Nine people gather at a remote health resort. Some are here to lose weight, some are here to get a reboot on life, some are here for reasons they can’t even admit to themselves. Amidst all of the luxury and pampering, the mindfulness and meditation, they know these ten days might involve some real work. But none of them could imagine just how challenging the next ten days are going to be.
Frances Welty, the formerly best-selling romantic novelist, arrives at Tranquillum House nursing a bad back, a broken heart, and an exquisitely painful paper cut. She’s immediately intrigued by her fellow guests. Most of them don’t look to be in need of a health resort at all. But the person that intrigues her most is the strange and charismatic owner/director of Tranquillum House. Could this person really have the answers Frances didn’t even know she was seeking? Should Frances put aside her doubts and immerse herself in everything Tranquillum House has to offer – or should she run while she still can?
It’s not long before every guest at Tranquillum House is asking exactly the same question.
π π π π
Liane Moriarty is one of my favourite authors, some of my favourite books include Big Little Lies and My Husband’s Secret. Sadly, Nine Perfect Strangers isn’t going to making it onto my favourite lists any time soon. In summary, there was a lot of characters and not much going on.
The novel was told from 11 different perspectives – the 9 strangers, Masha (the head of the spa) and Yao (one of the spa worker’s). It was a lot of people to sort through and the majority of the novel was focused on Frances who is a romance writer and recently was scammed by an online romance. I didn’t love Frances and I would of focused more on some of the other characters that we didn’t hear too much from (Lars, the divorce attorney or Caramel, who’s husband left her for a younger woman).
Sadly for most of the novel, not much happens. You are projected from character to character, learning their backstory and the reason why they went to the spa. There is a bit of a twist near the mid point of the novel and it becomes unrealistic. I was hoping there was some sort of murder mystery, but there was nothing of that sort. It was a lot of nothing.
3 calculators out of a potential 5. A disappointing read, but it made for some interesting discussion at our book club!
I really want to read this but it’s not had amazing reviews. I’ve loved all her others…
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I know, I like to read all of an author’s novels, especially if I loved the previous novels. This one was a lot different from her novels.
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I saw the cover and was like meh…saw you ratings and yes I was right 😀
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Yup it is very much a meh book!
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Great review ❤️
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Thank you!
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I haven’t read any of this authors work but I’ve heard good things. Maybe I won’t start with this one though.
Gemma @ Gemma’s Book Nook
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No, don’t start with this one. I really enjoyed Big Little Lies and My Husband’s Secret.
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Thank you for your review! I read one of Liane’s books and really enjoyed it, but I think I will leave the is one alone.
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Thank you. Yes, I wouldn’t recommend this one.
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Shame this one disappointed. I hope your next read is better.
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Thank you Jo!
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I have heard mixed reviews on this book. but if it spurs good book club discussions I might have to suggest it for my book club
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We had some good discussion on the novel and there are lots of characters to discuss. It would be a good book club book
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Too bad, hope your next read makes up for it.
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Thank you DJ!
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I hope you enjoy your next book more. I haven’t read any Liane Moriarty yet so it’s good to know which one to possibly skip!
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Thank you! I would highly recommend Big Little Lies or My Husband’s Secret.
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I have yet to read any Laine Moriarty so I’m glad to find an honest review of this! Thanks!
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I really like Liane Moriarty, but this one wasn’t as great as her other novels.
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I have this one and heard it was so-so, so I hadn’t picked it up yet 🙈
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Yeah it’s a bit disappointing.
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Not sure this would be for me as I hate books that have lots of back story. I just want to dive into the now. Great review.
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Tons of back story on this one! Thank you.
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Hope your next one is a five star read. I hate it when I put a lot of time into a book only to have it going nowhere.
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Thank you! I hope so too!
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Great review! Too bad it wasn’t that great.
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Nice, honest review Amanda. I tried listening to this one and just couldn’t get into it. I wasn’t sure if I was going to try reading it or not, but i think I will just move on.
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