Reviews with content warning for Sexual harassment - Reputation

I have no idea why I finished this book. Breaking it down, subject matter matters to me…and that’s about it. Characters were all unlikable. Prose was mediocre. I think I didn’t have anything better to read last night…

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lovelymisanthrope'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? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I picked up a copy of this book at a library book sale.
"Reputation" follows a character named Emma. Emma is a politician who has sacrificed a lot for her career, including her happy family. One cause that is particularly important to Emma and her platform is creating more consequences for those who publicize revenge porn. Unbeknownst to her, Emma's teenage daughter, Flora, sends a topless video of one of her classmates to the boy that this classmate likes. Emma will do anything to protect Flora, but she also wants to keep this under wraps, so it does not hurt her political career. Unfortunately for Emma, things get worse, and she may not be able to save her reputation.
I did not have super high expectations for this book, but this plot about revenge porn in a thriller caught my attention. Flora obviously should not have taken a video of someone without their consent, and she certainly should not have sent a naked video of someone to anyone, but the reasoning that drove Flora to that point felt believable. Flora was mercilessly bullied by this girl every day, and Flora was finally fed up. This does not justify her actions, but I think it does well to explain her mental state.
I think this book explores this idea that a woman's reputation, particularly in the limelight is so fragile exceptionally well. It only takes one accusation, does not matter how true, to completely destroy a reputation, and once a reputation is destroyed, it feels impossible to come back from.
The big "mystery" behind what happened was not terribly interesting to me, and overall I did not mesh well with Emma as a character. I was far more invested in Flora, and I wish we got the story completely from Flora's perspective.
This story was fine; it did not enough to keep me interested throughout the story, but not enough that I am immediately going to reach for more from Sarah Vaughan.

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