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randiflower's review against another edition
- 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
3.25
Graphic: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, and Grief
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, and Pregnancy
Minor: Emotional abuse and Grief
ashleybrianne08'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? It's complicated
1.0
On the other hand, as you read, the author introduces a romantic relationship between the kidnapper, Owen ( Collin), and Mia, the woman he kidnapped. In the beginning when he kidnaps her he is agressive and abusive. At one point he shoves a gun into her forehead while she cries. He threatens to kill her multiple times, as well as the cat she forms a relationship with at the remote cabin he takes her to. Then as it progresses she finds out he’s trying to “protect” her from the man who hired him to kidnap and deliver her to him, Delmar, and she falls in love with him. The relationship is Stockholm Syndrome and toxic. At no point did the relationship come across as anything other than manipulative.
Another issue with the book that I’ve seen pop up in reviews is the description of minorities. There’s racism towards any black characters that are in the book. At one point there is a comparison between a persons skin and a tire. Not okay and not even needed in the description of his character.
This book could have been amazing. The premise was promising but it was not the book It advertised itself as. There should have been a content warning somewhere about the nature of the relationship. Nowhere did it say that this had romance elements.
Graphic: Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, and Kidnapping
Minor: Racism and Suicidal thoughts
cpalmmoo's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Racism
astoriareader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
- Mia has been kidnapped. Mia is in her 20s. She’s the black sheep in her family. She’s a school teacher.
- James and Eve are Mia’s parents. James is a prominent judge, and he cares a lot about image.
- Grace is Mia’s sister, and she is the golden child. She followed in her father’s footsteps & went to law school.
- Gabe is the detective assigned to Mia’s case.
- Colin is the kidnapper, who is working for someone else. At the beginning of book, we learn he kidnaps her to actually help her & goes against the wishes of the person that hired him.
- I had no idea this was Mary Kubica’s debut novel. Clearly, I have been reading hers in all kinds of order. She has quickly become one of favorite writers in the thriller/suspense genre.
- This was set in Chicago, which I loved. Since I used to live in Chicago, it was easy to visualize neighborhoods and cross streets.
- I read this in 24 hours, and I couldn’t put it down.
- Excellent character development.
- Multiple POVs. Told from perspectives of Eve, Gabe, Colin. In the epilogue, we are also offered Mia’s perspective.
- All the characters are written really well. There’s no cheap writing tactics here. The perspectives come from each character’s world views. Although all the characters are flawed, Kubica deftly makes them understandable.
- Well-plotted & expertly crafted.
- Lots of twists, suspense, & drama. Complex family dynamics as well.
Graphic: Confinement, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Gun violence and Violence
Minor: Stalking, Abortion, and Pregnancy
cailyne'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
1.0
I read this as part of a buddy read and my buddies kept me from DNFing. I definitely would’ve without them because by 50% I was just wishing the book would be over.
Every character is toxic. Every plot point made me think “why?” There’s no redemptive value. The dual timeline jumping created a false sense of suspense that didn’t materialize into anything worth that slow burn.
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Toxic relationship
kyrstin_p1989's review against another edition
- 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? No
3.0
ETA: after thinking on it for a few days, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that this book has some subtle language that is somewhat racist in nature. The comments I’m referring to made me feel uncomfortable as a white woman, reading a book written by another white woman. Definitely something to think about…
Graphic: Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
espressoreader's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Blood, Police brutality, Kidnapping, and Grief
Minor: Mental illness, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Classism
redhothabanero'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
2.0
Graphic: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Gun violence
Minor: Racism, Abortion, and Classism
hkburke2's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Chronic illness, Confinement, Gun violence, Mental illness, Racism, Sexism, Xenophobia, Vomit, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Abortion, and Classism
Minor: Misogyny, Rape, Police brutality, Stalking, and Pregnancy
karinaalyse'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
1.5
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Minor: Sexual content and Abortion