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I normally don’t subscribe to book clubs nor do I listen to any celebrity that has a book club. It’s not that I don’t trust them (well, no, that’s actually a part of it), but I also know what I’m into may not be what everyone else is feeling. I like to read books on my own leisure and not be pressured to read it in a certain amount of time because of book club timing restraints (and sometimes, it’s only a week).
Yet, I was curious about this book and since it was recommended by Reese Witherspoon, I figured why not? What could go wrong, right? OMFG.
At issue is what really happened the night where their other best friend, Evangeline (aka Ev), died during a summer vacation to Greece with just the three of them. Joni and Bess were immediately suspected of killing her, and while never convicted, the scandal has hounded them for the rest of their lives. When Joni’s lover suddenly goes missing, Joni becomes under the spotlight again and the Greece mystery is pulled back into the spotlight.
My Honest Review:
This is one book where I really had a hard time finding any sympathy for the main (spoiler alert: alive) characters. I have to keep reminding myself I’m looking at these characters through the lens of 18-year-old privilege white girls and not ever having to known any struggle other than intense friendships and overall bitchy behavior that is so prominent with girls that age, no matter the social class.
From the jump, I had issues sympathizing with the main character, Bess, who is a bit of a manipulative cunt and that shows throughout the book. Joni, the other main character, owns being a cunt and has no qualms about it.
I’m going to be frank: I don’t see anything charming, heartwarming, or redeeming about any of the characters. All of them, including the side characters, leave a taste to be desired. Bess tries to act like she’s remorseful, but she really isn’t. She hates the way Ev has been portrayed in the media, and how she was immediately the bad guy. But I mean, duh? No one can argue Ev didn’t deserve to die and that both Joni and Bess contributed to her death.
Bess also has an issue that Joni has moved on with her life like nothing ever happened, and carries a lot of resentment towards Joni throughout the book, despite still doing things for her and Joni manipulating the hell out of Bess.
Despite it being a quick read, this was one book I seriously struggled with. None of the characters were likable, and even the switch between who they were at 18 and who they were at 28, there wasn’t that much growth. Bess still wanted everyone to cater to her and Joni wanted everyone to forget who she was. The ending, which I won’t spoil, was rather fitting – Joni didn’t need to ruin anyone else’s life anymore.
I personally hated this book and kinda wish I put it on on my DNF list instead of finishing it. But I have a book goal of 52 books read this year and this unfortunately was one of them. I do not recommend it and honestly, I give it a solid 3 out of 5 stars, just because of the writing. It should’ve been 2 stars.
If you read this, what did you think?
