The Comeback by Ella Berman

I am going to start off this review with a bold statement for a bold book...this book struck me as a mix between My Dark Vanessa and Daisy Jones...there I said it. Now if you don't feel the same after reading this book, certainly don't blame me- that was just the vibe I got. Now that I got my disclaimer out of the way let's get on with this book that blew me away.

Grace Turner is missing from Hollywood. She can be found in her quiet hometown standing in a CVS buying her mom tampons and diet pills. One of Hollywood's biggest stars...she literally told nobody she was leaving- not her agent, her friends or her husband. Just slipped into the night and escaped her reality. Much as she had been doing for years- except with drugs and alcohol.

I don't know if I can express all of my feelings about this book without writing my own book. It just evokes so many feeling in the reader. This book captured how at 14 Grace discovered that she had a new power. The power that adults had to pay attention to her and found they were trying to please her and win her over. What 14 year old has that power? A child superstar, that is who. What an odd realization for a 14 year old. Also to be stripped away from your family and friends. Having nobody as a support except for the people in the industry, the people being paid to be your support system. Enter Able Yorke- famous director whom takes Grace under his wing- he made her, she is nothing without her. Or so she is made to think.


So I fully went into this expecting My Dark Vanessa all the way. Having read both excellent books, I do feel this one will appeal to a wider audience. The only thing these two novels have in common  are about the subject matter-  the abuse of power by a figure of authority over a young girl. The difference is...Grace knows she was a victim. Grace knows Able abused his power over her. Grace knows and she wants him to pay. Also unlike Vanessa this book doesn't go into the graphic details that Vanessa did. We know abuse took place but we are spared from living through every gut wrenching detail. So I feel the message came across and will appeal more to a larger audience because it is much easier to read. I never once felt uncomfortable reading this book, yet I got the message loud and clear.

I loved so much about this book..the short chapters were so easy to read. Grace was so darn real, I loved we got to see her in her hometown and her Hollywood self. When Grace gets a chance to make the world see Able for who he really is....I was anxiously waiting to see if she was brave enough...

This book is fantastic and I can't recommend it enough. The author didn't simply write on the current situation in Hollywood that has now been "outed" to the rest of the world. She had been writing this novel before that news hit the media. Upon reading her bio, I would say it is safe to say she has been witness to some of these "power moves" made by men in power since really the beginning of time. Yet, you don't have to be a Hollywood star to know this happens every single day...everywhere...in the world... A story of disgusting, vile, manipulative, abuse of power of a young girl. A young girl just trying to be successful in a big world.


Thank you so very much to Berkley for sending me this amazing book