This book was...
Riveting
Thrilling
Impossible to put down

I read this book in one evening and did not stop and could not stop. Yes, it was that good for my first book with Wendy Walker. My next reads are getting to her backlist ASAP! Walker is the thriller queen.

The story is centered on Laura Lochner who meets a guy through a dating app and does not return home from the date the night before. The story is told in alternating view points between Laura’s account of her date the night she went missing, and of her sister Rosie’s perspective beginning from the morning she starts her search when Laura does not come home from her date.

The time frame converges and as the layers are peeled to reveal what has happened, we discover a gruesome past that has haunted the sisters’ lives ever since.

Walker tells the story in such a creative timeline between the two POVs between the sisters (one lost and one in search). In addition, the interjection of Laura’s therapy visits scattered throughout slowly reveals a past which adds to the thrilling and suspenseful plot that made for cliff hanging chapter endings. The writing was razor sharp and the pacing impeccable with just the right amount of reveal in perfect time.

Walker wrote such an intense and chilling read I really enjoyed and one that I highly recommend.

This book turned into a disappointment. I was into it in the beginning and had high hopes for the direction it could take. But the conclusion was less than satisfactory and the main character’s inner dialogue was insanely irritating. There was good tension throughout, but I was let down by what was going on the whole time. I’ll check out Wendy Walker’s books in the future, but didn’t enjoy this one.

Song/s the book brought to mind: Crazy by Gnarls Barkley

The Night Before by Wendy Walker was a RIDE! If you're looking for a binge-worthy psychological suspense novel in your life, this is it guys.

Well color me surprised, I didn't see the ending coming, AT ALL, and I read this in two sittings although I wished it could have been one since I didn't want to put the book down. This is my second time reading a book by Walker and I think her books just get better and better as she writes more of them. The pacing was very quick, and I loved that it switched between the viewpoints of Rosie and Laura, plus transcriptions of Laura's meetings with her psychologist. Everything comes together with a bang at the end and I just loved what the author did with it.

I thought the different viewpoints made The Night Before very suspenseful and the author leaves you second guessing everything you think might be happening. And one thing I REALLY liked was the fact that this book isn't so over the top that you find it unbelievable. I could totally see this happening in real life which actually makes things a bit more disturbing. I had so much anxiety reading this (in a good way, not a bad way) and it definitely kept me on the edge of my seat. I highly recommend this addictive; suspenseful book and I can't wait to read more from Walker!

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy of this book, all opinions and thoughts are my own.

I’m a big fan of psychological thrillers, but I’ve read so many that started out great and then just fell short in some way. This book, however, did not disappoint! I loved it so much that I finished it in one day.

I loved the twists and turns, some of which I truly didn’t see coming. I loved the story of sisters Laura and Rosie and loved the satisfying ending. But honestly I don’t want to tell you anything else and ruin it for you.

Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

Having read both All Is Not Forgotten and Emma in the Night, I was ready for Wendy Walker’s next book. And it didn’t disappoint.

What I liked:

The cover!!!!! ❤ ❤ ❤

Laura. Because you were never quite sure about what she would do/had done/thought she did.

How the story is told. Sometimes authors run into problems telling from 2 different characters and including flashbacks- but in Wendy’s hands, the story is smooth and entertaining.



Bottom line: This book is def worth the buzz it’s been generating. Just get a copy and enjoy!

Special thanks to Suzy Approved Book Tours & St. Martin's Press for providing our copy of The Night Before by Wendy Walker in exchange for an honest & fair review.

This is an intriguing & captivating suspense novel. While reading it, my mind is trying hard to keep track of all the secrets. I don't which ones are going to be important down the road, so that keeps my interest.

Where I struggled is with keeping timelines & characters straight. I had a hard time connecting & latching on to a character. Whenever that happens, it makes reading more of a job for me.

That being said, the story is good. It's a well written suspense novel that's more of a slow burn.

Thank you to Wendy Walker and St. Martin's Press for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

First dates can be murder.

Riveting and compulsive, national bestselling author Wendy Walker’s The Night Before “takes you to deep, dark places few thrillers dare to go” as two sisters uncover long-buried secrets when an internet date spirals out of control.

Laura Lochner has never been lucky in love. She falls too hard and too fast, always choosing the wrong men. Devastated by the end of her last relationship, she fled her Wall Street job and New York City apartment for her sister’s home in the Connecticut suburb where they both grew up. Though still haunted by the tragedy that’s defined her entire life, Laura is determined to take one more chance on love with a man she’s met on an Internet dating site.

Rosie Ferro has spent most of her life worrying about her troubled sister. Fearless but fragile, Laura has always walked an emotional tightrope, and Rosie has always been there to catch her. Laura’s return, under mysterious circumstances, has cast a shadow over Rosie’s peaceful life with her husband and young son – a shadow that grows darker as Laura leaves the house for her blind date.

When Laura does not return home the following morning, Rosie fears the worst. She’s not responding to calls or texts, and she’s left no information about the man she planned to meet. As Rosie begins a desperate search to find her sister, she is not just worried about what this man might have done to Laura. She’s worried about what Laura may have done to him…

I adored this one, read it in one sitting and just COULDN'T.PUT.IT.DOWN. Can't wait to get my hands on more of Wendy Walker's books.

I can't begin to sing high enough praises for Wendy Walker and her book. I am a contemporary romance lover but what I love just as much (sometimes more!) is a wonderfully written, edge-of-your-seat, late into the night physchological thiller. Wendy Walker's novel is all of that and so much more! The intensity of the story is epic, bringing a past to clash with a present and creating a heart pounding, unforgettable roller coaster ride.

Don't think that this one will be an easy one to figure you. It's full of twists and turns, and amazingly chiseled characters, and it kept me up way past my bedtime trying to figure out the whos and the whys and the hows. Just when I thought I had Laura's story figured out about her past,Walker hit me something new and bam! I had to rethink and try to figure it out in a new way. That's amazing talent!

I won't get into a lot of detail because if I do tell you more about Laura and her story, I might spoil it! So, what I will tell you is this: go get a copy of this novel now. It will keep you guessing, you'll be cussing at the book because what you think you know about it.....you won't really know. It's definitely a keeper and worthy of high praises! But be warned! Once you start this, you will not be able to put it down, you will lose sleep, and you'll absolutely be wanting another novel yesterday!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*

This is a gripping thriller that had me hooked from the very beginning. Wendy Walker does suspense so well. Laura and Rosie are sisters, Rosie the sensible one, Laura the one who Rosie never stops thinking of, worrying about. Even now that they are adults the situation hasn't change. Laura, while staying with Rosie in their family home, arranges a date, through an online dating site and when she doesn't return home and fails to answer her phone the cogs begin to work over time in Rosie's mind. Wendy Walker wrote a really gripping thriller from the perspective of each sister. It was so full of suspense. Just when I though I has the whole story figured out the threw another curve ball and sent me guessing all over again. I really enjoyed this book and I look forward to more form Wendy Walker.

I recieved an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I loved this book and will recommend it often to lovers of mysteries, thrillers, and suspense novels!

Gripping!! I could not put this book down. I think Laura is definitely a character many people can relate too, especially in this day and age where so many people are doing online dating. This type of situation could really happen to anyone so it's scary but maybe that's also why it's so interesting. Definitely something I would recommend to everyone.

This was a wild ride! I took a long break from thrillers because it seemed they were all starting to be too much of the same . I’m so glad I decided to dive back into the genre with this one- it was totally unique and kept me on the edge of my seat! This was the second book I’ve read from Wendy Walker (Emma in the Night), and I’ve loved them both! She has quickly become a favorite author for me!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book.

Wendy Walker has done it again! There are twists when you need them and several that you don’t even see coming. My only minor hangup (aside from the few edits to be made, which are perfectly excusable as it is an ARC) is, without any spoilers, why would he leave her down there if she might come across that bag… if you know what I mean. Otherwise, the characters were meticulously created and the plot was executed just right. This is fast-paced and totally absorbing from start to finish.

The Night Before was a twisty thriller. The story is engaging and keeps the readers attention. I am definitely a Wendy Walker fan.

After a devastating break up, Laura quits her high-profile job and moves back to her hometown.
Laura's sister Rosie, convinces her to go on a blind date. She reluctantly agrees...and does not return.

*Begin, racing through the pages to find out what happens*

This is one of those books you read in a day, order take-out and turn your phone on silent. Dark, and full of secrets, flashing back and forth from past to present, from character to character, we never know who's memory is correct until the end.

I liked this book :)

It was just ok. I wanted more suspense and intrigue. I feel like I guessed the whole thing in the first quarter of the book.

DO you ever just feel like a psychological thriller but you really do not know which book to pick because youve been disappointed by them before?? this book WILL NOT disappoint! wow! i absolutely loved this thriller and it was exactly what I needed!! have already recommended it to so many others and will continue to recommend as one of my faves!!!

Laura Lockner is misunderstood and difficult. She has been hard to love since being a little girl with "fists for hands". Her sister Rosie's sweet nature has been the perfect force to balance out Laura's harsh personality. The two sisters along with their childhood friends Joe and Gabe have seen each other through horrific events in their childhood which built their friendship. Adulthood took Laura out from their hometown but now that she is back, can they remain a solid team as the past re-emerges?

I had read Emma in the Night in the past, also by Wendy Walker.  I had high expectations for this book and it was nothing short of marvelous.  Everyone knows that there are lots of great books. But only rarely does a reader come across a brilliant masterpiece like Wendy Walker's The Night Before that simply takes your breath away. There were multiple points where I had to pause, put the book down for a second, and take a moment to process the latest revealing truth. It is an intricate and delicate puzzle. Mind-blowing, fun, and a must-read for all fans of psychological thrillers.

For those who may be triggered or offended, there was violence, murder, adultery, divorce, foul language, and kidnapping.

Originally I received a digital copy of The Night Before from St. Martin's Publishing through NetGalley.  Then, in a coincidental turn of events, I won a paperback copy of the book as a giveaway on Goodreads! How about that!!

This one - wow, what a wild ride! Here's the story:

Laura Lochner is unlucky in love and always seems to choose the wrong men.  She is still getting over her last relationship and is emotionally scarred from things that happened when she was a teenager.  She returns home to Connecticut after living in NYC for many years hoping to find love.  She joins an internet dating site and has an immediate connection with a man who she decides to meet for a blind date.

Her sister Rosie is concerned about the blind date, but at the same time she's happy that Laura is finally going out on a date for the first time in a long time. She's happy until Laura doesn’t return.

The story bounces around between present and past, and Rosie and Laura’s perspectives.  Changing times and perspectives was done very well by this author - I sometimes get lost with this style of writing.  Lucky for me, each section was clearly labeled so I never had any confusion, and each character had their own unique voice.

The tension in this story was crazy, it caused me to hold my breath at some points and my neck was even tense in others. Each character caused me to be suspicious and I kept trying to guess the story, but was wrong each time.  The story was very well paced and readers are given clues and truths at just the right time which for me, meant I was completely engaged throughout.

This is one of the best thrillers I have read in a while and I couldn't put the book down.  I really love Wendy Walker's writing and the way she builds up a story.  Be sure to add The Night Before on your "must read" list of thrillers!

I was provided with a complimentary digital copy of this book from St. Martin's through NetGalley in exchange for my review.  All views expressed are my honest opinion. (I also won a paperback copy on Goodreads!!)

I am not sure this mystery was for me. The Night Before is a mystery, thriller. The book is told from the POVs of two sisters, Laura in first person POV and Rosie in third person POV. I have never been a huge fan of the flopping POV's. So that was something I wasn't happy with. I feel like it takes me out of the story. Also there are two time periods, the days before and the present. There are also some sessions with Laura and a Dr. Brody.

I failed to connect with either of the sisters. Laura has come back to her hometown after years of being away. There is the mystery of why she stayed away so long and she goes on a date and does not come home and this is the mystery of the present.

The book started fine but I did not enjoy the characters so I was just not that invested in what happened to them. There were twists and turns in the second half with the end that definitely kept me reading. Overall it was a not what I was hoping it would be and left me wanting more.