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My review

I had tears by the time I finished this book. My heart felt as if every drop of emotion was drained out of it. I was in turmoil. I liked the book, yet I didn’t like it in some parts.

The story goes like this, since her husband’s death, Veronica has post partum depression. She couldn’t touch her daughter. Her mother looked after the daily needs of her daughter till one day the child disappeared. And Veronica had to go searching for her daughter since police were doing nothing but suspecting her mom and herself.

My first book by author Emily Bleeker, and I loved the last 30% of the book. It made up for the first part of the book which was both confusing and haphazard. I didn’t like the main character at all, not because of her circumstances, but because she seemed to be disconnected to anything. I did later realize that it was a part of the plot, this is what the author wanted to lay down the foundation.

But I came very close to DNFing it. It was just per chance that I persisted and came to the exciting parts of the book, which took my breath way. I wept for the lost mother, I wept for the lost child. I wept for the circumstances of life where a mother feels such a pain. I wept buckets!! The ending just took my heart in its hand and squeezed the last bit of emotion.

I wanted a suspense thriller, and I got a book seeped in emotions. I suppose not a bad way to spend a Monday evening.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and publisher Lake Union Publishing, and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating : 3.5 stars

About the Author

Emily Bleeker is a former educator who learned to love writing while teaching a writer’s workshop. After surviving a battle with a rare form of cancer, she finally found the courage to share her stories, starting with her debut novel, Wreckage, followed by the Wall Street Journal bestseller When I’m Gone and Working Fire. Emily currently lives with her family in suburban Chicago.

Book blurb

Ever since her husband’s death collided with the birth of her daughter, postpartum depression has taken hold of Veronica Shelton. She can’t sleep, can’t work, and can’t bear to touch her beautiful baby girl.

After all, the break-in at her house happened. The disturbing sketches she found in her studio are real. So is the fear for her daughter’s safety—especially when Veronica comes home to a cold, silent nursery and a missing baby.

As she turns from victim into primary suspect, Veronica realizes that only she can find her daughter. Authorities aren’t helping. They’re only watching. Veronica’s concerned mother has suddenly vanished from her life. And a new friend seems to be keeping secrets from her too. Now, reality is waiting for Veronica in a dark place—because someone’s mind games have only just begun.

Product Details

Publication date : 28th August, 2018

Publisher : Lake Union Publishing

51 Responses

  3. Sounds like it ends up being a very emotional and mysterious read. Also, I empathise with the author – I find the beginning of books so much harder to write than the end!

    Reply

    1. I am having a crashing Friday… Laptop crashed hahaha corrupted my files… I am in recovery mode… OK a redo mode… So extremely busy…
      Have a great weekend Leslie. You are awesome

      Reply

  6. Excellent review, as always, Shalini. I wish I could express myself the way you do when writing my reviews. Isn’t it fulfilling when you stick it out with a book and it picks up and surprises you? I once got halfway through a book and almost gave up. I kept going and was crying my eyes out at the end. As a result I’ve never forgotten that book.

    Reply

          1. Yes, I really do Shalini. (I like saying your name…..Shalini 😌)
            I’m super sensitive, and probably a big jumble of hormones. 🤦🏽‍♀️ But I do cry very easily when I’m saddened by others’ suffering and the state of the world. So much going on. I feel very disappointed when I see the madness in humanity. But overall I’m actually a very silly, jovial person. I guess I feel sad because I wish people could co-exist together in peace and harmony, the way I do with my friends and family.

          2. Only good people pure of heart can do that. Laurie, you don’t play games, you are straightforward and that is why, you can be honest. Not many like you in this world. And probably they shouldn’t be too. We all need someone we can look up to, someone who helps us to become better than we are… Someone like you.
            I have met so many good people here, good women I would say precisely, (men… Mehhh not so much) that I am learning to become a better human every day…
            We need good people like you, as simple as that. That is how the Earth sustains its goodness

          3. Thank you Shalini. You’re so sweet. I try to be a kind, compassionate person because that’s how I was taught. When I was young my grandmother used to take me with her to visit elderly neighbors. I still remember that. Since we are all in this together, we should love one another and be forgiving and sympathetic to the plights of others. Very different from the actions and attitudes we see in the world today. Stay sweet Shalini. We are all a work in progress, but we do have the ability to show love to one another and to try to do good things. 💕😘

          8. They liked to see a lot of movies, so one of dad’s favorite heroine had this name in the movie which he saw before my birth, hence…

          1. EXACTLY! It’s alright. I’m here to protect you. I’m going to be your sadness bouncer. Anyone, or anything that wants to cause you sadness?? THEY HAVE TO GET THROUGH ME!! 😍😍

          2. Yayyyyy, my knightess in unicorn horn hehehe well I did remember that game you played… Hahaha I meant board game, ring game some game… Yp nothing sexual at all😉😉😉😂😂😂😂

  9. Well done, love this review and I totally understand the dilemma mentioned, I always debate and worry I will DNF too soon – but most often, I don’t DNF soon enough 😉

    Reply

    1. Thank you Kim… My today’s read has brought out so many emotions that I am finding it difficult to write a review… I am so angry…. Hahaha… I hope I can write a semi-sane review without expletives

      Reply

  13. Wow, this one sounds like a book that i might not be ready for. I don’t mind emotional stories, but not ones that rip my heart out. I am glad you stuck it out to get the part you enjoyed. Great review Shalini.

    Reply

    1. No more emotional books now till the end of the year. I have a couple from NetGalley. I hope to finish them soon. Then on to happier books

      Reply

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