This was a great dark, suspenseful, thriller mystery. I thought I had it all figured out, but things took a turn that I didn't see coming which makes me love a mystery. However, I'm not sure that I buy the way it all played out. It was a very quick read though and chapters ended in a way that made me want to keep reading.

I loved Ashley Flowers' debut, All Good People Here, so I could not wait to get my hands on this one.

I'm a sucker for a story about sisters, especially when they've been torn apart and have to find their way back to each other and figure things out. Big sis Kasey goes missing and Nic knows she has to do whatever it takes to figure it all out - and bring Kasey home, whether dead or alive. This was a solid mystery/thriller with great pacing and lots of red herrings. I did not see the main twists coming, which is always a bonus. I would absolutely recommend this book.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

An absolute addictive read!!! I was definitely all over the place, my suspicions were everywhere!! So full of crazy twists, your jaw will absolutely hit the floor so fast.. A must have at the top of your TBR!!!

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review

Wow! I could not put this book down, and when I had to I could not stop thinking about it! I was hooked from the beginning and the twists kept coming! Absolutely great sophomore book from Ashley Flowers!

Nic is going through a rough patch. She's at a dead end job, trying to get back on her feet after a DUI, and everyone pities her because her sister vanished seven years ago. Kasey was driving home when her car was found empty on the side of the road, wallet inside and door open. There are no clues to what happened, but the exact same thing happened a few weeks earlier to Jules Connor, who is still missing. When Jules's sister, Jenna, tracks down Nic, she wants them to solve these cases together. They both get in too deep and might be putting their own lives at risk.

This book is so twisty you will not see the ending coming. I devoured this story. At the root of it, this book is about the relationship of sisters. How well can you know someone even if they feel like they are the other half of you? Very well written.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the ARC of The Missing Half.

Summary:
In The Missing Half by Ashley Flowers, two women—Nicole Monroe and Jenna Connor—are united by grief and desperation. Both of their sisters vanished years ago in Mishawaka, Indiana, under eerily similar circumstances. Their bodies were never found, and their cases went cold... until now. When Jenna approaches Nicole, the two set off on a journey to uncover the truth and hunt down a possible killer. But as they dig deeper, secrets begin to surface—and nothing is as it seems. 👀🕵️‍♀️

Thoughts:
This was a fast-paced, twisty thriller that I devoured in a single day! 🙌 I loved how the mystery unfolded piece by piece. Nicole was such a layered character—messy, determined, and real—and watching her dynamic with Jenna evolve was a highlight. This book will definitely keep you guessing until the last page! 🔎📖

A fan of Ashley Flowers, I was excited for the opportunity to read this book before it came out. However, I struggled quite a bit with this one and almost DNF’d several times. The plot didn’t feel solid and it was very slow. The conclusion honestly didn’t even make much sense and was not believable.

I really enjoyed this book, the ending though. There were a couple of oh my and great twists and could not wait to see how it would end. The first time I thought it was ending I was saying wow, no way! Then it kept going and it changed to really!? Not in a good way. I don't want to spoil it for anyone so you will just have to read it. I am in the minority, most people love it. I liked it enough, maybe it was the characters that bothered me, or the situation and what happened and how it was handled. I really can't put a finger on it. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I absolutely loved All Good People here, so I was so excited to read Ashley Flowers' newest, The Missing Half. While I'm not sure it was as strong as her debut, I very much enjoyed the suspense of this book. The Missing Half was a pretty easy read, and it sure did keep me guessing right up until the end.

While there is nothing objectively wrong with this book, it was not for me. The writing was fine and the story engaging enough, but I like a main character I can root for, and I did not find Nic likable at all, even before the end of the book. The plot point of Kasey having an affair with Brad, her father's best friend, gave me the ick. While I realize this served as a necessary misdirection, it was uncomfortable to read. As for the mystery itself, I found the red herrings to be rather obvious, but I didn't see the final twist coming. An unexpected twist is always fun, but in this case, the ending just really wasn't to my taste at all. I wanted to see Nic grow up and change, make the right choice, but she just continued on being kind of terrible.

All this being said, I can confidently say that a lot of people will like this book. It just wasn't to my taste.

The Missing Half was a captivating read. Flowers and Keister did a fantastic job creating an emotional and entertaining story. I loved the concept of this story of two sisters coming together to solve the cold cases of their sisters' disappearances. The characters were layered well, the plot was quick, and the twists were twisting. I couldn't put this book down. I was surprised by the ending. Every time I thought I knew where the story was going, I was pleasantly surprised. Overall, this was a very solid thriller. I'm keeping this review short because I don't want to spoil the fun for everyone else. Thank you to NetGalley and Bantam for the ARC.

Full of twists and turns, with the most unlikeable, unreliable narrator. Flowers' sophomore attempt gave Gillian Flynn vibes in a dark small town way. Not to give too much of a spoiler, but this also in a predictable manner also reminded me of I Know What You Did Last Summer. As with the debut, I've found that Flowers relies a bit too heavily on what has inspired her work and it cheapens the material for me a bit. Overall, still a fun read to start Summer and glad I ended up opting for the audiobook as it did move the pace along better than I think physical would have for me.

Ok Ashley, you just acquired yourself a new big fan. I know this was only one book, but now I must read others and any coming in the future.
I was SURE I had this figured out about 40% through, and really never wavered from what I thought was going to happen even through all of the twists. But let me tell you - I was very wrong. I speed read through this one so fast because I just needed to know what was going to happen. Bravo!
If you are looking for a quick but very very good read - I definately recommend The Missing Half! I will be adding a review on my social media accounts through this week.

This is a solid mystery/thriller that is paced well. I did not see the main twists coming, which is always a plus in this genre. I understand why, but I struggled to like the main character, Nic. I also sometimes struggled to like Jenna at times. Ultimately, I also wonder if I would have liked this more as an audiobook, but that is just my preference for mystery/thrillers and nothing against this specific story.

Being a sister is a hard job to describe. Two people who have shared every step of their lives complete the picture each has of themselves. In THE MISSING HALF, two women lose their sisters in a manner that keeps them looking for that piece of themselves that's gone. Nic Monroe's sister, Kasey, disappeared with no trace. No clues to follow, no sign that she's alive or dead......just gone. For seven years and counting.
Jenna Carter's sister, Jules, disappeared in the same manner just two weeks before Kasey. But Jenna has found something and she needs Nic's help to investigate. These two women are determined to find their sisters.
Nothing about this story fits the description of "usual". Ashley Flowers has developed two characters that will stop at nothing to reach their goals. It's easy to feel their emotions as they dig deeper with each new revelation. An original plot line that deserves the 5 stars and more.

The Missing Half by Ashley Flowers is a suspenseful, binge-worthy thriller that pulls you in from the very first page. Flowers, known for her true crime storytelling, delivers a gripping fictional mystery full of twists, emotional depth, and well-drawn characters.

The story follows a woman haunted by her twin sister's disappearance, and as she digs into the past, long-buried secrets start to surface. Flowers does an excellent job building tension and exploring themes of family, identity, and how grief can shape our lives.

This book is the perfect blend of psychological suspense and emotional drama. It's fast-paced, easy to read, and will keep you guessing until the very end. Fans of A Flicker in the Dark or The Last Thing He Told Me will love this one!

Twisted, Thrilling, and Addictive! I couldn't put down this book. The last 20% of this book had my head spinning and I loved every minute of it. Ashley Flowers has grown as a writer and this book really caters to her fans. She has a good grasp on who her readers are and what type of stories we love! I can't want to read the next book!

I really enjoyed this until the big reveal. I can honestly say I did not see it coming which of course is great... but I wasn't satisfied with the ending. Maybe as I sit with it longer, I'll come around but for now... I'm mad lol. I really enjoyed this though and will be looking forward to her next book!


Links to come

wow wow wow.
this is one of those books that actually feels like it could have really happened. the plot twists caught me so off guard, but it didn’t wrap up perfectly. there wasn’t a happy ending for everyone (anyone, really?). it was tragic and it was painfully real, while still keeping me on the edge of my seat.

The Missing Half was a twisty, emotional mystery that pulls you in right away. It follows two women dealing with the trauma of their siblings disappearing years apart—and the way their lives intertwine is both heartbreaking and gripping. Ashley Flowers does a great job building suspense, and the small town vibes add to the creepiness. Which is to be expected if you’re familiar with Crime Junkies!

Some parts felt a little far fetched, but overall, it was a fast paced, binge worthy read. If you like emotional thrillers with messy secrets and strong women, you’ll probably love this one. Full. Body. Chills.

Will be sharing my review on Goodreads.