Since this book is divided into three distinct parts, I’ll review it accordingly.

Part 1: I was hooked from the very beginning. As Sloan is thrust into a life or death situation, she’s forced to reevaluate everything and confront what truly matters. Her struggle to let go of her old life and fight for a new one was compelling and emotionally charged. I was fully invested in her journey and loved how the story explored the outcome of her trauma and need for survival.

Part 2: Unfortunately, this section completely lost me. While I understand that Roberts was aiming to develop Sloan’s character and provide context, the pacing slowed to a crawl. The focus on her daily walks and home renovations felt repetitive and unnecessary. It disrupted the tension and momentum built in the first part and made it hard to stay engaged.

Part 3: Wait….that’s it? After such a long build up, the confrontation with the killers felt rushed and underwhelming. I wish this part of the story had been introduced earlier and allowed to unfold with more suspense. A slower, more psychological cat and mouse game between Sloan and Clara could’ve made the ending fantastic, giving it more of a Silence of the Lambs vibe. The potential was there for a powerful clash of wills, but it didn’t fully deliver like I was expecting.

Overall, I really enjoyed the beginning and ending, but the middle dragged for me. Still, if you enjoy a slow-burn story with a dramatic, fast-paced conclusion, this might be right up your alley.

*Thank you to Nora Roberts, St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.