A review by alliereads_
Nightcrawling by Leila Mottley

challenging dark emotional

4.0

Nightcrawling is one of the most infuriating books I've ever read - and I mean that as a compliment. Mottley wrote a novel so raw and painful and real that it was upsetting to read, and not every author is capable of capturing emotion like that. I was endlessly frustrated by Kiara's refusal to just tell the whole truth, devastated by how her friends and family blamed and failed her, disgusted by how the justice system abused and discarded her. But there are moments of genuine love and happiness, too, specifically in Kiara's relationships with both Ale and Trevor. 

Real people don't act like characters in a book, always saying and doing just the right thing and having happy endings. If you're someone who wants that in a story, this is not for you. If you're someone who reads to have the world reflected back at you in all it's pain and beauty alike, then it definitely is.

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