I just finished this book and all I can say is wow! Scooter D. Kendesh gifted us with something special. This is one of the best books I've read in a very long time. If I could rate it 10 stars, I would!

This book is a very intense and emotionally charged read. There are several trigger warnings such as child abuse, rape, self-harm, bullying, and violence. There were several times I found myself needing a break because of how intense things got in this book. The things Bobby went through as a child, no child should ever go through. It gets deep.

The book jumps back and forth to two timelines - back when Bobby was in school and to his adult years. Bobby had never had it easy. As a Croatian living in Briabane, Bobby knew he was different. He knew he would never fit in. Going to school every day was torture for him. He would get brutally bullied and abused every day, not only by the students but by adults as well. He had it rough, to say the least.

After some time, Bobby finally makes friends with another outsider, a Greek boy named Spiro. Bobby had no idea that after meeting Spiro and his sister, Rivka, his life would never be the same.

Fast forward to his young adult years, Bobby is suffering. He suffers from depression, anxiety, and unhealed childhood trauma, and as a result, he turns to drugs, alcohol, sex, and self-mutilation as a means of coping. He is, and has always been, just barely surviving. All because of Rivka. He finally decides to face his past, and it's not at all what he expected.

This book is deep. It's a very heavy, unsettling, yet heart-wrenching read, and you will feel something with almost every sentence. The author touches on several topics, many of which are very common in today's society. Bobby's story is a story of childhood trauma and how it can greatly impact someone, even way into their adult years. A 5+ stars read!

Thank you NetGalley, BuzzBooks, and Scoota D. Kendesh for such a captivating ARC!

RIVKA BY SCOTTA D. KENDESH.
This book is the author's debut novel.
It's a dark, disturbing and captivating book based around childhood trauma that shows the impact in his adult life.
Thank you so much for allowing me to be a ARC reader for this book.
5 STARS

Rivka is an intense, unsettling, and completely gripping novel that digs deep into the long-lasting impact of manipulation and trauma. Set in Brisbane, it follows Bobby and Spiro, whose youthful friendship is shattered by the presence of Spiro’s mysterious older sister—an event that spirals into devastating consequences. A decade later, Bobby returns home only to find his past isn't ready to let him go. The suspense builds like a slow-burning fuse, leading to shocking revelations that had me flipping pages late into the night. This book had me thinking about how childhood experiences shape us, long after I turned the last page.

Listen, Rivka is NOT for the faint of heart. This book grabbed me by the collar, whispered unsettling truths in my ear, and refused to let go. It’s got childhood trauma, a serial killer lurking in the shadows, and the kind of psychological twists that make you question everyone and everything. Brisbane in the ’80s? Creepy nostalgia! The slow-burn tension? Pure gold! And Bobby? Poor guy never stood a chance. If you love dark, gritty, and disturbingly good reads, this one’s for you. Just maybe don’t read it alone at night. 😱🔪