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bookloversofi's review
4.0
I want to thank NetGalley & Wednesday Books very much for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review
This is certainly a difficult story to read at times because it focuses much on an extremely traumatic event where the main character is the survivor who escapes from her captor. I enjoyed the plot a lot, due to how it's told and from what point of view it is played, and also I find it extremely intriguing, although heartbreaking, to see how the veracity of the victim's kidnapping story is questioned a lot to the point of humiliating and treating her as a liar. Of course, all this makes it a hard-hitting book, but you still can't stop reading because there are many unknowns things to which you want to know the answers.
3.5/4 ⭐⭐⭐
trisha_thomas's review
4.0
"Why am I always the villain? Why do I never get to be the hero of my own story?"
This was a great mystery - I hadn't read the first book but I don't think that took away from enjoying this story at all. In this, the MC has been through some rough life experiences. It was hard to read all the people that didn't believe her - something that is a harsh reality for many who have been through trauma. I liked how the story played out, that you were left questioning a lot as things unfolded.
An e-ARC was provided to me by the author and publishing via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
This was a great mystery - I hadn't read the first book but I don't think that took away from enjoying this story at all. In this, the MC has been through some rough life experiences. It was hard to read all the people that didn't believe her - something that is a harsh reality for many who have been through trauma. I liked how the story played out, that you were left questioning a lot as things unfolded.
An e-ARC was provided to me by the author and publishing via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
tessa_talbert's review
3.0
Holy unreliable narrator batman!
tw: discussions of trauma, kidnapping, enclosed spaces, death by fire. If any of these things bother you, I would avoid this.
The Last Secret You'll Ever keep is a completely bonkers YA psychological thriller that had me turning pages back and forth just to make sure *I* was keeping the story straight. because this was a RIDE.
18-year-old Terra is a survivor. From her odd upbringing, to the tragedy that took her family, and the kidnapping she escaped and of which no one even believes happened—this girl has a lot going on.
Traumatized, paranoid, and carrying a deep pain, Terra tries her best to maintain in a world where most people think she is a freak and a liar. She takes solace in an anonymous chat room for survivors of various situations and befriends a user named Peyton, who encourages and comforts her when no one else will. They bond through the safety of the internet, but Terra has no idea who to really trust. Not her aunt, not Peyton, not the handsome Garret—maybe not even herself. As she tries to find any shred of proof that would show her experience was real, Terra starts to unravel not just her story, but the story of her kidnapper.
I have to say: This book was bizarre. Twists and turns abound, plenty of oddity and inconsistency to keep you turning the pages, if nothing more than to find out WHO was actually telling the truth. I had a hard time relating to Terra in any facet, as I wasn't even sure how sane she was half the time based on how often she went back and forth in her own mind. This is a past-future jump type situation which, while labelled, still managed to bring confusion to what were really facts. While it certainly held its intrigue, I have to admit it wasn't my favorite usage of any of these tropes.
I did, however, truly appreciate the way this story touched on victim-blaming and its effects on the victim themselves. This is something that needs to be talked about more in-depth, and to see Terra suffering through not only her trauma, but the disbelief of everyone around her was a very poignant note in an otherwise erratic text.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for gifting me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
tw: discussions of trauma, kidnapping, enclosed spaces, death by fire. If any of these things bother you, I would avoid this.
The Last Secret You'll Ever keep is a completely bonkers YA psychological thriller that had me turning pages back and forth just to make sure *I* was keeping the story straight. because this was a RIDE.
18-year-old Terra is a survivor. From her odd upbringing, to the tragedy that took her family, and the kidnapping she escaped and of which no one even believes happened—this girl has a lot going on.
Traumatized, paranoid, and carrying a deep pain, Terra tries her best to maintain in a world where most people think she is a freak and a liar. She takes solace in an anonymous chat room for survivors of various situations and befriends a user named Peyton, who encourages and comforts her when no one else will. They bond through the safety of the internet, but Terra has no idea who to really trust. Not her aunt, not Peyton, not the handsome Garret—maybe not even herself. As she tries to find any shred of proof that would show her experience was real, Terra starts to unravel not just her story, but the story of her kidnapper.
I have to say: This book was bizarre. Twists and turns abound, plenty of oddity and inconsistency to keep you turning the pages, if nothing more than to find out WHO was actually telling the truth. I had a hard time relating to Terra in any facet, as I wasn't even sure how sane she was half the time based on how often she went back and forth in her own mind. This is a past-future jump type situation which, while labelled, still managed to bring confusion to what were really facts. While it certainly held its intrigue, I have to admit it wasn't my favorite usage of any of these tropes.
I did, however, truly appreciate the way this story touched on victim-blaming and its effects on the victim themselves. This is something that needs to be talked about more in-depth, and to see Terra suffering through not only her trauma, but the disbelief of everyone around her was a very poignant note in an otherwise erratic text.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for gifting me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
hugbandit7's review
4.0
This book took me on a wild ride, one I wasn't sure how it was going to end.
It starts with a very unreliable narrator, Terra. She was kidnapped but all of the evidence points otherwise and this causes a lot of grief and anxiety for Terra. Luckily, she finds an online support group to share her fears and story. But we all know that people may not be who they appear to be online, is that the case here?
Besides her own life, she has become attached to one of the other survivors on the board, Peyton. There are other characters in the chat and it is interesting how they interact with each other and show concern for the others. I had to wonder why Terra was so honest with all of the details. I think her age and naivete played a part in her actions, she is 18 after all.
I felt for Terra and thought her character might be able to move forward. That is until nearly everyone seemed to believe that her story wasn't true. It is hard to prove when there is no physical evidence that proves she was kidnapped and her aunt doesn't seem to miss her for the four days she was gone. The stress of the event has Terra on edge and acting erratically. I can't blame her, I can't imagine the stress of surviving the kidnapping can take on a person.
This book had my thoughts and beliefs all over the board. I wanted to believe Terra, but here was all this evidence (or lack of evidence) that said otherwise. Thankfully, she has a new friend, Garrett, that believes her. He seems like a good guy, but in the back of my mind, I wondered if he was involved in the situation. The story picks up steam near the end as everything comes to a head. The truth was quite surprising and not one I expected.
Overall, we enjoyed this book and give it 3 1/2 paws
It starts with a very unreliable narrator, Terra. She was kidnapped but all of the evidence points otherwise and this causes a lot of grief and anxiety for Terra. Luckily, she finds an online support group to share her fears and story. But we all know that people may not be who they appear to be online, is that the case here?
Besides her own life, she has become attached to one of the other survivors on the board, Peyton. There are other characters in the chat and it is interesting how they interact with each other and show concern for the others. I had to wonder why Terra was so honest with all of the details. I think her age and naivete played a part in her actions, she is 18 after all.
I felt for Terra and thought her character might be able to move forward. That is until nearly everyone seemed to believe that her story wasn't true. It is hard to prove when there is no physical evidence that proves she was kidnapped and her aunt doesn't seem to miss her for the four days she was gone. The stress of the event has Terra on edge and acting erratically. I can't blame her, I can't imagine the stress of surviving the kidnapping can take on a person.
This book had my thoughts and beliefs all over the board. I wanted to believe Terra, but here was all this evidence (or lack of evidence) that said otherwise. Thankfully, she has a new friend, Garrett, that believes her. He seems like a good guy, but in the back of my mind, I wondered if he was involved in the situation. The story picks up steam near the end as everything comes to a head. The truth was quite surprising and not one I expected.
Overall, we enjoyed this book and give it 3 1/2 paws
haileyannereads's review
3.0
Trigger Warning: Abduction, trauma
Wow. This book was a wild ride. I spent most of the book confused and really not sure what was going on, and that was great.
Wow. This book was a wild ride. I spent most of the book confused and really not sure what was going on, and that was great.
bobbiejowoo's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I loved the first book, Jane Anonymous, so much it soared to my list of favorite books of all time. I was so excited to see there was a follow-up (albeit a different character with a different story.)
While I enjoyed this one, I didn't connect to it the way I did the first one. That's not to say it wasn't a good read. I am a gigantic fan of an unreliable narrator. I also really liked how this book tied in trauma, and relationships, and the Jane forum and how finding an online community can be the best sort of support. How finding that one person that believes in you can change everything.
I did like the end of this one and it was left open to a sequel so I'll be curious to see what comes next.
While I enjoyed this one, I didn't connect to it the way I did the first one. That's not to say it wasn't a good read. I am a gigantic fan of an unreliable narrator. I also really liked how this book tied in trauma, and relationships, and the Jane forum and how finding an online community can be the best sort of support. How finding that one person that believes in you can change everything.
I did like the end of this one and it was left open to a sequel so I'll be curious to see what comes next.
the_sassy_bookworm's review
2.0
This one was just okay. It should have been a sure thing, since these type of books are like crack to me. However, I found it super slow, and I honestly didn't like or connect with Terra, like AT ALL. I found her annoying, and rude, and a whole host of unpleasant things.
ashleysumm's review
5.0
It took Terra four days to get out of the wishy water well...but will she ever truly be free?
Six months after escaping the bottom of a well, Terra's life is falling apart at the seams. Despite being missing for four days, no one believes her story, as she has a troublesome history with her mental health. With no one searching for her abductor or protecting her, Terra is always watching her back and searching the eyes of every stranger to see if they are the same unique colour she saw that fateful night. As her paranoia increases, Terra's only comfort comes from an online anonymous chat site for trauma survivors, created by a girl who survived her own abduction. When the person she is closest to in the chat site seems to be in trouble, Terra will do anything to help her...and prove her story once and for all.
I really loved this novel. I found the story so unique and hung on to every word I read. I found it very hard to put this book down. I really enjoy books that feature an unreliable narrator, as I am constantly questioning what is true or not true, and I don't know what to expect. I had a few theories throughout the book. Some of my theories panned out, but not quite in the way I imagined. I recommend this novel to anyone looking for a creative, unique thriller with a lot of twists and turns along the way. I also look forward to reading the companion novel, Jane Anonymous!
Six months after escaping the bottom of a well, Terra's life is falling apart at the seams. Despite being missing for four days, no one believes her story, as she has a troublesome history with her mental health. With no one searching for her abductor or protecting her, Terra is always watching her back and searching the eyes of every stranger to see if they are the same unique colour she saw that fateful night. As her paranoia increases, Terra's only comfort comes from an online anonymous chat site for trauma survivors, created by a girl who survived her own abduction. When the person she is closest to in the chat site seems to be in trouble, Terra will do anything to help her...and prove her story once and for all.
I really loved this novel. I found the story so unique and hung on to every word I read. I found it very hard to put this book down. I really enjoy books that feature an unreliable narrator, as I am constantly questioning what is true or not true, and I don't know what to expect. I had a few theories throughout the book. Some of my theories panned out, but not quite in the way I imagined. I recommend this novel to anyone looking for a creative, unique thriller with a lot of twists and turns along the way. I also look forward to reading the companion novel, Jane Anonymous!
hannas_heas47's review
2.0
Interesting cover, but the blurb cinched it. My first by this author and I did not read the first in this series.
What did I like? I simply wasn’t prepared for such a confusing story. I’m not sure if it was because I didn’t read book one or if it was because it was written in a choppy manner between past and present. Terra definitely did not have a handle on her mental illness and it felt awkward because I wasn’t sure what was real or not.
Would I recommend or buy? I’d probably decline and even though the blurb caught me... the delivery didn’t. I’d have a hard time recommending because of the confusion but if you’ve already read the first then enjoy.
I received a complimentary copy to read and voluntarily left a review!
What did I like? I simply wasn’t prepared for such a confusing story. I’m not sure if it was because I didn’t read book one or if it was because it was written in a choppy manner between past and present. Terra definitely did not have a handle on her mental illness and it felt awkward because I wasn’t sure what was real or not.
Would I recommend or buy? I’d probably decline and even though the blurb caught me... the delivery didn’t. I’d have a hard time recommending because of the confusion but if you’ve already read the first then enjoy.
I received a complimentary copy to read and voluntarily left a review!