Reviews

This is the type of book that sticks with you long after you’ve finished it. It was haunting and heartbreaking. The writing was incredible and the way this author handled such a delicate topic was masterful. I’m truly baffled at how well this was executed because I’ll be honest—I was skeptical going in after reading the synopsis. Glad I read this novel. As hard as it was to read, it’s such a necessary body of work.

Content Warnings

lynn22's review against another edition

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4.0

*4.5 stars

tachyon217's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious sad 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

5.0

This one was so good. I had low hopes with all the shout outs on tiktok. These characters have me questioning myself throughout this entire thing. Good job book.

did strane love her? Was she abused? I'd like to say yes ultimately he did love her but also, she was 15 and a child without an advocate. But I mean, he was good to her. But also REAL TERRIBLE too. My ultimate decision was he's both the monster and the capability to love Vanessa.

bookish_skies's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

jaynamihalick's review against another edition

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4.0

Wow. This book was difficult for me to read - this was the first book I’ve read that truly gives justice to this type of situation and gives as much detail as it does into this incredibly prevalent issue. I wouldn’t even say I enjoyed this book: I found myself dreading the next page, needing to finish the story even though it was so difficult to get through. This book allowed me a perspective in the mind of a victim of sexual abuse victim, and made you see how warped views can become from grooming. The graphic scenes made me sick to my stomach, and at times frustrated, but mostly upset for all of the people who undergo this abuse across the world. This is a subject that is not spoken about enough, and I think this book did an excellent job of bringing attention to that, especially through the references to the appropriation of sexualizing children in modern culture. I also appreciated the hopeful feeling I got at the end of this book. Such a heartbreaking and important read, and although incredibly graphic and sickening, it made me think and reconsider my surroundings like no book has before.

bbbunniii's review against another edition

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5.0

I haven’t read a book that affected me like this in a loooong time. Very powerful and well written

mleemargaret's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad medium-paced

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

4.0

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