Challenge Corner discussion

Adrian Rizzo was seven when she met her father for the first time. That was the day he nearly killed her—before her mother, Lina, stepped in.

Soon after, Adrian was dropped off at her grandparents’ house in Maryland, where she spent a long summer drinking lemonade, playing with dogs, making a new best friend—and developing the stirrings of a crush on her friend’s ten-year-old brother. Lina, meanwhile, traveled the country promoting her fitness brand and turning it into a billion-dollar business. There was no point in dwelling on the past.

A decade later, Adrian has created her own line of yoga and workout videos, following in Lina’s footsteps but intent on maintaining creative control. And she’s just as cool-headed and ambitious as her mother. They aren’t close, but they’re cordial—as long as neither crosses the other.

But while Lina dismisses the death threats that Adrian starts getting as a routine part of her daughter’s growing celebrity, Adrian can’t help but find the vicious rhymes unsettling. Year after year, they keep arriving—the postmarks changing, but the menacing tone the same. They continue after she returns to Maryland and becomes reacquainted with Raylan, her childhood crush, all grown up and as gorgeously green-eyed as ever. Sometimes it even seems like the terrifying messages are indeed routine, like nothing will come of them. Until the murders start, and the escalation begins…

I'll be reading this a bit late, on 16th probably!!

Started this tonight.

Chapters 1-6
(view spoiler)[
I'm liking this so far. That was a crazy opening.

Adrian is a great character. I like how ambitious she is. The group of friends she made are excellent, I like all of them.

I wonder who is sending Adrian the letters? And why is he killing these women?
(hide spoiler)]

I'll be starting by tonight or tomorrow morning!!

Chapters 7-12
(view spoiler)[
Damn, Adrian's grandmother and then Raylan's wife both dying was sad.

I like that Adrian moved to Traveler's Creek and convinced Teesha to do the same. Their friendship is great.

I'm enjoying the friendship Adrian and Raylan have. I'm interested to see it turn into more.

Also, it's adorable that Raylan's dog is smitten with Adrian's.
(hide spoiler)]

Chapters 13-18
(view spoiler)[
That's terrible that her grandfather died. I like that it brought her mom closer though.

Whoever is sending the notes is getting creepier and they've definitely upped things by sending them so often. I wonder who it is?

And it looks like we're finally going to see Adrian and Raylan move from friendship to more which I'm excited to see.
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 1-5: (view spoiler)[That was one hell of a start, I wasn't expecting this to be so intense right off the bat but I am liking it overall so far. Lina and Adrian have a rocky relationship but I am hoping it would improve. Adrian's goal driven nature is really amazing. She has found good friends in Hector, Teesha and Loren and I was impressed by their work on the videos. Harry is also looking good. (hide spoiler)]

Part 1: (view spoiler)[The serial killer is scary and I still don't understand why he has made Adrian his target but then since when did anything serial killers did make sense. Adrian's grandmother and Raylan's wife both dying so suddenly was the saddest. There is so much happening in the book with respect to every character, I like it. No that Raylan is moving to Traveler's Creek too I am curious to see what turn his and Adrian's relationship would take (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 11-15: (view spoiler)[I feel so bad for Adrian, she was so excited for Popi's 955th birthday and now he is gone too. The stalker on the other hand has gone even more insane and I am positively scared that he might leap on Adrian soon. Everyone's life is moving ahead, they are having children, building homes, settling down and Adrian is still alone. She is quite successful in her business but I wonder if she feels lonely at times. I have so much anger within me for Lina, it's not bad to be goal oriented but she literally just abandoned her daughter and never looked back (hide spoiler)]

Part 2: (view spoiler)[Oh I am so glad that Adrian and Raylan finally made the move, it was high time that they got together already. I wasn't expecting Lina to accept that she was a lousy mother and apologise as well, although I understood where Adrian was coming from I still didn't agree with her. However it's nice that Lina is making more of an effort to be a part of Adrian's life now despite their differing priorities. I was always happy to know that finally some progress was made with respect to the stalker's identity, I am still not sure though whether he or she will be caught in time. I really hope no harm comes to Adrian or Raylan and the kids (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 21-25: (view spoiler)[This is kinda dragging now, I just want the stalker to be found and this book to come to an end. Adrian and Raylan are dating now and I couldn't be happier for them. I think the son is involved in the killings rather than the daughter considering the last scene set in Nikki's house. (hide spoiler)]

Finished: (view spoiler)[I liked the ending but I was not a huge fan of it. The eventual showdown with JJ was just fine and the dog emerging the hero was kinda cute but over the top. I am just happy that Adrian can now put it behind her and have a good peaceful life with Raylan in the small town surrounded by her good friends and a lot of kids! (hide spoiler)]

Finished this one tonight. I really enjoyed this one.

Chapters 19-24
(view spoiler)[
Wow, it makes a crazy kind of sense that the killer may be one of her father's kids. My money's on the son who has lived off grid for the last decade.

I'm really enjoying the romance between Adrian and Raylan, they're good together.
(hide spoiler)]

Chapters 25-30
(view spoiler)[
So it was the son. He was seriously crazy. I'm glad Rachel managed to survive him shooting her. And I like that Adrian and Raylan took him down together.
(hide spoiler)]

Kira wrote: "Finished: [spoilers removed]"

FORGOT to update my comments!! (view spoiler)[ I have to agree with the ending.. I think that was the make or break on if it got 5 stars or not. Overall, such a cute book with a good amount of mystery involved even if that didn't consume the entire story. I felt like i was reading a hallmark/lifetime movie.

such a good story tho, I did tear up since the beginning was very dark and emotional. A happy ending was necessary for how it began (hide spoiler)]