Unfortunately, this book didn’t quite hit the mark for me.

The narration was often tedious and repetitive, as well as the events in the book. I get that they were there to show the “little things” and how the relationship had evolved (and it showed it in a realistic way), but i think for a piece of fiction, the storytelling aspect fell short.

It had a promising start. Corinne felt very grounded as a character, which made her quite likeable. But as the book progressed, I found that the pacing was a bit off. I think there could have been a more efficient way of showcasing the development of their relationship while keeping the narration dynamic.

I also found that the narration was often telling instead of showing—but in the way that it’s justifying Corinne’s decisions to us. Most of the “reasoning” behind her actions can be inferred, especially with how long the book spent on Corrine’s home and her relationship with her mother. I didn’t need to be told every chapter that she didn’t have anyone to teach her what love is, I could see it myself. Because of that, the narration felt droning and didn’t quite hit the emotional mark that it tried to.

However, this book had its moments. It has a powerful message, and it shows in painful accuracy how abusive relationships don’t have to be physically abusive. That sometimes they’re rooted in the “quiet moments” that take an emotional and mental toll.

Overall, I think this book had its potential to be an introspective and thoughtful book. It, unfortunately, just wasn’t for me. Thank you NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for this review!

I heavily related to this book. It has all the feels and struggles. The mental and physical pain and trying to relive that and release it and grow and be a human again takes real strength. It may take that same strength to read this book but it is worth it. Get the tissue ready. And maybe some comfort food and your favorite stuffed snuggle animal.

This is a story of domestic abuse but I felt the artistic intent and effectiveness as a novel were in conflict.

The arc of the story is very predictable to constraint the inability to imagine an ending when you’re in that relationship as well as the grim predictability of day to day life. The language was very transactional and repetitive with no emotional depth to show the woman she became. And nothing happened outside the central plot to show how narrow life becomes.

So while I think that the style does reflect the main theme I didn’t get much out of this book.

So so freaking good. Couldn't stop reading this book. I was so addicted to the main character. Thank you for letting me read this in advance. Five stars for sure.

such an honest, sad and exposing read of this cruelty. the slow unsealing and suffocating of the victims of this abuse. and this is violence. lets not take it away from calling it violent because we dont see such Physical blows. what this kind of abuse does to a person and their soul is vile, anger inducing and yes violent indeed.
you get the feeling of the characters as she slowly falls for this person she feels will be the rescue from her past. and i dare say he of course knows this. and uses it to slowly suffocate her and all she is.
and you dont leave. you never leave. and there is every reason why which needs to be understood more as the disgusting judgement still spills from people.
our characters journey through this time is one you are rooting for. you care now, you want her to be ok.
the writing is quiet and fits with what we are reading because its actually oh so loud in the themes and how it should continue to sit with you. but the whole tone it fit our young woman. it fit how i felt for her. all the themes of this book are handled with an honest but careful way. its thoughtful and thought provoking.
such an important book and brilliantly told in the most thoughtful way down to the often un-thought of details.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. An amazing book that finally looks at the controlling relationships that don’t always involve constant physical abuse. So many parts of this book will be relatable in bits and pieces to every woman. I felt the emotions and feelings of the main character and it was like looking into a window watching it all play out. This is a must read for every woman at least once in their lifetime.

Reading this book felt somewhat tedious. The endless number of the narrator’s boyfriend asking her if she has eaten each and every day felt a bit too much, in my opinion. I felt there were scenes that depicted the helplessness of the narrator in this relationship, but I was wondering if the narrator’s coworkers/friends would ever help her with actions and not just words, or sit down and ask her if everything was truly ok. It took about 40% through the book for some questions to be asked by the narrator’s coworkers/friends.

It was more of a slow burn, and I felt the need to have more action, but I guess that everything is written for that intent to slowly piece each moment, and each day together, season to season. I guess what I am trying to say is it is easier said than done when criticizing the narrator for her decisions and her lack of decisions to leave this relationship that she can feel physically and mentally that wasn’t the best for her as I found it slow for the narrator to actually take action to leave until like the 90% mark. But overall, great job on the narrator for actually leaving the situation and going towards a friend who actually cares.

Overall, I will give it 2.5 stars. It wasn’t my cup of tea, but it is an alright read if you want to see a perspective from the narrator’s perspective of the abusive relationship and the numerous empty rooms that the narrator described. Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!