mother ensures her keystrokes are monitored.
When Tara misbehaves, Mother's wrath is swift and nearly deadly. She is beaten, locked in her closet for days and food and water are withheld. Tara lives a mostly horrific life, except when she removes the keystroke machine and watches Youtube videos. Her favorite is AllTheFeels with the Feely family.
The Feelys are like a real family to Tara, who longs to be loved like the three kids in the family's daily vlogs. When an opportunity arises to intern with the family, Tara finds the strength to disobey Mother to interview for the job.
Here's where the story begins to fall apart some and you'll need some suspension of disbelief when Tara finds herself with the Feelys. It's hard to imagine this super-popular vlogging family wanting to employ a self-described "stinky" young pregnant woman--Mother forces Tara to wear a pregnancy prosthetic to hide her stolen goods in, which Tara wears to the interview with the Feelys--and invite her into their home, despite her grand plans for the family's Youtube content.
I nearly put the book down at the 40 percent point because the story changed so dramatically, but I trudged along and I'm glad I did. What it Seems wound up being a pretty good read (although the ending was a little too feel-good...forgive the pun). I subtracted a star because of the suspension of disbelief factor and the too tidy ending.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
TW: child abuse/torture, one brief scene of animal abuse, one brief scene of attempted sexual harassment
This is the story of Tara, a 12-year-old in a 20-year-old's body. For eight years she has been the victim of an abusive, sadistic, controlling adopted mother who has forced her to shoplift to help put food on the table. Tara hasn't attended school since she was hit by a car at the age of 8 and then adopted by "Mother." She doesn't watch television, play games or leave her room except to eat meals.
While in her room, Tara's door is deadbolted from the outside and it's her "job" to list all of her stolen items on eBay. But while she has a computer, she's not allowed to use it except for her job. Mother ensures her keystrokes are monitored.
When Tara misbehaves, Mother's wrath is swift and nearly deadly. She is beaten, locked in her closet for days and food and water are withheld. Tara lives a mostly horrific life, except when she removes the keystroke machine and watches Youtube videos. Her favorite is AllTheFeels with the Feely family.
The Feelys are like a real family to Tara, who longs to be loved like the three kids in the family's daily vlogs. When an opportunity arises to intern with the family, Tara finds the strength to disobey Mother to interview for the job.
Here's where the story begins to fall apart some and you'll need some suspension of disbelief when Tara finds herself with the Feelys. It's hard to imagine this super-popular vlogging family wanting to employ a self-described "stinky" young pregnant woman--Mother forces Tara to wear a pregnancy prosthetic to hide her stolen goods in, which Tara wears to the interview with the Feelys--and invite her into their home, despite her grand plans for the family's Youtube content.
I nearly put the book down at the 40 percent point because the story changed so dramatically, but I trudged along and I'm glad I did. What it Seems wound up being a pretty good read (although the ending was a little too feel-good...forgive the pun). I subtracted a star because of the suspension of disbelief factor and the too tidy ending.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 17, 2020
What It Seems was an unsettling and slightly creepy read that managed to take me out of my own head for a few hours. Tara is an awkward young woman who was adopted by her foster mom when she was eight and she lives a very isolated life. She watches YouTube families for a slice or normality and when she gets the chance to intern for her favorite family she decided to run away from her foster mom. That’s all I’ll share about the plot, but this was an entertaining tale of suspense for sure!
December 30, 2019
This book is a real page turner! Tara was a foster child at age eight, she is now twenty. Mother is beyond cruel to her but Tara escapes at night by watching a You Tube family, the Feelys. All is not as it seems in this book and you will be especially surprised at the ending. I was like, OMG, with my mouth hanging open! There is so much more to this story but I don't want to leave spoilers. Tara is an intensely written character and she will make you feel many emotions. Sadness emanates from her. Mother is well developed as are the other characters. This book will stay with you because what is truly happening, could be true. All I can say is grab this book! An incredible read filled with suspense.
December 27, 2019
Thanks to #NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for a copy of this book - the opinion expressed is entirely my own.
I found this book to be a solid read (a 3.5 stars). Tara (Angela) is a 20 year old young woman who is totally dominated by a creepy and truly awful 'foster' mom. She has been abused physically and mentally since she was 12, so if that's a trigger for you, you might want to avoid this book. At 20 circumstances occur that allow her to try to escape. That escape is successful, but as she tries to find her way as an intern with a you-tube vblog family, circumstances are equally stressful, just in a different way. This is a story of how a young woman finds her way out of a hellish life and begins to figure out who she is and if she's strong enough to survive.
Overall I thought the story arc was strong. The blurb about the book makes it seem as if the vblog family is something scary or sinister. While their reality is different than portrayed on you tube, there's nothing particularly sinister about them. But, there is enough evil in the mother for anyone.
I have an aversion to protagonists that are hand-wringers. When half the book is full of "oh poor me, whatever should I do" internal dialog, I usually stop reading. This one straddled that edge for me.....but when I did find myself thinking, oh just stop whining and DO something, I remembered her upbringing and the PTSD she was undoubtedly dealing with, and kept reading. I'm glad I did.
I found this book to be a solid read (a 3.5 stars). Tara (Angela) is a 20 year old young woman who is totally dominated by a creepy and truly awful 'foster' mom. She has been abused physically and mentally since she was 12, so if that's a trigger for you, you might want to avoid this book. At 20 circumstances occur that allow her to try to escape. That escape is successful, but as she tries to find her way as an intern with a you-tube vblog family, circumstances are equally stressful, just in a different way. This is a story of how a young woman finds her way out of a hellish life and begins to figure out who she is and if she's strong enough to survive.
Overall I thought the story arc was strong. The blurb about the book makes it seem as if the vblog family is something scary or sinister. While their reality is different than portrayed on you tube, there's nothing particularly sinister about them. But, there is enough evil in the mother for anyone.
I have an aversion to protagonists that are hand-wringers. When half the book is full of "oh poor me, whatever should I do" internal dialog, I usually stop reading. This one straddled that edge for me.....but when I did find myself thinking, oh just stop whining and DO something, I remembered her upbringing and the PTSD she was undoubtedly dealing with, and kept reading. I'm glad I did.
March 15, 2020
i was never some hulking giant with bulging muscles that pounded my way out of a bad situation. i was a frail, broken child who survived long enough to escape.
i am very confused. this is not an easy book to review. i was so intrigued by the blurb and, in some ways, it exceeded my expectations. in others, however, it fell really short.
our main character's story is tragic. it is horrifying, and it is portrayed within that tone, which is very appropriate. however, it was fairly obvious from the beginning what was actually going on.
while the book made sense, up to that point, i felt like it suddenly just veered off course with the introduction of a popular youtube family, whose videos tara enjoys watching. and, here, i start to get annoyed. tara has one hundred million questions about everything, naturally, due to the isolated life she leads under mother's "care". however, even at twenty years old, it never occurs to her to look up mother, herself or her birth parents? come on.
anyway, as the book flies off course, we're presented with another enticing bit of information: the feelys, the youtube sensation family, aren't all they seem. you know what this ends up meaning?
all of this just led me to believe that including youtube and vloggers and influencers was a strange attempt at making the book feel modern. honestly, it just felt like i was reading two different stories. the first plot would've been more than enough for one cohesive and interesting novel, and there was so much left to explore, especially when it came to mother!
even though it was disappointing, the novel was still entertaining and, therefore, i would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for an arc, and henry for being the only logical character in this book.
i am very confused. this is not an easy book to review. i was so intrigued by the blurb and, in some ways, it exceeded my expectations. in others, however, it fell really short.
our main character's story is tragic. it is horrifying, and it is portrayed within that tone, which is very appropriate. however, it was fairly obvious from the beginning what was actually going on.
while the book made sense, up to that point, i felt like it suddenly just veered off course with the introduction of a popular youtube family, whose videos tara enjoys watching. and, here, i start to get annoyed. tara has one hundred million questions about everything, naturally, due to the isolated life she leads under mother's "care". however, even at twenty years old, it never occurs to her to look up mother, herself or her birth parents? come on.
anyway, as the book flies off course, we're presented with another enticing bit of information: the feelys, the youtube sensation family, aren't all they seem. you know what this ends up meaning?
all of this just led me to believe that including youtube and vloggers and influencers was a strange attempt at making the book feel modern. honestly, it just felt like i was reading two different stories. the first plot would've been more than enough for one cohesive and interesting novel, and there was so much left to explore, especially when it came to mother!
even though it was disappointing, the novel was still entertaining and, therefore, i would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for an arc, and henry for being the only logical character in this book.
December 7, 2019
What It Seems is about a foster child, now 20 living with her foster mother. She was 8 went Tara went to live with her controlling foster mom. Lonely Tara locked in her room all day finds happiness in a Vlog on YouTube about a real family. Something Tara never had. Fortune happens when the family need an intern for their show. Will Tara be able to escape her foster mother?
November 21, 2019
Experimental Excellence. With this book, Bleeker does something she's never done before - writes a tale in first person. And for this particular tale, that was likely the only way to make this story as good as it is. This story involves some pretty heavy abuse, but that actually drives the reader to want to find some resolution... and drove me to complete the 304 page book in less than 12 hrs, which is a rarity even for me. An excellent take on the not-what-it-seems side of a popular cultural phenomenon, while also an excellent tale of survival and what a person will do just to get to the next day. Truly great work from an author I've been following since her debut a few years ago now. Very much recommended.
December 7, 2019
What It Seems is about a foster child, now 20 living with her foster mother. She was 8 went Tara went to live with her controlling foster mom. Lonely Tara locked in her room all day finds happiness in a Vlog on YouTube about a real family. Something Tara never had. Fortune happens when the family need an intern for their show. Will Tara be able to escape her foster mother?
February 2, 2020
I was really hoping to like this book more than I did but I just could not finish it. I could not connect to any of the characters and I wasn't able to grasp anything this book was saying. I found myself skimming through pages and pages of what I tried to read and finally just gave up. Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
March 14, 2020
The beginning was fantastic! The middle was just ok for me, and then the ending was fantastic again! I love Angela, and how she handled everything. This book draws you in immediately right from page 1, so be prepared!
May 19, 2020
Tara was adopted by her foster mother at the age of eight when her parents decided that they could no longer take care of three children. Now twenty-years-old, she hasn’t managed to see much of the world. Mother is extremely controlling. Tara is forced to work for Mother shoplifting and reselling the items they acquire. Tara yearns for something more. She wants a life and a family like those popular accounts on YouTube. What would happen if she ran away from Mother? Could she find her own happiness or would Mother find her first?
WHAT IT SEEMS drops the reader into Tara’s life with Mother. We see an unhappy life of shoplifting and imprisonment. Tara isn’t free to leave Mother, her house, or even her room without the possibility of severe consequences. Being front and center watching Tara’s life immediately allows the reader to bond with her and cheer for her escaping this life. This start also adds an immediate sense of tension and dread with thoughts of what Mother is capable of and what could happen to Tara if she did escape.
I want to keep the bulk of the plot to this story vague, so I won’t be digging deeper than that. I really think this is one of those stories you need to go into blindly to avoid any spoilers. What I will say about the progression of the story is that Bleeker does a fantastic job of holding a sense of suspense throughout the book. There are moments when you feel extremely worried for Tara, but you can’t look away because you need to know what will happen next.
I thought the basis for the story was really original and not what seems to be rather run of the mill these days in the thriller world. There are a lot of great modern touches, which make the story relatable and believable for the current generation. I loved how everything came together at the end! I absolutely flew through the last fifty pages simply glued to my seat needing to know more!
If you’re looking for an entertaining and heart pounding read, you’re going to want WHAT IT SEEMS on your TBR!
WHAT IT SEEMS drops the reader into Tara’s life with Mother. We see an unhappy life of shoplifting and imprisonment. Tara isn’t free to leave Mother, her house, or even her room without the possibility of severe consequences. Being front and center watching Tara’s life immediately allows the reader to bond with her and cheer for her escaping this life. This start also adds an immediate sense of tension and dread with thoughts of what Mother is capable of and what could happen to Tara if she did escape.
I want to keep the bulk of the plot to this story vague, so I won’t be digging deeper than that. I really think this is one of those stories you need to go into blindly to avoid any spoilers. What I will say about the progression of the story is that Bleeker does a fantastic job of holding a sense of suspense throughout the book. There are moments when you feel extremely worried for Tara, but you can’t look away because you need to know what will happen next.
I thought the basis for the story was really original and not what seems to be rather run of the mill these days in the thriller world. There are a lot of great modern touches, which make the story relatable and believable for the current generation. I loved how everything came together at the end! I absolutely flew through the last fifty pages simply glued to my seat needing to know more!
If you’re looking for an entertaining and heart pounding read, you’re going to want WHAT IT SEEMS on your TBR!
May 4, 2020
📚 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗼 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀! I just finished reading 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗺𝘀 by Emily Bleeker. Although the writing was good and the plot quite thrilling, the story was predictable. From the beginning, I guessed how the book would end and I was not wrong. This tampered the excitement about reading the book. It is still a great story and a good read with an awesome ending.
🙋🏼♀️ Thank you, 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 for sending me an ARC of this thrilling novel. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗺𝘀 by Emily Bleeker is available at your favourite bookstore.
#poodles #poodlestagram #poodlesofinstagram #furbabies #dogsofinstagram #bookstagram #dogsandbooks #bookishlife #bookishlove #bookstagrammer #book #books #booklover #bookish #bookaholic #reading #readersofinstagram #instaread #ilovebooks #bookishcanadians #canadianbookstagram #bookreviewer #bookcommunity #bibliophile #bookphotography #whatitseems #emilybleeker #bookreview
February 26, 2021
I liked this more than I thought I would. Tara/Angela is definitely a bit frustrating weak for the first half of the book, but she definitely grows on you. A lot of the elements and plot points were predictable and the ending was fairly expected, but it is written in such a way that you enjoy the getting there. This novel is also quite short at 271 pages, so it never lingers too terribly long on anything, but some parts did seem really rushed or underexplained. It would not have been unappreciated to have an extra 30-50 pages. A good easy read.
January 21, 2020
Tara was adopted by her controlling mother when she was a little girl and sees very little of the outside world. One of her only joys is watching videos of families on YouTube, especially the Feely’s. The Feely’s are the perfect family and when they post a video seeking an intern, Tara jumps at this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The only problem, how is Tara supposed to get away from Mother?
Although relatively entertaining, it didn’t feel as suspenseful as I was expecting and the plot was pretty predicable.
I received a reviewer copy of What It Seems by Emily Bleeker from the publisher, Lake Union Publishing, through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Although relatively entertaining, it didn’t feel as suspenseful as I was expecting and the plot was pretty predicable.
I received a reviewer copy of What It Seems by Emily Bleeker from the publisher, Lake Union Publishing, through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 22, 2020
This was a very well written book, I couldn’t get enough of it. It’s a page turner, keep you up past midnight type of book, so many twists and events that made you smile, or heart wrench. I’ll be recommending this book to all of my book loving friends. Would love to see an interview on this book.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher, and author for the opportunity to read this book. All opinions expressed are of my own.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher, and author for the opportunity to read this book. All opinions expressed are of my own.
did-not-finish
January 16, 2025This book dragged on and on and on, so I stopped reading at the 25% point. Too many books, too little time.
April 22, 2021
What It Seems is the first book I've read by Emily Bleeker. Unfortunately, I wasn't a fan of this book, however, I will give Bleeker another shot. I found this book to be disappointing, frustrating, and painful at times.
My biggest issue was the main character, Tara. Her inner thoughts throughout the book drove me insane. I had to continuously remind myself that she is supposed to have a mindset more of a child instead of a young adult and that she has been psychologically, emotionally, and physically abused for most of her life.
My second issue with this book was the plot itself. The book's synopsis gave me high expectations and I was expecting a story full of dark secrets and suspense. Unfortunately, that did not happen and the book itself was a total letdown. The storyline was quite predictable and there were no big twists or surprises, as well.
Overall, I would not recommend this book to others unless you are a big fan of Emily Bleeker's.
****
Tara, now 20, has been with her foster 'Mother' since she was 8 years old. Mother is both physically and mentally abusive towards Tara and continuously reminds Tara how her real parents didn't want her. Tara is locked in her room most of the time and her only friends are her dolls and a sparrow. Her only outlook to the world is through YouTube family videos, including the Feely family. When Tara is allowed to be outside of the house, she is usually found wearing a pregnancy suit and being forced to shoplift for Mother's eBay store.
When an opportunity presents itself to be an intern for the Feely family, Tara sees it as a way out. After another abusive incident happens with Mother, Tara escapes and starts her new life as an intern for the Feely family. As she gets to know each member of the Feely family, she begins to realize that her ideal family is not who they seem. She is also in contestant fear that Mother will find her and make her go back to her old life.
My biggest issue was the main character, Tara. Her inner thoughts throughout the book drove me insane. I had to continuously remind myself that she is supposed to have a mindset more of a child instead of a young adult and that she has been psychologically, emotionally, and physically abused for most of her life.
My second issue with this book was the plot itself. The book's synopsis gave me high expectations and I was expecting a story full of dark secrets and suspense. Unfortunately, that did not happen and the book itself was a total letdown. The storyline was quite predictable and there were no big twists or surprises, as well.
Overall, I would not recommend this book to others unless you are a big fan of Emily Bleeker's.
****
Tara, now 20, has been with her foster 'Mother' since she was 8 years old. Mother is both physically and mentally abusive towards Tara and continuously reminds Tara how her real parents didn't want her. Tara is locked in her room most of the time and her only friends are her dolls and a sparrow. Her only outlook to the world is through YouTube family videos, including the Feely family. When Tara is allowed to be outside of the house, she is usually found wearing a pregnancy suit and being forced to shoplift for Mother's eBay store.
When an opportunity presents itself to be an intern for the Feely family, Tara sees it as a way out. After another abusive incident happens with Mother, Tara escapes and starts her new life as an intern for the Feely family. As she gets to know each member of the Feely family, she begins to realize that her ideal family is not who they seem. She is also in contestant fear that Mother will find her and make her go back to her old life.
May 11, 2020
"I run my hand over my ever-swelling belly. The ill-fitting maternity dress is almost too small on me at this point. And it's purple. I feel more like a love-starved singing dinosaur than a grown woman."
As this is the first look that starts the beginning of the book, sounds pretty normal, a young woman pregnant but is it really? No, she is only pretending to be pregnant so her and Mother can go and steal stuff and sell it online. Twenty-year-old Tara had been adopted 8 years prior by a woman who she hoped could be a real mother to her as she lost her own. But life with Mother is not all it is cracked up to be. She is punished for the smallest infraction, especially if she does not do what is expected of her.
When she is locked in her room, she has her computer for company and takes to watching YouTube videos of a vlogging and internet sensation family. When she finds out that they are looking for an intern to help out for the summer she is excited to apply. She is very shy and thinks that she did not do well in the interview but is excited to find that she was actually chosen as the intern. To do this she needs to run away from Mother and never be able to go back. She takes the position and finds that the family is not what she thought they were. But what is the perfect family, was it something that Tara was hoping for?
This book is a page-turner and the end blew me away! Never saw that coming! A story that is well thought out and suspenseful. It is the first book that I had read by this author and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
As this is the first look that starts the beginning of the book, sounds pretty normal, a young woman pregnant but is it really? No, she is only pretending to be pregnant so her and Mother can go and steal stuff and sell it online. Twenty-year-old Tara had been adopted 8 years prior by a woman who she hoped could be a real mother to her as she lost her own. But life with Mother is not all it is cracked up to be. She is punished for the smallest infraction, especially if she does not do what is expected of her.
When she is locked in her room, she has her computer for company and takes to watching YouTube videos of a vlogging and internet sensation family. When she finds out that they are looking for an intern to help out for the summer she is excited to apply. She is very shy and thinks that she did not do well in the interview but is excited to find that she was actually chosen as the intern. To do this she needs to run away from Mother and never be able to go back. She takes the position and finds that the family is not what she thought they were. But what is the perfect family, was it something that Tara was hoping for?
This book is a page-turner and the end blew me away! Never saw that coming! A story that is well thought out and suspenseful. It is the first book that I had read by this author and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
March 9, 2020
This was an interesting read! I was expecting more of a thriller type book, but this is more mystery/suspense.
The story is told from Tara's point of view. She was adopted by her foster mom at 8 years old. Since then, she rarely leaves the house and has been the victim of her mother's mood swings. Now at twenty, Tara may have a chance to get away - the Feely's, her favorite YouTube family, is looking for an intern. Does Tara have what it takes to get away?
I immediately fell in love with Tara. She's so sweet and innocent - so innocent that the book reads a little juvenile, but it's fitting. From page one, I was hooked on the story and could've read it in a day if I had had the time.
I wasn't just hooked on the story, my emotions were involved too. I was sad and angry and happy. The end actually made my eyes do that slightly burning thing like I was about to cry. For the record, I didn't cry, but I could have.
This book was fairly predictable though. I knew the big twist within the first few chapters, but that didn't stop me from enjoying the book. I recommend this book if you want a suspenseful feel good story.
The story is told from Tara's point of view. She was adopted by her foster mom at 8 years old. Since then, she rarely leaves the house and has been the victim of her mother's mood swings. Now at twenty, Tara may have a chance to get away - the Feely's, her favorite YouTube family, is looking for an intern. Does Tara have what it takes to get away?
I immediately fell in love with Tara. She's so sweet and innocent - so innocent that the book reads a little juvenile, but it's fitting. From page one, I was hooked on the story and could've read it in a day if I had had the time.
I wasn't just hooked on the story, my emotions were involved too. I was sad and angry and happy. The end actually made my eyes do that slightly burning thing like I was about to cry. For the record, I didn't cry, but I could have.
This book was fairly predictable though. I knew the big twist within the first few chapters, but that didn't stop me from enjoying the book. I recommend this book if you want a suspenseful feel good story.
April 11, 2020
Wow! I'll be honest, I started reading this book and thought, I don't know if I'm I'm emotionally up to this right now.
It's the story of a 20 year old girl who has basically been held captive by her physically and emotionally abusive "Mother" for over 12 years. Definitely tough subject matter, right? But it's so well written that I just couldn't stop reading! I wanted to know where Angela actually came from. And how she was going to get away from all the lies that she had to tell as she attempted to escape! And the whole time I'm hoping desperately that out of all the people who keep entering her life, that there's someone who will actually care for her! Ooh, this is just such a well written book! It really surprised me, and I'll definitely be looking for more books from this author!
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
It's the story of a 20 year old girl who has basically been held captive by her physically and emotionally abusive "Mother" for over 12 years. Definitely tough subject matter, right? But it's so well written that I just couldn't stop reading! I wanted to know where Angela actually came from. And how she was going to get away from all the lies that she had to tell as she attempted to escape! And the whole time I'm hoping desperately that out of all the people who keep entering her life, that there's someone who will actually care for her! Ooh, this is just such a well written book! It really surprised me, and I'll definitely be looking for more books from this author!
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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