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You
Cassie wanted to hide from the world in the garden shed.
The world came knocking.
You answered.
Plagued by her family and school bullies, Cassie Reilly's only place of solace was the garden shed. Hiding away from the world, she could pretend all was well until her stepfather's violence spilled out of the house and threatened to destroy everything she held dear.
Unwilling to remain in the shadows and watch an innocent girl beaten, the silent occupant at the bottom of the garden arose. In that moment, Cassie had two choices: be afraid of the unknown or befriend them.
With friendships scarce, she gladly accepted what was offered, little realising how that choice would save her during some truly dark times...
The world came knocking.
You answered.
Plagued by her family and school bullies, Cassie Reilly's only place of solace was the garden shed. Hiding away from the world, she could pretend all was well until her stepfather's violence spilled out of the house and threatened to destroy everything she held dear.
Unwilling to remain in the shadows and watch an innocent girl beaten, the silent occupant at the bottom of the garden arose. In that moment, Cassie had two choices: be afraid of the unknown or befriend them.
With friendships scarce, she gladly accepted what was offered, little realising how that choice would save her during some truly dark times...
199 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 28, 2024
62 people are currently reading
268 people want to read
About the author
Alexia Muelle-Rushbrook
8 books80 followersAlexia Muelle-Rushbrook is a multi-genre author who lives with her family surrounded by animals in rural Suffolk, UK.
Although her novels vary, whether epic fantasy, dystopian, paranormal mystery romance, dark psychological thriller, or anything in between, she promises thoughtful, heartfelt stories, rich characters, and worlds to get lost in.
Stay tuned to see what genre-bending novel is coming next by visiting her website and signing up to her newsletter: www.alexiamuellerushbrook.co.uk
Although her novels vary, whether epic fantasy, dystopian, paranormal mystery romance, dark psychological thriller, or anything in between, she promises thoughtful, heartfelt stories, rich characters, and worlds to get lost in.
Stay tuned to see what genre-bending novel is coming next by visiting her website and signing up to her newsletter: www.alexiamuellerushbrook.co.uk
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
April 19, 2025
You by Alexia Muelle-Rushbrook is a dark and twisted thriller about surviving in a harsh world. The last twist took me by surprise, and that ending left me with an open mouth!
This was an absolutely brilliant story. Some heartbreaking moments, some blood-boiling and wanting to scream out loud moments, but in general, fantastic story! One of the sad moments revolves around bullying in the school. This topic always makes me extra angry as I struggle to understand why the head of the school doesn't pay enough attention to this. If bullies did not get away with this behaviour, it would not be a problem!
Cassie is just a child when her dad is sent to prison. Her mum is cold and occupied with everything else but looking after Cassie. Bullies in the school make her everyday living hell. And on top of everything, she is always looking after her little brother. Year after year, Cassie tries to survive in this cruel world, and it would not be possible if not "You", a dark side that protects her from harm. While Cassie is mindful and soft, "You" doesn't have compassion for abuse, and she always takes over when Cassie is in danger.
But not everything is how she thought it was, and adulthood comes with unexpected turns her life in an unexpected way.
The story flows nicely as there is no jumping in time, so you don't need to break your brain to put the puzzle together.
This was an absolutely brilliant story. Some heartbreaking moments, some blood-boiling and wanting to scream out loud moments, but in general, fantastic story! One of the sad moments revolves around bullying in the school. This topic always makes me extra angry as I struggle to understand why the head of the school doesn't pay enough attention to this. If bullies did not get away with this behaviour, it would not be a problem!
Cassie is just a child when her dad is sent to prison. Her mum is cold and occupied with everything else but looking after Cassie. Bullies in the school make her everyday living hell. And on top of everything, she is always looking after her little brother. Year after year, Cassie tries to survive in this cruel world, and it would not be possible if not "You", a dark side that protects her from harm. While Cassie is mindful and soft, "You" doesn't have compassion for abuse, and she always takes over when Cassie is in danger.
But not everything is how she thought it was, and adulthood comes with unexpected turns her life in an unexpected way.
The story flows nicely as there is no jumping in time, so you don't need to break your brain to put the puzzle together.
March 3, 2024
4.5 stars! This book was very dark and very twisted right off the bat. Our MC, Cassie, is guided through a troubled life by the presence of You, a dark manifestation that protects her from harm. With such a difficult childhood, she finds herself relying on You more and more.
While slow in pace in many ways, everything in this story is gripping and kept me reading. The ending was not a huge surprise to me, but it was very well executed, and when the true motives of the characters was revealed it felt very satisfying to see it all unfold!
There’s a lot of really strong character work in this book which was definitely necessary to pull off Cassie’s story. Every relationship felt complex and I found myself switching my feelings up just as Cassie did. Her mother was such a polarizing person but I did also feel sorry for her, a testament to how well written the characters were!
I recommend this story to those who like dark, unpredictable tales and coming of age stories. I would liken this to Carrie, but this story stands very well on its own two feet! I look forward to more of Muelle-Rushbrook’s work!
While slow in pace in many ways, everything in this story is gripping and kept me reading. The ending was not a huge surprise to me, but it was very well executed, and when the true motives of the characters was revealed it felt very satisfying to see it all unfold!
There’s a lot of really strong character work in this book which was definitely necessary to pull off Cassie’s story. Every relationship felt complex and I found myself switching my feelings up just as Cassie did. Her mother was such a polarizing person but I did also feel sorry for her, a testament to how well written the characters were!
I recommend this story to those who like dark, unpredictable tales and coming of age stories. I would liken this to Carrie, but this story stands very well on its own two feet! I look forward to more of Muelle-Rushbrook’s work!
January 7, 2025
I thought this would be a horror book and instead it was so sad ?! Loved it though
March 20, 2024
A raw, emotional story that hit hard beautifully intertwined with supernatural, thriller elements and a smashing twist. Felt like a brilliant combo of adult Jacqueline Wilson with Carrie.
June 14, 2024
Wow! Wow! And wow!
To go from tearing up with emotions one page to shock and horror the next! What a talent.
Literally, there is nothing bad I can say about this book at all. Not a thing. 100% worth staying up till 1am to finish. And the poetry at the end, in fact the whole ending, the storyline, the plot, the start, *chefs kiss* 🤌 Honestly, Alexia's books just keep getting better and better. I've loved all of the author's books and would be hard pressed to pick a favourite, but you can see the development of their writing style with each book. This one might be my favourite... I cant fault it. It's a fantastic book. Really well done
To go from tearing up with emotions one page to shock and horror the next! What a talent.
Literally, there is nothing bad I can say about this book at all. Not a thing. 100% worth staying up till 1am to finish. And the poetry at the end, in fact the whole ending, the storyline, the plot, the start, *chefs kiss* 🤌 Honestly, Alexia's books just keep getting better and better. I've loved all of the author's books and would be hard pressed to pick a favourite, but you can see the development of their writing style with each book. This one might be my favourite... I cant fault it. It's a fantastic book. Really well done
March 6, 2024
Thank you to the author and @hayley_a_writes for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for a review. All part of Indie Visible Book Tours.
I have been completely and utterly absorbed into this book today and have devoured it this evening. A fascinating world which joins the normal and supernatural together. Cassie has a difficult upbringing and meets some of the worse people that life can throw at you, she doesn't seem to get any rest at home or school, but things become somewhat easier when "You" appears. Some sort of imaginary / supernatural force and very protective friend. It will leave you thoughtfully wondering if "You" is real, or is a metaphor for what our minds can do to us when our young self experiences trauma we cannot fully compherend, heightened when there is no support system to work through these difficult memories and emotions.
I'm not sure if it was because there were parts of Cassie's life that I related to that glued me to this story in particular, or if it was the beautiful, almost poetic writing style. It felt like a story had been created from diary entries. I will deffo be looking out for more of this authors work. Her writing is just wonderful, at one point Cassie sits in the library reading a book she feels she could fall into, which is funny considering I felt this way too... like I was sat there with Cassie experiencing this with her. The writing is so vivid and paints the picture so well. It was like the emotions were coming out of the pages demanding to be felt by the reader.
This is a short tale and it is very dark, so I would only suggest reading once you're well aware of the content within. If you can handle that, it's well worth it... the ending took me very much by surprise....it will deffo stay in your mind wondering if you actually liked the outcome / would have done the same if you were in this position.
Highly recommend!
I have been completely and utterly absorbed into this book today and have devoured it this evening. A fascinating world which joins the normal and supernatural together. Cassie has a difficult upbringing and meets some of the worse people that life can throw at you, she doesn't seem to get any rest at home or school, but things become somewhat easier when "You" appears. Some sort of imaginary / supernatural force and very protective friend. It will leave you thoughtfully wondering if "You" is real, or is a metaphor for what our minds can do to us when our young self experiences trauma we cannot fully compherend, heightened when there is no support system to work through these difficult memories and emotions.
I'm not sure if it was because there were parts of Cassie's life that I related to that glued me to this story in particular, or if it was the beautiful, almost poetic writing style. It felt like a story had been created from diary entries. I will deffo be looking out for more of this authors work. Her writing is just wonderful, at one point Cassie sits in the library reading a book she feels she could fall into, which is funny considering I felt this way too... like I was sat there with Cassie experiencing this with her. The writing is so vivid and paints the picture so well. It was like the emotions were coming out of the pages demanding to be felt by the reader.
This is a short tale and it is very dark, so I would only suggest reading once you're well aware of the content within. If you can handle that, it's well worth it... the ending took me very much by surprise....it will deffo stay in your mind wondering if you actually liked the outcome / would have done the same if you were in this position.
Highly recommend!
February 23, 2024
Absolutely exceptional tale from Alexia. I have personally been waiting for this since the day it was announced, and was so grateful to get my hands on an early copy.
I think the best way to describe this novella is as a dark coming of age, with an element of making up your own mind as to exactly what influences the FMC. There are some heavy themes in this book and so please do check the content warnings before you proceed.
We follow Cassie from a fairly early age right through into adulthood, and all of the trials and tribulations of being in a family that has a very specific 'business.' We also learn of the secret 'help' she has to focus her fears and feelings which lives in the shed at the bottom of the garden.
I don't want to give away any more as being a short read, I feel it better to immerse yourself in the tale. What I will say is that Alexia has a way of writing emotion so purely that it encompasses you entirely, and the feelings almost leap from the page. It is for this reason that I feel the content warnings are important, such is the high quality of the way it is written.
I cannot wait to own a physical copy of this book in my hands, and encourage you all to pre-order it, because it's one of the best things I've read in the last 12 months or so.
I think the best way to describe this novella is as a dark coming of age, with an element of making up your own mind as to exactly what influences the FMC. There are some heavy themes in this book and so please do check the content warnings before you proceed.
We follow Cassie from a fairly early age right through into adulthood, and all of the trials and tribulations of being in a family that has a very specific 'business.' We also learn of the secret 'help' she has to focus her fears and feelings which lives in the shed at the bottom of the garden.
I don't want to give away any more as being a short read, I feel it better to immerse yourself in the tale. What I will say is that Alexia has a way of writing emotion so purely that it encompasses you entirely, and the feelings almost leap from the page. It is for this reason that I feel the content warnings are important, such is the high quality of the way it is written.
I cannot wait to own a physical copy of this book in my hands, and encourage you all to pre-order it, because it's one of the best things I've read in the last 12 months or so.
March 28, 2024
This is like Carrie's twisted sister.
What a wicked and complex and emotionally riveting tale. The character development is incredibly powerful - the depth in which these characters are felt for is a testament to the author's skills. The psychological understanding and evolution of this tale kept me turning the pages.
A well crafted and page-gripping read! I thoroughly enjoyed this and highly recommend it for anyone who loves thematically dark tales.
What a wicked and complex and emotionally riveting tale. The character development is incredibly powerful - the depth in which these characters are felt for is a testament to the author's skills. The psychological understanding and evolution of this tale kept me turning the pages.
A well crafted and page-gripping read! I thoroughly enjoyed this and highly recommend it for anyone who loves thematically dark tales.
March 29, 2024
A powerful, raw, emotional story told beautifully through the well written characters. It's dark, brutal and heartbreaking at times - be sure to check the trigger warnings if necessary before starting this one.
I thought it was fantastic especially with such a satisfying and poetic ending.
Huge thanks to the author and the indie visible group for the arc ebook.
I thought it was fantastic especially with such a satisfying and poetic ending.
Huge thanks to the author and the indie visible group for the arc ebook.
April 1, 2024
This book is bout Cassie and her life as growin up with lots of trauma. She has no friends but befriends YOU no one can see YOU, but YOU protects Cassie and helps her throughout her childhood and becomin an adult. This book is a slow burn, but it is good. I felt so bad for Cassie and her brother.
December 31, 2024
Good! The story is confusing at first, but when it takes off its so good
June 19, 2024
Emotionally charged and equally gripping.
You by Alexia Muelle-Rushbrook is a thriller directly from the dark shadows of life. You will definitely have to check out the trigger warnings before reading this. There are a few!
This story is highly emotional with so many avenues to consider. There are parental relationships, trauma, violence, ‘imaginary friends’ and more. The story is centred around the character Cassie and she is a wonderful character. Cassie endures so much through the chapters and I’m sure we can all connect with her in some way. Her growth and development throughout the story is my absolute highlight of this book. I had such a protective feelings coming over me when reading, it was like she was my little sister and I wanted to take the pain and troubles away. This is testament to Alexia’s writing and the ability to make us attach to a character. The only reason for the missing star is that I felt like it could have had a slightly longer end phase but this is just my opinion and it doesn’t harm the story at all.
You is a thought-provoking and emotional journey of a book. Whilst incredibly dark and traumatic, there is a beautiful moment in the story that ties things together…all I’ll say is…payback. I really enjoyed reading this and will definitely be checking out more of Alexia Muelle-Rushbrook’s work.
You by Alexia Muelle-Rushbrook is a thriller directly from the dark shadows of life. You will definitely have to check out the trigger warnings before reading this. There are a few!
This story is highly emotional with so many avenues to consider. There are parental relationships, trauma, violence, ‘imaginary friends’ and more. The story is centred around the character Cassie and she is a wonderful character. Cassie endures so much through the chapters and I’m sure we can all connect with her in some way. Her growth and development throughout the story is my absolute highlight of this book. I had such a protective feelings coming over me when reading, it was like she was my little sister and I wanted to take the pain and troubles away. This is testament to Alexia’s writing and the ability to make us attach to a character. The only reason for the missing star is that I felt like it could have had a slightly longer end phase but this is just my opinion and it doesn’t harm the story at all.
You is a thought-provoking and emotional journey of a book. Whilst incredibly dark and traumatic, there is a beautiful moment in the story that ties things together…all I’ll say is…payback. I really enjoyed reading this and will definitely be checking out more of Alexia Muelle-Rushbrook’s work.
April 2, 2024
I was lucky enough to beta-read for this book! My goodness, Alexia has created an incredible character in this novel. A moving and brilliant book 💖
June 5, 2024
Wow! I really could have done with "You" in my life as a child/teen. Alexia Muelle-Rushbrook's book left me feeling a whole multitude of emotions—anger, happiness, devastation, and joy. I resonated with Cassie throughout this story, feeling swept away by her life and the often harsh cards she was dealt.
Alexia taps into the idea of what an apparently imaginary friend should really be able to do and feel when they see their friend fighting to just get through the days of school, or a home life not worth rushing back for. Cassie's only place of solace, the garden shed, becomes a pivotal location where the world comes knocking, and someone unexpected answers.
Cassie Reilly's struggle with her family and school bullies is deeply relatable and heartbreaking. Her stepfather's violence spilling out of the house and threatening everything she holds dear added layers of tension and fear that kept me hooked. The emergence of the silent occupant at the bottom of the garden was a powerful moment that changed everything for Cassie.
The choice to befriend this mysterious presence instead of being afraid of the unknown was beautifully portrayed. It highlighted the importance of friendship, even in the darkest times. The way this choice saved Cassie during her truly dark times was both inspiring and gut-wrenching.
"You" is a dark, raw glimpse into what can happen when you push someone too far. Alexia Muelle-Rushbrook has crafted a story that is not only compelling but also deeply emotional. This book is a must-read for anyone who has ever felt alone or struggled to find their place in the world. It's a poignant reminder of the power of friendship and the strength it can provide during the toughest times. I'm so glad I read this book, and I highly recommend it to others.
Alexia taps into the idea of what an apparently imaginary friend should really be able to do and feel when they see their friend fighting to just get through the days of school, or a home life not worth rushing back for. Cassie's only place of solace, the garden shed, becomes a pivotal location where the world comes knocking, and someone unexpected answers.
Cassie Reilly's struggle with her family and school bullies is deeply relatable and heartbreaking. Her stepfather's violence spilling out of the house and threatening everything she holds dear added layers of tension and fear that kept me hooked. The emergence of the silent occupant at the bottom of the garden was a powerful moment that changed everything for Cassie.
The choice to befriend this mysterious presence instead of being afraid of the unknown was beautifully portrayed. It highlighted the importance of friendship, even in the darkest times. The way this choice saved Cassie during her truly dark times was both inspiring and gut-wrenching.
"You" is a dark, raw glimpse into what can happen when you push someone too far. Alexia Muelle-Rushbrook has crafted a story that is not only compelling but also deeply emotional. This book is a must-read for anyone who has ever felt alone or struggled to find their place in the world. It's a poignant reminder of the power of friendship and the strength it can provide during the toughest times. I'm so glad I read this book, and I highly recommend it to others.
December 13, 2025
3.7⭐️
This was a good, quick read!
Cassie is a good girl that bad things happen to. Her father went to jail, her mother is negligent to say the VERY least, her stepfather is abusive, any other family she may have is all but nonexistent. She finds solace in her garden shed, it’s her favorite place. Cassie herself doesn’t really understand why she loves the shed so much until she is attacked in it one night only to be saved by a strange entity that lives in the shed, an entity who only goes by the name of “You.”
That attack is just the start of a long and weary road for Cassie. Every blow she suffers is lessened by You’s presence and the presence of her little brother, Joey. She tries to make the most out of the absolute crap life she’s been given and Cassie grows. She learns. She eventually blooms into the woman she’s meant to be and takes matters into her own hands.
This was a sad little tale that had a pleasant twist at the end. The journey was sad but that made it better when things finally got better. Cassie was a good main character and I’m glad to have learned her story.
This was a good, quick read!
Cassie is a good girl that bad things happen to. Her father went to jail, her mother is negligent to say the VERY least, her stepfather is abusive, any other family she may have is all but nonexistent. She finds solace in her garden shed, it’s her favorite place. Cassie herself doesn’t really understand why she loves the shed so much until she is attacked in it one night only to be saved by a strange entity that lives in the shed, an entity who only goes by the name of “You.”
That attack is just the start of a long and weary road for Cassie. Every blow she suffers is lessened by You’s presence and the presence of her little brother, Joey. She tries to make the most out of the absolute crap life she’s been given and Cassie grows. She learns. She eventually blooms into the woman she’s meant to be and takes matters into her own hands.
This was a sad little tale that had a pleasant twist at the end. The journey was sad but that made it better when things finally got better. Cassie was a good main character and I’m glad to have learned her story.
April 8, 2024
You is as different from They Call me Angel as Angel was from the Minority Rule books showcasing Alexia Muelle-Rushbrook’s talent as an author. You tells the tale of Cassie. Kids at school bully her and carted from pillar to post by a flirtatious mother. All this makes it difficult for her to make friends, but in her hour of need she finds a shapeless idea of a being who saves her, lifts her, up gives her courage and fills a hole in her life. Her dad’s in prison, he’s a drug kingpin, Cassie’s uncle running the empire; her mum wants nothing to do with it. That’s the background, but what lifts this story is the characters. Cassie is simply amazing. I’m still thinking about her. I’m thinking about how the book ended, how it resolved and revealed. You want damaged characters you can still root for? You got it. You want a fully realised world? You got that too. You want a superb story? You need You.
September 10, 2024
This book was absolutely not what I was expecting it to be.
You follows Cassie from a young age, hiding down the bottom of the garden with her mysterious new friend, and carries on along its way telling the story of parental pressure, upheaval, not fitting in, and just generally not having a good time with being a passenger on her mothers journey through bad decisions.
It’s, at its core, the story of Cassie doing her best to navigate her way through the life that she has been presented, while trying to look after the best interests of her and her little brother as she faces various hardships.
Like I said, not overly like the book the blurb offered up. With that being said, it was a book that I thoroughly enjoyed and the whole bleak, broken home, direction the book went in was both engaging and well built. Yes, I would have liked a little more from the titular ‘You’, but it didn’t stop the book from being an enjoyable one, and I found it very easy to read.
You follows Cassie from a young age, hiding down the bottom of the garden with her mysterious new friend, and carries on along its way telling the story of parental pressure, upheaval, not fitting in, and just generally not having a good time with being a passenger on her mothers journey through bad decisions.
It’s, at its core, the story of Cassie doing her best to navigate her way through the life that she has been presented, while trying to look after the best interests of her and her little brother as she faces various hardships.
Like I said, not overly like the book the blurb offered up. With that being said, it was a book that I thoroughly enjoyed and the whole bleak, broken home, direction the book went in was both engaging and well built. Yes, I would have liked a little more from the titular ‘You’, but it didn’t stop the book from being an enjoyable one, and I found it very easy to read.
March 18, 2024
Thank you to Alexia and team for the ARC of You. Honestly, I didn’t really like this book, I found it just okay. It was a quick, easy read that seemed to flow well, and the content was interesting, I just didn’t find myself enjoying this book. I also feel that there are some plot holes left open even after completing the book. I’m not sure if this is supposed to be a series, but I doubt it given how the book ends. This can be dark if you’re not used to dark content, but nothing too detailed. There’s not spice in this book, more like the idea of spice, the dark content has more to do with bullying and trauma. I kept wanting more from this book and never got the scenes or answers I was looking for which is disappointing. Overall, this is an okay read if you’re looking for a little mystery.
March 10, 2024
I was lucky enough to be able to read this book pre release and I loved it.
Significantly shorter than the books I read and a different genre to normal.
Usually I do not enjoy books written in first person but this was so well written it didn’t bother me whatsoever!
In this book we follow cassie who has years worth of trauma that you read about - the only way she gets through them is with You.
The plot twist at the end as well! Oh my god, I genuinely think the last 20% of this book massively threw me off and I love to be proved wrong!
If you want a book to keep you on your toes give this a go!
Significantly shorter than the books I read and a different genre to normal.
Usually I do not enjoy books written in first person but this was so well written it didn’t bother me whatsoever!
In this book we follow cassie who has years worth of trauma that you read about - the only way she gets through them is with You.
The plot twist at the end as well! Oh my god, I genuinely think the last 20% of this book massively threw me off and I love to be proved wrong!
If you want a book to keep you on your toes give this a go!
March 24, 2024
Wow… just… WOW.
This book is so beautiful written and has some amazing character development for the MC, Cassie.
There is actually nothing bad at all I can say about this book, some parts had me absolutely balling my eyes out but it honestly makes you go through all the feels!
The book follows Cassie in a dark coming of age type of story, and we go through with Cassie as she goes through a tough upbringing with the help of her good friend you, we go through her struggles with her, and THE END… *chefs kiss* was actually a perfect way to end this, had me shocked.
Definitely give this one a read, cannot fault it! Alexia did amazing!
This book is so beautiful written and has some amazing character development for the MC, Cassie.
There is actually nothing bad at all I can say about this book, some parts had me absolutely balling my eyes out but it honestly makes you go through all the feels!
The book follows Cassie in a dark coming of age type of story, and we go through with Cassie as she goes through a tough upbringing with the help of her good friend you, we go through her struggles with her, and THE END… *chefs kiss* was actually a perfect way to end this, had me shocked.
Definitely give this one a read, cannot fault it! Alexia did amazing!
March 29, 2024
This book was completely left field to what I normally read and I liked it.
Alexia did an amazing job with ripping my heart into pieces as I read her novel. Cassie is the FMC and has a tough childhood. I really connected with her with how much she kept being bullied and wished someone was there to help her overcome it. That's where "you" come into the picture. A supernatural being that helps Cassie through really dark times and that only she can sense. Alexia really displayed raw emotions and thoughts with her writing and painted a beautiful photo with every page of this book. It was a bit of a slow read, but great character and storyline! :)
Alexia did an amazing job with ripping my heart into pieces as I read her novel. Cassie is the FMC and has a tough childhood. I really connected with her with how much she kept being bullied and wished someone was there to help her overcome it. That's where "you" come into the picture. A supernatural being that helps Cassie through really dark times and that only she can sense. Alexia really displayed raw emotions and thoughts with her writing and painted a beautiful photo with every page of this book. It was a bit of a slow read, but great character and storyline! :)
March 29, 2024
YOU is a dark, edgy, coming of age story with a supernatural twist. What you get.....
♡Strong FMC
♡Very Protective, Unusual Friend
♡Supernatural Vibes
♡Morally Grey
♡Difficult Families
♡Mental Health Rep
♡Trauma
♡Dark Coming of Age Story
♡Definitely NOT a YA read Adult Themes
"Friends come in all shapes and sizes, and some have none at all."
Alexia does a good job of character and world building.
Cassie goes through a lot of trauma at home and at school. She has the garden shed and meets YOU.
I liked the twists and turns it kept me guessing what might happen next. I enjoyed reading something different than my usual go-to genre.
♡Strong FMC
♡Very Protective, Unusual Friend
♡Supernatural Vibes
♡Morally Grey
♡Difficult Families
♡Mental Health Rep
♡Trauma
♡Dark Coming of Age Story
♡Definitely NOT a YA read Adult Themes
"Friends come in all shapes and sizes, and some have none at all."
Alexia does a good job of character and world building.
Cassie goes through a lot of trauma at home and at school. She has the garden shed and meets YOU.
I liked the twists and turns it kept me guessing what might happen next. I enjoyed reading something different than my usual go-to genre.
May 26, 2024
After enjoying They Call Me Angel, I knew I had to pick this one up and I was not disappointed! It was very easy to sympathize with Cassie as she had a very tough home life and faced so much bullying at school. Everyone in her life was failing her, except for You, the supernatural being who became her protector and best friend. I think sometimes we'd all love to have someone like You to shield us from the worst of the world, and the role of You in this story was portrayed so well. The ending genuinely shocked me, and despite all the challenges thrown her way, Cassie really grew as a character throughout this story. I highly recommend giving this one a read!
January 22, 2025
A Symphony of Emotion and Fantasy
Alexia Muelle-Rushbrook's "You" ensnared me from the opening lines and held me captive until its stunning conclusion. The spellbinding first-person narration, exquisitely delivered by the talented Amelia Hugh, offered an utterly enthralling and soul-stirring experience. The author's artful writing, and her subtle, ingenious handling of dark themes, interwoven with dynamic character relationships and fantasy nuances, resulted in an unforgettable journey. The balanced and perfectly paced narrative left me with a profound sense of redemption and justice for the protagonists that I'll always cherish.
Alexia Muelle-Rushbrook's "You" ensnared me from the opening lines and held me captive until its stunning conclusion. The spellbinding first-person narration, exquisitely delivered by the talented Amelia Hugh, offered an utterly enthralling and soul-stirring experience. The author's artful writing, and her subtle, ingenious handling of dark themes, interwoven with dynamic character relationships and fantasy nuances, resulted in an unforgettable journey. The balanced and perfectly paced narrative left me with a profound sense of redemption and justice for the protagonists that I'll always cherish.
March 3, 2024
Phenomenal read! From beginning to end, I was engrossed. Cassie is lonely and starved for attention. She suffers so much through the entire story. From physical trauma to emotional trauma, Cassie has it. Her father is in prison, and her mother is emotionally unavailable when it comes to her. Until she gets a younger brother, she has no one, really. Except for "You". My heart broke for Cassie, but she finds her strength in the end. This is a great book, and the writing is superb! There are some triggering events, so please read those before diving in. I definitely recommend this book!
March 26, 2024
This book is a very interesting one! For the longest time I was trying to figure out who You was. Because there a mystery behind that but I did figure it out or I think I did. It's honestly a sad story about a daughter of a drug lord or someone high up in the business. It's a sad story to read but it shows how the daughter grows and handles life afterwards.
It's dark and mystery kept me wanting to finish and figure out what will happen to Cassandra next. I liked it a lot. It's not something that I'm use to but it was short but oh was it such a good read! I would read this if I was you.
It's dark and mystery kept me wanting to finish and figure out what will happen to Cassandra next. I liked it a lot. It's not something that I'm use to but it was short but oh was it such a good read! I would read this if I was you.
April 8, 2024
A very interesting and dark read. The "You" in the story is one of those entities where it could be either not real or real. A ghost or made up? 🤔
I love this type of thing and I did a similar thing with my Darkness Series.
We follow the MC from age 12 to adulthood and her troubles and life challenges. I felt so sorry for her but I loved the character development as she gains strength from herself and "You".
The ending was brilliant and very satisfactory. Highly recommend this short and engaging thriller.
I love this type of thing and I did a similar thing with my Darkness Series.
We follow the MC from age 12 to adulthood and her troubles and life challenges. I felt so sorry for her but I loved the character development as she gains strength from herself and "You".
The ending was brilliant and very satisfactory. Highly recommend this short and engaging thriller.
April 30, 2024
This book is thrilling and addictive with a stunning author voice. It dealt with dark and sensitive topics in a way that kept me engaged. And the dealing with trauma in children was expertly handled. It made me remember why I enjoy reading dark fiction in the first place. I loved seeing Cassie's growth and strength.
You was my favorite character and I loved the bond they had with Cassie. Adding a supernatural creature to this book made it truly unique.
Glad I picked up this book and can't wait to read more by her.
You was my favorite character and I loved the bond they had with Cassie. Adding a supernatural creature to this book made it truly unique.
Glad I picked up this book and can't wait to read more by her.
May 28, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
So I actually liked the overall story and was not expecting it to be so heart-wrenching. The character development at the end was appreciated. However the writing style seemed disjointed throughout the book. The characters would go from casual to proper tone in the middle of a conversation.
Also GR labeled this as a “dark romance” which is weird to me since the FMC spends most of the book as a minor, there is very little actual romance in this book (only really in the last like 1/3 of the book), and when it does start to spark, the romance itself really isn’t all that dark.
So I actually liked the overall story and was not expecting it to be so heart-wrenching. The character development at the end was appreciated. However the writing style seemed disjointed throughout the book. The characters would go from casual to proper tone in the middle of a conversation.
Also GR labeled this as a “dark romance” which is weird to me since the FMC spends most of the book as a minor, there is very little actual romance in this book (only really in the last like 1/3 of the book), and when it does start to spark, the romance itself really isn’t all that dark.
March 7, 2024
This book kept my attention, I HAD to know all of cassies story, I only wish I had learned more about "you". I'm so glad we also got answers about her father, and the weirdness I felt loomed around the uncle. However it was a little sad with her mother and all that she put those poor kids through. All in all I felt this book on a deep level, questionable mother with a lot of love interests, and being bullied in school. Would 100% recomend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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