The Last Housewife

this was batshit insane and i really REALLY liked it. well done, intense, uncomfortable, full of really good twists and commentary. the only reason why i'm holding back from 5 stars is because right at the climax, weirdly i was waiting for this one very specific thing to happen, and it didn't happen that way, and i felt very off-kilter because of that? like i don't even know why i'd convinced myself it WOULD happen, but thinking back now, the narrative feels like that's where it's leading to, but then pulls that back at the last minute. it wasn't a bad thing, i just don't know how i feel about it.

actually i can't talk about it without spoilers so enjoy: i was expecting the childhood friend that becomes this love interest throughout the story to, at the very end, betray her. and i'm not upset he didn't, it's a nice ending. but after all the nastiness of these men, the depravement and derogatory way they manipulated women, i just ... it felt like that was what the story was telling me? so the ending was strangely unsatisfying to me. idk how to really explain it. it almost felt TOO neat.like very VERY early on i was like oh he's been in love with her since childhood obvi lol. and then when that does become clear to the mc, i was like ... GIRL HE'S GOING TO BETRAY YOU but he doesn't? is that a subversion or poor follow through? i have no idea, and i'm still left conflicted weeks later.

that specific thing aside, this was so twisty, dark, repulsive, and truly unputdownable. can't wait to read more from winstead.