I received an ARC of this book from the author and I voluntarily reviewed it. Thank you Margaret McHeyzer!

Wow wow wow. This book is... I can’t find the right word so I’m going to say “everything”. Oh man, the highs, the lows, and the rock bottoms will pull at your heart strings. Sometimes, McHeyzer’s writing pulled at them so hard, my heart broke. 

I rarely cry when I read books, and by rarely, I mean three books in the over 500 I’ve read. Now it’s four books. I’m not surprised though, because one of the initial three was Dying Wish by Margaret McHeyzer. I had to stop reading and compose myself before I kept going. This book has the power to destroy you, but also shows you that there is light at the end of the tunnel - for everyone. 

This book deals with so many important themes, and when I start listing them, you’ll wonder how McHeyzer was able to fit those all into a singular book while doing justice to each one; self-harm, homosexuality and homophobia, suicide, mental health, abuse, and a few more I will not mention for spoiler purposes. Honestly, there are very few authors who can pull off a book like this, and McHeyzer is one of them. 

I truly think this is a book that should be read by everyone. It’s not just a YA book. It’s much bigger than that. It’s a book about acceptance, a book than can teach everyone how to be more open minded. It’s about removing the stigma around the words “mental health” and disassociating them from the terrible word “crazy”. 

Thank you, Margaret McHeyzer, for writing this masterpiece. 
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I received an ARC if this book from Give Me Books in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Give Me Books!

This book will take you on an emotional roller coaster ride - straight up. It is a story about losing the love if your life and learning to love again; dealing with the pain, the guilt, and every other emotion telling you you don't deserve to experience love again.

There were so many beautiful aspects to this book, but my favourite has to be the heart and key. To not spoil anything, I will not say more, but when you have read the book you will know. 

In addition, Alice's selflessness and foresight is incredible. She is the most beautiful character, inside and out. She made me cry three times in the span of two chapters (thank God I was home alone). If this book doesn't touch you, you are made of stone. Seriously. I got chills and tears all wrapped up in one beautiful stack of (e-)pages. 

Lastly, as you may know from previous reviews, I love songs/poems within books, and this one had some! They were lovely and emotional, and completely integral to the story, in my opinion.

Margaret McHeyzer has come to be one if my favourite/go-to authors.

I received an ARC of this book from Give Me Books in exchange for an honest review. Thanks Give Me Books!

I quite liked this book. I didn't love it like Ugly by McHeyzer, but I still thoroughly enjoyed reading it. This novel is a great story inside a rape victims life after the assault; how one does and does not cope with the trauma and the slow process of healing.

One thing that struck me in this book, was the incredible bond and support the main characters had for each other. Sam, Reece and Sophie all have a part to play in the healing of the main character Dakota. In a terrible way, I liked how Sophie was also a rape victim, and how they instantly connected, even without fully knowing they were both victims, yet it is saddening to see how common sexual assault is.

Sam had to be my favourite character. She is Dakota's sister, and is the most mature fourteen-year-old ever. She is a strong pillar for her sister, and stands by her during her whole journey. Dakota and Sam have this unbelievable sisterly bond, which if I were honest, I wish I had, but hey, being an only child has its perks.

Last, but not least, Reece. Can I steel him from Dakota? He has such a beautiful heart, and soul, and truly loves Dakota. He is constantly there for her even when she doesn't always want him to be, and he never leaves her side. He always protects, her without hesitation, even without knowing her story, and that is gold.

In brief, this is a good book by Margaret McHeyzer about the importance of friends and family in the healing process of a trauma. I found it to be a little long at times, but overall, well executed.