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Now I Found You
Seven years ago, Kate Hartfield's little sister disappeared.
An ordinary summer day of fun at the lake turned into a nightmare when young Emily Hartfield suddenly could not be found. When badly battered body parts were discovered three days later, the investigation concluded that they were Emily's and the case was closed as an accidental drowning.
Now Kate has returned to her hometown in the Catskills for the first time since her sister's death, for a work retreat. While at her boss's lake house, she briefly spies a familiar face.
It's Emily.
She's all grown up, but Kate knows her sister's face better than anyone. The sighting reignites the doubts Kate has always had, and forces her to revisit all the mysterious circumstances that surrounded that day. As she desperately tries to track down the girl she saw at the lake house with the help of her hometown ex-boyfriend, Kate discovers shocking secrets from the past, confronts her own guilt from that day, and becomes obsessed with uncovering the answer to one question.
What really happened to Emily?
An ordinary summer day of fun at the lake turned into a nightmare when young Emily Hartfield suddenly could not be found. When badly battered body parts were discovered three days later, the investigation concluded that they were Emily's and the case was closed as an accidental drowning.
Now Kate has returned to her hometown in the Catskills for the first time since her sister's death, for a work retreat. While at her boss's lake house, she briefly spies a familiar face.
It's Emily.
She's all grown up, but Kate knows her sister's face better than anyone. The sighting reignites the doubts Kate has always had, and forces her to revisit all the mysterious circumstances that surrounded that day. As she desperately tries to track down the girl she saw at the lake house with the help of her hometown ex-boyfriend, Kate discovers shocking secrets from the past, confronts her own guilt from that day, and becomes obsessed with uncovering the answer to one question.
What really happened to Emily?
113 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 20, 2021
395 people are currently reading
2275 people want to read
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September 13, 2021
EXCERPT: She stopped walking, her feet seemingly glued to the spot. Her heart was racing and chills were crawling all over her body, and she didn't understand why. Slowly, she backed up a few steps, her feet trailing heavily. She looked over at the dock next door again, her eyes carefully scanning each person there. It was a group of young people, probably college aged by the look of the cheap beer cans scattered everywhere. Some were dancing, some were drunkenly swaying, all were laughing and having a good time. She scanned them faster until her eyes locked onto a girl with lush blonde hair standing to the side, her face half hidden from Kate's view.
Kate took a step closer, wishing she could jump over the water to be on that same dock. The girl looked so familiar, even just from the side. Kate looked down at her hands, surprised to see pricks of blood on her palm from where her nails had been digging into them. She looked up again just in time to see the girl laugh, her face turning towards Kate briefly.
Kate was vaguely aware of the glass she was still holding in her hand fall to the ground next to her, its drop silenced by both the soft earth and by the shrill ringing in her ears. The iciness in her body had spread everywhere, gripping her heart and lungs and squeezing tight. Kate's hands flew to her throat as she struggled to breathe. She felt a dark curtain start to fall before her eyes, and determinedly kept her gaze glued for as long as she could on the girl on the dock. On Emily.
ABOUT 'NOW I FOUND YOU': Seven years ago, Kate Hartfield's little sister disappeared.
An ordinary summer day of fun at the lake turned into a nightmare when young Emily Hartfield suddenly could not be found. When badly battered body parts were discovered three days later, the investigation concluded that they were Emily's and the case was closed as an accidental drowning.
Now Kate has returned to her hometown in the Catskills for the first time since her sister's death, for a work retreat. While at her boss's lake house, she briefly spies a familiar face.
It's Emily.
She's all grown up, but Kate knows her sister's face better than anyone. The sighting reignites the doubts Kate has always had, and forces her to revisit all the mysterious circumstances that surrounded that day. As she desperately tries to track down the girl she saw at the lake house with the help of her hometown ex-boyfriend, Kate discovers shocking secrets from the past, confronts her own guilt from that day, and becomes obsessed with uncovering the answer to one question.
What really happened to Emily?
MY THOUGHTS: Now I Found You is a good debut novel. It's a very quick and easy read, written, excepting occasional flashbacks which increase in frequency the closer we get to the end of the book, in a linear timeline. This is a family drama/mystery, with a touch of romance.
I liked this, but didn't love it. The idea was good, but it could have used a little more development. There were a couple of loose ends and a few things that just didn't ring true.
Loose ends: Kate was on a work retreat, from which she abruptly leaves and to which she doesn't return. She ignores calls from her boss and workmates, and then we just don't hear any more about them.
After reuniting with her grandmother in her quest to find Emily, nothing more is heard of her . . .
Things that didn't ring true: The ease with which Kate just walks back into Luke's life. Would anyone really just dump their current girlfriend to resume a relationship with someone who has previously walked out of their life with no explanation, and is currently behaving very erratically? And if I were Luke's mother, I don't know that I would have welcomed Kate back into my son's life with open arms.
I find it difficult to believe Kate's father's actions concerning Emily. I would have found it more believable if he just hadn't noticed the difference after eight months away. I just didn't find the whole explanation concerning him convincing.
I finished this book with more questions than answers. But, having said that, I am interested to watch how this author develops.
⭐⭐.8
#NowIFoundYou #NetGalley
I:
T:
#familydrama #romance #mystery
THE AUTHOR: Sorry, I could find no information about this author.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Books Go Social via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Now I Found You by Mila Oliver for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
Kate took a step closer, wishing she could jump over the water to be on that same dock. The girl looked so familiar, even just from the side. Kate looked down at her hands, surprised to see pricks of blood on her palm from where her nails had been digging into them. She looked up again just in time to see the girl laugh, her face turning towards Kate briefly.
Kate was vaguely aware of the glass she was still holding in her hand fall to the ground next to her, its drop silenced by both the soft earth and by the shrill ringing in her ears. The iciness in her body had spread everywhere, gripping her heart and lungs and squeezing tight. Kate's hands flew to her throat as she struggled to breathe. She felt a dark curtain start to fall before her eyes, and determinedly kept her gaze glued for as long as she could on the girl on the dock. On Emily.
ABOUT 'NOW I FOUND YOU': Seven years ago, Kate Hartfield's little sister disappeared.
An ordinary summer day of fun at the lake turned into a nightmare when young Emily Hartfield suddenly could not be found. When badly battered body parts were discovered three days later, the investigation concluded that they were Emily's and the case was closed as an accidental drowning.
Now Kate has returned to her hometown in the Catskills for the first time since her sister's death, for a work retreat. While at her boss's lake house, she briefly spies a familiar face.
It's Emily.
She's all grown up, but Kate knows her sister's face better than anyone. The sighting reignites the doubts Kate has always had, and forces her to revisit all the mysterious circumstances that surrounded that day. As she desperately tries to track down the girl she saw at the lake house with the help of her hometown ex-boyfriend, Kate discovers shocking secrets from the past, confronts her own guilt from that day, and becomes obsessed with uncovering the answer to one question.
What really happened to Emily?
MY THOUGHTS: Now I Found You is a good debut novel. It's a very quick and easy read, written, excepting occasional flashbacks which increase in frequency the closer we get to the end of the book, in a linear timeline. This is a family drama/mystery, with a touch of romance.
I liked this, but didn't love it. The idea was good, but it could have used a little more development. There were a couple of loose ends and a few things that just didn't ring true.
Loose ends: Kate was on a work retreat, from which she abruptly leaves and to which she doesn't return. She ignores calls from her boss and workmates, and then we just don't hear any more about them.
After reuniting with her grandmother in her quest to find Emily, nothing more is heard of her . . .
Things that didn't ring true: The ease with which Kate just walks back into Luke's life. Would anyone really just dump their current girlfriend to resume a relationship with someone who has previously walked out of their life with no explanation, and is currently behaving very erratically? And if I were Luke's mother, I don't know that I would have welcomed Kate back into my son's life with open arms.
I find it difficult to believe Kate's father's actions concerning Emily. I would have found it more believable if he just hadn't noticed the difference after eight months away. I just didn't find the whole explanation concerning him convincing.
I finished this book with more questions than answers. But, having said that, I am interested to watch how this author develops.
⭐⭐.8
#NowIFoundYou #NetGalley
I:
T:
#familydrama #romance #mystery
THE AUTHOR: Sorry, I could find no information about this author.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Books Go Social via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Now I Found You by Mila Oliver for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
August 7, 2021
Kate's younger sister drowned 7 years ago. Kate was supposed to be watching while little sister and friends were sharing a day at the lake. But Kate had taken a walk with her boyfriend...and when they got back, they discovered that Emily had disappeared.
Days later, badly battered body parts were found. The police listed it as an accident and since her father identified the body, no DNA test was required. Kate has always wondered if Emily was truly dead.
Kate has returned to her hometown for the first time since the accident. While there, she spots a face that is all too familiar .. it's Emily ...
BOOK BLURB: As she desperately tries to track down the girl she saw at the lake house with the help of her hometown ex-boyfriend, Kate discovers shocking secrets from the past, confronts her own guilt from that day, and becomes obsessed with uncovering the answer to one question.
What really happened to Emily?
Full of twists and turns, this is well-written with an intriguing plot and riveting story line. The characters are solidly drawn. I liked the backstory of Kate's life with her abusive mother and how she dealt with Emily being the favored child. Little by little, Kate's memory returns to catch snippets of things she had never processed. The conclusion is totally unexpected and explosive.
Many thanks to the author / BooksGoSocial / Netgalley for the digital copy of this psychological fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
August 14, 2021
Wow, I really enjoyed reading this thriller so much!!
It's not what I expected in the end.. Gah!! It was so good, so well written , the suspense well kept .. keeping me reading until the end, also how I adored the honest love of Lukas for Kate.. it's so so charming and sweet as a pie to see them get back together
Overall.. this book spoke how guilt can weight down a person and how one person's mistakes effect many ppl and sometimes make them suffer years with regret and pain not even their wrongs
This book potreyed the truth of pain and mistakes so well.. the effect one person's mistakes can have!!
I just loved how kate loved her sister and her affection for her well another most delightful part was to see Lukas and Kate's love bloom after all she's going and gone through .. what a an amazing person for understanding her !! He truly loved her 😊
It's was a good read..a clean perfect thriller and romance
I sure do recommend this clean thriller , mystery and romance
* I received a free ebook from Netgally and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
All views expressed are my own
It's not what I expected in the end.. Gah!! It was so good, so well written , the suspense well kept .. keeping me reading until the end, also how I adored the honest love of Lukas for Kate.. it's so so charming and sweet as a pie to see them get back together
Overall.. this book spoke how guilt can weight down a person and how one person's mistakes effect many ppl and sometimes make them suffer years with regret and pain not even their wrongs
This book potreyed the truth of pain and mistakes so well.. the effect one person's mistakes can have!!
I just loved how kate loved her sister and her affection for her well another most delightful part was to see Lukas and Kate's love bloom after all she's going and gone through .. what a an amazing person for understanding her !! He truly loved her 😊
It's was a good read..a clean perfect thriller and romance
I sure do recommend this clean thriller , mystery and romance
* I received a free ebook from Netgally and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
All views expressed are my own
September 6, 2021
A well written domestic noir debut from Mila Oliver. I wasn't sure what to expect but was very pleased with the story. It started off a tiny bit slow but definitely picks and delivers after a chapter or two. Highly recommend.
October 10, 2021
3.5 stars
Full review to be posted on insta tomorrow @thriller_chick
Full review to be posted on insta tomorrow @thriller_chick
August 22, 2021
I really enjoyed this book! The story and the mystery kept me hooked - I finished this in two sittings!
Kate’s little sister, Emily, disappears one summer afternoon and is presumed dead… until seven years later when Kate sees Emily at a party. It can’t be her… can it?
This was such a fun read with questions and twists coming at you with each new chapter.
Now I Found You switches perspectives between present day and memories that Kate starts to have about her childhood. The memories are really creepy and the mystery of who this girl is and her potential connection to Emily is a wild ride - and a reveal I did not see coming!
Kate’s little sister, Emily, disappears one summer afternoon and is presumed dead… until seven years later when Kate sees Emily at a party. It can’t be her… can it?
This was such a fun read with questions and twists coming at you with each new chapter.
Now I Found You switches perspectives between present day and memories that Kate starts to have about her childhood. The memories are really creepy and the mystery of who this girl is and her potential connection to Emily is a wild ride - and a reveal I did not see coming!
August 6, 2021
A quick paced thriller. A short, twisty thriller. Kate’s sister disappeared 7 years ago and a on a business retreat old wounds are reopened. Perfect for a a teens first thriller
August 7, 2021
Saddle up
Should you decide to read this, just know you are in for an exciting ride. I love books like this that are based on a lake scene. Not to mention psychological thrillers. I won't bore you by repeating storyline or give away any goodies. No spoiler alerts here. Just do yourself a favor. Read the first 3 chapters and if you aren't still reading late into the night you know this book isn't for you. Couldn't stop except for sleep and bathroom breaks. Excellent read!
Should you decide to read this, just know you are in for an exciting ride. I love books like this that are based on a lake scene. Not to mention psychological thrillers. I won't bore you by repeating storyline or give away any goodies. No spoiler alerts here. Just do yourself a favor. Read the first 3 chapters and if you aren't still reading late into the night you know this book isn't for you. Couldn't stop except for sleep and bathroom breaks. Excellent read!
April 24, 2023
An interesting story but not very well written. First 2/3 of story drags on & on with so many discrepancies. Kate is on a work trip but abandons her coworkers. What? They never look for her. Then she is with Lucas for a few days. Doesn’t she have a job to go to? Doesn’t she have a boss & coworkers wondering about her? The story is played out oddly & inconsistently. Could have been much better written.
June 19, 2024
I really like the storyline but the way it was written was choppy and disjointed. Things moved really fast and then really slow, with little explanation when you needed one. This is the first I've read by this author so I'll give her another shot.
November 10, 2021
Thank you LetsTalkBooksPromo for the complimentary copy of Now I Found You - A gripping and emotional psychological thriller by Mila Oliver. This book is a novella - 113 pages.
Kate Hartfield lost her sister nearly seven years ago after a freak accident at the lake her family frequented over the summer months. Kate was Emily's fearless protector and best friend. All too consumed with her death, Kate is barely living and just going through the motions of life.
Kate always questioned what happened to her sister but NO ONE would listen, including her parents and the sheriff. Now seven years later, she finds herself back at the lake and sees her sister standing on the dock partying with friends BUT she can't be she's DEAD!
Now I Found You is a gripping, captivating debut thriller told from Kate's point of view - first person. Follow the clues as she slowly uncovers the truth about her sister, Emily.
#nowifoundyou #milaoliver #letstalkbookspromo
Kate Hartfield lost her sister nearly seven years ago after a freak accident at the lake her family frequented over the summer months. Kate was Emily's fearless protector and best friend. All too consumed with her death, Kate is barely living and just going through the motions of life.
Kate always questioned what happened to her sister but NO ONE would listen, including her parents and the sheriff. Now seven years later, she finds herself back at the lake and sees her sister standing on the dock partying with friends BUT she can't be she's DEAD!
Now I Found You is a gripping, captivating debut thriller told from Kate's point of view - first person. Follow the clues as she slowly uncovers the truth about her sister, Emily.
#nowifoundyou #milaoliver #letstalkbookspromo
August 18, 2021
Thanks to netgalley for the advanced ebook to review.
Fast paced and easy to read with a great story that keeps you gripped.
The only reason it's not a 5 star review is a couple of things felt rushed or forgotten (she was meant to be on a work retreat, which she abandoned, they mentioned missed calls the next morning but after that did they all just forget about her?!?!)
Fast paced and easy to read with a great story that keeps you gripped.
The only reason it's not a 5 star review is a couple of things felt rushed or forgotten (she was meant to be on a work retreat, which she abandoned, they mentioned missed calls the next morning but after that did they all just forget about her?!?!)
November 10, 2021
Very quick, easy read. I thought the main character was written well. Great twist! Overall, good debut novel.
February 5, 2023
good read totally surprised me
March 11, 2024
Read this on a cold Sunday and it felt like watching a gripping movie. Reading the story unfold I literally couldn’t put it down till it was over. Highly recommend
December 14, 2024
I didn't want to put it down as it did capture my curiosity but a little disappointed with the ending.
August 17, 2021
Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. A positive review is not required
This review can also be found in Currant7 Recommends.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Kate Hartfield lost someone important more than seven years now, but the pain is still fresh like it was yesterday. She lost her sister one summer at a lake. She was supposed to watch over her, but somehow, her sister, Emily, was found beneath the lake after three days of searching. Kate feels responsible after her mother seems to have laid the blame heavily onto her ever since the accident.
It was ruled as such until an unexpected mandatory company outing brought her back to the disappearance site. This time, Kate saw her sister, Emily, by the same lake that she disappeared from!
Now I Found You is a complex story told from a first-person POV - Kate's. I like how readers dive deeper into knowing the story from Kate's eyes, especially since she's the one with many theories on what might have happened. Given this POV only, readers cannot get the thoughts and feelings of other characters in the novel unless shown in their facial expressions from Kate's POV. This technique gives much mystery to what the other characters went through with Emily's disappearance.
Kate's theories, some quite outlandish, may skew the details, which readers have to decide which flashbacks, recollections are truths versus "what-might-be." With the many possibilities that Kate and other characters bring in to explain Emily's death, readers have to be critical and start thinking out-of-the-box when more secrets are further revealed by "suspects" that did not come forward or questioned the first time.
The storyline is excellent. I would never describe a crime suspense book as a light read, but this book proved me otherwise. The flow was easy, even with the anguish Kate had to succumb again to returning home and revisiting her traumatic past. I want to point out that mystery readers may find this a short read for a mystery/suspense book, but the clues and plot twists (yes, more than just one) in the end were well written.
Note: not all the investigation's nitty-gritty details were discussed, but there were short recaps shared by various characters also. I appreciate the book's unwavering focus on getting to the bottom of what happened to Emily. Even with this, the plot is solid and focused on the missing sister mystery. The ending seems like one of those infamous endings that will make readers' jaws drop! This book is what tabloid scandals are made of.
The characters are complexly fascinating. Although we only get Kate's POV, these characters show their personality through their reactions to Kate's theories and rants. Some of them were sympathetic to what happened, like Lucas' family and a few townfolks. Still, ironically, it is Kate's parent's reaction to the new evidence that baffled me.
Kate's parents - Miranda and Dave - are something. Describing Kate's family relationship as strained is a kind word. I was furious at them! Their sense of protecting their children is so warped. Their reactions are not how a rational parent would, and both did it for love? Really?!?! I think their reason for "doing nothing" is for plausible deniability and turning a blind eye to the truth to "save people." That is unacceptable!
Disclosure: the book mentioned some abuse and manipulation, so take this as a reader's warning.
Kate's love interest or ex-boyfriend, Lucas, is a saint and a Godsend! He was with Kate from the start, but with Kate being so "damaged" after everything, even love did not save them. There were many "unanswered questions" with their "falling-out," and although they did sort some things out - there's a long road to recovery for that one. I am glad to hear that both sought professional help for this shared trauma all those years, BUT with Kate moving away abruptly and severing all ties to her hometown, she and Lucas never got to sort things out between them. The move was so quick that they didn't officially break up - they just withered away, which is so sad!
In summary, Now I Found You is a gripping, captivating, and heart-stopping debut book that will guarantee NOT TO DISAPPOINT suspense-loving readers!! The dichotomy of grief and loss is juxtaposed with the darker and manipulative side of the human psyche. Both elements are imposing and demanding much attention from readers while at the same time providing much uncertainty on where the ending's ultimate direction will be. Expect a whirlwind of emotions shifting from despair, angst to mystery, and suspense in the book that will keep readers glued to the book until the end. There is a lot to be said about loss, but sometimes, it hits children the hardest. This book is an eyeopener and a warning to all on how far people are willing to conform their minds in accepting what might be wrong if given triggering conditions. As the characters imply, the conclusion brings closure and hope of healing BUT still a very long road ahead.
This review can also be found in Currant7 Recommends.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Kate Hartfield lost someone important more than seven years now, but the pain is still fresh like it was yesterday. She lost her sister one summer at a lake. She was supposed to watch over her, but somehow, her sister, Emily, was found beneath the lake after three days of searching. Kate feels responsible after her mother seems to have laid the blame heavily onto her ever since the accident.
It was ruled as such until an unexpected mandatory company outing brought her back to the disappearance site. This time, Kate saw her sister, Emily, by the same lake that she disappeared from!
Now I Found You is a complex story told from a first-person POV - Kate's. I like how readers dive deeper into knowing the story from Kate's eyes, especially since she's the one with many theories on what might have happened. Given this POV only, readers cannot get the thoughts and feelings of other characters in the novel unless shown in their facial expressions from Kate's POV. This technique gives much mystery to what the other characters went through with Emily's disappearance.
Kate's theories, some quite outlandish, may skew the details, which readers have to decide which flashbacks, recollections are truths versus "what-might-be." With the many possibilities that Kate and other characters bring in to explain Emily's death, readers have to be critical and start thinking out-of-the-box when more secrets are further revealed by "suspects" that did not come forward or questioned the first time.
The storyline is excellent. I would never describe a crime suspense book as a light read, but this book proved me otherwise. The flow was easy, even with the anguish Kate had to succumb again to returning home and revisiting her traumatic past. I want to point out that mystery readers may find this a short read for a mystery/suspense book, but the clues and plot twists (yes, more than just one) in the end were well written.
Note: not all the investigation's nitty-gritty details were discussed, but there were short recaps shared by various characters also. I appreciate the book's unwavering focus on getting to the bottom of what happened to Emily. Even with this, the plot is solid and focused on the missing sister mystery. The ending seems like one of those infamous endings that will make readers' jaws drop! This book is what tabloid scandals are made of.
The characters are complexly fascinating. Although we only get Kate's POV, these characters show their personality through their reactions to Kate's theories and rants. Some of them were sympathetic to what happened, like Lucas' family and a few townfolks. Still, ironically, it is Kate's parent's reaction to the new evidence that baffled me.
Kate's parents - Miranda and Dave - are something. Describing Kate's family relationship as strained is a kind word. I was furious at them! Their sense of protecting their children is so warped. Their reactions are not how a rational parent would, and both did it for love? Really?!?! I think their reason for "doing nothing" is for plausible deniability and turning a blind eye to the truth to "save people." That is unacceptable!
Disclosure: the book mentioned some abuse and manipulation, so take this as a reader's warning.
Kate's love interest or ex-boyfriend, Lucas, is a saint and a Godsend! He was with Kate from the start, but with Kate being so "damaged" after everything, even love did not save them. There were many "unanswered questions" with their "falling-out," and although they did sort some things out - there's a long road to recovery for that one. I am glad to hear that both sought professional help for this shared trauma all those years, BUT with Kate moving away abruptly and severing all ties to her hometown, she and Lucas never got to sort things out between them. The move was so quick that they didn't officially break up - they just withered away, which is so sad!
In summary, Now I Found You is a gripping, captivating, and heart-stopping debut book that will guarantee NOT TO DISAPPOINT suspense-loving readers!! The dichotomy of grief and loss is juxtaposed with the darker and manipulative side of the human psyche. Both elements are imposing and demanding much attention from readers while at the same time providing much uncertainty on where the ending's ultimate direction will be. Expect a whirlwind of emotions shifting from despair, angst to mystery, and suspense in the book that will keep readers glued to the book until the end. There is a lot to be said about loss, but sometimes, it hits children the hardest. This book is an eyeopener and a warning to all on how far people are willing to conform their minds in accepting what might be wrong if given triggering conditions. As the characters imply, the conclusion brings closure and hope of healing BUT still a very long road ahead.
October 12, 2021
This review was originally posted on my blog here: https://storylinesandsunshine.home.bl...
The Catskill Mountains are a beautiful place to be – unless you’re Kate. Having purposely ran away from her hometown – and her sister Emily’s drowning accident – Kate is sucked back in by a work retreat at a lake house. While there, she catches a glimpse of the last person she ever expected to see – her sister Emily. Diving straight back into her theories that Emily never really died, she goes to seek the help of her high school sweetheart, Lucas. Together, they attempt to figure out who the mystery girl is, and what actually happened to Emily on that fateful day.
The premise – someone finding their sister that they thought was long dead – was an intriguing take on the mystery genre. Instead of finding out who killed someone, the book is centered around trying to discover why someone is still alive. In addition, this book integrates the emotional aspects of this roller coaster: the grief at losing someone, only to be replaced with the anticipation of finding out she might be alive. One of the themes I found especially relatable is a lot of the characters blaming themselves for what happened to Emily, and how that affected their actions both in the past and the present.
Alongside the mystery, there was a romance that took up more of the book than I expected. When Kate goes to see her old high school sweetheart Lucas, they discover a flame of passion that never really left either of them. As I’m a sucker for the friends to lovers trope, I was totally into it. I even teared up at a few points because I was so invested in their relationship. This was an unexpected element, but one that was really well done.
An important part to any mystery, the ending did not leave room for questions. The epilogue even helped answer some plot threads that were outstanding when the actual book ended. However, the ending is very bittersweet, which left me feeling a little melancholy. It was a really well done ending, but everything is not happy-go-lucky once the reader is finished.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. There were a few things that I wasn’t a fan of; for example, the reader was introduced to all the people Kate works with, only to never hear about them after the third chapter. The melancholy ending also folds in to how I feel about the book, since when I think of the book I think of that bittersweet feeling I had when finishing it. However, I was surprised by the plot twists, and would still recommend this book!
The Catskill Mountains are a beautiful place to be – unless you’re Kate. Having purposely ran away from her hometown – and her sister Emily’s drowning accident – Kate is sucked back in by a work retreat at a lake house. While there, she catches a glimpse of the last person she ever expected to see – her sister Emily. Diving straight back into her theories that Emily never really died, she goes to seek the help of her high school sweetheart, Lucas. Together, they attempt to figure out who the mystery girl is, and what actually happened to Emily on that fateful day.
The premise – someone finding their sister that they thought was long dead – was an intriguing take on the mystery genre. Instead of finding out who killed someone, the book is centered around trying to discover why someone is still alive. In addition, this book integrates the emotional aspects of this roller coaster: the grief at losing someone, only to be replaced with the anticipation of finding out she might be alive. One of the themes I found especially relatable is a lot of the characters blaming themselves for what happened to Emily, and how that affected their actions both in the past and the present.
Alongside the mystery, there was a romance that took up more of the book than I expected. When Kate goes to see her old high school sweetheart Lucas, they discover a flame of passion that never really left either of them. As I’m a sucker for the friends to lovers trope, I was totally into it. I even teared up at a few points because I was so invested in their relationship. This was an unexpected element, but one that was really well done.
An important part to any mystery, the ending did not leave room for questions. The epilogue even helped answer some plot threads that were outstanding when the actual book ended. However, the ending is very bittersweet, which left me feeling a little melancholy. It was a really well done ending, but everything is not happy-go-lucky once the reader is finished.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. There were a few things that I wasn’t a fan of; for example, the reader was introduced to all the people Kate works with, only to never hear about them after the third chapter. The melancholy ending also folds in to how I feel about the book, since when I think of the book I think of that bittersweet feeling I had when finishing it. However, I was surprised by the plot twists, and would still recommend this book!
August 29, 2021
Kate Hartfield believes her sister Emily disappeared seven years ago. When authorities found the remains of a body in the local lake, they decided that Emily died in an unfortunate swimming accident. Kate’s parents and most of the local community have accepted Emily’s death. Just when it seems that Kate is moving on with her life, she believes that she sees her sister at a neighboring house on the lake. All Kate’s prior doubts resurface. She reunites with her estranged boyfriend, and they embark on a search for answers regarding Emily’s death.
Now I Found You is primarily a drama/mystery, but it also includes romantic elements. The plot progresses as Kate investigates the circumstances surrounding her sister’s disappearance. She interviews family and friends who saw Emily in the last few days. Kate also has flashbacks and tries to make sense of them in the context of what people have told her. In her effort to resolve the mystery, Kate enlists the help of her former boyfriend Luke. Over the course of the novel, we learn about their prior relationship and how they grew apart. It is apparent that there is still some attraction, but they are also divided by the events surrounding Emily’s disappearance and Kate’s belief that Emily is still alive.
Overall, the story is well told and most elements tie together to provide a satisfactory resolution. There is a realistic sense that the mystery does not unravel easily with each piece of evidence. However, there were a couple of story elements that were difficult for me to accept as written. First, the boyfriend Luke seems too willing to welcome Kate back into his life without hesitation and accepts her obsessive behavior with very little criticism. Second, when Kate sees a young woman who she believes is her missing sister, she hastily leaves a work-related weekend retreat. There is no indication that Kate told her employer or colleagues why she suddenly leaves the retreat, where she goes, and why she is missing from her job for days afterwards. These are not serious issues with the book, but they are small disjointed elements that other readers will notice.
I believe people who like an intriguing story with interesting characters will enjoy this novel. The story moves along at an excellent pace and readers will find that the mystery unfolds at a satisfying pace. The characters are interesting, especially Kate’s parents.
I received a free copy of this book for an honest review. My original review is posted on the Reedsy website at the following link -
My Reedsy Review - Now I Found You
https://reedsy.com/discovery/book/now...
Now I Found You is primarily a drama/mystery, but it also includes romantic elements. The plot progresses as Kate investigates the circumstances surrounding her sister’s disappearance. She interviews family and friends who saw Emily in the last few days. Kate also has flashbacks and tries to make sense of them in the context of what people have told her. In her effort to resolve the mystery, Kate enlists the help of her former boyfriend Luke. Over the course of the novel, we learn about their prior relationship and how they grew apart. It is apparent that there is still some attraction, but they are also divided by the events surrounding Emily’s disappearance and Kate’s belief that Emily is still alive.
Overall, the story is well told and most elements tie together to provide a satisfactory resolution. There is a realistic sense that the mystery does not unravel easily with each piece of evidence. However, there were a couple of story elements that were difficult for me to accept as written. First, the boyfriend Luke seems too willing to welcome Kate back into his life without hesitation and accepts her obsessive behavior with very little criticism. Second, when Kate sees a young woman who she believes is her missing sister, she hastily leaves a work-related weekend retreat. There is no indication that Kate told her employer or colleagues why she suddenly leaves the retreat, where she goes, and why she is missing from her job for days afterwards. These are not serious issues with the book, but they are small disjointed elements that other readers will notice.
I believe people who like an intriguing story with interesting characters will enjoy this novel. The story moves along at an excellent pace and readers will find that the mystery unfolds at a satisfying pace. The characters are interesting, especially Kate’s parents.
I received a free copy of this book for an honest review. My original review is posted on the Reedsy website at the following link -
My Reedsy Review - Now I Found You
https://reedsy.com/discovery/book/now...
October 7, 2021
i received a digital advance copy on this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher. This is Mila Oliver's debut as an author, and WOW!!!
I found it to be an extremely fast paced thriller with plenty of twists and turns throughout which kept me guessing right to the end. I really enjoyed the way the story unfolded.
I found myself feeling all the heart felt emotions Kate had throughout the book, especially with Luke and especially how Kate had me feeling so intense with how she was so serious about finding out the truth.
It begins with how Kate is living a sad existence, never really recovering fro the death of her beloved sister, Emily. You feel for Kate, who has the guilt of losing her sibling and that nagging suspicion that just maybe Emily didn't die after all. The story keeps you hooked as Kate's perspective on things keeps switching from the present to glimpses of the past through suppressed memories of her own traumatic childhood. Plus, i just adored the love Luke has for Kate.
The book portrays the truth and pain and mistakes perfectly. How the effect of one person's mistake can have on so many.
This psychological thriller /mystery is truly a fast paced read, that you just cant put the book down. It has tons of suspense that keeps you reading to find out more: gives you a splash of romance that makes this read just perfectly wonderful So much so, that a day in the sun reading this was not time wasted when chores needed to be done. Infact , it was just what i needed and has me craving for more...
Highly recommended.
I found it to be an extremely fast paced thriller with plenty of twists and turns throughout which kept me guessing right to the end. I really enjoyed the way the story unfolded.
I found myself feeling all the heart felt emotions Kate had throughout the book, especially with Luke and especially how Kate had me feeling so intense with how she was so serious about finding out the truth.
It begins with how Kate is living a sad existence, never really recovering fro the death of her beloved sister, Emily. You feel for Kate, who has the guilt of losing her sibling and that nagging suspicion that just maybe Emily didn't die after all. The story keeps you hooked as Kate's perspective on things keeps switching from the present to glimpses of the past through suppressed memories of her own traumatic childhood. Plus, i just adored the love Luke has for Kate.
The book portrays the truth and pain and mistakes perfectly. How the effect of one person's mistake can have on so many.
This psychological thriller /mystery is truly a fast paced read, that you just cant put the book down. It has tons of suspense that keeps you reading to find out more: gives you a splash of romance that makes this read just perfectly wonderful So much so, that a day in the sun reading this was not time wasted when chores needed to be done. Infact , it was just what i needed and has me craving for more...
Highly recommended.
December 31, 2022
I did not like the writing style, it switches through the sentences from 1st to 3rd person. So the MC goes back home for a mandatory work retreat, leaves work retreat and that was that. Nothing was said about her job after that. Lucas just drops everything for her, dumps his girlfriend, and takes the MC without any issues. The epilogue wasn’t even an epilogue…
What got me is that Kate thinks she sees Emily, so instead of going to talk to “Emily” she goes and does an investigation. Why not talk to “Emily” and then go do an investigation. Not see her and then wait a couple days to go talk to her. The when she finally sees her, Emily goes and calls the cops on her 🙄
The way she acted when she was remembering something was so so unrealistic and no one would sit there be like “are you remembering something” if you suddenly drop to ground and start having a panic attack.
Also how she was mad her dad at the end was stupid too, he was just as a victim as he was. He was gone for almost a year, he left when Emily was a newborn. Yeah he may had suspected something but who would have thought that meant his wife kidnapped a baby. Then he gets charged with aiding and abetting a kidnapping, how? When he wasn’t even home! Yeah when he suspected something he could have went and got a DNA test, that DNA test would have came back that he wasn’t father, so him thinking his wife cheated would be more likely then her kidnapping a baby.
To summarize my thoughts, this book had a lot of potential but fell completely flat.
What got me is that Kate thinks she sees Emily, so instead of going to talk to “Emily” she goes and does an investigation. Why not talk to “Emily” and then go do an investigation. Not see her and then wait a couple days to go talk to her. The when she finally sees her, Emily goes and calls the cops on her 🙄
The way she acted when she was remembering something was so so unrealistic and no one would sit there be like “are you remembering something” if you suddenly drop to ground and start having a panic attack.
Also how she was mad her dad at the end was stupid too, he was just as a victim as he was. He was gone for almost a year, he left when Emily was a newborn. Yeah he may had suspected something but who would have thought that meant his wife kidnapped a baby. Then he gets charged with aiding and abetting a kidnapping, how? When he wasn’t even home! Yeah when he suspected something he could have went and got a DNA test, that DNA test would have came back that he wasn’t father, so him thinking his wife cheated would be more likely then her kidnapping a baby.
To summarize my thoughts, this book had a lot of potential but fell completely flat.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 5, 2021
3,5*
It's just another ordinary summer day, spent by the lake in Catskills, for Hartfield's sisters Kate and Emily. But when Kate isn't paying attention Emily disappears. Her body is found three days later and her death is declared as accidental drowning but Kate doesn't believe that Emily is dead.
After 7 years Kate comes to her home town for a work bonding event and it's quickly shown that the past still haunts her.
When she sees the face of her sister in the neighbor's house she embarks on the journey to discover what really happened that day her sister went missing.
With action packed short chapters, interesting characters and their dynamics this story is fast paced and one can lose itself in this mystery psychological thriller.
Since the beginning of the book I had a feeling that the summary is somewhat familiar- I guess it could be like some other book or some series, but even with this I enjoyed the story greatly. The author did a good job with catching just the right amount of clues to not be left in the dark and to pick where the end was heading.
To me there was an unimaginable time of this story when Kate just agreed to go back to her hometown (where she hasn't been in years due to the drauma) and then just disappeared from their work bonding and told no one about that.
Thanks to Mila Oliver, BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for a free ARC.
It's just another ordinary summer day, spent by the lake in Catskills, for Hartfield's sisters Kate and Emily. But when Kate isn't paying attention Emily disappears. Her body is found three days later and her death is declared as accidental drowning but Kate doesn't believe that Emily is dead.
After 7 years Kate comes to her home town for a work bonding event and it's quickly shown that the past still haunts her.
When she sees the face of her sister in the neighbor's house she embarks on the journey to discover what really happened that day her sister went missing.
With action packed short chapters, interesting characters and their dynamics this story is fast paced and one can lose itself in this mystery psychological thriller.
Since the beginning of the book I had a feeling that the summary is somewhat familiar- I guess it could be like some other book or some series, but even with this I enjoyed the story greatly. The author did a good job with catching just the right amount of clues to not be left in the dark and to pick where the end was heading.
To me there was an unimaginable time of this story when Kate just agreed to go back to her hometown (where she hasn't been in years due to the drauma) and then just disappeared from their work bonding and told no one about that.
Thanks to Mila Oliver, BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for a free ARC.
September 23, 2021
This was such an exciting novel for me. The story starts off with a bit of intrigue and mystery, but it doesn’t seem like much. Then it’s as if you blink and something new and crazy is being revealed with every page turned! I would consider this a bit of a domestic thriller and I love that genre.
Kate, the main character, loses her sister Emily way too young. It’s considered to be a drowning, but Kate has always had her suspicions (and sometimes it’s driven her a bit crazy, honestly). I thought I had this whole book figured out in the first five minutes and I should not have been so cocky. There were so many new twists and I kept changing my theory and I was always wrong (actually love when that happens). I don’t want to be able to guess what’s going to happen next. What’s the fun in that?
The only real issue I had with this book was the relationship between Kate and her high school boyfriend, Luke. I’m super critical about romantic relationships in books anyway, but they picked up where they left off very quickly and I don’t think it would ever happen that way. But that’s just me. (This is probably why I don’t read a lot of romance novels.)
I would definitely recommend you check out this book and give it a try! I had a blast with this one and loved the dark surprises threaded throughout the story.
Kate, the main character, loses her sister Emily way too young. It’s considered to be a drowning, but Kate has always had her suspicions (and sometimes it’s driven her a bit crazy, honestly). I thought I had this whole book figured out in the first five minutes and I should not have been so cocky. There were so many new twists and I kept changing my theory and I was always wrong (actually love when that happens). I don’t want to be able to guess what’s going to happen next. What’s the fun in that?
The only real issue I had with this book was the relationship between Kate and her high school boyfriend, Luke. I’m super critical about romantic relationships in books anyway, but they picked up where they left off very quickly and I don’t think it would ever happen that way. But that’s just me. (This is probably why I don’t read a lot of romance novels.)
I would definitely recommend you check out this book and give it a try! I had a blast with this one and loved the dark surprises threaded throughout the story.
October 16, 2021
“Now I Found You” written by Mila Oliver is a suspenseful mystery that kept me guessing the entire time!
Seven years ago, Kate tragically lost her sister, Emily, after she drowned in the lake. Filled with immense guilt and sorrow, she left home to attend college, and never came back. Although she has begun to heal, she has no intentions to ever return home… until she’s invited to a work retreat at a lake house in her hometown. Her first night back, she sees a familiar face on a dock. Kate is certain that it is Emily, but knows it is impossible. Seeing her face brings back all of the mysteries surrounding her disappearance and death. Kate begins to remember traumatic events from her childhood and becomes obsessed with figuring out what happened to her sister.
I thoroughly enjoyed this psychological thriller, so many twists and turns! Like Kate, I am very very close to my little sister, so I was imagining myself in her shoes the whole time! Wondering the choices I would have made.
Seven years ago, Kate tragically lost her sister, Emily, after she drowned in the lake. Filled with immense guilt and sorrow, she left home to attend college, and never came back. Although she has begun to heal, she has no intentions to ever return home… until she’s invited to a work retreat at a lake house in her hometown. Her first night back, she sees a familiar face on a dock. Kate is certain that it is Emily, but knows it is impossible. Seeing her face brings back all of the mysteries surrounding her disappearance and death. Kate begins to remember traumatic events from her childhood and becomes obsessed with figuring out what happened to her sister.
I thoroughly enjoyed this psychological thriller, so many twists and turns! Like Kate, I am very very close to my little sister, so I was imagining myself in her shoes the whole time! Wondering the choices I would have made.
August 21, 2021
When Kate was a teenager, her younger sister Emily drowned at the lake near their house. Kate always blamed herself, because she'd been off with her boyfriend while she was supposed to be keeping an eye on her sister. Years later, Kate is back in the area at a work retreat, and she sees Emily with a group of young adults. Naturally, she starts investigating and learns many secrets from her past. Is this young woman Emily, or isn't she? About a quarter of the way through the book, I started becoming more aware of how very many grammatical errors there were in the book, and the more I read, the more amateurish the writing felt. It looks like this was the first book published by the author, and it probably could have been marketed as a romance/mystery or YA book. Not terrible, but not one I'd ultimately recommend to my friends. Thank-you to the author and to NetGalley for the ARC of this title.
November 12, 2021
"𝑪𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒔, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒏𝒆." ~𝑾𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒚 𝑫𝒂𝒍𝒆
At just under 120 pages, this novella packs quite an emotional punch.
Kate's sister Emily went missing years earlier, and three days after her disappearance, her remains were found, identified by her parents, and her death was ruled an accidental drowning. Kate was supposed to be watching her, but she slipped into the woods with her boyfriend, and she absorbed the blame for her sister's death. Her mother blamed her too, and broken-hearted, Kate left home.
Then the unthinkable happens. While at a lakeside retreat, Kate sees Emily. Not a lookalike, not someone resembling her...it's Emily.
As shocking memories from her childhood start to surface, Kate is forced to question everything...her parents, her memories, and worst of all, just who is buried in Emily's grave?
Thank you to @letstalkbookspromo for having me on this tour and for my digital copy.
At just under 120 pages, this novella packs quite an emotional punch.
Kate's sister Emily went missing years earlier, and three days after her disappearance, her remains were found, identified by her parents, and her death was ruled an accidental drowning. Kate was supposed to be watching her, but she slipped into the woods with her boyfriend, and she absorbed the blame for her sister's death. Her mother blamed her too, and broken-hearted, Kate left home.
Then the unthinkable happens. While at a lakeside retreat, Kate sees Emily. Not a lookalike, not someone resembling her...it's Emily.
As shocking memories from her childhood start to surface, Kate is forced to question everything...her parents, her memories, and worst of all, just who is buried in Emily's grave?
Thank you to @letstalkbookspromo for having me on this tour and for my digital copy.
September 28, 2021
For the past seven years Kate has carried the guilt that she is responsible for the loss of her younger sister Emily who disappeared while playing at the lake. Although a body was found, Kate had trouble accepting that this was her sister and believed Emily may have survived. Back near her home on a work retreat, Kate sees a young woman who looks just like her sister. It can’t really be Emily, can it?
This debut novel is a fast paced, quick read with multiple twists. As Kate digs into the past her own forgotten memories of childhood resurface to fill in the gaps. I recommend this book to readers who enjoy thrillers driven by family drama.
I will caution there are some trigger warnings that sensitive readers may wish to know, but as they are related to significant plot developments I don’t want to reveal them here.
Thank you to the author @milaoliver_writes for a gifted copy.
This debut novel is a fast paced, quick read with multiple twists. As Kate digs into the past her own forgotten memories of childhood resurface to fill in the gaps. I recommend this book to readers who enjoy thrillers driven by family drama.
I will caution there are some trigger warnings that sensitive readers may wish to know, but as they are related to significant plot developments I don’t want to reveal them here.
Thank you to the author @milaoliver_writes for a gifted copy.
November 15, 2021
Kate Hartfield tragically lost her sister Emily in a drowning incident. Kate was never certain that the body that turned up was actually that of her sister. Emily’s death ultimately tore Kate’s family apart.
Seven years later Kate is still trying to rebuild her life when she is certain she spots Emily while at a lakeside office retreat. She starts asking questions and soon reconnects with her ex-high school boyfriend. Together, they work to find out the truth about Emily. While asking questions Kate manages to ruffle a few feathers until she finally learns the startling truth.
My thoughts: This story had a good plot, characters who drew me in, a few surprises, and a startling conclusion. It is a quick and enjoyable read. I am looking forward to seeing more from this author.
Thank you @letstalkbookspromo for my gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
Seven years later Kate is still trying to rebuild her life when she is certain she spots Emily while at a lakeside office retreat. She starts asking questions and soon reconnects with her ex-high school boyfriend. Together, they work to find out the truth about Emily. While asking questions Kate manages to ruffle a few feathers until she finally learns the startling truth.
My thoughts: This story had a good plot, characters who drew me in, a few surprises, and a startling conclusion. It is a quick and enjoyable read. I am looking forward to seeing more from this author.
Thank you @letstalkbookspromo for my gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 6, 2021
Wow. Now I Found You is Mila Oliver's Debut as an author. This psychological thiller/mystery is extremely fast paced with tons of suspense and splashes of romance. The story keeps you hooked as Kate's perspective switches between the present and glimpses of the past through suppressed memories of her traumatic childhood. You feel for Kate, who still feels the guilt over her sister Emily's death and the gnawing suspicion that perhaps Emily never died at all. When Kate is forced to finally face the Catskills, Emily's face is the first familiar one she sees, but it can't be because she's been dead for SEVEN years.... or can it? I read this within a 6 hour period yesterday because I just couldn't put it down, I NEEDED TO KNOW what happened to Emily!
October 29, 2021
Your sister drowned in a lake 7 years ago. And the grief was too much to bare so you so left home and never returned. Now you’re back at that same lake for a work retreat, and you see a girl that looks just like your sister….
If you’re looking for a quick, binge worthy read, look no further! This book will grab a hold of you and not let you go! So addicting that you’ll want to read it in one sitting!
You will be enthralled with the story as you try to piece together this mysterious and haunting puzzle. So many questions and you’ll feel like you’re going on the journey right along with Kate as she tries to get answers about her sister.
I was utterly shocked by how this ended. So many twists and turns and wtf moments!
If you’re looking for a quick, binge worthy read, look no further! This book will grab a hold of you and not let you go! So addicting that you’ll want to read it in one sitting!
You will be enthralled with the story as you try to piece together this mysterious and haunting puzzle. So many questions and you’ll feel like you’re going on the journey right along with Kate as she tries to get answers about her sister.
I was utterly shocked by how this ended. So many twists and turns and wtf moments!
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