Now that is what you call a perfect thriller! Woooooohhhhh😱
As soon as I finished this book, I was like "What the-- 🤯😱

Let me tell y'all, if you do read a thriller this year, please read this one!

Some things that I LOVED ✔️
-Tense and unputdownable
- Story within a story (I literally freaked out at the realisation!)
- Crazy unbelievable completely unforeseen ending (similar to the crazy ending of Behind Her Eyes 👀)
- Packed with twists and turns
- Emotional and poignant

Some things that I DISLIKED ❌
- Gets repetitive sometimes
- Gets difficult to focus on a particular topic because of inclusion of various topics simultaneously

⚠️Contains discussions of racism, child abduction, child sex trafficking

Highly recommended! 💕

While you might think that the ‘missing child’ trope has become an overly popular theme in contemporary thrillers, this one puts an original spin on the story making for an interesting and engrossing read.

Lottie, the child who is missing, disappeared at a wedding in Florida. She had flown with her mother, Alex from London to be a flower girl at the beachside wedding of Alex’s good friend Marc. On the day itself Lottie was well behaved, performing her duties carefully in her little pink dress. After the wedding ceremony, the wedding party with a gaggle of tiny bridesmaids in pink dresses in tow, walked back across the beach to the reception at the hotel, followed by the wedding guests. Alex was sure she could see Lottie amongst the other little bridesmaids as they headed across the sand and again several times during the wedding buffet, and it was only later that she realised Lottie was missing.

Lottie is not the poster child for missing children, not in the least angelic in looks or nature, but a truculent, strong willed, overweight three year old, who is more than a handful for her mother. Alex had never had an easy relationship with her daughter, particularly since the death of her husband Luca who doted on Lottie. Left to bring up Lottie on her own, Alex has never thought of herself as a good mother. Busy juggling her career as a human rights lawyer she never seemed to have enough time, patience and energy left over to deal with a difficult child. When Lottie goes missing, it’s no wonder the police suspect Alex of being responsible in some way. Nevertheless, she loves her little girl with a vengeance and will do whatever it takes to find her. Eventually, with no new leads, Alex has to return to England, grief stricken but filled with determination to keep searching for Lottie for as long as it takes.

The novel paints a compelling picture of what it’s like to be the parent of a missing child who might never be found. In Alex’s case the pain, anguish and self-blame don’t diminish over time. Where some mothers will receive sympathy from the media, Alex will be judged for her less than perfect parental skills and for her behaviour at the wedding and subjected to more than her share of criticism by the press and social media. She will also be criticised for the time and money put into searching for Lottie, a white middle-class child, compared to the effort spent on missing children with darker skins from poorer homes.

For me, the ending of the novel was somewhat marred by an implausible and over-dramatic element in the climax, that seemed out of kilter with the rest of the plot and unnecessary for the resolution the author was seeking. Nevertheless, overall this is a thoughtful, considered novel about the impact of missing children on mothers and families and how difficult it is to move on.

Destination wedding, anyone? There have been quite a few fictional ones that end in disaster lately and this one is full of surprises. I don't want to reveal too many details or provide spoilers. Here are some things I particularly loved about this book: 1) The diverse setting choices. 2) The character development of the mother. 3) Decisions made with dollars raised. 4) Surprising twists and turns in the plot. I am a Tess Stimson fan after reading this one. You will be, too. If you want to read some other titles with destination wedding blues, here are a few: The Guest List, The Guilt Trip, and The Wedding Night.

Many thanks to Avon Books and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

The unthinkable happens - you go to a friends wedding in FL all the way from the UK with your little girl and she is the flower girl in the wedding. Shortly after the marriage takes place, your little girl is GONE! Has she walked off? Did someone take her? This thriller had me on the edge of my seat from the very first page. A few twists towards the end had me guessing till the very last page. Just when I thought I knew how it would end, it threw another loophole in there! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review.

Alex Martini will admit she wasn’t sure about having children but after Lottie’s birth, she knows she could never be without her, even if Lottie is one stubborn little minx from the get go. Honestly, I love their relationship, it’s refreshingly accurate (and watching safely from the sidelines, the toing and froing of the their exchanges made me laugh and cry at the genuine nature of their bond.) And so, when the worst thing that could possibly happen to a parent happens, I was rooting for Alex that her daughter be found quickly and safely.

All around are quick to judge Alex’s parenting skills: Why wasn’t she more attentive? How could she mistake another blonde-haired child in a crowded room for her child? What kind of mother leaves a three-year-old on her own and retreats someone secluded with a male guest, a stranger nonetheless? Ouch! The attacks on her character are brutal. But what is more brutal is that Lottie isn’t found quickly and Alex must return to her old life and try to move on.

But of course she can’t. She keeps “seeing” Lottie everywhere … until one day, on the Tube, she is adamant that her daughter is in a passing train. Getting people to believe her, however, is no easy matter. Poor Alex has no choice but to follow her heart alone … and investigate for herself. There are a multitude of twists and turns that lead her to her destination, some of which seem soooo unlikely that you just have to trust the author and run with it. Believe me, it’s worth suspending belief for a while as the ending is dramatic, edge-of-the-seat stuff that you won’t regret waiting for.

Highly recommended if you enjoy a quick, pacy, breathless ride of a story with all the feels.

Absolutely amazing book. I was captivated by the storyline. Great characters and very well written. I absolutely reccomend that you read this book.

Such and intriguing storyline and you never really know what is coming next, with twists and turns all over the place. Fast paced plot which keeps you guessing right to the end.

Absolutely loved this book. Could not put it down until I'd finished it. The characters were believable and the twists and turns kept surprising me. Will definitely keep a look out for this author.

CW: missing child, kidnapping investigation, alcoholism, hospitalization, car accident, death, physical violence/blood

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for an advanced electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Alexa is a young career-driven woman who is a mother to a young firecracker, Lottie. At three years old, Lottie is almost too smart for her own good. As the two travel to Florida for friend Marc's wedding, all Alexa can think about is the work waiting for her in London that she grudgingly left behind for this trip. That is, until she realizes that nobody has seen Lottie since the wedding ended. How far can a small child go, and to what lengths will her mother go to find her?

This story thrilled me from start to finish. I could not have guessed the ending, and I love when that happens. There were so many interesting elements and characters. If you want a real thrill ride, this is the one.

Stolen has so many layers. Alex is judged over and over for her actions and negligence in the book. Lottie is a difficult child who disappears during a wedding in Florida. The author leads readers on a merry chase to,discover what happened to little Lottie. I did tire of the false starts but the real culprit was completely off my radar and an angle I never even considered, although I should have. ,essay characters with a layered plot, but don’t leave children unattended.

Why are mothers always blamed when something bad happens? Alex asks herself that as well as many other questions when her small daughter Lottie disappears without a trace from the resort where they're attending a wedding. They've traveled from London to Florida so she's a bit at sea with so many things. Stimson has a good way with amping up the tension and raising questions in the reader's mind. I was a tad dissatisfied with the ending but that's a small quibble. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. No spoilers from me!

This story I could not put down and I was drawn into it straight away. I think it realistically portrays a mother’s panic, worry and grief after her child is abducted but also how a missing children investigation get this kind of media coverage. I think the discussion created on class, race, and working women was incredibly important to add and really brought a lot into the story. Alex was portrayed very realistically because there is not a perfect human – she had her vices and did not mind sharing these with the world. My head started spinning with the sheer number of suspects (perhaps too many?) that were brought up throughout which kept me enthralled but also showed us Alex’s torment still alive to find Lottie. The ending did surprise me, and I am still not sure whether it was the best outcome. I do think there were a few little plot holes or unanswered questions that could have been tidied up better.
Thank you to Tess Stimson, Avon Books UK, and NetGalley for an ARC copy in return for an honest review.

Alex knows her daughter would never wander off in a strange place. So when her three year old vanishes from an idyllic beach wedding, Alex immediately believes the worst. The hunt for little Lottie quickly becomes a world-wide search, but it's not long before suspicion falls on her mother. Why wasn't she watching Lottie.

Alex is a single mum. Her daughter Lottie had been a flower girl at a wedding being held at the Sandy Beach Hotel when she disappeared at the wedding reception. Alex is also dealing with some personal issues at home.

You can feel Alex Martini's emotions dripping from the pages. It's every parents worst nightmare to discover your child is missing. The story is realistically written and believable. This is a gripping and fast paced read. I was desperate to find out what had happened to Lottie. There is also a few references to abductions that have taken place in the real world. Filled with twists and turns, you won't know who you can trust.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #AvonBooksUk and the author #TessStimpson for my ARC of #Stolen in exchange for an honest review.

This is a decent, twisty, drama about a child that goes missing at a wedding.

The first part of the book really hooked me in, unfortunately, I found elements more difficult and a bit lacklustre - in that it dragged on a bit. However, overall, this is a good, easy read that has sufficient number of red herrings to keep you reading and I'd recommend as a decent 3.5* read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon books UK for the opportunity to preview.

An excellent terrifying, moving and riveting story. Alex felt she was not cut out to be a mother, but when her daughter Lottie goes missing she travels the world looking for her. A real incite to a mother’s love and concern for her child that never diminishes no matter what life throws at her.

Oh my gosh, this book...the twisis...the turns...the blurb on NetGalley says "A twisting and emotional thriller that demands to be read in one sitting." Well I am happy to report that NetGalley was 100% correct. I devoured this 343 page book in one sitting, I couldn't stop reading it. I loved One in Three by this author, another five star read for me, so I had high expectations for this one and it did not disappoint.

This isn't your typical child goes missing trope. This was a unique and refreshing take. There are many red herrings and suspects, so many twists your head will spin. I suspected nearly everyone along the way...and even though towards the end I kinda had it figured out it in no way ruined the suspense or thrills for me. I highly recommend this book and Tess Stimson is fast becoming a favourite of mine.

This book is both amazing and ridiculously far fetched. If you can suspend your disbelief then it is a gripping rollercoaster of a ride!

I love thrillers and twists and turns but I think this book has the most twists you could imagine!! Everyone involved seems to have a dark secret to hide and every time you think you have it figured out, another layer of intrigue is unveiled!

A brilliant read.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

This story centres around Alex and her 3 year old daughter, Lottie. Alex gets an invite to attend the wedding of her friend Marc in Florida, where Lottie will be a bridesmaid. Lottie seems to be a wilful, feisty child, who often frays her mums patience. Everything seems to be going well, until Lottie disappears at the reception, seemingly without a trace. The case is local before becoming international, and hitting news channels and tabloids around the world. And Alex starts to become vilified. The case goes on and a journalist, called Quinn, becomes obsessed with this unsolved case.

I enjoyed this book, right up until the ending, which didn’t blow me away, and wasn’t in keeping with the storyline. Aside from that, this book was great with punchy lines, and lots of red herrings with twists, turns, and surprises. The story mirrored the real life story of Madeline McCann, and how her parents also got vilified in the media, where she is analysed over her life and how she parents. It showed the media in a somewhat unfavourable light. The story is really well written and descriptive and you can really feel the emotions that Alex feels. The characters were well written, especially with Lottie being not so well behaved often, as many stories usually portray excellently behaved children, and in real life this is not the case. They also mentioned that Lottie wasn’t a traditionally pretty girl, and examined how the media gives more coverage for missing pretty girls rather than all children. Overall, a well written psychological thriller and greatly recommended.

This was my first novel by Tess Stimson and I think I will try another. It is a suspenseful, quick, unputdownable read that draws you in very fast. Alexa is single mom who has recently been widowed. She attends a wedding of her best friend Marc at a luxury resort in Florida with her 3 year old Lottie, a bridesmaid. While Alexa is occupied elsewhere, Lottie disappears. Alexa is portrayed as a "real" mom, her weaknesses and mistakes are raw and most seem believable. There is also an interesting spin on why Lottie's case receives more attention than other missing children. The story is packed with misdirection - maybe a little too much? - but will keep you guessing until the end. There were a few parts that I found overall confusing that kept the book from rating higher for me, but overall, a good read. Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion. Stolen will be available on 8/5/2021.

Alex is a career woman, a human rights lawyer, but then she gets pregnant. Her Italian husband, Luca, promises to do all the childcare if she keeps the baby, but he is tragically killed in a freak accident in Genoa. Alex then has to try and raise Lottie on her own, and Lottie is a stubborn, self-willed small child.

Alex and Lottie fly to the USA so that Lottie can be a flower girl at Alex’s best friend Marc’s beach wedding. You know what it’s like with small children, you blink and they’ve vanished, usually to be found up to their eyeballs in mischief. Unfortunately, Alex blinked, Lottie vanished, and nobody could find her. Alex knows that Lottie would never go off with a stranger, so what’s happened? Has someone Lottie knows taken her? And why? Where is she?

This book kept me gripped right to the end and I’d highly recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for an advance reader copy in return for an honest review.