Simon St. James - THE BROKEN GIRLS

Plot (via Goodreads):

Vermont, 1950. There's a place for the girls whom no one wants--the troublemakers, the illegitimate, the too smart for their own good. It's called Idlewild Hall. And in the small town where it's located, there are rumors that the boarding school is haunted. Four roommates bond over their whispered fears, their budding friendship blossoming--until one of them mysteriously disappears. . . . 

Vermont, 2014. As much as she's tried, journalist Fiona Sheridan cannot stop revisiting the events surrounding her older sister's death. Twenty years ago, her body was found lying in the overgrown fields near the ruins of Idlewild Hall. And though her sister's boyfriend was tried and convicted of murder, Fiona can't shake the suspicion that something was never right about the case.

When Fiona discovers that Idlewild Hall is being restored by an anonymous benefactor, she decides to write a story about it. But a shocking discovery during the renovations will link the loss of her sister to secrets that were meant to stay hidden in the past--and a voice that won't be silenced. . . .

Review:

I've been sitting on this review for a week. Usually, I write my review immediately after completing a novel but the book hangover with this one lasted for days. Simone St. James is an author who is terrifying. With writing that is sharp as a razor and peppered with intensity, I was immediately immersed in this harrowing and bone-chilling novel within the first violent and mesmerizing chapter. THE BROKEN GIRLS is the kind of novel that is gripping while you're floating through the pages and haunts you when the cover is closed. 

The storyline of this novel is dazzlingly cold and brutal, alternating between 1950 and 2014. When the novel began, I was not only intrigued by both storylines in this novel, but how they both blended together dangerously. I was initially a little hesitant in reading this one as there is a supernatural element that not only terrified me, but added such a phenomenal layer that I was quickly eating my words. I will say without spoiling anything, but I am not a huge fan of supernatural elements in novels and while this particular element could have been removed from this story and it wouldn't have changed drastically, it was not only doing brilliantly but beautifully as well. The characters in this novel not only carry the blending storylines together flawlessly, but are so remarkably written that I wanted to know every thought and movement that these rockstar characters are feeling. The multiple storylines that bring you to a full knowledge of who everyone is are not only genius, but fantastically shimmering in their prose. I found myself caring deeply for them, not just trying to get to the end of a mystery.

Unfortunately, all good (brilliant) things do come to an end an I was not let down as St. James not only wrapped up every possible question within a multi-layered novel, but left no question unanswered. I tried to guess. I tried to guess the endings to so many different arcs within this sensational novel, but I failed...which in this case, failure is a good thing. The ending is a beautiful and morose punch to the gut that left me fully satisfied and pleased that I was unable to answer any of my questions as St. James not only did it herself, but exceeded my expectations.

I am meticulous and often too picky on the novels I feature on my blog as like most readers, I never feel there is enough time to get through everything I want to read. Opening the cover to this novel and diving in was not only one of the best decisions I've made for my blog, but it's one of the best I've done so far in 2018. This novel is spellbinding, melancholy, and downright spooky. What I would describe as easily my favorite novel (out of over 30) that I have read this year, this is such a unique and brilliant read, you'll be begging your friends to read it so you have someone to talk to about it. I know personally, I won't be shutting up about this one anytime soon.

*While I was gifted an ARC of this novel from another blogger, I do want to thank Berkley Pub for publishing this novel and essentially providing me with a copy of this one in exchange for my honest review. I also want to thank Simone St. James for creating a world that left me chilled, excited, and overwhelmed with suspense.

Rating: 5/5