The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
_msmarian_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I have no words to really describe the rollercoaster of emotions that I went through while reading this book! It's a proper mind boggler, to say the least.
While the reader may start formulating who the villain is, it's impossible to really know until the very end.
Probably one of the best paychological thrillers I've EVER read!
HIGHLY recommend this fast-paced page turner if you're interested in this genre.
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Pregnancy, Death, Infidelity, Child death, Child abuse, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Alcohol, Murder, Mental illness, Grief, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, and Death of parent
amariexo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Domestic abuse
oliviamichelle_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Mental illness, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, and Child death
brelovestoread21's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
5.0
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Suicide, Murder, and Violence
rachelcotter1'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
3.0
Graphic: Mental illness, Death, Child death, Murder, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Suicide
ellejo3's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
It's a wild ride. Joanne, her husband Richard, and their baby Evie have recently moved to a big house in the English country side. One day, Joanne sees a letter that she worries is from Richard's ex-girlfriend. Only, it's actually from his estranged 20-year-old daughter, Chloe, from his first marriage. Chloe stopped speaking to him two years ago when he married Joanne. She heard that he and Joanne had a baby and wanted to reconcile so she could get to know her new sister. Richard is overjoyed because he's made several attempts to reconcile with her. Joanne wants to make Richard happy and does her best to welcome Chloe.
The visit quickly spirals out of control, though. Chloe repeatedly gaslights Joanne and treats her poorly overall. Each time, Richard immediately sides with Chloe and aggressively tears Joanne down in ways I consider verbal and emotional abuse. He also gets volatile and throws objects. There are one or two times when he does side with Joanne, but for the most part, he aggressively defends Chloe, which Chloe is fully aware of and exploits.
Despite how obvious the gaslighting is, Joanne begins to worry that she's becoming like her own mother, who was hospitalized for paranoia and other mental health related issues when Joanne was a baby. She also really wants to make Richard happy.Â
The gaslighting here was so heavy-handed and repetitive that I almost DNFed the book because I was annoyed. The last third is where things really started to pick up though. It was twist after twist. I kind of wish it ended two chapters early. That would've been the ending I was hoping for as I read it. I'm still not sure what I think about the last two or three chapters. I am glad that there was more to the story than a stereotypical gaslighting story, though. I also enjoyed the "Rebecca" vibes.
Overall, I recommend it if you enjoy psychological and/or domestic thrillers. There's definitely some dark twists and turns.
I do want to note a content warning that's not obvious from the description. It is a spoiler, though, so be warned.
Graphic: Child death, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Violence, Domestic abuse, and Murder