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3.5 AVERAGE
3.5 AVERAGE
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
My FIRST DNF. The characters were all too extreme and vile with absolutely no redeeming qualities. The writing felt very amateur. I should have known I wouldn't like it since I did not care for Girl on the Train. I am never going to read a Paula Hawkins book or recommendation ever again.
My Review:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/ 5 stars
Jaw drop! This is a strong debut from Anna Bailey - perfect for those that liked Little Fires Everywhere and the Night Swim. All the characters were so layered and complicated, you hate half of them so much. I had to put my ipad down a few times because I was seething reading about the men in this story. Then I had to remind myself it wasn’t real. It takes place in Whistling Ridge in Colorado - where Abigail, a teen in the area that goes missing after her best friend Emma leaves her in the woods to go to a party. The narrative shifts back and forth between the POV of many in town, in past and present. It gets a bit confusing at times and throws me off a few times. You soon learn that there are many secrets in Whistling Ridge - and they will do anything to keep it private. From the overzealous pastor who promotes violence against “outsiders,” Abigail’s violent father, her older brother Noah who is jealous of the affections she receives from her dad, and the creepy touchy feely sheriff - anyone and everyone is a suspect. This had me guessing the whole way through and instead of relief at the end, I hated one character less, and still felt such heaviness reading about all that happened to Abi. I am STILL thinking about it.
Trigger warnings: mentions of rape/ violence against women and lgptq+ characters
Thank you to @atriabooks and @netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Jaw drop! This is a strong debut from Anna Bailey - perfect for those that liked Little Fires Everywhere and the Night Swim. All the characters were so layered and complicated, you hate half of them so much. I had to put my ipad down a few times because I was seething reading about the men in this story. Then I had to remind myself it wasn’t real. It takes place in Whistling Ridge in Colorado - where Abigail, a teen in the area that goes missing after her best friend Emma leaves her in the woods to go to a party. The narrative shifts back and forth between the POV of many in town, in past and present. It gets a bit confusing at times and throws me off a few times. You soon learn that there are many secrets in Whistling Ridge - and they will do anything to keep it private. From the overzealous pastor who promotes violence against “outsiders,” Abigail’s violent father, her older brother Noah who is jealous of the affections she receives from her dad, and the creepy touchy feely sheriff - anyone and everyone is a suspect. This had me guessing the whole way through and instead of relief at the end, I hated one character less, and still felt such heaviness reading about all that happened to Abi. I am STILL thinking about it.
Trigger warnings: mentions of rape/ violence against women and lgptq+ characters
Thank you to @atriabooks and @netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
dark
tense
slow-paced
I found this to be a very well told, dark story with tragedy around (and behind) nearly every corner in small town America, made to feel decades ago, but stated since legal weed in Colorado, so, in the recent one or two decades. I wanted to write this review to reflect on the most interesting part - the author's bio, upon finishing it. The cultural reflections and outsider's perspective makes it even more chilling.
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book holds a family filled with dark and disturbing secrets, a father and a small town that is out of control.
This was such a beautifully written debut book by Anna Bailey. It had me on edge, the guilt, the secrets, the lies, all of it made this book such an amazing read.
Note: This book does have a town set on a strong religious foundation, as well as domestic violence.
This was such a beautifully written debut book by Anna Bailey. It had me on edge, the guilt, the secrets, the lies, all of it made this book such an amazing read.
Note: This book does have a town set on a strong religious foundation, as well as domestic violence.
This was so much more than a thriller. So many other topics and emotions weaved in. Very much liked this one
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Tight and tantalizing. A solid debut