Fast paced thriller? yes. This has the makings of a great thriller, and boy did it deliver. This book read like a movie or an HBO miniseries. It's a story about two girls that met under terrible circumstances and then were bonded by yet another horrific trauma. You learn about the trauma and the fallout and what happens when the women reconnect 16 years later. This book was a great change of pace from the thrillers that have been out and using the same variation of a recipe. This is one that'll keep you on your toes and wanting to know more and more.

Thank you to John Zaiss and NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC of this highly anticipated book! All opinions are my own!

I absolutely enjoyed this thriller. This was fast paced and action packed and so much redemption. I loved reading about both Jessie and Skye, and enjoyed their story arch. Often times alternating POVs and timelines can get confusing, but not in this case, thank goodness. The structure was laid out nicely and kept my attention through and through. Both girls were distinctive and the timelines were done well. What a thrilling read.

My only thing was that the epilogue was drawn out so much. After the big blowout at the end, showing us three months later, that was became almost too much. Let me ride on this high of the conclusion with just a couple of paragraphs of an epilogue would have been a great end. I could have easily closed the book and exhale and felt full, but the extra fluff at the end became too much. But overall, what a great thriller.

Books, Cats & Snacks Podcast did a quick episode on this book! Episode 128!
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for a copy of this great book. All opinions are my own.

*From the very first page, *Tough Girl* by John Zaiss had me hooked. It’s one of those books that draws you in immediately and keeps you engaged right until the end. I found it incredibly easy to follow, which made the experience all the more enjoyable.*

*The characters really stood out for me. Each one felt like a real person with a backstory that made them relatable and interesting. I loved getting to know them as the story unfolded, and they each added something unique to the narrative.*

*There were a couple of twists that genuinely surprised me, and I have to say, those moments were some of my favorites. They brought an unexpected edge to the story that I wasn’t anticipating. But what really struck me was how this book made me feel—it took me on an emotional rollercoaster in the best way possible.*

*Overall, *Tough Girl* was a great read. It’s the kind of book that stays with you after you’ve finished!*

Such a great read!!! it was action packed, i couldn’t put it down. it had strong female characters and is the definition of strength and toughness. The characters were brought to life, in a real and intense way. i read the book in two sittings.

Tough Girl by John Zaiss is a gripping and suspenseful story!
I enjoyed this book and the characters are extremely interesting.
Zaiss writing is taut and evocative, skillfully building an atmosphere of unease and suspense.
I was so intrigued from that first chapter so I literally couldn't put this down.

Thank You NetGalley and John Zaiss for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Tough Girl by John Zaiss

Tough Girl weaves the stories of two complicated women, forever bound by the trauma of a tragic night, into a gripping suspense as they find themselves thrust into the treacherous world of international money laundering. Sixteen years ago, two teenage girls braved Kansas City’s underbelly searching for a missing parent. Now, street-smart Jessie returns to her hometown to catch up with her childhood friend, Detective Laura. Together, they unravel secrets, confront danger, and navigate the murky waters of crime and betrayal. Zaiss masterfully combines a fast-paced FBI thriller with a story about friendship between women, creating a compelling story.

The characters each have their own issues and motivations, however Jessie’s resilience and Laura’s determination make them relatable and engaging. The plot twists are unexpected, and the tension builds steadily, making it hard to put the book down. Zaiss’s writing is crisp, and his attention to detail immerses readers in the gritty world of law enforcement and criminal enterprises.

Tough Girl is a testament to the strength of female bonds, the scars of the past, and the pursuit of justice. Whether you’re a fan of crime fiction or simply enjoy well-crafted storytelling, this novel delivers. Highly recommended!

**Tough Girl by John Zaiss**

In *Tough Girl*, John Zaiss crafts a gripping tale of suspense, blending the haunting echoes of past trauma with the perilous intrigues of the present. Sixteen years after a failed mission to find a missing parent, Skye McClendon and Jessie Arzate's lives take divergent paths. Skye, now a successful ER doctor engaged to Kansas City's most eligible bachelor, faces a sudden upheaval as her fiancé's involvement with a Russian mobster draws FBI scrutiny. Jessie, a street-smart nomad shaped by survival, is coerced by the FBI to reenter Skye's life, driven by a desire for revenge.

Zaiss masterfully intertwines the stories of these two complex women, creating a narrative that delves deep into themes of resilience, betrayal, and retribution. The novel's pacing keeps readers on edge as Skye and Jessie navigate the dangerous waters of international money laundering, forced to confront their shared past and the shadow it casts over their futures. *Tough Girl* is a compelling read for those who enjoy intense, character-driven thrillers.

Thank you John Zaiss and Netgalley for the advanced copy!

Nothing like a book that features the Russian mob, the FBI and some well portrayed characters, just up my alley.
This is the story of two very different women who sixteen years ago dug into the Kansa Cit’s underbelly trying to find answers in relation to a missing parent, Jessie’s mother. But things went terribly wrong, and this affected both their lives immensely.

Skye is now an ER doctor, respected and good at her job. She took a long time to rebuild her life after these events and at last it seems she has found happiness; she is engaged to a man she is totally in love with, a man she feels understands her and he is also one of the city’s most eligible bachelors, not a bad catch. But Skye still carries insecurities and does spend time with a therapist, just trying t keep her world in control. Little does she know as it is about to explode.

Jesee lives a totally different life, street smart as she has endured a life that has been quite tragic, she has been alone in the world and is trying to survive. Jesse has also spent a very long time in pursuit of keeping tabs on her mother, a woman that would not be up for any mother of the year awards. Like Skye she has her own issues, but she is also very tenacious and strong. She is also a police informer, not by choice but because she ended up in some deep trouble and accepting this invitation from the FBI was not up for debate, it was either this or prison.

Jesse is sent to reconnect with Skye as the FBI want her fiance in relation to his ties to the Russian mob who are laundering money, big time, and he is right in the thick of it. She is also out for revenge as she believes it is Skye who has destroyed her life.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for and advanced copy of the book, all opinions expressed are my own.

Wow, what a great read! Tough Girl is a book about two determined women who are bound together by tragedy and trauma. Once again, they must come together.