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dr_manuela_reads's review against another edition
4.0
Benedict writes an engrossing tale. At first I had a hard time connecting with the main character but as the story unraveled I felt for him. The conclusions in the book were somewhat predictable but it did not take away from the story. I could see where the story was headed from the very beginning but the story was so well told that it kept me waiting till the end. I finished the book in a couple of days so clearly I cannot put it down.
chrisljm's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
One of those stories about hidden pasts and marriage, told from the MML’s perspective, and realizing that you don’t know your spouse as well as you think you do. The plot was suspenseful and easily keeps you wanting to find out what happens next, but besides that it’s not anything spectacular. I also found the ending letter for “my darling” to be a bit strange.
One thing I want to note is that I’m not sure if I just eventually got used to the syntax or if the editor finally stepped up, but the beginning was so disorienting because of how longwinded all the sentences were. It made you forget what was even being talked about by the time you were done with the sentence.
But besides that, I will say that Elizabeth Benedict did an amazing job writing from the male perspective, because Eric (MML) was so unlikeable (actually both main characters are), but especially because he’s so obsessed with gender roles and how his sister is a lesbian. Benedict did such a great job at the male POV I actually thought this book was written by a man when I first picked it up.
One thing I want to note is that I’m not sure if I just eventually got used to the syntax or if the editor finally stepped up, but the beginning was so disorienting because of how longwinded all the sentences were. It made you forget what was even being talked about by the time you were done with the sentence.
But besides that, I will say that Elizabeth Benedict did an amazing job writing from the male perspective, because Eric (MML) was so unlikeable (actually both main characters are), but especially because he’s so obsessed with gender roles and how his sister is a lesbian. Benedict did such a great job at the male POV I actually thought this book was written by a man when I first picked it up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Lesbophobia, Toxic relationship, Misogyny, Gaslighting, and Deportation
Moderate: Sexual content, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Medical content, Gun violence, Confinement, Body horror, Terminal illness, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Racism, and Body shaming
Minor: Death, Death of parent, Infidelity, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Abandonment, and Addiction
pagesbylex's review against another edition
4.0
If you are tired of reading books about the same types of characters but living different lives in different books, this will be a book for you. It’s really deceiving, the title and cover both I feel don’t pull you in but I forced myself to read it as I got it as a gift through a secret Santa. I am pleasantly surprised and would read another book by Benedict.
penser's review
3.0
This was a little slow to start out, but really grabbed me by halfway through. By the end it felt a little reminiscent of a Law and Order SVU episode. That's not to say I didn't enjoy it, I really did.
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