Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney

Rating: ★★★★☆

Dates Read: 2/17/23 - 2/20/23

    Adam and Amelia Wright's marriage has been on the rocks for quite some time. When they unexpectedly win a weekend getaway to Scotland, they see it as a chance to revive their relationship. However, Adam, a screenwriter and self-proclaimed workaholic, suffers from face blindness, a condition that prevents him from recognizing even his closest loved ones, including his wife.

    Each year on their anniversary, the couple exchanges traditional gifts and Amelia writes Adam a heartfelt letter that she never allows him to read. But this time, something is different. During this getaway, secrets begin to unravel, and they both sense that their marriage's fate hangs in the balance.

    As they delve into the weekend's events, Adam and Amelia discover that winning the trip wasn't as random as they thought. Someone is hiding something, and someone doesn't want them to find happiness together. With ten years of marriage behind them and a decade of undisclosed secrets, their anniversary weekend takes an unexpected turn, and they are about to face revelations that will change everything they thought they knew about each other.

    At first, I have to admit, I was pretty frustrated with this book. The writing felt a bit clunky, the pacing dragged from about a quarter of the way in until three-quarters, and the characters didn't really stand out. But wow, does Alice Feeney know how to deliver a twist! This book is a prime example of a mind-bending twist that makes it all worth it. While I did manage to predict a couple of twists early on, there was one that completely blindsided me, and I'm usually pretty good at spotting them.

    The majority of the story is told from the perspectives of three narrators, except for some beautifully described scenes of a snowstorm, a chapel, a graveyard, and a tiny cottage. Since this is a psychological thriller, I don't want to spoil the suspense for future readers, but trust me when I say that it takes a while for things to start coming together, and when they do, it's a rollercoaster ride of surprises.

    The book might start slow, but once they reach their destination, the pace picks up significantly. I have to admit that I didn't particularly like or relate to any of the characters, but with a good thriller, that's not always necessary. However, I must mention Bob, the dog, who quickly became my favorite character, and thankfully, he remains unharmed throughout the story!