Violet and Finn were meant to be, said everyone, always. They ended up together by the hands of fate aligning things just so. Three years into their marriage, they have a wonderful little boy, and as the three of them embark on their first vacation as a family, Violet can t help thinking that she can t believe her luck. Life is good. So no one is more surprised than she when Finn leaves her at … leaves her at the beach just packs up the hotel room and disappears. And takes their son with him. Violet is suddenly in her own worst nightmare, and faced with the knowledge that the man she s shared her life with, she never really knew at all.
Caitlin and Finn have been best friends since way back when, but when Finn shows up on Caitlin s doorstep with the son he s wanted for kidnapping, demands that she hide them from the authorities, and threatens to reveal a secret that could destroy her own family if she doesn t, Caitlin faces an impossible choice.
Told through alternating viewpoints of Violet, Finn and Caitlin, Almost Missed You is a powerful story of a mother s love, a husband s betrayal, connections that maybe should have been missed, secrets that perhaps shouldn t have been kept, and spaces between what s meant to be and what might have been.
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Although I received a copy of this e-book from the publisher (via netgalley), all opinions remain my own.
What a story. Not sure I can even put into words how I am feeling right now. The mystery kept me guessing the entire story. As more and more pieces came together, I thought I figured it out, but nope. The ending of this book was simply wonderful. I love how the different characters all get to have a time narrating. You hear each side of the story, in its own time. This book also jumps back and forth between the present and the past.
If you love a good mystery, pick this one up!
It took a while to grab my interest but eventually it did. I’d give it 5 stars if the beginning was tightened up. The first description of Violet, the happy wife and doting mother, is just a tad too saccharine. Once past that and into the story, it’s a very good read.
wow, gives the reader lots to think about. very real to life.
What a fabulous book. I was solidly hooked by the end of chapter three (you’ll see why), which was exactly when my kids woke up from a nap. A few hours later at bedtime, I leaped for the book again. The story is filled with so many emotions, revelations, conflicts, complications, and secrets. Strawser was the puppeteer expertly keeping it all together at exactly the right timing and pace. While a similar situation better never happen to me, the storyline felt plausible and heart-wrenching, so well done and captivating. Plus, as someone who once had a friend who checked the Miss Connections on a daily basis, I especially enjoyed that element of the story. All in all, a wonderful debut, and I can’t wait to read more from Strawser in the future.
Our beloved Violet thinks she has a “meant to be” happily ever after with adorable 3 year old, Bear, and a doting husband. Her life comes to a crashing halt one afternoon when she realizes her baby boy and husband have gone missing without a trace.
Jessica Strawser has brilliantly captured one of every mother’s worst fears in this taut, gripping tale. Vivid, deeply composed characters and a well devised plot line have made this book feel alive.
Almost Missed You is a phenomenal debut by Strawser and I am fully excited to read her next novel, Not That I Could Tell, that released yesterday. I would highly recommend to readers of women’s fiction and suspense.
About 40% more words than needed.
It all began the day that Violet and Finn took Bear to see the ocean for the
very first time. Violet and Finn had a story book kind of meeting on this very
same beach years ago, so it was a very special place to them both. As Finn takes Bear into the hotel room for his nap , Violet is left sitting on the sparkling beach, a refreshing drink in her hand, and heart full of precious memories, gratitude, and contentment. When Violet finds Finn and Bear and all of their belongings gone upon her return to the hotel room, it almost feels like they had been nothing but a dream of hers. There was no trace of her small family. That is the moment when Violet’s beautiful world falls apart.
The characters in this story are realistic and likable, in spite of their faults, so they are able to carry a plot filled with twists and turns quite effectively. Just when you think you have this one figured out, the author has more surprises for you. I highly recommend this twisting and turning mystery.
Winning read! A story about making choices and the cost of not communicating with those you love. I loved the plot and the writing was stellar!
Two couples who are best friends are torn apart by lies and secrets. You first see the heart brake of Violet who goes on vacation with her loving husband and son when she is caught off guard when he leaves her and kidnaps their son. She gets support from friend Caitlin who has know her husband since they were children.
The twist and turn that follow as the investigation and Amber Alert take shape, prove to be much more that a case of a man leaving his wife and taking their child.
Finn the husband meets up with Caitlin and demands her support or he will tell her husband the secret he knows about her, and she is now afraid that her own marriage, will now brake apart.
You cannot put this book down as you the reader are caught in this maze of all parties involved. At one point you think you have figured out the big secret, but you do not.
Good,Good read for anyone.