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homebodynate's review against another edition
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- 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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Blood
Moderate: Addiction, Body shaming, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Biphobia, Domestic abuse, Excrement, and Vomit
encgolsen's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- 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
Annabel, Chloe, Esther and Tanya are surprised to receive an invitation from Poppy, the girl they bullied in their school days, offering a paid vacation on a private island to celebrate her impending nuptials. It soon becomes clear that Poppy has not forgotten their past cruelties, and that each of the four has secrets of her own. A dark and twisty story of revenge that follows familiar tropes, but vividly describes Poppy's torment and its consequences.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Suicide and Murder
savergano's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Minor: Suicide
beauty_andherbooks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I got this book as my monthly pick for Book of the Month from June 2023 and I’ll admit, it sat on my shelf for way too long.
All I have to say is wow, wow, wow!!!
Former high school friends Annabel, Chloe, Tanya and Esther all randomly receive an invitation from another high school friend of theirs, inviting them to a private island for the celebration of her wedding. They have all been invited to be her bridesmaids. However, none of them can seem to figure out why, because they were never truly friends with her. In fact, they bullied her all throughout high school so why would she want them to be a part of her special day? It was an all-expenses paid trip, so they all decided to go anyway.
I hated all of the girls from the beginning but I felt truly horrible for our main character, Poppy. Girls can truly be so horrible and horrendous to each other. The author captured bullying in a real way, showing us the effects it can have even ten years later.
I couldn’t put the book down, even though I was able to sense the ending coming about halfway through the book. It still shocked me once I got to the end.
I highly recommend this book! 4.5/5 stars.
All I have to say is wow, wow, wow!!!
Former high school friends Annabel, Chloe, Tanya and Esther all randomly receive an invitation from another high school friend of theirs, inviting them to a private island for the celebration of her wedding. They have all been invited to be her bridesmaids. However, none of them can seem to figure out why, because they were never truly friends with her. In fact, they bullied her all throughout high school so why would she want them to be a part of her special day? It was an all-expenses paid trip, so they all decided to go anyway.
I hated all of the girls from the beginning but I felt truly horrible for our main character, Poppy. Girls can truly be so horrible and horrendous to each other. The author captured bullying in a real way, showing us the effects it can have even ten years later.
I couldn’t put the book down, even though I was able to sense the ending coming about halfway through the book. It still shocked me once I got to the end.
I highly recommend this book! 4.5/5 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Suicide, Blood, and Murder
jadams89's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, and Blood
Moderate: Homophobia, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Vomit
heathermarie08's review
challenging
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The ending felt rushed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide
Possible trigger: cuttingcathcasper's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Drug abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Physical abuse, and Lesbophobia
weekatsie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
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
Many thanks to NetGalley and Sian Gilbert for sharing this e-arc with me. The following review reflects my honest reading experience.
She Started It by Sian Gilbert is a psychological thriller set at a hen party on a remote, private island - the height of absolute luxury. But from the start, things seem a little odd, as it turns out the guests at this getaway weren't exactly the bride-to-be's closest friends, and in fact, they haven't even seen each other in 10 years. As you may expect, things soon start to turn ugly.....
I was hooked by the premise from the start, and the author does a great job of making the characters deeply unlikeable people but also very intriguing. However, I did find it a little tricky to distinguish between the four main ones, as their voices were a little too similar in my opinion.
I really enjoyed the tropical island location and the action had me completely gripped - I was impressed by the high standard of writing, which really made me feel like I was right in the heart of the story. Although I figured out the twist, it took me a while to do so, and the reveal was satisfying.
Despite the fact that this is a psychological thriller, it also tackles some deeper issues, such as bullying and mental health. It dealt with both sensitively, though I found one element of the bullying backstory rather unbelievable (don't want to give any spoilers, so won't give any more details).
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it.
She Started It by Sian Gilbert is a psychological thriller set at a hen party on a remote, private island - the height of absolute luxury. But from the start, things seem a little odd, as it turns out the guests at this getaway weren't exactly the bride-to-be's closest friends, and in fact, they haven't even seen each other in 10 years. As you may expect, things soon start to turn ugly.....
I was hooked by the premise from the start, and the author does a great job of making the characters deeply unlikeable people but also very intriguing. However, I did find it a little tricky to distinguish between the four main ones, as their voices were a little too similar in my opinion.
I really enjoyed the tropical island location and the action had me completely gripped - I was impressed by the high standard of writing, which really made me feel like I was right in the heart of the story. Although I figured out the twist, it took me a while to do so, and the reveal was satisfying.
Despite the fact that this is a psychological thriller, it also tackles some deeper issues, such as bullying and mental health. It dealt with both sensitively, though I found one element of the bullying backstory rather unbelievable (don't want to give any spoilers, so won't give any more details).
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Mental illness, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Suicide
charink's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Self harm, and Murder
jritc13's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Self harm, Suicide, Violence, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Addiction, Biphobia, Domestic abuse, Excrement, and Alcohol