Probably 3.5 stars rounded up.

It isn't possible to describe this book as good, given it is about a child who is groomed into having a relationship with her much older teacher, and his subsequent rape and sexual abuse of her. But it is uncomfortable, probably quite important for people to read to understand why survivors can often struggle with the abuse they have suffered, and finally it is not unrealistic.

I found the alternating chapters between the past and current events really interesting in how the perception of an event can change in our own minds, but also how it hadn't really, but Vanessa was simply still trying to survive every day without really realising it. Brutal, but I finished it in one sitting.