has anyone else read this? i’m about 2/3s through and think the writing is great. however, i’m feeling SO unsettled and disturbed when reading this. like, it makes my skin crawl. i can’t put my finger on what it is that’s making me feel this way (obviously the book premise is disturbing in and of itself, but i read thrillers/suspense like this back to back, so i don’t expect to feel like this).
what were your thoughts about it?
NO SPOILERS PLEASE.
by myeeeag
30 Comments
Read through to the end!! But yes, extremely unsettling.
I just finished reading it myself. Granted I’ve never been in Grace’s position but I was so annoyed with how many stupid mistakes she made in the beginning to wind up in the situation she got into. There wasn’t any move that Jack made once he was revealed as the bad guy that surprised me, I found him a little boring to be honest. The ending was okay in my opinion. What part are you up to?
Cool book! Characters were a bit thin, but definitely pretty creepy. I wanted her to just kill him the entire time haha
Yes!! This book was so good! I read it several years ago and couldn’t put it down. I finished it in two days and I still think about it. This post makes me want to reread it. I also recently read The Dilemma which I also recommend. It was kind of predictable but also infuriating with the decisions the characters make throughout it.
I felt that the really blunt writing was good when it came to creating a sense of hopelessness and dread in the middle part (chronologically)
But i just couldn’t take it seriously because of all the red flags Grace ignored at the start. She is supposed to be this smart, determined woman who would do anything for her sister. It just doesn’t track.
The last two chapters of this book live rent free in my mind. Absolutely loved this book but really creepy.
I loved that book! It’s one I always recommend to people who like psychological thrillers. I think the disturbed feeling is what makes is so good.
This one still sits with me. He has to be one of the most believable, sinister antagonists I’ve ever read about!!
I always recommend this one.
It’s an excellent book. Stayed with me a while afterwards.
I physically couldn’t finish this book for exactly the reasons you said. It’s the only book I’ve ever DNF that wasn’t for poor writing.
Yes I loved it it’s a great book yes some parts are hard to read but it’s written very well I just read it again last week 🙂
I enjoyed it. I also enjoyed re reading it but I haven’t read anything else by the same author because I couldn’t get interested in the other one I tried. So that one had a something special to it.
The book was unsettling. Grace could be clever, but yeah.. it did give some chills
This might have been my first DNF. I’m normally fine with thrillers and have read some real dark and grisly stuff (Karin Slaughter’s The Good Daughter and Pretty Girls come to mind) but this made my skin crawl so much more than anything else. There was one particular scene where I had to stop because NOPE.
Yes, this was a book I enjoyed reading, but I knew I wouldn’t want to read it again. It was disturbing and satisfying and distressing all at the same time.
I listened to the audiobook and had to stop at a certain point and read the spoilers. It disturbed me so much I couldn’t finish it.
There is something about this book thats deeply disturbing.
This was a very emotional book. I loved it. Did you finish it yet? I recommend everyone read it, as a former victim it really makes you understand how they feel and why it’s so hard to leave.
I hope you finished the book, if so I’d like to know your thoughts on the book? I started reading the book around 2 months ago but I lost interest in the middle, finished the book on a flight cause I had nothing else to do, absolutely loved the ending.
I loved the book! It was very relatable to me not of my husband but of my father. So it opened many past traumas😐 It was very engaging and a real page turner while also building up so much hate with Jack every page.
Really? I’m about 100 pages in and having a hard time reading it. I did just leave a DV situation myself (nothing so dramatic as the book) but maybe that’s why?? I’m having a hard time not rage throwing the book across the room and find myself just scanning some of the pages, like I get it- he’s evil. Where’s the action??
I didn’t like it , didn’t finish it’s the same old story told over and over… wealth and abuse once again
I loved this book. My favorite part was when Ester knew what was going on fairly early and kept questioning her. Also, it really surprised me how quickly Jack started showing his true colors. Immediately.
I thought it was creepy too. I loved it, and hope they make it into a movie.
I got super bored in the middle…like they could’ve gotten to the plan a lil sooner, I skipped a chunk just to see what happened.
I hated this book, it’s demented!!!!!!
Stephanie Soo has narrated it, less of an impact because of her cute voice but saved me time
For me, it was when Millie’s room was revealed that made my hair stand up on end. And what he planned for her. And imagining Millie, such an innocent yet intelligent soul being locked down there
I have mixed feelings about the book. On one hand, it’s well-written, and the alternating past and present timelines kept me engaged. On the other hand, I was frustrated by Grace’s lack of agency for most of the novel. I feel like she had more opportunities to attempt an escape or seek help than she actually used.
I just finished this book and agree that it was so creepy and uncomfortable. I did enjoy but I don’t understand the very last line? Unless it was just suggesting that her friend caught on to what was happening?
This book was so disturbing and uncomfortable. I found myself commenting that it was way more sadistic than I had ever imagined it would be. I had to see it through, and I did appreciate the ending. Afterward I read that this is the author’s debut book.