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4.32 AVERAGE
4.32 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
fast-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:
No
I love Natalie Naublus as a narrator. I just did not find the story very compelling. It's not well written. Valerie is not a convincing character, and it swings between sounding like an essay and then a meh romance. An important topic and I wish someone had helped Naublus develop it more.
challenging
hopeful
medium-paced
this kind of story is really important right now, but at the same time i do want to say to start with that you definitely need to read the CW page for this before reading. this is a book about heavy religious trauma, brainwashing, and abuse in a cult. it’s about the horrors that some people have to live with and the love for each other that can set us free.
it is also a story about the public library and all it can do for us. the library not only hopes people figuratively escape into the beautiful world of books, but it is a resource that can be used to physically escape our lives when we are unhappy or in danger. it shows exactly why conservative groups are always working so hard to ban books, because they know people can use them to unlearn the brainwashing that they need to make us think we don’t have the right to freedom.
freedom of access to information is important whether it is fiction or non-fiction, to teach us about the world and to hear stories from worlds different from our own. this book is informative, raw, and beautiful - and definitely clear that it was written by someone who has been through this herself.
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
This book dredged up some painful memories for me. It was a great read and I have already recommended it to others. I cried. I'd read it all over again!
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book is a really sweet reflection on the harms of IBLP and other Christian groups. As a survivor of IBLP herself, Naudus provides a unique perspective on a queer girl stuck in the cult. However, the story is a little too light for the dark topic and doesn’t contain enough belief reconstruction to really meet its full potential.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Lesbophobia, Gaslighting
Moderate: Biphobia, Bullying, Confinement
1. I love Natalie’s narration. Had to stop the audiobook a couple times to cool off from her voice.
2. I loved this book. Romance novels without fantasy/sci-fi elements aren’t usually my style, but I was immediately emotionally invested in this one.
2. I loved this book. Romance novels without fantasy/sci-fi elements aren’t usually my style, but I was immediately emotionally invested in this one.