A review by moreadsbooks
Say You're Sorry by Michael Robotham

2.0

You know, for a hotshot clinical psychologist, Joe O’Loughlin is sure prone to making silly, sweeping generalizations about people. “Maybe she grew tired of being objectified, which would make her unusual among women,” or, “She’s an only child, which meant she was rather spoiled and bookish.” I’m a woman & an only child, and I don’t think I’ve ever been spoiled (although I daresay I am bookish) nor do I believe that I or any other woman I know enjoys being objectified. I’m just saying.

So with that out of the way, besides the fact that the main character absolutely rubs me the wrong way, how was the book? Kind of gross. Pretty slut-shaming on poor Tash. It’s deeply saddening to me that when a guy gets in a fight over a teenage girl & ends up crippling another guy, a lot of people would be whole-heartedly about making it the girl’s fault. I know this book has a fiction label on the spine & all, but this plot twist doesn’t seem very far-fetched to me. My brain is glad that the kidnapping within didn’t push my Parent Buttons, but my heart hurts for Tash, who

is asked to be responsible for the actions & reactions of all the adults around her despite the fact that she’s only fourteen, gets treated like a big ho & dies anyway.

I’m still not quite sure what the kidnapper’s motivation was, other than to make the ending twisty. I’d be willing to give Robotham another go on another day, but this one didn’t quite get do it for me.