I’m glad I finally got around to picking up my first Sarah Pekkanen book. I’ve been meaning to try out her work for quite a while but the timing was never right.

I ended up liking this mother/daughter thriller. I thought the plot was engaging. It was very suspenseful quite a few times. I thought the concept of this mother and daughter finding out things about each other that they never knew was great. It definitely made me excited to pick up other books by her.

What didn’t work so well for me was that the twists were somewhat predictable. They almost felt a bit anticlimactic compared to the buildup. I’ve heard the some of her other books do a better job at evening this out.

This critique is solely about the audiobook version. Kate Mara is a wonderful narrator. However, it was hard to differentiate between the two characters alternating chapters. I wish that they either had two separate narrators or that Mara changed her voice a bit. The points of view ended up feeling very similar because of this oversight.

That being said, I’m so glad I read this. It was a solid introduction. I’m excited to read some of her other works to see if they can knock it out of the park for me.

In this gripping novel, the intricate bond between mothers and daughters takes center stage amidst a backdrop of suspense and intrigue. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Pennsylvania's Susquehanna River, we follow Ruth Sterling, a struggling single mother, and her daughter Catherine as they navigate the complexities of their relationship.

Catherine, a young woman on the brink of a promising career opportunity at John Hopkins Hospital, finds herself at odds with her mother's inexplicable reluctance to see her leave. As Catherine delves deeper into Ruth's past, she uncovers unsettling truths that challenge everything she thought she knew about her mother.

Tensions escalate as Catherine's suspicions grow, leading to a gripping tale of deception, betrayal, and the lengths one would go to protect their loved ones. While the title "Gone Tonight" captures the essence of the story, "Her Father's Eyes" might have offered an even more evocative title, hinting at the underlying themes of ancestry and identity.

Sarah Pekkanen masterfully crafts a suspenseful narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, exploring the intricate dynamics of parenting and the mother-daughter relationship with a fresh and compelling perspective. As secrets unravel and trust is tested, readers are left pondering a haunting question: How far would you go to shield the ones you love from harm?

Gone Tonight was an excellent read following two women as the cracks in their relationship become clear.

Catherine Sterling thinks she knows everything there is to know about her mother, after all it's always been just the two of them against the world. But when Catherine receives the opportunity of a lifetime that would have her moving across the country, her mother makes it clear she will do anything to keep Catherine from leaving. Ruth Sterling is desperate to keep Catherine by her side where it's safe. But when Catherine begins making plans that would take her away from Ruth, Ruth's world begins to fall apart. Ruth has not been honest with Catherine and now her past is coming back to haunt her.

I have enjoyed the books that Sarah Pekkanen co-wrote with Greer Hendricks so I was excited to pick up Gone Tonight to see if I would enjoy her solo work. I ended up loving this book and enjoyed it just as much as I did her co-written novels. Gone Tonight is told in alternating chapters between Catherine and Ruth's points of view with additional sections showing flashbacks to Ruth's past. I liked that we got flashbacks to Ruth's past as it proved to be quite interesting and had a number of impacts on the events in present day.

The relationship between Catherine and Ruth is incredibly complex and I enjoyed watching it evolve throughout the book. Ruth has always kept a close eye on Catherine and while she viewed it as a way to keep her safe, Catherine has begun to yearn for independence. The revelations about Ruth's past have a big impact on Catherine and I loved how the exposure of those secrets impacted the pair's relationship. The tension between these two increases as the book goes on leading to some great moments. I don't want to spoil the plot so I'll just say it went in several directions I wasn't expecting and the ending was a complete surprise but a perfect way to wrap up the book.

Overall Gone Tonight was an amazing read and I would highly recommend it.

Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest opinion.

This book has many things I enjoy: twists, unreliable narrators, secrets between family members, and a mother who would do anything to protect her child. I read this in one sitting!

This is a story of a mother and daughter and all their dark secrets. The author explores this complexity well, while also adding in some suspenseful elements plus lots of deception. The main theme throughout is “How far would you go to protect the person you love most in the world?”

Ruth Sterling is quiet, hardworking, and lives for her daughter. All her life, it's been just the two of them against the world. But now, Catherine is ready to spread her wings, move from home, and begin a new career. And Ruth Sterling will do anything to prevent that from happening. With their close relationship Catherine thinks she knows everything about her mother, but as the story unfolds Ruth’s complicated secret history comes out. 

I’ve read several books by this author, but the ones I’ve read was cowritten with Greer Hendricks. It was refreshing to read a solo book by her and I thought she did a stellar job!

This book is well structured, slow burning tension with a twisty narrative. If a mother with a dark backstory and a careful escape plan to protect her daughter sounds up your alley you should give this one a shot.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martins press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Was very hopeful for this book, as the description and cover were intriguing but unfortunately this was a DNF for me.

"Gone Tonight" by Sarah Pekkanen delves into the complex and gripping story of Ruth Sterling and her daughter Catherine. Ruth has spent over two decades living a life on the run, fleeing from an abusive past and a troubled relationship. Despite her efforts to protect Catherine, her daughter now yearns for independence and a life of her own.

As Catherine seeks to break free from her mother's grip, Ruth's desperate determination to keep her close leads to a web of deception and secrets. Both mother and daughter are harboring dark truths, and as their carefully constructed world begins to unravel, they find themselves locked in a dangerous dance of lies and betrayal.

With propulsive pacing and brilliant layers of intrigue, "Gone Tonight" explores the lengths people will go to for love and the darkness that lurks within. Sarah Pekkanen delivers a thrilling and emotionally charged narrative that will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.

Catherine and her mother Ruth are by all appearances one of those rare BBFs for life type mother/daughter. The duo have movie nights, and seem to have that ideal relationship that so many strive for. But, of course things aren't always what they seem. Ruth needs to keep Catherine close and she isn't afraid to use whatever she has within reach to do so.

This was a very interesting take on a thriller type novel. There were a couple of jaw-dropping moments that had me going "what?!" and re-reading a section to make sure that what happened, indeed just happened. It was fairly faced paced and alternated between chapters by Ruth and Catherine, with Ruth filling in some of the things that happened in the past as well as what was occurring in the present.

Sometimes the writing was a bit overworked, and there was too much detail that wasn't needed. It didn't add anything to the story and it often brought me out of it the story to wonder why this was being included. Like I don't need to know that a character has an iPhone. Just knowing that they were checking their cell phone would have sufficed. As well, some of the metaphors were a little cheesy, but that is my personal taste and doesn't represent all readers.

Overall, I feel that this was a solid Sarah Pekkanen, and feel that her loyal fans will really enjoy this read.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this wonderfully enjoyable eARC.

In the literary world where thrillers often tread familiar paths, Sarah Pekkanen's "Gone Tonight" emerges as a refreshing narrative that delves deep into the complexities of a mother-daughter bond strained by secrets and lies. This novel is not just a psychological thriller; it's an exploration of the intricate dance of deception that can exist in the most intimate of relationships.

The story oscillates between Catherine and Ruth Sterling, a daughter and mother duo, who believe they know each other inside out. However, as the plot unfolds, it becomes evident that what they know is just the tip of the iceberg. Pekkanen masterfully crafts a tale that is as much about the unsaid and the unseen as it is about the overt tensions that drive the narrative forward.

The dual narrative structure is a clever device that Pekkanen employs to peel back layers of the characters' psyches. The chapters alternate between Catherine's perspective, filled with a youthful desire to spread her wings, and Ruth's, which is tinged with a desperate need to keep her daughter close. This pendulum swing of viewpoints adds a rich texture to the story, allowing readers to empathize with both characters even when their actions might not be entirely justifiable.

Pekkanen's writing is sharp and edgy, with a crispness that keeps the pages turning. The suspense is omnipresent, lurking in the shadows of Ruth's past and Catherine's burgeoning independence. The narrative is punctuated with flashbacks and letters, a storytelling choice that adds depth and urgency to the unfolding drama.

While "Gone Tonight" is a compelling read, it is not without its flaws. Some plot contrivances may stretch the reader's suspension of disbelief, and the absence of a more robust law enforcement presence in the storyline might raise eyebrows. Nonetheless, these are minor quibbles in what is otherwise a tightly woven tapestry of suspense and emotion.

The characters of Catherine and Ruth are the heart and soul of this book. Their journey is fraught with emotional landmines, and Pekkanen navigates this terrain with a deft hand. The ending is chilling and somewhat ambiguous, leaving readers to ponder the fate of the Sterlings long after the last page is turned.

In conclusion, "Gone Tonight" is a testament to Sarah Pekkanen's ability to craft a thriller that is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining. It's a novel that will resonate with anyone who has ever grappled with the complexities of familial love.

This story was a slow-burner which is usually something that I struggle to keep reading but this is the exception. I found the idea of this to be really unique and different from other things I have read. There were some parts I felt were a little too easy to fit into the storyline (like the Facebook part) but I get why it has to be.

I was surprised that this wasn't one of her more captivating novels. No matter how many times I picked it up, I just couldn't get excited about the plot and the characters. Compared to her other novels, this was too slow for me. Unfortunately, not one I would recommend.

Suspenseful domestic drama and psychological thriller.

What would a loving mother do to protect her daughter? Ruth is living those things every day after becoming pregnant at 16 and leaving her family and home to fend for herself. Ruth has always done whatever it took to keep them safe. Catherine is now 24, has gotten her nursing degree, and is about to embark on her own life which begins with her moving away. Ruth can't bear it. Catherine doesn't understand it. But why is Ruth so desperate to keep Catherine close?

Secrets and lies have built the relationship between Ruth and her daughter. Now things start to fall apart as Catherine no longer believes her mother and suspects that her whole life might be a careful construction. They become wary of one another as the layers of deceit are revealed.

This was an engaging and compelling drama with some twists and shocks as the mother and daughter start to learn more about each other. Lots of emotional buttons in the narrative that flips back and forth between Ruth and Catherine as each tells her perspective. I found that both characters had qualities that I could relate to and actions that I could understand at times. Not that their behaviors or choices would be those I might make, but they were believable in context. I liked the writing style and the narrator in the audio did a good job though I'm not sure the voices were different enough that I would have known who was speaking had I not also been following along in the e-book.

I like mother-daughter stories for the most part and this did not disappoint. Thank you to the publishers for the e-book ARC to read and review. I obtained the audio format from my library.

I found this book to be AMAZING!!! I enjoyed the pace and setting of the book. Also, the closely held secrets of the narrators really kept me interested in the book, and wanting to read more. This is a book I listened to on my way to work, and I found myself wanting the drive to go longer than it was, just so I could continue to listen!

Generally, I would definitely recommend this book (and already have!) to friends and family.

Thank you to the Author,, Publisher and Net Galley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I have been a fan of Sarah Pekkanen's works, and loved this solo book of hers! The twist at the end was shocking, and the pacing of the book was great from beginning to end!

I love Sarah Pekkanen and will read anything she writes. I really loved this book, told from alternating points of view between a mother and daughter escaping the past. While I thought it dragged a little at the end (yes, we understand you're prepared to run to escape your past) the book was still amazing and had me on the edge of my seat to finish. Looking forward to recommending this book. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the copy.

This book is broken into 3 acts and told in 1st person from alternating POVs of Ruth and Catherine. I loved the focus on mother daughter relationship as my mom is all I have and we are super close. I also loved that you didn’t know who or what to believe. Entertaining. Enjoyed it. Loved both main characters.

Another fantastic novel by Sarah Pekkanen. I was hooked from the start. I really enjoyed all the twists and turns in this novel, and waiting to see what would happen next. Definitely recommend this one!

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review*

Great story to start with - I felt the ending was a little flat. Not worthy of the build up.

“Gone Tonight” by Sarah Pekkanen is a novel centered around Ruth, who escapes an abusive boyfriend while pregnant. Ruth has never felt at ease, and is always ready to start a new life if she has to. After years of living like this, her daughter Catherine wants to move away from home and start a career. Catherine and Ruth both think they know each other, but it turns out that’s far from the case.

I have read and enjoyed other books by Sarah Pekkanen and this story is no different. ‘Gone Tonight’ is a slow burn story about a complex mother-daughter relationship. I tore through this book and I’d happily reread it for the first time again if I could.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC of this novel.

"Gone Tonight" by Sarah Pekkanen is a riveting psychological thriller that delves deep into the complexities of family secrets and the lengths we go to protect those we love. Pekkanen's mastery in building suspense and her skillful character development ensure that readers are hooked from the first page to the last. With its unexpected twists and emotional depth, this book is a compelling exploration of human resilience and the shadows cast by the past