Helpful Score: 4
Wow! Let me just start off with a very big WOW! I have read several of Deborah Raney's other books and they always hit close to the heart. And this one was no exception. Talk about a plot that pulls you in and then leaves you reeling. I knew the wife went missing, but still, you don't expect it to be like this.
The whole premise of the book is a man whose wife disappears one day. They have been married twenty years, had a good marriage and all of a sudden she vanishes. Police suspect she disappeared on purpose and her best friend thinks she might have been thinking about an affair. But her husband knows better. No way would she have done this on purpose. But as time goes by, searches slow down, and Jill never shows up, Mitchell starts to think about other things. Like the best friend who has helped him search, always been there for support, and just might know more about him than he thinks. Yep, Shelley is a great woman but he is just not ready to move on when he has no answers about his wife. I really liked how he put his marriage first and foremost. Even when he wasn't sure, he waited for answers.
And at the end, I cried. So many heartbreaking moments of despair and yet answers that make you smile through your tears. You know what is coming, the inevitable is going to happen, but I had two theories on what might happen for this ending. And I was happy at they way things turned out. For those of you wondering, you just have to pick up the book for yourself and read:) Deborah Raney is an author that knows how to keep your emotions rolling. Take the trip and you won't be disappointed!
I received a copy of this book for my review purposes. All thoughts are 100% mine.
The whole premise of the book is a man whose wife disappears one day. They have been married twenty years, had a good marriage and all of a sudden she vanishes. Police suspect she disappeared on purpose and her best friend thinks she might have been thinking about an affair. But her husband knows better. No way would she have done this on purpose. But as time goes by, searches slow down, and Jill never shows up, Mitchell starts to think about other things. Like the best friend who has helped him search, always been there for support, and just might know more about him than he thinks. Yep, Shelley is a great woman but he is just not ready to move on when he has no answers about his wife. I really liked how he put his marriage first and foremost. Even when he wasn't sure, he waited for answers.
And at the end, I cried. So many heartbreaking moments of despair and yet answers that make you smile through your tears. You know what is coming, the inevitable is going to happen, but I had two theories on what might happen for this ending. And I was happy at they way things turned out. For those of you wondering, you just have to pick up the book for yourself and read:) Deborah Raney is an author that knows how to keep your emotions rolling. Take the trip and you won't be disappointed!
I received a copy of this book for my review purposes. All thoughts are 100% mine.
Helpful Score: 1
Contemporary womens fiction with a strong plot line that had me hooked from the back cover copy.
What has become of Jill? Kidnapped? Run away? Nervous breakdown? Lost? Dead? Three hundred pages of trying to find this woman who has simply disappeared off the face of the earth. Husband Mitch is such a character to feel for. What is he to do? Searching, passing clues to the police and each one is a dead end. Can one even imagine being in such a position?
I think the story does a good job of what that must feel like to have someone you love just disappear and you have no clue why. The story plays with great realism and yet still keeps our main characters likeable and as real as the people who might live next door.
The ending is heartbreaking. Its one you know is coming, you have a pretty good idea of what has happened after reading the entire book. And on one hand my heart was saddened, on the other I was grateful our characters had their answer.
The story is the struggles faced with every human life. Its a love story twined through as real life story as what might be ripped from the headlines. Its a story that has its moment of difficulty as I traversed the literary landscape, but one I walked closely by each of the characters.
This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publishers through Litfuse for my copy to review.
What has become of Jill? Kidnapped? Run away? Nervous breakdown? Lost? Dead? Three hundred pages of trying to find this woman who has simply disappeared off the face of the earth. Husband Mitch is such a character to feel for. What is he to do? Searching, passing clues to the police and each one is a dead end. Can one even imagine being in such a position?
I think the story does a good job of what that must feel like to have someone you love just disappear and you have no clue why. The story plays with great realism and yet still keeps our main characters likeable and as real as the people who might live next door.
The ending is heartbreaking. Its one you know is coming, you have a pretty good idea of what has happened after reading the entire book. And on one hand my heart was saddened, on the other I was grateful our characters had their answer.
The story is the struggles faced with every human life. Its a love story twined through as real life story as what might be ripped from the headlines. Its a story that has its moment of difficulty as I traversed the literary landscape, but one I walked closely by each of the characters.
This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publishers through Litfuse for my copy to review.
Mitch and Jill Brannon are happily married and about to become empty nesters. After attending a teachers conference, Jill leaves a message on their home phone that she is checking out of the hotel and should be home in time for supper. However, when supper comes and goes and she still isnt home Mitch is beside himself. He contacts the police but they come up empty handed. No clue as to what might have happened. Shelley Austin is not only their neighbor but also Jills best friend. Shes been there for Mitch and the kids since Jills disappearance. As they work together to find Jill, they seem to be growing closer which definitely complicates the situation. How can Mitch honor his marriage vows to Jill when she seems to have vanished from The Face of the Earth.
What if your spouse didnt come home and you had no idea what happened? This was one of those stories that once you start reading you just cant stop. The author allows you to go through the not knowing right along with Mitch, his kids and their neighbor, Shelley. Wanting to find out what happened to Jill is what compels the reader to keep turning pages. More than that though, I think the author did a great job of addressing all the areas of your life that would be affected if your spouse went missing. Your marriage, your faith, your family would be forever changed. It truly made me ponder how I would have responded if I were in Mitchs position. There are several twists and turns along the way which greatly enhances the readers experience. I appreciated the authors note at the end where she basically said that this side of heaven we will never understand why God allows tragedy in our lives but we can always trust that He is our comforter and Redeemer of lives. In the world there will be trouble but if we build our life around Christ it is redemptive and meaningful. What great insight! Deborah Raney is one of those authors who not only gives you a great story, but also causes you to be challenged as you read.
*This complimentary copy was provided by Howard Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
Print Length: 368 pages
Publisher: Howard Books; Original edition (May 14, 2013)
ISBN-10 1416599975
ISBN-13 978-1416599975
What if your spouse didnt come home and you had no idea what happened? This was one of those stories that once you start reading you just cant stop. The author allows you to go through the not knowing right along with Mitch, his kids and their neighbor, Shelley. Wanting to find out what happened to Jill is what compels the reader to keep turning pages. More than that though, I think the author did a great job of addressing all the areas of your life that would be affected if your spouse went missing. Your marriage, your faith, your family would be forever changed. It truly made me ponder how I would have responded if I were in Mitchs position. There are several twists and turns along the way which greatly enhances the readers experience. I appreciated the authors note at the end where she basically said that this side of heaven we will never understand why God allows tragedy in our lives but we can always trust that He is our comforter and Redeemer of lives. In the world there will be trouble but if we build our life around Christ it is redemptive and meaningful. What great insight! Deborah Raney is one of those authors who not only gives you a great story, but also causes you to be challenged as you read.
*This complimentary copy was provided by Howard Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
Print Length: 368 pages
Publisher: Howard Books; Original edition (May 14, 2013)
ISBN-10 1416599975
ISBN-13 978-1416599975
