Consent

Consent by Annabel Lyon
Reviewed by Mimi
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Thank you to @atlanticbooks for this copy! 💓

Our story is based on two sets of twins with seemingly no connection. Mattie and Sara are two sisters that could not be more different. Mattie has learning difficulties and Sara is a high flyer. Saskia and Jenny are also polar opposites Jenny is the kind of person who takes great care of her appearance, loves the male gaze whereas Saskia is your bookish type. In the first part of the book a tragedy befalls Jenny and Mattie and one that shakes Saskia and Sara respectively. The rest of the novel copes with the aftermath of these shocking events.

What immediately strikes me about this book is how much gets covered but it really doesn't feel rushed. The sibling and wider family relationships are really well put together. The concept of looking after a family member who doesn't have the capacity to look after themselves is something that in such a short space of time is so clearly laid out. What also follows in the course of these tragedies is the discovery of secrets and intrigue that results in the stories linking. This is where the concept of consent comes into play but I won't ruin it by saying any more!

This was an easy read but felt fresh and original. The bond between sisters is one covered in plenty of literature but not like this. The link between them gives the story a surprising turn and it was all so intriguing. I was totally sucked in and thoroughly enjoyed the twists and turns. It's increasingly hard to avoid the clichés but this book does well to do just that.