This is a common review for the two books I read in this series
I read other books by Willow Rose and appreciated the storytelling and well round characters
These are the beginning of a new series and I thoroughly enjoyed these novel as they're fast paced and full of twists.
Billie Ann is a strong MC and I'm curious about her. The tightly knitted and solid plot kept me hooked
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

The She’s Gone is the second book in the Billie Wilde series. I recommend reading the first book in the series. There is so much back story to Billie that is very important to know about.
The story line was full of suspense and mystery. Add to that, lots of gory scenes.
Between the investigation and her home life issues, Billie has her hands full. Can she manage both work and family life?
I definitely liked this second book more than the first one.
Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

📚 PRE-PUBLICATION BOOK REVIEW 📚

Then She's Gone
By Willow Rose
Publication Date: March 18, 2024

📚 MY RATING:

⭐⭐✨

📚 THE SYNOPSIS:

Summoned to a crime scene swarming with people, Detective Billie Ann Wilde is devastated to find a woman’s broken bones abandoned in a suitcase on a popular Florida beach. And Billie’s blood runs cold when she reads the name “Danni” handwritten on the luggage tag: the name of Billie’s own best friend.

Rushing over to Danni’s home, Billie is relieved to find her alive, preparing dinner for her two young daughters. So whose bones are in the suitcase? And why was Danni's name at the scene?

For years, Billie worried the dark secrets in her past might put her loved ones in danger, and soon her connection to the case is confirmed. When another set of bones is found at a busy local mall, Billie reaches out to read the name on the luggage tag -- and it’s her own name. Now Danni has gone missing...Can Billie face up to the past and unravel her connection to this twisted killer? 

📚 MY REVIEW:

Overall, this book was just okay. I recognized many pieces of the storyline from real true crime stories, so it felt a bit unoriginal for that reason. The chapters were told from multiple points of view of different characters and some jumped across decades, so it was often confusing because there were a lot of people to keep track of. This was also the second book of a series and I didn't feel like I had all the pieces since I hadn't yet read the first one.

But my biggest issue with the book was the flowery feel of the writing. Sometimes the words felt a bit cliche... almost cringy. It just didn't have the overall feel of a suspenseful thriller. The main character pined over love while subsequently dealing with turmoil of her pending divorce and woes of her children -- it felt like I was reading a book that was part general fiction/part love story - with a police storyline thrown in simply to add to the plot.

There were good intentions here, but this book just fell flat for me. Thanks to Net Galley and bookouture for the advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.

#ThenShesGone #NetGalley #arc #bookreviews

What happens when a discovery of bones gets discovered on a windswept beach, the disappearance of a young woman and a detective whose secret's are about to come out? Make sure to get a copy of this book to see what happens. This was a fast paced thriller that will keep you guessing till the very end. Then She's Gone was also emotional, suspenseful and the author did a great job overall writing this fantastic book. I loved the characters in this book and I am looking forward to reading more from this author. The ending that the author did for this was so good and I can not wait to see what happens in the next book in this series. Thank you to the Bookouture and NetGalley for this thriller read in exchange of my honest review of Then She's Gone by Willow Rose.

Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC. Fairly good book. Some inconsistencies that I hope will be caught and cleared up before publication. Fast read with an okay plot. Did not grab me like I had hoped, but it did keep me reading until the end.

Wow. I fell in love with the first book in the series and the second is just as unputdownable. I read it in three days straight as I needed to keep turning the pages, trying to put together and eventually figuring out who a person really was. Willow waves this story so tight, with moments your holding your breathe hoping the characters are going to be okay,

She makes you fall in love with Billie Ann, hate her husband Joe but most of all she makes you want to keep reading this series. I want to read book three now especally with the cliffhanger that is at the end. It's a long book by chapters but each chapter is actually quiet short.

Keep up the goodwork and thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for allowing me the ARC for this. Now to pre-order book 3!

Detective Billie Ann Wilde, Book 2

Summoned to a crime scene swarming with people, Detective Billie Ann Wilde is devastated to find a woman's broken bones abandoned in a suitcase, on the sand of a popular Florida beach. And Billie's blood runs cold when she reads the name "Danni" handwritten on the luggage tag in black, the name of Billie's own best friend. Rushing over to Danni's home, Billie is relieved to find her alive, preparing dinner for her two young daughters. So whose bones are in the suitcase? And why was Danni's name at the scene?

Billie is once investigating an intricate crime whilst trying to sort out her messy divorce. The story is told from multiple perspectives. This is a thrilling, emotional, and suspenseful read. There are lots of twists and red herrings along the way. The story has been descriptively written. We also get a dual timeline that tells us in the past and present day format. This is a multilayered read. I would advise reading the first boon in the series, Don't Let Her Go, as it lays down a lot of Detective Billie Ann Wilde's background story.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookouture and the author #WillowRose for my ARC of #ThenShesGone in exchange for an honest review.

This is my second Willow Rose novel, and I’m so excited to keep reading her books.

In “Then She’s Gone,” Detective Billie Ann Wilde's story continues to unfold after reeling from her last case. When Detective Wilde is called out to a gruesome crime scene, she discovers a woman’s bones in a suitcase that were abandoned on a Florida beach. However, upon further investigation, she realizes that the luggage tag reads her best friend’s name, Danni.

Detective Wilde rushes over to Danni’s home and is relieved to find her alive and well. However, Detective Wilde is perplexed as to whose remains these could belong to and why Danni’s name was on the suitcase the woman was found in. When another set of remains is found at a local mall, Detective Wilde is terrified when she notices her own name on the luggage tag and that her best friend Danni has gone missing. Detective Billie Ann Wilde will let nothing stop her until she brings her best friend home and brings a killer to justice.

The narrative of this novel unfolds through various points of view, which could pose a potential challenge for readers. However, as you get to know Willow Rose’s writing, you realize that she is skilled at this.

While I found the book enjoyable and a quick read, there is one area that could use improvement. I’m not sure if it’s necessary to have a chapter written from the point of view of a character who is secondary to the story (i.e., the mall cop).

Despite this point, I appreciated the book's overall appeal. The short chapters kept me engaged and eager for more. The characters were likable and well-developed, with a particular fondness for Billie Ann, who displayed unwavering determination in the face of potential consequences. I also really enjoyed getting to know more about Billie Ann and what made her realize she was a lesbian.

The plot was emotional, suspenseful, and kept me wanting more. I definitely think this novel was better than the first in this series. However, the first book lays the background information you need to keep following Detective Wilde on her journey. The author adeptly sprinkled context clues throughout the narrative, subtly hinting at the identity of the killer without fully disclosing the information until the opportune moment. This time around, I didn’t guess who the killer was and was shocked.

A massive thank you to Willow Rose, Bookouture, and NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Trigger warnings: kidnapping, homophobia, sexual assault, murder, drug use/addiction, divorce, and arson.

This murder/thriller will ensnare you in a tight grip until the satisfying conclusion. There were more twists and turns in this book than a roller coaster ride!

When a suitcase containing women's bones is discovered, Detective Billie Ann Wilde is determined to find the person responsible. Shockingly, the suitcase has a label with the name Danni. This is very disturbing to Billie as, not only is Danni a dear friend, Billie's personal secrets about how she really feels about Danni are coming to the surface.

Billie is relieved when she rushes to Danni's house to find her alive and well and in the process of preparing dinner for her twin daughters. Yet, the suitcase did indeed have Dannie's name on it, so Billie is more than concerned.

Meanwhile, Billie's home life is all but in tatters. Her once-happy marriage is dissolving, her children's behavior is a cause for concern for Billie, yet she must focus on her current case. When yet another suitcase is discovered, Billie finds herself in a race against time to find whoever it is that is missing, even at great cost to herself.

Then She's Gone was a fast-paced thrill ride from start to finish. The constant clash when it came to Billie's home life while desperately seeking the identity of the killer was truly thrilling.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

An awesome thriller that you won't want to put down! I thought I had it all figured out and then I got to the end and nope! It keeps you guessing!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

2nd book in the Billie Wilde series and much better than the first. The 1st book was kinda slow but this book had a much faster pace and kept you guessing! Body parts are found in a suitcase with Billie's best friends name on it. Is Danni alive ? Great mystery and lots of twists. Great book!

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my approval to rea and review Billie Ann Wilde's book 2.

The book begins with a young boy finding a suicase on the beach, well, we know, no good will come from opening it! The story is told via different voices over several time lines. It's very descriptive and well written. It was great to catch up with Billie Ann. The plot is fast paced, full of twists and turns with a couple of red herrings thrown for good measure! The ending came as a complete shock. Here's hoping there is a book 3!

Another great Billie Wilde book complete!
I'm loving this series and the multiple POV.
I'm rooting for Detective Billie from page one and the thrill of all the pieces being put together is such a rush.
Adding more Willow Rose to my shelf and already looking forward to the next of this series!

This is the second book in the series.. I enjoyed the style of writing. A solid four star read. Great premise. Good characters. Page turner. Plenty of suspense to keep me guessing Would definitely read the next novel. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to

This is the 2nd book I have read from this author in this series and it was as good as the 1st if not better.
Billie Ann and her team are investigating murders and disapperances they find out they are connected. The case soon becomes personal for Billie and she is trying to hold everything together between her work and her personal circumstances which are over lapping. A really good 2nd book looking forward to next. Thankyou for advanced copy.

Interesting plot, with good characters. Connecting with the first book, and bringing in a new story. Was well done and I enjoyed and recommend. Given arc by Net Galley and Bookouture for my voluntary review

Then She’s Gone by Willow Rose is a gripping and twisty crime thriller with good suspense. Then She's Gone is book 2 in the Detective Billie Ann Wilde series.

I loved when Billie Ann was speaking to her husband, who was worried about her coming out as gay and how it would affect his children. As in life, we are all exposed to things no matter what, and we cannot control everything. As Billie Ann said, we can control how we react and how we teach children to react. We teach them to be kind and accepting and to stand up for what’s right. No truer words are spoken and so relevant today.

The only thing that I didn’t like about the book was the ending. I was disappointed with the author bringing in something that should have been left in the past (I don’t want to reveal too much, as it will be a spoiler).

There are lots of different stories happening in the book.

Overall, Then She’s Gone is a good addition to the series. I am looking forward to reading more. I would recommend this book and this series. I also enjoy the author's writing style; it keeps me engaged in the story and flows well.

#ThenShesGone #NetGalley @bookouture

I was so glad to read the second book in the Billie Ann Wilde series. Once again, we find Billie investigating crime while going through a rough time in her divorce.
What I always enjoy about these books is how the author does an amazing job of weaving the past and present together. I was trying to figure out how it all went together with this one. At first I was confused by all the different POVs. It all came together in the end. A solid 3.5/5 rounded up to 4 for me!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Then She's Gone by W. Rose, published by Bookouture is the second book in the Detective Billie Ann Wilde Series.
A crime thriller that packs a punch, suspenseful. The previous book is Don't Let Her Go. The books are best read in order.
Billie, freshly divorced mother of three is confronted with a new case. Set in Cocoa Beach where she's living she has her work laid out for her. And even without her work her hands are full. A new love interest in a woman, trouble with the ex who - rightly so - wants what's best for the kids and so on, you get the picture.
A complicated, complex story that jumps from past to present and back, a nailbiting read, twisty and full of twists and turns that had me guessing til the last page.