Told from alternating points of view, Violet & Bud are so different from each other, but are so relatable that I quickly became invested in their story. Violet is abducted and wakes up alone in a cabin, able to speak with only one person in the world (Bud) via a pre-programmed cell phone. While it did get a little slow toward the middle, it was 100% worth it for that ending. I NEVER saw it coming and will be thinking about this book for a while.

This book was the second of The Jolvix Episodes series, which I wasn't familiar with, but that didn't stop me from thoroughly enjoying Violet is Nowhere. The first in the series, Amen, Maxine, has most certainly found its way onto my TBR list.

Thank you NetGalley, Xpresso Book Tours and Faith Gardner for letting me read”Violet is Nowhere” in exchange for an honest review.

Boy was I excited when I heard this was related to “Amen Maxine”! Yay for that! Amen Maxine is easily the best book I have read this year. Yay for that as well! This book is part of the Jolvix Episodes!

Also, the cover was way better than Amen Maxine! I love myself a good cover. I would not have picked up Amen Maxine judging by the cover (shame on me), but this one is more my style.

One has to love Faith Gardner. The dedication was priceless: “For the person without whom I would be nothing: me” Marvellous!!! I was sold the second I read this.

Faith Gardner is an incredible talented author - I was not coaxed into saying that. 😂 I love her style, how she ducks you into the world she created even if in the beginning you have no idea what on earth happened. She weaves a tale and makes you believe that this world is true.

The story evolves around two characters. I really like the way her characters act and think. They always feel relatable and real.
We have Violet Wilde, an up and coming rockstar from LA and Bud. Bud…. He seems to have lost all directions at some point and got his life on track, but shies away from people and relationships. The two of them are not connected at first glance, but apparently are.

Violet wakes up in a secluded cabin. Strange clothes, nobody there, but in relative comfort. She finds a letter that says she had one contact - Bud - she can call and has to figure out their connection, or she will die. Bud is not allowed to call help. Together they need to figure out this multi-storey. What brings them together and why is she in danger?! Is he too?i am at least hungry for some Roboburger fries and burger! 🍔🍟😅 or do I stay vegetarian?

Anyway… run and get it.

For a while there is absolutely no connection to Jolvix. I was as clueless as Violet, hence not as frustrated. 😂 I knew there had to be a twist, something had to be there from the Amen Maxine world. Unfortunately we do not meet Rowena and Maxine, but the connection to Jolvix is there.

I first shied away, I did not read the description properly. I can not stand the rock star trope. Luckily this is only a part of Violets life and bit what the book is about.

For me, the writing did it once again. Faith has a wonderful way of telling a story, her characters and the world building. Also, her stories are original. Psychological thrillers with a sci-fi twist!

4,5 ⭐️ for me, it was so worth it! 5⭐️ rounded down, simply because Amen Maxine was one of my top reads this years. This one was close but not quite as good.

First off, thank you to the publisher for granting me an ARC. This book took me a little to get into at first but once it picked up I was hooked! I didn’t see the twist coming and I loved it…. This type of thriller isn’t what I’m used to reading in that it was sci-fi as well but I actually really enjoyed it and would love to read more books like this in the future.

Upcoming Rock star Violet wakes up in a locked cabin in the middle of nowhere. She doesn’t remember how she got there. The cabin has all the necessities with a fridge stocked with all her favorite food items. And There is a note with a phone. The note says that the phone dials only single number and she's to figure out what her connection is to the stranger on the phone within a week to save her life.

The twists in the book were amazing! No body will be able to see them coming! The pacing was good and engaging. The Sci-fi twists were unpredictable and smart. A good unputdownable thriller!

I thank NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC copy in exchange of my honest review.

My Rating System: 1 ⭐️ ticked no boxes COMPLETE FAIL!!!

Violet, a budding ‘rockstar’ wakes up one morning after a gig with a bad headache and no idea where she is. Thinking to herself shes having a Rockstar moment - she gingerly opens her eyes only to realise she is trapped in a cabin in the middle of nowhere. Kidnapped with no idea what happened the night before Violet starts to panic.

After searching her surroundings and only finding an ominous note and a burner phone Violet calls the only number programmed…

Alcoholic construction worker Bud, is a bit of a loser with no ambition at all - he answers his phone one Friday night while getting buzzed and on the other end is a stranger claiming to be a kidnapped woman - Violet.

The note states the two have one week to figure out the connection between them otherwise someone or something will take their lives, can these unlikely duo solve the puzzle of a lifetime before its too late??

First thing is first… I am an outlier by a long shot on this one. I personally couldn’t stand this story. I am super disappointed because I thought Amen Maxine was amazing!! This absolutely is nothing like that, it is not even in the same ballpark (for me). I realise many many people loved this and I am super glad that is the case - I quite literally kept falling asleep while I was reading it! I was so bored throughout the first half. 🥱

I kept waiting for all the funny witty dialogue that others found in this novel - but for me it never came. I kept waiting for the pace to pick up and things to get interesting- again it never came. I thought I must be reading a completely different book to everyone else. 🤷‍♀️

I don’t need to like the characters in the story for me to enjoy it but I HATED Violet. I absolutely could not feel sorry for her. Yes she was kidnapped and that sucks big ones… but the way she spoke to her only lifeline and carried on all the time was childish and rude. I get it you’re kidnapped and scared but literally nothing was happening to her - she had her favourite foods, drinks and a warm dry place and was not being abused. As far as kidnapping go this one was pretty tame (to start with). She just pissed me off with her babyish whining and complaining. Be mad… sure! Be scared… absolutely!! But whatever she was just irritated me and I was hoping something interesting would start happening so I could stop reading her POV. 😤

Also, Bud, this guy was 30 WHAT!!! The way he was described in the book made me think he was an ageing, balding, fat loser - not some super handsome hunk that just happened to have an alcohol problem. He was so boring and he put up with all Violets shit which just made him seem weak and pathetic. He was trying to be caring but he bumbled around and just annoyed me - in between running into every venue for a glass of beer when the tank was low!!! 😫

I didn’t care what happened to either of them… I didn’t care if Violet escaped, or Bud stopped drinking or if the world exploded I quite literally just wanted to get to the good bit or the TWIST - surely there is a twist just hit me in the face with it!!!

THE TWIST - NOOOOOOOOOOOOO Are you absolutely freaking kidding me!!! *insert massive eye roll here*. I read the entire thing for that!!! Uh uh no you didn’t just pull that and have such a lame twist that was not worth the wait!!! Pfft sorry but this was such a let down for me. ‼️

Now… I realise people loved this and like I said above… I am super glad people loved it… BUT I am absolutely not one of those people. I am out here on outlier island all by myself but I gotta be honest or what the heck am I even on here for!!! 🗣

I absolutely 100% recommend Amen Maxine that was so well done and super twisty!!! This one was a miss for me though!! 👌

Thank you to Mirror House Press, NetGalley and the author for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review.

Hooked right in first few pages. My first time reading Faith Gardner, and I really enjoyed it. Different from what I typically read thriller with some sci-fi.

This is the first time I read anything by this author and I'm impressed by her ability to create sympathetic characters along with an interesting plot.

Basically this is a thriller with a touch of sci fi. I have to admit, I didn't see the plot twist at the end coming.

An entertaining book. Keeping my fingers crossed that there will be a sequel

Thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.

3.5 Stars!

Violet is kidnapped after playing a gig with her band and the only thing she is given is a burner phone with one phone number … a person called Bud. Who is Bud? Who is Violet? That's the game....how are they connected? They have a week to figure it out.

Super intriguing and what I liked is there is a ton of possibilities on the connection but none panned out which was frustrating but great at same time. There were so many options of why this is happening like Priya and her brother or Violet's band mates. I would have liked for the author to delve into them further, but it fell to the wayside

I loved this authors debut, it mixed real world with a bit of sci f as did this. This does the same but felt the sci-fi came way too late. While it did pack a punch the finale felt came out of left field. .It didn't fit the mold, however the feelings the characters had really did do it justice

That ending was certainly well done even if I didn't expect it. The author certainly knows how to pull out the stops. As an aside this is a book that has a touch of sci- fi...it works really well and I think if your not a huge fan of sci-fi its a great start as its not overwhelming

This is part of a series, but you do not need to read the first one, even tho it was cool to hear about Maxine for a brief moment. Encourage everyone to try this one but Amen Maxine is my fav so far, but looking forward to more of this series

Final note: I totally need a robo-feather duster

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my advanced copy

I am thrilled that Faith Gardner followed up quickly on the first book in The Jolvix Episodes, Amen, Maxine!

This time around we get to see the main character, Violet, kidnapped and left in a cabin with absolutely no technology – no cell phone, no TV, no internet, no mirrors. But someone is stocking the fridge and leaving her clean clothes, and spa-like soap in the bathroom. It would be a great vacation home if it wasn’t for the bars on the windows, and a burner phone that has one number on it. There are no landmarks, few sounds, and no way out.

Gardner does an amazing job of giving the reader insight into the boredom, curiosity, and hopelessness as Violet goes through each emotion. Her only connection to the outside world is the voice on the other end of the phone, Bud. She’s posted all of her information on social media, so he knows what she looks like as well as intimate details of her life. Even if she could look him up, Bud has virtually no social media presence.

What do these two have in common? They have one week to find out. And the clock is ticking…

Thanks to NetGalley and Mirror House Press for an advance reader's copy.

I thought this book had a fascinating plot. Violet, the front-woman in an up-and-coming band, gets kidnapped and wakes up alone in a cabin with a phone that can dial just one number: Bud's. The ominous note left with Violet says they need to figure out what connects them together or else.

Again: great set-up for a thriller— but I don't think it was able to live up to its full potential.

Violet and Bud's dialogue and reactions to the situation felt... off. This is a thriller with adult characters and language, yet I couldn't shake the feeling that I was reading something suited for a younger audience. Violet *says* she's terrified (and rightfully so!), but I never felt like she was fleshed out enough to actually feel those emotions.

Aside from making the characters feel inauthentic (to me, anyway), these "flaws" have the benefit of making it a very quick read. Perfect for relaxing or cozying up somewhere. I read this in a couple hours and it kept my attention just fine.

If this sounds interesting and you'd like to get yourself a copy, the publication date is September 22!

*Thank you to Mirror House Press for giving me the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.*

"Reality leaves a lot to the imagination." (John Lennon)

I just had to start with that quote. Violet Is Nowhere is gonna leave you wondering if that bird in your hand is really a fine feathered species or something else. If that daily routine you've chosen for yourself is of your own mindset.......or something else. My reality may not be your reality.

Thoughts similar to these are floating in the head of Violet Wilde as she wakes up in unfamiliar surroundings. As her sore eyes begin to focus, it's not the usual furnishings in her upscale condo. Far from it. She's inside what seems to be some biker's hellhole of a small cabin with bars on the windows and a locked door. Her head is throbbing. Violet gazes at her reflection. Same purple hair and same rocker chick outfit. But everything......just everything is definitely wrong.

A note on the counter tells Violet that she has five days to figure this all out. She's got a burner phone with only one number to call. And here's where we meet Bud.

Bud carries a 12-pack of beer like most people carry their laptops. Gardner adequately names him Bud.(Like Bud-Lite?) He's the one number on that burner phone. Bud is a combo of missed opportunities in life. A football scholarship to Berkeley for a small town Texas guy. Blown up in less than a week. A job as a carpenter at a construction site. Talented, but not dedicated.

Let's visit our own imaginations like John Lennon here. Imagine, if you will, (shades of Twilight Zone even better) and your phone rings as you're wearing beer fog goggles. On the other end is a girl named Violet trying to convince you that's she's been kidnapped and stored in a broken down cabin. She lays out the plan: five days to figure out the connection between the two of them. Now let the games begin.......

If you have not been introduced to Faith Gardner, let's start here. After reading her previous offering, Amen Maxine, I was hooked hard. After that, I grabbed The Second Life of Ava Rivers and I just bought Perdita. Faith Gardner is going to make you believe in the well-written, attention-getting, all lights and bells ringing novel. She's got the gift. All you've got to do is grab and turn the pages.

I've given you the bare bones on this one. It's got all the feels and a giant dollop of wonderment. Gardner writes showcasing her main characters, but she slides us readers into that cabin as well. We'll feel the fear, the frustration, and the uncertainty of this situation......and what is exactly at stake. Oh, Momma, it's a good one.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Mirror House Press and to the talented Faith Gardner for the opportunity.

"Don’t worry. You have your whole life ahead of you."

Violet Wilde, a rising rock star, finds herself alone and locked in a cabin after being kidnapped from her LA home. When she discovers a burner phone with a note saying the phone can only call one number, she has to trust a stranger named Bud at the other end of the line to help her. In what seems to be a sick and twisted game, Violet and Bud have one week to figure out the connection between them. Otherwise, they both may lose their lives.

"There’s one number I can call, sure, but really I’m in this alone. The pain, the fear, they’re consuming, and I’m infinitesimal, insignificant: a violet in the middle of nowhere."

But this is no ordinary kidnapping. The cabin is a prison disguised as a vacation rental. The fridge is stocked with sparkling water, fresh fruit, cheese and yogurt as if the kidnapper knows what she likes. There are new clothes and lavender soaps and lotions, lovely touches sprinkled throughout captivity. But why?

"The twenty-first century is nothing but a goddamn nightmare."

I am still trying to wrap my head around this story. What a wild ride! What begins as an intriguing thriller revolving around a kidnapping soon turns completely bananas! I can't say too much more without spoilers but suffice it to say this was a completely unique spin on the thriller genre involving science fiction aspects and a fascinating look at the mind's capabilities.

Violet and Bud were great characters and I enjoyed learning about their histories and experiences and about what brought them to the present. Despite living completely different lives, they had a great connection filled with snarky banter, dark humor and trust and respect. I never stopped rooting for them as they tried to solve this mystery to help Violet escape. When I reached the end, I felt a sadness at how the story had resolved but the final unexpected twist made it a worthwhile conclusion.

"What wouldn’t you do for life? What wouldn’t you do for love? What wouldn’t you do for freedom?"

** Special thanks to Mirror House Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. Quotes subject to change at time of publication. Available September 22, 2022. **

“Well, looks like I get to check something off my rock star bucket list, and I’m not even a rock star yet: this morning I’ve woken up in a bed I don’t recognize with no idea how I got here”

How’s that for an opening line?

If only, it was what Violet first thought it was….

Rising rock star Violet has just woken up in a locked cabin, in the middle of nowhere, with a mysterious note and a burner phone programmed to only dial one number.

That number belongs to a Construction worker named Bud, born in Texas with a sweet Southern accent, but now residing in the Bay Area.

The note says that they have one week to figure out the connection between them, or someone or something out there, could take their lives.

This story takes place in the same near dystopian Universe as the first book in the Jolvix episodes-Amen Maxine! and unfolds from the alternating first person POV’s of Violet and Bud.

Although Rowena and her friend, Maxine do NOT make a cameo appearance, the robo vacs are still zooming around, and Roboburger-the first set of chain restaurants staffed by robots-is making a killing serving up burgers and fries.🍔🍟

So, what’s the connection?

Time is ticking so you had better download this one now and find out!

Ready, Set, GO!!

This is another highly original psychological thriller with a sci-fi twist from the imagination of Indie Author, Faith Gardner.

Amen Maxine! will make my FAVORITES LIST for 2022, and although this one wasn’t quite as enjoyable for me, it was still highly entertaining and by the end of the book I was glad that I was only visiting her World!

I can’t wait to see what’s next!
Available September 22, 2022 -preorder now for just $4.99!

Thank You to Mirror House Press for the gifted copy provided through NetGalley! It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!

All I can say is, Wow/next level - another awesome book by Faith Gardner.

I loved Faith Gardner's book Amen Maxine, I thought that was good, but her new book, Violet is Nowhere, is next level. The premise is Violet finds herself in a locked cabin, and she founds a note and phone that can only ring one number. Bud answers, and they then have to figure out how they know each other in a matter of days.

I give it ⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars out of 5.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Mirror House Press for giving me the opportunity to read this advance copy.

Violet is Nowhere available on 22 September 2022.

Oh my God I love this book. I’m not even sure what genre to put it in maybe science-fiction. It’s about two people who are connected but they’re not sure how. They have a limited amount of time from separate locations to figure it out or else. An absolute banger of the book!

If you want a fun, memorable joy-ride, this is the book for you.

My attention and interest has been truly caught by Faith Gardner. After reading amen, Maxine I was blown away. And then a new book by the same author appeared, and I felt the anticipation rising inside.

My synopsis:
Violet wakes up in a cabin with no memory of how she got there. She finds a note with instructions; on a phone there is a pre-programmed phone number. She has to figure out how she’s connected to the person who owns the number, and she has to figure it out before a week has passed.

Gardner yet again provides the reader with an unique plot that makes everything else in your life insignificant while reading. The characters were fascinating; Violet with her sharp tongue and Bud, the lazy, wannabe-detective who loves beer more than anything else. Underneath these superficial descriptions however, they become real people you
start to care about. Their emotions are raw and contagious. I also loved how they developed and changed as the story progresses. Their views and perspective altered naturally. Both violet and bud had to face and question their lives, and it was obvious that they wanted to learn and change.

The ending was perfect, and surprising as well. I can’t say too much because I don’t want to spoil anything. All I can say was that I couldn’t have figured it out myself.

I must also mention the authors writing style. It just flows so effortlessly, with no annoying pebbles to stumble on. It’s a gift to write like that. Dialogues were sometimes funny, and I liked the sarcastic style Bud and Violet had. I must mention a sentence I really loved: emotions can multitask. Never heard it before but it really delighted me.

Thanks to netgally and Mirror House press for this very appreciated arc in exchange for my honest opinion

“What wouldn’t you do for life? What wouldn’t you do for love? What wouldn’t you do for freedom?”

As the story begins we meet Violet Wilde, an up and coming rock star, who wakes up in a strange cabin, dazed and confused, with no immediate recollection of how she got there. The cabin is well-maintained, with a well-stocked refrigerator (strangely enough, it’s packed with her favorite food items), a box with clothes and other necessities, and a burner phone that is programmed to dial a single number with a note with specific instructions. Locked inside this strange cabin, with bars on its windows she realizes that she is in a secluded area and there is no way for her to escape. As per her captor's instructions, she has to figure out her connection to the person whose number is programmed into the phone within one week to secure her freedom.

“Maybe you do deserve your lives.”

After ignoring multiple missed calls from an unknown number, construction worker Bud Atwood listens to a frantic voice message left on his phone from the same number and ultimately picks up the phone on the next call. As the narrative progresses, we follow Bud and Violet as they work together to find the answers that hold the key to their survival.

The story is shared in alternating chapters from the PoVs of Violet and Bud in the first-person narrative format. Both these characters are interesting in how different they are from one another - their personalities, backgrounds and lifestyles couldn't be more different. I enjoyed how their relationship evolved through the course of the story. I have to appreciate the author’s writing in depicting Violet’s mental state while in captivity – how she goes from angry and scared to melancholic, subdued and introspective – the author captures Violet’s thoughts and reactions brilliantly. The story starts with a bang and does lose momentum in the middle but from the 70% mark onwards this book was hard to put down! That ending was phenomenal!

Though this isn't as fast-paced or intricately plotted as the author’s previous novel, Amen, Maxine, Faith Gardner’s “Violet is Nowhere” is definitely a worthy addition to the author's The Jolvix Episodes series. I’m not a huge fan of the sci-fi genre, but Faith Gardner strikes a perfect balance between riveting mystery/suspense and creatively conceptualized futuristic elements to create a sharp, well-written and engaging read. I look forward to more from this talented author in the future!

Many thanks to the author, Mirror House Press and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Violet is Nowhere is scheduled to be released on September 22, 2022.

Two strangers. One phone.
Everything on the line.
Rising rock star Violet is kidnapped from her Los Angeles home in a near future dystopia. She wakes up locked in a cabin in the middle of nowhere with a mysterious note and a burner phone that only dials one unfamiliar number.
Construction worker Bud answers a call from his Bay Area apartment and a stranger’s on the line claiming to have been kidnapped and locked in a cabin.
The note says they have one week to figure out the connection between them. Otherwise someone out there or something will take her life.
This is book 2 part of the jolvix episodes
Really enjoyable read totally recommend
Thank You NetGalley and Mirror House Press
I just reviewed Violet Is Nowhere by Faith Gardner. #VioletIsNowhere #NetGalley

Faith Gardner has once again immersed us into her Jolvix near-future world that we were introduced to in Amen Maxine and she has once again penned an unbelievable and utterly unique WINNER of a book!

Here's the gist:

"The twenty-first century is nothing but a goddamn nightmare."

Violet, an up and coming musician, finds herself waking up in place she doesn't recognize. The last thing she remembers is playing a gig the night before. Everything else is a blank. It appears that she's in someone's cabin but she is all alone. There is a cardboard box under the table but nothing else of note to explain where she is or why she is there. Upon opening the box she finds a burner phone and a note: The phone can only call one number. If they can figure out how they're connected to one another, then she will be freed. If they can't then the game is over.

What's even stranger is that inside the box with the phone and note are multiple outfits that are all brand spanking new. A fridge stocked with all Violet's favorite things. A bathroom freshly cleaned with lavender soaps and lotions. Yet the door is locked and there are bars on the windows. What the heck is going on? Has she been taken by the most hospitable kidnapper ever?

On the other end of the line is Bud, a beer guzzling, jack of all trades, laze about the house doing nothing kind of guy. Imagine his surprise when he gets off a job to see he has over thirty missed calls from an unknown number. When the phone rings again and he finally answers Violet explains the situation to him. A situation that sounds like a joke or a scam, he isn't sure which, but after awhile he has to admit that she sounds terrified and desperate. Maybe this is his chance to do something right in his life so he agrees to help her in anyway that he can.

"What wouldn't you do for life? What wouldn't you do for love? What wouldn't' you do for freedom?"

That's all I can possibly tell you about the plot.

First of all I adored both Violet and Bud. The humor, the banter - I was grinning ear to ear from start to finish. Where Amen Maxine was a proper psychological thriller this didn't have that same vibe due to all the humor sprinkled throughout. A mystery to be sure and one that I wanted desperately to solve. I didn't of course. I couldn't possibly have. My mind is not nearly as creative as Gardner's. So, yeah, the end was a trip and a totally satisfyingly one at that. I've mentioned before that I'm not a series reader but I will gladly take a trip to this beautifully created Jolvix world anytime Faith Gardner wants to take me there. ALL THE STARS!!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Mirror House Press for my complimentary copy.

This was quite the ride! First-person narrative, alternating between the main character of Violet and Bud. I thought the start was a little slow, but once it got going, it just flew and was hard to put down. Did not guess the ending at all, a nice twist with an unexpected resolution. This would be a great weekend or beach read! Thanks so much to NetGalley for the ARC!