My favorite kind of suspense novel: deeply drawn characters, credible relationships, a thoughtful scenario that makes us wonder what we would do in a similar situation, care with language. A slow-burn read that still keeps you guessing and delivers with a satisfying climax. LOVED the ending.

I love a book that has any kind of LGBTQIA+ representation. This is my first book by Wahrer and most certainly will not be my last. I loved the setting of this, the characters were amazing, and the plot was :chefs kiss:

[4.5 stars]

This debut legal / crime drama about the aftermath of a violent male on male rape does not read like the thriller you might expect. The author was a lawyer in the domestic / child violence unit and her background shines through in her exploration of how navigating the U.S. legal system can be incredibly traumatic for already traumatized rape victims. This is also a story about the bonds of family and what family will do to protect one of their own. While this is not an #ownvoices novel, #ownvoices reviewers said she handled the male on male rape with care and seemed to have done her research. And, the publisher's blurb gives away a lot...I recommend going in blind (but knowing this will not be for the faint of heart).

Centering around the brutal rape of a young gay man following a bar hookup, Wahrer's lucid prose focuses on the effects of this trauma on the victim and on his family. The former struggles with intense feelings of shame, denial, and the shattering of self-esteem, while his very protective older brother is dealing with a burning desire for retribution, which progresses as the failures of the criminal justice system become apparent. A plot twist at the end leads to a jarring conclusion. A debut novel, The Damage features exquisite writing and an array of skillfully developed characters. Wahrer is a writer to watch, and I look forward to her next novel. Thanks to Pamela Dorman Books for providing an advance reader copy for my review. @PamelaDormanBks

Nick, a young man, is beaten and sexually assaulted and his brother, who has always taken care of him, is having trouble standing by watching Nick suffer physically, mentally and emotionally from the attack. Interesting and painful story of dysfunctional family dynamics and the devastation caused by rape on so many levels.

Interesting story of how trauma affects different members of a family. As each try to protect the others, you are constantly wondering who eventually broke and who stayed strong.
The ending is unexpected.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Very raw novel about sexual assault and its impact on an entire family.

To be honest, I’m struggling with what to say about Caitlin Wahrer’s @caitlinwahrer The Damage. I could say “wow”, but that just seems so totally inadequate. I could tell you all the things I loved about it, but Instagram will eventually limit my word count.

So I will simply leave you with this - read this book. Are there triggers? Absolutely. Are there parts that are hard to read? Yes. But will this book make you want to talk to all your friends and your book club about it? For sure.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CQdvmLOLS7z/

This is one of the most intense, heart wrenching, engrossing and compelling books that ripped my heart apart!

The plot centered on one of the most triggering sensitive subjects: sexual assault. This time a young man is the victim and the author discusses the matter so openly by reflecting the sentimental burden and emotional turmoil of Nick so realistically: a young man in college who only wants to have drinks, flirting with an old guy with man which ended with harmful assault leaving invisible traces in his soul which may never be erased. It was impossible not to feel connected with Nick and feel his tremendous pain, how he tries so hard to hold on, how overwhelmed he felt and his brother Tony, he’s unhinged, because his brother is also like his own son! How can he watch his loved one struggling so hard without taking any action?

The slow burn story is told by moving back and forth between two timelines: 2015 and 2019.

We’re introduced to Nick’s family starting with protective half brother Tony who can be considered as his real father because he literally raised Nick when their real father was useless, abusive alcoholic who had no paternal instinct.

Nick is married with Julia who is former lawyer. She’s concrete, tough, observer, cold, determined.

Then we witness the tragedy Nick has to endure. An innocent night out attempt, one drink leads to other,then he finds himself as an assault victim.

Nick’s case is investigated by detective John Rice who is smart man, observing the family members’ drama, Tony’s misery to be there for his brother, his struggles, his guilt feelings and Nick’s inner fight with his demons, his mental and physical pain, Julia’s cool and logical attitude.

When the culprit gets arrested and released with bail, things get escalated because someone is out there to avenge without waiting for justice’s serving.

After the murder, the media focuses this harmful event and misjudged opinions of the people, cruel criticism around the family create more impact than they already deal with.

I have to stop here not to give away more details but there are so many delicious, mind spinning twists in this book. Especially the ending was a quick punch to my gut. I’m still in shock! I’m literally blubbering but it was freaking unexpected and extremely smart!

This is so well written book with amazingly well developed characterization and it’s extremely provocative, intense, engaging! I think the characters’ stories will stay with me for a long time and I’ll keep thinking about them at least for a month.

No more words! I’m giving well earned thought provoking, blood freezing, dark five stars!

Special thanks to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Viking/ Pamela Dorman Books for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.

The Damage by Caitlin Wahrer is a suspenseful novel following Nick, who goes to a bar with friends and meets a new man. However the night takes a dark turn after Nick wakes up the following morning realizing he has been physically and sexually assaulted. The book then follows the aftermath of Nick's experience as his case is investigated by Detective John Rice and how his brother Tony and his sister-in-law, Julia, respond to this horrific event.

This novel was compelling from the first page, I was instantly hooked by the detective returning back into Julia's life as you try and figure out why he has returned years after the case was closed. The novel handles male sexual assault delicately but also displays the complicated ways people react especially when it is a loved one. The tone of this novel is heavy, but it is absolutely fitting for the novel and is important. Every setting discussed is realistic and captures how the events transpired, making the reader feel like they are watching or experiencing the story.

What worked most for me with this novel was learning about the characters and seeing how they responded to an incredibly difficult situation. At times I was frustrated with Tony and wanted to shake him for some of the things he thought, but I also was able to see how much he cared for Tony and how their complicated upbringing influenced his actions. I also learned so much from Nick's experience and how much shame and anger one can develop from this and how being a male influenced his experience. This book elicited so many emotions from me and I certainly will not forget it. I am definitely looking forward to what comes next for this debut author!

Many thanks to the publisher PENGUIN GROUP Viking/Pamela Dorman Books and Netgalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.

A very solid story. Less mystery & more literary fiction. A bit slow at times but the writing was great. An overall character study in the aftermath of sexual assault. Would recommend.

Oh YES a thousand times to this. A slow burner but the build up to the end was fantastic. I went from being not really satisfied to sort of satisfied and then finally I was like YES THANK YOU that was great. Loved it.

An interesting book about the attack of a gay man by a stranger at bar and the fallout and reactions from his family. This was emotional AF and interesting to see the male perspective when an unspeakable act occurs. Many twists and turns with an ending I did not guess, which is always good.

Definitely a book with trigger warnings for sure, but do not let this dissuade you from reading this book. Recommended.

Thanks to Netgalley, Caitlin Wahrer and Penguin Group Viking Pamela Dorman Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Available: 6/15/21

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Right from the start, this book was difficult to put down. The premise - the rape of a gay man by a stranger in a bar - spirals into a twisty-turny suspense thriller that will keep you guessing. Wahrer gives you just enough throughout to let you think you know what’s happened, but even when you do - you don’t.

I will definitely be recommending this to my patrons who like to read suspense thrillers.

This was a very good book dealing with an interesting topic, a man who is sexually assaulted and how the police, the lawyers and his family react in the aftermath of the attack. I have to admit that I couldn't finish it, not because the book was not good but I found it quite depressing. I'm sure many readers will enjoy this book and the interesting perspectives it reveals.

Very interesting take on a sexual assault incident. The ways it affects the family of the victim is so heartbreaking. Relationships that are tested. Lies that are told to protect. I keep thinking about how the two brother’s rotten father and their upbringing messed them up so much. Lessons to be learned here! Crazy but understandable twist at the end.

I couldn't put this one down! A young gayan goes to a hotel room with an older man and violence occurs. Then is rapes and the story follows the lives of the youngqn and his family as they deal with the aftermath. The end is a twist I didn't see coming. A great read!