A review by minimicropup
When She Returned by Lucinda Berry

challenging dark sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5

Main POVs: It’s hard to define these characters by anything beyond their circumstances.
  • A discontent journalist who married young and recently had a child. They are starting to feel stifled (a mid-life crisis?). They feel there’s something more for them beyond just parenting and spousing. In pursuit of this newfound dream, they go missing.
  • A widow who met and married a person from a grief support group (the one whose spouse went missing). They are trying to support their spouse and teenage stepchild. 
  • The teen stepchild. They were too young to really remember their missing parent and the circumstances of where they went. Though polite and respectful, they don’t seem to like the stepparent – maybe thinks they’re trying too hard?
 
Atmosphere 🫥: Almost non-existent. Simplistic writing with flat setting and narrative; nothing drew me in to the story because of the way it was delivered.
  • Set in California, but it could be anywhere. Very little description of setting and people. “The” syndrome (“the compound”, “the office”, “the house”).
 
Cred Rating 🥸: Plausible to ridiculous. 
  • The dialog and character decision overall were unrealistic and robotic…and often infuriating. 
  • Cult recruitment, manipulation, and brainwashing may be on the realistic side. 
 
Growls and Howls 🐺: 
  • Very little character development. I can barely assign them traits beyond “nice”, “sometimes nice", "rarely nice".
  • The stepparent has good intentions but is met with polite indifference by their stepchild and childish rages from their spouse. They basically think, “I’ll just keep supporting my husband while his once-missing mute wife is in the other room and he’s pining for her. I can’t wait to help rehabilitate her with him. I wish he would hug me and sleep in the same room with me. He must be stressed? I’ll make an extra big breakfast tomorrow for everyone!” I was wondering if we’d find out she’s a polygamist or was in a relationship with the wife at some point. I think we were over 75% in before she was like “wait, now that his first wife is back, is it possible he will want to be with her instead? Is that why he won’t touch me anymore?” 
  • The role of the FBI and law enforcement was weird. Would they really orchestrate putting a minor in danger with NO ONE else knowing or approving just to gain an additional charge? 
  • This story felt like a cheesy example in a high school psych class of how cults happen. Our MC seems to acknowledge the “textbook” points about this charismatic leader then continues to go along with it all, and I’m pretty sure that’s not how it works (isn’t the whole deal that you don’t realize it’s just charm with smoke and mirrors?) 
 
Reading Journey 😣: Car engine turns over but won’t start. 
 
Mood Reading Match-Up:
  • Cult recruitment and lifestyle
  • Family drama centering on return of a missing member
  • A quick, simple story with a bit of “fight for your life” trope
 
Vibes: 🙄🥱😑
 
Content Heads-Up: Extreme religion/cults, torture, confinement, and emotional abuse
 
Format: Kindle Unlimited
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