I would love to thank NetGalley for allowing me to have an audio book version of Gone Tonight by Sarah Pekkanen, and this review is all my own. This book was crazy. Very suspenseful as it went on, leading you to wonder what is going to happen next and what is the truth of what happened to Coach. The mother daughter duo perspectives show you what is going on and how the trust is slowly coming undone. The mother is doing everything she can for her daughter and has so many plans, the daughter trying to learn about her mother's past and how things are not as they seem. Throughout the novel you can see why the mother does what she does but you also could not help but feel for the daughter as she wants to break free. So if you love thrillers that are suspenseful and no gore you will love this book for sure.

4.5🌟
Ruth would do anything to protect her daughter, Catherine. But then Catherine starts to question her mothers past and begins to search for the truth.
Gone Tonight by Sarah Pekkanen is a great suspenseful thriller with a great twisty ending.
Thank you NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed Gone Tonight in an audiobook format, narrated by Kate Mara, and she did an excellent job. I became a Sarah Pekkanen fan while reading The Wife Between Us, and Gone Tonight did not disappoint! This one kept me guessing until the very end. Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for providing me with an ARC audiobook to review.

Gone Tonight is told from the voices of Catherine Sterling and her mother Ruth along with flashbacks from Ruth’s troubled youth.
Catherine is a twenty-four year old nurse and ready to start her new job and begin her life In Baltimore. Upon learning her mother Ruth has Alzheimer’s, Catherine’s plans for her future abruptly change.. She must now immediately stop everything and care for her mother.
Her mother explains there there is a history of Alzheimer’s in the family. Catherine’s grandmother struggled with the disease until her death.

Catherine’s mother has told her little of her past and this disease prompts her to research her past, longing to know who she is, other than Ruth’s only child. She has concerns that her mother is deliberately keeping things from her. Could her mother be protecting from something dangerous about her past?

Well, she’s got that right because Ruth has bern running and looking over her shoulder since she was sixteen years old. That’s why they are constantly moving and never are allowed to get close to anyone.

The book is tense, twisty, jaw dropping and you won’t want to put it down.
I loved the author’s style here with the alternating chapters as Ruth and Catherine tell the story. Just when you get to a really tense point from Ruth’s life the chapter ends as Catherine tells her side of things. I couldn’t wait to read more and more.

I highly recommend this one for mystery/thriller readers

I very much wanted to love this psychological thriller, but it fell a little short for me. I was initially drawn to the audiobook because Kate Mara is the narrator. Unfortunately I found her a little flat and not a very compelling narrator. There were some interesting plot twists and think I probably would have enjoyed reading it more than listening.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my review copy.

Ruth Sterling loses her way home from the pharmacy one day, there's a day she can't find her keys, and then she calls ice cubes "water squares"....leading to a diagnosis of early onset Alzheimer's.

Her daughter Catherine, a geriatrics expert about to begin working as a nurse at John Hopkins is quick to question her mothers's actions when things slowly don't add up.

Told dually from Ruth and Catherine in the present's perspective along with journal entries of Ruth writing down her past, GONE TONIGHT is structured into three acts with twists that will leave the reader speechless...

I like to go into my books blind lately; so I didn't know a lot of plot details other than a couple author blurbs- I read the first 30-35% of this book yesterday and I said, yes it's really good; but it isn't a thriller, it doesn't read like "a Sarah Pekkanen book" but then my friends....she flips the switch. And it is full of raging suspense and that kind of creepy scratching the back of your neck wonder about what's going to happen to your lead characters...

GONE TONIGHT is a true exploration of the highs and lows of a mother daughter relationship and the length that one will go to keep their family safe.

It's got everything you're looking for in a great late summer read and when it hits shelves August 1st, I see this one being all over bookstagram!

The audiobook performed by Kate Mara was absolutely riveting and added such an extra layer to the story; she is a phenomenal talent as an actress, and I would definitely seek out more audiobooks narrated by her.

This audiobook was read by Kate Mara and she was excellent! A mother and daughter tale with a unique plot. Mother Ruth is keeping a whole life secret from her daughter. Catherine. Catherine is looking forward to moving to a new city and job but Ruth has other ideas. While this story is well written and kept my interest, the ending was wrapped up so quickly and may have been more interesting if the middle of the story was shortened and last section expanded.

My new favorite book by this author! Great narrator and an interesting premise with plenty of twists to keep you guessing if either Ruth (the mom) or Catherine (the daughter) is telling the truth and what secrets they're hiding.
I held my breath at times while listening to this, waiting for what surprise would come next. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an audiobook of this great suspense thriller!

Gone Tonight
by Sarah Pekkanen
Narrated by Kate Mara

Gone Tonight is a slow burn. Each chapter peels back another layer of the story. Alternating chapters between Catharine and her mother, Ruth, this is the story of discovering secrets that have long been kept hidden. Ruth, Catherine's mother, is showing signs of Alzheimer's. Catherine's plans to relocate and start a new job must be put on hold while things get figured out. As Catherine starts to unravel secrets upon secrets that her mother has been hiding, something, or someone threatens to cause trouble for both of them. Will Ruth be able to keep her secrets or will Catherine discover the truth before they both end up quite possibly dead?

This was a decent book. It was a slow burn until the last third or so I'd say. That's when things start to heat up and move a bit quicker. I enjoyed the story and would definitely listen to another story by Ms. Pekkanen. I love Kate Mara and think she has a beautiful voice, but for narration purposes, I would have liked to have seen some variation in her performance. She sounded the same throughout the book and you couldn't tell the difference at all between Ruth and Catharine.

Thanks so much to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio and the author for the chance to listen to this ARC!

How far would you go to protect the person you love most in the world?

I have never read a book Sarah Pekkanen has written without Greer Hendricks, and I am happy to say it didn't disappoint! This captivating story delves into the intricate relationship between a mother and daughter, raising questions about the mother's intentions. Is she protecting her daughter or holding her back from embracing her adult life?

At the center of the narrative is Catherine, a 24-year-old woman whose mother, Ruth, had her at a young age. The book opens with Catherine accompanying her mom to doctor's appointments, as Ruth, despite her youth, appears to be showing signs of dementia. Catherine puts her own life on hold to care for her mother, but in doing so, she begins unraveling the web of lies that Ruth has spun over the past 24 years.

What struck a chord with me was how relatable Catherine's character was, as I've personally experienced struggles with my own mother. However, unlike my life, this novel takes a darker turn, making it a thrilling read. The story unfolds through two points of view—Catherine's and Ruth’s, and there are also flashbacks from Ruth's perspective mixed in. Both narratives, along with the well-crafted flashbacks, kept me interested.

While not an action-packed thriller or a book you can binge, this book gradually exposes secrets, lies, deception, and unexpected twists. I particularly enjoyed the honest conversations about the complexities between young women and their mothers. All in all, the constant presence of lies kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. It's a slow-burn suspense that I really enjoyed.

This delivers a great tale of a mother-daughter dynamic, filled with gripping revelations.The writing style immediately pulled me right in. If you enjoy suspenseful reads with a touch of emotional depth, this one is definitely worth diving into.

🎧 I was also given an ALC of this book, which was narrated by Kate Mara. I got SO excited because I adore her, but her narration was honestly… awful. She never changed her voice or tone at all, and it got so confusing that she used the same voice for Catherine, Ruth, and young Ruth.

The pacing and the tone were not done well and the confusion disrupted the flow constantly. She didn’t even change her voice for the men speaking, either. I think Kate Mara would shine in a book that has only one POV throughout. This just didn’t work for me on audio.

📆 Thank you NetGalley & St. Martins Press for the ARC, and thank you for the ALC Macmillan audio for proving these in exchange for my honest review! Pub date is 8/1/23!

Holy Moly y’all! I just finished Gone Tonight by @sarahpekkanen and it blew me away!

Catherine Sterling thinks she knows her mother. All her life, it's been just the two of them against the world. Catherine is now ready to spread her wings and Ruth will do anything to prevent that from happening. When Ruth's desperate quest to keep her daughter by her side begins to reveal cracks in Ruth's carefully-constructed world, both mother and daughter begin a dance of deception.

This mother daughter story has everything to make a good thriller…multiple POV’s, dual time line, fast paced, whodunnit. I was truly invested in Ruth and Catherine’s relationship. Highly recommend picking up this thriller when it comes out August 1.

Tell me about the last thriller you read!

I have loved Sarah’s writing since I read the wife between us. This was no exception. Excellent story that kept me guessing. I loved the twists this book took all the way until the end!

I really liked this! Some decent twists that some seasoned readers could probably see coming but it worked well for me. A story of a mother & daughter relationship, secrets & lies. This was fun to unravel Ruth's story along with Catherine. The parts of Ruth's childhood sprinkled in throughout were placed well to give the reader breadcrumbs along the way. I wasn't sure who to root for more, Catherine or Ruth. Lots of childhood trauma discussed as well as Alzheimer's if you have TW.

If I have one negative it was that it was one narrator for both Catherine's & Ruth's chapters. There wasn't a ton of voice differentiation like some narrators do. It wasn't a bad narration though.

Big thanks to the publishers for widget/ approvals for the ARC & ALC to read & review!

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan audio for this audio ARC.

Kate Mara was wonderful. I listened while doing a TON of driving and she kept me engaged the entire time.

Read the synopsis if you have not already done so!!! As for the story…. What. The. Fawk.
What a seriously twisted, bent, and thought provoking, insane ride this was. Serious Gone Girl and Darling Rose Gold vibes. In the words of Bartok the bat, “I tell you what, wow.” Yes, indeed.

In a race against time, a mother's desperate choices and a daughter's relentless pursuit collide, igniting a suspenseful journey that will keep you guessing until the final revelation……

Book Information

Gone Tonight, written by Sarah Pekkanen, is a 352-page thriller scheduled for publication on August 1, 2023. The audiobook, narrated by Kate Mara, spans 10 hours and 9 minutes. Pekkanen is widely known as the co-author of four New York Times bestselling psychological thrillers: The Wife Between Us, An Anonymous Girl, You Are Not Alone, and The Golden Couple. Thank you to Macmillan Audio for providing me with an advance reader copy of this book for review.

Summary

Catherine Sterling believes she knows her devoted and hardworking mother, Ruth. However, when Catherine seeks independence and a new career, Ruth becomes desperate to keep her close. As their bond unravels, hidden secrets and dangers emerge. Ruth's past, the darkness within Catherine, or external forces could be the source of the impending threat. Their lives teeter on the edge of chaos, questioning everything they thought they knew about each other.

My Thoughts

Gone Tonight is a skillfully crafted thriller that delves into the intricate dynamics between a mother and daughter. It’s a mesmerizing tale of deception and discovery, where both characters must confront their own secrets or be consumed by them. The story is divided into three parts, cleverly alternating between Catherine and Ruth's perspectives, with Ruth's point of view shifting between past and present.

What sets this book apart is its fresh and original approach to mystery, presenting fragmented pieces of the puzzle from different viewpoints. The narrative skillfully exposes lies and their justifications, allowing readers to witness the characters' beliefs and doubts firsthand. The story remains grounded in plausibility, capturing the flawed decisions and irrational behaviors that mirror real life.

Pekkanen excels in character development, creating well-rounded individuals who evolve throughout the story. The pacing kept me engaged, and the unexpected twists consistently defied my expectations. The exploration of genuine family issues adds depth and emotion to the story, making it both addictive and thought-provoking.

If I have any disappointment, it is with the use of a single narrator for both perspectives, occasionally making it challenging to differentiate between the characters, especially given that they are mother and daughter. While Mara delivers a good performance, a 2nd narrator would have added value to the production.

Recommendation

Gone Tonight is gripping, suspenseful, twisty, and impossible to put down. It immerses readers in a fast-paced plot and leaves a lasting impact through its exploration of real-life emotional struggles. Highly recommended.

Rating

5 Pizza Lasagna Stars

Gone Tonight was so good! It is about a mother and daughter and the lengths a mother will go to protect her child. I don't usually choose books that jump from different character point of views, but Sarah Pekkanen did a great job and it was easy to follow. I am a librarian and will be recommending this book to our patrons. I received this audiobook through NetGalley and Macmillan Audio as a preview. I can't wait to read other books by this author! I have already told a few of my regulars about this book and to be on the lookout for when we get it!

I was really looking forward to this book from Sarah Pekkanen. I have enjoyed her co-written thrillers in the past. Plus I liked the of mothers and daughters keeping secrets.

Unfortunately, this book felt very slow and sometimes flat to me. I saw the twists and reveals coming long before they were revealed in the book. It also felt much more domestic than thriller to me. My other issue was that I didn’t find either of the characters very likable so I didn’t feel connected to them. Sometimes unlikable characters work for me and sometimes they don’t. These didn’t.

It might just be me though, so enough you have enjoyed this anther’s work before and like a slow burn mystery this book might be for you.

3/5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audi for an AudioARC of this book.

Gone Tonight is quite a thrill ride that reminds me of a darker version of the Netflix show Ginny and Georgia. It starts out with Ruth Sterling showing signs of dementia. When her daughter, Catherine, a nurse who just got offered a job at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, takes Ruth to the doctor, Catherine learns Ruth has been hiding things from her. As she starts digging, Catherine finds those little bits showing were just the tips of a far more massive tangle of deeply rooted lies about her and her mother's lives. But her investigation may draw the attention of the one from whom Ruth has been hiding all these years.

I saw several of the twists coming, from the truth about Ruth's dementia to the final revelation at the end, but some of that is because they're how I would have written them, and the clues helped to make it more of a satisfying "Ahah, that makes sense" instead of a disappointment. Some of the flashbacks were a bit slow, like the ones in Target, serving more to make the reader feel sympathy for Ruth than to further the plot. But overall it was enjoyable, and Kate Mara's narration was engaging and easy to follow.

Thank you to St. Martin's, the author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in advance in exchange for a fair review.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this novel. It was my first audio book and I was mesmerized by the plot.

This is told through two voices - Ruth (the mother, and Catherine (her daughter). These women are down on your lunch women who never stay in one place for any great length of time. There is a reason for that.

Alternately told in one voice at a time, Ruth tries to prevent her daughter from taking a nursing position at the very prestigious Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. Catherine secretly pries into her mother's past to try and determine her reasoning. Major plot twists awaits the reader!

I listened to the audiobook of this one. I think the narrator did an excellent job and really kept the story interesting even when the story was a little slow (it did pick up a lot the second half). This is a psychological thriller about Ruth - who when she was a teenager got pregnant with Catherine. Ruth always told Catherine her family had been devout Catholic and had kicked her out when she was pregnant and Catherine’s father denied she was his so it has always just been the two of them. Now Catherine is 24 and ready to leave the nest and get a job in another city as a nurse to really start her life. But Ruth has been hiding a lot about their past and slowly the lies she’s told unravel as Catherine seeks to know about her past. The first half was a little slow, but the second half more than made up for it. I liked the alternating perspectives and I liked the way Ruth’s backstory was woven in within her chapters.