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tyraarane's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
This was a difficult book to read, and an even trickier one to review. As another reviewer noted, it's less of a mystery story and more an exploration of grief, young love (both requited and not), and the violence done to women and girls. Because of its subject matter it won't be for everyone, for certain, but I think this is one of the best handlings of those subjects I've read in a very long time. The last 50-75 pages in particular were un-put-down-able.
Read the content warnings before you pick this one up and make sure you're in the right head space for it--but if you are, I think you'll find a well-realized, sympathetic cast of characters whose problems and experiences feel heartbreakingly real.
Read the content warnings before you pick this one up and make sure you're in the right head space for it--but if you are, I think you'll find a well-realized, sympathetic cast of characters whose problems and experiences feel heartbreakingly real.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Misogyny, Suicide, Grief, and Stalking
Moderate: Drug abuse and Mental illness
Minor: Domestic abuse
thenovelmaura's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
3.0
Thank you for Penguin Teen for the finished copy of this book! This isn't a YA mystery so much as an exploration of grief, first love, violence against girls, and several other dark topics. I might have enjoyed it more had I known that going in, but I was expecting something more along the lines of Karen McManus. The mystery aspects took a backseat to the relationship dynamics between Jules, Remy, and River. Jules was too passive to be a compelling character, although her bad decisions and how she waded through the stages of grief made sense for a teenager in her position. I don't think I got as much out of this story as I would have if I had known that this wasn't a traditional YA mystery.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Misogyny, and Grief
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
victoriamae21's review against another edition
5.0
This is a really well crafted story. The characters are well written. The pacing is good. The subject matter is handled well. Special Thank you to Kate Sweeney, Penguin Group and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
literarymattie'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
avidreaderandgeekgirl's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
3.5
Part of the reason I didn't enjoy this book as much as I might have, is that it was so dark, and I wasn't in the right headspace. The part of the mystery was obvious, to me, based on the content warnings at the start of the book. However, the ending was not what I expected at all.
This book handled quite a few very heavy topics which I appreciated, but I felt like thegrooming portion was underdeveloped.
Overall, it was a well-done book, just very dark, and with characters that were a bit unlikable. I assume the MC was supposed to be neurodivergent, but she was a sort of unclear type that might be a mishmash of neurodivergent mixed with a personality disorder or a mental illness. It was very strange.
This book handled quite a few very heavy topics which I appreciated, but I felt like the
Overall, it was a well-done book, just very dark, and with characters that were a bit unlikable. I assume the MC was supposed to be neurodivergent, but she was a sort of unclear type that might be a mishmash of neurodivergent mixed with a personality disorder or a mental illness. It was very strange.
Narrator Rating: 3.75 stars
The narrator did a fairly decent job narrating, but something about some of the voices she did just grated on me, the MC seemed annoying.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Death, Drug use, Pedophilia, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Addiction, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, and Car accident
The people who are victims of child death, pedophilia, and an adult/minor relationship are teenagers, mostly 15+.meredith_summers's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
alienhard's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
cinahelina's review against another edition
2.0
eARC via Netgalley
I hate to be an early negative Nancy but as reviews should be I'm going to be honest about my reading experience. I did not enjoy the book.
I was expecting a different kind of story (though that in itself is not really an issue--that's fine). The story felt a little shallow in places where it should have had more depth (the reveals and ending specifically--there would have been a lot more consequences for the girls. That kind of thing doesn't just go away.) I just wanted more meat on this book's bones. I didn't particularly care if Remy was dead or not and found the thriller aspect dull.
I don't think the book is terrible or bad. It just wasn't for me. A lot of readers will certainly enjoy and relate to the story more than I did.
I hate to be an early negative Nancy but as reviews should be I'm going to be honest about my reading experience. I did not enjoy the book.
I was expecting a different kind of story (though that in itself is not really an issue--that's fine). The story felt a little shallow in places where it should have had more depth (the reveals and ending specifically--there would have been a lot more consequences for the girls. That kind of thing doesn't just go away.) I just wanted more meat on this book's bones. I didn't particularly care if Remy was dead or not and found the thriller aspect dull.
I don't think the book is terrible or bad. It just wasn't for me. A lot of readers will certainly enjoy and relate to the story more than I did.
booksbyj's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I thought that this book took a really interesting spin on a mystery and turned it into a the types of mysteries that we deal with everyday. Coming to terms with grief, understanding your body as a teenager, drugs, suicide, and grooming are all things that are often more realistic that the normal mystery. This was definitely an interesting read and I liked getting to unravel the mystery with Jules.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship