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Gutted
A mother's worst nightmare becomes reality.
Lana Wexler is a dock worker on the Cliff Island Sea Farm. She's tough and independent, but she is afraid she doesn't have what it takes to be a single mom. Full of anxiety, she travels from her home to a state-of-the-art medical facility built on a floating ecopolis to give birth to her first child.
She believes she is in a safe place, under the care of one of the top physicians in the world. For weeks her child undergoes testing with no end in sight. Finally, frustrated and exhausted, Lana insists on going home.
Instead of being released, she finds herself locked away and her newborn baby taken. Lana will do anything to get her child back but, first, she has to find a way out of her high-tech prison.
Lana Wexler is a dock worker on the Cliff Island Sea Farm. She's tough and independent, but she is afraid she doesn't have what it takes to be a single mom. Full of anxiety, she travels from her home to a state-of-the-art medical facility built on a floating ecopolis to give birth to her first child.
She believes she is in a safe place, under the care of one of the top physicians in the world. For weeks her child undergoes testing with no end in sight. Finally, frustrated and exhausted, Lana insists on going home.
Instead of being released, she finds herself locked away and her newborn baby taken. Lana will do anything to get her child back but, first, she has to find a way out of her high-tech prison.
230 pages, Paperback
Published December 4, 2020
2 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
Nicole L. Bates
7 books29 followersNicole is the author of science fiction and fantasy adventures. The Leron Series includes Empyrean, Empyrean's Fall, and Empyrean's Future. Her science fiction standalone suspense novel Gutted is now available! You can follow Nicole L. Bates on Facebook, Twitter, BookBub, Instagram, or sign up for her Author Newsletter to receive updates on new book releases, book promotions, and special giveaways for book related merchandise!
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 21, 2021
This book pulled at my mother heart strings. Plot in short: Light Sci Fi setting with a mom fighting to find her lost child. Nicole’s writing style is always easy for me to read and become immersed into the world she’s writing in. She also really pulls the emotions of the characters forward really well. I’d definitely recommend this book especially if you’re looking for a stand alone story or a quick read.
Just a few trigger warnings for the book: pregnancy loss, attempted rape.
Just a few trigger warnings for the book: pregnancy loss, attempted rape.
May 12, 2021
Fantastic read
I loved this book!! I could see everything playing out like a movie complete with vivid detail. The writing was that good. Detailed yet not patronizing. Excellent action. Well paced, believable mystery. Main character is amazing!! I love her strength and unwavering devotion. The action is excellent and written to the point if being well choreographed but not gross or graphic. Amazing balance that a lot of writers never achieve!!
Some typos, mostly in the last 1/4 of the book.
The end felt rushed compared to the rest of the book. Went from omg I can't stop reading to omg, what's the hurry.
Trigger warnings:
Miscarriage, child loss, infertility, violence against women.
I loved this book!! I could see everything playing out like a movie complete with vivid detail. The writing was that good. Detailed yet not patronizing. Excellent action. Well paced, believable mystery. Main character is amazing!! I love her strength and unwavering devotion. The action is excellent and written to the point if being well choreographed but not gross or graphic. Amazing balance that a lot of writers never achieve!!
Some typos, mostly in the last 1/4 of the book.
The end felt rushed compared to the rest of the book. Went from omg I can't stop reading to omg, what's the hurry.
Trigger warnings:
Miscarriage, child loss, infertility, violence against women.
December 8, 2020
Gutted is now available!
Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NFKW24V
Barnes and Noble: https://m.barnesandnoble.com/w/gutted...
A mother's worst nightmare becomes reality.
Lana Wexler is a dock worker on the Cliff Island Sea Farm. She's tough and independent, but she is afraid she doesn't have what it takes to be a single mom. Full of anxiety, she travels from her home to a state-of-the-art medical facility built on a floating ecopolis to give birth to her first child.
She believes she is in a safe place, under the care of one of the top physicians in the world. For weeks her child undergoes testing with no end in sight. Finally, frustrated and exhausted, Lana insists on going home.
Instead of being released, she finds herself locked away and her newborn baby taken. Lana will do anything to get her child back but, first, she has to find a way out of her high-tech prison.
Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NFKW24V
Barnes and Noble: https://m.barnesandnoble.com/w/gutted...
A mother's worst nightmare becomes reality.
Lana Wexler is a dock worker on the Cliff Island Sea Farm. She's tough and independent, but she is afraid she doesn't have what it takes to be a single mom. Full of anxiety, she travels from her home to a state-of-the-art medical facility built on a floating ecopolis to give birth to her first child.
She believes she is in a safe place, under the care of one of the top physicians in the world. For weeks her child undergoes testing with no end in sight. Finally, frustrated and exhausted, Lana insists on going home.
Instead of being released, she finds herself locked away and her newborn baby taken. Lana will do anything to get her child back but, first, she has to find a way out of her high-tech prison.
December 23, 2020
A full 5 stars for this amazing book ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you Nicole for gifting it to me❤️
The story takes place in a futuristic/mildly dystopian version of our world - improved technology, everyone registered and identified by chip implants in their arm, plus a world where very few child births occur smoothly (most babies are either stillborn or born with complications).
We follow Lana Wexler (a dock worker in a sea farm) - her newborn child is stolen by the very physicians she trusted to take care of them, and she's locked up against her will in a technological fortress.
It's a race against time for Lana, with the help of unexpected allies, to unravel the true story and find her child.
Things I loved
✍️ The writing was perfect! It conveyed amazing details to imagine the scene visually, but was never too meandering or excessive
☕ Was extremely gripping! I meant to read this over the course of a week, and I finished it in one sitting
💫 Amazing and understandable characters! Lana's courage and determination to get back her child was heart-touching ❤️ I especially loved the characters who helped her out, it really brought out humanity to the fore, something extremely necessary for a storyline such as this!
Thank you Nicole for gifting it to me❤️
The story takes place in a futuristic/mildly dystopian version of our world - improved technology, everyone registered and identified by chip implants in their arm, plus a world where very few child births occur smoothly (most babies are either stillborn or born with complications).
We follow Lana Wexler (a dock worker in a sea farm) - her newborn child is stolen by the very physicians she trusted to take care of them, and she's locked up against her will in a technological fortress.
It's a race against time for Lana, with the help of unexpected allies, to unravel the true story and find her child.
Things I loved
✍️ The writing was perfect! It conveyed amazing details to imagine the scene visually, but was never too meandering or excessive
☕ Was extremely gripping! I meant to read this over the course of a week, and I finished it in one sitting
💫 Amazing and understandable characters! Lana's courage and determination to get back her child was heart-touching ❤️ I especially loved the characters who helped her out, it really brought out humanity to the fore, something extremely necessary for a storyline such as this!
January 7, 2021
Sci-fi mystery that kept me reading late into the night! I finished this in one sitting, so it's definitely a page turner. I'm still wanting to know what happens after the ending! The hallmark of a good story is caring about the characters.
Character Development: Lana Wexler is tough and resilient. I can't imagine going through her ordeals, but it was a nice departure from what's going on in the real world these days. Believable villains and heartwarming friendships abound. The only confusing connection was with Simon, a local doctor.
World Building: A future where technology and identity are one, and reproduction is at stake. I was fascinated by the architectural descriptions, fully immersive.
Writing Style: Accessible and engaging, suitable for YA and up. I adore this author: I don't think it's possible for her to write a bad book!
Potential trigger warnings: attempted rape, child abduction
Character Development: Lana Wexler is tough and resilient. I can't imagine going through her ordeals, but it was a nice departure from what's going on in the real world these days. Believable villains and heartwarming friendships abound. The only confusing connection was with Simon, a local doctor.
World Building: A future where technology and identity are one, and reproduction is at stake. I was fascinated by the architectural descriptions, fully immersive.
Writing Style: Accessible and engaging, suitable for YA and up. I adore this author: I don't think it's possible for her to write a bad book!
Potential trigger warnings: attempted rape, child abduction
May 5, 2021
This one had slight Handmaid's Tale vibes without the heavy religion. But climate crisis and fertility issues make it a realistic future especially in today's world. Lana has just given birth to her first child and find's herself locked up and the baby taken away. Every mother can instantly connect with Lana and her plight. The book is about her struggle to get back to her baby, which many will understand and root for the MC in her quest to find Ella. Without giving any spoilers, this is a standalone novel and has a beautifully wrapped up ending, no cliffhanger. The afterword is also powerful as the story was inspired by the author's own pregnancy loss, something so many women can relate to but often do not speak about. This one will bring out a lot of emotions in many readers, making the title highly appropriate for the book. This could be a challenging read for some women who recently lost children in any form but is a well written book.
January 3, 2021
Such a unique concept
I binge read this in 24 hours! I downloaded it for a monthly book club read and I am so glad I did! The concept is not something you see in a traditional thriller. It was futuristic with just the right bit of reality. I also really enjoyed the medical aspect and it really tugged at the mamas heart. I am so glad I snatched this up and would definitely recommend it!
I binge read this in 24 hours! I downloaded it for a monthly book club read and I am so glad I did! The concept is not something you see in a traditional thriller. It was futuristic with just the right bit of reality. I also really enjoyed the medical aspect and it really tugged at the mamas heart. I am so glad I snatched this up and would definitely recommend it!
January 24, 2021
In this futuristic, but real feeling story experience a mother's worst nightmare...This stand alone novel by Nicole L. Bates accurately captures the emotions of becoming a mother and the subsequent grief and desperation upon the theft of the baby. If you are looking for warm and fuzzy you will not find it here. What you will find are the very real emotions of motherhood, loss and hope. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend checking it out.
February 22, 2021
Wow...just WOW
This story could easily be adapted to a movie and it would have everyone on the edge of their seats just as I was reading it. I’m almost speechless at how well written this is, it evokes every emotion. You can feel the pain laving the pages as the author pulls from her own real life tragedies. Wonderful story.
This story could easily be adapted to a movie and it would have everyone on the edge of their seats just as I was reading it. I’m almost speechless at how well written this is, it evokes every emotion. You can feel the pain laving the pages as the author pulls from her own real life tragedies. Wonderful story.
June 15, 2021
3.5/5: The concept of this book was really interesting and delved into topics that aren't often discussed. I really appreciated the author's note about why she wrote this book. That being said, I wish some of the novel was flushed out more as it felt a little rushed.
May 16, 2021
Nicole L. Bates is one of those authors whom I look forward to reading and she has yet to disappoint. This story is a good mix of action, emotion and mystery. Mothers will especially be able to relate to the main character's plight.
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January 14, 2021Another amazing book by Nicole L Bates! Review and rating to come soon!
October 30, 2024
It was a captivating read. I felt like I was watching the whole narrative like a movie in my head. I couldn’t put it down.
September 24, 2023
I normally don't read books like this one just because its not my cup of tea BUT I really enjoyed reading this book, it talks about real life topics that some women face in their life. Its a great story about a single mom trying to do anything to get her child back.
Its a fantastic read and its a book I definitely recommend to anyone!
Its a fantastic read and its a book I definitely recommend to anyone!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews