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j_aw'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
4.25
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
Moderate: Child abuse and Pedophilia
born_reading's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Death of parent, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Classism
katealli's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.75
Moderate: Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
belleslibrary1012's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I will also say I never truly understood the need for trigger warnings because don't you know what you're reading already? Why is it necessary? This book drastically and forever changed that for me, given it did not have one and absolutely should. The author does a tremendous job don't get me wrong, but she purposefully buries the lead and heads the reader off to expect what they see in front of them as the focal point and that is just not true. The true crime in this crime story is not the one written in the back cover blurb, but instead lies just above the words, pulling you in and then just when you start to believe it, takes it away making you think you're reading into things. This was sad and tragic and beautiful and terrifying in so many ways. Though it is not a book I can revisit again, it is one that was very well written.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Classism
rmizerek'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
Moderate: Child abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, and Sexual assault
saramoser's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Cursing, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Classism
meeklovestoread'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? It's complicated
3.5
I do see what the author was going for by having Billy's case coincide with Cassie's own internal issues, however, I think the author should've just stuck to one topic because I feel like it all becomes a bit convoluted as the book goes on. Although the case is centered on Billy and his actions I still don't feel like Billy's character was flushed out enough for us (the reader) to make the assertion of his guilt or innocent. All we had was Cassie's biased depiction of who Billy was and not much from him directly. And based on their interactions, Billy seems to contradict the perception that Cassie has in her head (maybe that was the point, I'm not sure). I also feel like the true facts of the case and Billy's relationship with Diana were also unclear, especially toward the end. I'm still not sure what really happened.
Similar to Billy, many of the characters are so unlikeable which isn't a determining factor for me in terms of classifying a good book; however, not only were the characters unlikeable but they were also flat. There still wasn't much depth to them which is jarring considering the pacing of this book is so slow you'd think it would give time to flesh out the characters. In the end, I felt no sympathy toward anyone (minus Cassie).
I do appreciate Cassie's internal conflicts. I found them to be quite a realistic approach to how someone in her situation would approach and view things.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Addiction, Pedophilia, Death of parent, and Classism
Minor: Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Sexual content, Car accident, and Alcohol
iamkateness's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Violence
Moderate: Incest
sarahc_v'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? No
4.25
I completely agree with another review that said you will either enjoy this book or absolutely hate it. I fell into the enjoy it camp - I read it upon the strong recommendation/review from a booktuber who had enjoyed it. It’d been a while since listening to her review, so all I remembered about the book was that a rich girls brother got accused of rape but she has also been a victim. Knowing that info, I knew from the start that we had an unreliable narrator in Cassie and that someone in her family was her abuser, but I wasn’t sure who (and my initial guess turned out to be wrong). The characters are all despicable, but in a way that makes for a thought-provoking story about the ways that class and wealth impact lives and the ways that they impact trauma as well. I found this to be a really provocative read and would recommend it to those who are able to handle the topic at hand, however I fully understand that this is too difficult of a topic (especially the constant doubting of Diana and defense of Billy) for many many people to read about.
One final thought - ACAB, but Hagerty was an important character to the story and I am glad for the healing and realizations that he brought to Cassie.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Incest, Pedophilia, Rape, and Sexual assault
The major plot of the book follows a rape trial, where there is a strong defense for the rapist and moral questioning/doubt of the victim. There is also graphic descriptions of a relationship of a minor (the narrator in flashback) with someone much older, who we later find out islibrasgroove'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, Rape, and Sexual violence
Minor: Death of parent