Reviews tagging 'Sexual harassment'

Things We Do in the Dark by Jennifer Hillier

26 reviews

amandasbookreview's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Thank you, NetGalley, Minotaur Books, and Jennifer Hillier for the opportunity to read this book! It will release tomorrow, July, 19th!

“She wasn’t afraid of the dark anymore. There was nothing the dark could do to her that it hadn’t already done.”

THINGS WE DO IN THE DARK
TRIGGER WARNINGS: rape, assault, gaslighting, severe child abuse, murder, murder scenes, etc…

I was hoping to finish this book before the weekend but we just had the best vacation. While I did read a little bit here and there, I wasn’t able to complete the book until last night. Things We Do in the Dark by Jennifer Hillier starts off strong. Paris Peralta wakes up to find herself covered in blood. It is not her blood but her husband’s blood, the famous comedian, Jimmy Peralta. She is arrested on suspicion of murder. She is his 5th wife, a lot younger than him, and there is a lot of money to gain, but she did not kill him. This is not the first time she has been connected to a murder, nor is it the second time…

As I said, the beginning is so strong, but then it got repetitive. The book is broken up into several parts and changes points of view. Honestly, Drew’s section was extremely dull and he tries to figure out what happened to his friend Joey, who was murdered years before. The ending started to pick up as all the loose ends began to unfold. I did find the finale a bit anti-climatic as well.

However, this book is labeled as a thriller. There are several moments that give off that vibe. But I wouldn’t say the whole book is a thriller. It is mainly about a young girl coming of age in the midst of severe child abuse and trauma and her struggle to run away and be free of her past. The abuse and trauma are HEARTBREAKING and extremely descriptive, so be prepared. It is difficult to read. Overall, it was an intense book about murder and doing whatever it takes to survive.


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neniacorcoran's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I wasn’t sure I was going to like this one when I first started reading it. The opening line was pretty epic, but diving right into Paris’ arrest before I was invested in caring about her almost didn’t work for me. I’m glad I hung on, though, because I thoroughly enjoyed this read.

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jennifer_bush_73's review against another edition

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dark mysterious sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

This book has some triggers: child abuse, sexual abuse, suicide, rape, violence,
And intergenerational trauma.

The story opens with Paris, the beautiful, yoga instructor, younger wife of a wildly beloved older comedian and former sitcom star who’s making his comeback, in the bathroom, next to her dead husband, covered in his blood and holding the razor that caused his death. It looks very bad for Paris and she’s immediately arrested. 

Two things become immediately clear: (1) Paris didn’t kill Jimmy, and (2) Paris is keeping a pretty big secret. The crux of the story is about Paris’ past. Jimmy’s death quickly takes back seat Paris’ story.

This is a book about overcoming a difficult (which a huge understatement) childhood and reinvention oneself masquerading as murder mystery.

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olivia119's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad tense 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

5.0


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faerietale_princess's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This is the angriest I’ve ever been at reading a book. I wasn’t upset at the book, I just felt angry for the poor girl and wanted to step inside the story and smack everyone who was doing her wrong.

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letmetakea_shelfie_'s review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious slow-paced

4.5

As the title suggests...this book is dark. (See CW's below). 

It's been awhile since I've read a thriller; I've forgotten how incredible it is when a story comes together like this one did. When I started the book, I had no idea where things were going - but I like that about a book. If you are willing to give it time, this one is worth it, trust me. 


CWs: child abuse (physical and mental), sexual assault (physical and mental), suicide, addiction, body shaming, mental health, misogyny, racism 

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