This story was positively compulsively readable. I ate it up like popcorn at the movies. I couldn’t stop!! I read this book in two sittings. The first lasting late into the night and the second starting early in the morning as soon as I woke up. The setting was realistic and relatable for those of living in middle America. The twists were unpredictable if not a little unrealistic, but this is a thriller novel after all! The focus on sisterly bonds and female friendship and the dark secrets and lies that can come along with that was a unique facet of the book that I really enjoyed. Truly my only complaint about The Missing Half is that the ending seemed rushed. I felt the same way about Flowers’ first book, All Good People Here. But I also found its story as addictive as this one. Maybe a succinct ending is just her M.O. Regardless, I will continue to read whatever Flowers puts out!

Definitely a thrill ride, my heart aches for her sister and how much it changed her life. It was compelling till the last chapter.

A compelling and intriguing story that will have you turning the page to find out what happens. The plot is paced well and the characters are well-developed. An added bonus is that the twists were not predictable.

Crime Junkie fans will recognize the familiar storytelling style of author, Ashley Flowers as we dig in to the tale of two sisters who lives were splintered into a before and after. Nic’s life was forever changed on the night her sister, Kasey, vanished without a trace. Jenna lost her sister under eerily similar circumstances two weeks earlier. But seven years have past and the cases remain unsolved. Until once again fate connects these two families, as the two left-behind sisters join forces to find justice. Can Jenna and Nic ever know what really happened all those years ago? This tale has all the twisty murder mystery goodness you’d expect from Ashley Flowers!

This was a twisty mystery from Crime Junkie podcaster Ashely Flowers that should not be missed. When Nic's sister goes missing, her life as she knows it dissolves. 10 years later, she's still in the same dead end job just trying to make ends meet and attend her court appointed AA meetings. Then along comes Jenna, who's sister was also missing under very similar circumstances at the same time, and she pressures Nic to help her figure out the mystery behind these disappearances. I definitely did not see the twist coming at the end. I was convinced it was this one character, but I was wrong. Very well done.

What a fun ride! I really enjoyed Ashley's first book, however I liked this one even more. I love a dysfunctional main character and she definitely delivered that in The Missing Half. I really connected with the main character and could feel how hard she was struggling with the loss of her sister. It felt more real that she was having a hard time coping with the situation surrounding the disappearance. This book had me questioning every character and constantly coming up with the wrong answer. And what a great dark ending, which is also a favorite trait of mine. Chefs kiss would highly recommend. 4.5 stars

4.5 stars rounded up! ⭐️

I really enjoyed reading this book! It had me searching for answers and diving into the cases right alongside the two sisters. It was written so well, I predicted nothing right, and I really enjoyed reading it!! The ending… 🤯 Highly recommend!!

A huge thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All opinions expressed above are my own.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC for review.

Nic is a struggling twenty-something, still reeling from her older sister's sudden disappearance a few years ago. A woman who also has a missing sister appears, believing the two cases are connected. They begin to investigate together.

I enjoyed this suspense novel and its true crime feeling. The characters are really flawed and do make a lot of bad decisions. The ending had a couple of twists that definitely threw me.

Thank you Net Galley for an advanced copy of this book.

Two young women vanish without a trace, just two weeks apart. Their cars are found abandoned by the side of the road, the driver’s door open and their belongings left on the passenger seat. With no solid leads or evidence, the cases go cold. Eight years pass without any new developments. Both women left behind sisters, and one day, Jenna reaches out to Nicole, hoping to connect with “Nic.” She believes there’s something the police missed, and if they share information, they might uncover the truth. As they dig deeper, the reality they uncover is more heartbreaking than either of them could have imagined. The answers they find will change their lives forever.

I thought I had it all figured out in the first few chapters, only to be proven completely wrong. When I thought I had cracked the case a second time, the author threw in a twist that had me back at square one. This book kept me on the edge of my seat with just the right amount of suspense. The tension built steadily, making it impossible to stop turning pages. But it’s not just a thriller; it’s a story filled with dark secrets and shocking revelations. The ending stayed with me long after I finished the book, leaving me in stunned silence. The pacing was perfect—fast enough to keep the story moving without overwhelming me with unnecessary details. This is a book that will linger in your mind long after you close the cover.

I was a bit hesitant going into this one, mainly because her last novel wasn't for me, but this one felt like night and day compared to All Good People Here.

This was like an episode of MTV's True Life – you think you know what's about to happen but you really have NO IDEA. The book hooked me from the very beginning and I, a seasoned thriller reader, predicted exactly zero of the twists. It was a fun and quick read, the pacing overall was great. And the ending? No words. Highly recommend this one to my audience!

One of the best books I’ve read! Just absolutely incredible. Be prepared for every heartstring to be pulled. This book was marvelous from start to finish. It’s be a fantastic book club pick.

4.25 stars - I enjoyed this more than Flowers's previous book <i>All Good People Here</i> (which I thought was just fine, but not necessarily worth recommending). This book follows two women who are looking into the disappearances (/presumed deaths) of their sisters. I love a sisterly twist to a thriller! This was relatively short and kept my interest. Several twists I did not predict. Would definitely recommend this over <i>All Good People Here</i>.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for providing me with an advance reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

Expected date of publication: May 6, 2025.

Suspenseful, twisty, and paced incredibly
well- this book will have you hooked from the very first page. Nothing is what it seems- and finding out the truth could cost them everything.

Ashley Flowers weabves the story of two missing girls near the Indiana/Michigan border. Jules and Kacey each went missing weeks apart - seven years later there are still few leads. Jules' sister, Jenna, contacts Kacey's sister, Nic, who is basically a train wreck after her sister disappeared and now has a DWI. The girls start investigating the disappearances and try to piece together what was going on in each girls' life before she went missing. As Nic and Jenna retrace their sisters' deaths, they discover secrets and lies. The Missing Half is a thoughtful, suspense-filled book. Fans of family mysteries and thrillers will enjoy it. Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Bantam for an advanced reader of this book. The opinions expressed are my own.

This is the first book I have read by Ashley Flowers but it is not going to be the last. I loved this book. It had just enough suspense to keep you on the edge of your seat. Just when I thought I had it figured out I was wrong and I kept thinking where did these girls go?

Nic has lost her sister and for seven years she is a walking corpse. She drowns her sorrow in liquor and tries to remember the good times she had with her sister. Then one day she is leaving her job when a girl approaches her and tells her she has information about her sisters disappearance. Nic stops and tells her she is not interested in finding new evidence. But Jenna does not take no for an answer and Nic finally agrees to hear the girl out. See Jenna's sister went missing around the same time as Nic's sister went missing. So they have that in common.

As Nic and Jenna start to retrace their sisters death they find out a lot of secrets and the list of who killed the girls gets shorter by the minute. What happened to the girls who disappears? This is one book that had me on the edge of my seat.

The Missing Half by Ashley Flowers is a thrilling mystery about a woman named Ivy who investigates the disappearance of her sister. As she uncovers hidden truths, the story explores family secrets, loss, and the complex relationships that shape our lives.

The book is fast-paced, with plenty of twists that keep you guessing. Ivy is a strong, relatable protagonist whose determination drives the story. The emotional depth of the novel adds to its appeal, making it more than just a typical thriller.

While the ending may feel predictable for some, the journey is engaging and keeps you hooked. Overall, The Missing Half is a well-written, suspenseful novel, perfect for fans of family mysteries and thrillers.

The Missing Half is the second novel by true-crime podcaster Ashley Flowers. If you like listening to true crime, this is definitely a must read. It read like a true crime story. Two girls are both on a mission to find out what happened to each of their sisters, who had eerily similar disappearances years before. However, to be honest, Nic kind of irritated me with her attitude -- like girl, come on and stop feeling sorry for yourself and try to figure out what happened to your sister! And then -- Whoa. I did not see that ending coming!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for a review.

I didn’t expect this story to resonate with me as much as it did, but Nic’s journey felt incredibly real and gripping. She is such a great, flawed character, and her journey of grief and survival felt incredibly real. Her life is messy and complicated, and I appreciated how the story didn’t shy away from that. Watching her connect with Jenna, someone equally consumed by loss, made the story feel even more personal and heartfelt.

The pacing reminded me of what it might actually feel like to be wrapped up in a cold case—moments of frantic discovery and then stretches of quiet frustration. I’ll admit, the opening felt a little awkward, and there were a few moments where things felt too convenient to be believable. But honestly, I didn’t care much because the plot was so addictive, and the twists near the end totally delivered.

What I loved most was how the book balanced being fast-paced and suspenseful with real emotional depth. Nic’s grief, guilt, and resilience were portrayed so beautifully. The ending wasn’t tied up in a perfect bow, but it felt right for the story.

If you’re into thrillers with emotional stakes and complex characters, I’d definitely recommend this one. It’s a quick, intense read, and I’m already looking forward to what Ashley Flowers writes next!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Missing Half follows the disappearance of a woman and what may have happened to her from her sister’s point of view. The story follow the sister left behind and what her life has become years after her sister’s disappearance. A series of events bring her sister’s disappearance back with the possibility to find out what happened to her.

The story paces well using past and present to help the reader understand the relationship between the sisters. Additional characters and situations are offered to provide more context to what really happened.

This book has so many twists and turns on that you will not see the what happens until the end. A great book for sleuths who want to figure out what happens at the story unfolds.

This book hooked me from the start. I could not put this down. I finished in 2 days. Nic’s character had me struggling with her. Feeling all the feels. The twists and turns were great and had me guessing until the very end!! Well done!