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bashsbooks's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
This book really made me both sad and mad because I deeply enjoyed it for a good 80% of the text. I felt like it dealt with the topics of true crime podcasts and PTSD very well. I enjoyed Spencer a lot as a main character, and Ripley the service dog being clutch all the time was great rep. HOWEVER, this book is ultimately a mystery, and nothing irritates me more than when I can't figure out the mystery because the author gets their details confused - one major plot twist is that Jackson Chen cut the breaks of Ethan's car to steal his spot on the Headmaster's List, but early in the book, it is confirmed that Jackson was already on this damn list (that's why he gets paired to help Spencer), making this clue seeded later in the book distracting and contradictory. De la Cruz is not an indie self-publisher, and I cannot believe her editors missed that. Also, the plot twist of the reckless rich kid actually being good and the guy with the criminal father being bad was not great either. I'm so disappointed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Blood, Drug use, Car accident, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Child death, Mental illness, Drug abuse, and Infidelity
Moderate: Ableism
Minor: Alcohol, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Racism, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Vomit
julia_12319's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Car accident
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Vomit
maddy_sofie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Death, Blood, Murder, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Gun violence, Kidnapping, Addiction, Alcohol, Drug use, and Medical content
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