I found the book quite slow going at first but it gradually picked up as the book went on. It's quite a shocking read about an awful subject that doesn't get talked about too much. The characters were believable and it shows how families pull together when faced with an awful situation. The story was a bit too drawn out for my liking hence the 3 stars.

What a story! A very hard hitting subject that everyone is aware of, but isn't massively talked about.

The characters are very easy to buy into, the story is amazing yet horrific at points. And the support you will show for your family shows no bounds!

A bit slow at the beginning but this book really built the tension up to a very exciting and unexpected ending.
Challenging topic of male rape and small town America’s reaction to it. The family of the victim Nick, a college student, are the central characters alongside the main detective John Rice. The relationships, fears, desperation, revenge and love are the main drivers of the storyline.
I loved the writing, the relationships and the handling of such a sensitive topic.
Would highly recommend this book.
4 stars ⭐️ Would have been 5 except for the slow start.
Thanks to Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in return for a fair review.

On a snowy day in Maine, a woman drives up to a house. She is clearly dreading what's to come. Inside is ex detective John Rice. He is dying and wants to talk to her before he goes, We are then taken back into the past to find out how they know each other. The woman, Julia, is the sister-in-law of Nick, a young man who was brutally raped by a man he met in a bar. Rice was in charge of the investigation. We are then taken through the aftermath of the rape looking at it from the POVs of Julia, her husband Tony, Nick and Rice.

I thought this book was very well written. The characters are all very well portrayed and we see clearly how they develop through the story. The dilemmas associated with rape cases are covered with sensitivity as are the effects it has on a victim and their family. I couldn't put it down. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

3.5 stars

This for the first half,felt not so much a whodunnit,but whatwasdone?
Told over dual timelines,the central story is of a violent crime against student Nick,and how he,and his family cope in the aftermath.
But theres also the other timeline,where the sister in law,and the lead detective are dropping hints something else went on.
All is slowly revealed,and I finished the book happy with the outcome.

When college student Nick is raped by a stranger he meets in a bar, his life and that of his family quickly begins to disintegrate. Nick starts to wonder if reporting it was the right course of action. Despite a sensitive hearing by Detective Rice and his team, the attempted protection of his identity doesn’t last long and Nick begins to understand that regardless of outcome when a case finally gets to court, this attackis how he will always be remembered.
As Raymond the defendant takes to social media to put ‘his side’, Nick’s older brother, his father figure, finds the pressure unbearable. Always a fixer, Tony will take whatever action required to protect his wronged brother, kept in check only by his wife Julia- a lawyer, who is more aware of the consequences of not playing by the rules.
Damage by Caitlin Wahrer is a very good debut. It put me in mind of We Were The Mulvaneys by Joyce Carol Oates, where an unforeseen situation can have devastating effects on so many people.
This book feels a little slow while the plot is developed until it takes an unexpected direction. Tony has his own agenda which he keeps to himself to protect his family, and while bits and pieces of the lead up to the conclusion seem unlikely, the end when it comes is thoroughly entertaining and satisfying.
I really enjoyed this read.

I was unsure at first if I would enjoy this book but it drew me in as the story and characters developed and the impact on the family of a shocking assault creates emotional fall-out and pushes people to act in hitherto unthought of ways. What might you do when your family is at risk?

When I started this novel, I had high hopes - the opening chapters were intriguing and well-written. However, the story dragged quite a lot in the middle which was frustrating. Some story elements were a little repetitive as well. The subject matter is a tough read and I suspect might put some readers off. What I did enjoy about the book were the characters and some of the prose was really lovely. Still, I’m not sure I would recommend it to a friend on the basis that it was too drawn out.

Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Michael Joseph UK for the ARC of this book.
Although it was a very different story about male rape and the way the family dealt with it it was much too long! I very nearly stopped reading even though I had read 75% it was dragging that much but I did persevere to the end which I must admit was slightly unexpected but it didn’t redeem the fact that the book was much too long in telling the story. Sorry will not be recommending the book to anyone else.

I loved this book and couldn't put it down. This Book Touches on a very sensitive subject so would not be for everyone. Nick is the much younger brother of Tony who has more or less parented Nick even into adulthood. So when Nick is beaten and raped on a consensual hotel visit, Tony wants to ensure his attacker gets his just deserts. Very well written and informative.

I loved this book and couldn't put it down. It is so well-written, and tackles a rarely-addressed topic with great sensitivity. All the characters seemed very real, and there were no lazy stereotypes. The ending was completely unexpected, and totally brilliant. I will definitely be recommending this book.

This book got off to a good start and I was gripped for the first 10% where we learned about the rape and violent attack on Nick. He is very close to his elder brother, Tony, and Tony’s wife, Julia who are both determined to protect him.
However for me the majority of it was slow-paced and plodding. It seemed to drag on and on and go nowhere, and unfortunately I lost interest in the middle. I read to the end because I needed to know what happened, but this isn’t a book I could recommend.

I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it, This Book Touches on a very sensitive subject
Thank to net galley & the publisher for the arc of this book in exchange for my honest option

This is a superbly well conceived story dealing with important issues. It would make a very good television series. Nick is the much younger brother of Tony who has more or less parented Nick even into adulthood. So when Nick is beaten and raped on a consensual hotel visit, Tony wants to ensure his attacker gets his just deserts. Tony’s wife is also fond of Nick but worries how far her husband might go to get revenge. The story deals with important issues such as attitudes to male rape and the misuse of social media but all that is within a gripping storyline. There are constant surprises to ensure the reader will stay on board and the ending is not easily guessed. This book is well written, has believable characters and deep understanding of the issues involved. I recommend it.

Trigger warning - sexual assault

How far would you go for your family?
When Tony’s brother Nick is raped by a stranger, his life with his wife and family is turned upside down. Tony has spent the last 20 years looking out for Nick and yet he wasn’t there for him on that night.
His wife Julia has some experience as a former defence lawyer and this experience tells them that a trial might go their way....

The story is told in flashback interspersed with Julia’s present day visit to the detective who was in charge of the case at the time. What does he know and what will Detective Rice do with the information?

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read and review this book.

An unusual and intriguing story. I found it hard to put down once I was a few chapters into it. I'm not usually a fan of time shifts (I prefer a linear story) but this one worked for me for some reason. I could identify well with Tony as "Mr Fixit" - I have been known to act a bit like that at times, as most men probably have. The twist (not to be revealed here) is very effective. You don't really see the end coming.

Altogether a very satisfying read.

A psychological thriller set in America, this follows the story of Nick and the repercussions his rape has on his family. Interestingly told from four different perspectives, this is an interesting but ultimately average read. I struggled with the second half and was glad to finish it.

This very promising debut examines the damage caused to a family following the violent sexual assault to Nick Hall. Nick is a student at the University of Maine, Salisbury, he is extremely close to his half brother Tony and his wife Julia. The case is investigated by Detective John Rice. The storyline has dual timelines of 2015 and 2019 but is principally set in 2015.

It’s starts with a puzzle in 2019 as Julia goes to meet John Rice at his home and you cannot work out why she feels as she does which pulls you into the narrative straight away. The novel is very thought provoking and powerful as it looks at the multitude of emotions, including pain and mental trauma, that Nick experiences and how he is changed by his terrible experience. It also makes you reflect on how you might act if you are in the desperate situation of Nick’s family. The toll it takes is shocking and it affects all the relationships in different ways. The characterisation is excellent and all of them are very well portrayed. Tony has always been a father figure to Nick, their biological father being an alcoholic and rarely paternal. You can understand Tony’s desire to protect his much loved younger brother and his anger on his behalf. Nick’s vulnerability is palpable, Julia is cool and Rice is wise. The novel takes a major twist once someone is charged with the perpetrator and members of his family using various forms of media to present their case. This shocks me to the core as people make prejudicial judgements without all the facts on social media. As all this unfolds the narrative chops and changes in direction and tone which I like as it suits the emerging facts. Some of the twists are so good and really clever, especially the one at the end! There are strong elements of tension especially between Tony and Nick and Tony and Julia. Though the central theme is a serious, violent assault this is handled with sensitivity without being unnecessarily gratuitous. My only reservations lie in that some of the storytelling becomes everyday mundane and there is some over detailing. However, I can see that the author has valid reasons for doing this in order to demonstrate the impact on everyday lives.

Overall, I am impressed with this slow burner of a debut which cleverly examines the personal impact on the individual and the family, on the wider community and it shines a spotlight on the justice system. The novel provides much food for thought.

With thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Michael Joseph for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

This book got off to a good start and I was gripped for the first 10% where we learned about the rape and violent attack on Nick. He is very close to his elder brother, Tony, and Tony’s wife, Julia who is a lawyer. Both are determined to protect him and ensure that the perpetrator is brought to justice.

I liked the way the story was written in four narratives, but for me the majority of it was slow-paced and plodding with too much extra information that was not necessary to the plot. It seemed to drag on and on and go nowhere, and unfortunately I lost interest in the middle. I read to the end because I needed to know what happened, but this isn’t a book I could recommend. Sorry, it was just an average read.

This was a tough and gritty read but dealt with the subject matter very sensitively, portraying the fiercely protective and supportive relationship between the brothers beautifully and allowing glimpses into Nicks psyche as he struggles to come to terms with his new reality. I particularly liked the way the chapters alternated between characters, allowing each unique voice and perspective to be heard giving depth to the narrative.