Okay, this one pulled me in fast. If you enjoy multiple POVs and dual timelines like I do, Lauren is Missing definitely delivers on that front. S.J. King builds tension slowly, revealing just enough to keep you curious but never quite enough to make you feel settled—which is both a strength and a slight weakness, depending on your patience level. 

The writing reminded me a lot of Lisa Jewell—dark domestic vibes, flawed characters, and secrets bubbling just beneath the surface. You’re thrown right into a “what the hell is actually going on?” kind of mystery, and while that feeling was fun at first, I’ll admit it dragged on a little too long for me. There’s a fine line between suspenseful and frustrating, and this book danced a little close to that edge. 

I also had a strong suspicion early on about what the big twist was going to be, and unfortunately, I ended up being right—so the reveal didn’t hit quite as hard as I think the author intended. That said, the way the story wraps up is satisfying, and I appreciated how the pieces eventually came together. 

If you like layered thrillers with shifting perspectives and a slow-burn mystery, this one’s worth picking up. While it didn’t fully shock me, it did keep me turning pages, and I’d still recommend it to fans of Lisa Jewell, B.A. Paris, or Freida McFadden. 

 Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for this free ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.