This one was just okay. Maybe slightly more so, because I still managed to finish in under 24 hours. Nothing really seemed to hook me about this one though. It was simply just okay. Not sure if I would recommend.

I have read all of the books by coauthors Sarah Pekkanen and Greer Hendricks. I usually enjoy their thrillers so even though this was a solo book by Pekkanen I wanted to give her a try!

This book had two points of view, one from the mother and one from the daughter. And my main complaint is that their voices sounded too similar. Each section felt like I was reading the same person and I couldn’t help but think if Hendricks would have written one that they would have been more distinct. Regardless of who authored what, the tone of the two characters was too similar, which was weird when it started out because nothing had happened yet. We start with Catherine’s mother Ruth being diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s but they are acting as if a murder mystery has already started. It just didn’t make sense to me.

Once things start rolling and secrets begin to be revealed my interest definitely picked up and the tone makes sense, but it just didn’t fit for the whole book. I started to like it a bit more when the action starts but in the end I still just wasn’t super happy with how it all ended up. It was still a decent thriller just not my favorite.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC of this book.

Thank you NetGalley & St. Martin’s Press for this advance copy. I was really intrigued by the synopsis for this book, and it started strong with the dual POV and a strong sense of suspense. But then it just stalled for me. The pacing was too drawn out to keep me pulled into the story. I liked Ruth’s journal entries, but I wish they revealed information at a faster pace. I think I expected a thriller, but this read more like a family drama.

"Gone Tonight" by Sarah Pekkanen is a well written, compelling book. Catherine and her mother Ruth had always been each other's entire world. Ruth had struggled as a young single mother after her family disowned her. Yet she had managed to create a family for the two of them and was always able to provide usually by waiting tables. Catherine graduated from nursing school and had scored a job at prestigious Johns Hopkins Hospital and was looking forward to beginning her adult life. But then her mother's health began failing and the symptoms pointed to early onset Alzheimer's disease. Catherine prepared to change her plans. Ruth had shared virtually nothing about her life before her baby was born and Catherine became determined to find out as many details as she could before her mother's memory was gone. The more she learned ,the more confused and frightened she became.

Thanks to St Marten's Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a story with many layers. It was engrossing, however none of the characters were likeable and it was not an easy read.

Gone Tonight
Thriller
Twisting Suspense
Tense

I really enjoyed this book! It had a great storyline that was slow burning with a tension building. The further I read on the harder it was to set down. I loved the character building in this! It was full of surprises all the way up until the end!

This was a great read! I really enjoyed the characters and the plot. Though sometimes the characters made me mad!! It held my attention and kept me on my toes! A sold 4 star read!!

I listened to and read this book. Both were good. The story itself sucks you in. I liked the multiple POVs and the journal entries from Ruth.

Even though I've been a big fan of Sarah Pekkanen's books, I kind of had to force myself to start and continue this one. My own mother has had a lot of health issues in recent years, for one thing, so I thought this might not be the best thing for my mental health right now. The other reason is that I thought I knew where this story was going. Fortunately, though, I was so very wrong, as this book goes in a wildly different direction from what I expected.

(4.5 stars) Alternating POVs, with flashbacks in the form of journal entries; short chapters; engaging & a page-turner, especially the 3rd part; loved the relationship dynamic between the main characters even tho they frustrated me at times; a bit predictable but still fully enjoyable; a well-written, suspenseful thriller!

I’m from the area that the main character grew up so it was cool to see towns and places mentioned that I’m familiar with.

I was definitely excited to read this but even still, it exceeded my expectations!

Special thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Gone Tonight is a very captivating story about a Mother doing all it takes including lying to protect her daughter from her criminal father.
I found this book so exciting I was pulled in from start to finish. This is a psychological thriller with plenty of action as well.
This book ends as a set up.for a second follow up book so Sarah you really should write one!

I want to thank Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story from start to finish. It's a mixture of psychological thriller, family drama and bonds, and suspense. Sarah keeps the reader engaged and guessing throughout and Catherine and Ruth's characters are well developed. The story flips between both of their perspectives as well as Ruth's past. This was a great read from beginning to end! I devoured it in 2 days.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. Being released on 08/01/23

A suspenseful and fun read filled with twists and turns eight up until the end. Thank you Netgalley and publisher.

In this captivating novel, I couldn't help but be drawn into the intricate connections between a mother and daughter. The story revolves around Catherine Sterling, a young woman ready to embark on a new chapter in her life, and her unwavering mother, Ruth, who will go to great lengths to keep her close. As long-hidden secrets gradually come to light, the tension escalates, leaving readers on the edge of their seats.

What struck me most about this book is how it made me contemplate the power of family bonds and the limits of our understanding. I was initially confused by the complex web of relationships, but as I delved deeper, I couldn't put the book down. It made me question the secrets that lie in our past and whether we can truly know everything about our loved ones. Can we trust everything we believe?

The author masterfully portrays the characters, allowing readers to deeply connect with their struggles and emotions. The exploration of family dynamics is skillfully done, making us question the very foundation of our understanding. The narrative builds an atmosphere of danger and uncertainty, keeping readers engrossed and eager to uncover the truth.

As the story unfolds, the exploration of secrets and the themes of trust and perception add layers of intrigue. It serves as a reminder that even within the closest family ties, there can be hidden depths and untold histories waiting to be discovered. The author's ability to create suspense and capture these themes makes the book a truly compelling read.

I would like to express my gratitude to Macmillan Audio and St. Martin's Press for providing me with copies of this captivating novel.

Ruth and her daughter Catherine are very close. Catherine is worried about her mother exhibiting signs of Alzheimer’s (which she is more aware of because she works at a nursing facility), and she takes her to the doctor. We start to peel back layers of Ruth and Catherine and find out everything is not as it seems.

This thriller was a page turner. My goodness. Another one today that I couldn’t put down. I started and finished within just a couple of hours. I loved the way the story was told between alternating viewpoints, and flashbacks to the past. Those final chapters…And that epilogue!? Wow. I can’t recommend this one enough to people who love thrillers!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book and the secrets being kept from mother and daughter! There wasn’t a huge “wow” twist for me which isn’t necessarily a bad thing - just nice for future readers to be aware of. Thought the ending was a nice wrap up without loose ties.

Gone Tonight had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. When Catherine learns her mother, Ruth, has early-onset Alzheimer's disease, she is heartbroken and vows to stay close. But when Catherine begins to dig into Ruth's past, she is shocked by the secrets, betrayal, and lies. This is one you cannot put down!
Thank you, NetGalley, for an advanced copy of this novel.

Ruth is a hard-working mother, and Catherine, her doting daughter. Having lived together all of their lives, Catherine has accepted a job as a nurse at Johns Hopkins, and is about to leave her mother after 24 years to move on with her life.

Then, the symptoms start. It begins with a few simple errors, some minor forgetfulness. But then Ruth becomes diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease, and all of Catherine's plans are gone in the blink of any eye.

As Catherine grapples with this new diagnosis, she also begins to question her and Ruth's past. Catherine's biological father has never been in the picture, and Ruth has always been evasive about the role he briefly played in their lives. As Catherine digs deeper and deeper, she realizes that there are many secrets that her mother has been hiding. Can Catherine uncover these secrets on her own, before Ruth has lost all vestiges of her memory?

Fast-paced and taut with tension, this book had me flying through, eager to uncover the secrets that are following around this mother-daughter duo. I was able to predict one of the biggest twists, which was a little disappointing, but it was still an engaging read. "Gone Tonight" was propulsive and suspenseful , and would make a fantastic summer read.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

This story kept me intrigued from start to finish. While it was fairly predictable and I did predict most of the twists, I enjoy thrillers about the dynamic of the mother/daughter relationship and how far a mother will go to protect her child. I enjoyed the mystery of Ruth’s backstory (her journal entries were fun to read) and I liked how they alluded to Catherine’s sinister nature by the end of the book. A solid 4 star read for me!

Sarah Pekkanen has written an excellent drama piece that keeps the reader guessing at the true nature of the trio of characters involved. I found Ava to be relatable because of her protective motherly ways. The ending was a twist and I was surprised. I would recommend this book to my students and my friends. It is an excellent read.