Reviews with content warning for Abandonment - The Reappearance of Rachel Price

Reviews tagging 'Abandonment'

The Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson

147 reviews

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!

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kellsbells374's review against another edition

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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.

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ninahuynh's review against another edition

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adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No

2.75

This book is much slower paced compared to A Good Girl's Guide to Murder series. There were several parts where there is an obvious way to do something, but the character chose to complicated way to make their life harder... Definitely a different kind of plot twist from the series. This is more of a disappearance/reappearance mystery, family mystery than murder mystery. Maybe suspense, not quite thriller.

My favorite line is "I'm hungry" 😂 iykyk (audiobook version)

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elodiethefangirl's review against another edition

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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

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latashman's review against another edition

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dark emotional fast-paced

3.0

I enjoyed reading this book, the twists were fun and suspense throughout. However, I found somethings hard to believe or not relevant. why would they not just go to the police?? They are just going to be a happy family now? Rachel is relatively fine after YEARS of solitary confinement.

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zahraloujain's review against another edition

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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.

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calamitywindpetal's review against another edition

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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

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pagesbycaroline's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious 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

4.5

It took some time to get into it, but then I couldn't put it down!

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twocollins's review against another edition

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dark funny mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
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

3.75

Listened to this as an audio book with my two teenage (13 & 16) children on a long car trip. This story has many twists which were not predictable.

My kids totally loved this story and were very keen to try and guess what had happened.

The book does use the F-bomb quite a lot. Overall a very enjoyable "family" listen with good mystery to keep us all guessing

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louiepotterbook's review against another edition

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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

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