Tiffany McDaniel

If I had picked this one up, thinking it was a raw story about addiction, family, pain and how missing prostitutes don't get investigated in rural America, I might have hesitated but still grabbed this one. But this one was listed as a mystery. I thought there would be mystery, maybe even a little police procedural. Instead, there was just sadness. There is violence, abuse, animal cruelty, drug use, prostitution. There is definitely someone out there killing these women and the police are not looking for them, but that's it. I didn't learn anything about the true crime this is loosely based on. To say I'm disappointed would be an understatement. On top of all that, there is odd writing. Daffy, Thursday, Mamaw, and Arc all talk like they are writing poetry. Every single interaction with the aunt had "spittle, spittle spider, where you gonna hide her?" The words felt overly-flowery to moments that were dark and I found it distracting instead of adding an additional depth to any character. It was until Arc was mad and fighting back that she started to communicate and talk in ways that were clear.

I started this with my book club and only 2 of us continued reading because the childhood abuse was just too much. I wish we'd be warned how graphic it would be and that IT would be the focus and not a mystery at all.

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.… (more)

"Boys are like that. Always tryin’ to pretend they’re savin’ girls from somethin’. They never seem to realize, we can save ourselves."

This was an unpleasant read. I just kept going because I kept thinking there would be a great purpose or reason to keep going. I wanted to know the conclusion to a couple of the running threads but. . .I didn't find them all that rewarding to know in the end.

The abuse was awful. You should know going in to this that it has just about all of it - rape, violence, animal violence/abuse. It's awful to read and hard to keep going and pushing through. This was just a lot of pages of sad with very little break and no light at the end.… (more)

2.5 Stars

I Guess I couldn’t take the heat…………………….

The Summer that melted everything is a unique and interesting story set in Breathed, Ohio. A deep and dark story of the summer the Devil comes to town in the form of a teenager called Sal and a series of horrific events occur and the reader must decide whether these events are actually the work of the devil or humans. Of course the town are quick to point the finger at Sal but could a fifteen year old teenager really be the devil in disguise?

It’s a beautifully written book and the story is unique in its telling and I normally love Southern Fiction but this one just didn’t sit well with me as from the outset I really didn’t engage with any of the characters and I found the story too deep and dark and to be honest there is a little magic realism running through the novel which doesn’t work for me at the best of times. Perhaps I need to be from the South or know more about it in order to enjoy this novel.

This book reminded me very much of [b:The Enchanted|18090147|The Enchanted|Rene Denfeld|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1373991244s/18090147.jpg|25146823][bc:The Enchanted|18090147|The Enchanted|Rene Denfeld|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1373991244s/18090147.jpg|25146823] in its tone and uniqueness.

This book wasn't for me and I am know that I am in the minority on my views on this one as most of my Good reads friends have loved it so I think its best to decide for yourself as the writing is excellent and the story unique.

An ok read but not one for my favourite list.… (more)