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pernillelsk's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Gun violence, Murder, Sexual content, Alcoholism, Blood, Gaslighting, Drug use, Suicide, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Stalking
Moderate: Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Infertility, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Medical content
liseyp's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Thank you to Pigeonhole for the opportunity to read this book.
Phoebe Miller is a recluse, she even lives in a different part of the house from her own husband. She’s hiding from the scandal of her rich father who has been uncovered as a serial abuser with many women now speaking out about what they experienced at his hands. As her dad is now dead Phoebe is the remaining symbol of the family, so it’s not surprising she’s hiding from view.
Someone has found her though and is sitting in their car on her street watching the house. Then the Napiers move in across the road and Vicki becomes a friend for Phoebe and starts to encourage her out of her shell. 18-year-old Jake Napier also gives Phoebe a very inappropriate reason to enjoy life once again.
The first half of the book gives us plenty of time to get to know Phoebe, to empathise with her and understand why she acts as she does even if we don’t agree with it. Unfortunately the second half of the book is entirely driven by the actions of characters we haven’t built up that relationship with. Their actions are far more morally challenging and downright ludicrous so without that good understanding of them I quickly disengaged from the story.
If you want your reader to embrace the wild ride of a quickly escalating plot there needs to be something to hang on. That can work well when the characters deliver, unfortunately Mr Miller, the other Mrs Miller and the Napiers can’t carry those plot points leaving me disappointed.
Phoebe Miller is a recluse, she even lives in a different part of the house from her own husband. She’s hiding from the scandal of her rich father who has been uncovered as a serial abuser with many women now speaking out about what they experienced at his hands. As her dad is now dead Phoebe is the remaining symbol of the family, so it’s not surprising she’s hiding from view.
Someone has found her though and is sitting in their car on her street watching the house. Then the Napiers move in across the road and Vicki becomes a friend for Phoebe and starts to encourage her out of her shell. 18-year-old Jake Napier also gives Phoebe a very inappropriate reason to enjoy life once again.
The first half of the book gives us plenty of time to get to know Phoebe, to empathise with her and understand why she acts as she does even if we don’t agree with it. Unfortunately the second half of the book is entirely driven by the actions of characters we haven’t built up that relationship with. Their actions are far more morally challenging and downright ludicrous so without that good understanding of them I quickly disengaged from the story.
If you want your reader to embrace the wild ride of a quickly escalating plot there needs to be something to hang on. That can work well when the characters deliver, unfortunately Mr Miller, the other Mrs Miller and the Napiers can’t carry those plot points leaving me disappointed.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Sexual assault
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