All the Promises We Break by Brenda Benny

 All the Promises We Break – Brenda Benny

Ebook provided by NetGalley for review. Thank you.

Read July 20

CW: Rape

This is a dual timeline book set in 1994 covering the few months leading up to the end of school party before everyone goes off to university or wherever, and the aftermath of that party and how it has changed Savannah.

I wasn’t entirely convinced by the 90s setting. Very little is mentioned that is relevant. A couple of bands, Kurt Cobain’s suicide and an O.J. Simpson car chase. It wasn’t very immersive. I think the author wanted to rely on gossip and hearsay after the party rather than social media evidence but pulled it off slightly clumsily. I also wasn’t entirely convinced by the flip-flopping time chapters either. The “after” chapters were often so brief that I don’t think it would have made much difference in the narrative if it had played out chronologically. The only thing I can think of was a phone call that in the end when it was revealed seemed to lack impact,

I’d have also liked to have read more about why Savannah wanted to travel rather than go straight to college. It’s also implied by Savannah that she’s in her sister’s shadow but then no-one else mentions her sister which was odd. Also while it’s realistic and I understand it I was still disappointed that Savannah didn’t tell anyone about her rape.

3/5 stars

Stef Out x