Really enjoyed the pace and premise of this thriller. The chapters are short and punchy, making it easy for readers to devour this book in a day (or less!). Also, the alternating timeline adds an interesting layer to the narrative. This book explores concepts such a trauma, survival, and family dynamics. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for this review!

This book kept me guessing the entire time. Was there someone else in the woods? Is there a killer we don’t know about? What really happened after the plane crash? I did not even come close. Great suspense, and also family dynamics. I wish the ending would have unfolded a bit more, but maybe in another book?

I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review-
A plane with a family of four crashes. They say someone messed with the fuel cap or did they?
For 12 weeks the to girls struggle to survive till rescue. When they tell their story they say mom and dad died instantly - but did they? And when someone decides to do a documentary on the plane crash the girls become worried- what secrets will, come out? Was the plane sabotaged? What really happened to the parents?

After losing their parents in an airplane accident as children, Fiona and Violet Seng have to survive in the wilderness for months afterwards. They are tight-lipped about this experience, privately dubbing this period the Alone Time.

The sisters react to their childhood trauma in very different ways - Fiona pours her suffering into her art projects, while Violet succumbs to addiction, before recovering to become a writer. Where they do experience a meeting of the minds is with regard to keeping their wilderness experience entirely to themselves.

But as they discover to their discomfiture, the past has a life of its own. And when a new documentary decides to explore the stories of the lost girls, Violet and Fiona are put under the spotlight, inconsistencies soon emerging in their version of events.

To make matters worse, there are new allegations that their parents' death may not have been an accident. All in all, the sisters now face a situation where ignoring the events of the past is no longer an option open to them...

Marr has crafted a compelling narrative, and one that is hard to put down. The scars of past trauma and the complications of family dynamics are put under the microscope and mercilessly scrutinised. The result is a thought provoking story that lingers in the reader's mind.

The Alone Time explores the traumatic past of two sisters, Fiona and Violet Seng, who resurfaces with devastating consequences, as they are forced to confront their family tragedy and the long-buried secrets that surround it. The story begins with a plane crash that took the lives of Fiona and Violet's parents when they were just children. Stranded in the unforgiving wilderness of Washington, the sisters endured twelve harrowing weeks before being rescued. Two and a half decades later, they are still haunted by the trauma of their Alone Time in the wild.

Fiona channels her pain into her controversial works of art, while Violet struggles with addiction and a history of failed relationships as she endeavours to lead a more normal life as a writer. The sisters have never spoken about the details of their time in the wilderness, a dark chapter they have collectively chosen to leave buried. However, their past resurfaces when they become the subjects of a documentary that rekindles public interest in the "girl survivors" and raises questions about their version of the events.

As disturbing details about the Seng family emerge, a mysterious woman alleges that the plane crash was deliberate. Fiona and Violet find themselves at a crossroads, compelled to come together and confront the horrifying truth of what truly transpired in the wilderness. In doing so, they must also grapple with the revelations about their parents and their own identities before more sinister secrets from their past come to light.

Marr crafts a riveting psychological thriller that delves into the complexities of family bonds, trauma, and the enduring impact of a shared ordeal. The narrative is rife with tension, suspense, and a deep exploration of the psychological scars left by the past. It is a harrowing journey into the hearts and minds of two sisters who must confront their darkest memories and uncover the unsettling truths that have haunted them for years. Elle Marr's storytelling masterfully navigates the terrain of psychological suspense, leaving readers captivated until the final, shocking revelations.

It is a gripping psychological thriller that explores the enduring effects of trauma and the high cost of buried family secrets. Elle Marr's narrative prowess creates a haunting and thought-provoking story that will keep readers engaged from start to finish.

This was a bit of a slow burn for me. Damaged sisters, a secret, some lies and more than one Character seeking the truth, it had all the ingredients but didn’t deliver. A received an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review

One of the dumbest and most illogical books I've ever read. The premise--that the world not only still cares 25 years later about a plane crash of a family of unknows where the children live but the parents purportedly died but is obsessed with it-is absurd in itself. People don't obsess over JFK's assassination the way they supposedly do over this minor story. It only gets sillier from there. Characters say things that make no sense, and Marr seems to forget things she's already written as the story progresses, as logic takes a backseat in this mess. I found myself eye rolling quite often. Overdramatic dialogue is well-represented here. Just a lot of nonsense in the end. Don't waste your time. Thanks to Netgalley for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Alone Time was my very first read by this author. I enjoyed the past and present storyline of Fiona, Violet, and their parents. So many things happened that kept you wondering. It took a huge twist (in a good way) that I wasn't quite expecting.
Thank you netgalley for the chance to read this book for my honest review.

"The Alone Time" by Elle Marr is a riveting novel that explores the lasting impact of a traumatic childhood experience on two sisters and the disturbing secrets they've buried for years.

Fiona and Violet Seng were just children when their family's plane crashed in the Washington wilderness, leaving them orphaned and forced to fend for themselves for twelve harrowing weeks before being rescued. Now, twenty-five years later, they are still haunted by the trauma of those Alone Time weeks. Fiona channels her experiences into controversial art, while Violet struggles with addiction and tumultuous relationships, seeking solace in her writing. The sisters avoid talking about what happened during their ordeal until they become the subjects of a documentary, reigniting public interest in their story and casting doubt on their version of events.

As unsettling details about their family emerge, a mysterious woman claims that the plane crash was deliberate. Fiona and Violet must confront their past and the horrifying truth of what really happened during their time in the wilderness. Dark secrets come to light, and the sisters are forced to question not only their parents but also themselves.

Elle Marr crafts a gripping narrative with expertly timed revelations that keep readers engaged and eager to uncover the truth. The alternating perspectives between Fiona and Violet offer insight into their individual struggles and perspectives, adding depth to the characters and their complex relationship.

The themes of trauma, memory, and the power of secrets are skillfully explored throughout the story. As the plot unfolds, it becomes evident that there is much more to the sisters' story than initially meets the eye. The author's ability to create a sense of unease and tension adds to the overall suspense of the novel.

"The Alone Time" is a thought-provoking and suspenseful tale that examines the lasting effects of trauma and the ways in which family secrets can shape our lives. Elle Marr's storytelling prowess shines as she weaves a tale of mystery and emotional depth that will keep readers hooked until the very end. If you enjoy psychological thrillers with complex characters and unexpected twists, this book is a must-read.

Elle Marr usually explores complicated family relationships in her books and this was no exception. The Alone Time is, at first, the story of two sisters who survived a plane crash 25 years ago and are struggling to cope in the present. Violet and Fiona lived for months in the wild alone after the crash killed their parents. The tragedy garnered them sympathy but also suspicion. When a documentary film maker approaches them to talk about the past they are initially hesitant but relent once a woman comes forward claiming to be their father's mistress from 25 years ago. Violet begins to remember flashes of things that happened while Fiona tries to get the woman discredited. As the present day chapters alternate with accounts from the crash, the reader slowly unravels the truth: something happened after the crash that the sisters don't want to reveal, Ever. The twist near the end of the book were great. I didn't see it coming. I've read other Elle Marr books before but this one is one of her best. I read it in a few days. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

What a ride that was.
The Alone Time by E. Marr, published by Thomas & Mercer is a full-length, stand-alone thriller of its finest.
Fiona and Violet , a plane crash stranded them for 12 weeks in the wilderness before they were found.
Twenty-five years later, they’re still trying to move on. The estranged sisters never speak about what they call their Alone Time in the wild.
Until they become the subject of a documentary that renews fascination with them.

A raw and gritty read, twisted full of unexpected twists and turns that had me guessing till the last pge. I recommend the book. 5 stars.

I really enjoy the format of these kinds of novels, where they alternate between past and present to find out what actually happened back then. The problem with that format is that sometimes it feels too dragged out, but not in this book. The chapters were the perfect length and made me read the entire thing in one day. I appreciated that the twists kept coming up until the last pages. The book explores what one does to survive and how to deal with the after math of that, which I found really interesting.

I didn’t think I would love this story, but it really defied my expectations. It was so great and I really loved the originality of the plot and the character arcs. Definitely a fan and would recommend!

have to give this book a big WOW! Wasn’t what I was expecting in a good way. Great suspense/thriller story that I had to keep reading. Would definitely recommend!

Wow! What a thriller!! This was amazing! The pacing was fantastic and the characters and plot too. I could just not put it down.
I loved the ending as well.
Great twists and just a fantastic thriller.

What an unexpected surprise this one was! I inhaled it in a few hours!

So twisted and sinister, if you think you know where this is headed, trust me, you do not. EM did her job almost too well. The Alone Time was entertaining as hell!

Thanks to T & M and NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

Pub dat: 3.12.24.

Elle Marr knocked this one right out of the park! Just wow! I could not put this down from the first words until the last. This is a must read for 2024 especially if you like dark, twisty, emotionally haunting reads.

Thank you #netgalley and #thomasandmercer for the eARC. One of the best I've read this year.

My stomach is in knots after reading this one. Both haunting and sickening, there were so many twists that left my jaw hanging.

The story alternates between the perspectives of the Seng family. As children, Violet and Fiona are on a passenger plane with their parents, when it suddenly plummets and crashes in the wilderness. Their parents are tragically killed and the girls are left alone for weeks before they’re finally rescued.

Now in their 30’s, the sisters are estranged and continue to live with the trauma from their “alone time”. They’re forced back together when they become subjects of a documentary, bringing their quiet lives back into the public eye. At the same time, a woman from their father’s past appears and claims to know the truth of what really happened.

Alone Time is psychologically chilling with sick twists at every corner. The story lightly covers unexpected themes such as, split personalities and cannibalism, which adds complex layers to the story without being overtly graphic. Overall, I really enjoyed the book, but the ending is stopping me from giving it 5 stars. The final revelation was the best and biggest shock of the story, but what followed after was disappointing. I would’ve liked to see a different response from that specific character. In retrospect, the character deserved a “happy ending” moment, but it felt a bit cliché and undermined the horrific events that happened.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the e-ARC.

Wow that ending! This book had so many twists and turns I was hooked throughout. I will definitely be reading more books by Elle Marr after this!

This is such a thrilling novel! This book has such strong fall vibes. The way Elle Marr wrote about trauma in this novel just felt genuine. Nothing felt forced or just written to further the plot. Also, can we talk about the ending?! One of the best thrillers I've read in a while.