Title: Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six
Author: Lisa Unger
Series: n/a
Slow, too much head-hopping
Much thanks to Lisa Unger, Harlequin Trade Publishing/Park Row, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. Boo to Harper Audio for denying me the audio edition. *raspberry*
This book is a slow burn for sure; the only thing intriguing in the beginning was the DNA tests from Santa in the prologue. Scratch that, the book’s just slow in general. Much of the introductions and arrivals to the cabin could have been slimmed and trimmed. Lots of inner monologue. It took FOREVER for something to actually happen, for the plot to kick in beyond “omg I think I saw something! No wait I’m drunk lol”
I didn’t mind switching back and forth from present to past, though I’ll always prefer a linear chronology; it was all the head hopping that drove me insane. Hannah, Trina, Henry, Bracken, Cricket, Liza, probably more I don’t remember. No! Just no. If you require that many points of view to tell your story, you’re not telling it well. I didn’t feel like I spent enough time with any of them to truly connect with any. Except maybe Henry, he was particularly sympathetic.
And I have to say, shame on you, Unger, for trying to get readers to be okay with Bracken’s voyeurism. Aww, poor guy, he has no one and just wants to understand people. Um, no, he was a fucking creep, and shame on that lady for not reporting him. Beyond that, we didn’t need his POV. That entire storyline could have been cut. He connected to nothing of the main plot, added nothing but wasted time.
Speaking of Bracken, is there a loose end regarding him? Was he connected to Liza? Or am I thinking of a different POV? See, all those POVs get tangled. Also, I wouldn’t have recommended making Bracken’s name so similar to Brandon’s, that’s almost deliberate confusion.
Another thing—was Alice’s murder ever solved, or did that remain a cold case? I can’t remember and don’t care enough to go back and look. I remember they said the case was this close to being solved but they didn’t have enough evidence to get enough evidence (lol) to charge anyone. Was that all the further it got? If so, that’s pretty unsatisfying for a mystery book.
Beyond the slowness, head-hopping, and Bracken, though, I did like this story. I enjoyed the mystery of who were donor babies and the drama surrounding it. I enjoyed the theme of family the narrative explored. Of nature versus nurture. I suppose it’s accurate enough to say I liked the story, just not how it was told/executed.
