I really enjoyed Ashley Flowers' first book. The lack of resolution was a neat change from your standard crime novel. This title unfortunately seemed to struggle. The characters were not likable, I assume she wanted to have flawed characters who seemed realistic, but they were awful. The plot didn't keep me interested and I found myself skimming instead of reading.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.

Do you like mystery/thrillers that are just creepy enough to make you want to speed through them but you can still sleep at night? This is it!!! I loved All Good People Here and knew I wanted to read The Missing Half when I saw it on Netgalley.

When two girls go missing around the same time, the town suspects a serial killer. What really happened though and after 7 years, is there any chance of finding out the truth?

The two missing girls sisters start digging into their disappearance and they uncover new details that the police never knew. Can they catch the killer and solve the case or will they be next?

Thank you to netgalley for an ARC to review!

A story of two sisters who would do anything for their sister. This book had a couple good twists but definitely not the strongest thriller I’ve read this year. No one was super likable?

Two sisters are haunted by their respective sisters disappearances 7 years ago. They team up to finally solve their disappearances once and for all. I really enjoyed the first 3/4 of this novel but towards the end it got way too predictable and seemed impossible.

I love the podcast and was excited when I got an Arc. And boy didn’t disappoint. The book revolves around two sets of sisters with one of the two missing. The sisters waiting for answers team up to try to get to the bottom of it. Is there a connection? The book was fast paced and not your typical ending but that is what made it unique and very juicy.

#TheMissingHalf #NetGalley
Spoiler Free Review
I read this author's debut novel, "All Good People Here," and while I enjoyed it there were some improvements that could've been made to make the story more concise. I'm glad to report that the writing in this second novel has improved greatly. The characters have more depth, the intrigue and suspense is better paced. I will say that some of the twists and the big revelation that is revealed seemed a little far fetched to me. Not because I didn't believe that situation couldn't happen but the character seemingly jumps to the conclusion with little to no evidence to lead her to the truth. But all in all it was a solid book that I rated 3.5 but I will round up to 4 only because I can see the improvements of the author's skill. I can't wait for the next book because I'm sure it'll be even better.

The Missing Half is a well-crafted novel with two compelling storylines that merge together in a surprising conclusion. The pacing dragged a bit midway through the book, and I did find a few moments to be bit far-fetched, but overall, I really enjoyed the story. My only other critique is that I wish there had been another couple of chapters to really tie everything together. This is an engaging read with some great twists, and I would recommend it to all murder mystery lovers.

Two sisters get together to try and find their missing sisters who disappeared at about the same time 7 years prior. Nicole is not very likeable, brash and destructive but together with Jenna she has a purpose. I thought I had this figured out but I definitely did not.

The Missing Half, kept me on the edge of my seat until the end. I kept thinking I had it figured it then you would get a curveball that kept you guessing. I loved this book so much, if you love mysteries, you have to read this.

I love Ashley Flowers podcasts but didn’t love this book. The characters were too much for me. The way it was written with strong language was off putting for me as well. I normally don’t notice lots of strong language but I did with this one. It felt choppy.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for the eARC! Ashley is local to me author, and I love that her books are based on places that I’m familiar with and know. This book had me hooked from the very beginning and at multiple points my jaw DROPPED. so many twists and turns, it was crazy. This book had good characters, a fantastic plot and so much action. I binged it in one sitting because I couldn’t put it down for anything. It had me on the edge of my seat, biting my nails. It was a super quick read, as well.
The only problem I had was with the ending. I can’t really piece together how Jenna did what she did and how she figured it out, and the ending played out quicker than what I was hoping for.
Overall, though, this book was fantastic and I loved it from beginning to end.

Great story, great character development. Left me guessing until the end, and I guessed wrong every time. I just feel the end could have been drawn out and developed a bit more. Maybe a follow up?

Ashley Flowers... She has a way with true crime podcasts and a way with true crime books. I love the way this book flowed and did not have dead spots this could be in part to her co author/editor or her own way that she weaves the story.

Two sets of sisters, with one missing from each and the remaining left standing work together to put the pieces together and answer the mystery of where did Jules Connor and Kasey Monroe go? Years after their disappearance there is a common thread between them that links the cases together and now there is hope to unravel how they are connected and their whereabouts.

While this was a great story the unraveling was a little bit fast for me. I did not understand how Jenn put the pieces together to figure out how her sister died in a car accident, it felt a little far fetched to me in that sense. I also did not understand how she found Kasey - it felt like a lot of leaps in the end.

Overall it was a great build up and unfold but the ending left me wanting something a little more

This was a quick, fast paced read and if I had the time I could’ve finished quicker. The ending was good and throughout the book there were numerous twists and suspects. I enjoyed the author’s first novel, but not as much as this one and I would definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys the genre.

THE MISSING HALF was a well written and plotted book, with two storylines that weaved together to produce one surprise ending. There were a few parts that felt a little unbelievable and while the ending was twisty, wish there could have been one or two more chapters to wrap up. That said, this was still a great story and excited to read the next one by Ashley Flowers!

Thanks to NetGalley and Bantam Books for the opportunity to read and review THE MISSING HALF.

Thank you for allowing me to read an ARC of Flowers's latest novel. I felt that it was well written and well thought out. It showed the drama of families very well. For me personally, I didn't find the novel to be very gripping. I wasn't eager to turn the page or eager to get back in the book.

Two young women from Indiana have mysteriously gone missing. Their disappearances are similar. One after the other. The Missing Half is set seven years later, as their sisters Nic and Jenna team up to uncover the mystery behind their sister’s disappearances. Are they related?

The author(s) of this novel did well in depicting complicated but loving familial dynamics and friendships. This is both evident through what we learn secondhand from Jenna, through Nic’s own reflections, and the conversations with various side characters throughout the book. However, the missing half of The Missing Half was a fully well developed mystery. Personally, The Missing Half’s mystery elements and “twists” fell quite flat. At no point during the novel was I on the edge of my seat or chomping at the bit to uncover the mystery of what happened to Jules and Kasey.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for an advanced copy of The Missing Half in exchange for my honest review.

Flowers returns with another cold case/missing person-based story!
In the Missing Half, Nicole “Nic” Monroe is struggling to thrive. She still lives in her hometown in Indiana barely making ends meet and still very much grieving her sister who disappeared years ago. This starts to change when the sister of another missing woman approaches her out of the blue and states she might have information. Suddenly Nic finds her questioning everything she thought she knew about the case.

It's a thriller, and it's paced well. I would have to say the reveal was just not for me (can't think of a way to explain more without potentially ruining it for you!). The sophomore effort from Flowers is decent, but I look forward to the next ! #randomhouse #ashleyflowers #themissinghalf

Thanks for this ARC. I was SO excited to be able to get to read this one. Ashley doesn't disappoint and I enjoyed this book more than her first! It was a quick read and tied up quite nicely at the end, albeit it not super "rosy". I recommend this book to anyone who likes a good thriller!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for an ARC of The Missing Half.

This was a fast-paced, easy read that I finished in less than 24 hours. The main character felt relatable and the storyline kept me guessing. Although I shouldn't necessarily call it a traditional happy ending, the plot was tied up nicely by the end.

4.5 stars