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colorful_lulu's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
slow-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
3.25
It was slow until 2/3 of the book. It had a very interesting concept it was just not paced as well as it could’ve been. I thought the way Holly Jackson described details, or rather which detailed she pointed out and which she omitted, was really cool. The romance plot line confused the hell out of me. The kiss scene was added in so randomly in the most unrealistic and illogical point of the scene. The reason why they ended up kissing was because they were standing closely when placing the camera on the bookshelf but Rachel found it immediately so what’s the point of putting them in that situation? I get that the romance subplot adds to the theme but it was so random
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gore, Stalking, Murder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Infertility and Pregnancy
dramagirl2003's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
this took so many twists, most of which i never saw coming
ash has incredibly unique outfits 😂
age rating — 14+
ash has incredibly unique outfits 😂
age rating — 14+
thoughts while reading
p9: oh. my. gosh. don’t tell me the crew already knew rachel was back and that’s her arriving for a ✨wonderfully heartfelt✨ camera reunion
p11: thank the lord for that
p30: like father like daughter
She got into bed, making eye contact with the book waiting for her on top of the nightstand. The plot hadn't really got going yet—a lot of backstory—but something exciting was going to happen soon.
It had to: the title promised it.
haha you’re a real one for that holly jackson
p52: covid haha fun times
p65: that “oi” is basically pip-coded
p96: pip would fixate on that discrepancy too
p115: secret theory: jeff and charlie were involved somehow
p127: ok that is definitely a slip-up
“I, for one, wouldn’t put needles in your hands. You seem like the stabby type.”
p133: i mean she might not have actually. she knew how to evade cameras so she could’ve also figured out how to get herself on camera
p143: ash is very observant
p144: oh ash is right, she came back for money! she only reappeared cause she will get a colossal payout from it, and then she’ll probably disappear after she’s got it
p147: ironic since that’s exactly what i thought on page 9
p155: oh my god this is absolute confirmation
"You can call me anytime. You know that, right? Anytime."
"Sure," Bel said. Anytime, just not the last sixteen years, the years people tended to need their moms most.
Flared jeans and a fluorescent green T-shirt covered in happy apples: happles.
“if you spell apple sauce, with an ‘h,’ you can call it happle sauce.”
p194: mr tripp 😳 what were you doing man?
p211: charlie! where are you!?
p222: tripp is at it again! calling sick to nab charlie
p228: i wonder if face id would work since they look the same
p258: oop really opened yourself up there bob. rachel totally came to him
She'd told him to dress incognito, which, for Ash, meant a thin yellow turtleneck and denim overalls. Like a Minion.
🍌🍌🍌
p273: the banter is 😙👌🏻
p284: surely charlie wouldn’t do that to bel 💔
p298: GIRL it’s 2024!! all you have to do is press the power button 5 times!! how do you not know this!?
p303: why did i literally just suspect phillip was involved and now rachel’s accusing him. he’s too invested in the case, inserting himself too much. but on the other hand, rachel could just be making it up
p313: oh god
p317: no i wonder if she might be telling the truth about it being 15 years. maybe something happened in that unaccounted year.
p317: oh my gosh charlie was psycho-manipulating her this entire time
p335: i wasn’t quite expecting that 😶
p337: oh gosh, a lot of those books came out fairly recently, rachel never gave up hope!
p356: i am so glad rachel never meant to leave bel 🥺
p381: oh god charlie is genuinely gonna murder rachel if he gets his hands on her. jeff is such an idiot
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping and Abandonment
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Violence, Stalking, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Infertility and Blood
katypotaty0908's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Couldn’t put this book down, I was so invested in Bel and had to find out what happened!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping and Stalking
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Dementia, and Abandonment
Minor: Infertility
underscoresyd's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Violence, Dementia, and Stalking
Minor: Body shaming, Infertility, and Pregnancy
ayrisabella's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Dementia, Stalking, and Abandonment
Minor: Infertility and Miscarriage
jessw17's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Violence, Blood, Dementia, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
fanboyriot's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
♡ Plot Twist
♡ Missing Person Found
♡ Who Should You Trust?
A documentary for a missing woman who suddenly returns after sixteen years. Bell is left to unravel the true, to find out who was lying to her about what happened that night her mom went missing. Was she even really taken to begin with? But Bell soon realizes she can’t trust the people she thought she could.
This was a bit slow but at about the 30% mark it kicked in. This story was wild and I was so invested. Each truth Bell found out added to the story so well. The mystery, the suspense of what really happened when Rachel disappeared was all an addictive read. I didn’t see some of the twists coming when it came to Rachel’s disappearance. It was also really entertaining to see some of the behind the scenes of the making of the documentary.
Spice Level: n/a
Angst Level: 💧💧 (2/5)
POV: Third Person
Release Date: 07, September 2024
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexism, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Dementia, Stalking, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
Minor: Body shaming, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Infertility, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, and Kidnapping
afrenette's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Violence, Dementia, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Confinement, Infertility, Kidnapping, and Stalking
mikathereviewer's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Summary of my review: Great character depth (no flat protagonists), great humour and funny temperament of Bel, most plot twists were shocking, awesome ending, 1 plot twist was obvious, unnecessary romance parts, 1 logic mistake, used all the time real platforms, work titles, etc. not showing creativity
‘“I don’t know.”
Those three little words Bel knew better than most. Both the truth and a blockade, to hide behind when you needed it. But now that she was on the other side of those words, she finally saw why it drove people mad.’
I LOVE the temperament and humour of Bel. Even though the book is supoosed to be sad and more on the emotional side, I couldn't but catch the little jokes and actually chuckle. Especially when she gets annoyed and add some insults out of nowhere that leave the room silent.
Even though I didn't like that her attidue sometimes came across as too bitchy, I think that it was done on purpose as we know that she never wanted to be filmed in the first place and surely got annoyed at some point being asked about her mum while she always said 'I don't know' or 'I was too young to remember anything that happened'. So I totally get her. Would also be pissed off at some point when people would ask me the same questions all the time and I always answer the same but they don't stop asking. Especially as she never really knew her mum.And from what we get to know later, she didn't even want to be like her. Surely 'cause she never felt any stronge emotions to her except when she was still a baby and she is (I think at least) mad that she left her in the car as she thinks that she left her and didn't tragically passed away or something really bad happened to her. So she is upset about her, the situation and don't want to be like her therefore.
But that's also what I like. Maybe she seems a bit too rude sometimes, but that just shows her true feelings and her way of copying with the loss of her mother and the way everyone kinda pressures her to remember to what exactly happened.
Scene that shows that:
“I wonder, does being here in these exact same conditions, does it spark anything in your memory? Any images, feelings?”
“Yes, now you mention it, I’ve just suddenly remembered everything and solved the entire case, can you believe it? What a plot twist.”
Maybe I misinterpret it, but her way of leaving people first could be a copying mechanism for her, when her mum left her as she doesn't want to be left first ever again so she leaves people first before it ever happens to her again. Which can and also did as we see in the book destroyed any kinds of relationships she had as she only had her dad left every time. But that whole copying and her attitude and stuff give so much depth to that character that I really think she's three-dimensional.
Now we come to the plot twist. As some might know me, I usually get/know them before it's revealed, but I still make a difference between how hard it was to find out and if it was obvious or not. And I can only say; 1 was obvious and the other 2 weren't.
The obvious one: Charlie Price being evil (as he was suspected from the start all the time, you didn't need strong brain power to just say the same)
The one that wasn't obvious: The grandfather being also involved in it (I guessed it, but still was surprising as it wasn't very obvious and needed time to get to)
And that Carter wasn't the cousin, but Bel's sister.
I mean, I knew the plot twists yes (only got 2 of 3 right as the last plot twist was something I never payed close attention) but I know lots of thriller so I know the pattern and the foreshadowing, but honestly if you aren't thinking about it as much as I do and investigate and read between lines as excessively as I did, you would be good to go with a surprise (at least for 2 of the plot twists). I loved the twists, they were interesting to see revealed!
Only thing I didn't get correct was that it was in a truck, as I thought for whatever reason that it was in a basement.
I also never got the idea of thinking about Carter a lot as I got a different idea with the baby sock, so that was actually surprising.
I thought when the message said WE are being kept by Patrick Price that it was someone but Carter. I thought someone we don't know, just adding to the shock effect of knowing it wasn't just one he kept.
The ending was fire!!!
Like what happened?
Was that even a good idea??
I'm a bit disappointed that the book only used real platform names, real film names, etc. and didn't make one up or something. I think it shows more creativity if one makes one up and doesn't use existing ones.
I didn't care AT ALL about that mini love of this book. Unnecessary. Just wanted to read some thriller and not some romance, that also felt rushed as it only started in chapter 30.
One thing I never understood in this book was how Rachael wasn't just allowed to disappear with Bel, as she WOULD be safe from Charlie, so why did the grandfather take such measures instead of just letting her leave for good? I know he didn't know she was trying to disappear, but why did Rachael never mention it to get free?
At the end of the book there is a logic mistake. You turn your phone off to not be traced back, but it only works BEFORE you go to the place you don't want to be traced back. Since they were there already it would in real life logic would be too late.
————————————————————————
All books mentioned in this book:
1. The Memory Thief
2. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
3. Bring up the Bodies
4. Behind Closed Doors
5. Gone Girl
6. Station Eleven
7. The Vanishing Half
8. The Guest List
9. The Green Mile by Stephen King
10. The Midnight Library
11. A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
12. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
13. Game Of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
14. Malibu Rising
————————————————————————
Read: 1.-2. August 2024
Review written: 2. August 2024
‘“I don’t know.”
Those three little words Bel knew better than most. Both the truth and a blockade, to hide behind when you needed it. But now that she was on the other side of those words, she finally saw why it drove people mad.’
I LOVE the temperament and humour of Bel. Even though the book is supoosed to be sad and more on the emotional side, I couldn't but catch the little jokes and actually chuckle. Especially when she gets annoyed and add some insults out of nowhere that leave the room silent.
Even though I didn't like that her attidue sometimes came across as too bitchy, I think that it was done on purpose as we know that she never wanted to be filmed in the first place and surely got annoyed at some point being asked about her mum while she always said 'I don't know' or 'I was too young to remember anything that happened'. So I totally get her. Would also be pissed off at some point when people would ask me the same questions all the time and I always answer the same but they don't stop asking. Especially as she never really knew her mum.
But that's also what I like. Maybe she seems a bit too rude sometimes, but that just shows her true feelings and her way of copying with the loss of her mother and the way everyone kinda pressures her to remember to what exactly happened.
Scene that shows that:
“I wonder, does being here in these exact same conditions, does it spark anything in your memory? Any images, feelings?”
“Yes, now you mention it, I’ve just suddenly remembered everything and solved the entire case, can you believe it? What a plot twist.”
Maybe I misinterpret it, but her way of leaving people first could be a copying mechanism for her, when her mum left her as she doesn't want to be left first ever again so she leaves people first before it ever happens to her again. Which can and also did as we see in the book destroyed any kinds of relationships she had as she only had her dad left every time. But that whole copying and her attitude and stuff give so much depth to that character that I really think she's three-dimensional.
Now we come to the plot twist. As some might know me, I usually get/know them before it's revealed, but I still make a difference between how hard it was to find out and if it was obvious or not. And I can only say; 1 was obvious and the other 2 weren't.
The one that wasn't obvious: The grandfather being also involved in it (I guessed it, but still was surprising as it wasn't very obvious and needed time to get to)
And that Carter wasn't the cousin, but Bel's sister.
I mean, I knew the plot twists yes (only got 2 of 3 right as the last plot twist was something I never payed close attention) but I know lots of thriller so I know the pattern and the foreshadowing, but honestly if you aren't thinking about it as much as I do and investigate and read between lines as excessively as I did, you would be good to go with a surprise (at least for 2 of the plot twists). I loved the twists, they were interesting to see revealed!
I also never got the idea of thinking about Carter a lot as I got a different idea with the baby sock, so that was actually surprising.
I thought when the message said WE are being kept by Patrick Price that it was someone but Carter. I thought someone we don't know, just adding to the shock effect of knowing it wasn't just one he kept.
The ending was fire!!!
Like what happened?
Was that even a good idea??
I'm a bit disappointed that the book only used real platform names, real film names, etc. and didn't make one up or something. I think it shows more creativity if one makes one up and doesn't use existing ones.
I didn't care AT ALL about that mini love of this book. Unnecessary. Just wanted to read some thriller and not some romance, that also felt rushed as it only started in chapter 30.
At the end of the book there is a logic mistake. You turn your phone off to not be traced back, but it only works BEFORE you go to the place you don't want to be traced back. Since they were there already it would in real life logic would be too late.
————————————————————————
All books mentioned in this book:
1. The Memory Thief
2. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
3. Bring up the Bodies
4. Behind Closed Doors
5. Gone Girl
6. Station Eleven
7. The Vanishing Half
8. The Guest List
9. The Green Mile by Stephen King
10. The Midnight Library
11. A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
12. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
13. Game Of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
14. Malibu Rising
————————————————————————
Read: 1.-2. August 2024
Review written: 2. August 2024
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Moderate: Body shaming, Infertility, Physical abuse, Dementia, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cursing, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Excrement, Car accident, and Pandemic/Epidemic
This book contains (at the end of the book) mention of blaming oneself for something that was out of their control. Also called: Characterological self-blame (CSB) This book also contains (graphic) prejudice against husbands (‘it is always the husband who does this to their wife’, etcetera)rachelfayreads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, and Gaslighting