I received "Complicit" as an ARC from Atria/Emily Bestler Books via NetGalley and EW. My opinions are entirely my own, and I'm sharing them voluntarily.

Initially, I was drawn to this book by its captivating cover and intriguing blurb. However, it became apparent that it wasn't quite the right fit for me, considering the time it took me to finish reading it. Despite being published in 2022, I'm just now finalizing my review, and I apologize for the delay to the author and publisher. However, I believe that every reader's experience is unique, and this book might resonate with you in a way it didn't with me.

Typically, I'm more inclined toward fast-paced mystery/thriller genres. This book might appeal to those who enjoy:

- Slow burns
- Exploration of men taking advantage of their authority, big egos, and the #metoo movement
- Unveiling Hollywood secrets
- Themes of revenge

The author's writing is undeniably excellent, a testament to their skill and dedication. It's worth noting that this book has garnered numerous positive reviews. Therefore, I would encourage others to give it a try, despite my personal experience.

#Complicit #Atria #NetGalley #Edelweiss #EmilyBestlerBooks #WinnieMLi #Hollywood #MeToo

Abuse in Film Industry

Complicit by Winnie M Li is a visceral and timely thriller centred around the film industry. The novel follows Sarah Lai, a once-promising film producer whose career was derailed by a traumatic incident. Years later, she is offered a chance at revenge when a journalist investigating the abuses within Hollywood seeks her out for an interview.

One of the book’s main strengths is its unflinching look at the dark side of Hollywood and the complexities of complicity. Li’s ability to weave a gripping narrative while addressing serious issues is commendable. However, some readers may find the subject matter difficult to engage with due to its graphic nature. Complicit by Winnie M Li is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that sheds light on the hidden abuses within the film industry. It is a must-read for those interested in stories that challenge societal norms and advocate for justice.

This was a gripping exploration of power, abuse, and the Hollywood machine. Winnie M. Li’s raw portrayal of trauma is both powerful and disturbing. While the plot is predictable at times, the characters are complex and compelling. A must-read for fans of thrillers.

I’m not sure why I put this off for so long, but boy was that a mistake! Complicit was completely absorbing. I stayed up all night last night finishing it. It was infuriating , timely, excruciating, and utterly compelling. Perfectly paced, gorgeously written. 5 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

"Complicit: A Novel" by Winnie M. Li is a gripping narrative that delves into the unsettling realities of the film industry, exposing a world where ambition and artistry are often overshadowed by exploitation and silence. Through the eyes of Sarah Lai, a former film producer whose career was derailed by an incident she's tried to bury, Li crafts a story that is as much about the personal cost of systemic abuse as it is about the broader implications of complicity in such an environment.

Sarah's journey, from her days as a hopeful producer to her reluctant role as a lecturer at an obscure college, is marked by a constant struggle with the memories of her past and the industry's dark secrets. When a journalist reaches out to discuss her experiences with celebrated film producer Hugo North, Sarah is forced to confront the choices she's made and the role she played in perpetuating a culture of silence.

Li's writing is both bold and hypnotic, transporting readers into the heart of a deeply flawed system. Her background in the film industry lends authenticity to the narrative, painting a vivid picture of the sexism, racism, and predatory behavior that are often normalized within it. The novel's structure, which intersperses Sarah's recollections with interview transcripts, effectively highlights the various shades of complicity, from those who turn a blind eye to those who actively participate in the exploitation.

"Complicit" is a timely and important work that not only calls out the injustices of the film industry but also challenges readers to reflect on their own potential complicity in the systems they navigate. It's a novel that resonates with the urgency of the #MeToo movement, yet transcends it, offering a powerful commentary on the human condition and the price of silence.

In essence, Winnie M. Li's "Complicit" is a compelling thriller that captures the complexity of human morality in the face of power and ambition. It's a must-read for anyone looking to understand the nuances of justice and accountability in a world all too willing to look the other way.

This is a complex story about Sarah Lai, a Chinese American, trying to make a name for herself in the film industry. Against all odds she finds herself an insider which had many perks but soon proved to be too good to be true. She ends up getting in over her head with many powerful and demanding bosses. She is grateful to find her way to a teaching job leaving all the trauma behind until she is approached by a journalist. Thom works for the New York Times and is working with a famous film producer. Sarah decides that it is time to finally reveal the sordid details of life in the industry. It becomes her "me too" movement. It's a precautionary tale of being careful for what you wish.

From the title, I thought this story would be a thriller. But it’s not really, since you know the perpetrator and the crime. It’s really about Sarah and the injustice she witnessed and endured. Her story was so interesting and also at times hard to read. It really did make you think. The one issue I think people might have issue is unlike a thriller, this book was a slow burn. As a reader you kind of figure out early on where this story was headed toward but it took a long time to get there. I didn’t mind at all though because I was hooked on Sarah’s story.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an e-arc in exchange for my honest review. This really was an interesting read in so many ways. First and foremost, it is a social commentary on the me too movement and an ode to speaking your truth in a marginalized situation. We follow Sarah Lai, a young professional in the indie film industry as she recounts the lead up to her falling out with Hollywood. Pretty early on, you realize that this story is cleverly told interview-style, and much of it in the second person. I think the technique used here would be called breaking the fourth wall, because sometimes the reader sits in the perspective of the interviewer and sometimes watching from the broader and less intimate third person. I thought this was the best aspect of the book. The other point that felt really well done was the storytelling and the emotional effect conveyed to the reader. You really felt Sarah's love for film and screenplays, the difficult and confusing situations that many of the characters found themselves in, and the impossible decision of how to grapple with the events of the story. At times, the story dragged for me, but overall, it was a solid and compelling piece of literature that lends much relevance to society's current climate.
**Many sensitive topics are addressed in this book, so exercise your due diligence depending on your personal situation.

This one wasn't for me. I just couldn't get into it. I liked the writing and kept hoping to be more invested in the story but for some reason, Sarah fell flat for me.

A powerful novel about an important, and timely, subject.

I enjoyed the focus on whether the main character was complicit. I think that is a very important topic that has been overlooked in the Me Too era. There are layers to these systems and I think Li did a great job navigating a tough topic.

I'm a big fan of horror, and when I found this one on NetGalley, I knew I needed it. The twisting, mutating grossness of this tale helps to add to the atmospheric horror of Complicit by Winnie M. Li.. All of the twists and turns put me in the mood for autumn and Halloween, and I was so happy to have had the opportunity to read and review this work of art.

This book was a solid middle of the road read for me. Does it do a good job highlighting the dark underbelly of the film industry? Absolutely. Did it come off as a bit long winded and overwrought? To me, it did. Maybe this author’s style just wasn’t for me. I just felt like the first part of the book crept along at a glacial pace. That’s not to minimize the important discussion of #metoo and the rampant abuse within the industry. Both of those issues are extremely important in my opinion. But I just didn’t feel like this book was the best vehicle for showcasing and discussing them. I hope others felt differently though as I hate to be a negative Nancy towards any author.

A great read by this author. I definitely recommend checking this one out!
Thank you NetGalley for providing a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This is certainly an interesting read, but it entered the market when so many other "me too" inspired book came out. In this case, I prefer a memoir to a fiction as there are so many real-life cases and it doesn't require any fictionalization when it's still so fresh in everyone's minds. I really don't think Complicit did anything that NSFW or the film Bombshell didn't already take on.

**Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the eARC**

good book and really enjoyed the characters and their journey. I liked the romance.. I enjoyed how the characters grew in the book and what happened.

Being a victim of sexual assault myself this book was like opening a wound for me. This story was so many things all at once, it spoke on misogyny, power and corruption. The story takes us behind the scenes of Hollywood. We see just how women are blamed for what happens to them. We see that at one time it was expected and widely accepted as commonplace activity within the movie making community. This was just how you got ahead in the industry. Reading about the ways so many women carry the guilt and shame foisted on them by their abusers resonated with me and to be honest I had to put it down and take some time off from reading it quite a few times. When something hits this close to home it's hard to reopen those wounds, but sometimes we have to, to be able to heal. Knowing we are not the only ones and seeing the change that #metoo has brought to the way women are treated and taken more seriously when reporting instances of assault is moving in the right direction. I recommend it . I think you will be glad you did!


I would like to thank #NetGalley and the author #WinnieMLi for my ARC of #Complicit in exchange for an honest review.

wow, what a powerful look into the metoo movement that took over the world a few years ago. With very good reason. In this we follow Sarah as her dreams of success in the film industry are kicked aside after she suffers at the hands of others.

She finds a new career path that leads her right into the hands of a journalist. It's time that Sarah shares her story. Bringing up those harmfuls times in her life are pivotal to helping her gain back the parts she lost along the way.

As a female who has suffered in things such as this, I dove into this story and devoured it. It's a hard read. It's a necessary read. Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the advanced copy.

3 for neutral, was unable to access my netgalley account for months, until today. Because of this, I was unable to see which books I needed to read. I apologize for the inconvenience and hopefully will not have any more issues in future.

What started out as a GREAT read slowly became more and more drawn out. A “Me Too” story of women in the film industry speaking out. A timely topic with a clever storyline. Initially I was captivated at the beginning with Sarah & her opportunity to be working in the film industry… her dream job. The characters were interesting and the writing was good but the storyline really stalled for me in the middle. For me it was a lot of repetition and no forward movement.
Finally towards the end the truth is revealed and somewhat saves the story. 3.5 stars for me. It’s a long read but if the film industry is your jam then you might want to check this one out.
Thanks to #NetGalley, Atria Books & Winnie M. Li for this ARC. This is my voluntary review.

Sarah Lai, the main character of Complicit, loves movies. When we first meet her, she teaches screenwriting 101 at an obscure college, but years ago, the movies she helped make were shown at the Cannes Film Festival screenings and Sarah herself used to crash parties of celebrities like Quentin Tarantino. But the glimmer and glitz of Hollywood has a much darker side that Sarah experienced first hand. What happened and how did it impact her life?

I was so ready to love this book - I found the premise fascinating and I was excited to read a novel that deals with the # metoo movement. It’s also very clear that Li has tons of knowledge about the movie industry and I appreciated her insight into it, especially from the perspective of a Woman of Color. What turned me off is that for a book about abuse against women, its main character is surprisingly judgmental and misogynistic. There is a moment when Sarah admits that she might’ve been harsh towards other women in her environment, but even though she’s retelling her story years later, she doesn’t really try to present them any differently. The female characters feel very stereotypical and one dimensional, and I’m not sure that describing this book as a thriller is a good choice - there’s not much surprise, plus the slow pace makes it even less suspenseful.