By: Rea Frey
Narrator: Jennifer Jill Araya
Brilliance Audio
ISBN: 9781662522901
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Publication Date: Jan 14, 2025
Format: Paperback
My Rating: 4.5 Stars (ARC)
In this haunting story that spans three decades, a young gymnast escapes a kidnapping. Years later, she’s forced to face the past when her own daughter disappears.
Cora Valentine has her whole life—and a shot at the Olympics—ahead of her. But when she’s kidnapped on Halloween, her name is splashed across headlines not as an athlete but as a victim. Not even her safe return changes that, especially since no one is caught for the crime.
Hounded by the public, Cora’s time as a missing girl and member of the Magnificent Eight has its consequences. Years later, when Cora has her own daughter, she’s determined to leave the past behind for a better life. Her daughter will never face those fears. And Cora will never face them again.
But four years later, on Halloween, the past comes knocking.
Now, Cora’s daughter is gone, and to get her back, Cora must take someone else’s child.
Clearly, whoever took her all those years ago isn’t done with her yet…but as long as they have her daughter, Cora’s not done with them either.
My Review
The reigning queen of mother/child stories, domestic suspense, and Book Doula, author Rea Frey (favorite) returns following Don't Forget Me with WHEN SHE'S GONE — a haunting intense story of revenge and obsession that spans three decades, where a young gymnast escapes a kidnapping and years later she must face the past when her daughter disappears.
About...
Cora Valentine, a young woman with a dream and a shot at the Olympics, is abruptly thrust into a nightmare. A tragic event on Halloween transforms her from a hopeful athlete into a victim of a high-profile kidnapping.
She was finally captured after living through a traumatic experience, but no one was ever charged with the crime.
Cora was a member of the Magnificient Eight (Olympics gymnasts team), and its many stresses, hounded by the public. Now, years later, she has a daughter and is determined to protect her.
But her nightmare comes true when four years later, on Halloween, the past comes back to haunt her when her daughter, Lulu, goes missing, and to get her back, she must take someone else's child.
Who was her captor all those years ago, and could it be the same person who now has her daughter? What sinister and dangerous game is being played, and what could be the motive behind it all?
TRUST NO ONE!
My thoughts...
WHEN SHE'S GONE takes readers into the world of competitive gymnastics and the intense fear and every parent's worst nightmare—a missing child and trauma from the past.
It is an emotionally charged psychological thriller of obsession, greed, envy, and deceit with a twisted, terrifying kidnapping plot gone wrong and the dangerous work of competitive sports.
With a narrative that unfolds in dual timelines, the author skillfully guides you through Cora's life's dark and twisted road, keeping you on the edge of your seat and turning the pages.
INTENSE, GRIPPING, AND UNSETTLING.
The tensions ratchet up as nefarious motives and twisted allegiances come to light in this riveting novel of psychological suspense on the road to healing and hope. I appreciated the Author's note with the personal tie-in and her love of Gymnastics, the 90s, and Halloween.
I am a huge fan of the author and have read all her books. She always surprises you with her unique storytelling and creative mind.
Recs...
This book would have been perfect for Halloween! This is for fans of the author and Megan Abbott's You Will Know Me and Jennifer Hillier's Little Secrets.
Thanks to Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 4.5 Stars
Pub Date: Jan 14, 2025
Praise
“Rea Frey is at the top of her game in this twisting, binge-worthy thriller about trust, betrayal, and the thorny tangle of memory and trauma. Compelling, deep, and character rich, When She’s Gone will have you tearing through the pages until the haunting conclusion. Put this on your must-read list.”
―Lisa Unger, New York Times bestselling author of The New Couple in 5B
“With the backdrop of cut-throat competitive sports, When She’s Gone is a page-turning story about a mother who will do whatever it takes to protect her daughter. Tense and twisty, Rea Frey’s newest psychological thriller will have you turning pages late into the night. Read this one with the lights on!”
―Lauren Nossett, award-winning author of The Resemblance
“Rea Frey sticks the landing in this taut, gripping thriller that takes mean girls to a whole new level. You’ll be desperate to turn the page!”
―Hannah Morrissey, author of When I’m Dead
About the Author
I never thought I would become an author.
Growing up, I believed the false story that writing was a hobby; it wasn’t a job. But I’ve always liked a challenge.
After a “publishing experience gone bad” for my first novel, I decided to learn everything I could about the publishing industry. And along the way, I decided to share my knowledge with authors, in hopes that they too could go into this world with eyes wide open and pick the right publication path for them.
What started out as a simple writing coach side hustle quickly scaled to a multiple six-figure business with nearly 100 first-time authors landing agents, nabbing six-figure book deals, and reaching #1 bestselling status.
What I’ve learned in the publishing industry—from numerous traditionally published novels with the “Big 5,” to four traditionally published nonfiction books that (somewhat) crashed and burned—is what it takes to be a successful author, how the publishing landscape continues to change, and how vital it is for authors to understand all the moving parts if they want to birth their own books into the world.
Now, as a book doula, I offer my guidance so that authors can stand on their own two feet. Whether you want to write a book, sell a book, or need some specific guidance, you’ve come to the right place. WEBSITE
