Reviews tagging 'Addiction'

None of This is True by Lisa Jewell

92 reviews

annie_brewer's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious slow-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

2.5

Listened via audiobook (Audible)

Well the title of this book is

None Of This Is True

. And I have hidden the title, as it is the greatest spoiler of them all.

It is an easy read with good writing, but the story is just not there. isa Jewell did excellently to create some an unsettling feeling in her book and the build up is well paced, but all the reveals are hinted at too heavily for any climactic occurances in the novel to feel monumental or suprising.

I also am not sure listening to the audiobook has influenced my experienrence,  as the layers of recording for a podcast/the podcast/ the Netflix documentary are a bit clunky , but I don't know if even being on paper the format changes would do the story any favors.

I first read 'The Night She Dissappeared' by Lisa Jewell which I thought the mystery was incredible and was so keen to keep absorbing the story (although it is very outrageous and farfetched) and would reccomend that novel to be enjoyed rather than this one!

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Addiction, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Pedophilia, and Toxic relationship

norwegianforestreader's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Cursing, Excrement, Kidnapping, Medical content, Mental illness, Murder, Pandemic/Epidemic, Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual content, Abandonment, Drug abuse, Drug use, Fatphobia, Child death, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Stalking, Suicide, Violence, Eating disorder, Grief, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, and Pedophilia

ellieisreading's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-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? Yes

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Adult/minor relationship, Murder, Pedophilia, Death, and Child abuse

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Addiction, and Stalking

homebodywitch's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense slow-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

5.0

This was my first ever Lisa Jewel book and I could not put it down. I devoured it in one sitting. I felt like the dual perspective was done really well, and I enjoyed the Netflix documentary framing that was interspersed. It was truly gripping. The amount of times I actually pulled a cringing or creeped out face while reading are too numerous to count. The story felt lived in, like this could be a real person you might meet unexpectedly, which was deeply unsettling. I think the ending was a bit rushed, I wish we could have gotten more of Josie’s perspective during and after the

kidnapping and murder of Nathan

but I don’t think it takes away from the overall narrative. Contrary to some other reviews I don’t think they made light of pedophilia or blamed Josie unjustly for her actions. There’s nuance in the story and choosing not to acknowledge it while trying to absolve Josie of any wrongdoing or justify her actions doesn’t jive with the overall picture being presented. I will say the open ended conclusion was an interesting twist but I definitely believe Roxy and Erin. Overall I’d really recommend this. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Murder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Stalking, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Death, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Addiction

mmmkay's review against another edition

dark sad

4.25

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Pedophilia, and Murder

Minor: Death of parent

onarosebeam's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Honest to god, what the fuck?

I’ve realized as I’ve started reading more adult thrillers (and diving more into the thriller/horror spheres in general as opposed to just mysteries) is that I have no clue how to rate them unless I didn’t like them. And even then I have no idea if I like them. Just that I was riveted. 
BUT with a thriller, the twist or reveal can totally make or break a story for me. 

I was definitely riveted but confused the whole time. I spent the whole book anticipating the reveal so I wasn't super shocked. The very end was weird and there were lots of little things littered throughout that made me uncomfy. So I actually have no idea how to rate this one. But I was sucked in. Do with that what you will. 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Addiction, Gaslighting, and Adult/minor relationship

carlyjb16's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Confinement, Death, Child abuse, Alcohol, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Gaslighting, and Murder

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Addiction, Ableism, and Torture

Minor: Pandemic/Epidemic

abi_g_mac's review against another edition

dark mysterious 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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Minor: Domestic abuse and Addiction

haleysversion's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious sad tense medium-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? Yes

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Abandonment, Gaslighting, Grief, Mental illness, Blood, Child abuse, Child death, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Sexual violence, Toxic friendship, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Murder, Pandemic/Epidemic, Pregnancy, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, and Toxic relationship

enlamont's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Adult/minor relationship

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Murder, Kidnapping, Addiction, and Death

Minor: Confinement, Infidelity, Incest, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, and Physical abuse