This one was a wild ride in the best way!

I was not truly invested in this story until probably 25% of the way in, the beginning was a bit slow for me. However, once the storyline really began to get interesting, the twists kept coming! One thing that I like about well-written thrillers is the inability to guess the ending. For me, at least, this book kept me guessing. I loved not knowing that Dino was an unreliable narrator until the very end.

I wish that the son had been more of a central character, I would love to know what his life was like growing up with his adoptive family. Regardless, this story was a breathtaking thriller and I really flew through it to the end.

A bit too graphic in parts for me,a dark twisty emotive story,,well written but not sure if all that was written about needed to be told in detail,not a great ending but a quick read

Quick read and was interesting. Lots of secrets and domestic suspense. It could get a little confusing. Overall it was a very good book. It was hard to put down because you really want to find out what is going on!! I would recommend this book to those who love a good domestic suspense book. It was a heart wrenching story!!

Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for the ARC

This mystery was a quick read. Some topics could have been left out and would not have changed the story. A little too much information. That being said, the characters kept the story moving. Secrets and red herrings. Thanks to Netgalley for the book.

"Not My Child" by Jane E. James is a fast-paced thriller that skillfully weaves a dual timeline and multiple points of view to create an enthralling narrative. The story draws you in with its compelling premise: a mother's relentless search for her missing child. James adeptly alternates between past and present, building suspense as the layers of the mystery unfold. The use of different perspectives offers insight into the characters' emotions and motivations, adding depth to the plot.

However, it's worth noting that the book's summary doesn't quite capture the full complexity of the story. While the central theme revolves around a missing child, the novel delves deeper into family dynamics, secrets, and the lengths people will go to protect those they love. The misleading summary might set certain expectations that the book doesn't entirely meet.

Thank you NetGalley, Jane E.James, and Publisher for the ARC!

I didn't find this book as engaging as I'd have hoped but it was still a good storyline and kept me guessing throughout. I liked the characters and the premise and thought it all worked well as a whole. The twists was a bit predictable but that's didn't stop me enjoying the journey

Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

"Not My Child" by Jane E. James presents a compelling premise, focusing on Tara's heartfelt yearning to reunite with her long-lost son, Ryan.

The theme of longing and the complexities of adoption reverberate powerfully as Tara's past shadows her present. As the plot unfolds and Ryan resurfaces, unexpected twists punctuate the story, albeit some of them veer towards predictability, diminishing their impact.

While the characters are well-crafted, occasional shallowness hinders a complete emotional connection with their experiences. The unveiling of Tara's concealed secrets and the subsequent ramifications of Ryan's return contribute to the suspense, yet the resolution feels hurried, leaving loose ends untied.

Jane E. James delves adeptly into the intricate family dynamics, even though the full emotional intensity promised by the narrative isn't consistently realized. "Not My Child" boasts potential, offering a blend of mystery and drama, making it a worthwhile choice for those intrigued by familial complexities. However, regrettably, the writing style struggled to hold my attention, hindering my immersion and engagement with the book.

The characters, though promising, at times felt one-dimensional, preventing the empathetic connection I had hoped for. While certain plot twists were easily foreseen, the story's conclusion left me grappling with unresolved loose ends and a lack of closure for some plotlines. Overall, the book showcases potential, weaving drama and mystery into its narrative, but it left me yearning for a more satisfying execution.

This was my first book by Jane E. James and oh my goodness… it’s not often that I’m left speechless and still in my feels after finishing a book. I started and finished this book in roughly 3 1/2 hours. Though what Tara went through was heartbreaking, it was a story that needed to be told. I found myself captivated by what happened and I needed to know all the details.

This was a raw and heartbreaking read but one I had to finish. Tara had many secrets and then she died. Her husband was left to uncover them and learn to live with her lies. He has some lies of his own though. This book had me turning pages to find out the end. I hated it and liked it at the same time.

This is such an important story, very dark without the graphic detail. But something that needs to be out there.

This was a heart wrenching read. There are graphic descriptions of sexual violence so if this is a trigger for you, avoid this book.
The book was very well written and the narrative flowed strongly. I was gripped by the two stories running in parallel timelines. The characters are very well written and you can pick up on their hidden undercurrents. I felt like I was inside their heads the whole time. The conclusion was predictable. I could tell very early on that is where the book was heading. However, it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story.
The book faltered somewhat towards the end. The conclusion seemed quite rushed and left me wanting. The redemption arc for the rapist was somewhat unbelievable. We already know from the build up that he hasn't actually changed. So how could he have such a massive transformation/ change of heart at the end?
The scene with the murderer who mowed down Tara was also hastily cobbled together.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an advance review copy.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I wasn’t a fan of the writing style on this. It didn’t hold me and I didn’t enjoy it. The characters felt very simplistic and flat to the point where I couldn’t connect with any of them.

The plot twists seemed very obvious to me, and finished off with some loose ends that confused me - to the point where I wondered why they were even included at all? I was kind of hoping that it would have been an elaborate revenge plot, because plot wise I would have enjoyed that. Ultimately this book fell very flat for me, but it was at least a very fast read.

Definitely a page turner! The book kept me entertained for sure! The twists and turns were great! I didn’t guess the ending! I will be reading more my this author!

Thank you to the author and Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. However, I must say I was hugely disappointed with the storyline, the characters, and the ending.

What a great thriller this was. It had a bit of everything suspense, intrigue, mystery, revenge, murder and abuse and a little bit of a who done it. There was some great twists and turns which had me gripped to my kindle from start to finish. I really enjoyed how the story went from past to present really think that helped to build the suspense.

Tara has a happy life with a loving husband and two beautiful children, but something is missing she can't help but think about the child she was forced to give up when she was just 15. But by opening that can of worms Tara’s life will be left with some devastating consequences.

I will definitely be recommending this intense thriller to others. Fantastic!

Good book! This book had a bit of everything! It had suspense, intrigue, mystery, revenge, murder, abuse, rape, great who done it, great plot twist, and some crazy twists and turns! The storyline was very interesting and kept me glued to my Kindle! I definitely recommend reading this book as it was well worth reading! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

Really enjoyed the back and forth between now and then in this book, and the character driven plot really kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what was gonna happen.

Plenty of twists which I love and I devoured this book in one sitting!

Great for anyone looking for a suspenseful thriller!

Tara has a happy life with a loving husband and two beautiful children, but something is missing...she can't help but think about the child she was forced to give up when she was just 15. But things are about to happen and secrets will come out, with devastating consequences... Really enjoyed this book, it keeps you guessing right until the end. Lots of twists and turns and shocks. I liked how it goes between past and present. Brilliant!

Not the most unique thriller I have read, but certainly interesting. I was on my toes guessing until the end, but the amount of plot twists could be overwhelming and unrealistic to some.