Author: Megan Lally

Genre: YA Thriller/Mystery

Publication Date: December 26, 2023 (available now)

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐ (4/5)

I stumbled across this one on Bookstagram, and am so glad I did. I didn’t know this was a young adult book (I read YA anyway, but for those that don’t, you shouldn’t be dissuaded by this), and wouldn’t have noticed any difference between this and an “adult” thriller either. It was so interesting, fast-paced, a lot of WTF is going on moments throughout the story, and I liked that the gory details were, for the most part, not included directly but instead alluded to. I thought it made things less obvious and more intriguing.

The characters were interesting, the small-town police in one town were infuriating, while in another, they were a little backwoods but worth rooting for. The teenagers looking for their missing friend acted just like you would think teenagers would, and not like miniature adults that have it all figured out. They made spontaneous, and at times poor, choices, just like you would expect three kids who feel like they’re the only ones still looking for their friend, and not just her body, to do.

I do wish a little more information about Lola’s disappearance was included, but after I got to the twist near the end, I understood more in terms of why the details were not included earlier in the book. This is a fast read, and well worth the time.

Synopsis from the publisher:

“It was a mistake to trust him.

Shivering and bruised, a teen wakes up on the side of a dirt road with no memory of how she got there—or who she is. A passing officer takes her to the police station, and not long after, a frantic man arrives. He’s been searching for her for hours. He has her school ID, her birth certificate, and even family photos.

He is her father. Her name is Mary. Or so he says.

When Lola slammed the car door and stormed off into the night, Drew thought they just needed some time to cool off. Except Lola disappeared, and the sheriff, his friends, and the whole town are convinced Drew murdered his girlfriend. Forget proving his innocence, he needs to find her before it’s too late. The longer Lola is missing, the fewer leads there are to follow…and the more danger they both are in.”