I loved Oliva’s debut The Last One. Thought it was terrific. One of the best reads of that year, quite possibly. So when her second book arrived on Netgalley I requested it immediately. No plot summary needed. Read it almost as soon as I was approved and…ok, ok, it was good, it was objectively good. But can’t say I loved it. The same dynamic compelling narrative, same excellent character writing, same willingness to push the envelope and do something outside of the formulaic female thrillers out there. Check. None of those tirelessly alternating storylines with cheating spouses. This is a properly original thriller about a very unconventionally brought up young girl who grows up to be desperately trying for something like convention until her dark past threatens the equanimity she has so meticulously arranged for herself. And this is how it unfolds…decades ago a vivacious young girl, her parent’s only beloved child dies tragically, her death demolishes their marriage and permanently unhinges her mother, who then goes on to recreate her baby girl at all costs. To this extent, she decides to have another child, who’s genetic material and deliberate social conditioning would in a way bring her daughter back to her. Obviously, the plan goes awry the way crazy plans tend to and the experiment results in a young girl left more or less to her own devices, locked away from the world for 12 years. Eventually she gets found and reintegrated into society (more or less) by her famous wealthy biological father and all his tech development money. And so that’s our protagonist, content to live the quietest of lives possible until her lively new neighbor befriends her, her childhood abode burns down and a conglomeration of just so timed events that lead her to try to finally take control and make try to actually live instead of just passing time. This new course will be fraught with dangers, but it might just turn out to be worth it, if it doesn’t kill her first. So there you have it, a suspense thriller, not a murder mystery, that’ll surprise you time and again with the nicely timed plot twists. Exciting, well paced, difficult to put down…yes to all. And yet, somehow, I wanted more. Maybe because it offers more and you tend to get greedy, Maybe because of all the new tech (the book is set in the near future of 2028) with new portable devices and a really good quality VR, the latter of which provides our protagonist such joy. Maybe because of the interspersed subplot of VR developers discussing quantum physics and parallel universes. Most likely it is that second factor. It leads one to expect some kind of a killer Matrix style final twist that never comes. The entire thing just fizzles out like TNT ignition feed in the heavy rain. But at any rate, I’m perfectly willing to admit this to be the case of mismanaged expectations. Because the book is plenty good as is, no matter how much my imagination wanted to take it to different places. And by no means is this a sophomore slump, it just…slouches slightly, something especially noticeable because its predecessor sported such a terrific posture. This is good, original, far from forgettable…good thing for a book with a title like that. Much can be said for Oliva’s ability to create good, interesting, compelling, complex, non cliched female characters. And not even a stupid romantic sublot to prop it up like so many of these books tend to do…major kudos. So check this out, thriller fans. It’s a fun ride. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.

Thank You NetGalley, Publisher and Author for this gifted eBook.

Summary
What if your past wasn't what you thought?

As a child, Linda Russell was left to raise herself in a 20-acre walled-off property in rural Washington. The woods were her home, and for twelve years she lived oblivious to a stark and terrible truth: Her mother had birthed her only to replace another daughter who died in a tragic accident years before.

Review
This was a wonderful book. It was so hard for me to put down to even cook my family dinner, just saying.
I loved the plot, the writing, the charterers, the ending, I mean I cant say one bad thing about this one.
Full of suspense you don't even see coming.

Author: Alexandra Oliva
Pub Date- March 2, 2021
Genres: Science Fiction, Suspense
Rating- 4/5
Overall- Great Book

I love this book it’s hard to describe it without giving anything away but it’s about a girl who grows up on a plot of land with no idea with the outside world entails. This book will be really kept me going to the last page I would highly recommend it

It took me a minute to catch on that this is set in the future. I either didn't read the description well or missed that point. It didn't detract from the story, thankfully, though there was a lot of time dedicated to virtual reality video game playing (and I get why and it was interesting, but I'm just not that into video games).

Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A unique, original, mind bending story of a colon girl l( or not, we’re getting there, promise!) who has been brought out the world to replace her death sister(really? Okay I can see thought balloons start to appear above your head, just keep on reading!It will get more interesting at each chapter) raised herself at 20 acre walled off property at rural Washington. She belongs to woods, that’s where she feels at home, free, relaxed and happy.

This book consists great harmony of different genres including sci-fi, action packed adventure, psychological thriller and suspense. The story takes place in far future. Yes, as like John Marrs’ Passangers and Leigh Whannell’s futuristic thriller “ Upgrade”, the cars can drive themselves and virtual reality already took control of the daily life kind of future we’re witnessing.

Linda Russell leaves her secured life in the woods that she shares with her mother after witnessing something traumatic which truly changes her life. But after leaving her prison at the rural area to be a part of the modern world, she accepts to be a prisoner of modern technology which would be more suffocating and lonely. Now she’s trapped her apartment and her every move is tracked by big brother doctor. Living her place to walk to the park might be another torturous experience for her because she thinks she’s being watched by everyone and her past can blow up in her face at any second.

Then she meets with her eccentric, smart neighbor Anvi who helps to understand how virtual reality can be a perfect escape method for her. She starts to hope more after having a real connection with a person for a long time.

Then the news comes out about the sudden fire at her childhood home. She needs to return this place to find out what happened which also brings out more memories and unleashes chains of events put her in a point of no return. It’s time to face ugly truths about her childhood!

I have to say, I found the plot really original and creative and different genres blended perfectly. Only thing I didn’t relate was the characters. It’s hard to relate or emphasize with them. They acted like emotionless, smart robots you enjoy to listen their theories and their fears, motives but you still ask yourself WTH is wrong with them.

So I’m lowering some star points and giving this reading 3.5 stars and of course for its promising, dazzling storyline, I’m rounding them up to 4!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for making my wish come true by sharing this arc with me in exchange my honest opinions.

Linda is still trying to adapt to people and the city after escaping from an isolated childhood with her mom, Lorelei. People are still calling her #CloneGirl, but is she a clone from her dead sister? Soon she meets a fascinating neighbor, Anvi, that would help her be herself again.

The story is set in a very far future as cars can drive themselves and VR is far more advance. Cloning humans is possible; however, there is still a question of ethics. However, the story itself feels more of today's time until there is a part of technology and then it makes me feel a disconnect to the characters and story. The explanation of Emmer was not in detail and is muddle at the end. The story is well written and what Linda's feel is apparent and understandable. I truly feel for her. It was a very interesting read.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for letting me read this fabulous ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a strange book about a maladjusted young woman who was severely neglected and abused by her mother while she growing up. A depressing read. ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.