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A review by peppers_books
The Girl Before by JP Delaney
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
0/10 would recommend. I am convinced that every person who rated this above two stars is reading a different book. I heard some negative things but saw that it has an average of 3.7 on goodreads so I decided to give it a go. Yikes.
The premise of the story sounds really interesting and unique, but when executed felt really unrealistic and flat. This was really disappointing as the beginning was relatively strong - it went downhill exponentially after the first fifty pages. Also, absolutely none of the characters were likeable. They were tolerable at best, and outright irritating at worst. At points I was so annoyed with Emma's character that I would've literally roundhouse kicked her if given the chance. I also really disliked how her sections were written without quotations. Like?? why?? And I just never understood any of the character's decisions and actions. I felt like a majority of the book had no purpose, like it contributed nothing to the plot and was just a space-filler.
On top of the whole mess that is this entire book, I felt the way that certain topics were discussed was really crass. How sexual assault is used as a plot device, how the only criminals in the book are Black and poor, how abortion and disabilities are discussed. Just a giant mess. And I absolutely HATED how we are made to sympathize with Emma's character and her trauma only to find out she lied. Not only does she lie about the sexual assault once, but again when she is asked to write a statement, and again when asked to identify the assailant. Then she immaturely passes the blame onto the detective, saying it was his fault that she continued the lie by requesting a formal statement thing. And THEN she lies to her HR department. She was petty and extremely childish and a pathological liar. I could barely stand to read her sections.
Anyways, I am furious that I spent five bucks on this book as well as precious time not only reading it, but thinking about the terrible characters after the fact. -10/10 would recommend. I have never felt this strong of a dislike towards a book.
The premise of the story sounds really interesting and unique, but when executed felt really unrealistic and flat. This was really disappointing as the beginning was relatively strong - it went downhill exponentially after the first fifty pages. Also, absolutely none of the characters were likeable. They were tolerable at best, and outright irritating at worst. At points I was so annoyed with Emma's character that I would've literally roundhouse kicked her if given the chance. I also really disliked how her sections were written without quotations. Like?? why?? And I just never understood any of the character's decisions and actions. I felt like a majority of the book had no purpose, like it contributed nothing to the plot and was just a space-filler.
On top of the whole mess that is this entire book, I felt the way that certain topics were discussed was really crass. How sexual assault is used as a plot device, how the only criminals in the book are Black and poor, how abortion and disabilities are discussed. Just a giant mess.
Anyways, I am furious that I spent five bucks on this book as well as precious time not only reading it, but thinking about the terrible characters after the fact. -10/10 would recommend. I have never felt this strong of a dislike towards a book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Miscarriage, Rape, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Ableism, Eating disorder, Medical trauma, and Abortion
Minor: Cancer and Drug abuse