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A review by squilvia
That's Not My Name by Megan Lally
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
3.5—almost 3.75 from 4.00, but I’m stingy, and someone said the investigation parts reminded them of Scooby-Doo, and that cracked me up. 🤣 What they mentioned about plot holes also downgraded my rating because they’re absolutely right.
Anyway, the writing is so middd 😭😭😭 The characters' inner voices are like: Shit. Fuck. Shit. Fuck. All the time.
Like, stopppp. I get that this was the author's debut novel, but she said she had been writing for ten years and eight months before this book was released. This is Wattpad-level prose, and I was honestly getting tired and annoyed by the cliché Nancy Drew and the gang–style sleuthing mixed with Hallmark thriller–level storyline and characters when the twist hit.
The twist/ending SAVES this book. And I, for once, forgive the BookTok community for suggesting this book to me. I realized halfway through that this is a YA genre book, and that's a big no-no to me most of the time.
But yeah, not bad. Not bad at all. I willingly put down my pitchfork and admit that my head was too far up my ass this time.
Not about the writing though. I was damn right, and y’all know it! Drew’s chapters are so boring and cliché. I don’t know why the writing quality is so different from the “Mary” chapters. No chemistry at all between the characters, and the romance at the end is unnecessary. Not everyone needs to get together. Time and space, people!
And tbh? It's kinda Drew's fault. Like fr, two gay dads and you still did what you did? Smh. Tsk tsk tsk. Not a single gentleman bone in that boy.
Anyway, the writing is so middd 😭😭😭 The characters' inner voices are like: Shit. Fuck. Shit. Fuck. All the time.
Like, stopppp. I get that this was the author's debut novel, but she said she had been writing for ten years and eight months before this book was released. This is Wattpad-level prose, and I was honestly getting tired and annoyed by the cliché Nancy Drew and the gang–style sleuthing mixed with Hallmark thriller–level storyline and characters when the twist hit.
The twist/ending SAVES this book. And I, for once, forgive the BookTok community for suggesting this book to me. I realized halfway through that this is a YA genre book, and that's a big no-no to me most of the time.
But yeah, not bad. Not bad at all. I willingly put down my pitchfork and admit that my head was too far up my ass this time.
Not about the writing though. I was damn right, and y’all know it! Drew’s chapters are so boring and cliché. I don’t know why the writing quality is so different from the “Mary” chapters. No chemistry at all between the characters, and the romance at the end is unnecessary. Not everyone needs to get together. Time and space, people!
And tbh? It's kinda Drew's fault. Like fr, two gay dads and you still did what you did? Smh. Tsk tsk tsk. Not a single gentleman bone in that boy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Murder
Minor: Stalking