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jborst's review against another edition
4.0
Rounding up from 3.5. Anything recommended by Stephen King is ok by me, but this isn't quite what I'd expected. While dramatic, moving and sometimes tense, it's not a thriller, in my opinion. That said, Wahrer does a great job of laying out a compelling crime story. While some moments felt a bit forced, it was overall a good and engaging read.
latte_librarian's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. What an amazing ride this book takes you on. I had to go back and check that it was a debut because wow. This story was so well written and I loved the characters. The way the book went between each character and even a jump back and forth in time was so seamless. Normally I really have to force myself to think who is telling which part, but the author does such a great job of giving each character their own voice it was so easy to follow. And wow that twist. Mind blown, twice! I can’t wait for more by this author!!
laurapeden's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 this was really good! I’d love to see more books on male sexual assault. This one is super twisty and emotional.
readinginmagnolia's review
4.0
I recently described another book as a run-of-the-mill SVU episode. This was more like an extremely elaborate and awesome SVU episode. Told primarily in alternating points of view from a sexual assault victim, his brother, sister-in-law and the detective assigned to the case, the timeline switches between 2015 when the assault happened and 2019 when the now-former detective has requested the sister-in-law visit him in his home. Slowly the story of both what happened to Nick and the fate of the perpetrator are revealed. I had all sorts of ideas about what was going on in this story but I was wrong all around. Even one of the issues I had once I finally realized what had happened was taken care of in the last chapter! I did have a question about the MO, but I guess it really doesn’t matter. Great debut!
Thank you to Goodreads and Pamela Dorman Books for the free copy provided for an honest review.
TW: violent rape and associated trauma, self-harm
Spoiler
I expected Ray's fascination with his victim's having "beards", though it was false in Nick's case, to go somewhere. While I don't really feel like that was a red herring, it felt more dropped, since it didn't matter and they never found any other victimsThank you to Goodreads and Pamela Dorman Books for the free copy provided for an honest review.
TW: violent rape and associated trauma, self-harm
saraktan's review against another edition
4.0
It was dark and twisty. A slow read for me because I had to put it down a lot. Full of tension! Not my usual genre, but I enjoyed it at the end.
xanabertolo's review against another edition
5.0
Um livro que me agarrou nas primeiras páginas (coisa rara de momento).
Bem escrito, bem construído, manteve-me sempre interessada em saber mais..
Gostei dos personagens e adorei o final!!
Muito bom!!
Bem escrito, bem construído, manteve-me sempre interessada em saber mais..
Gostei dos personagens e adorei o final!!
Muito bom!!
bowler_reads_27's review against another edition
4.0
Nick is rape during a one night stand with a man, and his older brother Tony and sister in law Julia step in to support him and the ongoing case. As Nick falls apart and then works on healing, Tony and Julia are forced to grapple with how far they will go to protect Nick. I liked the characters and the fact that it shed some light on a bit often talked about aspect of rape.
karaayers's review against another edition
3.0
Quick summary: This is a family drama that follows the aftermath of a sexual assault on a young man.
What I liked: I appreciated the depth of these characters and the storytelling that considered that both our past and underlying personality can impact how we respond to trauma. I also liked the act of shining a light on sexual assault within the gay community and how stigma/homophobia worsens the trauma of these experiences for victims.
What didn't do it for me: I felt like I trudged through this one. It was too slow-paced to feel like a thriller until it picked up at the end.
This was a 3-star read for me, which is an admirable average. I'm glad I read/finished it but wouldn't necessarily highly recommend it to others. If any of the unique story elements really stand out to you, you might enjoy it more.
What I liked: I appreciated the depth of these characters and the storytelling that considered that both our past and underlying personality can impact how we respond to trauma. I also liked the act of shining a light on sexual assault within the gay community and how stigma/homophobia worsens the trauma of these experiences for victims.
What didn't do it for me: I felt like I trudged through this one. It was too slow-paced to feel like a thriller until it picked up at the end.
This was a 3-star read for me, which is an admirable average. I'm glad I read/finished it but wouldn't necessarily highly recommend it to others. If any of the unique story elements really stand out to you, you might enjoy it more.