I read the first book by this author. While I like Ashley Flowers podcast I just couldn't get behind this book. It felt mediocre and honestly pretty boring.

I’ve been a big fan of Ashley Flowers for a long time and really enjoyed “All Good People Here”, so I was excited to check out her second book. The Missing Half was good, a story of two different sisters coming together to investigate the disappearances of their respective sisters. This book was easy to fly through and had some good twists. I felt a little underwhelmed by the ending but overall an enjoyable book!

Ashley Flowers, the undeniable queen of true crime podcasting and a burgeoning force in the world of thrillers, delivers a truly exceptional and utterly captivating novel with The Missing Half. This book isn't just a story; it's an immersive, chilling excavation of memory, identity, and the insidious nature of secrets, pulling you into its dark embrace from the very first page and refusing to let go until the final, breathtaking revelation. Prepare to be haunted, intrigued, and utterly mesmerized.

From the chilling premise, The Missing Half immediately establishes an atmosphere thick with enigma. We are thrust into a narrative where the lines between past and present, truth and fabrication, are constantly blurred. Flowers masterfully crafts a protagonist whose fragmented memories are both a curse and the key to unlocking a terrifying truth. The mystery isn't just about what happened, but about what is real, creating a constant hum of disquiet that permeates every chapter.

Flowers’ strength lies in her ability to build an intricate web of suspense that is both emotionally resonant and intellectually stimulating. She doesn't rely on cheap jump scares; instead, she meticulously layers clues, hints, and unsettling questions that burrow deep into your mind. As the protagonist grapples with her fractured past, you, the reader, are right there with her, piecing together the terrifying mosaic, questioning every character, and doubting every convenient explanation. The sense of foreboding is palpable, a subtle chill that prickles the back of your neck long before the overt dangers surface.

The brilliance of The Missing Half lies in its exploration of identity and the way trauma can shape (or shatter) it. Flowers delves into the psychological depths of her characters, particularly the protagonist, with a sensitivity and insight that makes her journey incredibly compelling. You become deeply invested in her quest for answers, even as the path forward becomes increasingly perilous and the truths she unearths more disturbing. The supporting cast is equally well-rendered, each with their own murky pasts and hidden agendas, adding layers of suspicion and intrigue to the already complex narrative.

What makes this book truly shine is Flowers’ signature narrative style – sharp, precise, and utterly compelling. Her prose pulls you through the story with an almost relentless momentum, each chapter ending with a tantalizing hook that makes "just one more page" an impossible promise to break. The plot unfurls with expert pacing, doling out revelations with perfect timing, ensuring that the suspense never wanes. And when the twists come, they are not just shocking; they are earned, meticulously set up from the beginning, leaving you reeling with their cleverness and impact.

The Missing Half is an absolute triumph for Ashley Flowers. It's a gripping, mysterious, and deeply engaging psychological thriller that confirms her status as a force to be reckoned with in the literary world. If you crave a story that will keep you guessing until the very last sentence, a mystery that burrows into your mind, and a narrative that explores the fragile nature of truth, then do not miss this extraordinary book. Prepare to be enthralled, prepare to be shocked, and prepare to confront The Missing Half of a story you won't soon forget.

I was really interested in this book at first but it started to fall flat halfway through the book. I think the overall mystery was bland and I didn't really feel satisfaction after reading it. It did keep me reading to find out what happens but if I didn't have that I probably would have dnf'd it. Not a terrible read but not memorable.

After reading Ashley’s amazing debut I knew I had to read this one. There were so many twist I didn’t see coming. I raced through it so quick. It was a wild right from start to finish and boy did the end get you. So good!

I’ll be honest & say the main character in this book is a little annoying — she’s so messy, and most of it is self-inflicted — but the twist is so good it’s worth powering through. I did not see the ending coming at all!

The missing half is a story about two young women who have gone missing and their sisters who team up to try and find them. There are quite a few suspects and plenty of angles but I saw NONE of it coming. Quick read that had me anxiously awaiting the big reveal!

Nicole "Nic" Monroe is a 24-year-old struggling with life in her small Indiana town, dealing with a DWI and a dead-end job due to sympathy from her boss. Her life has been stuck in limbo since her older sister, Kasey, mysteriously disappeared seven years ago under suspicious circumstances. There are very few leads, as Kasey’s case is linked to another missing woman, Jules Connor. Nic yearns to move on, but her life changes when Jenna Connor, Jules's sister, approaches her with hope. Together, they embark on a gripping journey to uncover the truth about their missing sisters, even at the risk of challenging their own lives.

This book grabbed my attention from the very first page! I was completely blindsided by the ending and everything that led up to it!

The main character, Nic, slowly unravels before our eyes. She’s desperately trying to get her life back on track, but living in the shadow of her missing sister is a heavy burden—especially for someone grappling with substance issues. That’s a lot for anyone’s psyche to handle! Her newfound friend, Jenna, appears to have it all together, but we all know that appearances can be deceiving. The character development throughout the pages is nothing short of brilliant.

I found this book utterly impossible to put down! There are tantalizing hints of what’s to come, but none of them are what you expect. The complete turnaround and the main twist left me absolutely speechless! Bravo!

If you enjoy unpredictable endings, fast-paced narratives that keep you on the edge of your seat, and more twists than a pretzel factory, then this book is definitely for you. I’d love to hear your thoughts—let me know what you think!

Thank you, Bantam, for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

After I completed this book, I had to take some time to consider what I just read. This would be a great book club book. I’m still not sure if I liked the ending but it definitely made me think. What would I do? Where would my loyalty be? I loved the premise and the story kept me interested until the last page. I would recommend! Thank you for the advance copy.

Ashley Flowers’ The Missing You pulls you into a gripping world where small-town secrets and heartbreaking mysteries collide. Nic Monroe is stuck in a rut—her life feels like it’s been on pause since her sister Kasey vanished without a trace seven years ago. When Jules Connor, another girl from town, disappears under eerily similar circumstances, the past begins to ignite with unsettling intensity. Flowers masterfully weaves a story that keeps you guessing at every turn. Nic’s relentless pursuit of answers, coupled with Jenna Connor’s desperate hope, creates a compelling emotional rollercoaster. The twists are sharp enough to keep you on the edge of your seat, and the characters feel raw and real—flesh-and-blood people haunted by their secrets and sorrow. While some plot elements might be familiar in the mystery genre, Flowers’ skillful storytelling elevates the material, making it a page-turner you won’t want to put down. This isn’t just a whodunit; it’s a heartfelt dive into family bonds, the scars of the past, and the resilience needed to face the truth. An engaging read for anyone who loves mysteries sprinkled with emotional depth—definitely worth grabbing!

Nic is 24, stuck in the same job she’s had since high school, and reeling from a recent DWI. Seven years ago, her sister Kasey disappeared—her car was found abandoned on the side of the road, door open, with all her belongings inside. It devastated Nic, and her life spiraled from there.

When Jenna Connor shows up at Nic’s work with a new clue, she proposes they work together to find answers. Jenna’s sister Jules disappeared just two weeks before Kasey. As the two dig into the past, they uncover far more than they ever expected.

My Review
I didn’t see the ending coming. It was extremely realistic—in a tragic, heavy way. The writing was strong and the story moved fast. I read it so quickly I’m sure I missed a few details.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Missing Half is so good that I read it in one day! That is rare for me and should tell you a lot about The Missing Half. I anticipated starting the book, reading for a couple of hours and moving on with my day. You will not be able to put this book down! It grabs you from the beginning and the hold increases more and more with each turn of the page! You will not see the twists coming and then pow! Ashley Flowers is one of my favorite authors and knows how to write a gripping thriller! This is one of the best books I've read this year.

Nicole Monroe is suffering. She lives in a small town in Indiana, works at Funland, has a small, dreary apartment, and has to ride a bike everywhere due to a DWI. Nicole and her sister, Kasey were as close as sisters can be. Kasey is 2 years older than Nic and vanished 7 years ago. Kasey's car was found on the side of the road with her door open, her purse and cellphone still in the car. The car was found 100 miles from home. Where was Kasey going and why didn't she tell Nic? They shared everything. Nic has spiraled ever since and hit the bottle way too much. She misses her sister with every breath she takes.

One night when Nic is working at Funland, she notices a woman staring at her. She tries to ignore it, but this woman is not the Funland type. She doesn't seem to be there for a party, doesn't seem to be watching a child, so why is she here staring at Nic? When Nic mentions the woman to the owner he looks over, but doesn't recognize her either. When Nic looks a bit later, the woman has left. Nic breathes a sigh of relief. She doesn't need more trouble. When Nic leaves for the night she goes to unlock her bike. The woman approaches her and wants to talk to her. The woman is Jenna Connor and her sister, Jules, vanished the same way as Kasey. Her car was found on the side of the road 2 weeks before Kasey's. What did these 2 young women have in common? Why would someone pick them?

Nic and Jenna decide to work together to find something that the police missed. The police have stopped working the case as it's been 7 years. The original detective told Nic that he passed the case to another detective as he's on his way out. When they start investigating everything about both cases, they start asking questions of people that knew the girls. They have a list of people that could be responsible for their disappearance. Some of the people hit close to home. As Nic and Jenna get closer to finding out what happened, there are threats and danger to deal with. Who could be doing this and why? Someone wants to keep this a secret. How far will they go to make sure Jenna and Nic never find the truth? I rate The Missing Half 5 stars with my very highest recommendation. The book is out now, so get this book and enjoy it! You will need a drink along the way! I'd like to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine-Bantam for an advanced copy of The Missing Half in exchange for a fair review.
#TheMissingHalf

Holy buckets this was a good one! I was on the edge of my seat through the whole book and could not put it down! Lots of good twists!

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced reader copy!

5 stars!

Ashley Flowers writes really captivating, suspenseful thrillers. I loved this one and how different it felt from her debut. The sister plot line really drew me in and I enjoyed all aspects of it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!

I was excited about this one because I’m a Crime Junkie and the premise is really interesting. I enjoyed the first half and then it unraveled. I couldn’t suspend disbelief when it came to the ending and I was left with more questions than answers. I’m curious if there is going to be a sequel but I don’t think I’ll read it. It would actually be a good book club pick though because there’s a lot to unpack when it comes to the characters’ motives and what you would do if you were in their shoes. I was excited about this one because I’m a Crime Junkie and the premise is really interesting. I enjoyed the first half and then it unraveled. I couldn’t suspend disbelief when it came to the ending and I was left with more questions than answers. I’m curious if there is going to be a sequel but I don’t think I’ll read it. It would actually be a good book club pick though because there’s a lot to unpack when it comes to the characters’ motives and what you would do if you were in their shoes.

This was my first read from this author but I am definitely going to have to pick up her first book. I can't say the characters were that likable but I still didn't want to put it down. I really wanted to find out what exactly happened and when you find out prepare to be blown away. The last few chapters in here were doozies. Didn't see that ending coming at all. I'd recommend.

Soo here's the thing; I did struggle a little with reading this because it seemed a little slow before finally starting to pick up. Two women have both been impacted by their sisters disappearance several years prior. One has been working diligently to find her younger sister or at least figure out what happened, the other has been slowly self destruction over losing her older sister. This is the culmination of their efforts to work together and figure it out.

Is it a good premise? Yes. Does it sometimes require you to suspend disbelief? Also, yes. It is another of those occasions where civilians are figuring out what cops could not. As far as some of the twists, a few of the earlier ones I did figure out, but the final ones were a surprise, never saw it coming. I don't want to say more than that to avoid messing up the surprise for others. It is a very quick read, not a long book at all. The writing style works for me, even if the way it was wrapped up is a bit unrealistic. I will try other books by the author to see how that goes.

"The Missing Half" was such a good read. Ashley Flowers kept me on the edge of my seat with so many twists and shocking turns. What an ending!!

Review of The Missing Half by Ashley Flowers

A big thank you to the publisher for approving my request to read this on netgalley as well as to @libro.fm for the audiobook.

I really enjoyed this one and it was a very quick read/listen for me. I definitely felt bad for the main character who was searching for the truth about what happened to her sister, and there were lots of really good twist in this one that I never saw coming. I enjoyed the storyline and writing style.

Synopsis:
Nicole “Nic” Monroe is in a rut. At twenty-four, she lives alone in a dinky apartment in her hometown of Mishawaka, Indiana, she’s just gotten a DWI, and she works the same dead-end job she’s been working since high school, a job she only has because her boss is a family friend and feels sorry for her. Everyone has felt sorry for her for the last seven years—since the day her older sister, Kasey, vanished without a trace.
On the night Kasey went missing, her car was found over a hundred miles from home. The driver’s door was open and her purse was untouched in the seat next to it. The only real clue in her disappearance was Jules Connor, another young woman from the same area who disappeared in the same way, two weeks earlier. But with so little for the police to go on, both cases eventually went cold.
Nic wants nothing more than to move on from her sister’s disappearance and the state it’s left her in. But then one day, Jules’s sister, Jenna Connor, walks into Nic’s life and offers her something she hasn’t felt in a long time: hope. What follows is a gripping tale of two sisters who will do anything to find their missing halves, even if it means destroying everything they’ve ever known.

Ballantine I think you love me and I will forever be grateful for that!

Ashley Flowers, host of the Crime Junkie podcast, wrote a second book and man! I liked this one better than book one. Only up from here for sure :) The thing I love about Ashley is she is a wonderful story teller. She has a way that brings you into the story and you want to know what happens next. Same thing here! I'm unsure if this book has snippets of a true crime like book 1, but I will say, I was amazed. I was amazed by how she drew me in and led me on a wild goose chase. Who she wants you to believe it is was so forth coming you know its not going to be that person. But the last 10% or so, wow. It'll get ya and you won't see it coming. Great great book.