ghoulpilotfinn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Very heavy subjects in this book. TWs for (a lot of) SA, r*pe (offscreen), p*dophilia, kidnapping, violence towards women and children, police.
That being said, this book is a page-turner. I probably would've finished it in a day if life permitted. The characters are so well written, every one of them having so much depth to them. The atmosphere building is impeccable. The suspense made it hard to set the book down. Despite the heavy subjects, scenes and TWs, Lourey somehow manages to never take those scenes too far.
My few issues with the book:
1. The descriptions however of some of the girls went too far at times imo. Even through Heather's POV, the descriptions of the other girls, especially of her 12yo sister Junie, seemed overly sexualized and made me uncomfortable.
2. The vibe change between the resolution and conclusion of the book was so drastic, it almost felt rushed. (ending spoilers)
Spoiler
Don't get me wrong, it was a beautiful and thankfully good ending, but going from an entire book of "you can't trust anyone, not the cops, not even your own family" to "let's trust the non-local cop" then "we're now certain everything is good and we're safe" felt almost ironic. The resolution went so fast, like Constance and Gloria making up after years of not talking then moving in together all within a few paragraphs. It felt very "Hollywood movie that needs to have a perfect happy ending or else it won't get approved" (if that makes sense). I don't know, it was at both a relief to see these girls feel safe for the first time yet disappointing because it felt unrealistic considering the rest of the story.Conclusion: good book, don't trust cis men, know your self-defense, and fucking raise your sons right.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual violence, Grief, Child abuse, Police brutality, Sexual harassment, Pedophilia, Death, Sexual assault, Murder, Confinement, Kidnapping, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Rape, Medical content, Mental illness, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
emmalizzz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Police brutality, and Rape
Moderate: Alcohol, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Child abuse, Grief, Kidnapping, and Murder
jordan_uhden's review against another edition
- 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? No
3.0
Graphic: Child death, Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Excrement, Gaslighting, Grief, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Murder, Rape, and Violence
smkelly1997's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Child death, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Alcohol, Confinement, Death, Sexual violence, Stalking, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Violence
makinzimyers's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Child death, Sexual assault, Rape, Sexual violence, and Murder
Moderate: Mental illness, Suicide, Adult/minor relationship, and Grief
Minor: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Fire/Fire injury, and Drug abuse
abookandaspotoftea's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, Confinement, Grief, Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Panic attacks/disorders, Death, Drug use, Kidnapping, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Murder, Rape, and Chronic illness
alymahob's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Medical trauma, Death, Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Drug abuse, Child abuse, Sexual violence, Domestic abuse, Sexual harassment, Child death, Adult/minor relationship, and Sexual content
aas's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Chronic illness, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Death, Sexual harassment, Torture, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Kidnapping, Grief, Infidelity, Mental illness, Murder, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, and Violence
jaydub0221's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Death, Kidnapping, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Grief, Stalking, Confinement, Child death, and Mental illness
Moderate: Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Alcohol, Drug abuse, Drug use, Rape, Cursing, Murder, Suicide, Adult/minor relationship, and Blood
erinhanso'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? No
4.0
Graphic: Death, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Suicide attempt, Rape, Pedophilia, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual assault, Grief, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Infidelity, Mental illness, Murder, and Stalking
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Drug use
Minor: Abandonment