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meahjones's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Grief, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gore, Rape, Sexual assault, Fire/Fire injury, and Outing
thatswhatshanread's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
The writing and pace was so perfect for the material. Half of the book is set in current day, during the ten year college reunion of a group of friends at their prestigious North Carolina university. Ten years after one of those friends was murdered, still a cold case. Who did it, and why? That’s just what this homecoming weekend is for finding out. The other half is told in snippets from the past, what happened before and after Heather was killed, who had motive, who was hiding secrets.
Only, everyone was hiding secrets.
To me, the whole book kinda read like the last two episodes of the original Gossip Girl season one, just add more sinister vibes and definitely some Scream vibes. Everyone is a suspect, everyone is hooking up with people they shouldn’t be, everyone is lying to someone they love. Everyone is pretending to be something they’re not.
While I guessed the killer before it was revealed, I still had a lot of fun with this one. The book is full of characters you love to hate, lives you wish you could steal, until someone ends up—as they usually do—dead.
Graphic: Addiction, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Gore, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Grief, Suicide attempt, Outing, and Abandonment
Minor: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Forced institutionalization, Grief, and Car accident
atalea's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Blood, Murder, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Homophobia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Classism
Minor: Bullying, Stalking, Death of parent, Outing, and Alcohol
lifeofchrstnlvly'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
2.0
Despite being marketed as an adult novel, the characters' behaviors and thoughts seemed more suited to a young adult audience. This discrepancy, combined with the lack of depth and relatability in the characters, made it difficult for me to fully engage with the story. The protagonist, Jessica, came across as extremely self-centered and unlikable.
While I did speed through the book because it was easy to read and had some entertaining moments (there's nothing more entertaining than reading about other people's drama), I can't say that I would recommend it. It's often described as a dark academia book, but it's more of a mystery/thriller. In my opinion, there are much better mystery/thriller novels out there that are worth reading.
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Rape, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Stalking
aformeracceleratedreader's review against another edition
4.0
Overall was okay with the ending. Wrapped nicely enough for me where it didn't feel like it left me hanging.
Def check trigger/content warnings.
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
aimicampbell's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Addiction and Murder
Moderate: Drug abuse, Homophobia, Rape, Sexual content, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
michaelap0511's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book really reminded me of the TV show Pretty Little Liars, in the interpersonal drama it presents and how when you are young, even the trivial things can blow out of proportion. At the same time, it deals with real life tragedies, such as death, murder, suicide, drug dealing, sexual assault, and how even the best of intentions can turn into horrible tragedies.
Some might say it's not a good thriller, but I liked the tension and the pacing of the story, I liked the glimpses into how the group formed, how their friendship blossomed and how it ultimately fell apart.
So, if you're looking for a chilling murder story, perhaps you won't like the book, but if you're interested in personal stories and the dynamics of relationships, tinged with a bit of mystery, I think you'll appreciate the story.
Graphic: Sexual assault, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Death, Drug use, Eating disorder, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Rape, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Classism
j_emerson18'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Homophobia, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Suicide
graciekontak's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Infidelity, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, and Classism
frantically's review against another edition
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Homophobia, Religious bigotry, Stalking, and Classism