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The Boy in the Barn
Their childhood was dominated by pain and fear. They escaped the darkness at first chance, but darkness is a beast that doesn't let go easily, and now it's found them. It will be a battle that will threaten their lives and souls. The time to fight is almost at hand and this time, they can't run.Booklife by Publisher's Weekly Review
The latest from Stone, author of numerous western romance series plus other works, is a compelling small-town thriller in which the lives of a cult leader, a mother, and a long-lost lover get tangled up with the secrets of the past. When Sophie Morgan’s mother dies, she is forced to return to her small hometown in Georgia to handle her mother’s affairs, despite her aversion to spending time on the family’s farm. Bizarre occurrences start happening all around her, and when she’s flooded with memories from her childhood, she must begin to unpack some of her generational trauma. The mystery around her family and their land is uncovered when Sophie reunites with Luke, the love of her life. But while she attempts to reconcile the loss of her mother, Sophie also finds herself face to face with an unexpected evil.The Boy in the Barn is entirely engrossing, although the content, which includes abuse and torture, may be difficult to digest. Stone’s scene-setting finesse and emotional acuity are impressive, and despite a heavy emphasis on violence, she delivers a skillful story powered by crisp dialogue and narrative momentum, using flashbacks to give her characters depth—and provide readers with welcome relief from the intensity of her plot, although at times the characters memories prove wrenching, too.
The joy of this mystery is embedded in its characters, specifically Sophie, a cautious but brave protagonist who will enrapture readers. The fight for good over evil and chaos rings throughout, and readers will cheer for Sophie and Luke’s love to win in the end. The character of Gideon, a most heinous antagonist, is compelling but lacks intricacy. Fans of mystery novels will find familiar plot points, but the narrative’s charm lies in the nuance of Stone’s people’s complex emotions, which make this combination of mystery and romance shine.
Returning to her childhood home reveals a sinister plot against the heroine’s life in this compelling mystery tinged with romance.
___________________________________________________________________________________________"Addictive! Stone knocks it out of the park with a book that will stick with you long after the final page. - Candid Book Review"I have to say that every once in a while, I run across a book that leaves me speechless. This book is one of them. Ms. Stone proves once again that she can write in any genre and produce a winner. " - Amazon Reviewer, Terez Lyle -*Warning for This book contains triggers of physical and psychological abuse, torture and murder., child abuse, child trafficking and sexual abuse. It is not for the faint of heart.
The latest from Stone, author of numerous western romance series plus other works, is a compelling small-town thriller in which the lives of a cult leader, a mother, and a long-lost lover get tangled up with the secrets of the past. When Sophie Morgan’s mother dies, she is forced to return to her small hometown in Georgia to handle her mother’s affairs, despite her aversion to spending time on the family’s farm. Bizarre occurrences start happening all around her, and when she’s flooded with memories from her childhood, she must begin to unpack some of her generational trauma. The mystery around her family and their land is uncovered when Sophie reunites with Luke, the love of her life. But while she attempts to reconcile the loss of her mother, Sophie also finds herself face to face with an unexpected evil.The Boy in the Barn is entirely engrossing, although the content, which includes abuse and torture, may be difficult to digest. Stone’s scene-setting finesse and emotional acuity are impressive, and despite a heavy emphasis on violence, she delivers a skillful story powered by crisp dialogue and narrative momentum, using flashbacks to give her characters depth—and provide readers with welcome relief from the intensity of her plot, although at times the characters memories prove wrenching, too.
The joy of this mystery is embedded in its characters, specifically Sophie, a cautious but brave protagonist who will enrapture readers. The fight for good over evil and chaos rings throughout, and readers will cheer for Sophie and Luke’s love to win in the end. The character of Gideon, a most heinous antagonist, is compelling but lacks intricacy. Fans of mystery novels will find familiar plot points, but the narrative’s charm lies in the nuance of Stone’s people’s complex emotions, which make this combination of mystery and romance shine.
Returning to her childhood home reveals a sinister plot against the heroine’s life in this compelling mystery tinged with romance.
___________________________________________________________________________________________"Addictive! Stone knocks it out of the park with a book that will stick with you long after the final page. - Candid Book Review"I have to say that every once in a while, I run across a book that leaves me speechless. This book is one of them. Ms. Stone proves once again that she can write in any genre and produce a winner. " - Amazon Reviewer, Terez Lyle -*Warning for This book contains triggers of physical and psychological abuse, torture and murder., child abuse, child trafficking and sexual abuse. It is not for the faint of heart.
317 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 24, 2020
1215 people are currently reading
1168 people want to read
About the author
Ciana Stone
135 books257 followersCiana Stone has been reading since the age of three, and wrote her first story at age five. Since then she enjoyed writing as a solitary form of entertainment, before coming out of the closet to share her stories with others. She holds several post graduate degrees and has often been referred to as a professional student. Her latest fields of interest are quantum mechanics and Taoism. When she is not writing (or studying) she enjoys painting (canvas, not walls), sculpting, running, hiking and yoga. She lives with her longtime lover in several locations in the United States.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 160 reviews
December 8, 2020
3.5 stars audio
3 entertaining but happy it's over stars story.
3 entertaining but happy it's over stars story.
December 1, 2020
This might be the worst book I read this year. The more I thought about it, the more I hate it. First, every plot device seemed to be there just for the shock value. Misogyny, physical abuse, sexual abuse, pedophilia, sex trafficking ...if you can name it it was probably in there. Love lost for over 20 years, 5 minutes later grown son finds father and mother is in bed with him. Picture found of lost "brother" no one has seen for 20 years and *poof* he is found, saving lost lover and then sacrificing himself. Lots of items left hanging too. It almost seems like the author had lots of ideas for books and shoved them all into one and then never developed any of them properly. Thankfully the book came from Kindle Unlimited so I didn't pay for it. Sadly, I wasted my time reading it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 9, 2020
Fear is all around the barn. This novel surprised me by the sheer force of the cruelty and evil it possesses. Picking The Boy in the Barn was a bet for me. I wanted the shiver of a thriller, and something more. Well, the book ticked all the boxes!
Dark and twisted, The Boy in the Barn contains triggers and you should be aware of them. I went in totally blind and was shocked a couple of times. Yet, the author doesn’t use difficult subjects for the purpose of shocking. It felt to me as if she was merely reporting the atrocities some people may be faced with. Mental and physical abuse are around us, and not talking about it only reinforces the power of the devil. Yes, the reading can be difficult and uneasy, but it only strengthens the plot and the connection between readers and characters.
Talking about characters. Sophie is a strong and caring woman, a loving mother and good friend. I warmed to her really quickly and was glad to get to know her as chapters revealed what she had been through. They say our childhood makes us who we are. I agree to some extent. Depending on our personalities, we either fight it and learn, or reproduce what has scarred us. Sophie has not let what happened to her define her, but it still does, in more ways than she believes. Her story really is heart-breaking, and this emotional side brought a wonderful layer to the tense and scary plot of the book.
What does fear can do to us? If you want a really good answer to this, read The Boy in the Barn. The book includes a cult and the power of a man upon a crowd. It is scary and outraging. I am not a fan of cults in my novels, but Ciara Stone has created a hell on earth and through this cult, it is easier to understand how much pain and fear someone can bring.
All the characters have been touched one way or another by this cult and the fire fuelling it. If many scenes are graphic or cruel, the novel also brings relief, love, and shows how resilience can make a difference and change lives. Courage is needed, especially when horror is lurking in the corner. Ready to face their demons, Sophie and protagonists I can’t talk about (I know, so vague, hate me!) stand up against the shadow that has been poisoning their days.
The Boy in the Barn is an interesting romance suspense novel with enough tension to keep you turning the pages.
Dark and twisted, The Boy in the Barn contains triggers and you should be aware of them. I went in totally blind and was shocked a couple of times. Yet, the author doesn’t use difficult subjects for the purpose of shocking. It felt to me as if she was merely reporting the atrocities some people may be faced with. Mental and physical abuse are around us, and not talking about it only reinforces the power of the devil. Yes, the reading can be difficult and uneasy, but it only strengthens the plot and the connection between readers and characters.
Talking about characters. Sophie is a strong and caring woman, a loving mother and good friend. I warmed to her really quickly and was glad to get to know her as chapters revealed what she had been through. They say our childhood makes us who we are. I agree to some extent. Depending on our personalities, we either fight it and learn, or reproduce what has scarred us. Sophie has not let what happened to her define her, but it still does, in more ways than she believes. Her story really is heart-breaking, and this emotional side brought a wonderful layer to the tense and scary plot of the book.
What does fear can do to us? If you want a really good answer to this, read The Boy in the Barn. The book includes a cult and the power of a man upon a crowd. It is scary and outraging. I am not a fan of cults in my novels, but Ciara Stone has created a hell on earth and through this cult, it is easier to understand how much pain and fear someone can bring.
All the characters have been touched one way or another by this cult and the fire fuelling it. If many scenes are graphic or cruel, the novel also brings relief, love, and shows how resilience can make a difference and change lives. Courage is needed, especially when horror is lurking in the corner. Ready to face their demons, Sophie and protagonists I can’t talk about (I know, so vague, hate me!) stand up against the shadow that has been poisoning their days.
The Boy in the Barn is an interesting romance suspense novel with enough tension to keep you turning the pages.
June 4, 2020
The Boy in the Barn
I read this book in one day and I have to say it is one of the beast books I have read in a long time 5stars definitely
I read this book in one day and I have to say it is one of the beast books I have read in a long time 5stars definitely
November 22, 2020
Their childhood was dominated by pain and fear and they escaped the darkness at first chance.
But darkness is a beast that doesn't let go easily, and now it's found them. It will be a battle that will threaten their lives and souls.
The time to fight is almost at hand and this time, they can't run.
What a load of bull. This was perhaps one of the worst books I've ever read. It started slow, then it got really bad but I pushed through because I (stupidly) believed the blurb written on the back. Ha! Lies. All lies.
The book doesn't even make sense in places. I couldn't stir up any feelings for any of the poorly written characters. It's just so badly written. It reads like an unedited first attempt at a book. I did skip more and more of it as I neared the end. I had to finish it because I wanted to see if it was as bad as I thought it would be. It was.
No, I'm not recommending it. As a matter of fact, this is one of only two times I can say that I'm throwing it in the trash. It's SO BAD that I don't want to inflict it on anyone else.
But darkness is a beast that doesn't let go easily, and now it's found them. It will be a battle that will threaten their lives and souls.
The time to fight is almost at hand and this time, they can't run.
What a load of bull. This was perhaps one of the worst books I've ever read. It started slow, then it got really bad but I pushed through because I (stupidly) believed the blurb written on the back. Ha! Lies. All lies.
The book doesn't even make sense in places. I couldn't stir up any feelings for any of the poorly written characters. It's just so badly written. It reads like an unedited first attempt at a book. I did skip more and more of it as I neared the end. I had to finish it because I wanted to see if it was as bad as I thought it would be. It was.
No, I'm not recommending it. As a matter of fact, this is one of only two times I can say that I'm throwing it in the trash. It's SO BAD that I don't want to inflict it on anyone else.
February 17, 2020
Could’ve been better
It was slow moving and things were mentioned that played no part in the story, which is always frustrating. It was more of a love story than anything. The ending was rushed. It needed an epilogue.
SPOILERS
What was the point in mentioning explosives were set if you aren’t going to use them?
Why mention the Will was changed if you aren’t going to follow up with what happened with that?
The son was mentioned like crazy at first and pretty much was an afterthought by the end.
Why mention the FBI and Denny sneaking info about the child trafficking, then letting them know where proof is located about her mother’s death, if they’re just going to leave the compound and leave it?
It was slow moving and things were mentioned that played no part in the story, which is always frustrating. It was more of a love story than anything. The ending was rushed. It needed an epilogue.
SPOILERS
What was the point in mentioning explosives were set if you aren’t going to use them?
Why mention the Will was changed if you aren’t going to follow up with what happened with that?
The son was mentioned like crazy at first and pretty much was an afterthought by the end.
Why mention the FBI and Denny sneaking info about the child trafficking, then letting them know where proof is located about her mother’s death, if they’re just going to leave the compound and leave it?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2020
This was a great read! It was not what I expected it was going to be when I chose it to read. Highly recommend!
February 11, 2020
This novel is definitely not for the faint of heart. Just like the book describes. It will make your toes curl badly. But if you like murder mysteries/serial killer novels. This would definitely be for you. It had me by chapter 2 and I didn't want to put it down. But I have to work to do...so yeah.
Wow where to start...
There's back flashes of the past throughout the book and it ties in with everything. The characters are well written. The plot is awesome.
A woman named Sophie has grown up with a dark twisted past. But since she hasn't dealt with all the pain and terrors. She gets frightened very easily. And the weird phone calls she's been getting lately are not helping her at all. Then everything is at a stand still when she meets the love of her life once again. But with that comes a dark past that is bent on making her and his life a living hell... will they survive the horror that is planned for them?
Wow where to start...
There's back flashes of the past throughout the book and it ties in with everything. The characters are well written. The plot is awesome.
A woman named Sophie has grown up with a dark twisted past. But since she hasn't dealt with all the pain and terrors. She gets frightened very easily. And the weird phone calls she's been getting lately are not helping her at all. Then everything is at a stand still when she meets the love of her life once again. But with that comes a dark past that is bent on making her and his life a living hell... will they survive the horror that is planned for them?
March 16, 2020
*****Warning for readers: This book contains triggers of physical and sexual abuse, torture and murder. It is not for the faint of heart.
I would be lying if I didn’t say that this book shocked me to the core, there were moments when I would literally be sat with my hand to my mouth in sheer shock at the graphic detail within the writing but that’s what makes it such a fantastic book.
Ciana has written this with such skill that you feel like you are going through the ordeal with the characters.
There are so many twists and turns it leave your wanting more and more, I could not put it down, every time I tried I couldn’t think about anything else other than to find out what happened next.
I absolutely adored the romance within the book and I think that helped put a lighter edge to the book.
An absolutely recommended read particularly for the thriller fans.
I am very keen to read more books by Ciana Stone
I would be lying if I didn’t say that this book shocked me to the core, there were moments when I would literally be sat with my hand to my mouth in sheer shock at the graphic detail within the writing but that’s what makes it such a fantastic book.
Ciana has written this with such skill that you feel like you are going through the ordeal with the characters.
There are so many twists and turns it leave your wanting more and more, I could not put it down, every time I tried I couldn’t think about anything else other than to find out what happened next.
I absolutely adored the romance within the book and I think that helped put a lighter edge to the book.
An absolutely recommended read particularly for the thriller fans.
I am very keen to read more books by Ciana Stone
July 13, 2020
Quick read
Let’s think of the most horrific thing a person can do to another person and write about that. Of course there is love and family to counter balance but the horror seems contrived. The end of the book seems too sudden and a little too easy. Also does anyone ever copy edit these ebooks? This one is loaded with typos as others I have read also have been. I don’t know what the process is for turning a manuscript into an ebook but apparently it could be improved upon.
Let’s think of the most horrific thing a person can do to another person and write about that. Of course there is love and family to counter balance but the horror seems contrived. The end of the book seems too sudden and a little too easy. Also does anyone ever copy edit these ebooks? This one is loaded with typos as others I have read also have been. I don’t know what the process is for turning a manuscript into an ebook but apparently it could be improved upon.
March 11, 2020
Best book I’ve read this year.Couldn’t put it down. If you like crime thrillers this one is for you. I don’t want to spoil the plot to much but there’s so many twists and turns. The love between the main characters is amazing. It is quite a violent book, I felt sorry for some of the characters what they went through. I can’t wait to read more of Ciana Stones books! Thanks to Love book tours for a copy of the book in exchange for a review!
January 26, 2020
The beginning of the story is horrifying but keep reading the plot, characters and drama will keep you turning can the pages until the very end. As always Ciana Stone delivers a story that grabs your attention and won't let go. Would have liked one more chapter for a peek at the characters future, but we are given our HEA. Don't miss this one!
February 26, 2020
Eh🤷♀️ it was ok. Yeah there were pretty dark themes but to me it didnt live up to the reviews. Predictable- the end was totally expected. It almost felt... unfinished? It was like the author got bored with writing and wrapped up the story just to be done. If you get the book for free, give it a shot; i wouldnt recommend buying it
February 2, 2020
daaaayum this was amazing.. iloved it so much.. i read a lot of ciana's work but this one was darker.. and interesting and fast paced.. i loved it and it made me feel so many emotions and kept me on the edge of my seat. so good!
August 30, 2021
This is a story of long lost love and evil and how the two intertwine. Sophie is raised in a house of evil. She is pregnant and escapes to raise her son alone at age 15 but the evil is still lurking years later with intent to torture and the torture is deadly. The bad has entered her life of goodness and charity when her son joins the Navy.
Enter the hero!
I was somewhat disappointed as I read the book. The story is amazingly good but not,in my opinion well told or edited. It seemed like a combination of Debbie Macomber and Stephen King and that did not work for me
Enter the hero!
I was somewhat disappointed as I read the book. The story is amazingly good but not,in my opinion well told or edited. It seemed like a combination of Debbie Macomber and Stephen King and that did not work for me
November 14, 2020
Didn't deliver
Ok so the very beginning was good, went down hill fast book was confusing and didn't deliver what was said in the blurb.
Ok so the very beginning was good, went down hill fast book was confusing and didn't deliver what was said in the blurb.
November 29, 2020
More a romance than a mystery
Easy reading and a subject not generally tackled by mystery writers. The character development was dull and superficial, but enough to finish the read. The predilections were disturbing and the responses were ridiculous. Certainly, this author has a future touching the taboo void.
Easy reading and a subject not generally tackled by mystery writers. The character development was dull and superficial, but enough to finish the read. The predilections were disturbing and the responses were ridiculous. Certainly, this author has a future touching the taboo void.
November 26, 2020
Didn't feel there was much character development. Seems like the graphic parts were just put in for shock value. Not a fan of this one.
September 30, 2020
"The one thing he'd learned was a given in life was that nothing ever worked out the way you hoped."
Things certainly hadn't worked out for Sophie or the boy she loved. After finding a boy badly beaten, Sophie takes him home with her, where he lives in her parents' barn. She truly loves him and thinks he loves her. But, after he leaves to join the Navy, she never hears from him again.
Fast forward almost twenty years. Sophie has raised her son, Cole, by herself and has worked hard to gain the life she has. Then, everything starts to fall apart. Her past, both the good and the bad, start to catch up with her. Several things happen, including mysterious and threatening phone calls and the burning of her home. "I'm coming for you. I will have my revenge."
I had seen a lot about this book, so when I got the chance for a review copy from Candid Book Reviews, I eagerly grabbed it. But, I have to say that I was disappointed in the book and don't feel like it lived up to the hype surrounding it.
There is a warning that the book contains graphic scenes of torture and abuse and these warnings should be heeded by readers. My complaint about that is that I don't think that the graphic depictions really added anything to the book. It seemed like they were added more for the shock value than as a part of the storyline.
The main characters should have been people that you cared about due to the horrors of their pasts, but I just couldn't find myself really caring about them. In my opinion, the author did not make them real enough to make them special. They were actually rather two dimension.
A lot of the story was just too convenient, with coincidence after coincidence. After almost twenty years of no communication, the main characters find each other at just the right time. There was a cult (I think) led by a madman, but there was enough written about this group for it to really make sense.
Then, we have the introduction of another tortured soul over halfway through the book with no real explanation of where he fit into the whole thing. This character becomes an integral part of the ending, but I didn't really understand where he fit in. And the ending? Instead of feeling gratified by it, I felt let down by the quickness of the conclusion.
All in all, I found this to be a very difficult book to review fairly. It felt like a jumble of several different stories that the author decided to throw together in one book. It was a fast read, so at least I didn't feel like I had wasted time on reading it.
Things certainly hadn't worked out for Sophie or the boy she loved. After finding a boy badly beaten, Sophie takes him home with her, where he lives in her parents' barn. She truly loves him and thinks he loves her. But, after he leaves to join the Navy, she never hears from him again.
Fast forward almost twenty years. Sophie has raised her son, Cole, by herself and has worked hard to gain the life she has. Then, everything starts to fall apart. Her past, both the good and the bad, start to catch up with her. Several things happen, including mysterious and threatening phone calls and the burning of her home. "I'm coming for you. I will have my revenge."
I had seen a lot about this book, so when I got the chance for a review copy from Candid Book Reviews, I eagerly grabbed it. But, I have to say that I was disappointed in the book and don't feel like it lived up to the hype surrounding it.
There is a warning that the book contains graphic scenes of torture and abuse and these warnings should be heeded by readers. My complaint about that is that I don't think that the graphic depictions really added anything to the book. It seemed like they were added more for the shock value than as a part of the storyline.
The main characters should have been people that you cared about due to the horrors of their pasts, but I just couldn't find myself really caring about them. In my opinion, the author did not make them real enough to make them special. They were actually rather two dimension.
A lot of the story was just too convenient, with coincidence after coincidence. After almost twenty years of no communication, the main characters find each other at just the right time. There was a cult (I think) led by a madman, but there was enough written about this group for it to really make sense.
Then, we have the introduction of another tortured soul over halfway through the book with no real explanation of where he fit into the whole thing. This character becomes an integral part of the ending, but I didn't really understand where he fit in. And the ending? Instead of feeling gratified by it, I felt let down by the quickness of the conclusion.
All in all, I found this to be a very difficult book to review fairly. It felt like a jumble of several different stories that the author decided to throw together in one book. It was a fast read, so at least I didn't feel like I had wasted time on reading it.
February 5, 2020
The Boy in the Barn quite literally wore me out at times. It's incredibly dark and twisted, and I would advise taking the warning in the blurb seriously because it does not exaggerate. The story is disturbing to the point that I had to walk away more than once just for a bit of a palate cleanser before diving back in. And there was never a doubt that I would dive back in because I had to see how it would all play out for Sophie.
There are several things that are predictable, and more often than not, that would bother me, but that's really not what this one is all about. So, yes, I saw some things coming, but guessing those things ahead of time didn't spoil anything for me. Instead, it was more like watching a horror movie and just knowing the monster is going to jump out, but you sit on the edge of your seat, glued to the screen, and jump like you've been shot when it actually happens.
You simply can not read this book and not be shocked, appalled, even sickened at times because there are no monsters hiding under the bed to rival the evils that men do, and Ciana Stone gives us one that is truly nightmare-inducing. Thankfully, Ms Stone does give us something to hope for, a possible light at the end of a pitch-black tunnel with a bit of romance. And I have to say, that I had my doubts about any light as this story progressed.
To avoid spoilers, I won't go into the characters other than Sophie, who is an absolutely terrific character. She's a brilliant combination of loving, strong, determined, considerate, and completely loyal to those dear to her. Sophie's sweetness is one of the things that make this story so hard to take at times. For such a good person to come from so much horror is a testament to what people are capable of when they know real love. I'll also add that the author tells this one from three perspectives, including Sophie's, and it's up to you to figure out the other two as you read.
To sum it up, this is one of the darkest stories I've read in a long time, and as I mentioned, I did have to walk away a few times. It's also wonderfully written, and regardless of how many times I walked away, the story was never far from my mind. There's something thoroughly compelling about this one, and it's one I won't soon forget.
There are several things that are predictable, and more often than not, that would bother me, but that's really not what this one is all about. So, yes, I saw some things coming, but guessing those things ahead of time didn't spoil anything for me. Instead, it was more like watching a horror movie and just knowing the monster is going to jump out, but you sit on the edge of your seat, glued to the screen, and jump like you've been shot when it actually happens.
You simply can not read this book and not be shocked, appalled, even sickened at times because there are no monsters hiding under the bed to rival the evils that men do, and Ciana Stone gives us one that is truly nightmare-inducing. Thankfully, Ms Stone does give us something to hope for, a possible light at the end of a pitch-black tunnel with a bit of romance. And I have to say, that I had my doubts about any light as this story progressed.
To avoid spoilers, I won't go into the characters other than Sophie, who is an absolutely terrific character. She's a brilliant combination of loving, strong, determined, considerate, and completely loyal to those dear to her. Sophie's sweetness is one of the things that make this story so hard to take at times. For such a good person to come from so much horror is a testament to what people are capable of when they know real love. I'll also add that the author tells this one from three perspectives, including Sophie's, and it's up to you to figure out the other two as you read.
To sum it up, this is one of the darkest stories I've read in a long time, and as I mentioned, I did have to walk away a few times. It's also wonderfully written, and regardless of how many times I walked away, the story was never far from my mind. There's something thoroughly compelling about this one, and it's one I won't soon forget.
April 30, 2020
This book wasn’t anything like any other book Ms. Stone has written. The beginning of the book is very gruesome and hard to read and they were very few moments of joy. In fact, there were so many times that I cringed and wanted to stop reading, but I also needed to find out what happened and how everything was resolved.
Sophie is probably one of the strongest characters I have read in a long time. You get glimpses of what her childhood was like and it was definitely not pretty. Her father was very abusive to not only her mother but herself. When she meets a young man in the bar at her house she instantly be friends him and they fall in love. When he goes away she believes he is going to keep in contact but he never makes contact again. She is raising her son alone and has a loving yet strained relationship with her mother. When she gets news that her mother and stepfather have passed away she goes to her hometown again to sort through her mothers house.
Luke is in the military and is on leave because of an injury sustained during deployment. He is going around notifying families of comrades who have passed away serving their country and reading letters from a person that were returned to sender.
You soon find out that Luke is the boy from the barn and the father of her son. When they see each other again, the connection is still there, but they are afraid to hope that this will last. When she starts receiving weird calls and strange things start occurring, that can’t figure out who is doing it. Just when they think everything is going to be ok, she gets kidnapped. Who takes her and why is shocking and disturbing. What the person’s intentions with Sophie are are horrendous. Her dad is a truly horrible person and I don’t think I have hated a character as much as him.
If you like gripping, thrilling, even diabolical reads, this is for you. I highly recommend this book. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest, voluntary review.
Sophie is probably one of the strongest characters I have read in a long time. You get glimpses of what her childhood was like and it was definitely not pretty. Her father was very abusive to not only her mother but herself. When she meets a young man in the bar at her house she instantly be friends him and they fall in love. When he goes away she believes he is going to keep in contact but he never makes contact again. She is raising her son alone and has a loving yet strained relationship with her mother. When she gets news that her mother and stepfather have passed away she goes to her hometown again to sort through her mothers house.
Luke is in the military and is on leave because of an injury sustained during deployment. He is going around notifying families of comrades who have passed away serving their country and reading letters from a person that were returned to sender.
You soon find out that Luke is the boy from the barn and the father of her son. When they see each other again, the connection is still there, but they are afraid to hope that this will last. When she starts receiving weird calls and strange things start occurring, that can’t figure out who is doing it. Just when they think everything is going to be ok, she gets kidnapped. Who takes her and why is shocking and disturbing. What the person’s intentions with Sophie are are horrendous. Her dad is a truly horrible person and I don’t think I have hated a character as much as him.
If you like gripping, thrilling, even diabolical reads, this is for you. I highly recommend this book. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest, voluntary review.
July 2, 2020
WARNING!!! not for the faint of heart. It is graphic and thorough and it was so hard to put down. I was through in a couple of hours. This is one of the best books I've read in a while.
October 5, 2020
Got through the book fairly quickly and generally felt the story moved at a good pace however the ending felt a bit rushed and unrealistic. All the action sort of happened towards the end and I didn't like how Sophie didn't seem to worry for her safety through most of the book even with direct threats to her life. Would probably make a decent movie and the trigger disclaimer the book came with made the book sound worse than it actually was.
June 21, 2020
Start was great!!!
Book started great but then turned very sophomoric. Would have been much better if characters would have been more believable at the end. I skimmed through as it turned way to cheesy.
Book started great but then turned very sophomoric. Would have been much better if characters would have been more believable at the end. I skimmed through as it turned way to cheesy.
February 18, 2021
Overall I did enjoy this book however I must admit to being disappointed by how it panned out.
The opening of the book was definitely worthy of the trigger warning. The story started dark & with a real threat of anything can happen. As the story unfolded there was a sense of suspense about what happened to the boy in the barn & how it links with the cult storyline. However this was all over after the first 100 pages. Any twists were really predictable & I did find myself half way through thinking how was the story going to surprise me as I had it all figured out.
That being said the story was enjoyable (as much as a dark story can be!) & was fast paced - I managed to finish this book within 4 hours! I would not recommend if you enjoy being surprised by the twists and turns of books within the thriller genre as you will end up being disappointed. There is a character who is briefly mentioned towards 2/3 into the book & then helps solve the day - this is almost like a plot device rather than to cause any real impact on us as readers which was another missed opportunity in my opinion.
The romance story between two of the protagonists (will try to avoid spoilers) I felt was meant to pack an emotional punch by their deep connection but I did find this was not achieved. The dialogue between them was very cheesy for what was meant to be a dark book featuring tortured & flawed characters. If it was meant to be a shining light in a dark storyline then I felt it ultimately missed the mark . I found myself being emotionally attached to these people as individuals rather than as a couple.
This is a good read if you have a spare Sunday afternoon - definitely be aware of the trigger warnings as there is some dark elements that make you need to take a breath. However do not expect to be surprised or on the edge of your seat as by the final chapters you sort of lose any sense of any risk or anything bad happening to the characters you are attached to.
The opening of the book was definitely worthy of the trigger warning. The story started dark & with a real threat of anything can happen. As the story unfolded there was a sense of suspense about what happened to the boy in the barn & how it links with the cult storyline. However this was all over after the first 100 pages. Any twists were really predictable & I did find myself half way through thinking how was the story going to surprise me as I had it all figured out.
That being said the story was enjoyable (as much as a dark story can be!) & was fast paced - I managed to finish this book within 4 hours! I would not recommend if you enjoy being surprised by the twists and turns of books within the thriller genre as you will end up being disappointed. There is a character who is briefly mentioned towards 2/3 into the book & then helps solve the day - this is almost like a plot device rather than to cause any real impact on us as readers which was another missed opportunity in my opinion.
The romance story between two of the protagonists (will try to avoid spoilers) I felt was meant to pack an emotional punch by their deep connection but I did find this was not achieved. The dialogue between them was very cheesy for what was meant to be a dark book featuring tortured & flawed characters. If it was meant to be a shining light in a dark storyline then I felt it ultimately missed the mark . I found myself being emotionally attached to these people as individuals rather than as a couple.
This is a good read if you have a spare Sunday afternoon - definitely be aware of the trigger warnings as there is some dark elements that make you need to take a breath. However do not expect to be surprised or on the edge of your seat as by the final chapters you sort of lose any sense of any risk or anything bad happening to the characters you are attached to.
February 6, 2020
First, I want to thank Ciana Stone for providing me with this book so I may bring you this review.
Dang!! Boy in the Barn was the darkest books that Ciana Stone has ever written. I have been a huge fan of hers and knows that she writes in multiple genres (one reason she is one of my favorite authors). However, this one is unlike any of the other ones she has written before. I a very extremely open-minded reader but there were times when she shocked the heck out of me! I had to make sure this was a Ciana book. Yup, no hot cowboys in this one lol!
This book contains triggers so please keep this in mind when deciding to read Ciana’s book. The Boy in the Barn contains physical and sexual abuse, of torture and murder. It also deals with child abuse and sex trafficking. This book is not for the faint of heart.
From the first few pages I was totally shocked out of my mind. Then I thought oh how I wish this could have happened to one of my exes! But wow that must have hurt!!
There was one scene that was very prudish even for Ciana that I had to laugh like crazy! I can’t give it away! Let’s just say it involved anal sex.
I will admit I was not a fan of the cult or what happened in the cult. Some of the scenes were extremely graphic and my heart went out to those who were affected by it. I would definitely read from Ciana if she continues this path-but some scenes were little too much.
What I did love was the amazing love story in this book. Yes, she found away to get a love story in here.
If you have read her books in the past you know that she loves the Navy Seals. There is a storyline about this as well.
Dang!! Boy in the Barn was the darkest books that Ciana Stone has ever written. I have been a huge fan of hers and knows that she writes in multiple genres (one reason she is one of my favorite authors). However, this one is unlike any of the other ones she has written before. I a very extremely open-minded reader but there were times when she shocked the heck out of me! I had to make sure this was a Ciana book. Yup, no hot cowboys in this one lol!
This book contains triggers so please keep this in mind when deciding to read Ciana’s book. The Boy in the Barn contains physical and sexual abuse, of torture and murder. It also deals with child abuse and sex trafficking. This book is not for the faint of heart.
From the first few pages I was totally shocked out of my mind. Then I thought oh how I wish this could have happened to one of my exes! But wow that must have hurt!!
There was one scene that was very prudish even for Ciana that I had to laugh like crazy! I can’t give it away! Let’s just say it involved anal sex.
I will admit I was not a fan of the cult or what happened in the cult. Some of the scenes were extremely graphic and my heart went out to those who were affected by it. I would definitely read from Ciana if she continues this path-but some scenes were little too much.
What I did love was the amazing love story in this book. Yes, she found away to get a love story in here.
If you have read her books in the past you know that she loves the Navy Seals. There is a storyline about this as well.
January 9, 2020
Once again, Ciana Stone has gifted us with a truly unbelievable read...and it’s not at all what one might think it to be. Before you start reading this book, you need to ask yourself if you’re strong enough to stomach the horror this book spews. This is not some backwards community that has a crazy religious cult that you’re going to get a peek at some of their weirdness. This is a gut wrenching tale of horrific pain and evilness perpetrated against innocent men, women and children by an insane leader who considers himself their lord and master. You WILL need tissues. You WILL need a wastebasket (in case you need to throw up). You WILL need to find your faith...
Having said all that, The Boy in the Barn has to be one of the most spectacular—yet graphic—books I’ve read. While it guts you in the beginning, our faith in our fellow man is redeemed as the storyline progresses. Character development is exquisite; plot twists and turns suck the air right out of your lungs; and when you almost throw in the towel, a truly amazing HEA rises up from all the pain and anguish to once again restore our faith in our fellow man—and ultimately in love. (I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book and it totally stole my breath away!)
Having said all that, The Boy in the Barn has to be one of the most spectacular—yet graphic—books I’ve read. While it guts you in the beginning, our faith in our fellow man is redeemed as the storyline progresses. Character development is exquisite; plot twists and turns suck the air right out of your lungs; and when you almost throw in the towel, a truly amazing HEA rises up from all the pain and anguish to once again restore our faith in our fellow man—and ultimately in love. (I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book and it totally stole my breath away!)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 14, 2020
Well Cianna has done it again. A fabulous read that keeps you on the edge of your seat as well as being a page turner. This romantic suspense thriller is out there Samuel Johnson is evil from head to toe. Millie was his wife she was forced to marry him when she was young and he was already old, from the time Millie's father paid him and even before he treated her like dirt and then when the Sophie was born she was treated just as badly and so was her older brother from a previous marriage. One day Sophie and her dog were out walking they were not suppose to go near the old abandoned barn but she did and found a boy there who was beaten so badly that she thought he would die he didn't, from that time on she and Luke were the best of friends and then he fell in love. Leo left when he was old enough he swore he would come back for Sophie she never heard from him. She realized that she couldn't stay either and begged her mom to come with her but she wouldn't. Her mom gave her tip which she wisely listened to and started a future for herself. Great story line. Lots of action. Characters were excellent. I was given an ARC by arthor without obligation. I am providing an honest review.
March 12, 2020
Wow what a book! This was a darker book than I thought it was going to be and from the start I was hooked.
This really is a dark and twisted book, and there are quite a few triggers - physical and sexual abuse, torture/murder and it also deals with child abuse and sex trafficking. This book is not for the faint of heart, but I have to admit though it may be dark, the characters were strong and the story fast paced and honestly had me hooked.
I found Gideon/Samuel hard to stomach, with good reason since he was at the forefront of the abuse to Sophie growing up and also the continuation within his cult like status of being Father. Despite all the evil within the pages, there is a love story blooming in the dark and that alone was enough to keep the dark at bay just enough. Thinking the father of her son had given up on her all those years ago they reconnect by a fluke chance when her son Cole joins the SEALs academy, I could see where the story plot was going to with this, and loved that Ciana Stone managed to make this a HEA.
The Boy in the Barn was my first book by Ciana Stone and it definitely will not be my last!
4 stars
This really is a dark and twisted book, and there are quite a few triggers - physical and sexual abuse, torture/murder and it also deals with child abuse and sex trafficking. This book is not for the faint of heart, but I have to admit though it may be dark, the characters were strong and the story fast paced and honestly had me hooked.
I found Gideon/Samuel hard to stomach, with good reason since he was at the forefront of the abuse to Sophie growing up and also the continuation within his cult like status of being Father. Despite all the evil within the pages, there is a love story blooming in the dark and that alone was enough to keep the dark at bay just enough. Thinking the father of her son had given up on her all those years ago they reconnect by a fluke chance when her son Cole joins the SEALs academy, I could see where the story plot was going to with this, and loved that Ciana Stone managed to make this a HEA.
The Boy in the Barn was my first book by Ciana Stone and it definitely will not be my last!
4 stars
January 25, 2020
Please heed the warning. This book is not for the faint of heart. I, admittedly, am faint of heart. After the first few pages, I could only think, "Can I really read this?" There were a number of moments of tough going in this book. To the point that I often had to put it down, read something more lighthearted and come back to it.
Ciana Stone continually shows her range of talent. I felt the fear, the unease, the evil. This book was well written, and it may take you to a place you don't want to go. I don't know if I could, or would want to read something like this again. Even Luke and Sophie's HEA is tinged with a bit of despair and a slightly gruesome situation. I was exhausted by the time I finished this book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed the Advanced Reader Copy of this book. Although well written, if this is a series, I may have to take a pass and stick to the author's other books.
***Update...I just read that this was a standalone story. Not the beginning of a series.***
Ciana Stone continually shows her range of talent. I felt the fear, the unease, the evil. This book was well written, and it may take you to a place you don't want to go. I don't know if I could, or would want to read something like this again. Even Luke and Sophie's HEA is tinged with a bit of despair and a slightly gruesome situation. I was exhausted by the time I finished this book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed the Advanced Reader Copy of this book. Although well written, if this is a series, I may have to take a pass and stick to the author's other books.
***Update...I just read that this was a standalone story. Not the beginning of a series.***
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