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Black Girl Gone: A Twisty Psychological Thriller
Twenty years ago, seven-year-old Charmaine Tillman vanished without a trace from a crowded school fair. Her disappearance shattered her family, destroyed her father, and turned her mother into a relentless force in the public eye. Her older sister Taylor transformed the tragedy into a media empire built on the desperate hope that one day, Charmaine would come home.
Now, against all odds, Charmaine has returned.
Found miles away with only fragmented memories of the past, she steps back into the world she left behind, a world that has moved on without her. But as she settles into the glittering life her family has built in her absence, something feels wrong. The whispers. The forced smiles. The way her mother watches her with unreadable eyes.
The past is buried, but Charmaine can sense it clawing its way to the surface. And the deeper she digs, the more she realizes that some secrets were meant to stay lost.
Because the worst part about coming home is discovering you were never meant to.
For readers who love the haunting suspense of Then She Was Gone and the dark psychological twists of The Family Upstairs, Black Girl Gone delivers a pulse-pounding ride where nothing—and no one—is as they seem.
Will you uncover the truth before it’s too late?
Perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell, Gillian Flynn, and Shari Lapena, this electrifying thriller will keep you guessing until the final, jaw-dropping twist.
Now, against all odds, Charmaine has returned.
Found miles away with only fragmented memories of the past, she steps back into the world she left behind, a world that has moved on without her. But as she settles into the glittering life her family has built in her absence, something feels wrong. The whispers. The forced smiles. The way her mother watches her with unreadable eyes.
The past is buried, but Charmaine can sense it clawing its way to the surface. And the deeper she digs, the more she realizes that some secrets were meant to stay lost.
Because the worst part about coming home is discovering you were never meant to.
For readers who love the haunting suspense of Then She Was Gone and the dark psychological twists of The Family Upstairs, Black Girl Gone delivers a pulse-pounding ride where nothing—and no one—is as they seem.
Will you uncover the truth before it’s too late?
Perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell, Gillian Flynn, and Shari Lapena, this electrifying thriller will keep you guessing until the final, jaw-dropping twist.
311 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 12, 2025
712 people are currently reading
1000 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 174 reviews
February 25, 2025
I just finished this book, and, I don't see how people rated this book a 5. It was at best a 2 or 3. I will admit I was hooked into the book at the beginning but the further I got along, the more annoyed I got.
For starters, the main character says her abuser renamed her "Nakia", however this name was never mentioned again in the story. Why bring it up at all? The author also uses two different last names for one of the minor characters. Where was the editor? How did they not catch this? Several of the characters were also annoying, distasteful and unlikable. Eventually including the main character.
Second, the writing is very repetitive. It used the same or very similar phrases and metaphors throughout. Some of the timelines also don't add up. Again, where was the editor?
The religion mentioned in the book was not only inaccurate but confusing and left a negative connotation to about a specific group that wasn't true .
Next, the main character speaks in the beginning to readers as if her surroundings, family and day she went missing are familiar... but in reality, they aren't. While there were several "twists", I didn't care for them as it still left several loop holes. The author tried to hard to mimic Lisa Jewell (The Family Upstairs) and Freida McFadden but failed. Please stick to Urban Romance.
For starters, the main character says her abuser renamed her "Nakia", however this name was never mentioned again in the story. Why bring it up at all? The author also uses two different last names for one of the minor characters. Where was the editor? How did they not catch this? Several of the characters were also annoying, distasteful and unlikable. Eventually including the main character.
Second, the writing is very repetitive. It used the same or very similar phrases and metaphors throughout. Some of the timelines also don't add up. Again, where was the editor?
The religion mentioned in the book was not only inaccurate but confusing and left a negative connotation to about a specific group that wasn't true .
Next, the main character speaks in the beginning to readers as if her surroundings, family and day she went missing are familiar... but in reality, they aren't. While there were several "twists", I didn't care for them as it still left several loop holes. The author tried to hard to mimic Lisa Jewell (The Family Upstairs) and Freida McFadden but failed. Please stick to Urban Romance.
March 12, 2025
This book is undercooked. It feels like the loosest soap opera of all time. I’ve seen sheer fabrics with more heft to them than this. Absolutely a let down.
The story is intriguing, but it does nothing with the premise. The characters are limp, and really just cardboard stereotypes of what these characters are supposed to portray. At no time does anyone feel sympathetic, or like you’re rooting for or against their downfall.
The writing does them no favors. Structurally, the twists are easy to call before you even get 50 pages into the book, which leaves you with more a sense of “okay when is this going to happen?” rather than a genuine enjoyment of the material. Plus, introducing flashback chapters for a brief middle chunk of the book was wildly ineffective, and would have placed better from the jump to seamlessly blend until future and past collide. To say nothing of some poor turns of phrase being repeated again and again, sometimes within paragraphs of each other.
Timeline wise, everything was flimsy. Months were turned into weeks, to days and back. Continuity was an after thought. It felt the author had started with her twists, and then said logic, be damned. Abhorrent.
Don’t waste your time - I got this on a discount and it still felt like too much money spent.
The story is intriguing, but it does nothing with the premise. The characters are limp, and really just cardboard stereotypes of what these characters are supposed to portray. At no time does anyone feel sympathetic, or like you’re rooting for or against their downfall.
The writing does them no favors. Structurally, the twists are easy to call before you even get 50 pages into the book, which leaves you with more a sense of “okay when is this going to happen?” rather than a genuine enjoyment of the material. Plus, introducing flashback chapters for a brief middle chunk of the book was wildly ineffective, and would have placed better from the jump to seamlessly blend until future and past collide. To say nothing of some poor turns of phrase being repeated again and again, sometimes within paragraphs of each other.
Timeline wise, everything was flimsy. Months were turned into weeks, to days and back. Continuity was an after thought. It felt the author had started with her twists, and then said logic, be damned. Abhorrent.
Don’t waste your time - I got this on a discount and it still felt like too much money spent.
May 5, 2025
Black Girl Gone had me completely locked in! It was a thrilling page-turner that kept me on the edge of my seat! I was so immersed in the story that I felt as though I was living right inside the book!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
September 23, 2025
now i have to eat up every book by this author bc what???? that was too good omg. there were some lulls in the middle but 🤷🏿♀️
April 3, 2025
The synopsis of Black Girl Alone had me hooked, and I was excited to dive in. Unfortunately, the excitement faded fast. After the first 50 pages, I was tempted to put it down, but I pushed through, hoping for a payoff that never came.
The biggest issue? Inconsistencies—so many of them. The timeline felt disjointed, events didn’t always line up, and there were moments where things contradicted earlier parts of the book. It made the reading experience frustrating rather than immersive. On top of that, the characters were predictable, lacked empathy and were often annoying, making it hard to stay invested in their journey.
The writing itself didn’t help. There was way too much repetition—I caught myself skipping paragraphs just to avoid reading the same thoughts rehashed again and again. And for a book marketed as twisty, it really wasn’t. The plot lacked the surprises and tension I was expecting.
While the premise had potential, the execution just didn’t work for me. If you’re looking for a well-structured, engaging thriller, this probably isn’t it.
The biggest issue? Inconsistencies—so many of them. The timeline felt disjointed, events didn’t always line up, and there were moments where things contradicted earlier parts of the book. It made the reading experience frustrating rather than immersive. On top of that, the characters were predictable, lacked empathy and were often annoying, making it hard to stay invested in their journey.
The writing itself didn’t help. There was way too much repetition—I caught myself skipping paragraphs just to avoid reading the same thoughts rehashed again and again. And for a book marketed as twisty, it really wasn’t. The plot lacked the surprises and tension I was expecting.
While the premise had potential, the execution just didn’t work for me. If you’re looking for a well-structured, engaging thriller, this probably isn’t it.
April 27, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
February 25, 2025
What a story
This is a page-turning, mouth-dropping thriller packed with suspense. As the story unfolded I couldn’t turn away, needing immediate answers. Some of the characters annoyed me, causing me to side eye them. The reveals blew my mind, new revelations kept unfolding. The ending is satisfying. The author did an amazing job 🌻🌷🌺🌸🌸
This is a page-turning, mouth-dropping thriller packed with suspense. As the story unfolded I couldn’t turn away, needing immediate answers. Some of the characters annoyed me, causing me to side eye them. The reveals blew my mind, new revelations kept unfolding. The ending is satisfying. The author did an amazing job 🌻🌷🌺🌸🌸
January 23, 2026
Interesting read. It’s a slow burn and although I could not stand many of these characters once the shit hits the fan the pace picked up. The storyline sold me in the beginning and because I’m nosey I had to finish to see what the ending was going to hit for… I tried to guess the ending but of course I got suckered once again😩
December 6, 2025
The book started out really strong but lost it in the middle. It was trying to do too much. Most of which was fairly predictable.
March 22, 2025
Twisty Good
I was hooked from the first page! I wanted to know more and more about the story and where it would lead me. The later part and ending of the book seemed a bit rushed, and introduction to too many new characters for my liking. If you’re not careful you will miss the twists unfolding.
I was hooked from the first page! I wanted to know more and more about the story and where it would lead me. The later part and ending of the book seemed a bit rushed, and introduction to too many new characters for my liking. If you’re not careful you will miss the twists unfolding.
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April 15, 2025Horrible
I do not understand why this book has such high ratings. It really is a huge disappointment and there's too many chapters, too many details for the surroundings, clothes and just fluff.
I do not understand why this book has such high ratings. It really is a huge disappointment and there's too many chapters, too many details for the surroundings, clothes and just fluff.
January 5, 2026
Black Girl Gone
This book was an engaging read with an unpredictable and surprising plot. While I enjoyed the story overall, some sections felt longer than necessary and could have been more concise. The events unfolded in unexpected ways, and the direction the story took was not what I anticipated. The family dynamics were dark and unsettling, which added to the intensity of the narrative. Although the ending was not entirely satisfying for me, particularly in relation to certain character outcomes, the book remained memorable and thought-provoking. Overall, it is a compelling story that keeps the reader interested despite some pacing issues.
This book was an engaging read with an unpredictable and surprising plot. While I enjoyed the story overall, some sections felt longer than necessary and could have been more concise. The events unfolded in unexpected ways, and the direction the story took was not what I anticipated. The family dynamics were dark and unsettling, which added to the intensity of the narrative. Although the ending was not entirely satisfying for me, particularly in relation to certain character outcomes, the book remained memorable and thought-provoking. Overall, it is a compelling story that keeps the reader interested despite some pacing issues.
March 3, 2025
I don’t even know really what to say lol! WOW! This book was so good! From the beginning you are drawn in needing to know what the story is. Who did what? What secrets are being hidden? Who can you trust? And the twist! They just kept coming and just left you with your mouth open like wtf! Just an amazing twisted story! So good! And the ending I loved it although one part that happened did make me sad and I wish didn’t lol
July 7, 2025
3.75 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ .75 stars!! This story follows Charmaine, who was kidnapped as a young girl and escapes twenty years later, only to return to a life that’s moved on without her. Her family is shocked, the media is buzzing, and everyone’s trying to piece together what happened. But as Charmaine settles back in, things start to feel off.
This is a twisty, emotional thriller that explores trauma, family secrets, and what it really means to come home. It’s layered, suspenseful, and full of moments that make you pause and wonder who’s really telling the truth.
This is a twisty, emotional thriller that explores trauma, family secrets, and what it really means to come home. It’s layered, suspenseful, and full of moments that make you pause and wonder who’s really telling the truth.
April 26, 2025
3.5 rounded down to 3
•••••
Twenty years ago, seven-year-old Charmaine Tillman vanished from a crowded school fair. Her disappearance left her family broken. With relentless pursuit by her mother and older sister Taylor, they transformed the tragedy into a media empire built on the desperate hope that one day, Charmaine would come home.
Now, against all odds, Charmaine has returned. Discovered miles away, she steps back into the world she left behind. But as she settles into the life her family built in her absence, something feels off. Though the past is buried, Charmaine can sense that it won’t be for long.
•••••
I would definitely say this was a slow burn. The beginning was just enough to keep me interested but once I hit 50% everything picked up. The main character irked my nerves so bad the entire book. I appreciated the different twists and turns within the story. Some parts I predicted but there were some parts I would have never guessed. Overall a good read.
•••••
Twenty years ago, seven-year-old Charmaine Tillman vanished from a crowded school fair. Her disappearance left her family broken. With relentless pursuit by her mother and older sister Taylor, they transformed the tragedy into a media empire built on the desperate hope that one day, Charmaine would come home.
Now, against all odds, Charmaine has returned. Discovered miles away, she steps back into the world she left behind. But as she settles into the life her family built in her absence, something feels off. Though the past is buried, Charmaine can sense that it won’t be for long.
•••••
I would definitely say this was a slow burn. The beginning was just enough to keep me interested but once I hit 50% everything picked up. The main character irked my nerves so bad the entire book. I appreciated the different twists and turns within the story. Some parts I predicted but there were some parts I would have never guessed. Overall a good read.
April 15, 2025
Definitely twisty, but implausible.
I liked the underlying premise of this story. And there were lots of twists that you did not see coming. However, there were so many plot twists that it became difficult to believe in the integrity of the story. The main character rarely spoke 'above a whisper ' throughout the narrative. She constantly felt anxiety by a 'tightening in her chest' or a ' punch in the gut'. In other words, the author used the same expressions to describe her emotions in all situations. Additionally, none of the characters were physically described. I always like to form a picture in my mind of what each character looks like. Here you have only your own imagination to go on. Very strange. I kept reading because I honestly wanted to know how it ended,but I was impatient to get to the end.
Also, there were little contradictions throughout which just reflected poor editing I guess. For instance, it would be pitch dark but in the next sentence there would be reference to a dim light. Not a big deal but when it happens several times, it stands out.
I don't think I will read this author again.
I liked the underlying premise of this story. And there were lots of twists that you did not see coming. However, there were so many plot twists that it became difficult to believe in the integrity of the story. The main character rarely spoke 'above a whisper ' throughout the narrative. She constantly felt anxiety by a 'tightening in her chest' or a ' punch in the gut'. In other words, the author used the same expressions to describe her emotions in all situations. Additionally, none of the characters were physically described. I always like to form a picture in my mind of what each character looks like. Here you have only your own imagination to go on. Very strange. I kept reading because I honestly wanted to know how it ended,but I was impatient to get to the end.
Also, there were little contradictions throughout which just reflected poor editing I guess. For instance, it would be pitch dark but in the next sentence there would be reference to a dim light. Not a big deal but when it happens several times, it stands out.
I don't think I will read this author again.
January 11, 2026
The story was okay but a little predictable. I knew a lot about how the book would end in the first chapter.. She wasn't Charmaine. The only unpredictable part was Chauncey being the killer of the real Charmaine, his sister, because he was jealous of a seven-year-old.
I wish the story didn't end with Charmaine and Hidaiya actually being half sisters. It would've had more appeal and thrill with her not being related. Everyone was insufferable. Chalene, Taylor, Chauncey, JD, and Hidaiya ass. She played a role as a missing girl and sat up there pretending she was her and they kept correcting her when she was wrong about her childhood memories. Then the craziest thing about it all is that the mom and Chauncey knew they had killed the true Charmaine after someone came in pretending to be Charmaine. Like, what the helly?
It doesn't make sense.
Also, there were too many repetitive words and paragraphs, which was annoying, just like the characters. However, I’m glad “Charmaine” finally stood up for herself.
I wish the story didn't end with Charmaine and Hidaiya actually being half sisters. It would've had more appeal and thrill with her not being related. Everyone was insufferable. Chalene, Taylor, Chauncey, JD, and Hidaiya ass. She played a role as a missing girl and sat up there pretending she was her and they kept correcting her when she was wrong about her childhood memories. Then the craziest thing about it all is that the mom and Chauncey knew they had killed the true Charmaine after someone came in pretending to be Charmaine. Like, what the helly?
It doesn't make sense.
Also, there were too many repetitive words and paragraphs, which was annoying, just like the characters. However, I’m glad “Charmaine” finally stood up for herself.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 10, 2025
Get That Girl a Gastroenterologist
There are forty-some chapters in this book, including the epilogue, and "stomach" was used in all but FIVE of them. Stomach was used a whopping SEVENTY-SEVEN times! If Chamaine's stomach wasn't twisting, turning, dropping, or sinking, it was causing her to feel sick, dreadful, anxious, or something. Give me a break!
I wanted to enjoy this book but the descriptions were so repetitive I couldn't fully get into it. I considered not finishing it less than halfway through, but stuck it out to see what happens and I'm glad I did because it came together okay in the end. Not a book I'd recommend but I am going to try something else the author has written.
There are forty-some chapters in this book, including the epilogue, and "stomach" was used in all but FIVE of them. Stomach was used a whopping SEVENTY-SEVEN times! If Chamaine's stomach wasn't twisting, turning, dropping, or sinking, it was causing her to feel sick, dreadful, anxious, or something. Give me a break!
I wanted to enjoy this book but the descriptions were so repetitive I couldn't fully get into it. I considered not finishing it less than halfway through, but stuck it out to see what happens and I'm glad I did because it came together okay in the end. Not a book I'd recommend but I am going to try something else the author has written.
July 30, 2025
this book was good, but there were some inconsistencies. the main character mentions that her captor renamed her 'Nakia,' and after mentioning this never talked more about that. also the timelines given from the main character were very off and hard to follow.
although i enjoyed the plot twist, i was frustrated with the main character. why would you think that you could go undercover as the missing daughter and think you wouldnt get found out? like that mindset is so stupid of course they were going to find out one way or another.
although i enjoyed the plot twist, i was frustrated with the main character. why would you think that you could go undercover as the missing daughter and think you wouldnt get found out? like that mindset is so stupid of course they were going to find out one way or another.
October 8, 2025
Needs an editor
So many errors. A cop is a man sometimes, a woman other times. As other people have commented, serious overuse of stomach issues, grounding herself, whisper talking, heels clicking on tiles, and other repetitive words. Good premise, poor execution. And no big surprises. After twenty years, step one is DNA. Several confusing parts where I had to go back and reread parts because they were contradictory.
So many errors. A cop is a man sometimes, a woman other times. As other people have commented, serious overuse of stomach issues, grounding herself, whisper talking, heels clicking on tiles, and other repetitive words. Good premise, poor execution. And no big surprises. After twenty years, step one is DNA. Several confusing parts where I had to go back and reread parts because they were contradictory.
January 11, 2026
I NEEDED A GOOD THRILLER!! I couldn’t put this book down, what a great story. The build up and plot twists were intense af. I enjoyed the personalities of the characters and each were interesting in their own way. Definitely going to read more by this author 😍
March 24, 2025
3.75⭐️
This one took me on a bit of a ride after 55%. The build up until then kept me interested enough to keep reading. But things really picked up after 55%.
The main character was frustrating for a lot of the book. I understand being held in captivity will adjust your thoughts and behaviors but I couldn’t understand why she was withholding so much information for Baba and he was gone. I just found myself screaming “Girl, tell the truth!”
I enjoyed the twists and turns after the halfway point. I had a feeling when she showed up at the hospital that something was not right and I was correct on that something.
All in all, this one was fine and a thriller I will recommend in the future.
This one took me on a bit of a ride after 55%. The build up until then kept me interested enough to keep reading. But things really picked up after 55%.
The main character was frustrating for a lot of the book. I understand being held in captivity will adjust your thoughts and behaviors but I couldn’t understand why she was withholding so much information for Baba and he was gone. I just found myself screaming “Girl, tell the truth!”
I enjoyed the twists and turns after the halfway point. I had a feeling when she showed up at the hospital that something was not right and I was correct on that something.
All in all, this one was fine and a thriller I will recommend in the future.
April 15, 2025
Genuinely did not expect this to be this good. Every time I thought I had it right, I was soo wrong. Part 1 was okay, kinda slow. Now I completely understand the set up. Sooo enticing
January 13, 2026
It was "twisty" until it wasn't! A good plot, but a poor 'wrap up' that seemed hurried.
February 25, 2025
So good! Pulls you in and each page pulls you in further.
Great writing that makes you feel all of the emotions that the main character feels...fear, anger, sadness, anxious, alone, hope.
Love a book that surprises me.
Great writing that makes you feel all of the emotions that the main character feels...fear, anger, sadness, anxious, alone, hope.
Love a book that surprises me.
September 22, 2025
I truly wanted to enjoy this book, but the buildup was extremely slow. At times it felt weighed down by unnecessary detail, which made me think, “Alright, let’s get to the point.” The story had potential, but certain elements fell flat. For example, the JD connection seemed far too easy. While the secretive conversations between “Mama” and JD were suspenseful, I felt that thread could have been developed more fully.
Taylor’s character was also frustrating. It would have been more compelling if she had some direct connection to the disappearance, which could have better explained why she was so invested in exposing her sister Charmaine’s story.
Another part that unsettled me was Hadiyah’s revelation that she wanted to be part of the family, so she essentially became Charmaine. The author seemed to want readers to feel sympathy for her, but I struggled with that. In addition, the similarities between the characters’ names became distracting.
Overall, I wanted this book to be memorable and gripping, but instead I often found myself just wanting to finish it and move on.
Taylor’s character was also frustrating. It would have been more compelling if she had some direct connection to the disappearance, which could have better explained why she was so invested in exposing her sister Charmaine’s story.
Another part that unsettled me was Hadiyah’s revelation that she wanted to be part of the family, so she essentially became Charmaine. The author seemed to want readers to feel sympathy for her, but I struggled with that. In addition, the similarities between the characters’ names became distracting.
Overall, I wanted this book to be memorable and gripping, but instead I often found myself just wanting to finish it and move on.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 11, 2025
Thank you to the author for this ARC copy to read and share my thoughts.
Wow!! The emotions I felt reading this book was insane! The story that was told was phenomenal and the twists and turns even better! Never seen that coming towards the end this is very unpredictable and will have you guessing until the end!
Wow!! The emotions I felt reading this book was insane! The story that was told was phenomenal and the twists and turns even better! Never seen that coming towards the end this is very unpredictable and will have you guessing until the end!
September 23, 2025
Very disappointed
The book is extremely repetitive and goes nowhere very slowly. By the time I got to the "revelation" at the end, I didn't even care.
The book is extremely repetitive and goes nowhere very slowly. By the time I got to the "revelation" at the end, I didn't even care.
February 6, 2025
I was able to get an ARC of this book. Must say, it was a slow burn at first for me, then I got hit with a huge plot twist!! I couldn’t stop reading until I found out what happened at the end. Overall great book
Displaying 1 - 30 of 174 reviews