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Someone Else’s Life
A new life in paradise should have healed her wounds. But for a woman struggling to hold on to her family and her sanity, one stormy night could change everything.
Blow by blow, Annie Lin’s life crumbles. Her dance studio goes bankrupt. Her mother and beloved dog are gone the same year. Then a terrible accident leaves her young son traumatized.
It’s time for a change.
Palm trees, mai tais, peace and quiet―Annie should be at ease, safe in her new Kauai home with her husband and son. She hopes proximity to her family can provide them all with a sense of belonging and calm. But soon items from her past start turning up―her dog’s collar, a bracelet that disappeared years ago―and she has the unnerving sensation she’s being watched. Reality begins to fracture, and Annie’s panic attacks return. When, during a brewing storm, a woman appears on her doorstep looking for shelter, Annie is relieved to have the company and feels an unexplainable bond with her visitor.
As the night progresses, Annie realizes the woman is no stranger. Their lives are inextricably intertwined―and Annie might just lose everything.
Blow by blow, Annie Lin’s life crumbles. Her dance studio goes bankrupt. Her mother and beloved dog are gone the same year. Then a terrible accident leaves her young son traumatized.
It’s time for a change.
Palm trees, mai tais, peace and quiet―Annie should be at ease, safe in her new Kauai home with her husband and son. She hopes proximity to her family can provide them all with a sense of belonging and calm. But soon items from her past start turning up―her dog’s collar, a bracelet that disappeared years ago―and she has the unnerving sensation she’s being watched. Reality begins to fracture, and Annie’s panic attacks return. When, during a brewing storm, a woman appears on her doorstep looking for shelter, Annie is relieved to have the company and feels an unexplainable bond with her visitor.
As the night progresses, Annie realizes the woman is no stranger. Their lives are inextricably intertwined―and Annie might just lose everything.
297 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2023
About the author
Lyn Liao Butler
7 books296 followersLyn Liao Butler was born in Taiwan and moved to the States when she was seven. Before becoming an author, she was a professional ballet and modern dancer, and is still a personal trainer, fitness instructor, and yoga instructor. She is an avid animal lover and fosters dogs as well as volunteers with rescues.
When she is not torturing clients or talking to imaginary characters, Lyn enjoys spending time with her FDNY husband, their son (the happiest little boy in the world), their three stubborn dachshunds, sewing for her Etsy shop, and trying crazy yoga poses on a stand-up paddleboard. So far, she has not fallen into the water yet.
When she is not torturing clients or talking to imaginary characters, Lyn enjoys spending time with her FDNY husband, their son (the happiest little boy in the world), their three stubborn dachshunds, sewing for her Etsy shop, and trying crazy yoga poses on a stand-up paddleboard. So far, she has not fallen into the water yet.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,009 reviews
February 17, 2023
**Many thanks to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and Lyn Liao Butler for an ARC of this book! Now available as of 2.1!**
There are exactly two (and ONLY two) things that I enjoyed about this book.
1) The cover is BEAUTIFUL.
2) It takes place in Hawaii.
If only I'd stopped there...If only. I'd have many hours of my life back...and perhaps fewer gray hairs and eye-rolling induced headaches to talk about...but sad to say, curiosity certainly killed the cat when it came to this book.
Annie is looking to start life anew in Hawaii, on the island of Kauai, after a Series of Unfortunate Events in NYC caused her to flee the city and shoot for take two in a tropical locale. Annie's firefighting husband Brody is with her and she also has a young son Finn, who she feels she has never bonded with, giving her a sense of unease. While her sister is watching Finn one day, a terrible storm traps her in her home...and lo and behold, there's a knock at the door and a mysterious stranger named Serena who is desperate for respite.
After letting her glass (okay, many glasses) of wine do the thinking for her, Annie invites Serena in...and lets her stay. The two seem to form an instant bond, and although Serena somehow seems to know a LITTLE bit too much about Annie, the pair keeps palling around while the storm rages outside. When Annie's recurring issue with losing bits of time and losing random objects creeps up on her yet AGAIN, she starts to wonder if this 'too-good-to-be-true' bestie is well, just that. But with the terrifying weather holding them both hostage, has Annie saved Serena from the storm...but put HERSELF in harm's way instead?
It's hard to know where to start with my thoughts on this book, because it's been a while since I was THIS disappointed, frustrated, and honestly laughing out loud (in the 'this is just ridiculous way') after reading a thriller. Lyn Liao Butler is new to this genre (as far as I can tell) and unfortunately this book sort of screams that at the reader. Main character Annie is ALL sorts of things that drive seasoned thriller readers berserk: she happily drinks to excess just because, has some sort of memory problem that means she can't remember what she did sporadically or if she can trust her own judgment, and frankly acts like she's lacking any sort of common sense.
She chooses to let Serena in, basically knows it's a bad choice, but then acts thrilled to be with her and can't stop gushing about how great she is...even when Serena drops GIANT HINT after GIANT HINT that she knows things she shouldn't know about Annie. There were more red flags here than matador capes in Pamplona and I just couldn't believe ANYONE with so many mental, emotional, and possibly physical problems going on would welcome a literal stranger into their lives and divulge all of their deepest, darkest secrets for no reason at all.
Needless to say, with Annie at the helm, this book has nowhere good to go and the plot gets even more ridiculous and unbelievable as it goes on. Honestly, by the end I wished that the storm had washed them BOTH away because Finn (and even the dog Marley) deserved so much better.
I'll leave you with a sentence that just about sums up how Annie's mind works (and by the way, this one happens around 94%!) and you can judge for yourself whether you want to go on this journey with her:
"Annie had vowed to stop drinking so much and mixing wine with sleeping pills, but she'd let herself have just one glass with dinner."
🤦♀️
2 stars
There are exactly two (and ONLY two) things that I enjoyed about this book.
1) The cover is BEAUTIFUL.
2) It takes place in Hawaii.
If only I'd stopped there...If only. I'd have many hours of my life back...and perhaps fewer gray hairs and eye-rolling induced headaches to talk about...but sad to say, curiosity certainly killed the cat when it came to this book.
Annie is looking to start life anew in Hawaii, on the island of Kauai, after a Series of Unfortunate Events in NYC caused her to flee the city and shoot for take two in a tropical locale. Annie's firefighting husband Brody is with her and she also has a young son Finn, who she feels she has never bonded with, giving her a sense of unease. While her sister is watching Finn one day, a terrible storm traps her in her home...and lo and behold, there's a knock at the door and a mysterious stranger named Serena who is desperate for respite.
After letting her glass (okay, many glasses) of wine do the thinking for her, Annie invites Serena in...and lets her stay. The two seem to form an instant bond, and although Serena somehow seems to know a LITTLE bit too much about Annie, the pair keeps palling around while the storm rages outside. When Annie's recurring issue with losing bits of time and losing random objects creeps up on her yet AGAIN, she starts to wonder if this 'too-good-to-be-true' bestie is well, just that. But with the terrifying weather holding them both hostage, has Annie saved Serena from the storm...but put HERSELF in harm's way instead?
It's hard to know where to start with my thoughts on this book, because it's been a while since I was THIS disappointed, frustrated, and honestly laughing out loud (in the 'this is just ridiculous way') after reading a thriller. Lyn Liao Butler is new to this genre (as far as I can tell) and unfortunately this book sort of screams that at the reader. Main character Annie is ALL sorts of things that drive seasoned thriller readers berserk: she happily drinks to excess just because, has some sort of memory problem that means she can't remember what she did sporadically or if she can trust her own judgment, and frankly acts like she's lacking any sort of common sense.
She chooses to let Serena in, basically knows it's a bad choice, but then acts thrilled to be with her and can't stop gushing about how great she is...even when Serena drops GIANT HINT after GIANT HINT that she knows things she shouldn't know about Annie. There were more red flags here than matador capes in Pamplona and I just couldn't believe ANYONE with so many mental, emotional, and possibly physical problems going on would welcome a literal stranger into their lives and divulge all of their deepest, darkest secrets for no reason at all.
Needless to say, with Annie at the helm, this book has nowhere good to go and the plot gets even more ridiculous and unbelievable as it goes on. Honestly, by the end I wished that the storm had washed them BOTH away because Finn (and even the dog Marley) deserved so much better.
I'll leave you with a sentence that just about sums up how Annie's mind works (and by the way, this one happens around 94%!) and you can judge for yourself whether you want to go on this journey with her:
"Annie had vowed to stop drinking so much and mixing wine with sleeping pills, but she'd let herself have just one glass with dinner."
🤦♀️
2 stars
January 4, 2023
I really wanted to love this one, but I just couldn't get into it. So drawn out and lackluster on so many levels. This was my First Reads choice on Amazon, so no harm done. Worth a shot to read, but wasn't worth it in my opinion. Was hoping it was gripping, exciting and thrilling... but it was none of those. It had so much potential to be due to the premise, just wasn't executed as good as it could've been.
October 21, 2022
Annie is home alone when a storm is brewing outside. The wind is howling and the nearby river is swelling when a stranger - Serena - asks for shelter, as her car broke down and it is too dangerous to stay outside. Reluctantly, Annie accepts and quickly the two bond over a few bottles of wine, tea and (too) personal stories. As this is a thriller, it is obvious that one of them is up to no good and that the night will of course end in mayhem.
I'm always in for a slow burning locked room mystery and the setting was perfect and drew me in. Alas, the conversation that takes place between the two women is awkward and very repetitive, big red flags are not only being ignored, but they also make very little sense and that made the whole story unbelievable. The premise is very good, the setting also and the story in itself is original, but I felt that it lacked in execution. I think this story would have worked better as a short story or novella.
Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas and Mercer and the author for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
I'm always in for a slow burning locked room mystery and the setting was perfect and drew me in. Alas, the conversation that takes place between the two women is awkward and very repetitive, big red flags are not only being ignored, but they also make very little sense and that made the whole story unbelievable. The premise is very good, the setting also and the story in itself is original, but I felt that it lacked in execution. I think this story would have worked better as a short story or novella.
Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas and Mercer and the author for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 19, 2023
I hope with every ounce of my bibliophile being that the last few books I’ve read aren’t representative of what to expect from 2023. Someone Else’s Life was a perfect title, as I wish it was someone else who had wasted precious time trying to find some redeeming quality here. Unfortunately, it was MY life and my time that were wasted trudging through these pages.
Lyn Liao Butler sets the stage by introducing readers to Annie—a woman of Taiwanese, Chinese and Hawaiian heritage, trying to heal from what is, until late in the book, a trauma that is unexplained. She is married to Brody, and they together have a son, Finn. One afternoon, Brody is out of town, Finn is visiting with family in a home adjacent to where they are staying, and a storm is bearing down. Annie is about to drown her own sorrows in a bottle of wine when there is a knock at the door. Enter Serena, a dripping wet mystery woman who explains that her car broke down and she needs a place to get in out of the rain until she can get someone out to help. The next 3/4 of the book takes place in Annie and Brody’s living room, as she and Serena trade stories of their lives and discover their parallel experiences. The more Serena drinks, the more she reveals, not only about herself but also what she knows about Annie and her family, raising Annie’s suspicions and calling into question Serena’s intentions.
So first of all, let’s look at the premise. A traumatized, depressed woman invites a COMPLETE stranger into her home to ride out the storm of the century. She then feels so comfortable with this woman, who is intermittently dropping facts about Annie’s life to which Serena just shouldn’t be privy, that Annie begins to share her more intimate thoughts and secrets. REALLY?! And seriously, all the tells are right there. The dutiful, newly adopted puppy growls at Serena, Annie’s long time friends FaceTime her and express their own misgivings about Serena, and her husband says she needs to be careful. ANNIE IGNORES ALL OF THEM, and instead revels in her newly forming friendship that is all of two hours in the making. I just wanted to bitch-slap Annie, throw Serena out into the rain, curl up with Marley (the dog) and forget the whole damn story. Instead, I slogged through, hating myself a little more with each page for deciding to stick with it.
Props where props are due—the writing is….ok, no props here. It’s basic and elementary. The characters though….ok, no props here either. They are shallow, predictable and one-dimensional, each with limited vocabulary and a tendency to say “um…” at the most inappropriate moments. The plot drags, the setting is a small living space with zero character, and the dialogue is stilted and completely unrealistic.
Two stars for the fact that it kept me thinking there was going to be a payoff. ONLY two stars, because there was no payoff. Come on, 2023–we deserve better!
Lyn Liao Butler sets the stage by introducing readers to Annie—a woman of Taiwanese, Chinese and Hawaiian heritage, trying to heal from what is, until late in the book, a trauma that is unexplained. She is married to Brody, and they together have a son, Finn. One afternoon, Brody is out of town, Finn is visiting with family in a home adjacent to where they are staying, and a storm is bearing down. Annie is about to drown her own sorrows in a bottle of wine when there is a knock at the door. Enter Serena, a dripping wet mystery woman who explains that her car broke down and she needs a place to get in out of the rain until she can get someone out to help. The next 3/4 of the book takes place in Annie and Brody’s living room, as she and Serena trade stories of their lives and discover their parallel experiences. The more Serena drinks, the more she reveals, not only about herself but also what she knows about Annie and her family, raising Annie’s suspicions and calling into question Serena’s intentions.
So first of all, let’s look at the premise. A traumatized, depressed woman invites a COMPLETE stranger into her home to ride out the storm of the century. She then feels so comfortable with this woman, who is intermittently dropping facts about Annie’s life to which Serena just shouldn’t be privy, that Annie begins to share her more intimate thoughts and secrets. REALLY?! And seriously, all the tells are right there. The dutiful, newly adopted puppy growls at Serena, Annie’s long time friends FaceTime her and express their own misgivings about Serena, and her husband says she needs to be careful. ANNIE IGNORES ALL OF THEM, and instead revels in her newly forming friendship that is all of two hours in the making. I just wanted to bitch-slap Annie, throw Serena out into the rain, curl up with Marley (the dog) and forget the whole damn story. Instead, I slogged through, hating myself a little more with each page for deciding to stick with it.
Props where props are due—the writing is….ok, no props here. It’s basic and elementary. The characters though….ok, no props here either. They are shallow, predictable and one-dimensional, each with limited vocabulary and a tendency to say “um…” at the most inappropriate moments. The plot drags, the setting is a small living space with zero character, and the dialogue is stilted and completely unrealistic.
Two stars for the fact that it kept me thinking there was going to be a payoff. ONLY two stars, because there was no payoff. Come on, 2023–we deserve better!
October 19, 2022
Sadly, I have to say that this one was not for me. The writing style was really, and I mean, really difficult for me to get through. It felt very...childish? And like maybe it was still in the really early works of being written? I think it ended up falling into the old mistake of telling and not showing. There was soooo much dialogue, so many things being described that didn't need to be, like every move needed to be written down, but yet it felt like nothing was happening; it felt exhausting to read even after a few chapters. As for the mystery/thriller aspect of it, it felt very dull for me, and ended up falling completely flat.
I'm sad this one didn't work for me, but happy that some other readers enjoyed it.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review this ARC!
I'm sad this one didn't work for me, but happy that some other readers enjoyed it.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review this ARC!
January 7, 2023
Sorry but I can't get along with this. I'm not finding it believable enough to hold my interest. The lead character is a patent mess and I can't be doing with her at all. I just don't have the patience with nitwits like her.
We're to believe she invites a perfect stranger into her home, then jumps down her throat at EVERY slightly personal comment, question or observation this stranger makes, like a paranoid nutcase. Then in the next breath she's spilling all hers AND her sister's personal, private lives to her !! It wouldn't happen, unless you're a proper headcase or drunk. Either could be the truth here and either way, I've spent enough time on the idiot !!
I did laugh aloud at the conversations and the humour between her and her husband. I liked that and I loved Marley and that she's a doggy person (though I feared for him in equal parts having landed up with Annie).
I only spotted 1 mistake before I called time at 18% in and that was that she didn't capitalise French. Oh, and she spoke about her mother in the present tense, which threw me, as I had thought her mum had died. I even flicked back to see if I'd misunderstood-I hadn't.
On the plus side, she needs to retain this cover as it's lovely.
We're to believe she invites a perfect stranger into her home, then jumps down her throat at EVERY slightly personal comment, question or observation this stranger makes, like a paranoid nutcase. Then in the next breath she's spilling all hers AND her sister's personal, private lives to her !! It wouldn't happen, unless you're a proper headcase or drunk. Either could be the truth here and either way, I've spent enough time on the idiot !!
I did laugh aloud at the conversations and the humour between her and her husband. I liked that and I loved Marley and that she's a doggy person (though I feared for him in equal parts having landed up with Annie).
I only spotted 1 mistake before I called time at 18% in and that was that she didn't capitalise French. Oh, and she spoke about her mother in the present tense, which threw me, as I had thought her mum had died. I even flicked back to see if I'd misunderstood-I hadn't.
On the plus side, she needs to retain this cover as it's lovely.
January 19, 2023
Did they have a connection? Did they feel like they've known each other forever? Was there an undeniable connection? Had they connected after just meeting a few hours ago? GOOD LORD. The repetition in this one was beyond tedious. Every stinking page just HAD to mention the connection they felt.
This was the most predictable book I've literally ever read. There was no mystery since there was absolutely zero doubt as to what was happening/going to happen. Everything about this was unbelievable, especially a woman by herself letting in a stranger. Every person knows that's a recipe for disaster. I find Riley Sager's ridiculous women main characters more believe than this absolute (for lack of a better word) idiot.
And the absolute nonsense filler drove me bonkers. The amount of times the dog's actions were described without having ANYTHING to do with the story was obnoxious. Who needs to know the dog settled at her feet and heaved a sigh or whatever the hell he did? It was mentioned one sentence and completely ignored the next. Everything seemed incredibly juvenile - the writing, the actions, the dialogue, the way situations were handled, the inability of anyone to make up their minds, etc.
Normally I would have DNFed this one long before I got to the finish, but I kept hoping that the reveal would be a surprise even though I hated every character in here. And then the reveal at the end when the book just...ends? LAME.
Super glad this was free through First Reads.
This was the most predictable book I've literally ever read. There was no mystery since there was absolutely zero doubt as to what was happening/going to happen. Everything about this was unbelievable, especially a woman by herself letting in a stranger. Every person knows that's a recipe for disaster. I find Riley Sager's ridiculous women main characters more believe than this absolute (for lack of a better word) idiot.
And the absolute nonsense filler drove me bonkers. The amount of times the dog's actions were described without having ANYTHING to do with the story was obnoxious. Who needs to know the dog settled at her feet and heaved a sigh or whatever the hell he did? It was mentioned one sentence and completely ignored the next. Everything seemed incredibly juvenile - the writing, the actions, the dialogue, the way situations were handled, the inability of anyone to make up their minds, etc.
Normally I would have DNFed this one long before I got to the finish, but I kept hoping that the reveal would be a surprise even though I hated every character in here. And then the reveal at the end when the book just...ends? LAME.
Super glad this was free through First Reads.
September 14, 2022
Hot Tamales! 😳😯🤯
Well fluff me! This was one insanely intense and majorly disturbing and crazy psychological thriller! I couldn't believe the plot of this one it was so shocking and dark. Believe me when I say this will leave you with knots in your thoughts after you finish this novel. Even though at times it had some predictability to it, the parts that you didn't foresee sure as fluff made up for it. I totally enjoyed this novel that played out like a thriller movie in my head. While it was easy, it was also crazy and at times heart-stopping. Butler sure didn't hold back with the crazy & unexpected in this debut novel. Also tying in a minority background was so interesting & the location in Hawaii was so unique. While some of it may have fallen a little short, it was still a quick, fun & crazy read that I gobbled up so easily. Love knows no boundaries.
Mყ 𝐒ყɴ𝐨ρѕιѕ: After an especially hard past few years, Annie has recently moved to Hawaii to be with her Vietnamese family & make a fresh start with her husband, Brody, & son, Finn. But lately Annie has been feeling paranoid, in such a depression and noticing things she thought were lost or gone, suddenly appear randomly. When a brutal storm hankers the island, a woman named Serena shows up on her doorstep seeking refuge until it passes. Begrudgingly Annie let's her in and as they talk they find they have quite a bit in common, & Annie feels more herself than she has in a long time as they forge a friendship.
Thank you to NetGalley & Amazon Publishing for this ARC.
����𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭: 4 / 5 Autumn Leaves! 🍂
Well fluff me! This was one insanely intense and majorly disturbing and crazy psychological thriller! I couldn't believe the plot of this one it was so shocking and dark. Believe me when I say this will leave you with knots in your thoughts after you finish this novel. Even though at times it had some predictability to it, the parts that you didn't foresee sure as fluff made up for it. I totally enjoyed this novel that played out like a thriller movie in my head. While it was easy, it was also crazy and at times heart-stopping. Butler sure didn't hold back with the crazy & unexpected in this debut novel. Also tying in a minority background was so interesting & the location in Hawaii was so unique. While some of it may have fallen a little short, it was still a quick, fun & crazy read that I gobbled up so easily. Love knows no boundaries.
Mყ 𝐒ყɴ𝐨ρѕιѕ: After an especially hard past few years, Annie has recently moved to Hawaii to be with her Vietnamese family & make a fresh start with her husband, Brody, & son, Finn. But lately Annie has been feeling paranoid, in such a depression and noticing things she thought were lost or gone, suddenly appear randomly. When a brutal storm hankers the island, a woman named Serena shows up on her doorstep seeking refuge until it passes. Begrudgingly Annie let's her in and as they talk they find they have quite a bit in common, & Annie feels more herself than she has in a long time as they forge a friendship.
Thank you to NetGalley & Amazon Publishing for this ARC.
����𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭: 4 / 5 Autumn Leaves! 🍂
March 15, 2023
Book Rating: 3/5
Audiobook Rating: 2/5
This is a hard one for me, and I'm still a little torn about my feelings surrounding Someone Else’s Life by Lyn Liao Butler. On one hand, it was (in my eyes) very original and ended with a pretty wild storyline, but then on the other hand it was also totally and completely unbelievable. I don't mind if a storyline is unbelievable, but some of the choices our MC makes just didn't jive with her other decisions in the book and it had me scratching my head. The majority of the book is set on one night during a storm, and through this, we learn more about Annie's past and the horrific accident that her son goes through. I loved the way Butler kept me guessing about what the accident was and how the stranger would come into play in Annie's life.
I think this book would definitely work for a lot of readers, but it is my personal opinion that you should at minimum avoid the audiobook at all costs. The narrator is Angela Lin and it made me nervous to listen to anything else she narrates. I would have loved her except for the fact that it sounded like she had a cold or something and it made her very hard to understand. She sounded very muffled like she was talking around a mouthful of cotton, and that just doesn't work when it comes to audio for me. If you love getting lost in an escapist read and want to read a book based in a gorgeous setting (hello Hawaii), then I would definitely recommend giving Someone Else’s Life a read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Audiobook Rating: 2/5
This is a hard one for me, and I'm still a little torn about my feelings surrounding Someone Else’s Life by Lyn Liao Butler. On one hand, it was (in my eyes) very original and ended with a pretty wild storyline, but then on the other hand it was also totally and completely unbelievable. I don't mind if a storyline is unbelievable, but some of the choices our MC makes just didn't jive with her other decisions in the book and it had me scratching my head. The majority of the book is set on one night during a storm, and through this, we learn more about Annie's past and the horrific accident that her son goes through. I loved the way Butler kept me guessing about what the accident was and how the stranger would come into play in Annie's life.
I think this book would definitely work for a lot of readers, but it is my personal opinion that you should at minimum avoid the audiobook at all costs. The narrator is Angela Lin and it made me nervous to listen to anything else she narrates. I would have loved her except for the fact that it sounded like she had a cold or something and it made her very hard to understand. She sounded very muffled like she was talking around a mouthful of cotton, and that just doesn't work when it comes to audio for me. If you love getting lost in an escapist read and want to read a book based in a gorgeous setting (hello Hawaii), then I would definitely recommend giving Someone Else’s Life a read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
July 20, 2022
I hate to be the one with the unpopular opinion here but, I just don't understand the hype with this. The setting in Hawaii was amazing and I enjoyed learning about different cultures, but there's where it ends. To sum it all up, it's two strangers holed up in a house during a storm having conversations the entire time while neither trusts the other. It was just a bit dull for me. The twist towards the end was okay but nothing mind-blowing. Two stars for this because the author was a good writer, I just didn't care for the story.
Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas and Mercer for this ARC.
Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas and Mercer for this ARC.
December 31, 2022
As a violent storm rages on the picturesque island of Kauai, two strangers find refuge together, both from the battering rain and their separate past traumas. But something sinister lurks between these two women. Gripping, twisty, and clever, SOMEONE ELSE'S LIFE unfolds in a tantalizing slow-burn, building to a heart-thumping, tense, breakneck crescendo. With astonishing twists and a pulse-pounding plot, this is a thriller that will leave you gasping for breath.
October 22, 2022
Annie’s life has fallen apart over the past four years. Her dance studio went bankrupt, her mom and dog died within months of each other, and her son witnessed a terrible accident that left him traumatized. In an effort to bring their family back together, Annie and her husband moved from New York to Kauai to be close to her family. But even in paradise, Annie can’t shake her depression. She’s drinking too much, still having panic attacks, and the change in location hasn’t brought her closer to her son. Then items she thought she’d lost start to appear and she’s constantly being reminded of things she doesn’t remember doing. Is she losing her mind?
During the worst storm in decades, Annie’s afternoon is interrupted by a woman seeking shelter from the storm. Reluctantly Annie lets her in, and soon they start talking, bonding over seeming similar lives. But as the stranger tells Annie more about herself, things don’t make sense. This woman knows too much about Annie and her family. Who is she? And was opening the door to her the worst mistake Annie’s ever made?
The premise of this book was awesome (as is the cover). A woman whose life has crumbled is on the verge of losing her family. She doesn’t remember seemingly trivial things she’s done during blackouts. An author can get a ton of mileage out of that setup. And at first, it seemed like this would be a real brain twister. Until about 25% into the novel, then everything stalled.
When Annie opens the door to Serena, she thinks (several times) that since she’s a fan of true crime shows she ought to know better, and several times her hair prickles at something Serena says, but she blows it off. Over and over again. Okay, it could still be a good setup for action to come. Until that scene repeats itself over and over again. They talk. And talk. And talk. Annie gets concerned then talks herself out of it. They chat some more. For about 50% of the book, it’s nothing but the storm growing worse, occasional texts and phone calls, and the two women talking. Honestly, I was bored. And dumbfounded at how Annie continued to justify remaining in that house chatting and drinking wine. Just…no. Personally, I never would have let the woman in in the first place, but I sure as heck wouldn’t have stuck around for long. It was fairly obvious early on that something wasn’t right with Serena and I guessed at least half of the reveal before the halfway point.
The final storm scene came close to rescuing this book, but then Annie’s thought process killed it again. I couldn’t decide if she was really slow on the uptake or just unrealistically naive.
I have seen some reviewers that really liked this book, but it wasn’t for me. Unrealistic reactions and nothing to move the plot forward.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for providing the ARC. I’ve left my review honestly and voluntarily.
During the worst storm in decades, Annie’s afternoon is interrupted by a woman seeking shelter from the storm. Reluctantly Annie lets her in, and soon they start talking, bonding over seeming similar lives. But as the stranger tells Annie more about herself, things don’t make sense. This woman knows too much about Annie and her family. Who is she? And was opening the door to her the worst mistake Annie’s ever made?
The premise of this book was awesome (as is the cover). A woman whose life has crumbled is on the verge of losing her family. She doesn’t remember seemingly trivial things she’s done during blackouts. An author can get a ton of mileage out of that setup. And at first, it seemed like this would be a real brain twister. Until about 25% into the novel, then everything stalled.
When Annie opens the door to Serena, she thinks (several times) that since she’s a fan of true crime shows she ought to know better, and several times her hair prickles at something Serena says, but she blows it off. Over and over again. Okay, it could still be a good setup for action to come. Until that scene repeats itself over and over again. They talk. And talk. And talk. Annie gets concerned then talks herself out of it. They chat some more. For about 50% of the book, it’s nothing but the storm growing worse, occasional texts and phone calls, and the two women talking. Honestly, I was bored. And dumbfounded at how Annie continued to justify remaining in that house chatting and drinking wine. Just…no. Personally, I never would have let the woman in in the first place, but I sure as heck wouldn’t have stuck around for long. It was fairly obvious early on that something wasn’t right with Serena and I guessed at least half of the reveal before the halfway point.
The final storm scene came close to rescuing this book, but then Annie’s thought process killed it again. I couldn’t decide if she was really slow on the uptake or just unrealistically naive.
I have seen some reviewers that really liked this book, but it wasn’t for me. Unrealistic reactions and nothing to move the plot forward.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for providing the ARC. I’ve left my review honestly and voluntarily.
November 1, 2022
Phew! I might be a terrible person but I can readily admit I would not let a stranger into my home during a hurricane. F all that noise. This whole book rides on the premise that Annie indeed does feel bad for this woman and lets her into her home at the start of a terrible storm. Also-- she's home alone so now these two strangers are alone together.
There were several twists, some of them predictable; the author leaves good breadcrumbs along the way. I found this a bit repetitive at times. It is okay to interject a scene from a character's past within a current scene and they don't have to be startled back into the present moment. It was like every chapter Annie would "zone out" thinking about her past and have to specifically be brought back into the moment.... just let the readers know the past and move on with the current conversation, I don't need it pointed out that she was in a conversation. And all the times Annie said she had an uneasy feeling about Serena but then wasn't honest with her husband about it... weird. But the weirdest? She refers to this stranger as her best friend after such a short amount of time. Whaaaa? This woman just showed up at your doorstep, made you feel uneasy, knows some things about your life (that she claims you had said but you don't remember saying) and you're all the sudden besties? Nahhh, I ain't buying that.
Anyway, there were a few annoying aspects but this was entertaining and kept me invested in the ending. Short chapters and it is a quick read. Overall "just okay" for me.
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer via Netgalley for the early copy to read and review.
There were several twists, some of them predictable; the author leaves good breadcrumbs along the way. I found this a bit repetitive at times. It is okay to interject a scene from a character's past within a current scene and they don't have to be startled back into the present moment. It was like every chapter Annie would "zone out" thinking about her past and have to specifically be brought back into the moment.... just let the readers know the past and move on with the current conversation, I don't need it pointed out that she was in a conversation. And all the times Annie said she had an uneasy feeling about Serena but then wasn't honest with her husband about it... weird. But the weirdest? She refers to this stranger as her best friend after such a short amount of time. Whaaaa? This woman just showed up at your doorstep, made you feel uneasy, knows some things about your life (that she claims you had said but you don't remember saying) and you're all the sudden besties? Nahhh, I ain't buying that.
Anyway, there were a few annoying aspects but this was entertaining and kept me invested in the ending. Short chapters and it is a quick read. Overall "just okay" for me.
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer via Netgalley for the early copy to read and review.
August 4, 2022
One of the most suspenseful books I have read in a long time. A terrible storm. As a reader I heard the wind and the torrential rain. A stranger shows up at the door and I'm immediately leery. A dog who knows there is something wrong, but the owner is not paying attention.
I couldn't stop reading. What happened in the past? A brilliant move on the author's part. The reader doesn't know the past until totally committed to reading every single word of the present.
How does this stranger know so much? What does she want? I thought she wanted everything, but I was wrong.
And the final question: The one that will keep you up long after you should be safe in your bed. You will just need to read the book to discover the answer.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an early read.
I couldn't stop reading. What happened in the past? A brilliant move on the author's part. The reader doesn't know the past until totally committed to reading every single word of the present.
How does this stranger know so much? What does she want? I thought she wanted everything, but I was wrong.
And the final question: The one that will keep you up long after you should be safe in your bed. You will just need to read the book to discover the answer.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an early read.
March 25, 2023
Glad I stuck with it!
The first half of this book really put me off. I did not like the writing style as it felt a bit cheesy, elementary, or something of the sort. Annie’s overly woe-is-me attitude was a bit over the top and trying too hard and made mw cringe at times. However I really enjoyed the second half! The story progression, the twists, even the writing seemed much more cohesive and engaging! Definitely not a literary masterpiece but definitely a good story and an easy read!
The first half of this book really put me off. I did not like the writing style as it felt a bit cheesy, elementary, or something of the sort. Annie’s overly woe-is-me attitude was a bit over the top and trying too hard and made mw cringe at times. However I really enjoyed the second half! The story progression, the twists, even the writing seemed much more cohesive and engaging! Definitely not a literary masterpiece but definitely a good story and an easy read!
February 28, 2023
This one had me for at least the first 1/4. I found the mystery interesting as I tried to figure out what was wrong with the main character and who this was that showed up at her door. I liked the added suspense of the storm - but the location didn't seem to play much a part.
But somewhere around the middle, I started getting frustrated we didn't have answers. Annie, the MC, was just so wishy-washy. How does she not know what she did or didn't say? Is she checking out mid-sentence? Does her husband have her unsteady? What is going on here?
By about 70%, I was pretty frustrated. We STILL didn't have a lot of answers and I was finding the coincidences to be just a bit too much. You can sell me on a lot of things, but same birthday and all that was just a step too far. The last 4 or 5 chapters were just a drawn out end to the story. Meh, I wish I'd love it but instead found it unbelievable and took too long to reveal anything to the reader.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
But somewhere around the middle, I started getting frustrated we didn't have answers. Annie, the MC, was just so wishy-washy. How does she not know what she did or didn't say? Is she checking out mid-sentence? Does her husband have her unsteady? What is going on here?
By about 70%, I was pretty frustrated. We STILL didn't have a lot of answers and I was finding the coincidences to be just a bit too much. You can sell me on a lot of things, but same birthday and all that was just a step too far. The last 4 or 5 chapters were just a drawn out end to the story. Meh, I wish I'd love it but instead found it unbelievable and took too long to reveal anything to the reader.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
February 1, 2023
Someone else’s life
By: Lyn Liao Butler
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Annie and Brody live in Hawaii with their young son Finn. She suffers from panic attacks ever since something happened with Finn when he was younger.
During a horrific storm, Serena knocks on their door. Annie is home alone and let’s her in their home. At first she is hesitant but they strike up a friendship in a short amount of time.
Annie….should have listened to her instincts. She has been texting her husband with her concerns as the storm is raging. As the past comes to the forefront, Annie and Serena’s relationship take a scary turn.
Always listen to your instincts! This is a riveting novel. The twists in this novel had me reeling in a good way.
Thank you @getredprbooks for this advanced copy. This book is available today February 2, 2023.
#someoneelseslife, #lynliaobutler, #bookreview, #bookstagram, #booksconnectus, #stamperlady50
By: Lyn Liao Butler
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Annie and Brody live in Hawaii with their young son Finn. She suffers from panic attacks ever since something happened with Finn when he was younger.
During a horrific storm, Serena knocks on their door. Annie is home alone and let’s her in their home. At first she is hesitant but they strike up a friendship in a short amount of time.
Annie….should have listened to her instincts. She has been texting her husband with her concerns as the storm is raging. As the past comes to the forefront, Annie and Serena’s relationship take a scary turn.
Always listen to your instincts! This is a riveting novel. The twists in this novel had me reeling in a good way.
Thank you @getredprbooks for this advanced copy. This book is available today February 2, 2023.
#someoneelseslife, #lynliaobutler, #bookreview, #bookstagram, #booksconnectus, #stamperlady50
June 14, 2022
SOMEONE ELSE'S LIFE is the read that every thriller lover needs. Atmospheric and character-driven, this story of two women's parallel lives at times disturbed me, then brought me to tears within the same page. The slow build that Butler executes seamlessly translates into a satisfying ending that took me by wine-soaked surprise. Get your copy!!
July 17, 2022
Get ready for the storm and brace yourself! Lyn Liao Butler’s psychological and suspense-building thriller packs a punch with provocative prose, layers of heart-racing conflict, and so many plot twists and turns that this reader read the novel in one sitting. Utterly compelling and addictive, the story unfolds one thunderous roar at a time!
#netgalley #arc #opinionsaremyown
#netgalley #arc #opinionsaremyown
April 1, 2023
Yeah, No. This Thriller had interesting premise but sadly it did not deliver. Had to DNF at 50% because of how poorly executed this book was.
Let's start with the writing style. It felt oddly weird, like it was written by a machine robot. It was just too childlike and fell flat.
I've seen middle grades written alot better. The writing style truly wasn't worthy of an Adult Thriller.
Secondly, the author extensively talked and described everything. As in, literally EVERY. SINGLE. DETAIL. was mentioned.
The dog went. The dog came. He licked his snout, went to the otherside then came back. He sniffed a bug.
Total irrelevant information, not relative to the plot nor character depth. This bored me immensely.
Also, the author has no sense of what 'Too Much Information' means. What use is it to know that the MC went to the bathroom to pee out the wine she drank. 🤦♀️
Thirdly, the characters, specifically our MC drove me nuts. She could not have been dumber. I mean, a stranger stumbles upon her humble abode in the middle of strange circumstances and a storm. And although the MC is aware of how crime and thrillers work, she still has the audacity to let the stranger in while she's home alone and serve her tea and wine, and chat the night away.
She even goes to the lengths where she spills her whole life out to this stranger that she barely knows. And worse, she befriends her on the brief notion that the stranger understands what she's going through! And the MC even defends her against the people who truly care about her.
When it was she who had initially felt a feeling of discomfort from the stranger. WHAT EVEN. None of this is believable.
Not to mention that the stranger showed obvious signs of Red Flags that our MC noticed but chose to brush off.
Fourthly, at a certain point it all became too repetitive and dull. The MC doubts the stranger. Stranger does something to reassure her. MC reminiscences the past hardships. They both express their happiness and right choice in being there together and befriending each other. Some loved one asks about MC. She doubts stranger again. And on, and on till I've had enough.
One of the most undercooked thrillers I've ever read. My heart rate did not speed up. I felt no thrill coming of it. It was deathly boring and poorly executed from all sides.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an E-ARC.
Let's start with the writing style. It felt oddly weird, like it was written by a machine robot. It was just too childlike and fell flat.
I've seen middle grades written alot better. The writing style truly wasn't worthy of an Adult Thriller.
Secondly, the author extensively talked and described everything. As in, literally EVERY. SINGLE. DETAIL. was mentioned.
The dog went. The dog came. He licked his snout, went to the otherside then came back. He sniffed a bug.
Total irrelevant information, not relative to the plot nor character depth. This bored me immensely.
Also, the author has no sense of what 'Too Much Information' means. What use is it to know that the MC went to the bathroom to pee out the wine she drank. 🤦♀️
Thirdly, the characters, specifically our MC drove me nuts. She could not have been dumber. I mean, a stranger stumbles upon her humble abode in the middle of strange circumstances and a storm. And although the MC is aware of how crime and thrillers work, she still has the audacity to let the stranger in while she's home alone and serve her tea and wine, and chat the night away.
She even goes to the lengths where she spills her whole life out to this stranger that she barely knows. And worse, she befriends her on the brief notion that the stranger understands what she's going through! And the MC even defends her against the people who truly care about her.
When it was she who had initially felt a feeling of discomfort from the stranger. WHAT EVEN. None of this is believable.
Not to mention that the stranger showed obvious signs of Red Flags that our MC noticed but chose to brush off.
Fourthly, at a certain point it all became too repetitive and dull. The MC doubts the stranger. Stranger does something to reassure her. MC reminiscences the past hardships. They both express their happiness and right choice in being there together and befriending each other. Some loved one asks about MC. She doubts stranger again. And on, and on till I've had enough.
One of the most undercooked thrillers I've ever read. My heart rate did not speed up. I felt no thrill coming of it. It was deathly boring and poorly executed from all sides.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an E-ARC.
December 9, 2023
Thank you to Amazon First Reads for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
My Selling Pitch:
Do you want a bucket domestic thriller in Hawaii? Do you like thrillers that just tell you what happened and have nothing that you need to figure out?
Pre-reading:
I smell a bucket thriller.
Thick of it:
Dead, brother? (Kinda.)
Requesting a does the dog die . com immediately. (1/2 besties.)
Exposition by shelter dog is a new one
Thrillers love a Serena.
Is she being followed by the cousin? (No.)
This toe commentary is fucking weird.
All I’m saying, is if someone tells you their car is broken always check if it’s actually broken.
I love pork belly.
Is the journal by Serena and the son adopted? (Nearly.)
There’s too much food in this book.
Okay, tiny Dexter.
Well, she’s a bad partner. Also, this kid is gonna have a fun time when they swab his cheek in Bio.
Post-reading:
This book is very much a bad bucket thriller. There’s nothing for you as the reader to figure out. There are no questions posed. The events just unfold around you. The book tries to add in bits of culture, but it’s mainly just lengthy and unnecessary descriptions of food and a discussion of the stigma around mental health problems. I love a dog, but all the dog bits feel like fluff. A lot could have been cut from this book. The characters aren’t very likable and like a lot of thrillers, it requires a good deal of suspension of disbelief and ignoring logical consequences. It’s not the worst bucket thriller I’ve read, but I’m not recommending this to anyone, and I don’t want to read it again.
Who should read this:
Easy read domestic thriller lovers
Do I want to reread this:
No
Similar books:
* The Christmas Party by Mikayla Davids-family drama bucket thriller
* One of Those Faces by Elle Grawl-bucket psychological thriller
My Selling Pitch:
Do you want a bucket domestic thriller in Hawaii? Do you like thrillers that just tell you what happened and have nothing that you need to figure out?
Pre-reading:
I smell a bucket thriller.
Thick of it:
Dead, brother? (Kinda.)
Requesting a does the dog die . com immediately. (1/2 besties.)
Exposition by shelter dog is a new one
Thrillers love a Serena.
Is she being followed by the cousin? (No.)
This toe commentary is fucking weird.
All I’m saying, is if someone tells you their car is broken always check if it’s actually broken.
I love pork belly.
Is the journal by Serena and the son adopted? (Nearly.)
There’s too much food in this book.
Okay, tiny Dexter.
Well, she’s a bad partner. Also, this kid is gonna have a fun time when they swab his cheek in Bio.
Post-reading:
This book is very much a bad bucket thriller. There’s nothing for you as the reader to figure out. There are no questions posed. The events just unfold around you. The book tries to add in bits of culture, but it’s mainly just lengthy and unnecessary descriptions of food and a discussion of the stigma around mental health problems. I love a dog, but all the dog bits feel like fluff. A lot could have been cut from this book. The characters aren’t very likable and like a lot of thrillers, it requires a good deal of suspension of disbelief and ignoring logical consequences. It’s not the worst bucket thriller I’ve read, but I’m not recommending this to anyone, and I don’t want to read it again.
Who should read this:
Easy read domestic thriller lovers
Do I want to reread this:
No
Similar books:
* The Christmas Party by Mikayla Davids-family drama bucket thriller
* One of Those Faces by Elle Grawl-bucket psychological thriller
July 20, 2022
thank you to netgalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review!
someone else's life follows annie, who moves to hawaii in an attempt to live a normal life after her son, finn, was traumatized by an accident at her family's lake house. when a tropical storm happens and a woman shows up at annie's door, annie gladly opens her home to her and the rest of the book takes place as the two women get to know each other. however, as the storm rages on, annie realizes that this woman might not be the stranger annie thinks she is.
annie herself is a really interesting character. she never tells us exactly what's going on until she absolutely has to and this makes the thriller aspect of the book more exciting. the stakes were also done really well- annie is trapped with a strange woman because of the storm, which makes this book all the more exciting to read.
that being said, this book's writing style was really juvenile. i understand that this is a debut novel, but our two leads were supposed to be in their early forties and talked like teenagers. style-wise, another issue i had was that 75% of the book was told through dialogue between the two main characters and the description was quite lacking. for the most part, the description that did occur got repetitive after a while. also, i wish that there had been one last final twist! the book did get a bit predictable and i would have loved to end the book on a more thrilling note.
overall, this was a quick, exciting read and a promising debut from lyn liao butler (with an absolutely gorgeous cover!)
someone else's life follows annie, who moves to hawaii in an attempt to live a normal life after her son, finn, was traumatized by an accident at her family's lake house. when a tropical storm happens and a woman shows up at annie's door, annie gladly opens her home to her and the rest of the book takes place as the two women get to know each other. however, as the storm rages on, annie realizes that this woman might not be the stranger annie thinks she is.
annie herself is a really interesting character. she never tells us exactly what's going on until she absolutely has to and this makes the thriller aspect of the book more exciting. the stakes were also done really well- annie is trapped with a strange woman because of the storm, which makes this book all the more exciting to read.
that being said, this book's writing style was really juvenile. i understand that this is a debut novel, but our two leads were supposed to be in their early forties and talked like teenagers. style-wise, another issue i had was that 75% of the book was told through dialogue between the two main characters and the description was quite lacking. for the most part, the description that did occur got repetitive after a while. also, i wish that there had been one last final twist! the book did get a bit predictable and i would have loved to end the book on a more thrilling note.
overall, this was a quick, exciting read and a promising debut from lyn liao butler (with an absolutely gorgeous cover!)
January 3, 2023
Loved this thriller set on Kauai (an island I love) as it's heartfelt, twisty, and complex! Annie and fireman husband, Brody live in an Ohana with son Finn when a nasty hurricane strikes and Annie is housebound when a stranger, Serena shows up at her door when her car is stranded. Conveniently, the two women bond quickly, eating, drinking, and sharing memories as both have "memory issues" and Annie suffers from panic attacks. Enough said. Go in blind and prepare for the non-stop action and bizarre coincidences that kept my head spinning until the end! Will certainly read more of Butler!
January 5, 2023
The dumbest group of characters I have ever read.
Stranger wants to come inside? Sure!
Stranger keeps sending up red flags but you keep drinking wine with her? Ok!
Sister lives right next door but never once comes over to check on you even though she knows you're housing a stranger? Makes sense!
This main character had every opportunity to RUN but what does she do? She keeps drinking wine and talking to the sociopath stalker. She literally goes to check on her in the bathroom instead of making a run for it.
THEN! The stalker has the MC's son and is precariously over top a rushing river, and what does the MC say? She says she is worried if the two fall in, she will have to save them both. Why would you save them both? SAVE YOUR KID! OH MY GOD.
Don't get me started on the pathetic fight scenes, the way Sam simply ALLOWED this woman to take Finn, or the fact that Annie hid important evidence from the police, proving that: no, she really doesn't care to protect her family.
Infuriating read, and it's a shame, because the premise is quite good.
Stranger wants to come inside? Sure!
Stranger keeps sending up red flags but you keep drinking wine with her? Ok!
Sister lives right next door but never once comes over to check on you even though she knows you're housing a stranger? Makes sense!
This main character had every opportunity to RUN but what does she do? She keeps drinking wine and talking to the sociopath stalker. She literally goes to check on her in the bathroom instead of making a run for it.
THEN! The stalker has the MC's son and is precariously over top a rushing river, and what does the MC say? She says she is worried if the two fall in, she will have to save them both. Why would you save them both? SAVE YOUR KID! OH MY GOD.
Don't get me started on the pathetic fight scenes, the way Sam simply ALLOWED this woman to take Finn, or the fact that Annie hid important evidence from the police, proving that: no, she really doesn't care to protect her family.
Infuriating read, and it's a shame, because the premise is quite good.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 22, 2023
Similar to 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗽𝗶𝗻 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲, it was slow to start and mainly took place in 1 place with two characters talking to each other, only this time very repetitively and "how did you know that" style. The fast-paced ending did reveal twists, but none of this plot would have happened if the lady did not let in a complete stranger when home alone. I was left scratching my head as to why she opened the door in the middle of the storm and welcome her in the first place.
August 14, 2022
Annie and her husband, Brody, move to Hawaii after an accident happened involving their son, Finn, at their Lake House in New York. Annie's family is there in Kauai and she needs some time to think, as she has also suffered from losing her studio. One day during a terrible storm, a woman named Serena knocks on her door claiming that her car broke down and she needs help. Annie lets her in and at first, is not sure about this woman, after several texts to her husband she begins to feel comfortable and they form a bond and share some major events about their life. But then things turn weird and Annie realizes Serena knows too much about her life. Who is this woman and what does she want?
I started this book in the morning and couldn't put it down. I needed to know what was going on here. It was a bit slow to start but it still kept my interest. Once I got to the big reveal, I was a bit shocked as I was not expecting the twist. I would recommend this one to my friends. I really loved the setting and the idea of this book. It was just something a little different from what I have been reading lately.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This review will be posted to my Instagram Blog (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.
I started this book in the morning and couldn't put it down. I needed to know what was going on here. It was a bit slow to start but it still kept my interest. Once I got to the big reveal, I was a bit shocked as I was not expecting the twist. I would recommend this one to my friends. I really loved the setting and the idea of this book. It was just something a little different from what I have been reading lately.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This review will be posted to my Instagram Blog (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.
July 13, 2022
Blow by blow, Annie Lin’s life crumbles. Her dance studio goes bankrupt. Her mother and beloved dog are gone the same year. Then a terrible accident leaves her young son traumatized.
It’s time for a change.
Palm trees, mai tais, peace and quiet Annie should be at ease, safe in her new Kauai home with her husband and son. She hopes proximity to her family can provide them all with a sense of belonging and calm. But soon items from her past start turning up her dog’s collar, a bracelet that disappeared years ago and she has the unnerving sensation she’s being watched. Reality begins to fracture, and Annie’s panic attacks return. When, during a brewing storm, a woman appears on her doorstep looking for shelter, Annie is relieved to have the company and feels an unexplainable bond with her visitor.
As the night progresses, Annie realizes the woman is no stranger. Their lives are inextricably intertwined and Annie might just lose everything.
Really enjoyable read totally recommend
Thank You NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer
I just reviewed Someone Else's Life by Lyn Liao Butler. #SomeoneElsesLife #NetGalley
It’s time for a change.
Palm trees, mai tais, peace and quiet Annie should be at ease, safe in her new Kauai home with her husband and son. She hopes proximity to her family can provide them all with a sense of belonging and calm. But soon items from her past start turning up her dog’s collar, a bracelet that disappeared years ago and she has the unnerving sensation she’s being watched. Reality begins to fracture, and Annie’s panic attacks return. When, during a brewing storm, a woman appears on her doorstep looking for shelter, Annie is relieved to have the company and feels an unexplainable bond with her visitor.
As the night progresses, Annie realizes the woman is no stranger. Their lives are inextricably intertwined and Annie might just lose everything.
Really enjoyable read totally recommend
Thank You NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer
I just reviewed Someone Else's Life by Lyn Liao Butler. #SomeoneElsesLife #NetGalley
January 14, 2023
I stuck this one out hoping some of the rave reviews were correct. I, however, found the dialogue and plot very juvenile. The first half of the book (between the two main female characters) seemed to be "Oh, cool! Me too! Wait how did you know that?" Over and over and over! It was one of those horror movie situations where you're yelling at the characters, "Just grab your dog and LEAVE already!" I had this book figured out so early on. It just droned on forever and the ending of the book was anti-climactic. Sorry to say, a waste of several hours.
January 26, 2023
I honestly struggled to make it to the end and it felt like the ending was never coming. It took so long to get anywhere and when it did, it was not very believable.
Like really; a character is stalked for 4 years bc of a house that another buyer’s mortgage fell through on. There was a surprise ending but I still can’t even say that made it worth reading. The plot was too drawn out & a lot of things just didn’t make sense. There was too much irony and the plot is based off a friendship that flourished after a few hours of being stuck in a storm together. And that the friendship began by letting a complete stranger in when you are already so afraid of an unspoken incident of the past made the protagonist just as sketchy as the other. One minute they were bff’s but then one character told the other something personal & they grew wary and suspicious of them; then 2 minutes later, they were back to being bff’s. This happened back and forth so much that I was getting seasick. I mean could the main protagonist really be that dumb? To even let a stranger in, in the first place set off bad vibes. I read through 170 pages before the action really even began and it was mediocre at best.
Like really; a character is stalked for 4 years bc of a house that another buyer’s mortgage fell through on. There was a surprise ending but I still can’t even say that made it worth reading. The plot was too drawn out & a lot of things just didn’t make sense. There was too much irony and the plot is based off a friendship that flourished after a few hours of being stuck in a storm together. And that the friendship began by letting a complete stranger in when you are already so afraid of an unspoken incident of the past made the protagonist just as sketchy as the other. One minute they were bff’s but then one character told the other something personal & they grew wary and suspicious of them; then 2 minutes later, they were back to being bff’s. This happened back and forth so much that I was getting seasick. I mean could the main protagonist really be that dumb? To even let a stranger in, in the first place set off bad vibes. I read through 170 pages before the action really even began and it was mediocre at best.
March 15, 2023
Yikes . . . not quite sure how to put this gracefully. ‘Someone Else’s Life’, a thriller by Lyn Liao Butler, was just bad.
The plot was so unrealistic and the characters had no common sense.
I mean, if a random stranger knocks on your door during a tropical storm, do you allow them in and become best
friends by the end of the night?
It felt like watching a show when the person running from the car stays in the middle of the street. What are they thinking?
Oh well, if anyone else has different insight on this new release, please, do tell!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The plot was so unrealistic and the characters had no common sense.
I mean, if a random stranger knocks on your door during a tropical storm, do you allow them in and become best
friends by the end of the night?
It felt like watching a show when the person running from the car stays in the middle of the street. What are they thinking?
Oh well, if anyone else has different insight on this new release, please, do tell!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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