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leahlovesloslibros's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Veronica is a teenage photographer hoping to be discovered. Nico is a performance artist who strives to make his points with controversial art installations. When the two best friends meet the enigmatic Mick, whom Veronica promptly starts dating, things quickly go awry, and Mick has to figure out how she fits into the friendship without stirring up too much trouble.
Honestly, the relationship between Mick and Veronica seemed pretty toxic to me. It immediately started with Veronica constantly trying to push Mick to do things which she expressed that she was uncomfortable with, and it didn't stop. It also didn't seem very realistic how quickly everything escalated with them. Even high school "love" doesn't usually move that quickly, at least in my experiences.
Nico seemed like a weird dude from the start. He always gave off a bit of a creeper vibe. His actions in the second half of the book kind of seemed like they came out of left field, though. While I know the author probably didn't want to give away too much too soon, it seemed like he went from quirky to unhinged practically overnight, and without much explanation.
I didn't see much character growth throughout the story, either.
This was a quick read, and it did make me want to keep reading, which is why I'll leave it at 3 stars. I didn't hate it but I would only recommend it in certain situations.
Rep: lesbian MC, Latina lesbian LI, AAPI SC
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Child death, Death, Gore, and Murder
Moderate: Car accident, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Kidnapping, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Minor: Cursing, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
Additional TW/CW: underage drinking, toxic parent, parent kicking child out of home, bombs/explosionsrexreads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Abandonment, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Murder, Sexual content, Stalking, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Blood and Cursing
sunsetcity's review
- 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? No
3.0
Graphic: Body shaming, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Medical content, Murder, Stalking, Torture, and Kidnapping
baylaurels's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Blood, Child death, Confinement, Death, Grief, Mental illness, Violence, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Stalking, and Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Gore, and Medical content
Minor: Sexual content, Rape, Mass/school shootings, Infidelity, Gun violence, Animal death, and Addiction
Severe injury, parental abandonment, extreme fires (arson, wildfire), drowning, attempted murder by suffocation and hypothermia Mention of divorcemelaniereadsbooks's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
In this explosive thriller inspired by The Picture of Dorian Gray, Mick's life is changed when she meets Veronica at a party and they begin falling for each other. Mick detests having her picture taken, and Veronica is a photographer that would do about anything for her art. Things begin to fall apart when Veronica's best friend Nico takes a special interest in Mick and recruits her as part of his elaborate and illegal art pop ups. Things quickly escalate, and disaster soon follows.
I wish I could give a better synopsis then that, but I really recommend going into this book without knowing much of the outcomes. The surprising twists and turns it takes are incredible and gripping, and I think it is much more interesting not knowing what is going to happen!
I absolutely loved the writing style of this book. It seriously gave me chills and enthralled me from the very beginning. I loved the in media res start to the book and the full circle ending. I loved the depth and creativity to the three main characters, and seeing how they would react to the increasingly drastic situation.
The character development in this story was definitely the best part, though I also really enjoyed the surrealistic plot! I didn't think this needed the added few chapters with Nico's POV toward the end, however.
I really enjoyed the narration for this audio, but I did find it was extremely slow! I always increase the speed on audiobooks, but this one especially needed it.
Pub date: March 30, 2021
Graphic: Animal death, Car accident, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Confinement, Suicidal thoughts, and Grief