Book Review Sweetheart by Chelsea Cain

A few months ago I reviewed Chelsea Cain’s Heartsick. I just finished the next book in the series, Sweetheart. This novel continues the story of Archie Sheridan and Gretchen Lowell but it is so much more.....

It is more intense. All the characters are back and plots that began in the first book are continued and/or finished in this one. But just like Moby Dick was not about whale fishing, Sweetheart is not about the obvious plot. It is about obsession.

It is more gripping. Susan Ward, her mom and Archie’s family are in danger when Gretchen escapes. Or are they? This one is about obsession.

It is more graphic. There are scenes in this book that would make Pamela Anderson blush. Well probably not, but still it is not for kids or the immature. It is so about obsession.

In order for the reader to care about the hero of a story, the character can not be perfect. He has to have some problems in order to seem real, to connect with us. Well Archie has surely got his problems. Some of them are explained in this second book. Obsession is the worst of them.

Gretchen Lowell is a serial killer but killing is not her problem. It plays a role in this book but her real problem is obsession.

This book is kind of like one of those spooky horror movies where you want to scream at the lady not to take that shower while Norman watches through the peephole! When Archie Sheridan behaved stupidly I was thinking: “I can’t believe he is doing that!”

But he does do that and I believe he would because after all he is obsessed.

Books like these make me wonder about the author. Is she an obsessive type person? Did she sit down to write these stories and develop the characters in an attempt to find peace in her own life? Or are these stories just inventive and imaginative wonderings from a creative mind?

The third book has been published. Can I wait to read it? Sure. Will I wait to read it? Well that is another story. Stand by.........