How long can your true nature stay hidden from those who know you best?

Ruth Sterling does not want to find out. She has been on the run with her daughter, Catherine, since she gave birth to her as a teenager. Now 24, Catherine is about to move to Baltimore for a prestigious nursing opportunity.

Ruth can't let that happen. Baltimore is too close to her home town, and much too close to the truth about the terrible events that occurred there years ago. Ruth has deceived Catherine throughout her life to get by - but when she creates a terrible lie that backfires, a game of cat and mouse begins.

The truth is slowly unraveled as Catherine digs into her mother's past, and as Ruth starts to reveal why she really left her life behind. What would you do to protect the ones you love? What if you're the one that needs protection?

The book moves along at the perfect pace. The characters are intelligent and resourceful, but they do not suddenly become seasoned detectives - a pet peeve of mine, when books say vs. show.

I loved the less than obvious twists and the way the book left us with, perhaps, more questions than answers.

Gone Tonight will be published in August, but is perfect for a creepy fall read.

Thank you Netgalley for this preview!

This book was eh for me. I wasn't a huge fan of the plot to be honest. I feel as if the only thing I enjoyed was the short chapters and multiple POVs.

I loved this book, it sucks you in from the beginning and leaves you guessing on what’s to come. This may be my favorite Sarah pekkanen book

2.75 - 3 stars
I was very excited to read GONE TONIGHT after really enjoying all of Sarah Pekkanen's books as her writing duo with Greer Hendricks. I had really high hopes for this but it wasn't really my style.

I felt like GONE TONIGHT was much more suspense than thriller and it was more about the story of the mother/daughter relationship than it was the thrill and mystery of it all. If I had gone into the book thinking of it like that, I probably would have liked it more (but then again, I probably wouldn't pick it up if it didn't have the thriller aspect going for it).

The beginning was pretty slow for me with lots of set-up. I kept waiting for some good twists or more thrills but like I said, it was more about the relationships. There was a decent part the ending (after an unbelievable moment) and I just wish things had *leaned into it* more throughout the book rather than leaving some stuff for the end.

Sadly, I didn't love this but I can see where others might.

How far would you go to protect your daughter and yourself? Would you trade your life to protect hers by creating a false identity and staying away from family and friends for many years?

For many of us that is exactly what we would do, and in the case of Ruth Sterling that is what she does, shielding her daughter, Catherine. As time moves on and Catherine grows, she starts to suspect her mother whose overwhelming protection amounts to stalking, to be not what she seems to be. Then again, Ruth seems to be suffering from the onset of Alzheimer's later connecting her more so to Catherine.

As the truth emerges, we find that Ruth is not the only one with hidden secrets and as both women are in eminent danger from a man newly paroled from prison, the true elements of Ruth's (Ava) behavior are now front and center. Will the women triumph or will what Ruth fears come to fruition as the former killer tracks them down for a deadly showdown.

This thriller had me guessing along with my book buddy, Jan, as to what was true amidst a carefully crafted web of lies.

Thank you to Sarah Pekkanen, St Martin's Press, and NetGalley for a copy of this enjoyable thriller which publishes in August of 2023.

Sarah Pekkanen has once again blown my mind! I am a huge fan of her writing and was very excited when I was given this book to read. I finished it in one sitting because I was intrigued by the mother-daughter storyline. YES YES YES, everyone needs to read this novel.

Ruth (mother) and Catherine (daughter) have always been very close. As Catherine prepares to leave for home for a new career, Ruth panics. She tells Catherine she has been diagnosed with alzheimers to get her to stay. Things aren't adding up for Catherine and as she begins looking into her mothers past, she realizes her whole life may be a lie.
I enjoyed the short chapters and two points of view. Parts were slow, but overall I enjoyed this book. Thanks Netgalley for the ARC.

It’s always been just Catherine and her mother, Ruth. Now that Catherine has completed school, she’s ready to take a full-time job in another city, but Ruth can’t let that happen, just like she could never tell Catherine much about her past or why they sometimes had to move towns overnight. When Catherine gets too curious about her mother’s version of events, things start to get fraught.

For me, the first third of this moves too slowly, with too much repetition. Then the pacing picks up, mostly, although there is still sometimes more detail on mundane things than I would like. That said, all that detail does make the story memorable.

This was an OK read for me, but I didn’t love it.
NetGalley provided an advance reader copy of this novel, which RELEASES AUGUST 1, 2023.

4 ⭐️
This was my first book by this author and I really enjoyed it! I enjoyed the 2 POV’s from mother and daughter and felt like it added suspense to keep the story going in a different perspective. Fun suspense, although I do feel like there could’ve been a couple more twists throughout that created a wow factor. Overall, a good read and I will definitely read others by Sarah Pekkanen!

*Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for allowing me to give this a read ahead of its publication date!*

I loved this book! I’ve read a few books that Sarah co-wrote with Greer Hendricks and this one is just as good if not better than those! It’s suspenseful and kept me guessing all throughout! I loved the dual point of view between Ruth and Catherine.

Catherine think she knows her mother Ruth but once Catherine. It's been them against the world for 24 years. When Catherine is ready to go off on her own her mother is desperate to keep her from leaving. Turns out Ruth is hiding something and has been for a long time.

This is a dark, kind of a cat and mouse chase novel that I just loved. It's dual perspective too which is always a favorite of mine. The story has may layers and will make your head spin in a good way. I really can't say much about this story without spoilers but I promise you won't be disappointed.

*3.75*

I was originally going to give this book 4 stars, because it was a solid psychological thriller/mother-daughter drama, & bonus points, it takes place in the Baltimore area AND areas of PA I am super familiar with. The novel had a great pace, suspenseful moments, psychological manipulation, and drama, so I was more than entertained. However, I had to shave off 0.25 stars because the ending was mehhh in my opinion.

That being said, this was a solid thriller and I will definitely read more of Sarah Pekkanen's books in the future.

This mystery starts off so differently that I was wondering how it qualified as a psychological thriller. But give it time and all becomes clear.
Ruth is a hardworking, low income woman who suddenly starts to suffer with memory issues. Her daughter, Catherine, recently graduated from nursing school and working at a memory care unit, knows all too well what this might mean. And she’s determined to learn about her mother’s past before it’s too late. Her mother has worked hard to hide her past from Catherine, including the identity of her parents or Catherine’s father. Both of the main characters were fully formed with lots of shades of gray in their makeup.
The book alternates between the two women, and the reader gets to see the past through their memories. There’s a great sense of tension as these two have vastly different views. There were moments when I would begin to doubt the plausibility of a scene, but then it was like the author could see my doubt and would provide a reasonable explanation. The ending does get a little too OTT but by then I was really curious how it would all play out.
I also want to say Pekkanen really did her research when it came to Alzheimer’s and I even learned a few things.
My thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy of this book.

One thing I’ve learned from reading Pekkanen’s books with Hendricks is that they are great at writing domestic thrillers. Gone Tonight is my first novel written by Pekkanen alone and it did not disappoint.

Told in alternating POV between a mother, Ruth, and her 24 year old daughter, Catherine, the story takes places over a few days with Ruth also flashing back to her teenage years. When Catherine is ready to take a new job away from home, Ruth fears her past will catch up to them and feels she must tighten the protections she’s put in place around them. Deceit & misdirection plays a big role here.

Going into it with only the knowledge of the synopsis is best as there are so many little revelations that happen and keep you glued to the pages.

I received an advanced copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.

This book kept me up late two nights in a row, trying to finish it as quick as possible. It is told in the perspective of a mother named Ruth and a daughter named Catherine. Catherine starts to realize things aren’t adding up with her mother and she realizes she doesn’t know who her mother really is. Ruth realizes Catherine is acting suspicious off her but is unsure why. This book has so many twists and turns and it will keep you on the edge of your seat.

This book was almost a 5 star read for me. I would rate it 4.75 stars. I loved the dual pov and the writing was superb. I have not read something so captivating from the first page in a while. The mother daughter relationship kept me intrigued and invested. I loved the dropping of hints along the way.
I am hoping for a second book or more similar style books written by Sarah Pekkanen in the near future!

Holy Moly,
I am so thankful to St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, Sarah Pekkanen, and NetGalley for granting me early audiobook access to this psychologically twisted thriller. Gone Tonight is out on August 1, 2023, and I'm so excited to see what my fellow readers think of this one. This is my first Sarah Pekkanen book, but it won't be my last.

Katherine knows very little about her mother, Ruth, if that's even her real name. When her mother is diagnosed with Alzheimer's' Disease, Katherine grows increasingly skeptical when she isn't experiencing or showcasing the expected symptoms. Could she be lying about this awful disease?

Ruth is hiding her horrific past from her daughter because she's trying to protect her from the murderous ex-boyfriend from her teenage years. But, of course, Katherine doesn't know that, and she's growing increasingly curious as time goes on, trying to unearth the secrets her mother is hiding.

A Riveting Thriller That Keeps You Hooked - "Gone Tonight" by Sarah Pekkanen

First off, I want to extend a huge thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy of "Gone Tonight" by Sarah Pekkanen. I was absolutely thrilled to dive into this book, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint.

From the get-go, Pekkanen's writing is smart, sharp, and refreshingly devoid of clichés. This isn't your run-of-the-mill thriller; it's a mystery that keeps you guessing and second-guessing yourself at every turn. Just when you think you've got it all figured out, Pekkanen throws in a curveball that leaves you reeling.

But what truly sets "Gone Tonight" apart is the beautifully nuanced and complex relationship between the mother and daughter at the heart of the story. Their dynamic is so intricately woven and authentic that it's impossible not to become emotionally invested in their journey. Pekkanen has a knack for creating characters that are not just believable, but also deeply relatable. You'll find yourself rooting for them, worrying about them, and celebrating their victories right alongside them.

The pacing of the story is another aspect that deserves praise. It's a well-balanced mix of suspenseful moments and quieter, character-driven scenes that keep you engaged from start to finish. There's never a dull moment in "Gone Tonight" - every page, every chapter, serves a purpose and adds a new layer to the unfolding mystery.

In conclusion, "Gone Tonight" is a must-read for any thriller or mystery enthusiast. It's a masterclass in suspenseful storytelling, with well-rounded characters and a plot that keeps you on your toes. If you're looking for a book that's both thought-provoking and entertaining, look no further. Sarah Pekkanen has delivered a gem with "Gone Tonight", and I wholeheartedly recommend it.

Wow!! This was an unqualified win for me. It was an absolute fresh take with an utterly original plot. It’s one of the most clever thrillers I’ve read. Downright Machiavellian. I see you, @sarahpekkanen. Please don’t ever stop doing what you do!

I was instantly hooked from page one and on the edge of my seat for the last half. I could not stop! The mother/daughter dual points of view and the altogether cunning twists were masterfully written.

I highly recommend this one. Add it to your TBR ASAP!

My thanks to the publisher and @netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book before its publication date.

What appears to be is not, in this smartly written twisting and turning thriller by Sarah Pekkanen. What seemed to be medical fiction ( which did not excite me) had a big bump up about a quarter of the way through to frightening and weird in a totally unexpected and original way.

Told in alternating chapters, by single mother Ruth Sterling and her nurse daughter Catherine , we quickly learn that what happened in the remembered past is not to be trusted. Is anyone telling the truth ? The characterization is spot on and consistent as we time travel across more than two decades on a non stop wild ride.

How does a child compensate for a dysfunctional home? What will a mother do to protect her child? Will lies and deceit eventually come back to haunt you? Is it ever acceptable to take the law into your own hands? Wow. Very deep questions underlie this fascinating tale.

I read this book in two days. Fast paced and very compelling , Gone Tonight is a definite must read for thriller fans. Four and a half stars rounded to five only because something about the ending didn’t sit right with me but that didn’t change the enjoyment factor. Many many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for gifting me an ARC in exchange for my honest review. Look for this book on August 1, 2023. You won’t be disappointed!