The Moon is Missing

Jenni Ogden’s “The Moon Is Missing” is a wonderfully written story. Evoking feelings about thought provoking situations that were handled with much consideration making it a story I did not want to stop reading until I could finish it.
This is a story of a woman, Georgia Grayson, who becames a neurosurgeon and loving wife and mother of two children as her life starts to fall apart a second time.
Stress at work with long hours, loss of a patient, a teen daughter asking questions about her biological father, and nightmares of repressed memories all cause her increased panic attacks that could cost her her family.
When Georgia is asked to go to New Orleans for a work related conference she takes her daughter with her in the hope of giving her answers about her father only they end up helping and living through hurricane Katrina and its after effects.
A family secret is revealed that could make or break so many of Georgia’s family relationships as old memories of pain are brought to light.

Great book. Really felt like I connected with all of the characters.in the book. Didn't want to put it down. I found myself reading it to the wee hours of the nights. Found myself constantly guessing through the whole back why Danny fell. Book did not disappoint.

This was a really great book. There are so many parts of the book that people will relate to in regards to family and family life. It was intriguing and made me want to continue to finish the book to find the end. I would recommend the book for people to read.

A great novel from Jenni that included the trauma of a hurricane. It also showed the dedicated work of the medical staff as they looked after those caught up in a hurricane. Georgia tries to unfold the circumstances surrounding the death of her daughter Lara’s biological father for both Lara and her own peace of mind.

This story is wonderfully written. The Moon is Missing is a story of family, lessons learned, love and forgiveness.....especially forgiveness of ones self. There are also some secrets thrown in for good measure. I loved this story and I really loved the different locations of the book.

For me this was an enthralling escape into a beautifully written story. It made me realize that the journey for each of us is unique. I absolutely loved this book including the stunning cover. It gave me feelings from heartbreak to cheering for Georgia as she struggles with her decisions. Jenni Ogden has such an amazing talent for tapping into the readers' emotions, creating excitement to read the next page. I highly recommend this book for anyone wanting a book that will keep you captivated and will echo in your mind well after you have turned the last page.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my digital copy in exchange for an honest opinion.

I chose this book because I really liked the cover but I also ended up really liking the story. There are two parts to this book, really. We have the part from the past about Georgia and who she thinks is the love of her life, Danny. They plan on marrying when one day he comes to say that he isn't ready and can't go through with the wedding. They had a horrible fight, he stormed out, and he lost his life that day...but Georgia has no memories of WHY or HOW. Did she do it? Was she that angry? She happened to be pregnant at the time and that is where Lara comes in. Georgia has moved on and created a new family, which is where Adam and Finbar come in. One day Lara gets an assignment at school about family history and wants to know all about her Dad and who she really is...well, you can't get blood from a stone and there isn't a whole lot to tell. They argue about it and Georgia goes on to work, where she meets someone who looks just like Danny. Pretty soon, she is getting anxiety attacks and can no longer function as a neurosurgeon. But she does go on a trip to New Orleans(Lara talks her way into going with her) for business and that is when all Hell breaks loose. No, seriously...Katrina storms on in and takes over for awhile. That is where I will stop but so many things happen because of this trip that the reader's interest never wanes from that point on. There is a lot of personal growth in the story and that is a big thing with me right now. I would completely recommend it to lovers of family drama and personal growth. On the plus side, I was constantly looking up the locations the author describes which is also a good thing in my opinion.

The Moon is Missing is the story of Georgia, a neurosurgeon who experiences panic attacks after performing surgery on a young man who resembles a long lost lover. She is ordered to take a break from surgery and see a psychologist, then a therapist. Unpleasant memories that traumatized her years ago are cropping up despite her unsuccessful attempts to quash them, and she realizes she needs dig deep and reconnect with them for the sake of her husband, son, and especially her daughter, coming into her teen/act out years. It was a good story, the characters were clear and well thought out and a plot in three sequences. Despite the drama, the hurricane, the family dynamics, this book to me lacked real passion. I thought it could have used something to give it a little “oomph.” Felt just a tad flat to me, and I thought the ending was rushed. Thank you to Netgalley and Sea Dragon Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Publication Date: August 25, 2020

Thank you to NetGalley and Sea Dragon Press for this advanced reader's copy. In exchange, I am providing an honest review.

Ogden's first title, A Drop in the Ocean, was lovely and I knew I would want to read other works Jenni Ogden published. I was not disappointed with this story. Ogden is not a one-hit-wonder, she's got lasting power with her stories and characters.

In this story, Georgia, a talented neurosurgeon, is being confronted with parts of her past she can't remember and frankly doesn't want to. Her 15-year-old daughter, Lara, is asking the questions Georgia has been dreading since the day she found out Lara had been conceived. "Who am I? Who bloody am I?" Lara has always known Adam wasn't her bio dad, but he's always been her Dad. A school assignment is dredging all this up and Georgia knows she and Adam are going to have some hard conversations with each other and Lara. She can't predict the outcome.

After a scare in the theater during a somewhat routine surgery, Georgia is put on leave from surgical procedures and made to see a psychologist. She fears what will be scraped up during the sessions and try as she might to keep everything present day, her therapist Sarah won't let that happen. As Georgia works with Sarah to remember the night and circumstances surrounding Danny's (Lara's bio dad) death things at home unravel. She and Adam aren't speaking and when they do it's fighting. Lara is bitter and angry and making everyone miserable when she's home and Finbar, Georgia and Adam's son, is perplexed and attempting to smooth things over for everyone. Several months into this unsettled state Georgia and Lara go to New Orleans for a conference. It just so happens Hurrican Katrina is visiting New Orleans the same weekend they are.

The storm that rages in and upends the city of New Orleans turns out to be the same storm that whips everything back together for Georgia and her family. As the days post-Katrina play out and Georgia and Lara try to get out of New Orleans and back to London perspective comes back to Georgia. And post-Katrina she takes the hard steps to set everything right.

There was a lot about this title I really liked. Ogden broke the story up into three parts and part 2 is where Georgia and Lara are in New Orleans. I have read just one other book about New Orleans and Hurrican Katrina, a true story titled Zeitoun that I highly recommend, and I could not tell the difference between Ogden's description of the hurricane and its aftermath in New Orleans and the true account from Zeitoun. I don't know how she was able to so vividly get the reader there and immersed, no pun intended, in the event but she did. She must have researched her socks off or had a personal connection to someone who lived through it. I felt like I could smell, hear, feel all of what was happening as she described it. It was gripping.

In part 1 I loved Georgia's therapist, I wanted to contact her for some sessions myself. Because Ogden was a clinical neuropsychologist in her first life she can expertly pen a character like Sarah. I really took to her...too bad she isn't a real person and closer to me than London. *grin* I liked Georgia and Adam's relationship until I didn't. My dislike of it was only contained to about 1/3 of the story but it really set me on edge. The speed at which Adam got fed up with Georgia and her struggles in the OR and at home regarding Lara's push to know about Danny really frustrated me. And this is not the only story I have read in which solid couples unravel quickly at the first sign of one of them in real emotional distress. Ugh. The impatience and whining about physical intimacy really rubs me wrong, I think because I know people are actually like that and I would like to think people aren't so selfish, even though I know better. Anyway, big picture Georgia and Adam are a great couple.

Part 3 is where Georgia is taking all the hard but necessary steps to make it all right again or actually right for the first time. The hurricane gave her the mental and emotional breakthroughs and perspective she needed and now she's setting it all straight. It's a great read on the steps of healing and bringing resolution to situations.

This was a really lovely title. I enjoyed it just as much as I did Ogden's first title a few years back. I would consider myself a fan of her characters and stories for sure.

I have some mixed thoughts on this book overall. On the one hand I did enjoy it. There was a sense of mystery and the real life backdrop of hurricane Katrina was interesting too. There seemed to be some romanticised notions relating to American life and at times I lost track of the protagonist's history with her New Zealand background, time in New Orleans while living in London. That being said, I did enjoy the story overall, with only a few moments of disbelief relating to the characters or their relationships to one another.

Gripping sequences in Katrina-buffeted New Orleans made this a page-turner😲

The Moon is Missing grabbed me, but not for the reason I was expecting. With its changing setting, moving between London, New Orleans, Cape Cod and several scenic spots in New Zealand, I thought I would most enjoy the globetrotting aspect and the tragic love story between singer Danny and neurosurgeon-in-training Georgia. That part of the story was good, emotional and poignant and Georgia's strengthening relationship with their daughter Lara also made it a moving story.

But what really got me stuck to the pages of this book was the sequence that played out in New Orleans in August 2005 when Georgia and Lara visit New Orleans and inadvertently get caught up in the full drama and tragedy when Hurricane Katrina came calling. Putting her characters in a true life event of this magnitude really brought their story to a higher level. By highlighting the plight of secondary characters trapped in the city with them, including doctors, nurses, a very ill new mother and an elderly patient unknowingly connected to Lara through her dead father, author Jenni Ogden made the human dimension of Katrina's destruction come to life.

Georgia's anxiety and prolonged inability to reconcile herself with Danny's death may be the main theme of the plot, but it will probably be the Katrina segment that will stay with me the longest.

Thanks to publishers Sea Dragon Press and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed Jenni Odgen’s debut novel A Drop in the Ocean which clearly demonstrated the author’s ability to write beautifully and create an unusual story with excellent character development.

Jenni Ogden’s new novel The Moon is Missing is also an incredible story that, while very complex, still holds the reader’s attention. The story moves to many locations - from London (around the London bombings in July 2005 -where I was at the time!) to New Orleans during the Katrina Hurricane in August 2005 to New Zealand (mainly Great Barrier island where the author lives). The dramatic events surrounding these locations are also reflected in the many personal and family dramas the characters go through.

Not only was this beautifully written, there are so many issues to continue to reflect upon and discuss with friends and family. I loved the letter to the reader at the end where Jenni shares with us her views of the importance of reading novels and raises some of the issues this novel raises - Work/Family Balance, Anxiety Issues, Mother-teenager relationships especially with daughters, and Family Secrets. Through the main character Georgia and her relationships with her family, friends and colleagues these issues are brought to life and explored.

Highly recommended read.

A special thank you for the email from Caitlin Hamilton Summie from Caitlin Hamilton Marketing, for providing pre-approval for me to obtain a copy, via Netgalley, of Jenni Ogden’s forthcoming book, The Moon is Missing, to read and review. Also thanks as usual to Netgalley and to the publisher Sea Dragon Press.

This novel tells a tale within a tale. For the most part it’s a mystery involving the death of a young blues singer (Danny), the possible involvement of his girlfriend (Georgia) who is now a successful Neurosurgeon, wife, and mother of two who is searching for answers of her memory’s missing past. Now, the tale within the tale, takes place in New Orleans during Katrina and the experiences she has there with her daughter, Lara. Georgia takes us on a journey to restore her memories through London, New Zealand, and New Orleans. Jenni Ogden is a marvelous writer, keen on capturing emotion as well as environment. Thanks so much to Sea Dragon Press & Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book.

An absolute triumph for Jenni Ogden. A beautifully written book that I didn’t put down until the end. A family drama that takes you to a remote New Zealand Island ,(her descriptions were so vivid I felt as if I could literally see it) also to New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina. The story follows Georgia Grayson, a neurosurgeon, who’s past comes back to haunt her when her daughter demands to know who she is, A tightly woven family drama.:A must read, Superb.....

This book threatened to rip my heart out so many times, but I couldn't put it down. The story centers on Georgia, a neurosurgeon, wife and mom. When something in her present triggers unwanted memories of the past she suffers a panic attack while performing a surgery. She ends up having to take a break from her work to mend herself. Georgia has to grapple with her anxiety and watch how it affects her family, especially her relationship with her daughter. The book is split in three parts each taking place in a different location, London, New Orleans (during Hurricane Katrina) and New Zealand. I also liked that each part of the book focused on something different. London was her downfall, New Orleans and Katrina her healing, and New Zealand her forgiveness and acceptance.

As a panic attack sufferer as well, this was something about the book that hit home, and as is mentioned multiple times in the book "you can't die from a panic attack," but it sure feels like it. I can relate to Georgia in her interactions with her family. Panic attacks aren't something that can just be stopped, there's a process and also medication, and you never know when one will hit. It's something I've had to explain to my family multiple times and I was glad to see how Georgia was able to find a way to cope with the anxiety and bring her family to a point of understanding.

I also really enjoyed the part of the book on Hurricane Katrina. As an avid reader of books on Hurricane Katrina, I thought Jenni Ogden did a great job capturing what was going on, especially at Memorial Hospital. I'd just read "Five Days at Memorial" by Sheri Fink earlier in the year and thought Jenni did a good job capturing several key facts of what went on for patients and doctors at Memorial during Hurricane Katrina.

Overall, a really great book and I highly recommend!

A beautiful story about family, tragedy, mystery and hope.
Georgia Grayson is a successful neurosurgeon with a husband and two children when her world is turned upside down. Her daughter, Lara, wants to know more about the death of her real father, Danny, and his side of the family. This triggers painful memories for Georgia and brings back the panic, anxiety and misery that she felt when she first lost Danny. In order to feel like herself again, and to be able to provide Lara with the answers she deserves, Georgia will return to New Orleans where she first met Danny, and to New Zealand where he died. Will she finally remember what happened the night he died?
This story had so many interesting facets to it - the mystery of what happened to Danny was just the part that tied everything else together. I loved the focus on relationships here; both the husband/wife relationship between Georgia and Adam, and how her panic attacks affect them, and the mother/daughter relationship which suffers as a result of the secrets and uncertainty around Danny’s death. Ogden has a background in psychology and this was evident in the way she so accurately writes about mental health and relationships - spot on.
I also absolutely loved the changes of location throughout the story, which kept things feeling fresh and exciting - didn’t hurt that New Orleans and New Zealand are two places I’d love to explore more! The descriptions were so vivid that I could almost feel the atmosphere and vibrancy of New Orleans, and the peace and spirituality of New Zealand.
Thoroughly enjoyed this and will definitely pick up more of Ogden’s books!

Thank you to NetGalley and Sea Dragon Press for the advanced reader's copy.

In The Moon is Missing, Georgia, a UK based neurosurgeon, and her 15-year-old daughter, Lara are the main characters. The story begins when Georgia is confronted about her painful past that she has kept suppressed, a history which is key to Lara understanding who she is. While Lara loves Adam, her stepfather, she knows that he is not her biological father. She feels the emptiness and void from not knowing anything about her deceased biological father, Danny, and his family. Lara's need to know more is heightened when she is given an assignment for school that focuses on her family tree. Lara begins to press her mother for details about her father, which triggers increasing anxiety in Georgia.

While Georgia is a successful neurosurgeon, she has a history of anxiety disorder. Lara pressing for the truth about her father seems to push Lara's emotions over the edge, culminating in an anxiety attack in the middle of surgery. She is subsequently placed on leave from the OR and is only allowed to see patients in office until she has sought treatment with a psychologist. Georgia begins working with Sara, her psychologist, and much of that work centers on Danny, Lara's biological father. As Georgia continues her therapy sessions, things at home begin to unravel between her and Adam, while Lara becomes increasingly angry and rebellious. Their family appears to be imploding while the young son Finn struggles to feel normal in all of it. The family is truly struggling to hold it all together.
During this time, Georgia has an opportunity to travel to New Orleans for a medical conference. New Orleans is where Georgia met Danny (Lara's birth dad). Lara pleads to tag along on the trip, convinced its an opportunity to connect with her deceased father's family. Georgia is agreeable because she is desperate to restore the strained relationship with her daughter. But as fate would have it, they arrive in New Orleans just days before Hurricane Katrina. The story shifts at this point to Georgia and Lara surviving the hurricane and the days following. Georgia ends up assisting with the hospital, where there is a growing number of medical emergencies. The storm seems to serve as an important event that helps heal the mother-daughter relationship. Georgia regains her confidence as a physician and, more importantly, gains perspective on life in general. Georgia is now ready to face her past and the death of Danny, and she is prepared to heal several important relationships.

I really enjoyed this book and was drawn in right away; it was a page-turner. Jenni Ogden's writing style is very fluid; the story has a beautiful flow rich in descriptions and taps into all the emotions. I enjoyed this book so much I plan to read her first book. I highly recommend this book.

Thanks to Netgalley and the editor for my digital copy in exchange for an honest opinion.

I liked this book, very much! The cover is very beautiful and the story is a family drama very well developed. I like the way the characters are built and Georgia and Lara are great! I want to read other books by the author, her writing is incredible.

Rating: 4 hurricane-whipped stars

This is Jenni Odgen’s second novel, and it is a doozy of domestic suspense. Georgia Grayson and her husband live in London with two children. Georgia is the Director or Neurosurgery in a large hospital. However, she was on a leave of absence from actually operating. Increasingly she’s been unable to control her panic attacks. She is required to seek counseling before her privileges will be be reinstated. Georgia’s 15-year-old daughter, Lara, is escalating her demands to know who her father is. Danny, a musician from New Orleans was an early love of Georgia’s. He died after having a huge fight with Georgia, and there are some gaps in Georgia’s memory about the time surrounding those events. This is apparently the source of her psychological issues.

With scenes in London, New Orleans, and New Zealand the plot moves along showing how easily a family can start to disintegrate. While this is set in several locations, the section set in New Orleans was most riveting. Lara convinces her Mom to let her accompany her to a medical conference in New Orleans in the hope of finding out more about Danny. What they ran smack dab into was the full force of hurricane Katrina. This is where Odgen’s writing skills really flourished in this book. The sights, the smells, the personal peril of enduring this natural disaster were viscerally depicted. The immediacy of these scenes pulled me into the middle of the chaos.

Everyone in this book had issues. In the final analysis, this is a family drama. Ms. Odgen skillfully writes about psychological issues. She shows how a trained psychologist can help unravel some deep-seated problems. I enjoyed the scenes between Georgia and her therapist Sarah. In some ways, Hurricane Katrina was a metaphor for the storm raging within and amongst these family members. It was action packed, and heartfelt.

I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy an engaging family drama that has intelligent characters and believable scenes. The drama isn’t over the top, and the various locations in the book add to the enjoyment of the story. Oh that hurricane!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, Sea Dragon Press via NetGalley. These are my honest thoughts.

Linda’s Book Obsession Reviews “The Moon is Missing” by Jenni Ogden, Sea Dragon Press, August 25, 2020 for Suzy Approved Book Tours
Jenni Ogden, the author of “The Moon is Missing” has written a memorable and thought-provoking novel. The genres for this novel are literary fiction, family drama, women’s fiction, and fiction. The timeline of the story takes place in the present and goes to the past when it pertains to the characters or events in the story. The story takes place in New Zealand, and New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina. The author describes her dramatic characters as complex and complicated. I appreciate that the author discusses the topic of panic attacks. I love how the author vividly describes her characters, scenery and events. This is also a coming of age story. It is a story of discovering the truth, communication, family, love and faith. This a story that shows one how dangerous secrets can be.

Georgia Grayson is a brilliant neurosurgeon, and a wife and mother. Her teenage daughter brings up the topic of her deceased father, and Georgia finds that she is having panic attacks while in the operating room. Georgia really can’t remember all the details surrounding her first husband’s death. She knows she has to discover what is so deeply buried inside her to be able to live freely.

Georgia is lucky she has the support of her family. I would highly recommend this memorable, and thought-provoking story to other readers.

To be honest the title drew me but the story wrapped itself around me and didn't let go. Beautifully written and poignant it's a story that will linger in your mind long after the last page. A must read. Happy reading!

Family tragedy and long held family secrets propel this novel into the settings of New Orleans during the horrific Hurricane Katrina and the beautiful New Zealand coast line. The protagonist of this story is a strong woman, Georgia, who is a prominent neurosurgeon in London. She works very hard to keep her life as a physician as well as a wife and mother functioning at a high level. But she is haunted by events of her past and suffers from anxiety and panic attacks. She realizes that the only way to eradicate her anxiety is to uncover the truth about the death of her first love. He died under suspicious circumstances before their daughter was born. Her now 15 year old daughter, Lara, desperately wants to learn about her father and his side of her family. These factors compel Georgia and Lara into the past and the gripping scenes of New Orleans and New Zealand. It is a harrowing ride. Well-written with well developed characters and striking settings - it is hard to put down and an enjoyable read!

Jenni's first title, A Drop in the Ocean, was a book I very much enjoyed reading and therefore, was looking forward to her next story. Once again Jenni has written an engaging tale, this time revolving around a range of themes such as family, with some mysterious past secrets, to create that curiosity factor. However, at its heart this is a tale of love and forgiveness, from moving on and lessons learned.

‘... sometimes toxic memories are best kept firmly in a box ...’

In many ways this reads like three separate tales and I am still undecided if it all gelled together sufficiently. Part 1 sets the scene obviously in terms of Georgia’s past secret and really delves into family dynamics and the fallout of a debilitating anxiety disorder. Part 2 finds Georgia and her daughter in New Orleans at the time of Hurricane Katrina. Whilst I appreciate the significance of this event to the characters journey, to me, it reads like a separate novel with tenable links to the overall mystery. That aside, the writing is incredible in the descriptions of what living through such an event must feel like, sound like - you were there when the waters were rising and could feel the palpable angst. The final Part 3, then transfers to both New Zealand and Australian’s Great Barrier Reef. In some ways, it's like Jenni wanted all these locales to fit her story. Here we return to Georgia’s specific crisis and steps taken to bring about her healing through confrontation and resolution.

“Nothing will ever sink New Orleans. She’ll come through this horror and be even stronger than before.” Even as the placatory words come out of my mouth, I knew I was talking bullshit. It was hard to see how any city could recover from this - especially one built in such a crazy place.’

The writing is well researched and it is clear how much Jenni has called upon her experience from her time involving psychology. She provides a twist on the traditional reading group discussion questions at the conclusion of the novel - preferring instead for her readers to contemplate reflection on the book’s overall themes of work-family balance, anxiety disorders, mother-teenager relationships and family secrets.

‘I suddenly wanted to be home, right now, with my normal healthy family. At least a day at the office put our trivial problems into perspective.’

The Moon is Missing is a book about the many types of relationships, from spousal, family and professional to the relationship one has with oneself. The themes are relevant and real, providing good social commentary - with the added mysterious twist to engage readers.





This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

The Moon is Missing by Jenni Ogden I have to admit drew me further and further in to the life of neurosurgeon - Georgia Grayson. Her life as a surgeon, her family and relationships with her son and daughter and husband. Then there are her anxiety attacks and the reason for them and the consequences that arise because of them.

The book is well written and its focus is Georgia. I liked her, she is talented yet haunted by her past. As she takes up with courage the journey back into her life, I the reader, feel like I am right there with her. The heartache that is happening in her family, the questions she holds, the answers hidden to her.

I really liked - if its okay to say that! - the part that tells of Georgia and Lara ( her daughter) in hurricane Katrina. It was both horrific and wondrous as medical staff and others worked to help each other.

The three settings of London, New Orleans and Great Barrier Island were all contrasts - yet each had their own fascination. I also loved where finally Georgia and her family truly find themselves at the end of the journey.

Some family secrets are gradually revealed. I really appreciated how they unfolded and finally came together. Forgiveness, acceptance and compassion eventually win through.

I found myself  slowly reading the story,  a few times I had to reach for a tissue for the times of sadness and beauty. A Moon is Missing touched my heart and was so worth spending time with it.

New Zealander Georgia is a gifted neurosurgeon living with her family in London. They are a happy unit until 16 year old daughter Lara wants to find out about her real father Danny. Georgia has had trouble with her mental wellbeing and a panic attack at work puts everything on hold. Travelling to New Orleans the two of them search for clues to Danny’s family and why he committed suicide. Georgia has flashbacks to the event and wants to make sure she was not responsible for it.
Trapped in the disastrous storm Katrina adds a level of danger and heroic doctoring by Georgia. This gives her back her confidence for the two of them to return to New Zealand for the answers they both need.
This is an exciting adventure but so much more. It is wonderful that mental wellbeing is finally getting the attention it deserves. This story has it all, sadness, tragedy and finally a resolution for everyone involved.

Georgia Grayson is a neurosurgeon and well-respected in her field. She is hoping to become Director of the unit at the hospital where she works. But a panic-attack mid operation precipitated by the death of another patient who reminded her of her former boyfriend and father of her eldest child Lara, leads her in a different direction.

The story is set in 3 parts and takes the reader from London to New Orleans when hurricane Katrina strikes to New Zealand where her parents live. Georgia is not just struggling to face her own demons but in keeping her marriage to Adam together and being a mother to young Finbar as well as the teenager Lara who wants to know more about her father.

I really enjoyed this book as it explores many issues including mental health and how workplaces handle it, work-life balance, gender inequity, identity, the unintended consequences of secrets, grief and loss. These issues are raised as an integrated part of the story and Ogden manages to expose them skilfully without hammering them home. There are excellent book club discussion questions at the end which enable the reader to think through these issues. Highly recommended for anyone who wants an involving story woven with complexity.

This is a fantastic read! It is so beautiful written and we'll developed. I loved Georgia, a truly likeable and interesting main character. I was drawn to the lovely book cover and thought that reading about the life of a neurosurgeon would be exciting. My expectations we're not only met, but they were exceeded. I really enjoyed the different settings of New Orleans, London and Great Barrier. I highly recommend this book.

I would like to thank Jenni Ogden, Sea Dragon Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

The Moon is Missing was story meant to tug on heartstrings. It was written with several story lines that flowed together beautifully. I was really moved by this book. I would love to read a "prequel" providing Savanah's story - she seemed like a character whose story needs to be told.

This cover is beautiful and I just had to read it, the blurb makes it even more interesting.

Georgia works as a neurosurgeon in a London hospital but hails from New Zealand. Georgia suffers from the occasional panic attack, When she has one mid surgery she covers it up and goes into therapy. The panic attacks have gotten worse now that her daughter Lara wants to know more about her biological father. Georgia has never really processed his death. When Georgia goes to a conference in New Orleans she has Lara tag along so she can discover her dad’s stomping grounds and maybe meet her great grandmother. When in New Orleans Katrina hits, is devastating, but they find a way to help others and themselves. While there Georgia discovers some secrets and sets of to New Zealand to confront her parents. In New Zealand all can finally be out to rest, if only everyone is willing to do so.

This book tells an interesting tale of family secrets, love and loss and devastation. Part 1 plays out in London and it’s my least favourite, I had a very hard time getting into it. I was reading on hoping it get better when Part 2 in New Orleans would come around, luckily it get a lot better. Part 2 was the best for me, 3 was ok but felt a little forced. There’s a lot of talk about anxiety and panic attacks in this book and although the main found her coping mechanism and triggers I am not entirely sure how I feel about how this is being dealt with. The description of New Orleans during Katrina and Great Barrier Island are very well done, I could picture all the details, that is the best of the writing. The story in part 2 is interesting, but the overal story is a bit flat for me. Georgia was bit too self absorbed for my liking of a character, even when she acknowledged this it did nothing to warm me to her. When a story like this is written from first person I think it’s important to like the main character, and I didn’t. The writing itself is good, but the book is just missing something for me.

Georgia is a neurosurgeon living in London with her family. When she loses a patient during surgery, a patient who looks like a past love, Danny who died tragically, she begins to have anxiety and panic attacks. Her daughter, Lara, pushing her to reveal more about her father only adds to the stress.

Georgia is ordered to seek psychiatric help and cannot perform surgeries until she is given the all clear. While she is trying to make sense of her past and her anxiety, her family is falling apart. Her husband, Adam, might be on the verge of having an affair and her daughter is mixed up with the wrong crowd.

The opportunity to return to New Orleans for a conference where her past with Danny, a jazz singer, all began she takes it! And she brings her daughter with her. Within a few days of their arrival hurricane Katrina hits like no other storm before it. Georgia helps out at the nearest hospital and rediscovers what she loves about being a doctor. When she can she sends her daughter home but Georgia goes home to New Zealand to confront her past once and for all.

I did enjoy reading this book. It started off strong but there were some moments when I felt like not enough backstory was made clear. In chapter 22 especially, I had to reread the part where Georgia learns about why Danny wanted to postpone the wedding because names were flying like crazy. Fiona, John, Seamus, Leroy- and I was like "wait, who?" It felt rushed.

Thank you Netgalley, Sea Dragon Press and Jenni Ogden for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I enjoyed Ogden’s A Drop in the Ocean and was excited to pick up this novel featuring a neurosurgeon in London forced to take a leave from her practice thanks to panic attacks related to events from her past. Her teenage daughter Lara wants to know about her birth father Danny, a blues singer from New Orleans who died before she was born. When Georgia is offered the chance to attend a neurosurgery conference in New Orleans she decides to take Lara with her hoping they might find some answers for Lara and some memories of her relationship with Danny. They arrive four days before Hurricane Katrina hits New Orleans.

The opening chapters of this novel are interesting and necessary but I found them to be the most challenging to read. Georgia and her husband Adam, kids Lara and Finbar are leading busy lives in London. Georgia is struggling between her desire to take over as head of Neurosurgery and being present with her family. Her husband has been picking up the slack on her long days at the office and their relationship is straining. There is a lot of navel gazing and I found I was getting frustrated with Georgia and her issues which seems to be in a continuous loop of anxiety, uncertainty and regret.

Jump to their visit to New Orleans and the story springs to life. I’ve not read many stories featuring characters involved in such a devastating event as Hurricane Katrina and the author had me turning pages and fully engaged.. Hooray for authors who do their research. Georgia’s search for memories of what happened when Danny died eventually sends her back to a remote island off the coast of New Zealand. I was engaged and entertained wanting to understand all that Georgia had gone through as badly as she did.

This was an interesting look at the challenges faced by professional women everywhere, that fine balance between work and homelife. It also deals with family secrets and traumas which can affect even the strongest of men and women. Ogden writes with confidence and her books make for entertaining reads.

ARC received with thanks from publisher via NetGalley for review.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my digital copy in exchange for an honest opinion. After recognizing the author, Jenny Ogden, from her previous title, A Drop in the Ocean, I knew I didn’t want to miss this one.

The Moon is Missing was broken up into three parts and I can say I thoroughly enjoyed each one. Personal conflicts, emotional conflicts, and physical conflicts are are all seamlessly woven together as Ogden moves from Part One to Part Three, while immersing the reader in perspective and interest. It’s a great read for bringing about resolution, friendships, family, and healing.

Thank you to Sea Dragon Press and NetGalley for this arc.

The Moon is Missing is about a neurosurgeon called Georgia, originally from New Zealand but lives and works in London. She’s navigating her life after she has a panic attack while operating on a patient and after her daughter starts asking questions about her biological father, Danny. Unfortunately, Georgia has a lot of anxiety and memory loss surrounding the subject of Danny. Determined to discover the truth about the past and uncover memories for both herself and her daughter, Georgia goes on a journey to New Orleans where she first met Danny.

This focuses on familial issues, emotional trauma and anxiety. I thought the representation of these elements were executed well and I enjoyed the fact that the therapist was a likeable, helpful character. I also enjoyed that Georgia was a strong, independent, career driven woman.

The writing style was very easy to get into so this book is extremely accessible. The three settings in the book (New Zealand, London and New Orleans) were so interesting and the descriptions of each felt very distinctive. I didn’t foresee any of the events in the book so it kept me hooked, wanting to know more. I desperately wanted Georgia to recover her memory and we do that with her throughout the story.

The first person narrative meant I felt close to the main character Georgia and I really thought she was remarkable. Although, it would have been good to have some other perspectives, too. I only really felt connected to Georgia and the other characters felt a little one dimensional for me.

My favourite part was part 2, in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina. This was devastating and incredible at the same time. I had to wonder if the author had first hand experience with this because it felt so real.

Overall I’m pleased I read this and am definitely interested in picking up more of this authors work. I thought it was great.

The Moon is Missing is the new release by author Jenni Ogden. I will admit I have never read any books by this author, and it was the cover that initially grabbed my attention. In this situation, judging a book by the cover worked out for me, because I absolutely loved the story as well!

Georgia Grayson lives in London, and works as a neurosurgeon. On the outside, she has the perfect life...a loving and supportive husband Adam, a fifteen year old daughter Lara, an eleven year old son Finbar, and she just might become the first female Director of Neurosurgery at the hospital she works at. However, on the inside, she suffers from panic attacks that only Adam knows about...and they are now affecting every part of her life.

One Sunday afternoon while gardening, Georgia is confronted by an angry Lara, and she wants answers about her biological father. Sixteen years ago, Georgia was in love with Danny, a jazz singer from New Orleans. They were supposed to get married, but Danny suddenly decided he was not ready for marriage. Of course, they had an argument that lead to Danny leaving, and later that day, Danny died. Georgia has no memory of the circumstances surrounding Danny's death, so when her daughter wants answers about her biological father, Georgia struggles to give them to her.

The story that unfolds is extremely well-written, with a storyline that will hold your attention from beginning to end. The characters are well-developed, and the author tells each character's story in a realistic manner that the reader is able to relate to. The setting of the story also changes throughout, and the author relays the events of Hurricane Katrina with vivid and heartbreaking detail. Overall, this was just a beautifully written story about secrets, family, love, and relationships. It was wonderful to see the changes between Georgia and Lara, and while on their search for answers to the past, their relationship blossoms.

I would like to thank Sea Dragon Press and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read and review an ARC of The Moon is Missing. My views are my own, and are in no way influenced by anyone else.

This book is about a neurosurgeon, Georgia who is a prominent dr but has things from her past she has to deal with. She goes to New Orleans where she gets stuck during hurricane Katrina. I enjoyed the book overall. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review.

Three interwoven stories, one in London, on a small island in New Zealand, and during Hurricane Katrina right in the heart of the hurricane! Mother and daughter navigate a complicated relationship full of twists and turns. This family drama unfolds as the main character Georgia Grayson, beings to have occupation ending panic attacks as her daughter becomes of age and begins to question her paternal origins. The heart of the tale, of course, is love, acceptance, and whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger. What a talented author who clearly did her homework! Excited to see what’s in store next!

This book blew me away! I was unable to but it down. Perfect, dazzlingly, very well written. The details the author described throughout the book was so amazing. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick.

This book has several storylines, settings, and characters. It’s about families and the harm that results from secrets. It’s about finding balance in an active family, which can be especially difficult when Both parents have demanding jobs, and Mom has some mental health issues. It’s about how love can survive just about anything if you just keep trying. It’s about trauma, some from the past and some that occurs during the story when family members are caught in the clutches of Hurricane Katrina. Her portrayal of the hurricane was gripping and had me on the edge of my seat. The book moves between several locations including New Orleans, Great Barrier Island off the coast of New Zealand (where the author lives), and England. There was a lot to keep up with, but the author pulls everything together in a neat package at the end. And lastly, I loved the book cover! Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with this ARC in return for my honest review.

Overall, a good, easy to follow story. I was able to finish this one in just a couple of sittings. It held my interest and I would recommend it.

3/5 Stars

Jenni Ogden always has two things going for her in writing her novels- her grasp of psychology and her ability to write gripping family dramas. The relationship between characters in times of grief, struggle and desperation will ring true to many a reader.

Ms. Ogden also brings the reader in close to the horror of Hurricane Katrina and offers an unflinching look at that period in time.

Forgiveness, love, grief and family all play a pivotal role in this well written book.

The Moon is Missing (Jenni Ogden)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Georgia was able to deal with her lost memories/trauma from her fiancée dying years before until her daughter Lara started asking questions and wanted to know more about her dad, Danny.

Georgia is forced to face her memories and try to remember what happened, and she embarks on a journey to remember what happened and whether it was her fault.

Through many twists and turns, we follow Georgia across 3 continents as she lives in London, gets caught in Hurricane Katrina in the US, then returns to New Zealand.

Thanks to @netgalley for providing a copy in exchange for a review.

#netgalley #moonismissing #bookreview #bookreviewblog #selflove #adventure #selfdiscovery

“I lay, unmoving, long after the haunting notes of ‘Georgia On My Mind’ had floated out the window to be swallowed by the sea. In the late morning I found myself on the beach walking aimlessly through the dunes, possessed by bittersweet memories—the joy of that magical Cape Cod weekend and the pain that our brief happiness was destined to bring to me, to Adam, to Fiona and Leroy, and now to Lara. So many people who loved Danny and who missed him when he never returned.“

This was a good family drama book, filled with deep family secrets desperate to come to the surface.

The story centers around Georgia who is a surgeon and lives in London with her husband Adam and 2 kids, Lara and Finbar. Georgia has just been released from work on a leave of absence and is struggling with extreme anxiety and panic attacks. She is told that she needs to seek help and get her anxiety under control before she can come back to work. Her daughter Lara is now 15 and asking a lot of questions about bio father, who was not Adam. Her bio dads name was Danny. Georgia and Danny had had a whirlwind love affair that ended in tragedy with Danny’s untimely death. As Lara is pressing for information, Georgia finds she has gaps in her memories, especially surrounding the night of his death. She’s almost afraid to confront the memories head on and truly remember the circumstances of that night.

As the story unfolds, so do the family secrets. Sometimes the quest for the truth can lead to pain. But sometimes reaching the pain, can lead to forgiveness and redemption.

This is my first novel by this author. I found it to be slow during the middle and I had to intentionally press on at times, but I’m so glad I did. The wrap up and conclusion of the story were wonderful.

I would like to thank NetGalley & Sea Dragon Press for the ARC of this book.

“And I shall hear, though soft you tread above me, And all my grave will warmer, sweeter be, For you will bend and tell me that you love me, And I shall sleep in peace until you come to me.”

#TheMoonIsMissing

This was a well written book with lots of great details about the areas/times it is set in. One of the major plot twists seemed a bit of a stretch to me but it was overall a very enjoyable and entertaining read!

I loved this book. I wanted to keep reading. I loved the characters and the beautiful settings. This book is about family, love, loss and secrets. It is about trying to keep a family together. The whole story is beautifully told and is a memorable read.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

Georgia is a neurosurgeon living in London with her family. When she loses a patient during surgery, a patient who looks like a past love, Danny who died tragically, she begins to have anxiety and panic attacks. Her daughter, Lara, pushing her to reveal more about her father only adds to the stress.

Georgia is ordered to seek psychiatric help and cannot perform surgeries until she is given the all clear. While she is trying to make sense of her past and her anxiety, her family is falling apart. Her husband, Adam, might be on the verge of having an affair and her daughter is mixed up with the wrong crowd.

The opportunity to return to New Orleans for a conference where her past with Danny, a jazz singer, all began she takes it! And she brings her daughter with her. Within a few days of their arrival hurricane Katrina hits like no other storm before it. Georgia helps out at the nearest hospital and rediscovers what she loves about being a doctor. When she can she sends her daughter home but Georgia goes home to New Zealand to confront her past once and for all.

I did enjoy reading this book. It started off strong but there were some moments when I felt like not enough backstory was made clear.

I loved this book, so insightful and intriguing. It tells of a neurosurgeon who has been so busy working that she hasn't realised how detached from her family she has become.

Her daughter, now 16, is beginning to ask questions about her biological father and it causes lots of long forgotten memories to return.

Georgia, the surgeon, begins to have panic attacks and has to take a break from surgery whilst she recovers... then more drama occurs, her daughter is rebelling, hurricane Katrina...

I studied neuroscience and I have also undergone brain surgery myself, so I found the brain aspect really interesting and authentic - you can tell the reader knows what she's talking about. I really felt for Georgia and how she was tied between a very difficult and demanding job and an awkward family time too.

I wanted to know what would happen to her and how she progressed.

I liked the way this book is written. The only downside for me was the counselling sessions felt a little odd.

I think the characters were well drawn and the story compelling.

Up to about one-third of the way into this book, I was not sure I wanted to carry on reading. Everything was so bleak. Georgia, a consultant neurosurgeon, is married and has two children, one of them from a previous relationship. Her 15-year-old daughter Lara wants to know more about her father, Danny, who died before she was born, but Georgia finds it very difficult to talk about Danny. In the first few chapters, Georgia falls out with Lara over Danny, her marriage starts to suffer, a young patient dies when an operation goes wrong and Lara is almost killed in a car accident. So far, so bleak.
The book really gets going when Georgia, having been relieved of surgical duties because of panic attacks, is sent to New Orleans for a conference. New Orleans is where Danny's family came from and where many of her memories of him are. She takes Lara, now almost recovered from her injuries, with her. Mother-daughter bonding is interrupted by Hurricane Katrina, the conference is cancelled, and Georgia's medical skills are called into use.
The book travels back and forth, with vivid descriptions of the devastation of New Orleans.
A book about coming to terms with the past and allowing yourself a future.

A mixed bag of feelings for me at the end of this novel. Generally speaking I enjoyed the book and found it a quick read that held my attention. I liked Georgia the main character but at times I did find her a bit too confident in the affect she’d had on not just Danny but Adam and Harry and the male colleagues she worked with in the UK and USA. The marriage to Adam was never fully explored and I always felt that I was taking Georgias word for it that it had ever been a good one. Adam seemed permanently unhappy or angry. I also found Lara a very good and accurate 16 year old until she went to NZ and while chatting to her mother over copious amounts of wine she was dispensing wisdom like a wizened sage. No teenager is going to be that focussed on their Mum’s feelings and not their own. Also the fact that she never called Danny ‘Dad’ struck me as unlikely. Even though Adam is the only Dad she’s ever known most teens wondering who they are will refer to the missing parent with that term of endearment in order to create a bond between them and the missing parent. The screaming, tantrum that the book opened with was far more realistic. I did like the story behind what happened that night on the Pa but I thought bringing John into the story made it all convoluted and ruined it a bit for me. It made it all a bit improbable.
What did work for me; the chapters in New Orleans were gripping and beautifully captured both the horror and the good of that terrible tragedy. The scene with Leroy was fantastic.
The descriptions of New Zealand especially the Great Barrier Island were so evocative and set a fantastic backdrop. It’s made me want to visit the country very much!

The Moon Is Missing By Jenni Ogden

Rating: 4.5 / 5 Stars

Publication Date: 8/25/2020

** Thank you to Netgalley, Sea Dragon Press, and of course, Jenni Ogden, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Let me start this review off by saying - I LOVED A Drop In The Ocean. Jenni Ogden has a way with words to draw me into her writing and stories. I am a huge fan. When I got the chance to review The Moon Is Missing, I jumped on it!

Moon focuses on Georgia Grayson, a neurosurgeon in London who is expected to become the first female director of her office. She is the mother of Lara and Finbar with her husband, Adam. Lara comes home with a school assignment which leads to questions about her biological father. Danny is a musician from New Orleans, Louisiana who has died. With the opportunity of a medical conference, Lara and Georgia head to New Orleans, only to be welcomed with the force of Hurricane Katrina.

The core theme of Moon is family, however, the novel also focuses on mental health issues - specifically anxiety and the transition to panic attacks. We see Lara and Georgia at their worst. Their characters are written PERFECTLY. I found them all so relatable, along with all of the characters.

Being able to read about Katrina from a first-person perspective truly fascinated me. It made me feel connected to those who dealt with the tragedy.

This book is highly recommended by me. I honestly believe it to be one of my favorites from 2020!

The moon is missing is a family drama that exposes long buried secrets and lies. It also deals with the mental health problems the main character, Georgia’s, suffers with because of unresolved issues from her past. This has a major impact on her family and her job as a neurosurgeon at a London hospital. At the beginning Georgia’s teenage daughter, Lara, wants to know more about her birth father Danny who died before she was born. Together they go on a journey to find the truth including being in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina. The novel is beautifully written and takes you around the world from London to New Orleans and New Zealand. For me the story became more engaging the further through the book I read, it was an interesting story and I enjoyed it.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in return for my review.

I absolutely loved Ogden's first novel, A Drop in the Ocean, but this one just missed the mark for me. I was drawn in from the beginning but lost interest in the middle. I did appreciate the novel's acknowledgment of burnout and mental health issues, but the book just didn't hold my interest, which was disappointing for me after loving her first novel so much.

Thank you Net Galley for a copy of this ARC. This is a wonderful story about 3 generations, trials and tribulations, and redemption. Loved it very much!

‘The Moon is Missing’ is a beautifully written novel by Jenni Ogden that centers around the family of Georgia Grayson and her battle to recall her missing memories. Georgia has two conflicting roles in life: to being a high performing, faultless neurosurgeon and a wife and mother. Unfortunately after years of striving to combing both lives, she is realising that the conflict is becoming overpowering and her occasional anxiety attacks more frequent. The situation is not helped when her daughter Lara begins to ask questions about her biological father Danny, who died before she was born. Georgia has suppressed all memories of Danny’s death and their relationship. Now, in order to save their relationship with her daughter and her marriage, Georgia is forced to face her past. The story sweeps from London to New Orleans, during the horrific hurricane of Katrina in 2005 to New Zealand, where the truth if finally confronted.
Odgen does not spare her characters any blushes and chooses to show both their failures and strengths. The characters are less one dimensional and more fleshed out as a result; thus allowing the reader to feel a greater understanding and sense of sympathy for the character.
The beauty of the novel is in the portrayal of the relationship between mother and daughter. How they learn to talk to each other and address their individual mental health issues, while negotiating the terrible situations around them. Rather true to life for many I’m sure, as they struggled to come to terms with the reality of life post-Katrina.

I was given this book in exchange for an honest review by NetGalley. This book revolves around Georgia and her daughter Lara’s father, Danny. Who are supposed to get married but intervenes and Danny loses his life. Georgia is too panic stricken and loses her memory regarding his death. How she comes to terms with what has happened and how she addresses her issues is the core team. Brilliantly written, would definitely recommend.

Such an intriguing story! The Moon is Missing, by Jenni Ogden is set in the not-so-distant past and is, ultimately, about family secrets that can create ripples for generations. The book starts out in London but also takes place in New Orleans and on a remote island of the coast of New Zealand. There are many layers to this storyline that Ogden unfolds in a very interesting way that I never lost interest. Looking forward to more by this author!

This novel is a lot of things: it takes the reader through the intense pain of the main character Georgia. Through her anxiety and breakdown, then suddenly you are coming up the other side and enjoying her wellness and the brightness of the other side.

Oh, and another thing this novel does is take you across continents. From cold London, steamy New Orlean’s to New Zealand. The geographical travel itself is wonderful to read during the second Covid Lockdown.
This is a lovely novel – the journey Georgia takes through the unexplained anxiety from the death of her boyfriend Danny on Pa years before. Their daughters desire to know Danny and her family, coupled together with the wilds of New Zealand and the Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. Its beautifully written though at times you feel like characters are a bit dislikeable. Georgia’s pain makes her very helpless almost and Lara is a brat. The way they develop and come out the other side is incredible, and I really enjoyed it.

I would have liked a bit more of New Orleans and the rebuilding of the Lara’s family connections but its still a four star read, and am looking forward to reading more from this author.

This was a really interesting read. It was set within the real time of hurricane Katrina which was a new subject I haven't approached before. It takes a bit of focus to read this book though, if I got up and left it for a few days I'd need to go back a few pages but I really did enjoy the story as a whole and would buy it.

I enjoyed this tale of secrets and confrontation between mother and daughter, set against a dramatic backdrop of New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina and New Zealand. Georgia is split into two halves: the competent neurosurgeon, set to be director of her department at a hospital in London, and at home a mum and wife, who with her family’s support can cope with anxiety and occasional panic attacks. Things change when her 15 year old daughter Lara starts to ask questions about her biological father. Georgia has always explained that her father died before she was born. This explanation isn’t enough for Lara anymore and she starts to ask difficult questions. How did he die? Who was he? It seems these are questions that Georgia either won’t or can’t answer.

As it turns out, she can’t tell her, because she doesn’t remember. Even therapy can’t bring back the memories she has repressed. She knows his name, Danny, and she knows he fell to his death but nothing more. As Lara keeps pushing for answers, Georgia’s anxiety heightens and she can’t function at work. Feeling desperate, the only thing she feels she can do is go back to New Orleans and find some of the answers Lara needs. She sets out to a medical conference with Lara in tow, only when they arrive Hurricane Katrina descends. There were three parts to the story each in its own geographical setting. Part 1 is in London and revolves around Georgia’s current life. The story really did pick up in Part 2 because the author’s description of the hurricane hit city is very vivid. and admirably the pair find a way to be useful and help others. Three last part in New Zealand also gave me a great sense of place and some resolution. I found Georgia hard to relate to or like at first, because she is living so much in her own head. I thought she didn’t even realise how much her daughter needed to know who she was and who her father was - almost as if because it was a black hole in her mind, Lara should be ok with this hole at the centre of who she is. She does a lot of personal growth in the novel, and learns to communicate better with her family. Her mental health crisis comes about because she isn’t being truthful to herself and her family about how anxious she feels, what it’s like to have a gap in your memory and lose someone you love. She deludes herself with this very together, organised and professional persona that everything’s ok in her life, but how can it be until she’s confronted these things and been honest with herself and her daughter. This is a great book for those who enjoy that growth in a character, family dramas and interesting locations that really add to the story.

This was a really interesting and ambitious story. I was drawn in and engaged with the characters and most definitely identified w/the anxiety struggles and family dynamics. I finished this story rather quickly as a result of being invested w/the characters and I really enjoyed it. It got a bit confusing when the main character returned to her childhood home and I had to figure out who she stayed with because it got confusing there, without more of a lead into the backstory bringing it forward, but while it distracted me and I had to comb thru to find some lateral context I still felt like this was a fantastic read and I would definitely read more from this Author. Thank you for the opportunity to read in advance of publication.

Georgia Grayson is an accomplished neurosurgeon in a field mostly dominated by males. She seems to have everything under control and then when a young patient reminds her from someone in her past she falls victim to a crippling panic attack. The book is about her emotional journey to revisit and make peace with her past. It is hard reading about how her time in therapy impacts the other members of her family. They feel neglected when she cannot let them in as she tries to work through her pain. She finds herself in danger of losing everything and everyone she loves. The book is an ambitious novel that takes the reader to several locations including London, Cap Cod, Boston, New Zealand, and New Orleans. There is honestly so much information that this feels like several books in one. My one compliant is that the book may be trying to accomplish too much. One of my favorite parts is her journey to New Orleans. I have not read other novels about the impact of Katrina so this was fascinating and heart wrenching. I would love to read more about the impact of this time on her daughter and follow her time/work in New Orleans later in life. The relationship between Georgia and Lara is well written. Readers will appreciate the complicated mother and daughter relationship and the daughter's search for identity. What makes us who we are? The book also asks us what we are willing to forgive. Again, very ambitious with several unique characters and twists and turns. Thank you to #netgalley and @Sea Dragon Press for the advanced copy.

This was such a good book! I highly recommend it. I think this is my favorite book this year. The story is about a woman neurosurgeon Georgia Grayson who is the mother of two teenage children and happily married to her husband who is a college professor. But years ago before her first child was born she was engaged to be married to a great musician Danny when one night he broke off their engagement. That same night he was found dead. But Georgia can't remember what happened causing his death or whether she was there with him when he died. Now years later, her daughter has a project to do for school tracing her heritage when she learns her father is not her biological father. Danny was her father. So Georgia goes with her daughter to learn more about Danny in New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina hits. This is a touching story of romance, mystery, drama, and I loved the ending. Check it out for a great read!

Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My review opinion is my own.
This is a wonderfully crafted family drama with a strong woman doctor at the heart of the story .. I enjoyed the charcters, the drama and how the story was framed throughout their lives. Its a pleasing read that is enjoyable and sweeps the reader into their lives. Very well done to the author.

I received a copy of the book from Netgalley to review. Thank you for the opportunity.
An interesting story set in an unusual setting that isn't often used. The writing is great and engaging. I liked the characters also and seeing their development through the story.
On the whole, a good read.

Beautiful coming of age, mother daughter relationship story. Set mostly in New Orleans during Hurricane Hugo, with flashbacks back to earlier times. Great read.

After reading mostly thrillers, this book was a nice palate cleanser for me. I enjoyed the setting, which alternated between London, New Orleans and New Zealand. It was just a nice, heavy drama that I got into quickly, and found hard to put down. I look forward to reading more by this author in the future.

This domestic thriller is centred on a female neurosurgeon
This book is about family and love. The characters are written so well.
It is full of family secrets

I was first drawn to The Moon Is Missing by the title and it was mysterious. The synopsis had me hooked and the actual novel...Oh wow, this was great!

Each of the characters had backstory that was interesting. Jenni Ogden is a new author to me, but the quick pace of this was gripping and the subject matter was too.

Family relationships and health issues are a surefire way to get, and keep, me hooked. Hospitals and neurosurgery are all too familiar to me, since I have neurological disabilities (Cerebral Palsy and Hydrocephalus). I had multiple surgeries for hydrocephalus when I was a child.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed The Moon is Missing.

Thanks to Jenni Ogden and publisher for my eARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

5 stars

Leading a life exactly as how she wants it to be, doing well in her neurosurgery career and on her personal front, Georgia is as happy as anyone can be. What seems ruffle-less and steady in Georgia's life takes a stormy turn when her teen daughter Laura insists on knowing the truth about Georgia's biological dad. Left with no choice but to face her inner demons, Georgia needs to tackle painful truths. Set in the premise of hurricane Katrina, the book explores a myriad of themes such as mental health, familial responsibilities, emotional tie-downs, and so on. I loved reading this engaging drama, and I am grateful to Ogden, and the publishers Sea Dragon Press, for gifting me with a copy of this book.

I would like to extend my gratitude to the author, publisher and NetGalley for sending me this advanced reader’s copy in return for a fair, frank, and honest review.

I enjoyed this book greatly. I felt affinity early on with each character and the journeys of self-discovery that each person had. I enjoyed the relationships developed and I would definitely recommend this book to anyone. It dealt with Hurricane Katrina beautifully and did not sensationalize it.

I loved this story!! It reads as if it was someone telling the story of something they or a family member actually went through. I would definitely recommend.

The Moon is Missing written by Jenni Ogden is a book about family and love. It's filled with lots of secrets to be discovered. What first drew me to the book is the title because it sounds mysterious and intriguing then discovering what the book is really about had me captured. Georgia works in a hospital living her life the way she wants. This soon changes as her daughter Lara begins to insist on knowing the truth about her biological dad. However, Georgia can't remember. Escalating panic attacks start preventing Georgia from doing her job and therapy is not helping in bringing her memories back, she decides to go back to New Orleans to discover the truth. Family secrets will be revealed and I recommend reading this to find out!


I have recieved an arc e-book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.

I really enjoyed this book. It was easy to read and follow, thought provoking, wonderfully written and I really enjoyed the characters personalities. Would definitely recommend.

Book blurb...
From Jenni Ogden, author of award-winning A Drop in the Ocean, comes a gripping tale of family secrets and mother–daughter conflict set in London, New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina, and on a remote island off the coast of New Zealand.
Georgia Grayson has perfected the art of being two people: a neurosurgeon on track to becoming the first female Director of Neurosurgery at a large London hospital, and a wife and mother. Home is her haven where, with husband Adam’s support, she copes with her occasional anxiety attacks. That is until her daughter, 15-year-old Lara, demands to know more about Danny, her mysterious biological father from New Orleans who died before she was born. “Who was he? Why did he die? WHO AM I?” Trouble is, Georgia can’t tell her.
As escalating panic attacks prevent her from operating, and therapy fails to bring back the memories she has repressed, fractures rip through her once happy family. Georgia sees only one way forward— to return to New Orleans where Danny first sang his way into her heart, and then to the rugged island where he fell to his death. Somehow she must uncover the truth Lara deserves, whatever the cost.
My thoughts…
A family drama with a powerful subject entwined with a real-life Hurricane in New Orleans.
While a terrific premise, I found the weaving of plot points to be a little bit far-fetched. For this genre, I prefer a more realistic plot and strong characters, and this story failed to meet my expectations. That’s not to say it’s not a good story. Unfortunately when a reader has expectations based on the blurb, and they are not met, it affects the overall enjoyment.
The threads linking Georgina’s past with the present (in order to identify the daughter's father) got a little windblown in the hurricane!!!

The Moon Is Missing by Jenni Ogden

A gripping tale of family secrets and mother-daughter conflict set in London, New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina, and a remote island off the coast of New Zealand.

The family secrets must be revealed before the family can get back on track. So much grief. We learn a bit more about anxiety and also the results of Katrina in New Orleans.

Thank you Net Galley for sending me an advanced reader’s copy for review..

A family drama that has at it's heart a hurricane, both a whirling of emotions and secrets and a real hurricane, Katrina.
Georgia Grayson is a neurosurgeon, Director of Neurosurgery in a London Hospital. She is also a wife and mother facing pressures from her family about her past. Georgia's tension begins affecting her life through panic attacks. As she questions her memories, the attacks worsen. As part of her treatment, she must sort through the past and find answers for her daughter. This quest lands the two of them in New Orleans just as Katrina strikes the coast. As the two of them face this crisis together, Georgia will realize she must face all of her past to stop her attacks.
This book is actually several themes running through the family dynamics that can cause so much tension and emotional damage. The characters learn to work together to solve their problems as a family.
The writing skills displayed by Jenni Ogden are excellent. Her descriptions of Katrina and the aftermath could lead a reader to believe she was there. Her use of the storm and the personal crisis faced by those who lived through it set an excellent example of the internal storm the characters faced.

What a good book this was great storyline, great characters, thoroughly enjoyed this, was hooked to it x