Member Reviews

Wow! Absolutely loved this book!
Great characters you will love and hate, root for and against but I guarantee you will want to continue turning the pages.

Always something happening and the end made it worth it the read.

Can’t wait to read more by this author.

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Completely pulled the rug out from under me. I know most people will guess, but I had no clue. Well done, Ms. Berry!

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Lucinda Berry wrote a book called “the perfect child” and it was so good, like I couldn’t put it down good. So when I saw this book I requested it, and it did not disappoint at all. I love the way she write and mystery thrillers are my favorites. This book kept me guessing until the very end and ended with a twist.

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3 Stars

When She Returned is about a reporter who is going to investigate a cult. She abandons her lovely family and her good life and goes with them. A bit unbelievable, I can’t imagine how someone can get brainwashed to accept all those things. Another thing is I don’t count this story as a mystery/thriller. There wasn’t really any mystery to solve and I’m not really into cult-ish stories to be thrilled. I should all I did like its writing to read till the end. But I wouldn’t say I liked the ending either. I wasn’t satisfied with it. Told in multiple POV, 1st person, it can be read as a standalone. Overall, it was an ok read, and I hope you enjoy it more than me!

Thanks to Lucinda Berry, Netgalley, and Thomas & Mercer for the advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Great read! Looking forward to reading more from this author! I highly recommend this book and author to all!

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Very good book - gave me the creeps especially in the grocery store and parking lot. Thanks you for letting me read this book.

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My Review:
Wow!!!!! Where to begin!!!!! First, this book will definitely be in my Top Ten List. It was the most intense book I have read in a very long time. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. I couldn’t put it down for the life of me. I just had to know what happened and I had to know right then and there. As each chapter passed I kept wanting more and more. I was hooked on this incredible story. Ok so let’s talk a little about the book. I want to start off by saying that I have a fascination with cults and how a person becomes so immersed into one. I never got it but always wanted to understand the why and how of it all. I have to tell you that this author did such an amazing job at it. She definitely did her homework and the end result was this wonderfully written book. I loved how she went back and forth from past to present describing Kate’s experience with this cult. I really felt like I was right there living this experience with this character. I totally get how one can be seduced into the cult lifestyle. Now let’s talk about that wild twist at the end. I was shocked and horrified all in one. I don’t want to give anything away but I’m telling you there was a huge secret. I can’t say anything more about it. You have to read this book for just that ending alone. I have read a few of this authors books and she never one has disappointed me. This author always leaves the reader guessing the whole way through. I can’t wait to read her next book. Lucinda Berry is the best.

In conclusion, the plot, the characters and all the twists in this book made this book an enjoyable read. I would definitely recommend it and happily give it 5 Hearts❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

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One of my favorite things to do on my own if grocery shopping. Now after reading this book, I will be closely monitoring my surroundings and possibly be holstering a shank or a weapon on my back. Talk about a 5 star thriller

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Great thriller which I could not put down. Brilliant characters, and twists and turns. Highly recommend to others!

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I listened to the audiobook, and liked it so much I came back for round two - but this time, I read it. Enjoyed it just as much! Keeps you guessing through all the twists and turns.

Immediately after finishing, I looked for more books from this author. I really enjoyed it!

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

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This was a gripping read, and the reader is taken on a roller coaster ride from the beginning until the very end. Nothing is as it seems, and there is more twists and turns than you can think. Recommended for anyone who loves a good read.

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After this, Lucinda Berry is a new favorite author. I’ve subsequently read all of her current books & am awaiting her next. She’s a very emotional & descriptive voice on the domestic suspense scene. I loved When She Returned. You may suspect you know the ending but your jaw will still drop!

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4.25 stars. Interesting look at how cults indoctrinate people and the fallout it leaves behind, especially coming from a fictional novel. I will continue to read Lucinda Berrys books!

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Great book! Couldn’t wait to read it, and it didn’t disappoint! Grabbed my attention within the first two chapters, and then I didn’t want to put it down. Excellent character development - I think that every reader will find a character to whom they relate. I enjoy books where there is character development, and then also a surprise, and this book provided both! Looking forward to reading more from this author!

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My problem with this book is that it was not believable. I don't understand how this big cult-like organization we read about in the beginning of the book that has all this financial support and big building turns into basically a campsite off the grid. I also really needed to have more of a back story on Kate. Most people would not abandon their families in such a short amount of time. What was her childhood like? How does a seemingly normal human get brainwashed as she did? I hated the ending. Overall was a cringey read. Scott was almost as bad as Kate, though I did enjoy Abbi's POV.
I received an ARC from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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This is one intense, twisted, dark and addictive novel! Not only is this a very well-written book with wonderfully-interesting characters, but the suspense builds at just the right pace as the story unfolds. Compulsive, gripping and horrifying! Will keep you on the edge of your seat!

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Thank you NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for the ARC of this book.

I would put this between 3 and 4 stars. There were part of it that really did make sense to me but it was a good fast paced read and an interesting concept.
I don't want to spoil anything so I will just say curl up with a glass of wine or a mug of tea and check it out.

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Excellent read! This novel was very well written. It was entertaining and suspenseful. It encompassed many topics including mixed families, cults, Stockholm syndrome, torture, and psychology all without seeming like too much. The novel flowed seamlessly among characters and time periods. The twist was a little predictable but it was still good. I love how Ms. Betty writes and I look forward to many more of her novels.

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When a psychologist writes a thriller, it is bound to be very very gripping. When She Returned delivered on that front. A superb read.

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An excellent fast-paced novel with colourful characters and a plot full of twists and turns. Gripping from start to finish.

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