The Dream Job by Kiersten ModglinMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
This page-turner grabbed my attention and kept me glued to my seat—until it didn’t. The plot is intriguing. Autumn is a woman running out of options. She is taking care of an ailing mother, working a dead-end job and facing an ever-mounting stack of bills. Her string of job interviews have been dead ends, and her self confidence is taking a beating. When she is informed that she has made it to round two of the interview process for a job that pays a cool half million a year, Autumn sees it as her last chance at salvation. This interview, however, will be like no other. The applicants who have made the first cut are taken to a remote location where they remain for five days, during which time they participate in challenges that will test their resolve. None know anything about the nature of the work or even the name of the company, and all proceed on blind faith. Autumn is suddenly faced with a dilemma that brings her face to face with the core of who she is and leads her to question how far she is willing to go in the pursuit of the almighty dollar.
So the plot was most certainly engaging and built suspense that was all encompassing. The characters were well-developed and believable, diverse in spite of their common goal. The let down was in the final reveal. Without spoilers, suffice it to say I found the climax and denouement rather ANTI-climactic and hugely disappointing. After the time invested in reading, and the rollercoaster of emotions, I just couldn’t swallow what Modglin was serving. The wrap up felt forced and seemed to count on an emotional response to carry it through. Absent that engagement, it, for me, fell flat.
Overall, a promising premise with a poorly executed conclusion. I could only manage three, overly generous stars.
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