Five Total Strangers

You know the feeling, somones there, near you watching you. You turn all around but there is no one around but you can feel it rising up the back of your spine like an icy chill. By the time it reaches your neck and the hairs are standing up all of your body it might just be too late.Mira is a kid desperate to reach her grief stricken mother in Pittsburgh. Flying in a snowstorm to be with her mom knowing that she needs to be there she encounters a record breaking winter storm. Flights delayed, multiple car pileups, and snow that could send a polar bear running for his den.She doesn’t know anyone or how she can get to her mom but knows she has to no matter what. Taking a chance with a fellow friendly passenger from her flight a group forms and they decide to take on the storm. Unfortunately it is not long into this trip that Mira starts to get that spine-tingling, hair raising suspicion that not all of these passengers are on this trip for the right reasons.This was an edge of my seat thriller with many twists and turns throughout. I enjoyed the descriptions of the feeling of dread you can get when strong snow storms hit. Living in the Midwest we know to hunker down when it gets to be that time of year but I also know that feeling of no matter where I am i need to get home. I enjoyed the relationships that formed and reformed and how the author was able to keep me guessing.I do feel that there were some story lines that maybe weren’t as put together as they should be but for a quick read this was a winner. I love blizzard stories and love the snow. That being said being stuck in a snowstorm in a car in the middle of nowhere is terrifying to me. This was a great quick read and I will definitely be reading more of her future works.

When I picked this book, I wasn't expecting top tier thriller or suspense. But I definitely expected better. The premise of this book is strong. A winter storm causes some travel delays pushing five random Young adults into a rental with one goal: home for the holidays.After chapter 10. I had one goal: finish this book and Chuck it in the garbage. I HATE DNF'ing books but I definitely glazed over some chapters.I am going to give you a SPOILER free review.1. Our MC Mira is written as the dumbest Nancy Drew Wannabe ever. She senses danger around every corner but never seems to actually do anything about it. Presented with every chance to save herself, she becomes devoted to being the biggest idiot in the world.2. Repetitive. I swear on my library card if I read one more internal monologue listing every personality trait of each character and how they could be THE ONE, I was going to teleport myself into this fictional world and drive them off the snow covered mountain myself. Bam. Now none of you are the one.3. Repetitive. (See how annoying repetitiveness can be?) these kids drove in a giant circle. Every damn chapter was turning around, busting a u turn and blatantly disregarding the MC who seemed to be familiar with the area. The MC points out several times her experiences with the traffic, news, and surroundings. So naturally, she never volunteers more then a weak input.4. These characters. None of them are ever fully fleshed out. Like why is Harper portrayed with such dual personalities with a dash of crazy mother hen? Why is Josh so aggressive? Why did Brecken's parents give him such a horrible name (not really a plot point but wth)? Is Kayla ever going to stop napping!?5. None of this story is wrapped up in a bow. And I know, hear me out, you're probably thinking "It's a thriller. They never leave you feeling satisfied!" No. This story simply didn't conclude. Its like "oh my god. The climax. insanity!!" Then "Oh look cops. And a bad hospital bed scene with a fake sense of understanding". But you don't understand anything. Why did the person do what they did? What happens to the other 4 characters? Who is the yellow hat dude who follows them around? What happens to all the chaos left in their wake? Why does her mother have a totally different attitude then what we spent the whole book reading about?I gave this book two stars. And i am being generous. This book had no real plot map. Its like it tried to cover so many heavy topics like grief, responsibility, drug use, depression, anxiety, and growing pains in the small confines of a clown car filled to the trunk with clowns. Listen, buy the book. Read it. What ever. But when you're skipping chapter 27 because you just want it over with already, don't say I didn't warn you.

It was a good book. Quick read. Natalie had me questioning everyone. Even a little crying. Good book and I recomment it.

Right off the bat, the inconsistencies were making me nuts. The back of the book mentions Philadelphia airport. Then they seem to land in Newark, NJ. But when they do, the main character describes the crowded airport as having half the population of Pennsylvania. (Did PA drive on over to NJ for no reason?). But it’s later confirmed that the car was rented in Newark airport. Which state did we start in?? Also the mom…in the beginning of the book she’s a post-op nurse. Then later is described as an ER nurse. Well which is it? The snow seemed inconsistent also. It would sound like snowmageddon, then be described by a character as “a few flakes”.Speaking of characters, none of them were fully developed. they all had little to no backstory. And none of their stories were ever explained or wrapped up. Not even the main character or the main villain. Why did the villain do it? And moreover, HOW did they do it? This was all planned, presumably. But how did this person predict a blizzard and secure strangers on the fly to drive them across the state? And the dude with the yellow hat. Never explained. Never wrapped up.Also they did A LOT of standing around outside in a blizzard. Seemed they did that more than they actually drove.And just because I’m a native Pennsylvanian, the little things were really bothering me. The route they took was ridiculous. Don’t even know why the poconos were mentioned, as they shouldn’t have been anywhere near there. The brochures at the rest stop wouldn’t be only summer themed…skiing is a huge winter tourism activity. And we don’t generally have so many ditches lining the roads as this author would have you think. I know she’s from Ohio, but it almost felt like she had only ever read about PA on the internet.

Livro excelente, vc engole as páginas…

Another book where we sunk into the storyline like a familiar comfortable armchair. As thriller fans this book choice was THE perfect fit for us.What’s not to love ….It’s Christmas Eve ( we love Christmas )It’s snowing VERY heavilyThey are strandedThere is danger ⛔️…Packed full of red herrings this twisted thrilling ride through the mountains will keep you in suspense, the mood is ominous and increasingly so as you turn the pages, you literally feel the tension and the danger mount.As the weather worsens and they aren’t covering any distance belonging begin to go missing and the sense of mistrust, suspicion and paranoia grows exponentially. Our main character Mira literally has no idea who to trust, and the fact the dialogue is interlaced with hand written letters from someone who is obsessed with her adds a whole extra level of mystery and intrigue .It’s main appeal is it’s got this fun vibe to it, which again reminds us of our early love for goosebumps and Point Horror from our teenage years , which makes us love this title all the more.It feels like coming home and it’s like waving goodbye to a friend when you turn the last page…But fear not… this talented author has a great back catalogue of titles that sound equally exciting and are now being added to our 2021 wish list …

友人に勧められて読んだが、状況にリアリスティックがなく共感できなかったことから、残念ながら２☆です。

A quick and easy read. You'll keep guessing what happens next. I'm leaving my review vague as I don't want to spoil anything 😉

I found this book to be a slow burner. Apart from items going missing and a bit of tension over the road conditions there was not much going on. It did pick up a bit towards the end but not enough to deserve more than 3 stars.