Wow... This book was really, really intense. I found myself really having to pace my reading and could only do a few chapters a day. This book deals with a lot of heavy topics like sexual abuse, drug/alcohol use, child pronography, and mental health issues. I really loved the way the story was told: both through Sadie's point of view and West McCray's podcast. It was such an original concept and really added a new thriller/mystery layer to the story. The serious issues this book explores are something we don't talk about, despite the fact that they are very real and prevalent in society.

I really loved the book. The storyline, the way the characters were written and developed, the writing style, and the way it made my heart and my head hurt. I usually devour books in a day or two, but I couldn't bring myself to read more than a few chapters a day because the content is so heavy. It isn't a bad thing about the book; quite the opposite, really. I loved that the subject matter is real and something people shy away from- we need more of that so people like Sadie can get the help they need.

Read this book, you won't regret it.

This is the first book by Courtney Summers that I have ever read. Calling this book entertaining feels wrong and overall I didn't really enjoy it...this book deals strongly with child sexual abuse and if I had known that I wouldn't not have wanted to read it (nothing in the blurb mentioned the abuse part). Overall I found the book extremely dark and depressing with a sad ending. However I give it 3 stars as the style of writing is hard to fault and you can definitely see why Courtney has so many fans as she definitely has talent. If you don't mind dark topics then I recommend this book to read.

Thank you to the publishers for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Loved the podcast format interspersed with Sadie's story throughout the book. Reminded me of Serial and S-town and drew me in immediately. Well-written and well-paced story with realistic characters that reminded me of people I grew up around in my small hometown. Received this arc from #NetGalley.

Rating: 5 stars

Jesus, my heart just doesn't stop aching?? This book punched me right in my freaking soul and I'm seriously doubting if I'll ever recover.

Sadie is just so goddamn real, it fucking hurts. It really does. The tale of Sadie Hunter was so raw, it touches subjects that are not part of your daily talk. But maybe we should talk more about the fact that there are so many children suffering because they're not being protected the way they need to be protected. The way Courtney Summers presents the horrifying events in this book, as I said, it fucking hurts because she nails conveying the hurt, the grief and the desperation our MC goes through. It fucking hurts, because even though you know what the MC is planning on doing is in no way okay, you get it and you feel angry on her behalf, that there was no one preventing any of these things that's happened to her.

What I really loved about Sadie is how you follow not only Sadie herself, but also West McCray. You slowly start finding out what's happened to Sadie, why and how, and at the same time you also find out how everything's impacted those around her. Honestly, I was expecting to not like West's parts, because I just needed to know what was happening to Sadie but boy was I wrong. Reading West's radio reports.. I think they were just as heartbreaking as Sadie's story itself. I found myself silently begging and screaming for him to hurry up and be on time before Sadie got herself in trouble she wouldn't be getting out of. It was torturous.

This book is so important, I really can't describe it in any words because I won't do Sadie justice. Honestly, I just basically need everyone to read this.

4.5 Stars

A big thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an early copy of this book to review!

I knew I wanted to read this book immediately when I saw Jay Kristoff raving about his excitement on Instagram for receiving an arc of the novel. Immediately intrigued by the cover I headed to Goodreads to search it up and the minute I read the synopsis I knew I needed this book in my life.

Two reasons I knew I would enjoy this book.
1. It is in the vein of Contemporary fiction
2. Podcasts.

A big part of this story is that it is split into two narratives that are interwoven. The first is a true crime podcast called 'The Girls' that is following the story of missing 19 year old Sadie and her dead sister Mattie. The second is of Sadie's own story as she runs away from home to serve justice for the death of her young sister, whom she acted like a mother for.

I was immersed in this novel from the beginning to the point where I would tune out my surroundings and when I would look back up into the real world for a few seconds I would have to remember where I was. I absolutely loved the nuanced discussion around hard topics such as our perception of individuals, our ability to play the bystander role too often as well as how we tend to blame the victim by being unable to reconcile that what we knew about someone 'close' to us might not have been the reality.

The writing was beautiful and it truly captured that small town atmosphere. I almost wish this was set in an Australian small town. That dynamic would be so interesting to see. The characters were all well-developed and as fleshed out as they needed to be. The pacing was good though I felt that it didn't have the traditional structure when it comes to the build to the climax as well as the climax itself.

I only dock one star because I felt unsatisfied at the ending. I read through other reviews and I know that it was intentional in the way that it wrapped up but I felt that Sadie's viewpoint could have wrapped up a bit differently. Additionally, I feel that we set out to answer a bunch of questions but got answers for questions that we didn't realise we needed to ask. Thereby not getting answers to the questions we set out to find.

That inability to reconcile the truth of an event and/or person hit home deeply.

Trigger warnings for pedophilia and sexual abuse.

"I turn the switchblade one more time in my sweaty palm, feeling the weight of it's neat black handle and the unforgiving blade tucked inside.
It was his a long time ago.
It's mine now.
I'm going to carve my name into his soul."

Sadie is going to crawl around in my consciousness for a long time. I don't know if I'll ever be able shake the profound grief it has left in it's wake. I felt like I was drowning the entire read, sinking lower and lower, flailing and gasping for air that's not there, air that will never be there. It's taken me longer to write this review than it took me to read the book because I am at a loss for words. There are no words to explain how this book affected me. For an author to be able to conjur up such emotion with words alone is a true gift.

I can't recommend this book enough. It will join the select few on my list of favorite books of all time

I was provided an ARC of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Courtney Summers is the queen of teenage girl povs. A heartbreaking book about a girl named Sadie trying to find her sisters killer and get her own justice.

Sadie is a story about sisters who loved each other from the moment they were introduced. Sadie is older than Maddie by six years. When Maddie was born Claire placed her the arms of Sadie giving her life purpose. From that moment, Sadie protected and cared for her sister. Claire their mother was single, yet she had no qualms with bringing men into their home. She abandoned and neglected her children to feed her addictions.

This story was told in eight episodes during a podcast show on the radio by West McCray who explored the unsettling mystery into the death of Maddie and the disappearance of Sadie known as The Girls. The format served its purpose. However, if I had been a listener on this radio show I would have appreciated this format much better. As a reader, I was unable to create the voice of a radio host. But I liked that Sadie’s confessional was delivered in sequence to the episodes. Yet, at times I felt the podcast rehashed the same information already given by Sadie. To reiterate had I been a listener rather than a reader I would be hearing only the podcast not Sadie’s story.

Sadie was nineteen when she took it upon herself to find the man responsible for her sister’s death. There are many unanswered questions associated with Sadie’s search, yet that didn’t hinder my ability for closure. In fact, I expected some plot holes considering this was a cold case. West McCray did the best he could given the circumstances. Not to mention no one else made an effort to bring closure to these girls.

Knowing what I know about Sadie’s experience and journey has me going back to process the format in which it was delivered. First I must begin with the podcast which served it’s one and only purpose of sharing Sadie’s story to the public to radio listeners. Second I liked how Sadie had a voice along side the podcast even though they were months apart from each other. Thirdly using West McCray a well known radio producer to share his findings on his broadcast show gave voice and recognition to the untold lives of these girls who lived in a small poverty town. Finally, had it not been for Danny Gilchrist who already had listeners following his Always Out There show on WNRK New York this case may never have had the closure the family needed.
I would imagine that the podcast format will sound amazing in audiobook. A separate narrator for the voice of West will bring this part of the story to life. As a reader I was unable to make the connection that this was suppose to read as a voice on the radio. Its delivery was lost and not appreciated to its full potential.
Now that I finished reading and can reflect back on the story it’s easier to see and appreciate the format. However, while reading I grew bored at times. I also questioned Sadie’s tactics for retrieving information. It all seemed so simple.

Sadie takes on difficult topics in her journey to find the man who murdered her little sister. Told through Sadie's perspective as well as that of a podcast producer who is investigating her disappearance, we meet all of the people who have touched her life. It's a gritty, emotional, and dark discovery. The relationship between Sadie and Mattie isn't perfect, nor is their relationship with their mother, but you still get a sense of how much they all love one another. It's hard to imagine a satisfying ending to this story, however, and so we don't really get one.

This was so good, and so very different, from anything I can remember reading! The narrative switched from a “true crime reporter” to a “missing girl” at the start of each chapter. They complimented each other and really fleshed out what happened. It kept me on the edge of my seat.

Sadie is an amazing character. She will break your heart. She is strong, selfless, and funny (yes, believe it). The horrific life that she endures is made bearable by her love for her sister (which she is raising due to a negligent, then missing, drug addicted mother). The lifestyle, poverty level, and lack of education is so disheartening. I know it exists - I know it exists here in my town - huge opioid epidemic - I just don’t see it firsthand (or read about it). Maybe I should.

It strings you along skillfully, and keeps you wanting the happily ever after. Maybe we got it?? This one will stay with me for a while...

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and the author for a copy in exchange for a review. This did not influence my opinion. I will definitely go back and check out the works of this author, very excited to do so!

"In Mattie , Sadie found a sense of purpose, a place to put her love . But love is complicated, it’s messy. It can inspire selflessness, selfishness, our greatest accomplishments and our hardest mistakes. It brings us together and it can just as easily drive us apart.

It can drive us."

This extraordinarily written narrative by Courtney Summers, depicts the tribulations of the book's namesake, Sadie, as she chucks her life in Cold Creek, Colorado in pursuit of the man she believes killed her thirteen year old sister, Mattie.

Split point of views between West McCray, a podcast creator who ends up investigating Sadie's disappearance, and the first person narrative of Sadie herself, as she navigates murky clues throughout an array of distressing circumstances, allows the reader to be intricately involved in a story that unveils like criminal reportage. It hooks you, devastates you, and it doesn't let go, long after the last page has come and gone.

Sadie is a story that demands your attention and your heart, as you face what drives Sadie to vigilante justice on behalf of the broken. Heartbreaking, raw and gritty to the end, Summers has created a powerful narrative that compels the reader to experience a gamut of emotions, all of which challenge the system of the norm and definitely leaves an impression by the time it's all over.

It is dark and it is disturbing. It is not easy. None of what is found within the pages of this book, is. It is uncomfortable and it is exhausting and that's exactly what it takes to address what lies deep and terrible within the hearts of man, exorcising everything in its wake as the reader hankers for a redeeming end from the offset.

From beginning to the end, Sadie by Courtney Summers is a rare reading experience, with an unbelievable, incredible protagonist none of us will soon forget.

I know I won't. Not ever, I don't think. Something inside me is carrying a bit of the weight for Sadie, and for the rest of The Girls, and for anyone who has ever had to live the devastating weight of the words contained within this book.

I would like to thank St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

TW: pedophilia, sexual abuse, violence, substance abuse.

I really, really enjoyed my reading experience with this book. The places Sadie went and the things she did had such a realistic quality and all the side characters were rounded out. I do think that by not sharing a lot of “before” stories about Mattie, there was a little disconnect, but that’s in line with the podcast feel of the story. The ending wasn’t clean, and I want to be upset about it, but at times I can appreciated a messy ending because that’s how real life is, and this is a painfully real book. I also am really a fan of Sadie’s stutter because it takes away a bit of that inhuman quality that some revenge seekers get given in novels. I really do think that this book is definitely worth the read.

*I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

If I know anything, it’s that Courtney Summers will leave me feeling like my world has been tipped upside down. Her stories always find a way to open my eyes. ‘Sadie’ is no different...it’s shaken me to the core. I’d like to go on record and say this deals with some heavy topics—such as sexual abuse, drug abuse, and pedophilia. It’s is a dark story about love and revenge in the name of justice. For most of the book, my heart was in my throat. I desperately wanted and needed to know what would happen.

The layout for the book was interesting because we had it told in the form of a podcast and of course, from Sadie’s POV. The podcast definitely gave me the feels of some of my actual favorite true crime podcasts such as Serial and Generation Why. West McCray is following the story of Sadie Hunter—a young woman whose disappearance after her younger sister Mattie is found brutally murdered. Girls of all ages go missing all the time but this one is different. Because there’s reason to believe that Sadie is after something...or someone.

Ever since Sadie was a child, she hasn’t lived the most glamorous life. She has a stutter that everyone makes fun of and she’s the unofficial caregiver of her little sister after their mother left them. Her life had no purpose until her sister was born. Now we follow Sadie on a terrifying journey as she strives to bring justice to one who no longer has a voice to speak up. There was so much wrong in what I read because this stuff happens every single day. Ignorance is bliss is not something we can ignore when it comes to children. So in that aspect, it was hard to read about everyday people who who hide in plain sight but are actual monsters.

Deep and at times chilling, Sadie is a story that you must read. She’s a character whose brave and strong beyond belief. While the story does end on a note that could leave some unsatisfied, I think it was the perfect one for it. I can’t recommend this book and author enough. Read it!

*Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy for an honest and unbiased review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book was beautifully different from any book I've read before while holding many elements I love. Like Courtney Summers' other books, Sadie holds powerful characters in stories you've read before but never quite like that. While I appreciated the inclusion of Saide's stammer, it tended to make the speech jarring to read.

I’m in pieces over Sadie, a TBR title by Courtney Summers. It’s the tale of two sisters too young to bare the burdens life hands them and the remarkable strength of the human spirit to fight fiercely in the name of love & justice. Summer’s writing is authentic, raw, and very real. The investigative format is unique and successfully executed to builds suspense and keeps readers engaged throughout.

Check back at this address https://books4jessica.wordpress.com/
on September 3rd for full review.

I will say for now I really enjoyed this book & the writing style. I did have a few issues with it, but overall it was pretty good and I would recommend everyone reading it. Like I say in my review reading Sadie is an "experience." One that I think everyone should live at least once.

This book here is why I keep reading YA.

Because there are authors out there who give voice to such broken characters you feel the need to look for them, to find them, to mend them. To take all their broken pieces and put them back together, to mingle them with your own happiness and dreams and hopes, and make them whole again.

Because there are characters who make your heart ache so much you want to reverse their past, to reshape their present, to invent a future for.

Oh, Sadie, how I want to find you, to hold you in my arms and take all that pain away. Oh, Sadie...

4.5/5 stars

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of Sadie, in exchange for my honest and unbiased review of the book.

This is the first book I read by Courtney Summers and I'm going to need to read more of her books. This book was fantastic and really grabbed at my emotions.

Sadie has, for the most part, raised her sister Mattie. Their mother had abandoned the girls. So for the most part, they have been on their own. The manager of the trailer park that they live in, keeps an eye on the girls.

But then the unthinkable happens and Mattie tragically died. Then Sadie disappears.

The story of the sisters captures the attention of radio personality West McCray and he begins looking further into it.
As with most novels lately, this is told from both West's perspectives and Sadie's perspective.
It's marketed as a YA read, but I don't think it is just a YA read. I almost think you could just put this in a fictional catagory

*I was provided a copy of this book for honest review from the publisher via net galley*

Trigger warnings for: child abuse, rape, and drug addictions.

Holy moly. So, immediately upon finishing this book, I thought of "The Female of the Species" by Mindy McGinnis. The stories are similar in tone, and have the theme of--sister goes missing and it's up to the remaining girl to do something about it. I find this story trope fascinating for multiple reasons, and while I really enjoyed "The Female of the Species," I just thought that there was a little more depth to this one.

We follow Sadie as she tries to hunt down her sister's killer with a vengeance. We also follow the podcast entitled "the Girls" which is set after the events told in Sadie's perspective because Sadie's adoptive grandmother is trying to find some kind of closure, and well, the murder of Sadie's sister just really shook her up.

That's all I can say without spoilers, but honestly, this book was fantastic. I was worried because I'd been in a bit of a slump but once this book takes off--it takes off. I read this in an entire day and I have a feeling that this is going to be the best book I read this year, I don't know what can top it. It's dark and gritty and just incredibly real. I fell in love with the way this story played out, and podcasts are something I rarely see in books so it was entirely refreshing. This is my first Courtney Summers book but it definitely won't be my last. I'm so incredibly grateful for the publisher in providing me with a digital review copy of this book because I will be telling people to read it for the foreseeable future. These are the kind of hard-hitting books I live for. Do me a favor and read this when it comes out. I'm buying myself a physical copy because I loved it that much.

Although a dark and disturbing plot line, you cannot look away. Sadie and Mattie are young girls of an addict. Mom brought Keith into their lives, a sober, good looking guy, who actually preys on the girls. That is the pivotal imputus that propels Sadie to take revenge after her beloved Matttie is murdered. She knows it was Keith, she just knows it, but where to find him. Told in the short form of a podcast, readers are introduced to characters that shed new light onto Sadie, Claire ( Sadie's mom) and May Beth, the local trailer park owner who took the girls in as mom was too stoned. Without Mattie, Sadie is adrift, and her singular motivation to avenge her death, and find Keith is the entire arc of the book. It is a book that I could not put down, well drawn and compelling, and sadly almost all too real. Not for the faint of heart, recommended grades 10 and up.