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The Vanishing Season is a Disturbing & Suspenseful Thriller
Ellery Hathaway is a police officer with a traumatic past. Years before she was the sole surviver of a kidnapping at the hands of a sadistic serial killer. Now, girls are disappearing around her birthday and she knows these missing persons cases are connected to what happened to her in her youth. If only she could convince her superiors to take her concerns seriously without revealing the truth of who she is.
Agent Reed Markham is the profiler who found Ellery all those years ago. Now, his marriage is over and his career is barely hanging on. When Ellery calls him for help he knows he can't refuse. His success was based off her case and their's was a bond formed in tragedy.
I enjoyed Ellery's character immensely. Her strength, determination and vulnerability made me feel invested in her story. There was a definite creepy factor to the story as we work to figure out who the killer is and what their connection is to Ellery. The only drawback for me was that the details of Ellery's past were kept to a minimum. I would have appreciated more of her backstory but that might be intentional as this is the first book in an intended series. I hope Schaffhausen reveals more of Ellery's story in future books. I'll definitely be reading along with the series. Ellery and Reed's back and forth dynamic was great (dare we hope for a romance in the future?!) and Bump (the dog) was absolute perfection - what a furry little show stealer! 😉
Ellery Hathaway is a police officer with a traumatic past. Years before she was the sole surviver of a kidnapping at the hands of a sadistic serial killer. Now, girls are disappearing around her birthday and she knows these missing persons cases are connected to what happened to her in her youth. If only she could convince her superiors to take her concerns seriously without revealing the truth of who she is.
Agent Reed Markham is the profiler who found Ellery all those years ago. Now, his marriage is over and his career is barely hanging on. When Ellery calls him for help he knows he can't refuse. His success was based off her case and their's was a bond formed in tragedy.
I enjoyed Ellery's character immensely. Her strength, determination and vulnerability made me feel invested in her story. There was a definite creepy factor to the story as we work to figure out who the killer is and what their connection is to Ellery. The only drawback for me was that the details of Ellery's past were kept to a minimum. I would have appreciated more of her backstory but that might be intentional as this is the first book in an intended series. I hope Schaffhausen reveals more of Ellery's story in future books. I'll definitely be reading along with the series. Ellery and Reed's back and forth dynamic was great (dare we hope for a romance in the future?!) and Bump (the dog) was absolute perfection - what a furry little show stealer! 😉
3.5 stars (rounded up) for Elly Griffiths' modern gothic mystery, The Stranger Diaries
Clare Cassidy is an English teacher specializing in Gothic writer R.M. Holland and his short story, The Stranger. Clare is working on a book based on the mysterious life of R.M. Holland, who once lived in the school where she now works.
One evening one of Clare's closest friends and colleagues, Ella, is murdered with a line from R. M. Holland’s story left by her body. Clare's life eerily begins to collide with some of her favorite pieces of literature. Confused and concerned about what is happening around her, Clare turns to her trusty diary only to find that someone has been to it first and left her a note. Who is this stranger writing in her diary? Could the killer ultimately be out for Clare?
The gothic vibe of the story definitely added to its sense of eeriness. I will confess that I had the killer figured out - I just wasn't sure on the why. The motive actually left me a bit underwhelmed but overall, it fit within the context of the story and it was definitely plausible. Griffiths did a thorough job of leading us with a trail of breadcrumbs throughout and throwing in a few red herrings here and there. Personally, I was just hoping for a bit more - some of the red herrings would have actually been quite an interesting route to take.
The cast of characters here was ecclectic and wonderful though I admit that Clare was actually my least favorite. I thoroughly enjoyed her daughter Georgie, their adorable and pampered dog Herbert and DS Harbinder Kaur. I can actually see DS Kaur in her own series. She is witty, critical and has quite an interesting backstory. Dare I hope we might see more of her in the future from Griffiths?
Overall, if you enjoy gothic mysteries with that classic "whodunit" vibe - this one's for you. Thank you to Elly Griffiths, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an arc of this book.
Clare Cassidy is an English teacher specializing in Gothic writer R.M. Holland and his short story, The Stranger. Clare is working on a book based on the mysterious life of R.M. Holland, who once lived in the school where she now works.
One evening one of Clare's closest friends and colleagues, Ella, is murdered with a line from R. M. Holland’s story left by her body. Clare's life eerily begins to collide with some of her favorite pieces of literature. Confused and concerned about what is happening around her, Clare turns to her trusty diary only to find that someone has been to it first and left her a note. Who is this stranger writing in her diary? Could the killer ultimately be out for Clare?
The gothic vibe of the story definitely added to its sense of eeriness. I will confess that I had the killer figured out - I just wasn't sure on the why. The motive actually left me a bit underwhelmed but overall, it fit within the context of the story and it was definitely plausible. Griffiths did a thorough job of leading us with a trail of breadcrumbs throughout and throwing in a few red herrings here and there. Personally, I was just hoping for a bit more - some of the red herrings would have actually been quite an interesting route to take.
The cast of characters here was ecclectic and wonderful though I admit that Clare was actually my least favorite. I thoroughly enjoyed her daughter Georgie, their adorable and pampered dog Herbert and DS Harbinder Kaur. I can actually see DS Kaur in her own series. She is witty, critical and has quite an interesting backstory. Dare I hope we might see more of her in the future from Griffiths?
Overall, if you enjoy gothic mysteries with that classic "whodunit" vibe - this one's for you. Thank you to Elly Griffiths, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an arc of this book.
Verity left me completely speechless, unsettled and unabashedly begging CoHo to write more thrillers!!!
I found this story creepy, dark, addictive and absolutely unputdownable. Hoover has quite an imagination and as an avid thriller reader I was immediately drawn into the creepy world she created within the Crawford's home.
"My mother used to say that houses have a soul, and if that's true, the soul of Verity Carwford's house is as dark as they come."
Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer with no family and no place to call home. She is approached by bestselling author, Verity Crawford's husband to complete the last three books in a successful series his injured wife is unable to finish. Drawn to Jeremy Crawford and needing the financial stability this arrangement would provide Lowen agrees to complete the books and finds herself a guest in the Crawford home as she sorts through Verity's papers.
"Some families are lucky enough to never experience a single tragedy. But then there are those families that see to have tragedies waiting on the back burner. What can go wrong, goes wrong. And then gets worse."
The Crawford's have experienced devastating tragedy in the loss of their twin daughters. Lowen can't help but feel sympathy for the grieving Jeremy and his remaining son. Then she uncovers Verity's unfinished autobiography. Page upon page of bone-chilling, psychotic admissions. As Lowen uncovers Verity's deepest, darkest secrets things between her and Jeremy begin to intensify.
But is all as it seems within the Crawford house?
There were many chilling & disturbing moments here both in the present and via Verity's autobiography which we get to read select chapters of along with Lowen. I loved this foray into the romantic thriller world and certainly hope we will be seeing more of this from Hoover in the future.
I found this story creepy, dark, addictive and absolutely unputdownable. Hoover has quite an imagination and as an avid thriller reader I was immediately drawn into the creepy world she created within the Crawford's home.
"My mother used to say that houses have a soul, and if that's true, the soul of Verity Carwford's house is as dark as they come."
Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer with no family and no place to call home. She is approached by bestselling author, Verity Crawford's husband to complete the last three books in a successful series his injured wife is unable to finish. Drawn to Jeremy Crawford and needing the financial stability this arrangement would provide Lowen agrees to complete the books and finds herself a guest in the Crawford home as she sorts through Verity's papers.
"Some families are lucky enough to never experience a single tragedy. But then there are those families that see to have tragedies waiting on the back burner. What can go wrong, goes wrong. And then gets worse."
The Crawford's have experienced devastating tragedy in the loss of their twin daughters. Lowen can't help but feel sympathy for the grieving Jeremy and his remaining son. Then she uncovers Verity's unfinished autobiography. Page upon page of bone-chilling, psychotic admissions. As Lowen uncovers Verity's deepest, darkest secrets things between her and Jeremy begin to intensify.
But is all as it seems within the Crawford house?
There were many chilling & disturbing moments here both in the present and via Verity's autobiography which we get to read select chapters of along with Lowen. I loved this foray into the romantic thriller world and certainly hope we will be seeing more of this from Hoover in the future.
3.5 Stars for In the After's Post Apocalyptic World
The book was broken into the 3 parts. I really enjoyed part 1 which detailed how The After began. We are literally immersed right into the action as things happen quickly. It pulled me right in. The post apocalyptic world was frightening. One day Amy is a normal high school student (The Before) then the world as she knows it ends and a new one begins (The After) filled with green carnivorous creatures/monsters and terror takes over. Part 1 details how Amy learns to adapt in order to survive. She survives longer than most people because she was lucky enough to live behind an electrified fence and quickly learned to be silent as the creatures are attracted to noise, even the slightest noise.
Early on in the After Amy finds a mute toddler, who she names Baby, on one of her trips to forage for food. The 2 become a family of sorts and work together to survive. I thoroughly enjoyed their relationship and how just being together was a saving grace for each of them. It was a theme that carried through the entire book and really showed the type of person Amy was - the type that wouldn't turn her back on you, the type you could trust to do the right thing, no matter what.
One day a bandit group finds its way into Amy's house with the intent to take over. This is where things go wrong for me. Just in the nick of time, Amy is picked up by a group of Guardians and taken to a sanctuary called New Hope. Parts 2 & 3 are all about Amy's time in New Hope. Even though I wasn't as captivated by Part 2, it definitely still kept me reading. I found New Hope creepy from the beginning and my instincts kicked in leaving me uneasy as I read.
"Nothing this broken can ever be fixed."
Parts 2 & 3 take a twist as Amy becomes somewhat of an unreliable character. She is in the Ward - recovering and undergoing treatment and we have no idea why or from what but you just know it can't be anything good. As some of Amy's friends work to help her (I really enjoyed Rice & Kay and the other Guardians), she begins to piece things together and we get a clearer picture of what exactly happened to her. As her memories are puzzled back together we uncover the reason behind The After, who was responsible and what happened to land her in the Ward. I won't give any of it away but I was able to piece much of it together ahead of the big reveal. Still, while it wasn't surprising, it was an interesting & solid plot.
"He thinks he’s won. He thinks he knows me, but he has no idea what I am capable of. If I can survive the After, I can survive the Ward."
This being the first book in a series, it ends in a cliffhanger and leaves us with unanswered questions. I'll definitely read on to see where things go from here. I enjoyed Amy and am invested in seeing what she does now that she is armed with all her information and her natural desire to do the right thing.
The book was broken into the 3 parts. I really enjoyed part 1 which detailed how The After began. We are literally immersed right into the action as things happen quickly. It pulled me right in. The post apocalyptic world was frightening. One day Amy is a normal high school student (The Before) then the world as she knows it ends and a new one begins (The After) filled with green carnivorous creatures/monsters and terror takes over. Part 1 details how Amy learns to adapt in order to survive. She survives longer than most people because she was lucky enough to live behind an electrified fence and quickly learned to be silent as the creatures are attracted to noise, even the slightest noise.
Early on in the After Amy finds a mute toddler, who she names Baby, on one of her trips to forage for food. The 2 become a family of sorts and work together to survive. I thoroughly enjoyed their relationship and how just being together was a saving grace for each of them. It was a theme that carried through the entire book and really showed the type of person Amy was - the type that wouldn't turn her back on you, the type you could trust to do the right thing, no matter what.
One day a bandit group finds its way into Amy's house with the intent to take over. This is where things go wrong for me. Just in the nick of time, Amy is picked up by a group of Guardians and taken to a sanctuary called New Hope. Parts 2 & 3 are all about Amy's time in New Hope. Even though I wasn't as captivated by Part 2, it definitely still kept me reading. I found New Hope creepy from the beginning and my instincts kicked in leaving me uneasy as I read.
"Nothing this broken can ever be fixed."
Parts 2 & 3 take a twist as Amy becomes somewhat of an unreliable character. She is in the Ward - recovering and undergoing treatment and we have no idea why or from what but you just know it can't be anything good. As some of Amy's friends work to help her (I really enjoyed Rice & Kay and the other Guardians), she begins to piece things together and we get a clearer picture of what exactly happened to her. As her memories are puzzled back together we uncover the reason behind The After, who was responsible and what happened to land her in the Ward. I won't give any of it away but I was able to piece much of it together ahead of the big reveal. Still, while it wasn't surprising, it was an interesting & solid plot.
"He thinks he’s won. He thinks he knows me, but he has no idea what I am capable of. If I can survive the After, I can survive the Ward."
This being the first book in a series, it ends in a cliffhanger and leaves us with unanswered questions. I'll definitely read on to see where things go from here. I enjoyed Amy and am invested in seeing what she does now that she is armed with all her information and her natural desire to do the right thing.
3.5 stars (rounded up) for Nell and Lady - a touching story of family, loss and forgiveness.
Set against the backdrop of prejudice in the deep south Nell and Lady tells the story of a friendship that defies race and social class. Mavis is a young Black woman who finds herself pregnant and working for Willa Bellemore who is also expecting a child. The two become best friends and raise their daughters, Nell and Lady, together in the Bellemore home until tragedy strikes. Mavis unexpectedly suffers a stroke and dies, leaving Nell without family. Willa adopts Nell and continues to raise her as her own daughter, despite the social implications of the time.
The girls are as close as sisters until the age of 16, when Nell suddenly drifts from both Lady and Willa. She shuts them out of her life, without ever explaining why. Years later, Willa is suffering from cancer and begs her daughter, Lady to find Nell. She wants more than anything to reconnect with her before she dies.
What follows is the unraveling of years of secrets, emotion and bitterness. The story was heartwarming and the characters were easy to like, especially Willa. She is the grandmother every child wishes they had!
Thank you to Ashley Farley, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for an advance copy of the book to review.
Set against the backdrop of prejudice in the deep south Nell and Lady tells the story of a friendship that defies race and social class. Mavis is a young Black woman who finds herself pregnant and working for Willa Bellemore who is also expecting a child. The two become best friends and raise their daughters, Nell and Lady, together in the Bellemore home until tragedy strikes. Mavis unexpectedly suffers a stroke and dies, leaving Nell without family. Willa adopts Nell and continues to raise her as her own daughter, despite the social implications of the time.
The girls are as close as sisters until the age of 16, when Nell suddenly drifts from both Lady and Willa. She shuts them out of her life, without ever explaining why. Years later, Willa is suffering from cancer and begs her daughter, Lady to find Nell. She wants more than anything to reconnect with her before she dies.
What follows is the unraveling of years of secrets, emotion and bitterness. The story was heartwarming and the characters were easy to like, especially Willa. She is the grandmother every child wishes they had!
Thank you to Ashley Farley, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for an advance copy of the book to review.
The Homecoming was an unexpected and thoroughly entertaining read! 🤯
I went into the book blind and was grateful that not only had I forgotten any reviews I may have previously read but I couldn't even recall the synopsis. What a treat it was to let this one unfold as I read. Honestly, I was straight up confused while reading. I found myself wondering if this was a mystery, a thriller, horror, a ghost story or a smorgasbord of all of the above. My mind was spinning with theories - and to my delight each and every one of them was wrong!
I promise not to spoil a thing here but here's a brief synopsis: Following the death of their father/husband, the Quinlains are brought to a secluded estate for the reading of Raymond Quinlain's will. In order to claim their inheritance the family must remain on the property for thirty days with zero contact with the outside world. Cue spooky background music here because that's where everything begins to shift. The Quinlains quickly discover that nothing is as it seems. There are many buried secrets and skeletons within their family's closet.
That's all I can say without spoiling this one for you. Just know you're in for a creepy, wild ride with this one. If you let yourself go with it, I think you'll find you are in for a surprising treat. 😉
Special thanks to Andrew Pyper, Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an arc of this book - what a treat it was!
I went into the book blind and was grateful that not only had I forgotten any reviews I may have previously read but I couldn't even recall the synopsis. What a treat it was to let this one unfold as I read. Honestly, I was straight up confused while reading. I found myself wondering if this was a mystery, a thriller, horror, a ghost story or a smorgasbord of all of the above. My mind was spinning with theories - and to my delight each and every one of them was wrong!
I promise not to spoil a thing here but here's a brief synopsis: Following the death of their father/husband, the Quinlains are brought to a secluded estate for the reading of Raymond Quinlain's will. In order to claim their inheritance the family must remain on the property for thirty days with zero contact with the outside world. Cue spooky background music here because that's where everything begins to shift. The Quinlains quickly discover that nothing is as it seems. There are many buried secrets and skeletons within their family's closet.
That's all I can say without spoiling this one for you. Just know you're in for a creepy, wild ride with this one. If you let yourself go with it, I think you'll find you are in for a surprising treat. 😉
Special thanks to Andrew Pyper, Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an arc of this book - what a treat it was!
Oh Angela Marsons, how you have slain my heart! 💔
This book had me reading way after my bedtime with a quickened pulse, only to leave me feeling gutted. Dying Truth was without a doubt, a dynamic addition to Angela Marson's, Kim Stone series. As difficult as it is to say this, because I have genuinely loved each and every Kim Stone book, Dying Truth has firmly become my favorite book of the series to date!
The team's latest case brings them to Heathcrest, an elite boarding school where a 13 year old girl has been found dead in an apparent suicide. Of course nothing is cut and dry when Kim is on the case. She immediately notices peculiarities that simply just don't add up to this being a suicide. Sadie Winters was fighting emotional demons and family dysfunction by self harming. Many were quick to simply write her off as "troubled" but when another student turns up dead Kim knows there is evil lurking within the walls of Heathcrest that must be stopped before other lives are claimed.
As Kim and her team work to solve this case they uncover long kept traditions and secret societies both within and outside of the school walls entrenched in bullying, privilege, lies, dark rituals and of course secrets they are willing to do anything to keep hidden. I was engrossed in this case and how it affected each member of the team. Kim, Bryant, Dawson and Stacy reveal parts of themselves as they work through the case, endearing them to my reader heart even more. Marson's truly knows how to write a mystery with heart at its core and it's due to her deftly crafted characters.
The storyline here was complex, packed with action and suspense and an abundance of tension! As I read through the ending my palms were sweaty, my heart racing and tears streamed down my face - I had a very real physical and emotional reaction to this book! Well played Angela Marsons, very well played indeed! You know you are in deep with a series when you effectively forget that what is happening within its pages is not directly affecting you in real life. I don't care what anyone says - 💔 this one broke my heart dear fellow readers and I felt every single crack! 😭
This book had me reading way after my bedtime with a quickened pulse, only to leave me feeling gutted. Dying Truth was without a doubt, a dynamic addition to Angela Marson's, Kim Stone series. As difficult as it is to say this, because I have genuinely loved each and every Kim Stone book, Dying Truth has firmly become my favorite book of the series to date!
The team's latest case brings them to Heathcrest, an elite boarding school where a 13 year old girl has been found dead in an apparent suicide. Of course nothing is cut and dry when Kim is on the case. She immediately notices peculiarities that simply just don't add up to this being a suicide. Sadie Winters was fighting emotional demons and family dysfunction by self harming. Many were quick to simply write her off as "troubled" but when another student turns up dead Kim knows there is evil lurking within the walls of Heathcrest that must be stopped before other lives are claimed.
As Kim and her team work to solve this case they uncover long kept traditions and secret societies both within and outside of the school walls entrenched in bullying, privilege, lies, dark rituals and of course secrets they are willing to do anything to keep hidden. I was engrossed in this case and how it affected each member of the team. Kim, Bryant, Dawson and Stacy reveal parts of themselves as they work through the case, endearing them to my reader heart even more. Marson's truly knows how to write a mystery with heart at its core and it's due to her deftly crafted characters.
The storyline here was complex, packed with action and suspense and an abundance of tension! As I read through the ending my palms were sweaty, my heart racing and tears streamed down my face - I had a very real physical and emotional reaction to this book! Well played Angela Marsons, very well played indeed! You know you are in deep with a series when you effectively forget that what is happening within its pages is not directly affecting you in real life. I don't care what anyone says - 💔 this one broke my heart dear fellow readers and I felt every single crack! 😭
Kim Stone has put away her fair share of bad guys over the years and has acquired many enemies throughout her criminal investigations. Now someone is out for revenge and Kim's life is on the line.
In Dead Memories Kim comes face to face with crimes recreating the most traumatic experiences of her past. Kim must reveal more of herself to her team (and us!) than she feels comfortable with. All eyes are on her as Kim faces some of her darkest demons. The team races against time as they try to uncover whose heart holds so much hatred for Kim that they are constructing elaborate murders to gain her attention, with the end game being Kim's own death.
As the team reviews their suspect list, we revisit some of their most compelling crimes and criminals. This is definitely not a book to start off with but for tried and true fans - it was an absolute treat! I loved how this new team is finding its way and how much more we learn about Kim's past. Her strength, complexity, endurance and her ability to rise above the atrocities she suffered in her childhood are such a huge part of what drives this series. For fans of the series be prepared for some heartache. It's impossible not to feel for Kim, even as she tries to compartmentalize her pain.
I honestly can not say enough about this series. It never disappoints! If you are considering giving it a try - GO FOR IT! 10 books in and it just keeps getting better! Thank you Angela Marsons, Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an arc of this book. Now to impatiently await book 11!
In Dead Memories Kim comes face to face with crimes recreating the most traumatic experiences of her past. Kim must reveal more of herself to her team (and us!) than she feels comfortable with. All eyes are on her as Kim faces some of her darkest demons. The team races against time as they try to uncover whose heart holds so much hatred for Kim that they are constructing elaborate murders to gain her attention, with the end game being Kim's own death.
As the team reviews their suspect list, we revisit some of their most compelling crimes and criminals. This is definitely not a book to start off with but for tried and true fans - it was an absolute treat! I loved how this new team is finding its way and how much more we learn about Kim's past. Her strength, complexity, endurance and her ability to rise above the atrocities she suffered in her childhood are such a huge part of what drives this series. For fans of the series be prepared for some heartache. It's impossible not to feel for Kim, even as she tries to compartmentalize her pain.
I honestly can not say enough about this series. It never disappoints! If you are considering giving it a try - GO FOR IT! 10 books in and it just keeps getting better! Thank you Angela Marsons, Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an arc of this book. Now to impatiently await book 11!
"The emotion that can break your heart is sometimes the very one that heals it..." - Nicholas Sparks
A book that emotionally captures you, breaks your heart and still manages to simultaneously fill you with hope. Even if I Fall was all that for me and more!
Brooke Covington's brother is in jail after confessing to his best friend Calvin's murder and as a result her once close knit, loving family is unravelling around her. Being the family of a murderer in a small town isn't easy. They become social pariah's forcing Brooke, her parents and her younger sister Laura to live as recluses in their home.
When Brooke sees Calvin's younger brother, Heath, stuck in the rain on the side of the road she is compelled to offer him help. Inexplicably, Heath accepts Brooke's offer and finds himself in a car with the sister of his brother's murderer. Soon they are meeting in secret. They are drawn to each other, finding solace and understanding in one another. Yet, they each know because of their family's shared past their relationship can't really go anywhere. Can it?
"When he reaches for me, I know that I'm going to do everything I can to make sure he stays awake."
What follows is raw emotion and so much heartache. Each family is struggling to cope in the wake of unimaginable tragedy. Abigail Johnson did an outstanding job of sharing each character's grief. I was pulled in to the story and it had my heart in a vise grip.
I was fully invested in Brooke and Heath's story. I wanted them both to find a way to heal and be happy. This is a story not to be missed. It was a beautiful, emotional, heartbreaking and thought provoking story of broken people struggling to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives and trying to find a way to live again.
Thank you Abigail Johnson, Harlequin Teen and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an arc of this book.
A book that emotionally captures you, breaks your heart and still manages to simultaneously fill you with hope. Even if I Fall was all that for me and more!
Brooke Covington's brother is in jail after confessing to his best friend Calvin's murder and as a result her once close knit, loving family is unravelling around her. Being the family of a murderer in a small town isn't easy. They become social pariah's forcing Brooke, her parents and her younger sister Laura to live as recluses in their home.
When Brooke sees Calvin's younger brother, Heath, stuck in the rain on the side of the road she is compelled to offer him help. Inexplicably, Heath accepts Brooke's offer and finds himself in a car with the sister of his brother's murderer. Soon they are meeting in secret. They are drawn to each other, finding solace and understanding in one another. Yet, they each know because of their family's shared past their relationship can't really go anywhere. Can it?
"When he reaches for me, I know that I'm going to do everything I can to make sure he stays awake."
What follows is raw emotion and so much heartache. Each family is struggling to cope in the wake of unimaginable tragedy. Abigail Johnson did an outstanding job of sharing each character's grief. I was pulled in to the story and it had my heart in a vise grip.
I was fully invested in Brooke and Heath's story. I wanted them both to find a way to heal and be happy. This is a story not to be missed. It was a beautiful, emotional, heartbreaking and thought provoking story of broken people struggling to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives and trying to find a way to live again.
Thank you Abigail Johnson, Harlequin Teen and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an arc of this book.
5 Stars - a heart wrenching, emotional and haunting read!
"But the love of sisters needs no words. It does not depend on memories, or mementos, or proof. It runs as deep as a heartbeat. It is as ever present as a pulse."
This book - how can I put in to words how it made me feel? It basically tore my heart into a million pieces but also filled it at the same time. How is that even possible? The answer is actually quite simple - the Foss children. Their tale was one of unimaginable loss and hardship yet it was also one of incredible love, hope and strength.
This story was powerful and I loved the way it unfolded in alternating voices and time periods. It was the perfect blend of past & present.
The fact that it's based on the true story of the Tennessee Children's Home Society and Georgia Tann makes it all the more powerful. I knew these characters were fictional BUT they were sharing a very horrific reality of many children and families and I was very aware of that as I read this story. It haunted me, touched me deeply and made reading this book such a moving and emotional experience. This one will stay with me for a long time to come & I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it as a "must read". Now to pick up the pieces of my shattered heart & put it back together.
"But the love of sisters needs no words. It does not depend on memories, or mementos, or proof. It runs as deep as a heartbeat. It is as ever present as a pulse."
This book - how can I put in to words how it made me feel? It basically tore my heart into a million pieces but also filled it at the same time. How is that even possible? The answer is actually quite simple - the Foss children. Their tale was one of unimaginable loss and hardship yet it was also one of incredible love, hope and strength.
This story was powerful and I loved the way it unfolded in alternating voices and time periods. It was the perfect blend of past & present.
The fact that it's based on the true story of the Tennessee Children's Home Society and Georgia Tann makes it all the more powerful. I knew these characters were fictional BUT they were sharing a very horrific reality of many children and families and I was very aware of that as I read this story. It haunted me, touched me deeply and made reading this book such a moving and emotional experience. This one will stay with me for a long time to come & I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it as a "must read". Now to pick up the pieces of my shattered heart & put it back together.