I started this book in audio format, which really helped with connecting to the sisters separate perspectives (Bea in the past and Lo in the present). However, as the story progressed and the creeping dread was mounting, I had to switch to the physical book because the story was just too visceral and real. But, even switching, I was in tears by the end for these two sisters. Their loneliness, their vulnerability, their strength. The double perspective was especially handled well, as you sort of go through a déjà vu as Bea becomes a member of the Unity Project and as Lo begins to be enveloped into the Project. Their perspectives and feelings are vastly different upon approaching the Project, but are mirrored so well throughout the progression of the story. Both sisters just crave to be seen, to be comforted, to be needed by others. And that is how these organizations can function so well, because they feed off the loneliness and trust of others. This book really makes your skin crawl. You begin to question if what Lo believes about the Project is real, or if her opinion is a projection of her anger at being abandoned by her sister. She is desperate to place blame, so that she does not have to confront the fact she was left behind or unwanted. But, as she continues to find out, maybe Bea also felt a little left behind (by her parents death) and, so, in a moment of fear and uncertainty she accepted the love of a stranger in order to heal. Lev Warren is exactly what you would expect from a leader of an organization like The Unity Project. He is charismatic, humble, kind. He is honest, he is bold, and he protects those who are part of his flock from the outside world. It is through Lo's eyes that you are introduced to this man, through her words and her hurt and anger, so you are unsure if this means he is actually the terrible person she believes him to be, or if he is the embodiment of the grief and loss she feels. His easy charm and his humble grace make everything shift subtly and as a reader you being to doubt yourself and your own immediate mistrust in an organization that only appears to want to help those in need. However, keep in mind that every charismatic leader is similar to Lev. Likeable, able to sway even the surest of doubters. And even when you begin to suspect something is off, something is wrong, you continuously question why you think that might be. This book was just wow! I honestly felt my skin crawl a few times. The blatant loyalty, the blind trust, even when things are happening that are wrong. But, you can also understand why people would be so easily drawn to this group, to wanting to fit in and be loved, to believing what they are experiencing in this group is what God means for them to experience. There were a couple moments I felt the book maybe was a bit slow, and a couple characters that were introduced and never heard from again (but would have been nice to see their perspective toward the end). But, all in all, this book was so well written and by the end you are so invested, and just on the edge of your seat, you cannot help but root for Lo and hope that she finds a way to forgive and to love herself. TW: cults, physical abuse, death, death of a parent/guardian, disfigurement, car accident, torture, stalking/harassment, murder, disappearance, suicide, death of a son, hospitalization, scars, premature childbirth, pregnancy/pregnancy complications, trauma, infidelity, emotional abuse, gaslighting, child abuse, age gap sex, panic attacks
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