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theinstabookworm's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I've got to hand it to the author that, for most of the book, I had no idea where the story was going. I just knew that I was pulled in and along for the ride. I ate this up and couldn't put it down, even though it's a slow burn. There are also quite a few characters to keep track of, and, usually, I have trouble with that, but it wasn't an issue with this book. However, I do feel the ending was tied up a little too neatly for my liking.
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Drug use
sarknado's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Excrement, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
minimicropup's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
Narration: 🤝
Multiple POV = multiple narrators. Thank you. Prevents confusion. Somewhat necessarily it meant certain characters had a cartoony voice depending on who was narrating a chapter, but I'll take it. Hate it when I forget whose POV we are in 2 min through and all it reads is "Chapter 13" in the app.
Main POVs: 👍
Multiple POV = multiple narrators. Thank you. Prevents confusion. Somewhat necessarily it meant certain characters had a cartoony voice depending on who was narrating a chapter, but I'll take it. Hate it when I forget whose POV we are in 2 min through and all it reads is "Chapter 13" in the app.
Main POVs: 👍
- Parent. Overconfident. Convinced their history of integrity gives them a free pass even if they were to be shown in a nefarious situation.
- Parent. Overcompensating, hypercritical, and simplistic in their parenting views, which they use to justify their own immoral behaviours.
- College-aged "child". Overconfident and sheltered. Not familiar with how to process the "unpredictable" moments in life. Relies on a selfish sense of empathy to justify hiding and ignoring abuse.
- Senior in high-school "child". Well-intentioned "ally" missing the point. They gloss over their vulnerabilities and biases with idealistic justification.
Atmosphere: 👍 Curious, mysterious, and sentimental, with the slightest hint of irony.
- Set in a suburban Portland, Oregon neighbourhood with all the immediate family members under one roof
Cred Rating 🤷♀️: Suspended disbelief plausible
Not OTT or nonsensical, but relies on coincidence and convenience to drive the plot.
Growls and Howls 🐺:
- The characters weren't unlikeable, but also not likeable. They were kind of annoying all 'round. Sometimes I cheered for them, sometimes I wanted them to get their comeuppance. So, could be "I don't care about any of these people" red flag for some
- The mystery and flow was good, but near the end the plot suddenly seemed rushed, to the point I had to slow down the audio to process what was happening and how it tied in to what we knew about all the MC POVs.
- Hate ambiguous endings? You might hate this story.
Reading Journey 👍:
Stop at a little cafe for a snack on the way through a town and eavesdrop on some drama the next table over.
Mood Reading Match Up:
- Family drama due to unhealthy parental dynamics (not abusive)
- Suburban neighbourhood mystery
- Dark-ish cozy mystery
- Secrets, gossip, the tea, behind closed doors drama
Vibes: 😅☹️😬
Content Heads-Up: Blackmailing, Hazing, Rape (mostly off page), Underage online content
Format: Library Audio via Libby
Moderate: Drug use, Rape, and Violence
micaelamariem's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I’m starting to think maybe I do like thrillers if they are done properly…
I loved the multiple pov which helped me dive into everyone’s secrets while still having an unreliability to the views, keeping me guessing. I also loved how the conclusion is still a bit open ended and I can come up with some of my own interpretations even though the big questions are answered!
TWs: SA, addiction, violence
I loved the multiple pov which helped me dive into everyone’s secrets while still having an unreliability to the views, keeping me guessing. I also loved how the conclusion is still a bit open ended and I can come up with some of my own interpretations even though the big questions are answered!
TWs: SA, addiction, violence
Graphic: Addiction, Animal death, Bullying, Cursing, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Violence, Stalking, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Classism
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Excrement, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Infidelity
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