⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5/5)

This is my 2nd book by @reafreyauthor and I loved it. @jenniferjill.araya did the audio narration on this one and she did such an incredible job.

I think I’m just going to have to read everything Rea Frey writes.

Cora was such a cool protagonist and I liked that while she was extremely empathetic and kind, she was also a baddie who refused to give up without a fight.

This was such a compulsive read without of sneaky, jealous b!tchy teenage girls and so many motives to choose from.

That haunted house scene was so well written and had me on edge. I love haunted houses so I could totally picture that happening because the opportunities are endless for some sorta chaos to go down in a haunted house.

This book gave me Yellowjackets vibes because of all of the jealously and backstabbing and all around nastiness of girls.

Did I binge the whole thing!? I 100% did and I loved every second of it.

🤣👻🎃Happy Halloween y’all!👻🎃😂

Rea Frey has quickly become a must read author for me. I can always count on her books to keep me guessing and this one definitely did that! My heart was in my throat for most of this audiobook. The dual timelines worked perfectly and I'll probably always think of this book on Halloween moving forward. Cora was a compelling character for me. Her worst nightmare came true and there was SO MUCH SUSPENSE. The narrator was spot on to bring Cora's twisty story to life.

When Cora's daughter goes missing on Halloween night, Cora receives a terrifying series of clues on how to find her daughter.. Including kidnapping another child herself.

I really enjoyed this book. Rea Frey has become an auto-read author for me, dabbling in a couple different genres. While this book is a dual timeline, the whole 'present' time takes place in one night and moved along very quickly. While I did figure out the main twist very early on (I'd compare this book to a combination of two books I've read before), that did not take away from my enjoyment and there were further turns and rationales that I didn't guess. I loved the alternate timelines with Cora's story as a teen, and how everything intertwined. I didn't necessarily love Cora and thought she made some annoying decisions. I'm sure there were some plot points a bit far fetched, but I chose to take this for what it was, which was a very fast-paced and entertaining book. I listened to the audio version and thought the narrator was fantastic.

Did I completely binge this audiobook in just a few hours?! Why yes I did ☺️

As someone who was OBSESSED with the 1996 gymnastics Olympics (literally saw them in person!) I loved the flashbacks and mentions of all my favorite gymnasts.

Cora Valentine was an Olympic gymnast back when she was young, but that’s not all she was known for. She was also kidnapped and gone for a week right before she made the team. Now, as an adult and mother of a 4 year old, she is haunted once again when her daughter is kidnapped right from her.

This would be a great Halloween read as both kidnappings take place on Halloween!

4⭐️

Pub date 01.14.25
Thanks to NetGalley & Thomas & Mercer for my ARC, Brilliance Publishing & Thriller Book Lovers The Pulse for my ALC.

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Pub Date: 1/14
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My last book of 2024 was a banger. When She’s Gone had me in an absolute chokehold right from the start and I binged this within one sitting.
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Cora Valentino had her shot at the Olympics until she was kidnapped one Halloween, then things changed. Now, years later on Halloween, Cora’s daughter Lu is taken with strict instructions for Cora on how to get her back.
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This was a super intense, suspenseful and wild ride from start to finish. Frey created such an uneasy environment and had me literally squirming in my seat, anxious as anything, wondering if and when Cora would find Lu. I loved Cora’s character and her dedication to her daughter. I felt the real and raw panic as she did whatever was necessary I order to get her back. I absolutely loved how the story went between the past and the present, slowing giving us the full story of just what happened that fateful Halloween night.
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This is extremely fast paced and will have you on the edge of your seat, biting your nails on the verge of a panic attack. I did figure out on part of the ending, but it did not for one second take away my enjoyment. I absolutely love how the story came full circle and how Frey intertwined the past and the present.
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I listened to this one via audiobook and Jennifer Jill Araya was incredible in this role. She made that visceral fear of losing a child come alive in this. I loved everything about the audiobook. If you are going to pick this one up - read the audio!
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Overall, this is a huge win. Definitely be sure to pick this one up! Huge thank you to NetGalley, Rea Frey and Brilliance Publishing for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

🎃 In this gripping story spanning three decades, Cora Valentine, once an Olympic-hopeful gymnast, survives a kidnapping on Halloween. Years later, as a mother, she confronts her past when her own daughter disappears under similar circumstances.

The dual timelines of present-day Cora searching for her kidnapped daughter and past Cora as a kidnapping victim was a lot of fun and added depth to Cora’s quest.

🤸‍♀️ I enjoyed peering into the gymnastics world and witnessing its intensity. I often learn a lot from sports themed thrillers, but this was a little light on details. However, the writing was a success in bringing the routines to life.

🎧 The audiobook narrator was the perfect choice, matching the lighthearted, high pressured vibe. It was an easy listen at 2.0x.

While I anticipated the big twist, it remained an entertaining read. Ideal for young adults, with its cute, youthful vibe or readers new to the genre.

Thanks to Netgalley and Brilliance Publishing for access to this audiobook ARC in exchange for my honest review

3.5 ⭐️

Popcorn thriller with some strong points but ultimately not my favorite. I enjoyed the past and present perspectives, but it all seemed a little too over the top for my liking. Narration was good, though.