The writing was very pretty and atmospheric.

However...

I found the book as a whole to be really annoying: the embodiment of a whiny emo-goth teenager from the early 2000’s. Which was me, pretty much. It’s very possible I would have really loved Winterwood’s aesthetic when I was in high school. CRINGE.

Beyond the general annoyance, I took issue with some wording throughout the book. For instance, the MC calling the boy she find an “item” and a thing, and being really possessive and literally objectifying.

There was some victim shaming moments too.

I also couldn’t help but feel like this was a very white washed version of what could be a much more nuanced story. And this story was hurting for depth- the bottomless lake just didn’t cut it.

Overall it was very... surface level aesthetically pleasing. Going deeper? Doesn’t hold up IMO.