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hollydyer328's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Addictive! The sense of DREAD building as the characters kept doing bad things. The early motherhood challenges are real and raw and made me feel seen. But the way that Audrain developed that into a suspenseful domestic thriller went beyond the Mama Drama and felt creative. If you are a new Mama, read this and you will feel seen, and also know that there are moms worse than you! Lots of triggering content, so check your CW's.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Miscarriage, Self harm, and Suicide
alicia_ann_reads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Whew, this book packed a heavy emotional punch.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, and Suicide
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Self harm, Toxic relationship, and Grief
tracipar's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
This book was so compelling and well-written. I could not put it down. I’m not usually one for dark, psychological books, but this one really got me. Make sure you are ready for heavy themes but if you can handle that, definitely read this one. (Libby: do not read this book)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Child death
Minor: Stalking
brandi_edition's review against another edition
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Holy smokes! Devoured this book! It was so twisty and dark and sad! But SOOOOO good!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Child death
tyungman7's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, and Domestic abuse
akeilmorris's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I couldn’t put this book down. I can confirm, as a mother, that the author did not shy away from the nitty gritty of being a new parent. She was also able to express a mother’s love and obsession with her new baby and I think that’s part of why this was so gut-wrenching for me. I was able to relate to that close bond. This book had me feeling tense, frustrated, and sobbing. It really takes you for a ride. I also love her writing style. It’s as if the main character, Blythe, is speaking to her husband, Fox throughout. There are a couple other relevant story lines about the effects of generational trauma. I don’t want to give too much away but there are definitely some trigger warnings for this book that I wish I had been aware of including child abuse and death.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Child death
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Stalking
emstermeegs's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This book like nothing else I've read. It's been some time since a book has affected me in such a way. I was deeply disturbed, but also so much of what was said about the joys and the struggles of motherhood rang true for me. I couldn't look away from this story, even as my heart thumped in my chest and my stomach churned. Not an easy read, but was worth it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, and Grief
karen_vandyne's review against another edition
fast-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
3.75
Probably a good explanation of motherhood, what it's like to have difficult child, but it didn't get me as much as her other book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Mental illness, and Stalking
bookishjester's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I loved the beautiful, simple yet elegant prose that this author used. Her writing inspired me, and so did her candor. The frankness of her writing was shocking but believable enough to keep my emotionally invested in Blythe's story and character development, through the unraveling of her family and partially her psyche. The ending was so well done, leaving it open ended but in such a foreboding way. I'll never forget this book. It comes with tons of content warnings, so proceed with caution if you are not in the right mental space, but it is a book that will make you feel all the emotions.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Sexual content, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Grief, Stalking, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, and Pregnancy
Minor: Terminal illness