Missing Pictures

by Angela Hoke

From the 4-time award-winning author of A Whisper of Smoke comes the story of Claire Colson, a successful businesswoman who, after a painful divorce from a long-term marriage, tries to heal from depression by re-entering the dating world, but only on the days she doesn't have her daughter and manages to put on deodorant. But it's not until she meets Tasha and Gretchen, two women carrying their own heavy baggage who show her how to embrace the crazy and find the laughter in it, that she begins to find true healing. And if she's lucky, she may just discover the beauty of an unexpected life.

After surviving a painful divorce, normally fierce businesswoman Claire Colson is suffering from clinical depression and possibly failing as a mother. Determined to reclaim her life, she takes a leave from work to voluntarily attend group therapy at the psych hospital. There she meets Tasha and Gretchen, two single moms from very different walks of life with their own brands of mental illness. Claire immediately finds comfort in their unconditional acceptance and unfailing humor.

Work is out of the question while her brain is on hiatus, but her body is rocking thanks to the highly effective if inadvisable divorce diet. So, with her new friends’ encouragement, Claire enters the Nashville dating scene, hoping it helps her heal. But it’s not as easy as she expects – the selection includes middle-age rejects, young guys suffering from beer fog, or judgmental men that remind her how far she’s fallen. At the same time, Tasha and Gretchen teach Claire what it is to live with mental illness, including that Group isn’t the end. It’s only the beginning. And Claire can’t analyze her way out of it.

Unfortunately, time and her disability insurance are running out – if Claire can’t get to a better place, she could lose her career and may never be healthy enough for a lasting relationship. Even worse, she could be putting her custody arrangement at risk. Nothing in her life is what it once was, but with her unlikely friends by her side, Claire may just find a path to a future worth living, even if it may not look like the life she lost.

A female friendship love story that "explores the gritty realities of living with mental illness with sharply dark humor and an interminable optimism, culminating in an unforgettable story that will either leave you with an empathy you didn’t expect, or feeling understood like never before."

“A raw, emotional foray into the harrowing and yet hilarious capriciousness of mental illness… a novel that can meet you at your darkest moment and give you the power to decide to save your own life.” Reedsy Editor

Trigger References to sexual assault (not explicit), depiction of suicidal ideations and delusional psychosis.

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit

296 pages, Paperback

Published June 8, 2021

About the author

Angela is the author of upmarket (i.e., book club) women’s/contemporary fiction. Her award-winning novels explore coming of age, generational secrets, and redefining self as well as unrequited love, dysfunctional families, and living with mental illness (among other themes), but always with an empathy that respects the complexity of the human experience and a huge helping of heart. While she spent many years working her way up the corporate ranks in accounting and finance, writing has been her passion ever since she wrote, edited and distributed a neighborhood newspaper at the age of eight (which, incidentally, was a big success until an exposé written based on sketchy facts shut her down for good). A Whisper of Smoke was her debut novel, and winner of the 2015 National Indie Excellence Book Award for Women's Fiction, the 2014 GRW Maggie Award for Excellence (women's fiction with strong romantic elements), the 2014 Heart of Denver Aspen Gold Award (women's fiction with strong romantic elements) and the 2015 Readers' Favorite Gold Medal for Women's Fiction. It was also a finalist in the 2015 International Book Awards for Women's Fiction. A Painted Lily was awarded an Honorable Mention in the 2017 Writer's Digest Self-Published Book Awards. Angela's most recent women's fiction novel, Missing Pictures (released in 2021), is "a raw, emotional foray into the harrowing and yet hilarious capriciousness of mental illness... a novel that can meet you at your darkest moment and give you the power to decide to save your own life." She lives in Nashville, Tennessee with her family, a neurotic but sweet Yorkie, and a Black Lab rescue who slobbers and hogs the bed. To learn more about Angela and her books, visit angelahokeauthor.com.

Reviews

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a Women's Fiction book about living with a mental illness. I love this book because it brings so much light to mental illness. My Mom lived with a mental illness, Schizophrenia. I have to say I did not understand her when I was child, and she loss her fight of the mental illness when I was 20 years old. This book help me understand her more, and I am so happy that this book did that for me. This book is so well written, and this book shows several different types of mental illness. I love that this book does not sugar coats things it puts the real mental illness out there. My Mother was great when her meds was working or she was taking them. When, She was not it was normal to find her in the yard not wearing clothes and yelling at anyone there. She never remember it. The cops always had to come out put a blanket over her and take her to the hospital. There was a part in this book that may me think of my Mother. The characters in this book is so great, and the three women in this book is so strong in their own way. This is one of those books everyone needs to read. I cannot say this is a light and easy read, but it was so heartfelt that brings so many feelings to light. Great book and Well Written. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.

[Shawna Finnigan · Rating 4 out of 5]

TW// depression, anxiety, psychological abuse, bipolar disorder, intensive outpatient programs, psych wards, hospitals, divorce, rape, brief ableism, suicide, suicide attempt, suicidal ideation, intrusive thoughts, schizophrenia, substance abuse, overdose

I received an arc of this book through Book Sirens in exchange for an honest review.

It’s a personal policy of mine to hide trigger warnings for books under a spoiler tag so that people who don’t want to be “spoiled” won’t be, but the trigger warning list is extensive for this novel and I highly recommend checking it before reading this book. It was extremely difficult for me to get through some parts of this book because of all the triggering content.

I knew nothing about this book before I started reading it, but I was pleasantly surprised by how important and moving this book was. It’s an adult contemporary book focusing on mental illness with some spicy scenes. The mental illness representation in this book was so important. It dealt with issues like divorce and custody battles that were eye opening to me while also discussing mental health issues in a respectful way that I found myself relating to. The main character has depression, an illness that I suffer from, so I found myself being brought to near tears by the profound messages of support and encouragement that this book was sending out to people who have depression. The other major mental illness discussed in this book was bipolar disorder, which I appreciated because one of my relatives has it so it was eye opening to see what she goes through. I was very relieved to find that this book dealt with how to treat and manage mental illnesses, including things like medication and therapy. These treatment/management options need to be normalized and I was so glad to see them being portrayed so well in this book.

Angela Hoke’s writing style is a major reason why I liked this book. She has such a smooth writing style that made me got lost in the story. I’m definitely going to be checking out more books by her as being that I was impressed with her writing and I’m very interested to see more of the amazing works that she’s had published.

There was one major issue with this book that made me dock a star from my rating. While I’m not opposed to smut and sex talk in books, most of the characters in this book seemed to view sex as an important and vital part of living. Not of reproducing to make future generations, but for a person to survive, they must have sex. Positive sex talk is good and can help many people, but sex isn’t like food or anything that you need to survive, so as someone who’s a sex repulsed asexual, reading those parts of the book made me uncomfortable. I’m in no way judging anyone for their thoughts on this; I’m just being 100% honest about why this book wasn’t a five star read for me.

I would recommend this book to others if you’re an adult and you can handle the trigger warnings. This book will be relatable to people who struggle from mental health issues and eye opening for those who don’t. I hope this book reaches it’s full potential of starting an open and honest dialogue about mental health issues.

[Jodie Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading this book. I cried, I laughed, and I felt validated. It's a story about a mother fighting through depression, and the friends she meets who are also fighting mental illness, and how their custody situations are impacted by their illnesses. I did skip through some of the unnecessary descriptions of sex, but other than that, this book hit me at my emotional core. I've experienced and witnessed how mental illness can devastate a mother, and the author of the book gives a very realistic picture, showing how a woman can be an amazing mother dealing with an illness that is not understood by the courts. I love the friendships that were developed in this book as well. As a woman and mother dealing with depression, this book made me feel so validated. The descriptions of depression were spot on. For women who have fought custody battles and had their mental health used against them, reading this could be either triggering or validating, depending on the reader. For me, it was astounding to see such accurate descriptions of where I have been during the darkest times of my depression; no author has ever put that experience into words as well as this one.

[NICKI PFLEIDER · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book I’ve read by Angela Hoke, and I must tell you I am totally hooked. I loved them all. While this book in my opinion is different from her first two, it is probably the most compelling. Missing Pictures is the story of three total strangers who meet in group therapy while dealing with the personal fallout of relationships due to their respective mental illnesses. This book takes on the different aspects of mental illness head on, without apology. It is real, it is frank, it is funny, it is poignant, and it is loving and tolerant. Missing Pictures gives me hope and courage to face whatever hurdles may come my way. It emphasizes the power of friendship and compassion, and the healing that we all need in order to face our everyday struggles. I highly recommend it

[Bill Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a hard book to read, though I also loved it and found it incredibly compelling. I really haven't found books that draw me into the story of depression and mental health in the way this story did. For that reason, it was incredibly difficult to read at times because of the poignant nature of the narrative. And ultimately that's why I gave the story five stars, because of the vividness and reality of it. I could quibble a bit with the ending, that it tied up a little too nicely, but any novel can fall into that trap. But overall, I think the strength of the story comes in the way it allows the reader to live the horror and trappings of mental health issues, something I've struggled to put into words myself.


[Full disclosure: my awesome sister wrote this book]

[Twila Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I’ve read by Angela Hoke, and it will not be the last. I’ll start with technical things. I typically like third person point of view, but I couldn’t imagine this story told in anything other than first person. The writing is casual and accessible, which make the story accessible as well. Now for the feeling of the book. I honestly didn’t expect this story to get as gritty or have the depth that it did. I was pleasantly surprised. This is not your run of the mill, “read it a dozen times” divorce recovery story. It’s much more than that. Reading the afterword, I wasn’t surprised to see that Angela drew from her own mental illness in writing this. As someone that has battled my own demons, a lot of this book hit home. I’ve already recommended it to a friend, even when I was only halfway through it. This book is not intended to be instructional or therapeutic, as it’s fiction and the author is not a medical expert. However, I personally found parts quite therapeutic for myself. Just seeing a character struggling in ways very similar to myself was touching. You will experience a rollercoaster of emotions as the characters journey through some of the lowest lows and highest highs. I know my review has focused heavily on the mental health issues in the book, but it’s more than that. Ultimately, it’s a story of strength, hope, and unconditional love. (I received an advanced reader copy for free, and this is my voluntary, honest review.)

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Missing Pictures by Angela Hoke


There will be no walking on egg shells or sugar coating to be expected from the three main characters Angel Hoke has entangled. This most unlikely friendship amongst the trio comes about from the pit of despair. Their crass and at times vulgar language mixed with curse words and vivid illustrations will draw a clear masterpiece of what the world feels like to those suffering from depression, bipolar and other forms of mental illness.

No first class tickets on this journey; you are in for a rough ride. You will get slam dunked from your euphoria to the deepest hopelessness. Your friendship will ride the most treacherous waves, be churn in turbulence, to be spit out in a miraculous, divine tightly knit sphere of acceptance, unconditional love, and an everlasting sisterhood.

Get off your high horse, remove your blinders, prepare to get down and dirty, and fill your heart with empathy and understanding.

[Susanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've never read anything by Angela Hoke; and I wouldn't have seen anything about this book unless
Kindle Unlimited hadn't had it on their list - meaning I read it for some very low dollar amount. This was really an impactful book for me. It's about three women, their friendship, and mental illness. I
thought the book was very well written; I thought the pace was good -it sustained my interest throughout. My family is full of mental illness - specifically, depression. I've been successfully treated for depression for 30 years so maybe this book works for me better than for someone unfamiliar with this issue. I don't know. I could tell the author had some familiarity with her
subject - and that makes total sense. This isn't a fun, light beach read - but it sure is a good read.
Glad to know about Angela Hoke!

[Sacha Fortuné · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sacha's Book Reviews Blog

This was my sixth book I chose via the Reedsy Discovery program, for which I am the single approved reviewer for this new book. I chose it because I love the genre of women’s fiction, and the preview drew me in. This review also appears on Reedsy.

If you're interested in becoming a Reedsy reviewer (and have the chance to get paid "tips" to review books!) check it out here.

The Premise
On the heels of a painful divorce from an emotionally abusive husband, Claire falls into a debilitating depression that forces her to take a leave of absence from her high-powered job as a senior director of financial analysis at a Fortune 500 tech company.

Bolstered by the encouragement of her new friends whom she met at group therapy, she decides to reenter the dating scene in her late 30s. Unfortunately, the pickings are slim, and even the promising ones eventually disappoint. But even worse, Claire is terrified that she is the disappointment — a terrible mother, an insufficient wife, an incompetent employee, and now a crazy woman unable to keep her Depression (with a capital D) at bay.

Along with her friends Gretchen and Tasha, both single moms also fighting their own battles with mental illness, Claire forges an inseparable bond — a sisterhood that can survive the spiteful ex-husbands, the epically bad dates, and the darkest doubts and insecurities, with the triumph of laughter and unconditional love.

The Pros
This novel was a raw, emotional foray into the harrowing and yet hilarious capriciousness of mental illness.

With her key competencies as a wife and a worker stripped from her, Claire is left struggling to maintain the relationship with her precocious preteen daughter; and clinging to the vestigial memory of a marriage she now realises she never understood:

I cry for that wife who I used to be, the one who trusted her husband never to hurt her, and to always be there. The one that knew who she was, and what she could do, and it was no small thing.

This mental breakdown immediately distances her from everyone in her life — family members and friends simply cannot compute the disparity between the image of the well-adjusted, successful career woman, and who she has become. Her depression — or Depression with a capital D — has subsumed everything she once was:

My depression is a knob dialed down to its lowest decibel, a rumbling of Overwhelmed and I Can’t Do This and a frantic but sluggish pursuit of Hope. It has no conversation, it only wants to: Shut. Everything. Down.

The only ones who can understand this are her friends Tasha and Gretchen, who both suffer with bipolar disorder. The three women find solace in each other, with a unique shared understanding that they may never “get well” or “get over it” like others seem to hope will happen; this is their life now:

The three of us, we own our mental illnesses and hold them close. Like a rebellious sibling, we take care of them and tolerate them, even though they exhaust us.

Instead of crumbling beneath the weight of their illnesses, they live with it daily; a constant hum in the background of lives that are rich and filled with uproarious laughter, tender moments, new romances, parenting difficulties, and so much more. Despite the flashes of darkness, the light shines through: a gut-bursting element of humour that thrusts up the rollercoaster to string us along for the ride before it plummets and then rises again — reminding us that even in our darkest moments, there may be something worthy of a smile.

The prose is heartfelt from beginning to end, and reveals the character development of all three women with elegance, grace and beauty. I appreciated that it also shed a positive light on the husbands, fathers and partners that may often get sidelined as uncaring or unsupportive in their attempts to shield their families from the fallout of mental illness.

Conclusion
Despite the gravity of the subject matter, the writing style underscores a humour that breaks through the surface to make it a story of triumph and uplifting inspiration. It teaches us that illnesses of all kinds can strike anyone, and rails against the stigma that far too often accompanies a diagnosis of a mental health disorder.

I highly recommend it to anyone, but it will be most impactful to women who have shared some of these experiences as a wife, a mother, or a survivor of mental illness. This is a novel that can meet you at your darkest moment and give you the power to decide to save your own life.

___________
This review also appears on my blog. Visit to read more of my reviews: Sacha's Book Reviews Blog

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[Mitzi Brummett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Missing Pictures was another great book by Angela Hoke! I literally laughed out loud several times, and I love the honesty about experiences with mental illness. The bond between the three friends reminds me of my group of friends that have stood by each other for years and have helped me through the last 2 difficult years. We have each other’s backs and it’s good to know you can rely on people when life gets crazy, because it will! I know people will relate this story like I have and look forward to sharing it with others!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Cindy George · Rating 5 out of 5]

Missing Pictures shows, in a real way, what it is to live with mental illness every day, and still have jobs, responsibilities and relationships, and how an unexpected friendship can be borne from the shared experience. It explores the gritty realities of living with mental illness with sharply dark humor and and interminable optimism, culminating in an unforgettable story that will either leave you with an empathy you didn’t expect, or feeling understood like never before.

[Terri Chapin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This rating is really more like 4.6. I enjoyed this book, if that’s the right word. I’m just very glad I read it. If your knowledge of how mental illness works is limited, you really need to read this book. You’ll also learn how the power of friendship and radical acceptance and love can literally be a life saver.

[Debbie M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book in the giveaway. I enjoyed the book. It really did give insight into those with mental illness and made me more empathetic to their struggles. It’s definitely worth a read especially if you know someone who deals with a mental illness.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC reader. I had never read anything from this author before, and let me tell you she writes beautifully. I won’t give away any details, but I really enjoyed this book. It had me hooked from the beginning to the very end. I highly recommend you check it out.

[Lisa Wisner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won a free copy of this on good reads and so glad I did. It is about time someone discusses mental illness. I also love the fact that it is described as it truly is, an illness and an imbalance of the brain chemicals. It is not something that people choose. It is about time mental illness is discussed and not pushed under the carpet!

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! (Adult language and subjects)
Very real story. The characters become your friends and you want to help cheer them on. There are very real images about mental illness and how those who have it and those who love them can come to understand it. Truly heartwarming. One minute you’re crying, the next minute you’re laughing!
Angela is a new author for me – really look forward to reading her other books. Will Missing Pictures have a sequel? I hope so! I don’t want o say good-bye to my new friends Claire, Gretchen & Tasha!!

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what an emotional rollercoaster this book was. Angela Hoke is quickly becoming one of my must read authors and this book has shown a completely different side to her talents. Huge thanks to Angie and Book Sirens for sending me a free advance review copy.

Her portrayal of mental illness is tough but ultimately positive, and although I've been lucky enough not to suffer, the writing was such that I could understand some of what Clare and her friends were experiencing. Interlaced with the bleak parts are some hilarious, laugh out loud stories of dating disasters, and true female friendship, which are all written exquisitely.

Tackling mental illness as a central theme of a book is brave, but I believe it has been done magnificently, and reading about Clare's journey is inspirational. Seeing her confidence slowly return with the help of Gertrude and Tash was a delight, and reaffirmed the positivity of strong true friendships.

I would thoroughly recommend this book...and already have done to several friends.

Congratulations Angie, I hope it brings you much success.

[James Falcon · Rating 5 out of 5]

While the book contains whimsical aspects of a woman, Claire, going back out in the dating world and the shenanigans with her and her new friends, she also deals with the darker side of mental illness. The author touches on mental illness and depression stemming from a horrible divorce like a painter paints a masterpiece. Each stoke of the brush, dipped in the hard oils of life paints a woman that is more than sadness on the skin level. She cuts and fills in layer after layer to give Claire and her friends a depth that at times made me laugh and at times made me cry.

I’ve dealt with my mental illness for a few years now and she makes mental illness real and not a side joke or a plot device to make the character relatable. Instead she puts the pin on the map and assures every reader that mental illness is real. Her relationships that are formed with two other patients that she met in outpatient therapy felt never forced but sculpted with intention.

[Ashisha Sewpal · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the moment I turned the first page, I was hooked. The dating stories were hilarious. The story really emphasized the power of friendship and love. I felt connected to the characters and their stories. They are who they are and they are unapologetic. Honesty and facing your fears are other strong themes running through the story. Mental illness is another theme which highlights that it is not something to be ashamed of. The idea that mental illness is something sufferers create themselves or can just stop at will is ridiculous. Society needs to understand what mental illness is and Missing Pictures does that. It highlights the misconception some people have about mental illness and attempts to bring to light what mental illness really entails.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Cherie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing! I admit when I first was invited to read and review this book I was hesitant. Books are an escape for me so reading about mental issues sounded rather depressing. However, this book was not like that. The author crafted a masterful tale about a woman dealing with severe depression who befriends two other women dealing with mental issues while in group therapy. You then get to see how they become fast friends who share in each others triumphs as well as failures. They become each others support and become like sisters to each other. This is the first book I have read by this author and won't be the last because I was very impressed. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jane Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this book was ‘Fiction’ the story was very true to life. I have a family member and several friends whom suffer from mental illness and this story resonated with me. I absolutely fell in love with the characters in this story. The struggles these best friends go through were so familiar with experiences I have endured. I couldn’t help but root for these women during their terrifying and demoralizing ordeals.

There is such a stigma on mental illness these days. I believe every single person has either gone through some of these ordeals themselves or they know somebody dear to them who has.

This is an extremely well written book. The Author has obviously done her research and/or is familiar with the pain of mental illness. I had the book read in 24 hours. I couldn’t help but keep turning the pages. The story captured my heart from the get go.

I won a kindle copy of this book from a Goodreads Giveaway.

Reviews posted on Amazon, B&N, Goodreads & Kindle.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was late to work today. So pace yourself with this one. It's some heavy topics but done so beautifully you won't want to put it down.

The story is about a successful businesswoman, Claire Colson, who, after a painful divorce from a long-term marriage, tries to heal from depression. Easier said than done. She struggles with entering the dating world and keeping a balance with her daughter. Claire is not only likable, but she's also completely relatable! So many times, I found myself thinking this could be me.

The story isn't only about Claire and the all-too-familiar divorce story. It’s her bond with two women she meets in group therapy that is the true story. The three women love and care for each other without judgment or blame. Their loyalty comes from a place of understanding and acceptance.

The story is funny, sad, moving, and hopeful. I laughed and cried reading the same chapter. You will feel for these women and want to be their champions. We should all be so lucky to have friends like Claire, Tasha, and Gretchen.

This one is worth staying up late to read, being late to work, and having to take an afternoon nap from having a "reading hangover." Highly recommend.

[DebM · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very emotional story about three women who have different types of depression. They meet at group therapy and become great friends and sisters. People with depression should be so lucky to have someone like these friends to help them through their darkest days.

Tasha brought some laughter in the story and they all went through sadness and difficult decisions in life with children, divorce, dating and just dealing with life in general and taking their meds and staying on the right path! They were so lucky to have found each other(and at the end) good men who supported them and accepted them for the people they were and not expecting them to be perfect. They all accepted each other even on their darkest days they supported whatever they were going through. I think in “real” life people just think or they are having a bad day, they’ll be better tomorrow. This is something that is there for the rest of your life and people need to be taught that and to accept that and to offer support

[Cris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story about how three women became friends thru a therapy group. They were there for each other thru many ups and downs. Something every one woman should be able to have with her own friends. There was also mental health issues that should never be taken lightly. It made me think of my own friends and how we are always there for one another.

[Mary Swan-Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love books about redemption, trials, friendship and strong women supporting each other and Missing Pictures has it all. You’ll find yourself laughing, crying, cheering these women on and wishing they were your friends.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Weronika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you know the feeling when you turn the last page and you can't believe it's the end? That's how I felt when I finished the book. I grew so close to the main character I actually wanted to read on and on.
It's the first book I've read by Angela Hoke and it didn't disappoint. It brings up the topic of mental illness which is so difficult to understand by those who don't suffer from it. In times when wellbeing started to be so important in our lives and workplaces, this is something that definitely should be talked about more often.
It's a story of growth, rebirth and fight for a better life despite so many difficulties that mental illness can bring. It's also a story of a beautiful friendship and how important it is in hard times for anyone. Characters are down to earth and I loved them all.
I'd definitely recommend it to anyone who likes women fiction. There are some hilarious moments but also sad and very heavy chapters. I'm sure you'll love it. Thank you for letting me read it before the official publication date!

[Dorothy Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book was like talking to a good friend. I laughed and cried within the span of five minutes. It’s hilarious and heartbreaking and the characters are so relatably flawed. The writing is incredibly engaging, with a rawness that feels refreshing and heart-warming. Definitely recommend!

[Valarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, a wonderful read. The characters were well developed and truly seemed like real people. The author was able to intertwine the character's lives and struggles with mental illness seamlessly. She also did her due diligence by accurately describing the different types of mental illness represented-depression and bipolar. Each of the three main characters has a distinct personality which was reflected in the dialogue. They are three very different women who connect through mental illness and form an unbreakable bond, where they have each other's backs, no matter what. The book left me feeling hopeful, as I am going through a physical struggle of my own, where I have good and bad days.

Now for where the author (and her proof reader) fell short, in my humble opinion: too much gratuitous sex talk and several missing or incorrect words. As a former English teacher, mistakes in books can drive me to distraction and make the reading experience less enjoyable. The mistakes were many. Sex talk and descriptions of sexual encounters are part of life and readers enjoy a steamy romance. But, the author used vulgar terms that could easily have been substituted with other words. One of the characters, Tasha, uses very explicit language, which helps mold her personality for the reader; however, the vulgarity is somewhat overdone, especially concerning sex. I am not a prude by any stretch, but explicit words degrade the characters, the readers, and the writing. The book is well written, thoughtful, and entertaining--so, there is no need to pepper it with filthy terms. The audience you are targeting, Book Clubs, educated and mature women, mental health patients, etc., enjoy sexy scenes, but word choice is important.

I would have given the book 5 stars if the author would have used less vulgar terms to describe sex and male/ female anatomy. Also, better proof reading. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Caitlin Avery · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and could relate to the main character's struggles on many levels. When I first started reading I thougt there was a lot of telling vs. showing, in the form of internal dialogue of the main character. I liked the 'voice', and could relate to her feelings of inadequacy due to depression, but I wasn't sure I personally needed to spend so much time with those types of negative thoughts (I already tend to do that).

I'm glad I did! By the 50 % mark I was hooked on the story and wanted to see all three women in the story succeed in beating their demons. I loved the friendship theme of the story: 3 women from different walks of life who bond over their shared mental health issues. The dramatic points in the plot were very relatable and I loved that the women stayed true to one another no matter how bad or scary their behaviors became.

The relationships each of them had with the men in their lives was also moving. I was entertained and appalled at some of the MC's terrible dates, and hoped she'd find true love by the end. There were several sensitive topics discussed in great detail (sex assault and suicide) that I have personal experience with, but at no point did I feel triggered. I was only ever moved in a good way.

This story is about overcoming seemingly impossible struggles and I feel more hopeful about my own for having read it. It was great--I definitely recommend.

(for me, five stars are reserved for the best books I've ever read).

[Mamadukes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Missing Pictures by Angela Hoke is a small foray into the stigma, treatment and sometimes all consuming, life long fight of living with mental illness. Claire, Tasha and Gretchen all struggle with some form of mental illness. They meet at a psych hospital support group and become fast and furious friends. Some of the conversations between the three were so spot on and had me laughing out loud. Don’t read this on the train or where others will wonder about you.

The main theme of Missing Pictures is surviving and hopefully thriving with mental illness; pitfalls of managing mental illness for THE REST of your life, everyday struggles with spouses, children and the dark, dangerous world of returning to the dating scene after divorce. Throughout the book, you are reminded of the enduring power of your sister/friends. We should all be so lucky as to find at least one in this lifetime. I have!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.