Reviews with content warning for Rape - Blonde Hair, Blue Eyes

I read this short story after reading "Pretty Girls." It isn't necessary to "Pretty Girls" to read this one first but it is quite eerie and sad when you read "Pretty Girls" and know what happens.

This short story also highlights how rape is not always taken seriously by the media, etc. and the fears that many women face.

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triple_m's review against another edition

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challenging sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

A prequal novella to Pretty Girls. I read it after I read PG and I’m glad I did, I don’t think I would’ve cared as much if I read it first and not known what was going to happen to Julia.

That being said, it was so devastating to learn more about Julia and who she was as a person knowing her tragic fate. It was also sad to see that they had a really healthy family unit before she was murdered.

Overall it was a super quick audiobook and really enjoyable!

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danaslitlist's review against another edition

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fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No

2.75

I read this in one sitting which is a good thing because I honestly don’t think I would have picked it up again if I had taken a break. I didn’t even realize this was prequel to Pretty Girls until I read the other reviews and honestly felt like this didn’t add anything to the events that occur in Pretty Girls itself. This didn’t really do anything to make me more invested in Julia that Pretty Girls didn’t do already, so overall it felt pointless.

Was it bad? No! It’s a short story (about 2 hours long if you listen to the audiobook) and is well written overall.

Would I recommend it? Not really.

But I would recommend Pretty Girls for sure, don’t let this turn you off from reading that.

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charlotte_helen's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? N/A
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

This novella is the prequel to pretty girls. I was unaware of this book at the time of reading pretty girls, however I feel that it actually helped to read it afterwards as it was told from Julia’s perspective and cleared up some assumptions made, mainly by the police, after her disappearance within pretty girls. Whilst it may only be a short story, the writing is just as good as in other books by Karin Slaughter.

Spoiler

It is heartbreaking to read about how Julia gets to experience her virginity being taken, something that she desperately wanted to happen, with someone she loved before reading her perspective during her last few moments as it dawns on her that she is about to be taken.

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clare072's review against another edition

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mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

1.0

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buckydotson's review against another edition

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emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

I basically think of this book as an extension on Pretty Girls. I enjoyed listening to it and getting to know more about Julia’s personality. It’s heartbreaking to know what will happen to her.

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