I'm not going to do this book any justice, it's way more complex than I am.

Enjoyment - 5
It's weird to rate enjoyment for this book, but the story gripped my brain to the point I couldn't put it down, so I'm going off of that for the rating. When I finished the book, and even during the reading, I had this urge to talk about what was happening with the people in my life. Now I want to go through and read all of the material Kate Elizabeth Russell has listed on her website as inspiration, I mean the book has already sent me down a Fiona Apple rabbit hole.

Start - 5
The beginning did a great job setting the tone and it never wavered.

Characters - 5
Every character I could envision and see them existing in our world. They were some of the most real characters that I've read in a while.

Atmosphere - 5
I was pretty grounded in the world the entire time, but this book is so internal. The majority feels like it takes place more in Vanessa's mind than in the world, which I don't fault the book for, it feels purposeful to her character.

Plot - 5
The plot was like drifting in the ocean, just letting the current take Vanessa and me where it wanted. I liked that Vanessa's growth/healing/coming to some terms as to what happened was never a straight line. She went back and forth with herself and the book didn't force her into a neat box with a picture perfect ending. The way the story progressed felt so seamless and natural.

Ending - 5
I'm super happy with the ending. It left room for Vanessa to have hope while also not feeling like the end of her journey.

Style - 5
The writing was top tier.

Overall - 5
Thanks to this book for being my first 5 star of the year.