Books and Jams Readalong discussion

Since this book is pretty short and said to be a page turner, I didn't want to make you stop in the middle to share thoughts. So we'll just skip right to the end.

Here are some questions to think about. Feel free to answer some or all of them...
What surprised you about this one?
Did you make predictions along the way? Were you correct?
How did you like the ending? Was it satisfying?
What's one thing you would have changed?
How did you get on with the writing style and structure of the book?
What final thoughts would you like to share?
What will you rate it?

I did not expect all the twists and when it became clear who wrote the diary I was really confused and had to re-adjust. I liked the surprises though and after this diary reveal I could not make a decision on who the "bad guy" is here, what mental health issues we are dealing with etc.

Did I make predictions?
Yes, I ususally never do so if I start to automatically try and make predictions was a really good sign. I early on did not think Paul did anything, I wasn't sure about Edward (if Edward even existed) and I was expecting multiple personality disorder.

Did I like the ending?
The very last bit gave me a scary goosebump feeling. Aside from that I was captivated to the end and I enjoyed the end a lot. i understand that some people might find it a little too confusing but for me it was absolutely right.

What's one thing you would have changed?
Oh not sure ... maybe a bit more clarity on the past of what happened and who did what. I think there is a bit of a gap of what happened with their combined home/parents. There were a lot of hints but not 100% clear - or did I get that wrong? (Claire killed/burned her parents, moved to Amber and then there were hints about nothing being left, their parents home being given to Claire, like Amber is nothing.) I think there might have been more to this bit that I did not fully get.

How did you get on with the writing style and structure of the book?
I know if was very specific and not for everyone but I really enjoyed it.

What will I rate it
4/5

This one was just "ok" for me. Thanks for making it part of the read along though, I doubt I would have picked it up otherwise. :-)

What surprised you about this one?

I knew something was up when the "journal writer" didn't ever mention a sister but it still went a different way than I expected.

Did you make predictions along the way? Were you correct? Yes, I did, and no I was not correct. I had "unrealiable narrator" in my head on repeat so I was suspicious of everything.

How did you like the ending? Was it satisfying?
Yes, but after the big "twist" I had to stop reading and sort things out in my head. I still spent the last 1/4 of the book slightly confused about who was who.

What's one thing you would have changed?
It seems like after Amber pulled the alarm string there was a gap and next thing I know she was sitting up and talking. It made things a little confusing...

How did you get on with the writing style and structure of the book? I liked it.

What will you rate it? Four stars. The book has been on my shelves for a while, thanks for the motivation to finally read it, Krista :)

What??? My brain is so twisted!! Hopefully if you're reading this you've finished. If not STOP reading!!

OK, that ending. Guys. So Claire didn't die? Maybe? I think both Amber (Taylor) and Claire were pretty messed up, right? I got so confused about who was who. Who was the "bad guy" and who was the victim! My brain is mush trying to figure it out! So many twists. It was definitely fun to read, but I couldn't read this kind of book all the time. It hurts my head! haha. I need concrete answers.

I also find it weird that Amber's parents so fully embraced Claire to the point of Amber feeling left out and unloved. That seemed strange.

Oh and in the diaries...when Amber was burning them near the end. That line "Taylor told me to do it." Do you think that was Claire just saying that or maybe Taylor really did give her the idea? We know she had the plan to frame Madeline at the end, which blew my mind too! haha Oh man this book was twisty!

Then it all comes down to #3 - Sometimes I Lie. Yikes!! Who is lying? Who is telling the truth? Oh man. My brain is broken! haha. What fun.

Krista wrote: "What??? My brain is so twisted!! Hopefully if you're reading this you've finished. If not STOP reading!!

OK, that ending. Guys. So Claire didn't die? Maybe? I think both Amber (Taylor) and Claire..."

I finished this book 2 nights ago and it was an absolute mind game the whole way through. I even thought what if Claire and Amber (Taylor) were the same person with multiple personalities. My head still hurts Krista. :)

This book wasn't meant for me. I prefer to have a clear idea of what is happening. I gave it 2 stars.

I liked this book better than I thought I was going to. I also had to pause to wrap my head around what was going on when we learned that the diaries were written by Claire. Overall, I thought the twists were good and interesting, and the story kept me engaged. It seemed a bit odd in the end that they both turned out to be evil people, but maybe that's why they became friends in the first place. I didn't like the very ending/last chapter, but before that I thought it was good overall. I don't understand how the bracelet could have gotten there.

What surprised you about this one?
Every twist and turn surprised me. I did not figure anything out correctly. Then I had to readjust my thinking and reading of the characters as I did find things out.
Did you make predictions along the way? Were you correct?
I did but I was not correct.
How did you like the ending? Was it satisfying?
I liked the ending - it fits the story.

Well, this book took a sharp left turn for me when I read who wrote the diary entries. Were Claire and Amber both suffering from psychosis?
So many questions about the ending.... the last list of 3 things from Amber had her listed as Amber Taylor Reynolds with a line through the Taylor, one of the twins called Amber Mummy (after only 2 months?), and Paul is celebrating their "anniversary" (not wedding). Where Paul and Claire having an affair all along and they killed Amber with David? Did Paul really read the diaries and left the bracelet there to remind Claire that he knows what she has done?
I did enjoy this read. I'm still thinking about it. I rated it a 4 star.

I just finished the audiobook (even though I own the physical copy) and am still trying to figure out who the bad guy was. Both Clair and Amber were messed up in the head. So many twists and turns...overall I gave it 3 stars.

Kathryn wrote: "Well, this book took a sharp left turn for me when I read who wrote the diary entries. Were Claire and Amber both suffering from psychosis?
So many questions about the ending.... the last list of ..."

Whoa...interesting theories!