Happy Publication Day!!
I picked up this book due to the cover and the missing child blurb, but I was left sorely disappointed with the way of writing.
The story went thus, child Josie was kidnapped from home, father tried to stop, was hit on the head and drugged and left elsewhere, the mother called the cops and investigations started, leading to twists.
My second and perhaps the last book by Jake Cross, the book left me disappointed as the prose didn’t read like a complete story, the dialogues were pretty bad. The twists were good, but they left me with more questions. There were many characters, at one point, I stopped trying to figure out who was who and just wanted to get to the part where the child was found.
The last reveal was exciting, though I wouldn’t say the author built it up well. There was hardly any suspense or thrill in the entire book which such a plot would warrant. The characters didn’t cosy up to me or make me want to root for them. A dialogue which haunted me, the mother was with the kidnappers and was afraid when one of them was about to put his hand between her legs but suddenly thinks she didn’t care as it might mellow him.
At that point, I stopped caring. I didn’t think the author understood how a woman or a mother would react when her child is gone. The love for the child was not shown well. So overall, it was an okay read, could have been so much better.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and publisher Bookouture, and this is my journey into its pages, straight from the heart!!
All my reviews can be found here
You whispered goodnight to your daughter. You didn’t know that would be your last goodbye.
You wake up in the middle of the night.
Your five-year-old daughter is gone.
Your husband is nowhere to be seen.
Your family think he took her.
The police believe he’s guilty.
But he wouldn’t do that, would he?
He’s a loving father. A loving husband. Isn’t he?
Publication Date: 23rd April 2019
Publisher: Bookouture
50 Responses
Well done for such an honest review.
Hahaha I am going to be banned for being honest 😂😂🤷♀️🤷♀️
For developed countries, there are libraries and charity shops, we don’t have any of these. So for us, books are a luxury unless we are very rich. I am not and hence I have to save money to buy a book. There are many like me in this world. So I think I have got to be honest.
You are Shalini, and you are honoured for your clear words in reviewing. Thank you! MIchael
Btw: Here we have libraries, but the people are not visiting them for reading, only some elders for handcraftig or drinking (free) coffee. Our mayor call this “incresing interest of the citizens to collect knowledge. Lol Best wishes from this crazy village. Michael
Ooooh… I wish we had such libraries. Thank you so much Michael for your words of support ❤️
Certainly not a book that I would feel worth reading. Thanks for the heads up, Shalini.
I wanted to like it but the style of writing didn’t really work for me
Honest and great review!
Thank you… I would have to wait for the backlash as some don’t like my honesty 🙈🤷♀️❤️
Backlash-smacklash, honesty is a virtue! 😉🤩
I agree darlin it is a Lost virtue 😂😂🤷♀️🤷♀️
😂
Congratulations on your new book.. I haven’t read the previous anf you have a new one happening… Sheesh!!
Lol I’m still waiting on that damn Mobi too!🤦♀️
Hehehe don’t you love them? Now I have to read two of your books back to back 😂😂
Lmao, good thing they’re short 😉😂
Hahaha… You are just lucky I love you so much 😉😘❤️🙄
The feeling is mutual 😍😘😂
❤️
A shame you didn’t enjoy it more. Hopefully your next read will be awesome.
Thank you.. I would be starting with Carol Wyer book so I know it would be great 😍
Yikes! Definitely won’t be one that I pick up! Ha ha. Nothing drives me nuts more than too many characters and bad dialogue! I’m glad you read it first! 😂
Hahaha I would have loved to hear your response to scene where the kidnapper touches her crotch and she thinks it will mellow him down. Yuck, I cringe
Wow! Yup. I probably would have had something to say about that one!! 🙄
Hehehe damn then you should read so that I have the fun of knowing your reaction 😂😂😝😝
Yikes, this one would be a hard pass – thanx for your trustworthy review!
Hehehe I sometimes feel my eyebrows would be forever stuck to the hairline at the expression I have when I read certain books. 🙄😝😲
Doesn’t sound like one I’d enjoy after reading your review. Sorry it wasn’t better! I appreciate your honest review, Shalini. ❤
Thank you Jenn. I didn’t like it much. I haven’t read a thing after this book. Need to start something to get over this book
Better luck on your next. Hugs ❤
Emotions are important for missing child arc. Sad it wasn’t deeply described. Fair review.
I’m sorry this was such a disappointment. I got halfway finished with a book last night and finally just gave up. It kept getting more and more ridiculous the longer I kept reading. I’m not sure if it’s the time of year or what but, geesh, sometimes the silliness is just too much! I love a good honest review Shalini – thank you!
Thanks Mackey.. I feel some days I am pretty unforgiving if the book doesn’t make me happy. I want basic stuff a good story and good writing…
I am going through some stuff I need distractions 🤷♀️❤️
Oh no! I will be reading this sometime this week, hope I like it better than you!
You will like it, honey… I am sure. I am just a bit unforgiving if the emotions don’t come through.
Thoughtful review, Shalini! ♥️ I hope your next book is a big winner!
It is..
Sorry this one didn’t work out well for you Shalini. I ended up skipping it because the author’s first book didn’t go well for me either. I hope your next read will be a good one though. Great, well-balanced review.
I didn’t like the first book… I always give a second chance.. Well this was my last. 😂😂
I am reading the dare by Carol Wyer… I am supposed to review it today… 😂 But I have just started.. Ah well
You are such a fast reader; I bet you will be done soon. I enjoyed The Dare, hope you will too.
I hope so too
Oh no. But bad dialogue… ugh. That really breaks a story! Better luck with the next read. 😘😘
I had.. Read a short story really fast… Whew
Hehehe
Thank you for being honest with us! Too bad you were disappointed, but now you know! Good review, Shalini 😄
Thank you so much… Yp my final read by this author. No more
Oh dear, thanks for the honest, heartfelt review Shalini. It is too bad when a book disappoints so.
Something just felt off in the book