Quick, but excellent read.

In a little over one hundred pages the author manages to create a thoroughly relatable character and a truly horrifying villain. Enjoyed this book quite a bit. ( )

Dark and compelling novella, very readable. I wanted a different ending for all that the main character had been through, but still such a good read. It made my skin crawl at times, made me want to look away, but also keep going to reach the end. Definitely recommend. ( )

Once again I found another wonderful short story to devour in one reading. This novella by Gemma Amor is horrifyingly disturbing, in a good entertaining way.

The story starts off innocent enough with young teens Laura & Bobby, longtime neighbors, best friends turned boyfriend/girlfriend (for a very short period of time). I loved the awkwardness that the author portrayed as these two tried to figure out how to act now that they took their relationship up a notch with one peck on the lips.

You would think that nothing could go wrong walking hand in hand to the school bus stop. But when Laura forgets something and has to run back, it sets in motion the way she lives her life for the next 30 years. All she knows is that upon her return to the bus stop she sees Bobby talking to someone in a blue van. Next thing she knows she is abandoned by Bobby (the love of her life?) when he jumps into the passenger side of the van- never to be see or heard from again.

Laura blames herself for everything from this point on. And then the letters start from "X". Letters that possess clues to where Bobby is, how to find him. They also are very disturbing and causes her to do things that no person should ever have to endure.

We follow Laura's journey to the bitter end. An end that I am still not comfortable with. She never should have had to pay for any of her actions.

The unique part of this book is that every other chapter flips between past and present. Giving us all the emotions, information, and tidbits needed to become fully invested in the characters.

The not knowing is a dangerous thing- and this book surely shows how far some people may go to find the answers. It also shows how sick some people are in this world that they would even put pen to paper to cause this much pain. Let alone the secrets "X" hides. ( )

Story hooks you in from beginning to end. ( )