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Please Fear Me
We were wild animals after all. And some of the ones with the biggest teeth.
Sixteen-year-old Smidge is on the run, burdened with a shameful secret. Together with her fellow runaway, a performance artist called Violet, she travels through the underbelly of America, desperately searching for a way to rise above her past.
On meeting a travelling circus filled with misfits and drifters, they think they might have found a home. But as Violet is drawn under the influence of its sinister ringleader, Smidge learns that belonging comes with a price.
Forced to choose between her past and present, Smidge must confront the shame that has shaped her, and return to face her flawed mother, before it is too late.
Brazen, tender and painfully raw, Please Fear Me is a biting exploration of complex family ties, addiction and survival.
Sixteen-year-old Smidge is on the run, burdened with a shameful secret. Together with her fellow runaway, a performance artist called Violet, she travels through the underbelly of America, desperately searching for a way to rise above her past.
On meeting a travelling circus filled with misfits and drifters, they think they might have found a home. But as Violet is drawn under the influence of its sinister ringleader, Smidge learns that belonging comes with a price.
Forced to choose between her past and present, Smidge must confront the shame that has shaped her, and return to face her flawed mother, before it is too late.
Brazen, tender and painfully raw, Please Fear Me is a biting exploration of complex family ties, addiction and survival.
288 pages, Paperback
Published September 5, 2024
1 person is currently reading
212 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Love
2 books3 followersJennifer Love is the author of the novel Please Fear Me (Fairlight Books, 2024) and story collection Punch a Hole in the Sky To Let in the Light (5ever Books, 2023). She is a Bay Area native living in Oakland, at work on her second novel.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
August 19, 2024
ARC REVIEW
My Rating- 3.85 stars
Publishing Date- 9/5/2024
Okay so the cover is what made me request this book in the first place. I mean look at it… the cover and the title alone is telling enough that this is going to be an interesting read.
Hey siri please play- Teenagers by My Chemical Romance
This was a very dark read. You follow Violet and Smidge living as underage street kids trying to get by and they end up in a traveling circus.
Content Warnings-
🕷️Sexual Acts Of A Minor
🕷️Self Harm
🕷️Addiction
The two main characters in this book reminded me of the girls in the movie thirteen, both thriving off of each others bad decisions. Both girls go through trauma and they bond from that. This was an uncomfortable read but I couldn’t put it down because I had to know how everything was going to play out. This story is full of heart, despair and chaos. It shows the relationship between addiction and the vulnerability in childhood.
The ending for me was a little abrupt, I wanted more. But I guess it correlates to how life is unpredictable and how not everyone in your life is meant to stay.
I recommend this book to anyone that is comfortable reading this unsettling story.
“It gets increasingly difficult the older you grow, the more you learn about the world outside your house. The more acutely you realize that there are other options beyond continuing the endurance trial of loving the addict unconditionally. It becomes so difficult that once those options come into focus, it feels impossible not to choose one- so in order to survive you escape.”
✨Thanks to NetGalley, The Author, & Fairlight Book Publishing for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review✨
My Rating- 3.85 stars
Publishing Date- 9/5/2024
Okay so the cover is what made me request this book in the first place. I mean look at it… the cover and the title alone is telling enough that this is going to be an interesting read.
Hey siri please play- Teenagers by My Chemical Romance
This was a very dark read. You follow Violet and Smidge living as underage street kids trying to get by and they end up in a traveling circus.
Content Warnings-
🕷️Sexual Acts Of A Minor
🕷️Self Harm
🕷️Addiction
The two main characters in this book reminded me of the girls in the movie thirteen, both thriving off of each others bad decisions. Both girls go through trauma and they bond from that. This was an uncomfortable read but I couldn’t put it down because I had to know how everything was going to play out. This story is full of heart, despair and chaos. It shows the relationship between addiction and the vulnerability in childhood.
The ending for me was a little abrupt, I wanted more. But I guess it correlates to how life is unpredictable and how not everyone in your life is meant to stay.
I recommend this book to anyone that is comfortable reading this unsettling story.
“It gets increasingly difficult the older you grow, the more you learn about the world outside your house. The more acutely you realize that there are other options beyond continuing the endurance trial of loving the addict unconditionally. It becomes so difficult that once those options come into focus, it feels impossible not to choose one- so in order to survive you escape.”
✨Thanks to NetGalley, The Author, & Fairlight Book Publishing for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review✨
September 4, 2024
Tired of the verbal abuse from her mother’s addiction, 15-year-old Smidge leaves California in search of something bigger, something better. At a shelter, she joins forces with Violet—“born into a world that perceived her incorrectly”—happy to follow her direction as they navigate the oddities and difficulties of the new world around them. They may not have a lot but they have each other. Lost and looking for a place to call home, they come across a circus where Violet quickly falls under the spell of the enigmatic ringleader while Smidge remains skeptical and concerned about the “sins” of her past.
Since my first true book love, Water for Elephants, I have this deep nostalgia and curiosity for circus stories so when I saw this book’s description I knew I had to read it. While this book is wildly different than the aforementioned, it didn’t disappoint. On the surface it’s a story about misfits, drifters, and outcasts but it is so much more layered than that. This story is full of heart, chaos, the unknown, and the unexpected. It is a truly magnificent story and it surprised me in the best way possible.
It’s a weighty novel but more than anything, it is deeply heartfelt while it explores the complexities of love and family, blood and otherwise. Both girls have extensive wounds and insecurities from trauma created by their families which shines through on nearly every page. Readers witness both Violet and Smidge struggling to find any sense of identity or belonging.
“As the days pass here, I’m learning that the circus is a great place to be if you don’t know what you want.”
This book is a profound study on addiction, love, family, and identity. There were places where I wanted a little more exploring and I couldn’t help but notice a couple plot holes but otherwise, this is a fiercely tender debut novel and it moved me in ways that I didn’t expect.
Thank you Fairlight Books and NetGalley for the digital copy in exchange for an honest review. Available 09/05/2024!
*Quote from advanced readers copy and subject to change before publication*
Since my first true book love, Water for Elephants, I have this deep nostalgia and curiosity for circus stories so when I saw this book’s description I knew I had to read it. While this book is wildly different than the aforementioned, it didn’t disappoint. On the surface it’s a story about misfits, drifters, and outcasts but it is so much more layered than that. This story is full of heart, chaos, the unknown, and the unexpected. It is a truly magnificent story and it surprised me in the best way possible.
It’s a weighty novel but more than anything, it is deeply heartfelt while it explores the complexities of love and family, blood and otherwise. Both girls have extensive wounds and insecurities from trauma created by their families which shines through on nearly every page. Readers witness both Violet and Smidge struggling to find any sense of identity or belonging.
“As the days pass here, I’m learning that the circus is a great place to be if you don’t know what you want.”
This book is a profound study on addiction, love, family, and identity. There were places where I wanted a little more exploring and I couldn’t help but notice a couple plot holes but otherwise, this is a fiercely tender debut novel and it moved me in ways that I didn’t expect.
Thank you Fairlight Books and NetGalley for the digital copy in exchange for an honest review. Available 09/05/2024!
*Quote from advanced readers copy and subject to change before publication*
September 22, 2024
thank you netgalley & fairlight books for providing me with an ARC of this book in return for an honest review!!
now, this story follows smidge, a teenage runaway, as we follow her friendship with violet, a fellow runaway, and their new residence at a local circus. we learn about why smidge is on the run, her past, as well as the secrets of the circus they’ve joined.
this book had such incredibly unique prose i fell in love. the way this book was written kept drawing me back in to smidge. speaking of smidge, she’s the real draw to this book. i’ll say it right off the bat - if you can’t bond to smidge, this book isn’t for you. this book hinges on your interest into smidge, as there is kind of not really a plot? so if you can’t love books where the draw is the main character, this isn’t for you. but smidge was so well written, i fell in love with her. she’s so witty, and by <10% into this book i fell in love with her. violet was characterised strongly as well, but like i said, smidge is the focus, and jennifer love pulls smidge’s characterisation off so flawlessly.
the world building is also established incredibly early on and immersed me well. obviously compared to fantasy books not as much was needed seeing as this is a contemporary novel, but establishing smidge’s life on the run prior to violet and THEIR world was done so fast i was hooked by the second chapter.
the structure of the book was also a standout, as its nonlinear structure kept the story going with flashbacks, even when it was slow at points.
finally, i adored the rep in this book. like hello???? nonbinary and trans characters????? sapphic character?????? SIGN ME UP!!!!!
now i’ll admit i did have some small issues with this book, but honestly they’re just an issue of personal preference, not the actual novel’s fault. like i said earlier, this book kind of doesn’t have a plot. it does loosely, but the book more so follows smidge and her character development as well as her inner thoughts. if you’re someone who needs a strong plot, this book isn’t for you. as much as i loved smidge, i do need something grounding me, and although the circus kind of fulfils that role, it doesn’t feel like it. it’s hard to explain unless you’ve read this how the plot actually works — this book is unlike anything i’ve ever read.
speaking of the circus, it felt like missed potential and almost kind of pointless? the whole cult aspect was barely touched, making me feel like it’s role in the story wasn’t edited or written well. it very much felt like something smidge was passing through (which is the case) but then everything going with the circus felt like a waste of time as a reader. and that point can kind of apply to the ending as well (iykyk).
in the end, this was a great story about abuse, exploitation, and guilt. if you love stories where the characters are the main focus, and love stories with nonlinear structures, this book will meet all your needs 🫶
now, this story follows smidge, a teenage runaway, as we follow her friendship with violet, a fellow runaway, and their new residence at a local circus. we learn about why smidge is on the run, her past, as well as the secrets of the circus they’ve joined.
this book had such incredibly unique prose i fell in love. the way this book was written kept drawing me back in to smidge. speaking of smidge, she’s the real draw to this book. i’ll say it right off the bat - if you can’t bond to smidge, this book isn’t for you. this book hinges on your interest into smidge, as there is kind of not really a plot? so if you can’t love books where the draw is the main character, this isn’t for you. but smidge was so well written, i fell in love with her. she’s so witty, and by <10% into this book i fell in love with her. violet was characterised strongly as well, but like i said, smidge is the focus, and jennifer love pulls smidge’s characterisation off so flawlessly.
the world building is also established incredibly early on and immersed me well. obviously compared to fantasy books not as much was needed seeing as this is a contemporary novel, but establishing smidge’s life on the run prior to violet and THEIR world was done so fast i was hooked by the second chapter.
the structure of the book was also a standout, as its nonlinear structure kept the story going with flashbacks, even when it was slow at points.
finally, i adored the rep in this book. like hello???? nonbinary and trans characters????? sapphic character?????? SIGN ME UP!!!!!
now i’ll admit i did have some small issues with this book, but honestly they’re just an issue of personal preference, not the actual novel’s fault. like i said earlier, this book kind of doesn’t have a plot. it does loosely, but the book more so follows smidge and her character development as well as her inner thoughts. if you’re someone who needs a strong plot, this book isn’t for you. as much as i loved smidge, i do need something grounding me, and although the circus kind of fulfils that role, it doesn’t feel like it. it’s hard to explain unless you’ve read this how the plot actually works — this book is unlike anything i’ve ever read.
speaking of the circus, it felt like missed potential and almost kind of pointless? the whole cult aspect was barely touched, making me feel like it’s role in the story wasn’t edited or written well. it very much felt like something smidge was passing through (which is the case) but then everything going with the circus felt like a waste of time as a reader. and that point can kind of apply to the ending as well (iykyk).
in the end, this was a great story about abuse, exploitation, and guilt. if you love stories where the characters are the main focus, and love stories with nonlinear structures, this book will meet all your needs 🫶
June 18, 2024
A Netgalley ARC provided in exchange for an honest review
Please Fear Me was an interesting read. Love crafts a novel that expertly discusses love and guilt in our relationships. This book offers profound insight into the cost of art, and with short chapters, this book is a relatively quick read.
It felt as if Please Fear Me took a while to ground itself and decide what exactly its message was. I would've loved a greater focus on the concept of Smidge yearning to return home from the earlier chapters- and it feels as if the book doesn't pick up until they join the Circus. I also found myself confused by some of the back-and-forth time jumping and often had to reconsider whether Smidge was talking about something currently or in the past.
Please Fear Me is still an excellent insight into performing femininity and a beautiful exploration of female relationships. Therefore, I rated Please Fear Me 3/5 stars.
Please Fear Me was an interesting read. Love crafts a novel that expertly discusses love and guilt in our relationships. This book offers profound insight into the cost of art, and with short chapters, this book is a relatively quick read.
It felt as if Please Fear Me took a while to ground itself and decide what exactly its message was. I would've loved a greater focus on the concept of Smidge yearning to return home from the earlier chapters- and it feels as if the book doesn't pick up until they join the Circus. I also found myself confused by some of the back-and-forth time jumping and often had to reconsider whether Smidge was talking about something currently or in the past.
Please Fear Me is still an excellent insight into performing femininity and a beautiful exploration of female relationships. Therefore, I rated Please Fear Me 3/5 stars.
July 24, 2024
This is a devastating novel. The title alone embodies the aching desperation that pervades this story.
There isn’t much plot in this story, and the jacket copy covers pretty much all of it. But there is constant movement, never staying put long enough to set down roots, feel comfortable. This is a story that you sink into, maybe against your will. It is full of searching, of trying to create meaning, create family, but with a constant hum of menace that is never totally silent, even when our characters have moments of joy. There is constant and deep longing, exploring what it means to love someone so intrinsically, so violently, that you don’t have language to express it, not even to them. It looks at love and relationship as something somehow both intrinsic to the human experience and yet also alien, unexplainable. As is the performance art our characters create, it is about binding, and being bound, and yet realizing that there is an intoxicating sense of contentment that might come from those chains.
The writing is really strong, drawing you into this world and making you feel complicit, not letting you look away. The story is all told in the first person, and so our outlook is singular and unique, always observing but not judging. The prose effortlessly floats between the past and the present, giving us the backstory as we need to know it, showing the nature of trauma and suffering, cyclical, if not an actual feedback loop. There are moments of grace and poetry in the prose, but it never feels like it is trying to be something it isn’t. We are constantly in the heart of this child, aged far beyond her years, and the wonder and awe and terror of being there feels like it is conveyed with every word.
(Note I read an ARC, so there is the potential for quotes to change).
Since there is very little plot to speak of, this story rests on the strength of the reality of the world and the characters, and they are both beautifully painted here. The world feels painfully real, with every sharp edge just waiting to taste blood when we aren’t paying attention. There is an almost otherworldly quality to it, but that is because it is a world we don’t want to believe in, devoid of the safeties and comforts we pray for. In comparison, the characters feel more like watercolors. They have depth to them, not just our protagonist but all of the secondary and tertiary characters that we find in her orbit, but there is still something fuzzy about them, a bleeding around the edges. This is deliberate, as the characters are nebulous and shifting, learning what it means to take up space, seeking out how to be solid.
If I were to criticize it, or try and explain why it didn’t receive perfect marks, it would have to be that I felt like there wasn’t a strong enough sense of journey with our main character. If we disregard all the flashbacks and memories, and only look at how she changes in the present-tense narrative, it feels like there could have been a different type of transformation, there. There is change and growth, especially in the very final chapters, but it feels like this journey has already started when we meet her, she tells us about it, and we just see its extension. Her decisions about her mother and her ideas of family and relationship, her ideas of survival and support, trust and love and betrayal, these are all things she has been thinking of when we meet her, we don’t see the moments of change. We see the world move around her, the environment magnifying or diminishing certain hopes or expectations or outlooks she may have, but never fundamentally changing her. This isn’t a story about dramatic or drastic revelations, it is about learning who you have always been, for better or worse, and then making decisions about what it means to be that way. In that regard the journey we do get makes sense, but it would have nice to have seen a little more of it happening, seeing Smidge’s understanding of herself shift and grow based on what was happening around her, instead of what was happening around her just reflect things she had already come to know about herself. Granted, we do see the character’s childhood and other experiences in flashback and hazy memory, and when we compare this to the present day we do get a sense of journey, of surviving battlefields only to be lost in trenches, the story isn’t stagnant, it just felt like our whole time with Smidge is us seeing her convince herself of decisions she has already made instead of actually making those decisions.
Still, the language is beautiful and evocative, a heart-wrenching portrait of what it means to be always grasping for something just beyond your reach. There is development and change, all against a really well-crafted backdrop of loneliness and isolation, a constant thrill of danger serving as the undercoat with occasional brilliant flashes of joy and connection, hope’s feeble gasps into an unforgiving night. I haven’t read the author’s previous short story works, but I can say confidently this is a phenomenal debut novel. It is tender and effective, gripping the reader with both hands and not allowing us look away. The characters and the world building are really top notch, letting us recognize Smidge’s longing as our own.
I want to thank the author, the publisher Fairlight Books, and NetGalley, who provided a complimentary eARC for review. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
There isn’t much plot in this story, and the jacket copy covers pretty much all of it. But there is constant movement, never staying put long enough to set down roots, feel comfortable. This is a story that you sink into, maybe against your will. It is full of searching, of trying to create meaning, create family, but with a constant hum of menace that is never totally silent, even when our characters have moments of joy. There is constant and deep longing, exploring what it means to love someone so intrinsically, so violently, that you don’t have language to express it, not even to them. It looks at love and relationship as something somehow both intrinsic to the human experience and yet also alien, unexplainable. As is the performance art our characters create, it is about binding, and being bound, and yet realizing that there is an intoxicating sense of contentment that might come from those chains.
The writing is really strong, drawing you into this world and making you feel complicit, not letting you look away. The story is all told in the first person, and so our outlook is singular and unique, always observing but not judging. The prose effortlessly floats between the past and the present, giving us the backstory as we need to know it, showing the nature of trauma and suffering, cyclical, if not an actual feedback loop. There are moments of grace and poetry in the prose, but it never feels like it is trying to be something it isn’t. We are constantly in the heart of this child, aged far beyond her years, and the wonder and awe and terror of being there feels like it is conveyed with every word.
"Violet and I were the same in this way, something I understood even back then. We were always reaching for anything that would take us somewhere else and absolve us of all that had happened where we had already been, as if departing from ourselves could be perfectly physical. As if other places had anything that would make us different from what we were."
(Note I read an ARC, so there is the potential for quotes to change).
Since there is very little plot to speak of, this story rests on the strength of the reality of the world and the characters, and they are both beautifully painted here. The world feels painfully real, with every sharp edge just waiting to taste blood when we aren’t paying attention. There is an almost otherworldly quality to it, but that is because it is a world we don’t want to believe in, devoid of the safeties and comforts we pray for. In comparison, the characters feel more like watercolors. They have depth to them, not just our protagonist but all of the secondary and tertiary characters that we find in her orbit, but there is still something fuzzy about them, a bleeding around the edges. This is deliberate, as the characters are nebulous and shifting, learning what it means to take up space, seeking out how to be solid.
If I were to criticize it, or try and explain why it didn’t receive perfect marks, it would have to be that I felt like there wasn’t a strong enough sense of journey with our main character. If we disregard all the flashbacks and memories, and only look at how she changes in the present-tense narrative, it feels like there could have been a different type of transformation, there. There is change and growth, especially in the very final chapters, but it feels like this journey has already started when we meet her, she tells us about it, and we just see its extension. Her decisions about her mother and her ideas of family and relationship, her ideas of survival and support, trust and love and betrayal, these are all things she has been thinking of when we meet her, we don’t see the moments of change. We see the world move around her, the environment magnifying or diminishing certain hopes or expectations or outlooks she may have, but never fundamentally changing her. This isn’t a story about dramatic or drastic revelations, it is about learning who you have always been, for better or worse, and then making decisions about what it means to be that way. In that regard the journey we do get makes sense, but it would have nice to have seen a little more of it happening, seeing Smidge’s understanding of herself shift and grow based on what was happening around her, instead of what was happening around her just reflect things she had already come to know about herself. Granted, we do see the character’s childhood and other experiences in flashback and hazy memory, and when we compare this to the present day we do get a sense of journey, of surviving battlefields only to be lost in trenches, the story isn’t stagnant, it just felt like our whole time with Smidge is us seeing her convince herself of decisions she has already made instead of actually making those decisions.
Still, the language is beautiful and evocative, a heart-wrenching portrait of what it means to be always grasping for something just beyond your reach. There is development and change, all against a really well-crafted backdrop of loneliness and isolation, a constant thrill of danger serving as the undercoat with occasional brilliant flashes of joy and connection, hope’s feeble gasps into an unforgiving night. I haven’t read the author’s previous short story works, but I can say confidently this is a phenomenal debut novel. It is tender and effective, gripping the reader with both hands and not allowing us look away. The characters and the world building are really top notch, letting us recognize Smidge’s longing as our own.
I want to thank the author, the publisher Fairlight Books, and NetGalley, who provided a complimentary eARC for review. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 25, 2024
2.5 An easy and enjoyable read. I found the relationship between Smidge and Violet really interesting and found all of their chapters together entertaining. I feel the same way about Smidge and her mother’s relationship except less entertaining and more thought provoking they gave me as a reader a more in depth perspective to Smidge both in terms of her psyche and the circumstances that lead to her running away. I think this book is lacking though. The parts with the travelling circus just fell short. I think the author might have been trying to do too much in a short amount of space, the cultish circus is a great idea but I don’t think it was executed as well as it could have been.
January 18, 2025
Pleasantly surprised by this and how quickly I devoured it. However, I wish the themes of the novel had been executed with more conviction; the relationships of the characters - and not so much of Smidge and her mother, but Smidge and Violet and the members of the circus (including Violet) and its ringleader - which were meant to be led by strong emotions of obsession and adoration suffered from the same.
The structure of the novel, dipping in and out of the current timeline, dispersing those chapters with Smidge's memories or more lyrical, abstract thoughts, created a bit an uneven pacing. I also enjoyed the latter much more - perhaps because I generally enjoyed the character's voice and that is where it truly shone.
The structure of the novel, dipping in and out of the current timeline, dispersing those chapters with Smidge's memories or more lyrical, abstract thoughts, created a bit an uneven pacing. I also enjoyed the latter much more - perhaps because I generally enjoyed the character's voice and that is where it truly shone.
July 22, 2024
'Please Fear Me' portrays a teen girl's struggles with self identity and survival while on the run from her abusive mother. It is a beautiful insight into female relationships and vulnerability that keeps the reader on their toes the entire time. This is an amazing debut novel from Jennifer Love, that feels both real and mystical at the same time, where we get to meet the main character and see her develop and mature while staying, at her core, just a scared teenage girl who was forced by the environment around her to grow up too quickly.
Thank you Fairlight Books for providing an arc for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Thank you Fairlight Books for providing an arc for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
October 1, 2025
I was not expecting to love this one as much as I did but this was such a strong story. Smidge is sixteen years old and she ran away from home to escape her mom's addiction. Survival is hard but she has a friendly companion, Violet. With Violet, they put together a performance that attracts the attention of a travelling circus. Smidge and Violet are accustomed to difficult situations. They worked at strip clubs, they shoplift, they avoided dangerous men. This seems easy so they decide to join the circus and perform alongside them.
But when Smidge attracts the attention of the circus' ringleader, it doesn't take long for her to realise that the circus might be more than meets the eye. A subtle exploration of how companionship can turn into a cult and how devotion can turn into destruction. This was dark, atmospheric and highly lyrical. A pleasure to read!Plus. the ending was beautiful!
But when Smidge attracts the attention of the circus' ringleader, it doesn't take long for her to realise that the circus might be more than meets the eye. A subtle exploration of how companionship can turn into a cult and how devotion can turn into destruction. This was dark, atmospheric and highly lyrical. A pleasure to read!Plus. the ending was beautiful!
September 25, 2024
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.
Jennifer Love’s “Please Fear Me” is a raw and unflinching exploration of survival, identity, and the haunting shadows of the past. This novel takes readers on a harrowing journey through the underbelly of America, where the lines between safety and danger blur, and the quest for belonging comes at a steep price.
The story follows sixteen-year-old Smidge, a runaway burdened with a shameful secret. Alongside Violet, a performance artist with her own troubled past, Smidge navigates a world of misfits and drifters. Their journey leads them to a traveling circus, where they hope to find refuge. As Smidge confronts her past and the manipulative forces around her, she must decide whether to face her flawed mother or continue running.
Love excels in crafting deeply flawed yet relatable characters. Smidge’s internal struggle and resilience make her a compelling protagonist. Her relationship with Violet is both tender and tumultuous, reflecting the complexities of trust and dependency. The ringleader, with his charismatic yet menacing presence, adds a layer of tension that keeps readers on edge.
The prose is both brazen and tender, capturing the raw emotions of the characters. Love’s descriptive writing immerses readers in the gritty settings, from the desolate streets to the eerie circus tents. The narrative is punctuated with moments of introspection, allowing readers to delve into Smidge’s psyche and understand her motivations.
“Please Fear Me” tackles themes of addiction, family ties, and the search for identity. Love explores how past traumas shape our present and the lengths we go to escape them. The novel also delves into the concept of belonging and the sacrifices one makes to feel accepted.
“Please Fear Me” is a gripping and emotionally charged novel that stays with you long after the final page. Jennifer Love’s ability to weave a story that is both unsettling and poignant makes this book a standout in contemporary fiction. It’s a must-read for those who appreciate complex characters and narratives that challenge the boundaries of conventional storytelling.
Jennifer Love’s “Please Fear Me” is a raw and unflinching exploration of survival, identity, and the haunting shadows of the past. This novel takes readers on a harrowing journey through the underbelly of America, where the lines between safety and danger blur, and the quest for belonging comes at a steep price.
The story follows sixteen-year-old Smidge, a runaway burdened with a shameful secret. Alongside Violet, a performance artist with her own troubled past, Smidge navigates a world of misfits and drifters. Their journey leads them to a traveling circus, where they hope to find refuge. As Smidge confronts her past and the manipulative forces around her, she must decide whether to face her flawed mother or continue running.
Love excels in crafting deeply flawed yet relatable characters. Smidge’s internal struggle and resilience make her a compelling protagonist. Her relationship with Violet is both tender and tumultuous, reflecting the complexities of trust and dependency. The ringleader, with his charismatic yet menacing presence, adds a layer of tension that keeps readers on edge.
The prose is both brazen and tender, capturing the raw emotions of the characters. Love’s descriptive writing immerses readers in the gritty settings, from the desolate streets to the eerie circus tents. The narrative is punctuated with moments of introspection, allowing readers to delve into Smidge’s psyche and understand her motivations.
“Please Fear Me” tackles themes of addiction, family ties, and the search for identity. Love explores how past traumas shape our present and the lengths we go to escape them. The novel also delves into the concept of belonging and the sacrifices one makes to feel accepted.
“Please Fear Me” is a gripping and emotionally charged novel that stays with you long after the final page. Jennifer Love’s ability to weave a story that is both unsettling and poignant makes this book a standout in contemporary fiction. It’s a must-read for those who appreciate complex characters and narratives that challenge the boundaries of conventional storytelling.
September 19, 2024
Thank you to Fairlight Books and NetGalley for providing an ARC for review.
This book was both too short and too long. The writing was more abstract, with each chapter being a short vignette into Smidge’s past or her present. The imagery was evocative, and I appreciated the complicated relationships between Smidge and Violet as well as Smidge and her mom. This story was more internal rather than external, focusing on Smidge’s emotions and reflections rather than what was going on around her.
I think that’s where my frustration lies; the plot feels vague, which is a shame because on paper it sounds so interesting. On top of that, Smidge as a character doesn’t seem to have much agency, and somehow the stakes feel low. Smidge finds herself in a cult, and becomes the understudy of the leader, but also there is no real danger when she tries to leave. The only things she accomplishes throughout the book are because of other people who take her under their wing. When the book finally ends, my immediate reaction was “now what?” There was some catharsis, but it also felt like Smidge still remained uncared-for and untethered.
Maybe this was supposed to be more about the journey than the destination. The journey just felt underwhelming to me.
This book was both too short and too long. The writing was more abstract, with each chapter being a short vignette into Smidge’s past or her present. The imagery was evocative, and I appreciated the complicated relationships between Smidge and Violet as well as Smidge and her mom. This story was more internal rather than external, focusing on Smidge’s emotions and reflections rather than what was going on around her.
I think that’s where my frustration lies; the plot feels vague, which is a shame because on paper it sounds so interesting. On top of that, Smidge as a character doesn’t seem to have much agency, and somehow the stakes feel low. Smidge finds herself in a cult, and becomes the understudy of the leader, but also there is no real danger when she tries to leave. The only things she accomplishes throughout the book are because of other people who take her under their wing. When the book finally ends, my immediate reaction was “now what?” There was some catharsis, but it also felt like Smidge still remained uncared-for and untethered.
Maybe this was supposed to be more about the journey than the destination. The journey just felt underwhelming to me.
July 20, 2024
ARC review; thanks to NetGalley and Fairlight Books for the access to the ebook. Pub date: 5 Sep.
3.5 stars.
The thing that drew me to this book was the premise of young runaways joining a circus, but I got more than that. This was quite surprising, but it's not without its issues, IMO.
For one, it feels a bit meandering, but it's character-focused, so I think that can be forgiven in that context. It reads a bit chaotic too, with the way Smidge switches to talking about her past from one moment to the next, but I wouldn't say it's confusing. The structure is just a little strange, but I guess it suits the story.
Maybe the best way I can put it is that this is the kind of book where you're just along for the ride. It follows a young girl who ran away from her addict mom and how she survives in the world with her friend Viole. It explores addiction, belonging, identity, family bonds, and trauma.
I don't think it fully pays off in the end because I didn't *feel* it, you know? Maybe I just didn't get what the author was going for so it didn't make the impact I thought it would make based on the first half of the book. But overall, it was an interesting read.
3.5 stars.
The thing that drew me to this book was the premise of young runaways joining a circus, but I got more than that. This was quite surprising, but it's not without its issues, IMO.
For one, it feels a bit meandering, but it's character-focused, so I think that can be forgiven in that context. It reads a bit chaotic too, with the way Smidge switches to talking about her past from one moment to the next, but I wouldn't say it's confusing. The structure is just a little strange, but I guess it suits the story.
Maybe the best way I can put it is that this is the kind of book where you're just along for the ride. It follows a young girl who ran away from her addict mom and how she survives in the world with her friend Viole. It explores addiction, belonging, identity, family bonds, and trauma.
I don't think it fully pays off in the end because I didn't *feel* it, you know? Maybe I just didn't get what the author was going for so it didn't make the impact I thought it would make based on the first half of the book. But overall, it was an interesting read.
July 12, 2024
Even after finishing this book and thinking about it for a day I’m still not sure how I feel about it. The writing was great, a stylised voice reminiscent of coming of age classics such as A Catcher in the Rye, and Smidge’s internal world is often both unique and relatable. Anyone growing up as a woman or femme presenting person knows the predatory nature of men and the things you learn to do to appease them in order to stay safe.
That being said, the lack of closure at the end wasn’t enough for me, I felt that after a whole book about Violet she needed to be revisited at the closing. It felt strange that after all the build up she was just gone with barely a goodbye. I guess that was the point, that the life they lead is unpredictable and fleeting, but I thought she would have her own little finale too.
Anyway, a promising debut, but left me a little hungry for more. Thank you to Fairlight Books and NetGalley for the ARC!
That being said, the lack of closure at the end wasn’t enough for me, I felt that after a whole book about Violet she needed to be revisited at the closing. It felt strange that after all the build up she was just gone with barely a goodbye. I guess that was the point, that the life they lead is unpredictable and fleeting, but I thought she would have her own little finale too.
Anyway, a promising debut, but left me a little hungry for more. Thank you to Fairlight Books and NetGalley for the ARC!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2024
Please Fear Me is hauntingly ethereal, introspective, yet brutal at times. It has an addictive quality that kept me reading "one more chapter" and captivated by the mystery the main character brings.
Smidge is a young girl on the lam, who readers get to accompany as she glides directionless through life, chasing her whims and clinging to anyone and anything that can bring her a sense of self. It is heavily character-driven, and almost fits a coming of age novel, with a twist of thriller through it as she's begging to be feared and not taken advantage of and written off for being "small and white and pretty enough to play a doll" in her foray as an entertainer.
Personally, I love how Smidge uses her street smarts to not necessarily play others, but know what they want and expect of her and throw it back in their faces. She does what's expected when needed, but also understands the power of shock and awe, and wants to inspire wonder, and with these two dynamics at play, I was constantly unsure what move she'd make next.
Smidge is a young girl on the lam, who readers get to accompany as she glides directionless through life, chasing her whims and clinging to anyone and anything that can bring her a sense of self. It is heavily character-driven, and almost fits a coming of age novel, with a twist of thriller through it as she's begging to be feared and not taken advantage of and written off for being "small and white and pretty enough to play a doll" in her foray as an entertainer.
Personally, I love how Smidge uses her street smarts to not necessarily play others, but know what they want and expect of her and throw it back in their faces. She does what's expected when needed, but also understands the power of shock and awe, and wants to inspire wonder, and with these two dynamics at play, I was constantly unsure what move she'd make next.
October 26, 2024
This is a novel that focuses more on character journeys and development than plot, and I am all about that. I enjoyed how fleshed out the main characters were, and the diversity that was included. I also loved the flashbacks, and didn’t find the jumps from present to past jarring or confusing.
I would, perhaps, have liked some aspects of the plot to have been explored more, but the focus on the main character’s journey made the lack of some points being fleshed out make sense.
Although, I enjoyed the story, and I found the writing style really rather beautiful at times, I did find the ending a little unsatisfying. I feel this will be down to personal preference, and many may love the ending much more than I did.
Overall, I rate this 3.5 out of 5 stars, rounded up to 4.
I received an advance reader copy of this book, which in no way affects my review. This review is voluntary.
I would, perhaps, have liked some aspects of the plot to have been explored more, but the focus on the main character’s journey made the lack of some points being fleshed out make sense.
Although, I enjoyed the story, and I found the writing style really rather beautiful at times, I did find the ending a little unsatisfying. I feel this will be down to personal preference, and many may love the ending much more than I did.
Overall, I rate this 3.5 out of 5 stars, rounded up to 4.
I received an advance reader copy of this book, which in no way affects my review. This review is voluntary.
July 15, 2024
This book was not the one for me, unfortunately. The premise is beautiful but it gets lost in the writing almost immediately.
Please Fear Me is front loaded with the main characters’ memories of her mother in between short bursts of current plot and odd half-page chapters about her fears. Because of this back-and-forth, her character development and relationship with Violet suffer.
The book picks up towards the end but not enough to overrule how meandering and long the beginning of it was.
The writing is not great either — with brilliant nuggets like “I sat there where I was sitting on the grass” and “I mean” starting a sentence basically once every page.
Overall, I don’t think I’m the correct audience for this book.
Please Fear Me is front loaded with the main characters’ memories of her mother in between short bursts of current plot and odd half-page chapters about her fears. Because of this back-and-forth, her character development and relationship with Violet suffer.
The book picks up towards the end but not enough to overrule how meandering and long the beginning of it was.
The writing is not great either — with brilliant nuggets like “I sat there where I was sitting on the grass” and “I mean” starting a sentence basically once every page.
Overall, I don’t think I’m the correct audience for this book.
August 7, 2024
2.5 stars if I'm being generous?
I found this quite engaging in the sense that I wanted to keep reading it in the hopes that something would happen to make me feel like it was worth my time. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. The writing is very faux-deep - after the first few "insightful" paragraphs I found myself skipping over the rest (and there were a lot of them). I felt like Smidge's intensity and sudden lack of interest in things (like Violet) was a very accurate portrayal of how it feels when you're 16 so that was a positive.
I'm glad this worked for other people but it wasn't for me.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC
I found this quite engaging in the sense that I wanted to keep reading it in the hopes that something would happen to make me feel like it was worth my time. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. The writing is very faux-deep - after the first few "insightful" paragraphs I found myself skipping over the rest (and there were a lot of them). I felt like Smidge's intensity and sudden lack of interest in things (like Violet) was a very accurate portrayal of how it feels when you're 16 so that was a positive.
I'm glad this worked for other people but it wasn't for me.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC
June 17, 2024
The first half of this book bowled me over, I was there for every single word.
The relationship between Violet and Smidge, the relationship between Smidge and her mother.
It was all so fascinating.
Then enter the ringmaster, and I felt that I didn't fully get it.
The book for me didn't quite live up to the promise of the first part.
Non the less , still an excellent read.
Thought provoking throughout.
The relationship between Violet and Smidge, the relationship between Smidge and her mother.
It was all so fascinating.
Then enter the ringmaster, and I felt that I didn't fully get it.
The book for me didn't quite live up to the promise of the first part.
Non the less , still an excellent read.
Thought provoking throughout.
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