I'm a big fan of Armstrong's adult novels and was excited to read a YA. Excited and a bit wary, bc it's not often that an writer in adult genres can successfully switch. And while I enjoyed the story, the plotting and characterizations, I found the MC and her love interest a bit adult for YA. And by "adult", I mean straightforward, self-actualized and lacking drama.

Winter Crane lives in a hillbilly town near Appalachia with a drunk father and aspirations for medical school. She works hard at school, moonlights at a medical clinic in the afternoons, and sleeps in a shack in the woods to avoid her father's abuse. The shack is marginally safe - the woods are home to a pack of wild dogs who are seriously scary (and, as an Alaskan, a bit unbelievable, but maybe wild dogs are a big problem in Appalachia??). When she hears their baying late one night, she tracks them to find an injured boy stuck up in a tree. She scares off the pack, manages to get him out of the tree, across the forest and into her shack, where she bandages him up, all by herself.

Winter is tough. She has zero time for histrionics or drama, so when the boy refuses to explain how he got there, or his connection to Winter's missing friend, she doesn't pursue him. Even after he disappears again. Then his big brother shows up - a brother who shares many of Winter's personality quirks - and Winter isn't able to stay aloof. Her concern for her missing friend, and now her sister, convinces her everything is linked. Gradually, the two learn to trust each other and unravel a mystery that flushes out a perpetrator playing his own dangerous game.

Everything I love about Armstrong's adult books was apparent in this story. And Winter's unfrilly personality was refreshing. I only hope YA readers - who generally like a bit more drama and fuss in their emotions - agree.

I loved this book. Loved the characters and I thought the story line was very suspenseful I recommend this author.

I'm not usually a fan of suspense - just get too impatient with red herrings & the sometimes unsupported plot twists. Missing by Armstrong is the happy exception. Characters are well developed, and I truly didn't see the ending coming.

This was a mystery/thriller involving missing teenagers from a small town. Winter decides to investigate when one of her friends vanishes. She is also concerned about her sister who she hasn't spoken to in a while after a tragedy sent her leaving for good. Winter has many family problems, an abusive alcoholic dad, a mother that has passed, a sister who blames her for a tragedy. She's poor and has to struggle for everything she has. She escapes by going to a shack a mile into the woods behind her trailer. She hunts for food and her main enemy in the woods is a pack of feral dogs that want to kill her. Then one night she discovers the dogs have found a new target, a boy who's been badly beaten and is knocked out in a tree. This is no coincidence and thus begins a mad search for answers and many twists and turns. Romance is found as well. This story had darkness to it and it was intriguing. I loved the action and fight scenes. I feel like there could have been better character development and I really would have liked a dual POV for this. I think the story would've read better if Jude's perspective had been shared more. The story just left me wanting to know more about these brothers and their family. I feel unresolved about them. The epilogue was lacking to me and I really just crave more from the ending! The mystery was a good twist but I wish it was explained in more details. This is an arc so hopefully some editing will be done!

This book was a good mystery and fun. I enjoyed the small town and meeting both boys. I loved that she was concerned about her friends and sister. I enjoyed both Jude and Lennon.

While I am always been a fan of YA there are some aspects of it that make me cringe, it's the 'insta-love' thing. Where the characters lock eyes and it's true love, seriously, YA should be just as realistic and believable as adult fiction. I am happy to report, no 'insta-love' here and boy did this make the story more believable.

Missing isn't your average mystery thriller, though at times it was action-packed I found it more suspenseful, which that kept my interest and my desire to know what was going on. Then it would slow down which is when I got to know Winter better and get a general feel of her life . The mystery part played out nicely it kept me guessing with it's twists and turns, though I had a general idea of where this story was heading.

There were a few unresolved incidents that I would have loved to know more about, but all in all a nice mystery that keep me guessing right up to the fitting conclusion.

Thanks to the publisher via netgalley for an advanced copy.

Armstrong builds a strong, fast paced read that you wont want to put down. Written in the first person limited point of view, this book flows seamlessly from one scene to the next. The whole books takes place in a few short days. We share the shocks and confusions of truly well-portrayed characters.

I would totally recommend this book, not just for young adults but for all who love a good mystery. Set to come out in April. Be on the look out for my full review with RT book reviews. Please use discretion when purchasing due to 1. Violence/mild gore; 2. Items found by main characters to prevent pregnancy. There is also a minor discussion about religion. This is a well-written, clean book that I wouldn't mind giving my children to read.

Missing was a great book. The pacing of this book is wonderful and keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole time! Armstrong's writing grips you from the very first page and doesn't let you go until the last. The way Armstrong builds up the suspense is awesome and the action kept me interested. The character development in this book was wonderful. I really liked going through this story with Winter. Overall this was a great read.