Scan barcode
thebookwormkatie's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I think I was expecting it to be “creepier” than it was, and maybe that impacted my overall impression of the book, but it was still a solid read. I’m still trying to figure out what was “missing” for me to have it be 3 stars instead of 4, and honestly I think it may be that I didn’t like the main character as a person 😬 I’m not downplaying any of her postpartum anxiety because that stuff is real, but I guess I kept thinking Rosie was right and it really wasn’t Lillian. I wanted her to be someone else 😂
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Mental illness
savvyrosereads's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
4.0
Out September 13, 2022 [Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!]
Rating: 4/5 stars
Lilian hasn’t seen her sister Rosie in years, until Rosie shows up back in her life begging to talk to her about a matter of life and death. But before Rosie can share her secrets, a car accident leaves her with a severe brain injury, and Lilian seeking answers.
This was one of my most anticipated releases of the fall, and it ended up being a lot of fun! The premise felt familiar (estranged family members, brain injury and buried secrets) yet unique all at once, and the medical side of the book was definitely aided by the fact that the author is an actual real-life doctor.
I did figure out the twists, but I’ve come to the conclusion that’s my own fault because I’ve already read All The Books In The World. And I’m never too mad about figuring things out anyway—that just means the author did a good job unspooling enough hints for a sophisticated reader to latch onto, and I personally take it as a sign of a good book!
Most of all, I loved that this book dealt with heavy, serious themes—including intimate partner abuse, the weight of sisterhood, parental neglect, postpartum anxiety, and loss of loved ones—and handled sensitive subjects deftly and with great care. Not every book can balance dark subject matter and strong positive messages, but this one definitely did.
Recommended to anyone, but especially if you like: stories about sisters; medical thrillers; multiple twists.
CW: Intimate partner abuse; gaslighting/manipulation; parental neglect; postpartum anxiety; death of parents; death of child; grief; mental illness; car accident; mentions of sexual assault; mentions of animal cruelty; gun violence.
Rating: 4/5 stars
Lilian hasn’t seen her sister Rosie in years, until Rosie shows up back in her life begging to talk to her about a matter of life and death. But before Rosie can share her secrets, a car accident leaves her with a severe brain injury, and Lilian seeking answers.
This was one of my most anticipated releases of the fall, and it ended up being a lot of fun! The premise felt familiar (estranged family members, brain injury and buried secrets) yet unique all at once, and the medical side of the book was definitely aided by the fact that the author is an actual real-life doctor.
I did figure out the twists, but I’ve come to the conclusion that’s my own fault because I’ve already read All The Books In The World. And I’m never too mad about figuring things out anyway—that just means the author did a good job unspooling enough hints for a sophisticated reader to latch onto, and I personally take it as a sign of a good book!
Most of all, I loved that this book dealt with heavy, serious themes—including intimate partner abuse, the weight of sisterhood, parental neglect, postpartum anxiety, and loss of loved ones—and handled sensitive subjects deftly and with great care. Not every book can balance dark subject matter and strong positive messages, but this one definitely did.
Recommended to anyone, but especially if you like: stories about sisters; medical thrillers; multiple twists.
CW: Intimate partner abuse; gaslighting/manipulation; parental neglect; postpartum anxiety; death of parents; death of child; grief; mental illness; car accident; mentions of sexual assault; mentions of animal cruelty; gun violence.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, Car accident, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Cancer, Child death, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Murder, and Abandonment
Minor: Infidelity