This was a brilliant read. As soon as I started reading this book I just knew I was going to love it. Highly recommended

Finn and Violet are on holiday with their 3 year old son Bear. Whist Finn takes Bear back to their hotel room for a nap, Violet is enjoying chilling on the beach with her book (I’m envious) when she goes back to their room both Finn and Bear have disappeared!! Where have they gone and why leave what looks like a happy marriage? You had me intrigued and desperate to find out why!!

This story is told from the prospectives of Violet, Finn and their best friend Caitlyn. As the story progresses we discover that Finn has been keeping secrets from Violet and the fairytale story of how Finn met Violet is definitely more make believe than real.

Loved this book, the suspense had me gripped from start to finish and I had finished it before I knew it.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.

Please note that this book is not for me - I have read the book, and because i do not like to give negative reviews I will not review this book fully - there is no specific reason for not liking this book. I found it a struggle to read and did not enjoy trying to force myself to read this book.

Apologies for any inconvenience caused and thank you for the opportunity to read this book.

A good book, the content/story is written really well but I was slightly disappointed at the end as it was weak. It was as though the story had run out of puff. That the ending was an afterthought.

With thanks to Netgalley and Hodder and Staunton for this ARC in exchange for an open and honest review.

In 2016 Violet, husband Finn and three year old son Bear were on holiday in Florida. When Finn offered to take Bear for his afternoon nap Violet happily stayed on the beach, Pina Colada in hand. Missing Bear, Violet went to their room to find Bear and Finn missing along with their belongings. Violet rushed to the airport to try to find Finn buy they had disappeared without trace. Almost Missed You is about the events before and after Finn`s disappearance.

Finn and Violet met briefly by chance in 2010 on a whilst on separate holidays. Finn and Violet were talking on the beach when a lady near by went into anaphylactic shock. Finn ran to find her husband while Violet stayed with the woman. When Finn and the husband ran back to the beach, Violet had gone to hospital with the lady.

Back home Finn left a message for Violet on Craig's list but ended up meeting another woman by chance who he got engaged to. When Finn`s fiancee died a year later he was heartbroken and ended up living next door to Caitlyn his friend from college and her husband. Months later Finn started to think about Violet again and put another message on Craig's list not expecting to get a reply. Luckily Katie, Violet`s then best friend found the message and Violet replied back. Violet became pregnant not long after meeting again and quickly got married. Violet and Caitlyn became best friends whilst pregnant and were still close. At parties Violet loved to tell the story of how she `Almost Missed` Finn again.

Violet missed Bear and thought she and Finn were happily married. However during the investigation Violet was shocked to discover that Finn had been involved in a car accident that had killed his fiancee. Finn had never told her and she was annoyed that Caitlyn never mentioned it despite their close friendship.

The book tells the story from the POV of Violet, Finn and Caitin between 2010 and 2016. The plot was fast paced, I found it hard to put down reading more than half the book in one sitting. I did not feel sorry for Finn, despite probably having PTSD I found him thoughtless and selfish, especially when his reason for leaving was revealed.

I liked Caitlyn who was best friends with both Finn and Violet. I can understand why she did not mention the accident to Violet. After all it was not her story to tell.

My heart went out to Violet who was the innocent party in the story. I could feel her pain and shock, worried if Bear was OK.

This was an enjoyable book until the last 20% when the story lost its way and became far fetched. I looked forward to reading Jessica Strawser`s next book

Started off so well, then fizzled out.
Cabin scenes were just silly. Didn’t really care what happened to Bear, he turned up quite early in book so no tension there. I can’t believe that you know your husband was engaged before and you never ask him anything about it. Bit disappointing.