I ventured over to Amazon because I use Kindle and looked into the book. I was intrigued by the story line and couldn't wait to give it a try. Plus, I'd be able to talk to others about the book. Something that I have found can be difficult. The internet and e-books have made reading easy as can be and yet it is extremely diversified. Which is great, but not the same as being in a store and striking up a conversation in the romance or fantasy section because you are holding the newest book of one of your favorite series.
I read this book in a few days (cause life interfered) and was blown away while being completely captivated. There are several things that made me fall in love with this book. Some of them are technical and others are purely story and aesthetics.
First off, the structure and telling of the story were well executed. There are several characters that are telling the story. First and foremost is the main character Nora. She is the main voice and the story is told from her POV in the present and the past. Some of the other characters are sprinkled in and break up what could have been a story only told from Nora. The balance struck between these elements sucked me in and kept me reading.
This is a dark romantic suspense. Nora was kidnapped after going to tutor a young girl in the mountains at a very rustic cabin. She is a shy young woman who has experienced a lot of varying trauma. She is taken by the man, Holden, and it all goes from there.
Without doing a book report or giving away any major spoilers, I'm going to refrain from going into too much detail, because it was worth the read. That being said, the characters are all dealing with flaws. I couldn't stand certain characters at first, but as I read and as those flaws were brought to light along with motive, I had to change the my stance on those feelings.
Feeling and emotions were evoked big time. With the kidnappings and delving into the minds of the victims, kidnapper, and law enforcement, I wasn't certain what I need to be feeling. There were times I wanted to cry and others where I could have screamed.
My feelings in regard to Holden are mixed because he was severally flawed but he was multi layered to the point that while I should have hated him, I didn't. Others may disagree with me, but no two people will read the same work and come out with the same experience.
Now, onto just the randomness of what I liked. I liked the cabin and how cut off from the world it was. There was no electricity or running water. Now like Nora, I would have an issue with the plumbing part, because I really enjoy indoor plumbing. Just saying, best invention ever out side of AC and maybe the icebox (see what I did there?). The descriptions of the beauty of the world and quietness of the scene were picturesque.
I loved this book, but be mindful of the trigger warnings the author set forth.
