How interesting the timing of this book is! This one was published in January 2018, right in the midst of the #MeToo & #TimesUp movements, making it such an unfortunately relevant topic right now, and one that is long overdue really. The book took a little while for me to get into. I found the characters a little difficult to relate to in the beginning, perhaps because of my age in contrast to theirs. I also found that I kind of hated Abigail. She was pretentious and self absorbed. Sure Abigail & Kessia were best friends but it seemed so one sided to me. Kessia was getting a lot of material things from Abigail, but Abigail wasn't a good friend. She seemed to just drag Kessia everywhere because she craved general companionship, and it didn't feel like it mattered who that companion was. With all of that said, by the 100th page I was pretty invested.
I feel like the second half of the book was written more passionately than the first half. I could feel things that the characters were feeling and I cared about how it effected them. From reading the blurb the readers knows what's coming, and it's almost like as we got closer to it you are holding your breath wondering if it's going to be this time or when it's going to happen. It's that feeling of dread that you know what's coming. And I'm sure that's how Kessia felt too. She knew it was only a matter of time too.
The assault itself was some of the best writing I've read in this genre. It was passionate, exciting writing and I teared up while reading it, which is not something I've done often. There is a twist at the end that I really enjoyed and wasn't expecting in this book and I enjoyed it overall.
It wasn't an easy read because of the subject matter, but it wasn't overly violent or dark, had a perfect ending, and it was a quick read for me.
I also encourage anyone who reads this one to read the open letter the author has included at the end.