Reviews with content warning for Trafficking - Yes, Daddy

I.. I’m speechless. But I can’t tell if in a good way or just an extremely shocked way. I did tell myself once that I need to start reading TW/CW before I start books and I failed to do that again here with Yes, Daddy.. going in without knowing anything except for the synopsis on the inside of the dust jacket. Honestly, I’m actually glad I didn’t know because I don’t know if I’d have mustered up the courage to read this book if I had read the TW before.

First of all, if someone were to ask if I would recommend - I’d strongly suggest that everyone should consider reading the TW/CW before deciding. Or if you think you can handle some pretty heavy, effed up, intense, and basically horrific content.. then just dive right in.

Secondly; I read this book in basically two days. I was in a weird reading slump since the beginning of the month and needed something different (and yes, this was not the different I was expecting, but alas I sped through it).

The writing is actually pretty amazing and very immersive. For a first novel, Jonathan Parks-Ramage is very talented and I dig his writing style. The pace was consistent and fast throughout, which is why I got through the book quickly. However I did find the pacing in the last quarter of the book to drag a teeny bit.. But also, at that point of the story, I think I was also just needing some sort of reprieve from what I was reading.. but the frustration and angst just kept piling on!

The characters are.. well, I can’t say any of the main ones are likeable. The one that would be most down to earth and likeable would be Rashad. Though, I also see that this story is not intended for us as readers to like the characters. And despite not liking them, it didn’t affect my choice to continue reading.

I did however, question whether I should continue reading this book after around Ch 9/10. I literally had to put the book down after feeling quite physically ill from what I had just read.

Some of the traumatic scenes were just so vile and disgusting on a human level. I wasn’t sure if it was dialled up just for shock value, or whether it was essential as glue for the plot/story, especially since it did serve as a plot device for the rest of the book.

This is also one of the first books I’ve read where it’s not marketed as horror, but the scenes described in this can actually very much pertain to being “horror” or “horrorific”, in which case I would label this as a horror novel.

I’m torn at how to rate this one. I love the authors writing and the dialogue,m, and scene building was top notch IMO. I felt like I could envision everything, which is a two sided sword since the vile scenes were just so much more vivid and again, just so sick.

The story itself is a slog of shocking moments and depressing moments, which I think is what the author intended the story to have and do. It did it’s job! I think I need to justify that my rating is based on a lot more on this being true to itself (including the writing style) rather than a reflection on the specific content that is in the book itself.

This book will probably haunt me for the next few days!

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patrickloftus's review

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dark sad tense fast-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

2.5

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colinjames's review

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dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.0

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hannia222's review

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challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced

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

I was in no way prepared for the force of this novel. (s/o to @adancewithwords for the rec)

tw: graphic violence (physical/sexual), rape, substance abuse, homophobia

Yes, Daddy follows Jonah Keller, a young, ambitious writer scraping by in New York, who schemes a meeting with the rich and successful Richard Shriver, a playwright himself. An affair, cemented in the imbalance of power, ensues, and what follows is a twisted tale of abuse and violence.

From the very beginning, Parks-Ramage peels away the layers of Jonah's character, hereby showing his vulnerability and how lack of validation leads to his later mistakes. These aspects alone make the novel worth a read - it is a character study, both of Jonah and of #MeToo. The critical exploration of trauma allows the reader to empathise with a very flawed, often even unlikable character - something essential in our time, where victim blaming is still commonplace.

The first 60% is truly impossible to put down. Although often painful to read, it is fast-paced and able to elicit strong emotional response often, without becoming over-the-top or unrealistic. The build up of tension is spaced out in a ways that give each twist a sense of realisation rather than shock. This was brilliantly done, considering that sexual abuse stories so often hide in plain sight in reality.

The next few chapters felt a bit all over the place, but to the book as a whole they remain relevant to Jonah's journey. The effects of his experiences never leave the story (rightfully), rather manifesting themselves in any and all aspects of his life. Towards the end a good pace is achieved again, and allows the novel to be tied up in a hopeful way. I also think the book deserves to be acknowledged for the constructive way it deals with therapy, forgiveness and religion - especially in the LGBTQIA+ community.

The use of the second person allows the book to feel even more personal, though never directed at the reader. Although I wouldn't say I have any special attachment to Jonah, his turmoil resonated with me from beginning to end. I unexpectedly found tears of anger streaming down my face as I made my way through this novel, crying at the injustice but also saddened by the fact that this is a book rooted in truth. It's a powerful story, strengthened by its implications and inspiration, that will stay with me for a long time.

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bostonbooksandbubbles's review

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challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

2.0

I really struggled with this book. It felt like two separate books that hadn’t found a way to coexist. There’s the thriller, which does start out strong before descending into what felt like borderline trauma porn. There’s also the literary fiction component, wrestling with difficult family dynamics, reconciling sexuality and religion, and working through / overcoming trauma. I genuinely do not understand why this book is getting so much hype.

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stayathomereader's review

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challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

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