Master storyteller and the queen of family thrillers, Nicole Baart, returns following Everything We Didn't Say (5 Stars) with her latest powerful and moving thriller, THE LONG WAY BACK.

Emotionally charged and psychologically rich— an intense, compelling, and skillfully-plotted suspense of family dynamics where two storylines collide in a race against time.

A mother-daughter duo turns into Instagram Influencers with exploring and adventure, while another family is brooding and plotting.

The author takes you on a wild roller coaster ride with alternating chapters and intriguing side commentary. You may be wondering where the author is headed, but do not stress—enjoy the ride. Expect the unexpected.

Mother Charlie and daughter Eva Sutton decide to travel in their vintage Airstream trailer after a photo of Eve by a waterfall goes viral. Soon they are enjoying the beautiful country and sites while attaining a few sponsorships to afford them to continue their journey for two and half years.

They are an Instagram hit with lots of followers on social media. Charie homeschools Eva (once bullied in school for being fat) and attempts to keep their faces out of the main photos.

The Sutton Girls IG page turns to Eva Explorers, and their vintage Airstream is now called Sebastian. There are many adventures, and fans enjoy following them along their journey. While on the road, they are placed in the public eye—their new life could be fun, exhilarating, and exhausting.

Little do they know how dangerous social media can be. Who has been watching and observing?

They temporarily settle in a small Minnesota town while Eva finishes her senior year of high school and prepares for college. She wants to settle down in one place for a while. She works part-time as a waitress at Mugs at a local cafe and wants to be a writer like her mom.

Charlie misses the adventure, and they have words about it. They are on their boat, Summer Moon, on Lake Superior at night, and Charlie falls asleep. When she awakens, Eva is missing.

In alternating chapters, we hear updates about the investigation and Charlie's desperation to find her daughter. She thought she knew her daughter as they were close, but did she? Was she too overprotective, and was her daughter wanting to break away from her and spread her wings to become more independent?

Charlie is a suspect. Are they trying to get media attention for more followers?

There are Instagram posts from fans posting their thoughts and speculations on the disappearance, pointing fingers at Charlie, and Essays from Eva, which provide insight and perspective, and enhance the overall story.

We also get snippets of a boy named Zach that Eva likes, but her mom is unaware she has a boyfriend until the investigators show her video footage.

Where are her computer and phone? Where is she? Does she have friends, and did she keep her life secret from her mom? Is Eva too sheltered and naive to know when she is in danger?

New evidence is uncovered as the investigation heats up, leading them down a dangerous, violent path. Is Eva being held, prisoner? They need clues to find her before it is too late. Is she alive, and who took her? There is no ransom note.

What a story! Atmospheric, Riveting, Haunting! In The second half (Part Two Eva), the book takes a 180 turn keeping you turning the pages into the wee hours of the morning, desperate to know more about Eva. You know darkness is lurking around the corner.

Surprising, action-packed, propulsive, and twisty! Now age 17, we learn much about Eva through her College Essays (brilliantly done). Nothing is as it appears.

A cautionary tale of the dangers of social media, exploring mother/daughter relationships and family. Known for her family dramas, THE LONG WAY BACK is Baart at her best! I loved it —it ranks in my top 10 thrillers of 2023.

Without giving away spoilers, for me, this was Gilmore Girls meets Gabby Petito's story, Joyce Maynard's The Influencers, Lisa Jewell's Then She Was Gone meets Laura McHugh's What's Done in Darkness.

With her signature lyrical prose and winning style, the author brilliantly explores two sides of a coin—broken and beautiful in this atmospheric family saga, both timely and thought-provoking.

A massive fan of the author, this is my fourth book, and all are five stars. You know, when you pick up one of her books, to set aside the time. Unputdownable. I love her style. If you enjoy twisty family dramas, surprises, social media, true crime, and intelligent well-written thrillers, this is for you!

My Q&A Interview with Nicole #AuthorElevatorSeries | Everything We Didn't Say

Thanks to #AtriaBooks for a gifted ARC via #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I also ordered the audiobook narrated by Cassandra Campbell (fav) and Rebekkah Ross. I can't wait!

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 💙 Stars +
Pub Date: June 13, 2023
June 2023 Must-Read Books
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The Long Way Back is a difficult book to rate. I enjoyed the first part of the book. The Instagram posts were a unique way to do flashbacks and I was pulled in by the mystery of what happened to Eva.
The second part of the book tells us Eva’s side of things and what happens to her. This is where the book completely lost me. Without spoiling anything, it felt like a completely different book that came out of left field and that I was not interested in.

This book was unexpected, in the best way. After hearing the premise I swore I knew how it was going to play out, but it went so many different ways I wasn’t expecting. I truly couldn’t predict what was going to happen and I loved that. I also think the two different perspectives really added to the suspense of the story. I also thought embedding other types of media like the Instagram posts, podcast transcript and college essays added more dimension to the story. I definitely recommend this one!

Alright, well, didn’t see that coming lol. This felt like two separate books, both which I normally love but something here was too jarring and didn’t work for me as it normally does. I would go into this one as blind as you can so you don’t see any spoilers. I enjoyed the first half and couldn’t wait to find out what happened to Eva. The MCs were strong and mother-daughter dynamic was well written - you could feel the tension between the two. Overall, a quick read the will keep you guessing!

I really enjoyed this author’s book Everything We Didn’t Say, so was thrilled when I saw they were coming out with another book.

This was a pretty fast-paced book that makes you want to keep flipping pages to find out what comes next. There are short chapters that give you insight to each characters lives, feelings and motivations. It really allowed the reader to feel connected to the characters and understand them.

It was also very easy to picture what was going on and what the characters looked like and were wearing. Since this is so in tune with the current situation of content on social media, it was easy to make a sort of mental mood board for each character’s taste. One of my favorite parts was the meaning of the title of the book.

Without giving anything away, wow, was there a lot going on in this book! I didn’t see some twists coming. I went into this book not knowing a ton about the premise, but mainly because of the author, and I think it really helped the surprises that popped up; you think you know and it’s going to go one way, but then it does a full turn to throw you off.

The characters were very relatable to a many number of reader and may even make you question what all you’re willing to put out in the world (especially on social media). How much would you show of your life and still be able to have some place to call home and safe?

Thanks to the author, Nicole Baart, Atria Books and NetGalley for this eARC of The Long Way Back in exchange for my review!

To say I was hooked from the beginning is an understatement. I love how the story progresses and can admit I did not see the ending coming. It's rare to have a thoughtful story tied into a mystery, so I appreciate it when they come around. A must-read this summer!

Thank you to Artia books and Netgalley for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

I highly recommend picking up this thriller. It had some good twists and turns and I enjoyed reading about the mother/daughter relationship. I like that it gave POVs from Charlie and Eva which gave the story good depth. Well paced and entertaining, definitely pick this one up.
4 Stars

Nicole Baart's newest novel holds so many elements that appeal to me -- a Midwest setting, mother-daughter relationship issues, travel adventures, a missing person mystery to solve and enough suspense to keep me reading late into the night. I was especially excited to discover the final scene taking place at the state park in the Iowa community where I grew up. This may have been the first book I read from Nicole Baart, but it definitely won't be the last! Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for an advance copy to read and review.

The first part of this was so relatable I felt it in my soul. And the second part was action packed and terrifying. I loved every single word.
I don't want to reveal anything because it twists and builds, but trust me- this is good. It is a good book. The ending was great too!

I was captured by the idea of a mother and daughter living on an Airstream and roaming around the country.
I didn’t expect the major turn that the book took After Eva’s disappearance.
Baart definitely kept me on my ties as I hungrily feasted on the pages to see where all of this was going.

I have read some of this author's books, and this one was grabbed me right away. Thoroughly enjoyed it and couldn't wait till the ending which took me by surprise! You will love Nicole Baart's newest book!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to NetGalley & Atria Books for the eARC. I initially struggled to get into this novel because of the slow, drawn out start but man, once it picks up, it picks UP! I honestly had no idea that the book was going to go in the direction it did but I LOVED it. The mystery of what’s going to happen next will keep you reading way past your bedtime. I don’t want to say too much because it will spoil this beautifully written, touching, real life novel. The descriptive writing and use of multiple povs, social media posts, essays, newspaper articles, voicemail transcripts, etc. makes for a unique read that makes it easy to picture the scene in your head. Always take the long way back. ❤️

Take the long way back is the sign off mother and daughter duo, Charlie and Eva, use at the end of their Instagram posts. The pair travel the US for must of Eva’s teen years posting on their popular Instagram site and learning things along the way. When Eva disappears just before her high school graduation, Charlie realizes she doesn’t know her daughter as well as she thought.
I loved this book. The author really brings Charlie and Eva to life. The book is told from both POV’s but almost as two sections. I was enthralled by the story and didn’t want to stop reading. This is a story of a mother/daughter relationship, a story of right and wrong, and a story of how social media can influence your life. This wonderful book should be added to your TBR pile!

Eva is missing. What happened? Is it related to how she and her mother weren't getting along? Does it have something to do with the internet/influencer fame the mother-daughter team had garnered? I'll be honest, this story took a turn I totally didn't see coming! It was a great twist and definitely made for a unfamiliar plot. It did seem to be wrapped up a bit quickly and not as deftly woven as the lead up. The need to suspend belief was a bit higher than I would have preferred and I could have given up some of the build up narrative to add more to the climax, but overall it was a very interesting and satisfying read. Charlie and Eva had an exciting life on the road and I really enjoyed reading about it!

When you pick up a book written by Nicole Baart, you know you’re going to get an intimate, deeply personal story about strong, empathetic women. Women who feel a lot like you and the women you know, whose anxieties and concerns mirror your own.

You also know she’s going to shine a light on serious, meaty questions that echo the real world. But she’s going to do it in a way that centers the dignity and complexity of humanity. You know you’re going to reach the end with a full heart and a stronger appreciation for the beauty of life in this precious world.

Nicole Baart just keeps getting better and better. With "The Long Way Back," she digs deeper than ever before, tackling social media fame, the disappearance of a teenage child, and darker forces ripped from the headlines.

In part 1, we meet Charlie, a single mother trying to do everything right, who’s suddenly been faced with every parent’s worst nightmare: a missing child, authorities who believe her responsible, and the conviction that they are right, even if not in the way they suspect.

Part 2 belongs to Eva, as we learn what actually happened to her. As she grapples with her first confrontation with evil, the humanity of the people caught within its snare makes everything messier than black and white.

Part 3, we are along for the ride as the two women’s stories converge in a climax that is easy to envision seeing on the news.

This is compulsive reading that unfolds not just through narrative, but through old Instagram posts (plus the story behind them), online articles, and college essays. It’s brilliant, structurally. The back-and-forth illuminates relationships, reveals unexpected plot points, and ties the book together in a way that reflects the nuance and complexity of the real world. You will have trouble putting this down. You may find yourself wishing the real-world versions of the forces at play in these pages could be dealt with as neatly. But you will be glad you went on this journey with Charlie and Eva.

My thanks to the author, publisher, and to NetGalley for an advance copy of the book, provided for review purposes. My opinions are my own.

This story focuses on a mother and daughter who find Instagram fame from documenting their travels and adventures. When the daughter goes missing, everyone is quick to point fingers at the mom for being responsible. This book had me furiously flipping the pages, and in the end it went in a completely different direction than I expected. I enjoyed the twists and the discussion around the dangers of putting everything out there on social media.

Congrats to author, Nicole Baart, on the upcoming release (6-13-23) of her latest book, "The Long Way Back." I was lucky to get an early copy of this novel, and it has been my favorite read of 2023 so far. It's a well-written thriller about the experiences of a nomadic mother-daughter duo (Charlie and Eva) who find fame after posting about their travels on social media. Nicole's beautiful descriptions and portrayal of a single mom raising a teenage daughter make the reader feel as if they're traveling along with the pair in their vintage Airstream trailer. But the scenic trip takes a turn when Eva goes missing, and the mother is the prime suspect in the disappearance. Suddenly, being an Instagram influencer brings the entire world's opinion into play. The unexpected twists and turns skillfully weaved into "The Long Way Back" are what make this such a great escape, and I highly recommend going along for the ride!
Nicole is one of my favorite authors, and this book is another example of why I love her. Make sure you don't start reading this one unless you have plenty of time to enjoy it—because you aren't going to want to put it down.

Charlie and Eva didn’t intend to become Instagram famous, but when a photo of Eva goes viral they embrace it. Their platform is documenting life on the road – living the nomad life in their refurbished airstream trailer. Now they have decided to settle down in a small Minnesota town. Eva’s enrolled in high school and applying for college, but Charlie is left longing for the adventure they left behind.

One day while boating, Charlie takes a nap and wakes up to Eva missing. Now as secrets from their past are unraveled and Charlie is the prime suspect. Will she be able to clear her name and find Eva before it is too late?

I absolutely love books about social media and this one was fun. I loved the Instagram posts dotted throughout the book – they added a special element to the book. I absolutely loved how the story went and the turn was just lovely. It fit perfectly with the books setting and just worked. The writing style was wonderful and the characters were well developed. I really felt for Eva and how she struggled to be her own person while living in such close quarters to her mom. This really is a story of a complicated mother/daughter relationship, and I absolutely loved it.

If you are looking for a twisted thriller based on a social media star then look no further and grab your copy June 13th.

Thank you so much to Atria Books, @Atriabooks, and Netgalley, @netgalley for this e-arc in exchange for this honest review.

The Long Way Back has a slow start but turns into one wild thriller.

When mother and daughter Charlie and Eva accidentally went viral, they decided to continue sharing their travel posts. After two years on the road, they’ve settled down in a Minnesota town while Eva finishes high school and applies to colleges. They both agree to spend one last summer travelling in their Airstream trailer before Eva begins her next chapter.

Their plans fall apart when Charlie wakes up on their boat, and Eva is nowhere to be found. It doesn’t take long for everyone, including their followers and the FBI and police, to suspect that Charlie is responsible for her daughter’s disappearance.

This thriller has dual perspectives and includes news articles, podcasts, and Instagram posts. I preferred the second pov over Charlie’s. Charlie’s initial section was a slow burn, and she made some ill-advised moves.

It discusses the dangers of parents sharing information about their kids online. And how one can be the internet’s favourite person one day and its subject of scorn the next.

Based on the cover and the blurb, I thought this would be a laid-back domestic suspense. The first part was going that way. It had a slow start, but the rest was a whirlwind. It turned into a super twisty and wild, action-packed thriller. Despite the dramatic twists, I still enjoyed the plot overall.

If you enjoy super twisty thrillers, I’d recommend giving this a try.

Thank you to Atria Books for providing an arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

https://booksandwheels.com

Charlie and her daughter Eva had a famous Instagram account documenting their travels. However, they recently settled down and Eva is about to graduate. Days before graduation, she goes missing. Charlie is the immediate suspect, but she knows she is innocent and will do anything to get her daughter back.

The first part of the book was ok for me. It follows Charlie in the two days after the disappearance. It also has some of their Instagram posts with flashbacks in between. However, then the second part followed Eva. There was a surprising twist there, but then it became about a domestic terrorist group, which really came from left field. The final section was a combination of Charlie and Eva’s perspectives.

I didn’t mind the narrative structure but I was missing some suspense. I think there could’ve been more clues in Charlie’s early chapters. I also don’t think I loved the domestic terrorism twist/captivity. I think it prevented from a big twist at the end, which I always enjoy in a suspense novel.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.