𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: ★★★★★
𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: mystery • suspense • ya

I COULDN'T STOP THINKING ABOUT THIS BOOK. If you know me, you know that two of my favorite things are true crime and books. Put the two together and I AM HOOKED. This is a totally amazing book and I loved every second of it. I had to stop reading in order to do errands, and I couldn't stop thinking about the book. I've read countless mysteries and thrillers, but this one is now my favorite. IT WAS THAT GOOD! The plot, the characters, the setting, all of it was beyond brilliant. At first the plot reminded me a lot of a real true crime case, but then it got even more twisted. Throughout the whole book I was trying to figure out and solve the case, but it was just a total mind bender. I WAS NOT EXPECTING THE END. Its one of those books where you have to sit there for like 30 mins after you finish it just to process it. Amazingly well written, I literally have no qualms. I would 100% recommend, it was TOP TIER.

I loved Bel's character, she was funny and sarcastic. She was also really smart and always a step ahead of everyone else. Ash, the boy film assistant, was also an okay side character/love interest. Bel's mom, Rachel, was also an interesting character, and her character development was INSANE!

Bel Price hasn't seen her mom in 16 years. No one has. Rachel Price vanished 16 years ago on an icy road in New Hampshire, leaving behind two-year-old Bel and Rachel's husband Charlie. No one knows where she went. Did she leave on he own? Was she abducted? If so, how? The case made international headlines and intrigued and stumped millions of people. Throughout Bel's whole life she's been known as "Rachel's Daughter", the women famous for her mysterious disappearance. Now at eighteen, she just wants to get through high school and live a normal life. However, when a film crew comes to town to make a documentary about the case, Bel and her family will be forced to dig up old memories. Everyone has millions of questions, but the case gets a completely unexpected turn of events when something EXTREMELY crazy happens. Rachel reappears. Everyone is thrilled, except for Bel. Bel expects something is off with her newly reappeared mother. She vows to discover the real story. Along the way she will have to sort through secrets, lies, and her own life to reach the truth.

I LOVED THIS BOOK! I will definitely be reading more Holly Jackson books in the future.

Thank you to Net Galley and Random House Children's for the opportunity to read this early!

xoxo ells.library💋

this was a fun read! i didn't like it quite as much as a good girl's guide to murder, but i liked the last bit especially, and i was surprised by the ultimate ending.

I've been a fan of Holly Jackson since her Good Girls Guide to Murder book.

I loved every minute of this book! Holly Jackson drew me in from the beginning and nailed the plot twists. I liked the documentary and interview style, overall pacing and the deep dive into family dynamics. Easy 5 star rating from me.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.

DNF at 40%. There were so many ridiculous things that happened in the first 3-4 chapters of the book. Things that just didn’t make sense. Bel, the main character was just so insufferable. I didn’t care about any of these characters. It was just so slow and boring, nothing happened after Rachel reappeared in about Ch 5 and I just didn’t care anymore about why she went missing. I considered skimming to the end but felt like it was a waste of time.

4.5 Stars!!

Holly Jackson's "The Reappearance of Rachel Price" is a total page-turner that'll have you hooked and guessing at the whodunit REAL QUICK (and if you’re like me, changing your mind 57 times, to STILL BE WRONG). Seriously, why was I always wrong?!

Bel's mom vanished years ago, leaving her with more questions than answers. But just when she thought things couldn’t get crazier, her mom shows up back in town and upends literally everything. Cue the jaw drops!

Jackson throws you right into the thick of it with Bel as she tries to untangle the mystery of her mom's disappearance and navigate a film crew that’s decided that Rachel Price's disappearance is documentary-worthy… And let me tell you, it's a wild ride! With every chapter, you'll be on the edge of your seat, trying to piece together the puzzle alongside Bel.

Sure, there are a few moments where you might feel like yelling at the characters for being a tad repetitive, but trust me, it's all part of the suspense. Jackson knows how to keep you guessing until the very end, and when the big reveal hits, it's like a punch in the gut (in a good way, of course).

So, if you're looking for a book that'll keep you up way past your bedtime (*cough 1:00 am is when I finished it cough*), "The Reappearance of Rachel Price" is it. Grab a copy, a blanket and a snack, and get ready for a wild ride you won't forget!

The Reappearance of Rachel Price was amazing. Certainly loads better than Jackson’s previous book- Five Survive.

If Jackson’s first three books were about how Good Girls approach an unsolved case, then Reappearance is its antithesis with the main character Bel being as far away from a good girl as she can get. Reading this book was like being in an actual episode of Dateline. Jackson does an amazing job of making it immersive for the reader.

While the first sixteen percent is rather slow, it really picks up in the back half giving you mystery after mystery. There were so many suspects, and I never could pin down the who done it. A whole lot of uh-oh, maybe that character isn’t a nice person.

The final twist? Honestly- fucking jaw dropping.

Four stars, Holly Jackson. Four stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Such a fun thriller!! A really great concept that was excecuted masterfully. Very addicted story, I read it very quickly.

Yes yes yes. Although more like a 4.5 stars, Holly Jackson hit the ball out of the park with this one. It had me hooked from the very beginning. There were some aspects of the ending that I didn't love, but I overall thought it was fantastic. Creepy and intriguing.

Holly Jackson is an absolute star. Once again, she's delivered an excellent YA mystery/thriller that incorporates true crime in pop culture. This time, the focus is on Bel Price and her family as they're being filmed for a documentary that explores the sixteen year old mysterious disappearing of Bel's mom, Rachel Price. Suddenly, in the middle of filming this documentary, Rachel Price mysteriously reappears, with an explanation of "where she's been all these years" that has more than a few holes.

This book had lots of twisty turns, and I read into the night, itching to find out what would happen next as Bel unraveled the mystery of the disappearance & reappearance of Rachel Price, and the dark web of family secrets that ensues.

Holly Jackson really knows how to suck you into the mystery and scandal. This book starts off with a bang and keeps you on your toes throughout. There are a bunch of popular recent books mentioned (which is fun since I have read every single one). The nickname Bel gives her Grandma is hilarious. And Ash makes me think of Zach Galifianakis. Suspense and laughs….this book is a good time. Not to mention I could never quite figure out what was going to happen. One of my favorite thrillers this year.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced release copy in exchange for an honest review

3.5 stars

The Reappearance of Rachel Price is about the Price family, specifically Bel, who was found alone in her mother's car when she was a toddler and her mother disappeared. Bel's father Charlie has agreed to do a documentary about Rachel's disappearance. After Bel's interview, she sees a woman who looks like her mother as she is walking home. She runs home and the woman shows up, claiming to be her mother. Bel doesn't believe Rachel's story and wants things to go back to the way they were before. She works to dig up the truth about what happened, with the help of Ash, one of the helpers working on the documentary.

The story is told from Bel's POV and started off REALLY slow. Bel's mad at most of the world and doesn't let people close to her because she expects them to leave her. She also doesn't trust most people because she had to live through her father being accused of killing her mother in a small town. When her mother shows up, she doesn't trust her story after hearing some inconsistencies early on. To get to the bottom of it, she partners with Ash, who trades snarky barbs with her. Once Bel and Ash start finding more inconsistencies in Rachel's story, the book really takes off (like, I was up reading it until 4 am and only stopped reading because I felt like I had the answers when I only had 3 chapters left...I did not). There were several twists and turns, some of which I saw coming, some of which I did not. Starting off, I'd expected this to be a 2 - 3 star read and it really elevated itself once it got rolling so I highly recommend it - just know you will need to push through early on.

A huge thank you to netgalley for allowing me to read this Arc! This book truly had me from the first page and I could not put it down. I will definitely be purchasing a copy for my classroom, multiple copies because I know that the students will love it. Very well developed and kept me guessing the whole time!

“What do you mean you don’t know?” … “I don’t know where I was.”

4.5⭐️
Holly Jackson has done it again with this book. HJ is most definitely an auto buy author for me no one gives me the shivers when reading like she does. The way she executes her plot twists with such precision she never fails to leave my jaw on the floor. On top of that her characters are very easy to connect to personally I was rooting for Bel from the very beginning. I’m not exaggerating when I say we have a Pip and Ravi dynamic going on. It made me feel things that A Good Girls Guide To Murder did. I recommend anything from HJ but this is my new go to recommendation.

“The man who took me. I never knew his name. Couldn’t see much of him.”
“How-“
“He kept me in the dark.”

The story follows our fmc Annabel “Bel” Price . After 16 years after her mother Rachel disappeared a director starts to film a documentary based on her disappearance. All they know is Bel and her mom entered the mall and were never seen leaving. Bel is the only one found after appearing on the side of the rode inside Rachel’s empty car. As the family starts to be interviewed and information is being told the last thing anyone expects to happen does Rachel is alive and back. Determined to find out the truth Bel investigates only to find a web of lies and deceit. With the the help of the director’s nephew they start to untangle the mystery but not everything is as it seems…

“Rachel Price might just be lying.”

Annabel Price ~ I want to take moment to talk about the main character. I love Bel she is such a strong and resilient main character. I connected to her a lot weee close in age which also probably helps. I appreciated seeing a fmc that was a little grumpy, usually fmc’s they’re super cheery constantly. Bel felt like a real person, she had her flaws but that only made her more like able. I hope that if you read this that you liked her as much as I did.

“She could only choose one side. His or Hers.”

To rap this up I’m going to be honest, I didn’t guess a single plot twist. You better sit back and enjoy this one because you’re not going to know what’s happening until the very end and then it makes so much sense. I hope if you read this you love it too. This is the perfect twisty thriller that will keep you reading throughout the night.

A big thank you to NetGalley, Delacorte Press, and Holly Jackson for providing a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review. Please note that all these thoughts are my own and I left this review voluntarily.

Release date is April 2, 2024

3.75 stars in rounded up ⭐️ this was an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. I thought our main girl Bel was so insufferable for about 60-70% of the book but the story was written in a such a way that I’m like “I have to see if all her annoying actions paid off” By then end of the book, I not only saw why she was like but also completely changed my opinion on her. The ending was very satisfying to me. I gave 3,75 the overall story was anticlimactic at times up until 60-70% when we started getting chunks of the truth.

Hey everyone, welcome back to Pages of Perfiction, the slay YA book review blog. Today, we have an ARC review of "The Reappearance of Rachel Price" by Holly Jackson. The book comes out on April 2 (in three days!) but I received a free copy of the book in exchange for a honest review. I will be honest: A Good Girl's Guide to Murder is one of my favorite books and I may have screamed when I realized I was approved to read Holly Jackson's latest book. I also might have bragged to my friends a little, but what else was I supposed to do?
Like I expected, this book was perfection, cementing Holly Jackson's name is YA mysteries. Definitely a five-star read. Let's dive into why!

characters

Holly Jackson doesn't just create characters; she breathes life into them. Bel, our protagonist, is as real as they come. Her determination, her fears, and her relentless pursuit of the truth make her a character you can't help but root for. As she peels back the layers of her family's secrets, we're right there with her, feeling every heartache, every moment of triumph, and every sting of betrayal.

storytelling

Jackson's storytelling is nothing short of brilliant. She manages to keep the suspense dialed up to eleven, ensuring you're glued to the pages. The pacing is a work of art, with each chapter ending on a note that makes putting the book down impossible. It's a wild ride through a maze of secrets, lies, and revelations that keeps you guessing until the very end.

what sets it apart

What sets this book apart isn't just the masterful storytelling or the compelling characters; it's how it stays with you long after you've turned the last page. Jackson has crafted a world so vivid, so enthralling, that you can't help but be drawn in. It's a book that invites discussion, speculation, and a deep dive into its themes and symbolism.

the verdict

The Reappearance of Rachel Price is more than just a book; it's an experience. Holly Jackson has outdone herself, delivering a novel that is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining. Whether you're a fan of mysteries, thrillers, or just good storytelling, this book is a must-read. It earns a glowing five stars from me, not just for its plot but for its heart, its complexity, and its sheer unputdownable nature. Is unputdownable a word? Well, it is now.

conclusion

So there you have it, my deep dive into Holly Jackson's latest offering. If you're looking for a book that combines the thrill of a mystery with the depth of a literary masterpiece, look no further. The Reappearance of Rachel Price is that rare gem that comes along once in a blue moon, offering not just a story, but a journey. And it's one journey you don't want to miss.

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Post Date: March 30, 2024
Blog url: https://www.pagesofperfiction.com/
Review link: https://www.pagesofperfiction.com/2024/03/the-reappearance-of-rachel-price-by.html

**Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC!**

Honestly this book has an incredibly slow start, and the only reason I kept going was because I knew Rachel was going to reappear and trigger the entire mystery. It took about a quarter of the book for her to make an appearance but the plot didn't pick up till half way. While the characters were fleshed out amazingly (and the romance so slight but so fitting for the overall story), the repetitive narration and slow pacing took away from the experience.

In the end though, the overall thriller aspect was fun with the plot twists and turns, and this family is definitely going to need some therapy lol. I can say that my expectations were higher but it was still a fun book! I definitely binged the last half (slightly because pub day is coming in a few days) because of how invested I was at one point!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Holly Jackson does it again! Another plotty, twisty story keeping me up until nearly midnight so I can finish it.

Nothing in this story is as it seems. Everything is a red herring and also a clue. This rivals the Murdaughs (IYKYK).

Bel is thrown for a loop when her missing mother of 16 years returns as mysteriously as she disappeared. Tensions are high, doubts are raised, and it becomes a race for the truth.

I first read Five Survive by Holly Jackson before I dove into AGGGTM. While I enjoyed that series, I am more drawn to her stand-alone mysteries.

I have whiplash from going back and forth of who was guilty or lying and who could be involved. At one point, I knew who was involved but not the extent or the why, and then the final twist was 🤯.

This one will keep you on your toes and have you questioning what is the truth and what is a lie.

Also, I know this was more of a mother-daghter story and not a romance, but I would love more Bel and Ash!

Such a gripping mystery! I could not put this one down. I don’t want to say too much because it is a mystery but truly I loved it!

This took me forEVER to read…the first part dragged big time & the writing style was very odd. It did not feel like the same author who wrote AGGGTM - it felt rushed, sloppy, and more like fan fiction than a properly edited, polished novel. The last 1/3 was intriguing and the plot came together decently, but I already didn’t care as much as I should have about the characters or the book as a whole. The love story felt forced. I liked it just about as much as Five Survive. Both of the plot ideas for the 2 books had potential, but both had flawed execution.

What a ride!

Bel Price was just 2 years old when she was left in her mother, Rachel’s, car alongside the side of the road and her mother seemingly disappeared into thin air. Now, 16 years later, the family has agreed to speak publicly about the case for the first time, for a documentary, in order to pay for her grandfather’s in-home dementia care. But halfway through filming, Rachel suddenly walks through the door, saying she’s been held captive by an unknown man. But Bel begins finding holes in her story. So what really happened to Rachel? And why would she lie about it?

This book is just the amazingly twisting and turning read I needed right now. It was so good, I just had no idea what was coming next, not because it was nonsensical or anything, but because there were clues that pointed to different scenarios at any given time. Therefore, there were enough suspects, leads, and motives to support any number of guesses at any given time.

And when the truth is revealed whoooooo boy. It’s a doozy. The clues are there, but it’s about whether you picked them up or not, like a modern-day Agatha Christie thriller. I was so stoked reading this ending as it unraveled, I couldn’t put it down once I reached a certain point. And the author leaves a certain leaves a little bit of open threads - just enough to make you think. It’s awesome.

I’m beginning to gush a little bit, but that’s because I really did enjoy this book that much. It was a great mystery, with a some thrills and chills really mixed in nicely. I can’t recommend it enough. It may be marketed as a YA book, but it read fine to me as an “adult” book. No worries there.

If you’re looking for a great read in this genre, pick this up, no question!