Review: Reputation by Sara Shepherd

Title: Reputation

Author:  Sara Shepherd
Publisher: Dutton
Publishing Date:  December 3rd, 2019

Pages: 373
Genre: Adult Mystery Thriller

Series:  Stand Alone
Source:  Audio

 

Aldrich University is rocked to its core when a hacker dumps 40,000 people's e-mails—the entire faculty, staff, students, alums—onto an easily searchable database. Rumors and affairs immediately leak, but things turn explosive when Kit Manning's handsome husband, Dr. Greg Strasser, is found murdered. Kit's sister, Willa, returns for the funeral, setting foot in a hometown she fled fifteen years ago, after a night she wishes she could forget. As an investigative reporter, Willa knows something isn't right about the night Greg was killed, and she's determined to find the truth. What she doesn't expect is that everyone has something to hide. And with a killer on the loose, Willa and Kit must figure out who killed Greg before someone else is murdered.

Told from multiple points of view, Reputation is full of twists, turns, and shocking reveals. It's a story of intrigue, sabotage, and the secrets we keep—and how far we go to keep them hidden. Number one bestseller Sara Shepard is at the top of her game in this brand-new adult novel.

Last year I read The Elizas by Sara Shepard last year and I loved it. I wasn't sure if I was going to give her adult books a chance because of my feelings for pretty little liars. But I did like her writing so I thought I would give it a chance. I adored it and when I saw she came out with a new adult book, I was excited. I wanted to read it asap and I did. I loved it! My favorite book of hers so far. So good. I loved the mystery, the characters, the stories, how everything weaved together. It was written well and it dealt with sexual assault on girls very well. I just loved everything about it. 

Aldrich University is a very well known prestigious university. The smartest and brightest kids get in. That is why it was a perfect target for a hacker to go in and make every email account for the university accessible for anyone to read. The story focus on Kit, the wife of a professor and daughter of the president of the university. After the email hack, Kit's husband, Greg,  ends up dead. She and her sister need to find the murderer and find out why he was killed. In the process secrets are discovered and there are numerous suspects because some of Greg's secrets were deadly. 

So what I thought of this book. This book just amazed me and surprised me. Like I said I did enjoy her other adult book, The Elizas, and thought I would enjoy this one too... but I more than enjoyed it. I couldn't put it down. It shocked me, it made me cry, it made me root for some not so good guys, it crossed so many grey areas. It was written very well and it was just amazing. 

One thing I loved about this book, it was told from many pov's. It wasn't confusing either. I was able to keep up quite well. Each individual was very unique and had a strong voice. So many personalities in one book. I can't name all the pov's at this moment, as I can't recall all their names, but there were quite a bit and they all came together to tell the story of what happened leading up to and on the night the murder happened. I really can't say I didn't like any of the characters. I loved them all. They were all so different and so strong in their own way. I feel that every one of their stories were so important. 

The setting was okay. I enjoyed it. I haven't read much from the university setting and I must say I wish there was more of them out there. It was very interesting and I wish that there would have been more details on the setting. It was done well but I feel compared to the story, it lacked a bit. 

The book in the end was really focused on assault on women. I loved how well this was done. There was a bit of women empowering other women and it made me really warm inside thinking about women standing up for other women. Sometimes I feel this lacks a bit. The reasons why women don't come forward, don't think they can speak up, this was done well too. I also loved how it told the other side of women taking advantage of men too. So it wasn't just one sided. The entire thing was just dealt with so wonderfully. 

The mystery was done well too. I had not clue , I mean no clue who did it. Everyone was a suspect in the book and a suspect of mine at one time or another. I was thoroughly confused on who the murderer was. I was shocked a bit but when it came out. Not totally, it made sense I could look back and see how it made sense, but I didn't see it until the author wanted me to see it. Great mystery. 

I really wanted more when it ended. The ending was complete and it was wrapped up nice. But I wasn't ready to leave this world, these characters behind. I would read more if there was more. I really did enjoy it. 

Truly just loved this book. If you like murder mystery and drama, read this book. 

Sara Shepard graduated from NYU and has an MFA from Brooklyn College. She has lived in New York City, Brooklyn, Tucson, Arizona, Philadelphia, and now lives in Pittsburgh, PA. Sara's Pretty Little Liars novels were inspired by her upbringing in Philadelphia's Main Line.