2.5 stars, rounding down. The writing in this book was very simplistic. It read very much like a conversation. Not a lot of description or flowing language; very short and to the point. After reading the novel, the author mentioned that this grew from a short story he had previously written so perhaps this is the reason. Because of the writing, it was a very quick read and I found that I didn’t want to put it down near the end. I wasn’t surprised by the ending but I wanted to see exactly how things were tied up. The author’s tone was a little strange as the story centers on Patty and her abuser, Roy. At times, some of the things that were said or done were so absurd and madcap that it seemed like he was trying to be funny and make light of it. Even the title has that feel, so just a bit confusing. Thank you to the publisher and LibraryThing for the free copy. ( )

3.5 stars

Teenager Patty comes from a home where she has been abused by her father. Her mother is not much better, but when she dies, Patty has only her aunt to live with. Which is fine until she starts school and ends up getting involved with reprobate Roy. She slowly spends more and more time with her abusive boyfriend away from her aunt’s house. William is a loner, but manages to fall for Maggie, but some time after they are married, Maggie starts getting on his nerves. When they decide to spend a week out at Maggie’s sister’s cabin, the two couples intersect.

I thought this was a good story, but be warned that it is quite violent. It is frustrating to “watch” Patty not even try to get away from her abuser, but from what I hear that’s not completely inaccurate. At first I couldn’t figure out where William and Maggie fit into the story, but I figured it would eventually make sense, and it did. ( )

2.5 stars, rounding down. The writing in this book was very simplistic. It read very much like a conversation. Not a lot of description or flowing language; very short and to the point. After reading the novel, the author mentioned that this grew from a short story he had previously written so perhaps this is the reason. Because of the writing, it was a very quick read and I found that I didn’t want to put it down near the end. I wasn’t surprised by the ending but I wanted to see exactly how things were tied up. The author’s tone was a little strange as the story centers on Patty and her abuser, Roy. At times, some of the things that were said or done were so absurd and madcap that it seemed like he was trying to be funny and make light of it. Even the title has that feel, so just a bit confusing. Thank you to the publisher and LibraryThing for the free copy. ( )

This book's worst sin is in the description of a character who had suffered extensive sexual abuse as a child, only to then be able to have consensual sex with no flashbacks because she was drunk. This is not how sexual abuse works, this is not how surviving works, and this is not how the world works.

In addition, for a book described as a thriller, this was pretty darn boring. The only tension in the book comes at the very end, when the two couples meet. While it is possible to feel sorry for one of the four main characters, none of them are more than 2-dimensional or particularly likable. ( )

I had high hopes for this book based on the synopsis. However, I had a very hard time getting into the story. I found some of the scenes upsetting and the rest of the story didn't make up for it. I found some editing errors that threw me and didn't find the ending satisfying. I would personally would not recommend this book to others. It was just not my cup of tea. ( )