usernameistaken's review against another edition
4.0
This book was really well done. Nicole Lundrigan does an amazing job of changing her voice depending on whether it’s Maisy or Rowan’s perspective. I was so emotionally engrossed in this book that there were several times I had to set it down to take a break. The events toward the end of the book are pretty easy to see coming, but overall I thoroughly enjoyed this and will definitely be checking more Nicole Lundrigan books out.
scknitter's review against another edition
4.0
What makes you continue to read a story that is so dark and unsettling you can’t imagine it being real? The fact that you know that families like the Janes’ do exist and you have to find out what happens. This is an emotionally charged and powerful story. Told by the two children involved, both young and naïve, and easily manipulated because your parents are supposed to only want what is best for you. This is a house of evil. I could not put this one down. A most disturbing story… thank you, Mommy Dearest!
aireee's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars
The subject matter (various levels of child abuse and narcissistic parental behaviors), nor the backdrop of the storyline is not what turned me off with the book. It was the actual FLOW of the book. I felt it dragged in parts where it shouldn’t have and sped up in parts that required more substance. Unsettling book for sure, but I expected more of a “kick” and more of a cohesive closure.
The subject matter (various levels of child abuse and narcissistic parental behaviors), nor the backdrop of the storyline is not what turned me off with the book. It was the actual FLOW of the book. I felt it dragged in parts where it shouldn’t have and sped up in parts that required more substance. Unsettling book for sure, but I expected more of a “kick” and more of a cohesive closure.
evilonion's review
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- 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
3.0
jodiefeder's review against another edition
4.0
I love this author she is so descriptive!! I feel like I’m living in the story. Can’t wait for her to write another one!
ilikeshortchapters's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-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? Yes
3.5
mags13's review against another edition
3.0
This was overall a very unsettling and creepy book to read, however I felt that the middle section dragged on a bit too long but the ending kept me hooked. I wouldn't necessarily describe this book as being overly thrilling, but more engrossing and sad. There are a few very suspenseful moments though, I will agree.
I really loved Lundrigan's writing and I had to at times, remind myself that this is a work of fiction and not a story I'm reading from the news. Lundrigan did an excellent job writing real (and awful - in their actions) characters. I also loved that this book was written from the children's perspectives as it just adds to the twisted nature of the story. We see the situation through Rowan and Maisy's eyes and although as adults we recognize the signs of selfishness, abuse, and manipulation these poor children go through, while they, being children only see new "games" they have to play, or "understandable punishments" for all they things "they must have done wrong". It's painful to read these innocent children as they try to grapple with things well beyond what they should be experiencing.
As I mentioned, for me the middle of the book dragged on for a while, and I found myself losing interest in the story so that's where it loses some momentum for me. I think if Lundrigan had either focused on more on the thriller aspect or changed the book to be less of a suspense and more an examination of this type of family (in a literary fiction sort of way) the book would have felt more balanced.
I would still recommend this book to others as it's haunting, in a way and certainly memorable.
I really loved Lundrigan's writing and I had to at times, remind myself that this is a work of fiction and not a story I'm reading from the news. Lundrigan did an excellent job writing real (and awful - in their actions) characters. I also loved that this book was written from the children's perspectives as it just adds to the twisted nature of the story. We see the situation through Rowan and Maisy's eyes and although as adults we recognize the signs of selfishness, abuse, and manipulation these poor children go through, while they, being children only see new "games" they have to play, or "understandable punishments" for all they things "they must have done wrong". It's painful to read these innocent children as they try to grapple with things well beyond what they should be experiencing.
As I mentioned, for me the middle of the book dragged on for a while, and I found myself losing interest in the story so that's where it loses some momentum for me. I think if Lundrigan had either focused on more on the thriller aspect or changed the book to be less of a suspense and more an examination of this type of family (in a literary fiction sort of way) the book would have felt more balanced.
I would still recommend this book to others as it's haunting, in a way and certainly memorable.
aireee's review
2.0
2.5 stars
The subject matter (various levels of child abuse and narcissistic parental behaviors), nor the backdrop of the storyline is not what turned me off with the book. It was the actual FLOW of the book. I felt it dragged in parts where it shouldn’t have and sped up in parts that required more substance. Unsettling book for sure, but I expected more of a “kick” and more of a cohesive closure.
The subject matter (various levels of child abuse and narcissistic parental behaviors), nor the backdrop of the storyline is not what turned me off with the book. It was the actual FLOW of the book. I felt it dragged in parts where it shouldn’t have and sped up in parts that required more substance. Unsettling book for sure, but I expected more of a “kick” and more of a cohesive closure.
amandainpa's review against another edition
4.0
One thing this author is extremely skilled at is writing multi-faceted characters...characters that evoke real feelings for the reader...feelings of empathy, disgust, sadness, and rage (at least, in my experience).
This was not an easy book to read...it centers around a missing teenager and the circumstances that led to his disappearance...throughout the book the reader follows Rowan, the missing teenager, so they know where he is, which I found soothing as I sometimes become very anxious when reading stories where the missing person's whereabouts are completely unknown.
A slow burning mystery, I found myself sometimes struggling to pick it up because I really despised some of the characters. Normally, despicable characters don't bother me but I think I was in the mood for a "happier" book when I read this one...I'm going to go with the "it's not you, it's me" theory on this one.
Overall, this was a solid story with vivid descriptions and very real characters. I highly recommend it to fans of the gritty, dark genre of books.
I received an e-arc of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This was not an easy book to read...it centers around a missing teenager and the circumstances that led to his disappearance...throughout the book the reader follows Rowan, the missing teenager, so they know where he is, which I found soothing as I sometimes become very anxious when reading stories where the missing person's whereabouts are completely unknown.
A slow burning mystery, I found myself sometimes struggling to pick it up because I really despised some of the characters. Normally, despicable characters don't bother me but I think I was in the mood for a "happier" book when I read this one...I'm going to go with the "it's not you, it's me" theory on this one.
Overall, this was a solid story with vivid descriptions and very real characters. I highly recommend it to fans of the gritty, dark genre of books.
I received an e-arc of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.