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Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gore, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Murder, Gaslighting
I saw this recommendation on an Instagram thriller page I follow and they labeled it a "popcorn thriller" (those fast-paced ones you can just binge in one setting). And it most definitely delivered. It feels so good to read a good book again!
I'm starting to see a lot of thrillers adapt the podcast elements and you know what I'm not mad at it (even though I think it might start to get a little oversaturated). I love mixed media in books no matter what kind and this most certainly didn't disappoint.
Our FMC Lucy isn't the most likable person, but you get used to her (I don't need my characters to be likable, especially in thrillers). I didn't mind her point of view. I was surprised to see that this is the author's first attempt at a thriller because I think she did well.
I was already invested, but I say the story really had me reeling in the second half cuz by that point I was so sucked into the small town and the story that I was itching to know what happened. Although trivial I did enjoy the subplot of dark romance we got in the book (note: there's a lot of cheating in this book if you don't like that, but I kid you not it makes sense for the story). I feel like you can tell a little through the writing that this author is a romance girly. Also, not gonna lie, this book is a little funny at times. I really liked the grandma; she brought most of the humor. The other characters were fine. Ben was kind of bland to me.
Overall, I had a good time! I do think the author did a fine job at her first attempt at a thriller. However, there are certain things (the parents, Savvy, how she even met Matt, Nina, etc) that I wished she delved into more because the last 15% did feel a bit rushed. The ending was fine. I was just expecting more. And the twist, it was fine for her first attempt. I did guess, but it's not a bad thing cuz although this thriller wasn't a masterpiece by any means, I still enjoyed myself and had fun and I think that's all I can ask for considering I've just been getting back-to-back 3-star books. This was one good, I recommend!
Note: I also recommend the audio. It was good.
Spice:🌶️.5/5 (yes there is spice in this book)
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Murder
Moderate: Cursing, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Blood, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Sexual harassment
Minor: Sexual violence, Grief, Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Murder, Alcohol
Graphic: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Murder
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Murder, Alcohol
Moderate: Sexual assault
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse
Minor: Alcoholism, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Blood, Medical trauma, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
"I smile like I wasn't just imagining bludgeoning her to death."
"You really don't remember that night do you?"
"People don't believe women who fight back. When a man lashes out, people say he's lost control of his temper or made a terrible mistake. When a woman does it, she's a psychopath."
I have to pat myself on the back for figuring out and solving the murder. Overall this was an intense read, definitely a bit more intense than I thought it would be. However the many important themes and gender expectations in society definitely hit right on the mark. The best way to consume this story is to listen to it, the voice narrators did such a great job bringing the characters to life and adding different emotions to certain situations. Overall I did enjoy this story but for some reason I felt like something was missing, and I wish something else occurred in the story. The ending kind of felt unfinished and more of a question / hesitancy, which might have been done on purpose but I still feel like the ending was unfinished.
This is a very quick read filled with small town drama and so many intersections / overlaps that added to the plot and mystery of the story. I love the podcast element to the story and it added more mystery surrounding Savvy and the town in general. Unreliable narrators will always intrigue me and I was not mad it at all. All I have to say is that the Lucy grandmother and Savvy are thee best side characters and support system to ever exist!!!
Graphic: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Blood, Grief, Medical trauma, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Alcoholism, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail