Book review: The Cliff House + competition

By
Written by Amanda Jennings
Published by HQ

Synopsis: Cornwall, summer of 1986.

 The Davenports, with their fast cars and glamorous clothes, living the dream in a breathtaking house overlooking the sea.

 If only… thinks sixteen-year-old Tamsyn, her binoculars trained on the perfect family in their perfect home.

 If only her life was as perfect as theirs.

 If only Edie Davenport would be her friend.

 If only she lived at The Cliff House…

 How did this book end up in my hands? As soon as I read the synopsis and I saw the cover of this book I requested a copy, which the publisher kindly sent me ahead of publication day.

 Was it a page-turner? This is one of those books where you know from the very beginning that something bad is going to happen but you just can’t tell what this is or when it is going to spring on you. The characters and relationships that connect them take a while to reach boiling point but when they do, they do so properly! Fast paced? No. Page-turner? Yes.

Having read the synopsis, did the book meet my expectations? I think I expected more of a psychological thriller based on the synopsis, while this is more of a dark drama. Either way, I expected to love the book and that’s exactly what happened.

 Did I like the ending? I had no idea what was going to happen. I definitely hadn’t seen any of it coming. A tragic ending – possibly the only one possible. Brilliantly written.

 Did the book leave me with unanswered questions? No. Because the book ends in the present day, you get some perspective on what happened to the characters since the events of that fateful 1986 summer. I like when this happens, especially when it doesn’t feel forced or rushed.

 Three words to describe it. Simmering. Dark. Sad.

 Do I like the cover? It’s a gorgeous cover. I spy perfection…

 Have I read any other books by the same author? No, this is the first book I read by Amanda Jennings.

 Will I want to read other books by the same author? Yes, I love her storytelling and I look forward to more.

 Will I be recommending this book? Yes, I can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t enjoy a well-crafted narrative with interesting characters and stunning scenery. Be warned though: even if this book is set in summer, it will give you goose bumps.

Anything else? One lucky reader can win a copy of this book. All you have to do is follow me on Twitter and retweet the competition post. Comments left below count as extra entries (one per person). UK only. Ends on 10/06. Good luck!

Comments

  1. Libby Alexander16 May 2018 at 15:50

    This is my kind of book ...... dark psychology. Sounds like a fantastic read.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Cake (Sheila R)10 June 2018 at 06:09

    I may have to stop reading your blog as I keep finding more books to add to my tbr list ;) This book sounds like a great contrast to my normal reads I take on holiday

    ReplyDelete

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