3.5, but rounding up. This is a fun, fast read featuring a Misery-like set up, but subbing in a George RR Martin for the author, and adding in a quiet but smart teenage girl as a heroine. The chapters are short, the pace is very propulsive, and the tension is well-maintained throughout - I could really see this being a great pick for middle grade+ reluctant readers in your life!

That said, I have some weird, icky feelings about the weight loss/forced diet stuff that appeared in this. Like I get that it would happen as a result of the circumstances, but I hate that it’s somehow tied to the success/health of a main character and their recovery. Just...kind of why was this necessary. This isn’t an area that I am super well-versed on, but I feel like it could be really hurtful to folks I love and just...wasn’t needed.

There was also a moment that I found VERY hard to believe concerning a missed detail on the part of the extremely detail-oriented Bridget - that really took me out of the story. That was hard for me to swallow, but it’s fairly minor and might not bother everyone.