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Roses Are Red
She wanted a second chance at happiness. She got a first-class ticket to hell.
Lydia Palmer seems to have it all - a thriving business, a beautiful house, a picture-perfect husband and two wonderful kids. But things are different behind closed doors - Lydia is desperately unhappy and wants a divorce. Then, shockingly, her husband Adam dies.
When her grief eases, Lydia starts online dating and almost immediately meets Patrick. Handsome, successful, loving, he’ll make the perfect second husband.
But is Patrick too good to be true? Can you really find prince charming online?
These are questions Lydia is forced to ask when her world begins to collapse. First, the police say Adam may have been murdered. Then her daughter turns against her, her business disintegrates…
Lydia is convinced that someone is trying to destroy her happiness. She’s wrong. They want so much more than that…
Roses are Red is a gripping psychological thriller that will keep you up until the early hours. Perfect for fans of K. L. Slater, Teresa Driscoll, and Andrew Hart.
Lydia Palmer seems to have it all - a thriving business, a beautiful house, a picture-perfect husband and two wonderful kids. But things are different behind closed doors - Lydia is desperately unhappy and wants a divorce. Then, shockingly, her husband Adam dies.
When her grief eases, Lydia starts online dating and almost immediately meets Patrick. Handsome, successful, loving, he’ll make the perfect second husband.
But is Patrick too good to be true? Can you really find prince charming online?
These are questions Lydia is forced to ask when her world begins to collapse. First, the police say Adam may have been murdered. Then her daughter turns against her, her business disintegrates…
Lydia is convinced that someone is trying to destroy her happiness. She’s wrong. They want so much more than that…
Roses are Red is a gripping psychological thriller that will keep you up until the early hours. Perfect for fans of K. L. Slater, Teresa Driscoll, and Andrew Hart.
Unknown Binding
First published April 26, 2020
2613 people are currently reading
1344 people want to read
About the author
Miranda Rijks
42 books845 followersMiranda Rijks is the author of 26 psychological thrillers, many of which have been Amazon bestsellers. She lives in Sussex, England with her Dutch husband and black Labrador.
Her fast-paced, twisty thrillers are inspired by scary things that have happened to her or places she has visited.
Miranda turned to writing after recovering from Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare bone cancer. She's so grateful that she's now a full-time author and living the dream!
Visit www.mirandarijks.com to get her FREE novella, The Cheat, and the chance to name characters in her books.
Her fast-paced, twisty thrillers are inspired by scary things that have happened to her or places she has visited.
Miranda turned to writing after recovering from Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare bone cancer. She's so grateful that she's now a full-time author and living the dream!
Visit www.mirandarijks.com to get her FREE novella, The Cheat, and the chance to name characters in her books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 300 reviews
April 30, 2020
Adam and Lydia on the outside look like they have it all, she runs a successful craft business, they live in a big house and he drives a Bentley. They have 2 children.
Adam has been having an affair and divorce is on the cards. When he dies suspiciously after being electrocuted in their swimming pool, the police suspect that Lydia may have had something to do with his death.
Lydia meets handsome, charming Patrick on a dating site, theirs is a whirlwind romance and they are soon married. But is he too good to be true?
I was drawn into this book after the first page and read it in one sitting. I did want to shake Lydia at times, as she rushes head first into a new romance. I could feel something was not quite right and was afraid to read what was going to happen next. I love a book that makes you so angry with a character, as that is a sign of a good author that she can stir your emotions!!
I would definitely recommend this book, it’s twists will keep you firmly in its grasp until the end.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.
Adam has been having an affair and divorce is on the cards. When he dies suspiciously after being electrocuted in their swimming pool, the police suspect that Lydia may have had something to do with his death.
Lydia meets handsome, charming Patrick on a dating site, theirs is a whirlwind romance and they are soon married. But is he too good to be true?
I was drawn into this book after the first page and read it in one sitting. I did want to shake Lydia at times, as she rushes head first into a new romance. I could feel something was not quite right and was afraid to read what was going to happen next. I love a book that makes you so angry with a character, as that is a sign of a good author that she can stir your emotions!!
I would definitely recommend this book, it’s twists will keep you firmly in its grasp until the end.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.
November 23, 2023
"But Adam Palmer is just an animal, as we all are. A creature of habit. He may think he holds all the cards, but he doesn't.
I do.
Because I know him as well as, if not better, than he knows himself."
Roses Are Red
by Miranda Rijks
My review:
Roses are Red is a dark and nasty, ominous and deadly little Noir book, filled with loathsome people, strange events and secrets. It is a luscious read if you are seeking something where you do not have to think to much. This book will take you on a fun and dastardly ride. I read it in one sitting.
Adam has died. In his own swimming pool. What has happened to him? Was it an accident? Or..was..it..MURDER!!!???
Cue scary movie music.
Lydia, his wife, stands to inherit alot of money. So it stands to reason the cops would be interested in her..but not just her.
This is not however, your standard "wife did it" book. That is not the focus. See, Lydia and Adam were going to get a divorce anyway. So Lydia decides to start looking for love again! On the internet.
Nooww.. you get where this is going?
She meets someone almost to fast..Patrick..the perfect guy..or is he?
The internet dating coupled with the investigation into who killed Adam coupled with the strange things that are happening to Lydia AND her estrangement from her daughter makes this a heck of a read. I enjoyed it.
]
Many maybe wondering why a 3. Well..I had some issues. Much of what happens is over the top. Without spoilers..the end had me groaning..very cliche. I also did not feel like I knew many of the characters. Some were not developed as deeply as they could have been and were rather cookie cutter. I almost wish this book had been a bit longer and had not gone so over the top in certain aspects.
What WAS realistic is the internet dating which was scary as hell and poignant too. And frightening. I would sort of call this a who done it but not in the traditional sense. From the first moment, you are wondering who killed Adam but that would seem to be unrelated to a few of the other story lines..I stress "seem to be" but cannot really say anymore.
Although I did like it, it is not one that will linger or that I felt was unforgettable so 3.5 is my rating. It is a great book to read if you are tried and want something that plays with your mind a bit but not in a complicated way.
I do.
Because I know him as well as, if not better, than he knows himself."
Roses Are Red
by Miranda Rijks
My review:
Roses are Red is a dark and nasty, ominous and deadly little Noir book, filled with loathsome people, strange events and secrets. It is a luscious read if you are seeking something where you do not have to think to much. This book will take you on a fun and dastardly ride. I read it in one sitting.
Adam has died. In his own swimming pool. What has happened to him? Was it an accident? Or..was..it..MURDER!!!???
Cue scary movie music.
Lydia, his wife, stands to inherit alot of money. So it stands to reason the cops would be interested in her..but not just her.
This is not however, your standard "wife did it" book. That is not the focus. See, Lydia and Adam were going to get a divorce anyway. So Lydia decides to start looking for love again! On the internet.
Nooww.. you get where this is going?
She meets someone almost to fast..Patrick..the perfect guy..or is he?
The internet dating coupled with the investigation into who killed Adam coupled with the strange things that are happening to Lydia AND her estrangement from her daughter makes this a heck of a read. I enjoyed it.
]
Many maybe wondering why a 3. Well..I had some issues. Much of what happens is over the top. Without spoilers..the end had me groaning..very cliche. I also did not feel like I knew many of the characters. Some were not developed as deeply as they could have been and were rather cookie cutter. I almost wish this book had been a bit longer and had not gone so over the top in certain aspects.
What WAS realistic is the internet dating which was scary as hell and poignant too. And frightening. I would sort of call this a who done it but not in the traditional sense. From the first moment, you are wondering who killed Adam but that would seem to be unrelated to a few of the other story lines..I stress "seem to be" but cannot really say anymore.
Although I did like it, it is not one that will linger or that I felt was unforgettable so 3.5 is my rating. It is a great book to read if you are tried and want something that plays with your mind a bit but not in a complicated way.
October 3, 2022
Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
If you enjoy fast-paced and heart-throbbing thrillers,
Miranda Rijks wrote this book for you!
To quote my GR friend Mark, this book was a "psychological thriller that ticks every box, twice" and does so with style, flair, and intrigue.
Told from the POV of a successful entrepreneur and working mom, this expertly crafted thriller was gripping and showcased unreliable narrators, murder, chicanery, and compelling, unpredictable twists.
TO BE NOTED: I found it difficult to believe that the book's wealthy and business-savvy protagonist said "I Do!" to husband #2 without doing a background check. Also, I felt that the final chapter of the book had a few too many eye-rolling moments.
Overall, however, this book was 5-stars all the way.
I listened to the audiobook and Helen Day did a superb job with the narration.
I am a huge Miranda Rijks fan and this book was one of my favorites to date.
Violets are blue,
If you enjoy fast-paced and heart-throbbing thrillers,
Miranda Rijks wrote this book for you!
To quote my GR friend Mark, this book was a "psychological thriller that ticks every box, twice" and does so with style, flair, and intrigue.
Told from the POV of a successful entrepreneur and working mom, this expertly crafted thriller was gripping and showcased unreliable narrators, murder, chicanery, and compelling, unpredictable twists.
TO BE NOTED: I found it difficult to believe that the book's wealthy and business-savvy protagonist said "I Do!" to husband #2 without doing a background check. Also, I felt that the final chapter of the book had a few too many eye-rolling moments.
Overall, however, this book was 5-stars all the way.
I listened to the audiobook and Helen Day did a superb job with the narration.
I am a huge Miranda Rijks fan and this book was one of my favorites to date.
May 3, 2020
This is a classic domestic noir with unreliable characters, misdirection, lies and secrets. Oh yeah this little baby had it all. The plot was not very unique and it was quite predictable but the writing style and the good characterisations draw you in. I got a sort of guilty, voyeuristic pleasure from reading this, knowing where it was going but the main character, nevertheless kept walking towards her doom.
Lydia has been married to Adam for about 18 years. Lydia is co-owner of a business called Cracking Crafts with about 15 outlets. Adam is the firm’s accountant. They are very well off but the marriage is rocky. One night while having his evening swim, Adam doesn’t return. Later Lydia finds him at the bottom of the pool. Dead. It turns out he died from electrocution but not one knows how this occurred. Although you do! Fast forward 3 months and Lydia has been persuaded to try internet dating by her friend Cassie. She meets a very nice man, Patrick, who is attentive and kind and sweeps her off her feet. They soon marry. And then things start to get interesting. It was a quick, light, but hugely entertaining read . A guilty pleasure because you know it’s not going to end well. But you can’t look away. Thanks to Netgalley, Inkubator Books and Miranda Rijks for my review copy.
Lydia has been married to Adam for about 18 years. Lydia is co-owner of a business called Cracking Crafts with about 15 outlets. Adam is the firm’s accountant. They are very well off but the marriage is rocky. One night while having his evening swim, Adam doesn’t return. Later Lydia finds him at the bottom of the pool. Dead. It turns out he died from electrocution but not one knows how this occurred. Although you do! Fast forward 3 months and Lydia has been persuaded to try internet dating by her friend Cassie. She meets a very nice man, Patrick, who is attentive and kind and sweeps her off her feet. They soon marry. And then things start to get interesting. It was a quick, light, but hugely entertaining read . A guilty pleasure because you know it’s not going to end well. But you can’t look away. Thanks to Netgalley, Inkubator Books and Miranda Rijks for my review copy.
April 30, 2020
A real ‘paint by numbers bullet point’ of a psychological thriller that ticks every box, twice
Lydia is divorcing Adam, they have a very profitable business, great kids and wealth but just are not happy together
Adam is then shockingly murdered, electrocuted in his swimming pool
Lydia is distraught but months later is tentatively looking at on line dating ( she meets 1 guy that is described hilariously) when she meets Patrick, he is handsome, loving and seems too good to be true, which he is, of course
Then have a whirlwind romance and marriage and then things start to change, and not for the better...
And if you read many psychological tales you will be imagining what comes next...and it does, every cliche is there BUT for me I loved the cliches and love how a book like this unfurls even if Lydia is incredibly naive to believe a word he says and she cant see through the ‘my sister
is ill and needs £50k for treatment’ ruse or the gifts he buys her that then turn up on her statements being bought by her cards, oh and the ‘new friend from the gym’ who makes an appearance and yep the ‘twist you wont get’ is guessable by half way through but I LOVED IT, it was comforting and enjoyable and in this time of nothing being as it should be, this was unthreatening reading bliss
Well written, good and mega bad characters as you want and a dark well told many times story that was just right for the time
10/10
5 Stars
Lydia is divorcing Adam, they have a very profitable business, great kids and wealth but just are not happy together
Adam is then shockingly murdered, electrocuted in his swimming pool
Lydia is distraught but months later is tentatively looking at on line dating ( she meets 1 guy that is described hilariously) when she meets Patrick, he is handsome, loving and seems too good to be true, which he is, of course
Then have a whirlwind romance and marriage and then things start to change, and not for the better...
And if you read many psychological tales you will be imagining what comes next...and it does, every cliche is there BUT for me I loved the cliches and love how a book like this unfurls even if Lydia is incredibly naive to believe a word he says and she cant see through the ‘my sister
is ill and needs £50k for treatment’ ruse or the gifts he buys her that then turn up on her statements being bought by her cards, oh and the ‘new friend from the gym’ who makes an appearance and yep the ‘twist you wont get’ is guessable by half way through but I LOVED IT, it was comforting and enjoyable and in this time of nothing being as it should be, this was unthreatening reading bliss
Well written, good and mega bad characters as you want and a dark well told many times story that was just right for the time
10/10
5 Stars
October 11, 2022
The thing about this one is that the stupidity of the main character just frustrated and annoyed me throughout the entire book. This woman was running a large corporation. How is it possible she could be so clueless and easily manipulated? I couldn’t get past this.
It is abundantly clear throughout what is going on. I’d have liked a bit more ambiguity.
It is abundantly clear throughout what is going on. I’d have liked a bit more ambiguity.
April 26, 2020
Lydia Palmer lives a wonderful life that most of us would envy. But her husband is a serial cheater, she's extremely unhappy and wants a divorce.
But someone else wanted her husband gone .. permanently. He is found at the bottom of their swimming pool.
The police say her husband may have been murdered. Her daughter blames her mother for his death. Lydia thinks maybe it was her business partner .. his wife was sleeping with her husband. Her business begins failing. Her world is collapsing.
Lydia is convinced that someone is trying to destroy her happiness. She’s wrong. They want so much more than that…
This is a riveting psychological thriller, well written with deftly drawn characters. There are twists and turns that lead to a surprising conclusion.
Many thanks to the author / Inkubator Books / Netgalley for the digital copy of this psychological fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
But someone else wanted her husband gone .. permanently. He is found at the bottom of their swimming pool.
The police say her husband may have been murdered. Her daughter blames her mother for his death. Lydia thinks maybe it was her business partner .. his wife was sleeping with her husband. Her business begins failing. Her world is collapsing.
Lydia is convinced that someone is trying to destroy her happiness. She’s wrong. They want so much more than that…
This is a riveting psychological thriller, well written with deftly drawn characters. There are twists and turns that lead to a surprising conclusion.
Many thanks to the author / Inkubator Books / Netgalley for the digital copy of this psychological fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
September 10, 2020
I've enjoyed this author's work before, but this wasn't a winner for me. The protagonist was so dim and naive that it was hard to believe that she'd had a part in founding a multimillion-dollar business. And her actions, especially in light of her husband's death, were especially unbelievable. It was just all too implausible.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this copy for review.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this copy for review.
December 26, 2020
I came across author Miranda Rijks by a chance recommendation some 6 months ago when I read her novel ‘The Arrangement’. I was hooked and loved her writing, the interesting characters and the quick moving plots. Full of suspense the books feel like quick reads because they are so difficult to put down. Since then I have tried to read her earlier books and have found them just as captivating.
‘Roses are Red’ is another gripping read and thoroughly entertaining even if I did guess the twist. Lydia Palmer is getting divorced after the breakdown of her marriage to Adam when suddenly he dies. Three months after Adam’s death Lydia is tempted to try on line dating and it is not long before she meets Patrick. Patrick appears to be the perfect match and love and marriage follows very quickly. Lydia’s family are not completely accepting of their relationship and her failing business is struggling badly. Lydia has a feeling that someone is plotting against her to destroy everything she has.
I found this a great read but I do hate it when publishers make promises that perhaps don’t live up to the hype. The hype for this book promised a twist you won’t see coming, well I did see it but still loved it. This is a fast paced novel that is a page turner. Lydia is a character that will annoy you, irritate you and drive you to despair but fascinating all the same.
Fast paced suspense.
‘Roses are Red’ is another gripping read and thoroughly entertaining even if I did guess the twist. Lydia Palmer is getting divorced after the breakdown of her marriage to Adam when suddenly he dies. Three months after Adam’s death Lydia is tempted to try on line dating and it is not long before she meets Patrick. Patrick appears to be the perfect match and love and marriage follows very quickly. Lydia’s family are not completely accepting of their relationship and her failing business is struggling badly. Lydia has a feeling that someone is plotting against her to destroy everything she has.
I found this a great read but I do hate it when publishers make promises that perhaps don’t live up to the hype. The hype for this book promised a twist you won’t see coming, well I did see it but still loved it. This is a fast paced novel that is a page turner. Lydia is a character that will annoy you, irritate you and drive you to despair but fascinating all the same.
Fast paced suspense.
May 13, 2020
My fingers zipped through the pages as I read the rip-roaring thriller from beginning to end in less than two hours. Author Miranda Rijks could garner my complete attention with this sweet little number.
Adam died... Or rather he was accidently electrocuted, leaving his widow Lydia a boatload of money. Entered Patrick from the online dating, and the two got married before I could even blink. I knew how that was going to go, didn't it? Things happened with Lydia in her business and personal life.
Peppered with clues the author kept plying my curiosity on. Naive was this babe Lydia where I did want to poke her with the knitting needles she did her crafting with, to bring her into the world of reality. But I restrained myself. What would be the fun in that? I could gauge the trouble long before she could. Took her some time, I tell ya, to realize the truth. And then the plot went rocking when the rose-tinted glasses came off. Shocking reveals, i must say.
The story was well written, it appeared familiar, but then so was the heart pounding thrill I got from reading it. I liked the bubbles of excitement that tickled the back of my throat, a mark of a solid thriller.
Suspense was well weaved. The entire credit went to the author for it was her writing that kept me completely stuck in the murky depths of the story. A fun breakfast read!!
Adam died... Or rather he was accidently electrocuted, leaving his widow Lydia a boatload of money. Entered Patrick from the online dating, and the two got married before I could even blink. I knew how that was going to go, didn't it? Things happened with Lydia in her business and personal life.
Peppered with clues the author kept plying my curiosity on. Naive was this babe Lydia where I did want to poke her with the knitting needles she did her crafting with, to bring her into the world of reality. But I restrained myself. What would be the fun in that? I could gauge the trouble long before she could. Took her some time, I tell ya, to realize the truth. And then the plot went rocking when the rose-tinted glasses came off. Shocking reveals, i must say.
The story was well written, it appeared familiar, but then so was the heart pounding thrill I got from reading it. I liked the bubbles of excitement that tickled the back of my throat, a mark of a solid thriller.
Suspense was well weaved. The entire credit went to the author for it was her writing that kept me completely stuck in the murky depths of the story. A fun breakfast read!!
Read
May 8, 2020Spoiler Alert!
I'm irritated that a successful business woman is depicted as a moronic idiot in order to make this plot line work.. Disappointing.
I'm irritated that a successful business woman is depicted as a moronic idiot in order to make this plot line work.. Disappointing.
January 20, 2021
First time reader of Miranda Rijks i already know I will be a life long fan.
Roses are red is centred around Lydia whose husband Adam dies however they were already planning to get a divorce. So four months later she starts dating. When she gets an hundred percent match with Patrick she can't believe her luck. Meanwhile there is questions surrounding her husband's death and it looks like a close friend could be responsible. Things all start to unravell quickly.
Now I loved the fact that this book is in first person I love an inner monologue prose. Lydia for a business savvy millionaire seems quite nieve at times but with all she has gone through it is understandable. Lydia is a very proud mother and has a great craft business which she runs with her close friend A.J. I loved her as a lead protagonist and I found her to be an inspirational character, at times. I do think she is quite gullible but like I said under the circumstances I get it.
I found the psychological thriller elements of this book great. Although I predicted the two twists I loved seeing them play out, I actually thought for a while maybe I was wrong but I seem to have the twisted mind of a thriller author. The story does go from 50 to 100 in the last few chapters but I loved it. For once I felt like this was a book that I felt possible, we hear about these types of things happening alot. I loved the mind games that were played throughout the novel really driving home the psychological element of the story aswell.
I suppose the one question that I never got answered was why Lydia's daughter Emily accepted Patrick eventually although I suppose that wasn't important. Both the kids were a great addition, although they didn't add to much esp Oliver they are helpful to show the characters of the adults around them.
Patrick is just mr smooth, he says the right things always has roses when he turns up for dates. He just seemed a lil too go to be true. But then again I have trust issues. Ha. Patrick is good at winning people over and although a high flyer in his chosen career he isn't as well off as Lydia. But thst doesn't seem to matter. He is an interestingly written character I loved and hated him throughout the book and it took me a while to decide where I firmly stood.
I highly recommend this book it's a good read and a page turner. I couldn't put it down! I have to stop the review at this point otherwise I will give to much away. Like I said I guessed the two plot twist early on but I was okay with that it didn't make it any less fun to get to the big reveals. I recommend to anyone who loves this genre and anyone who loves reading. 5 stars.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers and Rijks for the digital advanced copy in exchange for my fair and honest opinion
Roses are red is centred around Lydia whose husband Adam dies however they were already planning to get a divorce. So four months later she starts dating. When she gets an hundred percent match with Patrick she can't believe her luck. Meanwhile there is questions surrounding her husband's death and it looks like a close friend could be responsible. Things all start to unravell quickly.
Now I loved the fact that this book is in first person I love an inner monologue prose. Lydia for a business savvy millionaire seems quite nieve at times but with all she has gone through it is understandable. Lydia is a very proud mother and has a great craft business which she runs with her close friend A.J. I loved her as a lead protagonist and I found her to be an inspirational character, at times. I do think she is quite gullible but like I said under the circumstances I get it.
I found the psychological thriller elements of this book great. Although I predicted the two twists I loved seeing them play out, I actually thought for a while maybe I was wrong but I seem to have the twisted mind of a thriller author. The story does go from 50 to 100 in the last few chapters but I loved it. For once I felt like this was a book that I felt possible, we hear about these types of things happening alot. I loved the mind games that were played throughout the novel really driving home the psychological element of the story aswell.
I suppose the one question that I never got answered was why Lydia's daughter Emily accepted Patrick eventually although I suppose that wasn't important. Both the kids were a great addition, although they didn't add to much esp Oliver they are helpful to show the characters of the adults around them.
Patrick is just mr smooth, he says the right things always has roses when he turns up for dates. He just seemed a lil too go to be true. But then again I have trust issues. Ha. Patrick is good at winning people over and although a high flyer in his chosen career he isn't as well off as Lydia. But thst doesn't seem to matter. He is an interestingly written character I loved and hated him throughout the book and it took me a while to decide where I firmly stood.
I highly recommend this book it's a good read and a page turner. I couldn't put it down! I have to stop the review at this point otherwise I will give to much away. Like I said I guessed the two plot twist early on but I was okay with that it didn't make it any less fun to get to the big reveals. I recommend to anyone who loves this genre and anyone who loves reading. 5 stars.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers and Rijks for the digital advanced copy in exchange for my fair and honest opinion
May 27, 2020
This was a really fast read, but unfortunately, too predictable for me. It centers on Lydia, a wealthy business owner whose husband dies suspiciously, but who recovers quickly to meet the man of her dreams online a few months later. Scary things start happening and Lydia has to figure out who is out to get her.
My primary issue with this book was Lydia herself- she was so self-absorbed and shallow that I didn't care if something bad happened to her. The way she treated her kids, and her business partner of 20 years, had me shaking my head. I also didn't know how someone who started a multi-million dollar company could possibly be that gullible. She seemed to have bad judgement and no logical instincts throughout the entire story. The plot itself is predictable- I kept hoping I was wrong and that the author would shock me with new revelations as the story went on, but it ended up pretty much as I envisioned. There were a couple surprises but I had figured out the majority of what was going on by the time it was revealed.
All in all, this just didn't do it for me, between my dislike of the protagonist and the predictability of the storyline, but I did read the book cover to cover in about 3 hours, so it held my interest. I wish the author had done more to take what was an interesting premise and build out the mystery further.
Thanks to Netgalley for the providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
My primary issue with this book was Lydia herself- she was so self-absorbed and shallow that I didn't care if something bad happened to her. The way she treated her kids, and her business partner of 20 years, had me shaking my head. I also didn't know how someone who started a multi-million dollar company could possibly be that gullible. She seemed to have bad judgement and no logical instincts throughout the entire story. The plot itself is predictable- I kept hoping I was wrong and that the author would shock me with new revelations as the story went on, but it ended up pretty much as I envisioned. There were a couple surprises but I had figured out the majority of what was going on by the time it was revealed.
All in all, this just didn't do it for me, between my dislike of the protagonist and the predictability of the storyline, but I did read the book cover to cover in about 3 hours, so it held my interest. I wish the author had done more to take what was an interesting premise and build out the mystery further.
Thanks to Netgalley for the providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 9, 2020
Having read this I’ll admit, I’m a pretty disappointed. The blurb basically tells the story and really took a lot of the fun and mystery out of the book. I went through a few stages of grief reading this ranging from pissed to forlorn to bland acceptance. Lydia is so clearly being manipulated and coerced. In retrospect it’s sad to witness especially since she annoyingly always doubts herself. Every time she has a suspicion she shuts it down. The truth smacked her in the face a few times and she never paused 🤦🏽♀️ I think if she’s didn’t have two kids it wouldn’t bother me so much. Lydia is super wealthy but always claims her money means nothing to her-I can believe this but as a mother she has an obligation to her children and their safety. If she was single and Patrick was gonna take her for all she had, it’d be easier to handle because according to her she’d survive. With all this money not one single time does she do a background check on —THE GUY SHE MEETS AND STARTS DATING FROM THE INTERNET—-. 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬 Within weeks she’s ‘loaning’ him large sums of money and allowing him to speed line their relationship. He was so obviously sketchy and in no time she was even letting him parent her children & overruling her. Oh no no no. It was just a train wreck and I wish she really would have put her kids first and trusted her gut. It’s also a letdown after everything she went through she does give her business over to Ajay. Really she is the one who needed therapy after her husbands death because she went looking for Love in all the wrong places. More a tragic read than anything.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 12, 2023
This was my first Miranda Rijks and I immediately warmed to her. She has a nice, flowing style and succeeds in writing a story that is hard to put away. Even though you could see from the beginning where this was leading to – Patrick is just too good to be true and his stories about broken cars and terminally ill family were no surprise to me – I was intrigued to know the story behind all this. The characters I found a little flat to my taste and I really don’t understand why a parent keeps up with such ill-behaving children.
Conclusion: I was not disappointed because I spent some nice hours reading this book – and after reading a book as this, that earns ‘only’ three stars, I always try and think: I couldn’t do this. Should the story have been a little more complicated and the characters more interesting, I would have given it four stars. I’m looking forward to reading more of Miranda Rijks.
Thanks to Netgalley for this digital review copy.
Conclusion: I was not disappointed because I spent some nice hours reading this book – and after reading a book as this, that earns ‘only’ three stars, I always try and think: I couldn’t do this. Should the story have been a little more complicated and the characters more interesting, I would have given it four stars. I’m looking forward to reading more of Miranda Rijks.
Thanks to Netgalley for this digital review copy.
January 19, 2021
The characters are two dimensional...And that's the best part of the book.
The writing is simplistic, unengaging and the grammatical errors...I could go on, but I'll just leave it there.
The writing is simplistic, unengaging and the grammatical errors...I could go on, but I'll just leave it there.
August 23, 2020
The perfect wife with the perfect life is at the forefront of domestic thriller ROSES ARE RED by Miranda Rijks. Classic domestic noir with unreliable characters, lies and secrets that will have you turning the pages into the night.
On the surface, Adam and Lydia Palmer have it all. Money. Wealth. Success. A lavish restored farmhouse, two children and a life of luxury. But things are never what they seem. Lydia is far from happy. Adam is a serial philanderer and the couple are on the verge of divorce. After discovering the identity of his latest conquest the couple have a massive row afterwhich Adam storms out to go for his nightly swim. And Lydia goes to bed. When Adam hasn't returned three hours later, she goes in search of him...and finds him at the bottom of their swimming pool, having been murdered by electrocution. The police swoop in and investigate, questioning both Lydia and her business partner Ajay. And then the trail goes cold.
Three months later and Lydia's best friend Cassie is encouraging her to try internet dating. After an unsuccessful date and vowing never to use internet dating again, Lydia meets Patrick - a warm and charismatic man who is kind and loving and everything Adam wasn't. Can this man be the calm amidst the storm of her life?
Patrick woos Lydia and by Christmas the couple are engaged, much to the shock of everyone...particularly her 15 year old daughter Mia who is outraged. Patrick wants a quick wedding without the usual fanfare but Lydia isn't so sure. She only buried her husband seven months ago and her children are still grieving. But Patrick is insistent and even manages to talk Mia round, begrudgingly, for she refuses to attend their very small wedding of just five people. Lydia wants her daughter to love her new husband so badly but she also wants her to be happy. Her son Ollie is content enough but becomes rather ecstatic when Patrick spends time bonding with him over computer games. At last, life seems to be good.
Then things start to fall apart...
Patrick travels a lot for work and Lydia finds herself the recipient of prank calls throughout the night. Then her business begins to suffer when she appears on a home shopping show to promote a product her business is selling only to discover the wrong product was sent to the network, which is a cheap knock-off version of the one they sell, and her demonstration resulted in a humiliating display. She is shocked to discover her partner Ajay had changed the instructions and so she confronts him after clarifying her paperwork had been in order but he denies having done so. But why would he do that? Then she discovers that the police have new evidence pointing to Ajay as being responsible for Adam's murder. Is this true? Could it have been Ajay? But why?
Then the silent calls begin again. And noises in the night. Shadows in the dark. A dark maroon car seen driving away from the house, matching Ajay's car. Is he stalking her? Trying to scare her? Before long, Ajay offers to buy Lydia's share of the company which she refuses. Has this been his ploy all along? To discredit her business only to buy her out at way below the market value? Patrick had warned her he might do this and it seems he was right. But is Ajay dangerous too?
But then nothing will prepare Lydia for what is to come...
Collapsing on the kitchen floor one morning eating breakfast, Lydia is unable to breathe, her tongue swelling in her throat. She knew at once what it was. She is highly allergic to peanuts and she has gone into anaphylaxis. Mia searches for her mother's EpiPen, none of which could be found, screaming in panic before Lydia fades into blackness. Who put the peanuts into Lydia's granola, knowing full well she is allergic? It seems whoever it is wants Lydia dead...and they will stop at nothing.
Is it Ajay? Or is it someone closer to home?
Told solely in Lydia's narrative, except for the opening chapter, ROSES ARE RED is a fast paced thriller that will have you scratching your head...and not always in a good way. It was well written and was a heart-pounding read but for me it was all too familiar. In fact, I had to stop reading to search for the book that it did remind me of because it screamed of such similarities to Alison James' "The Man She Married", albeit with a few differences.
My biggest issue with this book though was Lydia herself. How someone with the nous to build a multi-million pound crafting empire could be so gullible...really? How could she be so blind to be unable to see how she is being played? How could she doubt her business partner and friend for over twenty years and take the word of her new husband whom she has known just 5 minutes? For these reasons I found the story a little too predictable and the shock twist promoted with the book really wasn't. ROSES ARE RED wasn't a bad book but it wasn't the greatest either. It was still intriguing and held my interest throughout as I was interested to discover "why", despite the "who" not being such a great shock. There were a couple of surprises but I had figured out the majority of what was happening by the time all was revealed.
What wasn't so cliched as it was real is the whole internet dating thing. I may be old fashioned but for me that's just playing with fire. You don't know who you are talking to, who you are meeting or what you are opening yourself up to. It is scary as hell and incredibly frightening that intelligent people are willing to open themselves up to complete strangers without knowing anything at all about them. Online, people can be whoever they want to be...and none of it is real.
ROSES ARE RED is still an enjoyable read though I don't think the "twist you won't see coming" tagline is at all apt. You can spot it clearly a mile away.
Although I did enjoy the book, it is not one that will stay with me as some books do. It is, however, a perfect read for something quick and mindless that is uncomplicated and still enjoyable. And sometimes that's just what one needs. ROSES ARE RED is a great book to escape into with its fast pace and easy reading style.
I look forward to Miranda's next book "The Arrangement" .
I would like to thank #MirandaRijks, #NetGalley and #InkubatorBooks for an ARC of #RosesAreRed in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
On the surface, Adam and Lydia Palmer have it all. Money. Wealth. Success. A lavish restored farmhouse, two children and a life of luxury. But things are never what they seem. Lydia is far from happy. Adam is a serial philanderer and the couple are on the verge of divorce. After discovering the identity of his latest conquest the couple have a massive row afterwhich Adam storms out to go for his nightly swim. And Lydia goes to bed. When Adam hasn't returned three hours later, she goes in search of him...and finds him at the bottom of their swimming pool, having been murdered by electrocution. The police swoop in and investigate, questioning both Lydia and her business partner Ajay. And then the trail goes cold.
Three months later and Lydia's best friend Cassie is encouraging her to try internet dating. After an unsuccessful date and vowing never to use internet dating again, Lydia meets Patrick - a warm and charismatic man who is kind and loving and everything Adam wasn't. Can this man be the calm amidst the storm of her life?
Patrick woos Lydia and by Christmas the couple are engaged, much to the shock of everyone...particularly her 15 year old daughter Mia who is outraged. Patrick wants a quick wedding without the usual fanfare but Lydia isn't so sure. She only buried her husband seven months ago and her children are still grieving. But Patrick is insistent and even manages to talk Mia round, begrudgingly, for she refuses to attend their very small wedding of just five people. Lydia wants her daughter to love her new husband so badly but she also wants her to be happy. Her son Ollie is content enough but becomes rather ecstatic when Patrick spends time bonding with him over computer games. At last, life seems to be good.
Then things start to fall apart...
Patrick travels a lot for work and Lydia finds herself the recipient of prank calls throughout the night. Then her business begins to suffer when she appears on a home shopping show to promote a product her business is selling only to discover the wrong product was sent to the network, which is a cheap knock-off version of the one they sell, and her demonstration resulted in a humiliating display. She is shocked to discover her partner Ajay had changed the instructions and so she confronts him after clarifying her paperwork had been in order but he denies having done so. But why would he do that? Then she discovers that the police have new evidence pointing to Ajay as being responsible for Adam's murder. Is this true? Could it have been Ajay? But why?
Then the silent calls begin again. And noises in the night. Shadows in the dark. A dark maroon car seen driving away from the house, matching Ajay's car. Is he stalking her? Trying to scare her? Before long, Ajay offers to buy Lydia's share of the company which she refuses. Has this been his ploy all along? To discredit her business only to buy her out at way below the market value? Patrick had warned her he might do this and it seems he was right. But is Ajay dangerous too?
But then nothing will prepare Lydia for what is to come...
Collapsing on the kitchen floor one morning eating breakfast, Lydia is unable to breathe, her tongue swelling in her throat. She knew at once what it was. She is highly allergic to peanuts and she has gone into anaphylaxis. Mia searches for her mother's EpiPen, none of which could be found, screaming in panic before Lydia fades into blackness. Who put the peanuts into Lydia's granola, knowing full well she is allergic? It seems whoever it is wants Lydia dead...and they will stop at nothing.
Is it Ajay? Or is it someone closer to home?
Told solely in Lydia's narrative, except for the opening chapter, ROSES ARE RED is a fast paced thriller that will have you scratching your head...and not always in a good way. It was well written and was a heart-pounding read but for me it was all too familiar. In fact, I had to stop reading to search for the book that it did remind me of because it screamed of such similarities to Alison James' "The Man She Married", albeit with a few differences.
My biggest issue with this book though was Lydia herself. How someone with the nous to build a multi-million pound crafting empire could be so gullible...really? How could she be so blind to be unable to see how she is being played? How could she doubt her business partner and friend for over twenty years and take the word of her new husband whom she has known just 5 minutes? For these reasons I found the story a little too predictable and the shock twist promoted with the book really wasn't. ROSES ARE RED wasn't a bad book but it wasn't the greatest either. It was still intriguing and held my interest throughout as I was interested to discover "why", despite the "who" not being such a great shock. There were a couple of surprises but I had figured out the majority of what was happening by the time all was revealed.
What wasn't so cliched as it was real is the whole internet dating thing. I may be old fashioned but for me that's just playing with fire. You don't know who you are talking to, who you are meeting or what you are opening yourself up to. It is scary as hell and incredibly frightening that intelligent people are willing to open themselves up to complete strangers without knowing anything at all about them. Online, people can be whoever they want to be...and none of it is real.
ROSES ARE RED is still an enjoyable read though I don't think the "twist you won't see coming" tagline is at all apt. You can spot it clearly a mile away.
Although I did enjoy the book, it is not one that will stay with me as some books do. It is, however, a perfect read for something quick and mindless that is uncomplicated and still enjoyable. And sometimes that's just what one needs. ROSES ARE RED is a great book to escape into with its fast pace and easy reading style.
I look forward to Miranda's next book "The Arrangement" .
I would like to thank #MirandaRijks, #NetGalley and #InkubatorBooks for an ARC of #RosesAreRed in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
June 5, 2020
Normally decent author pens a snoozy take of the most naive woman who ever existed.
So boring. So predictable. So Lifetime movie. I had to put on my speed reading mode to power through to the end.
So boring. So predictable. So Lifetime movie. I had to put on my speed reading mode to power through to the end.
May 12, 2024
If there was a way I’d give this ZERO stars.
Everything was so obvious and I wanted to shake Lydia for being such a fool.
This was the written version of every bad Lifetime movie ever created.
Everything was so obvious and I wanted to shake Lydia for being such a fool.
This was the written version of every bad Lifetime movie ever created.
April 25, 2020
Thank you to Inkubator books for allowing me to read an advanced eARC of Roses are Red.
This book was almost painful to read for me; it's the first one in a while that I have really really not enjoyed and just wanted to put down at almost every page but as i'd been sent it directly from the publisher I wanted to try and finish it so I could give a complete review.
I have to be honest, the last 40% or so I just skim-read because I couldn't deal with actually reading it all. The plot was so insanely obvious from the first few pages and there are never any surprising twists or turns. I was really hoping there was going to be a big twist at the end that was a lot more subtle but everything just stood out from every page. Patrick being who he was and Fiona being in on the plan just were obvious; it read in every interaction we had from both of them and I just don't get how Lydia was so naive. This is a woman who's started her own business and we're meant to believe she would be this naive and gullible?
The characters all felt so cliche and one-note, there was no real character development and they were almost stereotypical caricatures. I think it wasn't helped by the overall writing which never actually dealt with any of the issues the book arose. Husband and dad dies; three days later they're all fine and we're not really going to touch upon their emotions. She's getting re-married, eh the daughter will be angry but that's it. There is no depth to the writing or to the characters which made it really hard to actually feel anything about what was going on.
The book was just so implausible and unrealistic that it wasn't ever enjoyable. Honestly not one I could recommend.
This book was almost painful to read for me; it's the first one in a while that I have really really not enjoyed and just wanted to put down at almost every page but as i'd been sent it directly from the publisher I wanted to try and finish it so I could give a complete review.
I have to be honest, the last 40% or so I just skim-read because I couldn't deal with actually reading it all. The plot was so insanely obvious from the first few pages and there are never any surprising twists or turns. I was really hoping there was going to be a big twist at the end that was a lot more subtle but everything just stood out from every page. Patrick being who he was and Fiona being in on the plan just were obvious; it read in every interaction we had from both of them and I just don't get how Lydia was so naive. This is a woman who's started her own business and we're meant to believe she would be this naive and gullible?
The characters all felt so cliche and one-note, there was no real character development and they were almost stereotypical caricatures. I think it wasn't helped by the overall writing which never actually dealt with any of the issues the book arose. Husband and dad dies; three days later they're all fine and we're not really going to touch upon their emotions. She's getting re-married, eh the daughter will be angry but that's it. There is no depth to the writing or to the characters which made it really hard to actually feel anything about what was going on.
The book was just so implausible and unrealistic that it wasn't ever enjoyable. Honestly not one I could recommend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 28, 2020
If I could give this a negative zero I would
What a waste of a day. This book started out to have some potential. The book starts out with Lydia’s cheating husband being murdered. An investigation is launched,only to vanish into a sea of Lydia trolling the internet for a boyfriend. So she finds this one guy who seems perfect, they get married, blah blah blah. It isn’t until the book is almost over where he puts the thoughts into her head that her business partner is the one who murdered her husband. This book had the most predicable ending ever. There was no twist. I really would like my .99 cents back.
What a waste of a day. This book started out to have some potential. The book starts out with Lydia’s cheating husband being murdered. An investigation is launched,only to vanish into a sea of Lydia trolling the internet for a boyfriend. So she finds this one guy who seems perfect, they get married, blah blah blah. It isn’t until the book is almost over where he puts the thoughts into her head that her business partner is the one who murdered her husband. This book had the most predicable ending ever. There was no twist. I really would like my .99 cents back.
May 8, 2023
Domestic thriller, fast paced and enjoyable.
Lydia wants to divorce her husband Adam but when he is found dead in the swimming pool and the circumstances appear suspicious, Lydia spends her time consoling her two children.
Lydia soon finds out of adams affairs during their marriage and begins to question everyone around her including her business partner. But she soon finds love again with Patrick and all he wants to do is love and support her , her business and her family.
As with most thrillers things never seem to go to plan!
Lydia wants to divorce her husband Adam but when he is found dead in the swimming pool and the circumstances appear suspicious, Lydia spends her time consoling her two children.
Lydia soon finds out of adams affairs during their marriage and begins to question everyone around her including her business partner. But she soon finds love again with Patrick and all he wants to do is love and support her , her business and her family.
As with most thrillers things never seem to go to plan!
April 18, 2020
“Roses are Red” by Miranda Rijks is a suspenseful psychological thriller which I really enjoyed. I spent most of my time screaming at the main character “No! Don’t do that, Oh come on!!! Look behind you! Don’t be so stupid!” I really wanted her to realise what was going on but she was oblivious until the very end!
It was a great read, short action packed chapters and well formed characters made this a most enjoyable read.
I look forward to reading more from this author.
It was a great read, short action packed chapters and well formed characters made this a most enjoyable read.
I look forward to reading more from this author.
March 21, 2023
Yes, there may be many books with the same topic, but not many get 5 stars. This book starts out with a bang. A man is murdered. Then, we learn he was having an affair with the spouse of the business partner of both him and his wife. His wife is the protagonist. She loves her crafting business and is heartbroken about her husband’s death and infidelity. After a few short months, she meets the man of her dreams. Her life seems complete. But then, strange things that threaten her and/or her business keep her terrified. Is her business partner betraying her? What about her new husband? And who killed her cheating husband? The book was so interesting that I couldn’t put it down! By the end, the pages were flying! I read about a book a day so I do get picky about what I consider a 5 star. But I couldn’t find anything I didn’t like about this one!
March 27, 2023
Oh, Lydia, Lydia, Lydia. You poor rich dear. Life is not playing fair with you. Or is it?
From the outset I knew who the main villain was, but I had no idea if another character was part of the evil plan. Up until the twisty end Rijks kept my intrigue piqued and my ears glued to the captivating voice of Helen Day. (Rijks has yet to release an audiobook where the narrator is anything short of excellent--if only that were true for all audiobooks.)
The story had its flaws yes, and it wasn't the strongest or most original plot, no, but I am still a devoted fan of this author and will listen to anything she pens.
From the outset I knew who the main villain was, but I had no idea if another character was part of the evil plan. Up until the twisty end Rijks kept my intrigue piqued and my ears glued to the captivating voice of Helen Day. (Rijks has yet to release an audiobook where the narrator is anything short of excellent--if only that were true for all audiobooks.)
The story had its flaws yes, and it wasn't the strongest or most original plot, no, but I am still a devoted fan of this author and will listen to anything she pens.
April 29, 2020
We all want to think that money and wealth wouldn’t change the type of character that we would want ourselves to aspire to. Roses Are Red delves into the impact that emotional trauma can run rampant upon a vulnerable individual. Despite kindness and a gentle soul, there will always be someone lurking in the shadows, ready and willing to take advantage of a heart-breaking situation. Miranda Rijks has created a story that made me sick to the stomach and incandescent with rage. She laid the Easter eggs out to find and I put on my sherlock Holmes persona, ready to discover the truth.
Inkubator books just hit the nail on the head time and time again. I am a frequent reader of their publications and each and every time they kill me with their plot twists, broken characters and immersive narratives. I’m happy to report that Roses Are Red is no different.
Marriage can be bliss. It can also breed stresses routine. Lydia has known that her marriage to Adam has been over for years but only now are they talking about divorce. It’s not straightforward they have two children who could do without the upheaval at this point in their lives. Lydia is a shareholder in her business, there’s the house, shares, everything. A divorce would be especially messy. However, someone wishes Adam gone for other reasons. Can Lydia navigate the murky waters of Adam’s suspicious death and keep herself, the children and her business afloat? It is clear that Lydia becomes shrouded in a cloak of loneliness especially having spent years in a loveless marriage, can she move forward and share her wealth and big heart with the right person.
Lydia meets Patrick via online dating and its immediately obvious they are both what the other has been searching for. It moves forward at breakneck speed and they quickly become engaged. She has serious trust issues…again who wouldn’t after enduring the mistreatment that Adam had subjected her to. Patrick is everything that Adam was not. Quickly things take a downward turn. The business doesn’t seem as secure as it once was, and she has serious issues with her business partner. Strange phone calls in the middle of the night. Her children seem to becoming more and more detached from her. Can these events be linked to someone or is it just pure bad luck?
Miranda Rijks has taken us on a journey. We are given a snapshot into someone’s life. It isn’t domestic bliss, but it is far from boring either. It is everyday life, but the author has taken it and bent it completely out of shape until you cower and wonder just how a life can become so spiralled out of control. Lydia was a wonderful character but incredibly naïve. She was so desperate to regain that feeling of being needed and loved that she couldn’t distinguish the facts that were under her nose. Roses Are Red is a story of sadness and the author has ratcheted up the tension so far, you’re worried that a slight movement might cause it to snap. The pieces come together, and the climax makes the investment worth it.
Roses Are Red is pure escapism with utterly compelling characters and a plot that is born from a deep-seated sense of unease. It is sharp and atmospheric, and I blasted through it
Inkubator books just hit the nail on the head time and time again. I am a frequent reader of their publications and each and every time they kill me with their plot twists, broken characters and immersive narratives. I’m happy to report that Roses Are Red is no different.
Marriage can be bliss. It can also breed stresses routine. Lydia has known that her marriage to Adam has been over for years but only now are they talking about divorce. It’s not straightforward they have two children who could do without the upheaval at this point in their lives. Lydia is a shareholder in her business, there’s the house, shares, everything. A divorce would be especially messy. However, someone wishes Adam gone for other reasons. Can Lydia navigate the murky waters of Adam’s suspicious death and keep herself, the children and her business afloat? It is clear that Lydia becomes shrouded in a cloak of loneliness especially having spent years in a loveless marriage, can she move forward and share her wealth and big heart with the right person.
Lydia meets Patrick via online dating and its immediately obvious they are both what the other has been searching for. It moves forward at breakneck speed and they quickly become engaged. She has serious trust issues…again who wouldn’t after enduring the mistreatment that Adam had subjected her to. Patrick is everything that Adam was not. Quickly things take a downward turn. The business doesn’t seem as secure as it once was, and she has serious issues with her business partner. Strange phone calls in the middle of the night. Her children seem to becoming more and more detached from her. Can these events be linked to someone or is it just pure bad luck?
Miranda Rijks has taken us on a journey. We are given a snapshot into someone’s life. It isn’t domestic bliss, but it is far from boring either. It is everyday life, but the author has taken it and bent it completely out of shape until you cower and wonder just how a life can become so spiralled out of control. Lydia was a wonderful character but incredibly naïve. She was so desperate to regain that feeling of being needed and loved that she couldn’t distinguish the facts that were under her nose. Roses Are Red is a story of sadness and the author has ratcheted up the tension so far, you’re worried that a slight movement might cause it to snap. The pieces come together, and the climax makes the investment worth it.
Roses Are Red is pure escapism with utterly compelling characters and a plot that is born from a deep-seated sense of unease. It is sharp and atmospheric, and I blasted through it
July 9, 2020
I love a good love story gone psycho and Roses Are Red had me up way into the night for "just one more page".
It was sad, it was emotional, it was dark, it had secrets and lots of wealth, and it had a twisty ending!
Very well written.
Love the cover art too.
Thank you for my free ARC in exchange for my honest review.
It was sad, it was emotional, it was dark, it had secrets and lots of wealth, and it had a twisty ending!
Very well written.
Love the cover art too.
Thank you for my free ARC in exchange for my honest review.
April 12, 2020
"Time doesn’t seem to flow in a linear way when you’re navigating grief. Sometimes it feels as if I last saw Adam weeks ago; other times, it feels like last night."
Adam Palmer is the finance director of Cracking Crafts, owned equally by his wife Lydia Palmer and Ajay Arya. Adam and Lydia’s marriage is on the verge of separation. One day Lydia reaches home early, and is shocked to see Adam with Marianne, Ajay’s wife. Next is the series of arguments and screaming between them. They decide to go on with divorce in a way that hurts Oliver and Mia least.
Before anything could happen, Adam is found dead in his own swimming pool. Police Investigation reveals that his death was due to electrocution and launches a murder investigation. Suspects of the Murder are Lydia and Ajay. Even after Months, investigation doesn’t reach any conclusion.
Lydia tries to move forward in her life with the help of her best friend Cassie, who pushes her for Internet Dating. After a bad experience with Rory Morrison, Lydia meets Patrick Grant. She instantly likes him. Patrick is a Management Consultant from Sussex who travels a lot for work. They meet a few times and soon they fall in love with each other. All this happens a little too quickly. Mia, daughter of Lydia is not happy with her mother’s affair with Patrick within months of her dad’s murder. Patrick claims that her sister Sandra is a cancer patient and to continue treatment he needs twenty five thousand pounds. Lydia lends him the money, but keeps getting suspicious about this. Patrick proposes Lydia and pushes for an early marriage. Initially Lydia is reluctant, worrying about the reaction of Mia, but agrees afterwards.
After Marriage, Lydia notices a change in Patrick. She feels he has become a bit less concerned about her. Soon, Patrick tells her that he has heard that on the day Adam was murdered, a neighbor saw Ajay’s car near the house. She becomes even more suspicious of Ajay, when he forces her to sell her share in Cracking Crafts. Late Night Silent calls by a stranger are troubling her. She senses something worse is about to happen. Finally, Patrick asks Lydia to end her daily struggles by having a discussion about Ajay with Marianne. But, Soon something shocking happens which just throws Lydia into an utter state of panic and shock.
WHAT I LIKED
The Plot of the story is simple yet interesting, focusing more on the emotions than mystery. The story is engaging. I loved the free flowing writing style, especially picturesque description of places, characters and relationships.
"To the south, the sea glistens alluringly in the distance; to the north, the vistas are even more extensive, across the Weald, with its green fields and hedgerows, patches of woodlands and the silvery river run snaking through fields to the faraway North Downs."
The characters are well written and realistic; especially Lydia’s character is one which I can relate to, the emotional turmoil and the distrust feelings she went through makes the reader feel sympathetic about her. The relationship between her and Mia has also been depicted beautifully throughout the story.
WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT
The Climax is mildly disappointing. With all the hints provided by the Miranda, I guessed the Adam’s killer correctly, although was surprised by the motive behind the murder.
OVERALL
It’s a gripping psychological thriller filled with the right mix of emotions with mystery, that keeps the reader on the edge most of the time.
Adam Palmer is the finance director of Cracking Crafts, owned equally by his wife Lydia Palmer and Ajay Arya. Adam and Lydia’s marriage is on the verge of separation. One day Lydia reaches home early, and is shocked to see Adam with Marianne, Ajay’s wife. Next is the series of arguments and screaming between them. They decide to go on with divorce in a way that hurts Oliver and Mia least.
Before anything could happen, Adam is found dead in his own swimming pool. Police Investigation reveals that his death was due to electrocution and launches a murder investigation. Suspects of the Murder are Lydia and Ajay. Even after Months, investigation doesn’t reach any conclusion.
Lydia tries to move forward in her life with the help of her best friend Cassie, who pushes her for Internet Dating. After a bad experience with Rory Morrison, Lydia meets Patrick Grant. She instantly likes him. Patrick is a Management Consultant from Sussex who travels a lot for work. They meet a few times and soon they fall in love with each other. All this happens a little too quickly. Mia, daughter of Lydia is not happy with her mother’s affair with Patrick within months of her dad’s murder. Patrick claims that her sister Sandra is a cancer patient and to continue treatment he needs twenty five thousand pounds. Lydia lends him the money, but keeps getting suspicious about this. Patrick proposes Lydia and pushes for an early marriage. Initially Lydia is reluctant, worrying about the reaction of Mia, but agrees afterwards.
After Marriage, Lydia notices a change in Patrick. She feels he has become a bit less concerned about her. Soon, Patrick tells her that he has heard that on the day Adam was murdered, a neighbor saw Ajay’s car near the house. She becomes even more suspicious of Ajay, when he forces her to sell her share in Cracking Crafts. Late Night Silent calls by a stranger are troubling her. She senses something worse is about to happen. Finally, Patrick asks Lydia to end her daily struggles by having a discussion about Ajay with Marianne. But, Soon something shocking happens which just throws Lydia into an utter state of panic and shock.
WHAT I LIKED
The Plot of the story is simple yet interesting, focusing more on the emotions than mystery. The story is engaging. I loved the free flowing writing style, especially picturesque description of places, characters and relationships.
"To the south, the sea glistens alluringly in the distance; to the north, the vistas are even more extensive, across the Weald, with its green fields and hedgerows, patches of woodlands and the silvery river run snaking through fields to the faraway North Downs."
The characters are well written and realistic; especially Lydia’s character is one which I can relate to, the emotional turmoil and the distrust feelings she went through makes the reader feel sympathetic about her. The relationship between her and Mia has also been depicted beautifully throughout the story.
WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT
The Climax is mildly disappointing. With all the hints provided by the Miranda, I guessed the Adam’s killer correctly, although was surprised by the motive behind the murder.
OVERALL
It’s a gripping psychological thriller filled with the right mix of emotions with mystery, that keeps the reader on the edge most of the time.
September 30, 2020
When Lydia's husband Adam is horribly murdered in the pool behind their house, she quickly moves on with life, knowing that she hadn't really loved her husband for years and was going to divorce him anyway. She meets Patrick, and it seems as though everything in her life is coming together. She has finally met the true man of her dreams, she has her crafting company, and her two precious children are quickly growing up. However, someone is out to get Lydia, and she begins to realize that there is nobody she can trust.
Roses are Red by Miranda Rijks was a captivating psychological thriller. I enjoyed it, especially the second half once the plot began to pick up and I was able to get more insight into the characters. I wasn't overly impressed with the beginning of the book, especially as the writing and story timeline felt choppy, but once I got into the action, I was hooked and read a majority of the book in one sitting. I would recommend Roses are Red to those who are looking for a quick, psychological read that will have people guessing on details until the very end!
A huge thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC of Roses are Red!
Roses are Red by Miranda Rijks was a captivating psychological thriller. I enjoyed it, especially the second half once the plot began to pick up and I was able to get more insight into the characters. I wasn't overly impressed with the beginning of the book, especially as the writing and story timeline felt choppy, but once I got into the action, I was hooked and read a majority of the book in one sitting. I would recommend Roses are Red to those who are looking for a quick, psychological read that will have people guessing on details until the very end!
A huge thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC of Roses are Red!
October 8, 2020
Oh. My. Goodness. What an awfully predictable book. From about chapter three onwards, you can just about guess how the "twists and turns" will pan out. I think the whole thing is painfully predictable for everyone except the main character, who seems so self absorbed and blissfully ignorant of everything happening around her. The plot is just utterly unbelievable and unrelateable. The only positive I can give this book is that the writing style makes it an easy read, so you can power through it quickly and get it over and done with.
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