Reviews with content warning for Drug use - Dear Laura

I think I would have liked this book more if it hadn't been raved about in the horror book community. I was expecting something amazing and showstopping; which this book was not. Not to say it was bad, because it wasn't. I liked the concept and the ending, but I think it fell short for me due to high expectations.

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zeegy's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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? It's complicated

2.5

an uncomfortable read about an uncomfortable yet terrifyingly possible occurrence

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nabaraditi's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This book was obsessive, horrifying, mysterious and creepy and I liked it. I read it in 1 evening.
I had just 2 problems with the plot

1. it was never explaing why Bobby voluntarily got in the car. I'm assuming that he was told that he has to either sacrifice himself or he'll take Laura? Because Bobby does look back a bit (if I remember clearly) to Laura and then gets in the car.
2. I sort of lost the appeal of the whole "give me personal things for Bobby" as X already told LAura that Bobby is dead. I was like why does it matter now? Bobby is dead already. I understand human sentiment to get closure. And Laura being the sweet girl she is, she wants Bobby's mom to get closure as well. But still. I wish the bribe would have made more sense if she would get Bobby alive and unharmed or something like that

I like the book explained how the character was feeling, what she was thinking. That helped me be in her shoes and feel the same kind of emotions. The writing is compelling, for sure.
This book talks about grief and loss (<b> that could be a trigger warning </b> ) and a teenager being depressed and how much the loss affects her for a longer period. This book also talks about how teenagers are pulled into horrible things when they are vulnerable.

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anger566's review against another edition

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dark tense fast-paced

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

3.75

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