Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell

"Ten years after her teenage daughter disappears, a woman crosses paths with a charming single father whose young child feels eerily familiar, in this evocative, suspenseful drama from New York Times bestselling author Lisa Jewell--perfect for fans of Paula Hawkins and Liane Moriarty. Ellie Mack was the perfect daughter. She was fifteen, the youngest of three. She was beloved by her parents, friends, and teachers. She and her boyfriend made a teenaged golden couple. She was days away from an idyllic post-exams summer vacation, with her whole life ahead of her. And then she was gone. Now, her mother Laurel Mack is trying to put her life back together. It's been ten years since her daughter disappeared, seven years since her marriage ended, and only months since the last clue in Ellie's case was unearthed. So when she meets an unexpectedly charming man in a cafe, no one is more surprised than Laurel at how quickly their flirtation develops into something deeper. Before she knows it, she's meeting Floyd's daughters--and his youngest, Poppy, takes Laurel's breath away. Because looking at Poppy is like looking at Ellie. And now, the unanswered questions she's tried so hard to put to rest begin to haunt Laurel anew. Where did Ellie go? Did she really run away from home, as the police have long suspected, or was there a more sinister reason for her disappearance? Who is Floyd, really? And why does his daughter remind Laurel so viscerally of her own missing girl?"--

I enjoy a book that can set a character up to be the villain, and then quickly rug that out from under me and wondering if they too are just a victim. Books like this always make me question my judgment and morals of right and wrong.

What. The. Actual. Fuck.

A myriad of emotions ran through me as I dive along in the story of the mysterious disappearance of a 15-year old girl, Ellie Mack, who had the world in the palm of her hand. The pain the disappearance put in her mother who loves her dearly, who thinks the world of her broke her family apart. For 10 years, her mother went on autopilot, trying to survive the remnant of the life where her precious daughter wasn't a part of. And then she met Floyd. And his little girl, Poppy, who looks exactly like her own precious girl. And thus, the guessing game begins.

Of course I would've guessed that one of the unfavorable characters had had a hand in Ellie's disappearance. What I did not expect is the motive, the drive behind that very motive. I felt immense anger at the way how Ellie was treated, how terrifying and how sick it all was. The way some part of the stories were told from Noelle's POV was nothing short of brilliant. I did not expect to see it all unfolds from Noelle's eyes, that we're given the glimpse of how sick and deranged Noelle was. She is truly one of the most despised characters I've encountered for a long time.

This book will blow your mind, will break your heart and will certainly keeps you up at night, wondering just how many Noelles are out there, and if you're indeed safe from them.

While I enjoyed reading this book. I found it to be somewhat predictable.

Ellie Mack typical teenage daughter has boyfriend, getting ready for exams. Struggling a little so mom brings in tutor for Ellie. Tutor was a little strange so after awhile Ellie just too mom she didn't need help anymore.

Ellie turns up missing police seem to think Ellie must have just ran away due to all the stress of being a teenager.

Then Ellie's mom, years later meets a man who has a daughter who looks just like Ellie.

Coincidence?.......

This book was very predictable, as in I had figured out almost every twist by chapter 10, but it was still a really fun read. There was one part that I did not see coming** This book is really about the journey, not about the destination, so I would still recommend reading it

***Floyd actually killed Noelle in the end and then killed himself. That was unexpected.