Gone Tonight is an attention-grabber from the get-go. Catherine's devastation at her mother's diagnosis of Alzheimer's is poignant, and their relationship is both twisted and beautiful. Their mutual love (codependence?) is the beating heart in the background of everything confusing and devastating to come.

Of course, not everyone is as they seem. Through flashbacks, we learn more about Ruth's teen years and her early struggles as an independent teen mother running from her mistakes. Pekkanen withholds the biggest plot twists until the end, but even without revealing the full truth of Ruth's back story, she slowly increases the tension as Ruth tries to escape her abusive home, her crazy ex, and the Big Horrible Thing that happened years and years ago. As Ruth obsessively covers her tracks, lying to employers, landlords, and her own daughter, you get the sense that some bigger threat is always looming on the horizon.

Catherine thinks her mom is everything she claims - and why shouldn't she? It is proven again and again that Ruth adores her daughter, would do anything for her. Catherine takes that love (and her mother) for granted until the house of cards comes tumbling down. Catherine as a character is harder to wrap one's head around, as her motives and actions are often confused and contradictory. Pekkanen does not attempt to resolve this conflict, but rather leans into it. This leaves the reader wondering if the end of the book is truly the end of the story for Ruth and Catherine.

Pekkanen is a master of the domestic thriller / psychological suspense book. I've thoroughly enjoyed her independent titles and those she co-authored with Greer Hendricks. One thing that she does well - and carried into Gone Tonight - is how women relate to one another - professionally and personally. While some may find the complete trust Catherine has in her mother difficult to believe - especially when the lies start to unravel - I've witnessed firsthand how far women will go to stretch their faith in those they believe and love. When it's just you and your person up against the world, you'll hold onto your person with a death grip - even if it's just an illusion.

Appeal factors: intensifying, intricately-plotted, disturbing, suspenseful, twisted character(s), unreliable narrator(s), compelling.

Catherine’s mom is showing all the symptoms of early onset Alzheimers. Catherine was trying to move away from home. She halts her plans to take care of her mom in what she believes might be her “remaining days“ but Ruth is hiding a secret.

This book will keep you on your toes from beginning to end. I was fortunate enough to have the audiobook version and I could not stop listening. I believe thus would be good in any format. I would definitely give this book a 5 out of 5 stars.

Gone Tonight has everything I love in a thriller; an interesting plot, short chapters, multiple POV, dual timelines, family drama / complicated dynamics and secrets. I flew through this book; I was hooked instantly and couldn’t stop. I preferred Ruth’s chapters as I couldn’t get enough of her story. I did find it a bit predictable in the thriller aspect but, overall, I still enjoyed it.



Thank you Netgalley and St.Martin’s Press for this ARC in exchange for a review.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sarah Pekkanen and St Martin’s Press for the free e-book exchange for an honest review.

There are so many good reviews on this one and I read this one during a bit of a slump which made it really hard to connect to any of the story. Just a case of the wrong book at the wrong time for me.

Not as good as the dual author ones, but still kept my attention. It just felt so far fetched and ridiculous to me!

This was an excellent thriller. I loved how each chapter alternated between Ruth's perspective and Catherine's perspective. It was exciting and very thought provoking.

Favorite Quotes:

Brittany and I were friends up until the ninth grade, when I grew boobs first and got asked to the Homecoming dance before she did. Brittany didn’t authorize that turn of events, and next thing I knew, I was uninvited to a group sleepover at her house. I didn’t mind all that much. Being Brittany’s friend was a lot of work. There were rules involved. You had to love Madonna but not Whitney Houston. You were required to sit at a certain table in the lunchroom. For some reason, wearing a sweatshirt inside out was a thing. Brittany did it one day, then the next day so did half the girls in our class.

In autopsies, even Alzheimer’s brain tissue looks confused, like some monstrous hand reached in and swirled everything around.

Rotten genes are programming me. I inherited them from my mother and she from hers. Fury seems to be the legacy passed down to the women in our family.

They both laughed in that way only mean girls can— it’s an art, really. It combines superiority and malice with a dash of exclusivity.

I didn’t know it was possible to be so deeply angry with someone and simultaneously love them so much that you wanted to hug them until it hurt you both.

It’s hard to reconcile those tales with the image I have of my mother as a hard-working woman with a vanilla sort of life. I guess I’ve never really looked at my mother as an individual. She has always felt more like a planet that orbits around me.


My Review:

This was a consuming tale filled with flawed and troubled characters that were either vile, sketchy, untrustworthy, paranoid, or dangerous, and I couldn’t always make up my mind which was which. I felt on edge during perusal from start to finish and concluded the tale with my shoulders in my ears and in dire need of a spa day.

The main characters were tightly wound and their inner musings and interactions were tautly written and fraught with tension. The writing style and storylines were evocative and intriguing and I quickly tumbled into the characters’ dark vortex each time I picked up my Kindle. The narratives were painfully perceptive yet not entirely forthcoming until the final chapters which were full of unexpected surprises. Sarah Pekkanen is a clever minx and has mad skills.

I received a digital ARC from St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Content Warning: There is a vivid scene of sexual abuse in this novel, between a student and her Poms Coach.

This was an interesting story that kept me turning pages. It shows just how we never know people the way we think they do. Everyone has secrets, and secrets have consequences. I was drawn in to this story right away. I connected with both Ruth, and her daughter, Catherine. I had assumed that the story was going to be about one thing, and since it all unfolded slowly, it ended up being about something else.

The characters were well developed, and I kind of hope there is a sequel to see more of what happens in the future.

Overall Score: 3.5/5
Character Development: 4/5
Plot: 3/5
Ease of Reading: 4/5
Overall Enjoyment: 3/5

Let’s start off with what I loved about this book- DUAL POV. I am a sucker for anything dual POV. It adds such depth to a story and really showcases the ability of the author to delve into different psyches. Pekkanen does an amazing job of making the reader truly feel like they are reading from two totally different perspectives.
Unfortunately, both perspectives are from characters I’m not super fond of lol both the mother and daughter I found a little insufferable, but no matter, I felt they were well developed. And it’s okay to hate characters because you don’t like their actions or personalities, just like you would real people in real life!
There were some things plot wise I found to be a little too convenient, and I guessed a big part of the plot twist about halfway through the book, but overall I really liked this one and would definitely read again! I felt like the plot was engaging if not a little slowly paced, but once things picked up, they really started moving! I was flying through the end of the book to get to the big finale.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review!

Gone Tonight, written by Sarah Pekkanen, is a captivating tale that takes readers on a thrilling journey. Pekkanen's masterful storytelling and ability to create complex characters make this novel a must-read for suspense fans.

In Gone Tonight, Pekkanen weaves together multiple storylines to create a gripping narrative. The story follows the lives of Catherine Sterling and her mother, Ruth. As their paths intertwine, secrets are revealed and tensions rise, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.

One of the strengths of Pekkanen's writing is her ability to delve deep into the minds and emotions of her characters. Each woman in Gone Tonight is flawed and relatable, making them feel like real people rather than just fictional creations. This adds an extra layer of depth to the story as readers become invested in their journeys and outcomes.

The pacing in Gone Tonight is expertly done, with twists and turns that keep readers guessing until the very end. Pekkanen knows how to build suspense and maintain it throughout the novel, making it difficult to put down. The plot unfolds at just the right pace, allowing for moments of tension and moments of reflection.
Pekkanen's prose is elegant yet accessible, making it easy for readers to immerse themselves in the story. Her descriptions are vivid without being overwhelming, creating a vivid backdrop against which the events unfold.

Gone Tonight by Sarah Pekkanen is a thrilling read that will satisfy fans of suspenseful novels. With its well-crafted characters, compelling storyline, and skillful writing style, this book will keep readers engaged and excited. Whether you're new to Pekkanen's work or already a fan, this novel is sure to leave you wanting more. Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the chance to review this advance copy. Gone Tonight is available for purchase everywhere you buy books now!

At first I thought this was going to be another Alzheimer's story. Waitress Ruth Sterling seems to be getting forgetful, and her daughter. Catherine, works on the locked memory floor of a retirement facility. Catherine notices her mother's symptoms and persuades her to see a doctor. But Ruth refuses to take the tests her physician recommends to confirm the diagnosis, even though she reluctantly admits her mother died early of Alzheimer's. Her health is the last thing Ruth worries about. She is over-protective, paranoid, and hyper-alert. Catherine, at 24, is just beginning to want to spread her wings and leave her mother's tightly constructed nest. When she thinks her mother is ill, she feels guilty. It may seem like a fairly typical mother-daughter conflict, but nothing about Ruth and Catherine is typical. Psychological suspense, action, and some uncomfortable plot twists.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this advanced copy of Gone Tonight by Sarah Pekkanen! This one published on 8/1/23 and is available today!

I really enjoyed this one - told from alternating viewpoints between mother Ruth and daughter Catherine, this one read very quickly and you learned that everyone had a secret. I felt like this one was fine when it comes to standard thrillers with potential unreliable narrators, but honestly nothing felt shocking at all in this one. I’m going to warn for spoilers below.
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We were made to think that Catherine is going to be a sociopath, with all of the hints that she was cold, emotionless, killed a raccoon in her childhood, but then that’s never explored. We’re made to think (and wonder I guess?) that because James killed Coach that it’s where she gets it from, but then there’s an epilogue with Ruth/Ava that hints she has a dark side and is a killer too? If that’s the route taken, I think the Catherine thing should’ve been explored a little bit more.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This is a gripping and suspenseful mystery/thriller. It tells a story of a mother daughter relationship like no other. It starts out more like family drama then takes a sharp quick turn and gets real twisty. This is a must read. Thank you Netgalley and St Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for my review.

Gone Tonight by Sarah Pekkanen
Pub date: August 1, 2023
Narrated by Kate Mara
Length: 10H 8M
Pages: 352

Catherine and her mom, Ruth, are extraordinarily close. So close that Ruth will do just about anything to keep Catherine from leaving.

When Ruth learns that Catherine wants to progress in her nursing career, she realizes that Catherine will have to move. Not. Acceptable. Then Cathrine begins to ask questions and mucking about in the past. Secrets will be unveiled and they are doozies!

This is an absolutely phenomenal thriller with a twist filled plot and mounting tension that kept me so invested!
I hesitate to use the word shocking but I’m going to! LOVED!

I don’t want to ruin this for anyone so I’ll stop here but I cannot recommend Gone Tonight enough!

Narration: Kate Mara does a stunning job with her vocal acting, but she kills it with Ruth. I listen at 2.5x and it was perfection. Well done, Kate! I look forward to listening to more from you!

Thank you to @StMartinsPress for this gifted DRC and to @MacMillan.Audio for this gifted ALC.

The premise of this story was interesting and a bit heartbreaking. My emotional connection to this story added on about a half star (my grandfather had Alzheimers) but overall I felt the entire plot was ok. Pacing was great and I always have loved the author’s use of multiple POVs. However the reveal on what happened so early made me somewhat disappointed and it made me less interested to read the story. It’s one of those situations where no matter how fantastic the writing is the plot is just ok. It’s a great book for a quick read or if you want to be introduced to this author but in my opinion it was a bit of a let down and was, as I said, just ok. Not bad, not great, ok.

I tore through this one!!! I was already a Sarah pekkanen fan but this book sealed the deal. It had me on the edge of my seat and I couldn’t put it down. It’s been a long time since I read a book that quickly!

I have long been a fan of Sarah Pekkanen and Greer Hendricks as co-writers. When I saw Gone Tonight by Sarah Pekkanen, it was an automatic request. I could not wait to read this one. Pekkanen does not disappoint. This book was propulsive and full of suspense. The pacing was great, with twists, turns, and reveals perfectly placed.
I flipped between reading and listening for this one. I loved having access to both formats as I didn’t have to put it down even when I needed to get stuff done around the house. I burned through this book so fast. I couldn’t wait to reveal each new secret.
Kate Mara does a great job with the narration. I saw another reviewer mention that they would have preferred two different voices for Catherine and Ruth. I agree that the audio experience could have benefited from a second voice, as I had to pay close attention to the flips in point of view. However, this didn’t take away from the story for me. Just worth noting for listeners to pay attention as they get started with listening.
4.5 stars.
Special thanks to St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio for the digital and audiobook ARCs via NetGalley. Pub date Aug 1, 2023.

4 out of 5 stars (4 / 5) How far would you go to protect the person you love most in the world? Ruth Sterling knows the answer to this almost on a daily basis. Little does her daughter Catherine know, that Ruth is not the person she has made herself out to be.

Told from both perspectives, we learn Ruth and Catherine are on their own in this world. Friends and family are not available or possible when they are moving around so often. When Catherine decides to move away after getting her degree, her mom is suddenly diagnosed with memory loss. Catherine starts researching her mom’s past because things are just not adding up. From here she is led on a path of surprises she never imagined. At the same time, Ruth is slowly writing down her history for Catherine. Having both sides of the story really brought it to life and I enjoyed putting the pieces together.


My favorite part was the end! Catherine surprised me and I liked that bit of question that is left about her. It was a steady-paced book that kept me entertained. I recommend this for psychological thriller lovers!

AUDIO REVIEW: Kate Mara as the narrator was great for me. I went back and forth between the book and audio but I loved that the audio kept my attention fully. I never was confused by her voices and loved the emphasis she put in the intense moments.

General content summary: little language, Alzheimer’s/memory loss (throughout book), teen bullying (emotional), alcohol (previous parent alcoholic, some underage), anti-anxiety meds, child physical abuse from parent (some details), m/f kisses, losing virginity (no details), sexual harassment and abuse (teacher to student, details), violence (baseball bat), death by injuries of being beaten with hard object (no details), a man was previously beaten to death (no details), intimacy (no details), gun threat, stabbing (blood), physical violence (few details, choking, stabbing, death), sexual abuse (previous, self harm).

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the gifted copies and MacMillan Audio for the ALC!

The book releases August 1, 2023.

Ruth and Catherine Sterling are a mother/daughter duo against the world. Catherine is ready to set out on her own, but mother-bird Ruth is not quite ready to let her go. The lengths she is willing to go to to prevent that from happening will be the beginning of the unraveling of their relationship. Many buried secrets will come to light as lies are exposed and the truth is revealed.

Wow. There is so much mother/daughter relationship trauma to unpack in this book. What seems like a touchingly deep bond and a heartbreaking medical condition turns into a dark and twisted tale. At some points of this story you will not know who is telling the truth and who should be trusted. Told in alternating POV from mother to daughter we get glimpses of young Ruth and what led to her fighting for her life and her fierce protectiveness over Catherine. Adding an ex-con father into the narrative only adds to the tension as you flip pages at warp speed to find out what happens next. I was not expecting the ending and am intrigued by the uncertain mental states of the characters where we leave off with them.

If you've spent any time on my social media, you've seen me blabbing about how amazing GONE TONIGHT is. I seriously think it will be my favorite book of 2023. I'm a huge fan of Pekkanen, but was a little unsure when I saw she was writing a thriller without Greer--but actually, this one's my favorite so far! I adored how deep into the mother-daughter relationship she took this book. It was unexpected, twisty, realistic in the relationships, and satisfying.

When Catherine is mourning the potential loss of her mother, Ruth, due to early onset Alzheimer's, she decides to quit the future she has planned out--moving to the nursing job of her dreams. But soon, she realizes it's all a ploy to get her to stay, and she becomes suspicious of her mother who's always been super closed-lipped about her past. The secrets pile up, and we see both Catherine and Ruth becoming increasingly suspicious of each other as the truth is kept hidden.

The ONLY issue I had with this book is I feel that Pekkanen either didn't research the difference between a CNA and a nurse well, or spoke to a nurse who worked 40 years ago--the progression with nursing school wasn't realistic to how the field works anymore, and as an RN, that really bugged me! I thankfully loved the rest of the book, so was totally willing to overlook it. 4.5 rounded up to 5!