This book had some twists and turns. Some were predictable and some were a surprise. It's a book about friends and how things aren't always what they seem. It's about love and how that can get twisted into something that's not always healthy. The story is all written and the premise is unique. Alana irritated me a little bit, though. I'm sure part of that was intentional for the plot. I recommend this book if your looking for a thriller that is a quick read.

Thank you to NetGalley, Leslie Wolfe, and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I really enjoyed this thriller about new neighbours who it’s turns out our protagonist already knows and thought she had left them long in the past. As she tries to launch a new initiative to help missing people things take a strange and deadly twist when not only does a pupil from her school go missing but also her old neighbour and everything is making her look guilty. What is the deep dark secret she is hiding and can she trust those closest to her. Loved it.

Let me say - I am a Leslie Wolfe fan! This book is a true crime junkie's dream read - it's relatable. and actually makes you think about having a binder yourself!

Alana has secrets of her own - who doesn't - but she promotes everyone having a "If I go Missing" binder - so the police know where to look, questions to ask, all pertinent information versus wasting time scouring the internet for it. I got sucked in and read this one in record time - I'll read anything by Leslie Wolfe! I found it twisty and ever changing - predictable yet NOT. Great read for thriller fans.

Alana is shocked when she welcomes her new neighbours, only to find that they are none other than her teenage boyfriend and the girl that stole him from her.
Chloe and Alana were best friends, and Alana still has feelings for Ray, despite being married.

I really enjoyed this novel. The characters were well developed and the plot was well thought out and flowed, keeping me engrossed throughout.

And the various twists! they just kept coming. Seems as though honesty is the best policy!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

Did you know that the hashtag #incaseIgomissing has close to 70M views on TikTok?

If you are a true crime junkie, you’ll love this psychological thriller that centers around compiling those ‘If I Go Missing’ viral binders that let you save and store personal information that could help authorities find you in case you go missing. If you haven’t heard of these before, the basic premise is that with everything in one place, police don’t have to waste time executing search warrants or go hunting for details that have already been compiled for them. I know what you’re thinking, I wondered that, too. What if these ‘life saving’ binders get into the wrong hands?

This is the premise that Leslie Wolfe examines.

I binge-read this book because it gave me a much-needed escape into a fictional world and it had the ability to do that in a grasping, gritty and memorable manner.

Wolfe (1) encourages readers to dig deeper. In this case, if the protagonist had dug deeper rather than walked away from a relationship in her youth, she could have unmasked an unrecognizable evil force and it might have led to lives being saved, or least of all, a different trajectory for all involved. Wolfe also (2) continually reminds us that the forces of evil, the ones we least expect, are entirely psychological and that even though the damage done isn’t visible, it’s still disabling. Finally, but equally important is (3) her use of dialogue. I love that she hones in on what’s important to us when we are under stress and how our interactions are different than when things are going smoothly. I liken her narratives to a funnel. Wolfe funnels our attention to how we interact in these circumstances rather than focus on vivid descriptions of our surroundings. It makes for a tension-filled and pacey read.

Sorry for my lack of details, but I can’t tell you more because I want you to be affected by this book.

If the past few years have brought anything to light, it’s that we’re now living lives that feel less safe and less certain. Wolfe capitalizes on this. She investigates the evil that goes unchecked, our culture’s obsession with true crime, and our need for control, and writes to stimulate that psychological effect that happens when we read about something chaotic happening that a ‘normal person’ figures out and solves. She’s taken the majority of things we feel we need and popped them between the pages of a fantastic mystery!

Wolfe has elevated herself to my auto-read list.

I was gifted this copy by Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

Thanks to the author for facilitating an ARC of this book through her publisher and Netgalley. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily and it reflects my personal opinion.
I have enjoyed several of Leslie's previous books, she is successful and accomplished in the thriller genre and each book is uniquely different. 'If I go missing' had an interesting plotline, almost pre-empting what was going to happen, i.e. going missing. Alana, the main female character, has secrets which are only revealed slowly as the book progresses and we find out more about her friendships with Chloe and Ray. The storyline revolves around complex relationships and I found the whole book to maintain suspense right to the last few sentences. I guessed one part of the secrets, but I think readers are meant to do this as it only forms a small part of a thrilling, twisted set of subplots that make up a credible, intriguing and fascinating book that I couldn't put down.

The writing and the characters are excellent, and it's normally great with a very original plot, but this is just too messy for me. After reading a quarter of the book, I still had no idea what it was about.

𝑰𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔, 𝑰'𝒗𝒆 𝒈𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈.

I was instantly hooked when I read the synopsis: Alana, a primary school teacher, has come up with the innovative idea of creating binders filled with the smallest details of our personal lives in the event we ever go missing. Precious time is lost trying to gain access to such things as social media accounts and phone records, so why not put all passwords in the binder?

But Alana's life is turned upside down when the past comes back to haunt her and moves in right next door. Then two people in her life go missing, and it's a series of overly dramatic twists and turns that were a little too outlandish for my taste.

This book had a lot of things I enjoyed, but overall, it was too dramatic and over the top for my taste. I do like this author and will continue to check out her releases. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this early read. IF I GO MISSING will publish January 2, 2024.

I absolutely loved this book. Even though it was slow at first I was enveloped into the story right from the start. Lots of twists and turns which I loved. I like this author and I'm looking forward too her next book.

Thank you Bookouture and Netgalley for allowing me to read this arc in exchange foran honest review.

All thoughts and opinions are my own and aren't influenced by anyone

When the past comes back to haunt her and literally moves in right next door, Alana stops at nothing to keep her secrets hidden from everyone, including her husband Daniel. A true crime junkie, Alana is an advocate for If I Go Missing binders, which include important info about one’s life that help police in the event you ever go missing. When two people in Alana’s life go missing, her world is turned upside down as she attempts to find those she cares for before her secrets come to the surface.

This is the second Leslie Wolfe novel I’ve read this year. Definitely more fast-paced than The Surgeon, the moving parts & twists of If I Go Missing were sometimes predictable and overly dramatic, but still enjoyable to read. Slow to start, the second half of the book picks up fast as you’re trying to keep up with the twisty turns of this thriller. It really gave me Local Woman Missing style vibes.

Overall, 4 ⭐️. Worth it for an easy, fast read to start the new year off.

Publication date: Jan 2, 2024

Thank you to NetGalley & Bookouture for the opportunity to read this digital ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book was slow for me and took some time to get into. I won't say it's terrible and I wouldn't say it was the best. It was good. It was simple. It seemed like your basic psychological thriller but had a different concept.

The story is about an If I Go Missing Binder, and that part was the most interesting: the dynamic of what goes into it and how it's utilized. That's what makes it different. The characters were complicated for me to identify with, and it was pretty predictable.

In my opinion, some aspects didn't line up and had me googling specific timelines that didn't add up with the book timeline. I won't go into detail on that as I don't want to speak on any spoilers.

All in all, I put the book down on a few occasions to do dishes and laundry, and I have done both. It was a good read once you get to the middle, but it's probably not a book I'd read again.

Thanks to Netgalley and Leslie Wolfe for an ARC in return for an honest review.

I was sucked in from the beginning on this book. This is my 2nd by this author and I don’t even need to read the description of future books to know I want to read them. This was full of secrets, betrayal, mystery, and murder. The ending was so good!

I found the theme of keeping secrets from loved ones explored in this book to be quite compelling. Initially, the idea of concealing something from someone close might seem like a rational choice, driven by shame and fear of their reaction. However, the story beautifully highlights that honesty is ultimately the best policy. When someone genuinely loves you, they will stand by your side, understand your perspective, and forgive you without hesitation.

Trusting your significant other and believing in their unwavering support is crucial in any relationship. It's understandable that revealing everything on the first date might not be the wisest choice, but as time goes on, it's essential to open up and share your true self. Alana's journey in the story serves as a reminder of the regret that can accompany keeping secrets.

Alana's concept of creating binders as a means of communication is quite innovative and thought-provoking. It prompts us to consider the importance of clear and honest communication in our own lives. You never truly know what someone else is going through, and being open can make all the difference.

The book's use of clues and mystery added an exciting layer to the narrative. The idea of leaving hints for someone to discover gradually is an engaging plot device that kept me hooked throughout. I would wholeheartedly give this book a 5-star rating.

In conclusion, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, and I appreciate the valuable lessons it imparts about trust, communication, and the consequences of keeping secrets. It's a thought-provoking and engaging read that I would recommend to others

WOW! If this isn't a book to brag about I don't know what is... I started it late last night. Never did I anticipate I would be closing the book at 3am left in complete shock... This book was insane! It was twisted, it was gripping but it was so darn good!

Wow, I wish I could give this more than 5 stars! What a ride. This book had me gripped from the beginning, and it was such a roller-coaster of emotions as I read it. I couldn't wait to find out how it ended after the twists and turns. The ending was great, and I wasn't disappointed the slightest bit! Definitely recommend!!

A great read that intrigued me from the beginning. Alana and Daniel’s new neighbours move in and Alana is shocked to discover they are her childhood best friend, Chloe, and her husband, Ray, who was Alana’s first love.

Alana is a teacher who is campaigning for people to make a binder with all the information the police and their loved ones would need if they were kidnapped, so when Taylor, one of her pupils, and then Chloe go missing, Alana searches for Chloe’s kidnap binder to find that Chloe has revealed all of Alana’s secrets in the binder and the police want it!

The characters in the story were all brilliantly written, particularly Alana and Ray, and my kindle practically blew a fuse with the electricity between the two of them! The plot is super twisty as Alana races to find Chloe and Taylor before the past destroys her marriage.

4 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Leslie Wolfe and Bookouture, for an ARC in return for an honest review.

Keeping secrets from someone, especially a loved one, can seem like a good idea at first, because you feel ashamed and are afraid of how they will react. In the end it's always better to come clean from the start because when someone loves you, they will be there for you, understand and forgive you. Always.

You really should trust your other half more and believe they believe in you and have your back. I do understand it is not something you do on the first date and afterwards you think it's good the way it is, but believe me you will regret it later.

I am certain Alana wished she acted differently, but now she has to face the consequences...

It's so much easier to tell your brain to shut up than to tell your heart. Your brain might listen. Your heart though...

I actually like the idea Alana had with the binders. It should be something that everybody should make, because you never know, do you?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I like the fact of someone leaving clues, but the one receiving them still remains clueless until they start digging. 5 stars

Thank you

If I Go Missing by Leslie Wolfe is a good psychological thriller. Alana's secrets have placed her in danger. She creates a binder in case she goes missing. So if the worst happens, this binder contains everything someone will need to find her.

The story hooks the reader from the first page until the twisty last page. I enjoyed this author's writing style and getting to know these characters. Reading If I Go Missing is a good way to spend a weekend day.

#IfIGoMissing #NetGalley @bookouture

When Alana goes to introduce herself to her new neighbours, she gets the shock of her life when she finds her ex best friend and first true love have moved in.

Alana has a lot of secrets that she doesn’t want her husband, Daniel, to know about, and certainly not her neighbours!

She has to stop her secrets coming out, as they will rock the world she has created for herself.

What a great read this was. I spent all of last night up reading the story as I couldn’t stop thinking about the book and had to know where this was all heading.

I wasn’t actually a fan of any of the characters apart from Daniel, who came across as a steady and caring person. I could feel his pain as life started to change for him and Alana.

My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

I really love the writing style of this arc ! There are so many secrets and lies surrounding her life, her past. Alana has a lot to lose. As we follow her quest, so many twists and reveal ! Just some pieces where it goes a bit slow/repetitive but overall, it was an amazing book.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for access to this arc in exchange for my honest review.