I had a hard time getting into this book and it just didn’t keep my interest unfortunately. I am not easily confused, but something in this confused me and lost my interest

A solid read, but one that did not hook me and keep me deeply engaged. It has great ambitions and lots to say about the link between gender and violence, but the characters didn’t stand out to me.

Nothing Can Hurt You by Nicola Maye Goldberg has somewhat of a lower average on Goodreads, and after reading it I can understand why. This is definitely not going to be a book for everyone, and I had a hard time understanding exactly what the point of it was and why there were so many different viewpoints. After reading other reviews I understand now that really this is looking at how a community is affected after a young woman is murdered, and most of the viewpoints take place after this has already happened. I didn't understand Marianne's viewpoint (first perspective of the story) at the end of the chapter (she was happy about finding the body??), nor did I understand why Goldberg ended with something completely mundane as Sara hanging out with a friend. Perhaps this book was too smart for me, but I felt like I was missing something.

If there is one blindingly good part about the book, it is the audiobook which is narrated by a full cast. And if you want to know how many viewpoints there are just take a look at this list of people who narrate - Kate Handford, Lance C Fuller, Jennifer Woodward, Laurence Bouvard, Patricia Rodriguez, Deborah McBride, Lexie McDougall, & Madeleine Rose; see what I mean? I really liked the performances of each of these narrators, and if you enjoy audiobooks, I think it is a great way to go for Nothing Can Hurt You. If you enjoy slow burns and original stories that focus on violence against women (cautionary tale here), then I think you should check it out. Each viewpoint is only once in the book, and it read a bit like a short story with everything coming back to Sara.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was ok. I liked that it was based on a true story. I did find myself skimming a lot. Overall, it was a good book - just not very memorable.

I’m not completely sure I totally understood this book. I found myself going back and rereading sections numerous times. It’s based loosely I believe on a true story. I didn’t live it but definitely didn’t hate it.

I loved how unique this writing was!
Bravo Nicola for having the courage to try it differently and have it be a huge success!

A huge thank you to NetGalley, Nicola Maye Goldberg and Bloomsbury for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Very weird, very interesting, & very enjoyable. I haven’t read a book like this before & I really liked it. Defiant recommend.

I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

Nothing Can Hurt You by Nicola Maye Goldberg



In 1997, Sara Morgan was brutally murdered in the woods near her college; her boyfriend at the time, Blake Campbell confesses to the crime but pleads temporary insanity and avoids jail time. The story is told in multiple POV between, the woman who discovered Sara’s body, a junior reporter, Sara’s little sister, and many more.



Nothing Can Hurt You just wasn’t the book for me. I was able to read it within 3 hours, it’s paced great, however, I didn’t really enjoy anything about the book. The plot started off so strong and I was super into it but as the perspectives changed, it felt like multiple stories in one.

This is the true story of a college girl's murder. This reads like a fiction mystery novel. I mean who would believe this story? A girls is murdered in the woods near her college and her boyfriend confesses, but says that he was temporarily insane. As the case wears on, too many people are haunted by this murder. Can they find justice for Sara?

This is a story based on true events about a university student who is killed in the nearby woods. Her boyfriend confessed but because of his lack of memory for the event, he is sentenced under the temporary insanity defense. This has the potential to be a great book but it isn't a straight forward read due to the confusing POVs. I think some editorial direction to choose a more clear path for this story would have elevated the story telling here. I thought that this was a good book but had more untapped potential.
#NothingCanHurtYou #NetGalley #BloomsburyUSA

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury for my review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Based on a true story, Sara Morgan is murdered by her boyfriend Blake Campbell. Confessing to the crime but having no memory, he gets off by temporary insanity. It explores the impact of the killing on those directly and indirectly.

Nothing Can Hurt You is told through multiple POVs. I actually found it extremely hard to follow. There were so many narratives and timelines, that it all began to just run together.

Reading the blurb, I was super stoked to read this. I love books like this. But I feel like it came up short. The storyline was great, I think it would have been an amazing book if it didn't bounce around so much.

This book is based and inspired by a true story about a college student, Sara Morgan, who was murdered. Sara's boyfriend, Blake Campbell, who confessed with a plea of temporary insanity and was acquitted.

An interesting and unique read. Each chapter is written as short synopsis of views, questions and thoughts of family members, friends and people in the community.

Thru NetGalley, I received an ARC of Nothing Can Hurt You by Nicola Maye Goldberg. The story follows a wife Christable, her husband Thomas Simpson and her half-sister, Luna. When a young college student Sara Morgan is found murdered by another female college student. Is she the only one to have this happen to or was there or will be more? The murder affects more than the victim’s family, they are not the only ones who suffer.
Who are they people that are affected by her murder? How are they connected to her? Are any of them connected to others or just to her? Why was Sara murdered? Was she in the wrong place at the wrong time, knew or saw something that she should not have, or was it just because of simple jealously? A wonder read and kept me hooked thru out the story.

This book started out good but towards the middle I was confused and I have zero clue why it ended the way it did.

I'm still trying to figure out how I felt about this one. The story was compelling (it's based on a true story), and I usually don't mind changing perspectives, but I found it confusing at times.

Really enjoy this one. Kept me reading and not tempted to read ahead, just to keep reading to the end.

The writing was good, but the storyline was too fragmented to follow. The author attempted to tell short stories of characters that where somehow connected, but in the end they came across as various short stories.

Nothing Can Hurt You had so much potential for me. It sounded interesting and like a thriller, but sadly, I was less than thrilled when reading. I found the plot and characters to be confusing and too much to keep up with. I was excited to read this because it was inspired by a true story, but I felt like it contained too much to keep my focus.
The book was very well written though which was a saving grace, otherwise, I would not have finished.

I liked this book and I didnt. Needed better editing. Too many characters and they're not filled out. The basic storyline was good though: how a murder effects so many. All in all, I would give this author another chance. Just get a better editor or listen to the one you have.

Too many characters to keep track. I kept waiting for there to be some great revelation.... but then, quite abruptly, it was the end of the book