Thank you in advance to the author, Donna Mumma, for
providing an advanced review copy through JustRead Tours. A positive review was
not required or requested, all words are my own.
This is an interesting read. The story had potential,
story was slightly riveting, the writer did a great job, but this was not for
me.
This review is going to tackle the good, the bad, and the
cringe-worthy.
As this is the author’s debut book, I will give her kudos
for a job well-done on tackling several aspects of the human mind and
condition. If murder, OCD behavior, mentions of abuse and torture, hoarding,
drug-abuse, and self-mutilation bother you – I would steer clear of this
book.
Right off the creepy cover should’ve told me this book
was not going to have warm fuzzy feelings. And, I should’ve known it was going
to creep me out. It did. And, I did have some trouble sleeping after reading
it. Thankfully, that was only 1-2 nights. But, it does show what a WONDERFUL
job the author did in story-telling.
None of the characters really interested me. The story is
mainly told from either Asia or Ivy’s POV. There are minor “flashbacks”, more
like memories of their “mother”, Veronica. Former childhood friend Nolan shows
up and has his own baggage and history with the sisters. His wife is also there
as well.
Rounding it out are minor “phone” appearances from Ivy’s
husband Denney, as well as Asia’s “friend”, Russ. Russ seemed to be about the
only normal character in the book. And, it is a card that he gives Asia that
she clings to.
The premise is – Veronica is dying and wants her
estranged daughters to clean up her awful home and re-bond. The two girls
haven’t spoken in 15 years. Both Asia and Ivy have reasons to say yes to it –
Asia it is to save her home that she loves, while seeming “put-together” sister
Ivy has IRS troubles.
Asia has become a teacher and authored textbooks while
Ivy has her own company. So, when she gets a letter, it can’t be a good thing.
Ivy is the same way.
More than their financial issues, the sisters are plagued
by abuse, torture, torment, and psychological scars. Returning to the scene
will cause them pain, but it might alleviate their burdens.
I really wanted to read this to see where the author was
going with two sisters who’d basically ignored each other most of their lives.
What happened to them?
Reluctantly, they agree to the arrangement. And, from
there I thought this had a good momentum.
Even from the meeting with the attorney, the formerly
close sisters are “biting” back and forth. The hoarding scene had me wanting to
run the other way. And, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to continue. I have to admit
the short chapters made reading this a bit easier.
It is clear to Ivy that Asia has a “problem” when the
wipes come out.
The sisters begin the arduous task of cleaning up
Veronica’s house. It isn’t along until their former childhood friend, Nolan
DeLong, comes up. He has an offer to help them out – he’ll buy the property,
haul out the trash, and demolish the house. They consider it, but decline.
Nolan isn’t done and the sisters wonder what his angle is.
As some of the mess is putrid and disgusting, Ivy has a
plan – THROW THE MESS OUT.
But, Asia wants to sort things. Still, it is a disgusting
chore. It isn’t long until Asia discovers something – letters from “D”. She
finds 252 of them – one a month for 21 years, ending when Asia was 18; the
other three are dated from Ivy’s birth.
Ivy has her own revelation – suitcases filled with a
man’s clothing and woman’s clothing, and two names – Vernon Dell and Rita
Robertson. That’s not all, Asia is traumatized by find the remains of her
beloved doll that was dismembered.
Nolan shows up and again, repeats his offer. After seeing
how serious it is Ivy realizes they have to stay there to see the job done or
protect the home from Nolan.
Yet, the more they keep digging, the more the sisters
find. They find nearly 500K in money from a man, evidence their mother isn’t
who she claimed to be; and evidence of a sibling neither one knew.
Worse – evidence of murder.
Asia wants to turn everything over, but Ivy doesn’t want
to lose what she has.
They begin to discuss their scars, the past, and their
lives since leaving. As they begin to process what they’ve discovered, they
learn more and more about Nolan and his family. And, as Veronica slowly evades
death’s grip, Asia and Ivy are putting to rest her terrible secrets.
The ending and parts leading up to it were sometimes
exciting, sometimes just moving it from one scene/day to another.
The author is graphic and vivid with everything –
scenery, emotions, props, as well as the tone of the story. There is no foul
language though. And, since this isn’t a romance – don’t expect any PDA from
the characters. There are very few references to God or prayer so readers won’t
have to worry about a Christian or faith-themed aspect.
While this was a 4-star read, I couldn’t say I enjoyed
it. I about lost my patience with Asia and her wipes. I tried to count how many
times they were mentioned throughout the book, and I rounded around 23 mentions
of her lemony-scented wipes. In addition, she used (at least in the mentions)
about 74-75 of them. Her addiction is SO bad she uses them to wash her hands as
well as her face. She even “smells” them for comfort.
The idea of her using so many, especially on her face and
then smelling them, made me sick due to the chemicals in those wipes. I’m
surprised she wouldn’t have health issues. Wouldn’t they have also caused skin
irritation and issues?
I get that Asia had issues with OCD, and was perhaps a
germaphobe, but the constant wiping was cringeworthy. In addition, Asia’s
repeated “breathe … relax … breathe” was annoying.
Another issue with Asia? Throwing her “dirty” socks away
because of germs. Despite seeing someone for her issues, it wasn’t
helping.
As someone with background in hospitals, there was a
slight typo. When Asia goes to visit Veronica the first time – she hits the
button #3 on the elevator, thus third (3rd) floor. Yet, she’s shown to room 413
which would indicate fourth (4th) floor.
My mother’s hospital had several “4th” floors, one was
billed as 1400. No, it wasn’t the 14th floor. It was that way because two other
“towers” had 400 series. Thus, this was the fourth floor (there wasn’t a second
in the building) and the rooms were 1401, etc. The first number of the room
usually correlates to the floor. Other readers might not find that issue a big
deal as it doesn’t hinder the storyline, however those working in hospitals or
the medical field might cringe at the inaccuracy.
I did love the remark about the crazy train and brain
being fueled by lunatic fumes.
I did read this faster than usual because I wanted to be
through with the house, Veronica, Ivy, Asia, and even Nolan. I also wanted to
see if I could get “the feels” with this and if there was going to be a “happy
ending”. The ending was okay but NOT fulfilling nor, to me, happy.
Thank goodness this is a standalone title (hoping it is),
as I really don’t want to return to the Butler family at all.
Fans of dark and edgy dramatic family drama might enjoy
this one.
Myself? If this is the tone of the writer’s stories, I
will have to reluctantly pass on future offerings. I felt drained after this
book. I was a bit darker than most things I’ve read and a bit too disturbing.
It wasn’t what I thought it would be. That isn’t a bad mark against the writer
at all. On the contrary, she wrote it so well that it evoked those
responses.
RATING:
3 ⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ –
Goodreads (I LIKED IT)
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ –
Bookbub (GOOD)
3 ⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal
Rating (see rating explanation in this blog:
https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html) (Between GOOD and I LIKED IT)
Title: Fresh Scars
Comments
Post a Comment