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carlatemis's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Violence, Stalking, Murder, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Biphobia, Body shaming, Homophobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Alcohol, and Classism
jhansell's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Toxic relationship, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
fkshg8465's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
joelleen's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Stalking, and Sexual harassment
lemurdance's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
What begins as the sweet stories of a man deeply in love with his partner gradually reveals itself to be a first-person narrative of an escalating stalker. Mike's earnestness is almost ingratiating to the reader, as he insists everything that's happened since they broke up, including V's marriage, is part of an elaborate puzzle she has set up for him. Were we reading this from V's perspective, everything in me would scream RED FLAGS to her; instead we are stuck waiting to see what Mike's delusions will lead to next.
This tale evoked feelings of sympathy, pity, disgust, hopefulness, and horror. It is truly a rollercoaster from beginning to end and is a prime example of a psychological thriller in all the best ways.
I almost didn't want to love this book because of how emotionally difficult it was at times, but it is so exquisitely dark and twisty that I have nothing but praise for Araminta Hall and can't wait to read more from her.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Murder, and Abandonment
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
ruth_power's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Stalking, and Murder
reading_oncoffee's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
It was like reading a completely different book at the end in a way that just felt forced. I read in the acknowledgements that she talked with a lawyer to get legal advice for the writing of this book and i think in doing that she lost her writing style at the end and it was like she copy and pasted something else in. It was very strange and defiruined the "psychological thriller"-Ness of this novel for me
The rest, however, was amazing. I love the structure of this novel, I think it was very smart to write this in parts and not chapters. It really made you feel like your reading a diary entry or a transcribed interview which for this type of story really sucked you in and kept you there. The best way I can describe it is as reading a news article about a tragedy I have no connection to in anyway but still feeling the need to know every detail and read the whole thing and then subscribe for updates. It was usurping!
Spoiler up ahead about another problem I had throughout out the book revolving Mike as a person.
I also didn't care for how political the court hearing got, and again after reading the acknowledgement she does say that this book was written in lieu of "the continued injustices perpetrated against women in our so-called civilized society." I don't know the context behind that statement (she also admits this novel was written in a "mad spurt of anger") but the attempt to squeeze in some politics in the very monotone and out of place court hearing just disconnected that whole part of the book from the rest of it. In that way, it ruined the ending for me, and I really wish it hadn't because I loved this whole story!
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Violence, and Stalking
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
isyrein's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I thought I wouldn’t enjoy this book, but I feel it’s fitting to rate it a 3.75. It was a good read, but I’m not searching to pick it up anytime soon.
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Stalking, Murder, and Gaslighting