15 minutes before the end, there's a semi-graphic (too much for my animal loving heart to take) depiction of a dog suffering I should've stopped this book long before I did, but I figured i had it on audiobook and I only had a few hours left, what would it hurt? The main characters abuse Rika over and over throughout the book, and although she is upset for a few pages, she forgives them and goes on as if nothing happened. They burned her freaking house down!?!??! and that's perfectly okay?!?! Are you KIDDING me?! I kept holding out for a shift. I wanted Rika to wake up and have a brain, but she never did. She just accepted all of these terrible, illegal things being done to her, and okay, sure. Yes, there are powerful people out there that you can't fight against. But you don't have to accept that! You don't have to end up getting all starry eyed with this guy who has been emotionally manipulating you from day 1!! I've never written a review like this before, because just because I didn't like something doesn't mean that it's not a good book. This is the exception. This book tells people that it's okay to be dragged into the woods and almost raped; have someone believe you kidnapped their mother; AND that they can burn your house down for fun because they're mad at you and won't talk to you about it. Oh, and then we're just supposed to be okay with Rika being head over heels in love with Michael? Because he can do no wrong. Of course *face palm* I do not reccomend this book, in case that wasn't obvious.
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment