Reviews with content warning for Sexual assault - The Book of Essie

This backlist book has been on my reading bucket list for years, and it appears partially inspired by the Duggar family's rise and fall within the public eye.

Essie is a seventeen-year-old daughter of an evangelical preacher and is now grappling with a secret pregnancy that threatens to unravel their TV world.

To control the narrative, the family agrees to quickly marry Essie to pass the pregnancy off as a product of their union. As another family is desperately strapped for cash and wants their son to further his education, this large sum is pivotal to their livelihood.

As the readers uncover the mystery behind this pregnancy, they grapple with how reality TV and a seemingly perfect family can harbor such dark secrets. As Essie isn't the only one hiding a few secrets, I can promise a few reveals from her betrothed.

While it wasn't my favorite of the month, readers who love a behind-the-scenes experience with a reality TV show in their literature will find this a great addition. Pair it with the memoir Counting the Cost by Jill Duggar for a perfect book pairing.

Content Warnings

caitlynleahy's review against another edition

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emotional medium-paced

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

5.0

Content Warnings

jackieyvette's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

3.0

I liked this book for the most part, but the ending was so lackluster. I usually like when books have multiple narrators, but in this case I think it took away from the story. If the book had been from Essie’s perspective alone I think it would have been stronger. I did semi-enjoy Roarke and Liberty’s stories, but I just think it was too filler for the book to be great.
Also the ending is just super anticipated. I would have liked to see the aftermath of the decision Essie made, but the author just decided to wrap everything in a big bow instead of actually trying to make these characters and this situation come to life.

Crying score: I mean, who wouldn’t cry a little for Essie.

Content Warnings