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Susan O'Brien (2)

Auteur van Finding Sky

Voor andere auteurs genaamd Susan O'Brien, zie de verduidelijkingspagina.

4 Werken 32 Leden 9 Besprekingen

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Werken van Susan O'Brien

Finding Sky (2014) 19 exemplaren
Sky High (2015) 9 exemplaren
Skydive (2016) 3 exemplaren

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While this book sounded promising, the characters didn't intrigue me enough or pull me into the mystery that was being solved.

I also felt like the conclusion was rather random. While the solution to the mystery made a lot of sense, it simply didn't feel like all of the work they had done led to this point. I normally don't mind when I can't solve mysteries with the clues given by the book as I enjoy hearing the detective's progress, but I felt like this was random--I could barely even remember the role the culprit had played.

The novel relied at points on a psychic medium to communicate sentiments from the deceased. This detracted from the work that Nicki and Dean were doing in solving the mystery; although the medium was unrelated, it added a supernatural element that wasn't necessary.

Nicki's kids seemed at points an afterthought or a trope, and though Nicki seemed like she should be very devoted to them, this didn't quite feel real to me. I wanted to enjoy their presence, but instead they kept feeling like a nuisance and an excuse to talk about how Nicki's friends could babysit.

I was a bit confused about Nicki's relationship with Dean. They were supposedly in a relationship but unlike consenting adults they acted like schoolkids who were trying not to show that they had crushes on each other.

Some moments were enjoyable. The pole dancing trope especially caused for some amusing moments.

Overall, there was just nothing about this book that captivated me or drew me in, and I didn't feel compelled to care about the characters at all.

I received a free advance reader's copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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whakaora | 3 andere besprekingen | Mar 5, 2023 |
A Henery Press mystery I hadn't tried yet, Finding Sky was mostly good. It's well-written, well-plotted and has great characters.

She’s a parent. She’s (almost) a P.I. No one gets on your case like mom.

Suburban widow and P.I. in training Nicki Valentine can barely keep track of her two kids, but when her best friend’s adoption plan is jeopardized by the young birth mother’s disappearance, Nicki is persuaded to help. Nearly everyone else believes the teenager ran away, but Nicki trusts her BFF’s judgment, and the feeling is mutual.


It's right there in the summary, but I didn't expect quite so much evangelising about parenting and all the things she does to be a good parent. There was a lot. I was way more interested in what she was doing to solve the mystery than I was in hearing a detailed account of how she spent quality time with her kids.

Otherwise, I enjoyed it; Ms. O'Brien created complex and likeable characters. I like that Nicki believes in and prays to God, without practicing any specific religion and talks about the possibility of visiting psychics (she doesn't). I enjoy the perceived dichotomy and the inherent non-judginess. This is not a Christian read and unless you're a militant atheist who hates any mention of faith, it shouldn't interrupt anyone's enjoyment.

The mystery itself was interesting too; no murder, but a missing pregnant teen that may or may not have run away on the eve of delivery.

I'm not going to run out to buy the next one (the helicopter-mommy thing was annoying) but I'll definitely pick it up one of these days to see what happens next.
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½
 
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murderbydeath | 2 andere besprekingen | Jan 22, 2022 |
Everyone should read Acid Reflections. Even if you have been fortunate enough to escape the serious health issues Author Susan O’Brien has had to deal with from birth, who hasn’t experienced some nagging health problem that the doctors can’t really figure out, isn’t serious enough to be life-threatening or require surgery, but just won’t go away? We all probably know the stress that goes with that, the ups and downs of hope and failed treatments. The resignation that it’s just something you have to learn to live with. And the lingering fear that maybe it’s not just a minor inconvenience you can handle but could be something serious and difficult to diagnose.

While I thankfully don’t have anything nearly as serious as the issues the author has had to learn to manage, I have always had what we optimistically call “a sensitive stomach.” And this powerful book resonated with me, touched me on many levels. I, too, have learned to manage it. I know when to stay close to home, what foods to try to avoid, how to talk to the doctor so I’m not told, “Oh, you’re just stressed. It will go away.” And learned to endure the eye rolls and sighs from the medical personnel when things get serious enough to take me to the ER and I dare to venture an opinion about what might be the cause.

This is a story about the author’s medical journey. It’s serious, graphic, frustrating, sad. Sometimes disgusting – unless you’ve experienced some of what she writes about and then it’s oh so familiar. But it’s also so much more than that. It’s a story about hope and faith and love and support and perseverance and just putting one foot in front of the other, making modifications and adaptations along the way, and just never giving in or giving up. It’s well-written, well laid out, witty, heartfelt, uplifting, and the medical experiences and the frustration and anger ring true.

Thanks to author Susan O’Brien for providing a copy of Acid Reflections. I was not required to write a review and all opinions are my own. I didn’t really know what to expect when I started reading but I discovered this was a very satisfying journey. I recommend this book without hesitation.
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GrandmaCootie | Sep 3, 2020 |
Nicki Valentine, a single mother of two young children, has opened her own P.I. firm called Sky High Investigations. Her teacher and new boyfriend Dean are attending the wedding of her "cousin" Mia. Something is amiss and Nicki goes to talk to her Aunt to find out what is going on. Bruce, the groom has not shown up. Bruce's father hires Nicki and Dean to investigate his disappearance. A couple of days later Bruce's body washes up on the river and Nicki and Dean are no closer to finding out the truth. They head off to Florida to question the father of a girl who accused Bruce of rape several years earlier. Several suspects are questioned, but when the police make an arrest Nicki is not satisfied and continues to investigate. While all this is going on there is a romance brewing, her neighbour wants to teach her to pole dance, Bruce's mother is sick and needs a fecal donation and is also a psychic who gives Nicki imformation about her deceased husband and Nicki is trying to determine if Dean already has a relationship with someone else. This is a great story with a lot happening but it all ties together nicely. There are some laughs as well as serious sections. A cozy with romantic overtones and NO cooking or recipes. I will definitely look for the first book in this series and any more that come along.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest reveiw.
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Carlathelibrarian | 3 andere besprekingen | Feb 5, 2019 |

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Statistieken

Werken
4
Leden
32
Populariteit
#430,838
Waardering
½ 3.3
Besprekingen
9
ISBNs
24