by Ayana Mathis
First published 2022
The protagonist faces brutal realities that force her to examine her own capacity for violence. She navigates a world where danger lurks in intimate relationships and public spaces alike. Her journey becomes one of self-discovery as she grapples with how violence has shaped her identity and choices. The woman must decide whether to embrace or resist the violent impulses within herself. Mathis explores how trauma reverberates through one life, showing how survival sometimes demands transformation. The story reveals the complex psychology of a woman who refuses to remain a victim. Her struggle centers on reclaiming agency in a world that has tried to break her. The emotional core lies in her quest to define herself beyond the violence that has marked her existence.
Genres: fiction, abuse, crime, contemporary, psychological-thriller, 21st-century
Vibes: dark, emotional, intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: gritty, psychological, self-discovery, survival
Hardcover · Hutchinson
Content warnings: abuse, domestic-violence, violence