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goodgollymissmollee's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Gaslighting, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Violence, Emotional abuse, and Murder
Moderate: Dementia, Drug use, Grief, Drug abuse, Fire/Fire injury, and Mental illness
amandasbookreview's review against another edition
- 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
“She wasn’t afraid of the dark anymore. There was nothing the dark could do to her that it hadn’t already done.”
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.
Graphic: Sexual violence, Death, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Addiction, Fire/Fire injury, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Blood, Gaslighting, Gore, Mental illness, Torture, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Rape, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts
jennifer_bush_73's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
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.
Graphic: Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Blood, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Violence
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Book of the Monthjackiesreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Racial slurs, Rape, Gaslighting, Racism, Toxic relationship, Adult/minor relationship, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Child abuse
our_bookish_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I found it very predictable, so it didn't make me guess much, but it was a decent book all in all.
Graphic: Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Murder, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Cancer, Dementia, Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, Blood, and Grief