I received a copy of this book in exchange of an honest review. I was not a fan of the multiple character perspectives in this book which made me not really care what happened to them. The ending was also too over the top for my liking.

While I enjoyed the writing style and characters in this novel, the plot is what deemed this book a 3 rating. I found the conclusion to be very predictable, and a little too out there for me. The reactions by the characters to major life changes didn’t feel believable or appropriate, also. And while the story wraps up all neat and tidy, it felt a little flat.

I am interested in reading other novels by this author. I would recommend this novel as a quick and easy read, however the ending is only meh.

Thanks to NetGalley, publisher and author to allow me to get a free copy of this book for review. Two sisters left by themselves in a cabin in the middle of nowhere and during a harsh winter. Food and wood for fire are almost gone with no hope of anybody rescuing them. Their mother left them to take one other little sick sister to get help. A parallel story develops with a married couple who seem to be getting distant as days go by. The wife has discovered something about her husband and he is not sharing information. Suddenly back in the cabin a stranger appears and imposes his presence on the two girls. Is he there to rescue them or harm them? What is he looking for? This is a unique story, very entertaining.

This book was a lot of fun to read, I enjoyed getting to know the girls and learn the secrets behind where they came from.

4 Stars

I went into this book blind, didn’t read the excerpt so I really didn’t know what it was about. But I enjoyed it...a lot!

This book kind of broke my heart but healed it in a way just as much. It’s told from 2 different point of views and of course, I was wondering how these two would finally mesh together. And of course, you do find out. But it wasn’t what I was expecting.

I really liked Minka’s writing. The story was interesting and sucked me in from the beginning. These types of stories are always heart wrenching, but at least there was a happy ending of sorts.

I’m definitely looking forward to reading Minka’s writing in the future! I really enjoyed her writing in The Stillwater Girls!

This is the first book that I have read by the author. It was an engrossing, page-turning psychological suspense story that I had trouble putting down, and when I did, I found myself thinking about the story. I loved they way it was written, alternating chapters of different but related stories. There were lots of main characters in this book, and had distinct, engaging personalities. I also enjoyed learning about Brant & Nic's lives and difficulties. In terms of plot, I try to go into suspense/mystery stories with an open, mind; I want to be entertained, not second guess the author. The story twists, turns, and culminates into a surprising and neat resolution. I would read more from this author.

I received a copy of this book via Net Galley, and I am voluntarily providing a review.

I just read one of my favorite books of the year! The story is told from two seperate perspectives: a girl and a woman. I don't want to give too much away as I don't want the book to be ruined for anyone! I don't think it's a psychologial thriller, but it is definitely mysterious. The Stillwater Girls is a book that is easy to read in a couple of sittings, and had many can't put down moments!

The Stillwater Girls part of this story really caught my interest, their "hero" not so much. I found the twist outlandish, the sudden unreliable narrator too late on the story. Didn't love this one

Up front: You are going to either love or hate the ending to this book. I’m still trying to figure out which end I fall into.

If you are OK with that, stop here, because this review may contain mild spoilers. OK - here we go.

This book started out great - it’s suspenseful, full of tension and suspense; I couldn't wait to find out how everything fit together. Sage and Wren live in a cabin, cut off from the world, all alone after their mother left with their younger sister to seek medical treatment. Supplies are running low and hope is bleak. Meanwhile, Nicolette is tearing for a child, but she cannot have her own after a bad accident. Their worlds collide in a shocking way and things get serious.

Like I said, the beginning of the book is amazing. Things unfold quickly and the story is moving along a great pace - when the bomb hits. The big twist really comes out of left field, in that you think it’s going one way then - BAM. Curveball. While in some cases that may be a good thing, in this case, I’m not sure. The tone of the twist doesn’t match the book up to that point. It really takes things in a completely off the rails direction.

Also, it doesn’t really make a whole lot of sense, particularly because there’s very little build-up up to that point, since it’s supposed to be a twist. It’s like Snow White ending with the Dwarves getting slaughtered suddenly by the revived huntsman or something.

BUT - I am willing to take some liberties when it comes to advancing the story. I mean, it is fiction, after all. Also, I loved the book up to that point, like I said, It was tense and tightly-plotted and really suspenseful. I was really engrossed in it,

It’s just that ending. I’m not sure about it.

So, I guess I would say, Read with caution. You may be a little disappointed. You may not be.

I thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book. This author was new to me and I was not let down. It was a great story and very well written. The characters were easy to relate to and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I highly recommend this to everyone!!

This book was recommended to me by a good friend who was raving about it, so I jumped on the bandwagon and got a copy for myself, only to hear from the same friend a few hours later - yes, hours - that the ending did not live up to expectations.

Argh! Was I about to waste my valuable reading time on something that would disappoint? A few other reviews - though definitely not all - said much the same thing. It didn't bode well.

Still, I had the book already - it had to be worth checking it out for myself, after all, I might love it. My friend and I have disagreed over books in the past. (Though, to be fair, we've agreed more times than disagreed) Maybe this would be another one of those moments.

And you know what? For the first 75%, I abso-bloody-lutely loved this story. It was well-paced; I could totally empathise with the characters, they intrigued me - it was all good.

I felt for Wren and Sage, left alone in that cabin in the woods, where food was running out but not their hope that Mama and sister Evie would be back soon. When that knock on their door came, I was with them, hiding behind the couch, trembling. The plan wasn't working out. It was time to leave. I so wanted Wren and Sage to find their mother and sister, and to see that maybe the world wasn't as bad nor as scary as they'd been told.

Meanwhile, Nicolette and husband Brant lived a charmed life, endless travel opportunities led to recognition for Brant's photographic career while Nic looked forward to them becoming foster parents after an emergency hysterectomy meant she couldn't carry a child herself.

Unfortunately, a baby photo in Brant's sock drawer, and several large withdrawals from her trust fund - without her knowledge - brought doubt to her door. Was Brant cheating? Did he have another family somewhere else?

There was tension every which way, and I raced through the book. It didn't seem beyond the realms of possibility that the first house Wren and Sage came across belonged to Nic and Brant; and there was a logical reason for Nic to be at home when they knocked on her door. (She usually went to Florida for the winter, but had decided to confront Brant about the money instead)

As the truth came out about the Stillwater Darlings who lived in the cabin in the woods, living a life without electricity or modernity of any kind, it seemed only reasonable - and rather sweet - that Nic would want to help them.

And then came the moment that left me open-mouthed, where the facts of Nicolette's past were revealed. My first thoughts were that the story had taken a shocking, fascinating and somewhat incredulous turn. While all the connections were finally made, it still left me baffled. Could that have happened? (I'm not going to share the details here in case you'd care to see for yourself) Everyone in Stillwater knew what had happened to Nicolette, including Brant, Cate, (her friend in Florida) and even her parents - and they all agreed to say nothing.

I loved the author's writing, she drew me in with strong characters, all the emotional ups and downs you could wish for, and so much dramatic tension. I'll definitely be checking out her other books. This would be perfect for #bookclubs as it certainly generates conversation. I love that in a book, and I'd recommend those curious enough to check it out for themselves.

My thanks to Netgalley and the author / publisher for a copy of this book; my review is made voluntarily.

I really enjoyed this book. This book is a psychological thriller/suspense/mystery. Told from two different perspectives throughout. This book was a solid 4-star book for me until the end. Still, I did enjoy it. I did enjoy the writing. I am definitely interested in reading other books by this author.

At first, I was confused by the two *very* opposite stories being told side by side. They didn't come together until near the halfway point of the book. Which then made the last half of the book seem rushed of sorts. I feel like Minka Kent could have flushed it out a bit more.

The first story is told in the view point of Wren. A 19yo woman, the eldest daughter of Momma. Her younger sisters are 18yo Sage, and 10/11yo Evie. They live off the land in a clearing in the Stillwater Forest. No electricity, no electronics, very off-grid. Evie is terribly sick, and Momma has to take her beyond the forest into town to get Evie to the doctor. But they never return. A man shows up, and starts asking questions, which in turn makes Wren ask questions about the secrets Momma is keeping. Wren and Sage escape to Nicolette's mansion home, also nestled in the forest, on the other side of Stillwater Forest. Nicolette is the second story being told in her POV side by side with Wren. Nicolette takes in Wren and Sage, and we find out more secrets.

I didn't hate this book. Individually, I actually liked the stories being told. I just wish that the main arc connecting the two could have been fleshed out a little more.

My overall rating is 3.5 out of 5 stars.

I would recommend this if you like those out of the way, small town communities, with residents that have secrets to be told, kinda mystery.

The Stillwater Girls was a story with a good premise that didn’t live up to it’s complete potential. Told in alternating points of view, the story doesn’t start off with a bang but the opening chapter in the Wren’s point of view captures the reader's attention and engages their curiosity. Mika Kent quickly establishes that she knows how to make characters with very distinguished voices. Never is the reader confused about if they are in the mind of Wren or Nicolette (the other main character). The story from the start is intriguing each of the main characters have rich backstories filled with secretes that readers want to uncover. The feeling of anticipation that is expected with most thrillers starts off quickly and slowly builds before it flat-lined. About 60% to 70% in the story Kent gives up on the story. Making decisions regarding the story and plot twist that leaves readers scratching their heads. Yes, they are valid decisions based on the story but they aren’t good decisions. The decisions are kind of lazy, almost like Kent had gotten out the story that she wanted to tell but had to finish the book. The reveal was messy but readers get luck with the fact that it was quick. So quick that readers almost miss the timeline inconsistencies and implausibility of the whys of the way things went down. I received a copy for Netgalley for review so some of these issues might be fixed on the final published version. But overall this was a story that started out good but took a nosedive. ( 2.5 stars)

Two obviously different stories, different worlds... how could they possibly collide?

Nicolette, married to a successful photographer who has been traveling a lot for work.... and possibly someone else? She is feeling hopeless trying to put the pieces together in her life and marriage.

Wren and younger sister Sage, are waiting for their mother to return to their isolated cabin from the trip to the doctor... but it has been months and they are starting to run out of food. Late one evening comes a knock on the door and now they have no choice but to run.

After the stories collide the book becomes a bit easier to figure out, nonetheless I enjoyed these characters and figuring out their stories!

A very unique storyline with an even better ending. Two sisters tell the story of their upbringing away from any modern conveniences or even other people. They must count on each other as they make their way through a new, confusing, frightening world while they look for their family. I had read some great reviews of this book. They were all true. This is one you really do not want to miss.

I thought this book was really entertaining and good. I loved how the different chapters were in the perspectives of different characters in the story. It was also a fun twist to think the husband was bad but discover he and his wife are on the same page and he's just trying to protect her. Overall the book kept my interest and I finished it in about two days. It's one I'd recommend to others and enjoyed reading.

This was a great read! I finished it quickly because it was so well written and flowed smoothly. It was very intriguing, a plot unlike one I've read before. Loved the characters as well. They were very real. I look forward to reading more from this author.

Two girls are left alone, abandoned by their mother, in a remote cabin in the woods, totally isolated from society and the modern conveniences that most take for granted. When a strange man enters their cabin and holds them captive, the girls decide to make a run for it through the dense, unknown forest. What awaits them on the other side turns their worlds, and everything they thought they knew, completely upside down.

This is wrought with suspense throughout and lots of hints of what’s to come along the way and a completely surprising and satisfying ending. I loved the descriptions of the setting, specifically the threadbare cabin and the girls meager existence there, which could have been taken right out of a Laura Ingalls Wilder book. I loved that there were several twists and people were not always who they appeared to be. The characters and their struggles captured my heart. Overall, a very enjoyable and satisfying read.

Many thanks to Netgalley, Thomas & Mercer and Minka Kent for my complimentary e-copy ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Sisters Sage and Wren have lived with their mother and younger sister Evie in the heart of Stillwater Woods for as long as they can remember. Tucked away from civilization and fearful of the modern world, the girls must make some difficult decisions as winter approaches when their mother leaves with an ill Evie never to return.
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A page-turning literary fiction story with elements of both the mystery and thriller genres, I found this to be an enjoyable quick-paced read. I was able to piece together the outcome fairly quickly but then was surprised by a couple of plot twists.