Holly Jackson does it again!!! I loved the true crime aspect of the book! It reminded me of the podcasts I listen to! It was a true roller coaster! It had me sobbing at the end!

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of The Reappearance of Rachel Price.

I was a fan of the author's A Good Girl's Guide to Murder so I was pumped my request was approved.

It started off strong; Bel's mother has been missing over a decade and not long after a documentary on the appearance has begun, Rachel Price reappears.

I enjoy the mystery of disappearing and reappearing acts, a popular theme in mystery and thriller genres.

It's not easy to do, craft a story that allows the reader to reasonably suspend disbelief, and my bullcrap meter is set at a decent standard, you know what I'm saying?

But as the mystery unfolds, it became clear the author has taken a page out of the popular thriller handbook every thriller writer seems to employ now:

Throw every twist at the reader, and the kitchen sink. Including the fridge. See what sticks.

Bel was hard to like. At first, I understood her aloof, standoffish attitude. Who wouldn't feel abandoned after what happened to her?

But, then her prickly behavior began to sound as if she was trying to be too-cool-for school, and I couldn't stand it.

The narrative, at first, sounded intriguing, but then it began to drag. This was 100 pages too long..

It felt like the author had to meet her quota and just kept adding more filler; interactions between Bel and Carter, Bel playing Nancy Drew, Bel hanging out with the camera assistant guy, I forgot his name already.

Then, we get to that doozy of an ending. I mean, doozies.

I guessed a couple of the twists, but then I read almost exclusively books only in the thriller/mystery genre and I had a feeling the author was going to throw the whole kitchen kit and caboodle at her readers. And I was right.

That massive, monologuing info dump at the end by Bel's mom was so silly and unbelievable.

This happened, then that! And I've been sending you 'secret' messages here, and then this was done to me!

Also, there's NOO way Bel, Rachel or anyone in the family would be able to leave the house alone without the media hounding them, following their every move especially after Bel's dad had disappeared.

There's no way that final 'showdown' would have happened.

I'm glad the bad guys got their comeuppance but the ending felt too pat, too easy, but this is just a book.

Sixteen years ago, Rachel Price disappeared, leaving her daughter, Bel behind. Found in an empty car and now 18 years old, Bel has lived most her life knowing that she was the only witness. When her father agrees to be interviewed by a crew creating a documentary about it, Bel reluctantly agrees to participate. Having no memory of what happened that day, Bel uncovers the clues of that day. Then, the unthinkable happens, Rachel herself reappears with no memory of where she’s been. As Bel discovers a web of deceit and lies, can she piece together what really happened to Rachel?

The well-developed plot is full of twists and turns. The characters are likable and engaging. The story is full of intrigue, mystery, and brings the story to life. Fans of Holly Jackson, suspense, thrillers, murder mysteries, and unreliable narrators will enjoy reading this book. Recommended for most library collections. Gr 8 and up. 5 stars.

Please note: This was a review copy given to us by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. No financial compensation was received.

You gotta love stories that keep you guessing.... and this one delivered. I definitely did not anticipate all the twists and turns. Great read, highly recommend.

Holly Jackson does it again! She delivers a great book full of mystery and plot twists! The beginning was very catching, but did slow down for a bit and then picked back up again. Through out a lot of the book, I started questioning whether or not Rachel disappeared because her story wasn't adding up at all, and just like Bel I was suspicious of her mom.
But the story just kept taking so many turns, and each one more delicious than the last! I loved how snarky and relatable Bel's character was as well and highly recommend reading this one!!

Just when you think you have it figured out, Holly pulls the rug out from under your feet!

Annabel (Bel) has lived her whole life wondering what happened to her mom that disappeared 16 years earlier, leaving Bel in the backseat of a car to be discovered by a local teacher. When a film crew comes to her town to make a documentary about the missing mom, Bel and her family begrudgingly oblige, needing the money to pay for care for Bel's grandfather. However, life as Bel knows it is about to change: with the reappearance of her mom, Rachel. Now Bel and her family have to learn how to live with Rachel, and her story that seems to change frequently. Bel is struggling to accept Rachel and learns that everyone around her may be keeping sinister secrets.


This mystery is one of those that is incredibly detailed oriented, so I had a little trouble getting into it at first. However, once it started moving, it was so good and the twists kept coming. Some were guessable, but there were definitely some I didn't see coming!
Unfortunately, Bel might be one of the most unlikable characters I've ever read about. I was thankful that she had Carter throughout the book, because that was when she was most likable.

Overall, this is still such a fun mystery to read and I can't wait to read more from Holly!

Thank you to Random House Children's, Delacorte Press, and Netgalley for an eARC of this book! All opinions are my own!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Holly Jackson's "The Reappearance of Rachel Price" is an absolute masterpiece in the realm of mystery fiction. From start to finish, Jackson weaves a captivating narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, eagerly turning pages to uncover the truth.

The protagonist, Rachel Price, is a complex and intriguing character whose reappearance sets off a chain of events that will leave you guessing until the very end. Jackson's writing is sharp and immersive, drawing readers into a world filled with secrets, lies, and unexpected revelations.

What sets this book apart is its clever plotting. Just when you think you have it all figured out, Jackson throws in a twist that will leave your jaw on the floor. The pacing is relentless, with each chapter ending in a cliffhanger that compels you to keep reading late into the night.

Furthermore, the supporting cast is equally well-developed, each with their own motivations and secrets that add depth to the story. The relationships between characters are realistic and nuanced, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the narrative.

Overall, "The Reappearance of Rachel Price" is a must-read for fans of mystery and suspense. Holly Jackson has crafted a gripping tale that will keep you guessing until the very end. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a thrilling read that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

Actual Rating: 4.25/5 stars

Holly Jackson does it once again! I FLEW through this wild story, through all the twists and turns and family dynamics and lies. This book is perfect for my crime junkies out there as we are trying to solve this disappearance/reappearance while in the thick of it. It read so quickly because it was just so immensely addicting and really felt like we were watching this documentary. I couldn’t help but want to know more and solve this case myself, however I did not see a few of those twists coming! I think this book would be such a great one to dive into if you’re in a reading slump or just want a mystery thriller about a very messed up family where you don’t know who to believe. I already purchased a copy on my own accord because Holly Jackson is just that good.

I loved the documentary filming being an aspect of this book because while it did take the back burner towards the middle/end of the novel, it helped readers gain an insight into this family and be told all the clues without it seeming incredibly forced. I wish we got a little bit more of Ash because I loved Bel and his dynamic. Bel was rude to him, but I think a lot of that had to do with her trauma response and her not wanting to admit she liked him.

I will say, there are quite a few trigger warnings. Domestic violence, mental abuse, physical abuse, death, murder, attempted murder, child endangerment, and captivity are the main ones. This is one messed up family.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

4.5⭐️
What a ride! This true crime story about the daughter of a girl who went missing when she was only two was such a fun story to follow. The author did a really great job in fleshing out the characters and making them feel so real. She made me feel all the emotions the main character was feeling and it felt like I was inside the story. This was such an easy and fun read with a great plot line and twists!

Thank you so much for the eArc @delacortepress & @prha for the audio copy:
This is a story about family lost and found.

I was apathetic about that one for the first half- it was fine but I didn’t feel super invested in the outcome, which I thought I had for sure figured out… BUT I HAD NOT! This book went gloriously off the rails and I couldn’t look away for the 2nd half. I only have one real complaint involving the… mechanism for disposal? But overall this was such a solid read with lots of twists and turns.

Bel has spent nearly all of her life without her mom, Rachel Price, believing that she had been taken and killed when Bel was just 2 years old. Now that she’s 18, a film producer wants to reopen the past and make a documentary about about her mom’s strange, no clues left behind disappearance. Since Bel was the only witness, she becomes the “heart” of the film, even if she doesn’t remember anything about that day. Then the plot twists begin and are almost non-stop until the very end.
Setting up this story was slow going and took me a bit to get hooked. Some of the situations seemed pretty far fetched, and the relationship between Carter and Sherry needed to be flushed out more. However, there were many parts where I couldn’t put the book down and places where I gasped out loud because the author had me so surprised. Ultimately, this is another stellar mystery from Holly Jackson.

Another incredible story from Holly Jackson! Another incredible story from Holly Jackson! There is something about the way that Holly writes that hooks you from the very beginning and this book was no exception. I could not put it down!

I had really high high expectations for this book because I’ve loved her previous works and it did not disappoint. The story is compelling, I mean a woman disappears without a trace and then (spoiler alert) shows up randomly while the family is in the middle of filming a documentary about her?! The characters are well written and just complex enough that you can’t tell if you love them or hate them.

The main character and narrator Bel is equal parts smart and snarky the whole time that endears you to her immediately. She does a great job of pulling you in to all her theories and the twist and turns of the case. It takes a very talented, special writer to be able to weave a story that keeps you on your toes while also foreshadowing just enough to make you have that ah ha moment!

And that ah ha moment was shocking! I honestly didn’t expect this book to end the way it did which was refreshing in this genre. The twist was so good and I still can’t believe everything that Rachel (and Bel / Carter) went through to get there. I absolutely adore Holly Jackson’s writing and can’t wait to read more from her in the future!

*Thank you to NetGalley, Holly Jackson, Random House Children's and Delacorte Press for sending me a copy of this book to review. All thoughts are my own.*

After reading A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder a few years ago, Holly Jackson became one of my favorite authors and rekindled my love of YA books. When I got approved for an eBook ARC of her newest novel, I was ecstatic.

The Reappearance of Rachel Price is an interesting book for multiple reasons. The main character, Bel, lives with her dad, and her mom went missing when she was a toddler. When her mom suddenly appears claiming she was held hostage for 16 years, the story doesn’t add up, and Bel thinks her mom is lying.

This is one of those books where you think you have it figured out and that you know who the villain is... but you later realize you know nothing. I was so intrigued by the premise and couldn’t put the book down once I started reading it. I read the entire book on a flight. I definitely recommend it to anyone who loves YA thrillers!

*Thank you to the publisher, NetGalley, and Holly Jackson for the free eBook ARC!

I could NOT stop listening to this one! I absolutely love the Good Girl's Guide to Murder series by Holly Jackson so I was excited and also slightly scared to dive into this one. I didn't want to be disappointed after loving that series so much.

Well, I definitely wasn't disappointed! I literally started a puzzle and finished it in one night so I could just listen and listen and listen to this one.

Was it perfect? Probably not. Was I entertained and invested and trying to figure out who was lying and who was telling the truth the whole time? 100% yes!!!

What I really appreciate with this book is that it is a YA novel that my 16 year old niece will read and we can discuss and talk about - but I truly didn't feel like I was necessarily reading a YA book. I was very invested in the characters and it really kept me guessing and going back and forth between who I believed the entire time!

Highly highly recommend!

Thank you to Netgalley, Random House Children's & Delacorte Press for the advanced reader's copy of this one!

I ended up doing a hybrid read and also listening through Penguin Random House's Audio Influencer program so thank you to them as well!

Writing and plot twists >>>
Binged this in a day, this was so genius 🫠

TWs - death, murder, kidnapped, someone who was kidnapped and held for more than a decade, and I'll add more when I remember

-- ty to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!

I was so happy to receive this ARC as I love Holly Jackson! This one took a little bit to get into, but the twisty turns at the end were great. Always great writing from Holly. I enjoyed it.

I loved the premise of this book! I felt like it dragged at certain points.

Bel's mom Rachel disappeared when she was around 2 years old. The weird thing? Rachel had Bel with her when she disappeared. Fast forward 16 years and a film crew shows up to New Hampshire to film "The Reappearance of Rachel Price" a documentary about what happened to Rachel.

A few days into filming, Rachel is spotted by Bel walking in town. Where was she? What are people hiding? It's Bel's mission to figure out what happened 16 years ago.

This story was interesting, but I kept looking at how many pages I had left. There were some interesting twists, but overall it fell a little flat to me? I guess I just binged AGGGTM so quickly that this one felt so slow in comparison. I can see why people like it, though!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy!

This was one of my most anticipated releases of the year and I’m sad to say it was disappointing.

The first half had me quite intrigued and I was annoyed when I needed to go to bed, since I wanted the answers. Then in the second half it lost me, not to say that the twists weren’t interesting, because they were. But the story started to drift away from the dokumentary part and moved somewhere that just wasn’t working for me. The ending especially is something I just didn’t buy.

It also did not help that there was literally only one likable character ( Carter) and she was not present nearly enough.

But like I said the ending was the deciding factor, so ultimately this was a miss.

Still would give it a try if it sounds interesting. What clearly wasn’t working for me, might for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the E-Arc in exchange for an honest review.

YA

What fantastic plotting!

I first read Holly Jackson with the Good Girl's Guide to Murder series and immediately became enamored of her style and smart story choices. These books may be classified as YA, but they pack a punch for mystery fans.

In this novel, Bel and her father have been living with the consequences of her mother's disappearance 16 years ago. Things have finally settled into a somewhat normal existence, but a documentary team wants to tell their story. They are in the middle of filming when her mother reappears. Rachel is back. Where has she been all this time? Her story is vague and suspect to Bel. Bel and a junior cameraman begin their own investigation.

Things really amp up a week after Rachel returns. The story really takes off from there and keeps the tension and energy high until the dramatic conclusion. One of my few complaints about this novel is the slowness at the beginning. It felt like it took a while for the story to move anywhere. There was quite a bit of set up that needed to happen that as a reader, you don't recognize as important until later.

I love that Jackson's protagonists are kind of a mess. In Bel's case, she pushes people away before they can abandon her. These character flaws add nuance and wholeness to the characters making for a better rounded story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book.

At once terrifying and engaging, The Reappearance of Rachel Price is a mastery of suspense without the inclusion of gore or overly horrific elements. I couldn’t help but stayed glued to the story for hours on end and continue thinking through all the theories well after putting down the book. A must read for teens and adults alike.