I've never read any Mary Kubica before, but I will be reading her in the future! The writing in this book was great, very evocative and at times creepy to the point where I was looking over my shoulder as I was reading. She really knows how to set the atmosphere!

All that said, this book was not my favorite of the thriller (?) genre. Without giving too much away, I was disappointed in the ending and felt a bit cheated having put in all the time I did reading it. I also wasn't a big fan of Jessie, and had a hard time understanding some of her choices. Even the end didn't really clear up some of this, and I felt there were a lot of unexplained loose ends when it came to the plot.

All THAT said, if this book had not been thrown in the Mysteries & Thrillers section, I probably would have liked it a lot more. It was more of a character study than anything else, and I really did feel for the people involved. The grieving process is depicted realistically and the story tugged at my heartstrings. Had I not been expecting the other shoe to drop the whole time (because I thought this was more of a suspense title), I bet I'd have loved it. So the four stars is because it's a great book--I just wish it hadn't been marketed the way it was, which negatively affected my reading experience.

Well I officially crown Kubica the queen of creating unreliable narratives! I had NO idea what the hell was going on and was completely mystified right up to the end.

I can’t deny I was a bit annoyed at the 'twist', but after having time to let it sink in I realized the signs were all there the whole time. That I didn’t pick up on what she was throwing out there makes me give her major props for deceiving me.

That’s all your going to get out of me on this one. This book is best going in blind with no preconceived thoughts. Enjoy the chaos. Maybe you won’t be as blindsided as I was at how things end up.

ARC provided by NetGalley

Norma, Lindsay and I read When The Lights Go Out with three of our Traveling Sisters and this one made for such a great discussion for us.

We all were drawn in right away to the lives and struggles of our two main characters here with Jessie in the present dealing with insomnia and grief from losing her Mother Eden and in the past with Eden dealing with infertility issues that start to unravel her life.

When both women's lives start to unravel they both become unreliable leaving us with so many questions as the suspense and tension increased. We raced through the story as fast as we could, entertained and excited to get to that final reveal. Well wow, that was an ending to talk about. So many mounting questions and tension built up and that ending left some of us cheering in our coulee and for one sister she felt let down by that ending.

This is definitely one we recommend. Whether that ending leaves you cheering or feeling let down, it's guaranteed to provoke some kind of reaction from you.

Thank you so to NetGalley, Harlequin/Park Row, and Mary Kubica for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a review.

Reading this book was an absolute joy! I loved how the author moved effortlessly between the past and the present in the lives of the two main characters! This story kept me guessing which I really enjoyed it! It's always nice when a story turns out nothing like you expected! I look forward to reading many more books by this excellent author!

The best part of When the Lights Go Out was the ending! I totally did not see it coming. The first eighty percent of the book was too slow and too depressing for me. I think I could not grasp the concept of having insomnia for such a long period of time. Not my favorite but I usually love Kubicas books.

Let me start by saying...I love Mary Kubica's writing, and I own all of her books in hardback.

I went into this book really excited, and it didn't disappoint...at first. I love how she has a slow buildup, and I couldn't put the book down, literally. I started reading it first thing in the morning, and I read all day long. I was a lover of the story right up to the 91% mark on my Kindle, and then there was one long, monotonous, drawn out section by Jessie, and it was all downhill from there. When I got to the end I felt cheated...I needed there to be more. I even went back and reread the last 9% thinking I must have missed something, or read it wrong, but nope...the ending was just not good. I am rating this one a 3 because it was a great read for 90% of it. Thanks Netgalley for an ARC of this book.

This will not be my last Mary Kubica book, and I am now anxiously waiting for her next one. Still a fan, even though this one was a disappointment to me.

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Tracy (The Pages In-Between) rated a book liked it

about 4 hours ago

When the Lights Go Out

by Mary Kubica (Goodreads Author)

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Read in September 2018

Thank you Park Row Books for gifting me a copy of this book, in exchange of an honest review. All opinions are my own. 

I give this book a 3 out of 5 Stars.

This was such a fast read, And I spent a lot of time wondering how the Author was going to wrap up this storyline.I couldn't imagine any ending that could make this book pass as realistic, and then once I got to the ending, it all made perfect sense, and I absolutely appreciated how it.While  Kubica has a great writing style, she writes an epic opening, that sticks its claws into you, and than she keeps the grasp on you, until you are staying up past your bedtime, and devouring the pages so fast, because you have to see what this madness is. This story was told in two viewpoints, Jessie's and Eden (the mom) Eden's parts fluctuate in time, while Jessie's chapters are present time. I think this was a slow burn story, it took awhile to lead up to that final chapter, however it also read very quickly. Does that make sense? 

There parts in the book where I was like "Huh?" "What in the world?" and overall just kind of over the top, very unrealistic feel to this book. But it's meant to be that way, and once I came to the ending, I understood it. This is only the second Kubica book I've read, I've seen a lot of mixed reviews, and I understand why some people didn't enjoy it. I however, found it to be a light, easy, and very quick read. This isn't a dark and heavy thriller. Overall, while I wasn't in love, and it's not going to be a top 5 favorite book for me, I did like the story, and I think many others will too. That ending though, you're going to love it, or you're going to hate it.

4.5 stars!

Addictive. Emotional. Gripping. Tension-filled.

I’ve heard so many fantastic things about Mary Kubica. This was my first experience reading her work and it definitely lived up to the hype!

This story revolves around Jessie Sloane, a young woman who loses her mother to cancer after many exhausting years battling the disease. Jessie feels alone in the world and needs to push herself to focus and move forward. While applying for college, Jessie stumbles across a mysterious detail from her past that she can’t understand or accept. She becomes solely focused on figuring out the missing pieces of her childhood hoping to get answers that will help her move forward in life.

This suspenseful and twisty thriller packed quite the punch! Not only did this book have me sitting on the edge of my seat, hanging on every word, it had me an emotional wreck! On one page I would be holding my breath in tension-filled anticipation of what would happen next, and then the next page had me with tears streaming down my face, broken hearted at what the characters were facing. Wow! This was a fantastic mix of perfection!

This was a Traveling Sister read. There were a mix of reactions to that ending. For me, it was fantastic and suited the story fabulously.

A big thank you to NetGalley, HARLEQUIN – Trade Publishing and Mary Kubica for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

When The Lights Go Out is available now!!

Even though I did not dislike the book but it was not my favorite either and that ending really did not help.

I was intrigued at the beginning, psychological thrillers told from different points of view and with that wave of suspense as soon as you start them, plot twist and an unexpected ending but I found it to be very slow pace and I lost interest at times. Although I liked the premise and enjoyed the start but unfortunately not the best thriller I have read.

Thank you Netgalley and Park Row for the advanced free copy in exchange for an honest review.

I loved “The Good Girl”, “Don’t You Cry” and “Every Last Lie” and felt luke warm" about "Pretty Baby" so I was pretty excited to start reading the latest book by Mary Kubica..

Unfortunately, I did NOT like this book at all.

The story alternates between the timelines of 1996 (Eden) and the present (Jessie).

Eden is a woman who is obsessed with having a baby. Other women seem to become pregnant with ease, and then don’t seem to have the love and patience with their children, that she knows she would have for her own. She doesn’t appreciate the good things in her life and is focused only on becoming pregnant.

Jessie’s Mom has just died and her parting words to Jessie are “Find Yourself”.....

As Jessie attempts to do so, she seems to conveniently run across people who can provide the answers to her questions...one coincidence too many for me.

And, then THAT ENDING that previous reviewers have alluded to, brings the PAST and PRESENT together, in a most UNTHRILLING way.

My impression is that Mary Kubica wanted to tackle a story about a woman who is devastated by her inability to get pregnant but because she is a writer of “thrillers” she felt she could only do so in the format of a “thriller”-so she needed to end the book with a “twist you won’t see coming”.

Unfortunately this time, I am sorry to say, the story and the twist, fell short for ME, though you may feel differently!

In this well written drama, Mary Kubica confronts two issues that have plagued women, that of infertility and that of insomnia. Statistics say that 12.1% of women suffer with infertility problems while 6.7% are actually infertile. Sixty million people suffer from some level of sleep disorder. While there is medical treatment for infertility, it can cost in upwards of one hundred thousand dollars. Insurance will cover some of the costs but most insurances have a maximum amount that they will cover. For women who so want a child, and will try anything to conceive, they and their partner encounter an enormous amount of debt trying to become pregnant.


In the book When the Lights Go Out, Ms Kubica introduces us to Eden, a young girl happily married to her spouse who decide to have a child. However, they experience much difficulty and explore all options, acquiring massive debt and eventually wrecking their marriage. Years later, Eden's daughter, Jessie Sloane, confronts her own problems. She is an insomniac, her mother is dying of cancer, and after Eden's death, Jessie needs to find out about herself. She tries to enroll in college but then finds out her social security number belonged to a three year old child who had died. Jessie embarks on a mission to find out who she is, but her insomnia plagues her, opening her up to chronic sleeplessness, memory issues, and hallucinations. She is on a road to paranoia.

Told in two concurrent voices, that of Eden's and Jessie, this story confronts the issue of family love, the overwhelming desire for a child, and finding oneself among the chaos of life and its many problems. It is a sensitive story, one that is written about so well, by the author. At times, the two unreliable narrators of this story relate things that seem murky and at times some of the details are slightly unrealistic. However, I do recommend this book as a worthwhile read and one many will enjoy as you ponder the issues these two women faced.

Thank you to Mary Kubica, Herlequin-Hanover Square Press and NetGalley for providing an ARC of this thought-provoking novel.

Thank you also to the Traveling Sisters group on Goodreads who read along with me. We had quite a discussion about this book and as always, it made the story ever more intriguing.

I haven't been this disappointed in a book ending, in a long time.

Mary Kubica has a way with words that really hooks you in. It keeps you reading, even when some of the plot starts to waiver. She gives you a small breadcrumb that you'll follow all the way until the end. Unfortunately, too many other pieces just didn't make sense or add up. Then you get to the ending and... let's just say, it made me mad.

Such a shame about this one.

When the Lights Go Out highlighted two women, Jessie and Eden, who mentally, physically, and emotionally struggled with constant battles. This thriller was artfully written in Eden's and Jessie's perspective. Jessie was presently struggling with her mom's terminal illness, severe insomnia, and not being able to move her life forward. Eden's story was told in 1996 when life seemed to be on the right track until everything spiraled out of control. The characters crave to be happy and healthy, but life keeps throwing them major curveballs. The moral dilemmas and stressful decisions spin the plot in unfathomable directions with an ending that just pulls it all together in a shocking way. Mary Kubica's descriptive, suspenseful writing on how these two ladies anguish through their life is one of the best parts.

Any more details and I will spoil the unraveling of the story.

I received an Advance Review Copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Mary Kubica never disappoints. She delivers and face paced mystery from 2 separate points of view along 2 different timelines effortlessly. A must read!

I received a copy of this via #NetGalley.

This book blew me away. It pulled me right in and was a roller coaster of a ride from start to dramatic ending. I kept trying to figure out what was going on. What happened. Who did what and where Jessica came from. I was totally blown away. I was shocked by this book. I did not figure out what happened at all. Had no idea and personally I loved the ending. I think it was perfect for this story. The dove part made me cry so bad and the letter ripped my heart right out of my chest. I went to bed with puffy swollen eyes from crying so hard and I beleive it was perfect. It just fit.
I loved the characters of this book and how they were to each other. It shows what you will do if you want a baby so bad you can’t breathe. How it’s not always to late to make something right that you did wrong to another person. To me it was sad but perfect.

I gave it a 5 star rating and believe it well deserves it. I loved this book. I can relate to insomnia. Maybe not as bad as Jessie, but still....

Without revealing any spoilers, the narrative gives two points of view--one from the mother, Eden, and the other from her daughter, Jessie. Jessie's story begins in her 20's as she is watching over her mother who is within hours of dying from cancer in the hospital. Eden's story begins in 1996, two years into her marriage with Aaron, having just moved into a new home, and ready to start a family.

This book is one of those "What If" stories that will leave a long-lasting impression on the reader forevermore, and there are not enough superlatives to describe the genius of its overall package. Destined to be a best seller, I highly recommend this read!

I had high expectations for When the Lights Go Out. Unfortunately this book did not live up to my expectations. The premise follows two storylines, of Jessie, and her mother Eden (to be fair, you don't find out that Eden is Jessie's mother until about a quarter of the way through the book, but it is pretty obvious). The Jessie storyline is in the present day, and the Eden storyline is in the past. They weave together, and the writing style leads the reader to believe he/she has figured it out and it is a predictable path to the end. Eden is dying of cancer and Jessie doesn't know how to function without her. She's lacking a driver's license (at 20), a social security card and a birth certificate. She doesn't know who she is or what her past is.

This is where the book lost me. It is too far-fetched to believe that someone in the 2000's does not have photo identification. That they were allowed into schools without a birth certificate. Jessie, as a narrator, is unreliable, as she hasn't slept for days. She sees things that aren't there and hears things that aren't there.

The end of the book attempts to explain everything and tie it up nicely, but as a reader, I was frustrated with it. I won't give anything away, but it felt a little cheap.

Throughout the book, I was bothered by the unreliable narrator and couldn't quite get to the point of empathizing with her. I didn't understand how she had no one to turn to, no one to help her. I didn't feel bad when she couldn't sleep because she refused to try. Eden was just as unlikable and there were many parts of her storyline that also seemed unbelievable. Overall, I was disappointed.

4.35 Stars* (rounded up).

Wild Perfection.

My oh my, this was a compelling and heartbreaking read my friends! Mary Kubica is the master of suspense and sure knows how to keep the reader on their toes. Like a spider caught in a web, I couldn’t pull myself away from “When The Lights Go Out.”

1996: Eden and Aaron are happily married: they hold hands, sit outside and cuddle in each other’s arms, content. Eden, however is desperate for a baby. Completely consumed with need, she can’t eat or sleep. Fertility treatments, IVF, you name it - Eden will stop at nothing to accomplish her goal of having a child of her own.

Present Day: Jessie is all alone in this world. She hasn’t slept for days and is now having trouble functioning. To make matters worse, she discovers that her social security number is invalid and since she doesn’t have a driver's license or a birth certificate, she can’t get one. Therefore, Jessie, begins to question her own existence and the foundations upon which she was raised.

“When The Lights Go Out” gets a little crazy, my mind was spinning like a vinyl record. I couldn’t keep track (pun intended, ha ha) of everything Eden and Jessie were going through. My stomach was in knots and my nerves were on edge. Now, this is a novel I’d heard a lot about prior to diving in, you know why - that Ending!! Mary Kubica - you got people talking!!! While I was waiting for it, I had an inkling …perhaps because it made sense? Or well, maybe because I had recently had a conversation with my book buddy about another book we just read which we thought would have a similarly ending?! That said, I personally think this ending fit the story really well and I loved it folks! So there you have it - Mary Kubica’s tale grabbed me from the get go. It’s brilliant, captivating and downright heart-wrenching and I highly recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin - Hanover Square Press - Park Row and Mary Kubica for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Published on NetGalley, Goodreads and Twitter on 9.8.18.

Favorite Quotes:

I told her that we’re trying. Trying to have a child, trying to start a family. An odd choice of words for creating a baby, if you ask me. Trying is how one learns to ride a bike. To knit, to sew. To write poetry.

The frustration over my identity boils inside me until I feel myself begin to lose it. All this red tape preventing me from getting what I need, from proving who I am. I’m starting to question it myself. Am I still me?

It’s an insidious way to die, I think, from lack of sleep because there is nothing gory about it, no blood, no guts, and yet the effects are just as gruesome. I know because I’m living it. As the sun begins to rise on the eleventh day, it’s only a matter of time until I die. This is what it feels like knowing you’re about to die.


My Review:

What clever sleight of hand, and I totally fell for it. This engrossing book was a minefield of intriguing and heart squeezing storylines. Ms. Kubica’s excellent storytelling was expertly woven with flawless word choices, bringing forth vivid and sharp visuals and several instances of chicken skin. I was quickly under the influence of her powerful word voodoo and keenly felt the characters’ frustrations, discomforts, confusion, and fatigue.

Written from a dual POV, the two main characters and narrators were difficult to hold in positive regard, as they were often exasperating and repellent. Jessie was struggling with a conundrum while she was also not the brightest bulb in the pack. And as Jessie was suffered from extreme sleep deprivation and experiencing hallucinations, her observations and thoughts were untrustworthy and increasingly erratic; while her mental and physical decline and descent into madness were fascinating. I steadily grew to despise the character of Eden and found her obsessive and all-consuming drive to reproduce to be horrendously irresponsible and selfish.

Ms. Kubica’s well-crafted storylines and writing style were compelling yet taut with tension and angst. I was so caught up in their apprehensions that I am in dire need of a relaxing spa day. Until I can work one of those into my schedule, the next best plan would be a generous scoop of Ben and Jerry’s while trolling my TBR in search of an amusing comedy and lighter fare for my next read.

4.5 Stunning & Insomnia Inducing Stars!

Having read all of Mary Kubica’s books to date and enjoyed them, I jumped at the chance of reading her latest, When the Lights Go Out. She is a go-to author of mine and always has me eagerly awaiting for her next release.

I have seen some mixed reviews for this one and some not so favorable thoughts on that ending but for me that ending totally worked. I was tickled pink that Mary Kubica totally shocked and floored me with that unexpected ending! These types of books are what I seek and when little snippets of the mystery are hidden so well in the narrative, when the reveal comes and falls all into place, leaving me gasping out loud in awe, then I’m pretty much elated and totally satisfied.

WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT by MARY KUBICA is a riveting, suspenseful, and an emotionally gripping tale that had me totally glued to those pages and swiping at breakneck speed. I was immediately drawn into this story and totally intrigued in the storyline which had me totally bewildered pretty much right up to the very end.

MARY KUBICA delivers a clever, twisty, unpredictable and thought-provoking story here with well-developed and interesting characters told between Jessie’s perspective in present tense and Eden, Jessie’s mother in past tense. I enjoyed both of these characters perspectives equally and had empathy for both of them, especially Jessie as some things that Jessie endured with her insomnia was very relatable and scary for me to read. The path that Eden’s character chose wasn’t without some pondering on my part though.

Publishing Date: September 4, 2018

Norma’s Stats:
Cover: Intriguing and a fitting representation to storyline.
Title: Love the title! Extremely fitting and brilliantly ties into plot.
Writing/Prose: Well-written, beautiful and engaging
Plot: Interesting, held my attention, and a little different
Ending: Totally unexpected and shocking! But, maybe a little controversial but in my opinion fit the story well and ended just the way I wanted it to.
Overall: An excellent read! Would recommend but my advice is to go into this one blind as I did and always do.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Harlequin/Park Row, and Mary Kubica for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a review. Thoughts in this review are all mine!