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theinstabookworm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Part One of the book is Geo in prison for the murder of her high school best friend, Angela. I liked that because it felt like I was watching a season of Orange Is The New Black. Part Two also intrigued me because it focuses on the serial killer, and I like serial killer thrillers. However, Part Two takes place five years after Geo is sent to prison, but that isn't indicated at the beginning of part two. You have to start reading the first chapter in part two to find that out, which threw me off a bit. I would have preferred the time jump to be plainly stated. This is also a slow-burn even though the book is very short. I found that this threw the pacing off and meant that things were dragged out much more than they needed to be. The writing wasn't my favourite and my copy could have used at least another round of edits because there were SO many spelling errors. This is written in third person POV and I much prefer books written in first person. The big reveal and plot twist was saved for the very end of the book, but by that point the reveal wasn't shocking enough to pull me back into the story.
I loved LITTLE SECRETS by the author and look forward to reading her other books. This one just didn't quite work for me. Be mindful of trigger warnings, as there are a lot.
Graphic: Murder, Child death, and Rape
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Vomit, Panic attacks/disorders, and Cancer
_kayrae's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Rape and Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Abortion
alindeman's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
The book details Geo’s life after her trial, during, and after her prison sentence while simultaneously going into the past and slowly uncovering the story of Calvin James & what really happened the night Angela died. Once she finishes her prison sentence (after the 5 year time skip) you start learning through Kaiser’s perspective about
Geo’s story is honestly so fucking sad. Part of me was so incredibly angry, I just wanted to shake her and yell “just tell the fucking truth!!” But at the end of the day, she was a victim too, and you learn more about that throughout the whole book.
Over all- excellent writing and a compelling mystery, & story about trauma
CHECK TW!
Graphic: Rape, Pregnancy, Violence, Adult/minor relationship, Physical abuse, Child death, Murder, Death of parent, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Cancer, Pedophilia, Terminal illness, and War
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
hollaylonn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Child death, Death, Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, Gun violence, Rape, and Murder
katybugggg's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Incest, Pregnancy, Violence, Vomit, Child death, Chronic illness, Grief, Death of parent, Terminal illness, Bullying, Body horror, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Suicidal thoughts, Death, Gaslighting, Blood, Body shaming, Murder, Emotional abuse, Gore, Rape, Adult/minor relationship, Cancer, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Stalking, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Addiction, Car accident, Alcoholism, Alcohol, and Abandonment
lindavs22's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Death, Rape, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Murder, Sexual content, Cursing, Violence, Blood, and Gore
Moderate: Grief, Confinement, and Child death
Minor: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Toxic friendship, Death of parent, Vomit, Physical abuse, Gun violence, Incest, Car accident, Child abuse, Abortion, Blood, Pedophilia, Toxic relationship, Body shaming, Cancer, Infertility, Pregnancy, and Suicidal thoughts
janjanjukebox's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Genre: Mystery Thriller, Crime Mystery, Psychological Thriller, Contemporary
Featuring: Seattle, Washington, Graphic Depictions, Dead Bodies, Prison Life, Sexual Assault, Rape, Murder, Child Murder, Police Investigation, Multiracial Characters, Harassment, Violence, Multiple Timelines, Some Graphic Descriptions, Child Abuse, Sex, Teenagers, Preview of Little Secrets
Rating as a movie: N-17 for violence, disturbing themes, and content
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
My thoughts: 11% - Interesting opening, but then it got real. I'm going back to Sugarberry Cove.
25% - I might have to quit this one. The story is good but too graphic for my taste.
32% - I saw that coming.
50% - I went from not sure if I wanted to hear more to getting annoyed every time I had to get out of the car. Now, I'm at home and free to enjoy this book uninterrupted for the rest of the evening.
81% - I have solved this case, and I'm rewarding myself with a long break. And by break, I mean, I'm starting another book.
I'm not sure if it is predictable if you figure everything out 75% in even though the author hasn't revealed it yet. Anyway, this book was written well and held my interest but also repulsed me. I wanted to slap MC, but she was young and had some excuses for her stupidity. There were plotholes but the way the story flowed; I didn't even care.
Recommend to others?: Sure, but this book isn't for those with sensitive palates; my senses were definitely violated.
Graphic: Gore, Violence, Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Drug use, Grief, Cancer, Stalking, Vomit, Alcohol, Death of parent, Homophobia, and Medical content
Minor: Addiction, Body shaming, Pregnancy, Car accident, and Suicidal thoughts
mcminimin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Rape and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Abandonment, Violence, Vomit, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, and Self harm
Minor: Abortion