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amy_alwaysreading 's review for:
The Whispers
by Ashley Audrain
Many thanks to my friends at @pameladormanbooks and @prhaudio for the #gifted books.
Uncomfortable. Shocking. Twisted. Audrain hasn’t just found her niche in mom-noir, she excels at it.
When tragedy strikes Harlow Lane, a tangled web of truth, lies, and that gray area where secrets abound is slowly unwoven, leaving an often disturbing picture of motherhood, friendship, and marriage.
This book had me on the edge of my seat. It was wholly addictive, and I couldn’t put it down. Those short chapters and the propulsive plot consumed me.
But it was Audrain’s writing… sharp, bold, and daring… that allowed this storyline to really shine. This is a book that will be talked about. A lot. Some, like me, are going to love the uncensored look into those often unexplored, taboo places. Some are going to find it intrusive and uncomfortable. Either way, this is a book that will elicit a strong response.
Audrain is unapologetic in her exploration of motherhood. Each configuration, including infertility, gets a raw and honest unpacking. It’s explicit and unnerving. The longings. The insecurities. The fear. The jealousy. The sacrifices. Audrain pulled me in, allowing me to feel the very essence of each character, even the ones I didn’t like. And most shocking, she made them, as provocative as they were, relatable.
Warning: As someone who dealt with infertility and miscarriage, I found this portrayal both brutal and real. Those scenes of loss were visceral. While I found them to be an honest representation, they were also very triggering.
Just like in The Push, that last sentence of this book packed wallop. After feeling a bit let down by some of the reveals in the last 10%, that final statement was the gasp-worthy finale I expected, solidifying Audrain as an auto-buy author for me.
🎧 Because I *had* to read this book as fast as possible, I utilized every format. I listened to the audiobook on the go. I read the physical copy when home. And sometimes, I had both paired together. Jill Winternitz’ narration of the audiobook breathed life into each of the four distinct women, giving the sense that I was an interloper in their most private thoughts.
Uncomfortable. Shocking. Twisted. Audrain hasn’t just found her niche in mom-noir, she excels at it.
When tragedy strikes Harlow Lane, a tangled web of truth, lies, and that gray area where secrets abound is slowly unwoven, leaving an often disturbing picture of motherhood, friendship, and marriage.
This book had me on the edge of my seat. It was wholly addictive, and I couldn’t put it down. Those short chapters and the propulsive plot consumed me.
But it was Audrain’s writing… sharp, bold, and daring… that allowed this storyline to really shine. This is a book that will be talked about. A lot. Some, like me, are going to love the uncensored look into those often unexplored, taboo places. Some are going to find it intrusive and uncomfortable. Either way, this is a book that will elicit a strong response.
Audrain is unapologetic in her exploration of motherhood. Each configuration, including infertility, gets a raw and honest unpacking. It’s explicit and unnerving. The longings. The insecurities. The fear. The jealousy. The sacrifices. Audrain pulled me in, allowing me to feel the very essence of each character, even the ones I didn’t like. And most shocking, she made them, as provocative as they were, relatable.
Warning: As someone who dealt with infertility and miscarriage, I found this portrayal both brutal and real. Those scenes of loss were visceral. While I found them to be an honest representation, they were also very triggering.
Just like in The Push, that last sentence of this book packed wallop. After feeling a bit let down by some of the reveals in the last 10%, that final statement was the gasp-worthy finale I expected, solidifying Audrain as an auto-buy author for me.
🎧 Because I *had* to read this book as fast as possible, I utilized every format. I listened to the audiobook on the go. I read the physical copy when home. And sometimes, I had both paired together. Jill Winternitz’ narration of the audiobook breathed life into each of the four distinct women, giving the sense that I was an interloper in their most private thoughts.