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gmd316's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
THis let me down - super cool concept but left me with questiosn and was sometimes difficult to follow on audio
meghan_plethoraofpages's review against another edition
4.0
This Might Hurt by Stephanie Wrobel
Wisewood is a six-month long self-improvement retreat on an isolated, private island somewhere off the coast of Maine. Responsible, corporate workaholic Nat’s little sister Kit has signed up, wanting to find a new direction in her life. Months later, when Nat receives a threatening email from Wisewood, threatening to expose a deep secret to Kit, Nat heads off to the island to figure out what’s going on. Suspense and mystery shroud the island..
A really enjoyable, suspenseful and entertaining read. There is a multiple timeline/POV structure used, and it’s done well. The origin story of one of the main characters is so engaging and creepy. The slowly revealed cultish and psychological manipulation going on is wild. The island setting is perfect, and I loved that it’s winter, adding to the solitude and atmosphere.
The less I say, the better to preserve the suspense. The plot was at times annoyingly convenient, and Nat/Kit’s story not the most exciting, but Madame Fearless.. I could have read a whole book centered only on her. A deep and richly written character!
I recommend this for readers of psychological suspense, readers who want something entertaining/fun but with an atmospheric and dark plot. A solid popcorn thriller! Many thanks to Simon and Schuster Canada and to Netgalley for an e-arc of this upcoming release. It is available Feb 22, 2022!
Wisewood is a six-month long self-improvement retreat on an isolated, private island somewhere off the coast of Maine. Responsible, corporate workaholic Nat’s little sister Kit has signed up, wanting to find a new direction in her life. Months later, when Nat receives a threatening email from Wisewood, threatening to expose a deep secret to Kit, Nat heads off to the island to figure out what’s going on. Suspense and mystery shroud the island..
A really enjoyable, suspenseful and entertaining read. There is a multiple timeline/POV structure used, and it’s done well. The origin story of one of the main characters is so engaging and creepy. The slowly revealed cultish and psychological manipulation going on is wild. The island setting is perfect, and I loved that it’s winter, adding to the solitude and atmosphere.
The less I say, the better to preserve the suspense. The plot was at times annoyingly convenient, and Nat/Kit’s story not the most exciting, but Madame Fearless.. I could have read a whole book centered only on her. A deep and richly written character!
I recommend this for readers of psychological suspense, readers who want something entertaining/fun but with an atmospheric and dark plot. A solid popcorn thriller! Many thanks to Simon and Schuster Canada and to Netgalley for an e-arc of this upcoming release. It is available Feb 22, 2022!
erinbrook's review
2.0
This was a struggle. 1.5 stars rounded up.
Pros: This book was super atmospheric in a chaotic claustrophobic way, which I quite enjoyed. I also actually found the cult manipulation fascinating.
Cons: I could've cared less about what the "secret" was. I was far more into the cult story than I was the actual plot of the book.
I didn't realize there was a 3rd narrator until exactly 45% of the way through this book. I was so unbelievably confused so I checked Goodreads to find out wtf was going on. Without reading spoilers, I absolutely would've dnf'd it.
The timelines were also all over the place, and while usually I love multiple timelines, these were incredibly hard to follow.
I may have had a different reading experience had I read it with my eyeballs rather than listen to the audiobook, but this was still a no for me.
Pros: This book was super atmospheric in a chaotic claustrophobic way, which I quite enjoyed. I also actually found the cult manipulation fascinating.
Cons: I could've cared less about what the "secret" was. I was far more into the cult story than I was the actual plot of the book.
I didn't realize there was a 3rd narrator until exactly 45% of the way through this book. I was so unbelievably confused so I checked Goodreads to find out wtf was going on. Without reading spoilers, I absolutely would've dnf'd it.
The timelines were also all over the place, and while usually I love multiple timelines, these were incredibly hard to follow.
I may have had a different reading experience had I read it with my eyeballs rather than listen to the audiobook, but this was still a no for me.
janagaton's review
3.0
definitely enjoyed darling rose gold more than this one. i thought the reveals were well done, however, and everything was fucked up in so many ways, but i wasn't invested enough in the characters to really be shocked or care about any of it lol. i didnt even get a grip on who was who until over halfway through, so there's that
thephdivabooks's review
4.0
Who doesn’t love a cult-themed psychological thriller?
About the Book
Natalie hasn’t heard from her sister Kit in more than 6 months. Kit has always been troubled, experiencing high highs and low lows. After her most recent low, she found Wisewood. Set on a private island off the coast of Maine, Wisewood’s guests commit for 6-month stays where they forfeit all contact with the outside world.
During this time, the guests focus on confronting and letting go of their fears. Only through fearlessness can they become their maximized selves. They accomplish this through a variety of secret classes, work, and sessions.
When Natalie receives an email from Wisewood threatening to reveal a secret she kept from Kit, Natalie rushes to Wisewood to confess to her sister. But after arriving, it becomes clear Wisewood won’t let either of them go without a fight. Someone seems to be tailing her and a blizzard may trap them all on the island. Natalie is on a ticking clock to find her sister and help them both escape.
My Thoughts
The book opens on a jaw-dropping chapter, with a scene that seems to show some sort of extreme performance art. From there, the book moves to primarily focus on two sisters, Natalie and Kit. Natalie is meticulous, successful, and lives her life following rigid rules that have helped her to be as successful as she is. It also means she has few close friends. Kit on the other hand is directionless and she often felt a bit lost.
Now, the sisters are reeling from the death of their mother. Despite how different they are, it’s clear to the reader that Kit and Natalie care about one another. Which of course makes Kit’s decision to leave her life (and sister) behind and go to Wisewood, and the email Natalie receives threatening to expose a big secret she kept from Kit, a surprise to the reader.
I was captivated by Wisewood because it seemed so bizarre as an outsider. At the same time, Wrobel did a good job of showing how some people really fall for the methods at Wisewood and others don’t. I want to say more but I think it’s best I don’t spoil what happens at Wisewood and what the goal of the retreat is.
The novel is told in alternating chapters between Kit, Natalie, and an unnamed third woman whose identity later becomes clear. The mysterious narrator’s story is told through flashbacks to a childhood full of physical, mental, and emotional abuse by her father, who instilled a strict training regimen on his daughters.
This is a cleverly crafted story and I found it gripping, particularly the third narrator’s story. The trap set for Natalie proves that the only way for her (and the reader) to escape is by getting through the mysterious Wisewood and finding out its’ secrets. I had several theories about the third narrator and I liked the way that story and twist unfolded.
The overall vibe of the book was straight forward and then the tension was slowly increased until the plot felt so taut it would snap. I loved the slow build, the way the events unfolding from all three perspectives turned more and more twisted. I was riveted and wanted to know what would happen.
A twisted story that explores what it really means to be fearless and the darkness that comes along with finding out.
About the Book
Natalie hasn’t heard from her sister Kit in more than 6 months. Kit has always been troubled, experiencing high highs and low lows. After her most recent low, she found Wisewood. Set on a private island off the coast of Maine, Wisewood’s guests commit for 6-month stays where they forfeit all contact with the outside world.
During this time, the guests focus on confronting and letting go of their fears. Only through fearlessness can they become their maximized selves. They accomplish this through a variety of secret classes, work, and sessions.
When Natalie receives an email from Wisewood threatening to reveal a secret she kept from Kit, Natalie rushes to Wisewood to confess to her sister. But after arriving, it becomes clear Wisewood won’t let either of them go without a fight. Someone seems to be tailing her and a blizzard may trap them all on the island. Natalie is on a ticking clock to find her sister and help them both escape.
My Thoughts
The book opens on a jaw-dropping chapter, with a scene that seems to show some sort of extreme performance art. From there, the book moves to primarily focus on two sisters, Natalie and Kit. Natalie is meticulous, successful, and lives her life following rigid rules that have helped her to be as successful as she is. It also means she has few close friends. Kit on the other hand is directionless and she often felt a bit lost.
Now, the sisters are reeling from the death of their mother. Despite how different they are, it’s clear to the reader that Kit and Natalie care about one another. Which of course makes Kit’s decision to leave her life (and sister) behind and go to Wisewood, and the email Natalie receives threatening to expose a big secret she kept from Kit, a surprise to the reader.
I was captivated by Wisewood because it seemed so bizarre as an outsider. At the same time, Wrobel did a good job of showing how some people really fall for the methods at Wisewood and others don’t. I want to say more but I think it’s best I don’t spoil what happens at Wisewood and what the goal of the retreat is.
The novel is told in alternating chapters between Kit, Natalie, and an unnamed third woman whose identity later becomes clear. The mysterious narrator’s story is told through flashbacks to a childhood full of physical, mental, and emotional abuse by her father, who instilled a strict training regimen on his daughters.
This is a cleverly crafted story and I found it gripping, particularly the third narrator’s story. The trap set for Natalie proves that the only way for her (and the reader) to escape is by getting through the mysterious Wisewood and finding out its’ secrets. I had several theories about the third narrator and I liked the way that story and twist unfolded.
The overall vibe of the book was straight forward and then the tension was slowly increased until the plot felt so taut it would snap. I loved the slow build, the way the events unfolding from all three perspectives turned more and more twisted. I was riveted and wanted to know what would happen.
A twisted story that explores what it really means to be fearless and the darkness that comes along with finding out.
readwkatie's review
2.0
Although this book has things that I typically enjoy - cults, mystery, creepy vibes - it fell a tad short for me. The child abuse in the beginning was really hard to listen to and the magic was just a very odd addition. While I enjoyed the direction of the book and the writing, this one didn’t quite land.
damarareads's review
2.0
boring. predictable. I cared about none of the characters and the ending... My favorite perspective was probably Kit because thats the most of the cult we get in my opinion. I didnt care about Nat or her secret it was totally predictable and the other perspective we got was unneeded in my opinion. It would have been executed differently and made a twist. There was no shocking moments in this unfortunetly. But Stephanie Wrobel does have good writing.