Lauren Is Missing

by S.J. King

November. Wednesday. I think he’s going to kill me.

Every day, in her basement flat in a quiet street, Rene arranges her collection of objects just so. She takes her pills, looks at her photographs and remembers her free-spirited sister, Lauren, before she vanished.

But lately the memories are shifting. When a letter arrives out of the blue, the opening words send ice through her veins.

Lauren is alive. She’s waiting. And she needs Rene to find her before it’s too late.

Lauren Is Missing is a brilliantly haunting psychological thriller with a twist that will leave you breathless. Fans of Room, Gone Girl and Sometimes I Lie will love this heartwrenching and addictive read.

Readers are gripped by S.J. King’s

‘OMG what a read – this book had me on edge from start to finish.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Brilliant thriller that kept me turning the pages late into the night. I highly recommend this wild ride of a book!! A definite MUST READ!!’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I haven't read any other book that left me gasping for breath and with a pounding heart as much as this one did.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘This thriller had me kicking my sofa from tension… IT WAS PERFECTION.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘It’s been a long time since I’ve sat on the edge of my seat, devouring a book like I just did… You will binge it like the latest season of your favourite Netflix series.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I would give this book six stars if I could – absolutely brilliant! Unputdownable.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Absolutely fantastic…! Could not put the book down once I began reading it.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Riveting… psychologically gripping. Brilliantly written… I felt claustrophobic to the point of not wanting to turn the page – but not being able to stop!’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I was hooked on this one… It isn’t like any other suspense or thriller I have read. I wanted to keep turning the page the second I started.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I found myself shocked and riveted right to the end. It was perfect blend of mystery and suspense... You won’t be able to put this down until you’ve finished!’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genres: Thriller, Audiobook, Fiction, Mystery

353 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 2, 2025

About the author

Always grateful to readers, and for your reviews.🙏🤗

Writer of dark psychological thrillers, and fun-lover!

As a wife, mother, and daughter, my novels aim to be shocking and twisty, to unpack complex and frightening domestic realities, and modern and troubling dilemmas.

I have two teens, a husband from Northern Ireland, and an Indian street-cat on Prozac. In my free time (um….is there any of that?) I read avidly, write obsessively, post silly content, and am trying to learn to garden…

My work has taken me from documentary making in China in the nineties, into digital innovation and communication for more than thirty years. I’m now global head of Public Affairs focusing on people and planet, including climate, human rights, geopolitics, and responsible AI. Originally from London, I’ve lived in six countries, including China and India for over a decade.

Thanks for reading!
Look forward to hearing from you.

Reviews

[Cara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lauren Is Missing written by S.J. King was one hell of a crazy thriller that plays with your mind. I have never read a thriller like this one before that played with my head so much, I mean it feels so wrong to have loved this book because of the heavy topics that were involved, but if you read this book, you will understand why I feel this way. Lauren Is Missing is raw, powerful, real, emotional, confusing, heart breaking, and manipulative. This thriller was so dark and intense that I was on the edge of my seat the entire time, let me just say, this book would be perfect for spooky season. I didn't know who to cheer for, I didn't know who to root for, I felt like my mind was being played with because the characters and the story itself were so manipulative. Lauren Is Missing is a story of hope, family dynamics, and resilience, it's raw, poetic, abstract, and ultimately confusing. There were just so many shocking truths, twists, and secrets revealed. The ending had me screaming WHAT THE FUCK JUST HAPPENED😱😱😱😭😭😭😭????? The haunting elements were just so surreal, it felt like there were spooky creatures surrounding me just waiting for my heart to fall out of my chest. I applaud S.J. for writing this most dark and twisted mind game thriller. I can't recommend Lauren Is Missing enough, please have this book on your spooky tbr and have your calendars marked for July 2nd, 2025 because this is the type of thriller that you won't want to miss out on. I know this book is extremely dark and creepy, and it does come with a lengthy list of trigger warning's, so please check them out before reading this book, I will also have them listed down below in my review.

THANK YOU TO NETGALLEY AND STORM PUBLISHING FOR AN ARC OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW!!!!!!

TRIGGER WARNING'S
~Opioid Addiction~
~Animal Abuse~
~Starvation~
~Alcoholism~
~Drug Consumption~
~Child Abuse~
~Suicide/Suicidal Thoughts~
~Captivity~
~Grooming~
~Violence~
~Physical Abuse~
~Emotional Abuse~
~Manipulation~

"💔😭You only miss things when they are gone💔😭".

"😯Find what's lost. The truth. The real story. You can free us all😯".

"👿The not knowing every day is an endless killer👿".

"💯When people know your secrets, they can use them💯".

On December fourteenth, Lauren Fisher went missing when she was just thirteen years old, mind you that was her mom's birthday as well. The Fisher family isn't normal by any means, they all keep secrets from one another, they start arguments from one another, and they are physically and mentally abusive towards one another. Lauren is kept in The Hole, which is utter black hell, darkness, and underground. Lauren has her ankles and wrists strapped so she can't escape, The Hole is sound proof so no one from the outside world can her screams and whimpers. Lauren has been told by her captor that he's protecting her from freaks that would do terrible things to her, yet he's the one that's the freak, he abuses Lauren, he starves Lauren, he grooms Lauren, he's such a manipulative bastard. After rumors have started swirling around school that Lauren is a whore and she's a troubled child, things go from back to worse within a blink of an eye. Lauren is super naive, she never trusted people who loved her, but she trusted people she shouldn't have trusted in the first place. During Lauren's time in The Hole, we as readers get her point of view of her time and thoughts while she's in captivity, but we also get a backstory of why she was abducted by this sick man who I won't name because you need to read this book to follow all of the secrets. My heart absolutely shattered for this young girl after reading everything she went through. It was so hard not to scream out loud when something unthinkable would happen to Lauren, it's like you were sitting there waiting for something horrific to happen, but you never wanted it to come because it was just foul and heart breaking.

Rene Fisher remembers the day her sister Lauren went missing and never came home. Rene spends everyday taking her pills and looks at photographs to try and remember her free spirited sister Lauren before the day she vanished and never returned. The only thing Rene remembers about the day he sister went missing was the velvety petals of a yellow rose and how this rose looked on a stone step in the snow on the night that Lauren went out and simply never came home. During her grieving process, Rene is told so many lies, so she doesn't dig deeper into what really happened to her sister. Rene doesn't talk to her father because she believes he played a role in the disappearance of her little sister, she occasionally speaks to her mother but hasn't fully cut off contact because Rene still believes there is hope in bringing her sister home. To Rene, a dragonfly is a message to not give up. Rene lives in her basement apartment which consists of a door with four locks, and she writes a list every single morning before getting out of bed. One day out of the ordinary, Rene receives a letter that says "November. Wednesday. Lauren is alive. I think. He's going to kill me. I'm going to die in here". Now, let's enter Jane into the picture. Jane is the woman who lives at a house in Meadow Close when she sees a young girl under her rose bush, covered in bruises, scars, and a patch of skin buckled like melted plastic. This girl has an unknown notebook that she holds close to her chest and never lets it leave her line of vision. You all need to read this book to watch everything unfold and how everything will be revealed in the end after your mind had been played with, because like I said before, Lauren Is Missing is such a mind game of manipulation.

[TheConnieFox · Rating 4 out of 5]

❥ My Overall Thoughts ❥

I had no idea that this was going to be a full on mystery thriller novel! The cover of this book is so pretty! This book is dark, mysterious and tense. It can be confusing at first because this book comes with dual timelines, but it does all come together. This is a fast paced read, containing lovable characters and multiple points of views. It took me a while to get into this book, but once I did, I was fully immersed. This book contains strong character developments, came with an excellent premise and a clear thesis. I found that the plot in this story was well executed and I absolutely loved the twists! The book had haunting elements to it as well. It definitely kept my interest as to what was going to happen next! I really enjoyed the suspense this book came with!

❥ Synopsis & Rating ❥

“Lauren is Missing” is a story that dives into complex family dynamics. It involves past family secrets and trauma and a sister bond between Rene and Lauren! Overall, I give this book a 3.5 (rounded up to 4) out of 5 stars!

❥ Who I think would enjoy reading this and Content Warnings ❥

I think that anyone that is a fan of Gone Girl would enjoy reading this book. Content warnings include emotional distress and disturbing content.

❥ Thank You ❥

Thank you to NetGalley, author S. J. King and Storm Publishing for this electronic ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

❥ Release Date ❥

This book is expected to be published on July 2, 2025!

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of, Lauren is Missing, by S.J. King, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Lauren is Rene sister, and she has been missing for awhile. I found this book to be dark and sad.

[Abbie Kat (& Oli!) · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW, another incredible edge-of-your-seat thriller from S.J. King! Lauren Is Missing messed with my mind from start to finish, in the best possible way. I couldn't put it down!

Trigger warning, extreme (but not graphic) abuse throughout.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC.

[Maven_Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lauren Is Missing by S.J. King is a deeply haunting psychological thriller about a family fractured by the disappearance of Lauren, who vanished without a trace at age fourteen eight years before the main timeline begins. Her older sister Rene has never stopped believing Lauren is alive, even when the rest of the world has long since given up, and her life has settled into a pattern of anxiety, careful routines, and unresolved grief that shapes every day.

When a cryptic letter arrives implying Lauren is still out there and waiting to be found, Rene’s fragile sense of reality shakes to its core, and she begins a desperate search that will force her to confront memory, trust, trauma, and the possibility that the truth is far darker than anyone imagined. The narrative unfolds in multiple points of view and timelines, including Lauren’s own experiences in captivity and the perspective of Jane, the woman who now lives in the family home and becomes entangled in the mystery. This structure of before and after keeps the suspense taut and the secrets layered until the very end.

From the very start this novel pulled me into its eerie, emotionally intense atmosphere: the emotional ache of a sister who refuses to let go, the creeping sense of unreliable memory and fractured reality, and the way each narrative strand slowly reveals how trauma reshapes identity made it feel both heartbreaking and suspenseful. Readers often describe it as addictive and twisty with a jaw‑dropping twist that genuinely surprises, though some find the timeline jumps and shifting points of view take a bit of adjustment at first and can feel confusing until the larger picture falls into place.

Whichever way you experience it, the tension stays high: the chapters from Lauren’s perspective are claustrophobic and unsettling in the best way, and Rene’s determination had me rooting for her despite her flaws and fragmentation. The psychological depth, emotional stakes, and compelling mystery, even the dark subject matter and disturbing turns make it a hard but gripping read.

My rating: 4 out of 5 stars. I’m giving Lauren Is Missing four stars because it masterfully balances psychological suspense with emotional resonance, making you care deeply about characters who are scarred, uncertain, and desperate for answers.

The twisty structure means you’re guessing and second‑guessing what’s real and what Rene’s mind is filling in, which amplifies both the mystery and the heartbreak. If you love dark, character‑driven thrillers with layered revelations and a twist you truly didn’t see coming, this one will keep you turning pages late into the night.

[Stevie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lauren is Missing UPDATE: I’m calling it now this book is going to go viral.

ARC review. Thank you NG & SJ KING

Trigger warnings. Please DM me if you want know to them so I don’t give parts of the book away

“Except he never comes. Because he made us think he loved us most. But in the end, he lied too.

What a page turner. So many parts I was eager to finish reading the paragraph to turn the page. The before and after set up was brilliant in building up suspense and emotions. HOLY SHIT to that plot too. It’s hard nowadays to catch me with a good plot and this one got me damn good.

It also heavily touches on what someone goes through mentally to process trauma and to survive. SJ king, you really did it with this book. You should be proud of this ending! (the entire build up of the story really)
This book confused the shit out of me but in a good way. Like what the hell do I believe?

Slight spoiler below


This story especially the end is heartbreaking, dark, realistic to abuse survivors, and puts things into perspective.

Multiple plots, twists, heartbreaks and hope.

“In the dark. The mind fills in the empty spaces. The holes.

Thank you for sending me this book to read prior to release. I believe people will absolutely love this book 📕

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those books that has you gasping until the end! Rene's 14-year-old sister, Lauren has been missing for 8 years Jane sees a girl in her garden clutching a book and claims this house is her "home." Told in a "before" and "today" format, the book details the horrific story of what happened to Lauren and how it all transpired. It's deliciously dark and. creepy at times as we discover what happens and what someone in captivity is capable of when pushed to the limit!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

[Lupita_333 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lauren is missing is about a sister who went missing 8 years ago and the other sister who won’t give up looking for her.

This story is told through the POVs of Jane, Rene and Lauren. Rene and Lauren are sisters and their POVs are told in the past while Lauren was held captive. Jane’s POV is in the present and begins with her finding a girl digging through her garden. Laurens chapters consist of her time in captivity, the way she copes, and the way her captor mistreats her. Rene’s chapters are of her desperation to find her sister and bring her home after new clues lead her to believe to know where’s she’s held captive. Towards the end we get both POVs that are only told from the present and everything finally fully make sense.

The change in POV and timeline flowed smoothly. I liked being able to read all of their POVs and the way each of them handled the situations they were in. The things Lauren went through and the way she preserved all those years showed just how strong she was as a character. She was my favorite character.

The first half of the story is easy to follow. I thought I had everything figured out but once the book reached half way I began to become confused. I couldn’t understand who was actually telling the truth which was super interesting to me. I really liked the way Rene fought so hard to find answers for her sister. I loved that final plot twist. It was something that I hadn’t seen coming and had pulled me by surprise.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Jennifer Bendel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I honestly don’t know how to rate this book so I’m going right in the middle. This book will mess with your head. It’s a complete mind fuck. I desperately wanted to get to the end and figure out what in the world was going on. I did guess the biggest twist very early on but there was a lot of times where I was second guessing myself. I was confused a lot and had a lot of questions and I felt like I was going crazy reading this. I hated how heartbreaking this book was, I wasn’t prepared to feel so depressed after reading it. If you love a good mind fuck, this is it.

[Laura Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

LAUREN IS MISSING BY S.J. KING.
Release date set for the 2nd of July 2025.
This book suprised me big time with my emotions. I felt so sad at times while reading.
Really great and loveable characters.
There's multiple POVs but so easy to follow along.
This is my second book by S.J. KING and I very much look forward to the next one ☺

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, this book had me hooked! The dual pov's, the different timelines, it's all so much, but in the best way possible. I'm a big thriller girly and probably take too much pride in being able to figure out the plots, but S.J King had me guessing and never being right. The end of the book had me so baffled!
I would say this book could be creepy, so be prepared for the emotional rollercoaster you'll embark on.
The premise of the book is that Lauren is missing (obviously), and we are reading the pov of Lauren, Rene which is Lauren's sister and how she is coping with her sisters difference, and then Jane who is the lady living in the family home of the Fishers now.
8 years ago, Lauren left the family home and never returned. Throughout the chapters, we get a look into the life of the Fisher family & how Lauren's leaving transpired. Rene always blamed their parents for not looking enough. Rene is convinced Lauren is alive and waiting for her family to come save her, whereas Lauren is convinced her family wants nothing to do with her and it's just her and this mysterious man for the rest of her days. Jane's chapters are spread out, but she's brought into the story when she discovers a deranged-looking girl/woman digging in her backyard garden. She welcomes her in, trying to talk to her and get her help. I think this book is a good reminder that not everything is as it seems.
This book is right up my alley. It was so psychologically thrilling and mind-twisting that I believe all thriller fans should read! Pick up your copy when it's released July 2, 2025!
———————————————————————
Thank you, NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review

[Shannon Shilts · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75/5 rounded up! Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the electronic ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. This book was really confusing at times and kept me guessing throughout, but had such interesting, well-developed characters. There’s not much to say without spoiling it, but I definitely recommend to all mystery and thriller lovers.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun twist filled thriller! I was engrossed and had a hard time putting this down! This was fast paced and well-written. I would highly recommend this! Special Thank You to S.J. King, Storm Publishing and Netgalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨BOOK REVIEW✨

Lauren Is Missing by S.J. King
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Publication Date: July 2, 2025

“Memory is fragile.”

🌙 One night Lauren, Rene’s sister, goes missing. Rene is committed to finding her sister, who she believes is still alive, but Rene experiences a host of issues that prevents her from being her best self. Rene’s memory is not quite clear. Images pop in and out of her mind but she has a difficult time turning the images into memories. She can’t fully connect the dots to help solve her sister’s missing case. Rene is not sure who she can trust and turn to for help. As time is running out, can she collect herself, and her memories, to rescue the person she loves most?

“Wishes for the past are just regrets by a prettier name.”

🌟 S.J. King does it again! I love that this book was COMPLETELY different from her last novel, demonstrating the diverse layers of her talent as a writer. This book had me confused in the greatest way possible. As I was reading, I knew there was going to be a purpose for my confusion. I was holding my breath racing through the pages, feeling anxious for Rene and the twisted happenings.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review. 4 stars!

#thriller #readersofinstagram #sjking #laurenismissing #pageturner #psychologicalthriller

[Kimberly Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book after coming across it on my Library app. I listened to the audio version and I binged it in 1 day!

It's a fairly dark mystery/thriller with some pretty heavy topics discussed. It wasn't until around the 75% mark that I started to be able to guess the "who done it?" and figure out the identities involved. For me that is the crucial part of reading this genre... To keep me guessing.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

your daughter goes missing this is a mothers worst fear. Did they run away or were they abducted. Do you ever lose hope, do you keep searching until your dying breath. As a mother I felt sad and angry. I was on the edge with a twist I didn’t expect. I was confused and little hard to keep going but if you read this and you struggle to keep going please don’t stop keep going because it t will all make sense.

[Bethan · Rating 5 out of 5]

|:: Lauren is Missing
By S. J. King
Chapter Thirty-Two Page 170
Rene  Before
5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

{ Pete shrugs, something so nonchalant. But what he says next cuts deep into me, shocks me. The shrug was just another nervous mannerism, not a dismissal. He did like her. She dumped him. 
‘Lauren was going to be something. I wrote that in a song for her: “One day, she'll set the world on fire”.’
He sparks the yellow lighter between his fingers, holding the flame up, the light of it dancing in his eyes.

‘Corny, I know, but she was going to be something.”
I think of the letter, the horror she described. A tear streaks down my face. Pete was not mean, just young and naive and not really what she wanted, beyond being a cute guy with a pretty face. Nothing more. Cross him off the bad list. }

Lauren is missing, they know where she is, she left them a note but they don't want her anymore. That's what Keele said. He had taken her in when her own parents had lied to her, hurt her and now had left her in a place with him. It all started with a yellow rose on a very inch night, but she can't think about these things, not while Lauren needs her. She is relying on her, to fetch the police, to fetch someone, anyone.. everyone, they needed to listen. 

Why was no one helping her? Why was no one helping Lauren? She needed them but yet her mum still went shopping, her dad still fixed her bike, Peter still found time to come in and David still pushed her to find the truth. And then there was Nana.. that is where it all began. Nana and the curse. That is where we should start. Nana and the yellow rose.  

When I started reading this, I felt like this was going to be one of those stories that would stay with me. You know you read them stories that you just think of years later. Sort of like an itch you will have to scratch, ten, fifteen years later and you will scrabble to cry and get a copy to read all over again. It was that good. But in the same instance terrible and morally wrong. I didn't want to know what happened to Lauren but I had to know. 

There were so many twists and turns I could hardly keep up with events but I felt like that was what the author wanted, to give you so much information it almost bombarded you, blinding you to a single, strain of explanatory story that would link together. And it was there, after you understood everything, the single strain was there mocking me all along. Looking back I was mad at myself that I didn't get it sooner. The facts were there, it was such an amazing bit of writing that I just got caught up in every new fact, every new tiny detail was embellished! 

I think I also really connected with Lauren who had no alternative but to find a way to survive, to recognise that she was making the best of a bad situation, her ideas were all right, but sent/hidden/ forgotten about in all the wrong places. I felt so much pride for her and in the end, I appreciated Rene for what she did. I saw so many Lauren's growing up in a world that was safer than the one we have today. It's scary. To a girl 14 is old enough. To a woman 14 is still on the cusp of leaving girl hood. We need more protectors against Keele.. we need more readers to read Lauren is gone and see the blaring warning twisted within it.

A huge thank you to S. J. King, Storm Publishing and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and relay my honest feedback. ::|

[Paloma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I can't believe what I just read 😱! Lauren Is Missing was brilliant, fantastic, and twisty in a grand way, and the shocker was delightful. 💫💫💫💫💫

Lauren has been missing for 8 years, and even though it seems like her parents have given up on her search, her sister Rene hasn't given up. We get Rene and Lauren's point of view, past, present, and future. We are privy to the emotional, physical, and psychological abuse that they both endure. It seems like their experiences are mirror images of each other. Rene is Lauren's saviour. Will she save in her time?

Thank you, Netgalley and Storm Publishing, for this thrilling ARC. All opinions are entirely my own.

[Shannon bagnall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. So well written, I loved how it was written, I’ve never read a book like it.

My one and only dislike was at some places in the book it seemed to go really slow and in some chapters I felt some information wasn’t needed however this didn’t impact the book, just interrupted the flow a little.

I loved how it was written, the different POV’s, the explaining things in real time how it was unfolding, the fact the author kept making subtle sentences so you never really figured out exactly what was going to come.

This author is extremely talented and I can’t wait to read more.

*full disclosure I was given this book in exchange for an honest review through NetGalley*

[Lynn OConnor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't really know where to start with this book, it's inappropriate to say I enjoyed it due to the subject matter. It is brilliantly written and at times left me gasping with shock! Totally addictive and bingeworthy. Told from two main POV, Rene struggling to come to terms with the disappearance of her sister. And Lauren whose ordeal is just shocking and brutal. I did guess the twist (which is super clever!) but it didn't take anything away from my experience. This book will leave you questioning your family life and definitely things into perspective. An absolute 5 star from me!

[Sarah M · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book actually gave me chills while I was reading. I am a huge thriller/mystery girlie so this was right up my alley. The book is dark and twisty and had me guessing right the way through. I absolutely recommend this to anyone who loves a creepy thriller!

Thank you to NetGalley and storm publishing for this ARC!

[Stormi Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lauren Is Missing
By: S.J. King

4 Stars

This was a psychological roller coaster ride from start to finish. This book is about a girl lost. Lost. Hurt. Missing. A story told of hurt, pain, loss, forgiveness, love. Lauren Fisher goes missing, and through bits of memories, you slowly uncover her tale of captivity and pain. Slowly, secrets unfold on the page until the very end when the truth is finally revealed.

This was such a twisty story. At first, when I started this book, I got a little confused, but the more I read, the more I was sucked into the story of this young girl, her sister, her family. I loved how it was laid out. Bits and pieces, here and there, until a crazy and shocking end. One that I was not expecting.

This was captivating. It was moving. It was written well. A great read full of psychological suspense, danger, and intrigue. It's definitely one I'll tell my friends about.

*I want to thank Netgalley and the author for this book in return for my honest review*

Stormi Ellis
Boundless Book Reviews

[Trudy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Nurse Jackie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had all the promise of a great domestic thriller, however it fell flat. I believe I’m the outlier here, however the author failed to grab me and keep me entertained. The suspense would start to build and it would face plant just as quick. The suspense and/or thrill was absent. Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this ARC.

[Teri Brown]

Good book, nice twist !

[Kimberley Mulcahy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a novel told through a Before/After timeline with Lauren and Rene. Lauren has been missing for 8 years, at 14 years old she walked out of her family home and was never seen again.

Through Lauren and Rene’s timelines you start to unpick a complex storyline that explains the circumstances of Lauren’s disappearance and what has transpired since. The story is quite disturbing at times and the imagery really draws you in.

As some others have mentioned, I found parts of the novel confusing which was a little distracting, but I think once I had worked out the very clever twist my confusion made sense.

I wish the middle section could have been more concise which may have helped the pace of the novel and kept it “on track” a little more.

I think lots of people will find this novel a fantastic page turner. Despite my confusion I found I really couldn’t put the book down.

(Thank you NetGalley for the ARC)

[Simone · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is so good! From different POVs this store will captivate you and keep you glued to the pages.

Fast paced, suspenseful, and really smooth timelines, you will be entertained from the start, trying to find out more.

Rene is coping with the disappearance of her sister Lauren, the stressful situation, the memories of their childhood, everything comes through her mind while trying to figure out what happened 8 years ago.

I definitely recommend this book. The writing style is sharp, smart and clever, with a twist at the end I didn’t see coming.

Thank you so much Storm Publishing, S.J. King and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Caitlin Duncan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book more. The premise was good, but it felt slightly predictable. I was not a fan of S.J. King's writing style which made it harder for me to get through. There is a lot of choppiness in the writing and I feel it didn't flow as well as it could've.

Overall, definitely not a bad book; I was entertained and wanted to find out what happened!

[Hayley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've always loved a good thriller book, however when you combine that with a perfectly suspenseful mystery story it was everything I didn't know I was missing in my life. When Rene's sister Lauren goes missing at fourteen Rene's whole world changes. They tried everything to find her but years later with no leads and no answers the case has just gone cold however Rene doesn't believe that her sister would just leave like that and is determined to find out what happened. This book jumps between Rene and Lauren but then it also switches to our other main character Jane. Rene and Lauren talk about when Lauren was captive and Rene was determined to bring her home (which was my favourite part by far) and Jane's point of view how she now owns Lauren and Rene's old home when she finds a young girl mysteriously in her garden. I loved trying to figure out how both stories would connect in the end. Even though there was multiple switches I found this book very easy to follow and to get lost in. I loved the characters but it was the plot that really stood out for me. This book was extremely well written and I couldn't get enough of our characters Lauren and Rene. Their parts in this story were just captivating and left me transfixed on what was going to happen to them. This was a great read however it was the plot and character development that really pushed this book over the edge for me. As this is a new author to me I was very impressed with the writing style and the character development even though the plot could have been very dark and complex it was anything but. Fantastic job and I can't wait to see what she comes out with next because I will be first in line to check it out. The thing I loved most about this book was we had all first person perspective so the plot with Lauren was great especially since I had a feeling from the beginning she was going to be an unreliable narrator, which I have a love hate relationship with. Check out this book for sure, you will be pleasantly surprised at how mesmerizing it is. The ending was fantastic and left me speechless.

[Trina Dixon · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're looking for a book that will twist you up in knots and mess with your mind, then you need to pick up this novel.
Its a story of betrayal, perceived or real, a tale that is as confusing as it is riveting. Its well written and shows vulnerability and realism of relationships between mother's and daughters.
Its a real page turner and i couldn't put it down