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: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Violence, Rape, Stalking, Toxic relationship, 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, Murder, Abandonment, Stalking, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Infidelity, and Emotional abuse
almond's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? No
3.0
Graphic: Stalking
Minor: Rape
sadgirlsidney's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
All that quasi-positive stuff aside, it's just another run of the mil creepy guy. There isn't anything special about it aside from naming the game Mike and Varity played when they were together. All in all, not worth going out of your way to read but not worth avoiding either! A smooth middle ground to me.
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Child abuse and Stalking
Minor: Violence
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: Drug abuse, Drug use, Murder, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, and Stalking
whimsicalish's review against another edition
3.75
While it does follow an extremely delusional stalker, it wasn't written as cheap as I first thought. I was surprised we got a look into Mike's POV and background. Still didn't make me empathetic towards him.
In the end, it made me sad. After reading the author's note, I think that was the intention.
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Stalking
Moderate: Sexual content
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.
Spoiler
I can't help but mention Mike's mental health. As you read this you will notice he is definitely mentally ill. He seems very out of touch with reality and every time Verity says one thing he somehow twists it to mean something else entirely. Everytime she says he needs to move on he hears "I still love you" which is not..normal...and for this to be literally the whole backbone of the story I find it extremely disturbing and strange that no one thought to push him to get help or even get law enforcement or something involved to force him.to go because he was very obviously unwell. I understand he didn't come off as a violent person but I can't comprehend how his foster mom heard him saying he and Verity are still getting back together after he literally went to her wedding and thought "oh he's harmless". Like it wasn't violent but that is a very clear sign of illness and being out of touch with reality. There were many more signs like this, and actually his foster mom even specifically asks him if maybe his perception of reality was different from Verity's and when he answered that wasn't possible and that she still loves her, his foster mom just shrugs her shoulders and says "ok..have a nice day"...I understand that if he got help the whole plot would disintegrate but something about him being ill not even being MENTIONED just made the whole novel seem unrealistic. Someone would have said something. A mother figure would have been more concerned.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: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Violence, Alcoholism, and Stalking
Minor: Sexual assault and Rape
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, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Misogyny, Murder, Sexual assault, and Stalking
shoshin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Rape, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Drug abuse, Stalking, Violence, Murder, and Alcoholism
pinkberryoasis's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Blood, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexual content, Stalking, Toxic relationship, and Violence