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Like It Never Was
The deeper the secret, the darker the shadow.
Ten years ago, Jolene nearly killed her friend Elizabeth in a gruesome accident. And no one has any idea. Not even Elizabeth.
Jolene has been trying to outrun the guilt ever since, wandering from place to place and career to career. So she’s shocked when, after her latest move, she runs into the very person she’s been trying to avoid for ten years.
Elizabeth still lives with scars from the accident. And she’s still clueless about what happened that fateful night.
Or is she?
As the two women rekindle a friendship, Elizabeth’s increasingly disturbing behavior makes Jolene wonder if it’s her own guilt stalking her—or Elizabeth finally exacting her revenge.
Ten years ago, Jolene nearly killed her friend Elizabeth in a gruesome accident. And no one has any idea. Not even Elizabeth.
Jolene has been trying to outrun the guilt ever since, wandering from place to place and career to career. So she’s shocked when, after her latest move, she runs into the very person she’s been trying to avoid for ten years.
Elizabeth still lives with scars from the accident. And she’s still clueless about what happened that fateful night.
Or is she?
As the two women rekindle a friendship, Elizabeth’s increasingly disturbing behavior makes Jolene wonder if it’s her own guilt stalking her—or Elizabeth finally exacting her revenge.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 2, 2024
2741 people are currently reading
38553 people want to read
About the author
Faith Gardner
20 books907 followersFaith Gardner is the author of adult suspense and YA novels. She lives in the Bay Area with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 901 reviews
February 23, 2025
I was able to predict the twist pretty early on but I had fun reading this one. A couple things about the ending weren’t my favorite but I’d still recommend.
June 12, 2024
Look at that gorgeous cover! 👀
On that dark road, ten years ago, a “harmless prank” went terribly wrong maiming a young woman for life.
Jolene nearly killed her friend Elizabeth-and no one has any idea.
Not even Elizabeth.
Or does she?
When the two women meet again, ten years later, and certain VENGEFUL things begin happening to Jolene, she begins to wonder…
Is Elizabeth sending a message that she knows about what happened? Or is it just Jolene’s guilty conscience at play??
I LOVED “The Prediction” (originally titled Amen Maxine) and “What January Remembers” was a close second-but it appears that the AI characters from Faith Gardner’s Jolvix episodes are a better fit for me, than those in this stand alone.
I guess I am not the right demographic for this book, as I felt that both the dialogue and Jolene’s “inner musings” often seemed quite juvenile and I couldn’t relate to a single character.
Clearly, I am a bit of an outlier so far, as early reviews are quite positive so, if you enjoy twisty, over the top psychological thrillers, this might be a great fit for you!
AVAILABLE July 2, 2024
Thank You to Mirror House Press and Faith Gardner for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
On that dark road, ten years ago, a “harmless prank” went terribly wrong maiming a young woman for life.
Jolene nearly killed her friend Elizabeth-and no one has any idea.
Not even Elizabeth.
Or does she?
When the two women meet again, ten years later, and certain VENGEFUL things begin happening to Jolene, she begins to wonder…
Is Elizabeth sending a message that she knows about what happened? Or is it just Jolene’s guilty conscience at play??
I LOVED “The Prediction” (originally titled Amen Maxine) and “What January Remembers” was a close second-but it appears that the AI characters from Faith Gardner’s Jolvix episodes are a better fit for me, than those in this stand alone.
I guess I am not the right demographic for this book, as I felt that both the dialogue and Jolene’s “inner musings” often seemed quite juvenile and I couldn’t relate to a single character.
Clearly, I am a bit of an outlier so far, as early reviews are quite positive so, if you enjoy twisty, over the top psychological thrillers, this might be a great fit for you!
AVAILABLE July 2, 2024
Thank You to Mirror House Press and Faith Gardner for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 12, 2024
One night high school senior Jolene plays a prank on her frenemy, Elizabeth, that goes horribly wrong. Elizabeth is seriously injured and permanently disfigured. Jolene, who left the scene and has never properly confessed, has carried the guilt and shame with her ever since, which the antagonistic voice in her head makes sure she never forgets.
Now thirty, Jolene’s life has been a string of flighty choices lacking any real commitment, the most recent of which is a move to Berkley, California and a new job as the personal assistant to a melodramatic nutball poetess. She’s particularly loving her improv class, until the teacher introduces his new protege with those familiar scars …
Could it be? Of course!
You can be assured that this reunion is only the beginning of the crazy. When all sorts of menacing, unexplained things start happening to Jolene, she has to question if Elizabeth really doesn’t remember the events of that long ago night, as she claims!
Faith Gardner definitely lacks NOTHING in the imagination department, and depending on how willing you are to set aside logic and just roll with it, you may have a blast reading this. Many readers are already eating it up!
I’ve adored her sci-fi psychological thriller Jolvix series, my favorite of which is the first - Amen, Maxine (now re-titled The Prediction). It’s unique, really witty and smart, and the other books I’ve read so far in that series have followed suit. Gardner’s creative mind and dark humor are delightfully fun, so no one was more surprised than me that this didn’t grab me as much.
The opening event requires a significant buy-in that, while definitely unique, was a little too preposterous, leaving me shaking my head while mumbling “Really?!” Once I got off on the wrong foot, I could never really get into the flow of what came after.
My other issue was tone. Since the story started with the MCs in high school, it already began with a YA feel. Unfortunately, as thirty year olds, they didn’t seem to grow up. Elizabeth drove me bonkers with her perky tween/teen-speak utterances of “Samesies!”, “Yes, indeedy!” “Anywaysies” and such. It’s a tongue-in-cheek way to reflect her mental state, but it just made me cringe, as did virtually everything Jolene’s “Good, goddess!”- spewing employer Suzanne said. Speaking of Jolene, do not use the number of times she said “sorry” as a drinking game. You’ll regret it. I promise.
(I’ve apparently hit my “Get off my lawn!” curmudgeon phase, so feel free to disregard my cranky rant about how the characters speak.)
It’s a well-written book for those who enjoy an unhinged frenemies story with dark-humor and an OTT plot. Please consider all the glowing reviews first before you decide whether to read it! As for me, I’ll be waiting eagerly for the next Jolvix book that I sure hope is coming. *hint, hint*
★★★
Thanks to Mirror House Press, NetGalley, and author Faith Gardner for this digital ARC to honestly review. It’s out July 2, 2024.
Now thirty, Jolene’s life has been a string of flighty choices lacking any real commitment, the most recent of which is a move to Berkley, California and a new job as the personal assistant to a melodramatic nutball poetess. She’s particularly loving her improv class, until the teacher introduces his new protege with those familiar scars …
Could it be? Of course!
You can be assured that this reunion is only the beginning of the crazy. When all sorts of menacing, unexplained things start happening to Jolene, she has to question if Elizabeth really doesn’t remember the events of that long ago night, as she claims!
Faith Gardner definitely lacks NOTHING in the imagination department, and depending on how willing you are to set aside logic and just roll with it, you may have a blast reading this. Many readers are already eating it up!
I’ve adored her sci-fi psychological thriller Jolvix series, my favorite of which is the first - Amen, Maxine (now re-titled The Prediction). It’s unique, really witty and smart, and the other books I’ve read so far in that series have followed suit. Gardner’s creative mind and dark humor are delightfully fun, so no one was more surprised than me that this didn’t grab me as much.
The opening event requires a significant buy-in that, while definitely unique, was a little too preposterous, leaving me shaking my head while mumbling “Really?!” Once I got off on the wrong foot, I could never really get into the flow of what came after.
My other issue was tone. Since the story started with the MCs in high school, it already began with a YA feel. Unfortunately, as thirty year olds, they didn’t seem to grow up. Elizabeth drove me bonkers with her perky tween/teen-speak utterances of “Samesies!”, “Yes, indeedy!” “Anywaysies” and such. It’s a tongue-in-cheek way to reflect her mental state, but it just made me cringe, as did virtually everything Jolene’s “Good, goddess!”- spewing employer Suzanne said. Speaking of Jolene, do not use the number of times she said “sorry” as a drinking game. You’ll regret it. I promise.
(I’ve apparently hit my “Get off my lawn!” curmudgeon phase, so feel free to disregard my cranky rant about how the characters speak.)
It’s a well-written book for those who enjoy an unhinged frenemies story with dark-humor and an OTT plot. Please consider all the glowing reviews first before you decide whether to read it! As for me, I’ll be waiting eagerly for the next Jolvix book that I sure hope is coming. *hint, hint*
★★★
Thanks to Mirror House Press, NetGalley, and author Faith Gardner for this digital ARC to honestly review. It’s out July 2, 2024.
May 29, 2024
4.5🌟
Get ready to question your concept of reality…right along with Jolene!
Jolene and Elizabeth were friends (I use that term loosely) in high school.
One day Jolene decides to play a practical joke on Elizabeth. Only things don’t go as planned.
Elizabeth is suddenly left with life-long injuries. And Jolene, who never owned up to her part in the prank gone horribly wrong, is left with a lifetime of guilt.
Years later, the universe has brought the two women back together. Can they possibly revive their so called friendship? Or are there unresolved grievances that run too deep and are about to re-surface?
Faith Gardner did a superb job with Jolene’s character as she was slowly unraveling. I loved listening to her inner voice as it screamed, scolded, tormented and gently advised her.
Just remember… Always listen to your inner voice! (Well, almost always)😉
Oh! And the ending…🙌
I’ve been a huge fan of Faith Gardner's Jolvix series and now I'm equally in awe of her stand-alone thrillers.
Thank you to Faith Gardner, Mirror House Press and BookSirens
Get ready to question your concept of reality…right along with Jolene!
Jolene and Elizabeth were friends (I use that term loosely) in high school.
One day Jolene decides to play a practical joke on Elizabeth. Only things don’t go as planned.
Elizabeth is suddenly left with life-long injuries. And Jolene, who never owned up to her part in the prank gone horribly wrong, is left with a lifetime of guilt.
Years later, the universe has brought the two women back together. Can they possibly revive their so called friendship? Or are there unresolved grievances that run too deep and are about to re-surface?
Faith Gardner did a superb job with Jolene’s character as she was slowly unraveling. I loved listening to her inner voice as it screamed, scolded, tormented and gently advised her.
Just remember… Always listen to your inner voice! (Well, almost always)😉
Oh! And the ending…🙌
I’ve been a huge fan of Faith Gardner's Jolvix series and now I'm equally in awe of her stand-alone thrillers.
Thank you to Faith Gardner, Mirror House Press and BookSirens
June 17, 2024
Reading a book by Faith Gardner is a safe bet. Yet again, I was not disappointed. From the very beginning I was drawn in. The main character did something she deeply regrets, and is haunted by it. It doesn’t become any easier when a person she never thought she would see again, comes back into her life.
This was a very suspenseful plot, where I needed to know what would happen next. What made it stand out for me however was how well the author manages to convey feelings of guilt and fear. She also writes beautifully, which isn’t a given. It made it an overall pleasant reading experience. There were plenty of questions asked, and I loved that you couldn’t be sure what the real story is.
The twist was… hm.. a bit rushed maybe. Surprising for sure, and a bit surrealistic.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc
This was a very suspenseful plot, where I needed to know what would happen next. What made it stand out for me however was how well the author manages to convey feelings of guilt and fear. She also writes beautifully, which isn’t a given. It made it an overall pleasant reading experience. There were plenty of questions asked, and I loved that you couldn’t be sure what the real story is.
The twist was… hm.. a bit rushed maybe. Surprising for sure, and a bit surrealistic.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc
June 28, 2024
3.5⭐️
Jolene Vero has spent the last ten years consumed by guilt over her role in an accident that left her school friend Elizabeth Smith grievously injured. After spending years moving from place to place, career to career, unable to settle down, she moves to Berkley prepared for a fresh start. What she wasn’t prepared for, however, was meeting Elizabeth again. Elizabeth, still bearing the physical scars of her accident, tells her that she has no recollection of how the accident happened and proceeds to befriend Jolene. Jolene is initially uneasy but wants to believe Elizabeth. Is she being paranoid? Should she listen to the voices in her head? Is it her own guilt that’s making her suspect Elizabeth’s hand in the strange things happening to her, or does Elizabeth know more than she is letting on?
There is a lot about Like It Never Was by Faith Gardner that is praiseworthy. The narrative, presented from Jolene’s first-person POV in past and present timelines (“Now” and “Then”) flows well. The fast-paced suspenseful plot, the writing and the twists ( I could predict one of the reveals, but that did not detract from the overall experience) kept me invested until the very end. I don’t mind a bit of OTT/suspension of disbelief and even enjoy it in thrillers. However, what didn’t work for me were the character dynamics. I appreciate that the past timeline begins when the characters were teenagers (which justifies the YA vibes), but when twenty-nine-year-olds resort to behaving like immature teenagers, I find it a tad annoying. The pill-popping, intoxicated unreliable narrator is an overused trope that doesn’t always work for me, though I did appreciate the intensity and dry humor the author injects into the narrative.
However, despite the quibbles, I did find this to be an engaging read. Faith Gardner knows how to craft a twisty thriller and this novel is no exception. Don't overthink it and enjoy the ride!
Dont forget to download the bonus epilogue Blast from the Past! It's definitely worth reading!
I’ve been a fan of the author's work ever since the first book in the Jolvix series and always look forward to reading more from her!
Many thanks to the author and the publisher for the digital review copy via BookSirens. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Expected Date of Publication: July 2, 2024
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
Jolene Vero has spent the last ten years consumed by guilt over her role in an accident that left her school friend Elizabeth Smith grievously injured. After spending years moving from place to place, career to career, unable to settle down, she moves to Berkley prepared for a fresh start. What she wasn’t prepared for, however, was meeting Elizabeth again. Elizabeth, still bearing the physical scars of her accident, tells her that she has no recollection of how the accident happened and proceeds to befriend Jolene. Jolene is initially uneasy but wants to believe Elizabeth. Is she being paranoid? Should she listen to the voices in her head? Is it her own guilt that’s making her suspect Elizabeth’s hand in the strange things happening to her, or does Elizabeth know more than she is letting on?
There is a lot about Like It Never Was by Faith Gardner that is praiseworthy. The narrative, presented from Jolene’s first-person POV in past and present timelines (“Now” and “Then”) flows well. The fast-paced suspenseful plot, the writing and the twists ( I could predict one of the reveals, but that did not detract from the overall experience) kept me invested until the very end. I don’t mind a bit of OTT/suspension of disbelief and even enjoy it in thrillers. However, what didn’t work for me were the character dynamics. I appreciate that the past timeline begins when the characters were teenagers (which justifies the YA vibes), but when twenty-nine-year-olds resort to behaving like immature teenagers, I find it a tad annoying. The pill-popping, intoxicated unreliable narrator is an overused trope that doesn’t always work for me, though I did appreciate the intensity and dry humor the author injects into the narrative.
However, despite the quibbles, I did find this to be an engaging read. Faith Gardner knows how to craft a twisty thriller and this novel is no exception. Don't overthink it and enjoy the ride!
Dont forget to download the bonus epilogue Blast from the Past! It's definitely worth reading!
I’ve been a fan of the author's work ever since the first book in the Jolvix series and always look forward to reading more from her!
Many thanks to the author and the publisher for the digital review copy via BookSirens. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Expected Date of Publication: July 2, 2024
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
June 11, 2024
If I can give any advice to future readers of this book it is this: Don't take it too seriously.
In this book we have Jolene, our unreliable pill popping bourbon guzzling narrator, as she takes us back in time to her senior year of high school where what she thought was going to be an innocent prank turns much more serious when her frenemy, Elizabeth, is seriously injured causing her facial disfigurement and the loss of one of her legs.
Jolene, in a panic, leaves the scene and never tells anyone but her best friend about what she's done.
Elizabeth has no recollection of the event or how she came to be injured.
Jolene can't escape her guilt no matter how many pills and drinks she has but she keeps on keeping on even if it's a life of anxiety and depression.
Aimless Jolene decides to move to Berkley on another whim with another dream. Her father secured her a job as an assistant to one of his past clients and pays for Jolene to take an improv class.
Imagine Jolene's surprise when Elizabeth appears at the same improv class. Not only that but they appear to be neighbors with Elizabeth living only one block away.
This reunion of sorts triggers Jolene's paranoia and she's certain that this isn't just coincidental. She believes Elizabeth has returned to get her revenge.
Who is out to get who? You'll have to read this to find out!
I have to admit that the plot to this book is rather silly. I knew right from the start that I had to chuck reality out of the window if I were to going to enjoy this at all. So that's what I did. Then I sat back and let Gardner drive her crazy train right to cuckoo town because this book is bananas. This is definitely a quirky story with Gardner's trademark humor and it's this humor that kept me reading. I thought she pulled the ending off well for such a bonkers book.
One thing I've grown weary of is the *bonus* epilogue. I wish she would just put the epilogue in the book rather than me having to go to her website to download it. This is my eighth book by her and the eighth time I've downloaded an epilogue. Why not just include it? I don't know, maybe it's a me thing. 🤷♀️
This book won't be for everyone, humor is subjective after all, but I'm sure it will find it's audience among the quirkier readers out there. 4 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Mirror House Press for my complimentary copy.
In this book we have Jolene, our unreliable pill popping bourbon guzzling narrator, as she takes us back in time to her senior year of high school where what she thought was going to be an innocent prank turns much more serious when her frenemy, Elizabeth, is seriously injured causing her facial disfigurement and the loss of one of her legs.
Jolene, in a panic, leaves the scene and never tells anyone but her best friend about what she's done.
Elizabeth has no recollection of the event or how she came to be injured.
Jolene can't escape her guilt no matter how many pills and drinks she has but she keeps on keeping on even if it's a life of anxiety and depression.
Aimless Jolene decides to move to Berkley on another whim with another dream. Her father secured her a job as an assistant to one of his past clients and pays for Jolene to take an improv class.
Imagine Jolene's surprise when Elizabeth appears at the same improv class. Not only that but they appear to be neighbors with Elizabeth living only one block away.
This reunion of sorts triggers Jolene's paranoia and she's certain that this isn't just coincidental. She believes Elizabeth has returned to get her revenge.
Who is out to get who? You'll have to read this to find out!
I have to admit that the plot to this book is rather silly. I knew right from the start that I had to chuck reality out of the window if I were to going to enjoy this at all. So that's what I did. Then I sat back and let Gardner drive her crazy train right to cuckoo town because this book is bananas. This is definitely a quirky story with Gardner's trademark humor and it's this humor that kept me reading. I thought she pulled the ending off well for such a bonkers book.
One thing I've grown weary of is the *bonus* epilogue. I wish she would just put the epilogue in the book rather than me having to go to her website to download it. This is my eighth book by her and the eighth time I've downloaded an epilogue. Why not just include it? I don't know, maybe it's a me thing. 🤷♀️
This book won't be for everyone, humor is subjective after all, but I'm sure it will find it's audience among the quirkier readers out there. 4 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Mirror House Press for my complimentary copy.
August 4, 2024
Ten years ago, Jolene nearly killed her friend Elizabeth in a gruesome accident. And no one has any idea. Not even Elizabeth.
Jolene has been trying to outrun the guilt ever since, wandering from place to place and career to career. So she's shocked when, after her latest move, she runs into the very person she's been trying to avoid for ten years.
Elizabeth still lives with scars from the accident. And she's still clueless about what happened that fateful night.
Or is she?
As the two women rekindle a friendship, Elizabeth's increasingly disturbing behavior makes Jolene wonder if it's her own guilt stalking her-or Elizabeth finally exacting her revenge.
What a true, glorious mind f*** of a book. From the deftly drawn characters to the creepy, crawly atmosphere, Like It Never Was won me over hook, line, and sinker right from the start. After all, what a start that it was. Wholly realistic but also entirely unhinged, I was immediately pulled into Jolene’s over-the-top world as it came crashed down around her. Let me tell you, this is one compulsively readable book. With each and every scene keeping me on the edge of my seat, it was the dynamite climax that gave me serious chills. I mean, those eye-popping twists and turns were simply sublime.
The characters were pure gold to this thriller lover. Eccentric and distinctly memorable, each persona was real enough to walk right off the page despite some definite unbalanced edges. Jolene, however, was easily the winner. Probably one of the best unreliable narrators that I’ve encountered in quite a while, I was unsure whether to trust in her slow unraveling or look upon her with suspicion. No matter what decision I would’ve made, though, I never in a million years would have guessed what was really going on in her addled brain.
Done and dusted, I don’t know why it took me so long to discover Ms. Gardner and her virtuoso-like skill. I mean, I’m seriously in awe. With satirical vibes, deliciously short chapters, and perfectly plotted dual timelines, the finely layered plot was a slam dunk success. And as for that conclusion? It couldn’t have been better. Coming seemingly out of the blue, it slipped flawlessly into place and suddenly everything made perfect sense. So if you have yet to pick up something by Gardner, take this as your siren’s song to do so right now. As for me, I’m heading off to order each and every other book in her backlist ASAP. Rating of 5 stars.
Thank you to Faith Gardner for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: July 2, 2024
Trigger warning: mental health problems, stalking, drug use, mention of: addiction
Jolene has been trying to outrun the guilt ever since, wandering from place to place and career to career. So she's shocked when, after her latest move, she runs into the very person she's been trying to avoid for ten years.
Elizabeth still lives with scars from the accident. And she's still clueless about what happened that fateful night.
Or is she?
As the two women rekindle a friendship, Elizabeth's increasingly disturbing behavior makes Jolene wonder if it's her own guilt stalking her-or Elizabeth finally exacting her revenge.
What a true, glorious mind f*** of a book. From the deftly drawn characters to the creepy, crawly atmosphere, Like It Never Was won me over hook, line, and sinker right from the start. After all, what a start that it was. Wholly realistic but also entirely unhinged, I was immediately pulled into Jolene’s over-the-top world as it came crashed down around her. Let me tell you, this is one compulsively readable book. With each and every scene keeping me on the edge of my seat, it was the dynamite climax that gave me serious chills. I mean, those eye-popping twists and turns were simply sublime.
The characters were pure gold to this thriller lover. Eccentric and distinctly memorable, each persona was real enough to walk right off the page despite some definite unbalanced edges. Jolene, however, was easily the winner. Probably one of the best unreliable narrators that I’ve encountered in quite a while, I was unsure whether to trust in her slow unraveling or look upon her with suspicion. No matter what decision I would’ve made, though, I never in a million years would have guessed what was really going on in her addled brain.
Done and dusted, I don’t know why it took me so long to discover Ms. Gardner and her virtuoso-like skill. I mean, I’m seriously in awe. With satirical vibes, deliciously short chapters, and perfectly plotted dual timelines, the finely layered plot was a slam dunk success. And as for that conclusion? It couldn’t have been better. Coming seemingly out of the blue, it slipped flawlessly into place and suddenly everything made perfect sense. So if you have yet to pick up something by Gardner, take this as your siren’s song to do so right now. As for me, I’m heading off to order each and every other book in her backlist ASAP. Rating of 5 stars.
Thank you to Faith Gardner for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: July 2, 2024
Trigger warning: mental health problems, stalking, drug use, mention of: addiction
June 10, 2024
Holy F*** what did I just read??? Ever asked yourself that? Yep, if you’re a thriller fan, of course you have.
Jolene moves to Berkely, California to start fresh. Ten years after high school she lives with impending guilt for a terrible accident she caused to a friend. It consumes her.
Then one day she runs into her again. Then folks, we soon go down the rabbit hole. Bonkers! NUTS! You will ask yourself what is real and what tf is really going on? UNHINGED characters!
One wild ride for sure! If unhinged characters are your jam, check it out!!!!
Thank you so much Mirror House Press, NetGalley and Faith Gardner for the opportunity!!!!
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Jolene moves to Berkely, California to start fresh. Ten years after high school she lives with impending guilt for a terrible accident she caused to a friend. It consumes her.
Then one day she runs into her again. Then folks, we soon go down the rabbit hole. Bonkers! NUTS! You will ask yourself what is real and what tf is really going on? UNHINGED characters!
One wild ride for sure! If unhinged characters are your jam, check it out!!!!
Thank you so much Mirror House Press, NetGalley and Faith Gardner for the opportunity!!!!
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
June 19, 2024
Of all the IMPROV classes in Berkley, you had to walk into mine....
(shameless Casablanca reference)
Faith Gardner delivers yet again! Gardner continues to show her expertise in writing unreliable narrators. This book grabbed me from the very beginning and never let go. I was fully invested in learning what was going to happen next!
Ten years ago, Jolene played a prank on her classmate, Elizabeth which went horribly wrong. No one knew who was to blame for the horrific accident that night. But Jolene can't forget. She is riddled with guilt and self-medicates with alcohol and pills, moving from place to place, trying to escape her past.
Enter paranoia, stage left.
Now, Jolene has come face to face with Elizabeth. What is even more shocking to Jolene is that Elizabeth wants to be friends. Hold onto your hats, this is going to be a bumpy ride! Does Elizabeth know who was responsible for her horrific accident? Is she looking for revenge? Guilt and paranoia begin to consume Jolene as questions swirl thought her head and have her questioning everything including the voice in her head!
This book is full of quirky characters, creepy scenes, tension and a nice amount of OTT moments. I loved it. Jolene is quiet the character. Through this book she experiences many emotions - jealousy, anger, guilt, anxiety, paranoia, etc. I never know what I was going to get with her and that was one of my favorite parts of the book. She is unpredictable, unhinged, and unreliable.
From the first page until the very last, I found this book to be gripping, hard to put down, entertaining, and dark.
Thank you to Mirror House Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
Faith Gardner delivers yet again! Gardner continues to show her expertise in writing unreliable narrators. This book grabbed me from the very beginning and never let go. I was fully invested in learning what was going to happen next!
Ten years ago, Jolene played a prank on her classmate, Elizabeth which went horribly wrong. No one knew who was to blame for the horrific accident that night. But Jolene can't forget. She is riddled with guilt and self-medicates with alcohol and pills, moving from place to place, trying to escape her past.
Enter paranoia, stage left.
Now, Jolene has come face to face with Elizabeth. What is even more shocking to Jolene is that Elizabeth wants to be friends. Hold onto your hats, this is going to be a bumpy ride! Does Elizabeth know who was responsible for her horrific accident? Is she looking for revenge? Guilt and paranoia begin to consume Jolene as questions swirl thought her head and have her questioning everything including the voice in her head!
This book is full of quirky characters, creepy scenes, tension and a nice amount of OTT moments. I loved it. Jolene is quiet the character. Through this book she experiences many emotions - jealousy, anger, guilt, anxiety, paranoia, etc. I never know what I was going to get with her and that was one of my favorite parts of the book. She is unpredictable, unhinged, and unreliable.
From the first page until the very last, I found this book to be gripping, hard to put down, entertaining, and dark.
Thank you to Mirror House Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
September 10, 2024
I read a lot of thrillers. It takes something special to surprise me. This book? This book is something special in the most twisted, incredible way possible. My mouth was on the ground by the time I got to the end. Five huge stars.
May 13, 2024
I am SO excited to share this unhinged book with you all!!
July 8, 2024
2.5 stars. I was pleased to find this book on Kindle Unlimited. I have read most of Faith Gardner's books and enjoyed the previous ones I read. Her Jolvix series was compelling, especially those focused on Bots with AI (Artificial Intelligence). This psychological thriller was a disappointment that lacked suspense and failed to engage me. It followed the thoughts and behaviour of Jolene, a woman in her late 20s. She was an unreliable narrator, with emotions in turmoil, and she continued to unravel during the story. She complained a lot and mentioned how she could not continue with any work or project and was constantly moving from place to place, city to city. Her father was a lawyer who was disappointed in her but helped her find work with her promise to try to stay a specified length of time and helped her financially. She and the supporting characters were unlikeable. In fact, I thought the AI robots in the Jolvix books exhibited more humanity and were more believable than Jolene.
Jolene was quick to blame others for her problems. During her final year in high school, she found one of her classmates annoying. Elizabeth was an attention-seeker who claimed she saw Bigfoot and talked about UFO conspiracies. Jolens envied Elizabeth's car and her family's wealth. Of particular resentment was the feeling that Elizabeth copied her makeup and fashions. Jolene decided to play a stunt to scare Elizabeth. She dressed in a gorilla costume and jumped out in view while Elizabeth was driving the car that Jolene envied. The shocked Elizabeth crashed her vehicle, and her accident resulted in the loss of an eye, a leg, and many scars on her face and body from burns received when the car caught on fire.
No one knew Jolene's role in the tragic accident. Jolene thought she lacked focus and ambition from that time, but there is reason to believe she may have been emotionally unstable prior to causing the accident. Ten years later, Jolene moved to a new city again. She meets Elizabeth on the street, and it seems that she has no recollection of what happened to her, causing her disfigurement. Elizabeth lives near Jolene, and she is anxious they become friends and hang out together. Elizabeth seems to have achieved success despite her pain and suffering. Reluctantly, Jolene accepts her friendship out of guilt.
Jolene is beginning to see or imagine signs that Elizabeth knows what happened to her and is plotting revenge. Has Jolene become paranoid? Something horrendous occurs, proving that karma doesn't exist. There is a huge twist near the end, which is preposterous. The download of an extra chapter offered at the book's closing added nothing to the story.
Many readers loved this book and rated it highly, so don't be dissuaded by my misgivings. The storyline will entertain you if you enjoy an unreliable narrator, an over-the-top plot, and several big twists. It just didn't appeal to me. I will certainly read the author's future books as long as they are not sequels to this one.
Jolene was quick to blame others for her problems. During her final year in high school, she found one of her classmates annoying. Elizabeth was an attention-seeker who claimed she saw Bigfoot and talked about UFO conspiracies. Jolens envied Elizabeth's car and her family's wealth. Of particular resentment was the feeling that Elizabeth copied her makeup and fashions. Jolene decided to play a stunt to scare Elizabeth. She dressed in a gorilla costume and jumped out in view while Elizabeth was driving the car that Jolene envied. The shocked Elizabeth crashed her vehicle, and her accident resulted in the loss of an eye, a leg, and many scars on her face and body from burns received when the car caught on fire.
No one knew Jolene's role in the tragic accident. Jolene thought she lacked focus and ambition from that time, but there is reason to believe she may have been emotionally unstable prior to causing the accident. Ten years later, Jolene moved to a new city again. She meets Elizabeth on the street, and it seems that she has no recollection of what happened to her, causing her disfigurement. Elizabeth lives near Jolene, and she is anxious they become friends and hang out together. Elizabeth seems to have achieved success despite her pain and suffering. Reluctantly, Jolene accepts her friendship out of guilt.
Jolene is beginning to see or imagine signs that Elizabeth knows what happened to her and is plotting revenge. Has Jolene become paranoid? Something horrendous occurs, proving that karma doesn't exist. There is a huge twist near the end, which is preposterous. The download of an extra chapter offered at the book's closing added nothing to the story.
Many readers loved this book and rated it highly, so don't be dissuaded by my misgivings. The storyline will entertain you if you enjoy an unreliable narrator, an over-the-top plot, and several big twists. It just didn't appeal to me. I will certainly read the author's future books as long as they are not sequels to this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 18, 2024
Delusional? Paranoid? Victim? Villain? These are words that have been used to describe Jolene. Poor, poor Jolene has tried to live her life while carrying the unbearably heavy load of guilt that is constantly weighing her down. She is her own worst enemy always getting in her own way while trying to make a fresh start. Will she ever conquer the demons that live within her tortured soul, or will she fall prey to the ever-present wicked voice in her head? Does she deserve the torment? Read her story and you be the judge. I loved going on Jolene’s ride where delusion and reality are difficult to decipher. Faith Gardner always delivers s thought-provoking thrill ride that leaves you breathless and wanting more. As Jolene’s life unraveled, I was gripped and enthralled. Never a dull moment when devouring Faith Gardener’s latest creation. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you BookSirens for my copy.
Thank you BookSirens for my copy.
January 8, 2025
As a fan of Maxine, I couldn't pass up Like It Never Was.
The story revolves around Jolene, a high school senior who makes a fateful decision to prank her friend Elizabeth. What starts as a joke spirals into a chain of events with devastating consequences for both young women.
For ten years, Jolene has been haunted by guilt over what happened that night. She knows she’s responsible for the events that led to Elizabeth’s tragic accident. Unable to find peace, she drifts from country to country and job to job, her criminal attorney father frequently stepping in to bail her out.
Now, Jolene has decided to move back to Berkeley. She hopes to rebuild her life and find some stability. Her father helps her secure a new job, and she finds an apartment within walking distance of her workplace.
Then she sees Elizabeth again. To Jolene’s surprise, Elizabeth wants to reconnect and rekindle their friendship. But what is Jolene supposed to do? Could Elizabeth know the truth about that night—and is she seeking revenge?
The plot is intriguing, centered around an unstable protagonist. Jolene is a mental breakdown waiting to happen. Her paranoia leaves you questioning whether the danger is real or all in her mind.
My only complaint is that the book sometimes felt too YA for my taste. That said, the twist at the end made it a worthwhile read.
Cliffhanger: No
3.5/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Mirror House Press via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
The story revolves around Jolene, a high school senior who makes a fateful decision to prank her friend Elizabeth. What starts as a joke spirals into a chain of events with devastating consequences for both young women.
For ten years, Jolene has been haunted by guilt over what happened that night. She knows she’s responsible for the events that led to Elizabeth’s tragic accident. Unable to find peace, she drifts from country to country and job to job, her criminal attorney father frequently stepping in to bail her out.
Now, Jolene has decided to move back to Berkeley. She hopes to rebuild her life and find some stability. Her father helps her secure a new job, and she finds an apartment within walking distance of her workplace.
Then she sees Elizabeth again. To Jolene’s surprise, Elizabeth wants to reconnect and rekindle their friendship. But what is Jolene supposed to do? Could Elizabeth know the truth about that night—and is she seeking revenge?
The plot is intriguing, centered around an unstable protagonist. Jolene is a mental breakdown waiting to happen. Her paranoia leaves you questioning whether the danger is real or all in her mind.
My only complaint is that the book sometimes felt too YA for my taste. That said, the twist at the end made it a worthwhile read.
Cliffhanger: No
3.5/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Mirror House Press via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
July 2, 2024
3.75 Stars Rounded up t0 4
After a prank goes wrong between Jolene and her friend Elizabeth, Jolene keeps this a secret, what follows is Jolene's guilt at what she's done and her inability to outrun this or numb it away.
Ten years later Jolene moves to Berkley and meets back up with Elizabeth and they attempt to rekindle a friendship, but will Jolene's guilt let her be friends? will the voice in Jolene's head ruin everything?
I had an interesting journey with this book, the first chapter... BANG hooked, then the story started to slow down in pace for a while and I wasn't sure if I was going to continue with it, then another cliff hanger and so it went on, until I completed the book, for me the end petered out to the point I felt it could have been 2 or 3 chapters shorter for my liking, but maybe that's because I'd guessed or at least suspected quite early on the outcome and would have preferred to end on a cliff hanger of not knowing, but I know for a lot of readers that would not work for them, so I get why it was fleshed out.
The characters were well written, with some absolute treats in there that kept me entertained, with the addition of the voice Jolene hears in her head and I did double guess myself a few times throughout the book.
Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.
Reviews also published on:
Instagram || Coffee and Kindle Blog || The StoryGraph || Amazon
After a prank goes wrong between Jolene and her friend Elizabeth, Jolene keeps this a secret, what follows is Jolene's guilt at what she's done and her inability to outrun this or numb it away.
Ten years later Jolene moves to Berkley and meets back up with Elizabeth and they attempt to rekindle a friendship, but will Jolene's guilt let her be friends? will the voice in Jolene's head ruin everything?
I had an interesting journey with this book, the first chapter... BANG hooked, then the story started to slow down in pace for a while and I wasn't sure if I was going to continue with it, then another cliff hanger and so it went on, until I completed the book, for me the end petered out to the point I felt it could have been 2 or 3 chapters shorter for my liking, but maybe that's because I'd guessed or at least suspected quite early on the outcome and would have preferred to end on a cliff hanger of not knowing, but I know for a lot of readers that would not work for them, so I get why it was fleshed out.
The characters were well written, with some absolute treats in there that kept me entertained, with the addition of the voice Jolene hears in her head and I did double guess myself a few times throughout the book.
Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.
Reviews also published on:
Instagram || Coffee and Kindle Blog || The StoryGraph || Amazon
June 9, 2024
This was a wild ride that I read in one sitting. It centers on Jolene, who almost kills her “frenemy” Elizabeth in a prank gone wrong at the end of their senior year of high school. 10 years later, Jolene is riddled with guilt and unable to get on with her life. When she moves yet again to try something new, she comes face to face with Elizabeth, who presumably has no idea what really happened that fateful night and is eager to rekindle their friendship. When scary things start happening, both Jolene and the reader question what Elizabeth really knows.
I love an unreliable narrator and you get this with Jolene. The author makes it hard to determine what is really happening and what is a result of potentially drugs, dreams, or mental illness. This leads to a tense and eerie read from beginning to end. While I did figure out a couple of the twists, there were also many surprises, including the very end of the book. There were a few things that caused me to have to suspend my disbelief but it all added to the drama and overall action in the story. I did think that Jolene’s relationship with her dad was weird and he seemed like an enabler, but we didn’t get quite enough information to determine if we were seeing the full picture.
Overall, this was a creepy and unique book that was hard to put down. I forgave the unrealistic bits because overall it was just really fun to read. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I love an unreliable narrator and you get this with Jolene. The author makes it hard to determine what is really happening and what is a result of potentially drugs, dreams, or mental illness. This leads to a tense and eerie read from beginning to end. While I did figure out a couple of the twists, there were also many surprises, including the very end of the book. There were a few things that caused me to have to suspend my disbelief but it all added to the drama and overall action in the story. I did think that Jolene’s relationship with her dad was weird and he seemed like an enabler, but we didn’t get quite enough information to determine if we were seeing the full picture.
Overall, this was a creepy and unique book that was hard to put down. I forgave the unrealistic bits because overall it was just really fun to read. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 18, 2024
3.5⭐rounded up. I enjoyed the story, the plot, the build up, the characters including the struggle with mental illness sounded genuine... I just couldn't help but cringe at how childish one individual was talking at almost 30 years old. I felt the build up and anticipation was great but the ending rushed followed by the last chapter leaving questions that I felt had been answered previously. But actually that's what a psychological thriller is all about... Right?
July 2, 2024
3.75 🌟 rounded up for Goodreads
Ten years ago Jolene Vero did a terrible thing. She caused a horrific accident that changed the life of her friend Elizabeth Smith in a very devastating way. Now all these years later she still carries the weight of guilt and remorse on her shoulders.
When she moves to Berkeley for yet another "fresh start"; she runs into her old friend Elizabeth. Unable to run from her past any longer, Jolene now has to face what she's spent the past decade running from. However, Elizabeth doesn't seem to remember anything about that night. She has adjusted to her situation and ready to rekindle their friendship. Or...is she just a really good actress?
This was my first Faith Gardner novel and I devoured it in a few short hours. The book starts out really strong and kept up the momentum to the very end. It was fast paced and completely unputdownable. I loved reading how our FMC gradually becomes more and more unhinged with each chapter.
I loved how the author didn't waste anytime with the flashbacks, and how they were straight to the point and didn't feel like they were being drawn out. I loved how unreliable the narrator was as it made for an even more enthralling read. I was really invested in this story until around the 80% mark. That was when it all became just okay for me.
Firstly, I was able to figure out one of the twists before it was revealed. Though that's not why I gave this one 3 stars. It was simply because, after such an intense read. After such a buildup, the ending felt rushed and clumsy. I wanted more, I needed more. I even downloaded the epilogue and it still left me unsatisfied.
The book overall wasn't bad by any means. However, that ending needed more work. Would I still recommend, heck yeah I would. Would I read more of this author's work? For sure! I still had a good time with this one despite the lackluster ending.
Thank you to Netgalley, Mirror House Press and Faith Gardner for my eArc of this book. All opinions are 100% my own.
Pub date: July 2nd, 2024
Ten years ago Jolene Vero did a terrible thing. She caused a horrific accident that changed the life of her friend Elizabeth Smith in a very devastating way. Now all these years later she still carries the weight of guilt and remorse on her shoulders.
When she moves to Berkeley for yet another "fresh start"; she runs into her old friend Elizabeth. Unable to run from her past any longer, Jolene now has to face what she's spent the past decade running from. However, Elizabeth doesn't seem to remember anything about that night. She has adjusted to her situation and ready to rekindle their friendship. Or...is she just a really good actress?
This was my first Faith Gardner novel and I devoured it in a few short hours. The book starts out really strong and kept up the momentum to the very end. It was fast paced and completely unputdownable. I loved reading how our FMC gradually becomes more and more unhinged with each chapter.
I loved how the author didn't waste anytime with the flashbacks, and how they were straight to the point and didn't feel like they were being drawn out. I loved how unreliable the narrator was as it made for an even more enthralling read. I was really invested in this story until around the 80% mark. That was when it all became just okay for me.
Firstly, I was able to figure out one of the twists before it was revealed. Though that's not why I gave this one 3 stars. It was simply because, after such an intense read. After such a buildup, the ending felt rushed and clumsy. I wanted more, I needed more. I even downloaded the epilogue and it still left me unsatisfied.
The book overall wasn't bad by any means. However, that ending needed more work. Would I still recommend, heck yeah I would. Would I read more of this author's work? For sure! I still had a good time with this one despite the lackluster ending.
Thank you to Netgalley, Mirror House Press and Faith Gardner for my eArc of this book. All opinions are 100% my own.
Pub date: July 2nd, 2024
June 28, 2024
Like it Never Was by Faith Gardner is a fast paced, character driven book that is so over the top it is delicious. It grabbed me right from the start and I finished it in one sitting because I could not put this book down. Her character development of Jolene and how her guilt took hold of her and destroyed her life was so palpable. This was my first read by Faith Gardner, and I so enjoyed her writing style that I will be checking out more books by this author.
Years earlier Jolene played a practical joke that left her friend Elizabeth disfigured in a horrible accident. Elizabeth had no memories from the event so Jolene never came forward with her involvement. Although she escaped any punishment, she could not escape her guilt which was her unraveling. Then 10 years later, Jolene runs into Elizabeth who tries to rekindle their friendship. But Elizabeth's behavior leads Jolene to wonder if she does remember and is plotting out her revenge or if her guilt is finally getting the best of her.
This book is a fun, yet disturbing wild ride that will entertain you to the very end.
Thank you netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Years earlier Jolene played a practical joke that left her friend Elizabeth disfigured in a horrible accident. Elizabeth had no memories from the event so Jolene never came forward with her involvement. Although she escaped any punishment, she could not escape her guilt which was her unraveling. Then 10 years later, Jolene runs into Elizabeth who tries to rekindle their friendship. But Elizabeth's behavior leads Jolene to wonder if she does remember and is plotting out her revenge or if her guilt is finally getting the best of her.
This book is a fun, yet disturbing wild ride that will entertain you to the very end.
Thank you netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
August 30, 2024
I was really enjoying this but the end….. the end….
June 28, 2024
Thank you Net Galley and Xpresso Book Tours for the early release of Like It Never Was by Faith Gardener in exchange for my honest opinion. A psychological thriller with an unreliable narrator is usually my jam. Unfortunately this one was not for me but it doesn't mean that it won't be for you. I mainly read thrillers so as time goes on it is difficult to really stump me. By the last quarter of the book I figured out the ending.
I found none of the characters to be relatable or likable and I found the plot to be a little ridiculous and far fetched. I understand what was trying to be portrayed but as a seasoned thriller reader I found the story and outcome very underwhelming. This is just my honest opinion but I do feel like others really will enjoy this one it just wasn't for me.
This book follows Jolene a young woman in her thirties who is stuck in her past mistakes. Jolene seeks revenge on a highschool friend and lives the rest of her life feeling the guilt and weight of what she has done. It will have you questioning reality which in my opinion was the main thing I did enjoy about the book.
If you like psychological thrillers with an unreliable narrator and you are new to thrillers I believe this one could be for you. If you are a thriller lover and read a lot of them like me then you could probably skip this one.
This book comes out July 2nd 2024 and will be available then.
I found none of the characters to be relatable or likable and I found the plot to be a little ridiculous and far fetched. I understand what was trying to be portrayed but as a seasoned thriller reader I found the story and outcome very underwhelming. This is just my honest opinion but I do feel like others really will enjoy this one it just wasn't for me.
This book follows Jolene a young woman in her thirties who is stuck in her past mistakes. Jolene seeks revenge on a highschool friend and lives the rest of her life feeling the guilt and weight of what she has done. It will have you questioning reality which in my opinion was the main thing I did enjoy about the book.
If you like psychological thrillers with an unreliable narrator and you are new to thrillers I believe this one could be for you. If you are a thriller lover and read a lot of them like me then you could probably skip this one.
This book comes out July 2nd 2024 and will be available then.
January 10, 2025
oh god what the hell did i just read??
there was so much rave about this book but i genuinely cannot understand why.
first of all, this was so boring, i had to force myself to keep reading just so i could finish it and figure out what all the hype was about.
everyone talks about an unreliable narrator but we only find out she’s unreliable in the last ten pages. otherwise this is just a story about jolene and her awful sad life and delusions.
jolene is also just an awful person.. she’s so irritating and so awful to the people that care about her.
the author did do a good job of making me completely believe jolene.
the twist was so out of left field. like in what universe would this happen?
overall, really struggled with this one, i was really hoping the ending would make this read worthwhile but it definitely did not.
i also was not a fan of the writing style. it was kind of awful and so elementary. also soooo repetitive, there was absolutely no getting to the point in this whole story.
all this talk of the universe also drove me insane.
1 ⭐️ and a big waste of time..
there was so much rave about this book but i genuinely cannot understand why.
first of all, this was so boring, i had to force myself to keep reading just so i could finish it and figure out what all the hype was about.
everyone talks about an unreliable narrator but we only find out she’s unreliable in the last ten pages. otherwise this is just a story about jolene and her awful sad life and delusions.
jolene is also just an awful person.. she’s so irritating and so awful to the people that care about her.
the author did do a good job of making me completely believe jolene.
the twist was so out of left field. like in what universe would this happen?
overall, really struggled with this one, i was really hoping the ending would make this read worthwhile but it definitely did not.
i also was not a fan of the writing style. it was kind of awful and so elementary. also soooo repetitive, there was absolutely no getting to the point in this whole story.
all this talk of the universe also drove me insane.
1 ⭐️ and a big waste of time..
June 21, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC (Advance Reader Copy) of Like It Never Was by Faith Gardner. Well that was something else!! Not the greatest book in my opinion. often I found myself shaking my head in disbelief. The storyline was ridiculous and none of the characters were at all relatable. This book has been highly rated but it's not for me. I found it very immature and it did not hold my attention. Sorry for the negativity, but not every book can be for everyone!
May 2, 2025
Chiweenies and gorilla suits and eyeballs and clowns- WHAT THE ACTUAL HELL WAS THIS BOOK. You’ve got to be kidding me. I’m flabbergasted and not in a good way.
July 3, 2024
WHOAAAAA!! What did I just read?! I didn’t think Gardner could top her last book They Are The Hunters, but this book did that! Gardner has been moved to my auto buy list.
This book was full of all the things….suspense, twists, mind tricks, drama, and thrill. I questioned everyone and everything. There were parts that made me laugh out loud, parts that made me audibly gasp, and parts that made my jaw drop open. There were a lot of WTFs said out loud while reading this one! 😂
Gardner’s writing style makes it so easy to be consumed with her books. I was truly engrossed the whole way through. This story is the true definition of unputdownable! I had to put this one down because I was falling asleep, but I woke up the next day thinking about it and picked right back up where I left off. That ending blew my mind and did not disappoint. This would make a phenomenal movie!
Thank you so much to Mirror House Press and BookSirens for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
This book was full of all the things….suspense, twists, mind tricks, drama, and thrill. I questioned everyone and everything. There were parts that made me laugh out loud, parts that made me audibly gasp, and parts that made my jaw drop open. There were a lot of WTFs said out loud while reading this one! 😂
Gardner’s writing style makes it so easy to be consumed with her books. I was truly engrossed the whole way through. This story is the true definition of unputdownable! I had to put this one down because I was falling asleep, but I woke up the next day thinking about it and picked right back up where I left off. That ending blew my mind and did not disappoint. This would make a phenomenal movie!
Thank you so much to Mirror House Press and BookSirens for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
October 7, 2025
This book was interesting from the start when I found out that her dad was a criminal defense attorney.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 30, 2024
I found this book to be pretty average for most of the story until the last 20% when it did a complete 360 degree turn and flipped the script. I really enjoyed the last half.
November 21, 2024
“It’s been 10 years, and still— Sometimes I wake up and the first thing I think of is what I did to Elizabeth.” ~Jolene
What did I just read? I feel like I need to read it over again with a different perspective! Jolene accidentally almost killed Elizabeth back in high school, leaving her literally scarred and forever altered. Racked with guilt for ten years, Jolene hasn't been the same since and has no purpose in life. Then, she runs into Elizabeth. She doesn't know what Jolene did. Does she? So begins a descent into insanity!
I LIVE for, and LOVE crazy! I can't get enough. Not one, but TWO u N h I n G e D characters who have LOST. THEIR. MINDS! The wit and dark humor often had me chuckling. Plus, the side character of Jolene's boss was her own very special brand of nutso, but I kinda loved her. Flipping between the past and present we learn how the friendship (can it even be called that?) between Jolene and Elizabeth developed AND devolved. Are they rekindling their friendship now? Is Elizabeth out for revenge or is Jolene's guilt making her see things that aren't there?
I didn't trust ANYBODY. I didn't even trust myself at one point. Faith Gardner reached into my mind with her fingers and didn't let go. I read this in one day, because I JUST couldn't STOP. The madness builds and builds and I was HERE for it! Talk about fast paced! With all the shenanigans taking place, I was dreading what in the world was coming next. Even as things played out...I doubted they were. Faith's vivid imagery and ability to swirl reality had my head smokin trying to keep up!
LIKE IT NEVER WAS is EVERYTHING I adore in a psychological thriller. It's lunacy at its very core and I ATE. IT. UP. That doozy of an ending was the cherry on top of wickedly delicious sundae!
____
A few favorite quotes:
“It’s not lost on me that I’m approaching 30 years old and my daddy keeps bailing me out and trying to set me up for success, but whatever. If you’ve got a cow, might as well drink some milk.”
“In the end, I’ve accepted I occupy a strange space where I’m not quite sane and not quite insane, not quite sober, not quite an addict. I’m just a professional dropout. I’ve got commitment issues. I’m nearly thirty years old and I’m ten miles wide and one inch deep.”
____
Thank you Faith Gardner for the gifted copy. All opinions are mine.
____
Potential spoiler content warnings below.
⚠️Content warnings: language, violence, knife violence, suicidal ideation, mental illness, stalking, gaslighting, Mention of: prescription drug abuse, addiction, fatal breast cancer, death of a parent
What did I just read? I feel like I need to read it over again with a different perspective! Jolene accidentally almost killed Elizabeth back in high school, leaving her literally scarred and forever altered. Racked with guilt for ten years, Jolene hasn't been the same since and has no purpose in life. Then, she runs into Elizabeth. She doesn't know what Jolene did. Does she? So begins a descent into insanity!
I LIVE for, and LOVE crazy! I can't get enough. Not one, but TWO u N h I n G e D characters who have LOST. THEIR. MINDS! The wit and dark humor often had me chuckling. Plus, the side character of Jolene's boss was her own very special brand of nutso, but I kinda loved her. Flipping between the past and present we learn how the friendship (can it even be called that?) between Jolene and Elizabeth developed AND devolved. Are they rekindling their friendship now? Is Elizabeth out for revenge or is Jolene's guilt making her see things that aren't there?
I didn't trust ANYBODY. I didn't even trust myself at one point. Faith Gardner reached into my mind with her fingers and didn't let go. I read this in one day, because I JUST couldn't STOP. The madness builds and builds and I was HERE for it! Talk about fast paced! With all the shenanigans taking place, I was dreading what in the world was coming next. Even as things played out...I doubted they were. Faith's vivid imagery and ability to swirl reality had my head smokin trying to keep up!
LIKE IT NEVER WAS is EVERYTHING I adore in a psychological thriller. It's lunacy at its very core and I ATE. IT. UP. That doozy of an ending was the cherry on top of wickedly delicious sundae!
____
A few favorite quotes:
“It’s not lost on me that I’m approaching 30 years old and my daddy keeps bailing me out and trying to set me up for success, but whatever. If you’ve got a cow, might as well drink some milk.”
“In the end, I’ve accepted I occupy a strange space where I’m not quite sane and not quite insane, not quite sober, not quite an addict. I’m just a professional dropout. I’ve got commitment issues. I’m nearly thirty years old and I’m ten miles wide and one inch deep.”
____
Thank you Faith Gardner for the gifted copy. All opinions are mine.
____
Potential spoiler content warnings below.
⚠️Content warnings: language, violence, knife violence, suicidal ideation, mental illness, stalking, gaslighting, Mention of: prescription drug abuse, addiction, fatal breast cancer, death of a parent
July 17, 2024
2.5 stars. I have never read this author before, but sadly this book did not work for me. With a YA vibe and a predictable outcome, I was still interested until the 80% mark, when the story took a turn toward the absurd. There are many good reviews out there, but it was too OTT for my taste.
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