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Until the Day I Die
If there’s a healthy way to grieve, Erin Gaines hasn’t found it. After her husband’s sudden death, the runaway success of the tech company they built with their best friends has become overwhelming. Her nerves are frayed, she’s disengaged, and her frustrated daughter, Shorie, is pulling away from her. Maybe Erin’s friends and family are right. Maybe a few weeks at a spa resort in the Caribbean islands is just what she needs to hit the reset button…
Shorie is not only worried about her mother’s mental state but also for the future of her parents’ company. Especially when she begins to suspect that not all of Erin’s colleagues can be trusted. It seems someone is spinning an intricate web of deception—the foundation for a conspiracy that is putting everything, and everyone she loves, at risk. And she may be the only one who can stop it.
Now, thousands of miles away in a remote, and oftentimes menacing, tropical jungle, Erin is beginning to have similar fears. Things at the resort aren’t exactly how the brochure described, and unless she’s losing her mind, Erin’s pretty sure she wasn’t sent there to recover—she was sent to disappear.
Shorie is not only worried about her mother’s mental state but also for the future of her parents’ company. Especially when she begins to suspect that not all of Erin’s colleagues can be trusted. It seems someone is spinning an intricate web of deception—the foundation for a conspiracy that is putting everything, and everyone she loves, at risk. And she may be the only one who can stop it.
Now, thousands of miles away in a remote, and oftentimes menacing, tropical jungle, Erin is beginning to have similar fears. Things at the resort aren’t exactly how the brochure described, and unless she’s losing her mind, Erin’s pretty sure she wasn’t sent there to recover—she was sent to disappear.
349 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 12, 2019
About the author
Emily Carpenter
14 books993 followersEMILY CARPENTER BIO:
Emily Carpenter is the critically acclaimed, Amazon bestselling author of suspense novels, Burying the Honeysuckle Girls, The Weight of Lies (which received starred reviews by both Kirkus and Publishers Weekly), Every Single Secret, Until the Day I Die, all released by Lake Union. Her most recent release is REVIVING THE HAWTHORN SISTERS, which Publishers Weekly called a “refreshingly modern gothic tale” and Kirkus called “an exciting, gothic-tinged quest.” After graduating from Auburn with a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication, she moved to New York City. She’s worked as an actor, producer, screenwriter, and behind-the-scenes soap opera assistant for the CBS shows, As the World Turns and Guiding Light. She’s a member of Tall Poppy Writers, International Thriller Writers, Mystery Writers of America, and Sisters in Crime. Born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, she now lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her family. You can visit Emily at emilycarpenterauthor.com and on Facebook and Twitter (@EmilyDCarpenter) and Instagram (@emily.d.c).
Emily Carpenter is the critically acclaimed, Amazon bestselling author of suspense novels, Burying the Honeysuckle Girls, The Weight of Lies (which received starred reviews by both Kirkus and Publishers Weekly), Every Single Secret, Until the Day I Die, all released by Lake Union. Her most recent release is REVIVING THE HAWTHORN SISTERS, which Publishers Weekly called a “refreshingly modern gothic tale” and Kirkus called “an exciting, gothic-tinged quest.” After graduating from Auburn with a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication, she moved to New York City. She’s worked as an actor, producer, screenwriter, and behind-the-scenes soap opera assistant for the CBS shows, As the World Turns and Guiding Light. She’s a member of Tall Poppy Writers, International Thriller Writers, Mystery Writers of America, and Sisters in Crime. Born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, she now lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her family. You can visit Emily at emilycarpenterauthor.com and on Facebook and Twitter (@EmilyDCarpenter) and Instagram (@emily.d.c).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 505 reviews
February 22, 2019
Painfully predictable and completely implausible.
This is a difficult review to write. I have enjoyed Emily Carpenter’s books, but this one was just too far-fetched for me. From the beginning, I was questioning the feasibility of almost every element of the plot. While I was hoping things would settle in and I would be able to push my critical brain to the side, I was never able to do so. Just when I thought things couldn’t get any worse, I got to the ending-- I felt like I was watching a bad Lifetime Movie.
I did like Erin's and Shorie’s characters and was entertained at times, but due to my inability to suspend my disbelief I was never able to embrace Until the Day I Die.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
This is a difficult review to write. I have enjoyed Emily Carpenter’s books, but this one was just too far-fetched for me. From the beginning, I was questioning the feasibility of almost every element of the plot. While I was hoping things would settle in and I would be able to push my critical brain to the side, I was never able to do so. Just when I thought things couldn’t get any worse, I got to the ending-- I felt like I was watching a bad Lifetime Movie.
I did like Erin's and Shorie’s characters and was entertained at times, but due to my inability to suspend my disbelief I was never able to embrace Until the Day I Die.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
October 5, 2022
"Put a dent in the universe.
It's no secret that Emily Carpenter is one of my favorite authors, so when I had the chance to read an early copy of her fourth novel, my grabby hands went into full swing "Gimmie Gimmie" mode. I knew going into Until the Day I Die that it would diverge from Carpenter's usual vein of gothic suspense, which made me pick this up immediately to see how she would handle the reins of a more traditional thriller. While I still adore her signature style of southern gothic suspense, I have to say that this traditional thriller was just the read I needed to keep me focused during my typical holiday reading slump.
I'm struggling with what words could accurately describe this book. Is it a thriller? Yes. Is it women's fiction? I really hate that term, because it implies that men simply can't enjoy a book that doesn't grunt manly violence and that they can't appreciate or relate to the softer side of fiction, but under the traditional format of genre filing... Yes, it is also women's fiction. This book features a unique and wonderfully odd balance, and Emily has tackled a difficult yet fulfilling experience of blending many different elements into a single story. The beginning is a slow burn that connects you with this newly grieving and broken family and then segues into something darker and faster paced once we reach the part where Erin goes on her "getaway".
That gorgeous cover is there by no accident; it's an atmospheric device that gently leads us to envision where Erin goes while letting our imagination fill in the details. I adore the amount of research that goes into the author's stories; I would never know that she isn't an expert in coding and developing a tech app in her spare time based on the detailed inclusions in this novel. As the story alternates between Erin and her daughter Shorie's POV (and maybe another POV in the end that I won't spoil for you), we see a strained relationship in the wake of husband/father Perri's recent death. Some chapter's begin with Perri's diary entries, and this was such a nice touch as it provides clues to the overall plot arc which becomes apparent the further the reader gets down the road.
Many months ago, when this book was first added to Goodreads, I distractedly read the synopsis to have a general idea of where UTDID was going, but that was it. I guess you could say it felt like going in blind, since I never went back and re-read the description, and I think it was the best choice to make. Friends, go into this blind if you can and just sit back and let the author take you on this wild, intelligent, and emotional ride. Where most action thrillers tend to lack in tickling the full-bodied reading experience, Carpenter has made up for it in spades by including thrumming suspense, fast paced action, and a character study on grief that would gut even the iciest of hearts. Highly recommended for those looking for a read that goes beyond simple entertainment.
*I received a review copy via the author.<\i>
It's no secret that Emily Carpenter is one of my favorite authors, so when I had the chance to read an early copy of her fourth novel, my grabby hands went into full swing "Gimmie Gimmie" mode. I knew going into Until the Day I Die that it would diverge from Carpenter's usual vein of gothic suspense, which made me pick this up immediately to see how she would handle the reins of a more traditional thriller. While I still adore her signature style of southern gothic suspense, I have to say that this traditional thriller was just the read I needed to keep me focused during my typical holiday reading slump.
I'm struggling with what words could accurately describe this book. Is it a thriller? Yes. Is it women's fiction? I really hate that term, because it implies that men simply can't enjoy a book that doesn't grunt manly violence and that they can't appreciate or relate to the softer side of fiction, but under the traditional format of genre filing... Yes, it is also women's fiction. This book features a unique and wonderfully odd balance, and Emily has tackled a difficult yet fulfilling experience of blending many different elements into a single story. The beginning is a slow burn that connects you with this newly grieving and broken family and then segues into something darker and faster paced once we reach the part where Erin goes on her "getaway".
That gorgeous cover is there by no accident; it's an atmospheric device that gently leads us to envision where Erin goes while letting our imagination fill in the details. I adore the amount of research that goes into the author's stories; I would never know that she isn't an expert in coding and developing a tech app in her spare time based on the detailed inclusions in this novel. As the story alternates between Erin and her daughter Shorie's POV (and maybe another POV in the end that I won't spoil for you), we see a strained relationship in the wake of husband/father Perri's recent death. Some chapter's begin with Perri's diary entries, and this was such a nice touch as it provides clues to the overall plot arc which becomes apparent the further the reader gets down the road.
Many months ago, when this book was first added to Goodreads, I distractedly read the synopsis to have a general idea of where UTDID was going, but that was it. I guess you could say it felt like going in blind, since I never went back and re-read the description, and I think it was the best choice to make. Friends, go into this blind if you can and just sit back and let the author take you on this wild, intelligent, and emotional ride. Where most action thrillers tend to lack in tickling the full-bodied reading experience, Carpenter has made up for it in spades by including thrumming suspense, fast paced action, and a character study on grief that would gut even the iciest of hearts. Highly recommended for those looking for a read that goes beyond simple entertainment.
*I received a review copy via the author.<\i>
May 24, 2019
2.5 stars
I think I will just be filing this under the “the most convoluted storyline”, and pretty much call it a day.
I went in completely blind, only expecting it to be a thriller of some sort. I would say it is a ‘who-dun-it?’ and ‘why?’ kind of read, but the twists and turns were just so bizarre and flaky with preposterous scenes.
This was my first Emily Carpenter experience. I listened to the audio version which was probably a mistake, as the annoying narrator’s voices made it even more difficult to plow through.
But plow through I did, all 10+ hours. I am just not one to give up once I get started, hoping for that spark, for that ‘ah-ha’ moment. Sorry to report neither happened.
Wanting to end on a positive note, it is well written, so rounded up to a three star rating.
I think I will just be filing this under the “the most convoluted storyline”, and pretty much call it a day.
I went in completely blind, only expecting it to be a thriller of some sort. I would say it is a ‘who-dun-it?’ and ‘why?’ kind of read, but the twists and turns were just so bizarre and flaky with preposterous scenes.
This was my first Emily Carpenter experience. I listened to the audio version which was probably a mistake, as the annoying narrator’s voices made it even more difficult to plow through.
But plow through I did, all 10+ hours. I am just not one to give up once I get started, hoping for that spark, for that ‘ah-ha’ moment. Sorry to report neither happened.
Wanting to end on a positive note, it is well written, so rounded up to a three star rating.
March 2, 2019
3.5*
Oh my goodness! This is not what I expected!
What appeared to be an everyday thriller took a deeply sinister and disturbing angle.
Definitely one of those books that you convince yourself alright, one more chapter! Immediately followed by total exhaustion after white-knuckling your way straight through to the end!
Erin hasn’t been the same since her husband passed in an accident four months ago. She’s barely treading water, incapable of focusing on the needs of her daughter Shorie. She’s also burdened with her responsibility as CEO of a tech company developed with her late husband Perry and best friends Ben and Sabine. Featuring an App designed to create, maintain and keep you on a budget! (I really want this App... no, I need this App)!
Erin feels she’s got no choice...she needs to sell the company and move on. But everyone else is convinced she’s headed for a breakdown. Maybe a reclusive spa retreat would be the best way to heal.
Shorie is 18 and wise beyond her years. She grew up as the company was developing.
She’s more than familiar with the inner-workings from top to bottom, thanks to her dads’ patient instruction and mentoring. But there’s a problem…now it’s time to go to college and put the business world on hold. Shorie can’t quite do that!
Emily Carpenter writes a suspenseful and chilling thriller that went off in multiple directions I never would have expected. What began as a fabulous read, took quite the turn leaving me confused and exasperated, wondering what I just read!
A buddy read with Susanne❄️
Thank you to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and Emily Carpenter for an ARC to read and review
Oh my goodness! This is not what I expected!
What appeared to be an everyday thriller took a deeply sinister and disturbing angle.
Definitely one of those books that you convince yourself alright, one more chapter! Immediately followed by total exhaustion after white-knuckling your way straight through to the end!
Erin hasn’t been the same since her husband passed in an accident four months ago. She’s barely treading water, incapable of focusing on the needs of her daughter Shorie. She’s also burdened with her responsibility as CEO of a tech company developed with her late husband Perry and best friends Ben and Sabine. Featuring an App designed to create, maintain and keep you on a budget! (I really want this App... no, I need this App)!
Erin feels she’s got no choice...she needs to sell the company and move on. But everyone else is convinced she’s headed for a breakdown. Maybe a reclusive spa retreat would be the best way to heal.
Shorie is 18 and wise beyond her years. She grew up as the company was developing.
She’s more than familiar with the inner-workings from top to bottom, thanks to her dads’ patient instruction and mentoring. But there’s a problem…now it’s time to go to college and put the business world on hold. Shorie can’t quite do that!
Emily Carpenter writes a suspenseful and chilling thriller that went off in multiple directions I never would have expected. What began as a fabulous read, took quite the turn leaving me confused and exasperated, wondering what I just read!
A buddy read with Susanne❄️
Thank you to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and Emily Carpenter for an ARC to read and review
February 17, 2019
Melodramatic, imaginative & a rocky ride!
First off I really need to say that I have thoroughly enjoyed this author’s previous books and will continue to read her books regardless of not enjoying this one as much as I would of liked to.
UNTIL THE DAY I DIE by EMILY CARPENTER is a slow-moving, sinister and suspenseful novel that was a quick and easy read. Although, I wouldn’t necessarily say that I was totally engaged but I was entertained and interested enough throughout this book to keep me turning those pages but I was never truly invested in this story though.
It took me on a rocky ride that definitely had me a little excited to start reading but then the slow climb up stayed on a steady slow incline for most of this novel and never really picked up the pace for me. There was one point in the novel that did have me a little excited and I was enjoying the ride but then it just mellowed out again and I was just along for the ride waiting for the end.
I love an imaginative storyline and totally embrace an unrealistic or far-fetched angle to it but I have to totally believe what the author is selling though and I’m not exactly sure that I “believed” it with this one though.
Expected Publication Date: March 12, 2019
* Traveling Sisters read *
Norma’s Stats:
Cover: Intriguing, eye-catching, appealing, ominous and a fitting representation to storyline. I am actually quite fond of this cover!
Title: Intriguing and like how it played into one part of the storyline but unsure how it fits into the whole storyline in general though.
Writing/Prose: Well-written, engaging and readable.
Plot: Slow-building with an interesting and imaginative premise.
Ending: Lackluster, over-the-top and a little disappointing.
Overall: I did think that this was a good read....just didn't love it. Even though I feel like I wasn’t quite the right reader for this one, I still recommend giving it a try!
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and Emily Carpenter for the opportunity to read this ARC.
First off I really need to say that I have thoroughly enjoyed this author’s previous books and will continue to read her books regardless of not enjoying this one as much as I would of liked to.
UNTIL THE DAY I DIE by EMILY CARPENTER is a slow-moving, sinister and suspenseful novel that was a quick and easy read. Although, I wouldn’t necessarily say that I was totally engaged but I was entertained and interested enough throughout this book to keep me turning those pages but I was never truly invested in this story though.
It took me on a rocky ride that definitely had me a little excited to start reading but then the slow climb up stayed on a steady slow incline for most of this novel and never really picked up the pace for me. There was one point in the novel that did have me a little excited and I was enjoying the ride but then it just mellowed out again and I was just along for the ride waiting for the end.
I love an imaginative storyline and totally embrace an unrealistic or far-fetched angle to it but I have to totally believe what the author is selling though and I’m not exactly sure that I “believed” it with this one though.
Expected Publication Date: March 12, 2019
* Traveling Sisters read *
Norma’s Stats:
Cover: Intriguing, eye-catching, appealing, ominous and a fitting representation to storyline. I am actually quite fond of this cover!
Title: Intriguing and like how it played into one part of the storyline but unsure how it fits into the whole storyline in general though.
Writing/Prose: Well-written, engaging and readable.
Plot: Slow-building with an interesting and imaginative premise.
Ending: Lackluster, over-the-top and a little disappointing.
Overall: I did think that this was a good read....just didn't love it. Even though I feel like I wasn’t quite the right reader for this one, I still recommend giving it a try!
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and Emily Carpenter for the opportunity to read this ARC.
February 11, 2019
Five months after Perry's accident, his wife Erin and 18 year old daughter Shorie, are struggling to cope with his loss. Perry and Erin created an app/company called Jax, with their best friends Ben and Sabine and although their plans had been to sell the company after five years, with Perry's death, Erin wants to sell it now. Just mentioning this starts some sinister behind the scenes events that lead to trouble for Erin.
The night Erin and Ben help Shorie move into her freshman dorm room, Erin has some type of mental break that leads to driving while intoxicated and causing a scene at a frat house where Shorie was partying. Erin has already been overworking and not properly dealing with the death of her husband so there is an intervention and Erin is sent off to a mysterious island for "restoration". Things turn dangerous there very quickly and it's a matter of survival for Erin.
At the same time, Shorie notices some strange glitches with the Jax app and attempts to investigate what is going on without losing access to the information she's not even supposed to be accessing. She's met Rhys, a 20 year old computer expert who she suspects could be spying on her but who she also likes a lot. Pretty much everyone is suspect and Shorie has no idea who she can trust.
It's hard to believe half the things that take place in the book but still, setting aside my skepticism, I enjoyed the twist and turns as Erin and Shorie each deal with their struggles to figure out what is going on and who is behind what is happening. I felt that the characters were well written although I do think that the book could have done without the prologue, which just seemed tacked without adding anything to the book. I would rate the book 3.5 stars, which I rounded up to 4 stars.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC.
The night Erin and Ben help Shorie move into her freshman dorm room, Erin has some type of mental break that leads to driving while intoxicated and causing a scene at a frat house where Shorie was partying. Erin has already been overworking and not properly dealing with the death of her husband so there is an intervention and Erin is sent off to a mysterious island for "restoration". Things turn dangerous there very quickly and it's a matter of survival for Erin.
At the same time, Shorie notices some strange glitches with the Jax app and attempts to investigate what is going on without losing access to the information she's not even supposed to be accessing. She's met Rhys, a 20 year old computer expert who she suspects could be spying on her but who she also likes a lot. Pretty much everyone is suspect and Shorie has no idea who she can trust.
It's hard to believe half the things that take place in the book but still, setting aside my skepticism, I enjoyed the twist and turns as Erin and Shorie each deal with their struggles to figure out what is going on and who is behind what is happening. I felt that the characters were well written although I do think that the book could have done without the prologue, which just seemed tacked without adding anything to the book. I would rate the book 3.5 stars, which I rounded up to 4 stars.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC.
February 20, 2019
3.25 Stars* (rounded down)
A Slow Burning Mystery/Suspense.
When Erin’s husband Perry dies, Erin falls apart, while her teenage daughter Shorie keeps it together - all while starting her Freshman year at College. A few years ago, friends Erin, Perry, Ben and Sabine formed “Jax” an uber successful online budgeting company that helps people keep track of their finances. With Perry’s death, Erin wants to sell, something her partners don’t agree with. The thing is, that Erin hasn’t exactly been herself lately (Surprise, Surprise!) and no one trust her to make sound business decisions. Her partners think the best plan of action is to send Erin off to “Hidden Sands” a rest and rehabilitation retreat in the Caribbean instead. Ahh.. can you feel the sun, and the sand? Feels heavenly!
Shorie is a computer whiz thus she can’t help but keep tabs on Jax while she’s away and that’s when she starts noticing a few things that appear to be suspicious. Meanwhile, things at Hidden Sands aren’t magical after all.
What started out as an interesting ride, quickly became predictable and somewhat confusing. “Until the Day I Die” is the second novel I’ve read by Emily Carpenter and while this one wasn’t as far-fetched as “Every Single Secret,” I found it lacking in intrigue. I’ve been reading a lot of thrillers these last few years so perhaps this was just a case of my highly anticipating this novel and it not quite meeting my expectations.
This was a another buddy read with Kaceey!
Thank you to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and Emily Carpenter for an arc of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Published on NetGalley and Goodreads on 2.20.19.
A Slow Burning Mystery/Suspense.
When Erin’s husband Perry dies, Erin falls apart, while her teenage daughter Shorie keeps it together - all while starting her Freshman year at College. A few years ago, friends Erin, Perry, Ben and Sabine formed “Jax” an uber successful online budgeting company that helps people keep track of their finances. With Perry’s death, Erin wants to sell, something her partners don’t agree with. The thing is, that Erin hasn’t exactly been herself lately (Surprise, Surprise!) and no one trust her to make sound business decisions. Her partners think the best plan of action is to send Erin off to “Hidden Sands” a rest and rehabilitation retreat in the Caribbean instead. Ahh.. can you feel the sun, and the sand? Feels heavenly!
Shorie is a computer whiz thus she can’t help but keep tabs on Jax while she’s away and that’s when she starts noticing a few things that appear to be suspicious. Meanwhile, things at Hidden Sands aren’t magical after all.
What started out as an interesting ride, quickly became predictable and somewhat confusing. “Until the Day I Die” is the second novel I’ve read by Emily Carpenter and while this one wasn’t as far-fetched as “Every Single Secret,” I found it lacking in intrigue. I’ve been reading a lot of thrillers these last few years so perhaps this was just a case of my highly anticipating this novel and it not quite meeting my expectations.
This was a another buddy read with Kaceey!
Thank you to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and Emily Carpenter for an arc of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Published on NetGalley and Goodreads on 2.20.19.
February 18, 2019
2.75/3 stars
Erin Gaines is overwhelmed. Her husband is dead and their company, Jax, which they started with their friends, is doing well, yet she is considering selling. She is insisting that her daughter, Shorie, attend college classes and not stay home to work at Jax. Erin appears to be distracted and is making mistakes at work and it is affecting her relationships. When her friends and daughter have an intervention for her, it is determined that she should go to spa resort to get back on track.
This is a book that I was highly anticipating. I had very high hopes and was so intrigued by the description. I dove in and found the beginning to be slow but was convinced that this book was going to pick up. It did. The middle became interesting but then things slowed down again. I found the ending to be convenient and not plausible.
This book picked up for me when Erin arrived at the Spa retreat. The characters there were interesting, and the pace picked up for me. The middle had that something-is-going-to-go-down feel to it. I could just feel that something was going to happen. But what? Just what the heck is going on? This section of the book was fun and slightly campy (bad pun) and at times felt like a made for TV or lifeline movie.
Then things slowed down for me again. My biggest two issues with this book are that I did not feel connected to any of the characters and the slow sections. I have enjoyed other books by this Author and will keep reading, this one just didn’t live up to my high expectations. The beginning and the ending took away from my enjoyment. I could look past the slow beginning, but the ending didn't work for me. In a lot of books, I can suspend disbelief when things seem far-fetched, but I had a hard time with it in this book.
I can't fault the writing. Emily Carpenter is a talented writer and I look forward to reading more books by her.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Erin Gaines is overwhelmed. Her husband is dead and their company, Jax, which they started with their friends, is doing well, yet she is considering selling. She is insisting that her daughter, Shorie, attend college classes and not stay home to work at Jax. Erin appears to be distracted and is making mistakes at work and it is affecting her relationships. When her friends and daughter have an intervention for her, it is determined that she should go to spa resort to get back on track.
This is a book that I was highly anticipating. I had very high hopes and was so intrigued by the description. I dove in and found the beginning to be slow but was convinced that this book was going to pick up. It did. The middle became interesting but then things slowed down again. I found the ending to be convenient and not plausible.
This book picked up for me when Erin arrived at the Spa retreat. The characters there were interesting, and the pace picked up for me. The middle had that something-is-going-to-go-down feel to it. I could just feel that something was going to happen. But what? Just what the heck is going on? This section of the book was fun and slightly campy (bad pun) and at times felt like a made for TV or lifeline movie.
Then things slowed down for me again. My biggest two issues with this book are that I did not feel connected to any of the characters and the slow sections. I have enjoyed other books by this Author and will keep reading, this one just didn’t live up to my high expectations. The beginning and the ending took away from my enjoyment. I could look past the slow beginning, but the ending didn't work for me. In a lot of books, I can suspend disbelief when things seem far-fetched, but I had a hard time with it in this book.
I can't fault the writing. Emily Carpenter is a talented writer and I look forward to reading more books by her.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 23, 2019
2.5 Stars
A highly anticipated book that left me so disappointed.
I read this one with a couple of our Traveling Sisters and we had similar thoughts on this one. It's not often we all struggle with a story. Disappointing was a word that was used quite often in our discussion.
I really struggled with the authenticity of the story. The characters and their actions didn't feel real and I was convinced the twist was that they all were play acting. When the twist came in, it was all so disappointing. Did I say that already?
Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for my copy to read and review.
A highly anticipated book that left me so disappointed.
I read this one with a couple of our Traveling Sisters and we had similar thoughts on this one. It's not often we all struggle with a story. Disappointing was a word that was used quite often in our discussion.
I really struggled with the authenticity of the story. The characters and their actions didn't feel real and I was convinced the twist was that they all were play acting. When the twist came in, it was all so disappointing. Did I say that already?
Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for my copy to read and review.
April 5, 2019
this was an entertaining thriller packed with twists, turns and delights!
Emily Carpenter will take you on a wild and crazy ride in this outrageouss thriller! This is one of those books where you just need to throw believability out the window and settle in for a deliciously indulgent story. I mean it is called fiction for a reason, and sometimes it is nice just to escape reality and have some fun! This book is definitely over the top and will cause some eye rolling, but I loved... EVERY! SINGLE! MINUTE!
Shorie is heading to Auburn university, and is less than thrilled about it. She is still grieving for the loss of her father and would rather stay home and work for the family company Jax. Jax is a hugely popular app that monitors your spending and keeps you on budget as well as on task. Erin, Shorie’s mom is insisting that she go to college, she is also deep in grief and contemplating selling the company. The problem is the company’s other partners aren’t too keen to sell, and Erin has been acting irrationally lately. After Erin shows up to a frat party on Shorie’s first night at Auburn seemingly drunk, she is rushed off to rehab/restoration in the Caribbean. Meanwhile Shorie has discovered some anomalies at Jax and is determined to find out what is going on. What transpires is a whirlwind of action that will keep you quickly flipping those pages!
The story bounces between two storylines told from Shorie and Erin’s perspectives. Admittedly I was instantly drawn into Shorie’s story while it took me a little more time to get into Erin’s mess. However, once Erin sets foot into that lush creepy rehab/restoration center I was hooked. The characters were well drawn, the plot was perfectly paced, this was just a good time fun read. Recommend!
*** many thanks to Lake Union for my copy of this book ***
September 10, 2019
Erin Gaines life is full of problems:
1) She has lost her husband Perry to a freak car accident and hasn't come to terms with it.
2) She is adamant in her decision to sell off the app company Jax that she and Perry had created with their best friends and business partners, Ben and Sabine even though it's doing very well.
3) She and her daughter Shorie, who would much rather work in the company than go to university are not on best terms.
4) Her family and friends are concerned about her well being and growing dependency on alcohol as they feel she is making irrational decisions which comes to a high when she creates a scene in an intoxicated state at Shorie's frat party.
All these things lead them to make a decision to send her off to an exclusive resort spa in the Caribbean Islands for a few weeks where she can de-stress and get her bearings back on track and they all insist they have her best interests at heart. But do they? Because the moment Erin steps in the resort she begins to question the going ons over there and soon discovers that she has been sent here to be permanently removed. Moreover, back home, Shorie around the same time discovers there is a glitch in the app which should not be there and on further investigation, it leads her to uncovering an embezzlement plot which could be the work of someone really close and the realisation that her mother's life is in definite danger.
The book kind of started out slow but picked up momentum around the point when Erin reaches the resort spa and from there onwards it did not slow down at all. The characters are well etched and interesting and even though there were certain bits that seemed over the top, it still was a really thrilling book to read.
My thanks to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and the author Emily Carpenter for providing me with an e-ARC of the book. I am a little late in putting up a review and I apologise for that.
1) She has lost her husband Perry to a freak car accident and hasn't come to terms with it.
2) She is adamant in her decision to sell off the app company Jax that she and Perry had created with their best friends and business partners, Ben and Sabine even though it's doing very well.
3) She and her daughter Shorie, who would much rather work in the company than go to university are not on best terms.
4) Her family and friends are concerned about her well being and growing dependency on alcohol as they feel she is making irrational decisions which comes to a high when she creates a scene in an intoxicated state at Shorie's frat party.
All these things lead them to make a decision to send her off to an exclusive resort spa in the Caribbean Islands for a few weeks where she can de-stress and get her bearings back on track and they all insist they have her best interests at heart. But do they? Because the moment Erin steps in the resort she begins to question the going ons over there and soon discovers that she has been sent here to be permanently removed. Moreover, back home, Shorie around the same time discovers there is a glitch in the app which should not be there and on further investigation, it leads her to uncovering an embezzlement plot which could be the work of someone really close and the realisation that her mother's life is in definite danger.
The book kind of started out slow but picked up momentum around the point when Erin reaches the resort spa and from there onwards it did not slow down at all. The characters are well etched and interesting and even though there were certain bits that seemed over the top, it still was a really thrilling book to read.
My thanks to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and the author Emily Carpenter for providing me with an e-ARC of the book. I am a little late in putting up a review and I apologise for that.
April 7, 2019
3.5 stars.
When Erin's husband Perry dies, she seems to begin to slowly unravel, wrapped in her grief. Her 18-year-old daughter Shorie is to go to college, so Erin agrees to to a spa resort Hidden Sands on a Caribbean island to regain her mental equilibrium. However, appearances are deceptive and there seem to be some suspicious dealings around Jax, Perry and Erin's tech company. Computer-savvy Shorie starts digging to reveal a few well-hidden secrets.
Although the pace was a bit uneven (slow-faster-slow), the characters are well-written and move the story forward.
I did enjoy reading this thriller and will be looking forward to reading more novels from Emily Carpenter.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest opinion.
When Erin's husband Perry dies, she seems to begin to slowly unravel, wrapped in her grief. Her 18-year-old daughter Shorie is to go to college, so Erin agrees to to a spa resort Hidden Sands on a Caribbean island to regain her mental equilibrium. However, appearances are deceptive and there seem to be some suspicious dealings around Jax, Perry and Erin's tech company. Computer-savvy Shorie starts digging to reveal a few well-hidden secrets.
Although the pace was a bit uneven (slow-faster-slow), the characters are well-written and move the story forward.
I did enjoy reading this thriller and will be looking forward to reading more novels from Emily Carpenter.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest opinion.
May 11, 2019
Wow... this is quite the page turner with more twists than I could count! Very enjoyable read! ⭐️
There are unrealistic details to the story and I see some readers had issues with that. But it’s fiction and I didn’t have any problem with those allowances. Overall I was very invested in these characters- they were all struggling with grief, how to move forward, and who to trust. Written in alternating perspectives of the mom and daughter, the chapters are clearly marked and easily distinguishable.
Many thanks to NetGalley and publishers for the advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
There are unrealistic details to the story and I see some readers had issues with that. But it’s fiction and I didn’t have any problem with those allowances. Overall I was very invested in these characters- they were all struggling with grief, how to move forward, and who to trust. Written in alternating perspectives of the mom and daughter, the chapters are clearly marked and easily distinguishable.
Many thanks to NetGalley and publishers for the advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
February 26, 2019
Not bad, but not great either. For sure it is a fast-past thriller with a lot of twists. But for me it was too chaotic. I really like the main characters Erin and her daughter Shore but some situations that they were in were just weird and impossible in real life.
It was my first book written by Emily Carpenter but not last, I will definitely check her other thrillers.
Thank you to Net Galley and Lake Union Publishing for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
It was my first book written by Emily Carpenter but not last, I will definitely check her other thrillers.
Thank you to Net Galley and Lake Union Publishing for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 30, 2019
I have to say, now that I’ve read my second psychological thriller by Emily Carpenter, she is firmly cemented in my top go-to thriller authors. Until the Day I Die had so many of the qualities that I fell in love with when I read Every Single Secret, and at the same time was so unique that it felt fresh, edgy, and most importantly, THRILLING!!! From the slow build, to the immense distrust I felt, followed by the W-T-F is happening and who do I trust??? (The answer is no one) Emily Carpenter nailed the thriller genre once again, and I cannot wait to talk more about it (spoiler free)!
Grieving widow and now-single-mum Erin Gaines is handling things as best she can. But her best isn’t good enough for many of her friends and family. Erin is slipping a bit, showing a few red flags. But she is trying to do her best for her daughter, Shorie. Despite Shorie’s wishes, Erin is encouraging her to take her scholarship to Auburn and get a degree. Jax, the company Erin and her late husband Perry founded with four of their best friends, will be there when Shorie graduates. Maybe.
The thing is, Erin thinks it may be time to sell. Jax is a top-rated app. But without Perry around as the brains of it all, Erin isn’t sure it makes sense to keep it. They could all have a nice payday finally selling it off, and then work on the next thing. Shorie is devastated, because working on Jax has been such a part of her life with her parents and their friends.
I loved Erin and Shorie both in different ways. The thing about Erin is, she was hard to root for at first. She is so self-destructive. What is truly going on with her? Meanwhile, 18 year-old Shorie thinks she knows what is best for herself. But of course, the PhD in me was like “Get your degree, the rest will be there when you finish!” Shorie was honestly a bit selfish. But at the same time, I loved Shorie and Erin. They were a mix of brilliant and broken, which was so compelling for me as a reader.
When Erin’s friends suggest she go to a resort that is also a rehabilitation program, Erin will do anything she can to keep her daughter on track. So she goes. And this is where the story gets…WEIRD! In a good way! This resort is unlike anything you’ve read about. Everything from the workers, to the other guests, to the enigmatic owner Antonia were GRIPPING! I had to know more!
And perhaps the resort isn’t all that it seems. Erin’s first few hours there had me dropping my jaw in shock. Truly—I can’t say more about this because you need to read it! This is one of those delicious thrillers where you’ll have no idea who to trust. In fact, midway through I posted to Instagram that I distrusted EVERYONE. And I mean EVERYONE.
I am so thriller for readers to experience this twisty-turny story. It has all the “I can’t believe what I’m reading” from Emily Carpenter’s last book, but an entirely fresh and unique story.
I did a buddy read with Berit at Audio Killed the Bookmark on this one and we absolutely loved it! Check out her blog, and make sure to get a copy immediately! Thank you to Amazon Publishing and Lake Union Publishing specifically for my copy.
Grieving widow and now-single-mum Erin Gaines is handling things as best she can. But her best isn’t good enough for many of her friends and family. Erin is slipping a bit, showing a few red flags. But she is trying to do her best for her daughter, Shorie. Despite Shorie’s wishes, Erin is encouraging her to take her scholarship to Auburn and get a degree. Jax, the company Erin and her late husband Perry founded with four of their best friends, will be there when Shorie graduates. Maybe.
The thing is, Erin thinks it may be time to sell. Jax is a top-rated app. But without Perry around as the brains of it all, Erin isn’t sure it makes sense to keep it. They could all have a nice payday finally selling it off, and then work on the next thing. Shorie is devastated, because working on Jax has been such a part of her life with her parents and their friends.
I loved Erin and Shorie both in different ways. The thing about Erin is, she was hard to root for at first. She is so self-destructive. What is truly going on with her? Meanwhile, 18 year-old Shorie thinks she knows what is best for herself. But of course, the PhD in me was like “Get your degree, the rest will be there when you finish!” Shorie was honestly a bit selfish. But at the same time, I loved Shorie and Erin. They were a mix of brilliant and broken, which was so compelling for me as a reader.
When Erin’s friends suggest she go to a resort that is also a rehabilitation program, Erin will do anything she can to keep her daughter on track. So she goes. And this is where the story gets…WEIRD! In a good way! This resort is unlike anything you’ve read about. Everything from the workers, to the other guests, to the enigmatic owner Antonia were GRIPPING! I had to know more!
And perhaps the resort isn’t all that it seems. Erin’s first few hours there had me dropping my jaw in shock. Truly—I can’t say more about this because you need to read it! This is one of those delicious thrillers where you’ll have no idea who to trust. In fact, midway through I posted to Instagram that I distrusted EVERYONE. And I mean EVERYONE.
I am so thriller for readers to experience this twisty-turny story. It has all the “I can’t believe what I’m reading” from Emily Carpenter’s last book, but an entirely fresh and unique story.
I did a buddy read with Berit at Audio Killed the Bookmark on this one and we absolutely loved it! Check out her blog, and make sure to get a copy immediately! Thank you to Amazon Publishing and Lake Union Publishing specifically for my copy.
February 10, 2019
This book is described as a mystery/thriller, but it takes forever for any real mystery to get underway. It reads like women’s fiction until halfway through the book.
Erin is adrift since her husband died five months ago. She sees her daughter, Shorie, off to college, but then seems to drive drunk and behave erratically, so her family ships her off to a remote island to rest and regroup—she’s been either working constantly or sleeping, and her family and friends claim they are concerned. Shorie doesn’t want to go to school; she wants to keep working at the company her parents founded. Once Shorie is at school and Erin is on the island, strange things happen.
The thing about suspense novels is that you usually feel anxious about the characters’ well being almost right away. A little backstory, and then you should be thinking, uh-oh, how is she going to prevail from this dilemma? In Until the Day I Die, you don’t feel that until the halfway point, so it’s an OK novel, but it’s not nearly as well done as the other books by Emily Carpenter that I’ve read.
Thanks so much to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book, which RELEASES MARCH 12, 2019.
For more reviews, please visit http://www.theresaalan.net/blog
Erin is adrift since her husband died five months ago. She sees her daughter, Shorie, off to college, but then seems to drive drunk and behave erratically, so her family ships her off to a remote island to rest and regroup—she’s been either working constantly or sleeping, and her family and friends claim they are concerned. Shorie doesn’t want to go to school; she wants to keep working at the company her parents founded. Once Shorie is at school and Erin is on the island, strange things happen.
The thing about suspense novels is that you usually feel anxious about the characters’ well being almost right away. A little backstory, and then you should be thinking, uh-oh, how is she going to prevail from this dilemma? In Until the Day I Die, you don’t feel that until the halfway point, so it’s an OK novel, but it’s not nearly as well done as the other books by Emily Carpenter that I’ve read.
Thanks so much to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book, which RELEASES MARCH 12, 2019.
For more reviews, please visit http://www.theresaalan.net/blog
June 8, 2019
If this had of been written in 1988 (although the plot would have to be altered technology-wise) this would've worked, but we've long moved on from that type of outlandish thriller.
2.5 rounded up to 3.
Erin – CEO of a company, responsible for developing a successful personal budget app called Jax It's been several months since her husband died in a car accident, and she's finding it hard to cope. Following a family and friends intervention, Erin agrees to a stay at an exclusive rehabilitation spa facility in the Caribbean to rest and recuperate. But everything is not as it seems at the Hidden Sands retreat.
Shorie – Erin's 18 year-old daughter. Her father taught her everything he knew about programming and the inner workings of Jax. All she wants is to follow in his footsteps and work for the company, but at her parents wishes, she leaves home for college. Within days of arriving on campus, she stumbles across a random error message in the coding of Jax. The more she investigates, the more convinced she becomes that someone is embezzling money from the company.
The first half set the scene nicely, was intriguing and foreboding and the descriptions of the tropical island resort were vividly detailed. Unfortunately from then on things descended into the realm of cheesiness, with every cliché you can imagine crammed into a suspense plot, and the epilogue was downright ridiculous and utterly unnecessary. Admittedly I was entertained, and am still chuckling over some parts, but I don't think that's the effect the author was going for? If you can suspend your disbelief and you're in the mood for light, mindless entertainment then you possibly will enjoy this.
I had no issues with the writing, and mother/daughter duo, Erin and Shorie were likeable characters I cared about. Shorie was a little too capable and worldly given her young age, but since she was supposed to be highly gifted academically I can forgive it. With 50% of the book narrated by a teenager – settling into freshman life, first college boyfriend, etc – I think a good target audience would be New Adult, and YA.
This was my first read by Emily Carpenter, and with the right plot I may consent to read another one, but Until the Day I Die just didn't work for me.
I'd like to thank Netgalley, Lake Union Publishing, and Emily Carpenter for the e-ARC.
Available Now!
2.5 rounded up to 3.
Erin – CEO of a company, responsible for developing a successful personal budget app called Jax It's been several months since her husband died in a car accident, and she's finding it hard to cope. Following a family and friends intervention, Erin agrees to a stay at an exclusive rehabilitation spa facility in the Caribbean to rest and recuperate. But everything is not as it seems at the Hidden Sands retreat.
Shorie – Erin's 18 year-old daughter. Her father taught her everything he knew about programming and the inner workings of Jax. All she wants is to follow in his footsteps and work for the company, but at her parents wishes, she leaves home for college. Within days of arriving on campus, she stumbles across a random error message in the coding of Jax. The more she investigates, the more convinced she becomes that someone is embezzling money from the company.
The first half set the scene nicely, was intriguing and foreboding and the descriptions of the tropical island resort were vividly detailed. Unfortunately from then on things descended into the realm of cheesiness, with every cliché you can imagine crammed into a suspense plot, and the epilogue was downright ridiculous and utterly unnecessary. Admittedly I was entertained, and am still chuckling over some parts, but I don't think that's the effect the author was going for? If you can suspend your disbelief and you're in the mood for light, mindless entertainment then you possibly will enjoy this.
I had no issues with the writing, and mother/daughter duo, Erin and Shorie were likeable characters I cared about. Shorie was a little too capable and worldly given her young age, but since she was supposed to be highly gifted academically I can forgive it. With 50% of the book narrated by a teenager – settling into freshman life, first college boyfriend, etc – I think a good target audience would be New Adult, and YA.
This was my first read by Emily Carpenter, and with the right plot I may consent to read another one, but Until the Day I Die just didn't work for me.
I'd like to thank Netgalley, Lake Union Publishing, and Emily Carpenter for the e-ARC.
Available Now!
February 24, 2019
I have heard amazing things about Emily Carpenter and was super excited to get my hands on her newest book!
This was my first read by Emily Carpenter and I can see why she has so many fans!!
The beginning of this one started off very very slow... I was worried to be honest that this was going to be a DNF for me! But, it slowly started to creep up like a boogie man with twists and turns that you don't see coming!
I really loved Emily Carpenter's writing! It's superb and utterly addicting to the max. She weaves her readers into the Carpenter web and won't let you go ;). The way that she describes the island... boy can you feel that tropical breeze, see the beautiful ocean, and smell that sweet scent of ocean.
I really liked the dual characters of going back and forth between mother and daughter. It was addicting and very enertaining.
The only issues that had with this one was the ending. It was a tad unbelievable in my opinion and was a bit disappointed.
Overall, definitely enjoyed this one and will be looking out for more by Emily Carpenter!
3 stars for Until The Day I Die
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
Published to Goodreads: 2/3/19
Publication date: 3/12/19
This was my first read by Emily Carpenter and I can see why she has so many fans!!
The beginning of this one started off very very slow... I was worried to be honest that this was going to be a DNF for me! But, it slowly started to creep up like a boogie man with twists and turns that you don't see coming!
I really loved Emily Carpenter's writing! It's superb and utterly addicting to the max. She weaves her readers into the Carpenter web and won't let you go ;). The way that she describes the island... boy can you feel that tropical breeze, see the beautiful ocean, and smell that sweet scent of ocean.
I really liked the dual characters of going back and forth between mother and daughter. It was addicting and very enertaining.
The only issues that had with this one was the ending. It was a tad unbelievable in my opinion and was a bit disappointed.
Overall, definitely enjoyed this one and will be looking out for more by Emily Carpenter!
3 stars for Until The Day I Die
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
Published to Goodreads: 2/3/19
Publication date: 3/12/19
March 12, 2019
Having enjoyed Emily Carpenter's three previous novels I was excited to dive into this, her fourth thriller to date, and those who appreciated those earlier books will find more of the same in Until the Day I Die. It moves at a fair old pace right from the beginning building up the tension as it progresses then around the halfway point it picks up to very pacy and doesn't let up until the end. Hurtling towards the conclusion was fun and the whole novel I found to be well plotted, superbly gripping and highly entertaining; I read it in a single breathtaking sitting just as it demanded me to do.
Many thanks to Lake Union Publishing for an ARC.
Many thanks to Lake Union Publishing for an ARC.
September 3, 2019
This is definitely a slow burner.
I have read this authors books and was aware she took a slight deviation writing this one. I chose to read it as I love her writing style.
I kept picking it up and putting it down several times as well as listening to a different book on audio.
I decided to give this book my undivided attention. So by the time I got to the 50% mark it got better. However I can’t say if I loved this book? I think I liked it, that will be my preferable word. I certainly didn’t hate it that’s for sure.
The heartbreak in the book was so well written as was the relationship between mother and daughter.
I’m not sure if I’d class it under psychological thriller though as it’s more of a mystery/whodunnit to me. I’m thinking maybe I went in hoping for more classed on her previous books.
I’m glad I got to read it though or I’d be forever wondering.
It’s not put me off following her for more books .
I anticipate what she writes next.
I have read this authors books and was aware she took a slight deviation writing this one. I chose to read it as I love her writing style.
I kept picking it up and putting it down several times as well as listening to a different book on audio.
I decided to give this book my undivided attention. So by the time I got to the 50% mark it got better. However I can’t say if I loved this book? I think I liked it, that will be my preferable word. I certainly didn’t hate it that’s for sure.
The heartbreak in the book was so well written as was the relationship between mother and daughter.
I’m not sure if I’d class it under psychological thriller though as it’s more of a mystery/whodunnit to me. I’m thinking maybe I went in hoping for more classed on her previous books.
I’m glad I got to read it though or I’d be forever wondering.
It’s not put me off following her for more books .
I anticipate what she writes next.
March 6, 2019
Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for a digital galley in exchange for an honest review.
Well, I have already confessed that I pick books just because of their pretty covers. Other times, when it happens, I choose a book purely because one of the protagonists has the same first name as I do. Weird? Yes, probably a bit, but we readers all have our little quirks!
In Until the Day I Die, Erin Gaines and her teenage daughter, Shorie, are still coping with the untimely death of their beloved husband and father, Perry. As Shorie heads off to college, friends and family express their concern for Erin and decide to hold an "intervention." While her mother is sent to get better on a far off island, Shorie soon discovers that something is rotten within her parents' communications company. As she digs deeper, Shorie begins to question who can she trust and can she reach her mother before it is too late.
I read this in a single afternoon, but I find myself feeling a bit out of sorts in the story as a whole. There was plenty of intrigue and I wanted my questions answered, but Erin's storyline was a bit wacky( not sure if that is the correct word). Then again it is fiction and anything goes. As an aside,I think this would a great movie for Sandra Bullock though as it has the same pace as Speed. There was certainly a feeling that this could possibly be shaping up to be a series based on the epilogue.
All in all, not a bad book, but not a great one either.
Goodreads review 06/03/19
Publication Date 12/03/19
Well, I have already confessed that I pick books just because of their pretty covers. Other times, when it happens, I choose a book purely because one of the protagonists has the same first name as I do. Weird? Yes, probably a bit, but we readers all have our little quirks!
In Until the Day I Die, Erin Gaines and her teenage daughter, Shorie, are still coping with the untimely death of their beloved husband and father, Perry. As Shorie heads off to college, friends and family express their concern for Erin and decide to hold an "intervention." While her mother is sent to get better on a far off island, Shorie soon discovers that something is rotten within her parents' communications company. As she digs deeper, Shorie begins to question who can she trust and can she reach her mother before it is too late.
I read this in a single afternoon, but I find myself feeling a bit out of sorts in the story as a whole. There was plenty of intrigue and I wanted my questions answered, but Erin's storyline was a bit wacky( not sure if that is the correct word). Then again it is fiction and anything goes. As an aside,I think this would a great movie for Sandra Bullock though as it has the same pace as Speed. There was certainly a feeling that this could possibly be shaping up to be a series based on the epilogue.
All in all, not a bad book, but not a great one either.
Goodreads review 06/03/19
Publication Date 12/03/19
March 13, 2019
3.5 stars to this cybercrime novel
I really didn’t know what to expect with this one as I haven’t read anything by this author, and I didn’t read any summaries. It was a crazy adventure, a bit implausible in parts, but with a few good twists thrown in.
Erin is the CEO of a tech company trying to recover from the death of her husband. She really seems to be falling apart and is sent to a spa. I immediately thought of “Nine Perfect Strangers” and I wondered what sort of adventure this spa would be for Erin.
The other main character is Erin’s daughter Shorie and I really liked her character. She’s deeply involved in the tech company, but her parents wanted her to attend college and experience that part of life. She heads off to college but starts to have worries about the company while her mother is away.
Full of intrigue, conspiracy, and online crime – this was a quick easy read. I will definitely read more from Emily Carpenter.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing, NetGalley, and Emily Carpenter for a copy of the book to read in return for a review.
I really didn’t know what to expect with this one as I haven’t read anything by this author, and I didn’t read any summaries. It was a crazy adventure, a bit implausible in parts, but with a few good twists thrown in.
Erin is the CEO of a tech company trying to recover from the death of her husband. She really seems to be falling apart and is sent to a spa. I immediately thought of “Nine Perfect Strangers” and I wondered what sort of adventure this spa would be for Erin.
The other main character is Erin’s daughter Shorie and I really liked her character. She’s deeply involved in the tech company, but her parents wanted her to attend college and experience that part of life. She heads off to college but starts to have worries about the company while her mother is away.
Full of intrigue, conspiracy, and online crime – this was a quick easy read. I will definitely read more from Emily Carpenter.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing, NetGalley, and Emily Carpenter for a copy of the book to read in return for a review.
February 14, 2022
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My friend Heather and I recently read EVERY SINGLE SECRET by this author and I really, really loved it. When she proposed bingeing through some of this author's other works, I was like, "Um, let me think about that... HELL YES!" UNTIL THE DAY I DIE was the first book we decided to read because, you know, tech companies and family dramas and tropical wilderness retreats, oh my.
Heather really liked this book. Sadly, I did not. In fact, I kept texting her, "Idk, I think I might bail," like a total killjoy. As someone who works in tech, I thought the tech company angle was a little silly. I didn't like the dual POVs, either. I was never won over by Shorie, the narrator, who mostly felt like she was just there to take up space and pad out the tension and, of course, help save the day. Erin was a more interesting narrator but I didn't really care for her much, either. And the big twist didn't wow me the way the one in ESS did.
Also, side note: both EVERY SINGLE SECRET and UNTIL THE DAY I DIE take place in shitty therapy retreats. No shade, but I'm kind of wondering if the author went to a shitty therapy retreat and she's just decided to use her shitty experiences for book fuel. If so, good for her. Having been to a shitty therapy session myself, I gotta say, if the person isn't doing their job well, the experience can feel so toxic. Anyway, just something I observed.
2 stars
March 13, 2019
3.5 stars
Emily Carpenter has become one of my favorite new authors, so I was really excited when I saw she was coming out with a new book. Carpenter has become synonymous with words like creepy, gothic, chilling and suspenseful. However, Until the Day I Die was really none of those things. This is not to say that I didn’t enjoy the book, but it was just “lighter” than her other works. Dare I say this was more Women’s Fiction than anything else? I say “yes”.
While the story is engaging and Carpenters writing is spot on, the whole thing just felt… unbelievable? Far-fetched? Typically I do not have any issues suspending belief when it comes to stories regarding time travel, the supernatural and fantasy. However, this story was so current and “actual” that I found myself really having a hard time believing L’elu Trois and everything else that revolved around it.
Please do not mistake this review for a bad one; I read this book in 3 sittings, the pace moved along and the story had me fully engaged. I just don’t think it is on par with Carpenter’s other works.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing for my copy of this book via NetGalley
Emily Carpenter has become one of my favorite new authors, so I was really excited when I saw she was coming out with a new book. Carpenter has become synonymous with words like creepy, gothic, chilling and suspenseful. However, Until the Day I Die was really none of those things. This is not to say that I didn’t enjoy the book, but it was just “lighter” than her other works. Dare I say this was more Women’s Fiction than anything else? I say “yes”.
While the story is engaging and Carpenters writing is spot on, the whole thing just felt… unbelievable? Far-fetched? Typically I do not have any issues suspending belief when it comes to stories regarding time travel, the supernatural and fantasy. However, this story was so current and “actual” that I found myself really having a hard time believing L’elu Trois and everything else that revolved around it.
Please do not mistake this review for a bad one; I read this book in 3 sittings, the pace moved along and the story had me fully engaged. I just don’t think it is on par with Carpenter’s other works.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing for my copy of this book via NetGalley
March 7, 2019
3.5/5
I’ve read three of Carpenter’s books now and I’m so impressed by how vastly different each of her books are. There’s nothing formulaic about her books, she doesn’t regurgitate the same old tired storylines, instead she comes up with these unusual premises that end up being wildly entertaining.
This flips back and forth between Erin and her daughter Shorie and I adore multiple perspectives. While I liked and felt for Erin I was really enamored with Shorie and I think it’s because Carpenter captured the voice of a young woman so well. She felt genuine and believable and I kept thinking this one would even appeal to the YA crowd. This starts off on the slower side but then at the halfway point things get kicked into high gear and it was a nonstop race to the finish for me. Despite some slightly implausible moments I really enjoyed this one.
I’ve talked a lot before about how having the right expectations for certain books can really help and this is one where I feel like I should say this is exactly that sort of book. Is it a thriller? Yes, but it’s a slower burn with increasing tension as it progresses. Is it a mystery? Yes again, but parts are predictable for seasoned thriller readers so keep that in mind. Is it dark and menacing? Yes, but not in the usual way, there’s definitely danger but the menace is done in an over the top and dramatic fashion that certainly won’t be for everyone. Is it entertaining? Absolutely but the same kind of entertainment that I get when I watch a Lifetime movie, there’s definitely some moments where you have to suspend disbelief, some things are pretty far fetched. All of that to say that I enjoyed this one immensely and I hope by telling you what sort of book this truly is I’ll ensure you pick this one up with the right mindset.
I’ve read three of Carpenter’s books now and I’m so impressed by how vastly different each of her books are. There’s nothing formulaic about her books, she doesn’t regurgitate the same old tired storylines, instead she comes up with these unusual premises that end up being wildly entertaining.
This flips back and forth between Erin and her daughter Shorie and I adore multiple perspectives. While I liked and felt for Erin I was really enamored with Shorie and I think it’s because Carpenter captured the voice of a young woman so well. She felt genuine and believable and I kept thinking this one would even appeal to the YA crowd. This starts off on the slower side but then at the halfway point things get kicked into high gear and it was a nonstop race to the finish for me. Despite some slightly implausible moments I really enjoyed this one.
I’ve talked a lot before about how having the right expectations for certain books can really help and this is one where I feel like I should say this is exactly that sort of book. Is it a thriller? Yes, but it’s a slower burn with increasing tension as it progresses. Is it a mystery? Yes again, but parts are predictable for seasoned thriller readers so keep that in mind. Is it dark and menacing? Yes, but not in the usual way, there’s definitely danger but the menace is done in an over the top and dramatic fashion that certainly won’t be for everyone. Is it entertaining? Absolutely but the same kind of entertainment that I get when I watch a Lifetime movie, there’s definitely some moments where you have to suspend disbelief, some things are pretty far fetched. All of that to say that I enjoyed this one immensely and I hope by telling you what sort of book this truly is I’ll ensure you pick this one up with the right mindset.
March 6, 2019
Erin Gaines, her husband, and two friends created a tech company that has started to take off. Erin’s husband died unexpectedly, and Erin is grieving his loss. Her daughter Shorie is leaving for college, but wants to stay home and work at her parents company. Between their grieving and difference of opinions regarding Shorie’s future, the mother-daughter relationship has become strained. Erin is encouraged to go to an exclusive spa for help, but it turns out the spa is not the relaxing resort experience she was expecting.
Told with alternating viewpoints – Erin and Shorie. Erin is grieving, working too much, and doesn’t seem to be taking care of herself. Shorie is smart and resourceful, and wants to work with her parent’s tech company rather than go to college. Erin and Shorie love each other, but their relationship is strained with what is currently happening in their lives. Erin’s friends and family encourage her to attend a spa on a private island to help her get back on track. The island resort turns into a dangerous experience. While Erin is away on the island, Shorie starts to look into some questionable activity going on with the tech company.
An exciting thriller, especially the parts that take place in the jungle of the private island. This book combines a mystery at a tech company and a perilous island experience. Overall, a wild, mysterious, and fast-paced page turner.
I received a free eARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Told with alternating viewpoints – Erin and Shorie. Erin is grieving, working too much, and doesn’t seem to be taking care of herself. Shorie is smart and resourceful, and wants to work with her parent’s tech company rather than go to college. Erin and Shorie love each other, but their relationship is strained with what is currently happening in their lives. Erin’s friends and family encourage her to attend a spa on a private island to help her get back on track. The island resort turns into a dangerous experience. While Erin is away on the island, Shorie starts to look into some questionable activity going on with the tech company.
An exciting thriller, especially the parts that take place in the jungle of the private island. This book combines a mystery at a tech company and a perilous island experience. Overall, a wild, mysterious, and fast-paced page turner.
I received a free eARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 2, 2023
Incredible characters created by an excellent author!
Emily Carpenter is another fabulous author that has slipped by me without notice!
What would you do if your family and friends wanted to send you to an exclusive spa resort in the Caribbean Island for a few weeks of “Restoration”? Sign me up! I’m an easy target.
After Erin’s husband is suddenly killed in an accident, it appears she isn’t handling his death well. When they were younger, they created their business, Jax, with a couple of their best friends. They are like family and the company is hugely successful. But Erin doesn’t want to run the business without her husband and she plans to sell.
Her behavior becomes strange, even to herself, and her partners and family are worried. They gather behind her back, a resort stay is suggested, and an intervention is planned. They even include Shorie—her daughter. Shorie has been frustrated and embarrassed by her mother recently so she is all for the idea. But once her mother is on the island, she rethinks the decision. Did someone want Erin out of the way?
Erin and Shorie are incredible and strong characters. But who else can be trusted? The novel starts and ends with a rush. Oh…the last sentence of the Epilogue. It’s a beaut! This book is on Kindle Unlimited with audio narration and multiple narrators. They nail it!
“Until the Day I Die” is like a fast-moving train. You only get one chance to pick your correct stop, so choose well!
#UntilTheDayIDie #EmilyCarpenter #kindleunlimited #lakeunionpublishing #BrillianceAudio #audiobookreview #honestreview
Emily Carpenter is another fabulous author that has slipped by me without notice!
What would you do if your family and friends wanted to send you to an exclusive spa resort in the Caribbean Island for a few weeks of “Restoration”? Sign me up! I’m an easy target.
After Erin’s husband is suddenly killed in an accident, it appears she isn’t handling his death well. When they were younger, they created their business, Jax, with a couple of their best friends. They are like family and the company is hugely successful. But Erin doesn’t want to run the business without her husband and she plans to sell.
Her behavior becomes strange, even to herself, and her partners and family are worried. They gather behind her back, a resort stay is suggested, and an intervention is planned. They even include Shorie—her daughter. Shorie has been frustrated and embarrassed by her mother recently so she is all for the idea. But once her mother is on the island, she rethinks the decision. Did someone want Erin out of the way?
Erin and Shorie are incredible and strong characters. But who else can be trusted? The novel starts and ends with a rush. Oh…the last sentence of the Epilogue. It’s a beaut! This book is on Kindle Unlimited with audio narration and multiple narrators. They nail it!
“Until the Day I Die” is like a fast-moving train. You only get one chance to pick your correct stop, so choose well!
#UntilTheDayIDie #EmilyCarpenter #kindleunlimited #lakeunionpublishing #BrillianceAudio #audiobookreview #honestreview
March 24, 2019
An Interesting 3★ Book
Erin
"Perry lay on the hospital bed in the shadowy emergency room. In the curtained area, I could barely look at him, he was so bloody and still. He’d been driving from Columbus, Georgia, to meet us at the lake for a family camping trip, first one of the season. On 73, between Waverly and Roxana, he’d fallen asleep at the wheel, the police said. Veered off the narrow road and smashed his car into a pine tree. He hadn’t been wearing a seat belt, that idiot. After his meeting in Columbus, but before he’d gotten on the road, he’d met someone for drinks. A friend from college, Roy. Roy later swore to me that Perry only had one beer. The doctors did a blood test and didn’t find anything to warrant concern, but what did it matter anyway? This motionless body covered in blood was not my husband. My husband was gone."
Shori
"If only we could deal with people the way we deal with computers. Mom needs to be fixed. Maybe it’s not that simple with a human being, but I don’t know. I think finding someone smarter than me— a professional with experience—is worth a try.
Because clearly something is very wrong with my mother. And tonight, for the first time, I’m afraid if it doesn’t get fixed, something terrible is going to happen."
********
Until the Day I Die by Emily Carpenter started a bit slow for me and it didn't hold my attention very well but I stuck with it and the pace picked up and was interesting enough to read more quickly by the end. The story is not very realistic so it takes some imagination to fully enjoy it. It is a creative storyline but it needs a little more reality to be a thrilling novel.
Overall, the book wasn't terrible by any means but it just wasn't for me.
Thanks to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing, and author, Emily Carpenter, for my advanced digital copy to read and give an honest review.
Erin
"Perry lay on the hospital bed in the shadowy emergency room. In the curtained area, I could barely look at him, he was so bloody and still. He’d been driving from Columbus, Georgia, to meet us at the lake for a family camping trip, first one of the season. On 73, between Waverly and Roxana, he’d fallen asleep at the wheel, the police said. Veered off the narrow road and smashed his car into a pine tree. He hadn’t been wearing a seat belt, that idiot. After his meeting in Columbus, but before he’d gotten on the road, he’d met someone for drinks. A friend from college, Roy. Roy later swore to me that Perry only had one beer. The doctors did a blood test and didn’t find anything to warrant concern, but what did it matter anyway? This motionless body covered in blood was not my husband. My husband was gone."
Shori
"If only we could deal with people the way we deal with computers. Mom needs to be fixed. Maybe it’s not that simple with a human being, but I don’t know. I think finding someone smarter than me— a professional with experience—is worth a try.
Because clearly something is very wrong with my mother. And tonight, for the first time, I’m afraid if it doesn’t get fixed, something terrible is going to happen."
********
Until the Day I Die by Emily Carpenter started a bit slow for me and it didn't hold my attention very well but I stuck with it and the pace picked up and was interesting enough to read more quickly by the end. The story is not very realistic so it takes some imagination to fully enjoy it. It is a creative storyline but it needs a little more reality to be a thrilling novel.
Overall, the book wasn't terrible by any means but it just wasn't for me.
Thanks to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing, and author, Emily Carpenter, for my advanced digital copy to read and give an honest review.
March 8, 2019
Until The Day I Die was the second book by Emil Carpenter that I have read and the second one that I have loved. I read it very quickly, totally hooked on the story and wanting to know how it was all going to end. Sure all the warning signs were there that things were going to go horribly wrong - bring it on!!
Erin and Shorie Gaines are in morning. Perry was killed in a car accident, changing their world forever. Shorie, his daughter misses him terribly. They were like 2 peas in a pod and she got her love of computers and programming. They worked together on the app and program they all created. Erin, his wife is feeling overwhelmed by everything and decides she wants to sell the business. Their family and friends decide that Erin needs a break and send her to the Caribbean for a spa resort recovery. Only when she arrives nothing is how it seems and starts to fear for her life. Meanwhile Shorie discovers that all is not well with the business and that somebody is stealing money from other members of the app. Does any of this have anything to do with Perry's death?
Thanks to Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in ni way biased.
Erin and Shorie Gaines are in morning. Perry was killed in a car accident, changing their world forever. Shorie, his daughter misses him terribly. They were like 2 peas in a pod and she got her love of computers and programming. They worked together on the app and program they all created. Erin, his wife is feeling overwhelmed by everything and decides she wants to sell the business. Their family and friends decide that Erin needs a break and send her to the Caribbean for a spa resort recovery. Only when she arrives nothing is how it seems and starts to fear for her life. Meanwhile Shorie discovers that all is not well with the business and that somebody is stealing money from other members of the app. Does any of this have anything to do with Perry's death?
Thanks to Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in ni way biased.
February 13, 2019
4 shining stars!!
“Until The Day I Die” was my first, but definitely not last, book from Emily Carpenter. At first I though I was in for another domestic fiction novel but it quickly turned into this brilliant mystery/suspense story, that I simply could not put down (thank goodness for the snow day, today!). The book was a slow burn at the beginning with a hint, here and there, of something sinister beneath the surface ☺…and finally somewhere in the middle of the story, the “sitting-at-the-edge of my seat” suspense erupted and from there on…I was sold! The mother/daughter duo, Erin and Shorie, got my attention from the beginning. Both characters were well developed and likeable, and I really rooted for both of them. I was anxious at times for their wellbeing, and I distrusted almost every single person around them. I kept switching my suspicions from one person to another and I did not know who should be trusted, which I think made this story so much more thrilling. I also loved the atmospheric, tropical island resort setting with all of its sinister going-ons, which doesn’t surprise me since “Lord of the Flies” book by William Golding is one of my all time favorites.
The author did a superb job with the alternating POVs, and her writing was engaging and never tedious. I would undeniably recommend this book to all mystery/suspense fans.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Emily Carpenter, and Lake Union Publishing for giving me an opportunity to read and review an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
“Until The Day I Die” was my first, but definitely not last, book from Emily Carpenter. At first I though I was in for another domestic fiction novel but it quickly turned into this brilliant mystery/suspense story, that I simply could not put down (thank goodness for the snow day, today!). The book was a slow burn at the beginning with a hint, here and there, of something sinister beneath the surface ☺…and finally somewhere in the middle of the story, the “sitting-at-the-edge of my seat” suspense erupted and from there on…I was sold! The mother/daughter duo, Erin and Shorie, got my attention from the beginning. Both characters were well developed and likeable, and I really rooted for both of them. I was anxious at times for their wellbeing, and I distrusted almost every single person around them. I kept switching my suspicions from one person to another and I did not know who should be trusted, which I think made this story so much more thrilling. I also loved the atmospheric, tropical island resort setting with all of its sinister going-ons, which doesn’t surprise me since “Lord of the Flies” book by William Golding is one of my all time favorites.
The author did a superb job with the alternating POVs, and her writing was engaging and never tedious. I would undeniably recommend this book to all mystery/suspense fans.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Emily Carpenter, and Lake Union Publishing for giving me an opportunity to read and review an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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