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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
The twists and turns were amazing. This was such a quick, engaging read. I really enjoyed to characters and the format of the book was cool with part being first person and part being a diary. Great summer read!
Ok i really like Sally Hepworth! I don’t think you can necessarily call her books “thrillers” or “mysteries” because it’s pretty obvious what’s going on BUT the familial relationship dynamics and drama is more than enough for me!
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A quick easy read but a little unbelievable.
tense
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting
Moderate: Murder, Pregnancy
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Infertility, Death of parent
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
8/10 - Rose and Fern are twin sisters. Fern is neurodivergent with social deficiencies and sensory issues, who doesn’t understand rhetorical questions, but thrives on logic and routine, and adores her sister. Rose has always taken care of, and loved Fern. When Fern discovers Rose can’t have a baby, Fern decides she will meet a man, make a baby, and give it to Rose.
This is my first Sally Hepworth novel and it was NOTHING like I expected it to be.
What started out as a sweet story about a sisterly bond turned out to be an interesting insight into narcissism and coercive control. So many phases of this novel made me feel uncomfortable, for various reasons, but it kept my interest all the way through.
Fern’s neurodivergence is brilliantly portrayed, in perfect combination with her intelligence. So often we see neurodivergence cast as incompetent and unfeeling. Here, she’s caring and capable, and also happens to not understand facial expressions or inference. It’s brilliant to see our antagonist try to use this to against Fern, but underestimate the importance of logical thinking.
The supporting characters are an amazing supporting cast too. The library posse *chef’s kiss. Wally/Rocco was such a great neurodivergent partner for Fern - the perfect example of finding another persons weird that fits your weird.
Really surprised by the story but enjoyed it so much more than I was expecting.
Audiobook VA was excellent - I didn’t realise Sally Hepworth is Australian.
This is my first Sally Hepworth novel and it was NOTHING like I expected it to be.
What started out as a sweet story about a sisterly bond turned out to be an interesting insight into narcissism and coercive control. So many phases of this novel made me feel uncomfortable, for various reasons, but it kept my interest all the way through.
Fern’s neurodivergence is brilliantly portrayed, in perfect combination with her intelligence. So often we see neurodivergence cast as incompetent and unfeeling. Here, she’s caring and capable, and also happens to not understand facial expressions or inference. It’s brilliant to see our antagonist try to use this to against Fern, but underestimate the importance of logical thinking.
The supporting characters are an amazing supporting cast too. The library posse *chef’s kiss. Wally/Rocco was such a great neurodivergent partner for Fern - the perfect example of finding another persons weird that fits your weird.
Really surprised by the story but enjoyed it so much more than I was expecting.
Audiobook VA was excellent - I didn’t realise Sally Hepworth is Australian.
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gaslighting
dark
funny
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
i've predicted it (which is no fun) but i still liked it. the first half was pretty funny, i even thought that i'm reading a different story. need fern and wally in a romcom lol but that ending.. i genuinely just felt sad for rose.