Tell Me a Story (The Claire Goodnite Series Book 1) by jennifer rebecca Published on March 13, 2018
Genres: Romance, Suspense, Thriller
Pages: 243
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George Washington Township, New Jersey has seen its fair share of crime and tragedy. Most recently, a young boy is missing from his home and the tenacious Detective Claire Goodnite is eager to find him.
But the case is stirring up old memories best left forgotten. When a blast from her own past, FBI Special Agent Wesley O’Connell, turns up, Claire finds it hard to keep old ghosts at rest. And even harder to keep the sexy SAIC out of her case and her bed.
Claire Goodnite is the best damn detective in the state of New Jersey and you better believe she's coming for you.
I’m just going to come right out and say it: there is a lot I didn’t like about this book. But let me explain myself, and explain why I would still read the next one….
First and foremost – this is more a romance than it actually is a suspense or thriller novel. Like, mostly romance. Which for me is mildly disappointing, as I was excited about the suspense aspect, and I freaking love a good balance of romance and suspense! The crime she was actually working on solving was predictable. I won’t focus on it much. I should probably mention at this point that the more suspenseful parts may be a bit triggering, if you are worried and would like more info, see here >>> View Spoiler ». I do not want to spoil anything, but due to personal experiences feel like it should be stated. Moving on!
There was something about the writing style that just bugged me. Which is unusual, since that is actually something that doesn’t normally bother me. But that isn’t super important, I was able to move past it. But I realized quickly that I borderline dislike Claire. She is initially presented as this strong, self sufficient detective, a bad-ass, but quickly becomes wishy washy, immature, and walked all over. She takes extreme jumps to conclusions. She LITERALLY runs away from everything. She goes 0 to 60 when someone breathes wrong (or so it seems). However, I think Claire’s internal struggle with her past and the memories that haunt her are reflected well, so I really feel sympathy and sadness for her situation. I see her trying desperately to overcome her past and not be known as that girl anymore.
I would like to say I like any of the other characters, but I kind of don’t. Her brother and Wes are the worst. Trying to dictate her life and interfere with the job she is desperate to do? HELL NO. I WAS GETTING SO ANGRY. Wes is obnoxiously pushy. Her brother obnoxiously overbearing. I do like her best friend/psychologist Anna. She is funny and so likable. I hope we get more of her story in the future. Claire’s family seems pretty great too, so seeing more of them would be nice.
TMaS is one of those books that has unnecessary, weirdly placed, long sex scenes. For some of yall, I know it isn’t a problem. For me, there is a time and place, and there is such thing as too much of a good thing. I found myself skimming these parts, unfortunately. I’m not saying they are poorly written, just too frequent and badly placed for me. I know plenty of people who will love this about the book though!
Would I read the next one? YES. I don’t want it to seem like I am bashing this book, or that Jennifer Rebecca isn’t a talented author, because she is. I have read through plenty of books that have characters that I hate and such. I think my investment in this story is her past. I want to see her find peace. I want to see her regain all the memories, and I want to see her find the piece of garbage and DESTROY HIM. So I would definitely read on in this series, and see where her career and her memories take her.
AAANNNDDDD…. isn’t that cover just so PRETTY??!!! I love it. It captures the darkness of the story well!
About jennifer rebecca
Jennifer is a thirty something lover of words, all words: the written, the spoken, the sung (even poorly), the sweet, the funny, and even the four letter variety. She is a native of San Diego, California where she grew up reading the Brownings and Rebecca with her mother and Clifford and the Dog who Glowed in the Dark with her dad, much to her mother’s dismay.
Jennifer is a graduate of California State University San Marcos where she studied Criminology and Justice Studies. She is also an Alpha Xi Delta.
10 years ago, she was swept off her feet by her very own sailor. Today, they are happily married and the parents of a 8 year old and 6 year old twins. She can often be found in East Texas on the soccer fields, drawing with her children, or reading. Jennifer is convinced that if she puts her fitbit on one of the dogs, she might finally make her step goals. She loves a great romance, an alpha hero, and lots and lots of laughter.
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