Yes, Daddy

This book is being marketed in confusing and deceiving ways. Initially described as a gay ‘Get Out' it is most certainly not that and in fact has a clear agenda perpetrated by the author that comes out in the later half of the book. 

The first half of the book were compelling and hard to read. It flails in the second half where the protagonist is reckoning with trauma and how to deal with it. The end was disappointing for sure given the promise of the front half.  

This book is not for the faint of heart. Trigger Warning: rape, sexual assault, mental and physical abuse, suicide, religious ideation.

Jonah is an aspiring writer that recently moved to New York City. He finds himself alone and broke - barely hanging on and about to get thrown out of the apartment he's not able to pay for. He then meets Richard, an older man that happens to be a famous play write. Jonah's life starts to look up as he starts a relationship with Richard. Richard starts helping him pay rent, takes him out to lavish, star studded parties, and invites him to stay the summer at his Hamptons home. Jonah is thrilled and eventually quits his serving job to spend the summer writing at Richards Hamptons compound that he shares with a few friends. Jonah can't seem to believe how lucky he is. Jonah's luck quickly turns as he realizes he's stepped into a nightmare. The events of that summer will forever shape his life and he'll struggle for many years to come.

This book is so heartbreaking. I spent 90% of the book completely pissed, 70% completely horrified, and about 75% feeling completely sad and tender towards Jonah and the other characters. I don't want to give too much away. I will say that this book did a very good job at capturing how the times change, how victims are viewed by others and themselves, and how fame and money can mask a lot.

I would recommend this book to those that enjoy books that are a bit on the heavy side. If you have issues with any of the trigger warnings I listed above I'd say to move on from this one. It is heavy and stays with you after you've finished reading it.

this book had so much to say i feel the actual story got drowned in its own dialogue. the first half to three quarters were very propulsive and edge of your seat, however the back half tried to fill in too many things in such a short period. the writing, however, was gorgeous and i do think the book said what it wanted to say successfully, i just think the story got lost amongst its message.