10 June 2026

This book’s cover and title grabbed my attention the moment I saw it. Yes, I once again judged a book by its cover—I simply could not resist!

What initially appears to be a funny and entertaining read turns out to be a surprisingly sad story beneath the humour.

Julie Tudor grew up in the shadow of her beautiful older sister, and her parents never even attempted to hide the fact that they had a favourite. Throughout her life, Julie longs for love, connection, and companionship—but she has an unfortunate habit of getting things terribly wrong. She misreads the meaning behind other people’s behaviour and often sees only what she wants to see. Deep down, Julie convinces herself that her feelings are reciprocated, when in reality, she is painfully mistaken.

Julie is socially awkward and largely misunderstood, making her both frustrating and strangely sympathetic.

For much of the story, you are immersed in Julie’s thoughts—and her mind is a rather peculiar place to be. It quickly becomes clear that something is not quite right, yet it is difficult to pinpoint exactly what that might be. You are left wondering whether Julie was simply born this way. But as more of her childhood unfolds, including the loss of her sister and the emotional neglect she experienced at home, it becomes difficult not to wonder how much those experiences shaped the person she became.

Overall, this was a funny and highly entertaining read, though one with a surprisingly tragic undercurrent. The author transforms a troubled and deeply lonely woman into a serial killer searching for love, understanding, and human connection—a desperate woman who simply wants to belong.

The pets felt a little over the top at times, which is ultimately why this settled at four stars rather than five for me. Even so, it remained a wonderfully entertaining and memorable read.