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The Hive
SHOULD HE LIVE OR DIE? YOU DECIDE.
Charlotte Goodwin looks directly at the camera and reveals a chilling truth to the thousands watching her Instagram live broadcast. She has killed her ex-boyfriend's new partner in cold blood. But she is not finished yet. With bloodied hands she takes a calm sip of tea before continuing. Lincoln Jackson will now make his confession, then the viewers must vote to decide whether he should live or die.
The public display sends shockwaves rippling through the online community and the numbers of viewers skyrockets. But as Lincoln's past is revealed, how will he be judged?
Bonded by mutual tragedy, Charlotte's three best friends have supported each other through the soaring highs and devastating lows of their lives. Now, in Charlotte's hour of need, her friends also face a choice, whether to help her get away with murder.
The Hive explores our darkest fears of the relationship between social media and mental health, but, most importantly, the strength of sisterhood against all the odds.
Charlotte Goodwin looks directly at the camera and reveals a chilling truth to the thousands watching her Instagram live broadcast. She has killed her ex-boyfriend's new partner in cold blood. But she is not finished yet. With bloodied hands she takes a calm sip of tea before continuing. Lincoln Jackson will now make his confession, then the viewers must vote to decide whether he should live or die.
The public display sends shockwaves rippling through the online community and the numbers of viewers skyrockets. But as Lincoln's past is revealed, how will he be judged?
Bonded by mutual tragedy, Charlotte's three best friends have supported each other through the soaring highs and devastating lows of their lives. Now, in Charlotte's hour of need, her friends also face a choice, whether to help her get away with murder.
The Hive explores our darkest fears of the relationship between social media and mental health, but, most importantly, the strength of sisterhood against all the odds.
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 21, 2022
52 people are currently reading
675 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 226 reviews
July 6, 2025
My moral compass is all over the place... Murder with reason hits different in the fictional world 🤫
All I knew, before starting this book was that it includes the following:
▶ Close female friends - Sisterhood
▶#votedie or #votelive
▶ Aaaand Revenge murder
And now, after reading the book, I cannot believe that this is the debut novel of Scarlett Brade. I will be watching you, you can be sure of that.
This book was so much more than other books or movies, I have read or watched with a similar plot. I loved the madness. The unhinged behaviour. The complicated, intertwined, and messed up past of the whole friend group. The representation of toxic relationships, people, and public figures. And there is so much more that surprised me, kept me hooked, and made me question my moral decisions.
🚩 "At every turn, Linc reminded me that he was giving me the world, and that I should be grateful to him for it." 🚩
I loved to hate every single character! What a ride! 🛝
I would recommend this to anyone interested in a thriller about revenge, (female) rage, and messed up lives.
I do not read that many thrillers, so a special thank you to Netgalley, Independent Publishers Group, and Scarlett Brade for the readers copy in exchange for an honest review. "The Hive" is already out and available to read!
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Prereview
Revenge murder? Sisterhood? Count me in! 😏
Very mixed reviews, so I'm excited to paint my own picture. Thank you for the arc!
All I knew, before starting this book was that it includes the following:
▶ Close female friends - Sisterhood
▶#votedie or #votelive
▶ Aaaand Revenge murder
And now, after reading the book, I cannot believe that this is the debut novel of Scarlett Brade. I will be watching you, you can be sure of that.
This book was so much more than other books or movies, I have read or watched with a similar plot. I loved the madness. The unhinged behaviour. The complicated, intertwined, and messed up past of the whole friend group. The representation of toxic relationships, people, and public figures. And there is so much more that surprised me, kept me hooked, and made me question my moral decisions.
🚩 "At every turn, Linc reminded me that he was giving me the world, and that I should be grateful to him for it." 🚩
I loved to hate every single character! What a ride! 🛝
I would recommend this to anyone interested in a thriller about revenge, (female) rage, and messed up lives.
I do not read that many thrillers, so a special thank you to Netgalley, Independent Publishers Group, and Scarlett Brade for the readers copy in exchange for an honest review. "The Hive" is already out and available to read!
»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»
Prereview
Revenge murder? Sisterhood? Count me in! 😏
Very mixed reviews, so I'm excited to paint my own picture. Thank you for the arc!
September 13, 2022
It pains me to give such a low rating to a debut author - I'm really sorry; but I also need to be honest with my ratings.
The only thing I liked about this book was the prologue. Very strong concept, poor execution. The dialogue-content ratio was poor - too many dialogues without much happening. Extremely repetitive. I saw another reviewer describing it as "rinse and repeat", and can relate.
I didn't like any of the characters or feel anything for them - but the potential was there with their tragic backstories. If that would have been explored more, I'm sure I would have liked them more.
The plot itself was unbelievable. Not going to dive further into that to avoid spoilers.
This book is being marketed as a "feminist revenge thriller" but it's the furthest thing from being feminist I've read all year. It was like reading about middle school drama with a bunch of pick-me teenage girls - the backstabbing and name-calling didn't do it for me. Maybe "friendship" or "girl power" would be better marketing words to use.
I wouldn't deter anyone from reading The Hive though. This is only my opinion, which doesn't mean anything really.
Thank you Jonathan Ball Publishers for a review copy of this book!
The only thing I liked about this book was the prologue. Very strong concept, poor execution. The dialogue-content ratio was poor - too many dialogues without much happening. Extremely repetitive. I saw another reviewer describing it as "rinse and repeat", and can relate.
I didn't like any of the characters or feel anything for them - but the potential was there with their tragic backstories. If that would have been explored more, I'm sure I would have liked them more.
The plot itself was unbelievable. Not going to dive further into that to avoid spoilers.
This book is being marketed as a "feminist revenge thriller" but it's the furthest thing from being feminist I've read all year. It was like reading about middle school drama with a bunch of pick-me teenage girls - the backstabbing and name-calling didn't do it for me. Maybe "friendship" or "girl power" would be better marketing words to use.
I wouldn't deter anyone from reading The Hive though. This is only my opinion, which doesn't mean anything really.
Thank you Jonathan Ball Publishers for a review copy of this book!
February 19, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley and Bonnier Books/Zaffre for the eARC copy of this book; all views and opinions discussed here are my own.
I'm including some trigger warnings at the bottom of my review because they are all very spoilery but they need to be in there.
I am really going to try and keep this review short because otherwise it will just turn into a rant and I really do not want to do that but honestly just thinking about this book gets me so angry. I really wanted to love this book because the premise sounds absolutely brilliant and even the start of the book was really engaging but we soon jump back to 1 year before and everything that happens afterwards just unravels for me.
There is so much packed into this story that I actually can't even keep it all straight in my mind. We have four main female characters - all with some sort of disturbing back-story, all with some sort of current issue going on - cheating boyfriend, custody problems, many many crimes - and they all get so convoluted and twisted around each other as the story goes on that it's just hard to keep them straight in your head. Our main character Charlotte is just unlikeable - there are all these references to things she's done in the past to defend her friends - including blackmailing a paedophile and rapist into giving them fake ID's - but I never really got the sense of true friendship between these women because they constantly slate each other and do not believe in one another. Charlotte is just quite tragic as she falls in love with Lincoln after like a week of knowing him. I felt no emotion for her or any of these characters - I mean whichever one was going through the custody issues with her mother was just absolutely awful because she'd make the wise decision to get high and drunk before a court hearing where she's going to be drug tested - but it's fine because one of the other friends will just fake your drug tests.... tell me why i'm rooting for her again?
The end plot reveal was just ridiculous because I did not get any sense that any of these characters could pull it off. And then we find out they're all living happily ever afters with no real explanation as to how that happened.
I wanted to love this book I really did but it just made it too damn hard.
TRIGGER WARNINGS BELOW
TW: off-screen child sexual abuse, substance use, alcohol use, vomiting, abortion, stillborn twin babies, fake burglary, cheating, domestic violence, domestic abuse, gaslighting, custody issues, poison, murder, guns, fake death,
I'm including some trigger warnings at the bottom of my review because they are all very spoilery but they need to be in there.
I am really going to try and keep this review short because otherwise it will just turn into a rant and I really do not want to do that but honestly just thinking about this book gets me so angry. I really wanted to love this book because the premise sounds absolutely brilliant and even the start of the book was really engaging but we soon jump back to 1 year before and everything that happens afterwards just unravels for me.
There is so much packed into this story that I actually can't even keep it all straight in my mind. We have four main female characters - all with some sort of disturbing back-story, all with some sort of current issue going on - cheating boyfriend, custody problems, many many crimes - and they all get so convoluted and twisted around each other as the story goes on that it's just hard to keep them straight in your head. Our main character Charlotte is just unlikeable - there are all these references to things she's done in the past to defend her friends - including blackmailing a paedophile and rapist into giving them fake ID's - but I never really got the sense of true friendship between these women because they constantly slate each other and do not believe in one another. Charlotte is just quite tragic as she falls in love with Lincoln after like a week of knowing him. I felt no emotion for her or any of these characters - I mean whichever one was going through the custody issues with her mother was just absolutely awful because she'd make the wise decision to get high and drunk before a court hearing where she's going to be drug tested - but it's fine because one of the other friends will just fake your drug tests.... tell me why i'm rooting for her again?
The end plot reveal was just ridiculous because I did not get any sense that any of these characters could pull it off. And then we find out they're all living happily ever afters with no real explanation as to how that happened.
I wanted to love this book I really did but it just made it too damn hard.
TRIGGER WARNINGS BELOW
TW: off-screen child sexual abuse, substance use, alcohol use, vomiting, abortion, stillborn twin babies, fake burglary, cheating, domestic violence, domestic abuse, gaslighting, custody issues, poison, murder, guns, fake death,
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 3, 2022
Unfortunately this is a DNF for me. I got 35% through the book before finally giving up.
I really appreciate the opportunity to read books that authors have obviously put a lot of work into but I don’t think I’ve ever been as annoyed reading a book as I was with this one.
A decent premise, a good first chapter that sets it off at a pace, then we have the dreaded “one year earlier” and the whole thing falls apart.
Supposedly about a group of women in their late 20s, they are like a bunch of young teenagers rather than adults. No likeable or remotely well written characters. Our main character goes from “I love him” to “I hate him” within a couple of sentences. Rinse and repeat.
Clunky, awful dialogue, totally unrealistic, we have possibly the most stupid cast of characters I have ever had the displeasure of reading. Like honestly, it feels like a teenager or a child wrote this.
Awful awful stuff. Again I apologise for being so damning but really it’s an insult to peoples intelligence to pass this off as any way credible, believable or any way entertaining.
Thanks to the publisher for the ARC through Netgalley.
I really appreciate the opportunity to read books that authors have obviously put a lot of work into but I don’t think I’ve ever been as annoyed reading a book as I was with this one.
A decent premise, a good first chapter that sets it off at a pace, then we have the dreaded “one year earlier” and the whole thing falls apart.
Supposedly about a group of women in their late 20s, they are like a bunch of young teenagers rather than adults. No likeable or remotely well written characters. Our main character goes from “I love him” to “I hate him” within a couple of sentences. Rinse and repeat.
Clunky, awful dialogue, totally unrealistic, we have possibly the most stupid cast of characters I have ever had the displeasure of reading. Like honestly, it feels like a teenager or a child wrote this.
Awful awful stuff. Again I apologise for being so damning but really it’s an insult to peoples intelligence to pass this off as any way credible, believable or any way entertaining.
Thanks to the publisher for the ARC through Netgalley.
February 14, 2022
A read in one sitting revenge thriller would be my tagline for this novel - as in theme that's what it is and I did indeed read it in one sitting. This morning in fact. Couldn't put it down.
The Hive is more than that though. It's also a novel of friendship that has no boundaries, of traumatic loss sparking a devastating obsession and of the power of social media to have a cumulative, negative affect on metal well being.
I loved the characters even as I despaired of their behaviour, there are a lot of emotional layers in The Hive, it is also written in an addictive no holds barred style that I related to.
Really good. Recommended.
The Hive is more than that though. It's also a novel of friendship that has no boundaries, of traumatic loss sparking a devastating obsession and of the power of social media to have a cumulative, negative affect on metal well being.
I loved the characters even as I despaired of their behaviour, there are a lot of emotional layers in The Hive, it is also written in an addictive no holds barred style that I related to.
Really good. Recommended.
June 11, 2023
—3.5 stars—
(I’ll come back and add quotes tomorrow)
Was this fucked up? Yes.
Do I have a terrifying love for women killing people who wronged them? Yes.
Was this entertaining? Yes.
And it had sisterhood, dealing with grief, murder, and a warning about social media.
I really enjoyed it, but the trigger list means that it’s not for everybody.
TRIGGER WARNINGS: death and grief, death of a child, miscarriage, murder, gun violence, depression, suicide attempts, thoughts of suicide, child abuse, gore, flashbacks to traumatic childhoods, cheating, etc.
(I’ll come back and add quotes tomorrow)
Was this fucked up? Yes.
Do I have a terrifying love for women killing people who wronged them? Yes.
Was this entertaining? Yes.
And it had sisterhood, dealing with grief, murder, and a warning about social media.
I really enjoyed it, but the trigger list means that it’s not for everybody.
TRIGGER WARNINGS: death and grief, death of a child, miscarriage, murder, gun violence, depression, suicide attempts, thoughts of suicide, child abuse, gore, flashbacks to traumatic childhoods, cheating, etc.
July 22, 2022
Hard pass.
The premise of this was good… the first chapter enticing - I really expected this book to be a top read for the month. Sadly, it was terrible and may be the worst book I’ve ever read.
Poorly written, awful characters who were self-obsessed and boring, plus a really weak story. It just wasn’t believable at all. They all deserved to die.
I’m still agog at the unnecessary adjectives and the immature writing style. It was full of incorrect metaphors and idioms and read like a piece of GCSE creative writing. The author feels the need to describe everything in minute detail - particularly to show how sophisticated and rich everyone is. Not many 20-somethings drink beautifully garnished cocktails out of crystal glasses at home whilst wearing Gucci trousers…
The idea was there but it was not well-executed at all. The ending was utterly ridiculous… and then the ending after that even worse! The girls did not come across as smart enough to orchestrate any of it, and while they were supposedly BFFs, most of the time they seemed to hate each other. They didn’t deserve their perverted happily ever after at all!
Disappointingly dire.
The premise of this was good… the first chapter enticing - I really expected this book to be a top read for the month. Sadly, it was terrible and may be the worst book I’ve ever read.
Poorly written, awful characters who were self-obsessed and boring, plus a really weak story. It just wasn’t believable at all. They all deserved to die.
I’m still agog at the unnecessary adjectives and the immature writing style. It was full of incorrect metaphors and idioms and read like a piece of GCSE creative writing. The author feels the need to describe everything in minute detail - particularly to show how sophisticated and rich everyone is. Not many 20-somethings drink beautifully garnished cocktails out of crystal glasses at home whilst wearing Gucci trousers…
The idea was there but it was not well-executed at all. The ending was utterly ridiculous… and then the ending after that even worse! The girls did not come across as smart enough to orchestrate any of it, and while they were supposedly BFFs, most of the time they seemed to hate each other. They didn’t deserve their perverted happily ever after at all!
Disappointingly dire.
June 3, 2022
Lincoln Jackson brightened Charlotte's life - and then destroyed it. Now she has nothing, and is struggling. Her close friends are trying to support her, but Charlotte falls deeper in despair. Then she comes up with a plan for revenge. She'll let the insta community decide Lincoln's fate, once they've heard the full story. Live or die... they'll decide.
This is a new author to me, and what a fantastic first read from them it was! The importance of sisterhood and friendship, lies and secrets - and revenge. This is all compact amazingly in this book.
It's an emotional book - I had various emotions the full way through. The author showed Charlotte's pain and hurt so vividly, it almost felt like it was radiating from the words.
Brilliant book.
This is a new author to me, and what a fantastic first read from them it was! The importance of sisterhood and friendship, lies and secrets - and revenge. This is all compact amazingly in this book.
It's an emotional book - I had various emotions the full way through. The author showed Charlotte's pain and hurt so vividly, it almost felt like it was radiating from the words.
Brilliant book.
January 19, 2024
The hive is about a group of lifelong female friends who are bonded by personal traumas and would go to any lengths to help and support each other despite terrible decision making, so you could say this is a book about friendship through and through.
What I liked about it:
The beginning started off really strong. The opening really captured my attention and I was fully absorbed and engaged in the scene that was playing out.
It starts with our FMC live streaming to her thousands of social media followers disturbing events that had just taken place. She has m*rdered her boyfriend’s mistress in cold blood and shown the aftermath evidence on the video. She then turns the camera to her cheating famous boxer boyfriend, and requests the viewers vote on whether he should live or die, but not until she’s given her first person testimony of the events that led up to this situation so they can make a fully informed decision.
As the viewer ratio jumps up to hundreds of thousands of people she begins her story and takes them back to the beginning.
I found this a really interesting concept and had really high hopes for the story we were about to hear.
What I didn’t like:
Essentially (unfortunately) the rest of the book. Once we flashed back to a year prior and got to know the rest of the friendship group it was clear that there was no likeable characters here.
There were mentions of one friend being m*lestered as a child and instead of seeking help or reporting to the authorities, our FMC convinced her to gather evidence and blackmail him for fake IDs instead, and everyone is just okay with that? It somehow erased her trauma of being repeatedly SA?
Another friends children have been taken away from her by her parents and her reaction is to get high and wasted the night before a court hearing and drug test, but that’s okay because her now criminal friend will hack the results? It just seemed like this was a hopeless unredeemable group of traumatized 20 year olds who make all their decisions like teenagers would.
This book started out so strong and had the potential to be absolutely amazing with a gripping plot, however the dialogue fell flat after the beginning climax.
If you enjoy gritty dark themes and heavy UK dialogue this book may be perfect for you, sadly it was a miss for me. Nether the less I am still grateful I had the opportunity to give it a go for myself and would recommend other people don’t deter from giving it a try purely based on my review.
Thank you to NetGalley and independent publishers group for the opportunity to read this book.
What I liked about it:
The beginning started off really strong. The opening really captured my attention and I was fully absorbed and engaged in the scene that was playing out.
It starts with our FMC live streaming to her thousands of social media followers disturbing events that had just taken place. She has m*rdered her boyfriend’s mistress in cold blood and shown the aftermath evidence on the video. She then turns the camera to her cheating famous boxer boyfriend, and requests the viewers vote on whether he should live or die, but not until she’s given her first person testimony of the events that led up to this situation so they can make a fully informed decision.
As the viewer ratio jumps up to hundreds of thousands of people she begins her story and takes them back to the beginning.
I found this a really interesting concept and had really high hopes for the story we were about to hear.
What I didn’t like:
Essentially (unfortunately) the rest of the book. Once we flashed back to a year prior and got to know the rest of the friendship group it was clear that there was no likeable characters here.
There were mentions of one friend being m*lestered as a child and instead of seeking help or reporting to the authorities, our FMC convinced her to gather evidence and blackmail him for fake IDs instead, and everyone is just okay with that? It somehow erased her trauma of being repeatedly SA?
Another friends children have been taken away from her by her parents and her reaction is to get high and wasted the night before a court hearing and drug test, but that’s okay because her now criminal friend will hack the results? It just seemed like this was a hopeless unredeemable group of traumatized 20 year olds who make all their decisions like teenagers would.
This book started out so strong and had the potential to be absolutely amazing with a gripping plot, however the dialogue fell flat after the beginning climax.
If you enjoy gritty dark themes and heavy UK dialogue this book may be perfect for you, sadly it was a miss for me. Nether the less I am still grateful I had the opportunity to give it a go for myself and would recommend other people don’t deter from giving it a try purely based on my review.
Thank you to NetGalley and independent publishers group for the opportunity to read this book.
September 1, 2022
The prologue starts us off with Charlotte addressing the camera through an Instagram live. She has just killed her ex-boyfriend's fiancé and now has him held hostage. His fate is in the hands of the millions of viewers watching. Should he live, or should he die? They need to decide. So she starts telling her audience her side of things.
"How do I begin to tell you a story when you already know how it ends?"
We then get taken back one year to where it all began. We start to learn what it is that led Charlotte to go to such extremes to seek revenge against her ex-boyfriend.
"What really happens to a person when the unthinkable happens? What's left after everything's been stripped away? Can anyone really survive when nothing holds its weight anymore?"
The Hive isn't just a revenge thriller. It is more than that. It deals with loss and grief in such a raw way and has you feeling the emotions along with Charlotte. It shows us powerful friendships that know no bounds - these are the type of women you call when you need to hide a dead body. These women aren't all likeable and perfect, they each have their flaws but it makes them all the more real and you see how far they go for each other.
"Grief is blind. You can see past it until you've gone through it, and even then, the pain hurts just the same."
It's difficult to watchCharlotte's character going from being an empowered, independent woman to a shell of her former self. It does feel like there's a huge disconnect from the type of person she was (as we see in flashbacks) to how we see her aroundLincoln and after Lincoln. However, I'm chalking this up to her being in love.Rose-tainted glasses are rose and so it prevents us from seeing the red flags.And oh boy, was Linc a walking, talking red flag. I can't even begin to start talking about his character because you know he's garbage from the start -you're just waiting for Charlotte to realise this.
"I spent my entire life being an emotional armour for other women but for some reason I just couldn't find the strength to fight back."
This book is packed with foreshadowing - if you're paying attention and know where to look. I love foreshadowing in a book but this was slightly too much as you can easily see how the book is going to end if you're able to put all of the pieces together. This caused me to find the ending a tad bit too predictable and underwhelming.
I do also wish that we had more of the "revenge" part of the book as it takes up such a small percentage. There was a shift in Charlotte that didn't quite feel authentic when she went from her grief to her revenge and from that point it felt a bit too rushed and things fell into place a bit too easily for her. I didn't get the level of tension that I would have liked.
Overall, I do think the premise was fantastic and that alone grips the reader in, however, bear in mind that it's a slower build up to the action. The anticipation of "what next" and what actually leads Charlotte to her point of revenge is what kept me on the edge of my seat and binging this.
"When the worst things have happened, who do you become?"
Go read it, and then come tell me, what would you have chosen: #votelive or #votedie ?
Quick take on what can you expect:
• Binge worthy (tried and tested) revenge thriller
• Single PoV
• Friendships that know no bounds
• Piece of garbage love interest
• Deals with loss, grief and trauma
• The impact of social media
• TW's: Slight spoilers (premature birth/ infant death, infertility, abortion, drug use, drinking, infidelity, murder/ sexual assault)
"How do I begin to tell you a story when you already know how it ends?"
We then get taken back one year to where it all began. We start to learn what it is that led Charlotte to go to such extremes to seek revenge against her ex-boyfriend.
"What really happens to a person when the unthinkable happens? What's left after everything's been stripped away? Can anyone really survive when nothing holds its weight anymore?"
The Hive isn't just a revenge thriller. It is more than that. It deals with loss and grief in such a raw way and has you feeling the emotions along with Charlotte. It shows us powerful friendships that know no bounds - these are the type of women you call when you need to hide a dead body. These women aren't all likeable and perfect, they each have their flaws but it makes them all the more real and you see how far they go for each other.
"Grief is blind. You can see past it until you've gone through it, and even then, the pain hurts just the same."
It's difficult to watchCharlotte's character going from being an empowered, independent woman to a shell of her former self. It does feel like there's a huge disconnect from the type of person she was (as we see in flashbacks) to how we see her aroundLincoln and after Lincoln. However, I'm chalking this up to her being in love.Rose-tainted glasses are rose and so it prevents us from seeing the red flags.And oh boy, was Linc a walking, talking red flag. I can't even begin to start talking about his character because you know he's garbage from the start -you're just waiting for Charlotte to realise this.
"I spent my entire life being an emotional armour for other women but for some reason I just couldn't find the strength to fight back."
This book is packed with foreshadowing - if you're paying attention and know where to look. I love foreshadowing in a book but this was slightly too much as you can easily see how the book is going to end if you're able to put all of the pieces together. This caused me to find the ending a tad bit too predictable and underwhelming.
I do also wish that we had more of the "revenge" part of the book as it takes up such a small percentage. There was a shift in Charlotte that didn't quite feel authentic when she went from her grief to her revenge and from that point it felt a bit too rushed and things fell into place a bit too easily for her. I didn't get the level of tension that I would have liked.
Overall, I do think the premise was fantastic and that alone grips the reader in, however, bear in mind that it's a slower build up to the action. The anticipation of "what next" and what actually leads Charlotte to her point of revenge is what kept me on the edge of my seat and binging this.
"When the worst things have happened, who do you become?"
Go read it, and then come tell me, what would you have chosen: #votelive or #votedie ?
Quick take on what can you expect:
• Binge worthy (tried and tested) revenge thriller
• Single PoV
• Friendships that know no bounds
• Piece of garbage love interest
• Deals with loss, grief and trauma
• The impact of social media
• TW's: Slight spoilers (premature birth/ infant death, infertility, abortion, drug use, drinking, infidelity, murder/ sexual assault)
Read
August 5, 2022Brade doesn’t pull any punches in this fresh take on the revenge thriller. The Hive takes some dark turns, and is certainly not for every reader. Unfortunately, I’m one of them. The turns this book takes are among my least favourite and the hardest for me to read. Excited to see what this author does next. Will certainly read from her again.
A huge thank you to @zaffrebooks for an proof copy in exchange for a review. The Hive is out now!
(cw: baby loss, pregnancy loss, abortion, infertility, self harm and attempted s**cide)
A huge thank you to @zaffrebooks for an proof copy in exchange for a review. The Hive is out now!
(cw: baby loss, pregnancy loss, abortion, infertility, self harm and attempted s**cide)
June 8, 2022
Nope. This wasn’t the one for me…I’ve gone with a 1 because I did indeed finish it but it was a push. Read for bookclub.
It was unbelievable and the characters were unlikeable.
Will post a group roundup of this on my blog at the end of the month!
It was unbelievable and the characters were unlikeable.
Will post a group roundup of this on my blog at the end of the month!
November 10, 2022
3.5 stars rounded up. Charlotte Goodwin is live on Instagram. With her ex boyfriend’s new girlfriend dead at her feet and her ex boyfriend currently begging for his life. She asks her viewers should he live or should he die? What will the outcome be?
This was certainly an original read. It focuses on Charlotte and the dreadful thing her ex has done to her. Charlotte simply can’t move on. Luckily she has her posse behind her; her three best friends who are there throughout. And right now she needs them more than ever.
It’s a tale of obsession and revenge, but in contrast with that it’s also a tale about female solidarity and friendship (although saying that there are also some backstabbing females in these pages too). And it pays homage to the world of social media that we now live in - anything can be captured online!
This was certainly an original read. It focuses on Charlotte and the dreadful thing her ex has done to her. Charlotte simply can’t move on. Luckily she has her posse behind her; her three best friends who are there throughout. And right now she needs them more than ever.
It’s a tale of obsession and revenge, but in contrast with that it’s also a tale about female solidarity and friendship (although saying that there are also some backstabbing females in these pages too). And it pays homage to the world of social media that we now live in - anything can be captured online!
July 21, 2022
TWs: premature birth/infant death, infertility, abortion, drug use, drinking, infidelity, murder.
Charlotte Goodwin thinks her life will now be complete when she meets & falls in love with famous boxer, Lincoln Jackson. Things get even better when she finds out she is pregnant with twins, but Lincoln doesn't seem to be as happy as Charlotte. In fact he is distracted & actively spending time away from her, & Charlotte is sure he is cheating with his 'nutritionist' Heidi. A horrific incident during a break-in at Lincoln's home whilst Charlotte is there alone results in the premature birth & subsequent loss of her twins, leaving her unable to have further children. Lincoln distances himself even more, not even wanting to talk to Charlotte about their loss, & moves on quickly with Heidi. It takes a while but Charlotte finally realises he never wanted her or their twins & may even have been involved in what happened. She turns to her close-knit group of friends, but not even they know that Charlotte has decided on a very public kind of revenge where his social media followers will decide if Lincoln lives or dies.
The main character & her three friends all have major issues in their lives which have bonded them together since childhood. The reader gets to see that Charlotte was badass when it came to helping with their problems, but falls to pieces when her own life is the one in tatters. Lincoln is an obvious narcissist who acted by the narcissist playbook by 'love-bombing' Charlotte at the start & then distancing himself & being a cheating git, whilst Heidi has apparently never heard of sisterhood. Throw in a possibly corrupt cop investigating the break-in & things become complicated.
The first chapter is great, it sets the scene & hooks the reader in straight away, but things falter from there. I like the plot line of having an actual trial by social media & I think the comments on social site The Hive were pretty realistic. (If you go on MSM at all, you'll recognise the types). When I read that it was billed as a 'feminist thriller' I was intrigued but I struggled to see what was feminist about it. Until the final part of the book, main character Charlotte was enthralled by Lincoln, completely unable to see what he was really like, embarrassing herself chasing after him for answers he was never going to give. The finale is thrilling to read but completely unrealistic. Gripping enough for me to finish reading it, but I probably wouldn't go back for a re-read. I would, however, give future books by the author a go. 3.5 stars (rounded down to 3 on sites without half star ratings).
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Bonnier Books / Zaffre, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
Charlotte Goodwin thinks her life will now be complete when she meets & falls in love with famous boxer, Lincoln Jackson. Things get even better when she finds out she is pregnant with twins, but Lincoln doesn't seem to be as happy as Charlotte. In fact he is distracted & actively spending time away from her, & Charlotte is sure he is cheating with his 'nutritionist' Heidi. A horrific incident during a break-in at Lincoln's home whilst Charlotte is there alone results in the premature birth & subsequent loss of her twins, leaving her unable to have further children. Lincoln distances himself even more, not even wanting to talk to Charlotte about their loss, & moves on quickly with Heidi. It takes a while but Charlotte finally realises he never wanted her or their twins & may even have been involved in what happened. She turns to her close-knit group of friends, but not even they know that Charlotte has decided on a very public kind of revenge where his social media followers will decide if Lincoln lives or dies.
The main character & her three friends all have major issues in their lives which have bonded them together since childhood. The reader gets to see that Charlotte was badass when it came to helping with their problems, but falls to pieces when her own life is the one in tatters. Lincoln is an obvious narcissist who acted by the narcissist playbook by 'love-bombing' Charlotte at the start & then distancing himself & being a cheating git, whilst Heidi has apparently never heard of sisterhood. Throw in a possibly corrupt cop investigating the break-in & things become complicated.
The first chapter is great, it sets the scene & hooks the reader in straight away, but things falter from there. I like the plot line of having an actual trial by social media & I think the comments on social site The Hive were pretty realistic. (If you go on MSM at all, you'll recognise the types). When I read that it was billed as a 'feminist thriller' I was intrigued but I struggled to see what was feminist about it. Until the final part of the book, main character Charlotte was enthralled by Lincoln, completely unable to see what he was really like, embarrassing herself chasing after him for answers he was never going to give. The finale is thrilling to read but completely unrealistic. Gripping enough for me to finish reading it, but I probably wouldn't go back for a re-read. I would, however, give future books by the author a go. 3.5 stars (rounded down to 3 on sites without half star ratings).
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Bonnier Books / Zaffre, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
September 6, 2022
I never used to like audiobooks but after listening to this book I’m a new woman. This story was interesting but I probably wouldn't recommend. I would have liked it way more if there was no prologue, and we slowly see Charlotte's descent into madness rather than already know she's gonna murder her ex's partner. Probs would've given it more suspense instead of the reader just waiting for the moment to happen.
Also it's described as a 'feminist' thriller. By feminist, they mean 'unhinged woman' thriller. She cried over her ex the for the whole book—that's not feminism.
Overall, I still liked it, and found myself wanting to keep listening. Can't wait to see what else Brade eventually comes out with :D
Also it's described as a 'feminist' thriller. By feminist, they mean 'unhinged woman' thriller. She cried over her ex the for the whole book—that's not feminism.
Overall, I still liked it, and found myself wanting to keep listening. Can't wait to see what else Brade eventually comes out with :D
October 15, 2023
I liked the premise but the writing style didn't work for me. skimmed it to get through
August 5, 2022
Well, where to begin? I could talk for hours about this book, my review could go on for pages and pages, but it won't. As much as I'd love to sit and debate this book for ever, I will just let you know some of my thoughts and then you read it, and you can decide.
First and foremost. I don't think I'm the target audience for this novel. I don't relate to the character's way of life, their morals, their behaviours or their age. However, our lead group of characters are women, so am I. They have also endured hardships and tragedy throughout their lives and those problems are as old as the human race; abuse, addiction, violence, so despite their age, and their lifestyle, I certainly can empathise with their issues.
The story begins with a shocking prologue that grips the reader and will ensure that they carry on reading. Using social media for the basis of the story makes it modern up-to-date and totally refreshing. Our world has changed in terms of reporting. No longer do we have to wait for the evening news bulletin, or the morning newspaper to find out what is happening in the world. Today it is there, in our face, immediately and occasionally, as in the case of The Hive, live from the actual scene.
Charlotte Goodwin is famous for being famous, she's the ex of a well known boxer and their relationship; it's growth and it's grimy and difficult break down has been talk of The Hive for weeks. The Hive is an Instagram account devoted to celebrity news. Regularly posting gossip and hearsay and the perfect place for Charlotte to carry out her plan.
Charlotte has murdered her ex boyfriend's new girlfriend and has Linc (he ex) held hostage in a hotel suite. She's asked The Hive's viewers to #VoteLive or to #VoteDie - they will decide Linc's fate.
Scarlett Brade takes her readers back to the beginning of Charlotte and Linc's relationship and also introduces Charl's three best friends. These are a bunch of mixed-up women who between them, have enough issues to keep the chat show agony aunts going for years. It's really difficult to like any of the women, with the exception of Poppy, but oh my goodness, they are engrossing and compelling. It's like a car crash, you just want to look away, but you just can't help yourself.
Made up almost entirely of dialogue and nipping between characters, this is a quick and frenzied read at time, with extracts from the comments section on The Hive to ensure that the reader knows exactly what the world is thinking about Charl, and about Linc.
I can't say that it is great literature, but I can say that it's original and extremely addictive, I read it it just two sittings, totally enthralled and at times, a little bit disgusted by the extraordinary lives of these women and just what they'd do to protect each other.
The ending is a bit bonkers, it's totally mad but it is also satisfying and I gave a little fist pump in the air when I turned the final page. Obsession, social media, the pull of the celebrity lifestyle and the strength of the female friendship takes centre stage in this novel. Try it and see what you think!
First and foremost. I don't think I'm the target audience for this novel. I don't relate to the character's way of life, their morals, their behaviours or their age. However, our lead group of characters are women, so am I. They have also endured hardships and tragedy throughout their lives and those problems are as old as the human race; abuse, addiction, violence, so despite their age, and their lifestyle, I certainly can empathise with their issues.
The story begins with a shocking prologue that grips the reader and will ensure that they carry on reading. Using social media for the basis of the story makes it modern up-to-date and totally refreshing. Our world has changed in terms of reporting. No longer do we have to wait for the evening news bulletin, or the morning newspaper to find out what is happening in the world. Today it is there, in our face, immediately and occasionally, as in the case of The Hive, live from the actual scene.
Charlotte Goodwin is famous for being famous, she's the ex of a well known boxer and their relationship; it's growth and it's grimy and difficult break down has been talk of The Hive for weeks. The Hive is an Instagram account devoted to celebrity news. Regularly posting gossip and hearsay and the perfect place for Charlotte to carry out her plan.
Charlotte has murdered her ex boyfriend's new girlfriend and has Linc (he ex) held hostage in a hotel suite. She's asked The Hive's viewers to #VoteLive or to #VoteDie - they will decide Linc's fate.
Scarlett Brade takes her readers back to the beginning of Charlotte and Linc's relationship and also introduces Charl's three best friends. These are a bunch of mixed-up women who between them, have enough issues to keep the chat show agony aunts going for years. It's really difficult to like any of the women, with the exception of Poppy, but oh my goodness, they are engrossing and compelling. It's like a car crash, you just want to look away, but you just can't help yourself.
Made up almost entirely of dialogue and nipping between characters, this is a quick and frenzied read at time, with extracts from the comments section on The Hive to ensure that the reader knows exactly what the world is thinking about Charl, and about Linc.
I can't say that it is great literature, but I can say that it's original and extremely addictive, I read it it just two sittings, totally enthralled and at times, a little bit disgusted by the extraordinary lives of these women and just what they'd do to protect each other.
The ending is a bit bonkers, it's totally mad but it is also satisfying and I gave a little fist pump in the air when I turned the final page. Obsession, social media, the pull of the celebrity lifestyle and the strength of the female friendship takes centre stage in this novel. Try it and see what you think!
July 28, 2022
After reading this book I might never open a social media app again!
The author tells a moving story about friendship, love and the power of social media. Add to that, loss, heartbreak and a spectacular murder, and you will find yourself unable to put this book down.
We live in a world dominated by social media; we are eager for the latest gossip and quickly share our comments without giving a second thought to the effect our words might have. It is easy to be swept up in the latest trend and even easier to forget that we are never truly privy to the full truth. Scarlett Brade explored just that with this book – the half-truths shared on social media and the public’s ability to judge based on appearance.
This is a modern tale of love, loss and the perfect revenge. The author brings this story to life with everyday characters meeting celebrities and social media posts judging every action along the way. I was left with an urge to cancel all my social media accounts after reading this book. Scarlett Brade did a marvellous job with her characters, sharing their emotions and allowing the reader to share Charlotte's pain.
When Lincoln Jackson, a famous boxing champion follows Charlotte on Instagram she is sure it must be a mistake. Yet soon they are chatting, and Lincoln asked to meet her. She never would have believed her luck. But what follows is not what Charlotte or her friend would ever have imagined. Charlotte will have her revenge, but until she has shown the world who Lincoln Jackson is. Brace yourself for a story like no other.
The Hive is a thriller like no other. This book grabs hold of you and draws you deep into a world of loss, pain and revenge. The author keeps you glued to the pages as she reveals what led Charlotte to a hotel room where she is about to kill Lincoln Jackson while steaming live. Brace yourself, the story that follows will break your heart and leave you amazed at the power social media has on other people’s lives.
The four women in this book show sisterhood, love and support – they share a deep bond and the author brought this to life beautifully. How far would you go to protect and support your sister? These are true friends, there is no question.
Charlotte Goodwin appears to have everything she could want. Yet as the story unfolds and the truth is revealed your heart breaks for this naïve woman. She was lied to, betrayed, embarrassed and left to suffer in the worst possible way. Her loss is heartbreaking. You watch this woman fall apart, and with the turn of a page, there is suddenly fire in her. She finds the strength and determination to seek justice and oh boy, does she get it. I found myself rooting for her, and supporting her choice to kill Lincoln Jackson – the man was a dog! There is no other word for him.
This book is full of emotion and while it is a little different to my usual reads I could not drag myself away. It is beautifully written and reminds you not to believe everything you see on social media, or at the very least, to keep in mind there is more than one side to every story. Yep, I loved this one.
Ladies, this thriller is for you. You will find yourself quickly engrossed in this heartbreaking story and rooting for a chattered woman to get the revenge she desperately needs. You will not be left disappointed when reaching go this stunning book. You might want to steer clear of social media for a while after reading this.
https://featzreviews.com
The author tells a moving story about friendship, love and the power of social media. Add to that, loss, heartbreak and a spectacular murder, and you will find yourself unable to put this book down.
We live in a world dominated by social media; we are eager for the latest gossip and quickly share our comments without giving a second thought to the effect our words might have. It is easy to be swept up in the latest trend and even easier to forget that we are never truly privy to the full truth. Scarlett Brade explored just that with this book – the half-truths shared on social media and the public’s ability to judge based on appearance.
This is a modern tale of love, loss and the perfect revenge. The author brings this story to life with everyday characters meeting celebrities and social media posts judging every action along the way. I was left with an urge to cancel all my social media accounts after reading this book. Scarlett Brade did a marvellous job with her characters, sharing their emotions and allowing the reader to share Charlotte's pain.
When Lincoln Jackson, a famous boxing champion follows Charlotte on Instagram she is sure it must be a mistake. Yet soon they are chatting, and Lincoln asked to meet her. She never would have believed her luck. But what follows is not what Charlotte or her friend would ever have imagined. Charlotte will have her revenge, but until she has shown the world who Lincoln Jackson is. Brace yourself for a story like no other.
The Hive is a thriller like no other. This book grabs hold of you and draws you deep into a world of loss, pain and revenge. The author keeps you glued to the pages as she reveals what led Charlotte to a hotel room where she is about to kill Lincoln Jackson while steaming live. Brace yourself, the story that follows will break your heart and leave you amazed at the power social media has on other people’s lives.
The four women in this book show sisterhood, love and support – they share a deep bond and the author brought this to life beautifully. How far would you go to protect and support your sister? These are true friends, there is no question.
Charlotte Goodwin appears to have everything she could want. Yet as the story unfolds and the truth is revealed your heart breaks for this naïve woman. She was lied to, betrayed, embarrassed and left to suffer in the worst possible way. Her loss is heartbreaking. You watch this woman fall apart, and with the turn of a page, there is suddenly fire in her. She finds the strength and determination to seek justice and oh boy, does she get it. I found myself rooting for her, and supporting her choice to kill Lincoln Jackson – the man was a dog! There is no other word for him.
This book is full of emotion and while it is a little different to my usual reads I could not drag myself away. It is beautifully written and reminds you not to believe everything you see on social media, or at the very least, to keep in mind there is more than one side to every story. Yep, I loved this one.
Ladies, this thriller is for you. You will find yourself quickly engrossed in this heartbreaking story and rooting for a chattered woman to get the revenge she desperately needs. You will not be left disappointed when reaching go this stunning book. You might want to steer clear of social media for a while after reading this.
https://featzreviews.com
November 16, 2022
After being gripped by the synopsis I started the book feeling optimistic of what was to follow. Unfortunately it just didn’t live up to the expectations I had. Lack of character development and a rushed ‘main event’ left me feeling frustrated. The inclusion of social media user comments was an interesting way to consider things from the point of view of the “viewer” however I do feel more could have been made from the ‘main event’. Perhaps the impact of it being live streamed and the viewers who had witnessed it - it just seemed to be over very quickly and no time for reflection.
On a more positive note it generated a lengthy discussion when I discussed it with friends! So although it wasn’t a book I particularly enjoyed, the conversations that have arisen have been interesting.
With thanks to @readingagency and @ZaffreBooks for sharing copies of the book in exchange for an honest review.
On a more positive note it generated a lengthy discussion when I discussed it with friends! So although it wasn’t a book I particularly enjoyed, the conversations that have arisen have been interesting.
With thanks to @readingagency and @ZaffreBooks for sharing copies of the book in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 16, 2022
I was intrigued by the synopsis of this book and was enthusiastic to read this. Unfortunately this did not meet expectations. The concept was good however, was poorly executed. The characters were not developed so I had no empathy with them.
The timeline jumped between paragraphs within chapters and so its 3 weeks later and you don't realise until have way into a new paragraph.
Maybe this had too much cut out during editing to allow for a smooth flow, the ending felt rushed and there was no surprises.
The timeline jumped between paragraphs within chapters and so its 3 weeks later and you don't realise until have way into a new paragraph.
Maybe this had too much cut out during editing to allow for a smooth flow, the ending felt rushed and there was no surprises.
November 28, 2023
Suspenseful
August 27, 2023
I like the idea of this book but the execution and especially the ending really let it down.
October 6, 2022
Thank you to Jonathan Ball Publishers for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I was honestly looking forward to this because I absolutely loved the premise; however, what is tagged as "The Must Read Revenge Thriller Of 2022" just didn't have much of a thrill.
Setting up plot lines and filling background stories is an important part of any novel but I feel that the author chose to focus more on the background story. The pacing was super slow and I was bored. I did try to push through it but I had to put this down almost 2 thirds of the way in...
The writing was nice and easy to read and I enjoyed the layout of the book but the characters fall a little flat and the MC is just a psycho waiting to happen, anyway; what do you think is going to happen when said MC has chosen violence every single time since a young age?
When reading thrillers I do prefer them to be thrill-ish and, sadly, The Hive didn't deliver.
I was honestly looking forward to this because I absolutely loved the premise; however, what is tagged as "The Must Read Revenge Thriller Of 2022" just didn't have much of a thrill.
Setting up plot lines and filling background stories is an important part of any novel but I feel that the author chose to focus more on the background story. The pacing was super slow and I was bored. I did try to push through it but I had to put this down almost 2 thirds of the way in...
The writing was nice and easy to read and I enjoyed the layout of the book but the characters fall a little flat and the MC is just a psycho waiting to happen, anyway; what do you think is going to happen when said MC has chosen violence every single time since a young age?
When reading thrillers I do prefer them to be thrill-ish and, sadly, The Hive didn't deliver.
August 18, 2022
A promising premise that falls short on delivery, I wanted to love The Hive but unfortunately struggled almost from the very beginning.
I loved the idea of a murder plot where the public chooses whether you live or die - seemed like it would make for a high stakes, unputdownable thriller. Unfortunately, the majority of the book is simply an explanation for what led to the potential murders in the first place, which turns out to be an extensive and convoluted series of events that made me like the book and the main character less and less.
This book reads like a bad Wattpad thriller written by a tween with no experience. Every single possible twist was thrown into the mix, with the characters collectively experiencing every trauma the author could likely think of, and the motivation of the main character being the opposite of believable. The Hive is a masterclass in telling instead of showing, in surface-level characters that you cannot possibly empathize with, and in plot twists that you see coming from a mile away.
On so many occasions I had to put the book down and ask myself: Where was the editor?! There was so much potential, and so many places where ideas could have been fleshed out or refined, but instead the book plods along at a below mediocre level. I hope the author finds her voice with her future releases.
I loved the idea of a murder plot where the public chooses whether you live or die - seemed like it would make for a high stakes, unputdownable thriller. Unfortunately, the majority of the book is simply an explanation for what led to the potential murders in the first place, which turns out to be an extensive and convoluted series of events that made me like the book and the main character less and less.
This book reads like a bad Wattpad thriller written by a tween with no experience. Every single possible twist was thrown into the mix, with the characters collectively experiencing every trauma the author could likely think of, and the motivation of the main character being the opposite of believable. The Hive is a masterclass in telling instead of showing, in surface-level characters that you cannot possibly empathize with, and in plot twists that you see coming from a mile away.
On so many occasions I had to put the book down and ask myself: Where was the editor?! There was so much potential, and so many places where ideas could have been fleshed out or refined, but instead the book plods along at a below mediocre level. I hope the author finds her voice with her future releases.
July 28, 2022
Firstly how the infernal regions is this a debut, it is original, smart and had me shackled to the pages like Satan’s personal chattel.
I have often joked that I am the type of friend who if you call up with boy trouble my response will be “I will bring the spade” but these friends actually mean it.
Charlotte was a tough character for me as were a couple of her friends. They aren’t particularly likeable at the start and I must admit to being a bit judgy but then as the story went on and I learnt more about them my feelings changed. That’s the thing about judging before you know the whole story and it is shown here with the use of social media opinions from people who don’t know the facts. I loved how as a reader you are learning along with people on “the hive” what really happened to make her become unhinged.
Then there is Lincoln Jackson, charismatic, wealthy and all round classic narcissist. What would I have voted? Does he deserve to die? Do we have the right to decide? What should have been a private matter has become public due to people assuming they have the right to know everything. This book delves into the fallout behind salacious gossip, social media commentary and the effect it can play on a person’s mental health. It will make you look at celebrity ‘news’ in a whole new way.
But for me this twisted tale of revenge was about the bonds that tie female friends together. How we become ‘ride or die’ for the ones that mean everything.
I will leave this review with some words from Charlotte “they say there are three sides to every story. Yours, mine and the truth.” #votelive #votedie
I have often joked that I am the type of friend who if you call up with boy trouble my response will be “I will bring the spade” but these friends actually mean it.
Charlotte was a tough character for me as were a couple of her friends. They aren’t particularly likeable at the start and I must admit to being a bit judgy but then as the story went on and I learnt more about them my feelings changed. That’s the thing about judging before you know the whole story and it is shown here with the use of social media opinions from people who don’t know the facts. I loved how as a reader you are learning along with people on “the hive” what really happened to make her become unhinged.
Then there is Lincoln Jackson, charismatic, wealthy and all round classic narcissist. What would I have voted? Does he deserve to die? Do we have the right to decide? What should have been a private matter has become public due to people assuming they have the right to know everything. This book delves into the fallout behind salacious gossip, social media commentary and the effect it can play on a person’s mental health. It will make you look at celebrity ‘news’ in a whole new way.
But for me this twisted tale of revenge was about the bonds that tie female friends together. How we become ‘ride or die’ for the ones that mean everything.
I will leave this review with some words from Charlotte “they say there are three sides to every story. Yours, mine and the truth.” #votelive #votedie
January 29, 2024
Novel Concept: 5/5
Execution of Novel Concept: 3/5
Title: 4/5
Characterization: 3/5
Dialogue: 2/5
Plot: 3/5
Atmosphere: 1/5
Theme: 3/5
Prose: 2/5
Does this pass the Bechdel Test: Yes
Thank you NetGalley for giving me the Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.
This book needs a developmental editor. Half of me is tempted to DM the author on twitter and beg her to hear me out because I love this project and I genuinely want to see it succeed--I requested this arc because it interested me. But the ratings this book has right now is a genuinely accurate reflection of this book.
Without question, the strongest sections of this book are the events directly related to the premise from the back of the book. The scenes surrounding the confession of Lincoln Jackson. They were engaging, unhinged, and absolutely marvelous. These sections are quotable. Additionally, the minor mystery element of this book was written well enough that it kept me engaged.
But this book lacks description. We are often told about events and then later have these statements repeated so as to remind us these events took place rather than just giving us a proper flashback or genuine scene so that we can connect with the characters in the book. I don't want to be told that there was a fire. I want to be in the house when it's burning down. Because there are so many characters with complex backstories it feels like there's no time to really let us steep in the emotional discord of a proper flashback or scene.
Trix the character is going through major life events while this book is unfolding, but because Trix is not the main character we never see these events. We're just given periodical updates and that's frustrating. I want to be there. It felt like I'm banging on the door of this novel demanding to be let inside.
From both a sentence level and a general level, this book also has a repetition problem. You will hear the same phrases repeated over and over again. Words will repeat in the same sentence in an awkward way. And the problem with the repetition is that the emotional crux that is supposed to carry us through the majority of this novel relies on the repetition of the same sentences over and over again. We are constantly reminded of why Charlotte is upset. And then there's the plot repetition. Charlotte pretty much does the same thing three or four times and it plays out almost the same way every time. And I get that we're supposed to be witnessing Charlotte's devolution but I do think if we cut out all of the repetitive actions and replaced them with her trying to solve the mystery that's presented it would make for a more compelling story. Because once Charlotte was actually making plans that led up to the premise statement of the novel, I was all in. I'm here to support Women's Wrongs. Like, the moment Charlotte realizes that there might be something more insidious happening we should have leaned into the uncovering of the mystery.
Lincoln's characterization struggles the most out of all the characters. I did not learn a single thing about boxing from this book and I expected at least one fun fact. A name of a boxing ring. A weight class. What the championship games are called. What the British boxing scene is like. I think we need to emphasize that boxing is big in Britain because as an American reading this, the most unrealistic part of Lincoln's character is that he was his celebrity because he was a boxer. He felt more like an influencer than a boxer in my opinion. And even here in America when I think of major sports like the National Football League (NFL) as someone who does not watch football I can name 3 football players and I can only name three because one of them is dating Taylor Swift and the other two are on The Packers. So this isn't a "dumb American doesn't know anything" complaint this is a "Even people from Britain might not get the hype if they're not boxing fans" so you should account for those people, too.
I think characters like DI Kilby and Sasha were underutilized. I would have liked to see them more especially when it comes to the mystery elements of this novel. Kilby crossed the threshold from threat to joke when it became clear that despite the fact we're being told there will be consequences, there never are consequences. And I mean, I just wanted Sasha to be there more than she was. If you know you know.
The Hive itself I felt should have been the social media platform rather than a sort of Gossip Girl-esque twitter account. Additionally, the constant calling of people on the internet Trolls was near unbearable. Internet Trolls are rage-baiters and people who deliberately try to attack or offend people on the internet through comments. People responding to an atrocious event on the internet are not Internet Trolls. People sending death threats are not Trolls, those are harassers.
There's also a lot of brand names in this book and that became nauseating for me. It got to a point where it felt like product placement in a book. It was more distracting than anything else because typically when real world brands get represented in fiction it's because they pay to be there. Most creatives shy away from using name brands because a brand could get upset if they think your usage of it could misrepresent them or harm their bottom line. Like I could not care what brand underwear the main characters are wearing.
The epilogue was interesting but the ideas fell flat because the information that is supposed to make this epilogue fascinating isn't planted in the novel well enough to make it feel realistic. It comes out of nowhere as a last minute plot twist held together by "Trust me Bro" duct tape rather than a world shattering reveal that the author intended it to be.
In conclusion, the book at its most unhinged are the best parts and I loved the ideas at play but I can't really say it was well executed. I wished we got more information through scene work than being told outright and the repetitious nature of the book made for a frustrating read at times. The epilogue seemed neat in concept but the information just wasn't well planted throughout the entirely of the novel for those emotional beats to hit in the way I think they should have.
Execution of Novel Concept: 3/5
Title: 4/5
Characterization: 3/5
Dialogue: 2/5
Plot: 3/5
Atmosphere: 1/5
Theme: 3/5
Prose: 2/5
Does this pass the Bechdel Test: Yes
Thank you NetGalley for giving me the Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.
This book needs a developmental editor. Half of me is tempted to DM the author on twitter and beg her to hear me out because I love this project and I genuinely want to see it succeed--I requested this arc because it interested me. But the ratings this book has right now is a genuinely accurate reflection of this book.
Without question, the strongest sections of this book are the events directly related to the premise from the back of the book. The scenes surrounding the confession of Lincoln Jackson. They were engaging, unhinged, and absolutely marvelous. These sections are quotable. Additionally, the minor mystery element of this book was written well enough that it kept me engaged.
But this book lacks description. We are often told about events and then later have these statements repeated so as to remind us these events took place rather than just giving us a proper flashback or genuine scene so that we can connect with the characters in the book. I don't want to be told that there was a fire. I want to be in the house when it's burning down. Because there are so many characters with complex backstories it feels like there's no time to really let us steep in the emotional discord of a proper flashback or scene.
Trix the character is going through major life events while this book is unfolding, but because Trix is not the main character we never see these events. We're just given periodical updates and that's frustrating. I want to be there. It felt like I'm banging on the door of this novel demanding to be let inside.
From both a sentence level and a general level, this book also has a repetition problem. You will hear the same phrases repeated over and over again. Words will repeat in the same sentence in an awkward way. And the problem with the repetition is that the emotional crux that is supposed to carry us through the majority of this novel relies on the repetition of the same sentences over and over again. We are constantly reminded of why Charlotte is upset. And then there's the plot repetition. Charlotte pretty much does the same thing three or four times and it plays out almost the same way every time. And I get that we're supposed to be witnessing Charlotte's devolution but I do think if we cut out all of the repetitive actions and replaced them with her trying to solve the mystery that's presented it would make for a more compelling story. Because once Charlotte was actually making plans that led up to the premise statement of the novel, I was all in. I'm here to support Women's Wrongs. Like, the moment Charlotte realizes that there might be something more insidious happening we should have leaned into the uncovering of the mystery.
Lincoln's characterization struggles the most out of all the characters. I did not learn a single thing about boxing from this book and I expected at least one fun fact. A name of a boxing ring. A weight class. What the championship games are called. What the British boxing scene is like. I think we need to emphasize that boxing is big in Britain because as an American reading this, the most unrealistic part of Lincoln's character is that he was his celebrity because he was a boxer. He felt more like an influencer than a boxer in my opinion. And even here in America when I think of major sports like the National Football League (NFL) as someone who does not watch football I can name 3 football players and I can only name three because one of them is dating Taylor Swift and the other two are on The Packers. So this isn't a "dumb American doesn't know anything" complaint this is a "Even people from Britain might not get the hype if they're not boxing fans" so you should account for those people, too.
I think characters like DI Kilby and Sasha were underutilized. I would have liked to see them more especially when it comes to the mystery elements of this novel. Kilby crossed the threshold from threat to joke when it became clear that despite the fact we're being told there will be consequences, there never are consequences. And I mean, I just wanted Sasha to be there more than she was. If you know you know.
The Hive itself I felt should have been the social media platform rather than a sort of Gossip Girl-esque twitter account. Additionally, the constant calling of people on the internet Trolls was near unbearable. Internet Trolls are rage-baiters and people who deliberately try to attack or offend people on the internet through comments. People responding to an atrocious event on the internet are not Internet Trolls. People sending death threats are not Trolls, those are harassers.
There's also a lot of brand names in this book and that became nauseating for me. It got to a point where it felt like product placement in a book. It was more distracting than anything else because typically when real world brands get represented in fiction it's because they pay to be there. Most creatives shy away from using name brands because a brand could get upset if they think your usage of it could misrepresent them or harm their bottom line. Like I could not care what brand underwear the main characters are wearing.
The epilogue was interesting but the ideas fell flat because the information that is supposed to make this epilogue fascinating isn't planted in the novel well enough to make it feel realistic. It comes out of nowhere as a last minute plot twist held together by "Trust me Bro" duct tape rather than a world shattering reveal that the author intended it to be.
In conclusion, the book at its most unhinged are the best parts and I loved the ideas at play but I can't really say it was well executed. I wished we got more information through scene work than being told outright and the repetitious nature of the book made for a frustrating read at times. The epilogue seemed neat in concept but the information just wasn't well planted throughout the entirely of the novel for those emotional beats to hit in the way I think they should have.
December 24, 2023
Trigger Warning ❗️⚠️
Fairly graphic descriptions of miscarriage and infant loss.
Charlotte Goodwin meets famous boxer Lincoln Jackson online and sparks fly. Soon they embark on a whirlwind romance which quickly takes a dark turn and culminates in Charlotte seeking the ultimate revenge.
Will start with the cons
LMFAO - Come on Scarlett, is Charlotte a medical receptionist who lives with her mate or a criminal mastermind murderess whose IQ transcends Oppenheimer and The Talented Mr Ripley.
Think it needs to be one or the other.
Charlotte’s friends are all a bit interesting. Would expect all the ride or die proclamations from girls in their teens or early 20s at the most. Pushing 30? Nah.
Most importantly and if you only take one thing from this review make it this - I recommend you avoid this book like the plague if depictions of infant loss and miscarriage are triggering for you.
I don’t think the book handled it sensitively at all.
Probably the most ridiculous ending I’ve read - so bad it was good hence the solid 3 stars so probably as much as a pro as a con.
Pros:
Page turner, easy to read, above average writing and although the story was a wee bit silly at times it was original and that’s rare in this day and age. So 3 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fairly graphic descriptions of miscarriage and infant loss.
Charlotte Goodwin meets famous boxer Lincoln Jackson online and sparks fly. Soon they embark on a whirlwind romance which quickly takes a dark turn and culminates in Charlotte seeking the ultimate revenge.
Will start with the cons
LMFAO - Come on Scarlett, is Charlotte a medical receptionist who lives with her mate or a criminal mastermind murderess whose IQ transcends Oppenheimer and The Talented Mr Ripley.
Think it needs to be one or the other.
Charlotte’s friends are all a bit interesting. Would expect all the ride or die proclamations from girls in their teens or early 20s at the most. Pushing 30? Nah.
Most importantly and if you only take one thing from this review make it this - I recommend you avoid this book like the plague if depictions of infant loss and miscarriage are triggering for you.
I don’t think the book handled it sensitively at all.
Probably the most ridiculous ending I’ve read - so bad it was good hence the solid 3 stars so probably as much as a pro as a con.
Pros:
Page turner, easy to read, above average writing and although the story was a wee bit silly at times it was original and that’s rare in this day and age. So 3 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
September 30, 2022
The Hive is a revenge thriller that opens with an audacious scene…our main character, Charlotte, has shot someone and is filming live on Instagram to determine whether she should kill the second person with her.
This sounds extreme…and it is, deliberately so. By her own admission Charlotte tells us she has killed someone and that she has blackmailed someone in order to protect one of her friends. Charlotte’s group of friends are not a group to mess with. Fiercely loyal, and determined to do their best to protect those they love.
So, how did we get to this point?
Charlotte is befriended by a famous boxer and ends up becoming his girlfriend. The usual trolls comment on their relationship, though it’s pretty clear that he’s not in it for the long haul. When Charlotte becomes pregnant it marks the end of her relationship…but what she can’t determine is the extent to which her ex will stoop to protect his new girlfriend.
While the story is paced to grab your attention, my main issue was that I just didn’t like Charlotte and found the whole group/media focus just too much.
This sounds extreme…and it is, deliberately so. By her own admission Charlotte tells us she has killed someone and that she has blackmailed someone in order to protect one of her friends. Charlotte’s group of friends are not a group to mess with. Fiercely loyal, and determined to do their best to protect those they love.
So, how did we get to this point?
Charlotte is befriended by a famous boxer and ends up becoming his girlfriend. The usual trolls comment on their relationship, though it’s pretty clear that he’s not in it for the long haul. When Charlotte becomes pregnant it marks the end of her relationship…but what she can’t determine is the extent to which her ex will stoop to protect his new girlfriend.
While the story is paced to grab your attention, my main issue was that I just didn’t like Charlotte and found the whole group/media focus just too much.
March 5, 2022
Based off on the description I was expecting some action in an Instagram live feed. However the live feed only makes about 2% before we jump back a year in time to get explained over the majority of the book on how we ended up in said live feed. Completely different from what I expected from the books description I was left with a more or less domestic thriller with even though well developed but absolutely unlikeable and unrelateable characters.
The writing itself is enjoyable the story itself however was just not for me and it all just felt superficial and at times the main characters just left me stunned about how stupid someone can be.
In addition everything just felt very predictable.
As much as I liked the idea of this book and it could have been easily a 5star read I sadly can't give it more than 3stars.
The writing itself is enjoyable the story itself however was just not for me and it all just felt superficial and at times the main characters just left me stunned about how stupid someone can be.
In addition everything just felt very predictable.
As much as I liked the idea of this book and it could have been easily a 5star read I sadly can't give it more than 3stars.
October 6, 2022
This debut novel of Scarlett Brade is a revenge thriller like you've never read before. Charlotte Goodwin gives a new meaning to "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned". Dating a celebrity is like a dream come true until the relationship is ended and your heart is left broken into a thousand pieces. But in Char's case, a lot more happened than just a breakup. Not only is her heart broken but a part of her has died and the blame falls onto one person, Lincoln Jackson.
The book opens with a shocking scene, and the reader's attention is immediately gripped. The tension of the scene is broken when Char tells the story of how she and Lincoln met and we're taken back to one year earlier. A majority of the book takes place in the past and only a few chapters are in the present. With this being a revenge thriller, I think Brade nailed it. I didn't feel that this was necessarily a feminist revenge thriller, but a strong bond of sisterhood was present but it didn't make it feminist. There was some repetition but I kept in mind this is a debut novel and despite the repetition, I was still invested in the plot and curious to see what caused Char's behaviour.
Social media plays a huge role in this book and I felt that Brade did a great job by highlighting the darker corners of social media and creating an awareness of the effect people's comments can have on others.
Topics: Social media, mental health, revenge and sisterhood.
TW: suicide attempt, miscarriage.
Thank you to Jonathan Ball Publishers for gifting me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The book opens with a shocking scene, and the reader's attention is immediately gripped. The tension of the scene is broken when Char tells the story of how she and Lincoln met and we're taken back to one year earlier. A majority of the book takes place in the past and only a few chapters are in the present. With this being a revenge thriller, I think Brade nailed it. I didn't feel that this was necessarily a feminist revenge thriller, but a strong bond of sisterhood was present but it didn't make it feminist. There was some repetition but I kept in mind this is a debut novel and despite the repetition, I was still invested in the plot and curious to see what caused Char's behaviour.
Social media plays a huge role in this book and I felt that Brade did a great job by highlighting the darker corners of social media and creating an awareness of the effect people's comments can have on others.
Topics: Social media, mental health, revenge and sisterhood.
TW: suicide attempt, miscarriage.
Thank you to Jonathan Ball Publishers for gifting me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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