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kaitlynnnng's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.0
This entire review contains spoilers.
From the very beginning, I questioned whether Nina was actually psychotic, or if Andrew was really the psychotic one. When Andrew kicked Nina out of the house, I asked myself whether it was time to be extra scared of Nina, or scared of Andrew. So, while I somewhat saw the “twist” of Parts II and III coming, there were also still a few of surprises.
The author did an amazing job of building connections with Nina’s perspective in Part II. My jaw actually dropped a few times!
I wasn’t 100% sure how Part III was going to play out, but I’m happy with it. While it might not be the most realistic (specifically with the detective and his relationship to everything), it was a perfectly satisfying ending. Especially with the added bonus of Evelyn and Nina’s conversation, and Millie’s new job interview.
I recently read Verity by Colleen Hoover (which made me VERY uncomfortable and disturbed), and, for the first half(ish) of this book, I thought the two stories were incredibly similar. However, I think this story was less disturbing (specifically because there was significantly less talk of child abuse) and better-written.
I found myself rooting for different characters at different times. Millie was frustrating for ignoring so many BRIGHT red flags at the beginning (though I get she didn’t necessarily have many choices). Nina and Cecelia were so frustrating at times! Then Nina was extra frustrating for knowingly subjecting Millie to toxic situations (though I empathized with her). Evelyn was hard to trust at times. Enzo was mysterious at the beginning, and I wasn’t sure what was going on there for a while.
From the very beginning, I questioned whether Nina was actually psychotic, or if Andrew was really the psychotic one. When Andrew kicked Nina out of the house, I asked myself whether it was time to be extra scared of Nina, or scared of Andrew. So, while I somewhat saw the “twist” of Parts II and III coming, there were also still a few of surprises.
The author did an amazing job of building connections with Nina’s perspective in Part II. My jaw actually dropped a few times!
I wasn’t 100% sure how Part III was going to play out, but I’m happy with it. While it might not be the most realistic (specifically with the detective and his relationship to everything), it was a perfectly satisfying ending. Especially with the added bonus of Evelyn and Nina’s conversation, and Millie’s new job interview.
I recently read Verity by Colleen Hoover (which made me VERY uncomfortable and disturbed), and, for the first half(ish) of this book, I thought the two stories were incredibly similar. However, I think this story was less disturbing (specifically because there was significantly less talk of child abuse) and better-written.
I found myself rooting for different characters at different times. Millie was frustrating for ignoring so many BRIGHT red flags at the beginning (though I get she didn’t necessarily have many choices). Nina and Cecelia were so frustrating at times! Then Nina was extra frustrating for knowingly subjecting Millie to toxic situations (though I empathized with her). Evelyn was hard to trust at times. Enzo was mysterious at the beginning, and I wasn’t sure what was going on there for a while.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Child abuse, Mental illness, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Pregnancy, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Torture, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Body horror, Death, Forced institutionalization, Murder, Stalking, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Car accident, Rape, Blood, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Sexual assault
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