Publisher's Weekly Review
NYU freshman Claudia Castro, the protagonist of this provocative standalone from Edgar finalist Dahl (the Rebekah Roberts series), has pretty much sailed through her first 20 years--until the day she wakes up in her nearly deserted dorm during spring break with a black eye, busted lip, bruising hangover, and no idea what happened to her. Too shaken to contemplate facing her family, Claudia uncharacteristically accepts the kindness of fellow student Trevor Barber, a relative stranger from a working-class background. Claudia's starting to get back on her feet when she receives a shattering video showing all too graphically some of what occurred during the time she can't remember, and struggles with whether to go to the police and risk being forever defined as a victim, or seek her own vigilante-style justice with Taylor's help. For better and worse, the glamour of Claudia's lifestyle, including a palatial Martha's Vineyard seaside estate as potential hideaway, make this psychological thriller pleasurable to read, but it also somewhat blunts the trauma of what is an all-too-real scenario. Though Dahl doesn't hit a home run, credit her with ambitiously tackling a broad canvas. Agent: Stephanie Kip Rostan, Levine Greenberg Rostan. (Sept.)
Library Journal Review
Dahl's (Conviction; Run You Down) thriller is a fast-paced, multiple-perspective story of sexual abuse being dismissed, or even weaponized against its victim. At first glance, Claudia Castro has it all: famous parents, money, thousands of social media followers, sex appeal, and popularity. Unfortunately, things aren't as they seem. It turns out that Claudia is a hot mess. One night, she misses the birth of her niece and while she has bruises the next day, she has no memory of what she assumes was a drunken night out. Dumbfounded and ashamed, Claudia cuts off communication with her family and attempts to piece together the events of that night, with the help of a new friend. As Claudia's memory begins to clear, her feelings of dread transform into a deranged and dangerous desire for vengeance. What happens next is the outcry of an aggrieved woman whose only alibi is herself; wealthy and powerful people, like always, will attempt to prevail. VERDICT The plot is intriguing but doesn't quite hit the gritty climax readers might expect. Still, Dahl provides a timely story about an always relevant topic.--Carmen Clark, Elkhart P.L., IN