I started reading this book and my heart went out to Ruth and Catherine for the diagnosis. I thought this book was going to go in a completely different direction...as Catherine kept unraveling Ruth's lies/secrets the story kept getting darker and twister. I have to admit that at the end, I was not only rooting for them but also giving them some advice! :)

Definitely recommending this book. I really enjoyed it!

Thank you NetGalley, Sarah Pekkanen, and St. Martin's Press for this ARC

Ruth runs away from home at 16. Shortly after she realizes she is pregnant. 24 years later, her daughter Catherine has recently graduated from nursing school and wants to embark on her career and get away from her over-protective mother, but suddenly Ruth starts to have memory loss and Catherine fears that it is Alzheimer’s. Only being the two of them, Catherine decides to start searching for family history. The book alternates between the two women, and the reader gets to see the past through their memories. How far would you go to protect your daughter and yourself?
In my opinion this book failed in providing any suspense/thrilling factors. The first 55% were boring with nothing happening. I wanted to see how this ended and pushed through

Thanks to NetGalley, publishers and author for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Ruth is in her early forties. She and her daughter, Catherine, have been all each other have had for all of Catherine's life. Then Ruth begins to show some very disturbing symptoms. Her memory seems to be slipping. The doctor thinks it could be early onset alzheimer's. Catherine knows how bad that can be. She works with alzheimer and dementia patients. It is only now that Catherine realizes how little she knows of her mother's past and family. As she begins digging the answers she finds leave her with more questions than answers. Nothing Ruth has ever told her daughter is true.
This story is told from alternating POV's Ruth and Catherine. Ruth's story is shows just how far a mother is willing to go to protect her child, from danger and from the truth.

Thank you to Netgalley and St Martin's Press for the opportunity to enjoy this twist filled e-ARC

Ruth Sterling is a single mother still living with her now-adult daughter Catherine. Catherine works in the memory unit of a care home, and as her time living with her mother looks like it is coming to an end, the pair receive a diagnosis that throws a wrench into their lives. For Ruth, the Alzheimer's diagnosis means she needs to start planning how to tell her daughter about her past and where she came from. While Ruth and Catherine have been alone fighting against the world their whole lives, a cat-and-mouse game begins with both trying to uncover the other's secrets.

Sarah Pekkanen again hits it out of the park with Gone Tonight. This book was fun to read, with twists that had me so excited to keep reading and a fantastic pace that made it hard to put the book down. There are some great moments where you realize that the book you throught was about one thing is actually about a different thing entirely. Pekkanen does a great job with the dual narrators, playing them so well off of each other. Ruth's backstory is tragic and you sympathize with her desire to keep it a secret as much as you want Catherine to find out the truth. The competitive mother-daughter game was thrilling to read as it examines how much we really know about our parents.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a copy of Gone Tonight in exchange for an honest review.

Gone tonight had a decent plot. However, that is the only good thing I can say. I hated the characters. Mom/Ruth is so desperate and annoying. Daughter/Katherine is childish and naive. James would have been a decent character, had he been fleshed out more. The author did not make seamless connections between events, which should be evident in hindsight as a psychological thriller. There is also not much of a twist, as the big reveal was done early in the book. I could go on. While I am not an expert on writing psychological thrillers, I have read many and know what makes them work. This one fell flat. I do want to thank NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. I wish it was better. I am still a fan of this author, as I have liked all of her other works.

I couldn't stop reading! I love unreliable narrators and although I guessed the "big" shocks of this novel it was still a deliciously thrilling read. It features multiple POV's with unreliable narrators and hidden identities. A young woman trying to escape mom while mom will do ANYTHING to make sure her little girl is safe. A quick enjoyable read that checks all the boxes for a decent thriller even if it was a little predictable at moments.

Ruth Sterling has a secret, and it's one she has been hiding for over two decades. Catherine Sterling, Ruth's daughter, has a secret, and it's one she's been hiding for less than a week. Mother and daughter are each hiding things from the other, and it's a race to see who will be found out first.

This story started off slow for me, but it finally picked up when Catherine realized her mom had been faking early onset Alzheimer's. At that point, I was hooked on cat and mouse game that mom and daughter were playing. There were twists within the plot that made for an interesting read. It's not your traditional "domestic thriller," but it does keep you on the edge of your seat wondering what will happen until the very end.

Thank you to NetGalley for the digital review copy.

Reading Between the Wines book review #67/115 for 2023:
Rating: 3 ½ 🍷 🍷 🍷
Book: Gone Tonight
Author: Sarah Pekkanen
RELEASES August 1, 2023!!! Reserve your copy!

Sipping thoughts: This book is one where what you think is happening is actually not. One of the cool things is you don’t have to wait to the end. You find out right in the middle where the story takes a turn. I felt like I was reading 2 story plots in one where they collide and merge and take on a bigger story. I really enjoyed it. If you want a read full of lies, deceit, abuse and one last reveal on the last page, this is the book for you.

Cheers and thank you to @NetGalley and @StMartinsPress for an advanced copy of @GoneTonight.

#GoneTonight #SarahPekkanen #StMartinsPress #NetGalley #advancedreadercopy #ARC #Kindle #Booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #bookstagram #nicoles_bookcellar #bookworm #bookdragon #booknerd #booklover #bookstagrammer #bookaholic #bookreview #bookreviewer #IHaveNoShelfControl #ReadingBetweenTheWines #fiction #thriller #suspense #mystery #MysteryAndThrillers #GeneralFictionAdult

I received a free advanced ready copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

A young geriatrics nurse lives with her mother and begins to realize there's something wrong with the stories her mother told her about her past. When Catherine realizes something is up, she starts to investigate her own mother, and the lies begin to unravel.

What I like about this writer is that her writing is easy to read. This was a quick, easy read. I liked it but it wasn't as suspenseful as I'd hoped. Some parts were a little predictable. I'd definitely read this author again. I also liked that half the story was from Catherine's point of view and half was Ruth's (her mother's) point of view so we get both sides of the story. That really helped to put all the pieces together.

Catherine and Ruth are a mother/daughter duo, inseparable since Catherine's birth. But sometimes, secrets are kept and lies are told. When Catherine decides that it's time to leave the nest, Ruth will do anything to stop that from happening. As Catherine plots her escape, Ruth will stop at nothing to keep the two of the safe and together.

You can run from your past but it always catches up with you.
Any parent would fo anything for their children.. what captivating story. It's a very page turner for sure. Lots of twists and turns.
It's a must read

I had previously only read Sarah Pekkanen's books when they were co-authored with Greer Hendricks. Their psychological thrillers have been amongst my favorites. So it was no question that I HAD to read Ms Pekkanen's solo suspense book. AND WOW! What a story it was!

Gone Tonight is a story of a mother's love for her daughter and how she goes to the end of the earth to keep her safe. Or is it? Told in dual POV from both the mother (Ruth) and daughter (Catherine), we see how close these two truly are. Just the two of them, inseparable over the years, not letting anyone get too close and now it seems Ruth is losing a bit of herself and cannot let Catherine go. But Catherine realizes there are secrets being kept from her and she needs to find the truth. But at what cost?

This book is told in both the present and past. Since Ruth is losing a bit of herself, she writes in a journal for Catherine. Those journal entries detail a past that made Ruth into the person she is today. It shows her as a teen and how Catherine came to be. Will those journal entries give away the secrets that Ruth has been so obsessively keeping from her daughter to protect her?

Gone Tonight is filled with twist and turns, lies and secrets and characters connected by a past that could destroy their future. I devoured this page turning thriller! The beautiful, the ugly and the past that turned Ruth into a woman that was out to 'protect her daughter at whatever cost' was carefully crafted from beginning to end. I enjoyed the short chapters that alternated between Ruth and Catherine. This made it easy to read and to absorb each character's POV.

Overall, I enjoyed the storyline and the pacing. It was a true page turner. Even though I had a feeling....(not giving up details; you'll have to read it) it was still a story that captured me from the beginning and left me satisfied.

I was able to read an ARC and WOW!! I thought I had it figured out early, but Sarah threw a monkey wrench. Great character development. Great plot development. Great flow. Intense places that clenched my stomach and had me fearing for Ruth and Catherine. This was a fantastic read!!!!!!

I really appreciate an ARC and I got this one from NetGalley. Plus, I have read this author before and really enjoyed her writing. I still enjoy her style. This story, however, fell flat. It was slow and I was annoyed by the two characters manipulating each other. And the ending was just eh to me as well.

Looking for something original? Twisty? Well-written?

Author Sarah Pekkanen has taken the road less travelled with this thriller and it has made all the difference in the world! I love it when an author can bring something new and fresh to the table.

The success of this book is secrets; some the reader is privy to and some they aren’t. The delicate balance is expertly crafted by Pekkanen and her twists come out of left field.

Pekkanen explores dysfunctional relationships and highlights the lengths a parent will go to protect a child. The Sterling girls will leave you gobsmacked. Guaranteed.

I was gifted this copy by St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

Catherine Sterling is a young woman who lives with her mother but is about to leave home to begin her career as a nurse. Ruth Sterling lives for her daughter, as she has for her entire life, but most of this life is based on a complete fiction. In alternating chapters, these women provide the reader with bits of information that are not known to the other, and the true and complete story is gradually revealed from the mysteries within mysteries.

The author did a magnificent job of leading the reader along by having these two narrators, and the conclusion did not disappoint!

I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I've read Pekkanen's books before she started writing mystery thrillers and the ones she co-wrote with Greer Hendricks. Gone Tonight is her 1st solo book in a while and Gone Tonight proves she can write on her own (besides editors) If I had known a good portion of the book was set in my hometown, maybe I would've moved it up the list, but it was highly anticipated and I was not disappointed.

This is a mother daughter story that starts off somewhat slow. Mom is a waitress with a 24 year old daughter who just graduated nursing school and is about to begin a new job at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. But then suddenly, Catherine is worried her mom's apparent memory loss and neurological symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease.

The book really begins to pick up around 62% in when it's clear there are secrets and lies between mother and daughter. We also get glimpses into the mom's life as a teenager. I am glad there was an actual reference to a movie (based upon a book) that Pekkanen used as inspiration for a particular plot point. Because it was the 1st thing I thought of, to be fair.

The setting of Harrisburg was only marginally important in terms of distance from the 2nd major setting and barely mentioned details other than the Susquehanna River and general affordability. Otherwise, I filled in from my memories. I would have loved more references that were actual places. The 2nd location I was also somewhat familiar with as well. The book was somewhat unpredictable in terms of what happens in the present - not so much with the past. It was really getting good toward the ending, which gave the reader something to ponder about evil - nature vs nurture. TW for sexual abuse, molestation, physical abuse of children not heavily detailed and alcoholism, violence. 4/5☆

Gone Tonight

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I wasn’t sure about this thriller between a mother and daughter, but it turned out to be really good! I alternated between the kindle and audio versions when I couldn’t put it down!

Catherine is about to move out of her mother’s apartment for the first time at 24 when her mother starts to show early signs of Alzheimer’s. As the story alternates between Catherine and Ruth, we start to see glimpses of Ruth’s past that she’s working to protect them from.

I thoroughly enjoyed this one in both formats. The pacing was good and the two characters were distinct. Definitely will check out more of Sarah Pekkanen’s books!

Title: A Gripping and Emotional Thriller: "Gone Tonight" by Sarah Pekkanen

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)

Review:
"Gone Tonight" by Sarah Pekkanen is a compelling and emotionally charged thriller that delves into the depths of secrets, betrayals, and the lengths one will go to protect their loved ones. Pekkanen's skillful storytelling keeps readers hooked, balancing suspenseful twists with heartfelt exploration of relationships and the complexities of human nature.

The strength of "Gone Tonight" lies in its well-developed characters. Each woman is distinct, with her own fears, vulnerabilities, and motivations. Pekkanen's writing style is evocative, capturing the essence of small-town life and the emotional turmoil within. The pacing is steady, allowing the suspense to build gradually, leading readers on a journey filled with unexpected turns. The author explores themes of trust, guilt, and the complexities of human relationships, adding depth to the story and creating moments of genuine reflection.

While the plot of "Gone Tonight" keeps readers engaged, there are moments where the story feels slightly predictable, with some plot twists being more anticipated than others. However, Pekkanen compensates for this with her ability to create a strong emotional connection with the characters, making their journeys all the more impactful.

"Gone Tonight" is a gripping thriller that will keep you guessing until the final pages. Sarah Pekkanen's portrayal of complex relationships and the consequences of our actions is both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant. If you enjoy thrillers with a strong focus on character development and the exploration of human nature, this book is worth adding to your reading list.

Disclosure: I received an advanced copy of this book for review purposes, but all opinions are my own.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Once I started reading it, I could barely put it down!

Ruth Sterling has been raising her daughter, Catherine, on her own since her parents disowned her when she became pregnant as a teenager. 24 years later, as Ruth begins struggling with her memory, Catherine tries to wheedle information about her mother's past. Ruth shuts down these attempts, instead opting to secretly write in a journal about the events of her past for Catherine when she is unable to explain things herself. The events of the past are juxtaposed with Ruth's attempts to keep her secrets from Catherine and Catherine's investigation into her mother's background and growing distrust of her.

This book was so much fun to read! I thought the pacing was excellent - the suspense and tension of what is going to happen next carried throughout much of the text. The main characters overall acted in ways logical with their characters and motivations. I did not find myself rolling my eyes at their choices or decisions (not to say I always agreed with them).

I definitely recommend giving this books a read. While there wasn't like a grand shocking twist at the end, there was a surprise or two and the story itself was interesting to read in its own right. I look forward to reading other books by this author.