Reviews with content warning for Stalking - Appetite for Innocence

A serial rapists goes after virgin teenage girls. Stocking their entire lives on social media and until he gets the timing right to take them. Holding them in his basement until he’s ready to take the innocence.

Once in captivity, we get the heartbreaking story that flips from being captive to the hospital after escaping as it follows two of his victims’ stories that they had to endure.

LIKES:

👍🏾 The story was plausible and informative. The author did a great job handling a difficult subject matter. Mostly in being able to see the traumatic deep routed scars that are left on a person after something like this emotionally, mentally, and physically.

👍🏾 The main characters were beautifully written. My heart ached for Ella. I’ve never wanted to burst out into tears so hard for someone in a book like this. John was the perfect villain. He was disgusting and revolting. And Sarah made me want to yank her by her hair with her Stockholm Syndrome. She was the perfect side kick and villain to finish out the story. It all added these multiple layers to the reality of the situation.

👍🏾 The pacing was kept well throughout especially with the short chapters and flipping between narratives and timelines.

DISLIKES:

👎🏾 I found the ending rushed when it came to John. I wish the book explored more about the kidnapper’s motive and background though, since the means and opportunity to commit the crime were so detailed.

👎🏾 There were a couple times the story dragged a bit, I think more towards the end with the girls coming home. A lot of repetition and parts that could’ve been taken out that wouldn’t affected the overall story. I also wouldn’t consider it exactly a thriller.

👎🏾 Jocelyn, especially as a mother, annoyed the hell out of me. How do you tend to every physical and emotional need of another child over your own? Especially after you lost her for MONTHS. I got the sympathy, but I can’t imagine not hanging onto everything my kid needs over forcing her into it all.

Overall, I would definitely check all the trigger warning before getting into it, but a good fast read!

Content Warnings

angel6446mc's review against another edition

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dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The plot of the book was great! It was fairly face paced and you wanted to know what was going to happen next. The ending was a bit lackluster compared to the rest of book. There wasn’t enough for what happened to John.

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storied's review against another edition

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challenging dark reflective sad tense fast-paced

4.5

Very fast paced especially with the dual pov and short chapters. Very dark

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marypetrushko's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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micasreads's review against another edition

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4.0

Ella wakes up in a basement. She doesn't know where she is but she knows that the man who asked about his missing dog was the one who took her. She isn't alone in the basement - there are two other girls there. As she learns what will eventually happen to her, Ella begins to plot her escape. When she does escape, she must learn to live with all that she has gone through.

This was my first Lucinda Berry novel but it definitely won't be my last. This was such a propulsive story with twists I never saw coming. This story kept me invested from beginning to end. I listened to the audiobook and it was worth the 8 hours of listening time. The narrators did a wonderful job portraying the characters. They were well-fleshed out, there were no plot holes, and the end of the story was perfect. One thing that must be noted is that Berry can be graphic in her writing and this story was no exception.

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