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A review by eri_cat93
Just Like Home by Sarah Gailey
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Just Like Home is a gripping, eerie book that kept me wondering what the hell was happening straight through the end.
After a traumatic childhood (putting it mildly) that left her estranged from her mother, now adult Vera is summoned home to get the house in order during her mother's final days. The story starts off slow and creepy, revealing bits and pieces of Vera's dark childhood and happenings she still doesn't quite understand as an adult. Between confronting her memories of this home and dealing with the artist her mother allowed in to "gain inspiration" from the terrors of this house, girl has a lot going on. She has to confront the house, her unloving mother, and the fact that she might be more like her long gone, loving father than she'd like to admit.
The back half of this book is scary and unexpected and gross and messed up all in the best ways. I will admit though, I'm torn between the ending being surprising & sufficiently creepy, or just a little cheesy with some spooky sprinkled on top.
After a traumatic childhood (putting it mildly) that left her estranged from her mother, now adult Vera is summoned home to get the house in order during her mother's final days. The story starts off slow and creepy, revealing bits and pieces of Vera's dark childhood and happenings she still doesn't quite understand as an adult. Between confronting her memories of this home and dealing with the artist her mother allowed in to "gain inspiration" from the terrors of this house, girl has a lot going on. She has to confront the house, her unloving mother, and the fact that she might be more like her long gone, loving father than she'd like to admit.
The back half of this book is scary and unexpected and gross and messed up all in the best ways. I will admit though, I'm torn between the ending being surprising & sufficiently creepy, or just a little cheesy with some spooky sprinkled on top.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Murder
Minor: Domestic abuse