[second read, September 2020]

I read Girl on the Verge for the first time a few years ago and loved it. Even recently I’ve recommended it when people ask for thrillers, and I realized I didn’t remember much of it. So when I found a copy at the library, I impulsively decided to reread and see if it was as good as I used to say it was.

It was even better.

I appreciate what Dunn pulled off now more than I ever could have in 2017. To put such three-dimensional characters, layered relationships, and a mind-boggling plot in less than 300 pages AND make it all work? Truly brilliant.

If you read the synopsis and the first few chapters, it’s incredibly easy to figure out who the antagonist is. But don’t dismiss the book yet. It’s a complex psychological thriller with an underlying mystery that becomes more prominent as the story progresses.

Since this was a reread, admittedly, a few events didn’t have quite the same impact on me as they did the first time, or as they might on a new reader. I was tempted to lower my rating to four stars until the last chapter, which contains the most shocking twist of all. Trust me, it works. I completely forgot about said twist, and for that, my rating will stay at five stars. It even shocked my sister, who has more experience with thrillers than I do. Sometimes I tell her about books that I’m reading, the level of detail dependent on whether or not she’s interested in picking it up herself. Since she wasn’t super interested in this one’s premise, I gave her the spoiler-filled rundown, and she didn’t expect it either. Major props to Dunn for that.

On an unrelated note, I want to take a moment to appreciate the love interest Ethan, who did not deserve any of the wild, traumatizing things he got roped into. I’m extremely gay, but I still love reading about soft boys—Ethan definitely fits that description. He’s a competitive ballroom dancer that’s too shy to talk to the girl he likes, and he’s just so wholesome. I love to see it. And the romance? So cute!

As it’s a short book, I don’t think there’s much else to say. I’m so glad I reread Girl on the Verge. I highly recommend it and look forward to reading more by Dunn!

Representation:
• Kan is Thai-American. Her family on her mom’s side is Thai.

CW: physical & emotional abuse, manipulation, discussion of domestic violence (prior to story), suicide (off-page & prior to story), self-harm, kidnapping, captivity, sexual harassment, death/murder

[first read, June 2017]

Early copy provided by Netgalley. This doesn't affect my opinions or my review.

THIS BOOK. THIS FREAKING BOOK.

I was reading three books at once, then decided to focus on this one. I read it in a day and don't regret it at all. It blew my expectations out of the water and I loved every page.

This actually just released today, so I feel it's appropriate that I finished it. I'm going to be recommending it a lot. For such a short book, it really packed a punch and kept me on the edge of my seat. Seriously, I haven't done anything other than read in about three hours.

I loved everything about this book. The characters, the family, the romance, absolutely everything. You should see my Kindle notes. They're all over the place. Then again, so am I. I went into this happy to have an early copy, because I was looking forward to it, but I wasn't in desperate need of it or expecting much from it. Don't let this go under the radar. It's amazing.

One thing I liked that I haven't seen before was a Thai-American character. Kan, short for Kanchana, struggled to balance the expectations of her Thai family and the desire to have an American life. I'm not Thai, so further comments are out of my lane. But anyway, I loved that her family was present, even though her mother worked a lot, and I especially loved her grandmother. I also liked the tidbits of Thai culture and the Thai food that was woven into the story.

One other thing I want to bring up is that both Kan and the love interest Ethan have unique hobbies, something I want to see more of in YA. Kan designs and sews clothes, and Ethan is a competitive ballroom dancer. Yes, please! I've seen a handful of designers before, but never a ballroom dancer. I loved it, even if it seems minor.

I applaud Pintip for making such a small book so impactful and thrilling. This is slightly more than 250 pages and yet the story is so intricate and gripping. Even though I knew the basis of what would happen due to the synopsis, I was in nearly a constant state of shock as I read. I loved the last quarter, especially! I never expected it, and I couldn't have ever guessed that ending.

All in all, I loved everything about this book. It was an epic read, perfect for bingeing and definitely a new favorite.