Rouge

**ge"** by Mona Awad is a haunting and surreal exploration of obsession, beauty, and the complexities of mother-daughter relationships set against the glitzy backdrop of Southern California. The story follows Belle, a young woman whose life is overshadowed by her fixation on skincare and the pursuit of perfection. After her estranged mother, Noelle, passes away under mysterious circumstances, Belle returns home to face her mother’s debts and unearth the truths surrounding her death.The narrative takes a dark turn when a strange woman in red appears at the funeral, leading Belle to the exclusive and cult-like spa, La Maison de Méduse, where her mother once sought refuge. As Belle navigates this seductive and treacherous world, she confronts the sinister secrets that entangle her and her mother within the beauty industry’s merciless grip. With elements reminiscent of "Snow White" and "Eyes Wide Shut," Awad seamlessly blends black humor and eerie horror to critique society's obsession with appearance and the lengths individuals go to escape the painful realities of life. **"Rouge"** offers a thought-provoking and visually rich narrative that examines the fragile boundaries between desire, identity, and the darker aspects of human nature, making it a compelling read for those intrigued by the intersections of beauty and horror.

I personally love Mona Awads style of writing and was excited to read something as creepy as "Bunny", but was sort of let down by this book. The general idea is really good, but I felt like it was missing something and could have been a bit creepier, just to keep you interested. In my opinion there were some loose ends and not enough depth to the characters that weren't the MC.

What a fantastic book - part satire, part exploration of a complex mother-daughter relationship. Beautifully written. Didn't want it to end.

Wow! Just wow. Mona Awad’s novels are exquisite. I could not put this one down. I’m holding my breath for the next one.

I enjoyed this story a lot, the intrigue and the way Awad controlled my opinions of the characters was fun. The exposition of the backstory was well paced and while it didn't reach a creschendo of tension, the story arc was engaging throughout.