Scarlett Drake knocked it out of the park with this book! It surpassed my expectations by a long shot. I was hesitant to read as I've never read Great Expectations, though I had a good idea of what it was about. My worry was for nothing. The storytelling was amazing, I simply could not put this book down from start to finish. There is great character development, interesting prose, and compelling dialogue. There is much angst and the story overall dealt me some emotional trauma but it was well worth it in the end. I will recommend any reader to read this book.

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After a second read, it’s solidified as my #2 favorite read of 2024. Oleander is an incredible, beautiful, and deeply complicated story that completely captivated me. Spanning 13 years, it follows the messy, enthralling relationship between Cas and Jude, including their connections with others along the way.

This book won’t be for everyone, but for me, it was absolute perfection—a stunning and unforgettable journey that I’ll treasure.