Scan barcode
coffee_kindle'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
5.0
Poppy Greer is getting married, so why wouldn't you invite your 4 old school friends to your hen party on a private island in the Bahamas, first class, all expenses paid, even if you haven't spoken to the them in 10 years.
Although the 4 friends: Tanya; Annabel; Esther; and Chloe, have drifted apart as they have gotten older, there are secrets which bond them for life and the invitation to Poppy's hen party has them too curious and intrigued to turn down the offer.
When they meet Poppy on the island they are all shocked by her transformation since school and the confidence she now has. As the hen party unfolds the party games start to reveal some hidden secrets, turning their paradise holiday into a nightmare.
There are so many twists within this fast paced book, that it had me hooked throughout. It's wonderfully catty and smart, with characters that you can't help but hate. It was a hard book to put down, it really did grip me, with the clever use of story telling and every time I thought I had it sussed, a long came another twist, it is an action packed book, with plenty of suspense.
TW: Bullying is a theme throughout this book, with some Domestic Violence and abuse..
Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Stalking, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
amanda_mh'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
3.75
Graphic: Addiction, Biphobia, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gore, Hate crime, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
daydaybookbay'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
4.0
The flashbacks are told through Poppy's diary entries. This was effective and gives the reader a more personal feeling, but I don't really buy into it. As a preteen or teenager, there's no way she's writing like this. Too many quotes, too many details. I would imagine this more as a transcript from a therapy meeting.
There are so many secrets hidden and exposed. With how messy it gets, it might be helpful to write down who is whispering what to who. Then, when the truth comes out, you know where we are. I almost went back just to make sure there wasn't some extra loose end hanging around
The driving force for this novel: DRAMA! Really, the suspense isn't in play. You know the twists. It's the little pieces of exposed drama. It's the wonder of what they did to still be stuck on it a decade later. You're pulled in because you want the inside scoop.
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Biphobia, Body shaming, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Blood, and Stalking
thespinystacks'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
3.0
Graphic: Suicide, Violence, Blood, Vomit, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Stalking
amanda_reads89'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
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Addiction, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Self harm, Blood, and Stalking
Minor: Domestic abuse, Violence, and Lesbophobia
mmannlein1's review against another edition
3.25
Graphic: Addiction, Bullying, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, Vomit, Stalking, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
mriou310'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: Bullying, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Suicide attempt, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Domestic abuse and Stalking
chasingpages1'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
3.25
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Suicide attempt, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Grief, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Addiction, Biphobia, Body shaming, Cursing, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Excrement, Vomit, Stalking, and Lesbophobia
lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
"She Started It" is an island thriller that is hellbent on exposing everyone's secrets. Annabel, Esther, Tanya, and Chloe were all best friends when they were in school together, but they have lost touch in their adult years. But, when Poppy, a classmate they bullied mercilessly, invites them all to a private island for her bachelorette party, they decide this is too good an opportunity to pass up. Unfortunately, Poppy has more sinister motives for getting them to this island, and everyone ends up with their darkest secrets exposed.
I did not have super high expectations for this book, and I think my expectations were adequately met. I was neither blown away by this plot, nor was I was disappointed. This book does discuss bullying and suicidal thoughts, so please read with care.
My favorite part of this book was reading the journal entries from when they were young written by Poppy. Having this technique of writing did give away the ending for me, but those were the chapters that I was most invested in. I wish we could have seen more from Poppy, and I wish her ending could have been better. Poppy's story and journal entries are the only parts of this book that I have continued to think about.
The ultimate thrilling aspects of this book, and the "twists" I did see coming, but for the most part I was entertained. Everything made sense, and everyone's motives seemed plausible, but the plot twists just felt unoriginal to me.
I do think this book is pretty atmospheric. The bulk of the story takes place on this remote island in which they are cut off from the entire world, and I felt like the writing adequately described that. I felt the tension when the characters learned how remote they actually were, but I felt the sunshine when they got to enjoy the island.
Overall, this book was fine. I probably will not think too much about it, but I would recommend it to someone looking for an island thriller.
Graphic: Bullying, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Stalking, Suicide attempt, and Murder
Moderate: Homophobia
bai_books's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Suicide, Stalking, and Murder