Catch You Later by Jessica Strawser is a captivating, suspenseful novel that I really enjoyed!

The story is about Mikki and Lark, best friends living in their small town.
Mikki makes one decision that changes her whole life. She joins a stranger in a BMW who invites her to a wedding in Florida. She has never been, and she just wants to get out of her town so she goes with Chris. Mikki never returns and 7 years later Chris returns looking for Mikki as well. WHAT!?!

The story is told in present tense and back to 2014 when Mikki had left with Christ.

I loved this suspenseful story. I think this is the author's best yet, and I have read all her books!

The characters are well written, complex, and flawed.

The family dynamics are well written and intense. But its the mystery that really kept me turning the pages.

So well done, can't recommend this book enough!

Liked it! Mostly an intriguing and heartwarming story.

Energy: Sentimental. Delicate. Capricious.

🐕 Howls
The wedding family dynamics and twists was a little confusing/boring, but it wasn’t poorly done, I think I just wasn’t feeling rich people drama at the time.

🐩 Tail Wags
Mysterious intriguing storyline. Invested in the mystery and the characters. Stayed away from cartoony Big Bads or villain monologues. Nini’s quips. Using fake outs to drive the plot without it feeling like just trying to trick the reader. Knowing more than any one character and still trying to piece together what happened.

Scene: 🇺🇸 Set in a small Ohio town and a resort on a Florida island.
Perspectives (2): Two best friends working at a truck stop in a small town nearing 30 and still no closer to achieving their dreams. One wants to see the world and experience life but has an ailing grandmother to care for. The other is mourning an unrequited love but as a soon-to-be-parent they need to stay in the town to provide for their child.
Timeline: October 2016. March 2024.
🔥 Fuel: Emotional investment in characters. Character journey. Intriguing mystery. What happened to the friend that took a stranger up on their offer to travel together? Will the friend left behind ever find out?
📖 Cred: Plausible

Mood Reading Match-Up:
BMW convertible. Fluorescent lights. CCTV. Target. Mop water. Post-its. Gas station coffee. Elegant white string lights. Ocean waves.
· Fake dating-ish
· Tagging along, reader knows more than the characters narratives
· Books to read on a road trip
· Character circumstances study
· Money can’t buy happiness
· Complicated characters you can root for
· Immersive settings and vibes
· The Struggle is Real and Can Money Buy Happiness social commentary
· Are-you-still-the-one romantic tension
· Dysfunctional rich family drama
· Light-hearted contemporary fiction friendship study beginnings
· Popcorn thriller-esque endings with fast paced twists and turns

Content Heads-Up: Mild cognitive impairment, dementia. Pregnancy (single parent). Infidelity (brief). Loss of parent (as adult). Natural disaster (forest fire; off page). Opioid addiction (off page). Pills, alcoholism. Violence (physical fighting). Drunk driving (very brief; off page). Parental rejection, abandonment. Missing parent. Financial insecurity. Suicide (implied). Murder. Blackmail, threats. Victim blaming/dismissal by authorities. Classism.

Rep: American. Cis. Hetero. Ambiguous skin tones.

📚 Format: Advance Reader’s Copy from Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley

My musings 💖 powered by puppy snuggles 🐶

Have you ever wanted to just drive away from your life and find something better? This is what Mikki does! When a good looking guy shows up at her rest stop job and offers her to the opportunity to see the world, Mikki jumps in the car and leaves everything behind, never to return. The story toggles between the story of those left behind trying to go on without her - her best friend Lark and her grandmother - and the story of what happens after Mikki gets into that car with Chris. Even though the beginning of the story seemed a bit slow, it quickly got more mysterious and really drew me in. Who was sending Lark the messages to stay away? Why did Chris come back now? Is Mikki still alive? The twist at the end was a surprise that I did not see coming! I really enjoyed this book and have now added this author to my list of favorites! Thanks so much to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me an advanced copy to read.

Catch You Later is a beautifully written story about the power of female friendships. There’s a compelling mystery, emotional depth and tightly plotted twists, but where this book really shines is its characters. Mikki, who disappears after a stranger comes to town, and Lark, left behind to pick up the pieces of her shattered life.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Jessica Strawser’s Catch You Later is a gripping tale of friendship, loss, and the relentless pursuit of truth. This novel, set in a small, seemingly unremarkable town, unravels a powerful story of two best friends whose lives are forever changed by one impulsive decision.

 The story revolves around Lark and Mikki, two inseparable friends working the night shift at a highway travel stop. Their lives take a dramatic turn when Mikki, on a whim, leaves with a stranger heading to Florida and disappears without a trace. Eight years later, Lark is trying to rebuild her life, caring for Mikki’s grandmother and raising her young daughter. 

 Strawser excels in crafting deeply relatable characters. Lark is a resilient and determined protagonist, whose journey from guilt and suspicion to strength and clarity is both compelling and heart-wrenching. Her relationship with Mikki’s grandmother adds a layer of emotional depth, highlighting themes of loyalty and familial bonds.

The small-town setting plays a crucial role in the narrative, with its close-knit community and underlying tensions providing a rich backdrop for the unfolding drama. Strawser’s vivid descriptions bring the town to life, making it feel both familiar and claustrophobic. 

 Catch You Later explores themes of friendship, betrayal, and the search for truth. Strawser’s writing is both engaging and evocative, with a keen eye for detail and a talent for building suspense. The novel’s pacing is expertly managed, with twists and turns that keep readers guessing until the very end. 

 Catch You Later is a standout novel that combines psychological suspense with a poignant exploration of human relationships. Jessica Strawser has crafted a story that is both thrilling and emotionally rich, making it a must-read for fans of mystery and contemporary fiction. The novel’s intricate plot, well-drawn characters, and atmospheric setting make it a compelling and unforgettable read.

Title: Catch You Later
Author: Jessica Strawser
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Pub Date: October 22, 2024
My Rating: 3.4 Stars
Pages: 352

Lark Nichols and Mikki Jensen live in a small town and both work at an interstate ‘Travel Shop’ One evening Mikki was working the night shift and got talking to a stranger who was heading for Florida. They got talking and Mikki makes the decision to go with him – that was eight years ago.

Lark had to pick up the pieces after Mikki left. She is doing the best she can for the sake of her young daughter Dove as well as care for Mikki’s loveable yet described as a ‘cranky old bat’ grandma Nini.
Lark is happy to be in a relationship actually engaged to the nicest guy.

When the stranger who drove Mikki away reappears and asks for Lark.

Story was a ‘slow burn’ but I have read and enjoyed other [author: Jessica Strawser|1056657]’s stories; so did trust her story would end up being good.

I read a lot of thriller so I kept analyzing what I thought was happening!!
Of course, didn’t get it exactly correct.

Acknowledgements/Author’s Note~ I always enjoy reading what inspired an author to write a story -it is such fun getting the inside scoop. Additional I found the ‘Reading Group Discussion Guide interest. I believe readers will as well even if they aren’t in a book club. .
One of the questions:
Do you believe Mikki was reckless walking out of her shift or was she fulfilling a promise she had made to herself, no matter the risk?

Want to thank NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for October 22, 2024.

The plot caught my attention and the writing was up my alley but this thriller was too much of a slow burn and it sadly make me lose interest, it would have been fun to have some twists and turns here and there to keep me engaged.

The big reveal wasn’t as shocking as I thought it would be considering how long the built up is.

Unfortunately this book wasn’t for me.

Thank you Jessica Strawser, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for an e-ARC copy.

#CatchYouLater #NetGalley

I really enjoyed this story and thought the premise was fantastic. A mysterious runaway or has something far more sinister has happened? Recommended xx

I was drawn into reading this book by the gorgeous colours on the cover. That aside, it was an enjoyable read that drew me in from the start. A slow-burn mystery told from dual POV of Lark and Mikki. It follows Lark's story in the present day and Mikki's 8 years prior to that. The plot was interesting enough to hold my full attention and compell me to keep on reading. I was invested in the two main characters and wanted it to end well for both of them. This story delves into friendships, making snap decisions and the consequences of the choices we make.
I liked the style of writing and how easy it was to follow. I did think I had the mystery all worked out, and whilst I was correct on one part, I was totally wrong with everything else. It's not a big wow twist, but I didn't expect it to be. It was fitting to the rest of the story. I would recommend this to anyone who doesn't mind a drawn-out plot. It kept me guessing.

This book made me ask myself many questions about what I would do in the same circumstance as Mikki. Would I grab an opportunity for something new by the balls, or would I shy away from the unknown and play it safe?

Thank you, Lake Union Publishing, for my opportunity to read this ARC.
My opinions are my own.

Dare I say, this may be my favorite of Jessica Strawser's yet? I absolutely loved how the plot is layered. I love how it kept me guessing. I love how I doubted my guesses. I loved how it all came together. Just a great, entertaining novel that I recommend you pick up!

Two best friends’ lives are forever changed one night when one of them takes off with a stranger, never to be seen again. When that stranger returns looking for the woman he went off with, her friend investigates to find out what happened. There were a few strange implausibilities but otherwise this was an excellent read that had me hooked from the start. The relationships are authentic and the suspense palpable. For fans of Liane Moriarty.

Mikki decides to go on a spontaneous road trip to Florida with a man she's never met before leaving her pregnant best friend and roommate back in Ohio. When Mikki doesn't come back the day she's supposed to she's reported as missing but with no information on where she was going and the name of the man she was with her trail goes cold. Eight years later the man she left with returns with no idea she was missing, brining with him new clues to what may have happened to Mikki. This was a decent mystery book kept me guessing to figure out what was going on. I liked the dual pov between past Mikki and present day Lark, her best friend. My only complaint was at times it dragged a little and felt a little too long. Would recommend worth the read. I want to thank NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Okay, this one was rather captivating! Mikki and Lark are stuck in their small town, working nights at the local truck stop. They've long had plans of getting out, but those have been set aside as the years slide by. Now Lark is pregnant, and Mikki sees a claustrophobic future unfolding before her. Then a charismatic stranger in a BMW rolls up to the truck stop and invites Mikki to be his guest at a wedding in Florida. Mikki has never even seen the beach. Despite Lark's reluctance, she goes with the man, Chris. But she never comes back. Seven years later, Chris shows back up in town, and he too is looking for Mikki.

Told in a back and forth fashion that builds suspense, CATCH YOU LATER flashes back to 2014, the year Mikki disappeared with Chris and then present day, as Lark deals with Chris' return and the ramifications on her relationship with her daughter, Dove; her fiance; and Mikki's grandmother, Nini, with whom she and Dove live.

So, first off, there are a few annoying factors. Nini, while she does have the beginnings of dementia, is rather irritating and seems to exist to plague Lark and those around her. Mikki doesn't take her phone to work the day she disappears, which, c'mon! We're given a "reason," but this just seems so improbable, even in 2014. Then Lark makes a big deal of a bunch of "lies" she told the police that turn out to be incredibly silly; I hate those sort of lead ons.

But otherwise, even if some of this story seems crazy, it's quite a page-turner! I, personally, would not follow a rich man to Florida and try to wow over his wealthy and uppity family, but Mikki seemed the type (and up to the job). The book ramps up the tension, keeping you wondering what happened to Mikki. Was Chris to blame? Why on earth would she leave her beloved (and pregnant) best friend behind. Strawser does an excellent job of showing the strong bond between Mikki and Lark, even though they aren't together in present time in the story. She also explores the themes of motherhood (giving us insight of both bad and good examples).

There are lots of great twists in this story, even if it's a bit wild. The ideas of friendship, motherhood, finding yourself, and seeking happiness with what you truly have--those are universal, no matter how crazy life gets.

Catch You Later by Jessica Strawser Best friend stories are always one of my favorite tropes to read about. Strawser does it exceptionally well. Her writing is smooth and flows so much that I didn’t even realize I was almost done with the book!! This is my first book by Strawser but it won’t be the last.

Wow! So many mystery books have a similar plot line with each other but this one was so creative! I loved it! I did find myself wanting a little bit more of an ending with how the characters ended up in the end though.

Mikki and Lark are best friends in their late 20’s, and still working at the same gas station they started at as teenagers. Mikki feels stifled by small town Ohio life. When handsome Chris stops in for a coffee on his way to a wedding in Florida, and invites Mikki as his date, she jumps at the chance for a small taste of freedom. While Lark tries to stop her, Mikki goes anyway, never to be heard from again. 7 years later Lark is a single mom, still working at the gas station, when Chris walks in. He’s looking for Mikki, and he claims he had no idea she was missing. This book was a great thriller. I loved the dual time lines, and the accurate depiction of small town life. It held my attention the whole way, and that can be difficult. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked the overall concept of this book - it sucked me in pretty fast. The middle slowed a little bit and there are definitely some gaps in the storyline. The end threw me off and it felt like the ‘twist’ with Mikki - was a little half hearted. I’m not sure if that’s the right way to describe it but it didn’t feel like it was fully thought out. I liked how the 2 timeframes played parallel and the reader sees Mikki’s thought process. Overall a good read but the ending fell flat.

I loved this book. This is the second Jessica Strawser book that I’ve read and I love how in depth we get to know her characters. I was really surprised by this book right from the start because I expected Lark and Mikki to be teenagers. The plot line of two women stuck in dead end jobs in a dead end town hasn’t been done in this way before, that I’ve read. And I loved it.

When a stranger walked into the Travel Stop where Lark and Mikki are working, Mikki decides to stick her and Lark’s life motto to “always say yes”. Nikki walked out with the handsome stranger and was never seen again. 8 years later the same man shows up one night asking for Lark.

Through alternating perspectives Jessica Strawser tells a story of friendship and poverty and love and fear in so many different aspects of life. The ending has me in tears. 10/10.

This gripping thriller weaves a complex tale of friendship, loss, and small-town secrets around the mysterious disappearance of Mikki and its lasting impact on her best friend Lark. The narrative skillfully jumps between past and present, building tension as Lark struggles to uncover the truth about that fateful night while trying to maintain the fragile stability she's built in the years since. With its rich character development, atmospheric setting, and unexpected twists, the novel keeps readers guessing until the very end about Mikki's fate and the potential consequences of uncovering long-buried truths.

Lark and Mikki were best friends since they were little kids, to the point that until their thirties they stuck together, but suddenly a guy named Chris came along and proposed to Mikki to be his date at his sister's wedding, and Mikki, who had a long wish to leave Backswill Town, in a heat of moments, thought why not, and without her phone, go alone with Chris. After 8 years of Lark not seeing her best friend, she never gave up on finding out what really happened to Mikki because she believed there was no way Mikki would leave her when she knew Lark was pregnant. But after a fateful encounter with Chris after 8 years, the secret resurfaced, changing many things.

The book is a mystery thriller by the same famous author of "Million Reasons Why," and it stays mystery till the end. The book also shows the normalcy of Lark's life and how she went through the seven years without Mikki. She got engaged with Heather, her daughter Dove got married, and she became lovely, but somehow Lark couldn't live happily, and it shows how close Lark's relationship with Mikki's was, but I don't like how hanging Lark was to find Mikki, even though at the end you will realize the old quote "it's fate," but through that, I really don't like that. Mikki and Lark were in their thirties, and they had the privilege to decide for themselves. In the book, I had this thought: She was fed up with a small town and would not be able to live a better life; of course, by the only chance she would leave and cut ties, and I was kind of pissed at Lark's pinning without the thought that maybe her happy life mode doesn't include Mikki, and Sha wants better, so why are you being dramatic? But in the end, it shows it's really worth it.

Honestly, till the end of the book, you can't understand the big secret; you need to take the long journey and sail with each step to understand why and what. If you ask, it's slow burn at max level because even at the end the reason wasn't clear, but suddenly at the end the curtain drops and all the fogs disappear, and if you weren't some patient reader, it's hard to go in this journey, especially when there is this feeling of discomfort about why Lark Soo hangs on to her friend even after 8 years and even suspected a totally awsome guy who shouldn't be blamed, and the fact Chris even started to help Lark, it really made you annoyed at Max, and Mikki's inconsiderate act of leaving, you have these urges to slap someone, but when again at the end you find the reason, you can't blame her either.

All in all, the book makes you frustrated. The urge to show some sense and integrity to both Luke and Mikki is everywhere, but Mikki, Grandma Nini, and Heath, Luke's fiancé, make the book a bit tolerable. But you need saintly patience and lots of self-control to read this. Still, the book deserves a mystery level of 4.5 and a rating of 4. Just know you need to read every detail of the book till the end; don't drop midway. If you do, you will suffer a bad dose of frustration without a satisfying ending, though you still need to consider which level you will satisfy at this rate. The blood pressure will boil at some point.