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ajpotz's review against another edition
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Alcohol, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Alcoholism, Infertility, Addiction, Drug use, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Eating disorder and Body shaming
Minor: Pedophilia
martieliz's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction and Alcoholism
Moderate: Kidnapping, Body shaming, Toxic friendship, and Drug use
cemsreadingcorner's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
2.5
This is a story about twin sisters who were actors when they were children. One became an addict and the other joined a cult and kidnapped a baby. Elli, the one who joined a cult, had gotten a divorce. Her husband divorced her because she changed. She joined the cult. She had infertility issues, so, she stole someone else’s child and then went to a “retreat” for two weeks, leaving her parents and twin sister to care for the child.
Crazy story. I felt like the beginning was slow. Not much happened. There were some twists later on in the book. It started getting interesting in the middle. There were some times after that when it was a bit boring. I was nervous for Elli because she was in a cult and I was scared of what they would do if she left or didn’t follow their orders. What I did like about the story was that Elli felt guilty for taking the child. I liked that she returned the child in the end. I also liked that Sam cared so much about her sister that she found her and got her out of that cult. I thought that was cool.
Would I recommend this book? It wasn’t that great. It was too slow in the beginning and by the time stuff started happening, I had already lost interest in the story. I almost DNFed it. I didn’t because I wanted to see how the story would end. I was hoping that Elli would leave the cult. I’m satisfied with how it ended, but the story was a bit boring. If this sounds interesting to anyone, then by all means, read the book.
Saturday, September 23, 2023 at 10:51 AM
Crazy story. I felt like the beginning was slow. Not much happened. There were some twists later on in the book. It started getting interesting in the middle. There were some times after that when it was a bit boring. I was nervous for Elli because she was in a cult and I was scared of what they would do if she left or didn’t follow their orders. What I did like about the story was that Elli felt guilty for taking the child.
Would I recommend this book? It wasn’t that great. It was too slow in the beginning and by the time stuff started happening, I had already lost interest in the story. I almost DNFed it. I didn’t because I wanted to see how the story would end. I was hoping that Elli would leave the cult. I’m satisfied with how it ended, but the story was a bit boring. If this sounds interesting to anyone, then by all means, read the book.
Saturday, September 23, 2023 at 10:51 AM
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Infertility, Addiction, and Alcoholism
cemsreadingcorner's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
4.5
This is a story about twin sisters who were actors when they were children. One became an addict and the other joined a cult and kidnapped a baby. Elli, the one who joined a cult, had gotten a divorce. Her husband divorced her because she changed. She joined the cult. She had infertility issues, so, she stole someone else’s child and then went to a “retreat” for two weeks, leaving her parents and twin sister to care for the child.
Crazy story. The narrators did a phenomenal job. They helped made the story come alive. I enjoyed their performances. Some of the words were pronounced weirdly, but I still enjoyed the performances. Great job! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Saturday, September 23, 2023 at 10:49 AM
Crazy story. The narrators did a phenomenal job. They helped made the story come alive. I enjoyed their performances. Some of the words were pronounced weirdly, but I still enjoyed the performances. Great job! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Saturday, September 23, 2023 at 10:49 AM
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Alcoholism, Infertility, and Addiction
thespinystacks's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
4.0
This book is filled with tropes all thriller lovers enjoy; timeline jumps, narrators you’re concerned about, POV switches, and cults.
I devoured this and really really enjoyed it. It’s not necessarily groundbreaking, but it delivers twists and turns you can’t always anticipate so it made for a fun ride!
There are a few content warnings I’d recommend checking out if you’re a sensitive reader.
I devoured this and really really enjoyed it. It’s not necessarily groundbreaking, but it delivers twists and turns you can’t always anticipate so it made for a fun ride!
There are a few content warnings I’d recommend checking out if you’re a sensitive reader.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
Moderate: Drug abuse and Drug use
ohhthehorrors's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Drug use, Infertility, Addiction, Alcoholism, Eating disorder, Grief, and Kidnapping
Minor: Fatphobia, Self harm, Vomit, Body shaming, Cancer, Fire/Fire injury, Adult/minor relationship, and Blood
alysonbookishthoughts's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Drug abuse, Alcoholism, and Kidnapping
booksbytheglass's review
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
maybe I just wasn’t in the right mind set to read this one, but again, these are my thoughts and views only.
elli and sam, identical twins and former child actors, haven’t spoken in almost two years. sam turned to drugs and drinking at an early age and struggles with her sobriety so much that elli and their parents basically cut her out of their life. which is why sam is so surprised when her mom gets a text from elli asking for help with elli’s daughter and then … elli disappears. with her parents in denial that something’s wrong, it’s up to sam to put the pieces together on where elli went and what went wrong in their relationship.
I absolutely loved the premise of this one!! it was mysterious and eye-catching, but it went in a completely different direction than I was anticipating.
sam and elli were such fleshed out characters, identical twins with totally different personalities, and I was excited to see both sides of the story told by them. the flashbacks into their childhood were by far my favorite parts of the book.
the plot line just seemed to drag for me. once sam discovered where elli was (which was like 50% of the way through the book), it just seemed repetitive until the end. it was a very strong motive that didn’t need drilling in the reader’s head - especially when it’s so icky like it was - no spoilers!!!
thank you to netgalley and random house for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. this one is definitely an acquired taste - if you loved every vow you break, you’ll love this one!
rating: 2 stars
wine pairing: san jose cabernet sauvignon
elli and sam, identical twins and former child actors, haven’t spoken in almost two years. sam turned to drugs and drinking at an early age and struggles with her sobriety so much that elli and their parents basically cut her out of their life. which is why sam is so surprised when her mom gets a text from elli asking for help with elli’s daughter and then … elli disappears. with her parents in denial that something’s wrong, it’s up to sam to put the pieces together on where elli went and what went wrong in their relationship.
I absolutely loved the premise of this one!! it was mysterious and eye-catching, but it went in a completely different direction than I was anticipating.
sam and elli were such fleshed out characters, identical twins with totally different personalities, and I was excited to see both sides of the story told by them. the flashbacks into their childhood were by far my favorite parts of the book.
the plot line just seemed to drag for me. once sam discovered where elli was (which was like 50% of the way through the book), it just seemed repetitive until the end. it was a very strong motive that didn’t need drilling in the reader’s head - especially when it’s so icky like it was - no spoilers!!!
thank you to netgalley and random house for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. this one is definitely an acquired taste - if you loved every vow you break, you’ll love this one!
rating: 2 stars
wine pairing: san jose cabernet sauvignon
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Alcoholism, Drug use, Infertility, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Abandonment and Gaslighting
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