BOOK REVIEW: rouge

Okay, so you've heard my initial rave about Mona Awad's *Rouge*, but let's dive a little deeper into what makes this book truly unforgettable – and perhaps a little unsettling! When I picked up this book, with its striking black cover, bold red text, and smoky red rose design, depicting exactly the vibe within, I knew I was in for something special. Mona Awad absolutely delivered on that promise of a unique and deeply atmospheric read. Her writing style, which I've come to adore from her other works, is just so uniquely *her*. It’s not your typical horror or thriller with conventional scares; it's something far more insidious and psychological. Think less jump scares and more a creeping sense of unease that settles deep in your bones and makes you question everything. It’s definitely 'super eerie' and incredibly 'suspenseful' – the kind of book where you're constantly questioning reality alongside the protagonist, trying to decipher what’s real and what’s a product of a troubled mind. The core of Rouge really digs into profound themes of beauty, obsession, aging, and the often-fraught relationship between mothers and daughters. Our protagonist, Mirabelle, arrives in LA after her mother's death, and immediately you're drawn into this world where skincare is not just a routine, but almost a religion. The way Awad blurs the lines between self-care and self-destruction, between the desperate desire for perfection and outright madness, is just brilliant and truly unsettling. The luxury spa, which I briefly mentioned, isn't just a backdrop; it's a character in itself, full of strange rituals and even stranger inhabitants. It's here that Mirabelle starts to unravel the mysteries surrounding her mother's life and death, but also her own identity. The descriptions are vivid, sometimes grotesque, and always leave you feeling a little off-kilter, which is exactly what I love about Awad's particular brand of 'dark fiction'. She has a knack for creating worlds that feel both familiar and utterly alien. If you're someone who appreciates books that challenge your perceptions, that are a bit absurd, and that aren't afraid to get 'f**ked up' (as I put it before!), then Rouge is absolutely a must-read. It’s for readers who enjoy authors like Shirley Jackson, Carmen Maria Machado, or even some aspects of Ottessa Moshfegh – writers who excel at psychological tension and surreal storytelling. You’ll be thinking about this book long after you turn the last page, wondering about its layers and hidden meanings. Seriously, don't walk, run to grab a copy!