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The Christmas Present
There will be no escape this Christmas...
They’re out there again.
My heart pounds as I look out of the kitchen window.
For weeks now, they’ve been harassing us, vandalising our property and intimidating our children. It’s been relentless.
The police don’t take them seriously because they’re teenagers. But they don’t know what it’s like to live like this. Those girls are running rings around us, and it’s got to the point where they're there every time we leave the house, mocking us. Following wherever we go.
We’ve had as much as we can take.
So in the middle of the night, my husband Howard and I pack our family into the car, and set off for a secluded cottage in the snowy wilderness of the Scottish Highlands.
As Christmas morning dawns, the children are excited to begin the festivities. Our eldest daughter, Taylor reaches for her stocking, her eyes sparkling with excitement. But as she peers inside, her joyful expression morphs into one of sheer terror. Time freezes as we all stare in disbelief at the ominous object that falls from the wrapping paper and we realise that there’s no escape.
What do they want from us, and what will it take to make them stop?
They’re out there again.
My heart pounds as I look out of the kitchen window.
For weeks now, they’ve been harassing us, vandalising our property and intimidating our children. It’s been relentless.
The police don’t take them seriously because they’re teenagers. But they don’t know what it’s like to live like this. Those girls are running rings around us, and it’s got to the point where they're there every time we leave the house, mocking us. Following wherever we go.
We’ve had as much as we can take.
So in the middle of the night, my husband Howard and I pack our family into the car, and set off for a secluded cottage in the snowy wilderness of the Scottish Highlands.
As Christmas morning dawns, the children are excited to begin the festivities. Our eldest daughter, Taylor reaches for her stocking, her eyes sparkling with excitement. But as she peers inside, her joyful expression morphs into one of sheer terror. Time freezes as we all stare in disbelief at the ominous object that falls from the wrapping paper and we realise that there’s no escape.
What do they want from us, and what will it take to make them stop?
226 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 14, 2024
186 people are currently reading
220 people want to read
About the author
Lorna Dounaeva
65 books273 followersLorna Dounaeva is a politics graduate who worked for the British Home Office before turning to crime fiction. She writes dark domestic thrillers and is especially fond of female villains. She lives in the Orkney islands with her Ukrainian husband and his parents, three children, a crafty cat and a happy dog.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
December 30, 2024
I've been wanting to read another book by this author since The Beach. When I saw she had a holiday mystery coming, I was all in.
That said, this was a bit disappointing. It probably could have been better as a Christmas novella like some authors have been doing. It felt long and really explained things, but it didn't help to add a lot of context because you have to suspend disbelief entirely for this and you don't find out why until late in the game.
Perhaps it's because I'm a southern American, but some idiot teens farting around outside your house isn't gonna cut it and it's definitely not going to run you out of town.
We know we're missing some things. Why are they doing this? At first I thought it was The Strangers x Christmas but you figure out there is a reason this is happening and that's where the dual narration falls apart. The unreliable narrator just didn't work for me.
It was still a solid book and I was entertained. The characters were interesting if not a bit cheesy. Clara was my favorite. It's not her best but I was happy to have a Christmas story even though it was not very festive lol
That said, this was a bit disappointing. It probably could have been better as a Christmas novella like some authors have been doing. It felt long and really explained things, but it didn't help to add a lot of context because you have to suspend disbelief entirely for this and you don't find out why until late in the game.
Perhaps it's because I'm a southern American, but some idiot teens farting around outside your house isn't gonna cut it and it's definitely not going to run you out of town.
We know we're missing some things. Why are they doing this? At first I thought it was The Strangers x Christmas but you figure out there is a reason this is happening and that's where the dual narration falls apart. The unreliable narrator just didn't work for me.
It was still a solid book and I was entertained. The characters were interesting if not a bit cheesy. Clara was my favorite. It's not her best but I was happy to have a Christmas story even though it was not very festive lol
December 16, 2024
This book kept my attention the entire time. It had decent pacing and suspense build up. So how does this book still receive such low rating? Let me explain my numerous issues.
-I understand the concept of stalking someone in hopes of getting a confession. But there is absolutely no world where loving parents would let it get as far as it did. As soon as the girls were seen near their home any sane parents would install a security system or even cheap camera’s within their home. Even more wild for them not to do this after there was evidence of the girls being inside their home. I understand police are sometimes passive in stalking situations. They would not be if they had video evidence of them breaking into your home. I do understand why the dad may have been passive to a certain extent since we find out he was involved in Rudy’s death and may not know if the girls know he was involved. But this does not excuse the mom for not even once bringing up security?
-I don’t understand why the part of the diary entries was included. Taylor is apparently a drug dealer who sells to both teenagers and adult but it never ties into the story or is mentioned again.
-Taylor is so upset that someone raped Star that she’s going to stab the accused rapist when he talks to her too closely in public? When Star only shared a couple vague sentences with her about it? Give me a break. Unless Taylor is an actual psycho, this is unbelievable. (Which maybe she is since she was okay with risking the lives of her family day in and day out just to keep her secret) I believe readers would have resonated more with Taylor’s actions if Rudy raped her (Taylor). Star didn’t even need to be a part of the story.
—And you’re telling me Taylor just readily admits to Star that she killed Rudy? And then never talk to her again besides while making food in Home Ec? Bold of Taylor to assume she won’t tell anyone.
-Rudy tells his sisters the name of his killer and they don’t want to, you know, tell the police? They want to take matters into their own hand. If they didn’t want to kill her and just wanted a confession, why wouldn’t they at least tell the police and see if they could get a confession out of her. If the whole plan was to kill her, why didn’t they, you know, kill her? They had multiple opportunities.
-The stalker girls ability to be every where and know everything seemed so unrealistic. Where did one girl get a school uniform to suddenly be stalking her at the school? They are that sophisticated of teenagers to know to search the mom’s email to find out they will be going away to a cabin hours away? And then beat them there to steal a key even though they stopped to rest at the same place at the same time while traveling?
-Don’t get me started on the little sister. If she wants to act younger than her age, OK. But unless this child is on the autism spectrum (never mentioned) no nine year old would act the way she did. Your telling me a nine year old who is aware her family is being harassed and that these stalkers have been breaking into their house, would go outside to build a snowman in the middle of the night, after finding out that the stalkers were in their secluded cabin??? And had placed a knife in their sister’s stocking that cut her badly??? And then same meek, obliviously girl suddenly has it in her to stab a teenager in the neck with a glass shard after being freed from her captors while standing next to her parents? If they wanted her to do something heroic at least tie it back to the weird conversation she was having with Bess about gouging attackers eye balls out.
-After the van goes over the cliff and Taylor has to go to the hospital they never mentioned what they told the hospital had happened? This girl needs major spine surgery from an obvious accident. Are we suppose to believe the nearby van and the girls were never found? Or are we suppose to believe they were found later and no one’s going to think the nearby injured girl with a broken spine was at all related?
-When I found out they kept the dog, I almost had to laugh at the ridiculousness. If you are going to go through all this to keep Taylor’s secret, why risk it and keep the dog. The dad felt like he had to kill an innocent woman solely because of the dog. Felt very unnecessary. We already knew the dad was ruthless when he stabbed a teenager in the chest and when he pushed another off a cliff.
I think it’s OK for books to have a few far fetched scenarios. But, when a book is filled with them I simply cannot deem it as good read.
-I understand the concept of stalking someone in hopes of getting a confession. But there is absolutely no world where loving parents would let it get as far as it did. As soon as the girls were seen near their home any sane parents would install a security system or even cheap camera’s within their home. Even more wild for them not to do this after there was evidence of the girls being inside their home. I understand police are sometimes passive in stalking situations. They would not be if they had video evidence of them breaking into your home. I do understand why the dad may have been passive to a certain extent since we find out he was involved in Rudy’s death and may not know if the girls know he was involved. But this does not excuse the mom for not even once bringing up security?
-I don’t understand why the part of the diary entries was included. Taylor is apparently a drug dealer who sells to both teenagers and adult but it never ties into the story or is mentioned again.
-Taylor is so upset that someone raped Star that she’s going to stab the accused rapist when he talks to her too closely in public? When Star only shared a couple vague sentences with her about it? Give me a break. Unless Taylor is an actual psycho, this is unbelievable. (Which maybe she is since she was okay with risking the lives of her family day in and day out just to keep her secret) I believe readers would have resonated more with Taylor’s actions if Rudy raped her (Taylor). Star didn’t even need to be a part of the story.
—And you’re telling me Taylor just readily admits to Star that she killed Rudy? And then never talk to her again besides while making food in Home Ec? Bold of Taylor to assume she won’t tell anyone.
-Rudy tells his sisters the name of his killer and they don’t want to, you know, tell the police? They want to take matters into their own hand. If they didn’t want to kill her and just wanted a confession, why wouldn’t they at least tell the police and see if they could get a confession out of her. If the whole plan was to kill her, why didn’t they, you know, kill her? They had multiple opportunities.
-The stalker girls ability to be every where and know everything seemed so unrealistic. Where did one girl get a school uniform to suddenly be stalking her at the school? They are that sophisticated of teenagers to know to search the mom’s email to find out they will be going away to a cabin hours away? And then beat them there to steal a key even though they stopped to rest at the same place at the same time while traveling?
-Don’t get me started on the little sister. If she wants to act younger than her age, OK. But unless this child is on the autism spectrum (never mentioned) no nine year old would act the way she did. Your telling me a nine year old who is aware her family is being harassed and that these stalkers have been breaking into their house, would go outside to build a snowman in the middle of the night, after finding out that the stalkers were in their secluded cabin??? And had placed a knife in their sister’s stocking that cut her badly??? And then same meek, obliviously girl suddenly has it in her to stab a teenager in the neck with a glass shard after being freed from her captors while standing next to her parents? If they wanted her to do something heroic at least tie it back to the weird conversation she was having with Bess about gouging attackers eye balls out.
-After the van goes over the cliff and Taylor has to go to the hospital they never mentioned what they told the hospital had happened? This girl needs major spine surgery from an obvious accident. Are we suppose to believe the nearby van and the girls were never found? Or are we suppose to believe they were found later and no one’s going to think the nearby injured girl with a broken spine was at all related?
-When I found out they kept the dog, I almost had to laugh at the ridiculousness. If you are going to go through all this to keep Taylor’s secret, why risk it and keep the dog. The dad felt like he had to kill an innocent woman solely because of the dog. Felt very unnecessary. We already knew the dad was ruthless when he stabbed a teenager in the chest and when he pushed another off a cliff.
I think it’s OK for books to have a few far fetched scenarios. But, when a book is filled with them I simply cannot deem it as good read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 22, 2024
i literally have no words for this one :/
December 22, 2025
I picked this book up because @msmichelledawn said she read it and she was mad. I wanted to see what the book was all about, so I picked it up too. The main character in this book is Taylor Applewood. She gets stalked by a group of 6 sisters. It gets to be more than just stalking when they stand outside of her house, throw eggs at her mother, break car windows, and somehow get into her house to do nefarious acts. So the family goes away to a secluded cabin for Christmas thinking they won’t be followed. Well, they were wrong, and the sisters toyed with what was in Taylor’s stocking. So we are left to wander, who are these girls and why are they doing this? How do they get it to stop?
This is a really fast read. The chapters aren’t too long and there is a lot going on. It definitely kept my interest and I wanted to keep reading. That being said, there were things about this book that really made me go “What?!”
The book is told using mostly two points of view, though we do get a third at some point. It’s told through Taylor and her mother, Joy. Joy and Howard, Taylor’s dad, do call the police. However, the police tell them to record things and they kind of just brush it off – or at least it felt that way. Joy and Howard were writing down incidents in a book, which if fine. BUT WHY NOT RECORD WHAT IS HAPPENING?!?! Wouldn’t that be better? There is a character in the book that mentioned watching TikTok, therefore, it’s set in recent years, so recording should have not been an issue. Just some other choices and decisions that were made by the family, especially the parents, were really questionable. If you’re being followed, why go to a secluded cabin?! At some point they found a store and was hoping it was open so they could call the cops, the store was closed. Why not break the window to get to the phone?! There is a reason they were desperate to call the cops, but I don’t want to give anything away.
I won’t say that I didn’t like the book, because I did. I just was mad and confused at some of the choices made. But I guess that’s a good thing that I had such a visceral reaction – better than being bored without caring!
I’d love to hear your thoughts, give this book a read and let me know!
This is a really fast read. The chapters aren’t too long and there is a lot going on. It definitely kept my interest and I wanted to keep reading. That being said, there were things about this book that really made me go “What?!”
The book is told using mostly two points of view, though we do get a third at some point. It’s told through Taylor and her mother, Joy. Joy and Howard, Taylor’s dad, do call the police. However, the police tell them to record things and they kind of just brush it off – or at least it felt that way. Joy and Howard were writing down incidents in a book, which if fine. BUT WHY NOT RECORD WHAT IS HAPPENING?!?! Wouldn’t that be better? There is a character in the book that mentioned watching TikTok, therefore, it’s set in recent years, so recording should have not been an issue. Just some other choices and decisions that were made by the family, especially the parents, were really questionable. If you’re being followed, why go to a secluded cabin?! At some point they found a store and was hoping it was open so they could call the cops, the store was closed. Why not break the window to get to the phone?! There is a reason they were desperate to call the cops, but I don’t want to give anything away.
I won’t say that I didn’t like the book, because I did. I just was mad and confused at some of the choices made. But I guess that’s a good thing that I had such a visceral reaction – better than being bored without caring!
I’d love to hear your thoughts, give this book a read and let me know!
December 28, 2025
Like marmite you'll either love it or hate it!
This book tried to destroy me. That ending, what did I read!?!?
I started off reading this book and was like this seems quite mild and cutesy at times. I almost felt like I had picked up a YA book, but then all of a sudden it takes off.
Taylor and her family are being terrorised by a group of six girls. On the face of it, it doesn't seem like a terrifying ordeal, but looks can be deceiving.
The campaign of terror unleashed is uncomfortable, calculating and chilling, all in good measure. The level of it has you questioning if you along with characters are imagining what is happening.
A lot of the action happens in the last 20-30 per cent of the book with a chaotic barage that will have you on the edge of your seat. Each character begins to reveal some hidden depth and your perspectives will shift.
When the reason for the campaign of terror is revealed it will have you questioning what is right and wrong and what you would do in that situation.
As with some other books, my biggest bug bear was the lack of police or genuinely useless police. Also, when people run towards danger, such as a secluded spot in the middle of nowhere. Of course that's going to end well 🙄
So I was mad then that ending took me out! I had to just stare at a blank wall for a little while to process what I had read.
Looking forward to my next Lorna Dounaeva read.
This book tried to destroy me. That ending, what did I read!?!?
I started off reading this book and was like this seems quite mild and cutesy at times. I almost felt like I had picked up a YA book, but then all of a sudden it takes off.
Taylor and her family are being terrorised by a group of six girls. On the face of it, it doesn't seem like a terrifying ordeal, but looks can be deceiving.
The campaign of terror unleashed is uncomfortable, calculating and chilling, all in good measure. The level of it has you questioning if you along with characters are imagining what is happening.
A lot of the action happens in the last 20-30 per cent of the book with a chaotic barage that will have you on the edge of your seat. Each character begins to reveal some hidden depth and your perspectives will shift.
When the reason for the campaign of terror is revealed it will have you questioning what is right and wrong and what you would do in that situation.
As with some other books, my biggest bug bear was the lack of police or genuinely useless police. Also, when people run towards danger, such as a secluded spot in the middle of nowhere. Of course that's going to end well 🙄
So I was mad then that ending took me out! I had to just stare at a blank wall for a little while to process what I had read.
Looking forward to my next Lorna Dounaeva read.
December 16, 2025
Oh this was good! I really wanted the connection between Joy & the dead father to be a thing, but I knew Howard was a dark horse. All round great book, just a tad underplayed in parts of the story (Joy & driving etc).
None of the family were likeable. Clara grated on me, she seemed to be written too young for the age she was, Taylor is a pain in the arse & Joy is a naff mum. Howard was my fave! The plot seemed believable, the escalation, the lack of police care. It was good! Would have been better if one of the sisters survived mind!
None of the family were likeable. Clara grated on me, she seemed to be written too young for the age she was, Taylor is a pain in the arse & Joy is a naff mum. Howard was my fave! The plot seemed believable, the escalation, the lack of police care. It was good! Would have been better if one of the sisters survived mind!
January 5, 2025
This was actually really good I was actually quite hooked on this though I did guess some things 😂
December 6, 2025
It started out rather interesting. It had an HBO/Leftovers vibe to it that I was really enjoying, but quickly turned ridiculous.
December 24, 2025
Decent, easy read. Enjoyed the plot - very fast paced however thought it was weird and totally unrealistic that they followed them to Scotland
December 14, 2024
This is a powerful, spell-binding, spine-tingling story. It's unlike any other Christmas story you have ever read. Prepare yourself for a dark and dangerous journey. Absolutely frightening.
Highly Recommended.
Highly Recommended.
December 9, 2025
wasn't for me
December 17, 2025
Taylor Applewood is a teenager who starts getting harassed by a group of six sisters. The stalking escalates to include the whole family - mother Joy, father Howard and little sister Clara. It involves breaking and entering and vandalism. The police won't do anything. The family are eventually forced to flee in the middle of the night to an isolated cabin to celebrate Christmas. But a sinister Christmas present indicates that the six girls have followed them there. What will Joy do to protect her family?
This was a very quick read at 226 pages, and even then you could feel the padding. It requires enormous suspension of disbelief, and falls into the one-plot-twist-too-many trap, with plot twists that are inconsistent with events that were described earlier and render some character actions as nonsensical.
What was with that prologue? i went back and re-read it after the book was finished. For the life of me, I couldn't figure out how it related to the rest of the book. Did the author slap it in there in the first draft intending to link it up later, but forgot to do it in the rewrites and the editor didn't even notice? It is utterly baffling.
It was a quick read. I could feel the padding, but I wasn't bored. There were a couple of satisfying moments towards the end. Sometimes I think some thrillers would be better off just delivering something straightforward and exciting, rather than coming up with outlandish twists that contradict everything that came before it.
This was a very quick read at 226 pages, and even then you could feel the padding. It requires enormous suspension of disbelief, and falls into the one-plot-twist-too-many trap, with plot twists that are inconsistent with events that were described earlier and render some character actions as nonsensical.
What was with that prologue? i went back and re-read it after the book was finished. For the life of me, I couldn't figure out how it related to the rest of the book. Did the author slap it in there in the first draft intending to link it up later, but forgot to do it in the rewrites and the editor didn't even notice? It is utterly baffling.
It was a quick read. I could feel the padding, but I wasn't bored. There were a couple of satisfying moments towards the end. Sometimes I think some thrillers would be better off just delivering something straightforward and exciting, rather than coming up with outlandish twists that contradict everything that came before it.
November 15, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Christmas Present by Lorna Dounaeva
Honestly, this little festive thriller snack slid down easier than the fifth chocolate from the advent calendar you swore you weren’t going to eat. I finished it in under two hours, which either means it’s fast-paced as hell… or I have zero self-control. Probably both.
This book is the definition of an easy, quick, “I’ll just read a chapter before bed—wait why am I halfway through already?” kind of read. The tension sits at that perfect simmer: not too much, not too little. Like Goldilocks, but if she was deeply stressed, mildly unhinged, and desperately trying to protect her family from Christmas chaos. Because honestly… the things we go through, or are willing to do, to keep our family safe? It’s insane. Absolutely therapy-bill-worthy insanity. And yet here we are, reading about it for fun.
It’s got that nice survival-Christmas vibe, the kind where you’re rooting for everyone to make it out alive—emotionally, physically, or just through dinner without strangling someone. Put-your-family-first energy all wrapped up in a thriller bow.
Definitely worth the quick read. Fast, fun, festive danger. My twisted little heart was entertained the whole way.
The Christmas Present by Lorna Dounaeva
Honestly, this little festive thriller snack slid down easier than the fifth chocolate from the advent calendar you swore you weren’t going to eat. I finished it in under two hours, which either means it’s fast-paced as hell… or I have zero self-control. Probably both.
This book is the definition of an easy, quick, “I’ll just read a chapter before bed—wait why am I halfway through already?” kind of read. The tension sits at that perfect simmer: not too much, not too little. Like Goldilocks, but if she was deeply stressed, mildly unhinged, and desperately trying to protect her family from Christmas chaos. Because honestly… the things we go through, or are willing to do, to keep our family safe? It’s insane. Absolutely therapy-bill-worthy insanity. And yet here we are, reading about it for fun.
It’s got that nice survival-Christmas vibe, the kind where you’re rooting for everyone to make it out alive—emotionally, physically, or just through dinner without strangling someone. Put-your-family-first energy all wrapped up in a thriller bow.
Definitely worth the quick read. Fast, fun, festive danger. My twisted little heart was entertained the whole way.
January 2, 2025
This book has me so gripped and so intrigued. But most of the book didn’t really add up as there is too many different storylines happing. If my children were been stalked I would do everything possible to make them safe and not run away. There were dairy entries in the book that didn’t make sense as it says Taylor is a dealing drugs but it’s never mentioned again. The weird thing is that Taylor didn’t kill the teenager it was her own dad and this is why they family is been stalked cause the other family think it’s Taylor and the dad never says anything or confess about it just lets Taylor take the blame. Some of the characters in this book were so annoying and some of them didn’t really fit into the book that well. Overall this is a story that is so weird and so twisted. I would try another book from this author xxx
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 6, 2025
I was expecting this book to be really good, since it had a high rating on GoodReads. However, for me, it was mostly boring. It was about this girl and her family who were harassed by these girls who the eldest daughter Taylor ran into while she was out running around. These girls started stalking her at her home where she lived with her parents. You would think the police would do something, but they just put it up to kids being kids.
I didn’t really care for any of the characters. Actually some of the characters were annoying. The ending was the only thing that was kinda surprising.
I wouldn’t really recommend this book except for maybe a younger reader. I think maybe teenagers would like it.
I didn’t really care for any of the characters. Actually some of the characters were annoying. The ending was the only thing that was kinda surprising.
I wouldn’t really recommend this book except for maybe a younger reader. I think maybe teenagers would like it.
January 3, 2026
When Taylor is targeted by a group of six sisters, hers and her families lives become a living hell. As the Callaghan sisters up their reign of terror against Taylor’s family, her parents decide to take drastic action and flee in the middle of the night at Christmas time. Unfortunately, the Callaghan sisters are not far behind and want Taylor to confess and pay for what she has done.
This felt more of a YA thriller really, somewhat unrealistic and would have been much better cut shorter into a novella for the holiday season. The storyline didn’t really fill the pages, that being said I would give this author another shot and try more of her books.
This felt more of a YA thriller really, somewhat unrealistic and would have been much better cut shorter into a novella for the holiday season. The storyline didn’t really fill the pages, that being said I would give this author another shot and try more of her books.
January 18, 2026
I would definitely recommend this book to a friend. I was questioning the first 100 pages and felt like the book was more for teenagers, but my perspective changed once the book focused more on Joy instead. I did not expect the ending whatsoever! All day, the day after reading, I kept telling my husband that I couldn't believe ****** did these things. Seriously, I really enjoy books where I have no idea what's actually going on, even more when I didn't expect certain people's involvements. I had so much fun reading this book.
November 11, 2025
This was a wild ride. I wasn’t loving it but also couldn’t put it down?? Then it really locked me in and I had to finish it because I couldn’t figure out what was happening! I really didn’t enjoy the ending or the “why” but the story getting there was fun! It was just completely unrealistic. Definitely a festive thriller if you’re looking for something other than romance this holiday season, I recommend!
December 10, 2025
The Christmas Present by Lorna Dounaeva wasn’t my favorite, but it definitely wasn’t bad either. Taylor’s storyline kept me hooked, especially the tension with the group of girls who won’t leave them alone because they believe Taylor killed their brother. It gives the whole book this tense, claustrophobic feel layered under the holiday setting. Quick, easy to binge, and twisty enough to keep me turning pages. Perfect if you like fast holiday thrillers with some drama.
December 15, 2024
Read this NOW!
OMG! What have I just read! This book is amazing!!! I loved the storyline, I loved the characters, the good ones & the bad ones. There's so many twists and turns, this book will have you staying up reading well into the night. I read this in one sitting. Definitely 5 stars from me ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
OMG! What have I just read! This book is amazing!!! I loved the storyline, I loved the characters, the good ones & the bad ones. There's so many twists and turns, this book will have you staying up reading well into the night. I read this in one sitting. Definitely 5 stars from me ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
December 27, 2024
It starts with a high school student being followed by a group of girls which made it seem like a YA novel but it soon because more of a psychological thriller once the entire family became involved. The more I read the more I enjoyed the book, leading to surprising twists. I look forward to reading more by this author.
January 27, 2025
This was a really crazy ride. Joy’s family is terrorized by a group of 6 girls. But no-one seems to know why! It starts with them following her daughter, Taylor but very soon escalates to the whole family. Joy isn’t sure why this is happening to them but she has her suspicions. If you love psychological thrillers, you have to read this book. 📕
November 29, 2025
I hate being the person to give this author a bad rating because there are so few for this book. It wasn’t the worst book I’ve read, it just wasn’t as good as many of the other books I’ve read this year. Also, the author never explains anything about the secret diary Howard found, it’s mentioned in one chapter and then just completely forgotten about.
December 15, 2025
Quite a few inconsistencies, major one being that Taylor went back for the knife and the boy was alive, then later it mentions the dad went back and stabbed him again and the boy died. Yet when Taylor went back for the knife there was already a crowd gathered around the boy and when he was in the hospital he was still alive.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 29, 2025
speechless
This book was absolutely amazing from the very beginning to the very last sentence. I finished in one day, I could not stop reading it. The story line was an amazing and the events were so carefully described I felt like I was there. Feeling very emotion with the characters. This is a must read.
This book was absolutely amazing from the very beginning to the very last sentence. I finished in one day, I could not stop reading it. The story line was an amazing and the events were so carefully described I felt like I was there. Feeling very emotion with the characters. This is a must read.
December 25, 2024
The book started out slow and finished with a bang. It had a twisted vibe and a great twist at the end. Read more like a fairytale to me and I wouldn't recommend it. No sense of reality and this book was just weird.
January 5, 2025
present
Good read for a 15-17 year old. Not psychological at all. Was a 2 until about 80% in made it to a 3. Far fetched and little immature at times why I think it’s for young readers. Won’t keep you awake thinking
Good read for a 15-17 year old. Not psychological at all. Was a 2 until about 80% in made it to a 3. Far fetched and little immature at times why I think it’s for young readers. Won’t keep you awake thinking
December 21, 2025
This book kept me reading but I did consistently have the feeling of “this is a bit too far fetched”. I definitely didn’t love it but was happy to see it through. The hammer thing at the end was weird. I also think Clara was a little too grown up in her chapters for what she was supposed to be.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2026
Excellent read
This book gripped from the first page,and never let go. An excellent, thought provoking read. What would I do under the same circumstances? Who knows?
A few excellent twists throughout the book. I highly recommend.
This book gripped from the first page,and never let go. An excellent, thought provoking read. What would I do under the same circumstances? Who knows?
A few excellent twists throughout the book. I highly recommend.
December 17, 2024
This book was good! I didn't know what to expect from it, but I was pleasantly surprised! A good, fast, ready with good twists !
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