Reviews

3 stars ⭐️ I am quite a fan of Tiffany D. Jackson’s writing. This is the third book I’ve read of hers. This story was largely decent. I was engaged, interested, and invested in the FMC’s (Mary) journey. The pacing was good and the excerpts from interviews and papers were pretty cool additions.

The little bit of romance between Mary and Ted was…sweet? The age gap is considerably taboo however. He seemed genuine in his loyalty to her and cared for her the best way he knew how. I found it admirable for such a young man, also considering his own less-than-ideal circumstances.

One thing that I didn’t like about the book was the abrupt ending. Some folks like the shock value but I think what I wanted more was closure and clarity.

I’d recommend this to YA thriller readers. It’s definitely not something a seasoned or more mature thriller reader would be rushing to read or rating 5 stars. But it is a decent, quick paced book.

pagesofplatypus's review against another edition

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dark emotional medium-paced

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

4.5

Holy shit. Just holy shit.

This book is a ride! Perhaps Tiffany D. Jackson's grittiest outing yet, Allegedly follows Mary who was tried at the ripe age of nine for murdering a baby. Her life is now in absolute shambles as she lives in a horrifying group home filled with girls who are trying to kill each other 99% of the time.

When Mary herself finds out she's pregnant, the events of her freeing herself from her hellhole life and getting herself exonerated are set in motion.

As always, the reader always feels like they're living everything alongside the protagonist and really getting into their head. The trademark "did This really happen or did the character omagine it" comes into play. And omfg I was not prepared for the last 10 pages! Like dammnn.

The fact that Mary really did try to kill Alyssa with sleeping pills so she could escape her Momma!!

It's so hard to organise my thoughts for this. I think this really did a good job of calling to light the horrid conditions child criminals have to face in the aftermath. How horrible the prison conditions are and the abusive reality of group homes.

The theme of what it means to be a mother vs a childare also very neatly explored and all play into what actually happened.

The one thing I really hated though is Mary still tried to protect her Momma. And Marisol's whole speech. Like fuck that! Mary's mother brutally beat her, she allowed her fucktoy to drug and attempt to molest Mary, Mary had to do all the work an adult should have been doing (bills, chores, etc.). I just personally don't think she does deserve forgiveness. I mean Marisol uses the argument that she raised Mary and visited her at the group home but that does not make up for the ways she abused and neglected Mary before.

Content Warnings

izypup's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

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

2.25

shae_bentley's review against another edition

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dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

4.5

amyhungerford's review against another edition

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4.0

This book is sooo stressful! In the best way!

I liked it, I really did!... Up until the end. I was completely engross in the story pretty much the entire time. This would have been a solid 5 stars from me if it weren't for the last couple chapters.

I don't want to get spoiler-y so I'll just leave it at that.

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