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Underdog
What happens when you accidentally kidnap the girl of your dreams?
Noah Decker has carved out a respectable, if lonely, life for himself, designing video games in his Cold War-era house, caring for his chickens, and faithfully patronizing the local pub for their corned beef sandwiches. And loving Addison. Addison, who moves with the grace of a ballerina as she waits tables. Addison, whose every published word he reads again and again until he’s committed them to memory.
Addison, who doesn’t even know he exists.
But Noah’s nonexistent status is blown apart late one night when Addison staggers into the path of his car, scantily dressed, incoherently drunk, and without a phone. Incapable of leaving her passed out in the street, Noah has no choice but to bring his dream girl home for the night so she can sober up.Except Addison doesn’t wake up grateful—she wakes up panicked. She accuses Noah of terrible things, acts he’d never dream of committing, and threatens to report him. Noah can’t let that happen. Won’t let that happen.
Even if it means locking Addison in a bunker.
Deliciously twisted and unexpectedly heart-wrenching, Underdog explores the private suffering of loneliness and the terrible potential of a nice guy who’s all out of options. Fans of You by Caroline Kepnes and the works of Gillian Flynn will love Underdog . “
Underdog is equal parts gripping and disturbing. A reminder that our lives can alter in an eye blink. Decent people do deplorable things. We’re all shades of dark and light. It’s riveting when darkness wins.” — Andra Watkins, New York Times bestselling author of Not Without My Father
"Thought-provoking and disturbingly erotic, Underdog will make you question your own ethical boundaries." — Meghan O’Flynn, bestselling author of the Ash Park series
Noah Decker has carved out a respectable, if lonely, life for himself, designing video games in his Cold War-era house, caring for his chickens, and faithfully patronizing the local pub for their corned beef sandwiches. And loving Addison. Addison, who moves with the grace of a ballerina as she waits tables. Addison, whose every published word he reads again and again until he’s committed them to memory.
Addison, who doesn’t even know he exists.
But Noah’s nonexistent status is blown apart late one night when Addison staggers into the path of his car, scantily dressed, incoherently drunk, and without a phone. Incapable of leaving her passed out in the street, Noah has no choice but to bring his dream girl home for the night so she can sober up.Except Addison doesn’t wake up grateful—she wakes up panicked. She accuses Noah of terrible things, acts he’d never dream of committing, and threatens to report him. Noah can’t let that happen. Won’t let that happen.
Even if it means locking Addison in a bunker.
Deliciously twisted and unexpectedly heart-wrenching, Underdog explores the private suffering of loneliness and the terrible potential of a nice guy who’s all out of options. Fans of You by Caroline Kepnes and the works of Gillian Flynn will love Underdog . “
Underdog is equal parts gripping and disturbing. A reminder that our lives can alter in an eye blink. Decent people do deplorable things. We’re all shades of dark and light. It’s riveting when darkness wins.” — Andra Watkins, New York Times bestselling author of Not Without My Father
"Thought-provoking and disturbingly erotic, Underdog will make you question your own ethical boundaries." — Meghan O’Flynn, bestselling author of the Ash Park series
306 pages, Paperback
First published February 16, 2019
23 people are currently reading
119 people want to read
About the author
Kristen Mae
8 books446 followersKristen Mae lives on the Atlantic coast of Florida with her two children and a fuzzy, giant-eared little dog named Gizmo. In addition to being a novelist, she is a classically trained violist and an artist.
For more from Kristen Mae, sign up for her reader group at abandoningpretense.com, and follow her on social media at facebook.com/AbandoningPretense and at Instagram @kristenmae_author.
For more from Kristen Mae, sign up for her reader group at abandoningpretense.com, and follow her on social media at facebook.com/AbandoningPretense and at Instagram @kristenmae_author.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
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October 18, 2019I was thrilled to find out I won a copy of this book (and several others) through the Scary Goods Sweepstakes I entered on Lauren Lee’s Facebook page...and a $50 Amazon gift card! Woohoo 🎉 🥳. Thank you Kristen Mae and Lauren Lee!! 💜
February 13, 2019
Wow! I did not expect that! How cleaver of this author to embrace her full power. She directs what you're supposed to want, what you’re supposed to assume, and what ending you're supposed to root for. And she uses it to mess with your head.
She drops you into Noah’s self-loathing little world as first person (btw no one writes self-loathing better… a la Red Water), and turns him into this fantastically complex character. The book is written from Noah’s POV so it’s natural to understand completely how this predicament happened. He is, after all, an accidental kidnapper not the real kind. But he has some…um… flaws, which the author describes in aching detail. Also many redeeming qualities.
I only really understood Underdog five pages from the end. I think, more than anything, I was emotionally confused while reading this, which is what you're supposed to feel. You see, this book is such a mind-fuck (excuse my language, but there is really no other better way to put it) because
I think how you will relate to this story comes down to your headspace. If you're the type who'd want to protect a broken spirit then you'll fall right into the trap that is Noah's charm. If you have more of a black-and-white view of life and most especially that sins are committed by thoughts as well as deeds, and victims are defined by circumstance, then you’ll fall under Addison’s spell. I’m dying to say more, but you have to experience this for yourself.
Without a doubt, I am in love with this book. It is thoughtful, compelling, and mind-numbingly provocative. Only in retrospect do you see what Ms. Mae has done. It requires you, the reader, to pull off the full affect…and that's brilliant.
Note: I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
She drops you into Noah’s self-loathing little world as first person (btw no one writes self-loathing better… a la Red Water), and turns him into this fantastically complex character. The book is written from Noah’s POV so it’s natural to understand completely how this predicament happened. He is, after all, an accidental kidnapper not the real kind. But he has some…um… flaws, which the author describes in aching detail. Also many redeeming qualities.
I only really understood Underdog five pages from the end. I think, more than anything, I was emotionally confused while reading this, which is what you're supposed to feel. You see, this book is such a mind-fuck (excuse my language, but there is really no other better way to put it) because
I think how you will relate to this story comes down to your headspace. If you're the type who'd want to protect a broken spirit then you'll fall right into the trap that is Noah's charm. If you have more of a black-and-white view of life and most especially that sins are committed by thoughts as well as deeds, and victims are defined by circumstance, then you’ll fall under Addison’s spell. I’m dying to say more, but you have to experience this for yourself.
Without a doubt, I am in love with this book. It is thoughtful, compelling, and mind-numbingly provocative. Only in retrospect do you see what Ms. Mae has done. It requires you, the reader, to pull off the full affect…and that's brilliant.
Note: I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
June 3, 2019
The protagonists irritated the hell out of me with the decisions they made, but the author did a great job creating them. I was partial to Noah, whose first person narration seemed genuine.
I knew how the ending would turn out, but that didn't interfere with my enjoyment of the story.
I knew how the ending would turn out, but that didn't interfere with my enjoyment of the story.
March 13, 2019
Wildly unique plot with such a rich depth of character. Love everything Mae writes, and this is no exception!
February 27, 2019
This was a great and intriguing read. It was really interesting to take look inside the mind of a nerdy loner guy. Very different from Kristen Mae's other books which all have female main characters, but still just as good. Noah made me feel both pity and exasperation. I never completely questioned my moral compass or whether I thought what Noah did was wrong. But he made a stupid decision and trapped himself right along with Addison. People do crazy things when they are desperate. However, I never stopped rooting for Addison, and it was an emotionally convoluted experience to be inside the head of a main character you actually hope is going to fail.
February 25, 2019
Noah rescues Addison, or does he kidnap her? Depends which one you ask! Noah knows he loves her, he would never do that! Addison sees him as a crazy guy infatuated with her, and thinks that's exactly what happened. Alcohol has clouded her perception. But now he has her at his house, against her will, so is it really kidnapping, or love? Torture or passion? Read the book to find out! Amazing story! Crazy conclusion! Lesson: Don't take a drunk girl home because you might just accidentally kidnap her.
February 7, 2019
Dark, gritty, haunting, poignant, disturbingly erotic, and sensual in ways that will make you reexamine your own ethical boundaries. Kristen Mae blows my mind in a new twisted way with every book! DO NOT MISS THIS ONE.
March 8, 2020
Kristen Mae has an amazing gift for creating characters that cause emotional confusion. You love them and hate them at the same time. It's pure genius on her part.
Her plots are intense and gripping. You can't wait to turn the next page, and you'll hate when the book is done. I always look forward to her next release, and I always accept that nothing else in my day will get done until I've read her books from cover to cover.
This book is dark and troubled in the most entertaining way. Complex characters and vivid details all ensure that you are engrossed in the story from the first page to the very end. You'll question yourself when you realize how you want the story to end. But, always the unpredictable storyteller, Ms. Mae throws in a twist.
This book, like Beyond the Break, Objects in Motion, Red Water, Black Eyed Susie and Soft are all must reads.
Her plots are intense and gripping. You can't wait to turn the next page, and you'll hate when the book is done. I always look forward to her next release, and I always accept that nothing else in my day will get done until I've read her books from cover to cover.
This book is dark and troubled in the most entertaining way. Complex characters and vivid details all ensure that you are engrossed in the story from the first page to the very end. You'll question yourself when you realize how you want the story to end. But, always the unpredictable storyteller, Ms. Mae throws in a twist.
This book, like Beyond the Break, Objects in Motion, Red Water, Black Eyed Susie and Soft are all must reads.
August 8, 2019
Flawed book, the main guy Noah is a pervert & if he hadn't of been feeling the drunk girl up while she was sleeping the whole book would have been different! It really felt like I was reading about an obese slob of a student, NO WAY 20-30 days into her being held captive he had changed his eating habits & started exercising & lost 21lbs & was on the way to a six pack WTF?!?!?! He is always touching himself & it was creepy even reading from the pervs point of view, I sort of found it a little interesting about how he thought his crush's personality was to her true nature but the ending sort of let this down I cannot say more without spoiling the end. The ending was OK but it could honestly only have gone one of two ways (to me anyway). Was too pervy a book for me, was very weird reading a male sexual mind from a woman maybe she grew up with an older brother LOL.
March 8, 2019
Hot damn! Another winner from Kristen Mae
Great read, stayed up way too late reading caught up in the story. The main character, Noah was a bit of a surprise because he's a little doughy, kind of thick around the middle and of course is in love with a beautiful woman who is way out of his league. Then wham, there are so many twists and turns in this story it was amazing to watch (read) it unfold, makes you think, and think and think! Definitely will read more by this author, she never disappoints and her thought process is a little scary.
Great read, stayed up way too late reading caught up in the story. The main character, Noah was a bit of a surprise because he's a little doughy, kind of thick around the middle and of course is in love with a beautiful woman who is way out of his league. Then wham, there are so many twists and turns in this story it was amazing to watch (read) it unfold, makes you think, and think and think! Definitely will read more by this author, she never disappoints and her thought process is a little scary.
August 4, 2019
The plot and theme of this story is not original by any means. So what kept me reading was the anticipation of a super twist mind fuck of an ending but unfortunately, that did not happen. The ending was boring, dull, predictable and very anti-climactic. No twist, no big reveal just one big yawn from me. There are so many other ways this book could have ended I am disappointed the author chose this banal one. Hey Noah, guess what? You live in Florida, not Stockholm. Hey Noah, guess what? Addison's book was fiction.
November 21, 2019
I love books written from the point of view of the baddie but this one missed the mark for me. I wanted to like it but every other page was a masturbation scene or a sex scene or Noah speaking to his mum, cooking or playing piano...it was overly repetitive and the ending did not really come as a surprise.
The actual “story” parts though were well written and I did find parts to be compelling me to turn the page.
The actual “story” parts though were well written and I did find parts to be compelling me to turn the page.
April 8, 2020
3.5 stars
As per with all of the books I've read by this author, they are a mind trip. There is love/lust, call it what you will, but few have happy endings.
They rip my heart apart yet I keep coming back for more.
This one probably made me the most uncomfortable. I felt for Noah to a point, then he was just plain creepy.
The unhappy ending made me very happy.
As per with all of the books I've read by this author, they are a mind trip. There is love/lust, call it what you will, but few have happy endings.
They rip my heart apart yet I keep coming back for more.
This one probably made me the most uncomfortable. I felt for Noah to a point, then he was just plain creepy.
The unhappy ending made me very happy.
February 7, 2019
You’re never quite sure what you will get when you pick up a new book from Kristen Mae. That is the beauty of Mae’s writing: she’s too good to stick to just one type of story. That’s not totally true—you know a few things when you read any of this author’s books. You know the book will make you feel, will make you question what you know about sexuality, and will make you wonder about the human condition. And you for sure know a book by Kristen Mae will be a delicious read full of rich character development. Some characters jump off of the pages while others beg you to look a little closer. Underdog is definitely different from her other books, but different is not bad. Different in this case makes you think and wonder just how Mae can get into the head of characters with so many layers.
The tempo of this book is steady and sure, yet you really aren’t sure where it will end up. So you keep reading with curiosity and a disgust with your ability to like and loathe a character at the same time. Noah seems predictable. But is he? And Addison seems to have a plan. But does she? Underdog will have you wondering what’s real and what’s just an attempt to make it out of this world with your soul still intact. You will not be disappointed with Mae’s latest. Underdog will make you wonder if the underdog is always worth rooting for. Pick Mae—you can’t lose.
The tempo of this book is steady and sure, yet you really aren’t sure where it will end up. So you keep reading with curiosity and a disgust with your ability to like and loathe a character at the same time. Noah seems predictable. But is he? And Addison seems to have a plan. But does she? Underdog will have you wondering what’s real and what’s just an attempt to make it out of this world with your soul still intact. You will not be disappointed with Mae’s latest. Underdog will make you wonder if the underdog is always worth rooting for. Pick Mae—you can’t lose.
February 25, 2019
This book was a little different than her other books. I mean, it was still dark and twisted, but the POV was male so that was a first.
I don't know that I felt a strong emotional connection to the characters in the story until I got to the end and really replayed what I just read. This book is a bit of a sleeper, but once it is all played out, you are just taken aback by what just happened.
I feel like the book gets better the more you are able to grasp the cleverness, manipulativeness, and overall ingenious of some of the characters (I don't want to get specific but you will understand once you read it).
Overall, I think this book is worth reading and then replaying the scenes once you are finished. If you do that, you will better understand the intelligence it took to create a story that changes your entire perspective once you complete it and doing so without plot holes.
I don't know that I felt a strong emotional connection to the characters in the story until I got to the end and really replayed what I just read. This book is a bit of a sleeper, but once it is all played out, you are just taken aback by what just happened.
I feel like the book gets better the more you are able to grasp the cleverness, manipulativeness, and overall ingenious of some of the characters (I don't want to get specific but you will understand once you read it).
Overall, I think this book is worth reading and then replaying the scenes once you are finished. If you do that, you will better understand the intelligence it took to create a story that changes your entire perspective once you complete it and doing so without plot holes.
February 17, 2019
Where do I even start? This is the third book I've read from this amazing author. Some books start out slow and you really have to work to get interested. This is not the case here. The book starts and finishes with excitement. I could hardly put it down I liked it so much. Nerdy Noah is so easy to love. He makes you want him to have a happy ending. He deserves it right? Addison is that girl we all want to be. Pretty, outgoing, and seems to have it all. You wonder could she really fall for a guy like Noah? She seems to want too or does she? I can't recommend Underdog or Kristen Mae books enough. She is the queen of dark and twisted; sweet and loving.
I would also like to add that after every book I feel like I have to process everything. I sit there kinda shell shocked haha.
I would also like to add that after every book I feel like I have to process everything. I sit there kinda shell shocked haha.
May 24, 2019
Oh, Noah...
What if you accidently stumble on a chance to have everything that you want, but keeping it isn't "right"? Who are you willing to become to hold on to someone who could love you or totally destroy you?
Kristen Mae excels at writing deep, complex characters. I couldn't help feeling for Noah and wanting everything to work out for him fairy tale style, even while I totally despised what he was doing and knew that he was wrong. If he'd been a guy on a news story, he definitely would have been a villain in my eyes -- but... he was just Noah, who wanted a chance with a girl that was too far out of his league to even talk to, and he was trying so hard to be good to her...
I'm amazed looking back now at how much I cared for this guy -- and only an outstanding writer could do that.
What if you accidently stumble on a chance to have everything that you want, but keeping it isn't "right"? Who are you willing to become to hold on to someone who could love you or totally destroy you?
Kristen Mae excels at writing deep, complex characters. I couldn't help feeling for Noah and wanting everything to work out for him fairy tale style, even while I totally despised what he was doing and knew that he was wrong. If he'd been a guy on a news story, he definitely would have been a villain in my eyes -- but... he was just Noah, who wanted a chance with a girl that was too far out of his league to even talk to, and he was trying so hard to be good to her...
I'm amazed looking back now at how much I cared for this guy -- and only an outstanding writer could do that.
February 14, 2019
3.5
Kristen Mae’s talent: character development. I KNOW her characters though and through, as well as if they were real people. And getting to know Noah was a deliciously confusing ride. This book will make you question what constitutes a good guy or a bad guy, and I was simultaneously rooting for the underdog AND wanting him to pay for the terrible things he had done. I wanted him to have a happily ever after, and I wanted him to rot in prison. And I had no idea what to expect in the end!
When recommending Mae’s books I always throw out there “it’s not for the faint of heart”- due to both explicit sex AND some truly f’ed up situations... and Underdog follows suit!
Honest review in exchange for ARC.
Kristen Mae’s talent: character development. I KNOW her characters though and through, as well as if they were real people. And getting to know Noah was a deliciously confusing ride. This book will make you question what constitutes a good guy or a bad guy, and I was simultaneously rooting for the underdog AND wanting him to pay for the terrible things he had done. I wanted him to have a happily ever after, and I wanted him to rot in prison. And I had no idea what to expect in the end!
When recommending Mae’s books I always throw out there “it’s not for the faint of heart”- due to both explicit sex AND some truly f’ed up situations... and Underdog follows suit!
Honest review in exchange for ARC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 1, 2019
This story puts you inside the head of Noah, which is an interesting place to be. It made me think a lot about how you can rationalize anything if you really want to, but deep down you know it's wrong & that will eat at you. Also, how one mistake or impulse decision leads to a spiral of bad choices. Both Noah and Addison change a lot throughout the book and it's interesting to follow how they become both better and worse in various ways. The ending wasn't a complete shock, but it wasn't exactly what I expected either. All in all, a good book that will take you to some dark places & really make you think.
February 13, 2019
It's easy to think you're a moral person until you're faced with the ultimate test. This is what happens to Noah when he accidentally finds himself caught between what he knows is right and what every fiber of his being is telling him he wants. You won't be able to put this book down, and you might even find yourself rooting for the underdog in this disturbingly twisted and erotic novel from best-selling author Kristen Mae.
February 28, 2019
I'm such a Kristen Mae fan-girl. She is a storytelling prodigy. Underdog continues that trend. I can't stand her characters and question their choices; yet I still find myself riveted, turning pages and staying up until all hours to reach the always twisted end. It's easy to judge these people, but who knows what we'd do in a similar predicament. After all, character is who we are when nobody's looking, right?
February 7, 2019
I LOVE this author and this is my FAV book of hers yet! I read it in one sitting. I was so torn while reading. She does such a good job of making you love a character even if you probably shouldn't. Superb writing. I was routing for the under dog the whole way!
February 15, 2019
Just finished Underdog and... woah. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Addison is badass! And Noah, he had me all over the place, from feeling sorry for him, to rooting for him, to hoping he ended up chicken feed-on repeat through the entire book. Fantastic writing, as usual! ❤️
May 10, 2024
This kidnapping story told through the eyes of the kidnapper, Noah, is a breathtaking journey through pain, trauma, romance and ultimate vindication. I stayed up until 4am to finish. Again, there is no HEA, but for her gorgeous work, I will let it slide.
February 14, 2019
Another winner from Kristen Mae, with a story that will leave you never certain of who you're rooting for, even at the very end. Can you even trust your instincts?? You'll wonder...
March 4, 2019
I’ve been trying for a while now to figure out exactly what I can say about this story that wouldn’t give anything away, but yet would still convey that “you definitely should read this book!” I’m still not sure I know how to do that, so, I’m probably going to ramble. Bear with me.
First, there’s Noah. Noah, Noah, Noah. *sigh* This guy... I mean, yeah, you can’t help but put yourself in his shoes. Each step of the way, you’re like “nooo...” but... if you think about what you’d do if you were in that situation, it’s hard to think up a better alternative sometimes. You really feel for him even if you know he’s making the wrong choices. And the further he digs himself into this mess, the harder it is to undo it. - I kept trying to decide how I thought the end would turn out, pretty much one of two ways. One way or the other, it all depended totally on Addison.
So yeah, there’s Addison. And you want to feel sorry for her, because this shouldn’t be happening and she’s a victim and all that, but... she makes it hard sometimes. Well, she makes things harder on herself, I think. I did feel bad for her though, because she didn’t ask for any of this to happen, but I also often found myself questioning her intentions. - I wish I could elaborate more on that but I really don’t want to ruin anything. However, I will say: I guessed right. ;P
If you’ve ever read anything else by Kristen Mae then you know her stories are amazing, and this one is no different. The characters are fantastic, you feel like you know them and can seem them perfectly in your mind. The plot is clever and well thought-out and not like anything else I’ve read. Overall, it’s just really well done and very enjoyable to read. My review might be crappy, but Underdog definitely was not. ;) Go check it out!
First, there’s Noah. Noah, Noah, Noah. *sigh* This guy... I mean, yeah, you can’t help but put yourself in his shoes. Each step of the way, you’re like “nooo...” but... if you think about what you’d do if you were in that situation, it’s hard to think up a better alternative sometimes. You really feel for him even if you know he’s making the wrong choices. And the further he digs himself into this mess, the harder it is to undo it. - I kept trying to decide how I thought the end would turn out, pretty much one of two ways. One way or the other, it all depended totally on Addison.
So yeah, there’s Addison. And you want to feel sorry for her, because this shouldn’t be happening and she’s a victim and all that, but... she makes it hard sometimes. Well, she makes things harder on herself, I think. I did feel bad for her though, because she didn’t ask for any of this to happen, but I also often found myself questioning her intentions. - I wish I could elaborate more on that but I really don’t want to ruin anything. However, I will say: I guessed right. ;P
If you’ve ever read anything else by Kristen Mae then you know her stories are amazing, and this one is no different. The characters are fantastic, you feel like you know them and can seem them perfectly in your mind. The plot is clever and well thought-out and not like anything else I’ve read. Overall, it’s just really well done and very enjoyable to read. My review might be crappy, but Underdog definitely was not. ;) Go check it out!
February 18, 2019
This book will have you on the edge of your chair! Dark, twisted and profound with bits of compassion and eagerness. Do you feel hatred toward the right character? Maybe feel bad for the wrong one.. who knows! This book has so many twists and turns, it was hard to put down. I love all of Kristen’s books and this one certainly is no different.
April 18, 2019
So let me start off by saying, psychological thrillers are not my genre of choice, but I do like to dabble in them now and then for a change in scenery.
Underdog, was not what I expected. Written in first person, we see Noah, a "geek" or "nerd" and a self proclaimed "loser". Hasn't had a solid relationship, was always invisible, overweight, and close to his mother. But, overall a nice guy, keeps to himself and loves his pet chickens. He secretly admires Addison, a waitress at a pub, but he dare not speak to her. He does the usual online stalking, which I suppose has become a new normal in this internet infested era.
After he "accidentally" kidnaps her, you begin to see another side of him. Yes, you hate him. You hate him and are sickened by his cowardice, his very explicit fantasies of her and what he'd like to do with her. But on the other hand, you tend to wonder, is THIS how people really are from the inside? I just found some of his thoughts and feelings absolutely revolting, that I wanted to stop reading. His constant need to jerk off was annoying. I didnt want to know. But then the creeping thought always surfaced in my mind, can people really be like THIS? Throughout the book, Noah is internally at war with himself about, his choices, about his guilt and about his feelings for Addison.
Addison on the other hand didnt strike me as a stellar personality from the beginning. But throughout the book, I never sided with Noah, despite not liking her. I did however admire how Addison fought for her freedom, be it physically or otherwise.
I am still not sure if she ever did develop some feelings for Noah, or was it all completely an act? She did definitely enjoy the sexual pleasures he endowed on her, did that mean nothing? But quite possibly it was an act. I tried to imagine myself in such a predicament, would I also do the same to gain my freedom? And if I think deep enough, its scary to realize, I probably would.
Reading this book continuously reminded me of The Stanford Prison Experiment. Once individuals are placed in certain roles and environments, they take on the personality associated with that role. Like how Noah, who was now a kidnapper, started having thoughts about raping Addison.
I kept thinking about Addison and Noah even after I had finished the book. Wondering. Did Addison really develop "real" feelings? Did she really mean to hurt Noah with the letter she sent him in the end, as a way of fighting her feelings for him? So many questions -
Other than the crazy characters, I found the writing to be excellent. Since I had been disturbed/disgusted/revolted/wondering/fearing/hoping through out the read, that surely means an author did his/her job right, to evoke so many emotions. I am still utterly perplexed about how I feel about Underdog, but one things for sure, it definitely makes you question yourself, others and the world around you.
Underdog, was not what I expected. Written in first person, we see Noah, a "geek" or "nerd" and a self proclaimed "loser". Hasn't had a solid relationship, was always invisible, overweight, and close to his mother. But, overall a nice guy, keeps to himself and loves his pet chickens. He secretly admires Addison, a waitress at a pub, but he dare not speak to her. He does the usual online stalking, which I suppose has become a new normal in this internet infested era.
After he "accidentally" kidnaps her, you begin to see another side of him. Yes, you hate him. You hate him and are sickened by his cowardice, his very explicit fantasies of her and what he'd like to do with her. But on the other hand, you tend to wonder, is THIS how people really are from the inside? I just found some of his thoughts and feelings absolutely revolting, that I wanted to stop reading. His constant need to jerk off was annoying. I didnt want to know. But then the creeping thought always surfaced in my mind, can people really be like THIS? Throughout the book, Noah is internally at war with himself about, his choices, about his guilt and about his feelings for Addison.
Addison on the other hand didnt strike me as a stellar personality from the beginning. But throughout the book, I never sided with Noah, despite not liking her. I did however admire how Addison fought for her freedom, be it physically or otherwise.
I am still not sure if she ever did develop some feelings for Noah, or was it all completely an act? She did definitely enjoy the sexual pleasures he endowed on her, did that mean nothing? But quite possibly it was an act. I tried to imagine myself in such a predicament, would I also do the same to gain my freedom? And if I think deep enough, its scary to realize, I probably would.
Reading this book continuously reminded me of The Stanford Prison Experiment. Once individuals are placed in certain roles and environments, they take on the personality associated with that role. Like how Noah, who was now a kidnapper, started having thoughts about raping Addison.
I kept thinking about Addison and Noah even after I had finished the book. Wondering. Did Addison really develop "real" feelings? Did she really mean to hurt Noah with the letter she sent him in the end, as a way of fighting her feelings for him? So many questions -
Other than the crazy characters, I found the writing to be excellent. Since I had been disturbed/disgusted/revolted/wondering/fearing/hoping through out the read, that surely means an author did his/her job right, to evoke so many emotions. I am still utterly perplexed about how I feel about Underdog, but one things for sure, it definitely makes you question yourself, others and the world around you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 10, 2019
I hate Addison!!!!
This book was insane! Once I read it I couldn’t put it down. Poor Noah, like seriously going to prison for trying to do a good thing. Yeah maybe he took it too far, but I could see how he couldn’t want to have her lie about the situation. She was a total B. Awesome author for sure! First book I’ve read from her but I will most definitely read more. Wish there could be a book two where he gets out because honestly she could’ve endured a lot worse and probably would’ve stumbling along in next to nothing drunk in the dark if anyone else would have picked her up. She should count herself lucky.
This book was insane! Once I read it I couldn’t put it down. Poor Noah, like seriously going to prison for trying to do a good thing. Yeah maybe he took it too far, but I could see how he couldn’t want to have her lie about the situation. She was a total B. Awesome author for sure! First book I’ve read from her but I will most definitely read more. Wish there could be a book two where he gets out because honestly she could’ve endured a lot worse and probably would’ve stumbling along in next to nothing drunk in the dark if anyone else would have picked her up. She should count herself lucky.
March 5, 2021
I loved this book. I read “the collector” and “perfect days” and almost was afraid it would just be similar to both of those. (In fact in perfect days the girl wrote a play called perfect days which the abductor is inspired by — huge similarity.) but it turned out to be totally different and I was hooked.
For once in these kinds of books, I had lapses where I actually felt bad for/rooted for the abductor, which shows how good the writing was. I kept expecting Addison to suddenly lash out and I was on tenterhooks the whole time.
For once in these kinds of books, I had lapses where I actually felt bad for/rooted for the abductor, which shows how good the writing was. I kept expecting Addison to suddenly lash out and I was on tenterhooks the whole time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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