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And Don't Look Back
After her mother’s death, a teen pieces together the truth of her family’s past and what her mom was hiding from in this “hauntingly atmospheric and utterly engrossing” (Jas Hammonds, award-winning author of We Deserve Monuments) thriller that’s perfect for fans of Courtney Summers and Tiffany D. Jackson.
Harlow Ford has spent her entire life running, caught in her mother’s wake as they flit from town to town, hiding from a presence that Harlow isn’t even sure is real. In each new place, Harlow takes on a new name and personality, and each time they run, she leaves another piece of herself behind.
When Harlow and her mom set off on yet another 3 a.m. escape, they are involved in a car accident that leaves Harlow’s mother fatally wounded. Before she dies, she tells Harlow two where to find the key to a safety deposit box and to never stop running. In the box, Harlow finds thirty grand in cash, life insurance documents, and several fake IDs for both herself and her mom—an on-the-run essentials kit. But Harlow also finds a photograph of her mom as a teenager with two other girls, the deed to a house in a town she’s never heard of, and a handful of newspaper clippings discussing the disappearance of a woman named Eve Kennedy, Harlow’s grandmother…relics of a part of Harlow’s life she never knew existed.
With these tantalizing clues about her mother’s secrets and the power to choose her own future for the first time, Harlow realizes she has two keep fleeing her mom’s ghosts or face down the nebulous threat that’s been hanging over her for her entire life.
Harlow Ford has spent her entire life running, caught in her mother’s wake as they flit from town to town, hiding from a presence that Harlow isn’t even sure is real. In each new place, Harlow takes on a new name and personality, and each time they run, she leaves another piece of herself behind.
When Harlow and her mom set off on yet another 3 a.m. escape, they are involved in a car accident that leaves Harlow’s mother fatally wounded. Before she dies, she tells Harlow two where to find the key to a safety deposit box and to never stop running. In the box, Harlow finds thirty grand in cash, life insurance documents, and several fake IDs for both herself and her mom—an on-the-run essentials kit. But Harlow also finds a photograph of her mom as a teenager with two other girls, the deed to a house in a town she’s never heard of, and a handful of newspaper clippings discussing the disappearance of a woman named Eve Kennedy, Harlow’s grandmother…relics of a part of Harlow’s life she never knew existed.
With these tantalizing clues about her mother’s secrets and the power to choose her own future for the first time, Harlow realizes she has two keep fleeing her mom’s ghosts or face down the nebulous threat that’s been hanging over her for her entire life.
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First published October 3, 2023
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About the author
Rebecca Barrow
11 books290 followersRebecca Barrow is the critically acclaimed author of Bad Things Happen Here, Interview with the Vixen, This Is What It Feels Like, and You Don’t Know Me But I Know You. She is a lover of sunshine, the sea, and Old Hollywood icons. She lives and writes in England. Visit her at www.rebeccabarrow.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 230 reviews
September 25, 2023
And Don’t Look Back is often compared to the works of TDJ, but Barrow is an author entirely her own.
The book creates its own atmosphere. The first page alone felt like falling into a new world, one where terror and mistrust was our new baseline. Could not accept how brilliant the character work was, how entirely admirable and RELATABLE HARLOW WAS!
Read the synopsis. Or don’t. Just read the book.
Our funking neck hurts from all this whiplash because the plot twists were RELENTLESS. For barrow to give us SO many plot twists right down to the FINAL FREAKING PAGE and for EACH to be more brilliant and heart pounding than the last??? Give her a Pulitzer tbh…
This book made us feel alive and y’all, we been dead for many a moon 🌝
This book - the suspense, the mystery, character work, grief and emotional work, themes, writing, atmosphere, plot - gets a five star in each category.
90% of adult thrillers don’t hit the way this one does. Will read every word Barrow pens.
Eagerly, impatiently, awaiting her next tale.
Cw for child abuse. (Physical and verbal with a very subtle suggestion of sexual abuse that is easy to miss)
The book creates its own atmosphere. The first page alone felt like falling into a new world, one where terror and mistrust was our new baseline. Could not accept how brilliant the character work was, how entirely admirable and RELATABLE HARLOW WAS!
Read the synopsis. Or don’t. Just read the book.
Our funking neck hurts from all this whiplash because the plot twists were RELENTLESS. For barrow to give us SO many plot twists right down to the FINAL FREAKING PAGE and for EACH to be more brilliant and heart pounding than the last??? Give her a Pulitzer tbh…
This book made us feel alive and y’all, we been dead for many a moon 🌝
This book - the suspense, the mystery, character work, grief and emotional work, themes, writing, atmosphere, plot - gets a five star in each category.
90% of adult thrillers don’t hit the way this one does. Will read every word Barrow pens.
Eagerly, impatiently, awaiting her next tale.
Cw for child abuse. (Physical and verbal with a very subtle suggestion of sexual abuse that is easy to miss)
January 18, 2024
I did expect this to have more of a horror vibe, but this story is actually a thriller, about a girl who returns to her Mom's hometown to find answers to her secretive past. This is a story of complex families, with plot twists I didn't expect.
The story starts off on a high note, as Harlow survives a car crash but her Mom did not. However, as the story progressed, I did find myself growing bored, as the answers seemed to come to Harlow, rather than her chasing them.
The ending was so twisty, it was brilliant. I didn't guess any of it, and when I thought I'd gotten all the pieces together to make Harlow's past make sense, the author dropped an absolute bombshell of a plot twist. This has one of the most solid thriller endings I'll read this year.
The story starts off on a high note, as Harlow survives a car crash but her Mom did not. However, as the story progressed, I did find myself growing bored, as the answers seemed to come to Harlow, rather than her chasing them.
The ending was so twisty, it was brilliant. I didn't guess any of it, and when I thought I'd gotten all the pieces together to make Harlow's past make sense, the author dropped an absolute bombshell of a plot twist. This has one of the most solid thriller endings I'll read this year.
October 3, 2023
BOOK: And Don’t Look Back
AUTHOR: Rebecca Barrow
PUB DATE: 10/3/23 by Margaret K. McElderry
PAGES: 336
RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
GENRE: YA/Suspense/Thriller
A BIG THANK YOU to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for gifting me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
AUTHOR ACCOLADES: Rebecca Barrow is the critically acclaimed author of Bad Things Happen Here, Interview with the Vixen, This Is What It Feels Like, and You Don’t Know Me But I Know You. She is a lover of sunshine, Old Hollywood icons, and all things high femme. She lives and writes in England.
GR’s SUMMARY: Harlow Ford has spent her entire life running, caught in her mother’s wake as they flit from town to town, hiding from a presence that Harlow isn’t even sure is real. In each new place, Harlow takes on a new name and personality, and each time they run, she leaves another piece of herself behind. When Harlow and her mom set off on yet another 3 a.m. escape, they are involved in a car accident that leaves Harlow’s mother fatally wounded. Before she dies, she tells Harlow two things: where to find the key to a safety deposit box and to never stop running. In the box, Harlow finds thirty grand in cash, life insurance documents, and several fake IDs for both herself and her mom—an on-the-run essentials kit. But Harlow also finds a photograph of her mom as a teenager with two other girls, the deed to a house in a town she’s never heard of, and a handful of newspaper clippings discussing the disappearance of a woman named Eve Kennedy, Harlow’s grandmother…relics of a part of Harlow’s life she never knew existed. With these tantalizing clues about her mother’s secrets and the power to choose her own future for the first time, Harlow realizes she has two choices: keep fleeing her mom’s ghosts or face down the nebulous threat that’s been hanging over her for her entire life.
REVIEW: This was my first novel by Rebecca Barrow and I am hooked on her writing! This thriller had me turning page after page. There are many twists, and I didn’t see the ending coming. My heart went out to Harlow after she lost her mom and then had to be on the run by herself, not knowing what she was running from. I hung on to every word as I watched pieces of the puzzle come together. This was suspenseful and I was anxious to see how it would all play out! I look forward to reading more books by this author!
Happy Reading!
AUTHOR: Rebecca Barrow
PUB DATE: 10/3/23 by Margaret K. McElderry
PAGES: 336
RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
GENRE: YA/Suspense/Thriller
A BIG THANK YOU to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for gifting me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
AUTHOR ACCOLADES: Rebecca Barrow is the critically acclaimed author of Bad Things Happen Here, Interview with the Vixen, This Is What It Feels Like, and You Don’t Know Me But I Know You. She is a lover of sunshine, Old Hollywood icons, and all things high femme. She lives and writes in England.
GR’s SUMMARY: Harlow Ford has spent her entire life running, caught in her mother’s wake as they flit from town to town, hiding from a presence that Harlow isn’t even sure is real. In each new place, Harlow takes on a new name and personality, and each time they run, she leaves another piece of herself behind. When Harlow and her mom set off on yet another 3 a.m. escape, they are involved in a car accident that leaves Harlow’s mother fatally wounded. Before she dies, she tells Harlow two things: where to find the key to a safety deposit box and to never stop running. In the box, Harlow finds thirty grand in cash, life insurance documents, and several fake IDs for both herself and her mom—an on-the-run essentials kit. But Harlow also finds a photograph of her mom as a teenager with two other girls, the deed to a house in a town she’s never heard of, and a handful of newspaper clippings discussing the disappearance of a woman named Eve Kennedy, Harlow’s grandmother…relics of a part of Harlow’s life she never knew existed. With these tantalizing clues about her mother’s secrets and the power to choose her own future for the first time, Harlow realizes she has two choices: keep fleeing her mom’s ghosts or face down the nebulous threat that’s been hanging over her for her entire life.
REVIEW: This was my first novel by Rebecca Barrow and I am hooked on her writing! This thriller had me turning page after page. There are many twists, and I didn’t see the ending coming. My heart went out to Harlow after she lost her mom and then had to be on the run by herself, not knowing what she was running from. I hung on to every word as I watched pieces of the puzzle come together. This was suspenseful and I was anxious to see how it would all play out! I look forward to reading more books by this author!
Happy Reading!
July 24, 2023
This was insane, very sapphic, and I loved it. The plot was twisty in all the right ways and because the pacing was a little slower in the middle third, certain parts were made all the more shocking - I was hoping for a thriller that would terrify me and I got it. Like, if any of this happened to me I would just curl into a ball and never move again. I was also pleasantly surprised at how likeable the characters were, especially the narrator, Harlow (a rarity in thrillers!) Highly recommended for anyone who is even remotely interested in the premise, it's that good.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this book for review. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this book for review. All opinions are my own.
November 8, 2024
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
And Don't Look Back is a twisty thriller about Harlow Ford, a teenage girl whose whole life has been spent on the run with her mother Cora. Harlows never spent long in one place and has always lived life, having to pack up at a fast pace and move on as something or someone unknown snaps at their heels.
Cora has always clammed up whenever Harlow questions why they're running, and after the pair start to run from their current home and are in a fatal car accident, which leave Harlow an orphan, Harlow must remember her mums rules and navigate the future alone. The last thing her mum told her was how to find a safe deposit box with her name attached to it. When Harlow accesses it, she finds a shocking bundle of items that lead her back to her mums childhood home.
As Harlow tries to piece fragments together, she is intact putting herself in danger.
I did enjoy the twist in this book and certainly didn't guess several parts within it, which was definitely a bonus.
And Don't Look Back is a twisty thriller about Harlow Ford, a teenage girl whose whole life has been spent on the run with her mother Cora. Harlows never spent long in one place and has always lived life, having to pack up at a fast pace and move on as something or someone unknown snaps at their heels.
Cora has always clammed up whenever Harlow questions why they're running, and after the pair start to run from their current home and are in a fatal car accident, which leave Harlow an orphan, Harlow must remember her mums rules and navigate the future alone. The last thing her mum told her was how to find a safe deposit box with her name attached to it. When Harlow accesses it, she finds a shocking bundle of items that lead her back to her mums childhood home.
As Harlow tries to piece fragments together, she is intact putting herself in danger.
I did enjoy the twist in this book and certainly didn't guess several parts within it, which was definitely a bonus.
June 29, 2025
I have mixed emotions about this book. There were times where it was super good, and then there were times where all I could do was either roll my eyes or yawn. Some of the “plot twists” were good and I didn’t see coming, others were predictable as hell. The book dragged in the middle and Harlow was definitely dumb as shit at times. But she’s a teenage girl, so I can understand where she may be kind of dumb. 2.5 stars.
October 24, 2023
Review coming soon.
October 9, 2023
4.5. Harlow has spent her whole life running, haunted by a threat she doesn’t understand. But when her mother dies in a sudden car crash, Harlow must confront the mystery that has been chasing her for as long as she can remember.
I highly recommend reading while listening to Mother Mother and letting fall air spill through your window.
Thank you to Simon Teen for providing a review copy!
I highly recommend reading while listening to Mother Mother and letting fall air spill through your window.
Thank you to Simon Teen for providing a review copy!
January 19, 2025
It was fine. I powered through more for it being a book club book and wanting to know the secret now that I'd started it, rather than out of any extreme pleasure for the story itself. It was a serviceable mystery that had a few turns I wasn't expecting and was easy enough to read in a few hours, but it lacked a certain oomph to make it really special.
September 30, 2023
I’m really confused by the overall high ratings I’ve seen for this book. I’m all in agreement that some books are just not some peoples cup of tea, so I suppose that was the case here for me.
Harlow and her mom have been on the run her entire life, and now her mom has died, leaving her to fend for herself. She starts looking into her moms past and finds herself digging up a cold case on her missing grandmother. She returns to her mothers hometown and begins doing her own research.
I felt this book was really slow and just drug on after the first 15 pages. The time jumps weren’t interesting enough to keep my attention. Overall this one isn’t going to be in my list of recs.
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted final copy.
Harlow and her mom have been on the run her entire life, and now her mom has died, leaving her to fend for herself. She starts looking into her moms past and finds herself digging up a cold case on her missing grandmother. She returns to her mothers hometown and begins doing her own research.
I felt this book was really slow and just drug on after the first 15 pages. The time jumps weren’t interesting enough to keep my attention. Overall this one isn’t going to be in my list of recs.
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted final copy.
January 19, 2024
It seems like there is no stability in Harrow’s life. Her mother Cora keeps running from something.
And…
Then Cora dies…
And…
Within her things, more questions are left for Harrow to unravel that take her to the very place her mother did not want her to go.
The power of lies and silence make this story a twisty thriller, that doesn’t give away anything until the very end.
Quick and easy read.
And…
Then Cora dies…
And…
Within her things, more questions are left for Harrow to unravel that take her to the very place her mother did not want her to go.
The power of lies and silence make this story a twisty thriller, that doesn’t give away anything until the very end.
Quick and easy read.
February 16, 2024
4.5 stars
This was such an unexpected, chaotic, and twisty thriller!
Going into this book, I didn't really know what to expect, but it certainly wasn't this. Harlow was an engaging main character and I found myself rooting for her throughout the book. Especially for her to have a little bit of peace and happiness....because damn her life had been difficult.
I really enjoyed the mystery itself and the twists were shocking to say the least. At one point I just stared blankly at a wall for some time. This was a great read and I highly recommend reading it with a friend because you will need to discuss it with someone lol.
This was such an unexpected, chaotic, and twisty thriller!
Going into this book, I didn't really know what to expect, but it certainly wasn't this. Harlow was an engaging main character and I found myself rooting for her throughout the book. Especially for her to have a little bit of peace and happiness....because damn her life had been difficult.
I really enjoyed the mystery itself and the twists were shocking to say the least. At one point I just stared blankly at a wall for some time. This was a great read and I highly recommend reading it with a friend because you will need to discuss it with someone lol.
July 25, 2023
This thriller kept me up late to finish and figure out the twisty ending. The story grabbed me right from the start and the surprises kept coming until almost the very end. While this is a YA book, I know it will be a good crossover for adult mystery lovers (like me!).
November 25, 2023
a nice twisty thriller that read super quickly and actually had some pretty satisfying reveals!! let's go lesbians let's go
October 10, 2023
the death of Harlow Ford’s mother brings her to a crossroads; a path to either keep running from the unknown (like her mother, Cora, suggests) or face the mystery head on. with the commonly courageous spirit and invincibility mostly found in teens, 17-year-old Harlow chooses to confront the ghosts of her mother’s past.
the mystery in Rebecca Barrow’s latest thriller is written with the appropriate amount of suspense for the age group it’s intended for; personally I thought there were quite a few aspects of the story that were unrealistically exaggerated for that appeal alone (for example, $15,000 in this economy is basically $150😭 how long can we last on that?!). it didn’t discourage me from finishing the book or make me think less of the narrative — a young biracial girl, unsure of her identity outside of the plethora of aliases given to her by her mother, finally has the opportunity to stop running from whatever is in the past to run into her own future... sadly, her mother has to die in order for that to happen.
this uncertainty of self mixed with the ingrained paranoia of outrunning “some thing” sends Harlow all over the place — figuratively and literally. without the proper space to mourn the death of her mother or experience living a stable life, she is eager to chase the fantasy of a “normal” life that she believes everyone else is fortunate to have. orphaned and alone, Harlow is staying in hotels bruised and battered from a car accident without any stranger expressing concern for her well-being, while trying to free herself of “ghosts” that don’t belong to her. the secrets were captivating to me in the beginning, but as the truth was revealed I smirked with disbelief too many times to count while reading saying “come on! really?!” which was fine until the last page, literally the last, where it became overkill.
I love a good sapphic representation in books, but often times in And Don’t Look Back it read out of place and not necessary for the plot or character development. Even by the end I asked myself what was the point in teasing at sexuality if we’re not going to “look” into it for any of the characters (because there was so much representation without clear intentions). I really would’ve liked it if the author utilized Harlow’s friendship/relationship with Sloane to show her a healthy chance at a connection with someone while living lan authentic life. maybe the author decided including older lesbians in Harlow’s line of vision would help her see herself but it didn’t quite reach… like the idea was there and could’ve been something substantial but it was unclear.
the mystery in Rebecca Barrow’s latest thriller is written with the appropriate amount of suspense for the age group it’s intended for; personally I thought there were quite a few aspects of the story that were unrealistically exaggerated for that appeal alone (for example, $15,000 in this economy is basically $150😭 how long can we last on that?!). it didn’t discourage me from finishing the book or make me think less of the narrative — a young biracial girl, unsure of her identity outside of the plethora of aliases given to her by her mother, finally has the opportunity to stop running from whatever is in the past to run into her own future... sadly, her mother has to die in order for that to happen.
this uncertainty of self mixed with the ingrained paranoia of outrunning “some thing” sends Harlow all over the place — figuratively and literally. without the proper space to mourn the death of her mother or experience living a stable life, she is eager to chase the fantasy of a “normal” life that she believes everyone else is fortunate to have. orphaned and alone, Harlow is staying in hotels bruised and battered from a car accident without any stranger expressing concern for her well-being, while trying to free herself of “ghosts” that don’t belong to her. the secrets were captivating to me in the beginning, but as the truth was revealed I smirked with disbelief too many times to count while reading saying “come on! really?!” which was fine until the last page, literally the last, where it became overkill.
I love a good sapphic representation in books, but often times in And Don’t Look Back it read out of place and not necessary for the plot or character development. Even by the end I asked myself what was the point in teasing at sexuality if we’re not going to “look” into it for any of the characters (because there was so much representation without clear intentions). I really would’ve liked it if the author utilized Harlow’s friendship/relationship with Sloane to show her a healthy chance at a connection with someone while living lan authentic life. maybe the author decided including older lesbians in Harlow’s line of vision would help her see herself but it didn’t quite reach… like the idea was there and could’ve been something substantial but it was unclear.
September 18, 2023
Incredible! Not a dull moment! I am passing this book on as a must read! This is possibly the most unpredictable story I have ever read. Even though I am not happy about the ending, I get it.
December 11, 2023
Mini Audiobook Review: 3.5 - I am not sure how to feel about this book. I enjoyed listening to it but there was nothing really outstanding from it either.
I was hooked on the story to find out why Harlow had to keep running and honestly even as I got to the end I still am not entirely sure why her mother was always on the run? Like things happened that we learned in the end but I just don't understand why it was enough for her to be on the run? Perhaps I missed something?
It is hard to say more about the story without giving away too much. I felt bad for Harlow having to figure out so much without her mom there. I just can't imagine being a kid and having to just up and move and constantly take on new identities. It's a lot for someone young to handle. And she did not prepare Harlow to be an adult at ALLLLLL.
The audiobook was done well & I enjoyed both narrators. That was helpful with the timelines.
Content Warnings from Storygraph:
I was hooked on the story to find out why Harlow had to keep running and honestly even as I got to the end I still am not entirely sure why her mother was always on the run? Like things happened that we learned in the end but I just don't understand why it was enough for her to be on the run? Perhaps I missed something?
It is hard to say more about the story without giving away too much. I felt bad for Harlow having to figure out so much without her mom there. I just can't imagine being a kid and having to just up and move and constantly take on new identities. It's a lot for someone young to handle. And she did not prepare Harlow to be an adult at ALLLLLL.
The audiobook was done well & I enjoyed both narrators. That was helpful with the timelines.
Content Warnings from Storygraph:
September 29, 2023
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I picked up the ARC of this book except that it was a YA mystery/thriller and I typically enjoy those.
This book follows Harlow, who has lived a life on the run with her mother for her entire life. She becomes determined to find out the truth about her life and why her mother has always been someone paranoid and been on the run.
When I pick up a thriller, I expect the story to be pretty fast paced, but this one was actually a fairly slow read. Some of that was definitely my fault since I tend to struggle with third person present tense. The story did seem to get bogged down in parts and it seemed like it took a long time for Harlow to figure out some things that were fairly obvious to me.
I did find the two main twists to be somewhat predictable, but I still liked seeing everything unfold.
I don’t know why, but this was giving me vibes of both House of Hollow and Rory Power’s books, even though none of them are mysteries. They all seem to have similar vibes.
This book follows Harlow, who has lived a life on the run with her mother for her entire life. She becomes determined to find out the truth about her life and why her mother has always been someone paranoid and been on the run.
When I pick up a thriller, I expect the story to be pretty fast paced, but this one was actually a fairly slow read. Some of that was definitely my fault since I tend to struggle with third person present tense. The story did seem to get bogged down in parts and it seemed like it took a long time for Harlow to figure out some things that were fairly obvious to me.
I did find the two main twists to be somewhat predictable, but I still liked seeing everything unfold.
I don’t know why, but this was giving me vibes of both House of Hollow and Rory Power’s books, even though none of them are mysteries. They all seem to have similar vibes.
December 7, 2023
3.75⭐️
And Don’t Look Back spins a mother’s (Cora) paranoia and life on the run with a teen’s (Harlow) burning need to uncover the truth about her family’s past - a coming-of-age story wrapped into a thriller/mystery.
I easily binged this book over 36 hours as I was captivated by Harlow’s journey. She's suddenly alone, navigating a world she cannot trust - haunted by grief, a sense of self, and family history. Harlow is a compelling character and one you want to root for.
The suspenseful plot builds steadily throughout the story. Plenty of twists fill the pages, some I enjoyed more than others. The story includes a sapphic romance, which I don't necessarily think adds much to the overall story, but nevertheless, it's always nice to see.
And Don’t Look Back spins a mother’s (Cora) paranoia and life on the run with a teen’s (Harlow) burning need to uncover the truth about her family’s past - a coming-of-age story wrapped into a thriller/mystery.
I easily binged this book over 36 hours as I was captivated by Harlow’s journey. She's suddenly alone, navigating a world she cannot trust - haunted by grief, a sense of self, and family history. Harlow is a compelling character and one you want to root for.
The suspenseful plot builds steadily throughout the story. Plenty of twists fill the pages, some I enjoyed more than others. The story includes a sapphic romance, which I don't necessarily think adds much to the overall story, but nevertheless, it's always nice to see.
November 5, 2025
Check out review here: https://youtu.be/pUfHzIcA5Jk
Rating: ⭐️⭐️
Summary: Cora and Harlow Ford have been on the run their entire lives. Impulsively leaving when things became too comfortable. While attempting to skip town, Cora is involved in an accident and passes away. Before she dies, she instructs Harlow to a safety deposit box.
Tropes and Themes: deception, toxic family dynamics, hidden secrets, murder.
Thoughts: I was really hopeful as I was looking forward to reading this book. However, I think the book was very slow and there were very subtle plot twists, which came at the ending of the book. I was hoping that it would be more thrilling based on the premise of the book, but it was a traditional mystery with no thrill element. In the same way, I identified a found family as an overall theme as Harlow discovered family she never knew (this was the most shocking twist of the book.) In addition, I was a little confused as to how old Harlow was as some things seemed very unrealistic-1. she was able to buy a car. 2. rent a hotel room. 3. buy a bus ticket all without anyone questioning her legality of age.
However, the plot and the structure of the book was very cohesive. The storyline was written well but it was very predictable. I knew what happened from the beginning of the book until the end. There was only one outlier, but it was created really weak in which it didn't strengthen the plot.
Overall, it was an okay book. I would definitely recommend this for a beginner mystery reader but for those that are not new to reading this genre, it may be too slow.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️
Summary: Cora and Harlow Ford have been on the run their entire lives. Impulsively leaving when things became too comfortable. While attempting to skip town, Cora is involved in an accident and passes away. Before she dies, she instructs Harlow to a safety deposit box.
Tropes and Themes: deception, toxic family dynamics, hidden secrets, murder.
Thoughts: I was really hopeful as I was looking forward to reading this book. However, I think the book was very slow and there were very subtle plot twists, which came at the ending of the book. I was hoping that it would be more thrilling based on the premise of the book, but it was a traditional mystery with no thrill element. In the same way, I identified a found family as an overall theme as Harlow discovered family she never knew (this was the most shocking twist of the book.) In addition, I was a little confused as to how old Harlow was as some things seemed very unrealistic-1. she was able to buy a car. 2. rent a hotel room. 3. buy a bus ticket all without anyone questioning her legality of age.
However, the plot and the structure of the book was very cohesive. The storyline was written well but it was very predictable. I knew what happened from the beginning of the book until the end. There was only one outlier, but it was created really weak in which it didn't strengthen the plot.
Overall, it was an okay book. I would definitely recommend this for a beginner mystery reader but for those that are not new to reading this genre, it may be too slow.
March 30, 2024
Intriguing but the ending dragged on and on.
The twists and reveals became exhausting.
I never thought I’d say there were too many reveals but at a certain point, it felt like too much. I was exhausted.
It’s still devastating and a good story.
The twists and reveals became exhausting.
I never thought I’d say there were too many reveals but at a certain point, it felt like too much. I was exhausted.
It’s still devastating and a good story.
March 12, 2025
I liked this a lot more than I expected too, especially for a YA book. I don't typically read YA anymore but I have a few left on my shelves and needed a quick read for over spring break. Kept my interest and had lots of plot twists that were satisfying to watch come together in the end.
September 28, 2023
"And Don't Look Back" by Rebecca Barrow is a heart-pounding thriller that masterfully weaves together a teenager's search for the truth about her family's past and the secrets her mother left behind. This book is a gripping journey that will keep readers on the edge of their seats and is a must-read for fans of Courtney Summers and Tiffany D. Jackson.
Harlow Ford's life has been a constant whirlwind, marked by endless moves and the shadow of an elusive threat. From town to town, she and her mother have been running, leaving behind not just places but fragments of Harlow's identity. But when a car accident takes her mother's life, Harlow is thrust into a world of secrets and mystery that she never could have anticipated.
The story kicks into high gear when Harlow's dying mother imparts two crucial pieces of information: the location of a safety deposit box key and the command to never stop running. What Harlow discovers inside that box is a game-changer, revealing life-altering secrets about her mother's past, including fake IDs, a substantial amount of cash, and most intriguingly, a photograph of her mother as a teenager with two other girls, one of whom is her grandmother, Eve Kennedy.
Rebecca Barrow excels at creating a suspenseful atmosphere, drawing readers into Harlow's quest to uncover the truth. The book brilliantly explores the dichotomy of choice, as Harlow is faced with the decision to continue fleeing her mother's ghosts or confront the enigmatic threat that has hung over her throughout her life. Harlow's journey is one of self-discovery, resilience, and determination, and readers will find themselves rooting for her every step of the way.
The narrative is skillfully constructed, with each revelation and twist building upon the last, creating an intricate and satisfying mystery. Barrow's writing is evocative, capturing the emotions and tension of the characters as they navigate a web of secrets and lies.
"And Don't Look Back" is a riveting thriller that delves deep into the complexities of family, identity, and the consequences of running from one's past. It's a story that will leave you breathless and eager to turn the next page. Rebecca Barrow has crafted a compelling and suspenseful tale that will keep you guessing until the very end. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys a thrilling and thought-provoking read.
Harlow Ford's life has been a constant whirlwind, marked by endless moves and the shadow of an elusive threat. From town to town, she and her mother have been running, leaving behind not just places but fragments of Harlow's identity. But when a car accident takes her mother's life, Harlow is thrust into a world of secrets and mystery that she never could have anticipated.
The story kicks into high gear when Harlow's dying mother imparts two crucial pieces of information: the location of a safety deposit box key and the command to never stop running. What Harlow discovers inside that box is a game-changer, revealing life-altering secrets about her mother's past, including fake IDs, a substantial amount of cash, and most intriguingly, a photograph of her mother as a teenager with two other girls, one of whom is her grandmother, Eve Kennedy.
Rebecca Barrow excels at creating a suspenseful atmosphere, drawing readers into Harlow's quest to uncover the truth. The book brilliantly explores the dichotomy of choice, as Harlow is faced with the decision to continue fleeing her mother's ghosts or confront the enigmatic threat that has hung over her throughout her life. Harlow's journey is one of self-discovery, resilience, and determination, and readers will find themselves rooting for her every step of the way.
The narrative is skillfully constructed, with each revelation and twist building upon the last, creating an intricate and satisfying mystery. Barrow's writing is evocative, capturing the emotions and tension of the characters as they navigate a web of secrets and lies.
"And Don't Look Back" is a riveting thriller that delves deep into the complexities of family, identity, and the consequences of running from one's past. It's a story that will leave you breathless and eager to turn the next page. Rebecca Barrow has crafted a compelling and suspenseful tale that will keep you guessing until the very end. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys a thrilling and thought-provoking read.
October 24, 2023
I received an ARC from Edelweiss
TW: car accident, referenced abuse, gun violence, PTSD, suffocation (burial)
3.5
There’s a sub-genre of mysteries, particularly in YA, based around girls raised on the run. It’s a trope that always intrigues me, because it seems the answer of why is always different, and it always plays out in a new way. This book is no exception. The questions brought up one by one lead you in a certain, dreadful direction, while keeping the tension high.
And while things are revealed slowly, and easily guide you to the correct answer, there is enough not show to make it surprising by the end.
The biggest issue in this book is the pacing. It’s a very slow story, and it makes it easy to get bored and lose investment in the mystery. What doesn’t help, is the random inclusions of the past, which never seem to add anything worthwhile. There was no reason for the “Before” sections to be added in, since it gives zero payoff. In fact, it undercuts the reveals of the current plot, and vice versa.
TW: car accident, referenced abuse, gun violence, PTSD, suffocation (burial)
3.5
There’s a sub-genre of mysteries, particularly in YA, based around girls raised on the run. It’s a trope that always intrigues me, because it seems the answer of why is always different, and it always plays out in a new way. This book is no exception. The questions brought up one by one lead you in a certain, dreadful direction, while keeping the tension high.
And while things are revealed slowly, and easily guide you to the correct answer, there is enough not show to make it surprising by the end.
The biggest issue in this book is the pacing. It’s a very slow story, and it makes it easy to get bored and lose investment in the mystery. What doesn’t help, is the random inclusions of the past, which never seem to add anything worthwhile. There was no reason for the “Before” sections to be added in, since it gives zero payoff. In fact, it undercuts the reveals of the current plot, and vice versa.
September 30, 2023
And Don’t Look Back is a thriller that gathers pace slowly and results in a story that you do not see coming.
Our story is that of Harlow Ford, a girl who is used to running away. Her mother has taught her from an early age the skills needed to avoid being caught by the elusive presence she fears so much. Harlow is convinced her mother is paranoid…until the day they are in a road traffic accident and her mother’s dying revelation shows Harlow that nothing is what she thought.
What follows might be quite unlikely, but it definitely hooks you and makes you want to know exactly what Harlow’s mother was hiding, why she has over fifteen thousand dollars in a safety deposit box and how she links to the mysterious disappearance of a woman in a town Harlow had never heard of.
Finding things out as Harlow does is crucial to the enjoyment of this book. I wasn’t always convinced by her actions, but it was a great read. Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this prior to publication.
Our story is that of Harlow Ford, a girl who is used to running away. Her mother has taught her from an early age the skills needed to avoid being caught by the elusive presence she fears so much. Harlow is convinced her mother is paranoid…until the day they are in a road traffic accident and her mother’s dying revelation shows Harlow that nothing is what she thought.
What follows might be quite unlikely, but it definitely hooks you and makes you want to know exactly what Harlow’s mother was hiding, why she has over fifteen thousand dollars in a safety deposit box and how she links to the mysterious disappearance of a woman in a town Harlow had never heard of.
Finding things out as Harlow does is crucial to the enjoyment of this book. I wasn’t always convinced by her actions, but it was a great read. Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this prior to publication.
October 12, 2023
Thank you @simonandschuster for a copy of this thriller. This is YA thriller and it got me hooked from the first chapter. Imaging having to live a life on the run, that's what Harlow and her mom had been doing all her life. When Harlow's mom ends up dying, Harlow now must figure out what to do. The story is told in a past timeline and Harlow's POV and it kept me guessing. There are a lot of twists and turns and Harlow has no one to trust.
November 4, 2023
I thought it was going to be much more, but it was just that.
September 25, 2023
I don’t know what I expected when I started to read this book. I glimpsed the blurb, but I didn’t read it thoroughly because I find that blurbs can set a book up for failure if it doesn’t accurately describe what the book was about. Looking at the cover, I thought this book would be a thriller, but ultimately it was more of a character study about a teenage girl who finds herself all alone in the world and must navigate her way through to survive.
For as long as she can remember, Harlow and her mother have been on the run. They have moved from town to town at a moment's notice, changing their identities when Cora, Harlow’s mom, senses danger. What danger is this? Harlow doesn’t know because Cora won’t tell her. Cora also won’t tell Harlow much about her life before Harlow was born, and she won’t let her touch her. Cora loves Harlow very much, but she loves her from a distance. Cora isn’t the hugging kind of mother. All these things, the running, the lying, and the lack of physical emotion, leaves Harlow in a head space full of resentment and uncertainty. She wants to believe her mom, but how can she when her mother never tells her what’s going on. She never lets Harlow in, never lets her get too close. So, when Cora dies in a horrible accident, what is Harlow to do? Should she continue running from whatever they were running from or should she find somewhere to settle down?
The journey and character development for Harlow is really the main focus of this book. There are mystery and thriller elements, but they take a back seat to Harlow’s coming of age story as a lonely distraught young woman in a world where she is invisible. The reader goes along with Harlow on her journey back to her mother’s childhood home to discover what Cora was running from. And, the first step to doing that is finding out what happened to her grandmother Eve.
On Harlow’s journey, there are plenty of new experiences for her, potential dangers, and many threats to her both physically and emotionally. But, there is also hope, love, and a feeling of belonging to both a place and family that Harlow develops. And, we get to experience with her all of these new positive things she’s never had before.
Harlow is an exceptionally vulnerable character. She is easy to love and root for. You want nothing but the best for her as she sets out alone. She can come off having a tiny bit more of teenage angst than she needs, but the reader must remember that her upbringing is quite a jarring way to be raised. How would anyone turn out if they were constantly moving, could plant no roots, and had her mother as her only friend?
This book is filled with twists and turns. The beginning is a slow burn mystery and tragedy while the last quarter of the book is a fast paced thriller. It’s filled with twists and turns. The emotional depth and empathy are turned up to the max and executed to their full potential.
Thank you @turnthepagetours and Margaret K. McElderry Books and Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing for providing this eArc for review. All opinions are my own.
For as long as she can remember, Harlow and her mother have been on the run. They have moved from town to town at a moment's notice, changing their identities when Cora, Harlow’s mom, senses danger. What danger is this? Harlow doesn’t know because Cora won’t tell her. Cora also won’t tell Harlow much about her life before Harlow was born, and she won’t let her touch her. Cora loves Harlow very much, but she loves her from a distance. Cora isn’t the hugging kind of mother. All these things, the running, the lying, and the lack of physical emotion, leaves Harlow in a head space full of resentment and uncertainty. She wants to believe her mom, but how can she when her mother never tells her what’s going on. She never lets Harlow in, never lets her get too close. So, when Cora dies in a horrible accident, what is Harlow to do? Should she continue running from whatever they were running from or should she find somewhere to settle down?
The journey and character development for Harlow is really the main focus of this book. There are mystery and thriller elements, but they take a back seat to Harlow’s coming of age story as a lonely distraught young woman in a world where she is invisible. The reader goes along with Harlow on her journey back to her mother’s childhood home to discover what Cora was running from. And, the first step to doing that is finding out what happened to her grandmother Eve.
On Harlow’s journey, there are plenty of new experiences for her, potential dangers, and many threats to her both physically and emotionally. But, there is also hope, love, and a feeling of belonging to both a place and family that Harlow develops. And, we get to experience with her all of these new positive things she’s never had before.
Harlow is an exceptionally vulnerable character. She is easy to love and root for. You want nothing but the best for her as she sets out alone. She can come off having a tiny bit more of teenage angst than she needs, but the reader must remember that her upbringing is quite a jarring way to be raised. How would anyone turn out if they were constantly moving, could plant no roots, and had her mother as her only friend?
This book is filled with twists and turns. The beginning is a slow burn mystery and tragedy while the last quarter of the book is a fast paced thriller. It’s filled with twists and turns. The emotional depth and empathy are turned up to the max and executed to their full potential.
Thank you @turnthepagetours and Margaret K. McElderry Books and Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing for providing this eArc for review. All opinions are my own.
September 23, 2024
This is tagged as a thriller/suspense. And some people in their reviews said it was marketed as horror too. It's none of those things. Any of the scary things the MC sees (and there are few) are immediately dismissed as her imagining it. There's also a 20yo mystery about her grandmother's disappearance, but it was pretty obvious to readers that she was clearly dead the whole time. There's a mysterious PI that turns out to just be the invested dad of her new friend, but the MC doesn't do any investigation. She's on the run with her mom her whole life and the second her mom dies (which she left her on the side of the road in a car crash, wtf), she goes to the hometown the mom fled from this whole time. But then doesn't actually get any answers unless pretty much handed it on a silver platter.
There's LGBT+ representation (her mom had a lover but ghosted her when she fled town? her aunt is happily married!, and she makes out with her only friend in town just to find out the girl has a semi-bf and says the kiss didn't mean anything soooo) and I think most of the characters aren't fully white but that part isn't super clear on the author's part.
Also, the grandma names her daughters Christina, Cora, Clementine....and Harlow. Lol. Did not stick to the pattern. This part got me. But since the dad wasn't ever in the picture, the twist also didn't matter. Surprise! Her mom was actually her sister.
Read by Jade Wheeler and Kimberly Woods. #booksin24
There's LGBT+ representation (her mom had a lover but ghosted her when she fled town? her aunt is happily married!, and she makes out with her only friend in town just to find out the girl has a semi-bf and says the kiss didn't mean anything soooo) and I think most of the characters aren't fully white but that part isn't super clear on the author's part.
Also, the grandma names her daughters Christina, Cora, Clementine....and Harlow. Lol. Did not stick to the pattern. This part got me. But since the dad wasn't ever in the picture, the twist also didn't matter. Surprise! Her mom was actually her sister.
Read by Jade Wheeler and Kimberly Woods. #booksin24
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 15, 2023
This was a great sapphic spooky mystery thriller. I really enjoyed the twists and the turns. I liked the overall themes of what it means to be haunted and a product of our past secrets. This story has 2 points of views in alternating timelines and I thought it was done well. Sometimes I find two timelines can be confusing and but in this story it actually helped make the suspense more interesting and enjoyable. It helped push the plot forward and made me excited to find out what happened next when the POV would switch. Harlow was a really relatable character. She just wants to know what’s happening and why she has had to hide and be on the run with her mom her whole life. She also just wants a normal life she is a young adult who is also trying to figure out who she is. I also liked Cora’s POV and how we got more insight into the past and what caused the present situation for Harlow.
Overall this was a good eerie thriller that had some predictable twists but then some good surprising twists. It does have darker elements such as death, bodily injury, blood, murder, gun violence, verbal abuse, and child abuse. I do think this was well written and would recommend this. It’s perfect for fall and spooky season.
Huge thank you to Simon Teen for gifting me this ARC
Overall this was a good eerie thriller that had some predictable twists but then some good surprising twists. It does have darker elements such as death, bodily injury, blood, murder, gun violence, verbal abuse, and child abuse. I do think this was well written and would recommend this. It’s perfect for fall and spooky season.
Huge thank you to Simon Teen for gifting me this ARC
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