Why do no authors understand perfect tense anymore? I am so over hearing "have swam" and "have drank."

OK, complaints aside, thanks to NetGalley & Dreamscape for providing an audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Poor Mae Barlowe: she witnessed her older brother, Danny, drown in Florida when she was just a toddler. Now she and her parents travel back to FL every year on the anniversary of his death to celebrate his short life. But this year, Mae's parents can't go because her mom has had a resurgence of breast cancer and is just too ill. Mae's best friend, Florence, has arranged a surprise along with Mae's new husband, Blake - instead of the usual beach week in Florida, they're going on a luxury cruise, with Flo's newish techbro BF tagging along. Everything is going great until a dark, handsome stranger spots Mae and seems fixated on her. Then the next thing you know, Mae has disappeared! And the ship's security service doesn't seem to be doing much to try and find her - they even seem to think that Blake might have pushed her overboard. Can Blake and Florence figure out where Mae is?

So this is an interesting premise. If the book is to be believed, ~200 people go missing off cruise ships annually (that sounds high; a quick google search tells me there were 50 in 2023 but of course the year's not out yet), and most are never found. Some ships have cameras everywhere, but the not-so-new ships do not, so ostensibly, someone could go overboard unnoticed. The story quickly pivots to suspicions about human trafficking. I assumed that was going to be a red herring, but no. Mae has been kidnapped for trafficking purposes by a gang that traffics women and children on the reg and has done for years. Conveniently, she has been stowed on another ship with her hands bound and a bag over her head, and is very thirsty, but is really none the worse for wear besides needing a shower and some deodorant - no one has raped her, fed her opiates, or in any way turned her out. Never mind the fact that she is in her late 20s and mostly at-risk teens are lured into this situation! This explanation was ridiculous on its own and the sort of thing you see perpetuated in frantic public Facebook posts, but when we get to the *reason* for the kidnap, things get really silly.

The BIG TWIST is also kind of predictable once you get to the littler twist. I'll be glad when authors no longer feel pressured to deliver a twist. So many plots suffer from this, and it's getting old.

Overall, not bad for the first half; not great for the second half and wrap up. The voice acting is fine for the most part. 2.5 stars rounded up.

You Can Trust Me is a book that I was so happy to see for one of the silliest reasons. I reviewed another book by Modglin that was a romance and the end of that book felt like a thriller. I said I would love to read a thriller by Modglin, and then I got You Can Trust Me. It did not disappoint.

This story was very similar to a locked room mystery without the locked room. I know that makes no sense but in the context of this book it does. Mae and her husband Blake are on a cruise with their friend Florence and Florence's boyfriend. Blake wakes up and Mae is missing.

The mystery of what happened to Mae kept me glued to the story. I took a break and tried to do something else and I just kept thinking, “Where is Mae?” I had to get back to the book immediately.

Modglin did a fantastic job at painting everyone a little suspicious leaving you constantly second guessing everyone’s actions and motives. Once you find out what happened, it was something I did not see coming and I loved it.

Mae goes to Tampa every year with her parents to reflect on a terrible tragedy - the loss of her brother. This year, Mae’s parents aren’t able to go so her husband, Blake, and her best friend, Florence (along with her new boyfriend), decide to mix things up a little. When the two couples arrive in Tampa, Blake and Florence announce they have a surprise - they are all going on a cruise! Mae is unsure about the change in plans because she ALWAYS vacations in the same place but reluctantly agrees to go along with it so as not to upset anyone. Shortly after, things go awry and Mae is missing. Was she murdered? It’s always the husband, right? Was she taken by a mysterious stranger? Did she jump and end it all? Did she simply walk away and start a new life?

The suspense and twists and turns were so fun! I listened to the audiobook of this and finished it in one day because I couldn’t stop. The story was captivating and I had no idea who to trust. I had some suspicions, most of which were wrong. The ending was a little… weird? Not sure of the right descriptor. Still a great one. Love this author! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest review.

I recently 'discovered' KM and have found her books easily bingeable. They keep my attention and are easy to read--very squarely into the "popcorn thriller" genre, which I enjoy from time to time.

I was thrilled to get this early from NetGalley, especially since I also L-O-V-E cruise ship stories! The first half-ish of this book really had me hook, line, and sinker. I was dying to know what happened to her--where did she go? Did she leave the boat? Fall off? Was this planned? etc etc.

Unfortunately the reveals and explanation were a bit too over the top and nuts. The last zinger at the end I saw coming from 100,000 miles away and it didn't land. I felt disappointed by both "resolutions." I also didn't like who I thought was going to be the MC. She annoyed me but then she's the one who went missing so I was kinda happy about that LOL.

SUMMARY: Mae's husband (who has a drinking problem she obsesses about) and her best friend surprise her with a cruise vacation. They seem to lack a sensitivity chip that Mae is scared of boats and the ocean because when she was 3 her brother fell off a boat carrying her and her father and she watched him drown. The husband and BFF think this will give her "good new happy memories."

Mae's parents are upset she's going on this cruise as well and particularly at a delicate time: the mother is dying.

Bon voyage, the two happy couples leave. The first night the men go to bed early-ish and Mae and her BFF stay up for "girl time." The next morning, Mae has disappeared. She can't be found. Security isn't the most helpful. The husband debates endlessly with himself--had Mae left him or did something happen to her? Then it is revealed the man she was seen dancing with on camera late that night was her long ago ex high school boyfriend (he insists its coincidence they all ended up on this cruise and they just caught up, old friends and all that). By the end of the book you know what happened to Mae and why.

I'll read KM again but this was pretty lackluster for me.

When Mae's husband surprises her with a cruise vacation alongside her best friend and the best friend's partner, Mae is excited to be with them but a little anxious about the cruise situation. They'll all realize very quickly that her fears are very real.

As per usual with Kiersten Modglin, this one is a very quick read with good characters and big twists. It jumps right into the action and holds your attention until the very last page. While one or two of the twists were obvious, the two biggest ones were big surprises, even as an avid Modglin reader. I would highly recommend this one to fans of Frieda McFadden and Sue Watson, anyone who loves a locked-room mystery, or readers just in need of a good vacation-themed story!

I love Kiersten!! I love her writing and ability to grab you and not let go until the very end! You think you’re at the ending and then boom! There’s another twist or bomb you didn’t expect. That’s why I love to read or listen to her work! She never disappoints! This is no exception. Although with the number of books I’ve read that are on boats or about boats or cruises….. I may never get on another one lol! This is definitely a must read!! Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape for allowing me access to the advance copy audiobook!

I will definitely say that this book has some twists and turns that you won't see coming. Definitely a few horrible people involved. This is a quick, fast paced thriller that will keep the pages turning. I love Kiersten's writing and was happy to jump right into this one. I read it in one sitting. I did find the ending a bit far fetched but overall really enjoyed this one.

Thank you NetGalley, Dreampscape Media and Kiersten Modglin for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #DreamscapeMedia for the ARC #YouCanTrustMe by #KierstenModglin. Husband and wife cruise, wife missing, did husband do something? So many possibilities, but what happened? So many emotions and non stop action makes this book amazing! Highly recommend!

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC of this audiobook. This is the worst book to read right before going on a trip 😵‍💫 it was such a convincing story plot but it became too abstract once the story was coming to its ending. The ending was really rushed and I wanted to know more of a resolution within the family. I also felt like the whole middle part of the book where he got on a boat to find her was missing so much detail that would have been nice to know.

Fast-paced and a thriller that kept me hooked from the beginning!

Mae always had the annual beach trip as her tradition with her husband. But this year, a surprise came with her best friend Florence. It’s a cruise line vacation instead of the beach trip. However, Mae was daunted by this idea, because her brother was killed in a boat accident when they were young.

Now Mae was trapped in the cruise and more terrifying things were going to happen.

I always enjoy Kiersten Modglin’s book. Her twist and storyplot are surprising which keeps me guessing until the end. The characters are likable and these all presented very well by the narrators.

This was my first Kiersten Modglin book, and I will definitely be reading more! "You Can Trust Me" is a fast-paced page-turner that you can easily binge in a day. There were so many twists and turns, and I couldn't put it down. The cruise ship setting was fun and unique, and the storyline was compelling. I would have rated this higher, but the ending was completely unexpected, and I was disappointed by the final twists. It was all way too unrealistic for my liking.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Pete Cross, Laura Jennings, Kelli Tager, and Susan C. Hunter. I am a huge fan of full-cast narration, and these four were fantastic. Their performances were captivating, and I just couldn't stop listening.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Once again, no surprise here, just read another excellent Kiersten Modglin book.

This one has a ton of characters, none of which you felt like you could entirely trust. I will say Florence (the bestie) had May’s back entirely…she’s the kind of friend you need. Although some of her actions seemed a bit suspect too. I mean…it wouldn’t be a proper KMod novel if you could totally trust someone. It’s just not her way.

This book kept me guessing until the very end. The pacing and plot unfolded nicely.

What I could’ve used more of…was the exact nature of May’s mom’s illness. I suppose it doesn’t really matter but I was curious (kids running amuck in my house…so I totally could’ve missed it…so if you know, let me know…).

May reminded me a lot of myself and there was another terrifying real life aspect to this novel which adds another layer, because the reality is, it happens more than some people realize. It’s more and more common everyday. Let’s just say if there is a LFL on a cruise ship…this book won’t likely be in it. Ha ha.

The ending had me feeling like “well ain’t that some 💩!?”

I love that Kiersten’s books get right into it, she isn’t wasteful with words and doesn’t ever waste her reader’s time. For that…we thank you. I find myself giving her a lot of 4.5 stars and it’s not because I don’t love the book (don’t worry I always round up for good reads) but it’s more-so for me to differentiate between my favs and my very favs 😂🤣😂

Full disclosure - Kiersten Modglin is one of my top 10 favorite authors and I’m going to love just about any book she puts out. I am a hugely biased supporter and fan!! That said, this book did not disappoint. I can always count on Kiersten for the best twists. The ambiance of this read is pitch perfect if you’re on a cruise or island vacation. I was re-living past cruises I’ve been on and picturing what the characters were experiencing. There’s a nice build of tension where you’re itching to know what is happening. I was surprised and thoroughly enjoyed the ending.
Huge thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for my honest review.

When tragedy strikes, the last place I want to be is stuck on a boat. And Kiersten Modglin takes you for a ride showing you exactly why!

Mae thinks she is going to be spending a week at the beach just like every year, but her husband and best friend surprise her by taking her on a cruise instead. Not her ideal vacation, considering this is the annual trip she takes to remember and mourn her brother who died in a boating accident many years ago.

Just as Mae starts to relax and have a little fun, tragedy strikes, and anyone could be guilty.

I devoured this book in a day. It was an easy read and fast-paced. She had me questioning everyone and I didn't see the final twist coming. Truthfully, the final reveal is what dropped my rating down, as I didn't love the twist, but I definitely didn't see it coming.

This is a quick read and a solid 4 stars.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the advanced audio copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

3/5 stars

Thank you Dreamscape Media & Netgalley for the advanced listening copy!

Mae Barlowe travels to the beach every year, but it isn't for vacation. She lost her brother in that very spot many, any years ago, and returns annually to honor him. This year, her husband and best friend have an idea to turn the trip around: they're going to surprise Mae with a cruise. However, this doesn't turn out quite as any of them has planned, and, soon after boarding, a mysterious stranger and a tragic event cause the group to question everything, including each other.

This was a classic, fast-paced KMod story, but it let me down a bit compared to her usual standard! I really enjoyed two of the narrators, but Mae's did not suit the character in my opinion, and I found it a bit distracting. Other than that, there were a few, really solid twists, but nothing that utterly shocked me. I am used to being 100% surprised by Modglin's twists, so I think I anticipated what would be most shocking and turned out to be right. All in all, this was a solid thriller but could have been a bit better.

4.5 ⭐️

I truly loved this mystery thriller with all its twists and turns! When plans change and Mae’s husband Blake and best friend Florence want to go on a couples cruise with them and Florence’s boyfriend Patten, Mae is immediately resistant because of her past trauma. But they are able to convince her, but in the end, the unthinkable happens. Mae disappears without a trace and the employees on the ship are less than helpful. Will Blake and Florence be able to find her and find out what happened before it’s too late?

Through all the twists, the last 25% of the book was definitely the best. We find out what happens with Mae, along with some other crazy, crazy stuff. I was definitely never expecting the very last twist.

I love a book where I am caught off guard and don’t see the twist coming.

3.5 stars ⭐️

Thank you NetGalley for this audio arc! I loved the first quarter & last quarter. The middle got a bit slow for me but I did enjoy this mystery overall! Especially the cruise ship aspect of it!

Rating: 4/5 Stars
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I am to the point where I see a KMod book and I immediately have to request it. I am still trying to read her backlist because lets be real, these books are just so fun. They are super fast paced and you get gripped right from the start. With You Can Trust Me KMod has done it once again.
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This story focuses on Mae, her husband and her best friend and her newest partner as they embark on a cruise. I was a little bothered by the lack of empathy Mae’s husband and best friend have for the situation. Regardless, once everything starts happening I was like this shit is sketch… Needless to say, I was constantly questioning every character in this one. I love where this one went, its dark, it’s sad and heartbreaking, and and its actually super relevant to todays world! The ending had my head absolutely spinning but once things started happening and the ending was drawing near I was like “nope, no, no, no, she is not going to go there - and in the truest of KMod fashion she did - AND I FREAKING LOVED IT. Go on with your badass self taking that route.
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It’s the most perfect popcorn thriller that will have you up past your bedtime. You Can Trust Me is super fast paced and will have you sitting on the edge of your seat as you wait to see exactly what is happening and who is behind everything.
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I listened to this one via audiobook and it had a full cast consisting of Pete Cross, Laura Jennings, Kelli Tager, and Susan C. Hunter. They were all fabulous. I could not stop listening to this one. Or yelling out while reading about how each character was a liar haha.
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To all my popcorn thriller fans, to all my KMod fans - do yourself a favor and pick this one up. This was released on June 26 of this year but the audio releases on 11/7. Be sure to check this one out! Cant wait for the audio? This is available on KU!! Huge thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media and Kiersten Modglin for the ALC in exchange for my honest review!

Rating: 3.75 stars

I am a HUGE KMod fan and I don’t think I’ve rated but one other book by her under 4.5 stars. This one just missed the mark for me. I started this one months ago on Kindle Unlimited and only got about 10% into it before pausing to take a break. I just really couldn’t get into it at all. Usually when that happens for me, listening to the audiobook helps hence why I requested this audio ARC. And genuinely it did, I’m not sure I would’ve finished this reading traditionally. It dragged on a lot up until about the last 10% of the book. I feel like it might’ve been the cruise ship setting just not doing it for me, it overall just seemed a bit unbelievable i guess so it was hard to put myself in the characters shoes. The double almost triple twist at the end did help save this book a lot though, it really made up for the repetitiveness of the beginning and how it dragged on.

The audiobook was very well narrated and I very much enjoyed the cast chosen to voice the characters.

After reading this, I might reconsider going on the next cruise we have booked. I was between 3 and 3.5 stars with this one, so I'll just give it 3.25 stars. This is a super fast popcorn thriller with great narration. The reason I didn't rate it higher is because the twists were a bit preposterous and unrealistic. Having said that, I'm a big fan of Kiersten Modglin and will continue to read her work. A big thanks to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media and the author for the opportunity to listen to this ALC in exchange for my honest opinion.