Fans of Sandra Brown will enjoy her latest offering. Great characters, romance, and mystery make this a great beach read. Strongly recommended

Thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for an advanced reader copy.

I am a huge fan of Sandra Brown and always look forward to her next release. This story did not disappoint. I was nervous about the storyline as it felt a little too scary to engage and feel vested without feeling outraged. The first 10% of the story will be tough to get through but force yourself to do so and buckle up as it will take you on a dark path that has a fast pace and suddenly, you're at the end.

Elle is a survivor of a mass shooting. Her emotions are stretched and tested as she along with other survivors learn over time that the event has unfolded causing them to question who is responsible and why? The author does an exceptional job with the characters reaction to the event with tapping into their emotions, i.e., their guilt, and their grief. Elle proves to be a very strong woman and ally to Calder, who is angry that the mystery has not been solved and the detectives on the case do not appear to have any new evidence to bring them close to an arrest. Calder is not able to stay idle and wait for results. He and Elle have a connection and the two believe there is more to the story. They follow their instincts and soon discover that their lives may be in danger........again. The story ends with a shocking twist, and at times uncomfortable, but worthwhile.

Thank you to Net Galley for providing an early copy of Out of Nowhere by Sandra Brown

Sandra Brown knows how to write characters, and Out of Nowhere features a man and a woman struggling to come to terms with surviving a mass shooting in which the woman's two-year-old son was a victim. It is said that only those who have suffered the same loss can comprehend what a survivor goes through. That concept is clearly evident here.

Elle attends a carnival with her toddler son where the shooting takes place. Calder Hudson attempts to move the stroller the toddler is in and inadvertently causes the child to take the bullet. Calder himself is injured. From this scenario, Elle and Calder work together with the police to find the shooter and bring him/her to justice. Passages along the way indicate the vindictiveness and mental instability of the shooter.

Elle and Calder veer from the police work on several occasions, placing them in danger but proving that together they are more calculating and smart than the police working the case.

In Sandra Brown fashion, a romance develops between Elle and Calder that has its own ups and downs. With so much sorrow and so much going on in order to catch the perpetrator, the romance must take a back seat to the investigative work.

Readers of Sandra Brown will immerse themselves once again in characters who ultimately makes things work for them.

I’m a long time fan of this author and have read scads of her books. I admit to conflicting emotions when I debated with myself whether or not to read this one. The subject of a mass shooting conjures up pain and suffering. I have no personal experience with such a catastrophe but, I very clearly remember the minute I heard about Columbine. That’s the first time I’d ever heard this new terminology which is all to common in the news cycle these days. Uvalde is not that far from where I live, it continues to haunt my heart. It’s too easy to become desensitized with a new event in the daily headlines.
I am relieved this story, while heart wrenching and addressed grief, was about much more than that. There’s the aftermath, the guilt of survival, rebuilding, revenge, hatred, love and justice. The people are normal hard working friends, moms, dads, kids and teens. They are relatable and believable with courage, good hearts, secrets and evil intentions. There is the mystery of uncovering who the shooter(s) could be and the motives. There are new friendships developed as a result of the shared trauma and a new unpredictable romance. It is a very tastefully written plot. Yes, I shed some tears, not always a bad outcome, a reminder that we must never become complacent. Every day is a gift not to be taken for granted.
I appreciate the digital advance reader copy of “Out of Nowhere” by Sandra Brown, Grand Central Publishing, Hachette Book Group, provided to me. These are all my own honest personal thoughts and opinions given voluntarily.

Sandra Brown does it again. Her storylines are always compelling and this one just further cements her status in her field.
This story involves one of the most current and too oft news items…a mass shooting.
The victims are the main players of the well told story.
As a stand-alone story it more than holds it own and should point you to her recent offerings.
I was given an advance copy to review and would like to thank the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity. I receive nothing for my review.

I’ve read a lot of Sandra Brown novels, and she never fails to deliver a fast-paced thriller. Her latest is no exception. The subject matter in this one is difficult - check content warnings ahead of time - but I appreciated the author’s note in the beginning explaining the challenges, complexities, and motivations behind ultimately choosing the focal event for this book.

I really liked the character of Elle. She suffered an unimaginable tragedy and somehow found a way to carry on with determination and grace. She was an incredibly resilient woman who refused to live in fear, and I admired that about her. Calder was a complex character who experienced a major perspective shift after tragedy. I liked the direction he took with his personal life. The romance felt simultaneously realistic but almost too fast.

I thought the twist and reveal was well done, if maybe a little bit of a reach. It unfolded and was reasoned out in a way that made sense. I didn’t love chapters from the POV of the ‘villain’ spread throughout though. I personally just never really enjoy those in any book, because I don’t like to put myself in that dark of a place.

Also of note, Shauna felt like a compilation of the worst of media, particularly in covering tragedy, and I couldn’t stand her.

Overall, for a very difficult subject matter, I thought this book was well done. It feels wrong to say I ‘enjoyed’ it, so I’ll say it grabbed and kept my attention and had me turning the pages to see how all the pieces would come together.

Elle Portman has taken her young child to the fair and while she is there a gunman opens fire and causes mass commotion, The violence was widespread and results in death and injuries to many. One of the victims is an attorney who is confused when he wakes up and discovers himself in the hospital.
The story continues when the 2 of them meet and develop a relationship and become romantically involved.
Easy book to get into, well written, great character interaction are the trademarks of this outstanding author.

Sandra Brown's latest novel is a heart-pounding, emotionally charged thriller that explores the aftermath of a devastating shooting incident, bringing two strangers together in the most unexpected way.. Brown masterfully weaves a tale of trauma, resilience, and the power of human connection amidst unthinkable circumstances.

One of the book's strengths lies in its well-developed characters. Elle and Calder are portrayed as flawed and multidimensional individuals, making them highly relatable and easy to invest in emotionally. Their evolving relationship is both tender and complex, and the genuine connection they share is beautifully depicted.

Throughout the narrative, Sandra Brown maintains an unrelenting pace, keeping readers on the edge of their seats with each turn of the page. The plot is bolstered by a shocking twist that adds an extra layer of intensity to the story, leaving readers guessing until the very end.

Brown's writing delves into the deeper aspects of human nature, exploring the capacity for resilience and the power of hope in the face of tragedy. She sensitively portrays the struggles of those affected by the shooting.

While the subject matter is undoubtedly difficult, Brown handles it with a deft touch. Her portrayal of the emotional turmoil after the shooting is both realistic and compassionate, making the story all the more powerful. It is a testament to her skill as a writer that she can tackle such a challenging topic and deliver a gripping and captivating novel.

Sandra Brown's emotional thriller is an outstanding read that leaves a lasting impact on its readers. With a gripping plot, well-crafted characters, and a profound exploration of human resilience, this is a book that stays with you long after you've turned the final page. For fans of suspenseful fiction with a strong emotional core, this book is a must-read.

The story begins with a mass shooting and the aftermath suffered by the survivors and family members. Before you know it, the story has made two interesting turns. Sandra Brown has written another winning story that the reader won't want to put down until the completely unexpected conclusion.

Great connection with the lead characters, wonderful story telling, and surprising conclusion. What more can a reader want? Meant for mature readers.

A mass shooting, loved ones lost, and survivor guilt - all of these play a part in Sandra Brown’s new book, ‘Out of Nowhere.” There were so many things to love about this book. Interspersed between chapters was the perspective of the shooter. This added to indignation the reader felt from following the tragedy. The main story followed Elle, a mother raising her 2 year old son, Charlie, and Calder, a jaded corporate consultant. These two are drawn together as a result of the shooting and as vital witnesses, keep finding themselves at the mercy of the police who are trying to solve the case and in the crosshairs of the shooter. The book is full of interesting characters and the reader is pulled along on a fascinating roller coaster ride all the way to the end. Definitely, a good one to add to your shelf. Thank you to NetGalley and Hackett Book Group for the opportunity to read an advance copy in return for an honest review.

Love. It’s an amazing story. It’s heartbreaking at times as it should be. There’s some action but it doesn’t over take the story. I like that they don’t decide to find vengeance and go looking for the killer. They don’t suddenly become detectives. It is a very believable set of circumstances that lead them to the final alterations. As a mom I was crying within the fist couple of chapters. Although it wasn’t only Elle’s situation but Calder’s. The budding romance didn’t feel pushed on you or too rushed.

Overall I loved it. I have yet to be disappointed by Sandra Brown. One of my all time favorite authors.

I got this arc through netgalley for my honest review. Thank you grand central publishing and Sandra Brown.

Out of Nowhere by Sandra Brown An emotional, suspenseful, story with an intense police investigation into the hunt for a mass shooting gunman. Well written, the identity of the shooter and their motives was a surprise. There is also an unexpected romantic element. Realistic and reliatable characters and especially impressed with Calder and Elle.

Thank you to Sandra Brown, Grand Central Publishing, and Netgalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

I love the creativity and intrigue of Sandra Brown’s writing and her new book, “Out Of Nowhere” kept me guessing until the very end as to who was responsible for the heartbreak and despair felt by the community after the tragedy at the fairgrounds. As I began reading I was taken aback by the direction the story was going but I was soon rewarded with a riveting tale of the pursuit of justice by Elle and Calder, who were thrust together during the police investigation. They were a formidable team who sought the truth while at the same time, attempting to ignore the personal feelings that were growing between them.

Elle is an author/illustrator of children’s books and I believe her creative mind and soul helped her deal with the sadness in her heart. When her mind wandered to her magical and carefree characters, she was able to find peace amidst the danger that was swirling around her. Calder was a successful and mysterious businessman who was smitten with Elle from the moment they met. He was torn between leaving her alone so she could get on with her life, or becoming her best friend, someone she could confide in when she was sad. As they grew closer they realized that no one wanted the truth more than they did, and that it was impossible to know who you could really trust. In the end, their quest for justice brought them into a perilous situation that I never saw coming. Elle and Calder rose above the threats and chaos and came out with a bright and hopeful outlook on their future. Life may have led them down a sad and lonely road but now that they had each other, anything was possible.

Sandra Brown has been one of my go-to authors for over 30 years. Her latest, Out of Nowhere, is another thriller full of all things you expect: suspense, sexual chemistry, revenge. This one did not disappoint and is the perfect summer read.

Elle is with her two year old son, Charlie, at a county fair when shots ring out. Elle gets separated from Charlie who is in his stroller in the chaos. After the shots end and the dust settles, five people have died and police think the shooter is the final fatality. Among the dead is two year old Charlie. What follows is an investigation into motive that starts to have twists and turns that are unexpected. Elle meets Calder, who tried to rescue her son but was shot in the process. His connection to a local news reporter waiting to make a big break nationally ends up putting the survivors/victims at risk. Elle and Calder are a slow burn though, eyes meet and something starts between them that they fight in light of the trauma they have both suffered. Who was behind the mass shooting? Was it random or targeted? I got lost in the story and was surprised at the twist that happened. This was a fast read for me because Brown got her hooks in me and didn’t let up until the last page. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the advanced copy. Opinions expressed are my own. This book is set for publication on August 1, 2023.

#netgalley #arc #bookstagram #outofnowhere #sandrabrown #grandcentralpublishing

This book deserves more than 5 stars! The characters are so great in this book. I did not have a clue as to who the shooter was until it was revealed. The book will suck you in immediately, I had a hard time putting it down. Any book by Sandra Brown is always at the top of my TBR!

Check trigger warnings before reading. Sandra Brown is back with another banger- side of romance with a twisty suspense tied in. Fans of her previous work will be entertained!

This book starts out with a mass shooting. It is a difficult book to read. I don’t want to put any spoilers in the review, but it is a well written book and I finished it in one setting.I recommend this book. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

Sandra Brown has taken the impossible and made me believe it. A mass shooting, a child’s senseless death, and a man and woman whose lives become forever connected in that one horrible second. Unfortunately, mass shootings are everywhere these days and in her forward note to the reader, she explains she didn’t take the subject lightly.

Elle Portman, a single mother, and Calder Hudson, a high-powered, corporate consultant are both strangers at a Texas fair when an unknown gunman begins shooting. I don’t want to give too much away, but when it is over their lives are changed forever. They are now members of a club they never wanted to join. As they try to put their lives back together, they are constantly pulled toward one another as they search for justice.

The story is suspenseful and full of twisty turns as it first appeared the gunman killed himself too, but later gets more complicated as the suspected gunman was proved to be an innocent bystander. Elle and Calder are drawn closer together as the real suspect makes threats and the story really heats up.

I was riveted all the way through this book and could not put it down. I have always loved Brown’s writing and this one was no exception. I would have given this book the highest score, but one thing just felt wrong to me and that was the very quick relationship between Elle and Calder. I can almost go along with the feeling of meeting someone and the feeling of destiny, but I just couldn’t buy her being ready for anything, let alone a relationship. This is still a fabulous book that I encourage everyone to read. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Grand Central Publishing, for the opportunity to read it in exchange for my honest opinion.

With current world events this was a bold move creating a story about a mass shooting. However, the author did express herself in the beginning and wrote this, in my opinion, tastefully. As a mother of a three year old boy, the beginning of this was extremely hard to get through and I am not one to ever be emotionally affected by a book. This was a very intense, emotionally draining read. Thankfully it also included a bit of romance, making it not completely depressing the entire time. I am a little on the fence with that though because I could not imagine being even just the tiniest bit interested in anyone romantically a mere two months after losing a child. I'll let that go since it IS just a story and it added to it, making it just a little lighter of an otherwise intense, sad read. Overall, I really enjoyed this and couldn't believe how quickly I flew through it. Four Stars.

Thank you Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for this ARC.

‘Out of Nowhere’ was fast paced, suspenseful and emotionally tragic. With avoiding spoilers….Elle and Calder were brought together through a traumatizing experience that completely snow-balled their lives. survivors guilt, crazed media, good/bad law enforcement? They experienced it all, while simultaneously trying to avoid their attraction to one another.
Sandra Brown does not miss! I look forward to her book every year and this year I was lucky enough to receive an ARC copy (thank you netgalley)!