Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

First up, huge content warning: this book starts off with the main character (Claudia) surviving a traumatic rape, which then serves as the ongoing issue for the rest of the book - her trying to remember what happened and, as she does piece together those “missing hours,” what she plans to do about everything. Very important to know this before diving into this book.

That being said, I devoured this thriller, basically rage reading the whole way through. It brings to mind many recent real life examples of affluent white college boys getting a small slap on the wrist for acts of violence against women - so just be prepared to be very angry.

But also, Claudia is SUCH a badass. I was with her every step of the way. And while the ending was verrrrry satisfying, it does require the reader to do a little work to imagine what will happen next. So for me, it would have been better to see more of that “next” play out on the pages, but I know a lot of folks also really like when an ending isn’t wrapped up in a neat little bow.

Anyway, overall a really good thriller that will get your blood boiling. So…happy reading? Happy rage reading. 😅

I really enjoyed the multiple POVs on this one. It was a super quick read that really drew me in from the beginning. This book touches on sexual assault in the modern day with technology and social media. There are triggers so definitely check those out prior to reading. I really liked the perspective of privilege and wealth throughout.

Claudia Castro is a promising student at NYU. Her father is famous and the family has a lot of money. What could be better? Unfortunately, Claudia has hit some stumbling blocks along the way.

After a drunken night turns into a morning where Claudia doesn’t remember anything, she tries to figure out what happened to her.

Shortly after, she disappears.

Best to be a bit vague.

This is a fast-paced and gripping read with a difficult subject matter and a few parts that are tough to read. Told from multiple POVs, we really get to know Claudia and those around her, and author Julia Dahl easily keeps things interesting.

As dark as the subject matter is, parts of it seemed like a “lite” version of the movie Promising Young Woman, and I would have preferred a bit more grit.

Still, this is an engaging and timely read about an always relevant topic, and it all leads to a satisfying conclusion...although I would’ve really enjoyed an epilogue to this one.

It took me a while to get into this book, but once the plot started picking up I enjoyed it. It wasn't the best mystery novel I've ever read, but it wasn't the worst by any means.

The Missing Hours is a complicated, clever, and nuanced exploration of the justice system and how the scales are not balanced for us all.

I found this read engaging, thrilling, and equal parts sickening. The resolution is probably not what readers are wishing and hoping for, yet it feels realistic, in my opinion.

I really enjoyed reading this book. There are some plot points that could be triggering for some readers. (Sexualt assault & revenge) although difficult to read (I was very angry at times) but needed to know what was next. Parts of the book did feel rushed & and although not the ending I would have liked, the writer did a good job keeping it a more probable solution.

Intensely plotted and clever novel, I couldn't stop turning the pages. Very involving. Great characters and a fresh spin on a somewhat familiar story. I've seen other versions of "my sister is missing, what the heck happened to her" interspersed with the sister's own story, but this one captivated me as they searched for answers, meted out some kind of justice, and examined how the scales of justice aren't fairly balanced for all of us.

At times, this book can be hard to get through because it will leave you so angry, and the conclusion is good though maybe not quite the vindication we all want--perhaps more realistic.

This booked hooked me from the start . I enjoy a good revenge story . A great book to read and discuss , would be a great book club read for sure .

I was super excited for this book, but it fell flat for me in so many ways.

The plot had too much going on. I loved the first chapter, and it was promising, but I quickly felt overwhelmed by the story. And all the happenings of the storyline. The characters were underdeveloped, rushed, and in my opinion, there were too many characters to follow. Maybe if we had Claudia's POV the entire time, the story would have worked.

In an empty NYU dorm over a holiday, a young man is drawn in by an intriguing young socialite named Claudia Castro. He is thrilled to be spending time with her, but she is puzzled and disturbed by events from several nights earlier that she can't remember. Soon, he is helping her piece them together--and get back at the people who stole those hours.

This was an interesting take on a woman's reaction after being violated and her choice to get justice in her own way--knowing it was unlikely any other way. With themes of power, privilege, vengeance, and justice, there are no winners here, but it's an oddly satisfying read after so many real incidents that leave victims suffering for life and perpetrators with no consequences.

while fast paced with serviceable writing, the milieu (outlandishly rich parents, absurdly naive supporting characters) dramaticizes the darker theme of date rape & revenge porn. definitely a page turner though.

I gave this one a decent shot, but I'm not the target audience. The writing style, plot structure, and character development are all good, but it just wasn't a subject matter that interested me.

Unfortunately this book was not for me. I really wanted to love it as I had high hopes for it, but unfortunately I really disliked the characters and the story.

The subject matter in this one is tough, and many readers may find this one triggering. It left me feeling very frustrated and remembering past things I would rather not remember. The author is great, don’t get me wrong. The book is well written. I would 1000 read another book from her. I just know many would find this book hard to read mentally so make sure you are in a good head space if you decide to pick it up. The author did a great job in dealing with a tough subject matter, and really did a great job of getting the reader all riled up.

Thank you to @minotaur_books for my copy.

This book is addicting!! and POWERFUL. Sometimes hard to read but I just couldn't stop.
(TW: it focuses highly on sexual assault and its aftermath).
The story was not at all what I expected. It didn't feel like a thriller. It's more of a drama/mystery. A story of revenge and justice. Claudia was a deep multidimensional character. What starts as a few fun drinks quickly turned blurry and dangerous. This seemingly confident girl was taken advantage of and now must face and harsh reality of what happened to her and we must do it with her. It's emotional as we piece together her night. She was afraid and embarrassed to speak up because of her reputation. She's lonely and filled with self blame until she meets her new friend Trevor. (Everybody get a Trevor)!
This book highlights some extreme hypocrisy between men and women's sexuality. Men get praised, while women are called names.
While at times extreme, I was ok with what the abusers had coming to them. Karma and all that. All I wanted was justice for Claudia and just couldn't stop reading until she got it. Thank you NetGalley and St Martins Press/Minotuar Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

What an honest and haunting book about rape and how the effects of assault ripples out to not only those involved but those close to both victim and assailant(s).
Please check trigger warnings as this deals heavily with rape and violence.
Claudia Castro is a freshman at NYU. Her dads a rockstar, her mom is a model, she has a budding artistic career and 20k followers. She wakes up one morning bruised and bloodied in her dorm room with no recollection of the night before. Steeped in shame she does everything to avoid what happened and closes out those around her. But when the video of what happened to her is sent to herself, Trevor a boy in her dorm who’d come to be a friend to her, and the other assailant in the video things get out of hand. We watch as everyone involved continues to make destructive decisions and see that the victim isn’t the only one who gets hurt in this scenario.
Morally and ethically it’s hard to pick who the good one is in this story. They all make mistakes and decisions that have lasting effects. Trevor ends up getting deeply involved and while seemingly innocent did he do everything he did for Claudia out of friendship or lust? The author sheds light on not only make privilege, but classist privilege and how money gives people power to believe they deserve to do what they want.
The author left me hoping that Claudia is learning to use her privileges in the world to bring justice in a fair way.

This was a difficult book to get through. Julia Dahl writes as if she herself is Claudia and it just puts you RIGHT smack dab into the story. The feelings are written extremely well.
The only thing I ever had a problem with was Trevor doing what he did after barely knowing her for two weeks. Especially because he had been sucked into someone else's legal trouble before.
It was an excellent read though. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an advanced reader's copy.

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 stars)

This book was SO GOOD. And so, so timely. Between the themes of how much damage can be done on social media, to the issue of revenge porn, to the pure entitlement of rich white men, this book made me angry at times and at others had me cheering out loud.

I can’t say enough good things about this book, especially the ending (no spoilers!). Definitely pick up a copy if you get the chance.

Thank you to @netgalley and @minotaur_books for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

The Missing Hours by Julia Dahl was a quick paced read, but I just didn’t find that I enjoyed this one. I think it’s engaging, but I felt it just didn’t leave me feeling satisfied.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book for an honest review