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 Suspense/Mysteries

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​This book grabbed my attention from the beginning and didn’t let me go until I reached the final page.  But that’s not exactly true.  It’s been a few days since I finished I’m Thinking of Ending Things and I’m still thinking about this book.  I started and finished it in the same day – I didn’t want to put it down.  I told myself that I would just read it a little while longer…and just a bit longer…and then it was done.  It’s not the longest novel, but the fact that I ignored real life so that I could keep reading it says something about the gripping story and writing.

Jake and his girlfriend have been seeing each other for a few weeks.  They get along well, they are attracted to each other, and things have been progressing in their relationship.  They are on their way out to the country to visit Jake’s parents at their farm, but all the while, she’s been thinking of ending things with Jake.  She’s seems unsure about their relationship and where it’s going.  She finds herself wondering if she would be better off alone, but then he does or says something that reminds her of why she likes him.  Is it the normal uncertainties of a new relationship?  Is there something peculiar about their relationship, about her, or is it him?  She’s also been keeping a secret from Jake, something that she just keeps putting off telling him.  For the record, I would’ve told him.  I would’ve needed to tell someone about that!

I’m Thinking of Ending Things is a unique, twisted, mind-bending thrill ride.  It wasn’t always clear what was going on with the characters.  There were a few occasions where I found myself going back a few pages to reread them, in fear that I may have missed an important tidbit of information. 

My suspicions and hackles were raised throughout the book’s entirety.  To say that it kept me on the edge of my seat would be an understatement.  The overall tone of the book was creepy and eerie, however, it did have a melancholy, lonely, depressive aspect to it.  It dealt with natural human emotions and thoughts:  loneliness, regrets, what ifs. 

Despite my limited knowledge of the characters, I was completely invested in them and the story.  I was on that road trip with them, holding on for dear life.  It was a little reminiscent of watching a horror movie, where I would want to yell at the characters not to go down into the dimly lit basement or out into the woods at night.  It was exciting and kept me flipping the pages as quickly as I could.

I’m Thinking of Ending Things is an entertaining, well-written, satisfying read.  It’s hard to find fault with a book that I read so quickly and have been thinking about ever since.  I am definitely looking forward to reading more from Iain Reid in the near future.

*4.5 Stars
 

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I'm Thinking of Ending Things.