"We're not going to die. Not here. Not like this."

Wren and Sage were left to fend for themselves in a secluded cabin when their mom left them together with their youngest sister Evie. They haven't returned and the food supplies are getting low. Wren is worried when it's all really gone. Will she be brave enough to go to the outside world?

"All I know is I have to try... because I'm losing him."

Nicolette is desperate to have a child. And her husband is not keen to the idea of adoption. His reluctance led Nic to think of the thing she found in her husband's drawer.

The Stillwater Girls is an engaging book that will give your mind a workout for guessing. A mind-fuck, I tell you. The story was told from two alternating POV of Wren and Nicolette, both women are smart, strong and compelling. The plot is suspenseful, riveting and vividly well-written. Minka Kent didn't disappoint in writing another thriller that got me hooked right from the start. I thoroughly enjoyed and I highly recommend this one if you're into this kind of story. Happy reading!

Great story! I was sucked in from the beginning, trying to figure out how the two different stories were going to weave themselves together and it did not disappoint!!

This book grabs you right from the beginning and doesn't let go. And just as you think you have it figured out it throws you a curve ball and keeps you guessing. This book is amazing and I would highly recommend it if you are looking for a thriller, adventure, or just a good read.


I voluntarily reviewed this book in exchange for ARC!

The Stillwater Girls by Minka Kent

This is the story of three girls who are being raised off-the-grid, by their mom in a cabin in the woods. They don’t have electricity or any other modern conveniences, but they don’t know anything different. The reader is given clues that things may not be exactly as they seem, but the clues don’t add up until later in the story. There is a couple involved in a parallel story line. Nicolette is convinced that her husband, Brandt, is having an affair and that he had a child with someone else, since she has had a hysterectomy, and can no longer have children. She found a photograph of a young girl in her husband’s sock drawer, and money is missing from one of their accounts. Nicolette assumes he is paying for the upkeep for his child with the missing money; she is convinced it is his child in this photo, because the girl’s eyes are remarkably similar to Brandt’s.

This book was hard to put down. Ms. Kent draws the reader in by deliberately revealing pertinent facts unexpectedly. The pacing is just right, and the action level is perfect for this story. There is a twist toward the end that will delight some readers and frustrate others. It was a slight surprise for this reader, but not wholly unexpected. The characters are distinctly rendered, and the girls are especially unique. Their struggles to understand the modern world were intriguing in many ways, giving this story an original feel to it. The world-building was well-done, and most questions are answered sufficiently; however, the fate of the girls’ animals was left open-ended. The element of suspense was present throughout the book, ratcheting up dramatically at certain times. This book evokes a range of emotion in the reader: there will be tears, laughter, heartache, joy, and acceptance. The reader wants both parallel story lines to find their happy endings!

WOW!! I was hooked right from the beginning to both of the separate stories of Nicolette and Wren and even more so when the two stories collided. This book is not what I expected and way surpassed my expectations. I do not want to say any more that so I don't spoil the book. Would definitely recommend.

Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this early copy.

I went into this thriller blind, just knowing the title and was pleasantly surprised by how well-crafted and interesting it was. I found the ending unique and liked the twists throughout it. I will be reading more from this up and coming author.

I recommend this quick but addictive thriller to anyone who enjoys the genre.

I know I’m in the minority here, but this book was pretty disappointing. The gorgeous cover and interesting premise drew me in but the writing seemed immature and for lack of a better word, kind of cheesy. Also, the story was implausible and unbelievable. I won’t be rushing out to read any of the author’s other works.

3.5*
Two seemingly different, and I mean extremely different stories running side by side. You’ll ask yourself, how on earth can these stories be related? How are they possibly going to merge? There’s just no way.... but hold on!

Nicolette, married to a world class photographer feels her world is crashing down around her. She’s losing the thinnest of threads that are barely holding her marriage together. Unable to have children, she’s desperate to foster a child. Her husband Brant...well, not exactly on board with that choice. He’s perfectly content with his freedom of globetrotting around the world for his photography.

Wren and her younger sister Sage are living in a secluded cabin and quickly running out of food, desperate to keep warm. Their mother left more than 2 months ago with the girls’ youngest sister who fell ill. She left strict instructions with her 2 daughters to never, ever open the door to anyone until she returns. Is she coming back? The sisters are losing hope. Then comes the inevitable late-night knock on their door!

I absolutely love when separate stories align simultaneously! It’s like a trying to put the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle together. And though I found some sections to be a bit predictable, it took nothing away from my overall enjoyment.

Minka Kent continues to deliver suspenseful and gripping thrillers that will keep me reaching for more of her books in the future!

Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and Minka Kent for an ARC to read and review.

I'm a little conflicted by this book. I devoured the first part. I was insanely intrigued by the Wren and Sage parts, and sufficiently intrigued by the Nic and Brant storyline. I was invested in the mystery, and then things just sort of fell apart in the end. I found the twist and ending so improbable in what had otherwise been a reasonably believable story that it kinda soured the book for me.

I'm still giving it 3 stars, based solely on the strength of the first half. I know that some people will be able to look past the weirdness of the ending and totally enjoy the book, but I just couldn't overlook it.

In spite of the ending, the book is a quick and easy read that will definitely hold a reader's attention throughout.

I loved the suspense in this story line. This one had me in its grip from beginning to end! It's a beautiful, emotional tale that will make you cry, but also touch your heart. I look forward to reading many more books from this author.

An enjoyable read, despite the implausible ending.

** Trigger warning for mental health issues. **

The ramshackle, one-room cabin nestled deep within Stillwater Forest is the only home nineteen-year-old Wren knows. Here she lives with Mama, and her younger sisters Sage and Evie. Her father and older sister Imogen are buried under the willow tree out back, having both died when Wren was just a baby.

Wren knows little of the “real” world – the one Mama has fought hard to protect her from. She’s never seen a television set, listened to recorded music, or experienced the joys of indoor plumbing. She can read and write, though her library is closely scrutinized by Mama. But she is is content enough. And why not? The world beyond their modest homestead may as well be gone, wiped off the map, for Mama’s apocalyptic descriptions of it.

So when young Evie falls sick and Mama flees with her into the forest in search of help, Wren knows it’s serious. When they fail to return – after fifteen days, twenty-eight, sixty-three – and with their supplies dwindling and winter barreling down on them, Wren is terrified to consider the possibilities. Yet it’s only when a stranger breaks into their cabin, seemingly in search of Mama, that Wren can will herself to act.

Meanwhile, thirty-something Nicolette exists in what may as well be another ‘verse. A wealthy heiress married to a celebrated photographer, on the surface Nic has it all. It’s only her closest friends who know the truth: Nic struggles with seasonal depression (although, unlike the rest of us plebes, she’s able to drop everything and spend three months in Florida every year. Oh, to have cash monies!), which was exacerbated by an emergency hysterectomy in her late 20s. Unable to bear children, she convinced her husband Brant to apply as a foster home. But when she finds a picture of an unfamiliar young girl in Brant’s sock drawer – sporting his same sea-green eyes and deep dimples – and discovers that he’s been siphoning money from her trust fund, Nic worries that even a child could not save their crumbling marriage.

The lives of these two women collide, altering each in unthinkable ways.

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed THE STILLWATER GIRLS: it’s fast-paced, entertaining, and compulsively readable. Until Wren and Nic actually meet, I found it difficult to guess how their different narratives would intersect.

The main criticism I’ve seen from other reviewers is that the ending is eye-rollingly ridiculous…and it is. But I kind of don’t care? Like, this is such a breathless, easy read, and it came at a time when I was in desperate need of help out of reading slump (thanks, THE CASSANDRA!), so I think this cushioned some of the disappointment over such an implausible twist.

Honestly, just don’t get your expectations up, and I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

OMG! This book was awesome! It’s an easy read also. I started reading it last night and got about 10% in and finished it up this a.m. I couldn’t put it down even though I thought I had it all figured out. Of course, with any good book, I was wrong!

Thank you Netgalley for giving me an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This book started strong with two storylines so completely different that I couldn’t fathom how Kent was going to connect them. Connect them she does, in a unique way. The pages turn quickly as the story unfolds until it hits the final far fetched plot twist that was just a bit too obvious and convenient.

Review copy

THE STILLWATER GIRLS is one long slow burn of a story. Told from four different characters point of views it takes a while to get moving. If you're looking for big ka-booms and car chases, you might want to check elsewhere. If, however, you're looking for a mystery-thriller with some actual thought put into it, stop right here.

There's nothing particularly likable about any of the people that you'll meet in this book. On the surface, you'll even wonder if your eyes might roll right out of their sockets...I thought mine might do just that. But, then come about the 50% point and suddenly everything kicked into play. 52 card pickup anyone? That's when I just didn't put the book down.

It was a great, fun story. But it did have a couple of problems. One glaring (to me) error and a bit of sappiness. But overall a 4 star read that I would recommend to thriller fans

This was a great, short read. I devoured it in one sitting. Lots of happy coincidences, but I was willing to overlook those because I cared for the characters. I dare you not to fall in love with Wren.

I was instantly drawn into The Stillwater Girls by Kent's writing. Her writing is fast-paced, full of suspense and quite mysterious. I enjoyed reading about both Wren and Nicolette and trying to figure out how their two stories were related. About halfway through the book, the characters came together and I figured that I had everything solved. I was definitely wrong as the characters' lives become much more intertwined than I expected. The big reveal was unexpected and a little bit farfetched. The ending was a letdown, it all just seemed too unbelievable.

I enjoyed Kent's style of writing throughout, but the plot twist and ending brought my rating down to 3 stars (from the 4 stars that I would give the first two-thirds of the book).

This was an intriguing story. It had a slow build up, so the readers didn't exactly know what the mystery/crime is until later in the book (though there is just enough intel to get your mind wandering.) We get a look at two different women's POV over their life thus far and their relationships. One is Wren who, along with her sister are struggling to stay alive as their food runs low and waiting for their mother and younger sister to return. They live in the boondocks and have no idea what kind of world exists outside their cabin in the woods. Nicolette is a women struggling with her marriage. She has a haunting past. It's written in a way that keeps you guessing and wondering. It is a mentally heavy story.. There are a few thrilling moments of uncertainty.The subject matter is one that may be difficult for some readers to hear about. (Nothing of the sexual nature.) It is a solemn read and there aren't many 'happy' moments.

*I received an ARC from Netgalley.

Fantastic book by Minka Kent!

The story captivates you from the start with in depth characterization and a situation which doesn't meet the norm. There is also the questions of how the stories told by the two alternating narrators will mesh together

The unique premise and continuosly unwinding mystery will keep you entertained and turning pages quickly. Don't pass on this book!

Well, was totally not expecting that too happen. As usual, I love Minka's work and jumped at the chance to read this review early. Although it was great at first, it almost lost me towards the middle but eventually grabbed me back by the end. I love Nicolette. I adored her character. And out of the sisters Wren was my favorite. Still a great book even though the twisted ending was a little far fetched for me, I can't wait for the next one.

Thank you Netgalley and Minka Kent for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

** I received an arc via Netgalley for an honest review***

This was an interesting read. I was very intrigued by the premise of two girls abandoned in the woods and having to survive.

I liked the alternating chapters between Wren and Nicolette and how they eventually come together. I enjoyed Nicolette a lot. I really liked her as a character and felt for her through the whole story. I really enjoyed Brant and Nicolette’s relationship too!

However I was a little bored until literally about 40%, everything was a little slow and if you read the synopsis it tells you something that doesn’t happen until literally 40% so the first quarter is just a slow build up but it wasn’t super thrilling. However the last quarter was really interesting finding out all the secrets. This is hard to explain as there quite a few little plot twists in this, I figured out the tiny plot twist and one of the big ones in the end but the big big one I had no clue and I REALLY enjoyed that twist (it’s the first one you find out)

I was super attached to these characters, especially Wren and Sage I just wanted to hug them so tight and make them feel loved.

This was a really good read and I think any mystery lover will enjoy this, not as much of a thriller as I hoped for but still super enjoyable!