Best friends turned frenemies. This story alternates between the perspectives of Tress and Felicity from past to present. Both are keeping secrets.

It’s a heavy story, which you feel on your back while reading. Well-written and unstoppable. Very twisty.

This book was much different than I thought it would be. Did not enjoy the Poe re-imagined plot. Felt like the author was trying too hard to make the story fit into the original instead of creating her own story.

The Initial Insult by Mindy McGinnis is a gripping, dark contemporary thriller that will keep you hooked from start to finish. The story follows two girls, Talon and Gwen, whose pasts are filled with betrayal, violence, and revenge. Talon, who feels trapped by her family's choices, has spent years holding a grudge against Gwen for something that happened between them. As the story unfolds, the tension builds, and the reader is drawn deeper into the mystery of what happened and what Talon and Gwen are capable of now.

The audiobook is well-narrated. I think that the voices that bring the characters and the suspense to life. The pacing is tight, and the story explores difficult topics like abuse, neglect, and the consequences of our actions. McGinnis’s writing is sharp and compelling, capturing the raw emotions of the characters as they confront their pasts.

Mindy McGinnis always hits

Thanks to NetGalley / Edelweiss and the publisher for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for a review.

I found this book at half price books and it immediately clicked to me that I still have not done a review on this book. I am currently trying to get through as many of these books as I can so here we go. Luckily for other websites since this book has long been archived.

Brittany Pressley is one of my favorite narrators and usually, if she is in something I like the book. I was definitely confused whenever I heard Tim Campbell's voice, and had so many questions. Of course, it was only chapter 3 and we had a lot of book to go, but just by first listen I might be skipping his chapters and just reading them.

Overall I ended up loving this book and I cant wait to read more by this author.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review which has not altered my opinion of this book.

This was a difficult book. I honestly had a hard time getting through it and because of that I want to give it a good rating: it was written well! But it was just very emotional for me and difficult to read. I have found that with Mindy McGinnis' writing I love her style but the content is either too much for me or just on the cusp of it. Which I absolutely love!

The bullying in this book though did hit hard and I did not end up finishing it, so trigger warnings for several things. But honestly, I can't not recommend this which makes it a difficult review for me to write. This was hard hitting and well written, but I couldn't read the content without getting triggered. I ended up making it a bit over half-way before my mental state took over and said no.

I do recommend though! Just not for me.

After Tress's parents disappear one night, Tress has always wanted to know what happened to them. Only one person might know, Felicity Turnado. She was the last one that saw them alive, so Tress believes. When Tress has the opportunity at a party, she finally plots how she is going to find out and Felicity is going to pay. In this modern-day retelling of a "Cask of Amontillado" , Ms. McGinnis has taken the story to a whole new level. I listened to the story via NetGalley audiobooks and listening to the second book in the duology now, "The Last Laugh". Thanks to Ms. McGinnis, NetGalley, and Harper Collins Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I was already a fan of this author before I listened to this book. The Initial Insult was an interesting story with intriguing characters. I'm looking forward to reading the sequel.

Well... there certainly was a lot of vomit in this book. An unexpected amount to be honest. Still, I love a dark, quick, twisty little read and this was the perfect audiobook for the drive to and from work. Excited to see what happens with the sequel considering how many twists and turns were in this one!

I tried very hard to listen to this, but it is not the actual audiobook, but a voice galley. I have learned that voice galleys are just not for me. I could not focus past the terrible audio voice to the story, so I had to dnf. I'll try the actual book another time.

There was a technical issue and I was never able to listen to this audiobook, so I will b=give it 5 stars to be polite. But I have no clue if it's great or not! Apologies!

This book was interesting. I really enjoyed the story overall but it could have been better. I would definitely read something from this author in the future though.

This book was a multiple facet story between childhood friends and a night that impacted their friendship and lives. The story was engaging and left me wanting more. I cant wait to read the 2nd book to see how much more happened.

4 stars.

I have now read 4 of Mindy's books and I still am not used to their utter strangeness. I love strange things so her writing is perfect for me even though there are some times even her books makes me go WTF? I also just bought the 2nd book so I'm highly looking forward to reading that.

I started this book and just could not get into it at all. I wasn’t enjoying the plot or the characters so around 20% I decided to DNF

⚠️trigger warnings: animal cruelty, death, drug and alcohol abuse⚠️
Tress and Felicity were best friends, until tragedy struck. Tress's parents just vanished when taking Felicity home from their house one night from a sleepover. Years later, Tress is determined to find out what happened that night, and she won't stop until she gets an answer....
Thank you Netgalley, Mindy McGinnis and Harper Children's for the opportunity to read and review this book. This was a very dark thriller, and though some parts were a little confusing, I believe that it will all tie together in the second book. So far I liked what I've listened to, and I can't wait to read the second book! This is a new age rendition of Edgar Allan Poe's The Cask of Amontillado. If you like Edgar Allan then I would recommend you give this book a go! I'm rating this ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Side note: I read this a while back and thought I had written a review for it, but turns out I completely missed it. My apologies.

This was a strange read but definitely has an audience of fans for the author and Edgar Allan Poe. Will be recommending it regardless of my personal opinion.

I did not really enjoy this book to begin with and the narration was just okay for me. I receved an ARC of this audiobook via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I am disappointed with this book. I was expecting one thing and received another. It had potential but it was not well written.

An interesting story about two teenage girls that used to be best friends but is now divided by place in high school popularity. Have and have not and a dark, dark secret.

I liked the book well enough but I was not crazy about it.

Most readers will disagree with me and fawn over it and that is their prerogative.

I do not feel as if I wasted my time on this book and that in these weird and wonderful times is a major plus.

Not really that much aimed at a YA group but it will get the avid reader of that age a nice and new point of view.