Looks like it is time for another positives versus negatives, because that seems to be the best way to organize this book. I want to give you more background, but... I think just reading the synopsis is sufficient? Short version: Ellory used to have friends and a boyfriend, now, not so much. And it's for reasons, which is what this story uncovers, basically. There you go, you're very welcome.
The Things I Liked:
- Ellory did grow quite a bit as a character as the story went on. That's always nice, especially since she really, really needed to. I mean, she had these friends, but she didn't even seem to like them, so much as need them? Like a crutch? Anyway, she does go through some great character development.
- The reveals did, in fact, surprise me. That is hard to do, so I am glad the book was able to!
The Things I Didn't:
- I do fully understand why Ellory was upset, but I couldn't help but think that she was better off without these characters? Ugh, they just made me mad all over the place. Don't get me wrong, Ellory did too, but at least I felt a modicum of sympathy for her? They were just pretty boring, and what wasn't boring about them was crappy, so basically I wouldn't have wanted to be friends with any of them. My inner dialogue was mostly like "well Ellory, you dodged a bullet here, my friend".
- It just seemed to drag at times. Even though it was a relatively quick read, it was just so underwhelming for me. By the end, while I did appreciate some of the twists/outcome, I was just too over it to care. Which I don't think has ever happened to me before, first time for everything? Is shocked apathy a thing? It is now.
- Nirvana Effect™. I know this is probably more of a personal trope hate, but wow I am not a fan of the Nirvana Effect™.
Bottom Line: If you can get on board with the characters, you may enjoy the twists. I, however, could not.