When she's gone by Rea Frey
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

This audio had me hooked from the start.
I found it similar to a book called The Chain. Not that the story was entirely similar, but it gave the same desperate vibes of a mother who would do anything for her baby. I recommend this to anyone who loves a good thriller chokehold.

Thanks to @thrillerbookloversthepulse for hooking me up with this audio!

#thrillerbooks #thrillerbookloverthepulse #reafrey #whenshesgone #review #bookreview

“If I’ve learned anything it’s that people aren’t all or nothing. They’re both. They’re everything. All of us are dark and light.”

Although this was a very fast paced listen that I finished in a day, this story didn’t have that emotion and deep familial storyline that I have come to expect from a Rea Frey novel. Told in dual timelines and with a focus on Halloween and creepy things, this was one wild and twisty ride.

The narration is great! Each individual character has distinct tones from the narrator making it very easy to get lost in the story.

Thank you to Netgalley, Brilliance Publishing, and the author for the ALC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

This book wasn’t quite the right fit for me. While the synopsis initially caught my attention, I found the writing style leaned a bit juvenile, with an abundance of gymnastics-specific terms and references. It often felt like the focus was more on showcasing the author’s deep knowledge of the sport rather than building a strong foundation for the story. That said, there were a couple of twists I enjoyed, but the plot relied heavily on convenient coincidences, which ultimately held the book back from fully coming together for me. This book would likely appeal to readers who are passionate about gymnastics or have a strong interest in the sport’s inner workings. Fans of drama-filled stories with twists and turns might also enjoy it, especially if they don’t mind some coincidences driving the plot.

This was a quick read. I didn't want to put it down. The narrator did an amazing job. I was hooked from beginning to the end.

Overall, I really did enjoy this story. The audiobook was fantastic. The narrator did a wonderful job bringing the character’s voice to life. Although, I was able to predict the twist, I did like the story. I just felt like there were some loose moments.

I enjoyed this book. I especially enjoy books where the timeline goes from the past to the present. There were twists that I wasn’t expecting which made the book even more enjoyable. I listened to the audiobook and I enjoyed the narrator.

Last year I listened to Don’t Forget Me by Rea Frey and loved it, so I was keen to read more by this author. When She’s Gone is another bingeable listen, I finished it less than a day. Full of nasty characters and plenty of twists and turns, this is a book that I definitely recommend. The narrator, Jennifer Jill Araya was fantastic l bringing this story to life. I could picture it all happening. It would make a great movie too.

Set in the world of Olympic gymnastics, we follow Cora Valentines search for her kidnapped 4 year old daughter at Halloween. We learn that Cora herself was kidnapped as a teenager on the same night. Scared and desperate, Cora will do anything to get her daughter back. It takes her back into the orbit of her former teammates., not all of whom are happy to see her again.

This was such a. Fast paced story, you really do feel as if you are racing about with Cora. A great read.

Thanks so much to Brilliance Audio on NetGalley for my advanced copy to listen to. Out on January 14th.

Cora Valentine had everything ahead of her—a promising future and a shot at the Olympics. But when she’s kidnapped on Halloween, her life is thrust into the spotlight, not as an athlete, but as a victim. Even after her safe return, the damage lingers, especially since the person responsible was never caught.

Haunted by the public’s obsession with her past and the shadow of her abduction, Cora’s life as a member of the Magnificent Eight has lasting consequences. Years later, when Cora has her own daughter, she vows to leave that darkness behind and build a better future. Her daughter will never endure the same fears, and Cora swears she’ll never face them again.

But four years later, on Halloween, the past resurfaces.

Now, her daughter is missing, and to save her, Cora is forced to take someone else’s child.

It’s clear—the person who took her all those years ago isn’t finished with her. And as long as they have her daughter, Cora won’t stop until she gets revenge..

I did like the book and the narrator did a great job. The book was told from 2 time periods and does goes to back in forth in time. It held my attention and I didn’t want to stop listening to it. I assumed one part of the twist but not the other!!!! No spoilers!

This was all around a pretty good thriller. The story was fast paced, the characters did a great job of throwing you off, and the plot twists got me. 🤯 the narration was amazing as well. Def recommend this one. 🍂

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 3.5

When She’s Gone is the first book I’ve read by Rea. Set over Halloween night, the unthinkable happens to Cora and her young daughter is kidnapped. It’s a race against time for Cora to follow the clues and try and find her.

This was a fast paced, ‘popcorn’ thriller and I thought the narrator did a great job. Despite the story being quite far fetched, predictable and quite confusing at times for me (with the amount of character names lol) it was enjoyable. There was quite a bit of repetition at times too in the writing and the main character did annoy me at times. She literally accuses everyone for taking her daughter and I guessed who it was straight away lol. The duel timelines were good though and kept me hooked.

So yes, I liked it, but didn’t love it.

Thank you NetGalley and Brilliance Audio for this ALC.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (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
•
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.
•
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.
•
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.
•
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.
•
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!
•
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.