Day: September 2, 2020

I’ve been on a lucky streak of suspenseful novels lately. This one absolutely fits the definition of a page-turner, as I read it one sitting.

There is very little to pick apart here. The plot was tight. There weren’t a lot of deep thoughts or angsty, twisted mind ramblings. The author gave us just enough information to whet our interest and kept things moving.

The story is told in alternating chapters between multiple characters. It never got confusing. Actually, it was one of the most effective uses of the “several narrators” style that I have read. It was also a great way to allow the reader to understand the different perspectives. This was important, especially as the layers of secrets start to unfold.

And boy, are there secrets galore in this one.

I don’t want to give too much of the plot away (we know that’s a pet peeve of mine), but I thought the beginning with Mia going missing (and the added complication next door) was an effective starter and drew me in immediately.

Nobody is immune to hiding information from other characters. That’s not to say that it’s a great big mystery with people sneaking around corners (well, for the most part). It actually felt pretty natural, because everyone has secrets that they don’t want others to know, right?

In fact, the power of secrets and how damaging they can really be is the message that comes across loud and clear in this book.

I did think that there were a couple of characters and events that seemed to be more gratuitous than useful in advancing the plot (Coach Jacobs, for one). Although, that situation also served as a commentary on how quickly people will jump to a conclusion and run with it, and how easily rumors and harmful behavior can take root.

I also wish the author had given us a little bit more of Charlotte. I loved her whole backstory (I could relate), and she did have a couple of key points. But I think, given the pivotal part that she played, she could have had a few more chapters.

Overall, though, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and would definitely recommend it for a quick, engrossing read. I can’t wait to read more from this author!

Author Bio:

Georgina Cross is the author of The Stepdaughter (publishing September 2020) and Book 2 (title to be released January 2021) and Nanny Needed (to be published 2021) which are works of domestic suspense, psychological suspense, and thriller.

She is represented by Rachel Beck with Liza Dawson Associates with her suspense fiction appealing to readers of The Good Girl by Mary Kubica, The Marriage Lie by Kimberly Belle, The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepworth, and Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty.

Georgina has been writing since she was a child. Notebooks & floppy discs filled with stories: adventures growing up in New Orleans and tales from Malaysia & England where her family lives. After graduating from Louisiana State University, she pursued a career in marketing & communications and founded Susie’s Wish non-profit which sends patients with life threatening illnesses to the beach. She spends time with her husband and their combined family of four sons watching plenty of scary movies and is thrilled to be a full-time author.