ferris_mx's review against another edition
5.0
That was lovely, and very well crafted. However, the maturity of the teenage protagonists was not quite credible.
whitecat5000's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
5.0
This was an addicting read and I could not get enough. Even when I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it.
squish_reader893's review against another edition
5.0
5 Star read
Unexpected but brilliant... beautiful written, engaging characters. There’s a simplicity to the story and the ending is beautiful. Trigger warning: be careful
Unexpected but brilliant... beautiful written, engaging characters. There’s a simplicity to the story and the ending is beautiful. Trigger warning: be careful
rachaelsreads's review against another edition
challenging
sad
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? It's complicated
4.0
kirstinin's review against another edition
3.0
There's no way you people really thought there was a "twist" or dramatic reveal in this book, bffr
finalefile's review against another edition
4.0
This book hits a lot of my favorite tropes - cults, religion, arranged/fraudulent marriage, suspense, escape...it was great! Some of the pacing seemed unrealistic but it was definitely attention-grabbing and pretty believable (at least, believable in this world of ours that keeps the Duggars on TV).
Spoiler
(I find it very hard to believe that a teenage boy would almost-immediately agree to marry a near-stranger just because he's a closeted gay and needs money)jenmurphy's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
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? It's complicated
2.5
reytru1065's review against another edition
5.0
This was a great book! I have to give applause to Meghan MacLean Weir on her first novel, this story was so gripping and I love that I was so invested in Essie's life. This story played out just as I wanted and in the end the Essie and Roarke get their due justice.
emilyusuallyreading's review against another edition
4.0
What I Liked
You can see Essie's story happening right now, tomorrow, and in many ways it already has. Extremely similar to the Duggars family, the Book of Essie delivers a behind-the-scenes look at a family caught up in fakeness and the limelight. And this has created victims.
What I Didn't Like
The story's big reveal was no secret to me. It seemed obvious, and because of that, I felt annoyed when it was dragged out.
Also, the end seemed too sewn-up into such a neat little package.
You can see Essie's story happening right now, tomorrow, and in many ways it already has. Extremely similar to the Duggars family, the Book of Essie delivers a behind-the-scenes look at a family caught up in fakeness and the limelight. And this has created victims.
What I Didn't Like
The story's big reveal was no secret to me. It seemed obvious, and because of that, I felt annoyed when it was dragged out.
Also, the end seemed too sewn-up into such a neat little package.