This is a story of a family and family secrets. It wasn’t so much action as a slow ride to the conclusion of the story. It captures my attention from the first page. I would definitely recommend this book. It is the first I have read by this author and I definitely will try her again. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

thriller, sisters, suspense, secrets, investigative-journalist, lawyers, law-enforcement, lies, betrayal, corruption, family-drama, family-dynamics, family-expectations, crime-fiction, local-law-enforcement, murder, murder-investigation, paralegal, family-business****

Fast paced intrigue with strong characters and many astonishing surprises.
I requested and received a free temporary EARC from Oceanview Publishing via NetGalley.

The perfect mix between fast pace and slow burn thrills that will make you stay up past your bedtime! I really liked the writing style of this book.

This book was @thrillerbookloversthepulse  feature pick and after finishing it, I see why it was chosen! Thank you to @oceanviewpub and @netgalley for my ARC!

Beth grew up in an upper class family and is currently working as a paralegal, although her father is waiting on her to follow in his footsteps and become a lawyer. Currently content with her life and with driving her Honda, Beth can relate more to her sister Lindsay than anyone else. Lindsay isn’t making the big bucks either, but she’s an investigative reporter and her next story might blow everything open.

At the law firm’s company party, Beth waits for her plus one, Lindsay, but she doesn’t show. During the party, Beth finds her boss tragically murdered in his office and swears she sees Lindsay running out of the building. Then Beth sees a message from Lindsay, “Don’t ask, don’t follow” - the same sisterly code they followed since they were kids and Beth would cover for Lindsey sneaking out of the house.

The reader is taken on through Beth’s journey of protecting her sister throughout an ongoing murder investigation while also trying to get to the bottom of what happened to her boss and where Lindsay has gone.

Don’t Ask, Don’t Follow is a slow burn psychological thriller with unexpected twists, shocking family secrets, and a reveal that made my jaw drop. I enjoyed Beth as our main character and I found her to be a smart, relatable person who I was rooting for throughout the story. This is the first book I’ve read by Keliikoa and it won’t be my last!

I really enjoyed this thriller about two sisters - one trying to save the other. All the characters were seemlessly woven together. And as every thriller needs, a twist at the end that was not one that had imagined. Four stars.

Pub: June 4, 2024

Happy #thrillerthursday and #fridayjr ! I don’t know about you, but I am so ready for the weekend.

Predictive text time: Don’t ask, don’t follow or else…. _________

✨Review ✨

One of my favourite things about bookstagram is getting introduced to new-to-me authors! Don’t Ask, Don’t Follow was my introduction to Mary Keliikoa. At first I wasn’t sure how all of the different plot pieces were going to come together- we have murder, kidnapping, family drama, sisterhood, adoption scandals, religion, the dynamics of a law firm… but Keliikoa smoothly connects everything in a refreshing plot that’s easy to follow without sacrificing on the twists and red herrings.

It’s been a while since I’ve read a thriller told in first person. It was a delightful surprise to read this narration style and a reminder of how fun it can be to experience a story in “real time” through the POV of a good lead character like Beth.

I look forward to reading more of Mary Keliikoa’s books!

Thank you to @thrillerbookloversthepulse @oceanviewpub & @netgalley for the gifted copy to read and review

Murder, intimidation and keeping secrets hidden take center stage in Don’t Ask, Don’t Follow, an investigative thriller that will keep you guessing before leaving you shook. Mary Keliikoa has crafted an intense and twisty story in which no one can be trusted and the truth is hard to swallow.

Beth Ralston is a paralegal at her father’s law firm. During an office party, she finds her boss murdered in his office and a woman that looks like her sister Lindsay running away from the scene of the crime. Shocked and awaiting the police to question her, Beth finds a message from her sister that states “Don’t ask. Don’t follow.” But Beth isn’t one to sit idly by, especially when her sister is unreachable and in danger. And as she investigates, dark secrets come to light, everyone she comes into contact becomes a target, and the truth about her own family threatens to rock her world. But she won’t stop until she finds out what happened to her sister and takes down those responsible for the reprehensible plot she uncovers. Even if it might kill her in the process.

Don’t Ask, Don’t Follow kicks off quickly with a murder in the first chapter, but then does an excellent job patiently and methodically building the investigation while maintaining a high degree of tension through casting doubt upon everyone and raising tons of questions. But when the answers to those questions finally come…oh boy, look out! Shocking truths and major twists hit you like a two by four to the face. Making you wonder how Beth can ever pick up the pieces of the life she though she knew. And making you think about your own family and what secrets they could be hiding. Resulting in an entertaining, engaging, suspenseful and contemplative novel.

A fast paced read with turns I didn't see coming. Keliikoa does a great job with keeping the reader on the edge of our seat. While I enjoyed the story some parts just seemed off. Overall I would recommend you give this one a read this summer.

Thank you for allowing me to be an ARC reader. ❤️
Wow! This book has all the twisty turns. So many story lines to follow that kept me guessing up until the very end of the book. Beth was a great FMC. She was smart and determined and I loved following her on her journey in search of her sister and the truth. Such a good book!

A digital copy of this book was provided to me by NetGalley and Thriller Book Lovers Promotions. The opinions are my own and freely given.

This story centers around Beth Ralston who discovers her boss has been murdered and her sister is missing. Whether she is hiding or has been abducted is the question. Beth, who is a paralegal in her father's law firm, follows her sister's steps to try to find her. Beth finds herself under the radar of the police and when bodies keep turning up, she seems to be around. Homelessness, drug and alcoholic addiction and adoption ends up being the root of everything. But can Beth find Lindsay before it's too late?

The girl's parents are so upper class. It seems to me they are so distanced from the girls that they don't seem to have the time to even acknowledge them, and some of the things they do, like brunch, feels like an obligation. With their dad running for mayor and their mom always having migraines and going to bed, I feel like they had a very strange relationship. If it wasn't for the nanny turned housekeeper, I don't think the girls would have had any parental guidance growing up.

Beth didn't seem to know who to trust throughout this whole story and I personally think she did just fine by herself. Detective Matson, although really investigating everything that Beth was able to tell him, was unavailable a lot, she had to call him several times.

Even though I didn't like the parents, this was a very fast-paced story, and I spent most of it wondering what Lindsay was investigating and whether she was hiding or if she was still alive.

Wowzers! An intense, clever tale, Don’t Ask, Don’t Follow took me into a seedy world that felt all too believable. From the delicious cat-and-mouse chase to the complex plot, this psychological thriller not only had my heart pounding, but also presented a crime fiction edge that pulled me in deep. And while I had my suspicions about what was to come, the twists and turns nevertheless shocked me to my core right up until the final revelation.

The characters were strong, vividly portrayed and well-developed. Especially Beth. With an impressive character arc, she was a definite home run. Coming a close second were the supporting characters, some of whom were villains and others merely suspicious. All told, it made it easy for me to give them each a wary side-eye until the timely reveal, which is an addition to any novel that I greatly admire.

The storyline itself started out with a bang. While it slowed down quite a bit in the middle, my attention never wavered for a minute. Pivoting more towards a character-driven plot, the dysfunctional family dynamic and poignant themes meant for a heart-wrenching read. As the page count dwindled, however, so too did the slow burn as the action increased, leading straight into a dynamite climax. Needless to say, there was no end to the thrills.

All in all, Mary Keliikoa has earned my affection. The first I’ve read by her, it certainly won’t be my last. After all, between a host of morally gray characters and dark, long-buried secrets, this chilling and disturbing tale had everything I wanted and more. Yet another book that deftly walked the line between family drama and thriller, it’s quite simply not one to be missed. Rating of 4.5 stars.

Thank you to Mary Keliikoa, Oceanview Publishing, NetGalley and Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

The novel "Don't Ask Don't Follow" begins with the gruesome discovery of a brutally murdered body. The first chapter is so gripping that it immediately caught my attention!

Beth and Lindsay are sisters who have pursued different careers. Beth is a paralegal at her father's law firm, while Lindsay is an investigative journalist always looking for her next big story.

Beth discovers her boss dead in his office and sees her sister fleeing the crime scene. This incident prompts her to embark on a dangerous journey to find her sister, which leads her to Lindsay's latest investigation. Beth uncovers shocking information along the way, and the suspense builds with every chapter. The book takes you on a thrilling journey as Beth tries to find her sister while unraveling the mystery behind her boss's death. It's a suspenseful and exhilarating read!

Thanks Oceanview Publishing and Thriller Book Lovers The Pulse, for providing a copy of this book through NetGalley. As always, all opinions are my own and left voluntarily.

#DontAskDontFollow #MaryKeliikoa #OceanviewPublishing #NetGalley #justfinished #ARC #honestreview #thriller #bookreviewer #thrillerbooklovers #thrillerfriendsunite #thrillerobsessedbookishclub #ReadersOfTheLateArc #TalkWordyToMeTeam #lovetoread #bookworm #lovebooks #booknerd #readaholic #bookstagrammer #booktok #booktoker

"𝑪𝑯𝑶𝑶𝑺𝑬 𝑾𝑰𝑺𝑬𝑳𝒀. 𝑾𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒃𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒎𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒉𝒊𝒎? 𝑶𝒓 𝒍𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒉𝒊𝒎? 𝑳𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒔𝒂𝒚 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒃𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒆, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈?"

Special thanks to @thrillerbookloversthepulse @mary.keliikoa.author and @netgalley for the #gifted eARC.

👉🏼 swipe for synopsis ➡️

This was definitely a thriller to keep you guessing. It gave me part cat and mouse game / part conspiracy theory come to life vibes.

To be honest, this very thing probably happens every day, which is super sad, and maybe this book will shed a light on this "industry".

The last third of the book had some wicked twists around every page, characters dropping like flies and secrets being unraveled by the minute.

I'd definitely recommend this book to lovers of Karin Slaughter and Gregg Olsen!

PUB DATE:
June 4, 2024

QOTD ❓️⁉️❓️Are you or anyone you know adopted?
Did someone tell you, or did you find out yourself?

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#mysteryandthrills #thrillerbooklovers #thrillerlover #booklover #bookcommunity #bookbuzz #upcomingrelease #upcomingthriller #dontaskdontfollow #netgalley #marrykeliikoa #thrillerbookloverfeature
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I loved this book!! I too am like Beth and would NOT have followed my sister's advise to Don't Ask, Don't Follow. Loved all the twists, and the legal aspect. Great book.

Beth, a paralegal at a law firm, is at a party hosted at the firm when she has a rather odd encounter with her boss. When she hits her socialising limit, she heads back to her office where she finds her boss dead. She's sure she sees her older sister running from the building but doesn't know what this means. Beth starts looking into the murder of her boss, and the disappearance of her sister but pretty soon finds herself chasing a story that puts her own life on the line.
This one started really strong but I felt like it fizzled out a little somewhere in the middle. It became very repetitive at points. It ended on a fairly strong note too though so I'll forgive the author for losing steam in the process. This was a plot line I'd not come across before and there were plenty of twists that kept me hooked. Overall, not a bad read and I look forward to reading more from this author.

This was my first book by Mary Keliikoa and I enjoyed it more then I thought going into it. I’m going to be looking into her other books now and giving them a try thanks to this one.

Don’t Ask, Don’t Follow follows Beth Ralston a paralegal who’s sister has gone missing and involved in more then she knows. Lindsay is an investigative reporter who’s bent on finding out the truth in everything she’s looking into, she’s also Beth’s sister. When there is a party at Beth’s works office and her boss is found murdered with only a quick glacé at her sister and her phone with a message.

I feel like this book started off pretty quickly with everything going on and Beth following in her sister footsteps to try to uncover what has happened to her sister. She quickly gets way to involved and is making herself a target as well as others, but she just won’t quit till she get’s to the bottom of it.

For me I found Beth to be a bit annoying at times and bothered me, but I also get why she was the way she was. The secrets she finds out about her family and others is wild to see and I enjoyed finding out along with Beth. But I would recommend this book and have others give it a try and see what they think.

I’d like to thank NetGalley, Oceanview Publishing and Author Mary Keliikoa for allowing me to read and review this ARC. This book will be published June 4, 2024.

A twisted tale of intrigue and family drama with many moving parts that come together seamlessly. The story opens with a bang at an office party when the main character Beth finds her boss dead in his office as her sister Lindsay flees the scene. The suspense continues to build throughout the story as Beth desperately searches for her sister and the truth about who murdered her boss. I loved Beth's character and her tenacity to keep pushing for answers despite all the roadblocks put up by everyone she knows. This is one to add to your list if you're a fan of thrillers.

This might be one of the best character-driven psych thrillers I have read lately, and as a bonus – this one was very well written! For me, it was less the action and the thrill, but more of peeling back layers upon layers of the characters, to uncover what exactly was going on there. And then, throw in a hefty dose of lies and secrets. And then, who is the cat? Who is the mouse? Filled with deep and developed characters, this was an excellent read.

Thank you to Thriller Book Lover Promotions, Oceaview Pubishing and Mary Keliikoa for the ARC!

Paralegal Beth Ralston would rather be working than mingling at the office party - especially when her sister, Lindsay, doesn’t show up. After showing face and schmoozing the proper higher up’s (including her father), she returns to her office to work only to find her boss, Craig, has been murder. As she attempts to understand what’s happening, she sees a woman fleeing down the hall. The woman looks a lot like Lindsay - but her sister can’t possibly have anything to do with Craig’s murder, could she? When Beth notices her sister left her phone behind with a text on the screen - Don’t ask, don’t follow. When she’s unable to get a hold of Lindsay for days, and falling under suspicion herself, Beth begins looking into things herself.

This was a great character-driven mystery! I enjoyed trying to solve the mystery along with Beth and getting to know Lindsay in what Beth uncovered. Beth had a complicated relationship with her family, and I admired her destination to do things herself and never giving up on her sister. I wasn’t sure what direction the story was going to go, and several twists surprised me. Mary Keliikoa did a beautiful job exploring the relationship between sisters and shining a light on several social issues as well.

“Don’t Ask, Don’t Follow” releases June 4, 2024! This review will be shared to my instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly :)

Full of twists, this book ups the ante in suspense. I was hooked from the beginning. I felt like I was right alongside Beth for the ride. There were characters to love, and some to love to hate. Either way you want to know more.