Kerryn Mayne

3.5 Stars

I found this to be an entirely frustrating read. It was very difficult to submerse myself in this book. To start, Lenny is a frustrating creature until I figured out that she must have not only been traumatized as a child but also "on the spectrum," although this is never explained in this novel. I understand that using this as a trope is trendy, but I have not read another book like this. Secondly, her habit of mentally rearranging words to make new ones just got downright annoying, and I skipped all of that rigamarole.

Finally, about 1/4 to 1/3 of the way through this ARC, I got into Lenny's life and the story and started to care about her.

I imagine you will have no problems figuring out most of what Lenny can't/won't remember happened to her when she was a child. However, some of it came as a shock to me, and that made the fact that I kept reading tolerable.

The ending was a pleasant surprise (don't judge me, LOL, you'll see!), hence the title.

It's a worthwhile read.

*ARC provided by the publisher St. Martin's Press, the author, and NetGalley.… (más)

My gosh, this book had a lot going on, in the very best way. Great character study about how unresolved childhood trauma can impact you in so many ways as an adult. Written from Lenny's POV with much-needed flashbacks to fill in the gaps in this unfolding character-driven mystery. What exactly happened when Lenny was eleven years old? As the story goes on she discovers painful, long-suppressed memories resurfacing that she must decide how to live with. You will want to give Lenny Marks a hug long before this book is through. She broke my heart, she's so earnest and so clueless and socially awkward. She's walled herself off due to trauma issues, but she dearly wants to belong in someone's life. Thankfully she has multiple people around her who want to be in hers. There was something so endearing about her. I loved seeing her blooming relationships with others, and her increasing willingness to let others in even as she's afraid they'll reject her or she's done the wrong thing. It was definitely my romance book brain yelling at me, but I desperately wanted this woman to have an HEA in whatever way worked for her. Thankfully there's a very satisfying conclusion for Lenny, on many levels. Highly recommend. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this story in exchange for writing an honest review.… (más)

I loved Lenny Marks, what a heart this girl has, and yet, as you begin this read you wonder what made her tick the way she does.
She is a loner by choice, but she has such great compassion, and willingly goes out of her way to save those in need.
Then the word game she played, and her roommate Monica, sure seemed to work!
This does become a page turner, and yes the answers do come, and there were surprises. Some were manipulated, which we do find out, and in the end praise. We root for Lenny all the way!
This does become a page turner, and yes, there is a murder, how it is handled, well, the author does a great job, and I'll be look for more from Kerryn Mayne!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher St. Martin's Press, and was not required to give a positive review.… (más)

Review of Uncorrected Digital Galley

The arrival of a letter from the Adult Parole Board Victoria brings chaos of a sort into the well-ordered life of thirty-seven-year-old Selby South Primary teacher Lenny Marks. Until now, her unwavering routine has allowed Lenny [once Helena Winters] to forget certain events from her childhood. She’s kept herself distanced from neighbors and co-workers, interacting with others as little as possible. Contentment comes from teaching her twenty-three grade five students and then returning to her home.

Now, as long-forgotten memories return, Lenny abandons her self-isolation and finds herself associating with others, experiencing connections with those around her. But there’s still that nagging voice in her head, reminding her “You did this.”

Exactly what did Lenny do? And why is the parole board contacting her?

Will Lenny’s past catch up with her before she can embrace the new life she so desperately desires?

=========

Set in Australia, this tale of long-held [and deeply buried] secrets, fears, and guilt is populated with strong, nuanced, believable characters. Early on, readers realize Lenny is dealing . . . or, through her structured routines, not dealing . . . with a devastating trauma from her past. Her foster mother gently pushes and prods, wanting Lenny to find a way to abandon those stringent survival techniques that keep her from having friends and relationships, from having a sense of belonging, from having a life.

As the unfolding story slowly reveals the abuse of her past, readers see Lenny growing as she deals with the re-emergence of the memories she worked so hard to repress. The telling of this tale is, at times, filled with hilarity; other moments promise to flood the reader’s eyes with tears.

Although the ways in which Lenny deals with the trauma of her past seem unreasonably severe, readers will applaud her efforts to reach out for life, for belonging. And, as her memories return, she comes to realize that she needs no forgiveness, either from herself or from anyone else, leaving her finally free to seek relationships, to become a part of that life she has eschewed for so long.

Readers who enjoy stories of triumph over adversity, perhaps with a bit of mystery, will find much to appreciate here in this unputdownable tale of a woman who finally finds the life she so richly deserves.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this book from St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
#LennyMarksGetsAwaywithMurder #NetGalley… (más)