kailey222's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Violence, Body horror, Gore, Suicide, Emotional abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Kidnapping, Pregnancy, and Grief
kccool12255's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Spoiler
Although it’s SO CUTE how Poppy calls Laurel Mama.Graphic: Toxic relationship and Kidnapping
Moderate: Grief, Death, Body horror, Infertility, Miscarriage, Murder, Blood, Child abuse, Confinement, Child death, Sexual content, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Violence and Physical abuse
fifteenthjessica's review
- 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? Yes
4.0
This is another book club book that didn't look like what I normally read (contemporary mystery vs fantasy, sci fi, and historic fiction) but decided to read anyways. My specific thoughts when reading the synopsis was "this looks so messed up, I want to read it." It did not disappoint on that front.
The story is told in short chapters in a mix of third person limited and first person PoV, following Laurel in the story's present, Ellie around the time of her disappearance,
Spoiler
Ellie's kidnapper, and a lone chapter by Floyd that is the only one told in present tense. Plus an epilogue that I have no idea why it's present that reveals that if a random woman read her used book in a more timely manner could have revealed what happened to Ellie sooner. I don't know what it adds. The mystery was plenty bizarre and tragic without this revelation.Spoiler
the character we later learn is her eventual kidnapper.Characters are OK. Most of Laurel's family are likable enough and don't overstay their welcome, but I'm not sure if I would have been as attached to Ellie if she wasn't so similar to me at that age. For better or worse, Lisa Jewell does not shy away from the more unpleasant side of someone coping with a parent's worst nightmare, and at times Laurel's PoV can be frustrating to read about. The worst though, is probably Floyd. Maybe it's the fact that the synopsis hints at a connection with Ellie's disappearance, but it was obvious that something was off with him. However, my big issue is that while Laurel finds him charming, I never did. He comes off as a clingy sex pest with a weirdly clingy relationship with his younger daughter, and the climax revelations make him even worse in retrospect.
Graphic: Child death, Child abuse, Death, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Violence, Stalking, Physical abuse, Murder, Classism, Dementia, Pregnancy, and Sexual content
Minor: Car accident, Death of parent, Animal death, Animal cruelty, and Body horror
riebread1's review
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Body horror and Violence
Moderate: Kidnapping, Mental illness, Murder, and Death
Minor: Suicide
samantha_bt15's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Graphic: Death, Kidnapping, Murder, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Child abuse, Child death, Sexual content, Abandonment, Body horror, Stalking, and Toxic relationship
nataliehansen's review
2.5
Graphic: Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Body horror, Child abuse, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, and Confinement
_terah_hansen_'s review
- 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
1.0
Graphic: Child death, Medical trauma, Confinement, Murder, Body horror, Child abuse, Kidnapping, Violence, Physical abuse, Rape, and Stalking
sophiamoneva's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Graphic: Abortion, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Miscarriage, Murder, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, and Trafficking