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randi_reads's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this read, it is definitely a page turner, as I read it in two sittings.
Six year old Jenny was walking to her friends house, but she never made it. Now, twelve years later, she returns home. Where was she? And why did she take so long to come home? The more questions that are asked of her, the more she can't answer. (As a mother, I would never let my young children walk to a friend's house by themselves. I don't care that it was just two doors down. I would have made sure my child got there, so that made me question things.)
Jenny is a great narrator. I liked her. I wanted more background on Jenny of her life with Father and Mother, though. How did she get away? (I can't say more without giving up too much information on the plot.) I get it that this was more of her story with the Kristal family.
I did guess one twist in the story. I was super proud of my thriller-reading self. Until I didn't.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
Six year old Jenny was walking to her friends house, but she never made it. Now, twelve years later, she returns home. Where was she? And why did she take so long to come home? The more questions that are asked of her, the more she can't answer. (As a mother, I would never let my young children walk to a friend's house by themselves. I don't care that it was just two doors down. I would have made sure my child got there, so that made me question things.)
Jenny is a great narrator. I liked her. I wanted more background on Jenny of her life with Father and Mother, though. How did she get away? (I can't say more without giving up too much information on the plot.) I get it that this was more of her story with the Kristal family.
I did guess one twist in the story. I was super proud of my thriller-reading self. Until I didn't.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
blooming_bookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
Major TW for assault on a child. There were so many twists in this book, only one of which I saw coming. This was definitely a ~strange~ storyline in the overlaps of character experiences but it makes sense to tie them together. Also I love a well resolved ending and I appreciate that I didn’t finish the book with a bunch of questions
novelsandjava's review against another edition
4.0
Wow what a crazy book!! Great way to start off the month! This book had so many twists it left me in shock a lot! I love a book that has you on the edge of your seat and you cant wait to find out what is going to happen. This book definitely does that for you! Very fast paced and easy read. I loved it, loved the characters and how it all played out in the end.
Six year old Jenny is on her way to her friend Toni's house to play but she never shows up and disappears. 12 years later shes back, alive and with her family. But is she really safe? Where was she this whole time?
Such a wonderful book I highly recommend this one to everyone!
Six year old Jenny is on her way to her friend Toni's house to play but she never shows up and disappears. 12 years later shes back, alive and with her family. But is she really safe? Where was she this whole time?
Such a wonderful book I highly recommend this one to everyone!
katieneedsabiggerbookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
It’s been 12 years since Jenny disappeared. Suddenly she is back. She has miraculously escaped her captors and made her way home. She faced some trauma, but her family is so glad to have their no longer so little girl back. But where was she all this time? Who took her? How did she escape?
This book hooked me from page 1. I could not put it down. I read it in one day and that is rare during these coronavirus times when I’m having trouble concentrating. It reminded me of another book I read last year but I can’t for the life of me remember the title! Either way, this one had me on edge trying to figure out what the secrets here were. This book was fast paced, mysterious, and thrilling! I don’t want to go too far with this review because I think this one is truly best to go into blind. I highly recommend grabbing a copy of this one when it comes out on June 9th!
As another side note: I’m dying to figure out who SK Barnett is a pseudonym for. A New York Times bestselling author whose previous book was turned into a major motion picture. Any ideas?
Thank you to Dutton Books for my gifted copy of this book!
This book hooked me from page 1. I could not put it down. I read it in one day and that is rare during these coronavirus times when I’m having trouble concentrating. It reminded me of another book I read last year but I can’t for the life of me remember the title! Either way, this one had me on edge trying to figure out what the secrets here were. This book was fast paced, mysterious, and thrilling! I don’t want to go too far with this review because I think this one is truly best to go into blind. I highly recommend grabbing a copy of this one when it comes out on June 9th!
As another side note: I’m dying to figure out who SK Barnett is a pseudonym for. A New York Times bestselling author whose previous book was turned into a major motion picture. Any ideas?
Thank you to Dutton Books for my gifted copy of this book!
tbretc's review against another edition
4.0
Wow wow wow- this one moves at breakneck speed! I need a couple of days to think about it but I’m hovering around 4.5 stars. If you like first person storytelling and morally ambiguous protagonists, this might be for you! It’s dark though- fair warning!
Back with more coherent thoughts- This is one of those books where you’ll want to have time to sit down and read, because once you start I can guarantee you won’t want to put it down. A 6 year old girl goes missing and 12 years later, she is reunited with the family. The perspective bounces between the girl (now 18) and her family members. I loved this angle- I hadn’t considered what actually happens in the family after you get that happy reunion. If fast paced thrillers with unreliable narrators and creepy families are your thing- I’d recommend this. (TW for child abuse, reference to sexual assault).
Back with more coherent thoughts- This is one of those books where you’ll want to have time to sit down and read, because once you start I can guarantee you won’t want to put it down. A 6 year old girl goes missing and 12 years later, she is reunited with the family. The perspective bounces between the girl (now 18) and her family members. I loved this angle- I hadn’t considered what actually happens in the family after you get that happy reunion. If fast paced thrillers with unreliable narrators and creepy families are your thing- I’d recommend this. (TW for child abuse, reference to sexual assault).
isabellesuarez's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
katieladyreads's review against another edition
3.0
This was a fun binge read. Nothing remarkable but I liked the ending! Thanks again Dutton for sending my way.
hayaat's review against another edition
3.0
this was a TRIP whEw
the writing felt jagged ag some points - like the use of present tense and 'i would' (conditional? idk what it's called lmao) was so hard to follow. it would have been a much cleaner read if the story had set lines between the past and present. cause it truly felt like a mesh of tenses.
i also didn't feel that connected to the character, specifically Jenny. she doesn't really shine as a character in my opiion, like it feels like she's an empty vessel that just moves the plot forward. i just couldn't care about her.
the plot tho. NOT A JOKE. I'M GONNA HAVE NIGHTMARES FR. i guessed some parts, didn't guess most of it (granted, i am pretty oblivious to even the most obvious of foreshadowing and red herrings).
the ending was kinda unnecessary in my opinion, andthe last lines were conry as hell. personally, i feel like it would have resonated harder emotionally for me if
anyways.
entertaining, albeit with a myriad of flaws. what more can i ask for.
the writing felt jagged ag some points - like the use of present tense and 'i would' (conditional? idk what it's called lmao) was so hard to follow. it would have been a much cleaner read if the story had set lines between the past and present. cause it truly felt like a mesh of tenses.
i also didn't feel that connected to the character, specifically Jenny. she doesn't really shine as a character in my opiion, like it feels like she's an empty vessel that just moves the plot forward. i just couldn't care about her.
the plot tho. NOT A JOKE. I'M GONNA HAVE NIGHTMARES FR. i guessed some parts, didn't guess most of it (granted, i am pretty oblivious to even the most obvious of foreshadowing and red herrings).
the ending was kinda unnecessary in my opinion, andthe last lines were conry as hell. personally, i feel like it would have resonated harder emotionally for me if
Spoiler
she didn't go out and fine her mom. and have a weird redemption thing for her, one that is so miniscule and is greatly outweighted by the autrocious fucking thing she did. and we're just expected to what? smile and nod? tf. Jenny is like -- 'safe at home' TABS IS RIGHT THERE. FOUND FAMILY IS RIGHT. FUCKING THERE. cmon sisanyways.
entertaining, albeit with a myriad of flaws. what more can i ask for.
peacockbookreviews's review against another edition
4.0
Jenny Kristal was six years old when she disappeared on her way to her friend's house. Twelve years later, she is found walking the streets close to her home.
When Jenny's parents meet her, they are thrilled and overwhelmed to have their daughter back; her brother has reservations. What is it he knows about his sister's disappearance that his parents don't?
A thrilling read, the characters are convincing; the story is compelling, engaging, surprising, and disturbing.
Thank you to NetGalley, Random House UK, Cornerstone and author S K Barnett for a pre-publication copy to review.
When Jenny's parents meet her, they are thrilled and overwhelmed to have their daughter back; her brother has reservations. What is it he knows about his sister's disappearance that his parents don't?
A thrilling read, the characters are convincing; the story is compelling, engaging, surprising, and disturbing.
Thank you to NetGalley, Random House UK, Cornerstone and author S K Barnett for a pre-publication copy to review.
janpd24's review against another edition
4.0
An engrossing psychological thriller about 18-year-old Jenny who went missing as a 6-year-old under rather unbelievable circumstances. Overall, I really enjoyed the book, and though you figure out pretty early on what happened to Jenny, there are still enough twists left over to surprise you. The ony thing I found a little odd was that there seemed to be no investigation/suspicions about the .
The writing was a little confusing at times, and Jenny's background had a lot of holes (or I missed them). Even so, one of those thrillers that do actually thrill you with the eventual reveal.
(Review copy from NetGalley)
Spoiler
re-disappearances of the girls Jobeth impersonatedThe writing was a little confusing at times, and Jenny's background had a lot of holes (or I missed them). Even so, one of those thrillers that do actually thrill you with the eventual reveal.
(Review copy from NetGalley)