The author does an excellent job creating a "feeling" in this novel. The main character, Annika Rose, is complex. The plot fell a bit flat for me,.

Annika Rose by Cheri Johnson

This is a book that has mixed reviews. Some are glowing and others much less so. The prose is well done and the dialogue easy to follow. I began reading and two young women meet on a country road. One lives with her father and is out for a walk and the other has just moved into the cabin next door. They talk, tour the cabin, and Annika worries but admires Tina while thinking about drawings she has made. I was underwhelmed so read the end, as I sometimes do, to see if I wanted to continue reading based on the conclusion of the story. I wasn’t sure but still uncommitted so went to the middle and read a bit more here and there and found that there were characters that seemed charming in spots while also feeling rather dangerous. There was a dark vibe throughout and a feeling that left me thinking that this is probably a book for someone younger than I am who might be drawn in and be able to make more sense of it. So, did I read the entire book word for word? No Will I return to it? Probably not because I could not relate to the characters and their story did not draw me in. Would I read this author again? It would depend on the synopsis and if it was of interest.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Red Hen Press for the ARC – This is my honest review

2-3 Stars

This book started strong with an odd story that was engaging. However, by the halfway point, it was getting weirder and going downhill with each page turn. I found myself avoiding it so much that I had to walk away.

Cheri Johnson's "Annika Rose" is a poignant exploration of grief, isolation, and the complexities of human relationships. Johnson's narrative is both haunting and evocative, capturing the essence of the characters' internal struggles and the oppressive atmosphere of their isolated existence. Johnson's prose is lyrical and immersive, drawing readers into the lush, oppressive environment of the farm and the surrounding woods. The setting itself becomes a character, embodying the isolation and entrapment that define Annika and Wes's lives. The tension and suspense build steadily, culminating in a climactic confrontation that forces each character to reckon with their past and the choices that have led them to this point. Cheri Johnson has crafted a masterful narrative that is both heart-wrenching and hopeful. "Annika Rose" is a must-read for those who appreciate deeply moving stories that explore the darker corners of the human psyche while ultimately affirming the resilience of the human spirit.

Even though I finished this story, I really did not enjoy this book. It just was not for me. I felt like it rambled on and the inner dialogue was all over the place. I respectfully, to the author, do not want to post a bad review, so will not include a review on my social media accounts. I could not connect with any of the characters and felt like the story was forced.

Thank you to NetGalley and Red Hen Press for the ebook.

Annika Rose is a coming-of-age, contemporary psychological fiction. The story centers around Annika, an 18 year old who recently graduated, and her life on the edge of the wilderness in Minnesota. Annika and her father live alone in near total social isolation after the death of her mother. When a new young couple move into the property nearby, Annika and her dad both become nearly obsessed with them. There are several characters throughout the book, each with unique personalities and motivations. The book has an eerie, dark vibe and you understand almost immediately that some really unfortunate things happen in this town.

At first, I thought this book would go into more of a paranormal psycho thriller direction but that was not the case. I did feel the author did a wonderful job with the descriptive scenery. Unfortunately, however, the story itself and the plot were also incredibly slow and delivered in such a way that I was uninterested the entire book. At 15% in, I had to put it down for a few months because I just couldn't get into it at all. The story seemed all over the place, jumping from seemingly important conversations or situations to more in-depth descriptions of the scenery. Even after coming back, I had to force myself to finish it. I never developed an emotional attachment to Annika or any other characters, except disdain for the protagonists.

I understand this was a coming-of-age story and I would have been able to give higher ratings, even with the painstakingly slow and uneventful first half of the book, if there had been some kind of development for the characters or conclusion to the story. At the end, if felt just like the ending of another chapter - not the ending to the story. Personally, I did not feel Annika grew or matured at all throughout the book. She seemed just as confused and conflicted by the end as she did in the beginning, if a little less innocent to the ways of the world.

If you take out all the setting descriptions and unimportant conversations/facts, you would be left with a very short novella. I think the entire "plot" of this book could be described in less than 20 pages. Unfortunately, I did not enjoy my time while reading even though I really pushed myself and tried to.