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A review by readwithcarly
Yes, Daddy by Jonathan Parks-Ramage
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
I've been sitting on this book review for a while because "Yes, Daddy" is a walking list of trigger warnings. Please please please read them before picking this one up.
We follow the story of Jonah, an ambitious playwright in his twenties who has moved from Illinois to New York City to follow his dreams. When he finds himself barely scraping by with rent each month, he seeks out Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright Richard Shriver to help him get a foot in the door and make a name for himself in the industry.
They soon forge a romantic relationship, but as summer heats up and the two take a trip to the Hamptons where a handful of Richard's other successful friends gather, it takes a sinister twist.
This book is almost split into three parts: before the Hamptons, at the Hamptons, and after the Hamptons. The first part is a steep buildup toward the climax as we see the relationship with Jonah and Richard progress. The time at the Hamptons is the most brutal part of the story and was very, very hard to read at times because the content was so explicit and gruesome. The third part of the book is a relief, as everything becomes pieced together.
Themes such as abuse, power, homophobia, rape, trauma, grooming, manipulation, sexual exploitation and violence are only a few among many others explored over the course of this book. Although the content was triggering, the writing itself was done extremely well. Jonathan Parks-Ramage's writing had me hooked from the very first page and continued onward through this very intense reading experience.
Thank you Net Galley and Mariner Books for the digital advanced readers copy.
We follow the story of Jonah, an ambitious playwright in his twenties who has moved from Illinois to New York City to follow his dreams. When he finds himself barely scraping by with rent each month, he seeks out Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright Richard Shriver to help him get a foot in the door and make a name for himself in the industry.
They soon forge a romantic relationship, but as summer heats up and the two take a trip to the Hamptons where a handful of Richard's other successful friends gather, it takes a sinister twist.
This book is almost split into three parts: before the Hamptons, at the Hamptons, and after the Hamptons. The first part is a steep buildup toward the climax as we see the relationship with Jonah and Richard progress. The time at the Hamptons is the most brutal part of the story and was very, very hard to read at times because the content was so explicit and gruesome. The third part of the book is a relief, as everything becomes pieced together.
Themes such as abuse, power, homophobia, rape, trauma, grooming, manipulation, sexual exploitation and violence are only a few among many others explored over the course of this book. Although the content was triggering, the writing itself was done extremely well. Jonathan Parks-Ramage's writing had me hooked from the very first page and continued onward through this very intense reading experience.
Thank you Net Galley and Mariner Books for the digital advanced readers copy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Abandonment