Don´t Let Her Go was my fist, but not my last book by Willow Rose

I listened to this book on audio and it was fast paced and the narrator was easy to listen to.
I liked the short chapters, which ended in cliffhangers, making me want to keep listening.
The unexpected twists and turns were great, just what I like in a good read. Told in multiple POV,
this was fast paced and the characters are well developed.

Be aware of Trigger warnings, especially child abuse if you choose to read this.

Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

Narrated by Lisa Rost-Welling ⭐

by Willow Rose ⭐⭐⭐

I am a HUGE fan of Willow Rose! The amount of money I have spent of her e-books and audiobooks makes my bank balance very sad.
So it pains me to give this such a low rating.
I absolutely hated this narrator with a passion to the point I can honestly say that if Lisa Rost-Welling is the narrator I will skip the audiobook. The thing I love about audiobooks is the narrators ability to make a book play out like a movie in your head, however this narrator sounded like a 7 year old learning to read and doesn't realise they are over acting. Please never use her again for a Willow Rose book.

The story follows Detective Billie Ann Wilde who is called on to investigate the disappearance of a 5 year old missing girl Emma. Inside the home Billie Ann finds no trace of a small child living there, no toys, no clothes, no birth certificate. When Emma’s babysitter turns up dead and the bodies start piling up it’s a race against time to rescue the child’s mother Marissa who has also gone missing.

Quick audiobook that required little thought. I spotted the twists fairly early on. Not bad but I won’t be reading any more in the series. Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC of this audiobook. I am giving a neutral review was I only got 50% into the book before it archived. I was just getting into it and the storyline is chilling. I can’t wait to purchase it and finish the book.

Detective Billie Ann Wilde is a talented investigator who has a lot going on both a home and at work. Her new case, death of a high school student, leads her to also investigate the case of a missing five-year-old girl, Emma Wilson.

This story is a race against time to catch the killer and find Emma alive, and the bodies keep coming.
When her current case links back to a case Billie had fourteen years ago, a missing ten-year-old girl, Billie must revisit her past in order to solve both cases.

While this book was exciting and some good twists, there was so much going on at all times. It was hard to focus on the main story when there were sub plots introduced continuously. While the ending did tie together quite nicely it was exhausting trying to keep track of the story.

Don’t Let Her Go, by Willow Rose, is the first book I’ve read by this author. I enjoy a good thriller, and this one kept my attention. I did struggle with the many characters. Although they felt unnecessary at times, the side stories did a solid job of fleshing out the main character, Billie Ann. I look forward to finding out more about her in future series installments!

Wow, this was a great read and a super fucked up story! I knew that "friendly" police officer was going to be the devil and I was right!! This was my 1st book by Willow Rose but will definitely not be my last, I have already requested the 2nd book as an ARC! I want to see what happens in Billie Ann's life! I am now off to add all of her books to my TBR!

#DontLetHerGo
#NetGalley

Literally all the trigger warnings apply, I’d say I’m fairly good at dealing with dark plots, but this was too much for me. The running theme of child sa was too hard to listen to.

The writing is solid, the storyline much the same but the depth of the story put me off and it was just too disturbing for me to rate it any higher unfortunately, obviously this reflects my personal opinion and feelings and shouldn’t overshadow the work of the author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in return for an honest review.

This book is an absolute rollercoaster of events that will keep readers on their toes!

This novel is an exceptional read, with an intriguing plot that has twists and turns in almost every chapter. It boasts of multiple storylines that keep the book exciting, and the number of dead bodies that detectives keep discovering is beyond shocking. The web of secrets unravels at a rapid pace, making it a true page-turner. I was initially skeptical about the large number of characters, but the author made it work perfectly by giving each character a well-defined role and engaging them in the story.

The detective's background is truly inspiring. Billie Ann is straightforward, laid-back, and unafraid to speak her mind. Despite being a cancer survivor and a victim of rape, she has finally decided to come out of the closet and reveal a lifelong secret. Billie Ann's captivating character and courageous spirit have truly inspired me to stay tuned to her upcoming cases. Her exceptional qualities have left a lasting impact on me.

I absolutely loved everything about the novel - the masterful storytelling, well-crafted characters, and easy-to-follow plot. I am confident that Billie Ann's future books will be just as amazing, and I eagerly await their release. Thank you, NetGalley for a free and advanced copy of the novel.

This was a great read/listen! Kept me on the edge of my seat and wanted to finish it so fast. So to piece it together but still didn't expect who it was completely! Recommending to all my friends!

This looks to be the start to a new series centered around Detective Billie Anne Wilde. I had a little trouble connecting with Billie at the start, but not long into the book, I respected her passion for her job and justice. She reminded me of the hard job the police do when investigating missing children, but she handles it with right amount of fervor and respect for all those involved.

The plot is complicated and sets up the twist well. There are multiple timelines with multiple narrators spinning a tale of mystery and deceit. Billie is a strong and tenacious character that never gives up.

The cliffhangers at the end of each chapter kept me reading long after I planned to stop which helped me fly through this one.

Lisa Rost Welling did a good job at capturing the intensity of the plot. Between her narration and the way the story is setup, I never had any trouble with which of the multiple characters were the focus of the chapter.

Reading Between the Wines book review #11/130 for 2024:
Rating: 5 🍷 🍷 🍷 🍷 🍷
Book: Don’t Let Her Go
Author: Willow Rose
Available now!

Sipping thoughts: Sick, dark, and thrilling are just words that describes this book. Although there may be some major trigger warnings, I enjoyed tit so much. I loved the mystery behind the missing girl and the background stories of all the characters made me want more. I am excited that I found this series at the very beginning so I can watch Detective Billie Ann Wilde grow and develop. I hope book #2 is in the works because I need to know what is next after that major reveal at the end!

Cheers and thank you to @BookoutureAudio and @Netgalley for an advanced copy of @DontLetHerGo.

#DontLetHerGo #WillowRose #BookoutureAudio #advancedreadercopy #ARC #Kindle #Booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #bookstagram #nicoles_bookcellar #bookworm #bookdragon #booknerd #booklover #bookstagrammer #bookaholic #bookreview #bookreviewer #IHaveNoShelfControl #ReadingBetweenTheWines #fiction #thriller #suspense #mystery #MysteryAndThrillers #GeneralFictionAdult

Don’t Let Her Go by Willow Rose should come with a few trigger warnings, but I know how those can be considered potential spoilers, but this book had two events that could make a person recovering from sexual assault, rape, domestic violence, kidnapping, or imprisonment feel very uncomfortable or experience some PTSD from this book.

The novel itself was very thought-provoking and the good start to a mystery series, but is far too edgy and thrilling to be considered a cozy mystery. (Which I think is a good thing).

Chief of Detectives Billie Ann Wilde has the strangest case land on her desk in the middle of her being assigned a high profile murder case. A young girl is reported missing by a woman claiming to be the girl’s mother, but cannot prove her own bona fides or even that the girl was for real and not a figment of her imagination.

On top of that, Det. Wilde has decided to end her marriage, as she finally accepts her truth about her own identity, which causes massive turmoil in her personal life, which adds to her stress level and her never-ending to-do list.

This book was one that I just couldn’t put down, and I can’t wait for more in this series!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for this audio ARC!!

This is the first book that I have read from this author. Don’t Let Her Go touches on sensitive topics but there aren’t graphic details. The story has many characters and mainly centers around Detective Billie Ann Wilde. She is a wife, mom, and police detective but unfortunately for Billie her life seems to be spiraling out of control.

Billie Ann seems to question all her decisions and is very emotional throughout the book. I am not sure what to think about this character and her actions but I wanted her to succeed. I wanted her to save the day and help a young mother and child in need. There are a few storylines and a lot of characters but the book doesn’t tie up all of the loose ends and that was disappointing. But I am very interested, I want to know what will happen next to Detective Wilde. The story was never boring and kept me guessing. I liked the police procedural aspect of the book. I’m intrigued and I can’t wait to listen to the next book in this new series.

I listened to the audio book and the narrator was great. As the book progressed the narrator did a great job of making the characters come to life. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me the listen to this audio book for my honest review.

Always love a book that surprises me at the end! Trigger warning for rape, but nothing graphic it’s just said it happened. I’m officially hooked on Willow Rose books now that I’ve finished my second one. Quick read that keeps you entertained!

4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


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Thankyou netgalley for the copy of this book for a honest review.


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This story was slow paced. I nearly dnf it but stayed on as it gotten better. Surprising ending which I never thought I will expect as slow paced as the first line was .
Worth to read.



❤️shaye.reads

A fantastic introduction to a new series. It never felt like a long listen as rhe chapters wete short,well narrated and full of action. Another pov story focusing on a missing child who few believe exists alongside various murders and subplots. The mother and the detective narrate the story.. it played out a bit like a Hollywood move. I loved the interwoven stories and timelines. I did gueese the reveal but i found it a very enjoyable listen. I was made to care about the characters but not be distracted away from the story. The audio was high quality and the narrator got the voices right.
I would recommended this to anyone who like a good mystery with interwoven stories with strong female characters leading.the way.
This is a 5 star listen. Rhank you netgallery and publisher and author and narrator

The first installment in the new Detective Billie Ann Wilde series.

Billie Ann, head of Homocide down in Cocoa Beach, Florida, seems to have the perfect life. Cancer Free, Husband, kids, family dog, career, but it's not long until things start to fall apart.

Told in 2 different POVs, and in different timelines, I found it hard to keep up with at times but I wonder if it was down to the narrator and the monotone voice.
We delve into Billie Ann's past and discover all about the case that went cold. Is it connected to what's happening in present time?

Inspired by the kidnapping of Jaycee Dugard, I urge everyone to give it a bash.

Thank you to the author, publisher and netgalley for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Wow.. was not expecting that twist. At first I was having trouble really getting into this book. But I’m glad I decided to see it through and finish this book.
I will say.. a TW is needed for SA..
“Don’t Let Her Go” - Detective Billy Ann investigates the disappearance of a young missing girl..
Thank you NetGalley, looking forward to the next book in this series.

Willow Rose introduces her killer new series, Detective Billie Ann Wilde, with a bang in the dazzling first installment, DON'T LET HER GO —A riveting multi-layered crime thriller based on a true story—the past and present collide in this gripping psychological page-turner starring a whip-smart detective.

Frighteningly real! Dark, twisty, compelling—both chilling and emotional. You will be flipping through the pages until the wee hours of the morning.

Set in Cocoa Beach, Florida, near the marshlands and swamps, Detective Billie Wilde receives a desperate call from a mother, Marissa. Her five-year-old daughter Emma is missing. She was in the backyard while the mother was cooking dinner. Five minutes after she went to the garage to do laundry, Emma went missing.

When Wilde arrives at the home, there appears to be no sign of a little girl living there —no toys, photos, or clothes. Wilde is intuitive and suspects Marissa is hiding something. She needs to be more forthcoming with answers. Is she afraid of someone? But then later, her pink shoes are found, and Wilde takes it seriously, even though her boss does not.

In the meantime, a runner, Oliver, has found a dead body in the pond out on her morning jog. It turns out it was a teen girl (babysitter) on the same day the little girl goes missing. Are the two connected?

Then Marissa disappears. Billie then realizes who Marissa is. She is SHOCKED to the core.

Billie has to confront her haunting past and her demons. There was a ten-year-old girl Billie failed to find fourteen years ago with her first case. Billie is sharp and starts putting the puzzle together, but now she is in danger, too. From dirty cops, cover-ups, corruption, kidnapping, and assault to murder —she has no clue whom to trust.

Billie Ann Wilde is a cancer survivor, gay, and recently has come out to her husband (Joe), golden retriever, Zelda, and children (William, 14), Charlene (16), and Zack (9). They are not happy.

She is tired of living a lie since she has been gay most of her life, but she was in the closet due to her religious parents, and it was simply not an option. She grew up believing you had to marry a man and have children. She is flawed and highly relatable. She did so, but now she realizes she is unhappy and something is missing. She feels like time is running out, and she wants everyone to know she is a lesbian.

Her therapist knows about her haunted past, as does her husband.

Told from alternating POVs, Billie and Marissa (then and now). Billie grew up in Central Florida and knows about swamps, gators, and guns. She is tough.

From the past, we slowly learn about Billie's tragic past and the case that went cold. She has never forgotten, and it has haunted her since. She is even more determined to help Marissa and find Emma before it is too late.

The author takes us back to THEN - the little girl Kitty and how a monster kidnapped her. But the monster wore a badge, hiding in plain sight. The little girl was abused and raped and became a mother. His wife knew. However, did she finally escape? What happened to Kitty? She trusted a family friend.

We also learn about Billie's sexual assault from her ex-cop partner, who wound up in a wheelchair after an accident. Billie was a whistleblower. How are all these cases connected from past to present?

I LOVED this book!!! My first book by Willow Rose, and I cannot wait to read the next in the series—Then She's Gone: An unputdownable, gripping and twisty crime thriller packed with suspense (coming, March 18, 2024)!

Multi-layered and complex, action-packed, high adrenaline —a smartly written cop procedural and crime thriller with a flawed detective you will root for. I loved Billie!

How far will the killers go to keep their secrets? Everyone who gets too close winds up dead. Secrets, obsession, and vengeance converge in this riveting, unputdownable suspense thriller. The author takes you deep into the minds of psychopaths in this dangerous web of secrets and lies.

I appreciated the author's note about her personal story as it relates to Billie Ann's story.

INSPIRED BY A TRUE STORY:
The novel is inspired by a true story— the kidnapping of Jaycee Dugard, who was taken by her kidnappers while walking to the school bus one morning. She was not found until eighteen years later, after having two children with her kidnapper and living in a shed in their backyard. The kidnapper's wife also played a big role in the abduction and was found guilty along with him. (You will want to read about this). It is an ugly, scary, yet fascinating story. You can read more about it HERE. After reading the true story and the fictional version—both will give you goosebumps.

DON'T LET HER GO is for fans of Robin Mahle, Lisa Gardner, Karin Slaughter, Lisa Unger, and Clémence Michallon's dazzling debut, (speaking of sheds and kidnapping) —THE QUIET TENANT (my top thriller of 2023)!

A must-read for thriller fans! I read the e-book and listened to the audiobook by Lisa Rost-Welling, narrator— for an outstanding performance and fantastic listening experience.

Highly recommend!

Thanks to Bookouture, Hachette UK, and NetGalley for introducing this mega-talented author and intriguing new series with a gift of ARC and ALC for an honest opinion.

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: Feb 2, 2024
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On a personal note:
Being a Floridan for over 24 years, I have lived and worked north of Cocoa Beach in Ponte Vedra Beach, then Ormond Beach, and south Florida in West Palm Beach, The Florida Keys, the Gulf Coast, and now in Wellington. I enjoy books set in Florida and Floridian authors. Plus, my relatives worked for the space center and lived on Merritt Island before retiring to Amelia Island, so I have often visited the Cocoa Beach area.