⭐️ 4.5 stars
I picked this up mostly because I wanted to see what the hype was about. Honestly, I went in feeling skeptical. Books with unreliable narrators and unlikeable characters don't always work for me. I was convinced this would either annoy me or end up as a DNF because it's been a while since i gave up on this genre, believing it's not my cup of tea.
Instead, I was completely hooked.
The biggest strength of this book is how it keeps you questioning everything. I spent the entire book trying to figure out which storyline was real, only to realize I had been looking at it the wrong way the whole time. The twist genuinely got me, and looking back, all the clues were there.
What surprised me most was how invested I became in Natalie. I especially preferred the younger version of her, the one who was in control, building the Yesteryear brand, and constantly shaping the narrative around her. She wasn't always likable, but she was fascinating to watch.
The only reason this isn't a full 5 stars is because one part of the ending still doesn't completely sit right with me. Shannon's storyline felt a little too unclear, and it's the one thing I'm still turning over in my head after finishing.
Even so, this is a book that surprised me, kept me engaged from beginning to end, and had me thinking about its characters long after I turned the final page. I may not have agreed with every choice the author made, but I can't deny that this story got under my skin, and that's usually the mark of a memorable read. Hopefully, this book will finally rekindle my liking for this genre. Fingers crossed.