Loved the twists and familiar setting (I’m from Indiana!) I liked it a bit better than her first bc it was a bit less gruesome.

I don’t have words for that ending. The final moments of this story were truly moving and well written. I enjoyed Ashley’s last book but this one was on another level. What her last book had in complexity, this one had in heart and overall the pacing, intrigue, and characters were more well rounded in this book. I cannot wait to get another Ashley Flower’s book in my hands. Grab this with both hands and don’t let go. You’re in for a ride.

Initially, I was intrigued by two sisters teaming up to find their missing sisters. However, the ending was a disappointment. It was far from happy, although it featured a good twist that made sense. The main character, Nic, is so flawed that it's sad. I prefer more lighthearted reading. I also noticed some errors that will hopefully be corrected in the final version. While some readers may enjoy the story, I didn't find it to be a quality read.

This was a great fast paced thriller that I couldn't put down. There are several surprising twists and you will be kept guessing until the end. I liked this much better than Ashley Flowers first book - it might be because she had a co-writer and the writing and plot were just better. I would definitely give this a chance even if you didn't like All Good People Here. Thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC.

What a ride! When two strangers team up to try and solve the disappearance of their sisters, unimaginable secrets are revealed. The twists just kept twisting! Definitely give this one a shot!

Thank you to Ashley Flowers, NetGalley, and Ballantine for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Nic Monroe's life has stagnated since the disappearance of her older sister, Kasey, 7 years ago: she still works the same job she did as a teenager, still lives in her hometown, still drinks too much to unwind. Jenna, the older sister of Jules, who went missing around the same time as Kasey, eventually reaches out to Nic with a proposition: the two of them know their sisters better than anyone, and if they work together, maybe they can finally solve their disappearances.

The premise was compelling, but the writing was rather bland. I appreciate that Nic was flawed and unlikable and there were a few moments where you really feel her grief, but other than those few moments, she and all the other characters felt very one-dimensional. As for the plot...well, I'm all for suspension of disbelief in these types of page-turners, but there were so many times that I was like...no? That did not happen like that? I don't know, maybe I'd appreciate it more if I wasn't an only child and understood the deep, unyielding bond between sisters. A very medium three shelter cats named Bansky out of 5 that might ultimately be closer to a 2.5.

The Missing Half - Ashley Flowers
Pub Date - May 6. 2025
Rating - 3.5/5 rounded up to 4
Thoughts - Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing - Bantam for this gifted advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
I absolutely LOVE Crime Junkie, so definitely needed to get my hands on this book. I really liked the premise, especially since I have sisters of my own, I was able to relate the plot. The writing in this book is very well done, though slow at times. It wasn't one of those books I HAD to finish before the end of the day, so that would be my only critique if anything, which is why my rating isn't higher. When the story picks up though, Flowers doesn't miss a beat because the twist comes out of left field! Very well done!

The Missing Half tells the story of the bond between sisters and how the remaining sister feels the ache and emptiness.

Nicole has a missing older sister, Kasey, who has been missing for a few years. When Nic meets Jenna she sees how much they have in common when she hears that Jenna has a missing sister Jules. Jules went missing three years before Kasey.

The two young women compare notes and gradually begin to trust each other. They try yo find a connection between the two cases and come up with a short list of suspects and people to interview. But could someone be trying to stop them ?

Interesting story with a strong female lead. The effects of a missing other half and strength and bravery but with several twists and turns. Great character development and intense mystery.
Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion after reading.

A fast moving mystery with plenty of sad characters, possible culprits, and new information after two women are missing and presumed dead for 7 and 10 years. Some parts moved faster than others, and I'm not sure I loved the resolution. But it passed the time like any decent mystery should.

I've been waiting for this book since reading the last words of All Good People Here and I'm SO happy to say I was not disappointed at all. While the premise didn't grab me like AGPH this book is just as engaging and twisty, and I love how grounded and realistic it manages to stay. Really looking forward to using this for book clubs, as AGPH was a favorite among my mystery/thriller book club last year.

Ashley Flowers is fantastic! This was suspenseful and engaging. I think she brings a new and fresh perspective to mystery/thriller books.

Nic Monroe, a 24-year-old protagonist, has endured her fair share of hardship. Her life took a devastating turn seven years ago when her sister, Kasey, vanished without a trace. Kasey's car was discovered over a hundred miles away from home, but the only potential lead was the disappearance of another girl just weeks earlier under eerily similar circumstances. With no substantial evidence, both cases went cold. However, when the sister of the other missing girl unexpectedly enters Nic’s life, the two join forces to uncover the truth about their lost loved ones.

I appreciated how this book wasted no time diving straight into the action. As a thriller, it did exactly what I hoped—it thrilled! The pace was consistent and gripping, and I devoured the story eagerly. The characters were engaging to follow, even if they occasionally made some questionable or impractical decisions. While certain parts of the plot may have stretched believability, I found the writing enjoyable and the journey undeniably entertaining.

Thank you Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for this ARC!

I love Ashley Flowrs writing style and was so excited to get this as an advanced galley copy. This book was easy to follow and a quick read. I did not expect the ending!

All Good People Here was one of my favorite books of 2023, so I was really looking forward to reading The Missing Half, and it did not disappoint! The story follows Nic and Jenna, two women who both have had sister go missing. Is there a connection between the missing women? Did the police miss something?

With strong character development, well paced story, and a twist I didn't see coming, this was a great read!

Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Bantam for the ARC!

This is the story of Nic and Jenna who both have sisters that went missing seven years ago and their cases appeared to be linked. Nic's been trying to move on and live without her sister (and not doing so well at it) but when Jenna shows up and encourages her to do their own digging, Nic's thrown right back into the thick of it and things go from crazy to even crazier all the way to the very twisty endings that you don't see coming.

I read this in one swallow.

with gratitude to Random House Publishing Group and netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I just finished reading this book, and I was deeply moved by Nicole "Nic" Monroe's story. From the very beginning, I felt her pain and frustration as she navigated her life in a rut. Living alone in a small apartment, dealing with a DWI, and working a dead-end job made me feel a profound sense of sympathy for her. I could truly relate to her desire to break free from the weight of her sister Kasey's disappearance, which had cast a shadow over her life for the past seven years.

The sense of loss and hopelessness that Nic experienced was palpable. I could feel her struggle to move on, even as she was haunted by the unsolved mystery of Kasey's disappearance. The way the book portrayed her emotions made me reflect on my own experiences with loss and the longing for closure.

When Jenna Connor entered Nic's life and offered her a glimmer of hope, I felt a surge of optimism. The bond between the two sisters, united by their shared grief and determination to find their missing halves, was incredibly powerful. I was captivated by their journey, feeling the tension and suspense as they faced the unknown together.

As Nic confronted her fears and uncertainties, I found myself rooting for her every step of the way. The emotional rollercoaster of their quest to uncover the truth kept me on the edge of my seat. The book beautifully captured the complexities of hope, fear, and resilience, making it a truly gripping read.

Overall, this book touched my heart and made me reflect on the strength of the human spirit. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for an emotionally charged and compelling story. It left me feeling inspired and hopeful, and I can't wait to see what the author comes up with next.

3.75 stars. This book held my attention and kept me guessing until the very end. I definitely did not see the ending coming, and I enjoyed it.

This story keeps you guessing and is hard to put down. Once I was done, I couldn't stop thinking about it.

AMAZING. I absolutely loved this book! I was hooked from the start! While reading this book I was able to connect with the characters and feel their feelings! The amount of times I said “Whaaaatttt, OMG”. Hope she continues to write mystery novels!

Ashley Flowers delivers a gripping mystery in The Missing Half, following Nic Monroe’s relentless search for answers after her sister’s disappearance seven years ago. When another woman with a missing sister approaches her, their pursuit of the truth leads to shocking revelations.

With strong character development, emotional depth, and well-paced suspense, Flowers keeps readers hooked until the final page. Fans of compelling mysteries and psychological thrillers won’t want to miss this one—it’s a page-turner that lingers long after the final twist.