I though this was a pretty average thriller. It caught my attention in the beginning, lost it some in the middle, and then ended strong-ish. The characters were okay, if a bit flat, and I felt like the story could have been trimmed a bit. It kept me guessing about where it was going at least.

I read an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All comments are my own.

Mikki and Lark are two best friends who work the overnight shift at a Travel Stop in small-town Ohio. They both feel stuck, but Lark is pregnant and needs to stay. When a stranger blows through town and asks Mikki to attend a beach wedding with him for the weekend, Mikki goes. But she never returns, and no one knows what happened to her. Eight years later, that same stranger returns looking for Mikki, and it reopens the investigation into what happened to her.

Strawser is a master at weaving a gripping tale. This is a dual timeline: Lark, now, and Mikki, then. This slowly weaves Mikki's story through the lens of Lark's investigation, and I could not wait to see how it resolved. The ending was a little unbelievable, but I bought it. I will continue to read whatever Strawser writes.

Wow, this was a fun twisty-turny read! I did not see that last twist coming, and that's my favorite! This was my 1st book by Jessica Strawser but it will not be my last. I am adding all of their books to my TBR!

#CatchYouLater
#NetGalley

Catch You Later by Jessica Strawser is a gripping and emotionally charged novel that explores the complexities of friendship, secrets, and second chances. The story follows two women whose lives are upended when an unexpected event forces them to confront their past. Strawser’s writing is heartfelt and suspenseful, with well-developed characters and a compelling plot that keeps readers hooked. Catch You Later is an engaging read for fans of contemporary fiction with emotional depth and unexpected twists.

Review of Catch You Later by Jessica Strawser – 3 Stars
I finished Catch You Later by Jessica Strawser, and I’m honestly feeling a little torn. The premise had so much potential, and there were definitely moments I found myself engaged, but overall, I can’t say it fully lived up to my expectations.

I didn’t hate it, but I also didn’t love it as much as I hoped. It’s an okay read if you're looking for something light and introspective, but it doesn’t quite stand out in the genre for me. Would I recommend it? Sure, but with a little hesitation. If you’re a fan of character-driven stories and don’t mind some predictability, you’ll likely enjoy it. For me, though, it’s more of a 3-star experience than a 4.

*Catch You Later* by Jessica Strawser feels a bit *mid*—it's a solid read but doesn't quite stand out in the crowded field of contemporary fiction. The characters are relatable, and the exploration of friendship and life choices has moments of emotional depth, but the plot can feel predictable, and the pacing lacks some urgency. While it’s an enjoyable enough read, it doesn't leave a lasting impact.

While this is a slow psychological thriller, it is also a quick read. The twists were a little predictable, but were well thought out. It felt different that current thriller, which was a nice change. I look forward to reading more from Jessica Strawser.

Thank you to NetGalley, and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC of this book.

This was a slow burn thriller that was so slow it fizzled out. I made it to the end but then was disappointed I did. The twist at the end was a dud and a bit of an eye roller. I just couldn’t wrap my head around some of the actions by the characters. Ultimately this one was not for me.

This one grabbed me from the start and never let up. I absolutely love the cover. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book

Mikki went missing the night a good looking stranger walked into the truck stop where best friends Lark and Mikki worked the late shift. He offered her the trip of a lifetime, one that Mikki didn’t think she could pass up, and she went with him, never to be seen by Lark or her grandmother again. While Lark is just getting her life together again, the stranger shows up looking for Mikki. Considering that Lark presumed this man had been responsible for Mikki’s disappearance, Lark doesn’t know what to believe. But she is going to find out in Jessica Strawser’s intriguing Catch You Later.

I liked the characters–all of them. They were well-developed, believable, and interesting.

I liked the mystery. It’s well-plotted, filled with rich details.

I liked the flashbacks, going through Mikki’s life and then her great adventure.

All in all this is a fascinating, engrossing read, until the last quarter that leads to a “meh” ending. I partly blame the slow burn but also perhaps the alternating between flashback chapters with present day. At a certain point the reader–aka this reader–suspected what was going on, which I think accounts for my “meh” feeling for a book that I had been entirely enjoying up to that point.

Anyway, it’s still a good read and perhaps you won’t feel any “meh” at all.

Many thanks to the publisher for sending me a copy.

I have read all of Jessica Strawser's novels and am always impressed by her writing style. Her latest, Catch You Later, is my favorite of hers so far. I found myself totally invested in this story and wrapped up in the mystery of what happened to Mikki.

I loved seeing the perspectives of both Lark and Mikki, one in the present and one in the not-so-distant past. They both had really interesting storylines. I was able to visualize everything so clearly thanks to the details and descriptions. The story felt so genuine, about two best friends who love each other but also tend to clash on some matters. When Mikki first disappears, Lark is pregnant and we learn about how Mikki feels about Lark's connection with the baby's father and also taking on a huge role in the baby's life in nine short months. We also see how Lark feels about Mikki just taking off with a stranger on a whim. Both women have had difficult life experiences, and while that has bonded them, it has also put them at odds with each other and with the people in their lives.

The ending felt a bit anticlimactic after all the mystery and suspense surrounding Mikki's disappearance, but I enjoyed all the build-up leading to getting some much-needed answers. The way the story went between the past and present allowed readers to try to put the pieces together without giving too much away. I was definitely surprised by some parts!

Definitely check this novel out and prepare to be glued to your seat for a while!

(Trigger warnings at the bottom of this post.)

Movie casting suggestions:
Lark (2024): Katharine McPhee
Mikki (2016): Eve Hewson
Chris: Milo Gibson
Heath: Austin Stowell
Nini: Lily Tomlin
Kim: Kim Matula
Cooper: Ray Nicholson
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TW: Death of parents, substance abuse, suicide

Loved it!!! I started reading the book, without knowing the premise. It definitely didn't disappoint and wasn't what I expected at all. Who gets into a stranger's car to drive down to Florida from Ohio? No one!!! This is the type of scene that causes nightmares. Girl gets into a car with a stranger, at a truck stop, and is never heard from again. Mikki didn't even have her phone with her, so she wouldn't be able to call for help if Chris turned out to be a serial killer. Lark never heard from her best friend Mikki again, except for one email. For eight years, Lark has wondered where her friend could be. People blamed Lark for allowing Mikki to get in the car. How was she supposed to stop her? I loved how the book alternated between the present (2024) with Lark and 2016 while Mikki and Chris are driving down to Florida. I kept wondering what could have happened to Mikki. Chris didn't seem like the kind of guy who would be featured on 20/20 or Dateline. Mikki seemed to be having a good time and enjoying herself at the resort. I couldn't put the book down because I had to know what happened. Did Mikki decide to create a new life, did something happen at the wedding or did she actually meet a serial killer on her long drive home? There were so many questions. If she was alive, why didn't she contact Lark or her grandmother? Sometimes I thought Nini might know something, but then I figured it might be her dementia. Loved the ending when the truth was finally revealed. I would have never guessed what really happened. I was shocked and surprised.

Definitely recommend the book. This was a great mystery/thriller that had me guessing until the end. I had no idea who was behind everything. Loved the characters, story and writing style. Look forward to reading more books by the author. Loved the cover of the book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Lake Union Publishing through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own

I love that the characters are relatable. Just two ladies working a normal working class job in a boring town. Isn't that most of us?
In 2024 lark is still relatable and she is engaged to a nice normal working class guy. I love that.
It gets weird at the end but I felt the alternating timelines and I loved our gals.

Meet Lark and Mikki, two close friends working at a highway truck stop in a one dog town in Ohio.

The year is 2016. Life is passing them by it seems, and both feel kind of bleak about getting out of this town, for a brighter, more promising future. That all changes the moment a man walks in looking for a coffee. He is headed to Florida for a wedding and after chatting up a conversation with Mikki, he convinces her to come along for the weekend. Lark thinks Mikki has completely lost her mind for going with a man she knows nothing about, but Mikki sees this as an opportunity to get out of dodge for a few days, to see what life is like beyond their boring town. Life is about taking chances, right? When Monday comes, there is no sign of Mikki.

The year is 2024, and still no Mikki. What happened to her closet friend? Lark has never given up hope that one day Mikki might be found. And so begins the story…
This was a good book. I was invested the whole time in finding out what happened to Mikki. At times I felt the story dragged on a bit too much,I think some of it could have been edited out. Overall it was a great storyline. I would recommend it. Also the cover is gorgeous!
3.5 stars, rounded down.

This story is not your average mystery/thriller.

The friendships are solid and make the reader think about what their own friendships can withstand.
I loved the relationship between Mikki and Chris. Wish their story could have ended differently.

I enjoyed this book but wish there could have been more to some of the relationships.

Thank you NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and the author Jessica Strawser
This is a story of friendship, love, family.
Loved the main characters and the strength they had through hard times.
Recommend

Catch You Later by Jessica Strawser is a touching story about friendship, second chances, and finding healing in unexpected places. It follows two childhood friends who reconnect, discovering that the people from our past can help us in surprising ways.

The writing is warm and honest, making the characters feel real and relatable. The book explores themes of forgiveness and personal growth, leaving you feeling hopeful by the end. If you love stories about reconnecting with old friends and finding new beginnings, this one will tug at your heart and make you smile.

Lark and Mikki are best friends who work the night shift at a highway travel stop in a small Ohio town, going nowhere fast, until a traveller heading for Florida stops in and Mikki impulsively leaves with him, never to be seen again. Eight years later the stranger who drove Mikki away reappears and asks for her, escalating the mystery surrounding her disappearance. Lovely cover!

The story is told from the points of view of Lark in the present (2024) and Mikki in the past (2016) when she left the travel stop with Chris headed to his sister's wedding in Florida. I don't recommend anyone doing what Mikki did as it could've turned out so much worse! The story, which goes back and forth between the two timelines, is slow to develop and I enjoyed it right up until about 85%. I was so disappointed from that point on that I pretty much skimmed to the end which was rather preposterous in my opinion (the end I mean). There are lots of more positive reviews so you should check them out if you're interested in reading this.

This was my first book by Jessica Strawser although I have a couple of others on my to read list. Even though I didn't love this one, I'm willing to give her another try.

My thanks to Lake Union Publishing via Netgalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: October 22, 2024

A great suspense read based on friendship. I loved the dual timelines and POVs that unfolds Mikki's disappearance and the bubble up of looking for her again after 8 years. It was a slow build but I was intrigued the whole time and wanted to keep reading to find out what happened. The end had some good twists to wrap it all up.

If you got a chance to leave a small town?? Would you take it even if it would mean you may never get back to where you been …. ?? Being young with an uncertain future what is there to lose ??? You need to read this book to find out the answers …