3 1/2 stars. The idea of this book is actually really good. But the execution of the story just falls flat. The twist is good but not enough to make me want to recommend this to others.

This is the second book by Mindy I have read and I really enjoy her writing. Both of her books have a twist of psychological mystery mixed with a bit of tugging on your heart strings. I love this mix in a story. The two young characters in this book were both broken and formed an immediate bond. Their love to save others shown through, but their path to freedom wasn’t exactly easy for either of them. I really like how the story intertwined their past together and was happy with the way it ended for the, as well.

I look forward to reading more books from Mindy Mejia, I just love her writing!

Unputdownable!

Leave No Trace is a highly addictive psychological thriller that kept me glued to the pages!

Lucas Blackthorn was last seen when he was nine years old--he and his father disappeared without a trace. 10 years later, he makes a dramatic reentry into society which results in him being committed to a mental health facility. Maya Stark, a 23-year old speech therapist, is assigned to work with Lucas. After Lucas tries to escape and almost kills Maya in the process, the two form a strong connection; one that crosses the boundaries between therapist and patient.

A lot of questions emerge about Maya and Lucas’ pasts:
Why was Lucas living in the wild? Where is his father? What is Maya hiding?
The more I read, the more I wanted to know about these characters!

Leave No Trace is fast-paced, jam-packed with twists and turns, and compulsively readable! It was nice to read something with an original plot, and I found it even more appealing when thinking about all of the formulaic, over-the-top thrillers I have been reading lately.

I also really liked Lucas and Maya’s characters. Maya’s voice sucked me in. She has character, wit, and balls. I couldn’t predict how events were going to play out, but I was rooting for Maya and Lucas! This is not a romance, but the chemistry between Lucas and Maya burns off the pages.

While I really enjoyed reading this, I did have some issues with the plot. Maya and Lucas's relationship is beyond appropriate, as a lot of moral and ethical lines are crossed. Lucas has a tendency to be violent and this story line made me nervous. I also thought this element could have been explored more deeply. The plot spins out of control and gets a little messy, to the point where had to suspend my disbelief at times. But the premise is refreshing and the characters are alluring, which made it worth reading! I read Everything You Want Me To Be, which I enjoyed, but Leave No Trace has turned me into a true fan of Mindy Mejia. I look forward to her next book!

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Atria/Emily Bestler Books in exchange for an honest review.

I became a fan of Mindy Mejia after reading Everything You Want Me to Be last year. I was eagerly awaiting her next book, Leave No Trace. Leave No Trace is very different from Everything You Want Me to Be but just as brilliant and incredibly engrossing. This is a story about Lucas, a boy who disappeared with his father into Minnesota wilderness only to be found 10 years later with no trace of his father, and Maya, a speech therapist, who is tasked with helping Lucas integrate back into society. Lucas is mistrustful of people but he and Maya develop a connection and he needs her help to get back to his father. This was such an intriguing premise! There was more than one mystery to unravel in this book, not just Lucas's but Maya's too.

I found very hard to put this book down. I was riveted by the mystery of Lucas's disappearance and his survival in the harsh Boundary Waters. I found both Lucas and Maya fascinating and couldn't wait to discover all their secrets and see their relationship grow. The descriptions of the lakes and Boundary Waters were so vivid, I could easy imagine them in my mind. Mindy Mejia has a way with words that just grabs readers from the first page and doesn't let go until they reach the end. Leave No Trace is another winner from her and I am thankful to have had the chance to read it early.

I was a huge fan of Mejia’s debut and have been impatiently waiting for her next book since late 2016, but man was the wait worth it! This was totally different from Everything You Want Me to Be, I love when authors switch things up and avoid getting caught in a formulaic cycle and Mejia surely does that here. It’s every bit as compelling as EYWMTB but in a totally different way that excited me.

This is mainly told from Maya’s point of view and she’s not your average mystery protagonist. She’s a speech pathologist who works at a psychiatric facility and I so enjoyed her unique viewpoint. One can only read so many thrillers with a detective as the lead and Maya was a breathe of fresh air. There are a few very imperative chapters from Josiah, the man who disappeared ten years ago that add an additional layer to an already multilayered story.

The atmosphere played such a huge role in this one and that’s the biggest difference (to me) from Mejia’s last book. The Boundary Waters were a character all of it’s own thanks to her incredibly vivid writing style, she brought this hauntingly beautiful and terrifying place to life effortlessly to the point where I felt like I was there alongside her characters. Besides a fantastic setting the characters themselves were complicated people with fascinating backstories, the type you find yourself rooting for even when you’re not entirely really sure if you should be. They’re flawed, intense and wonderfully interesting making for a captivating read.

Once again, Mejia had quite a few tricks up her sleeve and she definitely sucker punched me at least one time. I raced through this one as there were way more questions than answers and when all my questions were answered in the end, I was satisfied and extremely impressed by her talent and ability to construct a story. Hugely recommended by me, especially for fans of Force of Nature I had very similar feelings while reading this one and predict fans would enjoy this one as well.

Leave No Trace in three words: Atmospheric, Intense and Multifaceted.

Given my love for Mindy Mejia's debut novel, I was ecstatic to see that she was writing another book. So when I saw this one available, I jumped at the chance to read it because I simply couldn't wait any longer! Once again, Mindy has written an incredible read. In fact, I was blown away once the slow build up began to give away. If anyone is a fan of psychological thrillers this author should be on your radar. Her books are fantastic! I very much recommend this one.

How does a father and son go missing ten years ago, only for the son to return ten years later? Was this of their own doing or was there something more sinister at play here? Josiah Blackthorn never knew his life carried any remarkable significance until his son, Lucas, was discovered alive and somewhat well. Lucas was brought to a psychiatric facility where he met, Maya Stark, his speech therapist.

Maya was charged with the responsibility of getting Lucas to talk about what happened over the last decade when he and his father went off the grid. Lucas trusted no one, but there was something different about Maya. Even though he couldn’t convey to her how he was feeling, he knew there was something special about her. Where had Lucas seen this lovely young woman before? Dreams, perhaps? A figment of his imagination? Why did she remind him of someone he knew from his past?

To give an accurate review of this story would be to give too many spoilers, but let’s say that what you think is happening in the story, I can guarantee you isn’t what you’re thinking about. Maya and Lucas are bound by something far greater than just a story, but that, readers, is something you’ll have to discover for yourself.

What an incredible story. This is my first time reading Mejia’s work, and I have to say I’m definitely a fan. It’s not often I run across a book that takes me on such an emotional roller coaster, but Leave No Trace is one such book. I had so many questions and although I pride myself on navigating through a story, Mejia managed to keep me guessing. I absolutely loved her for that! I really loved this story! It’s very different from books I normally read, so it was refreshing to read a new voice and a new take on a story line. Mejia’s perspective is off the charts. She definitely knows how to build the reader up and what’s nice is she doesn’t let you down. Great story!

Though speech therapist Maya Stark appreciated the confidence Dr. Mehta had in her abilities, she was terrified of the responsibility of getting the young man to talk. Lucas Blackthorne and his father Josiah had disappeared ten years earlier into the Boundary Waters of Minnesota, and suddenly Lucas had returned, refusing to give any clues about what had become of them. Lucas seemed to feel safe around Maya, and as their connection deepened, he insisted the two of them return to the Boundary Waters in order to help his father. But getting Lucas out of the psychiatric facility would be nearly impossible, coupled with the fact that his return had generated so much publicity that Congdon Hospital’s front gates were overrun with reporters and protesters, waving signs that read “FREE LUCAS!”

Though Maya is soon removed from Lucas’ case by Dr. Mehta, she eventually risks both her career and her life in order to help Lucas on his mission to save his father. Her own deep love for the wilderness of the Boundary Waters, instilled in her by her mother, and her understanding of what it meant to lose a parent spurred her on in their journey to the unknown.

I love the way Mindy Mejia weaves past and present into the storyline, keeping me engaged and curious to know more. Maya’s troubled history and her stay at Congdon is mentioned upfront, but the reason for her hospitalization is revealed later in the story. Lucas is a difficult case, with his refusal to respond to anyone but Maya, but even their seemingly odd relationship makes sense as the story unfolds. The Boundary Waters become a character on its own, holding great significance for both Maya and Lucas, and they both show a respect and reverence for the natural beauty and danger it holds.

No sophomore slump here. Mejia jumps right into the suspense genre with a slam dunk Minnesota authors have come famous for. Riveting hardcore that will have you looking for more soon. Add Mindy to your thriller list of must reads.

A young man comes in off the grid and his speech therapist helps him find his missing father in this dark, low-octane thriller. The stakes are (relatively) low, the action and the risks are realistic, and everybody has something to hide, which gives the book a realistic edge, which I liked. However, it was a little longer than it needed to be. Still worth checking out, for those who can handle a tough read with little in the way of happy endings.

Received via NetGalley in exchange for a review.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2476111299

A nearly feral nineteen year old who emerged from Minnesota's Boundary Waters is transferred to a psychiatric facility in Duluth where twenty-three year old Maya Stark is a newly minted speech therapist. As Maya attempts to break through to him, Leave No Trace becomes increasingly tense and atmospheric.

This book was hard for me to read at the beginning, however, after a few chapters I just couldn't put it down. "Leave No Trace" is a gripping page-turner of a story. I had previously read Mindy Mejia's "Everything You Want Me to Be", and thought it was an excellent story. I was speechless over how well-written this sophomore effort book is.

Nine year old Lucas and his father disappeared into the Boundary Waters of Minnesota and seemingly fell off the planet. Ten years later, he is found rummaging through an outfitter's store and becomes combative, refusing to speak. He is admitted to the local psych ward where he meets Maya. Maya is an assistant speech therapist who once worked as an orderly in the hospital. She was also, at one time, a patient.

The two bond when Maya does everything she can to help Lucas. She works to unravel the secret of where his father is and where they have been the past ten years. Mejia weaves in a number of twists and turns, some predictable and others delightfully surprising. I never knew how the story was going to tilt, and her talent for building momentum lasted through the final chapter.

Mindy Mejia has put together an intriguing tale in her newest book, "Leave No Trace". The central characters, 19-year-old Lucas Blackthorn and Maya Stark, have a chance encounter at the rehab center where Maya works. They quickly bond and the story takes off as Maya pours herself into understanding and freeing Lucas from his personal demons. Along the way, Maya must encounter a few demons of her own. The story unfolds as the two seek their freedom. While not quite as loved as Mejia's last book (Everything You Want Me to Be), it's still a four star offering.

OMG! What.A.Page.Turner. I could not put this down it was such a gripping read and fast paced. The characters each stood out and were well developed.

This novel was a great sophomore effort from Mindy Mejia, so filled with the nuance and excitement we’ve come to expect from her, but with a completely different type of set-up from “Everything You Want Me To Be.”

Maya is a speech therapist at a psychiatric facility with a dark past to match many of her patients, but who is working to stabilize her life in Duluth, MN. Then, she is assigned to help Lucas Blackthorn, who disappeared 10 years ago with his father during a camping trip in the boundary Waters, a remote wilderness filled with trees and lakes, stretching to the Canadian border. Suddenly, Lucas, who won’t communicate with anyone, speaks to Maya, sparking a chain of events that will change the course of the community.

The great thing about this book is that it makes you question so many things - what is madness? Who is mad; is Lucas? Maya? Neither? I was totally sucked in and completely invested in the characters.

There were also some great twists that I didn’t see coming. And they made total sense in the context of the book, which is what makes a really good twist work.

Mejia is fast becoming one of my favorite authors and I really am looking forward to what she comes up with next. I’m sure it’ll be fantastic.

Loved this book, even when I was not reading it I kept thinking about it and couldn’t wait to pick it up again and I finished it in a day. Would definitely recommend to others and can’t wait to read other titles from this author.

Highly recommend!!

I loved Ms. Mejia’s last book, Everything You Want Me To Be, so I jumped at the opportunity to land an advanced copy of Leave No Trace. For the most part, I really enjoyed this one as well.

For me, the start was a little slow. To be fair, I had just read two outstanding books by gifted writers, so anything in follow up was going to suffer a bit. But once I got hooked on the story, I was totally on board.

Props to Ms. Mejia for the premise, which is nicely outlined in the blurb. This is different, and different is something I am grateful for when I find it. I loved, loved, loved the setting. The story takes place in Duluth, Minnesota, where I lived for several years back in the 1970s. There are also scenes from “up north” (as the locals would say), including the Boundary Waters, which is an area near and dear to most Minnesotans. Reading a tale in a familiar setting always raises the level of a book for me. However, I do wish that there had been more of the Minnesotan atmosphere—the fog, the sound of the foghorns at night, the majestry of the big lake, the whole sensuality of the beautiful and wondrous northern terrain.

Ms. Mejia does a terrific job developing our protagonist, speech therapist Maya Stark. Maya, a very likeable character, is carrying some mega baggage and we are with her on her journey to some modicum of peace.

Some will say the story demonstrates a fair bit of unbelievability. I recognized this as well, but elected to just go with it, allowing myself to enjoy the tale.

The last 35% of the narrative is full of suspense and intrigue, and is the best part of the book. I did not figure out the ending (always a plus), which was well done.

In summary, this novel has a lot going for it, but for the reasons stated above, I withheld one star. I continue to be a big fan of Ms. Mejia’s and look forward to her next offering.

Thank you to Atria/Emily Bestler Books, Net Galley, and Mindy Mejia for an ARC of this novel. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.

10 years after a father and son go missing the son surfaces and is taken into custody. When he refuses to speak to anyone he's assigned to Maya, a speech therapist at the local psychiatric facility. From there they form an immediate bond when she's the only person he will speak with but this creates more questions than answers for Maya and the doctors. While Lucas tried every possible avenue to escape to get back to his father we learn things from the past that will greatly effect the present with Lucas, Maya and secrets that may connect them in a way they never knew.

Blending various aspects of mental health, the wilderness, and several mysteries that meld into one, Leave no Trace was an atmospheric page-turner that kept me guessing until the very end.

A decade ago, Josiah Blackthorn and his 9 year old son Lucas all but disappeared in the wilderness of Minnesota’s Boundary Waters. Present day, Lucas is admitted to the mental health facility where Maya Stark works as a speech therapist, and oddly enough, she’s the only one he will talk to. She’s assigned to his case even though she lacks the qualifications, because everyone, it seems, wants to know what happened to Lucas and his father and what made them flee, if anything did. The only thing Lucas wants is to find his father, who was tragically ill when he left him. With his father’s life hanging in the balance, Lucas will do anything to make it back to the wilds in hopes of saving his dad. Several mysteries are at play from the very beginning, including the reason why Lucas lands in the facility in the first place, and Mejia deftly ties every mystery together to one heartbreaking conclusion.

So much was going on with Leave no Trace that there was excitement to be had on every page. I adore stories of mental hospitals, I adore stories where people go off the grid, I love stories where everyone has secrets and they’re slowly, ever so slowly, revealed. This book had all of that and more. It also takes a good look at mental health and how devastating it can be on not only the one suffering, but also to those around them. I started this yesterday afternoon planning to read “just a bit”, and ended up finishing it later that night because it was just so compelling and so dang immersive, and I just HAD to see how Lucas’s and Maya’s stories would connect, if they ever did. Not to mention, I’ve never heard of Boundary Waters and I’ve been doing nothing but googling pictures of it after finishing this book. Which is wasted time well-spent, in case you’re wondering, because it’s absolutely gorgeous.

Bottom line — Mejia tells a good tale with Leave no Trace, filled with dynamic and varied characters, with the Minnesotan wilderness permeating every aspect of this book. She’s an author I fell in love with last year after reading the incredibly creepy Everything You Want Me to Be, so of course I recommend this one as well. But don’t take my word for it, just do yourself a favor and read something, anything, by this author because she truly is a fantastic storyteller.


*ARC received courtesy of NetGalley and BookishFirst.

This book was much different subject matter and setting than most books I read - wilderness and mental hospital! But the characters are great and very interesting. A very enjoyable and exciting read.