I listened to and read this book. Both were good. The story itself sucks you in. I liked the multiple POVs and the journal entries from Ruth.

Even though I've been a big fan of Sarah Pekkanen's books, I kind of had to force myself to start and continue this one. My own mother has had a lot of health issues in recent years, for one thing, so I thought this might not be the best thing for my mental health right now. The other reason is that I thought I knew where this story was going. Fortunately, though, I was so very wrong, as this book goes in a wildly different direction from what I expected.

(4.5 stars) Alternating POVs, with flashbacks in the form of journal entries; short chapters; engaging & a page-turner, especially the 3rd part; loved the relationship dynamic between the main characters even tho they frustrated me at times; a bit predictable but still fully enjoyable; a well-written, suspenseful thriller!

I’m from the area that the main character grew up so it was cool to see towns and places mentioned that I’m familiar with.

I was definitely excited to read this but even still, it exceeded my expectations!

Special thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Gone Tonight is a very captivating story about a Mother doing all it takes including lying to protect her daughter from her criminal father.
I found this book so exciting I was pulled in from start to finish. This is a psychological thriller with plenty of action as well.
This book ends as a set up.for a second follow up book so Sarah you really should write one!

I want to thank Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story from start to finish. It's a mixture of psychological thriller, family drama and bonds, and suspense. Sarah keeps the reader engaged and guessing throughout and Catherine and Ruth's characters are well developed. The story flips between both of their perspectives as well as Ruth's past. This was a great read from beginning to end! I devoured it in 2 days.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. Being released on 08/01/23

A suspenseful and fun read filled with twists and turns eight up until the end. Thank you Netgalley and publisher.

In this captivating novel, I couldn't help but be drawn into the intricate connections between a mother and daughter. The story revolves around Catherine Sterling, a young woman ready to embark on a new chapter in her life, and her unwavering mother, Ruth, who will go to great lengths to keep her close. As long-hidden secrets gradually come to light, the tension escalates, leaving readers on the edge of their seats.

What struck me most about this book is how it made me contemplate the power of family bonds and the limits of our understanding. I was initially confused by the complex web of relationships, but as I delved deeper, I couldn't put the book down. It made me question the secrets that lie in our past and whether we can truly know everything about our loved ones. Can we trust everything we believe?

The author masterfully portrays the characters, allowing readers to deeply connect with their struggles and emotions. The exploration of family dynamics is skillfully done, making us question the very foundation of our understanding. The narrative builds an atmosphere of danger and uncertainty, keeping readers engrossed and eager to uncover the truth.

As the story unfolds, the exploration of secrets and the themes of trust and perception add layers of intrigue. It serves as a reminder that even within the closest family ties, there can be hidden depths and untold histories waiting to be discovered. The author's ability to create suspense and capture these themes makes the book a truly compelling read.

I would like to express my gratitude to Macmillan Audio and St. Martin's Press for providing me with copies of this captivating novel.

Ruth and her daughter Catherine are very close. Catherine is worried about her mother exhibiting signs of Alzheimer’s (which she is more aware of because she works at a nursing facility), and she takes her to the doctor. We start to peel back layers of Ruth and Catherine and find out everything is not as it seems.

This thriller was a page turner. My goodness. Another one today that I couldn’t put down. I started and finished within just a couple of hours. I loved the way the story was told between alternating viewpoints, and flashbacks to the past. Those final chapters…And that epilogue!? Wow. I can’t recommend this one enough to people who love thrillers!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book and the secrets being kept from mother and daughter! There wasn’t a huge “wow” twist for me which isn’t necessarily a bad thing - just nice for future readers to be aware of. Thought the ending was a nice wrap up without loose ties.

Gone Tonight had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. When Catherine learns her mother, Ruth, has early-onset Alzheimer's disease, she is heartbroken and vows to stay close. But when Catherine begins to dig into Ruth's past, she is shocked by the secrets, betrayal, and lies. This is one you cannot put down!
Thank you, NetGalley, for an advanced copy of this novel.

Ruth is a hard-working mother, and Catherine, her doting daughter. Having lived together all of their lives, Catherine has accepted a job as a nurse at Johns Hopkins, and is about to leave her mother after 24 years to move on with her life.

Then, the symptoms start. It begins with a few simple errors, some minor forgetfulness. But then Ruth becomes diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease, and all of Catherine's plans are gone in the blink of any eye.

As Catherine grapples with this new diagnosis, she also begins to question her and Ruth's past. Catherine's biological father has never been in the picture, and Ruth has always been evasive about the role he briefly played in their lives. As Catherine digs deeper and deeper, she realizes that there are many secrets that her mother has been hiding. Can Catherine uncover these secrets on her own, before Ruth has lost all vestiges of her memory?

Fast-paced and taut with tension, this book had me flying through, eager to uncover the secrets that are following around this mother-daughter duo. I was able to predict one of the biggest twists, which was a little disappointing, but it was still an engaging read. "Gone Tonight" was propulsive and suspenseful , and would make a fantastic summer read.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

This story kept me intrigued from start to finish. While it was fairly predictable and I did predict most of the twists, I enjoy thrillers about the dynamic of the mother/daughter relationship and how far a mother will go to protect her child. I enjoyed the mystery of Ruth’s backstory (her journal entries were fun to read) and I liked how they alluded to Catherine’s sinister nature by the end of the book. A solid 4 star read for me!

Sarah Pekkanen has written an excellent drama piece that keeps the reader guessing at the true nature of the trio of characters involved. I found Ava to be relatable because of her protective motherly ways. The ending was a twist and I was surprised. I would recommend this book to my students and my friends. It is an excellent read.

I was excited to read this as I've really enjoyed the books Sarah Pekkanen has coauthored w/ Greer Hendricks. I wasn't disappointed. She executed the slow burn better than most. Sometimes that style can get frustrating and boring, but this book was different. Maybe it was the short chapters that alternated POV's that kept me hooked. I just couldn't put this down. My heart hurt for teenage Ruth and all the things she had to endure. I also felt for Catherine who is starting to realize that her mom has been keeping things from her. This one really pulls on the heartstrings while also keeping you on the edge of your seat.

Gone Tonight by Sarah Pekkanen is a five star read. Ruth Sterling has spent her entire life doing what she feels is necessary to protect her daughter Catherine. Catherine is ready to branch out on her own and begin the life she has worked so hard for. What ensues is a twisted path of discovery, deception and high tension. I refuse to give too much away! Just go in blind and know that you will not be disappointed

4.5 good twist stars

I have read several of the books that Sarah Pekkanen has co-written with Greer Hendricks, but this is the first solo book of hers that I’ve read.

This twisty one features alternating narration from a mother and daughter. Ruth is a single mother and a waitress. She is extremely proud of her adult daughter Catherine.

Catherine works at a senior care facility; she’s worked her way up to the section for those with memory issues. She’s just accepted a new position at Johns Hopkins and will be moving there soon.

It is ironic, considering her work, that Catherine’s mother is now suffering from the symptoms of early-onset Alzheimer’s. Considering this, Catherine is rethinking her decision to move. She fears for what the future holds for her mother. She starts to realize that she knows nothing about her mother’s past.

We get the story from both women, and it was especially interesting to read Ruth’s side of the story. We learn why they had to move every few years, more about Ruth’s past, and why both women are now in danger. Ruth has many secrets that Catherine has no clue about.

This fresh premise had me on the edge of my seat, especially as it built to the powerful finish. I grew to like both women and I feared how this one might turn out.

There were a few delicious twists at the very end, and this is why I bumped this one up to a 5-star read.

This book was so tense, twisty, jaw dropping and I couldn’t put it down.
I loved the author’s style and brilliant writing that kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. This book was so hard to put it down, I couldn’t wait to read more and more.
I highly recommend, add this one to your TBR’s!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Coming out on 08/01/23

Gone Tonight by Sarah Pekkanen is a gripping thriller that explores the complex relationship between a mother and daughter, filled with secrets and deception. In this suspenseful tale, we meet Ruth Sterling, a single mother, and her daughter Catherine, who is eager to venture out into the world and start a new career. However, Ruth is determined to keep Catherine by her side and will go to extreme lengths to prevent her from leaving. As Catherine starts questioning her mother's past and the constant upheavals in their lives, the truth begins to unravel, setting off a dangerous chain of events.

The story unfolds through alternating timelines, delving into Ruth's early life and the challenges she faced as a pregnant teenager, as well as the present-day struggles of mother and daughter. The tension builds as Catherine inches closer to uncovering her mother's secrets, leading to a shocking revelation that threatens their future. Will Ruth be able to save them once again, or will Catherine's trust in her mother falter?

Gone Tonight is a thrilling and satisfying read that captivated me from the very beginning. The complex dynamics of the mother-daughter relationship are explored with depth and authenticity, highlighting the lengths we will go to protect our children. The suspense is relentless, keeping me hooked and eagerly turning the pages to discover the ultimate outcome.

I received an advance copy of Gone Tonight from Saint Martins Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This book is a must-read, scheduled for release on August 1, 2023. It offers a perfect blend of suspense, emotional depth, and a compelling exploration of the bond between a mother and her daughter.

This was a good fast-paced read that I devoured in 2 days. I liked the mother/daughter change of perspective each chapter, it kept the book pace up and kept me interested. My only wonder is why make Catherine as old as she is and only now starting to wonder about her mother's past. I think it could be better suited if Catherine was the same age as her mother when she ran away, or maybe just graduating high school, to foster more of a connection between the two time periods.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a eARC of this book.

Catherine Sterling is ready to head out on her own and escape her over protective mother. She is headed to Baltimore and has accepted a job at John's Hopkins. A few weeks before she is set to leave her mother, Ruth, is diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Catherine thinks she knows what is in store for her mother and herself once the diagnosis is received but her life takes an unexpected and possible deadly turn. Has her mother been lying to her for her entire life? Who is she really?

Sara Pekkanen does a great job of storytelling revealing just enough each chapter to surprise you and leave you wanting more. Once I read the ending, I had to take some time and rewind in my head what I just read as may situations and conversations took on a whole new meaning. Super fast, suspenseful read.