The vibes of this were so good--a surrealist horror tinged with fantasy elements with plenty of commentary on the way the beauty and fashion industries influence the way we think. Having read three of Mona Awad's works now, I found myself intrigued the same way I did with <i>Bunny</i> as both are books where you're never 100% sure what exactly is going on, what plot points to take literally and what not to, but somehow it's enjoyable to be along for the ride. I would recommend this to readers who like literary fiction with surrealist elements and enjoy a highly atmospheric read.

I feel like I need someone smart to fully break down this book and spell everything out for me. Because it really did not do much for me, and honestly I’m a bit confused by that after loving Mona Awad’s novel Bunny so much.

To start on a positive note: I loved the discussions on race that are peppered into the story, specifically reflections on cultural appropriation, whiteness in beauty spaces, and the frustrations and ambiguity that comes with being a mixed race person. Going into the novel, I knew from listening to author interviews that Mona Awad herself is mixed race, so these conversations really felt nuanced and like they were coming from a really personal place. These quick snippets quickly became my favorite part of the book, and while I don’t necessarily think Awad needed to take them any further or dig any deeper, I found myself wanting to stay in these bits that were rooted in reality rather than be thrown back into the fever dream that was the rest of the book because I found them way more interesting than anything else that was going on.

I also enjoyed the horror elements and scary imagery throughout the book. Specifically the opening scene, the scenes where Belle’s reflection goes rogue, and basically any scene where something different is happening in the mirror…really spooky shit, and a really excellent device to illustrate Belle’s descent into madness, especially as it pertains to the beauty space.

Past that, I was definitely intrigued by the mystical and gothic vibe Mona Awad created at first, but talking in circles got old for me after a while. Which is interesting, because the not knowing what’s real and what’s not for basically the entire book was something I really enjoyed about Bunny, but really disliked in Rouge, and I can’t put a finger on why. Maybe the lack of plot and concrete characters kept me feeling really detached throughout my reading experience, but either way this book started to feel like a chore to finish, even when it was ramping up at the end, which is one of my least favorite types of reading experiences.

Overall, I think Mona Awad does a really fantastic job with keeping her stories open ended in a way that lets the reader formulate their own interpretation of “what really happened,” but I actually think Rouge was *too* open ended for me in a way that wasn’t enjoyable or satisfying. I’m looking forward to reading more reviews and listening to interviews when the book releases, because I’m sure there’s a lot of metaphor that just went completely over my head.

Thanks so much to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-arc (advanced reader’s copy) in exchange for an honest review! Rouge publishes on September 13, 2023.

this book felt all over the place, and not in the exciting and enjoyable way that's similar to bunny and alls well. i liked reading about belle's decent into madness and the ending was interesting, but that's about it. the overall premise of this book is unique, but i wasn't a fan of its execution.

This follow-up to Bunny blew me away. The musical prose of Awad's writing is superb. No wonder she has a blurb from Margaret Atwood.

This novel really dives deep into an unconventional mother-daughter relationship. The main character really goes on an insane journey trying to figure out who her mother was before her untimely death in her late mothers creepy estate. The stream of consciousness mind-bending reality of the main character makes this book so hard to put down. I devoured this like a slice of cake.

Mirabelle "Belle" Nour is a mixed-race woman (half-Egyptian, half white) who obsesses over YouTube videos on beauty and skincare. When her glamourous estranged mother Noelle dies, Belle travels from Canada to California to sell her mom's house. There she stumbles upon La Maison de Méduse, a mysterious spa overlooking the sea, dedicated to the cutting edge in skincare and beauty. When Belle receives a special invitation inside La Maison, she realizes that she must be following in her mother's ruby-red slippered footsteps in more ways than one.

This was my first Mona Awad book and I get it! I get it now! Awad adds tidbits of dark humor (Tom Cruise coming out of a mirror, for starters) with genuinely scary moments, building dread upon dread like a never-ending fever dream. Rouge is being described as Snow White meets Eyes Wide Shut, which honestly is a perfect description. Come for the cult-like vibes, stay for the astute observations on the horrors of the beauty industry.

What the fuck?
I thought the premise sounded so interesting.
It’s about Belle who’s mother just died and her grief and her obsession with beauty and skincare.
“Snow White meets Eyes Wide Shut”

The first half made my face so itchy and I wanted to exfoliate it within an inch of its life. But it wasn’t keeping my attention at all.

The most interesting part was the grief with the mother and their relationship.

The Tom Cruise element was kinda silly and got old fast.

Maybe if you are looking for something slow, culty, gothic, a little repetitive and something that makes you feel like you need to wash your face you’ll like this more than me.

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon Element for an eARC.

DNF @ 33%. Really tried to finish this because it is an ARC. The story wasn’t going anywhere for me and seemed to be revolving in circles. I liked Bunny a lot and was hoping for something similar.

Massive thanks to NetGalley and Simon Element for the ARC of Rouge. I adored Bunny so this was a hotly anticipate release for me. That said, I struggled to get into this one.

There were elements of this book that I really liked. All the fairy tale nods are perfectly woven into the narrative and the commentary on our twisted obsession with beauty and our utter terror of aging is painfully spot-on. But, I found myself reaching for literally any other book. I just wasn't into it, even in the books final moments.

I'm giving Rouge 3 stars. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't for me.

I love reading a book with an unhinged woman at the center of it, but I had a hard time engaging with this. It took me a while to get into the book, and even when I was more invested, I felt myself skimming some parts. I really liked the ending, which definitely saved it for me, but I'd be lying if I didn't consider DNFing the book for the first 50%.

I do think this is a good book and that a lot of people will enjoy it, but it just wasn't the book for me.

There is something so amazing about Mona Awad's writing that just sucks you in. I really loved the slow burn horror of this novel and it's interesting discussions of beauty and self worth. This is a quite slow in the beginning that I did struggle with but the writing and visuals kept me so intrigued.

The longer I sat with this book, the more I enjoyed it. The second half was so well done and I really loved the way this went. This is the kind of book that will stick with me for a long time.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!

Rouge feels like a surreal, gothic fairytale. It explores the dark side of beauty, envy and grief and focuses on Mirabelle who after her mother’s death gets caught up in a strange but beautiful delirium.

This was such a mesmerizing read. It is very similar to Bunny in terms of the weirdness and dream-like quality that they both share. To me, Rouge did feel a bit more slow-burn but it does have much stronger imagery and a very vivid and beautiful aesthetic of glamour, silk and roses combined with obsession and madness.

Those who have read and enjoyed Bunny will most likely enjoy Rouge as well. But for those who have not read Bunny and don’t know what they can expect from this author, I can definitely recommend it to those who are looking for a beautifully written, slow-burn and very weird story that feels like a bizarre fever dream in the best way.

The cover is also really beautiful. I will definitely be buying the physical copy once it is released.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you, Mona Awad and NetGalley, for the ARC. I leave this review voluntarily and happily. Also, thank you publishers for your hard work!

This was a page turner. I couldn't put it down, and it was written so beautifully... so descriptive. This book is perfect in explaining how the beauty industry is sucking the life out of people in its fun, twisted way. Written in a way that's seems like a mix of snow white and today. Not to mention the demons we all have. Am I beautiful? She's prettier than me... I envy you. This book explores so much, and its personal message is wonderful. You're beautiful the way you are.

The demons in this book are the corporations, the cults, and those who take your money, your soul, and anything you're willing to give in order to be beautiful. What happens when you do give everything? You lose yourself. People barely recognize who you are, and you're just a shell. All this for a perfect you? What's the price? And can you turn back?

Even with how much I enjoyed reading this book, Bunny is still my number one favorite. Thank you once again for letting me read this.

In Mona Awad’s newest novel, Rouge, you will find another weird and gripping tale that will have your head swirling with questions. If you’re a fan of the strange and unnerving, you’ll like this one. Better to go into this without knowing too much, but it is feels like you’re in dreamlike (or rather nightmare) state for majority of the story - trying to figure out what is happening.

Definitely bizarre. Great writing.

3.5/5 stars

Thank you to the author and publisher for providing an advanced copy through Netgalley.

ROUGE by Mona Awad ~to be published September 12, 2023

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5. Mona Awad is the queen!!! 👑 Equal parts funny and devastating, this is another great edition to her oeuvre.

You know right off the bat when a character refers to her mom as “mother” that you're in for some weirdness. But this is Awad, after all… would you expect anything less? This is a surreal story with some very real and very dark trauma under the surface. If you loved Bunny I think you’ll love this too!

The concept is pretty amazing, but I hesitate to describe it in too much detail. Belle Nour is shaken to learn that her mother has unexpectedly died. At the memorial, a women in red invites her to a special spa that her mother used to frequent, promising a very special glow. Concurrently, through flashbacks we visit her childhood, a place and time filled with envy, longing, and even the one and only Tom Cruise. I absolutely LOVED the slips of the tongue (so smart), the commentary about the skin care industry (Belle wants to look “brighter” – read whiter), and Belle’s pivotal relationship with her mother and how the beauty industry helped (hurt?) to shape that relationship.

As with any Awad book, what is actually happening is up for debate. Are all of the events real, or are we inside of our narrator’s fever dream? I don’t believe there is a single “right” answer – much like a David Lynch piece, it’s probably an impossible puzzle to solve. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth dissecting with my fellow bookies (go read this and then DM me please!!!).

I am obsessed with Mona Awad and I’m honored to be able to spread the word about this riveting book. Sincere thanks to @_simonelement for the ARC, this is out September 12th!

*This review will be published on instagram, handle @readingbythebay and I will update with the link at that time.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon Element, S&S/ Marysue Rucci Books for the free e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This story explores the complicated relationship between mother and daughter, specifically a mother’s obsession with youth, beauty, and self-loathing. A skin care obsessed "Belle" (Mirabelle) suddenly returns to California for her mother’s funeral. Belle's mother was behaving oddly prior to her death. So as Belle starts to investigate her mother's death, Belle falls headfirst into a strange and wondrous cult of beauty called Rouge.

This is not my normal read. Its a great take on the horrors of modern life wrapped in fairy tale motifs. If you are looking for something that's different with cinematic storytelling, be prepared to settle in with this one. Not a quick read but worthwhile.

I am a tried and true Mona Awad stan, so I was so stoked when I got an ARC for Rouge through Netgalley.
Mona is the queen of all things unhinged women. She has this uncanny ability to create language for female experiences that live under the surface, and have her characters walk the tightrope of insanity that these experiences can bring us too.
This book is about the beauty industry, grief, mother-daughter relationships, vanity, adolescence as well as growing old.
This book is not going to be for everyone. If you want a storyline that ties things up in a neat little bow for you, this isn't the book for you. I love falling down the rabbit hole with Mona Awad's writing, so I can say that I fully enjoyed the chaos that she writes you into. I know that isn't always true for everyone. There were a few points in this one where I found myself confused and not sure what we were talking about anymore. Though I think that's largely the point, it tended to veer off into gray area a little bit too much for me personally.
I won't say that it's my favorite of Mona's books-- I've read them all and think that this one is in the lesser half, but to have four books written and to have a 4-star book be on your lesser half? Pretty great track record!

I really enjoyed this book. I love Mona Awad's writing style and how a story comes together. I love the take on the world of beauty and the craziness that is involved. I found it very relatable with all the out-there beauty routines of today. It was a fascinating read, and I can't wait to buy a physical copy of this book. Thank you so much Netgalley for granting me access to the ARC. This was one of my most anticipated books of the year and was beyond excited to get read an ARC. I dropped everything and read in one day!!!

So…. This was my first Mona Awad and my expectations were sky high. In ROUGE, Awad explores grief, mother-daughter relationships, eurocentric standards of beauty, and obsession with skincare in an eerie, dream-like fairytale.

Mira (Mirabelle) is a mixed-race (Egyptian/white) woman visiting California after her mother dies in an accident. Mira is left alone to pack up her mother’s home. Except, she’s not alone; she begins to meet people from her mother’s past. In a daze, she stumbles across a strange house on the side of a cliff. What follows is a surreal experience featuring skincare and beauty treatments (?), a merman (?), cults (?), mannequins (?), Tom Cruise (?), and a certain pair of red heels.

The premise intrigued the heck out of me. But, not everything came together perfectly. The first half of this story dragged. I was into the surreal, stream of conscious style at first, but it became tedious quickly and I often found myself skimming the pages. Awad definitely knows how to create a vibe (and I love the creepy vibe she conjures) but here, I longed for more plot and more detailed characters. Maybe I’m missing something but a lot of these characters felt pointless. (I’ve heard that Awad incorporated Egyptian mythology so maybe the story will work better if you’re familiar.) I also wished she explored cultural appropriation further; it seemed thrown in toward the second half.

I wish I experienced this story first as a movie; I think all the intricate visuals + dream-y vibe would work a lot better that way. 

*Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review! Rouge is out September 12.

The greatest and most heart-felt thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for giving me an eARC of one of my most anticipated books of 2023, in exchange for an honest review.

Mona Awad does it again. Similar to Bunny, this book will not be for everyone.

Did I drop everything I was doing and pause my TBR for this? 100%

I found it mesmerizing. A deliciously dark take on a gothic fairy tale, feeling like a fever dream. Snow White meets Eyes Wide Shut is accurate, but I'd also add if David Lynch directed Death Becomes Her in book form.

It's unsettling, eerie, gross, and addicting. I savored every word, and (similar to Bunny) had the urge to go back to the first page and read it all again when I was finished.

Awad has such a delightfully weird voice, and I love her so much. Here, she tackles grief, sudden loss, addiction, the envy that comes with feelings of inadequacy, and obsession.

Also, the cover is STUNNING and really fits the vibe of the story.

In short, this book is unhinged, and I can't wait for all the bunnies to read it!

HOW DOES SHE DO IT?!? Seriously, I didn't think it was possible to top the beautiful horror and magical realism in Bunny. This book is phenomenal. Honestly half the time I didn't even know what was going on and I loved every second of it.