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jillwedemeier's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-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
2.0
CW: human trafficking, rape, sexual assault, abduction, kidnapping, confinement, physical abuse, murder, torture
The premise of this book sounded very intriguing, but unfortunately it just wasn't for me. At 390 pages, this book could have been condensed to create a compelling mystery about two victims solving their own kidnappings. Instead, the first 25% of this book is a pure horror novel with vivid and graphic details of human trafficking, including rape, sexual assault, physical assault, and confinement in cages. This book was so much more disturbing than I had anticipated, and it was very difficult to get through. The next 25% of the book was more of a romance, which felt too unbelievable and forced. Fortunately, I found the second half of the book much more captivating and enjoyed how Noelle and Evan worked together to solve their case, although it was still quite dark and twisted. Fans of "Verity" and "Local Woman Missing" will likely enjoy this book, but it was too gruesome for my taste.
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The premise of this book sounded very intriguing, but unfortunately it just wasn't for me. At 390 pages, this book could have been condensed to create a compelling mystery about two victims solving their own kidnappings. Instead, the first 25% of this book is a pure horror novel with vivid and graphic details of human trafficking, including rape, sexual assault, physical assault, and confinement in cages. This book was so much more disturbing than I had anticipated, and it was very difficult to get through. The next 25% of the book was more of a romance, which felt too unbelievable and forced. Fortunately, I found the second half of the book much more captivating and enjoyed how Noelle and Evan worked together to solve their case, although it was still quite dark and twisted. Fans of "Verity" and "Local Woman Missing" will likely enjoy this book, but it was too gruesome for my taste.
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Sexual violence, Fire/Fire injury, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Murder, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual assault, Confinement, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Trafficking
lexkazokas's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Violence, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Rape, and Murder
Minor: Pregnancy and Fire/Fire injury
brittonmc1221's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Trafficking, and Violence
bertiethefern's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
A really intriguing, good read of a book. The mystery was well done, and while I guessed some plot twists others I definitely did not. I read it all in one sitting, so it definitely gripped me. But the first part of the book was definitely too gory for me (I'm very squeamish) though that is of course personal preference! I also didn't like the romance, almost sitcom drama parts. They felt completely out of place and unnecessary to everything else going on (and seemed to come out of nowhere) but I think that's on me as looking into the author a bit more it seems she primarily writes romance, so if I'd known then I would have probably seen that one coming. But even then it doesn't change the uncomfortableness as a reader of one of the main characters, who has never had sex before, repeatedly being sexual assaulted in a horrific, traumatic experience, then only hours after escaping choosing to have sex. I know it's about reclaiming agency etc, but it just felt really discordant to the characters and story to me and like there was no space for healing as it was so soon after. It is sort of addressed later as not being super healthy, but it still seems to come out of nowhere to me, and to only be included because readers of this author typically expect romance
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual assault, and Injury/Injury detail
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