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bookedbymadeline's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Really slow start, it took almost 150 pages to really get into the story. Only reason I didn’t DNF was because I desperately wanted to know the secrets 😅
The writing style was a little overly descriptive for my taste, with more telling than showing. All the characters are unlikeable and most are annoying 😅 but they’re interesting nonetheless, and I did like that none of them are trustworthy or reliable so you can never pinpoint their secrets or “guilt.”
The twists were completely unexpected and I was happy that all of my predictions were wrong! Sadly though the ending and twists felt way too rushed, all of the twists were in the last 20-30 pages which just left me with an unsatisfying ending. There was also one part towards the end that I found completely unbelievable, and a bit of a cop out. Portia threatening Beth with a psych ward was a weak attempt at blackmail compared to her threat to Eddie. Unless the journal showed clear threats to herself or others (which in my opinion it did not), you legally can’t put someone in a psych ward especially if you’re not a spouse/legal guardian.
Overall it was an entertaining and unpredictable thriller! I really enjoyed the unreliable narrator aspect and split timelines but even the unpredictability couldn’t save the book from being a bit disappointing. But the ending really ruined it for me and just because I was surprised doesn’t make it good 🫣 If you’re looking to read a psychological thriller from Downing, I’d recommend The Lovely Wife instead!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Gun violence, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Death, Pregnancy, and Infidelity
Minor: Gaslighting and Cancer
brenxbee's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Domestic abuse, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Cancer, Infidelity, Pedophilia, and Gun violence
kimveach's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Dark and creepy but not the satisfying thriller I expected it to be.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Cancer, Confinement, Gaslighting, Stalking, Violence, Alcohol, Blood, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Murder, and Physical abuse
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