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wylanslcve'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
4.0
1) the romance in this felt underdeveloped and frankly a bit forced. the chemistry between the two characters comes out of nowhere given how their dynamic never really changes over the course of the book, and even though it was sweet I didn't really care for it because of how little relationship development there is between them. they still felt like strangers to each other (at least, from my perspective) and it seemed like the only reason they were even paired with each other is because the love interest was the only age-appropriate person within bel's proximity.
2) I had a similar issue with some of jackson's other books (namely a good girl's guide to murder since the structure of the reappearance of rachel price is more similar to that than five survive), but it felt like most of the people were giving information up way too easily. I know bel is characterised as a persistent, "doesn't take no for an answer" type of person, but the way people were giving her the information she needed almost instantaneously without bel having to put up much of a fight felt extremely unrealistic to me. I get it, it's fiction, it's ya, it's meant to be unrealistic, but it still bothered me.
regardless, this book did not disappoint and holly jackson remains an instant-read author for me!
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Grief, Death, Torture, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Stalking, Violence, Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, and Murder
Moderate: Body shaming, Dementia, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
the_readingraven's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Things I have to get off my chest first!
1. I could hardly stand Belle, our FMC. lmao She was so annoying to me and I couldn't understand her whole "Everyone ends up leaving" attitude. Like, girly for real, your mother DISAPPEARED! Why do you assume she up and walked away?? Bffr! I also hated that she demanded to know stuff but then she was like, "omg I don't wanna be around that person, let me ignore them and run off!" Ugh, it wasn't until the big reveal that I finally started liking her!
2. I was hoping
3. I read this one with my ears so Ash, the young love interest, had the same voice and accent as the older guy filming the documentary. Whenever Belle was flirting with Ash, I pictured her flirting with Albert Einstien lmfao. For some reason, Ash was pictured in my head as Archie Madekwe, so I am down with that.
Overall, I was STUNNED at the reveals! It came out like lava! I had an idea but also had no clue! The last 10 chapters had me sooo pulled in! I'm still in shock that it's over. I wanna give this 5 stars but not an "omg best book ever, everyone read" 5 stars. It's more like a "wow, this gave me a lot of emotions and I hate most of you, what is this?!" 5 stars.
Graphic: Kidnapping
Moderate: Violence, Stalking, and Injury/Injury detail
thursday_iris's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Moderate: Blood, Kidnapping, Gaslighting, Violence, Confinement, Cursing, and Death
Minor: Dementia
matidareads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Moderate: Pregnancy, Murder, Chronic illness, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Violence, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, and Gaslighting
kendra_taylors_version'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
5.0
Graphic: Violence, Confinement, Abandonment, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, and Stalking
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
Minor: Pregnancy
creolelitbelle'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? Yes
4.5
The audio narration is done very well with clear distinction of who is speaking when. Highly recommend listening to this, and it was my first book by Holly Jackson.
Graphic: Kidnapping, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Pregnancy, Violence, Grief, Physical abuse, and Death of parent
Minor: Infertility, Murder, Stalking, and Self harm
margaretwaltemath09'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
5.0
Graphic: Stalking, Abandonment, and Cursing
Moderate: Kidnapping, Death, Emotional abuse, Blood, Murder, Toxic relationship, Violence, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Body shaming, Gore, Trafficking, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Grief, Physical abuse, and Pregnancy
literarykitten's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
Graphic: Kidnapping
Moderate: Violence, Gaslighting, and Confinement
author2223'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
5.0
Graphic: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Stalking, and Violence
Moderate: Body shaming and Dementia
shesflippinpages'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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Abandonment, Death of parent, Blood, Confinement, Death, Dementia, Gaslighting, Grief, Murder, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Stalking, Alcohol, Infertility, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, and Violence