addyreadsitall's review against another edition
5.0
If You Find Me messed me up more than I can even express, but not in a horrible way. Well, wait. YES, it was horrible. No story about child abuse, abandonment, or any of the like will ever be less than horrible. But the story itself was so well written.
I never felt like this book was a work of fiction and that’s what made it so good and so hard to ever put down.
This book gave me chills, it made my heart hurt, it made me shiver, it made me hate so many people and because of that I loved it.
I never felt like this book was a work of fiction and that’s what made it so good and so hard to ever put down.
This book gave me chills, it made my heart hurt, it made me shiver, it made me hate so many people and because of that I loved it.
lazygal's review against another edition
3.0
Two sisters, raised (if that's the right term) in the woods, away from society, suddenly find themselves in a "regular" house, with a father, step-mother and step-sister. Can't be easy, right? Add to that selective mutism, a dark secret and a sense of being abandoned by their meth-addicted mother and you've got an interesting book.
The sense of dislocation that Carey feels, her bewilderment at the changes and whether she even deserves this sudden good luck were all very realistically written. Because we're only getting her story, it's less clear how the others are coping; Nessa's opening up to Melissa makes sense because when you're young, desperate for affection, you can more easily become comfortable with people who are warm and welcoming. The other children (Delly, Pixie, Ryan, etc.) also feel real. Less so are the adults.
Perhaps because this was an e-ARC, the flashbacks to life with Mama were sometimes confusing - if the finished book has typography or something that sets those off, it will be helpful to readers. I did like that this ends on a somewhat ambiguous note: what will happen now that the Big Secret is out? what did happen to Mama? Not every book needs to answer every question.
ARC provided by publisher.
The sense of dislocation that Carey feels, her bewilderment at the changes and whether she even deserves this sudden good luck were all very realistically written. Because we're only getting her story, it's less clear how the others are coping; Nessa's opening up to Melissa makes sense because when you're young, desperate for affection, you can more easily become comfortable with people who are warm and welcoming. The other children (Delly, Pixie, Ryan, etc.) also feel real. Less so are the adults.
Perhaps because this was an e-ARC, the flashbacks to life with Mama were sometimes confusing - if the finished book has typography or something that sets those off, it will be helpful to readers. I did like that this ends on a somewhat ambiguous note: what will happen now that the Big Secret is out? what did happen to Mama? Not every book needs to answer every question.
ARC provided by publisher.
deedee2021's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
jlaraine's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed reading this book. I really wanted the characters to end up ok.
somewheregirl7's review against another edition
4.0
Carey and her little sister, Jenessa, live hidden deep in the woods in an old battered camper with their mentally ill mother. Their mom disappears frequently, staying away for longer and longer periods. And then one day she doesn't come back. Worse she sends social services out into the woods to the collect the girls. Suddenly Carey and Janessa are forced into a world they know nothing about filled with other people, electronics, and, for Carey, the horrors of high school. Carey struggles to adjust to their new foster family and also keeps her sister close. Jenessa hasn't said a word in over a year and only Carey knows the horrible secret of what took her sister's words.
This is a gorgeous story. It feels strange to say that because it's a gritty, dark and difficult story overall. But the language and descriptions are so vivid and beautiful it's impossible not to love it. The characters are so achingly real and memorable that they leap off the page and every scene comes to life. I really admire Murdoch's writing style and the entire story was a compelling read. Like a practiced angler, Murdoch draws you into the mystery of Carey and Jenessa's past with tiny hints and clues and details that twist the story in different ways. While the big reveal was ultimately fairly predictable it was also in keeping with the rest of the story and perfectly fit the characters and situation that Murdoch had crafted. Well written from start to finish I read this book quickly and enjoyed it a lot. One last note, the book title is completely perfect and haunting: On the one hand, Carey is trying to find herself and her place in the world, and on the other hand her dad has been searching for his daughter's for years. I love titles that work on multiple levels.
This is a gorgeous story. It feels strange to say that because it's a gritty, dark and difficult story overall. But the language and descriptions are so vivid and beautiful it's impossible not to love it. The characters are so achingly real and memorable that they leap off the page and every scene comes to life. I really admire Murdoch's writing style and the entire story was a compelling read. Like a practiced angler, Murdoch draws you into the mystery of Carey and Jenessa's past with tiny hints and clues and details that twist the story in different ways. While the big reveal was ultimately fairly predictable it was also in keeping with the rest of the story and perfectly fit the characters and situation that Murdoch had crafted. Well written from start to finish I read this book quickly and enjoyed it a lot. One last note, the book title is completely perfect and haunting: On the one hand, Carey is trying to find herself and her place in the world, and on the other hand her dad has been searching for his daughter's for years. I love titles that work on multiple levels.
guywho_reads's review against another edition
2.0
Two young girls are found living in the woods after their drug addicted mother discloses their location before running away. Janessa and Carey have mastered living off the land and doing whatever it takes to survive. Now they are presented a new challenge. Assimilate into a western culture which seems completely foreign to them. This transition bring up a lot of repressed memories and emotions for Carey. As the truth of what actually happened all those years ago comes to light, Carey will have to tell the truth of what really happened in their desolate home in the woods despite the consequences.
This book got a low rating from me not because it was poorly written, but rather it was too simple. There were some minor plot twists and eerie themes presented, but it did not dive deep enough for me to rate this higher. The book was a very easy read but I was not fully grasped by the plot. I loved the heroic nature of our protagonist and loved how the book discussed themes such as survival and assimilation. It was interesting to hear about each girls account of survival and how they took care of each other when no one else was around to.
This book got a low rating from me not because it was poorly written, but rather it was too simple. There were some minor plot twists and eerie themes presented, but it did not dive deep enough for me to rate this higher. The book was a very easy read but I was not fully grasped by the plot. I loved the heroic nature of our protagonist and loved how the book discussed themes such as survival and assimilation. It was interesting to hear about each girls account of survival and how they took care of each other when no one else was around to.
clarynathanwill's review against another edition
4.0
A super interesting plot. I kinda guessed stuff but I still found it quite good. Romance reminded me slightly of Hopeless by Colleen Hoover.
raeily's review against another edition
3.0
I won a copy of this book through Goodreads First Reads program.
Despite the heartbreaking story, I enjoyed this book. I felt like you had to give it some leeway with reality however. But despite all that I found myself rooting for Carey and loving Nessa.
At the end I felt myself wishing I knew how it all turned out, but I suppose the ending is better this way.
Despite the heartbreaking story, I enjoyed this book. I felt like you had to give it some leeway with reality however. But despite all that I found myself rooting for Carey and loving Nessa.
At the end I felt myself wishing I knew how it all turned out, but I suppose the ending is better this way.