Damn you Lisa Jewell for writing such an amazing story that ripped my heart right out of my chest! Damn you for making me bawl and sob into the wee hours of the night! Damn you for making me feel the pain and grief of all of the characters long after I finished the last sentence of the story! This book was one of the best that I've read in a long time. It was right up my alley!! The writing, the story, the characters....everything was perfect!
We meet Laurel, a woman who has been broken and
hollowed out from the sudden loss of her daughter 10 years ago. Her daughter was 15 years old and the youngest of 3 children when she left one day to study at the library and never came home. After 10 years of grief, Laurel has pretty much lost everything - her marriage, her home, a quality relationship with her two surviving kids - and lives an empty shell of a life until she meets Floyd and his daughter Poppy. What happened that fateful day when Ellie never returned? Is it possible for a parent to ever get over such a loss? How does one start to put the pieces back together and heal? This book delves into all of these questions and more. It is about transformation, learning to let go of the past and mending relationships. It will break your heart but it will also fill it with love until it bursts.
I can honestly say I've discovered a new favourite author. I plan to read more from Lisa Jewell. Then She Was Gone is certainly being categorized as a favourite read for me. On a side note, her writing style reminds me of Barbara Copperthwaite (another favourite author of mine) so if you enjoy Ms. Copperthwaite's books, you'll probably like this one too. Folks who enjoy an emotional mystery psych thriller will adore this book. Just be sure to have a box of tissues near by...
A gracious thank you to Lisa Jewell and Simon & Schuster for an advanced copy. The publication date was April 17 and is now available for purchase.
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