Sweat by Emma Healey - 2/5

I didn’t enjoy this book. Not because it was badly written, but because it really wasn’t for me. The blurb felt misleading, suggesting a story where Cassie, who escaped an abusive relationship, meets her ex again, now blind, and supposedly “holds the power.” I expected a more empowering, table-turning story, but it wasn’t that at all. Instead, it’s a heavy, unsettling read that dives deep into Cassie’s traumatic past.

I wasn’t looking for a “girlboss revenge” story, but I did think there’d be more balance or catharsis. Because there wasn’t, it felt unfair and emotionally draining. The book tackles intense themes, abuse, manipulation, stalking, gaslighting, and coercion, and Cassie never truly holds the power.

It reminded me of Donald Glover’s sketch “Why Are There No Crazy Man Stories?” Watch here (start at 1:46), where he points out how dangerous “crazy ex” stories can be for women. Men are terrifying, and this book proved it again.

That said, Healey’s writing is strong and well-paced, it’s just uncomfortable and difficult to sit with. But I can imagine that being the point, so I guess she smashed it.