REVIEWS OF 'REPENT AT LEISURE':
5 stars, Published on Amazon.co.uk
By pforpashon 11 December 2018
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
Really enjoyable. Few rambles - but the plot good. Easy to read and the book does end without having to purchase book 2.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R3ONU658MQF26C/
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4 out of 5 stars and continues at a very good pace throughout 10 May 2016
By Robert Oliver - Published on Amazon.com
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
I read Repent at Leisure because the work sounded interesting to me. I had no idea what I was in store for, and in no way regret this purchase. The novel begins immediately, and continues at a very good pace throughout. I do not believe in spoilers, and so will not reveal the whole plot to you. I found the work very interesting from the beginning, as the story is told from the first person, through the mind of its lead character, Paul. What is interesting is that the book is actually told through two perspectives, changing between Paul and Anita. It is brilliantly handled and added such depth to the story. The sections are clearly marked, so there is no confusion. The two characters are so authentic, from the hot tempered Paul to the innocent and trusting Anita. They are masterfully written, so that what begins as a murder mystery moves into a psychological drama. The plot was astounding in its simplicity and realism. I moved through many emotions with both characters, ready to commit to one idea before being presented with another view point to combat it. I have sympathy for Anita until I hear Paul speak again, then my heart yearns for his own happiness. Both main leads have such depth to them, especially Paul, and through their lives you travel on an emotional rollercoaster that had me turning the pages rapidly to see how the work would conclude. There is such stark realism presented in the 'no fluff and flutter' display of harsh reality, that I felt my nerves reacting on occasion.
Stevie Turner is a masterful writer who draws the reader into her work and forces them to march along the path of dereliction. I was amazed by this work, certainly glad I read it, and will most certainly read this author again.
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Recommended, 16 May 2016
*****
By
Verified Purchase
This review is from: Repent at Leisure (Paperback)
I’ve found there’s no better way to recover at home from a broken leg and make the time pass quicker than to read one of Stevie Turner’s paperbacks. Repent at Leisure is put together in quite a clever way, and the story flits between Paul’s point of view and then changes to Anita’s. I sympathised with Paul trying to deal with ghosts from the past, but then found I was rooting for poor gullible Anita as well and shouting out to her not to get married because her fiancée was a mess.
Recommended for fans of contemporary fiction and drama. I think this one is the best yet. I also like the cover and the layout, and look forward to reading more of this author’s work.
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5.0 out of 5 stars I absolutely loved this book so much so that i read it ...
By julz gall on 17 May 2016
Format: Kindle Edition
I absolutely loved this book so much so that I read it all in one sitting! Of course it had nothing to do with it being set in my native Scotland lol, I found that the characters were very well written and they developed as the story progressed, they were down to earth and believable while at times they were altogether sinister but you end the tale feeling like the events could have actually happened to someone you know.
This story takes us on a tour of the world beginning in Scotland and visiting Spain, England and Australia before returning to Scotland, and I found the author had researched very well all the place which you will visit in this book, as well as great use of slang fitting the place you are in at that particular time in the novel .
Although I would categorise this story as a tale of love and romance it would also fit into either the crime drama or thriller genre just as well.
I am not going to put any spoilers in this review as I want the reader to experience it the way I did by turning the pages to find out what happens next in Paul and Anita's lives.
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NetGalley review by Sarah Clay: https://s2.netgalley.com/book/100482/review/327921
5 out of 5 stars -recommended most strongly.
Just love this book. I couldn't put it down and read it in one night. This is the first book I've read by this author but wont be the last. Loved it.
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4 stars from the ATAI Book Award Contest, 20/1/17. Review originally critiqued by a member of the Authors Talk About It team.
Repent at Leisure by Stevie Turner is a harrowing story about how young love sometimes comes with old scars. Told through the perspectives of 21-year-old Paul McAdams and 18-year-old Anita Fairfax, we are led down a path where Paul’s dark secrets start to jeopardize the only thing he has every truly wanted: a life with Anita.
The novel is very character driven, and it is hard to cast Paul as the “bad guy,” even though at times he is abusive, violent and cold-hearted. Turner portrays these characters in a very realistic way, and the reader is allowed to slowly discover who these strong characters are through their different motivations. At once, we are able to sympathize with Anita while at the same time get inside Paul’s head thanks to the alternating narrative. The story is alive, addictive and seems to weave together romance with crime. This combination will appeal to readers of both genres because Repent at Leisure has a great story at the heart of it. The writing is straightforward and clean, proving that a good novel does not need stuffy language.
The only minor flaw in the book is the pacing. The drawn out vacation to Menorca reads like a travel guide and does little to further the plot. The quick succession of revelations sometimes feels rushed, and there is no opportunity to fully absorb one epiphany before the reader is met with another. However, this may excite some readers.
Overall, Repent at Leisure is a novel that shows us how people are changed by their past actions and how we cannot outrun our demons. The characters are realistic, and one can’t help but feel for the plight of Paul McAdams while rooting for a happy ending.
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