Oh my! Twisty-turny and super dark/moody. The setting and weather are like their own characters. Could totally see it as a mini series!!!

Just couldn’t get involved with this utterly predictable book. This is just retelling an old plot line, one used in too many stories, TV shows and films.
Thank you Netgalley fir this ARC.

There were so many typos in this story I had a very hard time keeping focused. The concept was interesting but it felt really long and drawn out.

This story had a few surprises and an interesting premise overall, but I felt the characters were a bit under-developed. It centers on Myra, whose 8-year-old daughter Charlotte disappeared 20 years ago, and Elizabeth, who shows up at Myra's door and is mistaken for Charlotte after all that time. The chapters alternate between the POVs of these 2 characters, as well as that of Myra's other daughter, Gwen.

You know going into the book that Elizabeth isn't really Charlotte. I thought I had figured out a twist really early in the book, but the twist ended up being a variation of what I thought was happening. There were a couple other twists as well, some that came as a surprise to me. As other reviewers have said, some of the things that happen are on the very edge of being realistic, but I was OK with that overall.

The thing I was less OK with was the characters. I didn't find any of them that likeable and I think it was because they weren't fully developed. You get tidbits of things that happened previously tied in with the things that are happening now, but I feel like more could have been done to better shape the characters so I could empathize with them better. I think Myra's character was the most built out. There are also a few tertiary characters that end up playing bigger roles later and I think they could have been better integrated into the story so their intentions/actions made more sense.

Overall, I liked the book- it wasn't my favorite of the year, but it was an interesting story and I was surprised multiple times. I think it's worth a read for those who like psychological thrillers. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Call me Elizabeth Lark was a very intriguing thriller/drama. In the novel, Elizabeth and her young son escape from her abusive husband and head to a hotel known for accepting cash and no IDs. The trouble starts when the owner of the hotel thinks that Elizabeth is her daughter that went missing twenty years ago. The plot was quick moving and intense and the characters were relatable and sympathetic. Altogether an enjoyable read!

The cover and premise of this book grabbed me from the start. Mistaken identity, a daughter missing for 20 years, a wife on the run from an abusive husband--what's not to love? I love a good twisty thriller. Unfortunately, the actual execution of the book fell a bit flat for me. The bones were there, but something was missing.

The book is told from the POV of several key characters: Myra is a mother whose daughter Charlotte went missing two decades ago. When Elizabeth shows up, Myra is convinced her daughter has finally come back to her. Myra's other daughter, Gwen, was baby-sitting Charlotte when she went missing, and she's carrying a lot of residual baggage.

Elizabeth knows she's not really Charlotte, but she's trying to escape her abusive husband, so she's assumes the false identity to protect herself and her son, Theo.

There are lots of twists and turns in the book, including a surprise ending that was a bit over-the-top. But sometimes you just have to go with it and enjoy the ride. Overall, I enjoyed the book even if I didn't fall in love with it. I'm interested enough to see what the author does next.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest opinions.

I thoroughly enjoyed this take on the returned missing child as an adult story line.
This debut novel marks author Melissa Colasanti as one to watch, I will certainly be keeping an eye out for any future works.
The family dynamics were explored with attention to detail, and piece by piece the story both unravels (the past) and comes together (the present).
Overall, a well plotted debut that is worth your time. And look at that cover!

Lots of twists in this one, and I was never really sure of what was going on. I loved the ending, which clarified everything. Well done - thanks #NetGalley!

While the premise of CALL ME ELIZABETH LARK is interesting, the characters behave so unrealistically given the situation that it was hard to suspend my disbelief. Further, the novel failed to build suspense.

In this book, I really valued the premise, the setting and the multiple points of view. I also liked the way in which the author handled the topic of domestic violence and female vulnerability: the issue was presented with skill and respect, without gratuitous detail. The story line really surprised me: it's not what the reader might think, but in a good way. I'd classify this one as domestic suspense, and a very good read.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of Call Me Elizabeth Lark.

Missing children who reappear is the newest trend because, as of late, I've read half a dozen books with that premise in the last year.

I was still interested in Call Me Elizabeth Lark because I always have hope that an author will surprise me with a plot twist I didn't anticipate or guess in advance.

Sadly, I wasn't intrigued by this as much as I had hoped.

First, I didn't like the writing. The tone was off, the character's POV continually rambled and sounded repetitive.

Second, I didn't like any of the characters, not Myra, the mother or Gwen, her eldest daughter. I felt Myra was a lousy mother, weak willed and a doormat, and Gwen, though a typical, neglected daughter after her younger sister went missing on her watch, sounded bratty and whiny, even after two decades.

The twists that did come I guessed correctly and not interesting or exciting (but that could be due to the fact that I read a lot of thrillers so its not the author's fault).

I also couldn't believe in the identity of the villain (though I guessed right once again) and the ending was pure Lifetime.

I think some readers will enjoy this but this wasn't for me.

This was a pretty fast and easy read, but I didn't like any of the characters and found it difficult to suspend my disbelief for the story.

Thank you, though, to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for providing this copy for review.

Read through netgalley

A twisty turns thriller about a woman who gets locked in a cabin by her abusive husband and then escapes! She then turns up at an inn which happens to be run by someone who recognises her as their long lost daughter.
I really enjoyed reading this and it was full of weird twists and turns.
The ending was a little scooby doo but overall was a good read

I was pleasantly surprised by this novel. It’s easy to get swept up in the plot, for sure. I was never able to guess the ending, but I got close. And I am pretty bad at guessing endings- ha. That’s my only real issue with this book- the ending is a bit unbelievable in an otherwise very believable book.

This book was the perfect escape. It was lovely and fun. It was my first book by this author and I will definitely be on the look out for more!!

Elizabeth Lark is on the run from an abusive husband. The Innkeeper where she is hiding is sure that Elizabeth is her missing daughter from 20 years back. Elizabeth's life is a mess, is she going to fix it or make it worse?
Thank you Netgalley for this read.

I was hooked from the first page! The author's use of words is just wonderful. I got more and more invested the more I read. The building tension, the twists and turns, it is such an exciting read!

The narration is so great, with three different characters. Each one with a fascinating back story. The author handles the intricacies of personality so well: a mother who lost her daughter many years ago, then a sister who is suffering, then a woman fleeing her abusive husband with her young child.
Such deep feelings, so much there to empathize with.

The setting at an inn on the Oregon Coast is perfect for this story. The setting is gorgeous and the author really places you there with the characters. The descriptions are so spot on, you really feel as if you are right there with the characters.

This is such a satisfying read because it has the right balance of letting the reader rightfully guess some of the twists, but also shocks the reader with some very unexpected turns! I was floored! I just loved the surprise twists! It was magnificent!

I really loved this book. It was a deeply enjoyable read and I was totally immersed in the world the author created. I highly recommend this book and it completely deserves all the stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.

Imagine that your young daughter disappears one night. You’ve spent years trying to come to terms with her being missing, and have convinced yourself you’ve spotted her on more than one occasion...only to be wrong in the end. 20 years later, your missing daughter walks into the inn you own.

That’s what happens to Myra Barkley. She watches as her missing daughter, Charlotte, comes in through the door.

Only, it’s not Charlotte. The woman’s name is Elizabeth Lark. She is with her son, Theo, and they are escaping her violent husband who has held her captive for years.

Elizabeth goes with it, in the interest of keeping her son safe and giving him a warm place to stay. However, danger is still present...because the culprit involved in Charlotte’s disappearance is unknown, and someone knows Elizabeth isn’t who Myra thinks she is.

Intriguing premise. I enjoyed it enough through the first half, but it wasn’t gripping me in the intense ways I’ve come to expect in thrillers. The last section becomes convoluted, and I found myself feeling less engaged as one OTT scenario occurred on top of another. I’m also not a fan of what I consider bad dialogue, and I found some of that here.

There are some promising parts throughout, and while I can’t say I’d recommend this one, I would be interested in seeing what debut author Melissa Colasanti comes out with in the future.

2.5 stars.

This was a fun buddy read with Jayme. We enjoyed putting on our detective hats and discussing our theories...many of which we got right! We’ll be on the hunt for our next case, but check out her fantastic review in the meantime.

This review is also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com

Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

#CallMeElizabethLark #NetGalley

Special thanks to NetGalley and Crooked lane Books for providing me with ARC.

This book is so boring and the most worse reading i ever had. I am very disappointed

2.5 ⭐️

Myra and Herb Barkley are still running the Barkley Inn, twenty years after their daughter Charlotte disappeared from the Rocky Beach across from the B and B, which is situated on the rainy, Oregon Coast.

The Police think the eight year old, drowned, when her older sister Gwen, who was baby sitting, lost track of her, but Myra has always believed that Charlotte was abducted and would return home one day, so she keeps Vigil from the front desk.

And, then it happens.
Elizabeth Lark arrives with her young son, and they are clearly “on the run”.
She has Charlotte’s distinctive eyes, and is wearing one half of a coin necklace with the initials CB.
Myra is convinced this young woman is her daughter, despite the fact that she has been wrong before.

Elizabeth knows she isn’t the Barkley’s daughter.
But, perhaps she can find safety if she pretends to be.

The book starts out well, and although we know from the beginning that Elizabeth is not Charlotte, we have the mysteries of who Elizabeth really is AND what really happened to Charlotte, to solve, so Michael David, and I, put on our 🕵🏻🕵🏼‍♂️ Detective caps for another buddy read.

The story alternates between the perspectives of Myra, Gwen and Elizabeth as each woman tries to make sense of Elizabeth’s arrival into their lives, and this half of the book held my interest although the reactions of Herb and son Jimi should’ve been explored in more detail.

Unfortunately though, the second half fell apart.

We Figured out MOST of what was to come.
Until it became so IMPLAUSIBLE that you couldn’t POSSIBLY figure out the rest.

The motives for the things that Elizabeth had to endure, I could not “buy into” at all.
And, the rest, including Charlotte’s fate is TOLD rather than SHOWN, by the “guilty party” in the last 20%.

For these reasons, this is not a book that I will be recommending.

Be sure to check out Michael David’s review as well.
They are always amazing!

Thank you to the Publisher for my gifted copy.
It was my pleasure to provide a candid review!

Available March 9, 2021