Member Reviews

This is a psychological thriller that hooks you immediately. It starts with Luke's POV and then switches to Mel's. First, she seems hopeful, excited even, then as the evening wears on emotional and nervous over the lapse of time in which she'd fully expected her hubby and two children back to the holiday cottage they'd rented for a getaway and a chance to "sort" things out. But is she really a reliable narrator?

The book is divided in parts (there are always two sides to the story--right?), and it isn't until you're into the book that you really begin to get a glimmer that this may be a whole other scenario than that originally posed of a missing man and his kids. Off on a hike. Lost? In addition, to the change of narrators are jumps in time. Yes, you can buy that as it is a way to understand how we got to this point. And it isn't pretty. It's heart-wrenching. Luke is working on putting his life back together and the two kids are his. Mel is pushing her biological clock and Luke.

Lies, misdirection, twists, changes of POV and time stamp. Little by little more secrets come out. Support characters offer some hope, and most are sympathetic, engaging, well-developed. Luke's parents are aging and their health is not the best. His mother, always a strong woman, is battling a debilitating disease. Cousin Ted just adds stress and tension.

The pacing of the well-plotted narrative is swift. No commercial breaks. It's a race to the conclusion, and it's beginning to look like everything will work out. And then, WHAM! The final twist. Did NOT see that one coming!

Loved the book; opened up a new premise for me (and an argument as well), although several elements pushed some disbelief. I had a little problem with Luke's mother's attitude at the end. There were some edit misses, but really this is such a fast and furious read you tend to barrel right over those. I received this ebook download from the publisher and NetGalley. Totally appreciated the opportunity to read and review and can recommend for any reader looking for something off-track, fast, and thought-provoking. This is one that will resonate after the last page. 4.5/5

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I just finished reading this book and I have to say that from the first few pages of the book I was so drawn into the plot. It had me questioning what if's. What if I found myself in her shoes, what would I do? Who would I trust? This book was full of suspense and so many twists and turns. Thank you for allowing me to read this book.

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Love You Gone is a thriller with a few different twists that helps to keep it alive.
Luke is widowed with two children, he moves back home as is struggling on his own, whilst there he meets Mel, a strong, independent woman who he feels an attraction to like nothing he’s felt before, the romance is a whirlwind and they are married before he can blink. Luke books a cottage in the Lake District for them all as there has been difficulties between the four of them, Mel is held up at work but when she gets to the cottage there is no sign of her husband and children.
The book is split up into different parts bouncing between now and earlier, sometimes this interrupts the flow of the story but in this thriller it seemed the most natural way to find out all the twists and turns this read has in store.
An enjoyable thriller although there were a couple of things that seemed very far fetched but it deter my enjoyment.
I would like to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.

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I finished this book in three sittings. If there were ever a book you found caught your breath as you gasped in disbelief... this is it. I definitely applaud Rona Halsall for a crazy plot, twisted characters, and an unveiling of events that will be sure to make you feel like you've stepped off a rollercoaster! 
Each turn of the chapter revealed a new twist. I love how Rona Halsall told seemingly parallel stories of a man and his kids finding the perfect woman, a new beginning, and how she fits into the family unit splendidly. But Mel has secrets...
The secrets don't stop with Mel... Luke and his family also harbor many secrets of their own! How will his secrets haunt him? How will the stories Mel tells grow her web of lies and create a tangle of secrets that will eventually reveal the real truth? How she makes all the pieces fit together is brilliant! Oh and the epilogue!!!!! Omg... 
I never expected some of the twisted events and loved how they were revealed at just the right time. We are excited to read more of Rona Halsall's work! Thank you to Rona, Bookouture, and Netgalley for this review copy of "Love You Gone" in exchange for an honest review.

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Twists and turns and on the edge of your seat!! Loved this book, a must read for any thriller fan. Couldn't put this one down!!

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How to start other than to say that there is tension in the air right from the start which continues throughout this book. I was constantly questioning things wondering what could have happened along with the actions of the characters. I loved that I wasn’t quite sure of anything as this really helped to create an underlying sense of unease making me wonder if anything was really as it seemed. Slowly but surely the truth begins to emerge about this couple, their marriage and family life. The characters had real flaws (some much worse than others of course) and I loved how each revelation helped bring their personalities to life just that little bit more. It was so intriguing seeing how when one bit of information dropped the story twisted off in a completely different direction. Put it this way Love You Gone sent my head spinning and at times left me feeling shocked!

I’m trying so hard to be as vague as I can regarding the plot as you really need to experience this twisty story for yourself. However what I will say is that this story is a very tangled web and I was well and truly caught up in it! The pacing of the plot is pretty good and kept me invested in the story as I couldn’t wait to see how it would all end!

Full of twisty little surprises that kept me turning those pages!

With thanks to Noelle at Bookouture for my copy via Netgalley.

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OMG OMG OMG OMG

OMFG!!!!


This book! Wow! I know I say it a lot, but I really did devour it in one sitting. I had been messaging Rae and Eva (Rae Reads and NovelDeelights) sending random emojis and “shocking ” when I was reading. Then I fell asleep (long day) and woke up and kept reading until I had seen those two words THE END. Did I get closure? Don’t blinking think so, Luke and Mel would not let me sleep until their story had been told.

Now I must admit, I did not write in the diary I was on the tour for this one, so panic stations hit as I started this Sunday! But I was sucked in. Reading the opening chapter of the book from Luke’s point of view and I realised I did not have a scooby what this book about! I forgot the blurb and I tell you what BEST. DECISION. EVER! Seriously, no plot can be discussed, you need to go in blind and enjoy this ride!

So, you read the opening chapter, as I did, and you are led to unchartered territories and a “what is going on moment?” Then Part 1 kicks in and we are with Mel, Luke’s wife, and there was something off with her, something didn’t add up. Luke and the two children, Callum and Tessa, were not at the cottage in the Lake District for their family holiday as agreed when Mel got there. Where are they? What is going on? We learn events that have transpired in the last couple of years from Mel’s view. Again, what is going on?


Part 2, it is all about Luke, and the same events as before, but a whole new take. All I can say is when I was reading this, I was raging! My hand flew to my mouth so many times if it had not been for the glasses, I would have probably slapped myself in the eye! Seriously this was shocking stuff, what was I reading! I had so much pent-up anger from my week as it was and this literally made me want to explode!

When I read part 2, 3 and 4, I went back to the prologue, and re-read it and looking at it, it meant something completely different when you know things, wow! So much is given in the opening scenes that you do not know even realise it! I loved it!

Rona has taken an idea and changed it on its head from the norm. A brave subject too! This book unsettles you with the subject matter, sharp intake of breath and I whizzed through the book, was this really happening? A whole new type of crazy town, and not one I wanted to visit!

And the ending…. I mean that was an actual WTF, was it the right ending? Only you can decide, and then let me know what you thought. I thought it was just desserts but totally shocking, and I think the way that Ms Halsall wrote it all kind of casual like ‘yes this is everyday life look at me’ just rocked the boat even more.

Okay, I think I must stop now, I have the fear I will let something slip and then I may have to drive off to the Lake District myself and hide!!!

I completely agree with the tagline of this book, that this IS a page-turner of the fastest kind, it WILL turn your world as you know it upside down, and it WILL shatter your nerves.

WOW

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My rating: 4.5 Stars

Mel has a very serious issue. She is going to a holiday escape with her husband, Luke, and their children with the primary purpose of trying to restore some happiness in her family. But she is greatly disturbed. When she gets there the cottage is empty. They went ahead of her because she was detained by work. She is very concerned but she notices that the car is in the driveway and there is a note saying that they went for a walk.

She does what she can to relax. At the very least she can start a fire so that the cottage will be comfortable when the family gets home. But after several hours she has no choice but to call the police and even mountain rescue to try and locate her family. After talking to the police she feels that they will be found relatively soon.

However, the police turned up nothing. So they continue going back-and-forth speaking to Mel to try to find out what information they can. Mel starts filling them in on certain details bit by bit making them rather curious about what really is going on.

Meanwhile another perspective is introduced into the story and it is done from the past working its way to the present. The reader, and definitely the police, begins to see that things were not as they seem in the marriage. There were problems, very deep problems.

The story turns from an intense psychological thriller into a very dramatic family drama. There are circumstances that Mel and Luke are dealing with that are very traumatic, so much so that things begin to make sense.

I was on the edge of my seat while reading the story. Not only did I want the family to be safe, I wanted resolution for the problems that Mel and Luke were dealing with in the marriage. Especially since there were two children that were very much affected by everything that was happening.

This was an incredible story written very well. There is drama, as well as secrets and an incredible family dynamic. This riveting story completed itself with a surprising conclusion.

Many thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.

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You know those books that work best for the reader the less you know about the story? Well, this is one of those. Love You Gone, Rona Halsall's second psychological thriller, was a bit of a disappointment for me, it's certainly a step down from her debut which was released in August. I always appreciate a novel take on things especially in the trope laden and overpopulated crime genre, and that is definitely what the author has attempted to do here. Unfortunately, not all of her ideas work.

Well written and travelling at a steady pace, the plot has evidently been thought through but I found it wasn't as enthralling as I'd hoped. What I found refreshing, however, was that Halsall uses spousal abuse as the key concept which precipitates all that then unfolds (*** SPOILER but does so by making the male in the relationship the victim rather than the perpetrator. By reversing the roles or stereotypes she raises awareness and illustrates that domestic abuse is not always carried out by a male. END OF SPOILER ***) It explores themes associated with abuse, such as the trauma and impact it has on the victim, by writing the story from the guys perspective and it makes a welcome change. There is also good characterisation, although none of the characters are likeable in any capacity which I found to be a big drawback.

Many thanks to Bookouture for an ARC.

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Oh. My. Goodness. This book blew me away! It’s bloody brilliant. Pulls the reader straight in then you’re trapped until the end (not a bad thing really). This book just had surprise after surprise add in the shocker here and there. You’re left thinking how many more secrets and lies are being hidden?

Love You Gone is one of those stories you want to devour in one sitting. It is gripping, thrilling, fast paced and well written. A must read! Brilliant. Sticks with you!

A well deserved five stars from me. Highly recommend. This book is also going to be in my top twenty of 2018. I absolutely loved it.

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A book you'll want to read in one sitting!

When Mel shows up around 8 pm at the Lake District vacation home that her husband, Luke, has rented for the holiday week, he and the children are not in the house. "Gone for a hike," the note says. After a couple of hours when they still have not returned she gets worried, calls in Mountain Rescue and then the local police get involved. Something is not right with this whole scenario and you are about to find out just how messed up things are. NO SPOILERS.

This was great fun with enough back and forth with the shifts in narrator from Mel to Luke that it kept you guessing until all was revealed. It's packed with thorny domestic issues, family drama and plenty of teasers to keep you racing through the pages as you simply must finish this story! I had a few predictions and was pleased to find that not all was as expected and I love it when a book can still surprise me. Although I can't say I really liked any of the characters, I did enjoy this and was quite satisfied with its ending despite thinking that some got off a bit too easy. I had read the first book by this author and hadn't been that thrilled with it, so very glad I gave her another chance.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review.

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Luke and Mel Roberts have planned a vacation with their children, Callum, age 9, and Tessa, age 10. Mel is the children’s stepmother and she and Luke have been married for about a year. The children’s mother, Anna, died from an aneurysm. Mel has a busy job and a late meeting means she had to drive to the vacation cottage alone and on a difficult route. When she arrives, it’s dark and she finds no one at home, but a note has been left saying they had gone on a hike. After waiting for hours for them to return, Mel drives around hoping to find them. Finally, she calls Mountain Rescue to help locate them. When they find nothing, the police step in. Mel explains that Luke tends to get depressed at times and they’ve been having some problems. Mel is now 40-years-old and wants a baby, but Luke doesn’t.

Earlier

After Luke’s wife died, he and the children moved back to his parent’s farm. He had not seen them in many years when he left to join the special forces. Now, he is ready to live there again. His family had not wanted him to leave the family farm so he was not sure of his welcome back. His mother has MS and is getting worse. His cousin lost his parents in an accident when he was little and became part of their family. Now, he thinks the farm should belong to him and resents Luke’s return. Shortly after, he meets Mel and is enchanted by her, resulting in a quick marriage. But, maybe they should have gotten to know one another better.

I have already given out more than most reviewers do, but I think there should be a plot laid out (like little bread crumbs) to make readers want to read a book. This is an unusual story and one that is sure to keep the reader’s interest. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

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This was a psycholgical thriller that had a ton load of drama in it. Mel leaves work late, arriving at the holiday cottage expecting to find her family waiting for her. But Luke and the two kids are nowhere to be found. Once she gets the police involved, the action picks up and so does the guessing game that the reader has to play with this brilliant author. There are so many pieces to the fascinating jigsaw puzzle that makes up this book that it seemed unfathomable that the author could pull off a satisfying conclusion, but not only was the concluding satisfactory, it was absolutely mind-blowing. There are lots of twists before the reader ultimately discovers what happened to Luke and the children. In between, the reader is taken on a ride with false leads and so many surprises that the book is hard to put down. Readers of psychological thrillers and family drama will love this book!

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Love You Gone is fantastic.
When Mel arrives at the holiday cottage she and her husband have booked for the week, she finds it empty.
Luke and their two children aren't there, and as the evening wears on, she notices things that make it clear they haven't been there for hours prompting her to call the police.
Thinking they'll be found in a local pub having gotten lost on a walk in the forest, Mel has no idea that her life is about to crumble around her.
Halsall throws us straight in the deep end with this one and I was hooked from the off, with the first chapter setting my mind on a certain track and I had no idea where it would take me.
Well, what a journey it ended up being.
Told in the past and present, Halsall builds up an intriguing tale of a loving mother and devoted wife but all is not as it seems.
Love You Gone is one of those books where to talk about the plot too much will give too much away but please trust me when I say it’s worth the read.
Halsall has weaved a wonderful web of deceit and it knocked my socks off! There were some seriously jaw-dropping moments, and I shouted at my Kindle so loud I woke my hubby up!
Her characters are well-thought-out and they each bring something to the table, but again, I can’t say too much about that as it will give the game away! ARGH!
Twisted and thrilling, Love You Gone is sure to be a favourite among those who love a good psychological thriller. It is full of mystery and steeped with an intensity that doesn’t let up.
I can’t wait for her next one!

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When Mel arrives at the holiday room in the Lake District
She expects her husband Luke and the two children wait for her
She finds a note saying that they have taken a walk.
So many gritty parts into it I loved it .
I had an ARC from Bookouture

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There are two sides to every marriage…

“When Mel arrives at the holiday cottage in the Lake District, she expects to find the heating on and her husband Luke and the two children waiting for her. Maybe a bottle of wine open…

Instead, there is just a note on the side, saying they’ve gone out for a walk.

But they aren’t back several hours later, and Mel knows something is wrong. Really wrong. When a search doesn’t find them, she has to confess to the police that her marriage isn’t all that it seems.

Even if that risks her own secrets being revealed…”

This story is told from Mel and Luke’s perspectives. This book gripped me from the start...a definite page turner that had me roped in. Mel annoyed me most of the book and I found myself in Luke’s corner, hoping things would work out for him. It is apparent from the beginning there was a lot we don’t know as this story unfolds. There are a couple parts to the story I found to be unrealistic, but nonetheless, it is a fantastic read. I kind of felt like a police detective reading this story, trying to figure out what exactly was and has been going on with this family!

Definitely a lot of twists and turns in this psychological thriller as nobody is who they appear to be!

This is my first book by this author and I can’t wait to read her others! I really enjoyed the writing style of this one and it definitely kept me engaged the whole time.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

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When Mel arrives at the holiday cottage in the Lake District, she expects to find the heating on and her husband Luke and the two children waiting for her. But all she finds is a note telling her that they've gone for a walk. But they don't come back. The search is on to find her family, but where are they? Are they lost, had an accident or has something more sinister happened to them?

Though some parts of the story might just be a little bit unbelievable, I really liked it. A story where secrets and lies start to unfold. A psychological thriller that will mess with your mind. A story that you can't say to much about as reading this story with as little information as possible will make this a better read for everyone. Fasten your seatbelt, this is one roller coaster ride you won't want to miss. There's lots of twists to keep your intrest and you will just want to keep turning the pages to find out what has happened to Like and the kids.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Bookouture and the author Rona Halsall for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Luke is raising his 2 kids on his own after the death of his wife. He had been estranged from his family for many years and decides to go home to have help with his kids. But things aren't always what he thinks at home. With his sister and her 2 kids and a cousin living with his family it is a little crowded especially the way the cousin treats him and his family. Then Luke meets Mel and she pushes her way into his life. She loves Luke and his children and wants to be a happy family. Also wants to have a baby of their own. Then Luke and the children go for holiday and Mel is to meet up with them but they are missing when she gets there. She is worried and starts searching the house and grounds for him. Then turns to mountain searchers and then the police because she has even called all the pubs around and a hospital. Will they ever be found?

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Synopsis
I’ve tried to give information without any spoilers – any more plot reveal and it’s likely I would be giving things away.

Mel and Luke are about to embark on a weekend away in the Lakes with their two children. Things have been tough in their relationship and they have hopes of repairing some damage while enjoying the fresh outdoors and a relaxing break to rekindle their love and passion from the early days. As Mel is working over the weekend, Luke and the children travel to the cottage on Friday, Mel arrives late on Sunday evening to find evidence that her family were there, but no family! And so it begins; the search for her beloved husband and children. But things aren’t always what they seem. Have the family become lost on walk, hurt or victims to something more sinister?



Review
I love a good twist and I love it even more when they just keep on coming. This book satisfies that need.

The story is told in two narratives; Mel and Luke and switches between them at exactly the right moment to keep you hanging, but when you need to know what the other one is up to. Initially, we see Luke’s perspective as he travels somewhere with his children and from the outset, you can feel there’s something sinister going on – you just don’t know what or why.

Hallsall writes in such a way that makes you unsure what to believe from each character. It makes you question your own thinking and keeps you changing your mind throughout most of the book.

A fast paced, heart stopping narrative takes you through a tangled web of deceit, lies, family matters, and much worse that all slowly and cleverly unravel throughout the book, bring the story to an explosive and unsuspected conclusion.



This book is a must if you are fans of Clare Mackintosh and C.L. Taylor or suspense novels.

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This is a book I’ll remember for a long time yet. Why? Because it was so exciting! I loved it.
This author surely knows what a reader wants when it comes to psychological thrillers, drama, family, twists that the reader bends around and finds there’s a sting in its tail where the plot really does thicken.

Imagine arriving in The Lake District where you were joining your husband and two children. Only to find the place empty.
That’s it there.....I’m saying nothing more.

At the beginning Mel was telling the story, the Police were called of course along with Rescue as she thought her family may have gone on a short hike. Not unusual, it’s something they enjoyed . Father and children.

The plot thickens like black treacle wherever you step in this story you are stuck to the pages.
I’m kidding you not. I just loved how this book was laid out.

Going back over the lead up was superb, I enjoyed being lead.

I do believe this author has another book, so I’m definitely buying it. I love how she writes, how she kept me guessing and boy oh boy, that ending.

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