📕Spoiler Free…idk. Less a review, more a fangirl rant📕

First, a disclaimer: Jack & Jill is dark. Trigger warnings for child trauma including sexual abuse. I’ve never personally experienced any of the trauma, abuse, or mental health issues addressed in this one, but it still felt extremely personal. Because of this, I can see how the subject matter might be too much for some readers or why people would want to be wary of when they decide to read this one. 

Now….for my own reaction. Holy sh**, I freaking loved this story!  I’m too close to speechless to be able to give a proper review that does this novella justice, but I’ll hit a few high points. Character development was excellent, especially in just 96 pages. The descriptions of a relationship under strain were spot on. The way Burke shows the mental anguish that abuse in childhood can cause in an adult is heartbreaking and so authentic. The decline of mental health portrayed through dreams, hallucinations, and eventually real life events is terrifying. And all of this genius takes a backseat to the ending. THAT F*CKING ENDING!! Absolute perfection. 

I wasn’t sure anything could top Blanky, but I think I have a new favorite. Kealan Patrick Burke is a talented writer and his skill with short horror stories is unsurpassed.