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cyndi1966's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Gaslighting, Pedophilia, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual violence, Stalking, Infidelity, Child death, Death, Kidnapping, Torture, Murder, Rape, Sexual assault, and Violence
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
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
leeyareads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Gaslighting, Murder, and Pedophilia
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, and Torture
writtenbydnicole'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
3.5
Moderate: Blood, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Gore, Grief, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Stalking, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Violence
Minor: Car accident, Vomit, and Sexual content
blissofalife's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Stalking, and Violence
Moderate: Blood, Body horror, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Stalking, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Car accident, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
krisandramezera's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
When Lila's husband goes missing, she is shocked because she is the last person to have seen him alive. She was the one who planted his dead body in his car, and now his car and body are missing. Is someone watching her closely and covering up her mistake, or is her husband, out there somewhere, alive and plotting his revenge.
Kane writes Lila to be a bad ass main character, who has her own trauma and background that makes her the survivor she is.
There are lots of twists and turns I never saw coming. Short and action packed chapters kept the pages turning at a good pace and left me needing to know what happened next. Overall, 5 stars for this debut and I'll be adding more books from Darby to my "to-be-read" list ~ automatically ~ in the future
Graphic: Kidnapping, Murder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, and Death
Moderate: Gaslighting and Suicide