This is a great twist and turn mystery and I loved that it was set in South Jersey as I am a South Jersey local. There is an interesting family dynamic between sisters Deven and Kennedy. Sharing the same mom, and two different dads, Kennedy spends a few years living with her dad and reunites with Deven and her mom sometime five years later. Deven thinks they are the closest of sisters, but does she really know the real Kennedy?

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I am no stranger to Briana Cole’s work, and I will say this one thing. I believe this is her best literary fiction work to date thus far. Here are my reasons why.

With all her novels being a little over 200 pages, they are all packed with intrigue, drama, suspense, and a grand finale that will leave you speechless.

Deven is probably one of my favorite protagonists by Briana. It is something about Deven that I will never forget. She is strong, driven, and will do anything to find the truth.

This book hooked me immediately from the beginning pages, which is something most readers like. The flow of the book is impeccably sweet! I thought the format between Kennedy's journal and the present time works well.

What I love about the book is when you think you have gotten things down, Ms. Cole throws you off. I like the element of surprise. She delivers this throughout the book.

I understand that the book is about mental illness, but I felt the book has more layers than that. I am unsure if the additional layers were Ms. Cole’s scope, but I thought she planned this out very well. I will not disclose the layers because I do not want to give any spoilers to potential readers, but I will say they are eye-openers.

I was satisfied with what I read. Ms. Cole never ceases to amaze me. I cannot wait to read her spilled ink next.

Thank you Netgalley and Dafina Books for the ARC copy for review.

Behind Her Lives is a spectacular psychological thriller by Briana Cole. Really! Briana Cole is still being Briana Cole. Fabulous!

Deven and Kennedy are the closest of sisters, until Kennedy’s body is found. Deven doesn’t believe it. She knows her sister, or does she?

Briana Cole takes the reader on a roller coaster ride in Behind Her Lives. This plot turns on itself multiple times. Cole drops enough clues for the reader to figure it out but takes you on a fantastic voyage to get there. The timeline is nonlinear and interspersed with diary entry excerpts, but is easy to read and follow. The characters are fully-developed and dynamic. The dialogue is vibrant. I give it 5 out of 5 enthusiastic stars and recommend it to readers who enjoy a good psychological read.

My thanks to Kensington Books, Dafina, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. However the opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine and mine alone.

Canoodling Cannolis! 😳😯🤯😳😯

I'm sorry what?! Hold my dog! What in the fluffer fluffiest fluffness?! I can't even put into words of how warped this was! Frick sakes. Another fabulous thriller novel by a fabulous African American author I'll now be adding to my list of favourite authors! I adored the insane ride of this psychological thriller. Seriously think the game Twister, but for your brain! I freakin' lapped this up like it was morning coffee - survival & satisfaction.

Mყ 𝐒ყɴ𝐨ρѕιѕ: When Deven is told by the police that her younger sister, Kennedy, was found dead of an accidental overdose, she can't believe it. When she's shown a picture of the body, she's firm in her belief that it is NOT her, albeit the similarities are extremely close. Deven decides to embark on her own investigating to find out what's happened to her sister, but she'll come to realize she's nothing of what she was led to believe. And the journey to the truth could be more sinister and dangerous than she imagined. Did she ever know Kennedy? & just what was she involved in?

My word almighty that ending was beyond a tailspin! Even though I had it figured out, Cole did brilliance in how she unveiled everything, dished it out & wrapped it up! I was left with one very open and sore jaw. Such an amazingly twisted thriller Cole has done! My word almighty. I need more from her like this! Trust me when I say, set aside a piece of your favourite desert / chocolate because you're going to need it at the end of this scrumptious twisted fluffed up ride!

Thank you to NetGalley, Kensington Books and Briana Cole herself for reaching out & giving me this ARC.
Release Date: October 25, 2022

𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭: 4.5 / 5 Beach Waves! 🌊

First time reader to this author and it hit the mark. This had everything I look for. Suspense, psychological layers, twists and turns and a missing person. Deven is called to identify the body of her sister who committed suicide. The only issue is that Deven doesn’t believe this is her sister, regardless of what everyone else says. She sets out to find out where her sister really is and what is going on. The more she digs the more she realizes she didn’t really know her at all. As more shocking things come to light, we have to wonder, is her sister dead after all? And if not… what dangerous things made her leave.

I feel like I've just been on a rollercoaster journey.

I was definitely not prepared for this story.

Content warnings should definitely be heeded.

And I am so very confused. About Deven. About Kennedy. About April. About the entire family dynamic. I wanted to love Deven. But I find her such an unreliable narrator that even at the book's finale, I'm not sure I believe her story.

She says, "It's not better to live in the unknown. That would mean forgetting about the person entirely, which is even more excruciating." I'm not sure Deven herself isn't still living in the unknown. I kept waiting for the next crushing blow. Is there a second book?