This book was a page turner from beginning to end. Very captivating with amazing character development. A woman’s husband dies and she is left alone to care for their daughter. She has a difficult time caring for her alone. One night at a wedding she leaves her daughter in the care of a friend and spends time with a man - later when she goes back to her daughter she is gone. Who took her? How long will she look? Will she ever find her? You think you know everything, yet you do not, and so much more that will have you guessing what is really going on until the end. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Go On!

You can join the rest of the World, as sympathy turns to judgment of Alexa Martini.

The story is immediately engaging as a refreshingly imperfect mother, Alex, and her shall we say “willful” three year old daughter, Charlotte Perpetua Martini, are traveling from London to Florida for a destination beach wedding.

Alex is friends with the groom and little “Lottie” is to serve as a bridesmaid-her role-one of the flower girls.

All goes surprisingly well, and the adult guests are enjoying cocktails, dancing and other activities, while the little girls, all dressed in pink, are running around at the closed event.

So, how could Lottie disappear without a trace?

The investigation begins locally, but soon becomes a Worldwide search after the U.S. President mentions what happened to the young tourist in a speech he is giving. Compared to the earlier (real life) case of Madeleine McCann, this makes Lottie’s disappearance seem like it could be an actual case as well.

As more details emerge, Public Opinion becomes divided with some continuing to think that what happened is tragic, while many decide to use the case as a referendum on Alex’s mothering-and still others use it to start a conversation about if children of color, and/or those less affluent, receive as much media attention.

Taking up the charge, is a former war correspondent-a journalist named Quinn, who becomes obsessed with the case.

For MOST of the book, I was completely enthralled, despite this trope being overused.

I felt Alex’s despair and the misdirection kept me intrigued which is why I am giving this 3.5 ⭐️ rounded up instead of down.

Unfortunately (SIGH) I do agree with the other early reviews-the ending which could’ve been believable, went too far, and became pretty implausible-disappointing me after what had been an otherwise entertaining and credible story.

Will I be reading the author’s next book? Absolutely!

I snapped up the opportunity to read and review Stolen by Tess Stimson because the description alone was too good to ignore. Stolen is pretty much your worst case scenario for a sole parent and toddler attending a destination wedding – but the plot is plausible, believable and intense because unfortunately these things can and do happen.

Although I didn’t warm to Alexa, I did enjoy her development as a character. She’s headstrong, flawed and rises to every challenge thrown at her. I was firmly on her side throughout, empathising and hoping for her to be reunited with her lost child.

The entire book is a ride filled to the brim with red herrings. So much so, that I was thrown by each and every revelation that came out along the way. And the big reveal and its consequences BLEW MY MIND. I didn’t see any of it coming. Every few pages, I was in shock. It was exceptionally well plotted.

Overall, I did really enjoy this explosive and gut-wrenching child abduction story. I’d recommend this to thriller lovers who are comfortable reading about missing children and all that comes with it.

This book was an absolute page-turner that had me hooked from the very beginning. I have to admit that I found myself hating Alex at times especially because of the way that she acted but I also felt bad for her too. Everyone was a suspect in this book and just when I thought that I had figured out who it was the author threw major twist my way. The identity of the person who took Lottie absolutely blew my mind because I didn’t even think about that possibility. The ending had me going for a minute there but thankfully it wasn’t what I thought it was.

My thanks to Avon Books U.K. for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Stolen’ by Tess Stimson in exchange for an honest review.

Well, this was quite a ride! I seriously stayed up into the early hours in order to finish it.

I won’t say much about the plot as it’s the kind of thriller best read ‘cold’. Alexa (Alex) Martini, is a twenty-nine year old human rights lawyer. Following the death of her ex-husband the previous year in a bridge collapse in Genoa, she is raising Charlotte (Lottie), their nearly four-year-old daughter alone. So, Alexa is dealing with a high pressure job and a very wilful little girl.

At the opening of the novel, Alexa and Lottie are headed to Florida for the destination wedding of her best friend in which Lottie is going to be one of five young bridesmaids. Yet at some point during the reception Lottie goes missing. The hunt for Lottie quickly becomes a world-wide media story. Yet it’s not long before questions begin to be asked about Alexa, specifically why wasn’t she watching Lottie? 

It’s a valid question. What happened to Lottie is a genuine mystery and Tess Stimson certainly racked up the tension and the suspects. There were also references to a number of real life cases, including Madeleine McCann.

Most of the chapters are narrated by Alexa, though there are a number that feature Quinn, a British television journalist assigned to cover the case. While she hates human interest stories, due to injuries received in Syria she can no longer do war correspondence. Quinn is a tough cookie and very suspicious of Alexa. While both women were flawed I found them relatable.

Although there’s no doubt this was a gripping thriller there were blips. I wasn’t comfortable with some adults’ snarky comments about Lottie’s weight. She is three! Then well into the story there were a few chapters where I felt rather confused as to what was going on. While there was clearly some misdirection, it did effect the pacing for me. The odd red herring is fine but this one still has me scratching my head in puzzlement.

This was my first time reading Tess Stimson’s work and based on this positive experience it won’t be my last.

This is the first book I have read from this author and I have to say I really enjoyed how the story is told.
3 year old Lottie goes missing at a wedding in Florida and it sparks a worldwide search for her.
There are plenty of red herrings thrown in throughout the book which kept me interested and turning the pages.
The ending was a bit unbelievable following on from the rest of the story but overall it was a good read.
Thanks to Netgalley for my copy of this book.

Alexa Martini, a lawyer, a single mom, still grieving from the loss of her husband after 2 years. Alexa travels from London to Florida to attend her best friend, Marc and Sian's wedding party with her 3 year old daughter, Lottie Martini. An enjoyable party turns into the worst nightmare for Alexa when Lottie disappeared at the wedding reception. Alexa desperate to find Lottie and the truth. Could it be a stranger or someone she knew?

This is a good mystery thriller that I enjoyed thru out.
The twists and turns are really good, I think, it keeps me guessing who is the abductor until the end.
I think the ending is quite good as well. The ending I did not think of.
As a mother myself, I feel so heartbroken whenever I read about missing children.
No one says life would be easy, especially being a parent bringing up a human. That love at first sight, nothing can replace. Alexa would do anything and will not stop finding Lottie whatever the cost.

Thank you Netgalley and Avon Books UK for this advance digital copy in exchange of my honest review.

Wow, this book is literally jaw-dropping. I absolutely did not see the twists and turns in this story coming at all.

Lottie is taken in broad daylight, at a wedding with over a hundred guests. I had no idea or suspicion of who might have been responsible or why. What follows is a huge search for Lottie, but it seems like they will never find her, there doesn’t seem to be anything to go on.

There are many twists in this book, and just when you feel like you might have an idea of who took her, the plot turns again, and we are none the wiser.

I sat for hours reading this book, unable to tear myself away. I just had to find out what had happened to her. The intricately and cleverly woven plot had me hooked, and didn’t give up its secrets until almost the very end. There are quite a few shocks along the way.

A fast-paced and dramatic story, this is a hard one to put down. Excellent and compelling read.

Stolen hooked me from the beginning. Lottie who's 3, is a fire cracker travels to her moms best friends wedding in Florida where she is taken. Alex, Lottie's mom is devistated being that she lost her husband in a tragic accident the year before. I was totally guessing till the end. The twist was fantastic.

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this digital arc. All opinions are my own.

I loved most of this book. As soon as the author made reference to the *kidnapper’s story* early on, I knew that was who it would end up being and I was so hoping I would be wrong and be surprised! I was disappointed by the believability of that part but I get you need to suspend beliefs a little bit for fiction and it was so well written. All in all, it was an exceptional thriller and I would love to read more by this author.

This is the best book I have read this year. Great plot, great characterization, and lots of unpredictable twists. The characters are wonderfully unlikable but also very realistic. The part of the story that was the most amazing for me was how well the author portrayed the sadness, guilt and misery the mother went through after losing her daughter. Every time I thought I had it figured out I was wrong. The ending was completely unpredictable. I love the way this author writes and I think you will too. It's definitely five stars for me and I will be watching for more books by Tess Stimson.

Thanks to Net Galley for allowing me to read this incredible arc for my honest opinion.

Tense and suspenseful, Stolen will keep you guessing right until the very end.

This is a brilliant mystery thriller, incorporating plenty of twists, turns, and red herrings. It also has a strong psychological thriller element to it, as Alex slowly starts to question even her own mind. Losing her daughter takes Alex to the brink, and with each day that passes without Lottie, she falls further and further into the darkness.

There are plenty of characters with something to hide; you may find your suspicious aroused, only for another surprise to arrive and throw you off the scent again. It's twisty and marvellously executed - Tess Stimson has written this pacey, suspenseful novel flawlessly.

It's hard not to feel for Alex - a single mother going through every parent's worst nightmare on her own. However, as the skeletons hiding in the closet start to be uncovered, you start to question if everything really is as it seems.

The book is told mostly from Alex's point of view, but there are also chapters from other character's viewpoints. This mix of narrators helps to flesh out the story and add new angles to the case, such as the chapters that follow Quinn, the journalist obsessively trying to root out the truth.

Stolen is a real page-turner - I would have read it in one sitting if I could! An excellent novel with impressive twists that will hook you in right from the very start.

Alex has a precious and quite precocious daughter, Lottie. When Alex takes Lottie to her friend’s wedding in Florida the unthinkable happens and Lottie goes missing. Can Alex find Lottie or has she lost her forever.
I have read some of Tess’s previous books and enjoyed them and I enjoyed this one but I really didn’t like Alex or Lottie as characters!
Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

What I Loved

That ending! Sometimes when talking about a book, you have to start with the end. The conclusion was such a surprise and so full of thrilling action that it took my breath away. I thought I had the ending nailed from early on, but surely those clues I noticed were red herrings? Surely. But as the story progressed, it looked as if I figured it out. And when my suspicions were going to be confirmed, they exploded right in front of my eyes. My hat is off to Tess Stimson for leading me astray so well with just a few well-placed red herrings and then blowing my mind.

The surprising and original narration stood out to me as one of the aspects that makes this story different from all the other domestic thrillers out there. I’ve never seen it done quite like that, and it blew my mind, too, in a more subtle, psychological thriller way. When you realize what is happening with the narration, you have to stop and go, “Wait a minute. What!” in all the best possible ways.

So many secrets! Everyone in the wedding party had secrets that made them a suspect in the kidnapping, and most of them were doozies. The way all of those puzzle pieces made of secrets came together or didn’t at the end kept the suspense alive and thriving with each turn of the page.

Even with all the suspense and secrets happening, the author found time to point out that not all missing children get the same treatment. Children of color who go missing don’t often get the same coverage and attention that white children do. Also, the story took the time to point out that no mother can stand up to the intense scrutiny that child abduction brings to their life and the subsequent judgment on their mothering skills. I can’t imagine any mother out there who hasn’t made one or two poor decisions when it comes to their children, but luckily most of us don’t have those moments revealed, discussed, and judged. Or have them turn into a dire situation.

Characters

Lottie is probably the most entertaining character with her precociousness and sass that only a three-year-old can make cute. The main character and very unreliable narrator for most of the story is Lottie’s mother, Alexa. She is a single working mom, just doing the best she can with her high-pressure job as a lawyer and as a mother. Even though we never learn much of her back story, the person she is now is painted in minute detail. And lastly, there is Quinn. She is a journalist with a giant chip on her shoulder and living life one step at a time as she struggles with the pain from an accident while in the field. She is a very intriguing character with her determination and penchant for being her own worst enemy.

Reminds Me Of

I get Lisa Jewell-type vibes with the use of the unreliable narrator and the way the progression of the plot reflects the state of mind of the character. But, I would argue that this story very much has a voice that makes it unique within the genre.


What I Wish

Some plot gaps exist, but I quickly can look past them because of that fantastic ending. I do wish there hadn’t been so much of a slow down in the middle. Though, I will say it made me think of what the waiting must be like for Alexa. Waiting years for news of your missing child, feeling like more can be done, must be excruciating.

Trigger Warnings
Kidnapping/Abduction, Non-graphic violence (minimal)

To Read or Not to Read
If you are looking for a story that will blow you away with its manipulations, creative use of red herrings, and simply shocking conclusion, then this is a must-read for you.

Thank you to the author, Avon Books UK and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a quick, suspenseful read - although the first half did feel stronger than the second half. The protagonist and her daughter are introduced and the author brings both of them very much to life for the reader. The disappearance of the young daughter is every parent's nightmare, particularly as there don't seem to be any clear indications as to what happened. The second half slowed down dramatically - of course this is also what happens in such an unresolved situation - and the promised twists were delivered. I did see quite a few of them coming, and the ending seemed a bit too unlikely to be true, but overall this was a satisfying read.

SPOILER FREE REVIEW!
Many thanks to @Netgalley and @AvonBooksUK for a copy of Stolen in exchange for an honest review. This was my first time reading a book by Tess Stimson but I’m sure it won’t be my last. After struggling through my previous read I really needed something that would grip me from the very start and this story really did that.
Alexa Martini is the main character and she isn’t perfect and I love that. Her daughter Lottie is taken from her best friend’s beach wedding in Florida. Quinn Wilde is a journalist who doesn’t want to cover this story but isn’t given a choice at first and then becomes invested in it. I thoroughly enjoyed her character. Real and relatable characters in this story of losing a child and the search to find her. It touches on white privilege and the fact her case gets a lot more coverage than that of the many hundreds of other children who go missing in Florida each year.
This story is fast paced, gripping, with some good twists. The book is being published tomorrow, August 5th ‘21 so you can get it now and I would definitely recommend you put this on your reading list!

Book review: Stolen – Tess Stimson,

Disclaimer: I was kindly gifted a copy of this book by the publisher, Avon Books UK, via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

My thoughts:

Tess Stimson did a great job with this thriller. Her writing style is easy to read and she has you second guessing yourself throughout the book. The chapters are short but give you just enough information to get you hooked. I couldn’t put this book down. I just had to find out what happened to Lottie.

As a mother myself I connected with Alexa and the nightmare that she was living in the devastation of loosing her only daughter, Lottie. The media was swift to judge her parenting and question her love for her daughter. So many times, Alexa had to be her own supporter to keep fighting to find Lottie. I was rooting for her all the way. I mean come on, is there anything a mother wouldn’t do for her child?

However, Alexa is not always alone in her search for Lottie. After doing a bit of damage, reporter Quinn Wilde finally believes Alexa had nothing to do with the disappearance of Lottie and decides to help the grieving mother. I enjoyed Quinn’s character. I found her very enduring but also a total bad ass and girl boss. If she wants something she goes for it.

This story is well written and super addictive. You just can’t put the book down! There are so many “look over here” moments that keep you guessing. I was so devoted to finding out what happened to Lottie, and I just wanted to see Alexa reunited with her daughter.

That being said, I was so disappointed with the ending. For me a thriller must have an ending the sends you reeling after you close the book. The ending to Stolen, just left me disappointed and thinking “what the heck?”

The idea was good, but I felt like it was poorly executed. It just all felt a bit rushed and far-fetched. I would still recommend this book. It packs a punch and promises an enjoyable time. Would I pickup another one of Tess Stimson’s’ books? Definitely. I’m excited to see what she puts out in the future.

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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Thank you to Netgalley & the publisher for a chance to read and review an early copy of Tess Stimson’s new thriller, Stolen, out August 5th!

Well this one was a dark and twisty road! But I can’t say I’m surprised since Tess Stimson wrote one of my favorite thrillers last year, One in Three, that was just as twisty as this one!

Child abduction stories can go one of two ways, and this one was great. The ending was a little far-fetched but the rest of the story kept me engaged and constantly asking myself, “what really happened to Lottie?”

There were a LOT of twists with this one and I can honestly say I could not predict any of them. This book went places that you wouldn’t expect it to, which is probably why I was so intrigued and couldn’t put it down.

I definitely need to go back and read Tess Stimson’s previous books and all her future reads as she really is an amazing thriller writer. I can say that her books never disappoint!

I'm tired as i just HAD to get to the end and failed to keep track of time and/or the jobs to complete at home! Ms Stimson has done it again with her excellent writing style, plenty of twists and red herrings. I was quite convinced I knew who had done it - how wrong was I?

It's a kidnapping case, but Ms Stimson also brings in race, feminism, misogyny and parenting. Some of these make for uncomfortable reading. The characters are believable and, in particular, the mother of the kidnapped child is beautifully drawn throughout.

There is a timeline but it just adds to the whole scenario.- as does the fact that I finished it in a local hotel with a wedding reception being held fifty yards away!?

Ms Stimson has never let me down yet with her novels. Guaranteed 5 stars.

Thanks to Net Galley and Avon Books UK for the chance to read and review.

Single mom, Alex, travels from London to Florida with her 3 year old daughter Lottie. They are attending the wedding of Alex's good friend Marc. Their fun trip quickly take a turn for the worse when Lottie is taken and goes missing at the wedding reception. A world-wide investigation of Lottie’s disappearance soon begins. The police are looking into every detail and Alex's parenting becomes highly scrutinized. How could Lottie just disappear from a crowded wedding party? Did she know her abductor?

This was a very fast paced novel that grabbed my attention and didn’t let go. The writing is brilliant and I found myself rushing to get to the end and solve the mystery. The reveal was quite shocking and I never would have figured it out. I would highly recommend this one to those who enjoy mystery/thrillers.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This review will be posted to my Instagram Blog (@coffee.break.book.reviews) on August 5, 2021.