Title: The Whispers
Author: Audrey Audrain
Publisher: PGD/Viking
Genre: Contemporary + Drama + Suspense
Dark. Polarizing. Graphic. Motherhood. Marriage. Juicy Secrets.
That last line!!! *mic drop* That’s all you need to know. Okay, Okay…
First and foremost, if you have in the past or are struggling with infertility, this book may not be for you. However, you know yourself best, and maybe you will connect and feel seen in one characters with their struggles. The author is very vivid in her descriptions. Some people are going to hate it, I doubt anyone will love it; my brain was able to read this like a medical journal. 🤷♀️
Next warning is some interesting sexual content. I understand the author was trying to show the obsessive thoughts the one character was having with cheating, but ohhh boy be ready! Sorry to be a spoiler, but this is a cheating book!
Third, I’m not sure what technically to call this genre. It’s definitely not a thriller, so don’t go into it expecting that! It reads like the old tv show ‘Desperate Housewives’. For what it’s worth, I purchased this book as a @bookofthemonth add-on and it is labeled on the back as contemporary fiction. I’d also say with the fast moving chapters it has a feel of a dramatic domestic suspense.
I think people are either going to love this book or hate it. Despite mostly unlikeable characters (by design) I actually really liked this one. Eeek! What does that say about me!? Hahaha. I really admire how much this author pushes boundaries in her writing and opens up lanes for conversation. I would love to be behind the scenes with her editors and publisher! It is probably an entertaining room or email chain to be on.
This story is basically about a group of neighbors on Harlow street. Think a picture perfect street. The are all together at a neighborhood cookout when the hostess, Whitney, is heard from inside the house shouting viscous things are her son Xavier. Flash forward nine months and Xavier has fallen out of his third story bedroom window. The rest of the book is narrated by the various neighbors, going over a three day timeline of what happened.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 I loved the pace of this story. Through all the ick, I really saw a lot of reflection on insecurities in marriage and motherhood. Definitely a lot to ponder. I loved that this was another #buddyread with @mommaleighellensbooknook & friends and am eager to chat about it tonight!
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