This book was supposed to be the thriller meant to divert my mind off realities of life and it did. But it left me with a lump in my throat, the size of a golf ball. Don’t get me wrong, it was a great thriller, but the backstory had me wanting to sob.
The story started with a couple Lana and Tyler and their IVF cycles and its effect on their relationship. Entered an anonymous egg donor, Katya, from Bulgaria. Anonymity was subverted, and Lana and Katya bonded without telling each other the truth. One night of dancing, and Katya disappeared until a dead body was found in the river.
Daniela Petrova’s book was the perfect combination of thriller and mystery along with huge scoops of emotions. An incident of childhood can screw up the adult life causing ripples far extended. I loved the main character Lana who found herself alone and pregnant yet determined to get to the bottom of Katya’s death, her daughter’s mother. Her vulnerability and determination struck a chord in me. Katya on the other hand, was wild and unpredictable with terrible mood swings and reminded me of ME had I not found an emotional support at the right time. Both the women were diametrically opposite, yet connected by the umbilical cord.
The book was like a movie being unfolded, I found myself being a spectator in the women’s lives. The story could have been tighter with more thrill, my only tiny niggle. But every scene was written with a thoughtful eye, enmeshing well with the plot of story. The emotions weaved were subtle yet caught me unawares. An unexpected, emotional thriller!
I received an ARC from Edelweiss and publisher. P. Putnam’s Sons, and this is my journey into its pages, straight from the heart!! STRICTLY HONEST AND UNBIASED.
All my reviews can be read here
Lana Stone has never considered herself a stalker–until the night she impulsively follows a familiar face through the streets of New York’s Upper West Side. Her target? The “anonymous” egg donor she’d selected through an agency, the one who’s making motherhood possible for her. Hungry to learn more about her, Lana plans only to watch her from a distance. But when circumstances bring them face-to-face, an unexpected friendship is born.
Katya, a student at Columbia, is the yin to Lana’s yang, an impulsive free spirit who lives life at the edge. And for pragmatic Lana, she’s a breath of fresh air and a welcome distraction from her painful breakup with her baby’s father. Then, just as suddenly as Katya entered Lana’s life, she disappears–and Lana might have been the last person to see her before she went missing. Determined to find out what became of the woman to whom she owes so much, Lana digs into Katya’s past, even as the police grow suspicious of her motives. But she’s unprepared for the secrets she unearths, and their power to change everything she thought she knew about those she loves best…
Publication Date: 18th June 2019
Publisher: G. P. Putnam’s Sons
40 Responses
Great review Shalini. This one sounds like it has a lot going for it to interest a variety of readers.I enjoy a thriller that has layers and lots happening, this sounds like it fits the bill. I already had it on my TBR list, so now to make time to get to it.
nice review
Thank you
This sounds like a really good read. I have to laugh at your desire for a little more “thrill” to it. Can you ever have enough?
Oh yes… When it becomes too gore-ish. 😂😂
Great review, Shalini! I enjoyed this one too.
I continued reading only after reading your review… I was unsure initially
Glad you stuck with it. 💜
definitely going on my wish list. fab review!
Thank you… I read some good books last week 😂
Beautiful review, Shalini, very emotional and true to the book! I found it interesting that Katya reminded you of yourself. She is such an interesting character.
I could have gone Katya’s way due to the problems I faced, but the guardian angels stopped me… ❤️
Thank you, dear guardian angels. I had a Lana moment in my life. You know when she is sitting home, eating ice-cream and thinking about her life. Yep, that’s me a few years ago.
this might stop my heart
Didn’t you read Tudor’s book? 😲
Yes, and she scares me silly!
I haven’t read her book… Got rejected.. 🤷♀️
Super review, sounds rather different, and we do like variety in our thrillers.
I am doing more in this month… There is some historical romance in my TBR 🙈🤣
Fabulous review, Shalini. This one sounds really good. 😊
Thank you so much Rose. It was really great ❤️
What a fab review! I’ve not heard of this book before but you’ve sold me on it, I’m going to see if I can order it now. It sounds like such a gripping and emotional read.
Thank you so much ❤️ I hope you get it soon
Fab review, Shalini! I can’t wait to read this one now!
Woohoo I am sure you will love it
Terrific review! I have this coming up too 🙂
Thank you so much. ❤️ I am sure you are going to have great fun reading it
Wonderful review! I just agreed to do a blog tour for this one and I am really excited!
Thank you so much. I am sure you are going to enjoy it
While it sounds like it dealt with a lot of serious subjects that would get just about anyone with a kind heart sobbing their lives away, it sounds pretty good! Great review! 😀
Oh yes. It did. But it was fun too
Thank you so much ❤️
Great review, Shalini – the best books for me are the ones that make me think of my own life
Agreed. But most days I want to escape thinking
Yayy I hope you enjoy it too. Thank you so much ❤️
Thank you for the review, Shalini! Even if here in Germany every two hours they are airing Mombai in part is flooded by monsuun rain. Stay save! Michael
Hahaha no no it is not flooded. It is not raining continuously anymore. I am safe ❤️
Very good news! I am amazied. But really here our Bavarian radio stations every two hours are airing about “flooded Mumbai” and the horrible monsuun. ;-)❤️
Hahaha no floods today
Thats fine! Think some of our Bavarian politican are having water till their mouth. Now the need some horror stories from far away. 🙂
😂😂