Cover Image: Critical But Stable

Critical But Stable

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Member Reviews

The story is told from multiple perspectives. It is very fast paced. The storyline is quite weak and was boring in places. Not the best gripping story ever

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From the first page, titled The Body, I was entranced by this story. The subjects got more intricate and their lives more intriguing with each page. The book details the goings-on in the lives of 3 well-off Joburg couples; insight that reveals that even with money, the trivialities and challenges of life are the same. Marital ennui, sexual incompatability, discontentment, patriachal double-standards, the never-ending desire for more...there is only so much that wealth can veil; thereafter, the rain falls on the rich and poor alike.

A wonderfully entertaining and thrilling read. 4🌟🌟🌟🌟 from me.

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This was an entertaining read by a new author, for me anyhow, and I will keep out for some more by her in future.

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Not normally the type of read I would choose. Out of my comfort zone however I found it an intriguing and great read. I read it through very quickly.
This is sharp, beautifully written and incredibly powerful. I have been completely pulled in from very early on in this one. It has definitely been a book that is bound to be a success.

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I’ve never rated a book 1 star before. And I hope to not have to again. But it’s driven primarily by point #2 below.

1.) I thought this was going to be a domestic thriller centered around a murder. (It is not.)

2.) A lovely, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it micro-aggression toward Asians in the first quarter of the book. (Which, yes, I took personally.) In hindsight, I should have DNF’ed the book here.

3.) Weak writing but the first 60% of book could be called the Real Housewives of South Africa. (And that’s what kept me begrudgingly reading.)

4.) The characters that are likable are only on the peripheral.

5.) And lastly, these women are all labeled as “old” or “older” and they ARE IN THEIR 40s! Why oh why.

Note: I was given a digital copy by Amazon Publishing UK via @netgalley in exchange for an honest review. #gifted

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This was my first and probably last novel by this author. I did not enjoy it and it felt very superficial.

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A fast paced thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Believable characters that draw you in with the overhanging shadow that something will happen (this is obvious from the early pages of the book).

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this was such an amazing book! i'm so thankful to netgalley for letting me read this one early! it was so much fun and intriguing!! what a fun, fun, fun read!!!!

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This book! I loved the suspense, I loved the wealth, I loved the scandals. I loved the setting. I would give it more than 5 stars if I could!

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Unfortunately I could not get into this book and didn’t finish. It just wasn’t for me. Many apologies

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This book honestly blew me away! I don’t know what I was expecting, but it blew my expectations away and I loved it!

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I was expecting more of a thriller, but I still really enjoyed this book. It helped me from the beginning and I couldn't put it down!

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book.

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I expected more of a thriller story based on the description but there was never really a portion that could be described as a whodunit. Somewhat predictable. I wish that the glossary of South African terms were set up as footnotes so I didn’t have to wait til the end to figure out what the words meant. But it was interesting to learn more about the South African culture and how things work there.

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Critical But Stable by Angela Makholwa.
In cosmopolitan Johannesburg, three high-flying couples form the core of the elite Khula Society: part investment group, part social club, with meetings where the champagne flows, the dresses are designer and the one-upmanship is off the scale. Noma, Moshidi, Lerato and their husbands are living the dream—or so it appears from the outside.
A good read with good characters. 4*.

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A fast oaced and gripping read that I couldn't put down. It hooked me from the very start and held my attention all the way through. I relly liked it.

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This was such a brilliant book like alot of reviewers I found I couldn’t put it down. It had me gripped lol the way through. I loved the fact it was set in Johannesburg for a change and not, as so many books are in the States so, it made a change. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

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Critical But Stable by Angela Makholwa had me glued to my eReader until the end.

Oh my goodness what a book this was to read.
This was such a gripping book to read, it had me on the edge of my seat many times and had my mind working over time trying to work it all out.
A brilliantly written thriller that blew my mind and I couldn't put it down,
An excellent book. It keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
My first time reading a story written by Makholwa. Which I'll definitely be reading more of her work in the future.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Lake Union Publishing,
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this eARC!

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A superb fast paced thriller. I absolutely loved the story and couldn’t stop reading it. It’s perfect for all readers, especially thriller lovers.

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