As someone with a masters degree in Counseling and 10+ years working with people in crisis this was a very interesting thriller to read. Having a character who is battling an eating disorder while trying to find a dead/not dead parent and maintain a relationship was a whirlwind. I appreciate how the characters where depicted and their struggles made them very human. Great twists too!

Copied from Goodreads:

2.5 ⭐️ rounded up, but promising for a first novel

Sagit Schwartz' debut novel, "Since She's Been Gone," depicts a psychologist, Beatrice "Beans" Bennett, who receives a cryptic message about her mother's current safety. However, Bean's mother died in a hit-and-run 26 years ago. Beans follows the trail of her mother and learns a great deal about herself and her family. The novel operates in two time periods, the present and the aftermath of her mother's death when Beans was hospitalized for a physical and mental health concern. The journeys of mother and daughter echo each other across fifty years; 15-year-old Beans grows increasingly healthy as 41-year-old Beans moves towards the truth about her mother.
I was extremely frustrated with Beans' naivete. In following her mother's trail she makes dangerous decisions that any reader of thriller/suspense could tell you would have negative consequences. I thought Beans was well-constructed, though a little cliche. Similarly, the plot seemed needlessly convoluted. But, Schwartz shows promise for future novels. I will keep an eye out for her next publication.

TW: eating disorders, substance use/abuse

"Since She's Been Gone" is available in the US on February 6, 2024. Thanks to Penguin Random House, RB Digital Media, and Netgalley for this audio ARC given in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I was excited to listen to the audiobook but unfortunately it fell flat for me. The constant talk about her eating disorder in my opinion was irrelevant to the story. It felt like ED was the main topic of this book and it was not supposed to be. It was good but heard ED one too many times.

ARC audiobook provided in exchange for an honest review.

Ann Sprinkle does a wonderful job with the narration on this book! Her character voices are all distinct and it really helped to keep me engaged and a part of the story. The plot was very suspenseful and had so many twists! I know I would be a nervous wreck if someone showed up out of the blue and told me my mother was still alive and in danger! I really enjoyed how it was laid out with glimpses into her past when she was a teenager and struggling with an eating disorder. I would definitely recommend to anyone who likes mysteries and psychological thrillers!

Dual timelines seem to always get me immediately invested and quick chapters in this one made for easy reading. The subject matter is heavy but well done.

Beatrice AKA Beans is now a psychologist. She lost her mother at 15 and then fell hard into an eating disorder.

The past timeline deals with teen Beans and much of it takes place in a treatment center for her ED. The also delves in deep and shows us what ED is truly like from all sides - the child, the parent and the professionals offering help.

Present day Beans is in recovery, dating a widow with a daughter and successful at her career. Until she gets some news that rocks her world and sends her off on an investigation that has her questioning everything she knows about her parents and her life. So many secrets. So much danger.

We go on a wild ride with Beans and this one definitely kept me guessing.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books and Thriller Book Lovers Promotions for an ARC and allowing me to be part of this tour! And to HighBridge Audio for an ALC - audio was also amazing, but I didn't expect less!

Since She's Been Gone is an impressive debut that blew me away.

I have been anticipating this book since I first heard about it ages ago. I sat on it for months. I have a habit of "saving" my favorite things, my most anticipated things.

With release day coming up, the saving had to stop.

This was an emotional journey, as eating disorders, specifically anorexia, were a big part of the story.

I appreciated the honesty and vulnerability that was front and center as the MC battled her demons. This was secondary to the main story but was so well done, I sometimes forgot that wasn't the main point. The eating disorder was so well developed, it was like it's own character.

The thriller part of the story is very action packed, and very intense. This book has been likened to The Last Thing He Told Me and that is a fitting comparison.

This was a fantastic debut!

The audio narration was fantastic.

I thoroughly enjoyed this gripping thriller that had me hooked from the very first page. The narrative unfolds with electrifying intensity, keeping me on the edge of my seat as the story takes unexpected twists and turns.

From the start, unexpected plot developments wove an enthralling tapestry of suspense, delivering a heart-pounding journey that refused to release its hold. The protagonist's encounters with challenges and triumphs created a rollercoaster of gripping moments, leaving me eagerly anticipating the next unexpected twist.

What truly sets this thriller apart is its ability to maintain an exciting atmosphere throughout. The story doesn't merely progress; it thrills, offering an electrifying reading experience that held my attention with each passing page.

For those seeking a thrilling narrative that begins with gripping intensity and sustains it until the very end, this is a must-read. Brace yourself for a page-turner that will keep you hooked, promising the kind of excitement that leaves you yearning for more.

3.5 Stars

Beatrice Bennett's journey has been tough ever since she experienced the profound loss of her mother at the tender age of 15. This tragic event triggered an eating disorder within her, leading to years of struggle before she could regain healthier eating habits. Now, after decades have passed, Beatrice, who now works as a clinical psychologist, finds herself confronted with a new patient who firmly believes that her mother is not only alive but potentially in grave danger. Once again, Beatrice's world is upended as she races against time to uncover her mother's whereabouts and unravel the mysteries surrounding her unexpected departure.

The novel's primary focus lies on the topic of eating disorders (ED). However, there is some element of mystery sprinkled in. I would have preferred a better balance between the exploration of ED and the mystery elements. Nevertheless, this compelling story imparts valuable insights into mental health and eating disorders. I would recommend this novel to those seeking both themes.

***Thank you to NetGalley, Sagit Schwartz, and HighBridge Audio for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***

The 'main story' about the missing mother captivated me and despite being turned off/annoyed by several other parts of the book (more below) I pushed on to find out if the mother was still alive and what exactly was going on there. If the story had been limited to this with only a tiny smattering about the ED it could have easily been a 4-stars. I feel this is more like 2.75

That said, the unrelenting discussions about ED's and the character's ED and history of it started to make me feel like I was going to end up with an ED. At first I appreciated that a character had an ED and that is was explained and portrayed properly. However, it is at least 35% of the book if not more. It never stops. It is another MC. While I understand that is the reality for someone living with an ED (it is literally a MC in their head/life) it was too much here. I have not had an ED but imagine this would be extremely triggering and again, may make an ED "contagious" to some readers. It was relentless and too much. The editor really needed to pair some of that down.

The other part of the story I had mixed feelings about is this is more or less Sackler family fiction. I loathe and hate the Sackler family and the epidemic they caused as much as humanly possible. After all, I will never know my stepsister because she died of an overdose before I got to meet her. (Her absence is felt every day in our family).

My personal business aside, I sometimes liked that this corrupt family was part of the story instead of the usual "mob" or "corrupt politician" that usually is the "bad guy" in these types of stories but I also felt like not enough was done to make them the actual villians they are. *Shrugs*

I also had a difficult time believing the MC was 29/30, although that could have been due to the narrators voice/age.

Thanks netgalley for my ALC.

This story dove deep into eating disorders and addiction. Beatrice “Beans” lost her mother at a young age in a way that she couldn’t control. To take control of something in her life, she developed an eating disorder. The timeline goes back and forth between today, searching for answers about her mom and when Beans was younger, recovering from ED in a facility. Secrets are uncovered that can never be hidden again. This story was hard to put down and it draws you in right away. Every character had a flaw that came to light and almost all changed throughout. What a fantastic debut from Schwartz! I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next. I love psychological thrillers and this one was no exception.

I enjoyed the intertwined mystery and intimacy of Beans’ struggles. At times I often felt bad for Beans and her life which always seemed to be plagued with loss, but soon realized it was about the bond and love that held them together.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This book was incredible! The way in which Beatrice’s eating disorder was interwoven into the mystery in the book was amazing! I am speechless with how much I enjoyed this book. I could not stop myself from devouring this book as quickly as possible. I could not wait to find out if Beatrice’s mother was alive and how she could take down a horrific pharmaceutical drug company creating a opioid epidemic. This book had so many moving parts that worked so well together. This was an amazing read.

There was a lot of repetitiveness throughout the story. The narrator was good and the story was ok but not engrossing.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC of this audiobook. This book as soon as it went into my Que I went straight to it. I was so excited for this type of book. This book should come with a ton of trigger warnings. Even though eating disorders were mentioned in the description. This book mentioned it probably 1000 times per chapter. I could only imagine for those suffering from ED that it’s challenging. But as a book listener I was looking for more story and the ED back story took over the book which gave me a turn off. I probably missed all the best parts by stopping at 65%. I just couldn’t handle anymore of that part of the story.

TW: ED, Opioid Addiction, loss of child & parent..
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this book. I enjoyed listening to this narrator and the story line/plot was very good.
Very much gives “The Last Thing He Told Me” vibes and I am here for it.
“She’s not who you think she is”.. this book will leave you wanting more.

I recently had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook "Since She's Been Gone" by Sagit Schwartz, and it was an exhilarating experience from start to finish. This suspenseful thriller had me hooked within the first few minutes, and the gripping narrative held my attention throughout.

One of the standout qualities of the audiobook is its ability to keep the listener engaged with unexpected twists and turns. Just when I thought I had the plot figured out, Schwartz skillfully introduced another surprise, leaving me on the edge of my seat with anticipation. The element of suspense was masterfully crafted, making it difficult to pause and step away from the story.

While the audiobook had many strengths, it's important to note that it delves into themes of eating disorders and substance abuse. While these topics were integral to the plot, I understand that they could be triggering for some listeners. It's worth considering this aspect before diving into the story, especially if you have sensitivities to these subjects.

Overall, "Since She's Been Gone" is a thrilling audiobook that delivers suspense in abundance. Sagit Schwartz's storytelling prowess is evident, and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a suspenseful ride filled with unexpected twists.

Since She’s Been Gone by Sagit Schwartz was an engaging listen. Listened to this one super fast, as I really wanted to know what happened next. The narrator did a nice job and made the listening experience enjoyable.

Beatrice “Beans” lost her mother at the very impressionable age of 15 which led to an eating disorder spiral that would affect her for the rest of her life.

As an adult, Beans is a clinical psychologist.

After a “patient” visits her office and tells her that her mother is will alive and is in danger, Beans packs her bags and goes on a mission to find out what happened to her mom and if she was in fact still alive.

The story alternates between young Bean and current Bean. It delves deeply into her eating disorder struggle and could definitely trigger someone who struggles with ED.

I found the listen to be quite engaging and listened to it in about a day.

Thank you to NetGalley and HighBridge Audio for the advanced listen in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

3.49 stars ⭐️

This book had an emotional chokehold over me from start to finish. Beatrice “Beans” is a clinical psychologist who struggles with mental health. Her world is turned upside down when she discovers that her mother who died years ago is alive and in serious trouble.

She sets off in search for answers and discovers her mother isn’t who she thought she was. Her mother got involved with the wrong people and is now being hunted down. She encounters many challenges along the way but keeps digging in hopes to find what really happened and possibly be reunited with her mother.

This family drama is told in dual timelines which help us understand Beatrice’s fight against her eating disorder when she was a teenager and how the stress from her current situation is making the disease resurface.

The story was emotional and suspenseful. It has short chapters and is fast paced. It will immediately pulled you in.

Beatrice's life was never the same after her mother died in a hit and run accident when she was fifteen. She quickly developed anorexia and has been battling it since. One day, nearly 30 years after the death of her mother, a woman comes into her office and says her mom is still alive. She hands Beatrice a bracelet her mother wore. Beatrice's life is turned upside down again- and she rushes to find answers. But she is also being followed and receiving threats. She quickly discovers that everything centers around her mother's life while she was in college. But that was 50 years ago, so few people are able to give her answers. Still, in order to protect herself and those she loves, she has to figure it out.

I feel like this was two books smashed together. Being told in alternate timelines added to that feeling. Part of the book is the eating disorder- how it developed and how it is still something Beatrice deals with daily. The other part is the mystery surrounding her mother. There is a cause and effect relationship there, so I get how both storylines are important. I just feel both were a bit too developed. It works for the most part, but it was just weird to me.

Ann Sprinkle narrates the audiobook. Tone, pacing, pronunciation, etc... were all good.

Very layered thriller- we have eating disorders, addiction, big pharma and the FBI all rolled into one story of a sad gal with a missing mom. I had no idea where this was going and was shocked the whole way through!