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stevienotnicks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book sucked me in right away. Its premise is a little bit murder mystery, a little bit familial drama (think, Empire). The characters were complex, which really added to the “whodunnit” aspect of it all.
The use of misdirection, while maybe a bit overdone, puts you smack in the middle of the story trying to uncover Desiree’s killer right alongside Lena. Just when you think you have it figured out, in comes another twist and you realize you have no idea what is going on. I’ll tell ya this — I didn’t expect that reveal (though in hindsight, there were signs).
It’s not an “edge of your seat” thriller, but the mystery and drama is oh so satisfying. Definitely pick this one up if you’re looking for a suspenseful tale with themes of injustice, racism, and complex family dynamics.
Follow me on Insta! @the.bougie.bookworm
The use of misdirection, while maybe a bit overdone, puts you smack in the middle of the story trying to uncover Desiree’s killer right alongside Lena. Just when you think you have it figured out, in comes another twist and you realize you have no idea what is going on. I’ll tell ya this — I didn’t expect that reveal (though in hindsight, there were signs).
It’s not an “edge of your seat” thriller, but the mystery and drama is oh so satisfying. Definitely pick this one up if you’re looking for a suspenseful tale with themes of injustice, racism, and complex family dynamics.
Follow me on Insta! @the.bougie.bookworm
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use and Murder
Minor: Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Kidnapping, Infidelity, Car accident, and Gun violence
cyndi1966's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Violence, Murder, Addiction, Alcohol, and Car accident
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Abortion
angiebradley's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Murder, and Alcoholism
hmstumfoll's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Death, Murder, and Abandonment
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Miscarriage
narbine's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Abandonment, Alcoholism, Car accident, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Kidnapping, and Addiction
Moderate: Grief and Death of parent
krys_kilz's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I had a really difficult time getting into this book. I just did not feel invested in the characters or the plot. And it was boring! Eventually the pacing picked up and I became more invested, but I could have just as easily stopped reading.
I didn't like Garrett's writing style. Her overuse of metaphor and simile really did not work for me. Also the ending did not make sense to me. I still don't understand the motive at all.
I didn't like Garrett's writing style. Her overuse of metaphor and simile really did not work for me. Also the ending did not make sense to me. I still don't understand the motive at all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use and Murder
Moderate: Car accident and Death of parent
milesofkiles's review
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Drug use, Car accident, and Drug abuse
hazelgirl21's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Car accident, Drug use, and Drug abuse
Minor: Death of parent
tysbooks's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This one just didn't hit like I was hoping it would. This follows our main character Lena as she trying is to figure out the mysterious death of her half sister Desiree. Desiree has been known to use drugs, but her sister Lena thinks there is way more to her death and wants to uncover the truth.
I did enjoy the family dynamics in the story and getting the background on the sisters. We learn about their relationship and the situation that caused them to not speak for two years leading up to Desiree's death. We also see the strained relationship between Lena and her father and why she felt like he favored Desiree over her. Other than that, this book ended up leaving me with more questions at the end and not in a good way. It never fully explains certain things that happen at the end. There were several things that I thought were important about Desiree that were mentioned quite a bit in the beginning, but then we never got those things explained by the end. I also think the ending was wrapped up to quickly and neatly. It was like the bad guys just conveniently got taken care of and someone just altogether disappeared and that was it. Story was literally over, again with no explanation. I could have just used a bit more.
I did enjoy the family dynamics in the story and getting the background on the sisters. We learn about their relationship and the situation that caused them to not speak for two years leading up to Desiree's death. We also see the strained relationship between Lena and her father and why she felt like he favored Desiree over her. Other than that, this book ended up leaving me with more questions at the end and not in a good way. It never fully explains certain things that happen at the end. There were several things that I thought were important about Desiree that were mentioned quite a bit in the beginning, but then we never got those things explained by the end. I also think the ending was wrapped up to quickly and neatly. It was like the bad guys just conveniently got taken care of and someone just altogether disappeared and that was it. Story was literally over, again with no explanation. I could have just used a bit more.
Content Warnings
Minor: Drug use
arireadsitall's review
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Drug use and Murder