This was a quick read that took me 24 hours. I can’t really tell if it’s a YA novel or a thriller type novel. It’s fair to say that it’s probably a little bit of both. The chapters are short, and told from one perspective. It is a simple plot without too many twists and turns but still very enjoyable.

Kasia has a medical condition that keeps her homebound. It appears that there is somebody in the window across the street, but it’s so fleeting she can’t tell if it really happened or not. Being homebound and not being able to attend school has Kasia frustrated and angry but determined to get better so she can attend the next year. She makes friends with the boy next door and tells him about the person in the window across the street. Together they find out what’s going on.

This is my first experience with this author - and considering the fact that I bought another one of her books before even finishing this one, I know it won't be my last! This YA thriller certainly hooks the reader in right away when he main character witnesses an abduction from her bedroom window. Kasia has become quite ill in the aftermath of tonsillitis - she hasn't been able to return to school and on many days, can't even leave her bed, let alone her bedroom.

Set in England, Kasia's family is from Poland - and I think that this diversity will resonate with readers. The storyline keeps the pages turning quickly and the added stress of Kasia's illness makes this fascinating for more than just the plot. The characters all seem very realistic. And though it is firmly in the YA genre, it deals with some adult (and dark!) topics while remaining appropriate for the genre. Some sections - like those about crushes and school - may not appeal as much to adult readers, but I think that this is a good crossover book. I certainly enjoyed it - and gifted it as well to a reluctant teen reader who is enjoying it so far!

I also really appreciated the author's own note about her own experience with illness. This really adds to the book's realism. Plus the family dynamics all have an authentic flair to them. I really enjoyed this one and am definitely looking forward to reading more from Joelson in the future!

3 for neutral. Unfortunately, this book was not for me. I just couldn’t get into it, even though I tried many times. I will update if able to finish at a later date, as I don’t think it was poorly written, just likely more for a much younger person.

I had guessed at the final resolution of this plot pretty early on, but I think this book is less about that reveal and more about the character development along the way. And that part is a bit lacking. It's very surface exploration.

Complete disclaimer here- I picked this book up because I thought it was an adult thriller (just with a young protagonist), but nothing about the actual book is an adult thriller. Keep in mind I read and adore YA so that is not a problem for me, this was just not what I was hyped for.

This story would be better classified as a YA coming of age/contemporary story than anything thrillery. The story predominantly focused on a teen girl and her battle with her chronic illness and her loneliness, her ups and downs within her own tiny bubble and how she developed a few good relationships and came to terms with her restrictions- she just so happens to see a girl get shoved in a car in the beginning of the book. BUT that was not the focus of the book at all, it was just a random tidbit in her life for the most part. The writing used was very simple and the voice of the book was also very young so this felt more like a middle grade- that just so happens to deal with human trafficking (but not in detail, just in theory/vaguely for the most part).

I was let down by the story, probably because it was not even a little like my expectations. The best part of the story was that it was very easy to read and I was able to read it in no time at all. If you are looking for a younger read with a very naïve and inexperienced teen battling a chronic illness and finding happiness anyway then this might be the book for you.

I received an advanced copy from the publisher via Netgalley for an honest review.

DID NOT FINISH, stopped at 55% and just could NOT.

This novel is advertised as an adult thriller and it is not adult at all and definitely not thriller, frankly this was slow and terribly boring. If we took all the parts that were 'thriller' up to the 55% into the novel we would have....like five pages. Rather, this novel seems to be about a teenage girl Kasia, who is supposed to be a junior in high school but talks/sounds/acts like she is in middle school. And she has chronic fatigue and that is the primary focus of the novel. Ironically, the novel even mentions that cognitive behavioral therapy helps when someone has chronic fatigue, because it's often caused by a mental health issue that needs to be worked out....so clearly the family just does a whole lot of nothing and let's Kasia sleep all day and not go to school.

This was utterly BORING and not at all what the synopsis read as. My bestie and I were doing a buddy read and I couldn't even keep going and threw in the towel. Spoiler alert! The ending wasn't that interesting, very predictable and of course...happily ever after (insert eye roll). Big FAIL in my book, this novel was just bad.

DNF at 50%

I'm giving my review here based on the first half of the book that led me to become disinterested in continuing it. Had I read less, I would have chosen not to give feedback for the book.

In the beginning, the book jumps straight into action. A girl witnesses an abduction from her bedroom window and thinks that someone else, across the road, might have witnessed the kidnapping. Fair enough. I know how editors in the thrillers genre insist on having the hook right at the first page-- the first line even, if the author can manage it. Well... mission accomplished. You got us hooked.

But you don't hook the reader on the first page only to stall them for almost half the book with nothing whatsoever remotely relevant to that abduction or the maybe-witness. I'd rather have a slow-burn thriller in which I become invested in the details rather than getting lost in the mundane that started with a great hook. And by the mundane I do not mean the protagonist's sickness (she suffered from chronic fatigue syndrome); I mean the small, insignificant details about suburban life.

Another complaint was the characterization. Kasia was too immature for her age; she might be sheltered and protected because of her upbringing and sickness, but still, something about her made her seem a lot younger than fourteen. I have nothing to complain about from the writing in general, but I'm of the opinion that incorporating sickness in any plot requires a lot of finesse, not simply a repetition of the disease's symptoms.

Halfway through the book, I forgot what it was about in the first place. By the time the maybe-witness reappeared, I had become so confused that I did not know what I was reading anymore.

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for my eArc.

Let me start off by saying this book was not at all what I expected. Whether that’s good or bad, I really can’t say. Going into it I thought I was getting a thriller, but that’s not exactly what this book is. There is an element of mystery, but this is more about Kacia and her struggles with ME. It was definitely interesting to learn more about her illness, but I do wish there has been more mystery throughout the book.

Easily on of my favorite thrillers of 2020. The Girl Who Wasn't There left me on the edge of my seat from the very first page until the last. I can't wait to read more from Penny Joelson in the future

I love this book is very much part mystery part psychological thriller with great characters and a fast paced plot. I highly recommend this book to those who love the genre.

This was like a YA Rear Window, which I was very excited about!

Kasia, whose family left Poland for a new life in the UK, has been confined to her house due to ME/CFS or chronic fatigue syndrome, after a case of tonsillitis. One day, she's looking out her window and sees what she thinks is a kidnapping outside one of her neighbors' houses. Then, inside that house, she sees a girl around her age who seems to be a prisoner.

Kasia was an interesting character who had to battle her own illness and other people's misunderstandings and prejudices surrounding it. There was a minor romantic element (more of a friendship turned to slight romance) and also a subplot with some family drama.

This felt a bit old school for a reason I can't put my finger on, but I did enjoy reading it.

A fairly average, fast moving thriller, but I loved the focus on Human Trafficking and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. It's a very British book, so some descriptions might not be relatable/understandable to North American teen readers.

Overall it was a very easy and quick read, but the awareness it brought about ME/CFS made it stand out to me.

Thrilling, addictive, mysterious. I loved how this book kept me guessing. At times I believed what Kasia saw – that she did indeed see a girl in the window across the street. But other times I began to doubt what Kasia saw, or rather what she thinks she seen. Maybe it was a trick of the shadows and the light? After all, if there is a girl in that window from time to time, why do the owners of the house insist there is no one else there? The whole mystery vibe intrigued me in the novel and I loved that.

I enjoyed reading about Kasia and her story. The illness that suddenly appeared in her life and one that kept her home for days at a time. Some days were better than others. Some days she was able to walk around her home and go downstairs and join her family, other times she was bedridden for days at a time. It was interesting to read about the sudden illness that Kasia was experiencing in her life. She had a great personality as a main character. She was witty, determined to fight for what she believed in, she did not give up. She was loving, caring, and strong willed.

An interesting novel that I recommend.

The story is captivating, catchy and inspiring. The way the author writes chapter one already catches my eye to continue reading until the end. The plot of the story is clear and also this is one of my fastest reads so far. The author wrote it straight to the story about what's really happening and the ending made me feel so content on what’s happening to the characters too. Kasia's condition made me feel awful and sad for her but she’s a great inspiration as well. Everyday is a struggle to fight the illness and I’m happy to see her progress when reading this.
Overall, I don’t have enough words on how to review this book because it’s pretty damn touchy and good. My heart melts with the story and I feel proud and happy with it.

This is a really good, strong, 3* 'Good Read'. I do get frustrated with people who post 3* as a negative. For me, it's clear: 1* I didn't like it / 2* It was an OK read / 3* A Good Read / 4* I loved it / 5* It was amazing!

This is a YA book that packs a punch, as, the lead character is bed bound following a bout of tonsillitis and it has left her with a type of ME/CFS. The author has suffered similarly and this really shows in the descriptions of the impact of this debilitating illness.
Then, she spots a young woman being forced into a car. She reports it to the police, but, there doesn't appear to be any missing persons fitting the description.
What follows has elements of The Rear Window film and I found it a fascinating if claustrophobic read.

It's a solid theme with good characters and overall I enjoyed it. It's refreshing to read about an illness I knew little about and it's characters are interesting and diverse. I did find it a tad plodding at times and a bit predictable. Still, the good outweighs the bad and so I'd recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley, Sourcebooks and the author for the opportunity to preview and I wish it every success.

I loved this book! It was incredibly gripping and such a great read. The storyline flowed really nicely as there was a balance of mystery, love and friendship. The main character Kasia was a very determined, curious teenager and I really enjoyed reading the story in her POV and seeing her character develop throughout the book. Joelson wrote about Kasia, dealing with a chronic illness called ME (in simpler terms - chronic fatigue) . I found this to help with the storyline because Kasia struggled to venture around, so it slowed down clues and information about the girl in the window, which gave the book added suspense.

I did not know what to expect with the girl in the window, I had a few ideas on what could be the truth however, it wasn’t predictable in the slightest! I really enjoyed the ending and I was impressed with how Joelson writes about serious issues and how to deal with them the correct way. A perfect read for young adults and it is a true coming of age story. Highly recommend!

Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks for the ARC.

🌟🌟🌟 3/5 stars

The Girl Who Wasn’t There is a YA thriller about Kasia, a girl dealing with a chronic illness, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. When she witnesses a girl being kidnapped from her window, she decides to try and find out what happened.

This mystery was a decent read with an interesting main character. I found the storyline to be slightly predictable and the pacing to be slow in certain parts of the book. I loved the focus on chronic illness, but, overall, this was just an okay read for me.

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was almost expecting this to have a supernatural twist when I first chose it, but still wanted to read it. I had never read a book by penny Joelson, and I have to say, I will be picking up more.

This story follows Kasia as she spends most of her time looking out her window on her neighborhood street. She first suspects she sees a girl in the upstairs window at the same time she suspects she sees a girl abducted off the street. But when the cops find nothing, she isn’t so sure. Struggling from her diagnoses of ME, we follow Kasia’s struggle with understanding what she sees across the street, dealing with her disorder, and making new friends when possible.

I love how this story has that mystery element to it which gives us a great story to try and solve, but I also love all the other elements Joelson brought to this book. There’s a lesson in how Kasia has to find new ways to do the things she did before and how to live with what her health has dealt her. There’s a lot of lessons about friendship and loving others no matter what, along with staying friends with the ones who still love you no matter what. And lastly there is a little romance involved. To top it off there is a great, mind twisting mystery that has you constantly guessing what the outcome will be.

Overall, I enjoyed watching Kasia learn to love herself and trust herself on what choices she made and what she believes is right. This was a true coming of age story with a great mystery story involved that touched on a worldwide issue plaguing us, human trafficking.

I think anyone who loves a good YA Fiction that shows a lot of growth within the characters and development, this is a story for you. Plus if you love a good mystery, this is definitely a great bonus. The story kept me guessing until the very end and the characters were some of the most enjoyable I have read in a long time. Wonderful story. I cannot wait for more from her.

This was a reading sprint for me to do hahaha. With how I've been reading back to back mystery/thriller novels from October up until this very last book in the same genre. I can honestly say, this was really good. The story is about Kasia, a teenage girl stuck at home because of her sick body, when she witnessed an abduction of another girl from her bedroom window. After phoning the police, and noticed that someone else from across the street saw the same incident. Kasia thought the mystery was solved, however, it went beyond a simple kidnapping, when the police reported that there was no girl living across the street.

First off, when I first read the blurb, I was hooked on the very idea of the book. I actually thought it would be a whole murder mystery kind of vibe, but Penny Joelson gave it her own spin by giving us a perspective as well with our main protagonist, Kasia's life. After being diagnosed with ME, she has been off school for most of the school year and had been bedridden.

There are times where I find a few internal monologues of characters a bit TMI, but it wasn't the case with The Girl Who Wasn't There. I like how the story had its huge mystery in place while building this steady momentum of good character development which I seldomly see in the genre.

For a YA Mystery, I really enjoyed reading this, that binging it in one sitting really surprised me as well cause I rarely breeze through books. Overall I rated this a 4/5 stars, and will give a more detailed review on this on my blog to follow. :) Thank you Sourcebooks Fire and NetGalley for giving me an E-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Quick Cut: A teen girl is stuck at home due to her illness and sees a girl across the street who never leaves her house. Chaos ensues when she gets embroiled in a deeper conspiracy.  

A Real Review:    Thank you to Sourcebooks Fire for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.   
  Have you ever seen something in the corner of your eye and then turn to see nothing there? Sometimes you think you imagined it and other times you swear it was truly there. For Kasia, she is absolutely convinced that the girl she saw in the window across the street was really there... and she'll do anything to find out what's going on. 
 Kasia spends a lot of time at home due to her Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, so when she has the energy - she looks out the window. Nothing exciting ever happens on her street until one day she looks out and sees a girl in a window across the street - just like her. Except she's never seen her before and after observing her street so much, she's never seen her leave the house either. She tells the cops, sends her mom over there, and tells what few friends she still has, but no one believes her. Is Kasia imagining things to make life more intriguing? Or is something really going on across the way? 
 I liked the premise of this one because it sounds like a YA version of the classic movie "Rear Window". Some thrillers are perfect for the Halloween season right? Well... this book may be categorized as thriller, but it comes off as really just contemporary. So if you're looking for some edge of your seat surprises and intriguing action, you're not going to get that from this story. Most of the story is spent centered around Kasia and her struggle to get back to a more typical existence (like she had prior to her condition). 
 While I'm on the topic, Kasia suffers from what is known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (or myalgic encephalomyelitis). I had never heard of it before, but reading the story and seeing what Kasia goes through made me realize how frustrating it can be when you have a condition and no one believes in it. This is one of the many invisible conditions that exists and its always good to see some representation happen for a medical condition that is not often discussed. If you're looking for a story that does give a clear indication of what CFS/ME is like, this book is perfect for you. 
 A book that is more contemporary than thriller.  My rating: 3 out of 5