So...okay once I finished this book, I felt like I had emerged from a fever dream. The writing is hypnotic, and the plot will keep you turning the pages. The characters are awful people, their actions have little personal consequence, and the storyline goes to some real dark places. Did I like this book? I still don't know, but I can't stop thinking about it.

This story is not a retelling of Dorian Gray, but I can see how it's inspired by the famous Oscar Wilde story. Some parts are pretty out there, and Nico's obsession doesn't really make any sense to me, but there were some pretty suspenseful scenes once the story got going. The relationship between Mick and Veronica is so unhealthy it made me nauseous sometimes. There is so much manipulation, lack of consent, and disregard for boundaries that I found their relationship more obsessive rather than romantic. The level of obsessiveness, however, makes me think Heard crafted these characters like this on purpose, and it definitely contributes to the all-around wild, hazy vibes I got while reading this book.

Overall, I'd recommend this book for anyone who is looking for a fast-paced, out-there thriller with morally ambiguous characters. It's marketed as YA, but I'd say it's a good fit for older YA readers.

I received a free digital ARC from Macmillan and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.