Beautiful Victim

Beautiful Victim is the newest release from Claire C. Riley....ok, you know what, I'm going to deviate a little bit. This book is just going to reach out, grab you, and not let you go until page 336. This is not a hyperbole, people!!!! I read this book on a road trip, starting it right as we hit the state line of Ohio. Before we hit Toledo, I had completed the book, and was just blown away.

The book opens with an introduction to Ethan. Not "here's this dude," but more like "hey, check out what you just stepped in to!"

Ethan didn't have the best life growing up, but he had a source of light that he clung to- a neighbor girl named Carrie. Ethan was never certain when he fell in love with her, but felt there was something there from the first time they meant. Except she didn't exactly remember things the way he did.

And there's the first red flag in regards to Carrie. Does Ethan care? Nope, she's his love, his light, and what he thinks makes his whole life bearable.

And Carrie? Well, she is what she is, but she's not the main character, so

In reality, Ethan lives in a small apartment with a red door. He works a job where he really isn't wanted, but he's good at it and reliable, so they put up with him.

One dark and stormy night (you have no idea how long I've been waiting for a chance to use that), Ethan happens to see Carrie. This throws his mind into overdrive. Carrie isn't supposed to be there.

When Ethan makes it home, his mind has gone into super mega overdrive. Is he seeing things? Has his mind finally snapped? He becomes driven to find the answers so everything will make sense again.

You know what happens when cats get curious? Sometimes they don't like the answers they get.

You know what happens when Ethan gets curious? You have to read the book to find out.