This is a prime example of a well written book. The story was well-paced, a great amount of thrill/mystery, and it left me wanting more. A great read!

Catherine Sterling and her mother Ruth are close. Closer than most mother/daughter relationships. All Catherine’s life it has been just the two of them. But now that Catherine is ready to leave the nest, there is a shift in their relationship.

Ruth is desperate to keep Catherine close and has concocted a plan to keep her from pursuing her career. She is desperately afraid Catherine will be in danger. But why?

As Catherine realizes what her mother is up to, she discovers that Ruth has been keeping some big secrets from her and she wonders if her mother is even trustworthy at all.

Slowly the past is revealed, both to Catherine and to the reader. I was caught up in the story from the start and it was easy to stay connected. The ending definitely left me thinking about what lies ahead for Catherine.

This is a very satisfying mystery/thriller and I am happy to recommend it to readers who enjoy the genre.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read an advance copy. I am happy to offer my honest review.

Twisty thriller about a mother & her daughter as they navigate life together against a mysterious family background. Unexpected plot twists throughout the book, but a somewhat predictable ending.

I absolutely loved this book. I was so excited to read it because I had seen so many great reviews, but you never know if a book will live up to the hype. Well for me, it definitely did!

This thriller checked all the boxes for me. Multiple POVs, domestic suspense, never knowing who you can believe, and the promise of something more sinister lurking underneath the surface. The pacing was perfect and I did not want to stop reading.

I also loved that the focus here was a mother and daughter relationship. I’m super close to my mom, so I always find it fascinating to read about different interactions between a mother and her child.

Although this wasn’t as shocking as some other favourite thrillers of mine, it was brilliantly written and consistently eerie. If you enjoy thrillers, I highly recommend this one!

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for my gifted copy!

Catherine, a nurse in the memory care wing of a nursing home, has always been close with her mom Ruth. It’s always been the two of them, moving from city to city, and never really making room for anyone else to get close. But now, with Catherine’s background, it’s easy for her to see the signs of Alzheimer’s in her own mom. Catherine cancels her upcoming move, to stay and take care of her mom, but then she starts to question the secrets that Ruth seems to be harboring. The chapters alternate between Catherine and Ruth’s perspectives, and Ruth’s story goes way back in time to a dramatic high school incident that shaped the rest of her life. Unfortunately, while I liked this book, I didn’t love it nearly as much as most of Sarah Pekkanen’s amazing novels; the main characters were all really unlikable, and some of the major plot points were hard to believe. Things picked up a lot in the last quarter of the book, but it also got pretty violent in one of those “where are the police?” kind of ways, which made it end on a sour note for me.

4.5 stars

Ruth lies to keep her daughter, Catherine safe. Ruth has been lying for Catherine's entire life, and now Catherine is determined to find out what secrets her mother is keeping, and why.

Coming off of a string of domestic thrillers, I found this book to be just the change I needed. Told from alternating POV's both mother and daughter, the plot was intense with enough twists to keep the reader wondering what was going to happen next. You will find yourself sympathizing with both characters during the course of this book, but, in the end, there is only one who should have your support...and you'll never guess who it is...

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press, NetGalley, and the author for this ARC!

Twisty and compelling. Quick fast read.
I really enjoyed the unique storyline in this book. It was fast read. I was hooked on the story of the mother and daughter duo and wanting to know more. Last 50% of book flew by as things starting piecing together. Ruth and Catherine have lived a pretty secluded life- constantly moving and changing schools. Catherine’s mother keeps a close eye on her daughter. Her daughter graduates and has a great job opportunity lined up in Boston. However her mother starts to show early signs of Alzheimer’s and this changes her plans to move away. She decides to stay home to help keep an eye on her mother. However, she starts to question more about the past and her mother’s story. This is when you’re hooked and really wanting to know more of the why, what and how of Ruth’s past. Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the digital review copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Sarah Pekkanen is one of my favorite authors, so I was thrilled to get an advance reader copy of her new domestic thriller Gone Tonight. This story is told from a mother’s and a daughter’s point of view. The author did a good job of building suspense and then throwing in a twist. I read the book in one sitting because I wanted to find out what happened next! Don’t start this one at bedtime unless you are prepared to read to the early morning hours. Thank you, NetGalley, for the copy of this five star read!

Gone Tonight is an attention-grabber from the get-go. Catherine's devastation at her mother's diagnosis of Alzheimer's is poignant, and their relationship is both twisted and beautiful. Their mutual love (codependence?) is the beating heart in the background of everything confusing and devastating to come.

Of course, not everyone is as they seem. Through flashbacks, we learn more about Ruth's teen years and her early struggles as an independent teen mother running from her mistakes. Pekkanen withholds the biggest plot twists until the end, but even without revealing the full truth of Ruth's back story, she slowly increases the tension as Ruth tries to escape her abusive home, her crazy ex, and the Big Horrible Thing that happened years and years ago. As Ruth obsessively covers her tracks, lying to employers, landlords, and her own daughter, you get the sense that some bigger threat is always looming on the horizon.

Catherine thinks her mom is everything she claims - and why shouldn't she? It is proven again and again that Ruth adores her daughter, would do anything for her. Catherine takes that love (and her mother) for granted until the house of cards comes tumbling down. Catherine as a character is harder to wrap one's head around, as her motives and actions are often confused and contradictory. Pekkanen does not attempt to resolve this conflict, but rather leans into it. This leaves the reader wondering if the end of the book is truly the end of the story for Ruth and Catherine.

Pekkanen is a master of the domestic thriller / psychological suspense book. I've thoroughly enjoyed her independent titles and those she co-authored with Greer Hendricks. One thing that she does well - and carried into Gone Tonight - is how women relate to one another - professionally and personally. While some may find the complete trust Catherine has in her mother difficult to believe - especially when the lies start to unravel - I've witnessed firsthand how far women will go to stretch their faith in those they believe and love. When it's just you and your person up against the world, you'll hold onto your person with a death grip - even if it's just an illusion.

Appeal factors: intensifying, intricately-plotted, disturbing, suspenseful, twisted character(s), unreliable narrator(s), compelling.

Catherine’s mom is showing all the symptoms of early onset Alzheimers. Catherine was trying to move away from home. She halts her plans to take care of her mom in what she believes might be her “remaining days“ but Ruth is hiding a secret.

This book will keep you on your toes from beginning to end. I was fortunate enough to have the audiobook version and I could not stop listening. I believe thus would be good in any format. I would definitely give this book a 5 out of 5 stars.

Gone Tonight has everything I love in a thriller; an interesting plot, short chapters, multiple POV, dual timelines, family drama / complicated dynamics and secrets. I flew through this book; I was hooked instantly and couldn’t stop. I preferred Ruth’s chapters as I couldn’t get enough of her story. I did find it a bit predictable in the thriller aspect but, overall, I still enjoyed it.



Thank you Netgalley and St.Martin’s Press for this ARC in exchange for a review.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sarah Pekkanen and St Martin’s Press for the free e-book exchange for an honest review.

There are so many good reviews on this one and I read this one during a bit of a slump which made it really hard to connect to any of the story. Just a case of the wrong book at the wrong time for me.

Not as good as the dual author ones, but still kept my attention. It just felt so far fetched and ridiculous to me!

This was an excellent thriller. I loved how each chapter alternated between Ruth's perspective and Catherine's perspective. It was exciting and very thought provoking.

Favorite Quotes:

Brittany and I were friends up until the ninth grade, when I grew boobs first and got asked to the Homecoming dance before she did. Brittany didn’t authorize that turn of events, and next thing I knew, I was uninvited to a group sleepover at her house. I didn’t mind all that much. Being Brittany’s friend was a lot of work. There were rules involved. You had to love Madonna but not Whitney Houston. You were required to sit at a certain table in the lunchroom. For some reason, wearing a sweatshirt inside out was a thing. Brittany did it one day, then the next day so did half the girls in our class.

In autopsies, even Alzheimer’s brain tissue looks confused, like some monstrous hand reached in and swirled everything around.

Rotten genes are programming me. I inherited them from my mother and she from hers. Fury seems to be the legacy passed down to the women in our family.

They both laughed in that way only mean girls can— it’s an art, really. It combines superiority and malice with a dash of exclusivity.

I didn’t know it was possible to be so deeply angry with someone and simultaneously love them so much that you wanted to hug them until it hurt you both.

It’s hard to reconcile those tales with the image I have of my mother as a hard-working woman with a vanilla sort of life. I guess I’ve never really looked at my mother as an individual. She has always felt more like a planet that orbits around me.


My Review:

This was a consuming tale filled with flawed and troubled characters that were either vile, sketchy, untrustworthy, paranoid, or dangerous, and I couldn’t always make up my mind which was which. I felt on edge during perusal from start to finish and concluded the tale with my shoulders in my ears and in dire need of a spa day.

The main characters were tightly wound and their inner musings and interactions were tautly written and fraught with tension. The writing style and storylines were evocative and intriguing and I quickly tumbled into the characters’ dark vortex each time I picked up my Kindle. The narratives were painfully perceptive yet not entirely forthcoming until the final chapters which were full of unexpected surprises. Sarah Pekkanen is a clever minx and has mad skills.

I received a digital ARC from St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Content Warning: There is a vivid scene of sexual abuse in this novel, between a student and her Poms Coach.

This was an interesting story that kept me turning pages. It shows just how we never know people the way we think they do. Everyone has secrets, and secrets have consequences. I was drawn in to this story right away. I connected with both Ruth, and her daughter, Catherine. I had assumed that the story was going to be about one thing, and since it all unfolded slowly, it ended up being about something else.

The characters were well developed, and I kind of hope there is a sequel to see more of what happens in the future.

Overall Score: 3.5/5
Character Development: 4/5
Plot: 3/5
Ease of Reading: 4/5
Overall Enjoyment: 3/5

Let’s start off with what I loved about this book- DUAL POV. I am a sucker for anything dual POV. It adds such depth to a story and really showcases the ability of the author to delve into different psyches. Pekkanen does an amazing job of making the reader truly feel like they are reading from two totally different perspectives.
Unfortunately, both perspectives are from characters I’m not super fond of lol both the mother and daughter I found a little insufferable, but no matter, I felt they were well developed. And it’s okay to hate characters because you don’t like their actions or personalities, just like you would real people in real life!
There were some things plot wise I found to be a little too convenient, and I guessed a big part of the plot twist about halfway through the book, but overall I really liked this one and would definitely read again! I felt like the plot was engaging if not a little slowly paced, but once things picked up, they really started moving! I was flying through the end of the book to get to the big finale.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review!

Gone Tonight, written by Sarah Pekkanen, is a captivating tale that takes readers on a thrilling journey. Pekkanen's masterful storytelling and ability to create complex characters make this novel a must-read for suspense fans.

In Gone Tonight, Pekkanen weaves together multiple storylines to create a gripping narrative. The story follows the lives of Catherine Sterling and her mother, Ruth. As their paths intertwine, secrets are revealed and tensions rise, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.

One of the strengths of Pekkanen's writing is her ability to delve deep into the minds and emotions of her characters. Each woman in Gone Tonight is flawed and relatable, making them feel like real people rather than just fictional creations. This adds an extra layer of depth to the story as readers become invested in their journeys and outcomes.

The pacing in Gone Tonight is expertly done, with twists and turns that keep readers guessing until the very end. Pekkanen knows how to build suspense and maintain it throughout the novel, making it difficult to put down. The plot unfolds at just the right pace, allowing for moments of tension and moments of reflection.
Pekkanen's prose is elegant yet accessible, making it easy for readers to immerse themselves in the story. Her descriptions are vivid without being overwhelming, creating a vivid backdrop against which the events unfold.

Gone Tonight by Sarah Pekkanen is a thrilling read that will satisfy fans of suspenseful novels. With its well-crafted characters, compelling storyline, and skillful writing style, this book will keep readers engaged and excited. Whether you're new to Pekkanen's work or already a fan, this novel is sure to leave you wanting more. Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the chance to review this advance copy. Gone Tonight is available for purchase everywhere you buy books now!

At first I thought this was going to be another Alzheimer's story. Waitress Ruth Sterling seems to be getting forgetful, and her daughter. Catherine, works on the locked memory floor of a retirement facility. Catherine notices her mother's symptoms and persuades her to see a doctor. But Ruth refuses to take the tests her physician recommends to confirm the diagnosis, even though she reluctantly admits her mother died early of Alzheimer's. Her health is the last thing Ruth worries about. She is over-protective, paranoid, and hyper-alert. Catherine, at 24, is just beginning to want to spread her wings and leave her mother's tightly constructed nest. When she thinks her mother is ill, she feels guilty. It may seem like a fairly typical mother-daughter conflict, but nothing about Ruth and Catherine is typical. Psychological suspense, action, and some uncomfortable plot twists.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this advanced copy of Gone Tonight by Sarah Pekkanen! This one published on 8/1/23 and is available today!

I really enjoyed this one - told from alternating viewpoints between mother Ruth and daughter Catherine, this one read very quickly and you learned that everyone had a secret. I felt like this one was fine when it comes to standard thrillers with potential unreliable narrators, but honestly nothing felt shocking at all in this one. I’m going to warn for spoilers below.
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We were made to think that Catherine is going to be a sociopath, with all of the hints that she was cold, emotionless, killed a raccoon in her childhood, but then that’s never explored. We’re made to think (and wonder I guess?) that because James killed Coach that it’s where she gets it from, but then there’s an epilogue with Ruth/Ava that hints she has a dark side and is a killer too? If that’s the route taken, I think the Catherine thing should’ve been explored a little bit more.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!