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rachf_77's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- 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
3.0
surfyrae's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- 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
syddey_syd's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Wow! That was a RIDE.
I give props to the authors for their handling of this topic. They were able to take something that (to me) seems so black and white—should we have influencer parents/families on the internet—and make it feel grey and murky. Even the mother herself, Emmy, seemed almost justified in her actions when you were reading from her POV. This made me think about the ethics and culture of influencing in a much deeper way than before.
I also must say that the ending surprised me. I won’t give any spoilers, but I thought it was a fascinating way to wrap up the story.
If you’re looking for something thought-provoking, relevant to our day, and fast-paced, this is the book for you.
I give props to the authors for their handling of this topic. They were able to take something that (to me) seems so black and white—should we have influencer parents/families on the internet—and make it feel grey and murky. Even the mother herself, Emmy, seemed almost justified in her actions when you were reading from her POV. This made me think about the ethics and culture of influencing in a much deeper way than before.
I also must say that the ending surprised me. I won’t give any spoilers, but I thought it was a fascinating way to wrap up the story.
If you’re looking for something thought-provoking, relevant to our day, and fast-paced, this is the book for you.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Stalking, Kidnapping, and Child death
Minor: Suicide, Abortion, and Miscarriage
devansbooklife's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Stars
This was a very unique experience for me. I am not really involved in the various social media platforms. I have a Facebook, that is it. I do have many friends who live for this kind of thing. They spend a lot of their day reading posts from "influencers". I don't understand the appeal.
I actually expected to hate this book. I was surprised that I found the narrative interesting. I loathed the characters. Please don't read further if you are easily influenced by reviews, I don't want to influence your experience.
Dan is a wimp and honestly kind of a loser. Emmy is just vile. There is nothing about her that I appreciated or liked. She is incredibly selfish and completely fake. I am almost positive her entire identity was warped into those little squares. I enjoyed the villian more than anyone. She makes sense. She has balls. Maybe unbalanced, rage filled balls but I could relate. Well not entirely, her revenge plan is atrocious and unforgivable.
The narrative is addictive though. I easily understood all the aspects of the fake "reality". And I enjoyed the little twists.
I am rating this a little lower because it took too long to deliver the big reveal. The big plan. There was so much nonsense. And honestly I don't like reality TV or influencers. I found the ending both appropriate and repulsive. I also suspect this probably more accurate than one would believe, because I have no doubt this is the real reality of those types of people. Fame, power, notoriety, those are the things they want and need. There is no room for love or shame.
This was a very unique experience for me. I am not really involved in the various social media platforms. I have a Facebook, that is it. I do have many friends who live for this kind of thing. They spend a lot of their day reading posts from "influencers". I don't understand the appeal.
I actually expected to hate this book. I was surprised that I found the narrative interesting. I loathed the characters. Please don't read further if you are easily influenced by reviews, I don't want to influence your experience.
Dan is a wimp and honestly kind of a loser. Emmy is just vile. There is nothing about her that I appreciated or liked. She is incredibly selfish and completely fake. I am almost positive her entire identity was warped into those little squares. I enjoyed the villian more than anyone. She makes sense. She has balls. Maybe unbalanced, rage filled balls but I could relate. Well not entirely, her revenge plan is atrocious and unforgivable.
The narrative is addictive though. I easily understood all the aspects of the fake "reality". And I enjoyed the little twists.
I am rating this a little lower because it took too long to deliver the big reveal. The big plan. There was so much nonsense. And honestly I don't like reality TV or influencers. I found the ending both appropriate and repulsive. I also suspect this probably more accurate than one would believe, because I have no doubt this is the real reality of those types of people. Fame, power, notoriety, those are the things they want and need. There is no room for love or shame.
kc_leblanc's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
rngandossy's review against another edition
3.0
It wasn’t my favorite but it also wasn’t the worst. The writing style was great, story line a little predictable and rushed at the end. Could have developed upon the ending a bit more.
kashcraft's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
stephaniezd's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
3.5
I enjoy a good, tense, thriller. This wasn't exactly that. There was a lot of fluff in the middle and then all of a sudden at then end we had a thriller. I did enjoy that Jill was still lurking in the dark .
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Miscarriage, Stalking, and Child death
Moderate: Abortion and Suicide
Minor: Pregnancy
amypotter's review against another edition
mysterious
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
2.0