I am always deeply impressed by Jodi Picoult. This is my fourth book by her, but unfortunately, it is my least favorite. However, she still manages to grab my attention and hold my interest firmly.

Another aspect that amazes me about Picoult is her remarkable ability to make a subject matter that I would otherwise not be inclined to read about engaging and entertaining.

Moreover, her characters, even those who are ostensibly villains, are all incredibly complex. You can't help but feel sympathy for them all. Whether it's a former Nazi, as in "The Storyteller", or a skinhead, as in "Small Great Things", or an abusive husband in this particular book, they are far from being two-dimensional.

Despite this book not being my favorite, I will definitely have to explore more of her work in the future. I am eager to see what other unique and thought-provoking stories she has in store for her readers.

The topic of this book, spousal abuse, is extremely heavy. Generally speaking, I tend to avoid such depressing stuff. However, my mom selected this for our beach book club, so here I am.

The writing in this book is truly incredible. The characters are developed so well that at times, I completely forgot where they ended and I began. I would lose all sense of time while engrossed in reading this book.

The three main characters are most fascinating when they are apart. Nevertheless, their interactions are precisely what the reader eagerly anticipates. That aspect of the book was truly outstanding. The bonds that each of them formed with others also held my interest.

It is very difficult to predict what will happen unless the author intends for you to know. She weaves a tightly-knit plot.

I'm not entirely sure how I feel about the end. I highly recommend that you find out for yourself.

This was, by far, the WORST book I ever read.

Like many, I have this stupid rule about finishing every book I start. Otherwise, I would have put this book down after the first chapter. I had a hard time getting into the previous Jodi Picoult book I read, but after I got into it, I enjoyed it. I kept thinking to myself, maybe the next chapter will be better - it never was.

The story line was extremely slow. In the beginning, it bounced back and forth between present day with Cassie's amnesia and her pathetic childhood. It also went between Will's Lakota childhood and why he ran away to L.A., and Alex's lies regarding his childhood to his present day status as a god in Hollywood. I was so confused that by the time the book got to present day with Cassie regaining her memory, I almost missed it.

The lack of a clear and engaging narrative made it a real struggle to get through this book. I found myself constantly losing interest and having to force myself to keep reading. It's a real disappointment considering Jodi Picoult's reputation as a talented author.

This was one of Jodi Picoult's early books, which was published in 1995.

To be honest, it wasn't her best effort. In fact, much of it read like a cheap romance novel. The story lacked depth and the characters were not well-developed.

Fortunately, over the years, Ms. Picoult's talent has grown significantly and her writing has gotten better and better. She has become a master at creating complex and engaging stories that keep readers on the edge of their seats.

My advice to anyone who is interested in reading Jodi Picoult's books would be to skip this early one and move on to her more recent works. There are many excellent novels that showcase her true talent and will provide a much more satisfying reading experience.

This book failed to capture my attention.

The native Indian stories it contained were indeed interesting, yet they did not seem to truly fit within the context of the book.

Perhaps the author intended to create a unique blend of different elements, but unfortunately, it did not quite work for me.

The stories seemed a bit disjointed and did not flow smoothly with the overall narrative.

As a result, I found myself losing interest and having a hard time fully engaging with the book.

It's a shame because the native Indian stories had the potential to be quite captivating if they had been integrated more effectively.

Overall, this book was a bit of a disappointment in terms of holding my attention and providing a seamless reading experience.

I've heard a great deal of people chatting about this particular author. As a result, I obtained this book from the library. I promptly skipped to the last chapter. However, it was incredibly arduous to get through. Despite this experience, I might give another one of her works a try. Nevertheless, this one was simply not to my liking.

Well, the author accurately captured that aspect regarding women often going back and making excuses in the context of domestic violence. This is one of her earlier works, and I can somewhat discern that from her writing style. I believe she has enhanced her writing skills over time.

The Indian folklore stories presented in this book were truly distinct. They added a unique flavor and perspective to the overall narrative. These stories not only entertained but also provided valuable insights into the cultural and social fabric of India.

It was interesting to see how the author wove these folklore elements into the main storyline, creating a rich and engaging reading experience. Despite being an earlier work, it still had its own charm and吸引力.

Overall, while there were some aspects that could be improved upon, the book as a whole was a worthwhile read, especially for those interested in exploring the theme of domestic violence and Indian folklore.

Oh, lawd, this book was truly awful.

Let me begin by stating that I *think* I have an inkling of what Ms. Picoult was attempting here. Since the protagonist of the book had the rather unseemly secret of relishing seedy romance novels, the book was crafted in a similar vein. However, for the sake of all things literary and sacred, Jodi - please place a disclaimer on the cover of this book, perhaps featuring Fabio, so that those of us with a queasy stomach and a sensitive gag reflex won't be so hasty to pick it up simply because your name is attached to it!

With lines such as "He held his palms up to the smooth white wall, hoping to feel some of the heat her gifted hands had left behind." and "only Cassie had pressed her hands to his chest and felt the skin stretched over a heart swollen with rage.", I would have hurled the book across the room if it weren't on my fragile and indispensable Kindle.

Regarding the subject matter - I have endured an abusive relationship, and I am well aware of how it functions (or rather, doesn't function, I suppose). I comprehended why she persisted in going back, and those were the sole aspects of the book that I felt Picoult got right. The Indian angle was haphazard, the celebrity angle was entirely implausible (the wife of the biggest movie star goes missing TWICE and no one takes notice until the Oscars?)... and the best friend was not a friend at all, yet ultimately became her closest ally?

This book was penned in 1995, and Ms. Picoult has produced some remarkable works since then. Nevertheless, I am not satisfied with this book, and if it were the very first book I had ever read by her, I would never pick up another.

Basic AF yet somehow strangely compelling.

This simple description holds a certain allure. It might refer to something that is fundamental and uncomplicated on the surface, but there is an intangible quality that draws one in.

Perhaps it's a piece of art that uses basic shapes and colors yet manages to evoke strong emotions. Or maybe it's a story with a straightforward plot that still manages to keep the reader engaged.

It could also describe a person who appears ordinary at first glance but has a unique charm or personality that makes them stand out.

In a world filled with complexity and chaos, there is something refreshing about the basic and the simple. It allows us to cut through the noise and focus on the essentials.

So, the next time you come across something that is basic AF yet strangely compelling, take a moment to appreciate its understated beauty and the power it holds.

This is a captivating Women's Fiction.

The book delves into hard-hitting topics that are handled with great finesse.

It begins when a cop discovers a woman who has no recollection of her identity.

As the story unfolds, we follow her journey.

Everyone assumes her life is idyllic, a perfect picture.

However, what lies behind closed doors is far from that.

The author masterfully peels back the layers to reveal the true nature of her existence.

This book is a great read that keeps you engaged from start to finish.

It explores themes such as identity, secrets, and the façades we put up in our lives.

Overall, it is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged novel that I would highly recommend.

\\n  What I desired more than anything else was simply to be whatever Alex wished me to be.\\n

I came across this statement years ago during my high school days. I remembered it affectionately, but just recently, I discovered it again on Libby and made the decision to read it once more. Needless to say, my twenty-something-year-old mind had a vastly different reaction to this book compared to my teenage mind.

I had an urge to physically shake Cassie in order to make her see logic and reason. The irony of this thought is not lost on me.

I haven't read a large number of books that delve into domestic abuse, and perhaps that is the issue. However, Cassie's tenacious hold on Alex, despite all that had happened, made me physically queasy.
Even at the very end, when Cassie proposed that she was the problem by walking away (for the sake and safety of her child as well as herself), it felt like the wrong path for Picoult to take this story. It seemed very much like victim blaming and shaming to me. Additionally, everything related to Will seemed to require just a little more oomph. It is evident what Picoult was setting us up for, leaving it to our imagination, but an epilogue that expanded on that relationship could have been a wonderful conclusion to such a melancholy tale.

Picture perfect ⭐️

Cassie Barrett had the misfortune of losing her memory. When she was claimed, she found herself in a life that she didn't particularly like. She was married to a celebrity, which might seem like a dream to others. However, her husband was cocky, condescending, and a ladies' man. Sharing a husband is not something that most women would approve of. As she tries to adjust to her new old life, she constantly thinks back to her time at the police station before she was claimed and the man who took care of her. She begins to envision how easy her life would be if she could start fresh with someone who didn't know the old her and didn't have all these expectations of how she should act and what she should do for him.

Obviously, being Jodi Piccoult, the story was wonderful. The characters had depth and layers. The story immediately pulled me in, leaving me craving for more.

She has a unique way of writing that captivates me and makes me believe that the characters' lives and problems are real. It's as if I am a part of their world, experiencing their joys and sorrows along with them. Jodi Piccoult's ability to create such vivid and relatable characters is truly remarkable.