Who the heck is the “bad guy”?

Shortest Summary Ever: Saffyre Maddox is a troubled teen. Roan Four is her former therapist who lives in an idyllic, posh London neighborhood with his kinda-pretentious wife Cate and their kids. Owen Pick is that oddball neighbor across the street in an apartment – ya know the one who is quiet and “keeps to himself” (come on, we ALL have that neighbor! Maybe it’s you?) All 3 become entwined when Saffyre suddenly disappears. Secrets lurk and someone knows more than they are saying…

Thoughts: I cringed when I saw a Gone Girl comparison in the book description, so thank GAWD I completely loved this book and it was NOT all tropey (that’s a word!!!). Basically when I read that, I assumed so much about the plot but nope – tons of surprises within, nothing expected. I was drawn in, led through, and enjoyed every turn in the road – including the ones I never saw coming! 2 day read where I battled figuring out who was the “bad guy.” And even when I found out, there were STILL surprises.

Some things that read well: Saffyre dealing with issues of childhood assault. Owen dealing with his feelings of rejection by women. Cate feeling something amiss in her marriage…. it all heats to a boiling point and I never saw the ending coming.

Alternating POVs make this truly engaging because I didn’t know who was reliable. I was constantly questioning each narrator and wondering “what the whaaaat?” on numerous occasions. Definitely a best of fall 2020 pick!!

All my reviews available at scrappymags.com around time of publication.

Genre: Mystery/Domestic Fiction

Recommend to: those who want to read the fall “it” book – this IS that book.

Not recommended to: If you’re over domestic thriller fiction or assaults on females.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley and Atria Books for my advanced copy in exchange for my always-honest review and for keeping me up late to run thru this book in a mere 2 days!