Trust Me

Trust Me, by Brenda Novak

Attacked four years ago at home by rapist and murderer Oliver Burke, Skye defended herself and put him behind bars. Inspired by her own struggle, Skye began the Last Stand—an organization focused on helping survivors and teaching self-defense. She is also wrestling with an attraction to the detective from her case, David Willis. When Burke cuts a deal, the fiend is out on the street, eager for revenge on Skye—who has been the focus of his continued obsession.

This isn't a bad book by any means - simply not a stellar one. The premise is, indeed, quite creepy, even if parts of the plot stretch the imagination at times. Skye is working on losing the fear that plagues every moment, something which has suddenly become much harder with the news that her attempted rapist and suspected murderer is being let out of prison early. No sooner does she get the bad news than disturbing events begin taking place. Skye is a good protagonist, one who puts her money where her mouth is, so to speak. Her actions, while they may initially appear extreme, aren't so unreasonable if you consider the trauma that she's been through - one of the most effective tools that Novak uses is the chilling possibility of this ever happening in real life. Novak is fairly skillful at presenting the helplessness and terror that arise from knowledge of your own vulnerability to stronger outside forces. Skye's struggle with her feelings for the detective are also relatable - rather than pine away for what he refuses to let happen, she makes the decision to move on. For the sake of my own peace of mind, I am ignoring the awful plot device which has the power to completely alter Skye's character, to the extent that within two days she suddenly gains the power to forgive and forget, despite three years of nonstop dwelling. The quick (and somewhat alarmingly cheery) wrap up at the end made my head spin, and yet for all that I wouldn't mind reading another by her.