Ten Years Later

by S.E. Green

They told him his daughter died. But what if she didn’t?

Ten years ago, Keaton Young turned his back briefly on his four-year-old daughter, Vivian, during a family picnic at the beach. Minutes later, she was gone, her floaties found in the ocean. Drowned.

But they never found a body. And Keaton has never given up hope that, somehow, she’s still alive.

He thought he’d found her numerous times, only to be wrong. But when he sees fourteen-year-old Emily step off a school bus, he knows this time it’s really his daughter. Even though he’s been convicted of stalking before. Even though his ex-wife and his family think he’s crazy.

He’s determined to find out. Regardless of the cost.

Genres: Thriller, Adult Fiction, Suspense, Mystery Thriller

138 pages, ebook

Published March 11, 2024

About the author

S. E. Green is the award-winning and best-selling author of young adult and adult books. She grew up in Tennessee where she dreaded all things reading and writing. She didn’t even read her first book for enjoyment until she was twenty-five. After that, she was hooked! When she’s not writing, she's usually traveling or hanging out with a rogue armadillo that frequents her backyard.

Reviews

[PinkAmy loves books, cats and naps · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t decide whether TEN YEARS LATER is creepy or brilliant. Whichever or both, I truly enjoyed every moment of this book (with the exception of the horrible narrator on the ebook).

The story kept me on the edge of my seat. I thought I knew where TEN YEARS LATER was going and boy was I wrong. And right.

[Allie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick one! Good story line and had my attention the whole time. Read in one sitting

[Shelby Bowling]

I don’t want to rate this book because I would feel bad and ruin the overall rating. I’m just surprised that this was over a 4 pt average….that’s all I’m going to say. 😬

[Louise Grant · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick short read, a few parts gave me the ick though

[Misty Otwaska · Rating 3 out of 5]

very easy read.

This short book had a good storyline. But was easily figure out what was going to happen—except for the last 3 pages…

[Savanna · Rating 1 out of 5]

everything happened way too fast

everything happened way too fast. it was weird how suddenly a 14 year old wanted to get a 30+ year olds number saying “he’s like a father to me” after knowing him less than a week

[Lex Morote · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had the potential to be so much more but it just wasn’t it for me, i think it was very rushed and i noticed a few mistakes. I read in one sitting because of how short it was but i wouldn’t recommend this book to others i was able to predict everything but like chapter 4

[Maggie61 · Rating 4 out of 5]

How does any parent live through the death of a child? Many don’t. They are alive but dead inside. Life can never be the same. It’s that way for Cora and Keaton Young. A fun family outing at the beach ends tragically when their daughter Vivian disappears and is assumed drowned. Then life as they knew it was over. Cora blames Keaton. Keaton blames himself and drinks to forget and trying to cope. Then, ten years later, Keaton sees her getting off a school bus. He’s sure it’s her. But he’s been sure before. And more than once. No one believes him and he just continues to make trouble for himself. There’s a couple of surprises, and it wraps itself up a little too neatly but still was a good read.

[Megan Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

How did such a short book fit in so many wtf moments?
4.5 ⭐️

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very quick & easy read. The story was getting a bit uncomfy and it could have gone either way..so im glad that it had somewhat of a happy ending and made it less uncomfy 😬

[Heather Haapapuro · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
18. 📖
Ten Years Later by SE Green is a quick but enjoyable read. For my book club we had to read a book with the theme of “green”. We got to decide how we interpreted that. So being the lame person I am, I chose to read a book by someone with Green as their last name. I was pleasantly surprised. This book is interesting, thrilling and easy to get through. No huge shockers or plot twists, but enough suspense to keep you turning each page.

•••

They told him his daughter died. But what if she didn’t? Ten years ago, Keaton Young turned his back briefly on his four-year-old daughter, Vivian, during a family picnic at the beach. Minutes later, she was gone, her floaties found in the ocean. Drowned. But they never found a body. And Keaton has never given up hope that, somehow, she’s still alive. He thought he’d found her numerous times, only to be wrong. But when he sees fourteen-year-old Emily step off a school bus, he knows this time it’s really his daughter. Even though he’s been convicted of stalking before. Even though his ex-wife and his family think he’s crazy. He’s determined to find out. Regardless of the cost.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

the idea and beginning was good, but the end was way too rushed and cheesy

[Joan mooney · Rating 3 out of 5]

lazy writing

This story is good. I’ve idea has the possibility of a fantastic book. Instead it turned into a short story more like reading cliff notes. It’s got great characters but no background. While the story follows an understandable timeline it leaps around like a drunken frog as it nears the end. The entire book needed to be filled in with more Information and context. The ending leaped out leaving me turning back pages. To see what I missed. It needed about 12 more chapters to fill in what on earth happened to bring on this ending. I do t want to ruin the ending by giving it away, but folks, you don’t go from an
An interrogation room and you’re going to prison, to butterflies and Daisies and happily ever after in a the turn of a page. Definitely the best bad book I’ve ever read

[Lara Noble · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short book but a good read. Not the best writing but kept me entertained as a kindle unlimited pick.

[Barbara Wilson · Rating 1 out of 5]

No substance

Read in one day, no substance to it. It's ok if you want a quick read but don't expect literary excellence

[Jules M. Swyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

LOST FOUND RECLAIMED

This was a surprisingly strong read that packed a lot into a relatively short book. The pacing was excellent, and I never felt like the story was wasting words or filling space. Every scene seemed to serve a purpose, and the mystery kept moving forward without getting bogged down in unnecessary details.

What worked best for me was the intrigue. I found myself constantly trying to figure things out, and while I guessed a few pieces along the way, there were several twists and revelations that genuinely caught me off guard. The author did a great job of planting clues while still keeping me questioning what I thought I knew.

The characters felt believable, and I appreciated that most of them had understandable motivations, even when they made questionable decisions. The emotional elements added depth without overwhelming the mystery, and the ending delivered both answers and closure in a satisfying way.

This lands at 4 stars for me rather than 5. It was highly engaging, well executed, and definitely worth my time, but it didn’t quite reach that “Quiet Damn” level that separates a great book from a personal favorite. Still, if you’re looking for a fast-paced mystery with strong intrigue, emotional stakes, and a few twists you may not see coming, this one is well worth picking up.

Who this book is for:

• Readers who enjoy identity mysteries and family secrets
• People who like shorter books that get to the point
• Readers who want twists without excessive complexity
• Anyone looking for a mystery with both emotional and investigative elements
• Readers who enjoy piecing together clues alongside the characters

[Tina H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave Ten Years Later by S.E. Green ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.
The story itself was engaging and kept me interested, but I’ll admit—the first few chapters were a bit confusing. The narrative shifts back and forth between past and present, and because some of the same characters appear in both timelines, it took some effort to piece together who was who and how their relationships connected across time. Once everything started to click, though, the story really found its footing.
Green does a good job building intrigue and keeping the reader invested as the layers unfold. I found myself wanting to keep reading to see how everything would come together.
The ending is what held this back from being a five-star read for me. While everything was technically wrapped up, the final paragraph just fell a little flat. I especially wanted more when it came to Keaton and Vivian—their storyline felt like it needed a bit more depth or emotional closure. The final line, didn’t quite land the way I was hoping.
Overall, a solid and compelling read that just needed a stronger finish to truly take it all the way to the ocean.

[Lilliana Grinberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the plot, but the story wasn’t very well written, and the characters seemed to lack common sense. Every interaction seemed short and abrupt, and there was a lot of information dumped on the reader at once. Honestly, the only reason I finished it was because I wanted to know what the ending was, and it felt almost unfinished and illogical. I didn’t love the main character, and the different perspectives were kind of confusing. Overall, this would have been a great book had the writing been better edited and the plot and characters expanded upon.

[Gia Mae · Rating 5 out of 5]

HOLY SHIT. First of all, this was a very very quick read. I just saw this in my books app and got intrigued. I LOVED THIS BOOK. Didn't like the behavior of the main character in the first few chapters though (that just means the Author did an AMAZING JOB in making me feel unsettled). But nothing—I MEAN NOTHING—could've prepared me for that ending. Shock, pain, and annoyance filled me as I finished this book. Plot twist was chef's kiss. Would definitely recommend to people who want a quick read, but at the same time will make their jaw drop on the floor.

[Lynne Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing Surprise (Ten Years Later)

This story plays with your imagination and your emotions.
Ten Years Later is a book that flips back and forth in time quite a bit. After reviewing portions of the story I needed tissues and by the end I smile, laughed at the abnormal/normal reality of relationships.
I gave full stars because I enjoyed the story, was surprised at the ending and was left wondering what will happen next!!!

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this as it's a quick read but moves along at a nice pace as well! Keaton and wife, Cora are at the beach when their daughter, Vivian goes missing and her floaties are found in the water. Ten years later they've both moved on with their lives although Cora has remarried and has a one-year-old daughter. Keaton is still devastated by his daughter's death and "sees" her everywhere. And that's all you need; just don't read this at the beach!

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book flowed so well for me and now Im so sad it’s over. I was speed reading to find out the truth but once I did I was so disappointed. Not that I didn’t like the book. I loved it! I just didn’t like where the ending went until the epilogue. This is my second S. E. Green book. I will continue to read more of her.

[Diane Jewell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

Ten Years Later by S.E.Green ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A very emotional story about family, love and lost you will feel every emotion that each character feels. Surprise ending I didn't see coming. Thought I had it figured out, nope I was wrong. Would you stop searching for a missing loved one?
Highly recommended.

[Trends Parsons · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ten Years Later plus?

I really loved this book so much! The death of Emily #1 shocked me more than the little girl switch. The plot twists kept the pages turning.
One complaint is it ended like THAT. No build up, no real great ending. Just boom, all done. Everyone lived happily ever after.

[MB Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

A good quick read.
Much of this book was just impractical and creepy — a teenage girl welcoming a man in his thirties into her home, texting him, going to meet him, with no qualms. I hope that is not believable in any world. Despite that the storyline felt juvenile at times, this short novella was fast-paced and had a pretty good twist ending.

[Connie Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

it may be shortly in terms of pages...

...but it more than makes up for that in how the words on those pages keep you reading. There are many twists and turns. Just when you think you have it all figured out something happens to prove you wrong. Caution: if, like me, you have the tendency to tear up, keep the tissue box close by.

[Carmen Tam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Possibly unlikely but a “feel good” story”

I totally enjoyed reading this story. It had just the right turns, twists and surprise ending. Great characters and reality in how the “father” went off the deep ending feeling responsible for the loss of his daughter.

[Theresa Ford · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great plot, but lacked depth ** spoiler

It definitely started off good. Again, great plot, but the characters were so shallow. I mean when the main character thinks she might be the daughter he’s looking for, she’s so blah about it. Super easy read.

[Linda Dunnihoo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unbelievably predictable

I thought this book was way too short. I think the characters could have been better developed, and there were holes in the story that were confusing, and the ending had an unbelievable twist. 😳

[Toni Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Book!

Crazy & emotional thrill ride. You won't see it coming. You will be reading this book all night to figure
out what's really going on. It amazes me the secrets family keeps. It always comes out in the end!

Wow. A great book. S.E. Green is a brilliant writer!