The first 100 pages of this book were truly amazing. The story gripped me right from the start and I couldn't put it down. However, after the first plot twist, it seemed to slow down a little. But that didn't stop me from enjoying the story.

I went into this book blindly, not knowing what to expect. To my surprise, I really liked it. One of the things I loved about this book was the short chapters. They made the book read very quickly and easily.

The main character, Lauren, finds out that her husband is cheating on her in the very beginning of the book. From there, the story takes off and goes on a wild ride. I'm not going to tell you any more because I don't want to spoil it for you.

If you're looking for an erotica book, this is not the one for you. It maybe has one page of sex, but the rest of the book is all about suspense and drama. It's like a roller coaster ride that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

I'm glad I picked up this book because it got me back into reading. It's a great story that I would recommend to anyone who likes a good mystery or thriller.

Ah yes, what could this book be related to other than a big, steamy turd that James Patterson dropped? It's so hard to decide. The truth is, I truly believe he simply needed to offload one to his publisher, and this is what they ended up with. And as the title namesake implies, you feel dirty and bad about yourself for indulging in such a thing afterwards.

The plot is boring. In fact, towards the end, I was really hoping the protagonist would get what was coming to her. I think she deserved it. Don't try to build me up, buttercup, with the "her husband was an asshole" excuse. SHE is an asshole too. And really, "chapters" that are barely two paragraphs long are an insult to everyone's intelligence, James. Never mind putting it in the gigantic print to stretch that sucker out as long as humanly possible. I hope they did the same with your paycheck, James. It's an absolute tarp.

A crime story that initially gets off to a rather slow start can often deceive the reader. However, this particular one takes an unexpected turn and goes out with a resounding bang!! The plot is filled with twists and turns that keep the audience on the edge of their seats. The surprises are so numerous that they leave the reader in a state of shock and awe. The outrageous nature of the events that unfold is truly remarkable. It's a story that defies expectations at every turn. Wow!! One moment, you think you have it all figured out, and the next, everything is turned upside down. The slow build-up only serves to make the final explosion of action and drama even more intense. It's a crime story that will stay with you long after you've finished reading.

There really isn't a likable major character in the book.

I'm not opposed to flawed characters. In fact, flawed characters can add depth and complexity to a story. But at least one central character should be likable even if flawed!

Lauren suspects her husband is having an affair, so she has a fling. Her husband then kills her lover, and she does everything possible to protect her life as she knows it. She rationalizes it as protecting her husband because she thinks it's her fault she cheated. But all I saw was her grasping at straws for reasons why she can't lose her husband and career. She's supposed to be the most likable character, but I didn't like her at all!

The poor victim gets less sympathetic every couple of chapters (and that says a lot when the chapters are only 3 - 4 pages long). The husband (I won't spoil anything, but he isn't likable either). And even the cop partner, the honest, hardworking cop, is just as dirty as everyone else.

The thing about crime mysteries is that you usually get a satisfaction that in the end, the bad guys get their punishment and the good guys win. But this book has no good guys. There are bad guys, horrible guys, and then those who are supposed to protect and serve but really only serve their own interests. The bad guys get what they deserve (even if it isn't quite the reason they deserve it), and everybody looks the other way. And this is supposed to be a satisfactory ending? It really leaves a lot to be desired.

The title of the book, to me, was rather misleading.

There was only a fleeting passion between Peter and Lauren, which was just a one-time incident and not a series of multiple meetings as one might have expected from the title.

Nonetheless, I still thoroughly enjoyed reading the book. It had a certain charm that kept me hooked and excited with each page turn.

I was constantly eager to find out how the complex situational plot would ultimately resolve.

And despite all the chaotic twists and turns of events throughout the book, it managed to have a surprisingly tranquil ending.

Overall, it was a nice criminal story that offered an engaging and entertaining read.

It showed that even with a misleading title, a book can still capture the reader's attention and deliver a satisfying conclusion.

I would recommend this book to others who enjoy a good mystery with an unexpected ending.

Believe it or not, I just couldn't finish this! Patterson books usually seem to be read so quickly, so the fact that I couldn't finish this one should really come as a major surprise.

If there was an option for zero stars, this book would most definitely have earned a zero. It could very well be the most ridiculous novel that I've picked up in a long, long time. Patterson's writing has really taken a turn for the worse and has become dreadful.

I can only hazard a guess that perhaps his co-author wrote this and Patterson didn't even have the time to properly edit it before it went into publication. The characters in this book were completely unbelievable. They made decisions that no one in real life would ever make, and there was one gaping hole after another in the story line.

I simply couldn't bring myself to finish it for the fear that it might actually lower my IQ score! It was truly that bad.

I truly adored every single twist and turn that was present in the plot. It was a storyline that was completely unpredictable, which made it absolutely brilliant. The way the events unfolded kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. I had no idea what was going to happen next, and that element of surprise added so much excitement to the whole experience. Each new development was like a new discovery, taking me on a thrilling journey. I found myself completely immersed in the story, unable to put it down. The unpredictable nature of the plot made it stand out from other stories I've read, and it will definitely stay with me for a long time.

The storyline of this book seriously lacks credibility.

There are, however, certain parts of the story that manage to deceive you into believing that this could potentially be a book worthy of reading. But that's just an illusion.

In fact, it is definitely the worst Patterson book I have read to date.

The lack of believability in the plot makes it difficult to engage with the story on a deeper level.

While the author may have tried to create some elements that seem interesting initially, they ultimately fail to hold up under closer scrutiny.

It's a disappointment, especially considering Patterson's reputation as a well-known author.

I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a truly engaging and satisfying read.

There is no smut in this, despite the title!!

I have just finished reading this book and I have to say that I really enjoyed it. I would rate it 4.5 stars. The end reminded me very slightly of another book I read, which is the reason it didn't get a full 5 stars. However, aside from that, the story was engaging and the pace was fast, which kept me hooked from start to finish.

One of the things I loved about this book was the relationship between Lauren and Mike. He knew her so well and it was heartwarming to see how much he cared for her. Their interactions made me smile and added a nice touch to the story.

From the beginning, I had a feeling that Paul didn't know about the affair and that there was something deeper going on. And sure enough, when he was talking to Lauren about what "really happened", I could tell he was lying. It was interesting to see how the story unfolded and how all the pieces came together in the end.

I'm glad to have kicked off 2025 with this book, even though I started it during 2024. It was a great read and I would definitely recommend it to others.

Wow!

So many of the complications, tangles, twists and turns in the case I never saw coming, and neither did the main character, Lauren.

It's truly astonishing how the story unfolds in such an unexpected way.

One can't help but wonder how someone would react given a similar set of circumstances.

Would they be as confused and不知所措 as Lauren?

Or would they manage to find a way out more quickly?

Obviously, this story held my interest because I simply couldn't put it down.

I was constantly eager to know what would happen next, to see how Lauren would deal with the ever-changing situation.

The author did an excellent job of creating a sense of mystery and suspense that kept me engaged from start to finish.

I can't wait to see what other surprises this story has in store.

I really enjoyed this book.

It belongs to the kind of book that is extremely difficult to put down once you start reading.

The phrase 'one more chapter' perfectly describes this book.

It is just like 'The Quickie', which is not only engaging but also quite entertaining.

The story is filled with interesting plot twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat.

The characters are well-developed and you can easily relate to them.

The author has done a great job of creating a world that you want to be a part of.

Overall, it is a great read that I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a good book.

This short piece can be seen as an okay filler when one finds themselves in the gap between reading different books. It's a quickie, something that can be easily consumed in a short amount of time.

Perhaps it serves as a brief distraction or a way to pass the time until the next great literary adventure begins. It might not be a masterpiece, but it has its charm in its simplicity.

It could be a light-hearted story, a humorous anecdote, or just a few thoughts jotted down. Whatever it is, it provides a momentary escape from the world of waiting for the next book to be picked up.

Sometimes, in the midst of our busy lives, these little fillers can bring a smile to our faces and make the time between books a little more enjoyable.