4.5 stars!

This book pleasantly surprised me. Every step of the way I thought I was ahead of what was about to happen; and while in many cases I was “ahead”, I was actually being intentionally led down a path of wrongful assumption until I was backdoor’d with a different outcome altogether. I LOVE THAT when I am reading a suspenseful novel.

I hesitate to label this one as “thriller” because there weren’t any psychologically torturous plot lines, but this book was a gripping drama that centered around secrets and deceit. The author did an excellent job of leaving breadcrumbs that duped me into thinking what she wanted me to, all while allowing me to savor the big twists at precisely the moment she was ready to reveal them.

Four "mom-friends" ((two married (Carol and Alice), two single mothers (Grace and Lee)) decide to take a 3-day girl trip to escape their never-ending responsibilities, to rejuvenate and enjoy themselves. Each is relaxing into the experience and enjoying the beautiful setting. But at the end of 48 hours, one of them is dead. The death is ruled accidental, but was it really?

Told in three time periods (the week leading up to the fall, the present, and the past) and in three points of view (Grace, Lee, and Noah) plus assorted diary entries, the author held this reader's interest from the first page to the last.

There are so many secrets, lies, deceit and betrayals to explore. That, along with intricate plot lines, well-developed main characters and a powerhouse of an ending make this a 4-star read for me.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Rea Frey and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read a copy of this novel in exchange for an unbiased review.

Whoa. This was NOT what I expected. It enticed and cajoled, had me skipping blissfully down the path and then turned everything I thought I knew on its head. Lots of secrets, heartache and tragedy, but in the midst of it all, a family cobbles itself together in a place where love and security seem to bloom, not in spite of, but because of all they’ve endured.

The main cast of characters are Lee, her special needs son, Mason, his occupational therapist/tutor, Noah, and Lee's best friend, Grace. Grace and their other girlfriends convince Lee to go on a girls' weekend with them, leaving Noah to care for Mason. The book alternates between past and present with the intent of building up tension about all the secrets and their ultimate revelation.

This one left me with opposite feelings than what I anticipated. I was fine with the format and even okay with skipping portions of narration that did little to add to the story. I enjoyed the intrigue and the shocks and thought the storyline was carefully planned. In the end, it left too many unanswered questions. We have no clue as to what Noah's future holds nor how the other girlfriends will react if things develop as we're lead to believe. It wasn’t the shocking twist at the end, so much as the unanswered questions that left me unsatisfied.

If this author intended to create a story that is sure to elicit strong reactions, she succeeded. Your reaction will depend on what type of reading you enjoy, but make no mistake, you will have one, likely shock and confusion, but I doubt you’ll be ambivalent. Check out what other reviewers have to say and make an informed decision as to whether or not this book is for you.

*I read an early edition of this book freely and voluntarily, having made no commitment to provide feedback and receiving no compensation of any kind from any source.

HOLY MOLY!!! 🙌 Shut the front door! "Smart and taut..” BECAUSE YOU'RE MINE is a twisted deliciously evil game of REVENGE. Top Books of 2019

After NOT HER DAUGHTER (a hit debut), a movie deal, and this? Rea Frey is setting the domestic suspense genre on FIRE! I loved every page. The diary notations were "knock-out."

Rea Frey "wowed" us with her award-winning smashing debut in 2018, NOT HER DAUGHTER, soon to be a major motion picture 🎬 Top Books of 2018. The author returns with another "knock-out" thriller which will blow you away —BECAUSE YOU'RE MINE.

Highly creative, unpredictable, intense, and brilliantly crafted— a "thrill ride" cat-and-mouse game that will keep you guessing until the final explosive page. 👏 Cannot wait for you to meet Lee, Grace, Mason (love this boy) and Noah.

I can handle the truth. It’s the lies that kill me.”

BECAUSE YOU’RE MINE is both plot-driven as well as character-driven. Fast-paced nerve-racking suspense.

Unpredictable. Taut. Wicked. Twisty. Emotionally-Charged!

Expect the unexpected.
Watch your back.
You will be blindsided.
Jaw-dropping.
Friends are not always friends.
You will question every person and their motives.
TRUST NO ONE! Lies on top of lies.
WARNING: when you start reading—block out the time.
"It is unputdownable!" THAT ENDING. 😜

SECRET: “Done, made, or conducted without the knowledge of others. “

Meet the Characters:
• LEE, a single mom of Mason with SPD. She is highly protective and never leaves him with anyone except a select few. She is aware she must keep his life on schedule with no changes.
• GRACE is her best friend with a son, which always lends a helping hand who wants her to get away for a much-needed break.
• NOAH, the caring, handsome, bright, charismatic tutor which adores Mason.

Lee is a dedicated helicopter single mom, and rightly so with her son’s condition, but she borders on obsessive. She never takes time away from him. She has a secret crush on Noah but not sure he feels the same.

Noah is tormented by his past and a reason why he chose this profession. Lee seems like the perfect friend always there to help out, and she seems to love Mason.

Grace seems much stronger than Lee, who appears plagued by constant fear. Fear of making the wrong choice and constant worrying about her son.

Lee and Noah encourage her to go away on a fun girl’s weekend trip to the mountains. Four girls and no children. It sounds like heaven to Lee. Mason loves Noah, and he will take care of him.

Only two days. Can leave Mason? She has never left him overnight. She is a single mom. She is his world. However, when it is time to go, she begins to worry and second-guess herself. Will she change her mind?

Trouble is ahead, and someone will wind up dead on this little girls getaway. Forty-eight hours later, someone is dead.

Who will get away with murder? What is the motive?

Each character has dark hidden secrets from the past. No one shares this with the other. The tension builds to a crescendo. A revenge plot like no other. Not sure which character has the dirtiest secret.

From past to present, told from one week before the fall to the fall. We receive chilling diary entries and thoughts, but whose are they? Someone is struggling with reality, loyalty, guilt, devotion, sacrifice.

Rea opens the book with a special note to readers. It is personal, intimate, and emotional. There are many highly-charged topics and themes explored in the novel, aside from the major ones of sexual abuse, alcoholism, and suicide. There is motherhood, friendship, siblings, and plenty of lies, secrets, guilt, love, anger, hate, obsession, revenge, murder, and betrayal.

An array of unreliable narrators, your loyalties will change through the book to the explosive ending.

LESSON: Watch your back!

“I lie to protect myself.
I lie to protect the people I love.
I lie because I’m biding my time.
I lie, so you have no idea what’s coming next.”

Wow! you never know who you can trust in this fake world we live in, as we see here in the fictional account. Fingers crossed for another 🎬 movie or TV series.

A great job with the research and Sensory processing disorder (SPD). The dialogue was spot-on. I also enjoyed the scenic Black Mountain/Asheville, NC setting. Been there many times and it is beautiful.

A perfect choice for book clubs and further discussions. For fans of family drama: Jodi Picoult, Diane Chamberlain, Liane Moriarty, Sally Hepworth, Mary Kubica, Kimberly Belle, and Paula Treick Deboard.

A huge fan of the author, look for my upcoming Q&A with Rea in August! EXCITED. Meet the powerhouse and learn more about the inspiration behind the book plus more!

Highly Recommend. A spellbinding "must-read" domestic suspense, for this summer.

JDCMustReadBooks

A special thank you to St. Martin's Press, the author, and NetGalley for a digital and print ARC.

What!? Now that was an ending!!

Lee is a single mom to an adorable boy named Mason. I was immediately drawn to Mason! He has many anxieties, sensory processing disorder (SPD), and is stim-avoidant (craves less, not more). He is incredibly smart and funny (although he isn’t trying to be). He speaks factually, not emotionally.

Lee girlfriends – Grace, Carol, and Alice plan a girls getaway weekend. They are all moms and are desperate for a little time away. They invite Lee to go, although hesitant she is eventually convinced that the time away would do her, as well as Mason some good. Tragedy strikes, regrets are inevitable because one of these four women does not make it home alive!

This is a twisty little story that holds its secrets close until it is ready to reveal them. I love the little cliffhangers that end some of the chapters. They pushed me to keep going, saying don’t stop here! Not that I needed a push to keep reading, I was completely immersed and found the characters very intriguing. Frankly, I was very suspicious of a few of them and wondered what they knew that I did not.

This book was only made better by buddy reading it with Jonetta@Blue Mood Café. We had such a great time guessing what we thought would happen next, analyzing the characters moves, and finally sharing in our shock of an ending we never saw coming!

Thank you to NetGalley, Rea Frey and St. Martin’s Press for the free e-book in exchange for an honest review.

Lee is a single mother who has the morning routine down to a science, never leaving her on the spectrum son Mason with anyone else’s care. She would do anything to keep his carefully constructed world from falling apart. But her best friend Grace convinces Lee that she needs a weekend away to recharge and surely a weekend away won’t hurt? Noah, her gorgeous tutor for her son is more than happy to stay with him. Two days later one of the women is dead. But not all is as it seems, Noah may not be who is claims he is and Grace has a secret that will destroy Lee. Lee has a secret that she will do anything to keep hidden.

I couldn’t put this one down guys; the drama and real lifeness of this novel really had me in its grips! I loved Lee, Grace and their adorable children. I wanted to stay apart of their lives and find out what was going to happen next. I really loved all the different secrets that are kept throughout this novel and how you never know what is going to happen next. Yes I could guess a few of the twists, but I can tell you right now that the ending shocked me speechless! I loved the way this book was written; from Lee, Grace and Noah’s perspectives from both now and the past to really see the story unfold in a way that enables you to keep reading!

Out August 6th!

The most unexpected hit of 2019 for me is Because You're Mine by Rea Frey. Having enjoyed Frey's Not Her Daughter in 2018, I was certainly looking forward to her follow up, but this book totally blew me away in a manner I did not expect.

Because You're Mine deals with a ton of heavy themes (suicide, sexual assault, drug use, alcoholism) and is an extremely powerful read. Frey interlaces these topics with the secrets that destroy friendships and families and the timing of the reveals are so well done, I found my jaw dropping over and over.

I'm revealing little about the plot intentionally, as this is one you just want to devour and take the ride as it comes, but trust me, you do want to pick this one up.

I was able to read this book thanks to L NetGalley. Wow. What can I say? Five stars. It started out and I loved the characters and their stories with the hint of suspense but then all of the sudden it was an exciting, nonstop thriller.
Lee and Grace are best friends who are both single parents. Both are clearly hiding secrets. But it turns out to be so much more than I imagined. I can not recommend this one enough!

"Prepare to stay up all night."

I should know better than to begin a book late in the evening, especially when I see a warning that states to prepare to be up all night. That's exactly what happened. I was intrigued by the description of "Because You're Mine" by Rea Frey and it exceeded all of my expectations. I thought that I had figured out what happened, but I don't think I could have predicted all the twists and turns that I encountered, especially towards the end of the novel.

Friends Lee, Grace, Carol, and Alice go on a weekend girls trip to the mountains. Leaving her son, Mason, home with his tutor, Noah, Lee promises to return in 72 hours. 48 hours later, someone is dead. "But not all is as it seems. Noah may be more than who he claims to be. Grace has a secret—one that will destroy Lee. Lee has secrets of her own that she will do anything to keep hidden. As the dominoes begin to fall and the past comes to light, perhaps it's no mystery someone is gone after all…"

I will absolutely be recommending this novel to friends, family, and anyone looking for a drama filled, suspense novel.

You got me again, Rea Frey! Grace and Lee and Noah are telling us their story and they are all so darn respectable. Then the hints start dropping -- there are secrets and hidden pasts to uncover. How will all of these plot threads come together? I don't want to spoil the experience so I will keep this short. If you are a fan of thrillers with domestic drama, this book is for you. It will suck you in and when it is over you will shake your head and ponder the crafty way Rea Frey tells this story.

Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGally for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Just wow. So I loved Frey's last novel, Not Her Daughter, so I was more than a little excited to receive an ARC of her newest title and my excitement was not unwarranted. The subtly of each character's secrets all wind in and out of one another, peeking through in tiny bits of thought and dialogue, to create this wonderfully nebulous story that leaves you guessing the whole way through. The more of the real picture you see, the more it all makes sense which is so satisfying as a reader.

I could NOT stop reading this book; I swear there must be a magic spell in it because it's so engrossing as you switch points of view between the characters. I connected with all of them instantly: Lee's desperation, Noah's guilt, Grace's dedication. And goodness, I couldn't have loved Mason more. He's such a brilliant sweetheart.

The interior monologue chapters were fascinating: creepy, dark, somewhat violent, and always provoking my curiosity to uncover who's behind it. Like Not Her Daughter (but even more so), this is a thriller that makes you think and question your own worldview. This thought-provoking as a reader is really enjoyable. I'd read one character and think, "Yeah, absolutely I'd do that" and then I'd read the counter to that in the next chapter and think, "Well, actually, I'd do that too."

This constant back and forth of who's in the right, who's paid the cost (or hasn't) that they should, and who you feel sympathy for really gets the reader thinking about where they stand. I love that in thrillers and this novel does it to perfection. As always, Frey's prose is totally on-point and works in really subtle ways to move the plot along. And of course the pacing was great.

I totally recommend this book to any thriller reader, or really just any reader. And mark my words, this is going to be one of THE BOOKS for the summer of 2019. I'd bet my money on it so don't miss out!

Note: I received a free kindle edition of this novel via NetGalley in exchange for the honest review above. I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC and thank Rea Frey for writing such a great book!

Whoa, stop whatever you are doing and pick up, Because You're Mine by Rea Frey, the story is great and the ending is wild! Grace and Lee are the closest of friends, both single moms to young boys.They share everything and count on each other at all times. They take off for a much needed weekend with two other friends and life changes and secrets come to the surface. Loved this story and could not put it down. Thank you #NetGalley #StMartinsGriffin #BecauseYoureMine

I absolutely loved this book!!!! The twists and turns were so unexpected! 5 incredible stars!!! The characters were so well developed and relatable!

A lot can change in just 48 hours.

This book is a fast paced story about four friends: Lee, Grace, Carol, and Alice. The majority of the story focuses on Lee, a struggling single mom and her son, Mason, who is 7 years old and has SPD (Sensory Perception Disorder). Lee is very protective and feels she must stick to routine and order for Mason. Luckily, she has her best friend, Grace. Grace is divorced and has a son who is Mason’s age. Grace has been so helpful to Lee. In fact, she was the one who found Mason’s tutor, Noah. And Mason just adores Grace.

As the story whirls around the daily life of these moms, struggling with real-life problems, you get a deep sense of different bonds: friendships, mother - child, child - tutor, and even love relationships growing.

Just as you start to feel for the characters, something sinister begins to arise. Someone is not telling the truth; someone is keeping secrets. Then it gets much more complicated than that. Frey, piece by piece, reveals the past. And it seems everyone has something to hide.

Back to the story, the four friends agree it would be good to take a weekend getaway in the mountains. One of them will not return alive. And when you think that is the twisty trail Frey has you going down - she throws you off course with a curve ball. This is a book where you cannot be sure of who to trust.

There are some well-written characters in this book, such as Mason. He made me laugh, and he pulled at my heart. And the friendship between the four women is palpable; at times I wanted to sit among them; be a part of their circle.

**Frey includes some tough subjects: sexual assault, alcoholism, suicide, drug use, and although it can be hard to read, she shows the wreckage they leave in their wake.

Look for this compelling book on its Publish Date: August 6, 2019.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #St.MartinsPress for this ARC for review.

I highly recommend “Because You’re Mine”. My favorite books encompass psychological drama, families, and controversial or delicate topics, and this book has it all. The twists and turns, the suspense and excitement, and the characters and relationships swirl together to create a delicious intriguing non-stop unputdownable read. Rea Frey is a great author with a talented knack at writing stories that pull you in and won’t let you go until you have no choice, because it’s sadly the end.

There are so many secrets and lies in this gripping book. It is hard to review without giving away any part of the story. Don't take my word for it .........................read it !!!

4 Crazy and Deliciously Devious Stars!!

O, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive!

Holy Revenge Batman!! This is the perfect story of don't tick off the wrong person!

Secrets on top of secrets topped with more secrets and a side of secrets!! Everyone in this story is hiding some form of life altering secret. Your job is to figure out who's telling the truth and which secret belongs to which character before it's too late. Everyone is being deceptive and probably not in the way you think upon first glance. Without giving anything away I will say I had the puzzle figured out about 70% of the way through. Well, let me clarify... I was pretty sure I had it figured out. But the author would throw in another secret or loop to make me second guess myself. By the ending my initial thoughts were confirmed. Which made this a fun and exciting book to read.

The title is simply perfect for this book. And what makes it so neat is as you read the book, the title can take on so many different meanings. It's actually rather brilliant.

This was an extremely creative and thrilling book to read. I absolutely loved Rea Frey's first book Not Her Daughter and this sophomore book does not disappoint. This is an author to check out and I will eagerly try to get my hands on any future novels. She has unique storylines that will keep you glued to the edge of your seat, and something that's just a little different from your average book in this genre. It would be neat to see what happens next in this story (but having said that I still feel the author ends this book perfectly!). This book and author I highly recommend!!

My thanks to Jordan Hanley with St. Martin's Press, Rea Frey and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book is almost impossible to talk about without giving up too much information but I’m going to do it. There’s Lee, the single mother of 7-year old Mason who is brilliant and on the spectrum. Lee’s a hair stylist with a salon setup in her home and she keeps to a strict regimen everyday. Noah is his in-home tutor who has an amazing rapport with Mason and helps keep tension to a minimum. Grace is a successful businesswoman, a divorced mother of 7-year old Luca, and who’s Lee’s best friend. They have two other friends in their circle but Lee and Grace have a close bond. When a girls weekend is planned, Lee is faced with being away from her son for the very first time.

I started this story blind but because of the seemingly meandering start, I read the synopsis after about the 30% mark. The prologue sets the stage for what’s to come but I just wasn’t certain where it was leading. It was interesting, very much so, but the point felt elusive. Then it took a turn and I literally couldn’t put the book down. I was so hooked that I grumbled when I had to pause to celebrate my husband’s birthday with friends but came back and continued to the finish in the wee hours.

I’m used to unreliable narrators but this story took that concept to a new level. It became impossible to decipher truth and lies so I just rolled with it, absorbing it all and reflecting in the moment. Then came that WTH moment in the end that I never, ever saw coming and threw everything up in the air. I rarely get fooled this bad so kudos to the author for a rocking twist.

This was also a buddy read with Tina @ Reading Between the Pages and I’m so happy we agreed to pair up because I needed to discuss this along the way with someone. We were both feeling the same emotions and thoughts at pivotal junctions, no surprise as she’s one of my book twins. I highly recommend this book as a buddy, group or book club read because there’s so much to digest and sort out. I loved it.

Oh boy, this was fun! The build up was well written and I couldn't put this down wanting to know what was going to happen.

Because You're Mine, hit every mark on my thriller, and suspense must have needs list. This book grabbed me from the beginning. There were multiple times when I thought I had this story figured out…But I WAS WRONG! And I loved being wrong because as it turned out, the twist was even more devious than I thought. This is the first book by Rea Frey that I have read. I see her as an up and coming author that should not be missed, and I look forward to reading more of her work.

This book is told from the three perspectives of the main characters, Lee, Grace, and Noah. Also, Ms. Frey gives us glimpses of these character's past secrets and lies that are perfectly interspersed throughout the book, giving the reader just enough mystery to keep us on edge.

Lee is a single mom to Mason, who is very intelligent, on the spectrum, seven-year-old. Noah is Mason's occupational therapist and homeschool tutor. Grace is Lee's best friend who is divorced and also has a son Mason's age. Over time Lee, Grace, Carol, and Alice become good friends. They all feel sorry for Lee as she struggles with being the single mom of an autistic child, so they suggest a getaway weekend. This is when the book takes off, so hold on tight, because it becomes a wild ride of secrets, lies, deceit, and at times, pure ugliness. I feel that I can't say anything more about the plot because there are so many twists and turns and unexpected events that it would ruin the read.

I enjoyed the writing style of Ms. Frey; the way she developed and intertwined each character into the story, gradually giving out small details and hints as to the genuine nature of these three characters. I found Mason to be an engaging and lovable character giving this sometimes dark tale some balance. Be prepared for some wicked twists that you will not see coming (I didn't).

Sometimes the title of a book doesn't seem to fit, and at the start of this book, I felt that way. By the end of the book, as I was shaking my head trying to figure out what I just read, I actually said to my self, Lori, you were wrong again. Because You're Mine is the perfect title. I also wanted to mention that there are some adult themes in this book that may be disturbing to some readers. I am one of those readers who always read the authors' note and also the acknowledgments. In this particular book, I highly recommend you read the section, a Note to Readers. This gave me an insightful look into how poignant this book was for Ms. Frey. I highly recommend this book for all lovers of the thriller-suspense genre.

***I kindly received this galley by way of NetGalley/publisher/author. I was not contacted, asked, or required to leave a review. I received no compensation, financial or otherwise. I have voluntarily read this book, and this review is my honest opinion .***