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Stolen
It was Sussex, 2003. When a beautiful blonde girl is found half-drowned on a beach, she has no memory of who she is or what horrors have left her there. But an article about her in a Brighton newspaper rings alarm bells for beautician, Dale, who shows the police photographs of Lotte Wainright.
469 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
666 people are currently reading
2047 people want to read
About the author
Lesley Pearse
71 books2,212 followersLesley Pearse is one of the UK's best-loved novelists with fans across the globe and sales of over 2 million copies of her books to date. A true storyteller and a master of gripping storylines that keep the reader hooked from beginning to end, Pearse introduces you to characters that it is impossible not to care about or forget. There is no formula to her books or easily defined genre. Whether crime as in 'Till We Meet Again', historical adventure like 'Never Look Back', or the passionately emotive 'Trust Me', based on the true-life scandal of British child migrants sent to Australia in the post war period, she engages the reader completely.
Truth is often stranger than fiction and Lesley's life has been as packed with drama as her books. She was three when her mother died under tragic circumstances. Her father was away at sea and it was only when a neighbour saw Lesley and her brother playing outside without coats on that suspicion was aroused - their mother had been dead for some time. With her father in the Royal Marines, Lesley and her older brother spent three years in grim orphanages before her father remarried - a veritable dragon of an ex army nurse - and Lesley and her older brother were brought home again, to be joined by two other children who were later adopted by her father and stepmother, and a continuing stream of foster children. The impact of constant change and uncertainty in Lesley's early years is reflected in one of the recurring themes in her books: what happens to those who are emotionally damaged as children. It was an extraordinary childhood and in all her books, Lesley has skilfully married the pain and unhappiness of her early experiences with a unique gift for storytelling.
Truth is often stranger than fiction and Lesley's life has been as packed with drama as her books. She was three when her mother died under tragic circumstances. Her father was away at sea and it was only when a neighbour saw Lesley and her brother playing outside without coats on that suspicion was aroused - their mother had been dead for some time. With her father in the Royal Marines, Lesley and her older brother spent three years in grim orphanages before her father remarried - a veritable dragon of an ex army nurse - and Lesley and her older brother were brought home again, to be joined by two other children who were later adopted by her father and stepmother, and a continuing stream of foster children. The impact of constant change and uncertainty in Lesley's early years is reflected in one of the recurring themes in her books: what happens to those who are emotionally damaged as children. It was an extraordinary childhood and in all her books, Lesley has skilfully married the pain and unhappiness of her early experiences with a unique gift for storytelling.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 344 reviews
October 16, 2010
I can't tell you enough how much I hated this book. It disappointed me so much. The plot had so much promise and I'd heard the author had a huge following and a glowing reputation for writing amazing stories. I have no idea why. I'd like to give the benefit of the doubt that this is a one off bad book, and her other books live up to her reputation, but sadly I'm not going to try any more of her stuff to find out. This book was written like the script for a bad made-for-tv movie. The writing was so atrocious it made me cringe. It was basically 'and then this happened.. and then this happened.' The main characters were not well developed at all, and totally unbelievable with how nice they all were. They had no depth or realistic emotion to them. The only part of this book that I enjoyed (and I use the word extremely loosely!) is a small part during one of the end chapters covering Howard and Fern's back story, which would have made a great novel in itself. Several times I just wanted to fling this book out of the window, but once I start a book I have to finish it no matter how much I dislike it. Maybe I should just learn to walk away when I'm not enjoying something; I wasted too much time on this awful book.
January 24, 2022
Easy five stars. Lesley Pease does such a great job of creating characters that feel so real I can't help but care about them.
March 5, 2024
Ok...so you finish a really good book and want to try another author you haven't read before. Why did I pick this one of my shelf?? The blurb on the back sounded like quite a good storyline...girl washed up on the beach, no memory, how did she get there...blah blah. Well I have to say this was the best part of the book...! Yes it would make a really 'bad movie' with really 'bad actors' if made for a 'really bad movie channel'...don't read it. All I can say is I only got to page 42 and threw it away...!
The writing was awful, the characters were awful and too nicey, nicey. Didn't like the background setting....it just wasn't my kind of read at all and I will not be reading any more of this author, even if some of these reviews disagree.
Good luck to anyone else who gives this a go...!
(in fact I don't even know why I gave it a star at all...!)
The writing was awful, the characters were awful and too nicey, nicey. Didn't like the background setting....it just wasn't my kind of read at all and I will not be reading any more of this author, even if some of these reviews disagree.
Good luck to anyone else who gives this a go...!
(in fact I don't even know why I gave it a star at all...!)
May 28, 2020
Review to follow.
May 31, 2011
I have come to the point now that my books on my book shelf have all been read, and when I go the library I find it hard to find a book which calls out to me which I haven't read.
Now I have clients giving me books which they have read and one that was given to me the other day was Lesley Pearse Stolen.
To look at this book I would never have picked it for myself as I am usually reading some kind of chick-lit book or something light hearted and I would not put this book into either of those categories. My client was so passionate about the book and said I must give it ago.
There was no hanging around with the start of this book it was straight into the story with a bang. David is walking his neighbour's dog along the beach when the dog stops ahead to sniff at something which David thinks is rubbish but as David got closer he saw it was a body. The body of the young lady was barely alive when David ran to call for an ambulance.
When the young lady is recovering in hospital they face a problem as she doesn't know who she is she has lost her memory. The only thing to do was to put an article in the newspaper and on the news and hope someone comes through who recognises her to help the police understand who she is and why she came to be washed up on the beach with tie marks around her wrists and feet.
Our other main characters to this book is Dale and Scott who both work in a spa together. They used to work on a cruise ship and were a circle of three with their friend Lotte. When their contract was coming up they were going off to find work but Lotte told them she had arranged to go back to see her parents. Problem was Lotte was not seen or heard from since. After numerous texts and calls from both Dale and Scott the pair gave up as there was never any response.
Dale then sees the picture of the young lady who has been washed up on the beach and she knows instantly that this is their friend Lotte she and Scott must go to visit Lotte and tell the police. Only thing is Dale doesn't get the open armed welcome from Lotte as she doesn't remember who she is.
We follow Lotte trying to get her memories back but as events start coming back to her we realise it is not going to be pretty with abuse, a missing baby and so much more coming into the equation.
I didn't expect to enjoy this book. I was completely hooked. At no point at all did I feel that the book was predictable, it managed to keep you interested and on edge the whole time that you just could not put the book down. It was very mysterious in many places.
The characters personalities where all given enough information for you to be able to enjoy about each one of them and I have to say my favourite was Dale. The only time that I felt that the character description wasn't appropriate was towards the end of the book roughly 5 chapters before then end there is a whole chapter on the Ramsden's who are the bad characters in the book. This part really did not need to be there and in my opinion was the only low point to the book.
Do not be like me and judge a book by its cover as you may miss out on a little gem of a book like this. It has a mixture of crime, romance, memory loss, family troubles and friendship. The only thing missing is a good bit of humour but in this case I cant see how they would be able to fit it ito the story it may have ruined the feel to the story.
I would recommend this book and I would also try another one of Lesley Pearce novels as I was very impressed with this book.
Now I have clients giving me books which they have read and one that was given to me the other day was Lesley Pearse Stolen.
To look at this book I would never have picked it for myself as I am usually reading some kind of chick-lit book or something light hearted and I would not put this book into either of those categories. My client was so passionate about the book and said I must give it ago.
There was no hanging around with the start of this book it was straight into the story with a bang. David is walking his neighbour's dog along the beach when the dog stops ahead to sniff at something which David thinks is rubbish but as David got closer he saw it was a body. The body of the young lady was barely alive when David ran to call for an ambulance.
When the young lady is recovering in hospital they face a problem as she doesn't know who she is she has lost her memory. The only thing to do was to put an article in the newspaper and on the news and hope someone comes through who recognises her to help the police understand who she is and why she came to be washed up on the beach with tie marks around her wrists and feet.
Our other main characters to this book is Dale and Scott who both work in a spa together. They used to work on a cruise ship and were a circle of three with their friend Lotte. When their contract was coming up they were going off to find work but Lotte told them she had arranged to go back to see her parents. Problem was Lotte was not seen or heard from since. After numerous texts and calls from both Dale and Scott the pair gave up as there was never any response.
Dale then sees the picture of the young lady who has been washed up on the beach and she knows instantly that this is their friend Lotte she and Scott must go to visit Lotte and tell the police. Only thing is Dale doesn't get the open armed welcome from Lotte as she doesn't remember who she is.
We follow Lotte trying to get her memories back but as events start coming back to her we realise it is not going to be pretty with abuse, a missing baby and so much more coming into the equation.
I didn't expect to enjoy this book. I was completely hooked. At no point at all did I feel that the book was predictable, it managed to keep you interested and on edge the whole time that you just could not put the book down. It was very mysterious in many places.
The characters personalities where all given enough information for you to be able to enjoy about each one of them and I have to say my favourite was Dale. The only time that I felt that the character description wasn't appropriate was towards the end of the book roughly 5 chapters before then end there is a whole chapter on the Ramsden's who are the bad characters in the book. This part really did not need to be there and in my opinion was the only low point to the book.
Do not be like me and judge a book by its cover as you may miss out on a little gem of a book like this. It has a mixture of crime, romance, memory loss, family troubles and friendship. The only thing missing is a good bit of humour but in this case I cant see how they would be able to fit it ito the story it may have ruined the feel to the story.
I would recommend this book and I would also try another one of Lesley Pearce novels as I was very impressed with this book.
August 10, 2011
Im normally a big fan of Lesley Pearse and was really looking forward to reading this, sadly i was disapointed....
I got about half way through and just wanted it to be over. The story was far fetched and for want of a better word BLAH! The characters were unremarkable and bland (i refer again to the word BLAH)
This book was very different to anything ive read before by Lesley Pearse, the writing style seemed completely different and under par compared to her usual standard. I feel a little disloyal even writing this as ive loved all of her other books so much, im hoping its a blip and she'll be back on form wth her next book.
I got about half way through and just wanted it to be over. The story was far fetched and for want of a better word BLAH! The characters were unremarkable and bland (i refer again to the word BLAH)
This book was very different to anything ive read before by Lesley Pearse, the writing style seemed completely different and under par compared to her usual standard. I feel a little disloyal even writing this as ive loved all of her other books so much, im hoping its a blip and she'll be back on form wth her next book.
August 18, 2010
The storyline was interesting - a shame that the charactors had no depth and that I didn't really care about them. I also thought the writing was bad which I was surprised with as I have been told that Lesley Pearce writes good books.
October 14, 2017
Did not live up to expectation. Story was too far fetched all the way through.
Disappointing.
Disappointing.
January 12, 2015
I loved this book it kept me gripped all the way through, think its safe to say that I have found a new favourite author.
November 11, 2015
Time taken to read - 1 day
Pages - 385 pages
Blurb from Goodreads
Sussex, 2003
When a beautiful blonde girl is found half-drowned on a beach, she has no memory of who she is or what horrors have left her there.
But an article about her in a Brighton newspaper rings alarm bells for beautician Dale, who shows the police photographs of Lotte Wainright. The girls met working on a cruise ship and their friendship blossomed as they sailed the seas of South America, until Lotte fell under the sinister influence of an older American couple. To her regret, Dale hasn't seen Lotte since leaving the ship months earlier ... but the girl on the beach - although badly bruised - is indeed her much missed friend.
Their reunion only marks the beginning of a dangerous tidal wave of secrets, lies and nightmares. Where has Lotte been? Who is the man who seems to want to kill her? And what has become of the baby she's recently given birth to?
Dale and Lotte must dig deep and find the strength to hold on against the odds if they are to rebuild their friendship and survive Lotte's stolen - and deadly - past ...
My Review
The story opens with a young girl found on the beach, washed up, no memory but with markings of being tied somewhere. Soon her identity is discovered and her friends rally round trying to find out where she has been and what happened to her. But as with all secrets, some are best left undisturbed.
The half drowned girl is identified as Lotte, her friends want to help her get her memory back but there are some people who don't. The digging unearths things about Lotte's past that make her friends wonder did they really know her. Lotte is in danger, her family are unconcerned, the book jumps a wee bit back in time to cover what happened to Lotte then brings it up to date.
The tale covers friendship, secrets, love, lies and some very uncomfortable references to sex and abuse. Pearse does a grand job keeping your interest peaked whilst only revealing small parts of the mystery at a time. I have read this author before and will read her again, 4/5 for me this time.
Pages - 385 pages
Blurb from Goodreads
Sussex, 2003
When a beautiful blonde girl is found half-drowned on a beach, she has no memory of who she is or what horrors have left her there.
But an article about her in a Brighton newspaper rings alarm bells for beautician Dale, who shows the police photographs of Lotte Wainright. The girls met working on a cruise ship and their friendship blossomed as they sailed the seas of South America, until Lotte fell under the sinister influence of an older American couple. To her regret, Dale hasn't seen Lotte since leaving the ship months earlier ... but the girl on the beach - although badly bruised - is indeed her much missed friend.
Their reunion only marks the beginning of a dangerous tidal wave of secrets, lies and nightmares. Where has Lotte been? Who is the man who seems to want to kill her? And what has become of the baby she's recently given birth to?
Dale and Lotte must dig deep and find the strength to hold on against the odds if they are to rebuild their friendship and survive Lotte's stolen - and deadly - past ...
My Review
The story opens with a young girl found on the beach, washed up, no memory but with markings of being tied somewhere. Soon her identity is discovered and her friends rally round trying to find out where she has been and what happened to her. But as with all secrets, some are best left undisturbed.
The half drowned girl is identified as Lotte, her friends want to help her get her memory back but there are some people who don't. The digging unearths things about Lotte's past that make her friends wonder did they really know her. Lotte is in danger, her family are unconcerned, the book jumps a wee bit back in time to cover what happened to Lotte then brings it up to date.
The tale covers friendship, secrets, love, lies and some very uncomfortable references to sex and abuse. Pearse does a grand job keeping your interest peaked whilst only revealing small parts of the mystery at a time. I have read this author before and will read her again, 4/5 for me this time.
September 19, 2015
I loved this book! With a very captivating story line it held my interest from beginning to end. There are many great twists and turns that keep you engrossed and not wanting to put it down. The main character Lottie is found on a beach barely alive and suffering from amnesia. As the story unfolds, Lottie with the help from some interesting characters slowly but surely starts to remember things and how she ended up stranded on the beach close to death. The writer paid great attention to detail as I was able to imagine myself in the places mentioned. The only problem I had with the book was with Lottie's friend Dale. She seemed a bit too narcissistic for me but won me over in the end.
August 28, 2010
What a brilliant read. From start to finish, I was hooked! With a fast-moving plot and heroic characters, you can't help but turn the pages as quickly as you can.
August 5, 2010
Lesley Pearse is one of my all time favourite authors, I read her first book back in 1993 and loved every page, her novel 'Camellia' came with my on my honeymoon and 'Never Look Back' is one of my all-time favourite books.
No matter the subject whether it's the Klondike Gold Rush, 1960s London or a convict transported to Australia, Lesley Pearse can weave a wonderful tale.
'Stolen' is set in modern day England and follows the mystery of Lotte - washed up on a beach, near to death and with no memory of what has happened to her. As Lotte's story unfolds and she gradually regains her memory it becomes clear that she has suffered some terrible abuse.
The plot deals with some serious subjects, and yes there is some violence but entirely in context and very well written.
Stolen is a well put together story with a compelling plot and some great characters, I enjoyed every page and am eagerly awaiting her next novel.
No matter the subject whether it's the Klondike Gold Rush, 1960s London or a convict transported to Australia, Lesley Pearse can weave a wonderful tale.
'Stolen' is set in modern day England and follows the mystery of Lotte - washed up on a beach, near to death and with no memory of what has happened to her. As Lotte's story unfolds and she gradually regains her memory it becomes clear that she has suffered some terrible abuse.
The plot deals with some serious subjects, and yes there is some violence but entirely in context and very well written.
Stolen is a well put together story with a compelling plot and some great characters, I enjoyed every page and am eagerly awaiting her next novel.
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July 4, 2020امکانش هست کتابها رو به سبک ربه کا یا کتابهای ترجمه مرحوم منصوری ترجمه نکنید؟ اون نثر و اون شیوه نگارش، گمونم الان جواب نمی ده. می تونست داستان قشنگی باشه، اما ترجمه اعصاب من رو خرد کرد.
June 26, 2016
Als Dale in der Zeitung von einer halb ertrunkenen Frau liest, die am Strand gefunden wurde und unter Amnesie leidet, erkennt sie im abgedruckten Bild, das nach der Identität der Geretteten fragt, sofort ihre Freundin Lotte. Die beiden hatten sich bei einem Job auf einem Kreuzfahrtschiff kennengelernt und waren beste Freundinnen geworden. Nach Kreuzfahrtende hatten sich die beiden aus den Augen verloren, da jede zu einem anderen Job beziehungsweise nach Hause zurückkehrte bzw. das vorhatte. Sie meldet sich sofort bei Lottes Eltern, die jedoch kein Interesse am Schicksal ihrer Tochter haben, und natürlich bei der Polizei. Die Suche nach der Erklärung für Lottes Schicksal beginnt. Nachdem diese im Krankenhaus aufgewacht ist erinnert sie sich nur sehr langsam an ihr Leben, doch die Geschehnisse des letzten Jahres bleiben weiterhin im Dunkeln. Als die Ärzte ihr berichten, dass sie ein Baby entbunden haben muss versucht sie verzweifelt mehr herauszufinden. Nach einem weiteren Anschlag auf ihr Leben wird das Ganze zunehmend mysteriöser. Ihre Freunde und ihr Retter David versuchen alles um dem Rätsel auf die Spur zu kommen... Als Lotte und Dale entführt werden beginnt ein Wettlauf gegen die Zeit...
Super spannende Geschichte die sich zu einem überraschenden Thriller entwickelt hinter dem eine ziemlich krasse Geschichte steht! Mich hat sie zumindest ziemlich erschüttert und Lottes Schicksal ging mir ziemlich nahe. Liest sich wie alle Pearse Bücher Super und überrascht ebenso wie jedes der anderen Bücher geht dieses mal jedoch in eine etwas andere Richtung als ich es bisher von ihr gewöhnt war. Auf alle Fälle empfehlenswert!
Super spannende Geschichte die sich zu einem überraschenden Thriller entwickelt hinter dem eine ziemlich krasse Geschichte steht! Mich hat sie zumindest ziemlich erschüttert und Lottes Schicksal ging mir ziemlich nahe. Liest sich wie alle Pearse Bücher Super und überrascht ebenso wie jedes der anderen Bücher geht dieses mal jedoch in eine etwas andere Richtung als ich es bisher von ihr gewöhnt war. Auf alle Fälle empfehlenswert!
November 10, 2010
This book should only get one star -- the writing was atrocious, and the plot was so childish that I was amazed it had even been published. But it gets two stars for making me laugh so much. It really was that bad.
Alas, I (purposely) left my copy behind when I came back from my holiday, but from memory here are some of the greatest quotes:
"I'll never be homophobic again," said Scott with a chuckle. [Ahh, a message of tolerance. Who knew gay men could be so normal?]
They had tried to kill her! It kind of proved they were willing to do anything. [Only kind of?]
Oh, but the best bit had to be the dedication at the beginning of the book -- to the "real David Mitchell" who apparently won a charity auction and got written into this book as the hero and love interest. Major cringe. By now he's probably changed his name and is living abroad. I know I would be.
Alas, I (purposely) left my copy behind when I came back from my holiday, but from memory here are some of the greatest quotes:
"I'll never be homophobic again," said Scott with a chuckle. [Ahh, a message of tolerance. Who knew gay men could be so normal?]
They had tried to kill her! It kind of proved they were willing to do anything. [Only kind of?]
Oh, but the best bit had to be the dedication at the beginning of the book -- to the "real David Mitchell" who apparently won a charity auction and got written into this book as the hero and love interest. Major cringe. By now he's probably changed his name and is living abroad. I know I would be.
November 7, 2021
Truly another story I could not put down. A real page turner. Although fiction this could happen in the real world and there always won't be David's in the world to save the victim. Lotte and Dale were very brave and the outcome a good one.
April 21, 2016
I loved this book! Firstly, this is not the sort of book I usually read, I favour historical fiction but this is a contemporary novel. I was attracted to the book because I'd read "Hope" by the same author which I really enjoyed and because that was a historical novel I assumed that this would be too. I am now glad that I didn't look too closely when I choose this book as I would have rejected it.
The story is about Lotte Wainwright and because she was found on a beach with memory loss, her story is unfolded slowly. It's a tale of mystery but at its heart it's all about friendship and those we can depend on in times of real need.
It kept me gripped from the first page to the last, a real gem.
The story is about Lotte Wainwright and because she was found on a beach with memory loss, her story is unfolded slowly. It's a tale of mystery but at its heart it's all about friendship and those we can depend on in times of real need.
It kept me gripped from the first page to the last, a real gem.
December 11, 2010
My least favourite of Lesley Pearse's books I've read so far. Which is a shame as I've loved most of her others.
There was something about the style which didn't seem like Lesleys usual accomplished writing - it was very simplistic, practically written in words of one and two syllables and in an almost condescending manner as though written for readers with learning difficulties. I felt the characters were quite shallow and bland and the story rather far fetched.
It just didn't wow me like I hoped it would. In fact if this was th first of her books I'd read I'd probably never try another.
There was something about the style which didn't seem like Lesleys usual accomplished writing - it was very simplistic, practically written in words of one and two syllables and in an almost condescending manner as though written for readers with learning difficulties. I felt the characters were quite shallow and bland and the story rather far fetched.
It just didn't wow me like I hoped it would. In fact if this was th first of her books I'd read I'd probably never try another.
January 12, 2011
What has'nt been said and told about true friendship. If the friendship is true, than it will break all blocks and cross all seas and rivers. It is timeless and no power in the world could stand to it.
This is the real matter in this book. of course, it is a thriller with insane people that do insane acts (reminds a lot the situation in Misery by King) But the end is somehow known in advance.
I can't say I fell from my feet but I can't also say that I could set the book aside.
In a second thought, I think that the real shock in this book, is that it easely be a real story - because these things happenes and we find them too late, most of the time...
This is the real matter in this book. of course, it is a thriller with insane people that do insane acts (reminds a lot the situation in Misery by King) But the end is somehow known in advance.
I can't say I fell from my feet but I can't also say that I could set the book aside.
In a second thought, I think that the real shock in this book, is that it easely be a real story - because these things happenes and we find them too late, most of the time...
July 21, 2010
Can this book really be by the same person who wrote "Gypsy" and "Trust Me"? Granted, this was a much easier read, but I just couldn't connect with the oh-so-sickeningly-nice main characters, and I found the story just dragged on. There were no twists or surprises. The one dimensional story went along the lines of 'this happened, that happened, and then this and then that .....'. I would recommend other books by Lesley Pearse, but not this one.
August 19, 2012
This was the first book I read of Lesley Pearse givin to me by my friend 1yr prior to reading , one's I picked It up I wondered why I hadn't before as it was a great easy read which left you wanting to keep reading, I did find this to be disturbing at times , the only thing that let the book down was the ending for me I thought it was a bit far fetched and then it ended all happy ? Bit too much . But well worth the read and would recommend it .
September 28, 2017
I loved this book, kept me on the edge of my seat whether Lotte would regain her memory and want happened to her when she left the cruise ship she worked on.
Lotte is quite a shy girl and I'm glad that she had the courage to with stand all that has happened to her.
I definitely will be reading more from this author.
Lotte is quite a shy girl and I'm glad that she had the courage to with stand all that has happened to her.
I definitely will be reading more from this author.
February 12, 2018
Enid Blyton
I chose this rating because the first ten chapters or so seemed ok ish, I persevered then it just went all Enid Blyton on me The famous five, must admit started getting bored and couldn't wait to finish the book,which is strange as I usually like this author.
I chose this rating because the first ten chapters or so seemed ok ish, I persevered then it just went all Enid Blyton on me The famous five, must admit started getting bored and couldn't wait to finish the book,which is strange as I usually like this author.
November 8, 2010
Don't need to tell you how much I enjoyed this book the five stars say it all.
December 22, 2019
As usually, Lesley can captivate readers into hers stories since the beginning. Interesting story, but "Belle" is definitely still my favourite.
May 16, 2020
I'm not normally one for where the story changes backwards and forwards in time but I do believe that Pearse has executed this well. A more modern take for the author who has been known to set her stories around the first world War era. You can't help but fall in love with the characters and always on edge as to why the main character ended up where she did.
October 21, 2019
Easy holiday read, but could have easily been 00 pages less
October 17, 2023
Couldn’t put it down from start to finish it was intense!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 344 reviews