“The Revenge” was a really intense and disturbing novel about two teenagers, Hope and Tony, told in alternating perspectives between the two. Tony and Hope were dating until recently, when Tony broke up with her. Their break-up was not amicable, with Hope responding by reading his love letters and poems in front of the school and Tony responding with doxing. Hope is a media darling- her parents host a popular morning show- and her life has been on air since she was little. Tony comes from a less wealthy but happy family- however, it was the wealth difference that led to him breaking up with Hope. Neither of them seems to express much regret over their actions or empathy throughout.

We witness the events of the synopsis pretty quickly, where Tony has doxed Hope, and Hope called him to get him to take her personal information offline and then he hears a struggle before she cuts out. He finds her phone in a ditch by her house, broken (and of course, just stashes it in his car). The next day, he finds out Hope is missing, but he is convinced that she is faking it all- keeping this assertion even after the police begin to investigate. Instead of doing anything logical, he keeps all pertinent information from the police (her phone, doxing, etc.) and consistently impedes the investigation.

I found the overall story very frustrating as far as Tony is concerned. He constantly makes himself into a villain with the doxing, adamant belief that Hope is doing this to herself, and impeding the investigation. The other main characters are equally hard to like, including the police, sleazy lawyer, Hope herself, and Hope’s friends, especially Everly who has some pretty evil sides. Perhaps the only likable character is Tony’s sweet younger sister. The plotline with Hope takes some pretty awful twists and turns, and it is really disturbing to read- to the extent that I am surprised this passes as a YA book.

Perhaps the most frustrating part of the book is the ending. I don’t want to spoil it, but it seems like it took too many twists and turns until we get to a place where none of the characters get justice for the wrongs they have committed and/or the wrongs committed against them (e.g. the doxing, obstruction of justice). The end is pretty abrupt, so we are left with a bit of a cliffhanger, and maybe they would get more justice if it is carried out. There is some pretty serious stuff in this book, and while it is not treated as a joke/lightly, we also don’t witness the way it should be handled or any of the main characters really deal with the events in any kind of constructive way. Some of the scenes are the stuff of nightmares (psychological and physical abuse as well as murder), and I don’t know if I would recommend this book to anyone.

While the writing is decent and the book moves fast, it is hard to empathize with characters who have no remorse or empathy and to really get much from the novel overall. Please note that I received an ARC from the publisher through netgalley. All opinions are my own.

I haven't ever really been a fan of Hannah Jaynes novels, but I thought I would give this new one a shot. I hoped it would change my opinion of her writing, but nope. I DNFd this book about 30% in. I just couldn't connect to the writing or the story and found myself to be very bored.

I'd just like to begin this review with a disclaimer stating that I wasn't aware of any of the discontent regarding this book's possibly triggering topics before I read it and that, in my personal opinion, this does not romanticise or in any way support doxxing. Much as in the same way that You was written through the eyes of the plot's antagoniser, so was this book. I don't mean to discredit others' feelings on this book, but am merely stating that I did not find any controversy in this story or feel any discontent over the way the harrowing subject matter was approached.

What I didn't like, however, was how the majority of this book was basically just a Gone Girl rip-off, with a slightly different plot and a slightly younger cast of characters. The original book is so widely read and discussed that it was impossible to read this and not see multiple comparisons between the two books. This meant that the obvious mid-way twist was easily identifiable and much of my enjoyment was, therefore, spoiled.

I found this book disturbing, disgusting, and incredibly harmful.

My review is lengthy, so I'll just add the link: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1978182522?book_show_action=false

I really liked the sound of this book and from the description thought it was going to have me hanging on with my nails. Unfortunately this wasn't the case. It was a readable book, but for me it just had that something gripping missing.
It didn't leave me wanting to read on, and I could have taken or left it.
I finished to book, but it just wasn't for me.
However I do think the story has the making of a really good read, but it felt like something was missing and at times it felt a little repetitive.

When I first read the blurb it seemed good but I just couldn't get into the book. I am sure others will enjoy the book but I just didn't.

My students can't get enough of Hannah Jayne! They really love a good fast-paced mystery, and she definitely delivers.