Loved it! I was hooked from the very start. Ray/Abner was simply crazy and the people who followed his every word were just as insane. Whatever came out of Ray's mouth his loyal followers took it as truth and just did as he commanded. The rebirth scene with the blankets was scary and I can't believe they participated in it, actually I do believe it because his followers were hard core crazies!!! My favorite character was definitely Meredith. She was the voice of reason. I felt bad for her. She has been there for Scott and Abbi for many years, while Kate was nowhere to be seen. The more I got to know Kate, the more I disliked her (even before all the brainwashing).

Loved the ending!!! I can't imagine what Scott and Abbi felt when they realized the truth about Kate and what she was attempting to do. The Kate who returned to them was not the Kate they expected. Loved the story, characters and writing style. Look forward to reading more books by the author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas & Mercer through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Scott and Abi dealt with a lot of emotional difficulties after Kate disappeared. A journalist, she had set off after a story and then poof- was gone. Eleven years later, she's turned up in Montana of all places, malnourished, abused, and carrying a child. Now Scott and Abi= and equally importantly, Meredith, Scott's new wife-have to find a new path for their family. Told from their perspectives and in a then and now way, this is a good read which might keep you guessing about what really happened. What's clear early on is that Kate was complicit in her own disappearance but how reliable is she as a narrator now? Thanks to net galley for the ARC. This is a fast read with an interesting premise and good characters. Can you imagine being Abi?

Kate Bennett, married to Scott for 17 years and has a 5 year old daughter, seemingly vanishes one day. All of her belongings were left in the car in a Target parking lot. "She disappeared like a ghost, with her keys in the ignition and her purse on the passenger seat -- no sign of a struggle." An exhaustive search by the FBI and a massive press push turned up nothing and Scott was even a suspect for quite a time. After about four years, Scott and his daughter Abbi face the fact that Kate must be dead and they move on. Years pass and eventually Scott meets, courts and marries a widow, Meredith, he met in a support group and they, along with Meredith's two older sons, form a family. In fact, they are newlyweds of about 10 months when the call comes: "She's alive." Kate and her 7-week-old baby girl, Shiloh, were found at a gas station in Montana.

Throughout Kate's absence, her memory had been kept lovingly alive by Scott for his daughter, Abbi, who's now 16. Because they were childhood sweethearts, soul mates, and he absolutely adored Kate, Scott is a mess when he sees her in the hospital. She's been tortured and is experiencing PTSD. There's not much to do for Kate after she's physically restored except for her to go back to Arcata, California, with Scott, Meredith and Abbi. To her old home. Protected by local police and with FBI consultants staying in the house, it is discovered that Kate had been living in a cult for all these years. As Kate settles in with the baby, the household is in a bit of an uproar and slowly Kate opens up about her time with the group that calls themselves Love International. NO SPOILERS.

This was quite the interesting story and I couldn't put it down so read in one sitting. The narrative shifts back and forth in time and between the points of view of Kate, Meredith and Abbi. The characters were all quite complex and no doubt you will have your favorites while others will try your sympathy. Since the revelations come slowly, you'll need some patience to get through some of the sections to get at the truth. I found the information about the cult quite fascinating and it is scary how the brainwashing is done and more so how effective it is. I liked the writing style and appreciate the fact that this book was written by a trauma psychologist and researcher in childhood trauma. Her expertise lends much credibility to this thrilling novel.

I always read other reviews when I've finished writing mine and am surprised at the disparity between the ratings but what I'm looking for in a suspense tale is originality and edification and this met both. I hope you enjoy it is much as I did.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the e-book ARC to read and review.

When she returned was a fast paced thriller told from different POV. Kate was a stay at home mom to a 5 year old and mysteriously disappears. The storyline alternates between past and present as we are taken on a wild ride to see what really happened with her disappearance. With cults involved and maybe even a unstable marriage with new key players when she reappears, this book was very suspenseful and worth the read. This was the first book I read by this author and I will be reading many more!

Lucinda Berry does it again with her newest gripping psychological thriller!

Set in California, the story alternates between when Kate disappears to when she is found 11 years later in Montana. When Kate vanished, her daughter was only five years old. Told from multiple perspectives, Kate’s story begins to unravel and keeps you guessing along the way.

Like Barry’s past novels, When She Returned is easy to read and hard to put down. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves psychological thrillers.

Thank you, Net Galley, for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Whenever I came across news reports about cults I was unable to believe there could be followers doing things they were doing. This book gave me an insight into the happenings. Very well written about the larger than life persona the leaders create and the delusional followers. Scary.

I read this book in one sitting! I have read many books by this author and I think this is my favorite one. A woman who disappeared 11 years ago suddenly returns and nothing about her disappearance is as it seems. The different POVs really helped me get into these characters’ heads and the ending was very exciting. I definitely recommend this book.

I loved the overall premise of this book. Kate goes shopping one day and never returns home. They find her car and there is no trace of what has happened to Kate. One day she returns. Her husband has remarried and her daughter barely remembers her. As the investigation begins, they find out that it was her choice to leave them. She has become invested in Love International after interviewing them as a reporter. She, also, returns with an infant on her hip. Nothing is what it seems. I like that this book goes back and forth in the present and past, while also switching characters. I would love to read more from this author.

3-4 stars. While I did enjoy the book and find it intriguing, I wouldn’t really call it a thriller. I felt it was more of domestic suspense/mystery. As, I didn’t find the thrilling components as much as I found drama among the characters. With that in mind I did enjoy what I was reading and was able to get through it fairly quickly. For fans of domestic suspense with a underlying component of mystery, this book is for you!
Will make sure to tell others about this book!

Scott and kate are happily married. They have a five year old daughter, Abbi. Then one day, Kate just seemed to vanish from a Target parking lot. At first,Tom refuses to believe that Kate isn't coming home. But eventually life moves on and Tom remarried. Now eleven years have passed and Kate turns up with a baby. Kate is like a stranger to them now. Abbi, Tom and Kate's daughter barely remembers her mother. How will they all cope with the situation they all find themselves in? Especially Meredith, Tom's new wife.

This story is told from the perspectives of Kate, Abbi and Meredith. Kate tells us what happened to her in the years that she was missing. Abbi and Meredith tell us what's it like to having Kate in their lives and the struggles that brings. The story also filps between the past and present. I liked the authors style in writing this book. There are a few twists and the characters are well rounded. The ending was a bit predictable. An enjoyable read.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and the author Lucinda Berry for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

(Also posted on my GR account!)

Rather than mystery thriller, this title should be shelved on drama mystery. Heavy on the drama, less on the mystery.

We got to know the three pivotal women's povs from the book: Kate (the missing mother), Abbi (Kate's daughter), and Meredith (Abbi's step mother).

Kate was missing years ago and now she came back with a child, presumably her own, and a physical condition that screamed torture. Unfortunately for her, her husband had moved one and married Meredith, a widow with two adult sons. Kate's daughter, Abbi, was now a teenager and she couldn't wait to get to know her mother. The questions of: what happened to Kate, who was the child, and what would happened to the family now that she's back were presented through the book.

However, I couldn't feel the suspense that I was expected. It wasn't a secret that readers might already know what happened to Kate during the first half of the book, and thus, left the suspense out. There was no twist, not that it's a mandatory, but when I was given this kind of book with an answer as clear as the sky, at least give me <i>something</i> to work with. With When She Returned, I was bound to read it without thinking.

At least Lucinda Berry's writing was good. It flows easily, I give her that, that I could finished the book in less than a day.

I thought this was an entertaining read and I enjoyed the story. However, this author usually includes several twists in her books. This one was predictable. I feel like too much was given away in the “then” scenes with Kate.

A woman goes out shopping and disappears. Her husband and daughter are devastated and struggle to move on. Eleven years have passed and they’ve finally rebuilt their lives but still feel her loss. A middle of the night phone call let’s them know that she’s been found alive. How do you cope with this news? How do you integrate this virtual stranger back into your lives and will it even be possible?

This book grabs your attention and doesn’t let it go until you’ve reached the end. The story is told from the perspectives of Abbi, (the daughter), Meredith, (the current wife) and Kate, (the returning wife and mother).. Through Kate’s perspective we are able to experience what happened to her during the time she was gone. Through Meredith and Abbi we see the family’s struggle to accept Kate back in their lives.

Very well written and a riveting read!
Thank you NetGalley for the reading opportunity.

I really loved this book! I flew through the whole thing in less than 48 hours! I found all the characters to be easily related to. I think it is in the back of every second wife's mind that the first wife may show up again...and then what? I was interested in Kate's back story the entire time, even if I didn't always agree with her choices. Though I did feel like the ending was a bit rushed, I thought that final twist was fantastic! I can't wait for someone I know to read this book so I can really talk it out with them. As someone with children myself, it is so unbelievable to me to see how others react. This is definitely different from the thrillers I have been reading lately, but exactly what I was looking for! Lucinda Berry has another winner for sure.

11-years ago wife and mother, Kate Bennett disappeared in California without a trace. After months turned into years, her husband, Scott and her daughter, Abbi were forced to move on with their lives. Abbi is now 16 and barely remembers her mom. Scott has since remarried another widow named Meredith, brought together by their shared grief.

Now unexpectedly, Kate is found at a gas station in Montana, a 7-week old baby on her hip. Severely malnourished, clearly beaten and psychologically traumatized, Kate is baffling both doctors and police. Scott never expected to see his first wife again and when she reappears out of the blue, their life is thrown completely upside down.

The police start investigating why happened to Kate. And when they start to look into her disappearance, they learn she left her family of her own volition and joined a cult. Scott thought he knew his childhood sweetheart, but it becomes clear that he never really knew his wife after all.

When She Returned by Lucinda Berry kept me hooked from the very start. Not only do I love stories about missing people, but I’m very intrigued by cults. So when this story delved into what it was like to be in a cult, I found myself unable to put this book down. Previously I read The Perfect Child by Lucinda Berry and I’m happy to say I loved this book just as much. 4/5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and Lucinda Berry for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Dr. Lucinda Berry is one of my favorite thriller authors. Her expertise in trauma psychology always shines through and never disappoints in her writing style. When She Returned was no exception.
I was drawn into the book from the very beginning. Kate, the wife and mother who seemingly vanished into thin air reappears after 11 years, with a baby. This leaves her now remarried husband, his new wife, and Kates teenage daughter reeling. As they try to pick up the pieces, help Kate and find a new semblance of normalcy, their world continues to shatter as they learn Kate left of her own accord and has been with a cult her entire 11 years away.
The book is written from the point of view of Kate, her husband’s new wife Meredith, and Kates teenage daughter Abbi. It is in a Then and now format, which flows seamlessly and really ties the book together and drives home the power cults can have over their followers. It gives just a small inside view of what both cult followers and the families they left behind go through.
The emotions of the characters were raw, relate-able and well developed. The plot, although somewhat predictable, left room for a twist. However, the ending left a lot to be desired and did not seem quite up to par with the rest of the book. It seemed to end rather abruptly and I was left with several questions. What happened to the cult leader? The baby? The rest of the cult followers? These are all questions that are left open to the readers imagination. I do believe though, that even with the unanswered questions, Dr. Berry has another hit on her hands.
I received this book as an ARC in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to Dr. Lucinda Berry and the publisher for this opportunity.

When She Returned drew me in from page one and kept delivering. I am a sucker for anything remotely connecting to cults and Berry did a fantastic job showing how Kate became a part of Love International, the power cult leaders have on their flock and how this impacts the people they leave behind.

It is a character - driven mystery and the multiple POVs and time lines really added to the story. Berry's expertise in psychology really shines in the changes in Kate's character throughout the book.

Great read from beginning to end and highly recommend for anyone fascinated by cults, like I am. Can't wait to read more of Berry's work.

Thank you to #netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

4.25

A good read, but I didn’t like it as much as Berry’s book The perfect child. It was good and had interesting characters. You can definitely tell the author has a background in psychology. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy.

A thriller that is both chilling and disturbing, <i>When She returned</i> was my first time reading a Lucinda Berry book. With a PhD in clinical psychology, specializing in trauma and children, Dr. Berry’s background and experience are very evident in her storytelling. She creates a very believable look at the life of a journalist and mother named Kate Bennett who just disappears one day - apparently abducted by the cult she was researching. <i>When She Returned</i> focuses on Kate’s reappearance years later and its impact on her daughter, her husband, and his second wife.

One of the things that impressed me about Dr. Berry’s writing was her ability to shift between the POV of the main characters as well as the “then” and “now.” Although this device has appeared often in recent fiction, I did not experience any confusion this time around. Berry did an excellent job of identifying and defining the characters as well as smoothly changing between time frames. Likewise, although the pace was slow at times, each layer of the story was peeled away with an unexpected resolution.




FYI - I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

<b>”I’d had dark periods of my soul, but this one wasn’t leaving.”</b>

Lucinda is one of my favorite thriller authors. I don’t have to know what the book’s about to know I’m going to love it. I went into this one blind and couldn’t turn the pages fast enough once I realized what <I>Kate</I> was getting herself in to.

I won’t elaborate more on <I>that</I> no matter how much I want to, because spoilers. Just know, it’s an interesting, controversial topic that I find very fascinating. I, myself, would never want to take part, but maybe that’s why it’s so mesmerizing.

Anyway, this story reads between past and present with three different POVs. I’m not sure I really liked any of the characters but that’s besides the point. In this story, I don’t think anyone is written to be liked.

Scott’s wife goes missing for years and years. He remarried of course, because that’s what you do. You move on.

I wanted to shake Scott. And his current wife for that matter. She put up with a lot, despite what’s happening, and it felt forced for the sake of the story. But if it weren’t for her, I don’t think anyone else would have been okay at the end because no one else could think logically!

And how about that justice at the end? Or the lack thereof. What happens now? Lucinda always ends her stories wam bam thank you mam, and it makes your mind work extra hard. Did X happen? Why did X do that? What happened to X? You get my drift. She uses her psychology degree skills and I eat it up every book she writes!

I’d have liked a little less of this and a little more of that but overall it’s a great page turner that you won’t be able to stop reading once you start because it’s so WTF worthy!