Rae (semi-hiatus)'s Reviews > The Five

The Five by Lily  White
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The most heartbreaking book

I am pretty sure this was the roughest book I have ever read. I struggled through it the entire time. Specifically Rainey’s chapters.

I was nauseated through every one of her chapters until the very end. My throat felt constricted, my stomach was in knots, I was actively crying. Unfortunately, I’m not exaggerating. I didn’t know I’d be able to finish it because there was never any light. One dark, depraved thing happened after another. So why did I rate it the way I did? Why did I keep reading? Because of two things: Rowan 💔 and that ending…that ending was beautiful and perfect for this story. It was like I could finally breathe again, my entire body relaxed.

I haven’t had this kind of experience reading a book in several years. Maybe ever? I’ll never forget Rainey and The Five. Lily White is powerful.

I would definitely consider this to have a HEA

*Please y’all: this is loaded with triggers. I caution SA survivors to avoid this completely or wait until you are in the right frame of mind and absolutely sure you’re ready mentally. This book is pitch black and stays that way until the very end. Be kind to yourself 💛
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Reading Progress

November 28, 2022 – Shelved
November 28, 2022 – Shelved as: to-read
December 21, 2022 – Started Reading
December 21, 2022 –
20.0% "My stomach is turning at these scenes 😭😔 I want to give Rainey a hug"
December 22, 2022 – Shelved as: abused-hurt-mc
December 22, 2022 – Shelved as: genre-fiction
December 22, 2022 – Shelved as: emotional-sobfest
December 22, 2022 – Shelved as: dark
December 22, 2022 – Shelved as: genre-contemporary
December 22, 2022 – Shelved as: badass-strong-fmc
December 22, 2022 – Shelved as: genre-romance
December 22, 2022 – Shelved as: reviewed
December 22, 2022 – Shelved as: pov-multi
December 22, 2022 – Shelved as: location-kindle-unlimited
December 22, 2022 – Finished Reading

Comments Showing 1-23 of 23 (23 new)

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Rachael This was one of the best books I’ve read this year. I was so damn nervous anytime a Rainey chapter started cause it just got worse and worse for her. 😩


lila omg if it was that impactful i need to push it up my tbr! wonderful review <3


Rae (semi-hiatus) @Rachael It’s one of the best (and worst-you know what I mean 😫) books. It was one where I dreaded reading it but was too enthralled to put it down. Basically it took me through so many emotions it’s crazy


Rae (semi-hiatus) @Summer it shocked me bc I just randomly picked it up today not expecting it to change my life. I think it’ll affect everyone differently depending on their life circumstances 💛
Also, the romance is very mild in this. It takes a backseat to everything else.


lila thanks for telling me! usually I read romance, and dark stuff if it's really interesting, but otherwise I don't. I feel like this is a perfect fit for me, tho <3 tyy!


Rachael Sameeee. I didn’t know what to expect when I started reading but it wasn’t that. And I was so surprised. Truly incredibly heartbreaking and rough story.


Huda Amazing review!! this sounds soo beautiful. I need to add to my tbr💞💞


Rae (semi-hiatus) @Summer the romance that was in it was so powerful it had me in a chokehold. I hope you enjoy your experience when you do read it!!


Rae (semi-hiatus) @Rachael Yeah, it definitely wasn’t anything what I expected lol It was just brilliant 🥺


Rae (semi-hiatus) @Huda Thank you! It’s beautifully tragic. Very gritty 💛 I hope you enjoy it if you read it! It is very dark tho. I can’t stress that enough 😅


Thirstygirl Great review. Yeah, this was a tough one for me as well and definitely didn't go the way I expected to, and it kept me turning the pages. I think this book is more of an erotic thriller with a love story as part of it, but I liked the way it worked out in the end. Have you read any others of hers? If you haven't already, might want to check out In the Garden of Discontent. It's also a pretty dark/rough love story but you might like that one.


Rae (semi-hiatus) Yeah, the thriller suspense aspect caught me by surprise. And I kinda put my blinders on for the consensual sex scenes in the romance due to the overwhelming trauma that was happening to Rainey throughout. I think that’s why it resonated so much with me emotionally because I laser focused on their feelings lol
I actually downloaded that book at the same time as this one but randomly started The Five. I want to read that one but I need a mental health break 😆


Thirstygirl I hear that--it's like the "romance" was very muted because of all the fucked up stuff going on, and also I think bc it's written in a way so you don't know who she is going to end up with. It's twisty... one of those books that sticks with you. And yeah, I wouldn't read them back-to-back. 😅 I'm interested to see what you'll think of that one when you do get to it!


Rae (semi-hiatus) That’s it exactly! It was woven in perfectly! The different POV was really unique insight into Rainey too.
Lol, after this one, I figured. I’ll check it out for sure! I wonder if all her books are heavy?


Thirstygirl Of the six of hers I've read, this and In the Garden of Discontent are the heaviest. I think there may be darker ones in her Masters series but I haven't cracked into that yet. I like her writing style and twisted stories... seeing this review reminds me I haven't read one of hers in a while so maybe I'll have to do that soon.


Mrs Volkov Ok, I'm diving in! Wish me luck. Thanks for the rec


message 17: by Mads (new) - added it

Mads Damn sounds like my kind of read!! Adding to TBR, thanks for the rec! 🥰


Rae (semi-hiatus) Dang I didn’t see these replies!!

@Thirsty I want to read Garden, I just don’t know if I can do another pitch black book, even though I’m sure it’ll be worth the heartbreak 😭 I’m conflicted. And she has books DARKER than this?! Tf this was the darkest I’ve ever read, especially the way it was written 😫


Rae (semi-hiatus) @Lisha I hope you enjoy it 💛 You’ve got this 🥺💪

@Mads It is the kinda book I think you’d like! It’s darker and more explicit than Hunting Adeline 😭


Thirstygirl Wait, this is DARKER than Hunting Adeline? Bc I've been avoiding that one bc I didn't think I could handle it.


Rae (semi-hiatus) Imo yes. By a lot. The Five had a lot more description about what the FMC was going thru, especially with the constant mental anguish. While Hunting did have some of that, it wasn’t as explicit and only for half the book.
It might be different for others, but I was visibly upset by this one. Not really with Hunting.


message 22: by Sonia (new)

Sonia Oh man. Pitch black? Ugh.


Rae (semi-hiatus) Yeah. It was rough to get through but damn was it good.


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