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lehine's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
It’s amazing how even with all of that upfront, this book still managed to be a nail-biter. Aaron’s body going missing is just the ratcheting of the rollercoaster this book takes you on. It’s uncomfortable from start to finish, but fascinating. Lila’s demeanor seems true to life for someone with untreated trauma, barely bothering to defend herself or even act like she cares about her husband’s death.
The only thing was the ending seemed out of character for Ginny.
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Domestic abuse, Rape, Death, Murder, and Pedophilia
Moderate: Child abuse
allisonplus'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
2.75
Moderate: Sexual violence, Violence, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, Torture, and Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Rape
weeta'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
3.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Murder, Pedophilia, Rape, and Violence
jj_tj's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Infidelity, Pedophilia, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Violence and Domestic abuse
Minor: Blood
hmstumfoll's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Murder, Rape, Child death, and Child abuse
Moderate: Suicide and Domestic abuse
minimicropup's review against another edition
Monotone-ish and croaky. The characters sound too similar (unless they’re all supposed to be elderly grandparents)
Atmosphere: 🥱
Came for a thriller, got a children’s book. “The ranch house” “The athletic building” “The neighbour talking to fill the silence”
POVs: 😒
Repetitive. I’ve spent the last hour hearing a thousand different thoughts in Lila’s head going over how she is waiting for something to be discovered, and how she hates her husband.
Lila could be anything from an abusive psychopath herself to a confused, desperate, abused spouse but she’s written as robotic and flat to achieve that. All her thoughts are her observing her world with no development or personality insights whatsoever. No emotion or depth where we experience her struggling with hating and loving her spouse, fearing yet needing him, or even enjoying the drama and plotting/scheming.
All the characters read like living point-form!
Show’n’tell: 👎 All tell (so many times), no show. Like a kindergartener describing their crayon set because they forgot to bring it.
Growls and Howls: 🐺
When it switches to the past, it’s like the author took the Psych textbook notes for narcissistic personality disorder and had Lila notice them all in her husband then pointing them out to the reader. It already seems that she is FULLY aware of who he is and has been for a long time, they have no kids, she recognizes how horrible he is and seems to experiment a bit (thinking “if i say/do ____ he’ll say/do ____….” [does thing] “Yep, see reader, SEE.”). She has evidence he committed crimes too.
Reading journey: 👎
Your chain-smoking rideshare driver taking you around the same suburban block, pointing out the same attraction. Over and over. And over. In a nice sedan with climate control and comfy seats, but you have places to go and better things to do.
Vibe: 🙄🥱😐
Format: Audible
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, and Emotional abuse
ssarahbbeth's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
No specific spoilers ahead but a little bit about the structure of the plot so if you intend on reading it, you may want to skip. Lila never once goes looking for her dead husband after his body disappears. She doesn't frantically search, she just coolly sits back and lets everything unfold. The first plot twist I absolutely saw coming, and I was a bit disappointed. The second plot twist was a huge surprise, but was delivered like an afterthought. As the story progressed, the dialogue got less believable. I feel this plot was A+++, but the story could have been executed so much better. This is definitely a fast paced and fun read, and I could see myself reading it again, there were just a couple of things that would have made this a 5 star read though that I wish were included.
Graphic: Gaslighting and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Infidelity, Sexual violence, Murder, Emotional abuse, Violence, Death of parent, Pedophilia, Sexism, Stalking, Death, Domestic abuse, and Suicide
Nothing is particularly graphically depicted in this book but the themes are heavy and present. The men in the main character's life are horrid. They reduce her to her looks and her coldness or constantly gaslight her.tabbed_reads2much's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Murder, Violence, Adult/minor relationship, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Body horror, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Child death, Rape, Sexual violence, and Kidnapping
Minor: Death of parent, Animal death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Death, Abandonment, Animal cruelty, and Sexism
While these content warnings weren't excessive or vivid, the sheer number can make the read overwhelming. I would not suggest reading until you are in a good headspace.sderrig's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Car accident, Child abuse, Confinement, Death of parent, Blood, Physical abuse, Rape, Stalking, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Misogyny, Murder, Sexual assault, Abandonment, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Pedophilia, Sexual violence, and Torture
emmasbookishself's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Shouldn’t a dead husband stay dead? That line instantly drew me into the story.
When Lila’s husband, Aaron, disappears many dark secrets are revealed that cause Lila’s story and confidence to waver. She is met with many challenges and unlikely allies.
The unravelling plot leaves the reader second guessing what is truth, and who to trust.
I’d suggest trigger warnings as there are some graphic descriptions.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and Pedophilia