I thought the book was well written, but it was not in the style that I enjoyed. The book felt almost clinical to me as I was reading through it, so it took a while to get through to the end. I had a lack of interest in the main characters, which also added to the reason why it took a long time to read. I do believe it was a good topic to write on though since awareness can be made through many different forums.

This was an extremely well-written novel about the grooming and predatory relationships that often occur at private boarding schools. I enjoyed the way the author created well developed characters along with a sharp, quick moving storyline. This book has a timely message that will echo with many people who have been groomed by pedophiles into unhealthy, inappropriate relationships.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book. Unfortunately it’s not the book for me. DNF @ 23%.

It was an interesting read about a few women who started to open up about their inappropriate relationship with their teacher. It was a good book about the doubt and how their life where after school. Was exiting to read about the stories and how long the teacher did this, about the new women we learn about later in the book.

Very well-written and heartbreaking. It feels like non-fiction, but flows smoothly, as only fiction can. Packs a powerful message and punch to the gut that resonates with a lot of the stories women are coming forward with more recently.

While fascinating in subject, I couldn’t get into this book and therefore, painstakingly added it to my ‘did not finish’ pile.
Perhaps it was a question of bad timing, being a mood reader, so I wouldn’t cross out the possibility of picking this up at a later date. I certainly have no qualms about the writing style or story line.
One that caught my attention for a reason, so perhaps this will fall into my lap once more, but for now I’m closing it.

You know I am all about girl power and taking down predators like this, so I was fully prepared to love this book. But I just...didn't. The story was fine but I didn't like the way it was executed. I didn't like the characters, who weren't well developed, and the writing just felt boring. I kept forgetting I was reading it, which is never a good sign for me.

I was so looking forward to reading a copy of These Violent Delights and found it to be an utterly captivating and clever story. Victoria is excellent at creating relatable characters with insight into their thoughts and personality.

This was a really solid and compelling narrative, a #metoo in the context of a private school - lots of important discussions and the multiple perspectives really value added to this! I flew through this.

Eh, that is how I feel about this one. I read the whole thing, which says a lot about my current reading habits. But, I only did so because I wanted to see some growth, some insight, some change from the characters. The story is pretty popular, sadly, now days. And this work didn't make it more juicy or more interesting to read. There really was no story. It read like a news broadcast most of the time, which made it not so interesting. Again, my pace in reading it was lacking because of this. I wish it had been more interesting, more juicy, because then it might have taken off and then it might have been that type of book we WANT others to read because this subject matter is so very, very important.

I was immediately turned off by our narrator. The first instance we see of her is her body-shaming the intern she works with. I understand this is adult fiction, but I didn't like the ageism either. 22 is a young age but you don't have to refer to her as if she's stupid or too young to be in touch with reality.

For such a serious topic and mystery, our narrator really wasn't a nice or respectful person. She was also just really boring. I didn't connect with her at all nor did I like her. She wasn't unlikeable in an on-purpose way, she just wasn't likable. I didn't get very far before our narrator turned me completely away.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Griffith Moon Publishing through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*

Gripping from page one until the very end. Well written, great character development, and it unfolded at the perfect pace. The

I particularly liked the way this story was told with shifting perspectives and timeline of events. I think it helped build the suspense. Each of the four distinct stories intersect seamlessly. The first thing I thought about was the #metoo movement, and how sexual assault has not changed. I found this book intriguing and captivating.

I enjoyed this book well enough. The plot revolves around certain trials and character POVs, and while I did appreciate the messages, I felt the execution of the premise was a bit exposition-heavy (which bored me), and the characters did not feel entirely three-dimensional. I overall enjoyed my time reading this story and messages though, so I would recommend.

An important read especially in today's climate. This is an insightful look at an issue that too often gets swept under the rug,

I was pretty excited to read a book about bringing down a teacher who used his position of power to seduce teenage girls, I figured it would be a painful but empowering read. But the writing of this book wasn't of my liking, and I mostly skimmed the pages after 20-30% of the book. It reads almost like a newspaper article instead of a story, and a dry one too. While I liked seeing those women come together to support each other, it wasn't a very enthralling read and I didn't connect to any of the characters. It felt more like facts being presented than a story being told, with emotion. Even discerning the voices of the different women wasn't so easy, despite each having their own unique personality. But I AM glad about a story where the guy gets caught, where the victims come together for one another and where the bravery of them makes for some good in the end. I guess I'm just too used to seeing the news, so this book did feel refreshing.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The cover is gorgeous, and the book is just as wonderful. The title is a real eye catcher.

This book drew me in since it is so timely. It had well developed characters and the writer's style was very polished.

This novel is an example of how to tell a #MeToo story in the right way - with heart and empathy. Namkung tells the story of three women who are deeply affected by a 'relationship' they had with their high school English teacher. When one comes forward to write about the damage done by this abuse of power, the other two also feel called to tell of their own experiences - of the hurt, shame, and despair caused by sexual abuse. I think this story is covered effectively because Namkung truly seems to understand the path of wreckage that gets left following this type of abuse. Her author's note at the end further cemented this. She offers some statistics and a call for action to help further prevent these crimes from taking place (especially in school settings). I felt a true connection to these characters and was inspired by their strength and courage, and there was just enough edginess to help the writing stray from a schmaltzy afterschool special feel. A very important read.

Very relevant to our current cultural time but I just couldn't get into it. Kind of boring and leaned heavily on dialogue.

Another one for the DNF pile.



Just not interested in finishing this novel. It's certainly a very relevant novel, it's about a graduate from a very exclusive private girls school who starts a job with a local newspaper and decides to write an expose on a teacher she had a fling with. The teacher seduced her, made her feel special and then dropped her when she started realising what a mistake she'd made. Something she had been shamed into keeping silent for years. And once the bomb drops...she's not the only victim. Other students from past and present start coming forward and it looks like there's a giant cover up by the school.



Problem is while it's got the markings of an interesting plot, the characters are so flat and uninteresting. There's very little emotion involved, or at least for my tastes, for such a deep subject. I'm finding myself not wanting to pick it up and not really caring about how it ends anymore.



So another one for the DNF pile it is.



Thank you Griffith Moon Publishing for approving my request to view the title.