By Robyn Rossit
Content warning: drug use, physical abuse
When I read the synopsis of Are You Sara? by S.C. Lalli, I was immediately drawn in. Law student Sara Bhaduri is struggling to pay her way through law school, working multiple jobs. While she’s usually labelled as a “nice Indian girl,” she has had to do things that people wouldn’t expect to make ends meet. While working at a dive bar, her boss has her deal with a drunk girl who is passed out in the bathroom. As it turns out, they both have the same first name and end up bonding despite their differences. When it’s time to head home they each order a rideshare. Sara falls asleep in hers and when she wakes up, she is on the wrong side of town. Sara Bhaduri and Sarah Ellis accidentally took the wrong rides home. When Sara walks back to her apartment, which is on the rough side of town, she discovers police lights and a body on her doorstep: Sarah’s. But the question is, which Sara was the target and why?
The story is told through alternating points of view—Sara Bhadhuri, whose story is told in the present, and Sarah Ellis, whose story is told in the past—working its way to the night of Sarah’s death. I really enjoyed this, as Sarah is in high school for the bulk of her story which gave it a YA vibe, while Sara’s is more mature, given she is in her late twenties. It is an interesting hybrid that plays with mixing genres. Both characters kept me invested in the story, and I enjoyed them both equally. They are flawed and have their demons, but they feel realistic to where they both are in their lives.
There were so many layers to this twisty thriller, which made it an exciting journey to go on. The theme of making assumptions about someone based on their appearance and lifestyle is very much present throughout the story. The police make assumptions about Sara and Sarah that have impacts on their investigation. Both women, while living vastly different lives, were desperate to break away from the circumstances and expectations placed upon them.
I really enjoyed the pacing of Are You Sara? and read it in a few sittings. It was fun trying to guess what happened to Sarah the night she was killed, and I am happy to say I was unable to completely guess the ending. I always enjoy it more when plot takes me by surprise.
Fans of the thriller genre, or anyone who is looking for a quick and gripping read should definitely give Are You Sara? A read. It was intriguing, twisty, and kept me on the edge of my seat. While this was S.C. Lalli’s first thriller, I do hope she continues to write more!
Thank you to HarperCollins Canada for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.