Fascinating story of two sisters, one's son and the other's daughter, their mother who wishes to remain relevant all set in a lovely upscale neighborhood where a young girl has gone missing. As the investigation unfolds secret are spilled and suspects named. The characters are well developed and we learn what motivates them. All is not as it seems on the surface as loyalties are tested and accusations fly.

Well, this was a refreshing take on a mystery!

In a new neighborhood, Hannah hopes for a new start with an awkward son who has a strange obsession and fondness for animals (specifically dead/dying ones).

A girl goes missing and Hannah can’t help but think her son could have something to do with it, even though, outwardly, she does everything she can to deny it.

Most of the book leads you to one or two suspects, with a few randoms thrown in as red herrings, I suppose. Hannah, her sister Hillary, and their mom, Eva, do most of the detective work around the case since the cops are set on their own narrative.

I liked how this book was set up. It kept me engaged and wanting to know more. I will say, though, that from the first introduction of the guilty party, it was very easy for me to figure it out (though it does take a while to get there)!

As a mom I would do anything and everything to protect my children. When a child goes missing then is found murdered, an upscale community is faced with finding the truth or believing the scapegoat is guilty. What is the truth and who to believe are at the heart of this book, but the overwhelming desire of a mom to protect her child from becoming the scapegoat is what drives the reader to the truth. An intriguing and well written book that was hard to put down.

After Hannah divorces, she and her son Miles, 12, move next door to Hannah's sister Hillary, her husband, Ben, and daughter, Morgan 11 1/2 in an up-scale neighborhood near Philadelphia. The sisters' mother, Eva, lives nearby. All are thrilled that they live so close again and look forward to lots of happy times together. That excitement lasts only one day, when a young neighbor, 6 year-old Liza Harris goes missing.

When police arrive and begin questioning each family, the sisters realize that they have each kept secrets from the other and will do anything to protect their immediate families, even if it means casting suspicion elsewhere. What happened to little Liza, and can the police solve the case before something else happens? They always say blood is thicker than water, but what would you do if you found someone YOU love under suspicion? Can the sisters' relationship survive it all?

This is a fast-paced, entertaining read that kept me turning pages to find out who was really behind Liza's disappearance.

My thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for allowing me to read an ARC of this novel which is set for publication on 1/5/2021.

3.5 Stars

Mystery surrounding two sisters living in an upscale town in Pennsylvania (ironically not far from me). The sister live next door to each other and their mother lives around the corner. I can’t say I really liked any of the characters...annoying, nosey, sneaky. But, as anyone knows, no matter what, family is family! A missing girl, a sensitive boy new to the neighborhood and a mother’s love and determination is put to the test. I enjoy the storyline and the writing. Will definitely give this author another try.

Thanks to Ms. Simmons, Sourcebook Landmark and NetGalley for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone.

This is the type book that was needed right now. It is a simplistic read allowing your mind to drift into the story and try to figure out who was the guilty suspect. A quick read that was highly enjoyable. I look forward to more from this author. Recommended for a mystery that you can escape to.

Recently divorced Hannah thinks she's found the perfect home--virtually next door to her sister, Hillary, close to their mother, and in a new school, where her son, Miles, can hopefully avoid the bullying he experienced in his old school.

Shortly after they move in, a young girl disappears and empath Miles's background garners the notice of the investigating officers. So does Hillary's seemingly perfect husband, Ben. Initially, having two family members suspects in what becomes a murder investigation threatens to tear the sisters apart, but instead they join forces and begin their own investigation.

Despite some cringey moments, this suspense novel is not the story I initially thought it would be. Impossible to put down, it is as much a novel about family relationships as it is a suspense novel. And as a bonus--some social commentary about life in an upper middle class suburb. Kelly Simmons writes first-rate suspense and NOT MY BOY outdoes her previous novels. #NotMyBoy #NetGalley

Something about this one fell flat. I finished, and didn't know who was guilty until it was almost revealed. However the story was awkward to follow and the characters weren't engaging. Thank you for my copy!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for gifting me a digital ARC of this intriguing family drama/mystery by Kelly Simmons. 4.5 stars rounded up!

Hannah is newly divorced with a young son, Miles. Desperate to get Miles away from issues at his school, she moves into a carriage house next door to her sister, Hillary, and her family, husband Ben and daughter Morgan. The sisters have always been very close and mom, Eva, lives close by as well providing support and babysitting. Hannah is looking forward to the cousins growing up next door to each other. But fitting into the wealthy community isn't as easy as Hannah thought it would be. When a young girl in the community goes missing, people start looking towards Miles. Hannah will do anything to protect her boy, even casting the police's eyes towards her brother-in-law. But everyone is keeping secrets here.

I really raced through this book to see how it would all play out. Simmons has crafted a well-written novel to keep you guessing and to draw you into these characters. I absolutely adored Eva and her comments about growing older, being mom and grandparent to such different personalities, and her role in all their lives. What would we do to protect those we love?

This is the first book by Ms Simmons I've read, but I will without a doubt read some more of her in the future. The book is gripping until the end and I can't wait to read some more. Recommended.
TB

3.5 ⭐️‘S
After a divorce, Hannah and her son, Miles, have moved next door to her sister in what she thought was a idyllic neighborhood. The sisters have always dreamed of living close and having their children grow up together. Unfortunately, what she thought was a friendly neighborhood soon proved otherwise. When a six year old girl goes missing, the police start to investigate both Miles and his Uncle Ben. Sisters, once close, turn against each other to protect their own. Could Miles or Ben be involved or is there more to the neighborhood than anyone knows?

I struggled with this book. I really wanted to enjoy it, and I did, at times. But overall, the story lagged, and I had a difficult time connecting with the characters and staying engaged. The pace was just too slow for a story in this genre.

The writing was solid, and I'd consider checking out other books by this author. However, there really wasn't anything to hook me in and keep me reading. I generally love multiple POVs in books, but it just didn't work in this one, as it made the plot, at times, confusing to follow.

A very close family lives in the same neighborhood. The day after one of the sister’s moves in, a little girl goes missing. The family is determined to find out what happened to the girl and prove one of their children were not involved.

The story was very interesting but I had a hard time following it at times. The story was told from the viewpoint of the mother and each daughter. I love books told from multiple POV’s but I had a hard time following this story. I love the author and wish I would have enjoyed the book more.

This story fell flat for me and I could not connect with any of the characters. I wanted to like it but at 32% I got bored. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my review.

Not My Boy is compelling book that blends a murder mystery with complex family drama. When Hannah moves with her son to a home near her sister, she has hopes that she can leave her son’s troubled past behind. But a search for a missing girl brings her worries about her son to the forefront—and also exposes other family members. The suspense in the novel is fraught with tension, uncovering secrets and a seediness that one might not expect in an affluent neighborhood. It also unveils secrets within Hannah’s family, pitting sisters against each other as they do whatever they can to save their families. The relationships in this book bring a layer of heart and poignancy to the story, with suspicion and guilt weaving into the fabric of this family. Can the relationships—sisters, mother and daughters, husband and wife, parents and children—survive the events and emotions that infiltrate their lives? You’ll be turning pages as quickly as I did to find out.....

This was a bit of a twisted book. Told by three people which at times I had a hard time keeping up with. It keeps you on the edge of your seat and turning the pages.
Thanks to the author,publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

Hannah moves next door to her sister Hillary in an upscale neighborhood. She no soon gets unpacked when tragedy strikes and a young girl goes missing. Someone needs to take the blame. Everyone seems to be a suspect including Hannah’s son.
Loved this title ~ story was slower than I hoped.

Want to thank NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the early release granted to me in exchange for an honest professional review. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for January 26, 2021

Really enjoyed this book! Reading from three points of view! A mother and her two grown daughters! I will definitely be looking for more books written by this talented shoe!

Holy Cow, wow! This is one of those books that keeps you in the edge of your seat, holding your breath, and then gasping in chills! Full of suspense, so thick, you can cut it with a knife! A really WHODUNNIT, that’ll keep you guessing until the author decides it is time to let you in on the secret! A must read for my fellow thriller fans, especially those whom are like me and need fast paced thrills, chills, twisty turns, and shocks! But also within reality, so you mustn’t suspend beliefs to believe this book could happen! Characters were flawlessly developed, plot was nailed, and the whole thing was unique in its own! Clear your schedules, do not start prior to bed time, and prepare for some tension knots! Highly, highly recommend!

This story of a missing young girl involves two sisters each determined to protect their families at any cost. The pace was generally good and there were some twists but I found it hard to like or relate to the characters. I also struggled to get into the story and ended up skimming the last several chapters. Others have given this novel 4 or 5 stars but, for me, it was a three star read that just did not appeal to me.

Thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and Netgalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.