Community Reviews

Rating(4.1 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
40(40%)
4 stars
32(32%)
3 stars
28(28%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
100 reviews
July 15,2025
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This was a truly remarkable book for me.

Although it had some rather strange moments, they were strange in a captivating and engaging way.

I particularly liked the fact that the chapters were so concise. This not only made the reading process feel faster but also added to the overall rhythm and flow of the story.

The story itself was so incredibly interesting that I found myself completely unable to put the book down.

I was on the edge of my seat, eagerly anticipating what would happen next.

I wasn't sure what to expect, and this element of uncertainty kept me constantly trying to figure out what was going on.

The authors did an outstanding job of maintaining suspense throughout the book.

They skillfully crafted the plot in such a way that you simply had to keep turning the page to solve the mysteries and uncover the truth.

All in all, this is a really good book that makes you think twice and leaves a lasting impression.
July 15,2025
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This was an extremely distinct read for me!

I just wrapped up reading The Murder House, and it was truly outstanding!

I had been eagerly anticipating another James Patterson book.

It was highly suspenseful and had a touch of something else. In fact, it almost reminded me of the works of Stephen King.

I must admit that after a while, I was really beginning to dislike the main character. She made me cringe on numerous occasions, and I was on the verge of finishing this book just to get it over with.

However, it is well worth it to reach the end of this one because it is only when you do that it truly makes sense. Wow! What an ending... the kind that lingers with you!
July 15,2025
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This book is truly a page-turner that can be practically read in one sitting.

Although the plot may seem faintly predictable at times, it still manages to hold the reader's attention and provide an enjoyable experience.

The author has a way of creating engaging characters and a vivid setting that draw the reader in and make them want to keep reading.

Despite the predictability, there are still enough twists and turns to keep the story interesting and prevent it from becoming too formulaic.

Overall, this is a great book for anyone looking for a quick and enjoyable read that doesn't require too much mental effort.
July 15,2025
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Weird doesn't even begin to describe "You've Been Warned" by James Patterson.

This book is completely different from the rest of Patterson's works. It was confusing, making you think and allowing you to solve some things on your own. It was far beyond the weird type of book that no one wants to read, yet I found it enthralling. I couldn't put it down. In fact, I started reading it this morning (October 29th, 2011) at about 10 AM and finished it in a matter of hours. The book was a psychological and supernatural roller coaster ride. I have never before read a book that kept me so entertained.

I was on the edge of my seat, eagerly waiting to see what happened next. Sleep eluded me because the answers in this book were so elusive. I completely sympathized with the main character's fears and decisions. Is she the hero or the bad girl? You'll have to figure that out for yourself. It was a complete page-turner, and it's the type of book that is very difficult to describe without giving away the whole story and ending.

Kristin, the main character, almost has the love of her life with her. However, one problem is the fact that he's married. Every time she is with him, she is breathless, and she wishes she could just be with him always without fear, as the sneaking around is quite difficult. Fear exists in everyone, regardless of who you are, and when faced with certain situations, Kristin follows the philosophy "Don't think - Just shoot" with a camera... possibly.

Kristin has been warned, yet she never takes the hint of stopping in her tracks and maybe listening to the warning. Of course, if she did that, the book would've been over before it started.

There's only so much time to disregard the warnings before something happens.
July 15,2025
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Now what was the book about again?

Can't remember clearly.

All that comes to mind is that it was...now what again????

As the great Dorothy Parker so aptly said, "Not a book to be set aside lightly, it should be tossed away with great force."

This book, unfortunately, seems to have left a rather forgettable impression.

Maybe it lacked a captivating storyline or engaging characters.

It's possible that the writing style didn't resonate with the reader.

Whatever the reason, it's a pity that it didn't manage to make a lasting impact.

One can only hope that future books will be more memorable and worthy of our time and attention.

July 15,2025
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Trying to put this book into a genre is quite difficult. It is part science fiction, part mystery, part psychological thriller and part romance.

Therein lies the problem with this book for me. It came across as a jumble of ideas that didn't quite gel together.

The main character is Kristin Burns, an avid photographer. She works as a nanny for Michael and Penley Turnbull’s two adorable children. The real trouble starts when she begins an illicit affair with Michael, a successful banker, dreaming of course that Michael will someday leave Penley to marry her.

The novel then enters murky ground, with Kirstin beginning to have recurring nightmares about four murders at a hotel. Haunted by the possibility that her dream could actually be a reality, she begins to photograph all that she sees in a bid to uncover the truth. Some of her photographs are unexplainable and include dead people, including her father.

Wacky becomes downright weird as the nightmares consume Kristin after a stranger in a club tells her to be careful, and that she’s “been warned.” She flashes between the real and the imaginary worlds and strives to separate the two.

As I read on, I was beginning to know how Kristin felt as she questioned her own sanity. Maybe I have just read too many James Patterson novels and have grown tired of them. I am not sure - unfortunately this novel was not my cup of tea and far from Patterson and company's best work. Read it at your own peril!
July 15,2025
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Like the older writing of James Patterson, which was often filled with excitement and page-turning suspense, this book, unfortunately, had a rather lackluster ending.

The build-up throughout the story seemed promising, with interesting characters and a complex plot that had the potential to keep readers on the edge of their seats. However, as the story reached its conclusion, it felt as if the author had run out of steam.

The final few chapters were rushed, and the resolution to the main conflict was somewhat anticlimactic. It was as if all the tension and drama that had been carefully constructed throughout the book was simply deflated in a matter of pages.

Overall, while the book had its moments, the dry ending left a bit of a sour taste in my mouth. It's a shame, really, because with a stronger conclusion, this could have been a truly great read.
July 15,2025
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This story is truly suspenseful with twists that I didn't expect at all.

From the very beginning, it grabs your attention and keeps you on the edge of your seat.

The plot unfolds in a way that you think you know what's going to happen, but then suddenly, a completely unexpected turn occurs.

It makes you question everything you thought you knew and keeps you guessing until the very end.

The characters are well-developed, adding depth and complexity to the story.

You become invested in their lives and are eager to see how they will navigate through the various challenges and surprises that come their way.

Overall, this is a thrilling and engaging read that will leave you satisfied and craving for more.

It's the kind of story that you won't be able to put down until you've reached the final page.
July 15,2025
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A highly awarded 5 stars for "You've Been Warned". I absolutely love these typically quick, fast-paced, and easy-to-read chapters that nearly always end in a cliffhanger. James Patterson has written numerous books, and I've read a significant number of them. I can honestly say that his books are always fabulous. He is truly a master in this genre. This standalone book, written with Howard Roughan, is an excellent supernatural psychological suspense thriller that hooks you from the very start. It is chilling in certain parts and keeps you guessing throughout the entire story. It makes you constantly want to look over your shoulder, just in case you've done something wrong. The ending really spooked me out. It was definitely not what I was expecting. I wouldn't hesitate for a moment to recommend this book. I'm also really looking forward to reading even more from James and his co-writers in the future.

July 15,2025
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What an odd book indeed.

If I had to rate it precisely, I'd give it a solid 3.5 stars. However, due to the riveting suspense it offered, I decided to round it up to 4 stars on Goodreads.

We are following the main character, Kristen, who works as a nanny for two children in Manhattan. To our surprise, we discover that she is having an affair with the husband and father of the family.

But then, suddenly, strange things start to occur to her. She has a recurring nightmare, sees dead people, and relives a tragic event from her past. The book now becomes extremely confusing, which, I suppose, is a good thing as it supports the story. After all, Kristen herself is completely confused and can't make sense of anything happening to her.

The reader is right there with her, trying to figure things out. I was definitely compelled to keep reading. Patterson's habit of writing very short chapters really helped to move the story along at a rapid pace.

The ending, though, felt vaguely unsettling. Although the result was perhaps inevitable, it seemed unfinished, with numerous loose ends. There was a brief author's note at the end, which I guessed was in anticipation of readers who might not "get" the ending.

Overall, I liked the story, except for the paranormal aspect that didn't really get resolved. It was interesting and thought-provoking. I do like Patterson's writing as it almost always draws me into the story and keeps me engaged right until the end.

July 15,2025
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Kristen Burns works as a nanny for a family. The problem is that she is having an affair with the husband. She wishes and firmly believes that he will leave his wife for her and they will live a happy life together.

However, Kristen starts having recurring nightmares, seeing dead people, her pictures don't develop normally, and she feels she is being followed. She begins to believe she is going crazy and becomes increasingly obsessed with a murder that took place at a hotel.

This book was a wild ride. I initially thought I would only read a few chapters and then put it down, mainly because I disliked Kristen, who I thought was the most shallow and self-centered character. But, it turned out to be a really easy and fast read, probably because it was so engaging. The murder at the hotel was the main thing that caught my attention. As I kept reading, I was curious about how that murder was related to her and why the detective was so interested in her.

Overall, this was truly a good book, despite Kristen's stupidity.
July 15,2025
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I'm a huge Patterson enthusiast. So far, I've loved everything of his that I've read, except for 'The Lake House', and it seems that this will have to be one of those books that I didn't really like all that much.

'You've Been Warned' chronicles the actions of the self-centered photographer/nanny Kristin Burns as she engages in an affair with the father of the children she takes care of. Soon, things start to go awry as strange occurrences take place and she begins to hear a tune that she just can't get out of her head. Additionally, she starts having dreams about four deaths in a hotel simultaneously.

'You've Been Warned' is quite possibly the most mediocre book I've ever read by Patterson. The plotline has the potential to be fascinating, but the execution simply fails to meet expectations. I might have been able to tolerate this if it weren't for the unlikable main character, Kristin. Not only does she have an affair, but she also stalks him whenever she gets the opportunity and attempts to insert herself into the children's lives in place of their mother. Then, she makes excuses for why her actions are perfectly acceptable, excuses that are borderline delusional. Maybe Patterson was trying to showcase how delusional and selfish she is, but in doing so, he transformed her into a character that I couldn't care less about. When the end of the book arrives (and the ending is ambiguous regarding her fate), I realized that I didn't care if she lived or died - which is the worst possible outcome for a book, when you just don't care how it concludes.
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