Something happened to her mother that night. Something no one wants to talk about. But she’s determined to uncover her family’s dark secrets, even if they bury her.Five-year-old Sloane McBride couldn’t sleep that night. Her parents were arguing again, their harsh words heating the cool autumn air. And then there was that other sound—the ominous thump before all went quiet.In the morning, her … quiet.
In the morning, her mother was gone.
The official story was that she left. Her loving, devoted mother! That hadn’t sat any better at the time than it did when Sloane moved out at eighteen, anxious to leave her small Texas hometown in search of anywhere else. But not even a fresh start working as a model in New York could keep the nightmares at bay. Or her fears that the domineering father she grew up with wasn’t just difficult—he was deadly.
Now another traumatic loss forces Sloane to realize she owes it to her mother to find out the truth, even if it means returning to a small town full of secrets and lies, a jilted ex-boyfriend, and a father and brother who’d rather see her silenced. But as Sloane starts digging into the past, the question isn’t whether she can uncover what really happened that night…it’s what will remain of her family if she does?
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Sloane McBride left her home, her family, her boyfriend, and her life at age 18. Running from what? An argument she overheard as a very young child keeps her wondering…did her mother really walk away or was there something more sinister?
Who had a reason to hurt her mother? Why would anyone want to hurt her? Did her father do it? Does her brother know more than he lets on? In a small town it seems like everyone knows what’s going on, but why doesn’t anyone know or admit they know anything about her mother’s disappearance?
After her mentor dies, she decides to go back to her small Texas hometown to look for clues regarding her mother’s death. Going home also means reconnecting with her high school boyfriend and her best friend. How has time treated all of them?
I enjoyed this novel. I really didn’t have many clues as to the culprit or the reason Sloane’s mother was gone until the end of the book. Very satisfying and suspenseful.
Fantastic!! This book drew me in immediately and didn’t let me go until the last page. With so many twists and turns throughout this romantic suspense it will keep you guessing. Sloane has returned home after being gone for ten years to determine and uncover the murder of her mother when she was five years old. She soon reconnects with her one true love, Micah.
Loved this book,full of romance and suspense. Strong likable characters. Loved Micah!! I highly recommend this book!!
Standalone Novel
After hearing an argument between her parents, Sloane McBride’s mother disappears. Now that she has grown up, Sloane is determined to find out what happened that night. She is convinced that her father must have killed her and covered it up, but he’s the mayor and no one will go against him. Micah Evans, Sloane’s former boyfriend, has been divorced for a year and is shocked to find Sloane in Paige’s house. Even after all these years, the two have chemistry. Micah begins to help Sloane with her investigation, but the mayor is set on destroying anyone who gets in his way.
If you’re looking for a story where every character is suspect, this is the book for you!
Another winner for Brenda Novak! With Strong characters and an intriguing story line, this one kept me hooked from the beginning. The twists kept me guessing, and just when you think you have it figured it out, Novak deftly turns you around again.
With this novel, Novak again solidifies her place on my author “must-read” list.
#BeforeWeWereStrangers #BrendaNovak
Great story full of twists and turns. Sloan returns to her childhood hometown to find out once and for all what happened to her mother. We follow her difficult journey towards the truth as she reconnects with those she knew in her teen years. Full of suspense, a must read!!
Once again Brenda Novak manages to write another FANTASTIC book with Before We Were Strangers.
Sloane was 5 years old when she overheard her parents fighting, a thump, and then nothing. She was too young at the time to think anything of it. When she was old enough, she left town and didn’t look back. Until a close friend ends up dead, Sloane realizes that she needs to figure out what really happened to her mother.
This book was full of secrets, suspense, and I could NOT put it down! I adore Brenda Novak and truly enjoyed this book!!
Sometimes we need a reminder that love is worth fighting for. Before We Were Strangers is a beautiful, real, heartfelt reminder.
Every since she was a little girl Sloane felt alone. Her mother left in the middle of the night and she never got over the bad feelings she had about that night. But she was so young and no one believed her. Once she graduated she left and didn’t look back. But once her very good friend died she came back home to see if she could find the truth. What she encountered was a family that didn’t want her there, an old love that she still had feelings for and a best friend that had a different agenda. After digging into her mom’s disappearance things seemed to have been solved however things aren’t always as they seem because It’s hard to believe that someone you love could do horrible things.
Crime doesn’t have only one victim
WOW! Just WOW! What a ride this book has been. This amazing romantic suspense grabbed a hold of me and didn’t let go until the last page. The story features Sloan’s and Mica. 10 years apart and their love was as strong as it ever was. I did feel sorry for Paige though. She kind of asked for the life she got with Mika and should have known better. That’s what you get for coveting your best friend’s man. She needs therapy!
This story line was so fantastic! The characters were great and the progression of the story line was perfectly paced. I love a good plot twist and this book had an unexpectedly awesome plot twist. I always look forward to whatever this author comes out with next.
Sloane McBride was 5 years old when she woke up and heard her parents arguing again. Then she heard a loud thump. The next morning her mom was gone. All her life Sloane thought her dad may have killed her mom. When she turned 18 she high tailed it out of town, leaving her family, her boyfriend, Micah, and her best friend, Paige to get away from it all.
During her time away, Micah ended up marrying Paige and they had a son. Now they have been divorced for 2 years because Micah was still in love with Sloane. Sloane went on to become a highly successful model and is very well off.
It’s been ten years since Sloane left Millcreek, TX but now she is determined to find out what happened to her mom. As Sloane starts digging into the truth, weird, interesting facts come to life. Since Sloane’s dad is the mayor of Millcreek, she is not getting much help from local people…they are all too afraid of her father. Imagine her surprise when Micah steps forward and offers to help her. As they spend more time together, their feelings for each other are even stronger. Together they finally unravel everything that had happened to her mom. Sloane is in for a big surprise when she finally ends up learning the truth. Throughout the way, she starts to realize that people that seem like friends, really are not and that people she thought were enemies were actual friends.
This is one of those stories that has wonderful characters, is beautifully written and keeps you in such suspense that you cannot put this book down. Just when I would think the story was going in one direction, it changed directions into something else. After all is said and done, Sloane and Micah will get their very deserved happy ending!
Before We Were Strangers is another superb story by Brenda Novak. The heroine returns to her hometown after 10 years determined to finally get to the bottom of her mom’s disappearance. This book is filled to the brim with secrets, betrayals, suspense, and even a rekindled romance.
Great characters, an engaging plot and lots of shocking twists and turns drew me in from the start and kept me engaged throughout. Who needs enemies with family and friends like these!
I felt like I found a piece of my soul in this book. I’ve highlighted so many lines to use as a reference for daily inspiration. I was that moved.
I did not want to put this book down. It had my full attention right from the beginning right through the jaw dropping ending. Sloane has been estranged from her father and brother for ten years. In fact, she left everything and everyone behind when she fled. Now she’s back and ready to solve her mother’s long unsolved disappearance. Even if that means pointing the finger at the most powerful man in town, her father. What I truly liked about this book is that it’s not 100% a thriller it also mixes in the second chance romance theme. I am becoming a quick Brenda Novak fan and am glad I’ve stumbled upon her books.
Wow what a story! I had a hard time this book down so I could get work done! If you’re looking for a good book that grabs you, holds your attention and has you flicking the pages as quick as your eyes can digest the words, look no further than Brenda Novaks “Before We Were Strangers”. Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this book!
I don’t know why I am always surprised about the stories that Brenda Novak comes up with and how she treats each topic. This book was riveting! I read most of it In one setting because I simply couldn’t put it down! Ms. Novak says she saw something on tv one night about a young girl finding out her father murdered someone and from that this story was born! And what a fantastic story it is. The characters just weave themselves effortlessly throughout the book and nothing seems extraneous. I loved Sloane and Micah as the couple forefront in this story, but also felt so much sympathy for Paige. Loved Trevor and almost wished he had a bigger role. Another winner!
This was a wonderful romantic suspense story that kept me guessing all the way through. The story has lots of twists and turns with a great blend of mystery and romance. The characters are strong and well developed and the story flows beautifully.
Sloane McBride left her hometown of Millcreek, Texas ten years ago. She simply couldn’t live with her father any longer. So she left him as well as Micah, the only man she’s ever really loved, behind and started life fresh in New York City. Now she’s returned and she’s determined to get to the bottom of her mother’s murder.
I highly recommend this one.
Before We Were Strangers by author Brenda Novak does not disappoint the reader! I enjoy Brenda Novak’s books and was excited to have the opportunity to read and review this newest one which is scheduled to be released later this year.
Sloane McBride is a very beautiful and successful model who is grieving the loss of her very best friend and mentor. Clyde helped Sloane reach the heights of success as a new model after she ran away from Texas right after her graduation. Sloane has decided to take some time off and go back to Texas and try to find answers to what could have happened to her mother more than 20 years ago.
The mystery begins as we find out more about the bitterness Sloane feels for her father. She has always thought her father or his actions were the reason her mother was never seen again after a fight one night when Sloane was only five years old. Sloane has memories, nightmares, and anxiety concerning her mother who went missing and was never heard from again. Sloane’s brother Randy wants Sloane to drop her accusations of their father who gave them a home and very good life after their mother ran away to be with her lover. Now there is a lot of tension between Sloan and her brother and Sloane receives veiled threats from her father who wants her to leave and not stir up trouble before his reelection year.
This is a very good mystery and it gets more suspenseful toward the ending. As Sloane is interviewing people about their memories of her mother, Sloane needs the help of a very special person who she hurt when she left Texas ten years ago, Micah. Oh my, the romance which she had hoped was in the past ignites and this causes more problems for Sloan. Mystery, Romance, Suspense, And Murder!
Before We Were Strangers by Brenda Novak made me remember how much I liked to read romantic suspense. The cover is beautiful. The story was intriguing and kept me on my toes for a little bit. Romantic suspense, second chance, angst, and a touch of mystery kept me involved.
There were times that the main female character annoyed me but her determination was admirable. I was hoping to have a bit more chemistry between Sloane and Micah; at times it felt forced. However, at the same time, I thoroughly enjoyed the entirety of the story.
#avidreaderbookblog #readingislife #booklover #bookaddict #angst #chicklit #mystery #read #romanticsuspense #secondchance #sexualtension #steamy #sweet
so very good!!!!
My Review of Before We Were Strangers by Brenda Novak; published by MIRA
It’s been months since I’ve read a book written by Brenda Novak and once again, she didn’t disappoint. Before We Were Strangers is a great romantic suspense story. Besides all the twists and turns, Brenda is able to enrapt the reader by cleverly weaving stories of deceit, abuse, loss, and even love into a story you won’t want to put down. Brenda creates characters you will love as well as abhor. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good suspense thriller.