Book Review for My Girl by Audrey Rush

I received this book for free. This did not affect my review in any shape or form.

My Girl, by Audrey Rush, is a terrifying romance about finding and embracing the most gruesome parts of your past in order to carve out your future. Raven “Rae” Sinclair plays the part of a rich playgirl who steals from her one night stands in order to have some semblance of thrill. After learning from her mother that a man named Michael Hall could potentially be her father, she decides to investigate the Galloway House, which not only claimed Michael Halls’s life, but also others as well. From there, she stumbles across a mysterious murderer named Crave, who and quickly becomes just as obsessed with him as he with her. Rush brings to life darkened desires that lust brings out, and illustrates what happens if we allow them to consume us.

It took me a while to process what I’ve read. The story is good, and enticing, and I’m all onboard, right up until the end. I have my own vices; I’m human after all, and I’m certainly not one to judge. But I wouldn’t classify what Rae and Crave have is love. It’s fucked up, even by my standards, and I’m not interested in psychoanalyzing either one of them. I do enjoy Ned’s character though, and that, despite everything, he was a genuinely nice guy that was trying to look out for everyone. I also liked Rae’s mother, and the dynamic that she and her father have, even if they aren’t directly connected with each other. It reminds me of a song from In This Moment, called “The In-Between.” At the beginning of the song, it goes like this, 

My mother said that I was holy

My father said that I would burn

My mother said I was an angel

My father said that I would turn

I also liked the imagery that Rae brings into between her parents. She describes herself as being the offspring of both a saint and a sinner, and while she did allow her impulses to win at the end, I wished there was more interaction between them. 

One of the broader themes that Rush keeps exploring in her books, as well as her previous one, Grave Love, is that morality isn’t set in stone. What may be sick to some of us might be acceptable to others. There’s a reason why horrific things like human trafficking flourish, why people are okay with others trampling over the weak. Although a lot of us may think that we’d stay true to our moral compasses, the truth is we don’t know. When pushed to a corner our most frightening dreams may bubble up to the surface. Whatever temptations we try to hide might come to light, whether we want to or not. I’d have to say this was the situation for both Rae and Crave, whether it be mentally or physically. 

As such, I would give this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars. If you hadn’t, I would definitely recommend that you read Grave Love (same author) as well if you’re a fan of twisted stalker romances as well.