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A review by sophiesometimesreads
None of This is True by Lisa Jewell
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Firstly, please check full content warnings for this book before reading as it does deal with multiple intense topics such as domestic abuse, sexual abuse, addiction and adult/minor relationships.
I was invested enough in this story for the majority of the book (perhaps around 80%) to keep going to find out what happened but the ending fell kind of flat for me. There wasn't enough of a concrete conclusion for me, particularly on some of the more intense issues that were put out there. I did do some reading of peoples' opinions and interpretations afterwards and found a few good points about hints as to who may be lying and who may be telling the truth which I didn't pick up along the way and did intrigue me. I've also seen that the author has outlined who was telling the truth but I don't count this as the book should stand on its own legs and that should be put in the book explicitly if that's what we are supposed to know as an audience.
Though the relationship was originally portrayed to be bad, by the end I was left feeling like the husband wasn't supposed to be seen as a groomer and pedophile just because he was apparently a good father, which didn't sit well with me. I don't think it was the authors intention to say he should be completely redeemed but I think there should've been something in the ending that stated that even though the FMC may not be wholly good, she's still a victim as adults should never pursue relationships with minors and are ALWAYS the one at fault in said relationships. I think this topic should've been handled with a little more care and this is where it drops another part star for me.
Overall, it was gripping and a quick read but there were a few questionable moments throughout that I thought needed to be tied up better.
I was invested enough in this story for the majority of the book (perhaps around 80%) to keep going to find out what happened but the ending fell kind of flat for me. There wasn't enough of a concrete conclusion for me, particularly on some of the more intense issues that were put out there. I did do some reading of peoples' opinions and interpretations afterwards and found a few good points about hints as to who may be lying and who may be telling the truth which I didn't pick up along the way and did intrigue me. I've also seen that the author has outlined who was telling the truth but I don't count this as the book should stand on its own legs and that should be put in the book explicitly if that's what we are supposed to know as an audience.
Though the relationship was originally portrayed to be bad, by the end I was left feeling like the husband wasn't supposed to be seen as a groomer and pedophile just because he was apparently a good father, which didn't sit well with me. I don't think it was the authors intention to say he should be completely redeemed but I think there should've been something in the ending that stated that even though the FMC may not be wholly good, she's still a victim as adults should never pursue relationships with minors and are ALWAYS the one at fault in said relationships. I think this topic should've been handled with a little more care and this is where it drops another part star for me.
Overall, it was gripping and a quick read but there were a few questionable moments throughout that I thought needed to be tied up better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, and Murder