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slow-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
This book started strong, pulling me in with Jane's obsession over Colin, her ex after a mere six dates, and his new girlfriend, Zoe.
Jane's plan to befriend Zoe to enter back into Colin's life quickly spins the story into a full-blown murder mystery.
However, the last 50% of this book really lost me. The plot became incredibly convoluted and unrealistic, spiraling down a rabbit hole into Jane's childhood trauma. We get deep dives into her past and she tries to uncover the killer of Colin's roommate and ex-girlfriend. It felt like a significant detour from the initial intrigue, and honestly, a bit of a waste of time. To top it off, even after all that, we don't truly find out Zoe's motives at the end, which left a big gap in the resolution.
Ultimately, while the setup had promise, the back half of the book was a letdown, getting too tangled and leaving too many questions unanswered for my liking.
Jane's plan to befriend Zoe to enter back into Colin's life quickly spins the story into a full-blown murder mystery.
However, the last 50% of this book really lost me. The plot became incredibly convoluted and unrealistic, spiraling down a rabbit hole into Jane's childhood trauma. We get deep dives into her past and she tries to uncover the killer of Colin's roommate and ex-girlfriend. It felt like a significant detour from the initial intrigue, and honestly, a bit of a waste of time. To top it off, even after all that, we don't truly find out Zoe's motives at the end, which left a big gap in the resolution.
Ultimately, while the setup had promise, the back half of the book was a letdown, getting too tangled and leaving too many questions unanswered for my liking.
Content Warnings
Minor: Addiction, Death, Death of parent, Murder
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The first quarter of the audiobook inspired me to continue watching You on Netflix, because the vibes are so similar. Worley wrote such an addictive thriller with relatable characters that I dreaded each time I had to pause it. Jane, Zoe, and Colin are all so convincing that by 75% into the story, I began questioning everything I thought I knew. I love the girl bond relationship that develops over the course of the novel. Do NOT skip the epilogue. We always think we know people, as each of the three claim to know one another, but how intimately do we really know our friends and partners? Great narration, too, with real emotion pushing through.
Thanks to libro.fm & Macmillan Audio for access.
Thanks to libro.fm & Macmillan Audio for access.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship
Moderate: Addiction, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Grief
Minor: Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thanks to St Martins Press and NetGalley for an eARC to review!
This is a fun to read thriller. I was guessing the whole time and didn’t want to put this book down.
It’s written in first person following Jane, a young woman who is obsessed with her ex-boyfriend. She gets wrapped up in his life when his new girlfriend wants to be her friend. And shocking- things get chaotic.
I’ve read a lot of first person POVs with young MCs and it’s hard not to make them seem so sophomoric or out of touch with reality. This is one of the better ones where there are moments of immaturity and cringey dialogue but it’s definitely better than a lot of the newer gen z MC thrillers.
It is tough not to get into what I liked and didn’t like without spoilers but high level it was a fast paced and quick read. It’s twisty and interesting how things unfold. The one thing I didn’t care for was Jane’s backstory.
The psychological aspects are not done well (trauma. Abuse, addiction, even pts) from an accuracy standpoint but it doesn’t feel too exploitative of these things it’s just barely grazing the topics that could have been fleshed out to be authentic. But none of the story feels very realistic. Like the show You. We don’t enjoy it for the accuracy but for the unexpected plot and drama and what could happen next and this book delivers on those things.
This is a fun to read thriller. I was guessing the whole time and didn’t want to put this book down.
It’s written in first person following Jane, a young woman who is obsessed with her ex-boyfriend. She gets wrapped up in his life when his new girlfriend wants to be her friend. And shocking- things get chaotic.
I’ve read a lot of first person POVs with young MCs and it’s hard not to make them seem so sophomoric or out of touch with reality. This is one of the better ones where there are moments of immaturity and cringey dialogue but it’s definitely better than a lot of the newer gen z MC thrillers.
It is tough not to get into what I liked and didn’t like without spoilers but high level it was a fast paced and quick read. It’s twisty and interesting how things unfold. The one thing I didn’t care for was Jane’s backstory.
The psychological aspects are not done well (trauma. Abuse, addiction, even pts) from an accuracy standpoint but it doesn’t feel too exploitative of these things it’s just barely grazing the topics that could have been fleshed out to be authentic. But none of the story feels very realistic. Like the show You. We don’t enjoy it for the accuracy but for the unexpected plot and drama and what could happen next and this book delivers on those things.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Stalking
Moderate: Addiction, Animal death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Self harm, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship