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lizziaha's review against another edition
1.5
As a disclaimer, I probably would’ve DNFed this book if I hadn’t been reading it for a book club. It really wasn’t for me.
The characters were insufferable, and every move being made by the author was very transparent.
The characters were insufferable, and every move being made by the author was very transparent.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Murder, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Fire/Fire injury
herelieshenry's review against another edition
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
0.75
The first 75% was frustrating, but at least competent as far as a domestic thriller goes. The last 25% was however shaping up to be a very solid ending—the last scene, where there’s a second twist, however, ruined it for me. The narrative clearly showed Richard as a manipulative, garbage husband, and I find the concept of Chloe’s motivation ridiculous; that was part of why I disliked the first 75%, but the way the ending with her grandmother nails it in is ridiculous. Overall, it makes Chloe feel like a weird misogynistic caricature. There’s also a lot of ableist sentiment throughout the book from pretty much every character. In particular, as someone who has been institutionalized and traumatized by it, the lense used to portray Chloe as having to either have been evil or falsely sent there was very stigmatizing and just kind of hurt.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Misogyny, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Child death, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, and Death of parent
Minor: Fatphobia, Infidelity, Suicide, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
hellokatya's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
i finished this book in one sitting.
as much as the characters annoyed me, and were truly insufferable, the author really knows how to weave a story together and make it addicting.
definitely a strong recommendation for a thrilling binge read.
i most definitely saw through the richard misdirect, but it was nice to even question just a little bit what really was going on.
i do wish there had been more done with the aspect of joanne being an unreliable narrator, with her mother’s history of PPD. i think it could’ve been a really good plot device, but it seemed to be put to waste.
the story reminded me of the omen or the good son.
in its entirety, it’s very creepy, frustrating, and really puts you on the edge of your seat.
as much as the characters annoyed me, and were truly insufferable, the author really knows how to weave a story together and make it addicting.
definitely a strong recommendation for a thrilling binge read.
the story reminded me of the omen or the good son.
in its entirety, it’s very creepy, frustrating, and really puts you on the edge of your seat.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Child death, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Toxic relationship, and Pregnancy
Minor: Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Vomit, and Fire/Fire injury