Member Reviews
Holly Jackson fans will appreciate this YA suspense novel about 18-year old Bel, whose mother, Rachel Price, mysteriously disappeared when Bel was two. When Price's disappearance becomes the subject of a true crime documentary, she suddenly reappears with a story about where she's been for 16 years.. But Bel isn't buying it.. Teamed up with a member of the film crew, Bel starts tracking down the truth. Her path is twisty with surprises all the way to the end.
Holly Jackson knows how to draw the YA reader. This novel is an easy add to our high school media center order list!
Thank you to Random House Children’s Books and NetGalley for this EARC!
GOOD GOLLY AND HOLY GUACAMOLE! This book is pure gold. From the FIRST page I was hooked.
What a perfect time to write this book as well. If there’s anything that has taken America by storm it’s true crime. This book is written like a behind the scenes true crime documentary with the following of Bel!
It’s so good. It’s so funny. It just sucks you in and won’t let go.
Bels mom disappeared 16 years ago. Bel was in the backseat of the car when her mom vanished. At just under 2 years old, she doesn’t remember any details or anything that happened. 16 years later, during a documentary filming, Rachel Price reappears.
From then on it is absolutely everything I needed in a book. I don’t want to say it was twist after twist, but more that it was just breath holding suspense. I absolutely adored every second of reading this book. I love Holly Jackson’s writing and yet again she does not disappoint.
Do yourself a favor and go grab this book!
this one was a let down for me. the plot sounded super interesting, i loved the idea of following along while they made the true crime doc but i just felt like it was lacking. i wish we saw more of ash and bel, i really enjoyed their dynamic. other than that i didn’t feel too connected to any of the characters, which was pretty disappointing
Ooo this was so good! Such an engaging story and well written characters. I couldn't put it down!
Thank you NetGalley and Holly Jackson!
4.25 ⭐️ wow! This had so many surprises in this story I loved it.
It was a little slow at times but it was worth it.
Bel’s mom disappeared when she was just a baby, leaving her in the back of a running car with only her dad to care for her.
A documentary crew is doing a film now on the mysterious disappearance of Rachel Price.
In the middle of this documentary and now 16 years later, she reappears! However Bel just isn’t really trusting her mom’s story! She’s going to get down to the real story of her disappearance.
This was definitely a nail biter and I loved the twists and craziness. It was one after another!!
Thank you NetGalley and Random House for the opportunity to read this.
Thank you Random House and NetGalley for an advanced copy of Holly Jackson’s newest thriller, “The Reappearance of Rachel Price”. I have always loved Jackson’s writing and her thrillers always completely surprised me at the end, and this one definitely did not disappoint. The story focuses on a documentary that is being made based on a disappearance of a young mother, whose two-year-old baby was left in the car on a snowy day. 16 years later, the baby is grown up and being interviewed for her theory on what might’ve happened to her mother. Unfortunately, she never gets to share her thoughts because her mother shows up at a seemingly convincing time. Did she have an affair? Did she plan her disappearance? All we know is the daughter she left behind has quite a few doubts. I was shocked by this ending, and I can’t wait to see what Jackson does next.
This was really good! It was extremely slow at first, which is why my rating isn't higher. It took about 40% before it got really good. There were parts of the book I predicted and other parts I didn't. This is the most predictable of her books for me, which isn't a bad thing. I did enjoy the concept of the book overall.
I was plunged into the life of Bel Price. The story follows the life of a woman named Bel Price, whose mother Rachel disappeared 16 years ago. Rachel suddenly reappears, and her return brings with it a lot of unanswered questions and family secrets. The plot kept me engaged and on the edge of my seat, as I followed Bel on her quest for the truth. The characters, especially Bel, were well-developed and the emotional journey was both gripping and heart-wrenching. Overall, the book is a testament to the author's skill in crafting suspenseful and emotionally charged mysteries.
Holly Jackson does it again!!! I loved the true crime aspect of the book! It reminded me of the podcasts I listen to! It was a true roller coaster! It had me sobbing at the end!
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of The Reappearance of Rachel Price.
I was a fan of the author's A Good Girl's Guide to Murder so I was pumped my request was approved.
It started off strong; Bel's mother has been missing over a decade and not long after a documentary on the appearance has begun, Rachel Price reappears.
I enjoy the mystery of disappearing and reappearing acts, a popular theme in mystery and thriller genres.
It's not easy to do, craft a story that allows the reader to reasonably suspend disbelief, and my bullcrap meter is set at a decent standard, you know what I'm saying?
But as the mystery unfolds, it became clear the author has taken a page out of the popular thriller handbook every thriller writer seems to employ now:
Throw every twist at the reader, and the kitchen sink. Including the fridge. See what sticks.
Bel was hard to like. At first, I understood her aloof, standoffish attitude. Who wouldn't feel abandoned after what happened to her?
But, then her prickly behavior began to sound as if she was trying to be too-cool-for school, and I couldn't stand it.
The narrative, at first, sounded intriguing, but then it began to drag. This was 100 pages too long..
It felt like the author had to meet her quota and just kept adding more filler; interactions between Bel and Carter, Bel playing Nancy Drew, Bel hanging out with the camera assistant guy, I forgot his name already.
Then, we get to that doozy of an ending. I mean, doozies.
I guessed a couple of the twists, but then I read almost exclusively books only in the thriller/mystery genre and I had a feeling the author was going to throw the whole kitchen kit and caboodle at her readers. And I was right.
That massive, monologuing info dump at the end by Bel's mom was so silly and unbelievable.
This happened, then that! And I've been sending you 'secret' messages here, and then this was done to me!
Also, there's NOO way Bel, Rachel or anyone in the family would be able to leave the house alone without the media hounding them, following their every move especially after Bel's dad had disappeared.
There's no way that final 'showdown' would have happened.
I'm glad the bad guys got their comeuppance but the ending felt too pat, too easy, but this is just a book.
Sixteen years ago, Rachel Price disappeared, leaving her daughter, Bel behind. Found in an empty car and now 18 years old, Bel has lived most her life knowing that she was the only witness. When her father agrees to be interviewed by a crew creating a documentary about it, Bel reluctantly agrees to participate. Having no memory of what happened that day, Bel uncovers the clues of that day. Then, the unthinkable happens, Rachel herself reappears with no memory of where she’s been. As Bel discovers a web of deceit and lies, can she piece together what really happened to Rachel?
The well-developed plot is full of twists and turns. The characters are likable and engaging. The story is full of intrigue, mystery, and brings the story to life. Fans of Holly Jackson, suspense, thrillers, murder mysteries, and unreliable narrators will enjoy reading this book. Recommended for most library collections. Gr 8 and up. 5 stars.
Please note: This was a review copy given to us by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. No financial compensation was received.
You gotta love stories that keep you guessing.... and this one delivered. I definitely did not anticipate all the twists and turns. Great read, highly recommend.
Holly Jackson does it again! She delivers a great book full of mystery and plot twists! The beginning was very catching, but did slow down for a bit and then picked back up again. Through out a lot of the book, I started questioning whether or not Rachel disappeared because her story wasn't adding up at all, and just like Bel I was suspicious of her mom.
But the story just kept taking so many turns, and each one more delicious than the last! I loved how snarky and relatable Bel's character was as well and highly recommend reading this one!!
Just when you think you have it figured out, Holly pulls the rug out from under your feet!
Annabel (Bel) has lived her whole life wondering what happened to her mom that disappeared 16 years earlier, leaving Bel in the backseat of a car to be discovered by a local teacher. When a film crew comes to her town to make a documentary about the missing mom, Bel and her family begrudgingly oblige, needing the money to pay for care for Bel's grandfather. However, life as Bel knows it is about to change: with the reappearance of her mom, Rachel. Now Bel and her family have to learn how to live with Rachel, and her story that seems to change frequently. Bel is struggling to accept Rachel and learns that everyone around her may be keeping sinister secrets.
This mystery is one of those that is incredibly detailed oriented, so I had a little trouble getting into it at first. However, once it started moving, it was so good and the twists kept coming. Some were guessable, but there were definitely some I didn't see coming!
Unfortunately, Bel might be one of the most unlikable characters I've ever read about. I was thankful that she had Carter throughout the book, because that was when she was most likable.
Overall, this is still such a fun mystery to read and I can't wait to read more from Holly!
Thank you to Random House Children's, Delacorte Press, and Netgalley for an eARC of this book! All opinions are my own!
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Holly Jackson's "The Reappearance of Rachel Price" is an absolute masterpiece in the realm of mystery fiction. From start to finish, Jackson weaves a captivating narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, eagerly turning pages to uncover the truth.
The protagonist, Rachel Price, is a complex and intriguing character whose reappearance sets off a chain of events that will leave you guessing until the very end. Jackson's writing is sharp and immersive, drawing readers into a world filled with secrets, lies, and unexpected revelations.
What sets this book apart is its clever plotting. Just when you think you have it all figured out, Jackson throws in a twist that will leave your jaw on the floor. The pacing is relentless, with each chapter ending in a cliffhanger that compels you to keep reading late into the night.
Furthermore, the supporting cast is equally well-developed, each with their own motivations and secrets that add depth to the story. The relationships between characters are realistic and nuanced, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the narrative.
Overall, "The Reappearance of Rachel Price" is a must-read for fans of mystery and suspense. Holly Jackson has crafted a gripping tale that will keep you guessing until the very end. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a thrilling read that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.
Actual Rating: 4.25/5 stars
Holly Jackson does it once again! I FLEW through this wild story, through all the twists and turns and family dynamics and lies. This book is perfect for my crime junkies out there as we are trying to solve this disappearance/reappearance while in the thick of it. It read so quickly because it was just so immensely addicting and really felt like we were watching this documentary. I couldn’t help but want to know more and solve this case myself, however I did not see a few of those twists coming! I think this book would be such a great one to dive into if you’re in a reading slump or just want a mystery thriller about a very messed up family where you don’t know who to believe. I already purchased a copy on my own accord because Holly Jackson is just that good.
I loved the documentary filming being an aspect of this book because while it did take the back burner towards the middle/end of the novel, it helped readers gain an insight into this family and be told all the clues without it seeming incredibly forced. I wish we got a little bit more of Ash because I loved Bel and his dynamic. Bel was rude to him, but I think a lot of that had to do with her trauma response and her not wanting to admit she liked him.
I will say, there are quite a few trigger warnings. Domestic violence, mental abuse, physical abuse, death, murder, attempted murder, child endangerment, and captivity are the main ones. This is one messed up family.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
4.5⭐️
What a ride! This true crime story about the daughter of a girl who went missing when she was only two was such a fun story to follow. The author did a really great job in fleshing out the characters and making them feel so real. She made me feel all the emotions the main character was feeling and it felt like I was inside the story. This was such an easy and fun read with a great plot line and twists!
Thank you so much for the eArc @delacortepress & @prha for the audio copy:
This is a story about family lost and found.
I was apathetic about that one for the first half- it was fine but I didn’t feel super invested in the outcome, which I thought I had for sure figured out… BUT I HAD NOT! This book went gloriously off the rails and I couldn’t look away for the 2nd half. I only have one real complaint involving the… mechanism for disposal? But overall this was such a solid read with lots of twists and turns.
Bel has spent nearly all of her life without her mom, Rachel Price, believing that she had been taken and killed when Bel was just 2 years old. Now that she’s 18, a film producer wants to reopen the past and make a documentary about about her mom’s strange, no clues left behind disappearance. Since Bel was the only witness, she becomes the “heart” of the film, even if she doesn’t remember anything about that day. Then the plot twists begin and are almost non-stop until the very end.
Setting up this story was slow going and took me a bit to get hooked. Some of the situations seemed pretty far fetched, and the relationship between Carter and Sherry needed to be flushed out more. However, there were many parts where I couldn’t put the book down and places where I gasped out loud because the author had me so surprised. Ultimately, this is another stellar mystery from Holly Jackson.
Another incredible story from Holly Jackson! Another incredible story from Holly Jackson! There is something about the way that Holly writes that hooks you from the very beginning and this book was no exception. I could not put it down!
I had really high high expectations for this book because I’ve loved her previous works and it did not disappoint. The story is compelling, I mean a woman disappears without a trace and then (spoiler alert) shows up randomly while the family is in the middle of filming a documentary about her?! The characters are well written and just complex enough that you can’t tell if you love them or hate them.
The main character and narrator Bel is equal parts smart and snarky the whole time that endears you to her immediately. She does a great job of pulling you in to all her theories and the twist and turns of the case. It takes a very talented, special writer to be able to weave a story that keeps you on your toes while also foreshadowing just enough to make you have that ah ha moment!
And that ah ha moment was shocking! I honestly didn’t expect this book to end the way it did which was refreshing in this genre. The twist was so good and I still can’t believe everything that Rachel (and Bel / Carter) went through to get there. I absolutely adore Holly Jackson’s writing and can’t wait to read more from her in the future!
*Thank you to NetGalley, Holly Jackson, Random House Children's and Delacorte Press for sending me a copy of this book to review. All thoughts are my own.*