Read Little Stranger by Leigh Rivers

                                                   

Hey there Bookies,

I know it's been a while. A lot of personal things have happened. Also recently I was clumsy and tore a ligament in my right wrist. So I've been adjusting to an injury that might take longer to heal than planned. Anyway, let's get talking about the books I've read during my injury started. Starting with Little Stranger.

I started reading Little Stranger by Leigh Rivers on May 9th and it only took me about 24 hours to finish it. Before I start talking about the book, I will have to say an unpopular opinion. I did not like the dynamic of the two main characters. It's not because they are adopted siblings, but due to their similar history, I felt like they were just trauma bonding. I said what I said and I am sure that once I read the second book, my feelings will be confirmed. Anyway the book starts with our two main characters, Olivia and Malichai, meeting when they were kids. I think 8 and 9.  Olivia is excited to get an older brother but Malichai isn't what she expected. Especially when he drags her away from their adopted parents and was already calling her 'his.' Early on we learn that Olivia is also adopted after being found abandoned in her home holding her younger sibling's deceased body. Their parents, who we will call Mom and Dad, are actually pretty well off as well. Mom is a judge and Dad is a well known defense attorney. Olivia is very open about her love for her parents, while Malichai is not. But early on, you can tell that Olivia and Malichia have created a co-dependent relationship with each other. Even when they get separated after Malichai kissed Olivia on the lips, they still find a way to be together to sleep at night. By the time they are 18 and 19, we learn that Malichai and Olivia have some expectations made for them that they don't want to live up to. Malichai is supposed to take over Dad's law firm while Olivia is expected to marry a rich young man that her parents have picked for her. Olivia ends up with two suitors. One suitor is named Parker and the second suitor is named Adam. Parker is the son of one of Dad's business partners. Adam became a suitor after talking to Olivia and getting attacked by Malichai for it. So in order for Malichai to not be charged, Olivia is arranged to date Adam instead. The whole book is basically Olivia denying her feelings for Malichai while their mom is being the worst. Worst being that she even paid someone to take her virginity. Eventually the book progresses to Olivia agreeing to give Malichai 'lessons' on certain topics. Or should I say actions? Either way, things are good for a while until Olivia overhears one of her cheer squad mates talking about sleeping with Malichai. Olivia gets bad, confronts Malichai, tries to leave, then gets assaulted by Malichai because pleasure will surely make her stay...Not. Father catches them, a fight takes place where the father ends up dying on the floor and Malichai pretty much takes advantage of Olivia in the chaos. Then the book skips eight years later and you find out that Malichai has been in prison for attempted murder. Olivia has been living her life, but is secretly keeping tabs on Malichai in hopes that he will save her from her planned out life. Of course, what she doesn't know is that Malichai has been spying on her with hidden cameras he installed while she was at work. Also he may have drugged all of her drinks in the house with sedatives where after she is out, he continues to take advantage of her. Yes, I know that this is a certain kink but this isn't in my opinion consensual in anyway. All because he is secretly drugging her without her knowledge. Trust me when I say that the kink could have been played out a little bit differently in this book. Just seeing how the kink is portrayed in the book makes me feel like the author didn't quite understand the kink they were going for. But that is just my opinion. Anyways, eventually Malichai kidnaps Olivia and then tortures for a weeks. Now here is an unrealistic play on when he reveals himself to Olivia...She gets mad not because he had her tied up and was torturing her. No, she was mad because he didn't come to her sooner. So sadly the book got three out of five stars from me. I didn't hate it but I also didn't love it. Will I reading the second book? I have no idea yet.

 So until next time....

-Lys