Wow! I knew when I started it that it was going to be good but I had no idea how good! This is my first solo Pekkanen read. I've read most of her Greer collabs, and they're hit and miss with me. I loved Anonymous Girl.

This is going to be one of the top books of the year for me. The way it unfolded was flawless. Some books will save too many of their secrets until the very end, resting the entire ending on that twist instead of revealing things at a natural pace. I was so impressed with the layout of this book!

Catherine, a recent nursing school graduate, and her single mom Ruth are used to being invisible. They've had a tough life but they've had each other and can err toward codependent.

Catherine was preparing to go work at a prestigious hospital away from Ruth when Ruth is diagnosed with dementia. It's in the early stages but having worked at a nursing home, Catherine knows how bad this will be.

We know Ruth wants to keep Catherine close to her at any cost but we don't really know why. Catherine is starting to get this hunch too so she decides to dig into her mom's past, since she knows literally nothing. She begins finding more than she bargained for but Catherine seems to be looking in her mom's closet when she has a few skeletons of her own.

Kate Mara narrating the audiobook was pure perfection. Don't ask me how, but Ruth and Catherine sounded completely different. The dual narration really set this off too. I have absolutely nothing negative to say.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to listen and review.

Catherine and Ruth Sterling have always had each other. Now that Catherine is ready to begin a new career and separate herself from her mother, Ruth will do anything to prevent that from happening.

Is Ruth being paranoid or is danger coming for Catherine? Is Catherine being paranoid or is Ruth lying to her?

This domestic thriller kept me on my toes. I guessed some of the plot surprises, but I loved the original storyline with mother lying to daughter and vis versa.

[ALC Audiobook Review]

Story: Four out of Five Stars
Performance: Four out of Five Stars

This is a story of a mother doing anything she can to protect her daughter.

Imagine you find out your forty something year old mother has been having symptoms of early onset alzheimers, but wants nothing to do with having more tests done or seek treatment. As you try to plan for the all the life changes this new diagnosis will bring, recent actions and lies your mother told come to fruition and begin to muddle the trust you have in her. Then you come to the realization that you know nothing about your mother's past, where she comes from or if she has even given you her real birthdate. What would you do? This is exactly what Katherine Sterling is going through and she is determined to discover her mother's secrets.

This psychological thriller is told in three Acts through dual points of view: Ruth Sterling the mother, and Katherine her daughter with chapters of Ruth retelling her past as she writes in a journal that Katherine will eventually read- though we don't know when.

If you are familiar with actress Kate Mara, then you will enjoy her narration of this book. Kate Mara did a good job portraying the ranges of emotions both MFC went through. Even though the narrator does not change inflection to differentiate the two main characters, it didn't disrupt my following of the story. The story has a slow pace yet I didn't get frustrated because each chapter unwraps more layers of the story.

At the beginning of act three I did however begin to question how the story could go from there. I wondered how the author would incorporate a twist or turn so as to not end the book suddenly, but I didn't dwell on that questioning for too long because there definitely was more.

Throughout the book the author sprinkled tidbits of clues, but they never once had me veering away from of what the author wanted the reader to believe. I really enjoyed this Audiobook. I didn't expect the twist, and if she really wanted to Sarah Pekkanen could probably continue their story in another book.

If you are a fan of Frieda McFadden or Liv Constantine then you will enjoy this audiobook.

Please note: the story involves sexual assault of a minor, physical abuse of minors, talks of alcohol abuse, murder and mental health issues.

Thank you Netgalley and MacMillan audio for the free audiobook. I am voluntarily leaving this honest review.

This book was great. Sarah Pekkanen is an author that really knows her craft. Her pace throughout the novel kept you wondering, especially with two narrators that were both a bit unreliable. To keep the story going, while only releasing bits of information from the past, really kept me engaged and wondering.
The story seemed dark, but hopeful. I kept seeing glimpses of what the mom was so worried about - would her daughter be found by her dad and what parts of her dad were imbued in her DNA. It brings up that common worry of parents about what parts of the parents will they carry on.
I thought at first that the mother's real story was going to be outlandish - but the author really kept it under control and believable.
I have enjoyed this author before this book and enjoyed this book - and I will look forward to the next novel she writes.

This book is a decent read, I listened to the audiobook narrated by Kate Mara. The narration was nothing spectacular, and I think the audiobook would have been a better experience had there been a different narrator for both Ruth and Catherine.

The book starts with Catherine having just received her nursing degree and is about to take a new job in Baltimore. However her mother Ruth is showing signs of Alzheimer's Disease and Catherine thinks she may need to stay and help to care for her mother. But Ruth has some serious secrets, and she will stop at nothing to keep those secrets hidden, and that means keeping Catherine as close to her as she can.

There are a few interesting twists in this book, but I pretty much called where it was going early on and the twists weren't surprising to me at all. There are way, way too many convenient things that happen in the book, too many for me to suspend my disbelief.

Yet it is a fast paced story and I was interested to see how things would unfold and what the outcome would be. It kept my attention throughout and I was invested enough to want to see what happened (instead of wanting to skip ahead to the end like I want to do other times).

Catherine recently graduated nursing school and she is ready to move out and start her life. Her mother isn’t ready to let go. Ruth goes to great lengths to keep Catherine close. Is there more to the story than just that? Why is Ruth going to such lengths to keep her daughter with her? There are a lot of family secrets in this story to discover.

One of the things I loved about this book was the relationship between mother and daughter. Both women care deeply for one another and would do anything to keep the other safe. But Catherine knows little about her mother’s life before she was born and is naturally curious to know more. As Catherine learns more about her mother, there are just more questions.

I also felt the pacing was really nice. The story goes back and forth and you get to hear from each woman. Ruth reveals her backstory to the reader as Catherine discovers more information. Ruth’s backstory is that of girl having to grow up too fast and of a mother working hard to raise her daughter alone. There are many twists throughout the story and they came at just the right times to keep the story moving.

I would recommend Gone Tonight to readers that enjoy family drama and suspense. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. 4/5 stars.

I was able to listen to the audiobook through NetGalley. Kate Mara narrates.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Gone Tonightby: Sarah Pekkanen
Pub Date: 8/1/23
Publisher: Macmillan Audio

Catherine Sterling is 24 years old. She’s an only child who just graduated from nursing school and is getting ready to take on her first adult job in a new city.
Ruth, Catherine’s mother is a hard working waitress who seems to be exhibiting symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease at just 42. Unfortunately this will mean Catherine is going to have to put her new job on hold.
The more Catherine watches her mom the more she wonders about her. All she knows of her family is that when Ruth found out she was pregnant her father kicked her out. But as she works to discover more, big secrets start to slowly unravel. Is anything her mother had told her over the last 24 years true?

One of the best mystery thriller books of this year!! Definitely a must read

GONE TONIGHT, the audiobook, has left me utterly captivated from start to finish. The engaging plot, coupled with the exceptional narration, creates an enthralling experience that is hard to put down.

The story follows a roller-coaster of suspense and mystery, with unexpected twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat. The author's skillful storytelling transports listeners into a world of intrigue and danger, making it a thrilling ride that lingers long after the final chapter.

What truly elevates this audiobook is the outstanding narration. The voice actor's talent for distinct character portrayals brings each individual to life, adding depth and authenticity to the narrative. The seamless transitions between scenes and emotions further enhance the immersive experience, making it feel like you are witnessing the events unfold firsthand.

Moreover, the pacing of the audiobook is spot on, keeping a perfect balance between intense action sequences and moments of reflection, allowing listeners to stay engaged throughout. The audio quality is excellent, ensuring a seamless and clear listening experience.

If you're a fan of suspenseful thrillers, GONE TONIGHT is an absolute must-listen. Whether you're a seasoned audiobook enthusiast or a newcomer to the format, this gripping tale will undoubtedly leave you eagerly awaiting the next adventure from this talented author and narrator duo.

GONE TONIGHT audiobook is a masterful fusion of gripping plotlines and exceptional narration, creating an unforgettable experience that will have you hooked from the very beginning. Don't miss out on this thrilling journey into the heart of mystery and suspense!

overall i feel the book was a tad too long.
However, I loved the rotatating POV from mother and daughter and how the story slowly came to light. I was on the moms side the whole time so I wanted to yell at Catherine for her to stop searching however when you listen to just Catherine's POV it makes sense. She is a 24 year old woman trying to understand her roots, her mother and even her own future while her mother evades her questioning. I will say I wish there was more "writing" in the spiral notebook as this felt so important for so long but I dont think it ended up being that. I love a book that has an ending that is unexpected and leaves the writer with intrigue after and this fit the bill!

From the word go, I had absolutely no idea what to expect. Katherine and Ruth’s relationship seemed like the perfect mother daughter set up. Turns out, basically everything was a lie? This was so chaotic! I was at the edge of my seat trying to figure out what the heck was going to happen, and honestly, I did not see any of that coming! Right up until the ending, I had one view on Katherine, as the victim. The very last scene gave me chills. I have no idea how to feel about anyone anymore!!

OK that ending though!!!! I wasn't expecting that...I recommend this book for those that like thrillers! The story did keep me entertained and the audio was great!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you to @netgalley and @macmillan.audio for the complimentary ALC! I’ve read and enjoyed all of Greer Hendricks’ and Sarah Pekkanen’s co-written books, and I was so excited to dig into this new thriller written by Pekkanen and out on August 1st.

With that said…this did NOT disappoint. If anything, it exceeded my expectations! The POV alternates between mother Ruth and daughter Catherine. Catherine knows that Ruth raised her alone as a teenage single mom, she knows that her mother has uprooted them a few times throughout their lives, and she knows that Ruth has no connection to her family or any old friends. Ruth knows one thing: she must keep Catherine safe from a man she’s never even met.

As we go chapter to chapter, Catherine starts to discover, piece by piece, that her mother has lied to het about many things. Ruth starts to give us clues as the chapters go on, eventually telling us about her past and why she’s been hiding since the age of 16 - all while still keeping Catherine in the dark. When Catherine’s curiosity puts them both in danger, Ruth may finally have to tell her the truth.

I absolutely loved this thriller - it was somewhat of a slow burn as far as the story being revealed, but it felt like I still flew through it! I didn’t want to put it down at all. I know this is one I’m going to be recommending for the rest of the year!

I really enjoyed this one for most of the book. The dynamic between single mother and daughter in a difficult situation rang true for me as a single mother of a daughter I’m overprotective of for my own reasons. There were interesting twists and clues but I don’t think they were surprising if you read a lot of thrillers. That didn’t take away from the enjoyment though. My main problem with the writing was tons of unnecessary detail. For instance when one of the women was in a Target and getting a flashlight - describing the displays of flashlights, describing the walk to the batteries, opening the batteries, a battery falls out, etc etc. Or the extensive detail about testing a resident for diabetes…there was just a lot of extra that didn’t need to be there that made sections drag. But I liked it overall - for me a 3 star is a good rating, an enjoyable book.

This was such a great read! Sarah is quickly climbing to my list of must reads. I have read everything by her so far and this didn't disappoint. Definitely 5 stars. I can't wait for the next one! I don't fully live the title but it didn't exactly hurt the book it just didn't really fit right. I'm not familiar with the narrarator but she did a really good job and I enjoyed listening to her and she kept my attention.

I switched between audio and ebook, but the audio was really well done and I found myself drawn to that more.

Ruth and her daughter, Catherine, are close. Almost obsessively close. But all of Catherine's life they have only had each other. They have moved a lot. New towns, new jobs, new schools. But they were each other's constant through it all.

Catherine has just graduated with her nursing degree and is about to take a job at Johns Hopkins and move to Baltimore and live on her own for the first time. And then. She goes with Ruth to a doctor's appointment and learns Ruth has early onset Alzheimers. And later Ruth tells her that her own mother, who Catherine never knew, suffered from it also.

Catherine decides to stay and care for her mother. But this turn of events has her longing to know more about her mother's life and past, and she starts investigating. And begins to uncover things her mother didn't want her to know!

What would you do if you found out your whole life might be one elaborate lie? And how far would a mother actually go to protect her child?

This one drew me in and I could not stop until I knew the whole amazing story!

Many thanks to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press and MacMillan Audio for both an ARC and ALC in exchange for my honest review!

this was such a fun mother/daughter suspense + mystery read! you’re given just enough info to keep you wanting more. both women seem so suspicious + it’s fun slowly watching the truth unravel. i’m a sucker for any kind of healthcare aspects being incorporated in storylines! while there weren’t too many specific *shock* moments, it was still an awesome family drama + I was so invested in the story! it’s a really beautiful book about the lengths a mother will go to protect her child.

Fave quote: “A thin line can separate laughter and tears.”

I was super excited to get an early copy of this audiobook since this is the first book for me narrated by the lovely Kate Mara, so I was very curious. I can share that Kate gives a gentile but strong performance in this original thriller. She has a soothing personal cadence and tone that envelopes the listener.

Gone Tonight, tells us the story of a mother and daughter, Ruth and Catherine Sterling. Ruth gave birth to Catherine at seventeen years old, and they have been on the “run” their whole lives, but why? I wondered if Ruth was really who she says she is? I mean, is she just an overprotective mother, or is there something more unsettling going on? The story is told from both Ruth and Catherine's perspectives, which admittedly left me a bit confused at times, as Kate's voice didn't sound very different going back and forth between the characters. Trying to remember who was who was at times a bit sticky. Every time we shift from the private thoughts and memories of one to the other, the picture reveals surprising new details, but I would miss who was sharing the thought. Regardless of my confusion, I overall found that the polished plotting is well matched by Mara's comfortable smooth voice at any speed of play.



Overall I enjoyed the story immensely and I plan to purchase the book to read along with audio as companions. The narrator does a great job as both characters, but I would have appreciated a more noted shift in diction. The unexpected twists and the outcome were still interesting, to say the least. My jaw was literally agape at the end and I had to instantly annoy my husband by gushing on and on sharing every sorted detail and the electric conclusion.



I absolutely recommend reading this book with the audio version, as the storyline was interesting and binge worthy from the get go. It was also a fairly fast listen, which was a bonus. In conclusion, 5 stars for the story and 4 for the narration.



Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author, for an ARC of this audiobook. This book is being released August 1, 2023.

Gone Tonight follows Catherine and Ruth, a mother daughter duo who have always been just the two of them, with no other family. The story unfolds from alternating POV as Catherine learns of her mother’s past and you see what Ruth is hiding from her POV.

I really enjoyed this story and was completely captivated by it! A lot of it was outlandish but that didn’t take away from the story for me. If you like psychological thrillers I think you would enjoy this one as well!

It did feel a little too long at parts but overall I was invested and interested to see what was going to happen.

I also really enjoyed Kate Mara’s narration!

Thank you netgalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for the advanced listening copy of Gone Tonight in exchange for my honest review!

Admittedly I already had a digital galley of this book when the early audio became available on NetGalley, but once I saw KATE MARA was the narrator it was a no brainer to request. I *love* her and she did a fabulous job with the narration on this one.

4.5 stars rounded up.

I'm not going to lie, this one really took me by surprise, and I mean that in the best way possible! I absolutely loved it and could not put it down. I equally enjoyed both POV chapters, which is not always the case with alternating viewpoints but these were excellently written.

I thought the plot pacing was very well done, too. Once I finally understood what was happening I was so invested in how everything was going to play out it didn't stop me from continuing to flip pages like crazy. I even cried a bit at the ending!

GONE TONIGHT review

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

▪️After reading and loving a few books that Sarah Pekkanen has co-written, I knew I wanted to check out her latest release. The cover of this one is giving me maaaaajor fall vibes and making me even more eager to bust out my Halloween decorations. 🎃

▪️Here’s a summary of the plot:👇
Catherine and her mother Ruth have always had a very close relationship. Growing up without a father figure, Catherine has depended on her mom for everything. But Ruth has never shared details of her past with Catherine. When they are given heart breaking medical news, Catherine is even more determined to learn about her mom’s life. But if Ruth’s past is brought to light, it could be the very thing that severs their relationship.

▪️I thought it was refreshing to read a thriller focused on a mother/daughter relationship. Soooo many thrillers I’ve read lately are centered around couples or groups of friends so this was a nice change of pace! The first part did a good job laying the groundwork for the rest of the story. In part 2 I had no idea who to trust and my head was spinning. Part 3 when it all came together was so satisfying. 👏

▪️I did think that at times the book felt more like a mystery/family drama novel versus a thriller. Not a bad thing, just not what I was expecting! I also thought the ending was a little tooooo wrapped up for my liking. I like a little mystery/intrigue still left once I finish the book personally. Overall I really enjoyed this one and would recommend checking it out!

▪️Thanks to @stmartinspress and @netgalley for my advanced copy of this one! It publishes next week on August 1st!