Nothing Can Hurt You Now

This was an enjoyable read that was really compelling and hard to put down. I definitely enjoyed the first half more and I found that to be more compelling than the second half, although, I still found it enjoyable.

I wasn't sure where this story was going to take me-- something I feel at the beginning of each new read. However, there was something different about this book (in a good way!). The characters' culture and experiences are very different from mine and what I experience, but it was so well written, that I felt I could understand them; I could see myself in them both (even though the two main characters were vastly distinct in their individuality).

Around halfway through this novel, the story really began to pick up for me. The suspense of what was going on and how it was going to end kept me from putting it down. I had to know how it would play out. In an attempt to avoid sharing spoilers, I will leave it at this: even til the last page, I was enraptured by the characters. (and I mean all of them). Each person and point of view was carefully crafted in a way that no difference in lifestyle or culture could hinder. I believed in these women and I was rooting for them til the end.

Truly a great read, but it is worth noting that the book's description could possibly use a trigger warning. There wasn't anything too graphic, but there are situations within the novel that could make some readers uncomfortable or upset.

Thanks to NetGalley!

"Nothing Can Hurt You Now" by Simone Campos is a Brazilian debut thriller that unfolds a gripping tale about a missing model leading a double life as a sex worker. Lucinda, the protagonist, has always lived in the shadow of her glamorous and outgoing high-end model sister, Viviana. When Viviana mysteriously disappears during a trip to São Paulo, Lucinda becomes determined to find her.

Facing indifference from the police, Lucinda teams up with Viviana's girlfriend, Graziane, to launch her own investigation. As she delves into her sister's life, Lucinda discovers that Viviana had a secret career as a sex worker, which adds complexity to the mystery. The list of possible suspects grows, and when Lucinda receives a cryptic text suggesting that Viviana is still alive but being held hostage, the urgency of the investigation intensifies.

The novel promises a fast-paced and contemporary thriller with elements of humor, political consciousness, and a feminist perspective. It explores the complexities of relationships and the challenges faced by women in the context of a suspenseful mystery.

The story focuses on two sisters- Lucinda and Viviana. The sisters have very different outlooks on life and have drifted apart over the years. But then Lucinda receives a distraught phone call from Graziana, Viviana's girlfriend, saying she's suddenly missing. Lucinda starts to investigate and delves into some really dark secrets.
Nothing Can Hurt You Now is a short novel but Campos manages to pack a powerful emotional punch and open up some frank discourse about the world of sex work. 3.5 ⭐️

Spooky and nerve inducing. I never knew what was happening next and I love books where I can’t guess what the ending will be. A quick and good read.

This was such a great debut thriller novel, I enjoyed the use of the missing model. It had a great concept overall and I was engaged with trying to figure out what was going on. The characters worked in this story and I was never bored when reading this. Simone Campos has a great writing style and glad it was so good.

Thank you to netgalley and Pushkin Press, Pushkin Vertigo for allowing me to read this book. I enjoyed the book overall.

This is a translated Brazilian thriller by Simone Campos. Following Viviana’s disappearance, her sister Lucinda goes on a mission to find her sister before it is too late. Lucinda uncovers a web of secrets about her sister’s modeling career, and Viviana’s relationship with her girlfriend, Graziane. The plight of searching for Viviana takes Lucinda on a reflective journey of their lives growing up.

Curating Edits Book Review
This was a page-turner, “Nothing Can Hurt You Now”, which had us on the edge of our seats. Lucinda finds out her sister lives a double life as a sex worker. She also finds a book Viviana has been writing about that aspect of her life. Can the pieces of the book lead Lucinda to find her sister? Will the police take the disappearance of Viviana seriously before it’s too late? Another favorite we have about this book is that we have Lucinda’s perspective, a part of Graziane’s perspective, and then we get a perspective from Viviana.

While Lucinda is trying to find her sister, we discover the secrets Vivi has tried to keep hidden. While I wasn't a complete fan of the writing style, I did enjoy the story and almost happy with how it ended.


Thanks to Netgalley and Pushkin Press, Pushkin Vertigo for access to this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Lucinda has lived her whole life in the shadow of her glamorous and outgoing high-end model sister Viviana. But when Viviana suddenly goes missing on a trip to São Paulo, Lucinda drops everything to track her down. Met with indifference from the police, Lucinda starts her own investigation with the help of Viviana's girlfriend Graziane. The deeper into Viviana's life Lucinda goes, the more she realizes that she doesn't really know anything about her sister. When Lucinda discovers that Viviana has a thriving career as a sex worker, the list of possible outcomes widens. A cryptic text from her sister suggests she is still alive, but is being held hostage by a mysterious person. Lucinda has seen enough crime dramas to know that time is of the essence in kidnapping cases, and with the minutes ticking by, she and Graziane must track down men from Viviana's past to figure out who might want to do her harm. An acerbic and propulsive thriller that crackles with fury at a society that treats women as property.

Interesting story from start to finish.

An intriguing thriller with a terrific setting in Brazil and a unique protagonist, This might have familiar themes (missing sister) but it's distinct in its tone and the details. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC, A good read.