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buer's review against another edition
dark
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
Young college student, Darby Thorne, finds herself trapped at a rest stop on her way to say goodbye to her dying mother. After a strange series of events, Darby realizes that there is a kidnapped child in the back of one of the vehicles in the parking lot. She must figure out which of the four strangers at the rest stop is the killer and what she needs to do to save the kidnapped girl.
I want to like this book - it’s fast-paced, easy to read, and has an overarching theme of a young woman realizing that she is a better, stronger, and more resilient person than she could have ever imagined. Taylor Adams has a simple, visceral writing style that I like and introduces several interesting twists.
However. Much like one of the characters in this book, Adams feels like the kind of person who knows how to convincingly wear a mask. The mask he has chosen is that he’s the kind of person who believes that women are strong and capable, but considering that he sexualizes every female character in his book with varying degrees of brutality, I’m not convinced.
I also find it difficult to enjoy a book in which the author goes out of his way to introduce prejudice into the story. Taylor names an imaginary geographical landmark with a slur. He has a character tell multiple misogynistic jokes and a racist one that involves yet another slur. He uses the r-word and repeatedly references a probably homophobic piece of graffiti that he invented for the bathroom wall at the rest stop.
Maybe I’m wrong about Taylor, but I can’t recommend this book in good conscience. There are too many moments that got under my skin for reasons that weren’t serving the plot or adding depth to characters.
There are plenty other books that accomplish what this book does without also reeking of ick. Read those instead.
I want to like this book - it’s fast-paced, easy to read, and has an overarching theme of a young woman realizing that she is a better, stronger, and more resilient person than she could have ever imagined. Taylor Adams has a simple, visceral writing style that I like and introduces several interesting twists.
However. Much like one of the characters in this book, Adams feels like the kind of person who knows how to convincingly wear a mask. The mask he has chosen is that he’s the kind of person who believes that women are strong and capable, but considering that he sexualizes every female character in his book with varying degrees of brutality, I’m not convinced.
I also find it difficult to enjoy a book in which the author goes out of his way to introduce prejudice into the story. Taylor names an imaginary geographical landmark with a slur. He has a character tell multiple misogynistic jokes and a racist one that involves yet another slur. He uses the r-word and repeatedly references a probably homophobic piece of graffiti that he invented for the bathroom wall at the rest stop.
Maybe I’m wrong about Taylor, but I can’t recommend this book in good conscience. There are too many moments that got under my skin for reasons that weren’t serving the plot or adding depth to characters.
There are plenty other books that accomplish what this book does without also reeking of ick. Read those instead.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Gun violence, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Torture, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Violence, Animal death, Murder, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Animal cruelty, Cursing, and Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism, Confinement, Addiction, Bullying, Ableism, Body shaming, Cancer, Child abuse, Fatphobia, and Fire/Fire injury
loveitall's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
I did not enjoy this book. The book is only as long as it is because the main character keeps making stupid mistakes that could have easily been avoided making it more frustrating than anything.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, and Gore
Minor: Ableism and Racial slurs
rawrsoobin's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Torture, Violence, Physical abuse, Blood, Gore, Gun violence, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Racism, Trafficking, Gaslighting, and Ableism
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Vomit, Pedophilia, Death of parent, Chronic illness, Cancer, and Alcoholism
xlipkins's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Gun violence, Blood, Murder, Confinement, and Torture
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Panic attacks/disorders, Ableism, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, and Child abuse
Minor: Trafficking, Terminal illness, Alcoholism, and Rape
mel_j's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Alcohol, Death of parent, Gun violence, Kidnapping, and Confinement
Moderate: Ableism
Minor: Rape, Racism, and Trafficking
wends_nblw's review against another edition
dark
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
4.0
I need to start taking reviews with a grain of salt because they always set my expectations too high. That being said, this was still a good thriller.
I couldn't stand Darby at first, but I found myself warming up to her towards the halfway point before fully loving her character by the end. With the rest of the cast, I couldn't decide if I hated or loved them. There aren't many side characters : aside from Darby, we have five other distinctive characters.
As for the culprit(in this case : one of the culprits, Ashley) ... I found myself fully enraptured by them. Their motive, their point of view, the way they spoke.. I couldn't help but find myself being manipulated by them. By the end, I was as smitten with them as they were with Darby. For sure one of my favorite antagonists of any book.
So many twists and turns, I wouldn't say this book had me on the edge of my seat, but it certainly had me sitting up straight. Every time I thought this book was going to end, that Darby and this little girl, Jay, were going to escape, 'No Exit' would toss that hope aside and shoot me with a nail gun. I would groan and in the words of our villain, say "oh, come on."
I couldn't stand Darby at first, but I found myself warming up to her towards the halfway point before fully loving her character by the end. With the rest of the cast, I couldn't decide if I hated or loved them. There aren't many side characters : aside from Darby, we have five other distinctive characters.
As for the culprit
So many twists and turns, I wouldn't say this book had me on the edge of my seat, but it certainly had me sitting up straight. Every time I thought this book was going to end, that Darby and this little girl, Jay, were going to escape, 'No Exit' would toss that hope aside and shoot me with a nail gun. I would groan and in the words of our villain, say "oh, come on."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Physical abuse, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Cancer, Car accident, and Death of parent
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Incest, Torture, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Rape, and Vomit
This book uses the n + r slurs both once.comeundun's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Torture, Blood, Death, Murder, Ableism, Death of parent, Gun violence, Body horror, and Confinement
ireadtoescape_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
I never would have picked this book up had it not been a book club pick. Stressful.
I will say that part of the premise is very frustrating. The constant bad bad, very bad decisions were exhausting.Starting with Darby herself - who goes on a wintery long-distance trip so completely unprepared??? Come on!! I get it adds to the plot but wow, my sister!! Also, be more inventive as an author?? I don’t know… The converse sneakers in winter really did me in ☹️😪😪 everyone knows converse are not shoes for the winter!! Even if you’ve never worn them, everyone in your life will tell you that converse are not for the cold. They’re freezers!! Honestly!!
Anyway, white men write women characters in a very odd way. I don’t know. Unsettling at times.
The villain was a lot! And I don’t know if I’m happy with how he’s been written as well. Was exhausting at the end of it. And obviously had to be good-looking. 👀 hot white guys can be villains, too. Diversity 🫶🏾
The ableism. Omg. I cannot!! The use of rat-face was so awful on top of that. This author said you all WILL know that I am a dude bro. Ew.
Also the bus driver lady??? Lol!! What do you mean, Mother Theresa!!??? 😭😭😭😭 What in the warped altruism?? I couldn’t believe that when I read it. No ways, my sister??! What a mess.
Ask me how this author found a way to include racism PLUS a racial slur that added absolutely nothing to the plot in a book with only white characters. Pls what the hell! The guy is a child abductor - he’s a terrible person. That’s enough to convince us. It doesn’t need to be substantiated with racism that added nothing to the plot. Urgh. This may be the last book by a white man I ever read because no ways??? 😭 I’m a baby girl who deserves better.
I will say that part of the premise is very frustrating. The constant bad bad, very bad decisions were exhausting.
Anyway, white men write women characters in a very odd way. I don’t know. Unsettling at times.
The villain was a lot! And I don’t know if I’m happy with how he’s been written as well. Was exhausting at the end of it. And obviously had to be good-looking. 👀 hot white guys can be villains, too. Diversity 🫶🏾
The ableism. Omg. I cannot!! The use of rat-face was so awful on top of that. This author said you all WILL know that I am a dude bro. Ew.
Also the bus driver lady??? Lol!! What do you mean, Mother Theresa!!??? 😭😭😭😭 What in the warped altruism?? I couldn’t believe that when I read it. No ways, my sister??! What a mess.
Ask me how this author found a way to include racism PLUS a racial slur that added absolutely nothing to the plot in a book with only white characters. Pls what the hell! The guy is a child abductor - he’s a terrible person. That’s enough to convince us. It doesn’t need to be substantiated with racism that added nothing to the plot. Urgh. This may be the last book by a white man I ever read because no ways??? 😭 I’m a baby girl who deserves better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Blood, Confinement, Kidnapping, Murder, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, and Trafficking
Minor: Racial slurs, Racism, and Pedophilia
thewildnorry's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
2.5 stars. May add more later but the horrific of treatment of characters with developmental delays, needless and annoying repetition and lack of subtlety make me want to burn this book. Add the disappointing and nonsensical Epilogue and there we have it.
[CHARACTERS]
Lars
When first introduced to Lars I took him for one of those stereotypical boys who's obsessed with anime and first person shooters and puts people off because of this and their annoying, gross, and misogynistic tendencies. His dumbness and spinelessness seemed to be maybe a slight developmental delay but more due to his poverty and past trauma than an actual illness.
When it was revealed that he has Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, I almost threw up. Then I almost burned the book. Then I wrote long rants about representation of those with developmental delays, mental illnesses, and other disabilities in books. Can a person with FAS be a villain? Sure. Is it ok to have the protagonist to call the character with FAS "Rodent Face" on almost every single page? Hell. No. The FAS facial features tend to come as a result of their syndrome and so making fun of his looks that come from this? Off the table. Mouth-breathing? Sure. His awful actions? Go for it. But what the actual fuck was this.
Ashley
So bad that he was unbelievably bad. If someone has to say "I'm a big bad guy. I'm a monster in a monster movie. I'm evil. I'm a liar." Then they're not well-written. We should be able to tell.
Darby
Has no flaws. Oh, was I supposed to believe the fact that an 18/19 year old said awful things to her mother and had a bad relationship with her is supposed to be a major character flaw? I understand why the movie added in the drug addiction because that makes sense for the "high stakes" of their fraught relationship as opposed to just personality conflicts and bad choices. That said, I do like her cleverness a lot more in here.
Ed
The best of the best. His character and growth throughout the story was so well done. I adored him.
Sandi
Fine. Her motives for getting involved in the plot are never fully explained though. I also don't get why she'd ransom a kid to help battered women? Like that was weird.
Jay
Such a badass. Totally done dirty by the movie. I mean was it unbelievable that this didn't send her into an Addisonian Crisis? Yeah 100%. But I still enjoyed her being more active here.
[WRITING]
The author seemed to lack any trust in his readers to be able to piece together clues or recognize foreshadowing coming into fruition. Everything was obvious and nothing was subtle.
* The idea that Ash is a "magic man" and "showman" regularly comes up. So does Ash's torture tendencies and reminders that he's a liar. Why don't you let readers slip into forgetting so we're shocked when something bad happens or feel validated when we catch him out with Darby?
* "'And never insult Ashley, either,' Jay warned. 'He . . . he acts like it’s okay at first, but he remembers for later. And he gets his payback if you hurt his feelings—'” - It's such obvious foreshadowing that when this does come full circle, it's more like "Oh this is when that happens" as opposed to us realizing the depravity of his character.
* For some reason the fact Ashley acknowledges about his and Darby's names earlier in the book (that Ashley has a traditionally girls name and Darby has a traditionally boys name) does not come full circle despite the opportunity for this to be the reason that Spoiler the policeman shoots Darby instead of Ashley. I mean how awful (but beautifully written) would it be if Jay tells the policeman to save Darby from Ashley, and that's another reason why the police officer gets it wrong.
The pacing would be so much better if the author cut out all the repetition and just got to the action. I read the same phrase several times, and the characters had the same thoughts several times.
The dialogue was terrible. Especially Ashley's once he was revealed as a villain. I mean the things he said entirely earnestly? No one says that. Or even thinks like that. It was so hard to take him seriously as a scary figure when he continued to use the words "golly" and "jelly side up" and "magic man" un-ironically.
The author gives fantastic descriptions and there were several really clever lines in here as well. You can find them in my notes and highlights.
Last, I didn't like the way the author spoke about mental illness, disabilities, religion, women's issues, guns, and other things. Like most of the things (other than that which I already expounded on) were really minor wording issues that spoke to a viewpoint that I found uncomfortable and wrong. (Using the r-slur like it's nothing, mentioning the NRA was right, etc.)
[LIVE REACTION NOTES]
- Some really killer one liners.
- I *really* enjoy Ed's character.
- Ash is a much more obvious charlatan.
- Oh good. Ash's racist.
- I like the note passing scene.
- *DYING* laughing at the note passing scene with the girlfriend and mouthing.
- Ashley's interrogation of Darby is disarmingly charming. Here he has to put his narcissism aside to do the job.
- Two thumbs down for the worst described kiss ever.
- In the movie it was unclear why she didn't choose the former marine. Now it makes more sense.
- Movie also missed the humor.
- Bringing up the nail gun as a yellow card makes that scene with Darby so much more sinister. That he's done it before and it's not desperation
- "You're kind of a damaged girl. I like it." Oop.
- Enjoys back and forth quips.
- Darby gets to be more of a badass and isn't super flawed. All her flaws are in the past and she's overcoming them.
- Ashley is like a caricature and uses the weirdest fucking sayings that aren't human "Golly" "toast lands jelly side up" "let the monsters do their thing"
- Holy shit the sudden violence.
- The perspective shifts only happen when the author gets excited but we as a reader don't need them.
- Also Ashley here is so over the top narcissistic and easy rather than the just DARK version in the movie
- Uncle is interesting both places.
- Wtf is this language "smooch"
- "Oh Darbs. I love You." His love is kinda creepy.
- The revelation that Lars and Ashley wanted to be here is interesting. Idk if I like it more or less than movie
- Oh I *really* don't like how they portray fetal alcohol syndrome.
- Yikes. Sandi is even more gross.
- Ed is also still great.
- Well that was gory and gross. (Ed + Sandi)
- It woulda been better if Jay hadn't said "Dont insult him he always remembers but instead just said something vague."
- Let. The audience. Piece It. Together.
- The police going to the wrong rest area is SUCH a good twist.
- SO repetitive.
- "Jelly side up" makes me literally angry
- Ashley's sick fascination with Darby is boring. I liked the movie better.
- I also liked Darby's story in the movie better but not necessarily the coke? Idk tho. Definitely makes for a better unreliable narrator but only if it'd been revealed not right away.
- If the cop didn't get confused because Jay said Darby and Ashley than there is no point to having named him Ashley
- Oh. There's no point. cool.
- Why is she alive.
- Why not just have Jay do a rubbing. Wtf.
- damn.
[CHARACTERS]
Lars
When first introduced to Lars I took him for one of those stereotypical boys who's obsessed with anime and first person shooters and puts people off because of this and their annoying, gross, and misogynistic tendencies. His dumbness and spinelessness seemed to be maybe a slight developmental delay but more due to his poverty and past trauma than an actual illness.
When it was revealed that he has Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, I almost threw up. Then I almost burned the book. Then I wrote long rants about representation of those with developmental delays, mental illnesses, and other disabilities in books. Can a person with FAS be a villain? Sure. Is it ok to have the protagonist to call the character with FAS "Rodent Face" on almost every single page? Hell. No. The FAS facial features tend to come as a result of their syndrome and so making fun of his looks that come from this? Off the table. Mouth-breathing? Sure. His awful actions? Go for it. But what the actual fuck was this.
Ashley
So bad that he was unbelievably bad. If someone has to say "I'm a big bad guy. I'm a monster in a monster movie. I'm evil. I'm a liar." Then they're not well-written. We should be able to tell.
Darby
Has no flaws. Oh, was I supposed to believe the fact that an 18/19 year old said awful things to her mother and had a bad relationship with her is supposed to be a major character flaw? I understand why the movie added in the drug addiction because that makes sense for the "high stakes" of their fraught relationship as opposed to just personality conflicts and bad choices. That said, I do like her cleverness a lot more in here.
Ed
The best of the best. His character and growth throughout the story was so well done. I adored him.
Sandi
Fine. Her motives for getting involved in the plot are never fully explained though. I also don't get why she'd ransom a kid to help battered women? Like that was weird.
Jay
Such a badass. Totally done dirty by the movie. I mean was it unbelievable that this didn't send her into an Addisonian Crisis? Yeah 100%. But I still enjoyed her being more active here.
[WRITING]
The author seemed to lack any trust in his readers to be able to piece together clues or recognize foreshadowing coming into fruition. Everything was obvious and nothing was subtle.
* The idea that Ash is a "magic man" and "showman" regularly comes up. So does Ash's torture tendencies and reminders that he's a liar. Why don't you let readers slip into forgetting so we're shocked when something bad happens or feel validated when we catch him out with Darby?
* "'And never insult Ashley, either,' Jay warned. 'He . . . he acts like it’s okay at first, but he remembers for later. And he gets his payback if you hurt his feelings—'” - It's such obvious foreshadowing that when this does come full circle, it's more like "Oh this is when that happens" as opposed to us realizing the depravity of his character.
* For some reason the fact Ashley acknowledges about his and Darby's names earlier in the book (that Ashley has a traditionally girls name and Darby has a traditionally boys name) does not come full circle despite the opportunity for this to be the reason that Spoiler the policeman shoots Darby instead of Ashley. I mean how awful (but beautifully written) would it be if Jay tells the policeman to save Darby from Ashley, and that's another reason why the police officer gets it wrong.
The pacing would be so much better if the author cut out all the repetition and just got to the action. I read the same phrase several times, and the characters had the same thoughts several times.
The dialogue was terrible. Especially Ashley's once he was revealed as a villain. I mean the things he said entirely earnestly? No one says that. Or even thinks like that. It was so hard to take him seriously as a scary figure when he continued to use the words "golly" and "jelly side up" and "magic man" un-ironically.
The author gives fantastic descriptions and there were several really clever lines in here as well. You can find them in my notes and highlights.
Last, I didn't like the way the author spoke about mental illness, disabilities, religion, women's issues, guns, and other things. Like most of the things (other than that which I already expounded on) were really minor wording issues that spoke to a viewpoint that I found uncomfortable and wrong. (Using the r-slur like it's nothing, mentioning the NRA was right, etc.)
[LIVE REACTION NOTES]
- Some really killer one liners.
- I *really* enjoy Ed's character.
- Ash is a much more obvious charlatan.
- Oh good. Ash's racist.
- I like the note passing scene.
- *DYING* laughing at the note passing scene with the girlfriend and mouthing.
- Ashley's interrogation of Darby is disarmingly charming. Here he has to put his narcissism aside to do the job.
- Two thumbs down for the worst described kiss ever.
- In the movie it was unclear why she didn't choose the former marine. Now it makes more sense.
- Movie also missed the humor.
- Bringing up the nail gun as a yellow card makes that scene with Darby so much more sinister. That he's done it before and it's not desperation
- "You're kind of a damaged girl. I like it." Oop.
- Enjoys back and forth quips.
- Darby gets to be more of a badass and isn't super flawed. All her flaws are in the past and she's overcoming them.
- Ashley is like a caricature and uses the weirdest fucking sayings that aren't human "Golly" "toast lands jelly side up" "let the monsters do their thing"
- Holy shit the sudden violence.
- The perspective shifts only happen when the author gets excited but we as a reader don't need them.
- Also Ashley here is so over the top narcissistic and easy rather than the just DARK version in the movie
- Uncle is interesting both places.
- Wtf is this language "smooch"
- "Oh Darbs. I love You." His love is kinda creepy.
- The revelation that Lars and Ashley wanted to be here is interesting. Idk if I like it more or less than movie
- Oh I *really* don't like how they portray fetal alcohol syndrome.
- Yikes. Sandi is even more gross.
- Ed is also still great.
- Well that was gory and gross. (Ed + Sandi)
- It woulda been better if Jay hadn't said "Dont insult him he always remembers but instead just said something vague."
- Let. The audience. Piece It. Together.
- The police going to the wrong rest area is SUCH a good twist.
- SO repetitive.
- "Jelly side up" makes me literally angry
- Ashley's sick fascination with Darby is boring. I liked the movie better.
- I also liked Darby's story in the movie better but not necessarily the coke? Idk tho. Definitely makes for a better unreliable narrator but only if it'd been revealed not right away.
- If the cop didn't get confused because Jay said Darby and Ashley than there is no point to having named him Ashley
- Oh. There's no point. cool.
- Why is she alive.
- Why not just have Jay do a rubbing. Wtf.
- damn.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Trafficking, Torture, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Violence, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Ableism, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Death, Terminal illness, Sexual violence, Death of parent, Animal death, Cancer, Racial slurs, and Alcoholism
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Incest
cardanrry's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Gore, Death, Blood, Kidnapping, and Murder
Moderate: Cancer, Gun violence, Vomit, Ableism, and Chronic illness
Minor: Alcohol, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Trafficking, and Death of parent