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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
Dang it Dr. Berry, you did it again! Did I love this story, no I did not; but as I found myself yelling at the characters (much to the surprise of my coworkers at my many outbursts), I knew it was good because it was making me feel things and react. This was dark, which if you've read Lucinda Berry, you'd expect nothing less; but this is a different dark than Saving Noah. Saving Noah was an emotional rollercoaster, this one was just dark from start to finish because sometimes "saved" isn't really saving you and the unflinching look at the aftermath was even darker than the beginning. Imagine screaming at a mother (I totally was yelling at her constantly!) because she's not listening to her child tell her what she needs after being held captive as a sex slave for four months?!? Imagine being 16 years old and having to drink your way through your day because that's the only way you're able to cope because only one person is listening to you and they're not being heard either??? Imagine having the guilt that a person has died because of your actions, even if you had no idea it would happen or that would be the outcome? Imagine carrying the shame (though she should not be ashamed because she did what she had to do and it was excruciating for her) of having to give yourself a "coat hanger" abortion to avoid birthing your rapist & captor's child? I can't even! So for Ella to come out of this and for nobody to listen to her, I'm shocked her actions and reactions weren't worse, honestly. Randi the advocate was the only one that heard her, and she couldn't get anyone to listen to her either. I was riveted by this story because I had to know if Ella was going to finally find some peace and be heard and try and find her way back to some semblance or normalcy. I knew Sarah was going to need far more than any help or therapy she was getting because she was so far gone into herself after spending so much time with John. I think what she had was beyond Stockholm Syndrome, and I hope she finds the help she needs, truly.
The only reason this wasn't five stars is because the narration for Sarah was not good, very instruction manual reading versus fictional story reading, so wooden and robotic.
The only reason this wasn't five stars is because the narration for Sarah was not good, very instruction manual reading versus fictional story reading, so wooden and robotic.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
3.5 - I was swayed by the high reviews of this one, but it was a let down.
First of all, it was far too long and drawn out. Secondly, I’m not sure in what world the system would let the whole “let’s bring her home with us” situation play out. Thirdly, I was mad at the mother for the entire last half of the book. Finished it feeling annoyed. But the writing was great.
First of all, it was far too long and drawn out. Secondly, I’m not sure in what world the system would let the whole “let’s bring her home with us” situation play out. Thirdly, I was mad at the mother for the entire last half of the book. Finished it feeling annoyed. But the writing was great.
Very sad listening experience. The synopsis of the book is very misleading, because I thought the book would be centered around the man and the abuser but it was centered around the victims. It was very harrowing what these girls experienced, and how their experiences were different based on their upbringings.
dark
emotional
sad
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Rape, Kidnapping
Moderate: Suicide
i love lucinda berry’s books, but i had to skip this one. it just wasn’t for me. rape stories don’t do it for me, so instead of powering through it, i’ve decided to move on from it and the subgenre itself.
the characters were fine, but they didn’t make me wanna continue with the story. there were also fbi involved which i don’t particularly enjoy reading about either (same goes with the detectives).
i did love the short chapters though!
the problem might not be the story, but me. i can’t recommend it to anyone without advising to check trigger warnings. this is just not for me and i know to steer clear of SA stories in the future.
the characters were fine, but they didn’t make me wanna continue with the story. there were also fbi involved which i don’t particularly enjoy reading about either (same goes with the detectives).
i did love the short chapters though!
the problem might not be the story, but me. i can’t recommend it to anyone without advising to check trigger warnings. this is just not for me and i know to steer clear of SA stories in the future.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes