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literarymary95's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book does take a little bit to get into. It took about a third of the way through when things started to get interesting. I really enjoyed the reveals and twists that happened in this book, which kept me reading. It's definitely worth the read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Moderate: Dementia, Stalking, and Murder
Minor: Body shaming, Infertility, and Pregnancy
kellsbells374's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I really liked this book. I liked that the main character, as a teenager, didn't feel unnaturally perceptive - yes, she's investigating the mystery but she gets stuff wrong along the way. I thought a few of the "tying up loose ends" things at the beginning didn't seem quite as plausible but it wasn't egregious enough to negate the interesting twists and turns of the story itself.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Minor: Confinement, Eating disorder, and Dementia
elodiethefangirl's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping and Gaslighting
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Dementia, Stalking, and Abandonment
sixbeforelunch's review against another edition
emotional
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: Gaslighting
Moderate: Dementia
zahraloujain's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The Reappearance of Rachel Price is an emotional journey of mystery and redemption, weaving complex themes of loss, love, and the unexpected returns of people who shaped us. Holly Jackson’s writing is strikingly authentic, with a cast of fully realized characters who drive the story’s profound emotional impact.
“[…] she didn’t always have to pick the way that hurt less. Some hurts were good: friends grew apart, people moved away, they left. It didn’t have to last forever to count. Things ended, this was ending, but that didn’t mean it never mattered.”
“The people who loved you, the ones who really cared, they would always come back. Sometimes, they even came back from the dead.”
One of the most powerful aspects of Jackson’s storytelling is the way she creates characters who feel real, flawed, and deeply relatable. The protagonist, Bel, is not easy to like at first—she’s rough around the edges, her pain sharp and almost abrasive—but that’s precisely what makes her journey so compelling. By the end, Bel’s character arc becomes a testament to healing and self-forgiveness. In grappling with her trauma, she learns to embrace the idea that things don’t have to last to matter and that the people who truly care will always find a way back.
The relationship between Bel and Ash is a subtle yet deeply affecting thread in the novel. Their journey, particularly that last scene, carries a bittersweet beauty, leaving readers both hopeful and heartbroken. Jackson’s talent for emotional complexity is apparent here, as Bel and Ash share a bond that feels destined, even if not straightforwardly “happily ever after”. Their ending is left open enough to inspire a sense of faith in their future. At least that’s what I have convinced myself of.
True to her style, Jackson keeps readers on edge with her plot twists, making The Reappearance of Rachel Price impossible to put down. While some twists may be anticipated, others come out of nowhere, keeping the experience both unpredictable and emotionally intense. This roller coaster of emotions—anger, heartbreak, and ultimately peace—leaves a lasting impression, making the book hard to shake even after the last page is turned. And Jackson’s inclusion of diverse characters feels effortless, lending authenticity without seeming forced or performative.
In short, The Reappearance of Rachel Price is a must-read, earning a solid 5 out of 5 stars. Holly Jackson’s gift for authentic character development and her nuanced exploration of trauma make this novel unforgettable. It’s a story that lingers, one that feels achingly real, and it’s clear that Jackson has become a treasured staple on my bookshelf.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Gaslighting
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Misogyny, Dementia, Death of parent, and Abandonment
calamitywindpetal's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Dementia, Kidnapping, and Abandonment
Moderate: Death, Violence, Blood, Stalking, and Gaslighting
Minor: Vomit
louiepotterbook's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Violence, Dementia, Kidnapping, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
erinjeanette's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Dementia, Kidnapping, Stalking, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
estellec13's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I loooove this book so much !! Holly Jackson does it again! I couldn't put it down for the whole second half of it !! I tried to guess the plot and I did guess some things but other things really took me by surprise!
There's only one thing that I was disapointed about: we never really find out why Charlie wanted to kill Rachel, I don't really understand.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Dementia, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Abandonment
aseel_reads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
3.0
I enjoyed the plot twist but there were too many events post the plot reveal, which ruined the pacing at the end
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Stalking, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, and Pregnancy
Minor: Dementia