This book was a complete surprise for me as it’s been sitting on my Kindle for quite a while. The intensity of this book was unlike anything I’ve read in a thriller. And the twists that I didn’t see coming were jaw-dropping, to say the least. I was so invested in this book and I found it to be a quick read because I just couldn’t put it down and I needed to know how it was going to end.

This was a fantastic read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I have no hesitation in HIGHLY recommending it to anyone who enjoys a fast-paced thriller, mystery or suspense novel.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for my digital copy to read and review.

No one ever wants to get a call in the middle of the night that a family member has been in an accident and only to find out two family members and a friend. They are all still alive but for how long
This was a very emotional, depressing read. I do believe it would make a great bookclub pick lots to talk about



My thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The first third of this book had me engrossed. I couldn’t see why there were two separate storylines but then all became clear and it was a bit unlikely from then on. The plot surrounding Jordy would probably have worked well enough on its own but instead I ended up feeling disinterested in both rambling threads.

This novel alternates chapters between two viewpoints: Sandy, whose 20 year old son has just been in a terrible car wreck with his cousin and another friend and accused of drunk driving; and Libby, a woman who has just moved with her husband to the same country area of Texas where threatening things start happening on their property. This book is more of a character study than a mystery/thriller, but with some suspenseful elements. Towards the end things started getting a little crazy and not necessarily believable, but it was a pretty good read. 3.5 stars.

I've long been a fan of Barbara Taylor Sissel's and this book delivered every step of the way. I found it to be an emotional and compelling family drama with lots of twists and turns. The novel left me guessing and turning pages long into the night. Highly recommended!

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this free readers edition. In exchange I am providing an honest review.

One of the definitions of fault lines is "a divisive issue or difference of opinion that is likely to have serious consequences." Sissel's story exposes a fault line in a family that is exposed through a tragic accident.

It's the call that every parent fears they will get in the dead of night. "There's been an accident, you need to come." Sandy and Emmett are on their way to the local hospital after receiving that dreaded call. Their son Jordan, and their nephew Travis, along with another person, have been in a single car accident due to excessive alcohol consumption. As sketchy details start to emerge about the accident it appears Jordan was driving and this news breaks apart Sandy's family. But Jordan wakes up claiming he wasn't driving and this throws the family into further division. Causing even more of a break in the family is a deep secret carelessly exposed in a moment of anger. What is the truth about the accident? Can the deep cracks be mended?

Faultlines is a story about the weak places in a family and individuals and what happens when those weak places are revealed. It's a story about the love parents have for children being put to the test, forgiveness after betrayal is discovered, and the danger of obsession. I like Sissel, this is the second title of hers I have read and it certainly won't be the last. She writes about really interesting topics, has good character development, and writes in a very engaging way.

This gripping story takes some unexpected twists and turns, but the storyline doesn't necessarily rest on the whodunnit part of the tale. The focus on family and how people deal with traumatic situations is truly what's at the heart of this well written novel.

great read awesome writing i really enjoyed this author and this book i would reccomend to other for sure

I loved this book! All sorts of good storylines and relatable! I definitely will be recommending this one!

I really enjoyed this book. I thought the plot was gripping and it was an interesting exploration of family dynamics, the fall-out of long-kept secrets, friendship/brotherhood, and so much more. There was nothing predictable about this novel; i could not anticipate how it would end. I will definitely read more by this author.

Did not finish. It was too slow for me. I took a break from reading so I can't remember the details of this book for a more thorough review

This is another really good one by Barbara Taylor Sissel. It tells the story of what happens to a family when teenaged cousins are involved in a tragic accident. The propensity to place blame drives a wedge and threatens to tear the family apart apart. The storyline was very interesting and I really felt for the characters. This one was heartbreaking at times, but very compelling.

Excellent! I once worked with someone who had lost their father after a horrifying accident involving someone who was drunk whilst driving. This novel brought back some memories of what her family went through.

I am not going to write what happens in the story, as i would only be repeating what many others have written. I have never read any other novels by this author, but shall be searching the shelves when i next visit the local library.

Although very late with this review, i do thank the author and Publishers for the chance to have read this novel. This is my honest review.

Faultline is a family drama that is heartbreaking but leaves you with hope.
Its every parents nightmare being woken in the night by a phone call telling you your 20 year old son has been in an accident involving him his cousin and girl friend.
The tragedy was made worse by family secrets bought to the forefront during the story.

Thanks to the Author netgalley and publisher for a chance to read this book.....

Such a suspenseful, thrilling read, but with a very emotional storyline. It was difficult to put down and all of the details blended beautifully together in the end.

The book grabbed you at the beginning and was suspenseful. I could not figure out coonections early on. As it continued, it became more and more of a soap opera!

At its core, Faultlines is about the consequences of drunk driving. It begins with an early morning phone call -- the kind that no parent wants to get. Sandy's son and her nephew have been in a car accident. One boy won't make it, the other will. Two sisters, two mothers must deal with the fact that one son killed the other. A tenuous past is broken further at the exact moment when family is needed the most.

Meanwhile, other strange twists and turns take our characters on a spellbinding ride. However, it's a bit predictable in their resolution. The writing was good enough to keep me engrossed in the story so even though I was correct in many of my assumptions, I was ok with it. Good writing goes a long way!

In the end, I'm really on the fence about this one. I did enjoy the story at face value. Everything gets tied up in a nice little bow in the end and it just seemed too easy for me. I like a little tension, especially for such a grave topic. Overall, this isn't a bad book and it does demonstrate the healing power of forgiveness and openness. Certainly worth a read.

This concept of this book is every parent's worst nightmare. Emmett and Sandy are awoken to the phone call that every parent dreads, that their son has been in an accident. What unfolds from there brings this family through may ups and downs, some of which threaten to destroy their very foundation. This books was not always easy to read, as it explores many difficult family dimensions, ones that most families hope they never need to explore. It brings out feelings of thankfulness for your own family, even with the imperfections that it has. This book also reminds us that life can be fleeting, and to not take for granted what we have today, as we don't know the events of tomorrow. I would recommend this book to readers that enjoy deep, thoughtful explorations of family dynamics and character.

I have some mixed feelings about this book. There were parts that I loved and parts that I didn’t. And there was one character I had a really, really hard time with. I’m going to try to write this without spoilers.

What I loved:

Selected characters: namely Sandy, Libby and Jordan- all were well written, flawed, but understandable characters I could relate to.
The plot twist surrounding Huck and Jordan. Huck isn’t likeable, but at least he’s believable.
The relationships between Sandy & Jordan, Sandy & Libby, and Jordan & Libby.

What I didn’t love:

How did Emmett not know? You were gone for months and back for 7 days, and you didn’t figure it out on your own? Really?
What happened with Beck… was it really necessary? I’m not sure how this benefited the book at all.
The town’s reaction to Sandy and Jordan.
Officer Carter’s silence for most of the book. WTH?

And the character I had a real problem with:

Jenna! I had no sympathy for this character at all. She turned on Sandy and Jordan immediately and without concern for Jordan AT ALL. Yes, her situation sucked, but her reactions were out of line regardless of who was responsible. I could not relate to her in any way. Her character was supposed to be tragic, but I felt she was almost evil.

Overall this was a good read, it just had some parts that didn’t work for me.

I enjoyed this book, though I will say- I had trouble in the beginning following the different plots in the book.
I continued on and I was caught up in the story of every parent's nightmare and did breathlessly read to the end.
A bittersweet story.