It’s always been just Catherine and her mother, Ruth. Now that Catherine has completed school, she’s ready to take a full-time job in another city, but Ruth can’t let that happen, just like she could never tell Catherine much about her past or why they sometimes had to move towns overnight. When Catherine gets too curious about her mother’s version of events, things start to get fraught.

For me, the first third of this moves too slowly, with too much repetition. Then the pacing picks up, mostly, although there is still sometimes more detail on mundane things than I would like. That said, all that detail does make the story memorable.

This was an OK read for me, but I didn’t love it.
NetGalley provided an advance reader copy of this novel, which RELEASES AUGUST 1, 2023.

4 ⭐️
This was my first book by this author and I really enjoyed it! I enjoyed the 2 POV’s from mother and daughter and felt like it added suspense to keep the story going in a different perspective. Fun suspense, although I do feel like there could’ve been a couple more twists throughout that created a wow factor. Overall, a good read and I will definitely read others by Sarah Pekkanen!

*Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for allowing me to give this a read ahead of its publication date!*

I loved this book! I’ve read a few books that Sarah co-wrote with Greer Hendricks and this one is just as good if not better than those! It’s suspenseful and kept me guessing all throughout! I loved the dual point of view between Ruth and Catherine.

Catherine think she knows her mother Ruth but once Catherine. It's been them against the world for 24 years. When Catherine is ready to go off on her own her mother is desperate to keep her from leaving. Turns out Ruth is hiding something and has been for a long time.

This is a dark, kind of a cat and mouse chase novel that I just loved. It's dual perspective too which is always a favorite of mine. The story has may layers and will make your head spin in a good way. I really can't say much about this story without spoilers but I promise you won't be disappointed.

*3.75*

I was originally going to give this book 4 stars, because it was a solid psychological thriller/mother-daughter drama, & bonus points, it takes place in the Baltimore area AND areas of PA I am super familiar with. The novel had a great pace, suspenseful moments, psychological manipulation, and drama, so I was more than entertained. However, I had to shave off 0.25 stars because the ending was mehhh in my opinion.

That being said, this was a solid thriller and I will definitely read more of Sarah Pekkanen's books in the future.

This mystery starts off so differently that I was wondering how it qualified as a psychological thriller. But give it time and all becomes clear.
Ruth is a hardworking, low income woman who suddenly starts to suffer with memory issues. Her daughter, Catherine, recently graduated from nursing school and working at a memory care unit, knows all too well what this might mean. And she’s determined to learn about her mother’s past before it’s too late. Her mother has worked hard to hide her past from Catherine, including the identity of her parents or Catherine’s father. Both of the main characters were fully formed with lots of shades of gray in their makeup.
The book alternates between the two women, and the reader gets to see the past through their memories. There’s a great sense of tension as these two have vastly different views. There were moments when I would begin to doubt the plausibility of a scene, but then it was like the author could see my doubt and would provide a reasonable explanation. The ending does get a little too OTT but by then I was really curious how it would all play out.
I also want to say Pekkanen really did her research when it came to Alzheimer’s and I even learned a few things.
My thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy of this book.

One thing I’ve learned from reading Pekkanen’s books with Hendricks is that they are great at writing domestic thrillers. Gone Tonight is my first novel written by Pekkanen alone and it did not disappoint.

Told in alternating POV between a mother, Ruth, and her 24 year old daughter, Catherine, the story takes places over a few days with Ruth also flashing back to her teenage years. When Catherine is ready to take a new job away from home, Ruth fears her past will catch up to them and feels she must tighten the protections she’s put in place around them. Deceit & misdirection plays a big role here.

Going into it with only the knowledge of the synopsis is best as there are so many little revelations that happen and keep you glued to the pages.

I received an advanced copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.

This book kept me up late two nights in a row, trying to finish it as quick as possible. It is told in the perspective of a mother named Ruth and a daughter named Catherine. Catherine starts to realize things aren’t adding up with her mother and she realizes she doesn’t know who her mother really is. Ruth realizes Catherine is acting suspicious off her but is unsure why. This book has so many twists and turns and it will keep you on the edge of your seat.

This book was almost a 5 star read for me. I would rate it 4.75 stars. I loved the dual pov and the writing was superb. I have not read something so captivating from the first page in a while. The mother daughter relationship kept me intrigued and invested. I loved the dropping of hints along the way.
I am hoping for a second book or more similar style books written by Sarah Pekkanen in the near future!

Holy Moly,
I am so thankful to St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, Sarah Pekkanen, and NetGalley for granting me early audiobook access to this psychologically twisted thriller. Gone Tonight is out on August 1, 2023, and I'm so excited to see what my fellow readers think of this one. This is my first Sarah Pekkanen book, but it won't be my last.

Katherine knows very little about her mother, Ruth, if that's even her real name. When her mother is diagnosed with Alzheimer's' Disease, Katherine grows increasingly skeptical when she isn't experiencing or showcasing the expected symptoms. Could she be lying about this awful disease?

Ruth is hiding her horrific past from her daughter because she's trying to protect her from the murderous ex-boyfriend from her teenage years. But, of course, Katherine doesn't know that, and she's growing increasingly curious as time goes on, trying to unearth the secrets her mother is hiding.

A Riveting Thriller That Keeps You Hooked - "Gone Tonight" by Sarah Pekkanen

First off, I want to extend a huge thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy of "Gone Tonight" by Sarah Pekkanen. I was absolutely thrilled to dive into this book, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint.

From the get-go, Pekkanen's writing is smart, sharp, and refreshingly devoid of clichés. This isn't your run-of-the-mill thriller; it's a mystery that keeps you guessing and second-guessing yourself at every turn. Just when you think you've got it all figured out, Pekkanen throws in a curveball that leaves you reeling.

But what truly sets "Gone Tonight" apart is the beautifully nuanced and complex relationship between the mother and daughter at the heart of the story. Their dynamic is so intricately woven and authentic that it's impossible not to become emotionally invested in their journey. Pekkanen has a knack for creating characters that are not just believable, but also deeply relatable. You'll find yourself rooting for them, worrying about them, and celebrating their victories right alongside them.

The pacing of the story is another aspect that deserves praise. It's a well-balanced mix of suspenseful moments and quieter, character-driven scenes that keep you engaged from start to finish. There's never a dull moment in "Gone Tonight" - every page, every chapter, serves a purpose and adds a new layer to the unfolding mystery.

In conclusion, "Gone Tonight" is a must-read for any thriller or mystery enthusiast. It's a masterclass in suspenseful storytelling, with well-rounded characters and a plot that keeps you on your toes. If you're looking for a book that's both thought-provoking and entertaining, look no further. Sarah Pekkanen has delivered a gem with "Gone Tonight", and I wholeheartedly recommend it.

Wow!! This was an unqualified win for me. It was an absolute fresh take with an utterly original plot. It’s one of the most clever thrillers I’ve read. Downright Machiavellian. I see you, @sarahpekkanen. Please don’t ever stop doing what you do!

I was instantly hooked from page one and on the edge of my seat for the last half. I could not stop! The mother/daughter dual points of view and the altogether cunning twists were masterfully written.

I highly recommend this one. Add it to your TBR ASAP!

My thanks to the publisher and @netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book before its publication date.

What appears to be is not, in this smartly written twisting and turning thriller by Sarah Pekkanen. What seemed to be medical fiction ( which did not excite me) had a big bump up about a quarter of the way through to frightening and weird in a totally unexpected and original way.

Told in alternating chapters, by single mother Ruth Sterling and her nurse daughter Catherine , we quickly learn that what happened in the remembered past is not to be trusted. Is anyone telling the truth ? The characterization is spot on and consistent as we time travel across more than two decades on a non stop wild ride.

How does a child compensate for a dysfunctional home? What will a mother do to protect her child? Will lies and deceit eventually come back to haunt you? Is it ever acceptable to take the law into your own hands? Wow. Very deep questions underlie this fascinating tale.

I read this book in two days. Fast paced and very compelling , Gone Tonight is a definite must read for thriller fans. Four and a half stars rounded to five only because something about the ending didn’t sit right with me but that didn’t change the enjoyment factor. Many many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for gifting me an ARC in exchange for my honest review. Look for this book on August 1, 2023. You won’t be disappointed!

I have been a big fan favorite of Sarah Pekkanen since her first book. This particular book was a bit slow to start, but as the story developed my interest grew and grew to the point I did not want to put it down because I need to know what the secrets were. It was a melding of really 2 stories - an overall arc of a story with an underlying story of what a mother will do to protect her child. Definitely made me think and question - what would I do?

I was eager to get my hands on a copy of Sarah Pekkanen’s newest book Gone Tonight after seeing some of the good reviews and I wasn’t disappointed!

Ruth Sterling is a quiet hardworking woman who’ll do anything for her daughter. Catherine is all grown up now and ready to spread her wings. She’s got a brand new job and is ready to strike out on her own. Ruth will do anything to make sure that doesn’t happen.

It’s a simple concept, but it unfolds beautifully. Told through alternating perspectives, the first act of this book sets the story up well so that by the time you get to the second act, you don’t want to put this one down. As Catherine starts to look further into her mother’s past and her mother fights to keep it from her, tensions rise and I found my heart racing a bit to figure out what was going on.

I definitely recommend checking this one out when it hits shelves.

Publishing Date: 8/1/23.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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

Gone Tonight is about a mother, Ruth Sterling, and her daughter Catherine. It's always been just the two of them, and they're very close. Catherine plans to move to Baltimore and start a new career, but Ruth seems determined not to let that happen.

We learn the story in chapters which alternate between their POV's. Turns out, each is hiding a lot of secrets the other, and not small ones, either. Secrets don't get much bigger than these!

This is a quick, engaging, and fascinating read that is hard to put down. Pekkanen revs up the suspense with each new chapter and I couldn't wait to get to the resolution. Packed with surprises all the way, I highly recommend this novel.

My thanks to St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read a DRC via NetGalley. The book will be released 8/1/23. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and are freely given.

This book grabbed by attention right away. I enjoyed the story, including the bit of mystery trying to figure out the true story. It did drag a bit about 2/3 in but all in all it was a good read. Thank you to NetGalley for free pre-release copy for an honest review.

One of my favorite thrillers of the year! Sarah Pekkanen keeps you on the edge of your seat with Gone Tonight. I couldnt wait to see how it would all play out. Thank you to net galley and the author for allowing me to read and review. Can t wait to continue to read more by this author.

Wow, she does it again! Sarah Pekkanen's writing grips me instantly, keeps me in suspense the whole time and shocks me in the end! Honestly, the more I think about this the more clever it becomes!

This story follows Ruth and her adult daughter Catherine. It's always been just the two of them and they've always had a close relationship, but Catherine begins to wonder if there's more to her mother and her past than what meets the eye. Is she keeping secrets from her? If so, what and why? The answers are revealed slowly and build upon each other as everything unfolds.

This almost reminded me of a darker version of These Silent Woods and also reminded me of Scarlet in Blue (I highly recommend both of those if you're into Father/Daughter or Mother/Daughter secrets and suspense).

I quite literally could not put this down as I NEEDED to know what was going on with this mother/daughter duo.

Thank you so much to both Macmillan Audio and St. Martin's Press for the audiobook and e-book respectively.

This will be available for purchase on August 1st!

Gone Tonight is a slow burn that packs a punch. I absolutely loved the mother /daughter relationship and their different POVs and timelines. Pekkanen did a fantastic job portraying the complexities in their relationship, which is crucial to the story

Novels that drop hints and nuggets of information along the way only to pull the rug out from under you when you think you have it all figured out are my absolute favorites. And let me tell you, nothing is quite as it seems with this one. This was a compelling and twisty read which kept me interested page after page.

I was lucky to receive both and ARC and an ALC of this novel. Brava to Kate Mara who did an outstanding job with the narration.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, St Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for the ALC and ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.