When a woman goes missing after working from home all day, no one is spared from scrutiny. Told from many perspectives, everyone has their say. Fans of domestic expense might enjoy this.

Do you love: Twists? Suspense? Red Herrings? Then you are going to love She Didn’t See It Coming by Shari Lapena. First of all, I have to say I am partial to this author, and I have enjoyed everything I have read by her (though I still have a few more to go).

This was a suspenseful, domestic soap opera book about a missing person’s case, and I loved every minute of it. Through short chapters and different character scenes, Lapena creates a fast-paced domestic thriller full of secrets and twists. A page-turner that keeps you guessing what happened to Bryden, who you can trust, and that everything is not what it seems.

Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Viking Penguin for the ARC.
Expected Publication Date: July 29, 2025

#SheDidntSeeItComing #NetGalley

Thanks to Viking Penguin and Shari Lapena for the chance to read ‘She Didn't See It Coming’! This was my first book by this author and I liked the writing style. It was very to the point and felt like I was reading a procedural drama (Law & Order). I guessed some of the twists but was still deciding on the 'who' to the end, which is always fun.

Hard to find a Lapena book that I don’t like and this still holds true. The cast of characters was thoughtful and relevant. The story was interesting from the start. Why not 5 stars? I guess it wasn’t perfect but it was close so i’d say 4.5. And I did love the ending. Great read.

Shari LaLapenawithout a doubt, is the undisputed queen of the domestic thriller. She has found her rhythm, her niche, and it has worked out exquisitely for both her and her readers. This was a fun, twisty read full of red herrings and people who have many dark secrets. It starts with Bryden's car accident seven weeks before her disappearance, where she exchanges information with the man who was driving the car Bryden hit. Was he her kidnapper/killer? Or what about her secretive sister, who seems to relish the attention she's getting online, posting details about her sister's disappearance? If mot her, how about Sam, Bryden's seemingly perfect husband- who might be a monster behind closed doors? Or Paige, Bryden's supposed best friend? Obviously, there is no shortage of suspects, and my theory of the killer changed several times before I finally guessed correctly. There are also a couple sub-plots that I found to be interesting, and was grateful for their inclusion, as sometimes books get repetitive if there is only the one central mystery to focus on. I ran through this book in two days, and was a little sad that I didn't take longer to read it. In my experience, Lapena is one of those authors who can do no (or very little) wrong. Definitely a must read book from a must read author, and I'll be recommending this to anyone and everyone, even though by now her books typically sell themselves.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of She Didn't See it Coming.

I used to read the author's books regularly but stopped when the narratives became predictable and difficult to suspend disbelief in.

But I liked the premise and was pleased my request was approved. I wasn't sure it would be.

There are many tropes you can shake a stick at in this:

1. Everyone is attractive and handsome; the victim and her husband's attractiveness is often mentioned over and over

2. Plenty of red herrings with potential shady characters and relatives

3. Too many POVs which only served to add confusion and as filler to up the word count. I soon forgot who was who and what their relationship to the victim was

4. The writing style was dry, like a textbook style.

5. No character development so readers have no idea what type of marriage the main characters have, why they got married, where they met, etc.

6. Lots of bad men and women doing bad things; no one is likable but at the same time you don't know enough about the victim to care about her

7. The identity of the perp is anti-climatic partly because the reason for the murder is another cliche.

8. Lack of suspense and drama partly due to the style of writing and how many suspects there are and the secrets they're all hiding.

I'm glad I gave the author another chance. At least I can say I did that.

A murder mystery with so many potential killers that I was furiously turning the pages to get to the end. The pace was fast moving and the story kept me engaged.

SHE DIDN’T SEE IT COMING was another cleverly plotted book by expert author, Shari Lapena. A missing wife and several suspects. What’s not to like? The suspense is off the charts. I was unsure of who or what to believe throughout the entire book. I liked the detective aspect and how the plot flowed rather quickly. Be prepared for some crazy twists and turns. This is definitely a winner!

Many thanks to Penguin Group Viking Penguin and NetGalley for my gifted copy.

This review will be shared to my Instagram account (@coffee.break.book.reviews) closer to publication date.

First line: Bryden Frost is running late.

Summary: Bryden Frost has the perfect life. A loving husband, a luxury condo, a beautiful daughter and supportive friends but then one day she doesn’t show up to get her daughter from daycare. When her husband Sam comes home he finds her car, her wallet and no sign of foul play. It appears that she just vanished. As the police get involved pieces of their perfect life begin to fall apart. The police are now in a race against time to find her before it is too late.

My Thoughts: Several years ago I found Shari Lapena and really enjoyed her stories. She wrote good mysteries with lots of twists and turns. They felt fresh and intriguing. With this one I started out really liking the suspense of finding Bryden. I was invested in what happened because so much seemed off about the scenario but as the story kept on I slowly lost interest as I put the story together before the big reveal. I felt it was rather anti-climactic at the end.

In relation to the characters many of the people involved were horrible. As things are revealed there are lots of secrets in their pasts. It could easily have been multiple people for many reasons. Several parts of the plot seemed to be added just to have some filler because they did not seem to be resolved by the end. It was an okay story but definitely not my favorite of Lapena’s work.

A book with lots of twists and turns. A missing mother than turns into a murder investigation. There were lots of potential suspects but I was surprised at who did it.

Not the best Lapena. I love how fast-paced her books are and they're usually short reads. This is longer and we get so much detail about ALL the characters. It's just not necessary. All the characters are despicable except Bryden's (worst name) parents and the detective. I did not suspect the actual guilty party but by the end I was just ready to move on. This does have a kind of old school mystery feel which I enjoyed. I was desperate to learn who the killer was. Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC

Bryden and Sam have the perfect life, two great careers, a beautiful condo, and a darling daughter. Their world is flipped upside down when Sam receives a call from their daughter's daycare, Bryden never picked her up. Arriving home, Sam finds a house in order and nothing amiss. There is no trace of Bryden. Police arrive on the scene and the building becomes a potential crime scene. The more players you meet, the more you begin to see the perfect facade is just a lie. Everyone has secrets to hide.

Shari Lapena is the queen of messy crime. She paints this picturesque life and story and then rips it apart piece by piece. The basic premise of the book has been done many of times, but Shari knows how to take an twist it on its head. Thank you Netgalley and Viking Penguin for the advanced copy of this.

She Didn't See It Coming definitely kept me reading, eager to see what the outcome would be. Recommended for purchase by the Scottsboro Public Library.

Shari Lapena’s She Didn’t See It Coming is a compelling page-turner that masterfully explores the secrets lurking behind seemingly perfect lives. When Bryden disappears from her luxurious condo, leaving behind her laptop, phone, and keys, the story immediately hooks you with its puzzling mystery. The narrative delves into the intricacies of Bryden and Sam's marriage, revealing that nothing is as flawless as it appears. Lapena deftly builds suspense through a series of twists and turns, making it difficult to predict what truly happened. The characters' relationships are layered with secrets, and as the investigation unfolds, the reader begins to question who can be trusted. The depiction of the upscale condo building adds a claustrophobic feel to the story, intensifying the sense of danger lurking just beneath the surface. While some plot points felt slightly predictable, the overall pacing and atmosphere kept me engaged throughout. It’s a thought-provoking exploration of how well we really know those closest to us — and how darkness can hide behind even the most polished facades. Overall, She Didn’t See It Coming is an entertaining and cleverly constructed domestic thriller well worth the read for fans of suspenseful mysteries with complex characters. A solid 4 stars!

A good read for me. I enjoy reading Shari Lapena's mystery books. I love adding them to my collection. I enjoyed this story and I'm sure readers will like it as well. Twisty joy ride for me. I enjoyed it. I can't reveal nothing sorry so please pick up a copy if you want to know what the story is about.

A rapid plot twisting thriller, tgat starts out as missing person case that soon bro es a murder investigation. Full of suspense, and as always a great read by Shari Lapena.

First and foremost, a GIANT thank you to PENGUIN GROUP Viking Penguin and NetGalley for the arc. When Shari Lapena’s new books come out, I never hesitate to order, and she never fails to disappoint. She Didn’t See It Coming was no exception. Did I think I had it figured out? YES. DID I HAVE IT FIGURED OUT?! Of course not. Lapena is the queen of twists, and this is one book you NEED to add to that TBR. :)

I usually enjoy Shari Lapena books.
I felt like this novel had too many suspects in the beginning. i would have preferred for the novel amd the plot to build and slowly unfurl list of suspects. I also found this novel to be a bit predictable in that Bryden was murdered early on and there was not a lot of suspense in this outcome.
I also did not really find any of these characters to be likeable, and that is an issue for me. If I do not care about the characters, I am not as invested in the storyline.

I really found the ending too open ended, , perhaps leaving this open to a sequel?
Normally I love Ms. Lapenàs books but this was my least favorite of hers so far.

Shari Lapena, a skilled thriller writer, masterfully weaves red herrings to keep the reader guessing and suspecting everyone. I found myself thoroughly engaged in the plot. The satisfying ending was exactly what I had hoped for.

Shari Lapena’s She Didn't See It Coming is a fast-paced, twisty thriller that kept me guessing until the end. When Bryden vanishes from her seemingly perfect life, everyone becomes a suspect-even those closest to her. Lapena’s signature style delivers plenty of secrets, and red herrings, and an interesting conclusion. While some characters could use more depth, the plot is undeniably addictive and perfect for fans of domestic suspense.

Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Viking Penguin | Pamela Dorman Books for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.