THIS BOOK. DEVIATED SO FAR FROM MY EXPECTATION. BUT STILL MANAGED TO SURPRISE ME.

Vanja wanted to find her birth family after 13 years surviving on her own. But she accidentally raised a cult and tangled in another dire problem.

I requested this ARC because of course I’ve read Little Thieves and loved it. I knew Vanja’s character. So I expected this book to be like feral, explosive, and drastic. But turns out its just about healing and love. I was reminded of Reputation album by Taylor Swift the whole time reading this because thats basically just it: finding love in the darkest time. Oh I should stop talking about this particular thing right now before its getting out of control🥲

About the first half of the book, I frowned at the plot because its SO wild and seemed reaching but of course Margaret managed to make everything make sense at the end. Emeric and Vanja’s dynamics were EVERYTHING. They’re so real. Its tender, fragile, and lovely. They tried to work things out while Vanja also trying to navigate her abandonment trauma. Only God knows how many tears I shed throughout the book. I love them so much

BUT THE ENDING KILLED MEEEEE how am I supposed to wait for probably 2 years for the finale😭😭😭 I believe in Margaret with my whole heart but I still hope that she’ll make it super worth it.

Anyway, if you loved Little Thieves for the plot and didn’t really care about Vanja and Emeric, you probably would have a hard time reading this book at first. You might not even need to read this because Little Thieves ending was perfect.