Welcome to Litsy!

I might have to give up on Megan Abbott altogether. I've not finished this yet, but I'm finding it almost unbearably grim. It's hard to explain, but she does dread and ickiness so so well, that I can hardly stand it. I think it's probably testament to her writing skill to evoke that, but do I want to subject myself to it? I found "The Turnout" similarly unsettling and off-putting. I loved some of her earlier books though.

"We should go back," he said suddenly, shaking me out of sleep. #FirstLineFridays

60% in and shaping up to be a so-so. I really appreciate exploring pregnancy through a feminist lens, and no doubt something sinister is behind the men's "concern." BUT, I've had something very scary happen in my own pregnancy, and I'm finding it odd that the MC is so UNconcerned about her complication.

Listening to Megan Abbott (on the right) at the Morristown Book Festival.

Abbott brings her trademark blend of sensuality and dread to this increasingly tense and ultimately riveting thriller with echoes of DuMaurier's Rebecca. Jacy, married for two years and in her first trimester of pregnancy, is headed to the remote Michigan home of her father-in-law, Dr. Ash, for the first time. Her husband Jed seems different there, and the caretaker, Mrs. Brandt, makes her nervous. As Jacy's mom notes, "We all marry strangers."

I love Abbott and was excited for her latest, but it‘s been my least favorite of her books. There‘s a creeping dread of misogyny present, but it seems clear where it‘s going and thus lacking in suspense, so it fell a bit flat for me.

Picked this one up today!

This was ok. It was lacking in character development and part of the ending was kind of over the top. It just didn't work for me.

This novel eases in to its sense of foreboding until you are so invested in the outcome that you can‘t possibly put the book down. I really enjoyed this thriller that focuses on how a woman‘s body can feel like it‘s not her own during pregnancy and liked how the main character stayed rooted in her strength as a woman. 5 ⭐️
Thanks to Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for allowing me the opportunity to read this ARC for an honest review.