Scan barcode
mpr2000's review against another edition
4.0
Reputation, a simple word that can make you do anything to maintain it clear, even killing? Possibly, it depends on how important is your Reputation.
This is a slow paced thriller, told between different voices helping the reader to see the full story. I don’t think we can say that this is an easy story; yes, the main character, Emma, is a high profile politician, but her desire is to protect her daughter, to keep her safe. Is it not what every parent wants to do? To try to heal our children’s wounds and repair the damage they’ve done?
Being honest, I don’t think this story seen from the perspective of a male character would be the same, their reputation can be healed or covered on the contrary as women that they will have the stigma for the rest of their life. Is it fair? No, and that’s what this story tries to show us.
Emma’s daughter, Flora, is bullied at school and as an act of vengeance does something she should never do, but I am sure that if her mother wasn’t a politician the things would have been different. For sure. So, when the journalist that wants to write an article about Flora’s story appears dead at Emma’s house, everyone suspects she did it on purpose. Accident or murder? This is what you’ll have to decide. But, at the same time, if you were on her skin, you are a woman, being bullied everyday by messages, co-workers, journalists… What would you do to protect your daughter?
Are you ready to protect your “Reputation”?
This is a slow paced thriller, told between different voices helping the reader to see the full story. I don’t think we can say that this is an easy story; yes, the main character, Emma, is a high profile politician, but her desire is to protect her daughter, to keep her safe. Is it not what every parent wants to do? To try to heal our children’s wounds and repair the damage they’ve done?
Being honest, I don’t think this story seen from the perspective of a male character would be the same, their reputation can be healed or covered on the contrary as women that they will have the stigma for the rest of their life. Is it fair? No, and that’s what this story tries to show us.
Emma’s daughter, Flora, is bullied at school and as an act of vengeance does something she should never do, but I am sure that if her mother wasn’t a politician the things would have been different. For sure. So, when the journalist that wants to write an article about Flora’s story appears dead at Emma’s house, everyone suspects she did it on purpose. Accident or murder? This is what you’ll have to decide. But, at the same time, if you were on her skin, you are a woman, being bullied everyday by messages, co-workers, journalists… What would you do to protect your daughter?
Are you ready to protect your “Reputation”?
bookgrubb's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I learnt a lot about the world of politics whilst somehow enjoying the perspective of a vulnerable female politician. I was rooting for this character but also wondered if I should be? A great read.
michelleohbee's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
cnbennett1206's review against another edition
3.0
3⭐️
I may be an outsider as many others loved the book, but I found it a bit predictable. It follows a woman who holds a high position, but gets put in the middle of a crime. It goes on to show what people in higher positions go through and the stances they have to take.
The last part of the book proved to be better than the first 70% of it. Not necessarily something I would reread, but not mad that I did read it.
This book was gifted from NetGalley for my honest review, so thank you
I may be an outsider as many others loved the book, but I found it a bit predictable. It follows a woman who holds a high position, but gets put in the middle of a crime. It goes on to show what people in higher positions go through and the stances they have to take.
The last part of the book proved to be better than the first 70% of it. Not necessarily something I would reread, but not mad that I did read it.
This book was gifted from NetGalley for my honest review, so thank you
jmatkinson1's review against another edition
5.0
MP and single mother Emma Webster works hard for her constituents and tries to be a good mother to her daughter. However when she raises her profile by taking on victim's rights she becomes the target of the trollers, abused and threatened to the point where she is terrified. Then her daughter reacts to her bullies in an extreme way and Emma must protect her at all costs.
This is the sort of book that I should hate and yet it is really hard to do so. The plot is manipulative and there are huge holes in it. Emma isn't exactly a sympathetic character at times and no-one comes out of the story well. The writing is adequate enough and there are too many twists. However it is also a terrific read in its genre and for a hit of this style it's great.
This is the sort of book that I should hate and yet it is really hard to do so. The plot is manipulative and there are huge holes in it. Emma isn't exactly a sympathetic character at times and no-one comes out of the story well. The writing is adequate enough and there are too many twists. However it is also a terrific read in its genre and for a hit of this style it's great.
klcrabill's review against another edition
4.0
I have a confession to make- I never read a book blurb, and typically just dive in. I thought this book was going to go one way completely, and then was pleasantly surprised when it went a different way. When Emma, a member of the Parliament, finds herself in an almost impossible situation regarding her daughter, tragedy then strikes. She worries about the consequences of her actions and how those actions will affect her reputation. I don't want to give too much away, because you HAVE to read this book!
The story is told in several different points of view, but mainly focuses on Emma. I think this kept the story moving quickly, and set up so many good plot twists and points. The characterization in the book was fantastic, and we learn more about the motivations of each character and how they are then driven to do the things that they do. I also love a strong female lead, and I enjoyed Emma as a lead. When a book ties together all its loose ends by the end of the book it makes my heart sing, and this one did just that. I left feeling satisfied that I got the entire story from different view points. This was my first by Vaughan, but I will certainly be looking for more.
I received a review copy from Atria via NetGalley and I voluntarily provided an honest review. This does not affect the opinion of the book or the content of the review.
The story is told in several different points of view, but mainly focuses on Emma. I think this kept the story moving quickly, and set up so many good plot twists and points. The characterization in the book was fantastic, and we learn more about the motivations of each character and how they are then driven to do the things that they do. I also love a strong female lead, and I enjoyed Emma as a lead. When a book ties together all its loose ends by the end of the book it makes my heart sing, and this one did just that. I left feeling satisfied that I got the entire story from different view points. This was my first by Vaughan, but I will certainly be looking for more.
I received a review copy from Atria via NetGalley and I voluntarily provided an honest review. This does not affect the opinion of the book or the content of the review.
sooky's review against another edition
3.0
Intriguing subject, but the execution fell flat to me. This book has a bit of a mystery, a character on edge, courtroom drama, and yet it was still somehow boring and felt too long.
kasdaye's review against another edition
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
deeclancy's review against another edition
5.0
This is a really gripping psychological thriller about a female MP, Emma Webster, whose life spirals out of control due to various competing pressures. These include the routine online misogynistic abuse that female politicians are subjected to, which include threats of violence and rape; her teenage daughter being bullied at school; her close friend moving in on her husband after she is elected, then a subsequent divorce; and one of her former university lecturers whose sexual exploitation of her as a student in her late teens doesn't cow him from writing pieces in the newspaper that demean and diminish her achievements.
Emma has a close coterie of female colleagues and friends who support her and are familiar with these pressures, and these help to keep her sane. She partners with a tabloid journalist, Mike Stokes, to highlight the damage caused by revenge porn, which is sparked by a young woman's suicide on the back of a boyfriend she broke things off with posting footage of them having sex, then getting off with community service. The campaign results in some meaningful legislation and Emma feels vindicated, until Mike finds out some compromising information about Emma's private family life and wants to run it as a story. When Mike turns up dead at the bottom of her stairs one night, Emma's delicately honed balancing act starts to crumble.
This is a really topical book that moves at a nice pace, and doesn't sacrifice complexity when providing a picture of the characters' inner lives and motivations. It avoids neat moral certainties right to the end. Normally, Emma would be the type of politician I would admire, but I can't quite say that I liked her, really, on the basis of her thought processes and motivations. While the book somehow avoids didacticism, it also manages to address many of the possible reasons why politics is not an attractive occupation for women. I really enjoyed it and will definitely read more by this author.
Emma has a close coterie of female colleagues and friends who support her and are familiar with these pressures, and these help to keep her sane. She partners with a tabloid journalist, Mike Stokes, to highlight the damage caused by revenge porn, which is sparked by a young woman's suicide on the back of a boyfriend she broke things off with posting footage of them having sex, then getting off with community service. The campaign results in some meaningful legislation and Emma feels vindicated, until Mike finds out some compromising information about Emma's private family life and wants to run it as a story. When Mike turns up dead at the bottom of her stairs one night, Emma's delicately honed balancing act starts to crumble.
This is a really topical book that moves at a nice pace, and doesn't sacrifice complexity when providing a picture of the characters' inner lives and motivations. It avoids neat moral certainties right to the end. Normally, Emma would be the type of politician I would admire, but I can't quite say that I liked her, really, on the basis of her thought processes and motivations. While the book somehow avoids didacticism, it also manages to address many of the possible reasons why politics is not an attractive occupation for women. I really enjoyed it and will definitely read more by this author.
lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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? Yes
3.0
I picked up a copy of this book at a library book sale.
"Reputation" follows a character named Emma. Emma is a politician who has sacrificed a lot for her career, including her happy family. One cause that is particularly important to Emma and her platform is creating more consequences for those who publicize revenge porn. Unbeknownst to her, Emma's teenage daughter, Flora, sends a topless video of one of her classmates to the boy that this classmate likes. Emma will do anything to protect Flora, but she also wants to keep this under wraps, so it does not hurt her political career. Unfortunately for Emma, things get worse, and she may not be able to save her reputation.
I did not have super high expectations for this book, but this plot about revenge porn in a thriller caught my attention. Flora obviously should not have taken a video of someone without their consent, and she certainly should not have sent a naked video of someone to anyone, but the reasoning that drove Flora to that point felt believable. Flora was mercilessly bullied by this girl every day, and Flora was finally fed up. This does not justify her actions, but I think it does well to explain her mental state.
I think this book explores this idea that a woman's reputation, particularly in the limelight is so fragile exceptionally well. It only takes one accusation, does not matter how true, to completely destroy a reputation, and once a reputation is destroyed, it feels impossible to come back from.
The big "mystery" behind what happened was not terribly interesting to me, and overall I did not mesh well with Emma as a character. I was far more invested in Flora, and I wish we got the story completely from Flora's perspective.
This story was fine; it did not enough to keep me interested throughout the story, but not enough that I am immediately going to reach for more from Sarah Vaughan.
"Reputation" follows a character named Emma. Emma is a politician who has sacrificed a lot for her career, including her happy family. One cause that is particularly important to Emma and her platform is creating more consequences for those who publicize revenge porn. Unbeknownst to her, Emma's teenage daughter, Flora, sends a topless video of one of her classmates to the boy that this classmate likes. Emma will do anything to protect Flora, but she also wants to keep this under wraps, so it does not hurt her political career. Unfortunately for Emma, things get worse, and she may not be able to save her reputation.
I did not have super high expectations for this book, but this plot about revenge porn in a thriller caught my attention. Flora obviously should not have taken a video of someone without their consent, and she certainly should not have sent a naked video of someone to anyone, but the reasoning that drove Flora to that point felt believable. Flora was mercilessly bullied by this girl every day, and Flora was finally fed up. This does not justify her actions, but I think it does well to explain her mental state.
I think this book explores this idea that a woman's reputation, particularly in the limelight is so fragile exceptionally well. It only takes one accusation, does not matter how true, to completely destroy a reputation, and once a reputation is destroyed, it feels impossible to come back from.
The big "mystery" behind what happened was not terribly interesting to me, and overall I did not mesh well with Emma as a character. I was far more invested in Flora, and I wish we got the story completely from Flora's perspective.
This story was fine; it did not enough to keep me interested throughout the story, but not enough that I am immediately going to reach for more from Sarah Vaughan.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, Sexual harassment, Bullying, Death, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Stalking