Cover Image: The Girl from Widow Hills

The Girl from Widow Hills

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This is my 3rd read of Megan Miranda. Once again I loved her debut adult novel All the Missings Girls, as it was one of my favorite books I've read in a long time. I haven't finished The Last House Guest and I received this egalley advanced reader copy from Netgalley and Simon & Schuster before it comes out to the public.

I wouldn't give it more than a 3. If it wasn't Megan Miranda I honestly don't think I would have read it. It wasn't as interesting as I had hoped and I really didn't care for any of the characters and what happens to them. It was a bit suspenseful, but I didn't feel invested in the outcome. Therefore, the twist at the end I didn't guess nor did I really care. It kept me interested enough to keep going and I do like Megan Miranda's style of writing. But if you are looking for a great psychological thriller, look elsewhere.

Thank you so much Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC as I was seriously looking forward to reading this!

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💡ARC REVIEW: I need to start off by saying I am a huge fan of Megan Miranda and I absolutely love her writing style. It’s unique, engaging and her stories are spun in a way that makes you truly care about her characters and feel “in it” with them in regards to a mysterious plot. That being said, The Girl from Widow Hills was a bit of a miss for me. The story picks up about 60% through the book and I was fully invested and devouring the plot, but for the almost first half of the book, I was left pretty confused and the plot wasn’t moving enough for me to get a grasp on it. Once it did pick up, I enjoyed the twists and turns but even towards the end there was so much left unanswered about some of the characters and plot and I felt like I just needed something else from it. If you’re a mystery/thriller fan and especially a Megan Miranda fan, definitely pick this up TOMORROW when it’s published. The writing is good and I’ve seen many other incredible reviews, so this just may be a matter of personal preference. I look forward to reading more of Megan Miranda’s books in the future!
💡Thank you to @netgalley for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
💡Pub Date: June 23, 2020
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What I enjoyed most about this thriller was the fast paced development. Also, the story started off very intriguing and grabbed my attention immediately. The suspenseful atmospheric scenes through out the story held my attention but something happened in the middle and the story quickly turned dull. There were some eerie elements that I appreciated, specifically when the scenes occurred at night. As a reader, you can vividly experience them and Megan did a wonderful job at that. Unfortunately, this was not enough for me.

Although I enjoyed the storyline, sleepwalking content, the 9-11 call transcriptions, and procedural thriller vibes; It was all somewhat predictable and something felt flat for me. If you are looking for a light thriller fast paced thriller, this book may be just what you need.

Please always remember, this is my personal opinion and I like being transparent. Just because I did not enjoy this book means you will have the same experience.


Still, enjoyable and suspenseful.

Rating ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ /5

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It seems strange that the last two book I have read have been about a little girl whose life was changed when one of her parents wrote a book about something that happened to them that they cannot remember. Based on just that, I would say maybe there is a sudden new trend. Not so. These were two completely different takes on this basic outline. If they can be done as well as these last two, I DO hope it becomes a new trend.

Olivia was not always Olivia. She had once been Arden. Arden was a sleep walker who somehow made it out of her house only to get swept away by a flash flood. She was missing for three days before , pretty much by accident, she was found clinging to life in a storm drain. her story became national news. 20 years later, tired of the attention (some surprisingly negative and hostile) Arden has been living as Olivia. No one in her new life knows who she is. She hasn't even had a problem with sleep walking since childhood. Until one night she does.

When a man from her past life shows up dead near her house, Olivia decides it is time she finds out what it is that she cannot remember about those three days. Once the police realize who she is, it is only a matter of time before word gets out and the hostility starts again. Friends don't think they can trust her and strangers feel entitled to comment on her life and her past. What could a six year old have done?

The twists and turns are what I come to expect from current thrillers. They are only really good if they can't be seen coming but still make sense. That is the case with most of the twists in this book. I was confused by how angry people can get about something a 6 year old may or may not have done. If it weren't for multiple experiences with keyboard warriors in my own life I might have found it completely unbelievable. But, sadly, that is who we are right now.

I absolutely enjoyed this Megan Miranda book even more than the previous. Thanks for the opportunity to read in exchange for my honest review.

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Thank you to Net Galley and Simon and Schuster for an advanced copy of this novel. All in all, this psychological thriller hits all the right boxes and am now adding Megan Miranda to my "must read" author list.

I was able to read this book from start to finish in 24 hours because I just couldn't put it down!

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4-4.5 stars! This is my 3rd book by Megan Miranda. I wasn’t a huge fan of The Perfect Stranger but I loved All The Missing Girls and I loved this one too!! It was just the right amount of suspense. I kept thinking I knew who was behind all the problems being caused for Arden/Olivia but then something new would happen and a different person would become suspicious to me! Wow, the ending!!!! I was wrong on all guesses! Highly recommend this one!

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

To read other reviews I’ve left, look me up on Goodreads and Instagram.
*Goodreads - Cherihy808
*Instagram - bookworm_traveler808

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This book can be summed up in two words: slow, dark.
Okay, maybe a third word: twisty.
The main character, Olivia, has struggled to separate herself from a tragedy that befell her when she was six. But, despite her best efforts, it continues to define her and her relationships. I felt like there were a few things that didn't get quite fleshed out. Motivations and relationships that weren't completely addressed, but they were tangential to the storyline. Again, life isn't neat and tidy and ready to be summed up in 352 pages. But don't expect a continual speedy rollercoaster of a read. This book takes its time to let the reader fully appreciate the fear and trepidation that Olivia feels trying to navigate her world while keeping her former life a secret. But there are surprises that make the journey worth it!

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I thoroughly enjoyed Miranda's latest thriller! It hooks you in right from the start with narrator Olivia still plagued by the traumatic event that so defined her entire life. As a child, only six years old, she was missing for three days - only to be recovered from a storm drain. The narrative is interspersed with accounts, articles and transcripts from that time while it seems that in her present, all is still not well. She has begun sleepwalking again as the twenty year anniversary approaches.

The media sort of reminds me a bit of the story of Jessica in the well - a news story that even hit the radar in my own non-interested in news childhood. With a twisting plot and plenty of genuine surprises, this is a hard book to put down! I really enjoyed it! I have read several of Miranda's books in the past and this one just be my very favorite of hers yet! The characters all come to life -and I really didn't anticipate the final twist at all - it's well-plotted and well-executed - I can see this being a super popular summer thriller!

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I picked up this book because I LOVED Megan Miranda’s previous book “The Last House Guest.” I enjoyed “The Girl from Widow Hills”. I thought it had a lot of good plot points and no holes that I saw. I do recommend it, I just didn’t find it as compelling as the previous book I read by the author. It takes a little longer to pick up and it is more of a slow-burn than compulsive page turner. It picks up a lot in the last third or fourth of the book and turns out really well. I’m definitely pleased with it and will recommend it to others who enjoy the genre!

(Amazon does not have this title open for reviews yet so I’m saving this to add on the 23rd!)

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Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the ARC of the Girl From Widow Hills. This is the fourth book I have read from Megan Miranda with All the Missing Girls being my favorite by far until now! The Girl from Widow Hills revolves around Olivia AKA Arden Maynor. When Arden was little she survived what most belived to be a miracle. She was swept away by floodwaters while sleepwalking and miraculously survived for three days. The days and years following her rescue were difficult as Arden remembered nothing and was constantly in the public eye. Her mother cashed in on the event by publishing a book. Flash forward twenty years, Arden has changed her name to Olivia and seems to live a "normal" life until she begins sleepwalking again and discovers a dead body in her yard. The dead person is deeply tied to Arden's rescue 20 years earlier. Has her past come back to haunt her? Will she remember what really happened 20 years earlier? Does she want to remember? This book will take the reader on Olivia's wild ride to finally uncover the truth. Remember, sometimes the truth is best left buried! Strong 5/5 stars. I adored this book!

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Megan Miranda does it again, I flew through this book! If you are itching for a good thriller, this will hit the spot. Instantly, I was hooked and felt connected to the characters. This is the story of a woman who had a traumatic episode happen in her past. She has spent her entire life trying to escape the attention that the event brought. Finally when she feels as though she can breathe and settle into life, some things from the past start to turn up around her. Down until the last few pages, I genuinely did not know how it would end. This is one I will be recommending.

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Wow!! A total mind twister!!

I love Megan Miranda’s writing, she gets us in and then digs deeper until the truth is bleeding out for all to see. Her books are hard to put down and can easily keep you up, way past your bedtime.

This is the story of Arden and her past, her traumatic past and what stretches out in front of her currently. This is the story of how kids are easily susceptible to memory lapses after experiencing trauma, or how sometimes they can come up with a totally different excuse for said trauma than what really happened. Really wonderful character development and the story will blow your mind!

This is the fourth book from her that I’ve completely enjoyed. I have more of hers on my to be read list and I highly recommend her books, to anyone looking for a psychological escape from reality.

Thanks again to Megan, Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the advanced readers copy!

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This is my second Miranda book and I’ve decided they fall into the subsection of the mystery genre that just doesn’t hold my interest.

While the premise of a sleepwalking child getting swept away was interesting, I also had a hard time buying that anyone would care about it 20 years later. I also never connected with Olivia/Arden so it was hard for me to care what was happening.

There was thankfully a twist at the end but the way it was executed made it fall a bit flat for me as well.

Unfortunately I was just bored by the majority of the story. It was a light mystery that you could skim through and not miss anything important. 2.8⭐️

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The Girl from Widow Hills by Megan Miranda is a very highly recommended, outstanding novel of psychological suspense. This one is a winner!

Everyone knows the story of "the girl from Widow Hills." Arden Maynor was six years old when she became that girl, the girl from Widow Hills, Kentucky, the one who made national news during the search for her and her rescue. Arden was swept away into the storm drains when she was sleepwalking during a storm. The search lasted three days. Against all odds, she was found, alive, clinging to a storm drain. Fame and media attention followed. Everyone was focused on her, including fans and stalkers. Her mother wrote a book about the incident. Every year, when the anniversary date came up, the fervor began again. Her mother benefited financially from the interest and took advantage of it. As soon as she could, Arden legally changed her name to Olivia (Liv) Meyer so she could escape the public attention and live a private life.

Now she lives in Central Valley, N.C. and has a good job as a hospital administrator, but the twentieth anniversary of her rescue is approaching, which means the media will renew their interest in Arden. Her estranged mother passed away six months earlier, so they won't be able to contact her for an interview. Even though she feels like she has hidden her past, Olivia begins to feel like she's being watched and when a stranger approaches her outside the store, she starts to become alarmed. Then one night she is jolted away by a ringing phone. She discovers she is outside, and stumbles over a dead body. She doesn't remember killing the man and has no idea who he was - until his name is revealed to her by the police. The man was involved with her rescue when she was six. Who killed him? How did he find her?

Olivia is a well-developed character. You will want to support her and hope for the best. She is an unreliable narrator, as she admits to the reader to not remembering what happened the night the body was found and she had been sleepwalking a night before. The thing is, you will be on her side. You'll be rooting for her, hoping for the best, wanting to assist her in finding out what really happened. You might even tell her aloud to be more suspicious of that person, or to be cautious there, Olivia.

The plot of The Girl from Widow Hills immediately grabbed my attention. This is a well-written, excellent, well-paced whodunit. I was totally engrossed in this first-rate novel of psychological suspense from beginning to end. The tension keeps mounting incrementally as Olivia is investigated, and begins to investigate on her own. Olivia narrates the novel, but Miranda cleverly uses media transcripts, newspaper reports, book excerpts, and voicemails from the past up to the present to add a depth to the narrative. I smugly thought I had everything figured out several times, but then was blown out of the water by the twisty, shocking ending. Well done, Megan Miranda! Miranda is fast becoming one of my favorite go-to novelists for a guaranteed winner.

Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Simon & Schuster.
After publication the review will be posted on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

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Thank you to NetGalley, Megan Miranda, and Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read this book!

The Girl From Widow Hills is the first book that I have read by author Megan Miranda. I have seen so many of her other books floating around on Bookstagram so I had to check out her latest book, which publishes on June 23rd, 2020! This book introduces Olivia Maynor, she works in a hospital. She has friends but for the most part, she lives alone and keeps to herself. She has a reason, she is keeping a secret that she does not want anyone finding out. She is also known as Arden Olivia Maynor. When she was 6 years-old she vanished, only to be found 3 days later in a storm drain. Her story took the country by storm. She was stalked and constantly under scrutiny. So she forged a new identity. One night she wakes up after sleepwalking, to find herself tripping over a dead body. She has no defensive wounds, so she couldn’t have possibly killed him? Only her past can give her the answers she is searching for…

I love thrillers. But it is difficult to find one that I truly love. Because I have read so many it is difficult to not be able to predict the storyline. In this book, I loved the characters and I LOVE how it is only from Olivia’s point-of-view, except for the few flashbacks. Most thrillers nowadays have multiple points-of-view and the story gets muddled trying to tie everything together. But this novel focuses on Olivia and her perspective. I love Olivia. I understood her reasoning for keeping to herself and her fierce dedication to survival. In fact, I enjoyed all the characters in this story. I thought they all played a significant role throughout and played off of each other really well.

However, the story was so slow. Besides finding the dead body and the ending, not a whole lot happens. I don’t want to give too much information because the ending actually surprised me. It had a very gutsy ending and I was shocked—which is not easy to do. However, there were too many moments that could have been wrapped up a bit quicker to keep the pace moving. While reading this book I was in a FitBit competition and read this book while I walked around the house. If I wasn’t walking and reading I may have been tempted to fall asleep.

Like I said before, there are a lot of aspects that I did enjoy about this book, enough to make me eager to pick up another one of her books! Which one should I read next? Anyway, this book gets 3 out of 5 stars from me.

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This thriller was so original that I never knew what to expect! A girl was swept away in a rainstorm while sleepwalking as a child, and after becoming a national news story, she was famous for her tragedy. As a young adult, that girl has now changed her name and slipped off the radar. But she finds a dead body in her yard and is quickly thrust back into the public eye. Who can she trust? What is the truth? This story had me suspecting every single character and played out in a way that made sense but that I did not see coming.

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The Girl from Widow Hills is a suspense thriller from Megan Miranda. I have never read this author before, but I will definitely be adding her backlist to my TBR. I really liked the premise, probably because I was a sleepwalker as a child. This was a page turner for me and kept me guessing until the very end. Definitely recommend for fans of the suspense thriller genre.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for an advance digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Thank you #NetGalley for this advanced copy and I can’t even put into words right now what I am thinking. Once I started reading, I couldn’t put it down. The main character Arden/Olivia has a complex background and the secrets from her past did not disappoint. It pulls you in right along, each chapter giving you small bits of information, but keeping the final secret long enough to keep you guessing.

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I kind of went in blind with this one. I had read The Last House Guest and figured I'd try this one. I'm so glad I did.

I felt something was going to come out the entire time I was reading. I really enjoyed all the small details in this book. I feel they really played a huge role in this book. You start to believe one thing and then the author causes doubt and you believe something else. Perfect for this genre.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

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Thank you, NetGalley, for the advance copy! I was super excited to see that Megan Miranda was coming out with a new book, although I was a little jaded in my anticipation because in my mind, none of her books measured up to All the Missing Girls. Nevertheless, I looked forward to reading her style of narrative again. I was surprisingly very pleased with this one. All of the twists and turns had me constantly guessing, and for once, I did not expect how it turned out at all. Not to mention, it's the first time I have read a book in just three days in a long time.

The shining aspect of this one was by far the character depth and complexity. It acknowledges that everyone has a past that they either revel in or hide from. There's a potential in each of us for good and the unthinkable. Do we ever really know our own capabilities? Throughout the plot, I found myself questioning the pasts of characters and their potentials. But, when we get down to it, we can apply that to ourselves too... which makes this seemingly smooth and easy read a deep, dark, and thought-provoking impact.

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