Anuri is a flawed Main Character. She is a walking warning label. Having been exploited by her step mother and then shunned once she spiraled and refused to be in the public light, she struggles with recognizing healthy love, love without payment, she has a drinking problem, she is hella defensive, she wants to be the savior of her little sister who while I do believe needed saving, Anuri was definitely projecting her trauma onto the little girl and was too stubborn to believe that the girl could be saved any other way than being pulled from her parents to live with Anuri who could barely care for herself.

Anuri's friends Simi and Loki were the light in this book. Both were her ride and dies and were always there to help shower her love and support, not out of obligation but out of love. Both acknowledged what Anuri pours back into their cups and brought to the table. While this book is about Anuri and her drama, it was clear to see that this unit was not one sided.

There is a love interest but no spice which I respected because while many people turn to sex as a coping mechanism during difficult times, our boy refused to allow himself be used or for her to feel regret. They had a lot of false starts.

Anuri's dad was weak AF. He knowingly kept his head in the sand and refused to push back or ask questions. He just knew his wife was happy and their wealth continued to grow. He didn't really comprehend the emotional cost it took on his daughter until it was too late and then he refused to apologize or be held accountable for his part in it. It was clear he blamed Anuri for the death of his first wife and struggled with her growing up as the dead woman's features and attitude.

Ophelia was something else. This book provides multiple POVS. Every time she tried to rationalize her behavior or defend it because she didn't feel loved or pretty growing up I wanted to reach through the pages and slap the taste out of her mouth.

I do believe she loved Anuri but she loved herself more. She loved the fame and money more. And like a child if she couldn't have something she would rather destroy it.

This was a very thought provoking read. I feel like several discussions and essays could be written off the many themes in this book and how they transfer into real life.