"But boys will be boys, our favorite phrase that excuses so many things, while the only thing we have for the opposite gender is women, said with disdain and punctuated with an eye roll."

Let me just say that the quote I chose to start this review might be one of the most important lines in a fiction book that I have ever read, which makes perfect sense considering that this book is one of the most important books I have ever read.

It’s been about an hour and despite the fact that I have so much I want to say about this book I just can’t. So, fuck it. On the surface this is a pretty heavy story about revenge, and when you dive deeper into it you get a book that points out the flaws in society; primarily those surrounding slut shaming, women, rape and the inability the have open discussions about any of these issues. Looking back at this story I think it’s a bit of those scenes in Mean Girls where Lindsay Lohan’s character imagines people giving into their animal instincts, meets that new MTV show Sweet Vicious , meets the discussions about these important social topics that everyone should be having.

If you are at all interested in reading this book, do it. If you are not interested, I would like to suggest that you reconsider. This book is about an incredibly sensitive topic, I understand that and I understand that it is not a book for everyone, but I can’t help but feel that this story is too important to just shrug off as something you might not be interested in. (Please note, that I mean this is no way to offend anyone who thinks they may struggle with the content of this book based on their personal experiences in life. Triggers are real and if this book is one for you I completely respect that.)

The surface story is addicting enough to hold your interest, while educating the readers on just some of the issues previously mentioned. The characters are all likeable, even when you don’t expect them to be, mainly because they are just so incredibly honest and human. It is so easy to see either yourself or people you know in any of these characters. The only way I can accurately describe the writing and the flow of the story right now is “A+,” and while I’m not sure if it is because I just enjoyed it so much that I don’t know how to describe it, or if it’s because I’m too tired, either way it works, so lets roll with it.

No matter what direction I try and take this review I keep coming back to the word honest. This story is as honest as it is brutal, difficult, and sensitive. This story does not sugarcoat a single damn thing, and I was really here for it. While reading this I sat with my jaw hanging open several times, because it just gets SO REAL. I think the reason this story works so well is because the on-the-surface story of revenge, is just unbelievable enough that it desensitizes the readers to the more difficult topics, it makes them easier to discuss and shine a light on. Also the surface story is one that isn’t exactly far-fetched, vengeance is something that pretty much everyone wants to see, and it is what they get in this story. It straddles the line of unrealistic and yet desirable (even if it is just in your dreams).

I keep trying to discuss specific plot points and topics in this review and I just can’t say what I want to say without getting off topic (I’ve literally typed and deleted so many rants about the social issues in this book), so I think I’ll end my review here. But I more than willing to continue discussion of this book if anyone is interested!!