I probably shouldn’t have read the reviews before starting this book because I kept waiting for something else to wow and surprise me. It’s not a ding on the author. I enjoyed the book. Just that the reviews kept saying the surprise was something they never saw coming etc. and I wasn’t all that shocked at the turn in the plot. English When it hits it freaking hits!!!!!!!! English I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It was a solid read with many surprising twists. The suspense is what kept me turning the pages. I wanted to know what would happen, and boy did it pay off. The ending was crazy! I thought it would be a light suspense novel, but it turned into a full-on thriller. I haven't read many suspense/thriller books, but this novel made me want to pick up more in the future. June is very different from other teens. She doesn't have many friends and spends most of her time working at the shop. I like being inside her mind as she is trying to rationalize her behavior and everybody else's.
The pacing was a little slow as we mostly follow June's day to day at the shop and befriending the older couple while June is dissevering these bits of information that all lead to the revelation at the end. Around the 100 page mark, I didn't want to put the book down. The formatting of the pages was a little strange, but it didn't bother me enough to take me out of the story. The writing was also on the simpler side, but it still kept me engaged.
All in all, it was a solid read. If you are looking for a nice short suspense novel, I'd recommend you pick up this book.
Thanks to the author for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! English Disclaimer: I received this ebook from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Child Wore Pearls
Author: Morgan Matthews
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3.5/5
Recommended For...: Mystery
Publication Date: November 10, 2020
Publisher: Lagniappe Press
Pages: 212
Recommended Age: 16+ (mystery, slight violence, secrets)
Synopsis: June Randolph and her father make the perfect team at their small, family-owned jewelry store. While the pair have always maintained a close relationship, the dynamic she shares with her mother has proven much more challenging throughout the years. Now at seventeen years old, June has found herself contemplating life beyond working at her father’s shop. Though it isn’t until she is befriended by a ritzy, older customer that June begins to come out of her shell. The woman’s kindness and infectious energy are a welcome addition to her young life the summer before her senior year of high school. However, secrets from her mother’s past begin to threaten June’s newfound happiness - calling into question all that she has ever known. Confronted with the often-perverse intentions of the human heart, the teen must uncover the truth which has been concealed by years of deceit.
Review: So, because I do not fully blurb, I did not think that this book would be a bit of a mystery. The book starts out with this girl who has worked at her father's shop and meets a woman who the main character thinks might be able to help her relationship with her mother, which is very strained. And then the plot twist took place, which I didn't see coming at all. I really liked the character development of this book and the world building. I felt like the book definitely hooked you as a reader and it kept you intrigued in the story until the very end.
the only part of the book that was a little iffy for me was that the plot was a bit slow in my opinion in certain spots but that was really the only complaint that I had.
Verdict: It was good! English This was definitely an interesting read, and my heart went out to June. Having such a distant mom, and not having many friends in school isn't an easy way to spend your teen years. I will say - Roxxie is absolutely amazing. She made me smile as I read about her and June's adventures together. I was definitely intrigued by what was going on with June's mother's past, and I just had to keep reading until I found out! An engaging read that will keep you turning pages! English
Morgan Matthews ´ 0 read
The Review
A truly magnificent thriller, author Morgan Matthews has crafted a fantastic story that will shock and amaze readers. Not only does the author create a great cast of characters that have richly developed storylines in a short period of time, but the narrative itself takes readers through twists and turns that will take readers by surprise.
The author’s tone and the writing style did a great job of utilizing imagery to paint a picture of each scene in the reader’s mind. This story soon begins to feel like it should be adapted into a limited series on Netflix, as the story ramps up with shocking twists that keep the plot thickening more and more. June is a well-rounded protagonist, right on the cusp of adulthood and dealing with personal struggles that readers can relate to while introducing a tense and dangerous new set of problems that could drastically change her life forever.
The Verdict
A brilliantly written, entertaining, and thrilling novel, author Morgan Matthews’ “The Child Wore Pearls” is a must-read novel. The shocking final chapters reveal a tangled web of lies and deceit no one will see coming, and as relationships are tested and new dangers unfold, June will have to learn who she really is in time to uncover the true mystery at the heart of this tale. If you haven’t yet, grab your copy of this fantastic thriller today! English Wow, talk about good suspense, this was by far the best suspense I have read this year. It grabs you from the first page and does not let go until the end. This is the kind of suspense anyone will enjoy reading. The characters were well developed and relatable. Do not judge this book by its cover because the plot twists are amazing, thrilling, and unexpected. The authors writing style and her development of the plot and characters are by far the best I have read, what a truly amazing imagination Ms. Matthews has.
I would like to thank Ms. Matthews for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. English I did not see it coming. I really did not. Wonderfully planned and thoughtfully laid out - this book was unputdownable. Morgan Matthews succeeds in weaving a web of lies that will finally reveal itself at the very end, shocking and amazing the readers. It doesn't exactly pull you in from the very first, it could take a while to get into and it progresses pretty slowly at the beginning BUT it is totally worth your time.
The story follows seventeen-year-old June who is hard-working, driven, and an ambivert. She shares a really loving relationship with her father, but when it comes to her mother, it is very strained. While working in her family's jewelry shop, she meets the wife of a good gentleman, whom she immediately adores and forms a bond with. It appears that this relationship would help her further her relationship with her mom, but that is before the story takes an unexpected turn, and you are hit with one of those did-not-see-it-coming plot twists.
It takes around a hundred pages for this feel-good book to turn into a page-turning thriller. With well-developed and relatable characters, an amazing plotline, and a whole lot of mystery - this book will keep you hooked.
Morgan's writing style is so descriptive and detailed and it will paint an image in your head. It will make you feel like you are a part of the story. The vivid descriptions make the characters and all the more tangible and the story more entertaining.
A beautifully written, entertaining, and suspenseful read - The Child Wore Pearls is a great read. Definitely worth your time. I would recommend this remarkable thriller to all mystery-lovers! English For full review, please visit: https://www.booktasticallymazing.com/...
~Personal thanks to the author for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review~
Um...what in the h-e double bookmarks just happened? Um, what?! Let me be honest by saying, I had basically forgotten the synopsis AND the cover, by the time I had made up my mind to read this book (forgive my ever dying brain cells) so I truthfully went in blind. As a bat. Wait, no, as a hag. More...original. *snort* And because I am THAT organized of a blogger (I truly am not, and for that my soul apologizes. I mostly rant. And throw sarcastic remarks.) I shall divide this review accordingly with my thought process. For those who have been looking for a light thriller who may give that ‘I saw that coming, but am still SHOOKETH’ feeling, this story is definitely for you. And for those who might not want to get much sleep, because SOMEHOW you picked this book at 10 pm. To read. Also, who would've thought things would end the way they did?!
RATING: 🌟🌟🌟🌟⭐ 3.7~3.8
WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! ABORT IF YOU HAVEN'T READ IT YET!
The thing is, *trying to find a way to say it nicely* JUNE WAS A DANG IDIOTIC MORON. Okay, now that I got that out of the way, let's get into the book as a whole. The start was a bit rocky, I'll admit, I'm more used to fast mystery thriller novels (which again, I had forgotten this was indeed one of those. My mental capacity seriously needs a break) so the slower albeit wonderfully described details were a bit (tiny, slight minuscule) dragging. At least in the first 20 pages or so, but I'll give it room to breathe since, of course, any mystery novel needs its own development (doesn't mean I have to wait for it patiently. Also, fun fact, I finished this book at 1 in the morning, so I apologized for this being more of a mess than usual) Let us get right to it! Since this is a pretty short book I'll divide my thoughts into parts to make this seem longer than it is. And like, more informative.
𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: The Beginning of All Horrors *snort*
My initial thought process upon opening the book was, wow, a lot of descriptions. And wow, June is a great person. (albeit a bit annoying and simply dumb at other times, seriously WHAT WAS GOING THROUGH HER HEAD?!?) However, descriptions...
English I’ve got so many mixed emotions about this book! I could not put this book down!
June is a 17 year old girl, the only child of a mother and father who own a jewelry store. She works hard in her family’s store and is someone of an introvert lacking in self confidence. As with most teenage girls, the relationship is strained with her mother but this strain has hidden secrets. Out of no where, an older couple enters her life and she has a strong connection with the eccentric woman who dotes on June, is involved in her life, builds up her confidence and self esteem. As a reader you are left thinking this will help with her relationship with her mom. NO! BOOM! You are hit with the most unbelievable plot twist. As someone who can usual figure out the ending, I.DID.NOT.SEE. THAT. COMING. This little feel good books turns into a thriller. Woah!
The book is well written and had me engrossed from the beginning. The characters were well developed and relatable. The plot was exciting, thrilling and unexpected. The details were developed well for the reader’s imagination. Don’t let the title and picture fool you! A must read!!!
**A note to other authors: I have read almost 100 books this year alone and this is by far the BEST I have read. Side note, it did not contain sexual content, graphic images, or foul language. Good literature and good books can be written without these unnecessary elements if you have the right writing skills and word choice. Just my humble opinion. English
June Randolph and her father make the perfect team at their small, family-owned jewelry store. While the pair have always maintained a close relationship, the dynamic she shares with her mother has proven much more challenging throughout the years. Now at seventeen years old, June has found herself contemplating life beyond working at her father’s shop. Though it isn’t until she is befriended by a ritzy, older customer that June begins to come out of her shell. The woman’s kindness and infectious energy are a welcome addition to her young life the summer before her senior year of high school. However, secrets from her mother’s past begin to threaten June’s newfound happiness - calling into question all that she has ever known. Confronted with the often-perverse intentions of the human heart, the teen must uncover the truth which has been concealed by years of deceit. The Child Wore Pearls
