Review: The Woman In the Mirror (An Alexandra Mallory Novel) by Cathryn Grant

Print Length: 288 pages

Publisher: Independent Book Publishers Association (July 1, 2016)

From Goodreads.com: 

Everyone knows someone who deserves to die.

Noreen Palmer describes herself as sweet and responsible, but she can’t stop lying — about why she destroyed the mirror, about her broken love affair, about the things that happened in her bungalow perched on a cliff above the ocean.

When Alexandra Mallory and Jared Brady rent rooms in her precariously situated home, the danger of falling over the cliff is the least of their fears.

Alex is drawn to both Jared and a strange man lurking around the bungalow, but determined to steer a wide path around her unstable landlord. Soon, Noreen’s escalating threats force Alex to uncover Noreen’s secrets and right a terrible wrong.

Alexandra Mallory isn’t like other women — she gets rid of people who make the world a dangerous place.

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My Rating: 3 stars out of 5

This book fell solidly in the middle of the road for me. I didn't love it - nor did I hate it. It was just kind of MEH. 

On the plus side, it was a quick read (I read it in under 2 days). And while I don't feel as though I wasted that time - I also don't feel as though I will be continuing on with this series / these characters. Yes - the story jumps around between the past and present day, but I didn't have a problem with that. Even the writing was ok... I just couldn't become invested in these characters.

 Alex has her secrets - and those secrets alone should have made for a very intriguing story, but instead of finding her to be the "strong" female lead I think the author was intending I just found her... well annoying. She uses everyone for her own ends, and she is so self-absorbed that it makes it hard to like her. Jared was no better - he was a weak minded male who sleeps with a girl once and becomes basically obsessed with her. And don't even get me started on Noreen. I honestly still don't know what the heck was up with her. Her character flip-flopped around to the point where I just gave up and sighed every time I read her name. 

Overall, I am certain that this book will appeal to people who enjoy a more young-adult oriented "thriller" (loose on the thriller label) story.  It did have its moments, but it just wasn't for me, and at this point I am unsure as to whether or not I will continue on with this series. 

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

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The Woman In the Mirror is available from Amazon.com