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A review by kaylanicholsmith
In My Dreams I Hold a Knife by Ashley Winstead
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This was the author's debut and I loved it almost as much as her follow up releases. I swear that Ashley Winstead can do no wrong.
The writing style that this author has is just something that really works for me. I have loved it every time. In this particular book, I feel like the writing was such a strong element because for the majority of the story, nothing superb was happening. I didn't feel like there were any major twists, any crazy plot point, nothing super jaw dropping taking place. However, I love a story that involves the unraveling lives of the super rich and elite. They always have skeletons in their closets and I love finding out what those skeletons are. This is where the author shines. I was so captivated just by learning all the shady shit that these uber rich and successful people were hiding up their sleeves for the past decade that I could have cared less if there was any impactful twists or reveals.
Luckily, the ending really nailed it for me. I don't think the ending reveal was anything that would be mind blowing for the typical thriller reader but it was enjoyable nonetheless. I have to say that the very final twist was so satisfying for me - I think Jessica was such a subtly brutal character and I was obsessed with the ending that she got. On the other hand, there is a male character in this book that is just reprehensible and I had him pegged from the first moment he showed up on the page. I really enjoyed the author's commentary on shitty men in positions of power and the things they do and think that they can get away with. This character's chapter was so unsettling to read and I hate knowing that there are men out there, on a daily basis, thinking these things about women. Gross.
This wasn't a new all time favorite, hence the 4.5 star rating, but I still loved it. So good.
The writing style that this author has is just something that really works for me. I have loved it every time. In this particular book, I feel like the writing was such a strong element because for the majority of the story, nothing superb was happening. I didn't feel like there were any major twists, any crazy plot point, nothing super jaw dropping taking place. However, I love a story that involves the unraveling lives of the super rich and elite. They always have skeletons in their closets and I love finding out what those skeletons are. This is where the author shines. I was so captivated just by learning all the shady shit that these uber rich and successful people were hiding up their sleeves for the past decade that I could have cared less if there was any impactful twists or reveals.
Luckily, the ending really nailed it for me. I don't think the ending reveal was anything that would be mind blowing for the typical thriller reader but it was enjoyable nonetheless. I have to say that the very final twist was so satisfying for me - I think Jessica was such a subtly brutal character and I was obsessed with the ending that she got. On the other hand, there is a male character in this book that is just reprehensible and I had him pegged from the first moment he showed up on the page. I really enjoyed the author's commentary on shitty men in positions of power and the things they do and think that they can get away with. This character's chapter was so unsettling to read and I hate knowing that there are men out there, on a daily basis, thinking these things about women. Gross.
This wasn't a new all time favorite, hence the 4.5 star rating, but I still loved it. So good.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Homophobia, Sexual assault, Blood, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol