The Night Before by Wendy Walker is not released until May 2019. I have read her previous books and loved them so when I was invited to read this new book super early I jumped at the chance. Going into a book hardly knowing anything about what is going to happen is a fun way to read. The publisher didn't give a lot away but enough to hook me in. I started reading this book at lunch time and finished it in the evening. It just kept calling me to finish it.

Not going to give too much away in terms of storyline, just to say if you like psychological thrillers then you need to read this book. The story is told from the point of view of 2 sisters - Laura who is the night before and Rosie who is the next day. We learn so much about this family from the 2 sisters who are remarkably different. It twists so many times that you will not figure it out until the very end.

Thank you so much to St Martin's Press and Netgalley for inviting me to read this book so early. Big Wendy Walker fan and this book is fantastic. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased

Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

While it may not have been the best thriller/mystery that I've ever read, it kept my attention.
I did enjoy the duel timeline style writing.
The only character that I really liked overall, was Rosie. She seemed most "normal" and relatable.
Overall, the book kept me interested.

This was such an addictive and gripping read that I could not put it down! I was glued to his book and read most of the book in one day. I just had to know what was going to happen next. Walker did not disappoint; the action was consistent and the twits and revelations came at the right intervals to keep me on the edge of my seat wanting more!

I love that the book blurb does not give a lot of information - just enough to pique the readers interest! This book is cleverly told through both Laura and her sister, Rosie's points of view using differing timelines which are clearly dated and labeled. This was a HUGE plus. I never felt lost and experience no confusion when the timelines jumped around. The book blurb teases the reader with the fact that a woman is missing. I will only tell you that Laura has gone on a date with a man she met on an internet dating site and Rosie, her husband, Joe and their childhood friend, Gabe, become worried when Laura does not show up the next day.

I loved that there is never any downtime in this book. The pacing is consistent and adds to the feeling of dread, suspense and mounting anxiety of the characters (and me while reading). I loved how the Author gives bits and pieces about the main character's past throughout the book. I loved that I never knew the entire story, so I was continuously guessing and creating theories. For most of the book, I kept wondering who was reliable, who was unreliable, what is real, what is the truth, is anyone lying, and where is Laura?

I love putting on my super sleuth hat while reading! I love when an Author can fool me. I found the storytelling to be clever, extremely well thought out, and riveting. By the time the book concluded, I had experienced so many feelings – anticipation, dread, anxiety, happiness, hope, shock, surprise and although my theories were wrong, the Author tidied everything up so nicely that I was not only happy I was wrong but was thrilled by it. Nothing really came out of left field, one does not really need to suspend disbelief while reading. What you do need to do is find a comfortable reading spot and dive in!

This was my first book by Walker, but it will not be my last.

Highly recommend!

Thank you to St. Marin's Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an hones review. The thoughts and opinions are my own.

First I'd like to say how much I appreciate the blurb on this book, not much given way, just a short, effective teaser. So rare lately. Also enjoyed the format of this story, two narrators, sisters Rose and Laura, interspersed with sessions between Laura and a psychiatrist. It does go back and forth in time, but the chapters are clearly marked as to date. Easy to keep track of snd follow.

Laura, meets a man on the internet, after he last relationship left her devastated, this is the first time she has ventured out to attempts another. She is excited, nervous, but hopeful. She never returns. Four friends all through childhood, Rose and Joe now married, they all gather together to try to track down her last movements. But, someone knows more, someone has a secret. A murder long ago, how does that connect to this? Who is not who they appear to be, has changed the story. But who? I loved getting lost in the questions, there are tidbits of enlightenment here and there, appearing just when the author wants to reveal them.

The pace is brisk, the story fluid, the characters only developed as much as the reader needs to know to keep them guessing and immersed in the story. For me, it worked.

ARC from Netgalley.

Just as she did with Emma in the Night, Wendy Walker explores the complex relationship between sisters.
Laura is the broken sister who moves back in with her sister and brother-in-law after a devastating break-up with her boyfriend. Laura accepts a date with a stranger via an online dating service and then disappears. The story peels back in layers in a way that keeps the reader on edge. Great character development and ongoing tension. Loved it!

St. Martin's Press and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of The Night Before. I was under no obligation to review this ARC and my opinion is freely given.

Laura has temporarily fled her life in the city after a bad breakup leaves her reeling. Choosing to stay with her sister, along with Rosie's husband Joe and small son, Laura has had time to mend her psyche. Will an internet date with a stranger be just what Laura needs to move forward, or will this decision become another in a long line of mistakes? Will the truth of past secrets finally be revealed?

The overall suspense kept the story moving at a smooth pace, but I did have some trouble with the plot itself. The Night Before has the makings of a good suspense thriller, but the book feels rushed in places. More background into Laura's compelling past would add more structure to the book, as the decisions she makes in the present hinge to a great extent on what she views as her previous mistakes. The author only scratches the surface on the plot line involving Joe and his past, especially how it relates to Laura. Rosie's feeling of protection towards her sister could have been expanded as well, as I can only guess as to the full extent of her reasons. With a little more discovery of the background of all of the characters, The Night Before would be a great read.

My Rating: 4 stars

The Night Before actually won’t be published until next year (May 2019) but due to having read Wendy Walker’s Emma in the Night last year, I was given the opportunity to read and review this, her newest work, super early (so early that the cover isn’t even available yet!). Of course, as with all psychological suspense / thrillers, I don’t want to reveal too much of the plot, but this book especially, it is necessary to go into it knowing as little as possible (I suspect the publisher left the summary extremely vague for this very reason). Having said this, the few “teasers” I will give is that there are some recurring elements, themes, that are also found in her previous books, however the execution is very different. With this one, the story also revolves around two sisters (Laura and Rosie) and a significant event that happened in their past which plays a huge role in shaping their present lives – but that is only scratching the surface of the story. This was a thrill ride with quite a few twists and turns that left me stunned and surprised at the end – just when I thought I had everything figured out, the rug was pulled out from under me and of course, once again I was completely wrong.

The way the story was told I thought was interesting and engaging to the point that I felt like I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough! Alternating between three different timelines – therapy sessions from several months ago, events from the night before, and events from the present day – the story also shifted between different viewpoints, with the “night before” chapters narrated by Laura in the first person while the “present day” was told from Rosie’s point of view in third person. The format seems complex, but yet, not once did it feel confusing – in fact, only a few chapters in, it was easy to become so absorbed into the story that you stop noticing the shifts in format. Of course, it also helped that the writing was excellent – as is to be expected from Walker – and the plot points were well thought-out as well as intricately woven into a captivating, twisty story.

I will leave it at that and say only that this one comes highly recommended! No doubt this book will generate a lot of buzz next year when it is released -- and deservedly so, in my opinion. I definitely look forward to what Walker has in store for us next, though before that, I should probably make sure I go back and read her debut thriller (and probably her most famous book), All Is Not Forgotten (which I’m guessing I’m one of the few people left who hasn’t read yet).

Received early copy / ARC from St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley.

O.k., before you even think it let me address a few things. First, this is a way-early review based on publication date but really, why wait? Secondly, this is not a final cover. Third, it is a very short description. I know all of these things but I assure you that a cool, intriguing cover is not necessary. 

Because the blurb is so short and mysterious, I'm going to try my best to give an adequate review without giving anything away. Basically, a woman named Laura has left New York City and moved to Connecticut to live with her sister Rosie, Rosie's husband Joe, and their toddler-aged son, Mason. Also in the mix is their lifelong best friend, Gabe, one of their "four musketeers." Laura has lived through a horrible tragedy in her past, has recently suffered a bad break-up, and is preparing for a first date with Jonathan. Told from multiple points of view and time periods, The Night Before weaves a twisted, suspenseful, and ever-surprising tale about Laura's past, "the night before," and what really happened. 

I first fell in love with Wendy Walker after reading Emma in the Night. I know that I still love and respect this author beyond words can say, but I find myself wondering, "how in the world does a normal person think this stuff up?" I liken this to something from Stephen King in the way that it is a thriller, it's unbelievably suspenseful, at times it's disturbing, but then shocking and surprising yet again, and again. This is one of those novels that you will think, "oh, I've got it," but then something else will be thrown into the mix, again and again, leaving you completely confused about why you had your original thoughts in the first place. At times, every single narrator was unreliable, building incredible suspense and surprise, but also causing me to feel as if I was an unreliable reader! This one is an edge-of-your-seat read that has an enormous psychological element and I feel sure will hold your attention and every breath until you finish it. 

*Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and the author for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Wow! This is what suspense is supposed to be like! I could not put this book down. It is a book best gone into with no information. To talk about the plot at all would give away hints and spoilers and I’m not going to do that. I’ll keep everything very vague for that reason.

For most of the book I had no idea what actually happened the night before. I’d think I had it figured out but it kept surprising me. The final twist completely shocked me and I would not have guessed what had happened. The last 20% or so was when things started to become clear and it was an absolute nail-biter of an ending.

This story features a classic unreliable narrator. No one trusts her completely and she even has serious doubts about herself and her own possible capacity for violence. My opinion of her changed several times throughout the story and I really didn’t know what to make of her until the end. The supporting cast is also quite interesting and I really enjoyed all the reveals through these secondary characters. You never know who to trust and pretty well everyone is suspect in some way.

So without any spoilers and without giving away anything I can tell you to pick this one up when it comes out. It’s a long wait but it is worth putting on your “To Be Read” list now. In my opinion it is the most exciting, suspenseful and clever thriller I’ve read this year, maybe even one of the best of all time. It’s super surprising, very smart and one you don’t want to miss!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for providing an Electronic Advance Reader Copy via NetGalley for review.

I love Wendy Walker's books so I was excited to read this one. Wow! Seriously, it hooks you from the beginning and doesn't let up for one minute. Each chapter I kept thinking, "Wait. Huh?? What just happened?" Secrets, lies, obsession, internet dating...what's not to like? Plot revolves around sisters, Laura and Rosie as Laura is attempting dating life again after being dumped. But of course it's a man she met on a dating website so he's a virtual stranger, and when she goes missing after the date...well, you may think you know where this is going but I assure you that you don't! Prepare to have your head spin!

Review by 2shay..........

This is a very strange and gripping story, a story that is a little painful to read and impossible to put down. It took me the better part of the book to like Laura. I didn’t understand her issues at first. As the story unfolded, with segments told in parts, some before and some during the events, it became clear that someone, possibly Laura herself, is crazy. Homicidal, in fact.

Laura was raised in a great neighborhood with lots of kids having kid adventures and a lot of fun. Rosie and Laura were best friends with Joe and Gabe. They went everywhere together and were tightly bonded from a young age. The bond was so tight, that eventually Rosie and Joe were married. Rosie and Joe were perfect together while Laura and Gabe went away to college. While still in high school, Laura had been present at the death of a young man she had a crush on. Even though the killer was caught and brought to justice, there were some who never believed that Laura wasn’t responsible.

There are many long held secrets revealed as the story progresses. No matter how well you think you know your neighbors, no one really knows what goes on in other lives. Some of those secrets impacted Laura in ways she never understood until recently. It broke my heart.

Ms. Walker has written an especially touching story. Tightly plotted, one segment leading seamlessly into the next, she has displayed all the style you expect in a great read. It’s a complex story. Life is complex, with no easy answers to why some get thrown so many curves, like Laura, while others, like Rosie, have a smoother path. And, like Rosie and Laura, the love of family has few boundaries.

Grab a copy and.....

Enjoy! ARC graciously provided by St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an honest and voluntary review.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Since the teasers and hints for this novel were short and sweet, I am going to try to keep my review and the synopsis short and sweet as well. The novel’s description is simply this “Twelve hours earlier, she was...Hopeful. Excited. Safe. Now she's gone.” Take that for what you will but you will only get this from me; a woman goes missing, and her past comes to light which makes everyone in her life question what happened to her. There it is, that’s all you’re getting.
Wendy Walker returns with “The Night Before”, a story hot on the tails of her previous masterpiece, “All is Not Forgotten”. “Night” has one twist after another (two big ones in particular) which are delightfully unexpected. The characters are all likable and believable and the storyline will leave you guessing throughout.
There is one particular twist in the novel that had me a bit confused (in fact, I took out a pen and paper to draw a diagram to help me figure it out, mind you that could just be the way my visual mind works) but even with that, the novel continued to entertain me. It was a book I read quickly, and a book that was hard to put down and just as thrilling and suspenseful as the tiny synopsis suggests.
I look forward to the novels’ release and wish Ms. Walker nothing but the best of luck. “The Night Before” has confirmed for me that I will read, devour and actively seek out anything Ms. Walker wants to put to paper. In a world of remakes and “revamps” and total lack of ingenuity, Ms. Walker takes a simple premise and turns it into a creative and unique story unlike any other. Well done!

5 plus stars. Unputdownable. While I was trying to figure out what was going on, I admit I hadn't completely had the picture solved and that's not a common thing to happen for me, when I read thrillers. I thought it was intense, loved having multiple points of views, timelines, to hear more of the backstory. It's definitely a puzzle that will keep thriller lovers working their brain into a pile of mush. You don't know whose who and whose the good or bad characters and likely will not until the author gives you the answer the way she wants. A must read. Chilling in many ways!
Will let Chapter Chatter Pub know all about it, when it's ready to be promoted to them!

Oooohhh my! If you’re like me and loved Wendy Walker’s novels, than The Night Before is an absolute MUST READ!

This twisty, turny novel will hook you immediately and I promise you won’t be able to function until you finish! I couldn’t get this book off my mind- whether I was washing dishes, food shopping or even watching television (I knew I had to put life on hold and finish when I was daydreaming about this book while watching This Is Us lol)! In true Wendy Walker fashion, the storyline was cleverly written to create the maxium amount of suspense that keeps you turning pages until waaaaay past your bedtime! It’s official, The Night Before is a 2019 favorite for me and a total 5 star read! Wendy Walker is an definitely automatic 1-click author, but even she outdid herself with this gem!

Another hit from Wendy Walker, and in my opinion her best yet. The main character is both mysterious and sympathetic, which is often difficult to pull off. The story feels very grounded in reality, yet leaves you turning the pages to find out how things will resolve. Highly recommend.

The night before by author Wendy Walker is a MUST READ! It is one of the most tense books I’ve read this year!! I it was fast paced and beyond great! I cannot recommend this book enough! I am planning to write a full review closer to release (May 2019) This is a book you really won’t want to miss. Full of well structured characters and a solid plot. So much thrill and psychological aspects, I was excited and unsure what to expect at first. All I knew was I loved reading “Emma in the Night” and Wendy Walker did not disappoint with her newest novel, The Night Before!
Thank you VERY MUCH to the publisher and Netgalley for my arc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Brilliantly tense thriller. So many secrets need to be uncovered before the finale and how tightly plotted they are. Read it in one hit, totally unputdownable.

Laura and Rosie are sisters whose lives have gone in very different directions. Rosie marries her childhood sweetheart Joe and they start a family in the town where they grew up. Laura, on the other hand, knows a thing or two about choosing the wrong men and after another breakup, she flees her apartment, her job, and her life and comes to stay with Rosie.
So what could possibly go wrong when Laura makes a date with a man she found on an online dating site. At worst, Laura doesn't 'click' with her date, and at best, she has a good time. When Rosie discovers that Laura didn't come home and that she isn't answering her phone, she is frantic to find her sister. Chapters alternate between Laura and what happened on her date, Rosie's search for her sister, and Laura's therapy sessions before she moved in with Rosie.
The book description is very short, more like a teaser, and it piqued my interest immediately. I don't want to say much more about the story except that many secrets will be revealed and what I was sure was happening wasn't even close to what the author penned. This was a quick read(320 pages) that had me flipping pages to find out what happened to Laura.
I loved Emma in the Night and added Wendy Walker to my 'must read more by this author list'. The Night Before kept me guessing, had well-written characters and a plot that moved along at breakneck speed. If you haven't read her other books, now would be a good time to add them to your list since this book won't be published until next year.
I received an e-ARC from Jordan Hanley at St. Martin's Press through NetGalley.

A great read!

This kept me on the edge of my seat and wanting to know more. Laura's history is certainly troublesome, and I loved the perspective of a narrator/main character I wasn't sure if I could trust. That's echoed by her sister, who doesn't seem to 100% trust her either.

The Night Before is a solid read and held my interest through twists and turns. Would recommend to a friend!

Something happened ten years ago that caused Laura to leave her hometown and not return except for an occasional day trip on a holiday. Now after suffering a broken heart she returns to stay with her sister and her sister's family for a while. She finds a date on a dating website and heads out for the evening, but never returns...

This book is told through three different points of view - Laura's, her sister Rosie's as she searches for where Laura is, and sessions Laura has with a therapist. All three points of view are at different points in time, but they work really well together. Wendy Walker has done a great job of keeping the different narrators separated, but keeping the story together. This story has lots of twists and turns and leads you in many different directions. The ending was amazing and as you read it, you can think back and see how the story was pointing to it in an indirect sort of way. I did not guess what was going to happen, but I really liked the fact that it wasn't just out of the blue, there were clues I just did not pick up on.

Laura is an unreliable narrator, which has been done a lot recently, but The Night Before was different than other books. In only took me a few pages to get sucked in and realize that it wasn't the same old story line again. I highly recommend this page turner!