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kaitmary's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
thatbookbetchhh's review
5.0
DANG, @dawnkurtagich has hooked me again!!!! đ¤
I started this book late last night and Iâm really really enjoying it!!! My first foray into Dawnâs writing was this past summer when I ARC read The Madness, thanks to @htpbooks !!! that book was a 5âď¸ for me and this one is looking like itâll be that same. After I finish this book Iâll be reading @dawnkurtagich âs entire backlist because her writing is justâŚ
D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S â¨
Thank you to Thomas Mercer for the review ARC of this book!!!
I started this book late last night and Iâm really really enjoying it!!! My first foray into Dawnâs writing was this past summer when I ARC read The Madness, thanks to @htpbooks !!! that book was a 5âď¸ for me and this one is looking like itâll be that same. After I finish this book Iâll be reading @dawnkurtagich âs entire backlist because her writing is justâŚ
D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S â¨
Thank you to Thomas Mercer for the review ARC of this book!!!
annaavaa's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death
7_minutes_of_weeping's review
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was an incredibly heavy read, so please make sure to review the trigger warnings listed for this book before checking it out.
We follow Bethany Sloane, a best-selling, disabled author who is trying to survive her current life with her husband while also trying to escape her traumatic past. The story jumps between the ânowâ and the âthenâ as it paints the whole story of how Bethany got to where she is now. When she was thirteen, her mother enrolls her at a boarding school in South Africa where she meets Stacey, the schoolâs most popular girl. Bethany is so desperate to fit in with Stacey that she will blindly endure all of Staceyâs dangerous âgamesâ just for a seat at her table.
We follow Bethany Sloane, a best-selling, disabled author who is trying to survive her current life with her husband while also trying to escape her traumatic past. The story jumps between the ânowâ and the âthenâ as it paints the whole story of how Bethany got to where she is now. When she was thirteen, her mother enrolls her at a boarding school in South Africa where she meets Stacey, the schoolâs most popular girl. Bethany is so desperate to fit in with Stacey that she will blindly endure all of Staceyâs dangerous âgamesâ just for a seat at her table.
This story highlights a lot of dark themes, such as exploring the impact of toxic relationships with a deep focus on PTSD, mental/physical abuse, obsession, the vulnerability of adolescence, and the trauma of trusting the wrong people. My heart broke constantly for our main character as she continued to fall deeper into the dark influences around her.
Overall, I feel that the thriller elements were developed well, and the writing was fantastic. It took me a while to get into this one, but when it picked up, I struggled to put it down. Itâs a heartbreaking coming-of-age story, and it reminded me heavily of Kate Elizabeth Russellâs âMy Dark Vanessa.â If that is a book you felt was an important read to gain an understanding of the influence adults have on children, then you may appreciate this one as well.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
veritas11's review
Heed the content warnings. There are some uncomfortable themes in this one and after giving it a fair shot, I decided I wasn't invested enough in the story to continue.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, Rape, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
catarinagc8's review
4.75
At first, I was a bit hesitant, since it was very different from what I'm used to read, and I struggled to pick it up. However, after a few chapters I couldnât put it down! I loved the characters and that ending was absolutely mind-blowing and has been on my mind for hours now. This book surprised me in all the best ways, and I'm so glad I took a chance on it.
lydiahephzibah's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Setting: South Africa
Rep: protagonist uses crutches and a wheelchair
I absolutely loved this book! I can see why people might not like it - I foresee it being a marmite book - but it really worked for me. Loved the tension, the toxicity of 80s boarding school friendships, the horror of the men in Bethany's life.
Rep: protagonist uses crutches and a wheelchair
I absolutely loved this book! I can see why people might not like it - I foresee it being a marmite book - but it really worked for me. Loved the tension, the toxicity of 80s boarding school friendships, the horror of the men in Bethany's life.