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Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Broken Beauty (Broken Beauty Novellas #1) in Books

Jan 12, 2021

I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars.

This is a novella length story, the first of six, and deals with the aftermath and issues surrounding rape. It was a tough read at times but a good strong story.

I felt sorry for Mia. Being brought up in a political family and then being raped…and her father wants to glorify it to get more voters so he can win his election. How twisted can your life get? Her family do and say things to get voters, whether it’s helping Mia cope or not–mainly not–and I wanted to scream and shout at them in her defence.

And despite all that, some people do care. Dom, the policeman that found her in the first place, tries to help her realise that the only way her attackers will not get away with it, is to tell the truth and stop following her family’s wish to let it drop. He’s so nice and gentle with her. Her friend, Ari, tries to do whatever Mia wants but seeing how she’s struggling…what can you do?

It’s an emotional and sometimes tough story to read but after finishing this, I’m looking forward to the next part in the series to see what Mia does next. I hope she’s strong enough to go against her family.

Kudos

Christine A. (965 KP) rated What Lies Between Us in Books

May 22, 2020 (Updated May 26, 2020)

‏I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.

I discovered John Marrs when I read his novel, The Passengers. Going off a recommendation, I picked up his book. What I had meant to read was The Passenger by Lisa Lutz. I still haven't read Lutz's but enjoyed finding Marrs.

What Lies Between Us is nothing like the John Marrs' The Passengers, Both are twisted and keep you engaged but that is where the similarities end.

The synopsis says that every house has its secrets. I believe that to be true. The house in this story is hiding a lot of secrets. Nina and Maggie are co-dependent on each other but with a complicated past. Nina blames Maggie for how Nina's life turned out. To get revenge, she chains Maggie in a soundproof room and is keeping her prisoner for twenty-one years or until she dies.

I have to admit I thought I figured everything out. That is until I assumed something Marrs implied. I should say, I mistakenly assumed something. When I finished the book, I needed to go back and reread a chapter. I completely fell for it. I do not want to ruin the secrets by saying too much but you have to read this book!

This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 5/22/2020