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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
Rating: 2/5 stars
Version: KU
If you came here from tiktok thanks to a booktuber's fancy cliffhanger post that involved the mc's family, you need to know, first off, that it's towards the last third of the book and doesn't have a prominence in the story beyond the scene it's in. That's how I got here and I feel just a bit cheated (not the author's fault).
Plot: The plot was decent. To me, it was one of the only decent things that I could consider giving the book based on what I read and my own opinions. I will give the author plenty of kudos. Without giving spoilers, I was absolutely certain, up until the turning point, that my hunch was correct and I was, in fact, NOT correct. I actually didn't foresee the actual villain in the story until I was right up in the conflict.
That's about where my praise ends, though. Unfortunately, the plot felt like an unfinished knitting project, where you have most of it done, but there are frayed edges and knots and unfinished cast-ons. Too much emphasis was put in places it didn't need it and lacked in places it DID. I was left feeling off-footed most of the time and frustrated when something happened that, in reality, would have had someone killed or at least in prison. It was hard to get into the book when there were glaring plot issues like that.
Characters: The only one I liked was the dog and the one police officer, Polden. The rest of them were run-of-the-mill and didn't inspire any sort of attachment in me, even when they were going through emotional things that should have seen me getting attached to them. The MC was the most frustrating of them all, though I recognize that, at least, some of that frustration was by design given her issues. Other than that, she was rude, she was mediocre and she did so many illegal things I wanted to reach through the book to slap her. If she existed in real life, there would be no wonder people left her behind. Not because of her mental issues, or her addiction, but because she was so selfish that she put herself in constant danger and NEVER listened to anyone. That, alone, would drive everyone bonkers.
The 2 love interests were your "insert typical white man here" and they felt like they lacked the personality to me, which was disappointing, especially in Michael's case. Of both of them, I should have liked and wanted to know most about him, and I just didn't care. I cared more about random background characters than I did the central players.
Topics:
This book discusses some heavy things as is warned at the beginning of the book. However, some of those are not addressed in a way I feel they properly should have been to make the book better. The topic of mental health was NEVER addressed or concluded healthily. It was glossed over and you just assume she either didn't get help for it, or it just magically got taken care of. The topic of her addiction as well, which was a pivotal part of the book, was also never correctly addressed. It made it feel like all of these problems magically went away with the conclusion of the conflict and I was disappointed when there was no solid conclusion to them.
The most MAJOR topic itself wasn't even hinted at until it slapped you in the face in a particular scene and by that point, you're already 3/4 of the way done with the book. I really, truly feel like that particular topic should have been given more lead-up and more attention than it was. Its impact fell flat because of that.
It wasn't the most terrible book I've read, and I really wanted to like it, but the author fell flat in places they needed to rise and it tainted my overall thoughts on the book.
Version: KU
If you came here from tiktok thanks to a booktuber's fancy cliffhanger post that involved the mc's family, you need to know, first off, that it's towards the last third of the book and doesn't have a prominence in the story beyond the scene it's in. That's how I got here and I feel just a bit cheated (not the author's fault).
Plot: The plot was decent. To me, it was one of the only decent things that I could consider giving the book based on what I read and my own opinions. I will give the author plenty of kudos. Without giving spoilers, I was absolutely certain, up until the turning point, that my hunch was correct and I was, in fact, NOT correct. I actually didn't foresee the actual villain in the story until I was right up in the conflict.
That's about where my praise ends, though. Unfortunately, the plot felt like an unfinished knitting project, where you have most of it done, but there are frayed edges and knots and unfinished cast-ons. Too much emphasis was put in places it didn't need it and lacked in places it DID. I was left feeling off-footed most of the time and frustrated when something happened that, in reality, would have had someone killed or at least in prison. It was hard to get into the book when there were glaring plot issues like that.
Characters: The only one I liked was the dog and the one police officer, Polden. The rest of them were run-of-the-mill and didn't inspire any sort of attachment in me, even when they were going through emotional things that should have seen me getting attached to them. The MC was the most frustrating of them all, though I recognize that, at least, some of that frustration was by design given her issues. Other than that, she was rude, she was mediocre and she did so many illegal things I wanted to reach through the book to slap her. If she existed in real life, there would be no wonder people left her behind. Not because of her mental issues, or her addiction, but because she was so selfish that she put herself in constant danger and NEVER listened to anyone. That, alone, would drive everyone bonkers.
The 2 love interests were your "insert typical white man here" and they felt like they lacked the personality to me, which was disappointing, especially in Michael's case. Of both of them, I should have liked and wanted to know most about him, and I just didn't care. I cared more about random background characters than I did the central players.
Topics:
This book discusses some heavy things as is warned at the beginning of the book. However, some of those are not addressed in a way I feel they properly should have been to make the book better. The topic of mental health was NEVER addressed or concluded healthily. It was glossed over and you just assume she either didn't get help for it, or it just magically got taken care of. The topic of her addiction as well, which was a pivotal part of the book, was also never correctly addressed. It made it feel like all of these problems magically went away with the conclusion of the conflict and I was disappointed when there was no solid conclusion to them.
The most MAJOR topic itself wasn't even hinted at until it slapped you in the face in a particular scene and by that point, you're already 3/4 of the way done with the book. I really, truly feel like that particular topic should have been given more lead-up and more attention than it was. Its impact fell flat because of that.
It wasn't the most terrible book I've read, and I really wanted to like it, but the author fell flat in places they needed to rise and it tainted my overall thoughts on the book.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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:
Yes
This book is definitely not something I normally pick up and I got sucked in off of a TikTok, but I’m so glad I did. My heart broke for Anna and the book kept me on my toes and the edge of my seat at all times! And spoiler…I BAWLED my eyes out. Mac. 💔 IYKYK. I think I just would have liked to see more at the end with Anna and Miller and would love to know where Michael is. I feel like the book tended to drag on but the ending was cut short. All in all would definitely recommend.
READ THIS BOOK!
This book had my on a rollercoaster! One sec I was laughing so hard, the next crying my eyes out, followed by staying up till 3am because the tension and suspense was too damn good! I LOVED this book and just wish I could give Anna a hug. Just a great, thrilling, beautifully written story.
This book had my on a rollercoaster! One sec I was laughing so hard, the next crying my eyes out, followed by staying up till 3am because the tension and suspense was too damn good! I LOVED this book and just wish I could give Anna a hug. Just a great, thrilling, beautifully written story.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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:
Yes