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The Lightning Girl: A Novel
Not yet published
Expected 8 Dec 26A woman searches for answers about a decades-old missing persons case in this chilling suspense thriller that is perfect for fans of Jennifer McMahon and Ruth Ware.
Thirty years ago, Sarah’s best friend Genevieve survived being struck by lightning. Already a self-proclaimed witch, she said the lightning gave her powers. A teenager’s sense of exaggeration, Sarah thought at the time. Now, returning to her coastal home town after decades away, she thinks about her friend more and more, especially the last night she was seen alive. Genevieve lived through the lightning strike but met her end when one night she slipped and fell off a cliff into an unforgiving sea. Or did she?
After a terrifying vision of her dead best friend, Sarah feels Genevieve is reaching out to her for help and starts to question the narrative of events she has believed for so many years. Searching both her memory of that night on the cliff and uncovering new information that suggests Genevieve may have survived the fall, Sarah becomes determined to uncover the truth about what took place three decades ago. Because if her best friend didn’t die that night after all, what did happen to her?
Thirty years ago, Sarah’s best friend Genevieve survived being struck by lightning. Already a self-proclaimed witch, she said the lightning gave her powers. A teenager’s sense of exaggeration, Sarah thought at the time. Now, returning to her coastal home town after decades away, she thinks about her friend more and more, especially the last night she was seen alive. Genevieve lived through the lightning strike but met her end when one night she slipped and fell off a cliff into an unforgiving sea. Or did she?
After a terrifying vision of her dead best friend, Sarah feels Genevieve is reaching out to her for help and starts to question the narrative of events she has believed for so many years. Searching both her memory of that night on the cliff and uncovering new information that suggests Genevieve may have survived the fall, Sarah becomes determined to uncover the truth about what took place three decades ago. Because if her best friend didn’t die that night after all, what did happen to her?
368 pages, Paperback
Expected publication December 8, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 19, 2026
Mini-Review: Not for me, in part because it felt like three different novels in one: A novel about a woman's unravelling, a podcast thriller, and then a naughty narrator breakneck-paced novel. The core store of the girl who was struck by lightning was ultimately far too irrelevant to the story, and the novel's final few twists didn't pay off for me. Had the novel ended at its second to last chapter, I would've been far more satisfied.
A huge thank you to Atria Books for my gifted copy!
A huge thank you to Atria Books for my gifted copy!
November 26, 2025
I feel like this book has amazing potential but the ending fell short for me. I was kinda lost at what happened. I love the twists and turns I never expected. Half way through the book my jaw literally dropped at one of the twists. I also think the chapter with the podcast could be edited better to depict who is talking because it seemed jumbled up.
Great potential for an amazing thriller novel. Just didn’t completely hit in certain places for me.
Great potential for an amazing thriller novel. Just didn’t completely hit in certain places for me.
January 12, 2026
3093 pages in 45K goal
Thank you to NetGalley, Simon and Shuster & the author, Sam Ripley for the advanced copy of the ebook.
The Lighting Girl is a psychological thriller centered on a woman who returns to her coastal hometown and investigates the decades-old disappearance of her best friend, who was once known as "the lightning girl" after surviving a lightning strike.
The story follows Sarah, who, after years away, moves back to her hometown for a fresh start with her son. Her return brings back haunting memories of her teenage best friend, Genevieve (Gen), who was struck by lightning and subsequently vanished under mysterious circumstances thirty years prior.
I like a good whodunnit and this one had me guessing until the very end. There are also some surprises along the way (I won’t give any away here). I’m new to the author but I would read more of this kind of book. It was easy to read, easy to understand and to follow along.
Solid 3 stars.
Thanks again to NetGalley, Simon and Shuster and the author.
Thank you to NetGalley, Simon and Shuster & the author, Sam Ripley for the advanced copy of the ebook.
The Lighting Girl is a psychological thriller centered on a woman who returns to her coastal hometown and investigates the decades-old disappearance of her best friend, who was once known as "the lightning girl" after surviving a lightning strike.
The story follows Sarah, who, after years away, moves back to her hometown for a fresh start with her son. Her return brings back haunting memories of her teenage best friend, Genevieve (Gen), who was struck by lightning and subsequently vanished under mysterious circumstances thirty years prior.
I like a good whodunnit and this one had me guessing until the very end. There are also some surprises along the way (I won’t give any away here). I’m new to the author but I would read more of this kind of book. It was easy to read, easy to understand and to follow along.
Solid 3 stars.
Thanks again to NetGalley, Simon and Shuster and the author.
December 10, 2025
This had a lot of different vibes and thriller tropes written into one: The Sixth Sense, The Lovely Bones, and Charlie St. Cloud. There were many twists and turns written into this book, and while I found myself really intrigued at finally learning what happened to Gen, I felt underwhelmed by the ending.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Cold Case Redux
A review of the NetGalley ARC eBook of the Atria / Emily Bestler paperback/eBook/audiobook to be published December 8, 2026.
This one goes off on so many different tangents and subgenres that it is hard to imagine what sort of audience it will appeal to. It goes through everything from a return to the past, ghosts or hallucinations, unreliable narrator or psychotic breakdown, dead or missing girl, can you survive a lightning strike, witchcraft or delusion, cold case podcast investigation, serial killer or innocent frameup, vigilante revenge fantasy, until the final shocking flashback reveal.
Sarah Whitehouse returns to her childhood home after 30 years. She is there in order to organize a house sale after the death of her father. Her teenage son Herry* (an irritating nickname choice, every time I saw it I kept thinking it was a typo for Harry or Henry) is along to help out. The location brings back memories of the disappearance of Sarah's childhood best friend Gen (Genevieve) when they were both 17 years-old. Gen had been the survivor of a lightning strike and became convinced she had supernatural witching powers afterwards. Through misadventure, Gen had fallen off a cliffside into the sea and was never seen again. But did she perhaps survive the fall and instead become the victim of a murderer?
I have to imagine this is a very early ARC for a book that is still in the process of being edited. There were still a dozen or so obvious typos which copy editors should have easily corrected. The NetGalley ARC preview will be archived as of July 28, 2026 but the book isn't scheduled to be published until December 8, 2026. Perhaps the final version will make for a more satisfying read. Unfortunately I can't get this into 2 star OK, or 3 star Like territory as it stands. Its meandering nature makes for a 1.5 at best.
My thanks to Atria / Emily Bestler Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advance ARC copy for which I provide this honest review.
Footnote
* Herry is a nickname for Hereward, a name of Anglo-Saxon origin meaning "Guardian of the Army." It is most famously associated with Hereward the Wake (c. 1035 - c. 1072) who fought against the Norman conquest of England. See further background information at First Names.
Soundtrack
I've used it before, but again I couldn't help but think of Hole's rather fierce cover of Donovan's Season of the Witch (orig. 1966) from their rarities album My Body, the Hand Grenade (1997) which you can listen to on YouTube here. The album does not appear to be officially available on Spotify, but a fan has assembled a playlist of some of the available tracks (without Season of the Witch) which you can listen to here.
Trivia and Link
Sam Ripley is the pseudonym of an unidentified author whose only previous novel under that name was The Rule of Three (2024). The publisher's publicity material says that "Sam Ripley is the pseudonym of a bestselling thriller author from the United Kingdom who has sold over a million copies internationally." I am going to guess that those previous sellers were in the YA category as the flashback scenes in The Lightning Girl were very teenage angsty.
A review of the NetGalley ARC eBook of the Atria / Emily Bestler paperback/eBook/audiobook to be published December 8, 2026.
This one goes off on so many different tangents and subgenres that it is hard to imagine what sort of audience it will appeal to. It goes through everything from a return to the past, ghosts or hallucinations, unreliable narrator or psychotic breakdown, dead or missing girl, can you survive a lightning strike, witchcraft or delusion, cold case podcast investigation, serial killer or innocent frameup, vigilante revenge fantasy, until the final shocking flashback reveal.
Sarah Whitehouse returns to her childhood home after 30 years. She is there in order to organize a house sale after the death of her father. Her teenage son Herry* (an irritating nickname choice, every time I saw it I kept thinking it was a typo for Harry or Henry) is along to help out. The location brings back memories of the disappearance of Sarah's childhood best friend Gen (Genevieve) when they were both 17 years-old. Gen had been the survivor of a lightning strike and became convinced she had supernatural witching powers afterwards. Through misadventure, Gen had fallen off a cliffside into the sea and was never seen again. But did she perhaps survive the fall and instead become the victim of a murderer?
I have to imagine this is a very early ARC for a book that is still in the process of being edited. There were still a dozen or so obvious typos which copy editors should have easily corrected. The NetGalley ARC preview will be archived as of July 28, 2026 but the book isn't scheduled to be published until December 8, 2026. Perhaps the final version will make for a more satisfying read. Unfortunately I can't get this into 2 star OK, or 3 star Like territory as it stands. Its meandering nature makes for a 1.5 at best.
My thanks to Atria / Emily Bestler Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advance ARC copy for which I provide this honest review.
Footnote
* Herry is a nickname for Hereward, a name of Anglo-Saxon origin meaning "Guardian of the Army." It is most famously associated with Hereward the Wake (c. 1035 - c. 1072) who fought against the Norman conquest of England. See further background information at First Names.
Soundtrack
I've used it before, but again I couldn't help but think of Hole's rather fierce cover of Donovan's Season of the Witch (orig. 1966) from their rarities album My Body, the Hand Grenade (1997) which you can listen to on YouTube here. The album does not appear to be officially available on Spotify, but a fan has assembled a playlist of some of the available tracks (without Season of the Witch) which you can listen to here.
Trivia and Link
Sam Ripley is the pseudonym of an unidentified author whose only previous novel under that name was The Rule of Three (2024). The publisher's publicity material says that "Sam Ripley is the pseudonym of a bestselling thriller author from the United Kingdom who has sold over a million copies internationally." I am going to guess that those previous sellers were in the YA category as the flashback scenes in The Lightning Girl were very teenage angsty.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Lightning Girl by Sam Ripley is a chilling, atmospheric suspense novel that lingers long after the final page. Blending past and present timelines with an undercurrent of the supernatural, this story delivers an emotionally charged mystery wrapped in coastal gloom and long-buried secrets.
Thirty years ago, Genevieve survived a lightning strike and claimed it awakened powers within her. As teenagers, it was easy to dismiss her proclamations as dramatic exaggeration. But when Sarah returns to her seaside hometown decades later, memories of that night—and of Genevieve’s supposed fatal fall from the cliffs—resurface with haunting intensity. After experiencing a terrifying vision of her long-dead best friend, Sarah begins to question everything she thought she knew.
Ripley excels at building atmosphere. The coastal setting feels wild and unforgiving, mirroring the emotional turbulence beneath the surface of the town’s carefully kept history. The sense of unease grows steadily as Sarah revisits old relationships, confronts fractured memories, and uncovers details that suggest Genevieve may not have died that night after all.
What makes this novel especially compelling is the ambiguity woven throughout. Is there something supernatural at play, or is grief reshaping memory? The tension between rational explanation and eerie possibility keeps the pages turning. The exploration of friendship, guilt, and the stories we tell ourselves to survive adds emotional weight to the mystery.
The pacing is deliberate but rewarding, with a slow-burn build that crescendos into satisfying revelations. Fans of moody, character-driven suspense with a whisper of the uncanny will find much to love here.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Thirty years ago, Genevieve survived a lightning strike and claimed it awakened powers within her. As teenagers, it was easy to dismiss her proclamations as dramatic exaggeration. But when Sarah returns to her seaside hometown decades later, memories of that night—and of Genevieve’s supposed fatal fall from the cliffs—resurface with haunting intensity. After experiencing a terrifying vision of her long-dead best friend, Sarah begins to question everything she thought she knew.
Ripley excels at building atmosphere. The coastal setting feels wild and unforgiving, mirroring the emotional turbulence beneath the surface of the town’s carefully kept history. The sense of unease grows steadily as Sarah revisits old relationships, confronts fractured memories, and uncovers details that suggest Genevieve may not have died that night after all.
What makes this novel especially compelling is the ambiguity woven throughout. Is there something supernatural at play, or is grief reshaping memory? The tension between rational explanation and eerie possibility keeps the pages turning. The exploration of friendship, guilt, and the stories we tell ourselves to survive adds emotional weight to the mystery.
The pacing is deliberate but rewarding, with a slow-burn build that crescendos into satisfying revelations. Fans of moody, character-driven suspense with a whisper of the uncanny will find much to love here.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Finding the right pacing in a mystery can be tricky, and I’m not quite sure this slow burn novel found it. There were many times throughout the novel that felt like stop start. There would be forward momentum that engages the reader only for it to abruptly stop and slow down again. For me, it didn’t leave the desired effect that the author may have had in mind.
30 years ago, Sarah’s best friend went over the side of a cliff and her body was never discovered. Now back in her home town to sell her late father’s home, she begins to have eerie, unexplainable experiences and begins to wonder if Gen really died all those years ago. I liked how the past was interwoven with the present. We get a strong sense of Sarah and Gen’s relationship and a glimpse of Gen, at least from Sarah’s POV. Sarah is not a very compelling character, and perhaps that’s intentional, as Gen is the charismatic ringleader of their adventures. I found it really hard to connect with her.
The twist that appears halfway through the book was a pleasant surprise. I sat at attention and was curious to see where this would lead. I was disappointed when it didn’t really go anywhere. The ending was anticlimactic and rather disappointing as well. Not quite an edge of your seat thriller.
Finding the right pacing in a mystery can be tricky, and I’m not quite sure this slow burn novel found it. There were many times throughout the novel that felt like stop start. There would be forward momentum that engages the reader only for it to abruptly stop and slow down again. For me, it didn’t leave the desired effect that the author may have had in mind.
30 years ago, Sarah’s best friend went over the side of a cliff and her body was never discovered. Now back in her home town to sell her late father’s home, she begins to have eerie, unexplainable experiences and begins to wonder if Gen really died all those years ago. I liked how the past was interwoven with the present. We get a strong sense of Sarah and Gen’s relationship and a glimpse of Gen, at least from Sarah’s POV. Sarah is not a very compelling character, and perhaps that’s intentional, as Gen is the charismatic ringleader of their adventures. I found it really hard to connect with her.
The twist that appears halfway through the book was a pleasant surprise. I sat at attention and was curious to see where this would lead. I was disappointed when it didn’t really go anywhere. The ending was anticlimactic and rather disappointing as well. Not quite an edge of your seat thriller.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster, and Sam Ripley for the advanced ebook copy!
The Lightning Girl is a psychological thriller about a woman who returns to her coastal hometown, and because therapy is expensive and closure is elusive, starts digging into the decades-old disappearance of her best friend. Said best friend was once known as “the lightning girl” after surviving a literal lightning strike… and then vanishing thirty years ago.
Sarah moves back home with her son for a fresh start, but of course, the past is sitting there waiting like, “Miss me?” The mystery slowly unravels through past-and-present threads, and I genuinely kept guessing until the end. There are a few twists I did not see coming (and I will not be That Reviewer who spoils them).
It’s an easy, fast read that’s simple to follow but still delivers the suspense. If you’re a fan of small-town secrets, layered friendships, and that slightly eerie “wait… what is really going on here?” feeling, you’ll enjoy this.
Also, if you love The Sixth Sense energy ( that creeping sense that something isn’t quite adding up ), this will absolutely be your vibe.
I’m new to Sam Ripley, but I’d definitely pick up another book like this.
The Lightning Girl is a psychological thriller about a woman who returns to her coastal hometown, and because therapy is expensive and closure is elusive, starts digging into the decades-old disappearance of her best friend. Said best friend was once known as “the lightning girl” after surviving a literal lightning strike… and then vanishing thirty years ago.
Sarah moves back home with her son for a fresh start, but of course, the past is sitting there waiting like, “Miss me?” The mystery slowly unravels through past-and-present threads, and I genuinely kept guessing until the end. There are a few twists I did not see coming (and I will not be That Reviewer who spoils them).
It’s an easy, fast read that’s simple to follow but still delivers the suspense. If you’re a fan of small-town secrets, layered friendships, and that slightly eerie “wait… what is really going on here?” feeling, you’ll enjoy this.
Also, if you love The Sixth Sense energy ( that creeping sense that something isn’t quite adding up ), this will absolutely be your vibe.
I’m new to Sam Ripley, but I’d definitely pick up another book like this.
Read
January 21, 2026I absolutely loved The Lightning Girl. From the very first pages, this book pulled me in and refused to let go. I truly couldn’t stop reading I swear my jaw dropped dozens of times with all the twists and turns.
Sam Ripley does an incredible job blending suspense, mystery, and emotional depth. The decades-old disappearance of Genevieve is haunting, and the idea that she may not have died after all kept me constantly questioning what I thought I knew. The coastal setting adds a chilling atmosphere that perfectly matches the story’s dark, unsettling tone. Sarah is a compelling narrator, and watching her return to her hometown and confront buried memories made the story feel personal and intense. Every new revelation made me rethink the night Genevieve vanished, and just when I thought I had things figured out, another twist hit.
This novel is gripping, eerie, and beautifully paced. If you enjoy suspense thrillers with shocking revelations and a touch of the supernatural, this is a must-read. Perfect for fans of Jennifer McMahon and Ruth Ware and honestly, for anyone who loves a story that keeps you guessing until the very end.
Sam Ripley does an incredible job blending suspense, mystery, and emotional depth. The decades-old disappearance of Genevieve is haunting, and the idea that she may not have died after all kept me constantly questioning what I thought I knew. The coastal setting adds a chilling atmosphere that perfectly matches the story’s dark, unsettling tone. Sarah is a compelling narrator, and watching her return to her hometown and confront buried memories made the story feel personal and intense. Every new revelation made me rethink the night Genevieve vanished, and just when I thought I had things figured out, another twist hit.
This novel is gripping, eerie, and beautifully paced. If you enjoy suspense thrillers with shocking revelations and a touch of the supernatural, this is a must-read. Perfect for fans of Jennifer McMahon and Ruth Ware and honestly, for anyone who loves a story that keeps you guessing until the very end.
March 24, 2026
When Genevieve is struck by lightning, she lives her life for 30 years beyond that calling herself a witch, asserting the electricity inside the lightning gave her even more supernatural capabilities. Her best friend calls her crazy, used to these declarations of sheer insanity from her bestie. When Genevieve faces her own mortality from falling off a cliffside, Sarah returns home to the site where it all went down and is plagued by conflicting memories and thoughts from those decades in the past. Was her friend REALLY on to something, or up to her usual verbal shenanigans? My favorite parts of this one were the podcast element- something about that trope never gets old to me, and it is usually so juicy and scandalous to portray in a thriller novel. Unfortunately, competing plotlines detracting from that for me and I didn't agree with the need to add QUITE so many components to a story that already had premise. Although this one didn't work out super well for me, the vibes were there, and I think the author did a great job introducing us to a unique thriller. Thanks so much to NetGalley and Atria Books | Atria/Emily Bestler Books for the eARC. All opinions are entirely my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Lightning Girl by Sam Ripley is a slow, atmospheric suspense thriller with small-town secrets, layered friendships, guilt, and emotional survival, blending past and present timelines.
Unfortunately, this didn't work for me; I struggled to connect with the characters, and once again, it felt like I was reading multiple books at once! I was especially confused about the girl Genevieve, who was struck by lightning, as she somehow became far too irrelevant to the story, even though I was intrigued to learn what happened to her. I really wanted to like Sarah, but I just could not connect with her.
While there were some twists and turns, the final few didn't land for me. The mid-way twist was actually good and got me excited, but then it just went nowhere.
I tried, but this book wasn't for me—though I hope it finds its fans because there is potential for it to be someone’s favourite. It’s 2 slow stars from me.
Unfortunately, this didn't work for me; I struggled to connect with the characters, and once again, it felt like I was reading multiple books at once! I was especially confused about the girl Genevieve, who was struck by lightning, as she somehow became far too irrelevant to the story, even though I was intrigued to learn what happened to her. I really wanted to like Sarah, but I just could not connect with her.
While there were some twists and turns, the final few didn't land for me. The mid-way twist was actually good and got me excited, but then it just went nowhere.
I tried, but this book wasn't for me—though I hope it finds its fans because there is potential for it to be someone’s favourite. It’s 2 slow stars from me.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5⭐️ When Sarah and were young,
Gen survived being struck by lightning making her believe she couldn't die only to die by falling off a cliff. Gen believed she was able to cast spells and they seemed to actually work.
Fast forward to years later and Sarah returns home after spending years away and is determined to find out what really happened to her best friend, Genevieve (Gen), after she has a dream about her and the possibility that maybe Gen didn't die when she fell off the cliff.
I was hooked from the beginning with this book and couldn't wait to find out what really happened. The author delivered twist after twist in this book and surprise elements I didn't see coming. I actually chuckled when Sarah's son found an old Ouija board and didn't know what it was.
There's a lot more going on in this town than you think. I enjoyed reading this book and can't wait to read more books from this author.
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.
Gen survived being struck by lightning making her believe she couldn't die only to die by falling off a cliff. Gen believed she was able to cast spells and they seemed to actually work.
Fast forward to years later and Sarah returns home after spending years away and is determined to find out what really happened to her best friend, Genevieve (Gen), after she has a dream about her and the possibility that maybe Gen didn't die when she fell off the cliff.
I was hooked from the beginning with this book and couldn't wait to find out what really happened. The author delivered twist after twist in this book and surprise elements I didn't see coming. I actually chuckled when Sarah's son found an old Ouija board and didn't know what it was.
There's a lot more going on in this town than you think. I enjoyed reading this book and can't wait to read more books from this author.
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Ooh I was really excited when I read the synopsis for this book.
The concept was super interesting and although the twist was really good (barring the very end) I think there were some points lost along the way.
Sarah and her son move back to her hometown, and they are so charming. Her son is inquisitive, and it’s a delightful introduction. We learn about her friend Gen who was struck by lightning and then disappeared years prior. Sarah being the narrator makes the story flow well.
Most certainly eager to read more from this author, as this is such a great genre.
The concept was super interesting and although the twist was really good (barring the very end) I think there were some points lost along the way.
Sarah and her son move back to her hometown, and they are so charming. Her son is inquisitive, and it’s a delightful introduction. We learn about her friend Gen who was struck by lightning and then disappeared years prior. Sarah being the narrator makes the story flow well.
Most certainly eager to read more from this author, as this is such a great genre.
February 9, 2026
This was a tough read. Not because of the plot but because of the writing. I really don’t understand why the author made a big deal about the lightening strike when it really didn’t have much to do with the story.
This felt like two books. I loved part 1. Then it went downhill. Part 1 is the only reason it’s not a one star read for me.
Others may really enjoy it reading is subjective, it was just not for me.
Thanks to Netgalley for an advanced copy for my honest review.
This felt like two books. I loved part 1. Then it went downhill. Part 1 is the only reason it’s not a one star read for me.
Others may really enjoy it reading is subjective, it was just not for me.
Thanks to Netgalley for an advanced copy for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Wow! This book gripped me by the throat and never let go! Sarah is going back to her childhood home and finds old tapes and a Ouija board in the attic which brings back memories of her best friend, Gen--now dead--as they loved to play with it when they were younger. Later she finds a friendship bracelet she gave Gen at the gravesite. How did it get there? There are several mysteries, witchcraft, a podcast, and creepy vibes throughout! Loved it!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
Read
February 6, 2026What sea sad about
its union one
from tower of sun search about y
light take showl over freedom
we have our power over death
what the sad of earth or sand
we feel and talk over death wall
our soul bridg make parphan of jasmin
soul talked about hidden foot step and breath
about jump clife
about cold sea
we find other over many eyes
we tird from painful heart
find y my soulmat
its union one
from tower of sun search about y
light take showl over freedom
we have our power over death
what the sad of earth or sand
we feel and talk over death wall
our soul bridg make parphan of jasmin
soul talked about hidden foot step and breath
about jump clife
about cold sea
we find other over many eyes
we tird from painful heart
find y my soulmat
April 2, 2026
Lightning Girl had me guessing at every twist and turn throughout the story. Was Genevieve a ghost, the spirit of a witch, or the product of Sarah’s disturbed mind? Was Lawrence there is help her, did his wife actually exist, or was he a villain in this story? These and many more questions were filtering through my mind as Sarah encountered one more clue or her brain produced a long lost memory. The characters were complex and driven by their own, often unknown, desires. The dual timeline was excellent flashing back and forth from present day to Sarah’s teenage self. I loved the mystery and the suspense that changed with every clue.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
2 stars--it was OK.
I thought the writing was awkward and the characters didn't feel real. However, there are a couple nice twists, and the plot was pretty solid.
I received this review copy from the publisher on NetGalley. Thanks for the opportunity to read and review; I appreciate it!
I thought the writing was awkward and the characters didn't feel real. However, there are a couple nice twists, and the plot was pretty solid.
I received this review copy from the publisher on NetGalley. Thanks for the opportunity to read and review; I appreciate it!
Want to Read
April 6, 2026I want to thank the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews