Ebone Malone’s Reviews > What She Left Behind > Status Update

Rating: 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Chapter 20 had me hooked! The dynamic between Richard and Eliza feels eerily similar to Paul and Lauren, controlling, tense, and unsettling. It’s making me even more convinced their stories are connected somehow. That ending really pulled me in, and even though I’m saving the next chapter for later, I’m dying to know what happens next lol.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5

I was a bit confused when Part 2 suddenly jumped to Richard & Eliza’s story. Paul’s claim that Jesse’s twin Noah died because of Emma doesn’t add up. My theory is that I think Jesse is Noah from Richard & Eliza's story, Richard is actually Paul, Eliza is Emma, and Roxy might be Margo. The glass house and ‘other woman’ moments line up too perfectly. I think something happened and he changed their names.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐ (5/5)

From pages 126–152, Paul’s behavior is becoming more disturbing, controlling, manipulative, and possibly abusive. The way he isolates Lauren and twists her attempts to be responsible makes him feel dangerous, and I can’t shake the feeling he’s putting something in her food to make her sick again. As for the scene at Isobel’s party, when Jesse insists his name is Noah, that gave me chills! I'm hooked!

These chapters deepen the suspense and really mess with your sense of reality. The main character’s growing paranoia and isolation are gripping, and Freud does a great job making you question what’s true. It’s slow-burning but tense, with just enough clues to keep you hooked. I'm excited (and a little nervous) to see where this is going.

Rating: 4/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Great start so far. However, I hope that as the story progresses, Lauren doesn’t overly judge herself for not being the children’s mother. Instead, I’d love to see her embrace her role and find happiness in simply being there for them now. It would be rewarding to see her build a meaningful connection with them without feeling like she has to replace anyone.