I read this while I was on vacation in Paris and looked forward to getting into bed to dig back into it each night, which speaks volumes for how engaging it was! I always love how unfrivolous (is that a word?) Lapena's writing is -- she gets right in there, tells a twisty, disturbing story, blows your mind a few times, and gets out with zero nonsense. I think I liked this one even more than What Have You Done (which I risked reading on a Kindle in a pool on another vacation). I have several of her books in my queue, waiting for my next trip because her books are always perfect travel reads! Existing Lapena fans will love this, and new readers are in for a treat!

It’s always the husband, right? When Bryden doesn’t pick her daughter up from daycare and seemingly goes missing all signs point to her husband Sam. But everyone claims they had a rock solid marriage and were very happy. So where is she? She wouldn’t just walk out and leave her purse, phone and most importantly, her daughter. Not everything is as it seems. Secrets will be revealed.

Lapena always spins the best stories out of the most simple premises. This is no different. Missing woman. Who did it? So many suspects. So much finger pointing. Never who you think might be guilty,

Another good one by Shari Lapena. I had it narrowed down to two suspects and I was correct in my guesses but still a good read. 4/5 🌟

Twisty and suspenseful! If you've enjoyed Lapena's previous works, you won't be disappointed. I read this in 24 hours!

She Didn't See It Coming is an absolute page-turner from start to finish. Shari Lapena once again proves herself a master of suspense, delivering a tightly woven plot full of twists and turns that kept me guessing right up to the final pages. Just when I thought I had things figured out, the story would veer in another direction—each surprise more thrilling than the last.

The pacing was perfect, the characters were compelling, and the tension was relentless. I loved every aspect of this book and couldn't put it down. I’ll be recommending it to everyone I know who enjoys a smart, gripping thriller. Another masterpiece by Shari Lapena!

SHE DIDN’T SEE IT COMING is another reason why Shari Lapena remains as one of my all time favorite thriller authors! The QUEEN of domestic thrillers is back with another banger of a read! I read this in one day and easily could have read it in one sitting if I’d had the time. I was hooked in from the very beginning as always and it kept me intrigued and guessing throughout. I thought I had it all figured out but in true Lapena fashion I totally did not! It was full of twists and turns that will keep you engrossed and on your toes. As always, another easy 5 star read for me and I can’t wait to see what’s next from Ms. Lapena! Absolutely pick up a copy of this one or preorder now, you will not be disappointed!

Thank you so much to Pamela Dorman books and NetGalley for the early digital copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance ecopy of this title. Bryden and her husband live a very nice life in a Condo outside of Albany, NY. Bryden mysteriously disappears on a day she is working from home. Where is she? When her body is found in the cellar of the complex, the suspect list contains a man she had a car accident with, her husband, her sister, a neighbor with a previous run in with the law, and her best friend. In the course of the story, there are two additional mysteries that unfold around the car accident man and the neighbor. Lots of twists and turns, suspenseful, but not scary. Recommend!

When Bryden goes missing, she leaves no trace. After the police are called, it seems like everyone in her life might have a motive. Is it the husband? The sister? The best friend? Or the guy down the hall with a dubious past? The story had twists and turns and was an enjoyable read.

I have read a couple of this author’s books and this one was right up there on top, had me guessing at each page. I really enjoyed the turns and spins this book had that kept your interest in it. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC #ShariLapena #SheDidntSeeItComing #NetGalley

Oh. My. Gosh. The secrets on top of twists on top of madness! This book was truly a long, twisty road of suspense to an ending that I did not see coming. A quick read because I absolutely had to know what I missed and what was going to happen because I had my own theories blown up page after page. All the stars!

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.

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