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The Night He Disappeared
SURVIVOR. HERO. LIAR.
Valentine’s Day, central London. An explosion on Tower Bridge rips through the night air, killing and seriously injuring dozens of people.
On their way home after a romantic evening out, Pippa and her boyfriend, Nathan, are lucky to escape unscathed.
While Pippa, shocked and numb, struggles to comprehend what’s going on, Nathan rushes off to help the wounded – and vanishes into thin air.
Ignoring Pippa’s protests and with no fear for his own safety, Nathan rushes off to help the wounded.
But when he fails to return, Pippa becomes increasingly frantic, not sure whether he’s dead or alive.
While Pippa, shocked and numb, struggles to comprehend what’s going on, Nathan rushes off to help the wounded – and vanishes into thin air.
Days later, his brother makes an astonishing allegation, throwing everything Pippa thought she knew about Nathan into doubt.
Days later, his brother makes an astonishing allegation, throwing everything Pippa thought she knew about Nathan into doubt.
He claims her boyfriend’s been hiding a dark secret and that Pippa isn’t the only one looking for him.
Her choice is stark – accept Nathan’s gone for good or continue to hunt for answers and put her own life in danger.
Because they might have survived a tragedy – but Nathan’s lies could destroy them both…
Valentine’s Day, central London. An explosion on Tower Bridge rips through the night air, killing and seriously injuring dozens of people.
On their way home after a romantic evening out, Pippa and her boyfriend, Nathan, are lucky to escape unscathed.
While Pippa, shocked and numb, struggles to comprehend what’s going on, Nathan rushes off to help the wounded – and vanishes into thin air.
Ignoring Pippa’s protests and with no fear for his own safety, Nathan rushes off to help the wounded.
But when he fails to return, Pippa becomes increasingly frantic, not sure whether he’s dead or alive.
While Pippa, shocked and numb, struggles to comprehend what’s going on, Nathan rushes off to help the wounded – and vanishes into thin air.
Days later, his brother makes an astonishing allegation, throwing everything Pippa thought she knew about Nathan into doubt.
Days later, his brother makes an astonishing allegation, throwing everything Pippa thought she knew about Nathan into doubt.
He claims her boyfriend’s been hiding a dark secret and that Pippa isn’t the only one looking for him.
Her choice is stark – accept Nathan’s gone for good or continue to hunt for answers and put her own life in danger.
Because they might have survived a tragedy – but Nathan’s lies could destroy them both…
533 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 28, 2025
201 people are currently reading
2773 people want to read
About the author
A.J. Wills
16 books416 followers***Book bloggers join my ARC team and never miss getting your hands on a review copy of my latest books. You can sign up here: bit.ly/bloggersalert ***
AJ Wills writes standalone psychological thrillers with twisty plots.
He’s a former journalist who wrote in his spare time, before and after work for ten years, until he was finally able to fulfil his lifelong dream of becoming a fulltime author in May 2021.
He’s never looked back and now runs a small independent publishing company, Cherry Tree Publishing with his wife, AJ McDine, also a thriller writer.
He said: “I've always loved thrillers, but psychological thrillers hold a special interest for me because they're about the scary, insane, disturbing things that happen to ordinary people - and we can all relate to them on some level.”
He lives in Kent in the south east of England.
You can download AJ Wills’s psychological thriller, His Lost Wife, for free by visiting bit.ly/hislostwife
You can find out more about him on his website: ajwillsauthor.com, his Facebook page AuthorAJWills or on his Instagram account ajwills_author
Of course, you can always contact him directly at adrian@ajwillsauthor.com, where he loves to answer messages from genuine readers.
And don't forget to follow him on BookBub for his new releases: bit.ly/BookBubAJWills
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
March 22, 2025
THE NIGHT HE DISAPPEARED BY A J WILLS.
Release date set for the 28th of April 2025.
This book grabs your attention from the get go.
I was thinking 'what the hell is going on' throughout the book.
Great story line
I've read this book really quickly and very much looking forward to the next one.
This is my 2nd book by this author and i enjoy his work.
Release date set for the 28th of April 2025.
This book grabs your attention from the get go.
I was thinking 'what the hell is going on' throughout the book.
Great story line
I've read this book really quickly and very much looking forward to the next one.
This is my 2nd book by this author and i enjoy his work.
June 11, 2025
I received a copy for review purposes. All opinions are honest and mine alone.
Nathan is down on one knee waiting for an answer. He’d orchestrated everything to perfection, in his mind. Champagne, duck, a game - but Pippa wouldn’t put her phone down! The ring is sparkling, tension is mounting as Nathan and the entire restaurant full of diners await Pippa’s response…”Can we…”
Emotions explode and Nathan is gone. Pippa follows trying to calm him down; make things right but something is very wrong. A speeding van explodes on the Tower Bridge. People are dead, hurt, confused, missing. Nathan makes sure Pippa is alive but tells her he’s going to go help where he can. He never comes back; it’s THE NIGHT HE DISAPPEARED.
Pippa is an influencer with 3/4 million followers. She lives life on her phone. When Nathan doesn’t return for a few days, she gets very worried and contacts her sister, a lawyer and Nathan’s brother, Ryan, who has quite a tale to tell, after a fashion.
As far as psychological thrillers go, this one is not plausible for emotionally intelligent people. Maybe this story is written for those who live their lives on a phone. As a person who interacts with living, breathing people on a regular basis, I had this plot figured out by chapter 5 or page 50 of 530. Argh! That left a long way to go knowing the punchline.
Trigger warnings for physical, mental and emotional abuse. The psychological thriller aspect devolves into a story I found mostly unappealing📚
Read and Reviewed from a GoodReads GiveAway, with thanks
Nathan is down on one knee waiting for an answer. He’d orchestrated everything to perfection, in his mind. Champagne, duck, a game - but Pippa wouldn’t put her phone down! The ring is sparkling, tension is mounting as Nathan and the entire restaurant full of diners await Pippa’s response…”Can we…”
Emotions explode and Nathan is gone. Pippa follows trying to calm him down; make things right but something is very wrong. A speeding van explodes on the Tower Bridge. People are dead, hurt, confused, missing. Nathan makes sure Pippa is alive but tells her he’s going to go help where he can. He never comes back; it’s THE NIGHT HE DISAPPEARED.
Pippa is an influencer with 3/4 million followers. She lives life on her phone. When Nathan doesn’t return for a few days, she gets very worried and contacts her sister, a lawyer and Nathan’s brother, Ryan, who has quite a tale to tell, after a fashion.
As far as psychological thrillers go, this one is not plausible for emotionally intelligent people. Maybe this story is written for those who live their lives on a phone. As a person who interacts with living, breathing people on a regular basis, I had this plot figured out by chapter 5 or page 50 of 530. Argh! That left a long way to go knowing the punchline.
Trigger warnings for physical, mental and emotional abuse. The psychological thriller aspect devolves into a story I found mostly unappealing📚
Read and Reviewed from a GoodReads GiveAway, with thanks
Want to read
April 28, 2025Today is publication day! This morning I woke up to a free copy as a winner of the Goodreads Giveaway 🥳
March 21, 2025
After reading a good short story by this author (His Lost Wife 4⭐️), I was pleased to be accepted for this ARC. Although this was my 5th thriller this month that was about a missing partner, it was still an enjoyable and unexpected ride! I love the mixed media aspect of this thriller, such as the inclusion of text messages and transcripts. I think that really breaks up a book and adds an extra element. It had what I thought was accurate modern depictions of people in too e.g. shooting live footage post incident, influencers. I did get a bit frustrated by Pippa (main character) in the middle of the book but then my sympathy returned near the end and the last chapter was a good one!
March 25, 2025
𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐈 𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞. 𝐈 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐠𝐢𝐟𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐆𝐨𝐝. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐈 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐧'𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠. 𝐈 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧'𝐭 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐈 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐧𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐥.
There are only a few authors whose work I will read without reading the synopsis, and A.J. is one of them. I had no idea what to expect as the narrative begins with a transcript from a survivor. My curiosity was instantly piqued, and pretty soon, the story was unfolding. Pippa is an influencer who documents just about every aspect of her life on her social media. She and her boyfriend Nathan are enjoying a romantic Valentine's Day dinner when Nathan does something unexpected--he proposes. For someone who thrives on attention, Pippa is less than thrilled. While she loves Nathan, she feels it's far too early to be thinking of marriage. Nathan doesn't take the news well and cuts their evening short.
They're on their way home when an explosion rocks Tower Bridge. Nathan leaves Pippa behind to help the injured...and he doesn't return. Days go by with no word, and then Nathan's brother makes a wild claim that will have Pippa questioning everything she thought she knew about Nathan.
Without giving spoilers, this one gets dark. Trigger warnings would definitely get into spoiler territory, so if you are interested in this book (you should be!) but are worried about some content, please reach out to me or the author. I think more frank discussions about the topics the author raised need to be had, and I applaud him for the way he handled the subject matter with both realism and sensitivity. Many thanks to the author for having me on his ARC team. This title is set to publish April 28, 2025.
There are only a few authors whose work I will read without reading the synopsis, and A.J. is one of them. I had no idea what to expect as the narrative begins with a transcript from a survivor. My curiosity was instantly piqued, and pretty soon, the story was unfolding. Pippa is an influencer who documents just about every aspect of her life on her social media. She and her boyfriend Nathan are enjoying a romantic Valentine's Day dinner when Nathan does something unexpected--he proposes. For someone who thrives on attention, Pippa is less than thrilled. While she loves Nathan, she feels it's far too early to be thinking of marriage. Nathan doesn't take the news well and cuts their evening short.
They're on their way home when an explosion rocks Tower Bridge. Nathan leaves Pippa behind to help the injured...and he doesn't return. Days go by with no word, and then Nathan's brother makes a wild claim that will have Pippa questioning everything she thought she knew about Nathan.
Without giving spoilers, this one gets dark. Trigger warnings would definitely get into spoiler territory, so if you are interested in this book (you should be!) but are worried about some content, please reach out to me or the author. I think more frank discussions about the topics the author raised need to be had, and I applaud him for the way he handled the subject matter with both realism and sensitivity. Many thanks to the author for having me on his ARC team. This title is set to publish April 28, 2025.
April 2, 2025
This one sucked me right in and I was hooked! When Pippa rejects Nathan’s proposal the night takes a turn and they are caught up in a bombing. Nathan goes off to help and doesn’t return. Pippa is a shadow of herself as she tries to investigate where Nathan has gone but is it as horrific as she thinks? I honestly couldn’t put this one down. Thank you Adrian for an arc copy in exchange for my honest review.
June 11, 2025
This was an interesting book. I found it a little predictable and I didn't particularly like the characters and their relationships with eachother. It was a good story with a good concept but it didn't wow me enough for a 4 or a 5 star review unfortunately.
March 28, 2025
This story sets off with a bang!
I love the way this was written, with snippets of interviews dotted throughout. I'd advise checking triggers due to the nature of some of the story. It's immersive and keeps a fast pace going throughout.
Huge thanks to the author for having me on his arc team, this was another great read.
I love the way this was written, with snippets of interviews dotted throughout. I'd advise checking triggers due to the nature of some of the story. It's immersive and keeps a fast pace going throughout.
Huge thanks to the author for having me on his arc team, this was another great read.
November 28, 2025
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.
A.J. Wills’ The Night He Disappeared is a tense psychological thriller that explores love, betrayal, and the fragility of trust against the backdrop of a devastating terror attack.
💥 Premise & Atmosphere
The novel opens on Valentine’s Day in central London, where an explosion on Tower Bridge shatters the night. Pippa and her boyfriend Nathan narrowly escape, but while Pippa reels from shock, Nathan rushes into the chaos to help the wounded—and never returns. This setup immediately establishes a chilling blend of public catastrophe and private mystery, pulling readers into both the horror of the attack and the intimate unraveling of a relationship.
🧩 Plot & Suspense
The story pivots from disaster thriller to psychological mystery as Pippa struggles to understand Nathan’s disappearance. Was he killed in the blast? Did he choose to vanish? Or was he hiding secrets all along? The tagline—Survivor. Hero. Liar.—captures the novel’s central tension: Nathan’s absence forces Pippa to confront not only grief but the possibility that her partner was not who she believed him to be.
Wills structures the narrative with short, fast-paced chapters, each ending with a hook that keeps the reader pressing forward. The pacing mirrors Pippa’s frantic search, creating a compulsive “just one more chapter” effect.
🎭 Characters & Themes
- Pippa: A sympathetic protagonist, caught between trauma and suspicion. Her emotional journey—grief, denial, anger, and reluctant acceptance—anchors the novel.
- Nathan: More an enigma than a presence, his absence drives the plot. The gradual revelation of his secrets transforms him from hero to possible betrayer.
- Themes: Wills explores trust, identity, and the stories we tell ourselves about those closest to us. The novel critiques how quickly society elevates someone to hero status, while privately, their truth may be far darker.
📚 Wills’ prose is sharp and cinematic, with vivid depictions of the explosion and its aftermath. Yet the real power lies in the psychological tension: the claustrophobic uncertainty of not knowing whether Nathan is dead, missing, or deceitful. The book balances external action with internal turmoil, making it both a thriller and a study of emotional resilience.
✅ The Night He Disappeared is a gripping blend of disaster thriller and domestic suspense. A.J. Wills keeps readers guessing until the final pages, delivering a story that is as much about the lies we live with as the dangers we face.
Perfect for fans of fast-paced psychological thrillers with a dark edge.
A.J. Wills’ The Night He Disappeared is a tense psychological thriller that explores love, betrayal, and the fragility of trust against the backdrop of a devastating terror attack.
💥 Premise & Atmosphere
The novel opens on Valentine’s Day in central London, where an explosion on Tower Bridge shatters the night. Pippa and her boyfriend Nathan narrowly escape, but while Pippa reels from shock, Nathan rushes into the chaos to help the wounded—and never returns. This setup immediately establishes a chilling blend of public catastrophe and private mystery, pulling readers into both the horror of the attack and the intimate unraveling of a relationship.
🧩 Plot & Suspense
The story pivots from disaster thriller to psychological mystery as Pippa struggles to understand Nathan’s disappearance. Was he killed in the blast? Did he choose to vanish? Or was he hiding secrets all along? The tagline—Survivor. Hero. Liar.—captures the novel’s central tension: Nathan’s absence forces Pippa to confront not only grief but the possibility that her partner was not who she believed him to be.
Wills structures the narrative with short, fast-paced chapters, each ending with a hook that keeps the reader pressing forward. The pacing mirrors Pippa’s frantic search, creating a compulsive “just one more chapter” effect.
🎭 Characters & Themes
- Pippa: A sympathetic protagonist, caught between trauma and suspicion. Her emotional journey—grief, denial, anger, and reluctant acceptance—anchors the novel.
- Nathan: More an enigma than a presence, his absence drives the plot. The gradual revelation of his secrets transforms him from hero to possible betrayer.
- Themes: Wills explores trust, identity, and the stories we tell ourselves about those closest to us. The novel critiques how quickly society elevates someone to hero status, while privately, their truth may be far darker.
📚 Wills’ prose is sharp and cinematic, with vivid depictions of the explosion and its aftermath. Yet the real power lies in the psychological tension: the claustrophobic uncertainty of not knowing whether Nathan is dead, missing, or deceitful. The book balances external action with internal turmoil, making it both a thriller and a study of emotional resilience.
✅ The Night He Disappeared is a gripping blend of disaster thriller and domestic suspense. A.J. Wills keeps readers guessing until the final pages, delivering a story that is as much about the lies we live with as the dangers we face.
Perfect for fans of fast-paced psychological thrillers with a dark edge.
March 23, 2025
Disclosure: I would like to thank the publisher and author for my advanced review copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I'm being overly cautious with the spoiler tags as some people like to read books without knowing any details.
Being completely honest, I wasn't expecting to like The Night He Disappeared so much because of the cover. My constructive criticism would be to revamp the cover and make it a bit more commercial because this book is worth it.
The Night He Disappeared starts with a bang, quite literally. Pippa and Nathan are out on a romantic date, although Pippa seems more concerned about her latest post on Instagram than the date itself. Suddenly, Nathan does the unthinkable and proposes, to which Pippa says, well, you'll have to read the book and see. We soon learn Pippa is an influencer, great, I already hate her... This book is promising! When Pippa and Nathan are going back home, an explosion occurs. They're both mostly unharmed, and Nathan runs to help other people, but he never comes back. Pippa searches for Nathan when her ex-boyfriend, James, calls to check in on her after seeing her post that she live-grammed from the explosion. James and Pippa work together to investigate Nathan's brother, Ryan, who might be involved in Nathan's disappearance. And then Ryan tells Pippa what really happened to Nathan... is Ryan telling the truth? is Pippa's life in danger?
The narrative is a breath of fresh air, I very much enjoyed the writing style and the various twists. I kept going back and forth about , so I absolutely loved that last chapter!! Also, is it me or this book could definitely
A fantastic read, I read it in one sitting.
Being completely honest, I wasn't expecting to like The Night He Disappeared so much because of the cover. My constructive criticism would be to revamp the cover and make it a bit more commercial because this book is worth it.
The Night He Disappeared starts with a bang, quite literally. Pippa and Nathan are out on a romantic date, although Pippa seems more concerned about her latest post on Instagram than the date itself. Suddenly, Nathan does the unthinkable and proposes, to which Pippa says, well, you'll have to read the book and see. We soon learn Pippa is an influencer, great, I already hate her... This book is promising! When Pippa and Nathan are going back home, an explosion occurs. They're both mostly unharmed, and Nathan runs to help other people, but he never comes back. Pippa searches for Nathan when her ex-boyfriend, James, calls to check in on her after seeing her post that she live-grammed from the explosion. James and Pippa work together to investigate Nathan's brother, Ryan, who might be involved in Nathan's disappearance. And then Ryan tells Pippa what really happened to Nathan... is Ryan telling the truth? is Pippa's life in danger?
The narrative is a breath of fresh air, I very much enjoyed the writing style and the various twists. I kept going back and forth about , so I absolutely loved that last chapter!! Also, is it me or this book could definitely
A fantastic read, I read it in one sitting.
April 28, 2025
"Survivor. Hero. Liar."
The Night He Disappeared by A J Wills is a fast-paced thriller filled with action and drama. If you like thrillers that grab you from the first page and don't let go, definitely give this one a read!
What was supposed to be a romantic Valentine's Day dinner quickly devolves into chaos for Pippa and Nathan. Pippa is a well known social media blogger and has been seeing Nathan for a little less than a year. When Nathan surprises Pippa with a romantic Valentine's date and a very public proposal, Pippa turns him down. Humiliated and rejected Nathan storms out of the restaurant. As Pippa chases after him an explosion rocks the Tower Bridge causing utter chaos and potential mass fatalities. Nathan runs off to help with the aftermath of the explosion, but once the dust has settled he is nowhere to be found. Pippa is frantic, she has no way of contacting Nathan (he left his phone with her) and she doesn't know if he had gotten injured or worse. But when Nathan's brother Ryan tells Pippa to "walk away, you don't know what you're getting involved in" , Pippa realizes she might not know Nathan at all...
This definitely started out fast paced and eventful. The multiple POVs really help to get insight into what the characters are experiencing. I really liked how the angle of social media was used in the narrative. I'm not really sold on our MC Pippa though. I felt like she was absolutely blinded when it came to what was going on, but I can also see how that made her character real and relatable. Overall I found this book to be an enjoyable read and would definitely consider checking out more work by this author!
Thank you to NetGalley, A J Wills, and Cherry Tree Publishing for this ARC!! Publication date is April 28th 2025.
The Night He Disappeared by A J Wills is a fast-paced thriller filled with action and drama. If you like thrillers that grab you from the first page and don't let go, definitely give this one a read!
What was supposed to be a romantic Valentine's Day dinner quickly devolves into chaos for Pippa and Nathan. Pippa is a well known social media blogger and has been seeing Nathan for a little less than a year. When Nathan surprises Pippa with a romantic Valentine's date and a very public proposal, Pippa turns him down. Humiliated and rejected Nathan storms out of the restaurant. As Pippa chases after him an explosion rocks the Tower Bridge causing utter chaos and potential mass fatalities. Nathan runs off to help with the aftermath of the explosion, but once the dust has settled he is nowhere to be found. Pippa is frantic, she has no way of contacting Nathan (he left his phone with her) and she doesn't know if he had gotten injured or worse. But when Nathan's brother Ryan tells Pippa to "walk away, you don't know what you're getting involved in" , Pippa realizes she might not know Nathan at all...
This definitely started out fast paced and eventful. The multiple POVs really help to get insight into what the characters are experiencing. I really liked how the angle of social media was used in the narrative. I'm not really sold on our MC Pippa though. I felt like she was absolutely blinded when it came to what was going on, but I can also see how that made her character real and relatable. Overall I found this book to be an enjoyable read and would definitely consider checking out more work by this author!
Thank you to NetGalley, A J Wills, and Cherry Tree Publishing for this ARC!! Publication date is April 28th 2025.
May 25, 2025
‘25 - 2 STARS
DESCRIPTION : Pippa and her boyfriend, Nathan, are heading home after a romantic evening out when the unimaginable happens. An explosion rips through the night, killing and seriously injuring dozens of people right in front of their eyes. Shocked and numb but otherwise unscathed, Pippa struggles to make sense of what’s going on, while Nathan dusts himself down and rushes off to help the wounded… vanishing into thin air. Pippa waits patiently for him to return, but he never comes back. Days pass with no news, until Pippa eventually tracks down Nathan’s brother who makes an astonishing allegation about what really happened on the night of the explosion, throwing everything Pippa thought she knew about Nathan into doubt. Has her boyfriend been hiding a dark secret all this time? And are there really others hunting him, trying to ensure his silence? Pippa’s choice is stark. Either accept Nathan’s gone for good or continue to look for answers and risk putting her own life in danger. Because they might have survived a tragedy – but Nathan’s lies could destroy them both.
REVIEW :
First four books by this author for me were The Warning (‘23 - Read ‘25 - 3 Stars), The Stranger at the Door (‘24 - 5 Stars), The Boy in the Woods (‘24 - 5 Stars) and The Phantom Child (‘24 - 4 Stars).
Earned Double Kindle Reward Points with this purchase.
At 20% kind of slow. Nothing much happening. Let’s see how far I get. My curiosity got perked at about 30% along with reviews that said BIG TWIST at the end. WELL - BIG TWIST was literally the last few pages of the book and it wasn’t even that great. This book was a big waste of time !!!
THINK twice before buying A.J. Wills’ next book !!!
DESCRIPTION : Pippa and her boyfriend, Nathan, are heading home after a romantic evening out when the unimaginable happens. An explosion rips through the night, killing and seriously injuring dozens of people right in front of their eyes. Shocked and numb but otherwise unscathed, Pippa struggles to make sense of what’s going on, while Nathan dusts himself down and rushes off to help the wounded… vanishing into thin air. Pippa waits patiently for him to return, but he never comes back. Days pass with no news, until Pippa eventually tracks down Nathan’s brother who makes an astonishing allegation about what really happened on the night of the explosion, throwing everything Pippa thought she knew about Nathan into doubt. Has her boyfriend been hiding a dark secret all this time? And are there really others hunting him, trying to ensure his silence? Pippa’s choice is stark. Either accept Nathan’s gone for good or continue to look for answers and risk putting her own life in danger. Because they might have survived a tragedy – but Nathan’s lies could destroy them both.
REVIEW :
First four books by this author for me were The Warning (‘23 - Read ‘25 - 3 Stars), The Stranger at the Door (‘24 - 5 Stars), The Boy in the Woods (‘24 - 5 Stars) and The Phantom Child (‘24 - 4 Stars).
Earned Double Kindle Reward Points with this purchase.
At 20% kind of slow. Nothing much happening. Let’s see how far I get. My curiosity got perked at about 30% along with reviews that said BIG TWIST at the end. WELL - BIG TWIST was literally the last few pages of the book and it wasn’t even that great. This book was a big waste of time !!!
THINK twice before buying A.J. Wills’ next book !!!
April 18, 2025
I liked The Night He Disappeared a psychological thriller by A.J. Wills but thought it rather long drawn out but the latter part of the book more than made up for it.
Nathan works in insurance and Pippa is a blogger for Instagram, TikTok and Youtube and earns more money than Nathan who is jealous of Pippa's success
Nathan treats Pippa to a romantic Valentine meal and propses to her but Pippa declines as they have only been together for eleven months. Nathan feeling both rejected and humiliated leaves Pippa still sitting at the table whilst he leaves the restaurant. Pippa catches up to him when suddenly a huge explosion is heard and Tower Bridge has beeen damaged causing fatalities.
Nathan informs Pippa that he needs to go and help with the carnage after the aftermath of the explosion but he has disappeared and she has no way of contacting him as he had left his phone behind with her.
Pippa seeks out Nathan's brother Ryan in case he has been staying with him but to no avail and Ryan's parting words 'Walk away Pippa. You don't know what you're getting yourself involved in.' rings through her ears.
Then James, Pippa's ex turns up out of the blue and between him and Sam, Pippa's sister and Pippa they try to find out where Nathan has disappeared to.
Unbeknown to Pippa some of the closest to her are hiding secrets from her and someone she thought she knew turns into a Dr. Jekly and Mr. Hyde persona and Pippa's life is under threat.
Nathan works in insurance and Pippa is a blogger for Instagram, TikTok and Youtube and earns more money than Nathan who is jealous of Pippa's success
Nathan treats Pippa to a romantic Valentine meal and propses to her but Pippa declines as they have only been together for eleven months. Nathan feeling both rejected and humiliated leaves Pippa still sitting at the table whilst he leaves the restaurant. Pippa catches up to him when suddenly a huge explosion is heard and Tower Bridge has beeen damaged causing fatalities.
Nathan informs Pippa that he needs to go and help with the carnage after the aftermath of the explosion but he has disappeared and she has no way of contacting him as he had left his phone behind with her.
Pippa seeks out Nathan's brother Ryan in case he has been staying with him but to no avail and Ryan's parting words 'Walk away Pippa. You don't know what you're getting yourself involved in.' rings through her ears.
Then James, Pippa's ex turns up out of the blue and between him and Sam, Pippa's sister and Pippa they try to find out where Nathan has disappeared to.
Unbeknown to Pippa some of the closest to her are hiding secrets from her and someone she thought she knew turns into a Dr. Jekly and Mr. Hyde persona and Pippa's life is under threat.
April 7, 2025
The story starts with a romantic Valentine’s night in London when a sudden explosion turns everything into chaos. Pippa and her boyfriend Nathan survive the explosion, but soon Nathan rushes off to help the victims only to vanish into thin air. No one knows what happened to him, if he’s even alive or not. Pippa sets out to uncover the truth about his disappearance.
This one sucked me right in, and I was hooked from beginning to end. Every chapter is filled with a new mystery. By the end, I thought I had figured everything out, only to realise I was completely wrong. The final twist blew me away. There were some scenes that made me hold my breath, wondering what would happen next.
The entire storyline was great, and the multiple POV style gave it depth. I loved how social media was included in the plot. Its use in the book perfectly shows how it can make or break everything for you.
Pippa, as a protagonist, is someone I have complicated feelings about. Her loyalty and love make her a character you want to relate to, but soon that love blinds her. Her choices made me question everything and scream at her not to make such dumb decisions. But all of this is what makes her character feel so real.
If you love thriller books, you should definitely give this one a try.
Huge thanks to the author and netgalley for giving me an ARC of this fantastic book
This one sucked me right in, and I was hooked from beginning to end. Every chapter is filled with a new mystery. By the end, I thought I had figured everything out, only to realise I was completely wrong. The final twist blew me away. There were some scenes that made me hold my breath, wondering what would happen next.
The entire storyline was great, and the multiple POV style gave it depth. I loved how social media was included in the plot. Its use in the book perfectly shows how it can make or break everything for you.
Pippa, as a protagonist, is someone I have complicated feelings about. Her loyalty and love make her a character you want to relate to, but soon that love blinds her. Her choices made me question everything and scream at her not to make such dumb decisions. But all of this is what makes her character feel so real.
If you love thriller books, you should definitely give this one a try.
Huge thanks to the author and netgalley for giving me an ARC of this fantastic book
April 22, 2025
Pippa lives in Camden, is a social influencer with about 750k followers, with all aspects of her life available to see on social media. One evening her boyfriend Nathan takes her to a fancy restaurant and suddenly, to her shock, proposes. She is not ready for marriage so turns him down. The book opens with a transcript from a survivor of an explosion which grabbed my attention and that’s where it stayed, compelling stuff.
Briefly, Nathan doesn’t take the rejection of his marriage proposal well and responds by storming out of the restaurant. Pippa chases him and they end up on Tower Bridge talking when a van blows up. Dazed, Pippa sits down whilst Nathan rushes off to see how he can help. That is the last she sees of him! Using her social media she puts out messages asking her followers to look out for him. But then she is contacted by her ex James telling her he has been following her posts and wants to help.
I don’t want to give spoilers but there are some potential triggers that form a part of the storyline so be aware, I can say that they are handled sensitively. That aside there are so many twists and turns it’s hard to know where to look for the truth. Most of the characters are flawed and I wasn’t sure who to trust. A fast moving and dark story with a shocking twist at the end. I didn’t expect that! 4.5⭐️
Briefly, Nathan doesn’t take the rejection of his marriage proposal well and responds by storming out of the restaurant. Pippa chases him and they end up on Tower Bridge talking when a van blows up. Dazed, Pippa sits down whilst Nathan rushes off to see how he can help. That is the last she sees of him! Using her social media she puts out messages asking her followers to look out for him. But then she is contacted by her ex James telling her he has been following her posts and wants to help.
I don’t want to give spoilers but there are some potential triggers that form a part of the storyline so be aware, I can say that they are handled sensitively. That aside there are so many twists and turns it’s hard to know where to look for the truth. Most of the characters are flawed and I wasn’t sure who to trust. A fast moving and dark story with a shocking twist at the end. I didn’t expect that! 4.5⭐️
April 5, 2025
A bombing on The Thames Bridge is the catalyst for this explosive story. Pippa, a media influencer has just refused Nathan's Valentines proposal and it's humiliating for him. He storms out of the restaurant, and she follows him. As they approach the bridge a bomb blast occurs. While Nathan runs into the fray to aid the victims, Pippa videos the chaos for her viewers. But Nathan never comes back, and Pippa is frantic. She has no idea where he disappeared to and tries desperately to find him. He ex, James shows up and offers to help her and his brother claims he hasn't heard from Nathan. When Ryan finally sets up a meeting for Pippa & Nathan, he tells her why he was in hiding and what he saw at the bomb site. If word of this information gets out it will be disastrous, and he convinces Pippa to run away with him and start a new life far from London. Since phones have trackers, he forces her to leave her phone behind and they set out for a place Nathan believes will be safe. And James is hot on their trail. The rest of the story is a nail biting and sometimes heart stopping journey that has a shocking ending you won't see coming. It's definitely an edge of your seat thriller and I want to thank A J Wills for the ARC of this remarkable story. I loved it.
April 6, 2025
I was gripped from page 1, the multiple pov style gave this depth. At its heart its about how one moment change your life forever in ways you never expected. A rejected marriage proposal a busy restaurant leads to an ill timed walk along tower bridge where an explosion occurs. Suddenly Nathan has gone to help and disappears. Is he dead or alive and so begins the journey of truth seeking. Except nothing and no-one is as they seem. I loved the way reality and relationships are spun together to create twists and turns that had me reading long into the night. Every time i thought id worked out the truth queue a curve ball. Nathan was a complex guy but fatally flawed and i loved the way complex issues were dealt with and humanity was still there. The chance of redemption or survival was strong. Part way through the book I did guess there was more to James than met the eye but the final twist blew me away. I enjoyed the fact that social presence was treated as a plus that sometimes people really do matter to them even if there are just on the screen. The journey of realisation to what happened and what kind of man Nathan was was raw emotional and so real This is a highly recommended 5 star read. Thank you so much netgallery, publisher and author
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September 23, 2025⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Night He Disappeared is everything a psychological thriller should be, dark, gripping, and utterly impossible to put down. From the opening pages, AJ Wills drags you into a world where nothing is as it seems, and every turn of the story makes you question who you can trust.
What struck me most is how human this book feels. It’s not just about shocking twists (though there are plenty!), it’s about love, betrayal, and the fragile threads that hold relationships together when life is turned upside down. Pippa’s search for the truth is raw and heartbreaking, and the way Nathan’s character unfolds kept me second-guessing right up to the final page.
AJ Wills has a rare gift: he doesn’t just write thrillers, he immerses you in them, making the fear, doubt, and suspense pulse through your veins as if you were living it yourself. This is a story that lingers long after you close the book.
If you love fast-paced, twisty, and emotionally charged thrillers that keep you awake until 3 a.m. muttering “just one more chapter,” this is absolutely the book for you.
The Night He Disappeared is everything a psychological thriller should be, dark, gripping, and utterly impossible to put down. From the opening pages, AJ Wills drags you into a world where nothing is as it seems, and every turn of the story makes you question who you can trust.
What struck me most is how human this book feels. It’s not just about shocking twists (though there are plenty!), it’s about love, betrayal, and the fragile threads that hold relationships together when life is turned upside down. Pippa’s search for the truth is raw and heartbreaking, and the way Nathan’s character unfolds kept me second-guessing right up to the final page.
AJ Wills has a rare gift: he doesn’t just write thrillers, he immerses you in them, making the fear, doubt, and suspense pulse through your veins as if you were living it yourself. This is a story that lingers long after you close the book.
If you love fast-paced, twisty, and emotionally charged thrillers that keep you awake until 3 a.m. muttering “just one more chapter,” this is absolutely the book for you.
April 6, 2025
I was absolutely thrilled to be sent an ARC of AJ Wills' latest thriller, "The Night He Disappeared," and was plunged straight into a whirlwind of suspense and doubt.
After a romantic meal together, the story kicks off with a terrifying bombing on Tower Bridge. Pippa and Nathan, caught in the chaos, are spared injury. However, Nathan, driven by a selfless urge to help the injured, disappears into the pandemonium. Pippa is left grappling with a nightmare scenario, unsure whether Nathan is dead or alive. After days of him missing she is desperate for answers and clinging to the hope of his survival, she turns to Nathan's brother, Ryan, for assistance.
But Ryan's help comes at a devastating price. He delivers an allegation against Nathan, planting a seed of doubt in Pippa’s mind.
Was he truly the compassionate and heroic man she believed him to be? Or was there a darker side, a hidden truth that she had been blissfully unaware of?
I am a huge fan of AJ Wills work and this was another well written book with a great plot and compelling story with plenty of suspense and psychological tension.
Thank you Adrian for allowing me an ARC of your fantastic book, I loved it.
After a romantic meal together, the story kicks off with a terrifying bombing on Tower Bridge. Pippa and Nathan, caught in the chaos, are spared injury. However, Nathan, driven by a selfless urge to help the injured, disappears into the pandemonium. Pippa is left grappling with a nightmare scenario, unsure whether Nathan is dead or alive. After days of him missing she is desperate for answers and clinging to the hope of his survival, she turns to Nathan's brother, Ryan, for assistance.
But Ryan's help comes at a devastating price. He delivers an allegation against Nathan, planting a seed of doubt in Pippa’s mind.
Was he truly the compassionate and heroic man she believed him to be? Or was there a darker side, a hidden truth that she had been blissfully unaware of?
I am a huge fan of AJ Wills work and this was another well written book with a great plot and compelling story with plenty of suspense and psychological tension.
Thank you Adrian for allowing me an ARC of your fantastic book, I loved it.
April 4, 2025
Pippa, a well known social media blogger, is dating Nathan…. He seems like the perfect guy until he arranges an incredibly romantic public proposal and Pippa turns him down because they’ve only known each other a short time. On their way home from the restaurant , a terrorist incident takes place and Nathan in his quest to help, goes missing. Pippa spends the days after frantically searching for him and in the meantime her ex from years prior, James, gets in touch having seen a live update from Pippa about the incident. Pippa enlists his help to try track Nathan down all the while worried that the police don’t seem to be taking the fact that Nathan is missing, seriously. This was a great page turner and my first from this author with an interesting twist at the end! I’d recommend this one. Thanks to the author & publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 28, 2025
WOW! What an amazing read!! I couldn't put it down once I got started. It was both engrossing and frustrating. I found myself wanting to choke half the characters, but I couldn't give up because I HAD to know what was going to happen. Mr. Wills has such a great writing style, and I worry that my reviews don't do his work justice, but I hope they pique your interest enough to check it out. In a collection of excellent work, this is my favorite book. It kept me on the edge of my seat, screaming at characters I felt were making foolish mistakes, and cheering for those same characters when they were successful. I highly recommend this book to all thriller readers. You won't be disappointed. I received a review copy from the author at my request and this review reflects my honest and voluntary opinion.
March 30, 2025
Nathan proposes to Pippa in a crowded restaurant, and she says no.
On their way home, a bomb in a fast moving van explodes and there are many fatalities and injuries. Nathan runs off to assist the injured and vanishes.
Pippa is frantic, and does everything she can to find him, then spots him in a packed pub,but he disappears before she can get to him.
This was a page turner from the first chapter. I just had to know what happened to Nathan.
There should be a couple of trigger warnings.
I think Nathan needed serious help, I think he ended up believing the lies he made.
Massive twist at the end. Who would have thought!!
On their way home, a bomb in a fast moving van explodes and there are many fatalities and injuries. Nathan runs off to assist the injured and vanishes.
Pippa is frantic, and does everything she can to find him, then spots him in a packed pub,but he disappears before she can get to him.
This was a page turner from the first chapter. I just had to know what happened to Nathan.
There should be a couple of trigger warnings.
I think Nathan needed serious help, I think he ended up believing the lies he made.
Massive twist at the end. Who would have thought!!
April 28, 2025
Pippa, and her boyfriend Nathan, are perilously close to an explosion on Tower Bridge that kills several people and injures more. Nathan sets out to render aid to victims, but he never returns to where he left Pippa waiting. He seemingly disappeared into thin air, but Pippa believes that Nathan's brother knows more than he is saying.
This book is well written, and much of it is engaging, but the ending was just a bridge too far (no pun intended). Nathan's motives were bizarre, and his behavior even more so, to the point of incredulity.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
This book is well written, and much of it is engaging, but the ending was just a bridge too far (no pun intended). Nathan's motives were bizarre, and his behavior even more so, to the point of incredulity.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
March 23, 2025
With a mysterious storyline this grabbed my attention from the get go and I was thinking what the hell is going on. I had no idea what was happening or where the author was going with the story but I was anticipating finding out. The idea of her partner being a bad guy was intense and we have no idea what he is hiding or what has happened to him as he has disappeared off the face of the earth. Although I couldn't feel the danger with this one I was certainly entranced by the mystery.
March 26, 2025
Many thanks to netgalley, the author and the publisher for approving my request to read this book.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book packed full of suspense, intrigue and twists, just when I thought I was piecing it all together the end came and left me a bit speechless!
The pace of the plot did not let up throughout and I sped through this book at a rate of knots-I will definitely be recommending this book to others.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book packed full of suspense, intrigue and twists, just when I thought I was piecing it all together the end came and left me a bit speechless!
The pace of the plot did not let up throughout and I sped through this book at a rate of knots-I will definitely be recommending this book to others.
April 16, 2025
I really liked the premise of this book but just found that I didn’t gel with it. The descriptors of Blakeney were fabulous and really out you there but for some reason I just didn’t really like Pippa and found her too gullible. Nathan was a despicable character but what I thought was good was how easy it is for an event to completely change someone and the path their like takes. A decent read but there are better versions out there.
April 29, 2025
After a Valentine diner that didn’t go so well, Pippa and her friend Nathan are in the middle of a bombing. He told her he’s going to help but after that he’s gone. What happened with him is a mystery until she meets his brother and slowly everything unravels.
Entertaining story.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read and review this story, this review is my honest opinion.
Entertaining story.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read and review this story, this review is my honest opinion.
May 3, 2025
Loved this book. Full of twists, tells the story of Pippa and her boyfriend Nathan, who on valentines night are witness to a terrible bomb explosion on London Bridge. Since that time Nathan has gone missing, Pippa is distraught and cannot understand where Nathan has gone. There follows a string of tales after this aftermath. All will become clear, but the twist at the end I did think might be what happened but was still surprised when it did. Enjoy 5 stars from me.
May 6, 2025
A well paced well thought out thriller. Valentine’s Day and Nathan proposes to Pippa, she thinks she’s in love but marriage is a no. Although Nathan is embarrassed and just wants out of the restaurant he desperately wants to spend his life with Pippa. Then it all changes as they walk away arguing nearby a terrorist bomb blows up part of the tower bridge causing mayhem and death. The bombing investigation and the proposal disrupts Pippa’s cozy little life.
April 13, 2025
I was fortunate to receive a copy of this ARC from the author.
Having followed the development of it on Adrian's socials, voting on the blurb, the cover etc, it's always exciting to then read the final product!
I thought he had got me on this one though. I was wondering how it was going to end and was I going to be disappointed? 😨 Reader, I was not!
Starting with an explosion in London on Valentine's night, something that these days is not beyond the realm of possibility, made the start of the novel compelling and believable. But why does Nathan leave Pippa and is their relationship really as strong as she thought? Enter Nathan's brother and Pippa's ex boyfriend James. One unwilling to help her, one can't do enough to help.
You must read this novel!
My favourite quote
'She says influencer like she's tasting her own earwax. "It's social media, not an OnlyFans page."'
Having followed the development of it on Adrian's socials, voting on the blurb, the cover etc, it's always exciting to then read the final product!
I thought he had got me on this one though. I was wondering how it was going to end and was I going to be disappointed? 😨 Reader, I was not!
Starting with an explosion in London on Valentine's night, something that these days is not beyond the realm of possibility, made the start of the novel compelling and believable. But why does Nathan leave Pippa and is their relationship really as strong as she thought? Enter Nathan's brother and Pippa's ex boyfriend James. One unwilling to help her, one can't do enough to help.
You must read this novel!
My favourite quote
'She says influencer like she's tasting her own earwax. "It's social media, not an OnlyFans page."'
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