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amiegold's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I initially thought I was going to give this book a solid 5 stars. The beginning sucked me in completely. I have never read or even heard a more accurate description of postpartum life. All of her emotions, good and bad, feel close to the surface throughout the entire book. She is a strong character and you empathize with her lack of sleep and determination to care for her children. As a mother of twins, the sleep deprivation is also incredibly accurately portrayed. How much sleep is enough sleep? At what point does sleep deprivation change who you are, or affect your judgement?
Through the entire book, I bounced back and forth between believing that she was experiencing postpartum psychosis and believing her 'delusions' were very real. I would swing from hating her husband Patrick (with passion), to feeling that he was an accepting and loving husband doing his best in a tough situation.
I would recommend this book to lovers of thrillers and grimm fairy tales. I would not recommend this book to new mothers or individuals who may suffer from mental illness. If you like your stories to end neatly in a bow, this might not be the book for you.
Though I enjoyed the back and forth and uncertainty of this all, it fell short for me at the end. I feel like the author wanted me to decide for myself if Lauren was experiencing Postpartum Psychosis or if there really was a 'fairy' mother of twins that had switched her babies. I wish SO bad that Harper would have confirmed this one way or the other, as she was the only reliable character. Myself, I wanted to believe in fairies. I love the idea that she sacrificed her freedom and her 'sanity' to save her babies. But it also feels so dangerous and wrong on so many levels! Why the phone call about only 2 voices? Why the old woman with the book? These things weren't wrapped up and they can't all fit either narrative perfectly.
Through the entire book, I bounced back and forth between believing that she was experiencing postpartum psychosis and believing her 'delusions' were very real. I would swing from hating her husband Patrick (with passion), to feeling that he was an accepting and loving husband doing his best in a tough situation.
I would recommend this book to lovers of thrillers and grimm fairy tales. I would not recommend this book to new mothers or individuals who may suffer from mental illness. If you like your stories to end neatly in a bow, this might not be the book for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Gaslighting
Moderate: Cursing and Stalking
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