The protagonist in this book, Cassie, truly irritated me.

I understand that Picoult was attempting to depict the intricate emotions of a battered wife, yet the attempt failed miserably.

It was难以置信 that an accomplished anthropologist would behave like a doormat.

Moreover, it seemed highly unlikely that she could simply vanish for months without informing the university and then seamlessly resume her work upon returning to LA.

Alex, on the other hand, was not a complex character in the slightest.

And the idea of Will coming to her rescue was just another tired princess fairy tale that implies women are incapable of fending for themselves.

This aspect of the story felt cliched and unoriginal, further detracting from the overall quality of the narrative.

Overall, I was disappointed with the portrayal of the characters and the development of the plot in this book.

After I read "Leaving Time", I initially set a goal to read every Jodi Picoult book. However, this particular book has made me seriously rethink that goal. I can hardly believe I managed to finish this book as it was an excruciating experience.

It mainly revolves around 3 characters: Cassie, Alex, and Will Flying Horse. First off, the amnesia theme was a major turnoff for me. I should have abandoned the book as soon as I realized amnesia was involved, as amnesia-themed books usually don't appeal to me. We then have the long and tiresome process of Cassie trying to figure out who she is while Will takes her to his apartment instead of directly to the police station when he realizes she is a missing person. Will is supposed to be this mysterious Native American knight in shining armor, but in reality, he's just a jerk in his own way. He gets annoyed with Cassie for talking after just a few hours together at his apartment and blows up at her when she starts unpacking his stuff to "help" him settle in after his move from South Dakota to LA.

Will finally takes Cassie to the police station, and a missing persons case begins. Her husband Alex, a movie star, immediately stops production of his current film in Scotland, "Macbeth", and rushes back to LA to claim her. Due to the amnesia, she doesn't remember all the abuse he put her through, and it takes another 150 pages or so for her to recall. Even as the reader, it was obvious from a mile away that Alex was abusive, as he gets into a fight at a restaurant and breaks glassware at home when he gets slightly irritated.

When Cassie finally remembers the abuse, she contacts Will, and he takes her to the Reservation in South Dakota, where she lives among the Lakota people. At this point, she is 3 months pregnant and has only been to the doctor once to confirm the pregnancy. She receives no prenatal care for the rest of her pregnancy and ultimately gives birth outside with the tribal elders. There are also many Native American stereotypes in the book, which I'm not sure if I should go into detail about as it could be an entire chapter on its own. The names alone, like Marjorie Two Fists and Joseph Stands In Sun, feel very heavy-handed. However, I know very little about Native American culture, so maybe these descriptions were accurate.

After giving birth, Cassie notifies Alex of her whereabouts, and he comes to claim her. He promises never to beat her again, and she believes him. She wants to stay in South Dakota for another 2 weeks before returning to LA, but Alex insists on taking her back immediately, and she agrees.

Back in LA, Cassie is relieved that the battering is over. Alex is surprisingly okay with the fact that she left and lived with another man for 6 months. They go to therapy once, and Alex is supposed to go to group therapy but doesn't. Then he beats Cassie again, and she bleeds from the ears. She then has a press conference to announce that she's leaving him. Alex shows up calmly in sunglasses to watch the press conference and lets her go, saying he now understands. However, I highly doubt he won't track her down and murder her.

The End! I truly hate this book!

This book was truly a struggle for me to engage with. It was far too predictable, making it difficult to maintain my interest.

Moreover, certain parts seemed to drag on without any real purpose, further diminishing my enjoyment.

I have had the pleasure of reading several other books by Jodi, and unfortunately, this one does not measure up to her usual high standards.

It lacks the depth and complexity that I have come to expect from her works.

Overall, while it may not be a terrible book, it is certainly not one of her best and fails to leave a lasting impression.

The article was indeed written in a fairly good manner and was quite engaging.

However, it must be noted that the storyline is not something that will appeal to every single individual.

Some people might find it extremely interesting and captivating, while others might not be as drawn to it.

This could be due to a variety of reasons, such as personal preferences, different tastes in literature, or even prior experiences that have shaped their perception of what makes a good story.

Nonetheless, the fact that it was well-written and had the ability to engage a certain audience is a positive aspect.

It shows that the author has put in the effort to create a narrative that can hold the reader's attention and make them want to continue reading.

Overall, while the storyline may not be universal in its appeal, the quality of the writing and the engaging nature of the article cannot be ignored.

A book about a very current topic that unfortunately keeps making news in social media, domestic violence. The theme is addressed in a simple way but manages to explain the complicated relationship that is established between the abuser and his victim. Domestic violence is a serious issue that affects many people around the world. It can take many forms, including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. The book likely delves into the causes and consequences of domestic violence, as well as providing strategies for prevention and support. By raising awareness about this issue, the book can help to break the cycle of violence and create a safer and more just society for all.

I have read an incredibly large number of Jodi Picoult books, and I have always experienced a sense of challenge. I truly cherish this challenge and will forever be an avid reader of her works.

This particular book is one of her earlier ones, and through it, I can clearly envision the evolution of her as an author. The story delves into the topic of spousal abuse and is masterfully told with a "what would I have done" theme that is a consistent element in her books, presenting both sides of the story.

Her writing style is engaging and thought-provoking, making it impossible for me to put her books down. I am fully committed to continuing my exploration of Ms. Picoult's literary world. :)

I don't know if I can ever read another one of her books after this really bad one.

This particular book has left such a negative impression on me that I am seriously doubting my ability to pick up another one of her works.

The story was disjointed, the characters were unlikable, and the writing style was just not to my taste.

It was a real struggle to get through it, and I found myself constantly looking at the page count, hoping it would end soon.

I had such high expectations for this book, especially since I had heard good things about the author.

But unfortunately, it just didn't live up to those expectations.

I'm not sure if I'm willing to take the risk and try another one of her books in the future.

Maybe I'll give her another chance, but for now, I'm just really disappointed.

I read it and remained confused. I was very disappointed.

This simple statement encapsulates a common experience. We often encounter situations where we try to understand something, but it eludes us. It could be a complex text, a difficult concept, or a puzzling situation.

The feeling of confusion can be frustrating, especially when we have put in the effort to understand. It can leave us feeling inadequate or even a bit disheartened.

However, it's important to remember that confusion is a natural part of the learning process. Sometimes, it takes time and further exploration to gain clarity. We can seek additional resources, ask for help from others, or simply take a step back and approach the problem from a different angle.

In the end, through perseverance and a willingness to learn, we can often overcome our confusion and gain a better understanding. So, don't let disappointment hold you back. Keep trying, and eventually, the fog will lift.

I have to say that initially, I really didn't have a liking for this book.

It commences splendidly, with Cassie being found in a graveyard, having no recollection of how she got there or who she is. Subsequently, her husband steps forward to claim her, and unfortunately, it quickly deteriorates.

Throughout the first section, there are incessant changes in viewpoint and timeline. Although it is not overly difficult to follow, I found that this made it rather challenging to become fully engaged with the story. On more than one occasion, I was on the verge of giving up.

However, then part two arrives, and it switches to Cassie's story alone. Immediately, the story takes flight. It is a rather harrowing tale to read, and aside from Will, none of the characters are especially likable.

The author does a commendable job of elucidating why Cassie remains in such a relationship. But I suppose one would need to have endured it oneself to truly fathom it. I can't assert that I really understood it, yet I did persist in reading, anticipating that Cassie would have that moment of enlightenment she required to leave.

I liked the ending - I believe it was the only one that would have truly functioned and been gratifying.

It's not my favorite book by this author, but it's not the worst thing I've ever read either. Stick with it to reach the better parts!

A very different plot indeed! Cassie finds herself in a state of confusion as she can't remember who she is. However, as the story progresses, there are flashbacks that gradually reveal her true identity. She is married to a handsome and popular movie star, Alex, who has an abundance of money. But unfortunately, their life is far from happy. Alex has an ugly and violent side that he often shows towards Cassie. This story is extremely intriguing, delving deep into the reasons why women might stay with an abuser. The author does a remarkable job of portraying this complex issue. I particularly liked the ending, which tied up all the loose ends in a satisfying way. It's clear that this author is very talented, capable of creating a captivating story that keeps the reader engaged from start to finish.

Pretty sure I've read this before but I just couldn't remember when. That's precisely why I never put it on my read tab until now.

After reading Picture Perfect, I kind of feel nothing. I'm kind of numb, and no, not numb in a good way. I'm numb because I barely remember what I just read. The characters weren't memorable to me, and I have no idea how I feel about that! I feel like I didn't even read this book...AGAIN!

I don't want to bash this book to pieces because of my love/hate relationship with Jodi Picoult books. So, I'm just going to say it left me numb in a bad way. I wish I could remember what I wrote or what the characters did throughout the story. But I can't because that would be lying, and this would be a terrible review.

I apologize to every book I've read this week. I apologize to all of the previous books I've read by Jodi. I hope this never happens again to me. It's quite frustrating when a book fails to leave an impression, especially when it's from an author I usually have strong feelings about. I'll have to look back at my notes or try to recall any significant moments to give a more accurate assessment. Maybe a second read would help, but for now, I'm left with this sense of disappointment and numbness.

I have to say that Jodi Picoult is not my cup of tea. After reading this book, I feel as if I am suffering from amnesia, just like the main character. I don't remember much of what is happening in this book. It's rather strange. Maybe it's because the story didn't really engage me on a deep level. I found myself losing interest halfway through and having a hard time keeping track of the plot. The characters didn't seem to come alive for me either. I didn't feel a strong connection with them or their experiences. However, I know that Jodi Picoult is a very popular author, and many people love her books. So perhaps it's just a matter of personal taste. Maybe I'll give one of her other books a try in the future and see if I have a different experience.