#BookReview: For Your Own Good by Samantha Downing @smariedowning
Hi everyone! Today, I have a book review for an author new to me. I saw this book on a Bookbub list that didn’t include the UK, so I couldn’t get the deal, which is often the case, sadly. Anyway–happily–my local library carried this book, and I was able to download it for free, using an app called Borrowbox. I am so pleased I gave this read a go, and I shall be checking out more reads by Samantha Downing >>>
About the Book:
USA Today bestselling author Samantha Downing is back with her latest sneaky thriller set at a prestigious private school—complete with interfering parents, overeager students, and one teacher who just wants to teach them all a lesson …
Teddy Crutcher has won Teacher of the Year at the esteemed Belmont Academy, home to the best and brightest.
He says his wife couldn’t be more proud—though no one has seen her in a while.
Teddy really can’t be bothered with the death of a school parent that’s looking more and more like murder or the student digging a little too deep into Teddy’s personal life. His main focus is on pushing these kids to their full academic potential.
All he wants is for his colleagues—and the endlessly meddlesome parents—to stay out of his way.
It’s really too bad that sometimes excellence can come at such a high cost.
My Review:
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Funny and Gripping
I came across this author and book via my local library, and I am so pleased I gave it a go. I shall be checking out more of this writer’s books.
“Entitlement has a particular stench. Pungent. Bitter. Almost brutal.” … from this wonderfully descriptive opening line, the reader enters the world of Belmont private school for the rich and privileged, where not everyone is as them seem. The book description calls this read a “sneaky thriller”, and it most certainly is.
The characterisation and interplay between the people populating this world is portrayed excellently and includes characters you will love and feel for as well as ones you’ll love to hate. The writing was descriptive and evocative and many lines stood out for me. Below are just a few that I loved …
“He still isn’t sure which one ran out first, the money or the desire, but they’d stopped renovating years ago.”
And …
“The best of Mom and Dad. A genetic jackpot, and Zach knows it.”
And …
“Every time he walks into his room, it’s like stepping into a gloomy cloud.”
And …
“If venom had a voice, it would sound like Courtney’s.”
I could list so many more. The book had me both on edge and giggling aloud throughout. As you may have guessed, For Your Own Good gets a solid five stars from me.
***
NOTE ON RATINGS:Â I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.
5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.
I’d love to hear what you think of this review. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
For anyone interested, here are the Amazon links …
A fantastic review, Harmony! I love it when a book can make me giggle out loud! This sounds like a great read. Thanks for sharing!
My favourite kind is one with laughs and thrills. Thanks, Jan 💕🙂
I really enjoy when an author mixes humor with mystery. Sounds like an enjoyable story. Thanks for sharing, Harmony.
Yes, that really adds to the enjoyment! Thanks, Staci 💕🙂
Nice review, Harmony. This sounds like a good one!
Definitely fun! Thanks, Joan 💕🙂
This sounds like a good one, Harmony. I’m glad you were able to track it down through BorrowBox and that it delivered such a good story!
You’d enjoy this one. Thanks, Mae 💕🙂
Great review, Harmony:) Sounds like a wonderful read.
A fun read for sure. Thanks, Denise 💕🙂
No one has seen the star teacher’s wife for awhile, eh? What a great book description and an awesome review, Harmony!
So glad you enjoyed the review. Thanks, Priscilla 💕🙂
n excellent review, Harmony. Thank you.
Thanks, John 💕🙂