Poorly constructed and unbelievably stupid

These are some of the most unlikeable characters I've ever encountered - actually way beyond unlikeable, they are truly horrible, toxic people. Their husbands are no better. The story does nothing to convey a genuine friendship between these women, let alone a special bond. And there is no reason for us to be cheering them on or wanting anything good to happen to them.

The worst offence is this story covers some incredibly serious and triggering issues - sexual consent, rape, spousal abuse - not to mention murder. And the ludicrous nature of the story, the unrealistic way the characters speak and react to everything that happens, undermines these serious topics. And then the book starts to get preachy, trying to convey important messages about women and their "voice", particularly relating to abuse. I found it offensive and eye-roll worthy at the same time. I was literally rolling my eyes at the end, the absolutely absurd ending, the way the different stories are resolved and the ultimate message of the book.

Even the structure doesn't work well. Each woman's story is told in first person, making it hard to keep track of who is saying or experiencing what, with random third-person accounts of their children, and sprinkled with stories from the past which supposedly explain their current attitudes and behaviours.

This is the worst book I've bought through Audible. Just dreadful.

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