it was amazing
Wow, this book was amazing. I typically don’t read thriller books, but I could not put this down. You never knew what was going to happen next and just had to keep reading to find out what was going on. And the twist at the end?! Totally unexpected. I figured everything out...right when the cops did. That’s how good this book keeps you guessing! A brilliant read!

Bree Cabbat has an enviable life. Born and raised poor in rural Georgia, she managed to get to college and afterwards, met Trey at a museum opening. Trey is from money, an old family and a partner in a law firm. They marry and as the novel opens, have three children. There are two girls and Bree has just had a baby boy. Trey makes enough that Bree is able to be a full time stay at home mother which is just what she wants to do.
But today is different. While she is watching the rehearsal of a play one of her daughters is in, Bree turns her head to watch for a minute. When she turns back to her baby, Robert, he is gone; his baby carrier and all. In its place is a note telling her that someone has her baby and that she is being watched. She is to go home, telling no one and wait for a call.

Bree does that after dropping her girls off at her mother's condo for the weekend. She doesn't know what she is facing and Trey is out of town. When the call comes, it is not someone she expected. It is an elderly woman and Bree remembers the old woman she had seen in her yard looking in the windows recently. The woman says she has Robert and will kill him if Bree doesn't do what she wants. She wants Bree to go to a party at the law firm that night and drug Trey's partner and oldest friend, Spencer.

Bree doesn't see how she can possibly get dressed and go to a party but the thought of Robert helps her get ready. She manages to spike Spencer's drink and then everything goes wrong. Bree is left to go home reeling. She realizes that she needs help and confides in Marshall. Marshall is a childhood friend and was married to Bree's best friend. He is also an ex-cop. When the woman calls again with more tasks and directions, the two of them create a plan to figure out what is going on and to get Robert back. Will they succeed?

I listened to this novel and the narrator was a woman, telling the story from Bree's point of view. The voice wasn't quite what I had imagined for Bree's voice but the narrator did a good job of reading and emoting without going overboard. I needed to listen to this at regular speed since speeding it up lost the slow Southern drawl I was expecting.

This was my first Joshilyn Jackson but it won't be my last. The story was fast paced and the twists and turns came roaring along when least expected. Bree manages to find the courage to face an ugly story from the past and do whatever it took to get her child back. The backstory was complicated and believable and the consequences were more than anyone would have expected. This book is recommended for thriller readers.

Bree is a mother of 3 who wakes up one morning to find a witch peeking into her bedroom window. Surely she's just overtired and imagining things. Later that day, she sees the same woman at her daughter's school, and just minutes later, her infant son is kidnapped. Bree is convinced that the old woman took her son, but why? Bree will do anything to get her son back - even if it costs her everything. This twisty mystery/thriller really pulled me in and had me hooked until the end.

Trigger warnings: child peril, sexual assault

Thank you to Harper Audio and NetGalley for an advanced listening copy of this audiobook.

Wow, this book had a little something for every thriller lover! Usually, I get a tad bored in domestic thrillers — but not this one! I was on the edge of my seat the entire time! The first 3/4 of the book is fast-paced, heart-racing fun then the last big turns into a bit more what you'd expect in a domestic thriller (ahem, marriage problems). It wraps up quite nicely with some more unapologetic thrills. I did have to suspend a *bit* of my disbelief at parts, but it was worth it to enjoy the ride!

Audiobook was solid — impressed it was read by the author (love when that happens!) My one complaint was that she was a bit breathy. But honestly, that's probably how the character would have sounded IRL!

I don't think it's fair for me to review this book. I am not a fan of audiobooks, so it's on me that I chose to review this popular title by Joshilyn Jackson. This is my 3rd try with an audiobook and I can't get very far into it. I will update my review when I read the book, which I have coming. Audiobooks aren't my cup of tea and I will refrain from requesting them in the future.

This was my second book by Joshilyn Jackson, and I really enjoyed the full-on, cringe-worthy suspense with characters that had their past and present collide in unimaginable ways. Joshilyn took the characters on an intense roller coaster along with the reader. How does the hated, evil characters seem likable too?

Bree grew up poor and was constantly warned that the world was a dark place by her mother. She marries into a wealthy, privileged family who had the power to create their own narrative. Bree loves her loves her two older girls and new baby boy and would do anything for them. When the unthinkable thing happens, she has to make decisions that would change her perfect life forever. I won't spoil anything else, but you should add this to your list of books to read.

Thank you NetGalley, Harper Audio, and Joshilyn Jackson for allowing me to listen to this audiobook for an honest reveiew.

Fast paced thriller. Engrossing read. Story takes place over span of a few days. Relatable characters. Thrilling to read as story unraveled the mystery . The characters felt relatable and realistic. I related to the themes of motherhood throughout the story. Would recommend to a friend!

This one was such a quick read and a great story. The audiobook narroration was fantastic and had me reading more and for longer. I loved the back story behind why the mother took the baby. I loved Bree as a character she was strong and willing to do anything for her child, she was also very relatable. The story was addictive and there was plenty of drama and action to keep it entertaining. The only problem I have, which is a small one, was the ending was too heat and tidy. This was a read I enjoyed and would recommend.

This had me on the edge of my seat from the very beginning. When. Bree sees a witch looking in her bedroom window. We quickly have a missing child and then Bree must decide what she’s willing to do and give up for her child. There are lots of twists and important subjects dealt with in this story. And boy I did not see that ending coming!! So good.

I was gifted an audio copy of this book by the publisher and my opinion is my own.

This was my first book by Joshilyn Jackson and I really enjoyed it. I'm not usually an audiobook person, but I loved the narration! She was great in her tone and voices of the characters. I could picture the old woman and Bree when they were talking on the phone. I love when a thriller truly thrills and this book did that. So many shocking revelations right up until the end. I will admit I was a little confused in the last chapter, as it just kind of sums up what happened "after", but you can piece it together. Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an audiobook to listen to in exchange for an honest review.

Joshi;yn Jackson did an amazing job with this novel! Although I was not a fan of the narrator, I still loved the story and kept bringing me back for more. I thought I could guess the twists and when it came time for the reveal it was not at all what I expected. I would recommend you read this for sure!

Thanks for the audio version of this book! The narrator's voice wasn't one of my favorites but not the worst either. I will be purchasing this for my library as I know I have lots of readers that will enjoy it. It really sums up that there is nothing a mother won't do for her child!

I really wanted to enjoy this one. I’ve heard more positive reviews on this so I had my hopes up. Unfortunately, this book just wasn’t for me, which is very frustrating because this was one of my most anticipated releases.

This started o it so strong and I really loved the premise. It just felt really flat and I didn’t enjoy the audiobook. Maybe if I physically read it then I would’ve had a better experience. I can really appreciate what this book did with the story. It just wasn’t for me personally.

I really enjoyed this story featuring a woman who loses her child to a witch, and has to do things she wouldn't normally do. I think the author did a great job bringing the story to life, and I felt bad for Bree and the things she had to endure.

I received an e-ARC of this book by the author and publishing via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

I received this and as an audio galley to listen to for free in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Audio for giving me access.

This left me sitting on the edge of my seat the entire time. I mean, a baby was taken right under the mother's nose at a school practice! That hit me right in the feels and I honestly am even more paranoid of letting my kids leave the house.

This was a rollercoaster of events. The ending of it was unpredictable and definitely catches you off guard. Well worth all the heart palpitations.

A mother will do anything to protect her child...

When Bree Cabbat wakes up to see what appears to be a witch outside her bedroom window, she convinces herself it must have been a dream. When she sees the woman outside of her daughter's school, only to have her son disappear moments later, Bree realizes the woman was real. Now Bree must prove that she will do anything to protect her son and get him back, but it will cost her. With time ticking, and everything to lose, Bree follows every instruction the woman gives her. Along the way, she feels strangely connected to this woman, who is also a mother, and finds that they may have more in common than she thought. There is only one thing that Bree knows for sure... against all odds, no matter what the obstacle, she will get her son back. She will stop at nothing to have him in her arms again. No matter what the cost.
I was immediately pulled into this audiobook by the dark, thrilling storyline, the secretive characters and the way the story is narrated. Joshilyn Jackson is the narrator of her own book, which makes the listening experience a little richer, knowing that she is voicing the characters the way she imagined them as she penned them. I found her voice very relaxing and found it very easy to get lost in the story, listening for hours at a time. I was on the edge of my seat, holding onto every word, until I reached what I thought was the end of the story. I did find the book continued long past what felt like the end, which did make the book feel slow towards the actual ending. I would recommend this book to thriller readers as it is a compelling story.

Joshilyn Jackson is an amazing storyteller and she does not disappoint with her latest. This story is full of mystery and thrills as she explores revenge, motherhood, secrets, sexual assault, drug addiction and marriage. From the beginning to the end, you'll be taken in and wondering what will happen next. What are you willing to do for the ones you love? How far are you willing to go? You'll ask yourself this question more than once as you listen to this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Audio for this ARC in exchange for a review.

This book was wild. It grabs your attention from page one. The books centers around Bree, a mom of three, whose baby is stolen from under her nose. She has no idea why this old woman chose her baby but as the book progresses we learn more about her motives. This book gives all the chills.

Thank you to Harper Audio and Netgalley for this audio review copy.

Unfortunately, this book was a DNF for me. My first here on Netgalley. At 33%, I feel like I got a good glimpse into the novel and its shortcomings.
The premise sounded interesting enough, and the proposed supernatural element was enticing. The its always the husband; red herring was a bit annoying, but overall id normally is ok with one or two, but this book pulled out all the stops.
Tropes used at 33% included:
is she hallucinating
is he having an affair
is it supernatural or preternatural
Unbelievable characters
Unplausible storyline.
Mom goes along with giant witch she saw in her back yard
come on, give me a break!

This in no way made for a pleasurable reading experience.
1/5 stars

This was my second read by this author and once again I felt it just missed the mark for me.

It only takes a moment. Your focus is elsewhere. When you turn back…your child is gone. Poof! This is what happened to Bree when her young son strapped in his car seat vanishes when her attention turns to her other children.

When Bree is contacted by the kidnappers she is told she only needs to perform one small act and her son will be returned to her unharmed. Easy peasy! Well not so fast….

I’m all about suspending my believability in order to enjoy a thriller. But this one really asked a bit too much from me.

The author narrated her own book and I thought she did a fabulous job bringing the characters to life.

A buddy 🎧 with Susanne

Posted to: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend...

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Audio for an 🎧 ARC