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The Turn
It's said that time heals all wounds. But Emily knows that in a small town like Lincoln, California, time only makes them fester...
Emily Sutton has been running for six years. Running from a small town that labeled her a villain. Running from a family that is no longer whole. And, most of all, running from the whispers of her son's horrible accident. But when her ex-husband threatens to sell their house in Lincoln, CA, Emily knows she can't run anymore.
With her teenage daughter in tow, Emily returns to Lincoln and confronts the disdain of the community that she once loved. She knows that a small town like Lincoln never forgets, and one simple lie has a way of taking on a life of its own.
When someone tries to run Emily out of town, she begins to suspect it may be the same person who knows the truth about what happened to her family that fateful day six years ago. But this time, Emily Sutton won't run. Not until she gets justice for her son. Not until Lincoln learns what Emily knows. What she's always known.
What happened on Moore Road six years ago wasn't an accident.
From the Bookfest Award-Winning author of, Bronswood, comes the twisted conclusion to the How It Had To Be trilogy.
"A twist at the end that I did not see coming and the epilogue had me screaming for more! A masterful and emotional thriller that you won’t be able to put down!" -- Rachel, @readwithrachel, Advanced Reader
"Vanskike wove together three, ok really four, different points of view in such masterful way. Everyone thought they knew what happened, and so did I, but I was wrong." -- Mandy Skaff, Advanced Reader
"This was such a page turner with such a shocking twist. Trust me you'll want this on your 2025 must read list!" -- Cassie B, Advanced Reader
Emily Sutton has been running for six years. Running from a small town that labeled her a villain. Running from a family that is no longer whole. And, most of all, running from the whispers of her son's horrible accident. But when her ex-husband threatens to sell their house in Lincoln, CA, Emily knows she can't run anymore.
With her teenage daughter in tow, Emily returns to Lincoln and confronts the disdain of the community that she once loved. She knows that a small town like Lincoln never forgets, and one simple lie has a way of taking on a life of its own.
When someone tries to run Emily out of town, she begins to suspect it may be the same person who knows the truth about what happened to her family that fateful day six years ago. But this time, Emily Sutton won't run. Not until she gets justice for her son. Not until Lincoln learns what Emily knows. What she's always known.
What happened on Moore Road six years ago wasn't an accident.
From the Bookfest Award-Winning author of, Bronswood, comes the twisted conclusion to the How It Had To Be trilogy.
"A twist at the end that I did not see coming and the epilogue had me screaming for more! A masterful and emotional thriller that you won’t be able to put down!" -- Rachel, @readwithrachel, Advanced Reader
"Vanskike wove together three, ok really four, different points of view in such masterful way. Everyone thought they knew what happened, and so did I, but I was wrong." -- Mandy Skaff, Advanced Reader
"This was such a page turner with such a shocking twist. Trust me you'll want this on your 2025 must read list!" -- Cassie B, Advanced Reader
239 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 4, 2025
2 people are currently reading
32 people want to read
About the author
Marissa Vanskike
3 books60 followersMarissa Vanskike is a mystery and thriller author. Her work has been praised for its twists, suspense, and binge-worthy plots. When she isn't busy shuttling her children to their various activities, you can find her outside with her family or caffeinating herself with a book in her hand. She resides in Northern California.
Enough with the formalities :) . Hi there! Thanks so much for stopping by this page. I love connecting with readers and can mostly be found on Instagram (kind of my jam).
Enough with the formalities :) . Hi there! Thanks so much for stopping by this page. I love connecting with readers and can mostly be found on Instagram (kind of my jam).
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 4, 2025
The Turn is book three in the How It Had to Be series and after reading Bronswood I got some closure I didn’t know I needed. IYKYK
The Turn was a 4⭐️ thriller for me.
✔️Small town secrets
✔️Multiple points of view
✔️Mom out for justice
✔️Estranged friendships
The amount of secrets this group held was more than an episode of Real Housewives. So many coverups!!! Emily truly is a pillar of strength, she lost her son in a tragic accident…divorced…moved back to her small town…seeking justice… all while still making sure her daughter was living her best life. How?! When I picked this book up it was hard to put back down because you just wanted to know the truth!!
The Turn was a 4⭐️ thriller for me.
✔️Small town secrets
✔️Multiple points of view
✔️Mom out for justice
✔️Estranged friendships
The amount of secrets this group held was more than an episode of Real Housewives. So many coverups!!! Emily truly is a pillar of strength, she lost her son in a tragic accident…divorced…moved back to her small town…seeking justice… all while still making sure her daughter was living her best life. How?! When I picked this book up it was hard to put back down because you just wanted to know the truth!!
January 11, 2025
Once I started reading this new book by Marissa, I could not put it down! I had to know what happened next. So much so that I read it in one day! There were so many twists and turns that kept me on my toes and guessing. Once I thought I had it all figured out, another twist happened! I loved the suspense! It is definitely worth a read! ♥️
February 4, 2025
In The Turn (How It Had to Be 3), Marissa Vanskike masterfully weaves a suspenseful tale of grief, resilience, and the haunting weight of the past. The novel follows Emily, a mother returning to a town years after the devastating loss of her son. As she navigates the shadows of painful memories and whispers of long-buried rumors, she is forced to confront not only the town’s secrets but also the truth about the past and potential future.
From the opening pages, Vanskike expertly plants subtle hints that build an undercurrent of tension throughout the novel. The imagery as Emily goes on her runs, the familiar yet distant faces of the children from the past, and the unease that follows her like a specter all serve as pieces of a puzzle the reader doesn’t realize they are assembling until the end. Every seemingly insignificant detail adds another layer, hinting at the revelation to come.
The pacing accelerates as secrets explode to the surface, revealing the painful truth behind the whispers that have followed Emily and the tragedy as a mother for years. The novel’s climax is a testament to the author’s skill—twisting expectations while delivering an emotionally powerful moment that redefines everything we thought we knew.
Emily is an exquisitely crafted protagonist—flawed, haunted, yet fiercely determined. Her internal conflict between holding onto grief and forging a new future is heartbreakingly authentic that any parent can relate to. The characters —whether allies, adversaries, or those who straddle the line—are equally well-developed, each carrying their own burdens and motivations. The novel’s emotional weight rests on the complexity of its characters, making the stakes feel intensely personal. Emily’s loyalty to her son, both in memory and in the life she is trying to rebuild, is the novel’s beating heart. It is this unwavering devotion that makes her resilience, heartbreak, and ultimate revelations so deeply impactful.
A breathtaking blend of suspense and emotional depth, The Turn grips readers with its haunting atmosphere, intricate character dynamics, and a plot that refuses to let go. Marissa Vanskike delivers a novel that is not just a suspenseful thriller, but a profound exploration of grief, redemption, and the enduring bond between a mother and the lengths she will go to for her child. Fans of atmospheric suspense with deeply personal stakes will find themselves utterly captivated.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – A must-read for lovers of suspenseful, emotionally gripping fiction.
From the opening pages, Vanskike expertly plants subtle hints that build an undercurrent of tension throughout the novel. The imagery as Emily goes on her runs, the familiar yet distant faces of the children from the past, and the unease that follows her like a specter all serve as pieces of a puzzle the reader doesn’t realize they are assembling until the end. Every seemingly insignificant detail adds another layer, hinting at the revelation to come.
The pacing accelerates as secrets explode to the surface, revealing the painful truth behind the whispers that have followed Emily and the tragedy as a mother for years. The novel’s climax is a testament to the author’s skill—twisting expectations while delivering an emotionally powerful moment that redefines everything we thought we knew.
Emily is an exquisitely crafted protagonist—flawed, haunted, yet fiercely determined. Her internal conflict between holding onto grief and forging a new future is heartbreakingly authentic that any parent can relate to. The characters —whether allies, adversaries, or those who straddle the line—are equally well-developed, each carrying their own burdens and motivations. The novel’s emotional weight rests on the complexity of its characters, making the stakes feel intensely personal. Emily’s loyalty to her son, both in memory and in the life she is trying to rebuild, is the novel’s beating heart. It is this unwavering devotion that makes her resilience, heartbreak, and ultimate revelations so deeply impactful.
A breathtaking blend of suspense and emotional depth, The Turn grips readers with its haunting atmosphere, intricate character dynamics, and a plot that refuses to let go. Marissa Vanskike delivers a novel that is not just a suspenseful thriller, but a profound exploration of grief, redemption, and the enduring bond between a mother and the lengths she will go to for her child. Fans of atmospheric suspense with deeply personal stakes will find themselves utterly captivated.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – A must-read for lovers of suspenseful, emotionally gripping fiction.
January 7, 2025
The Turn might have two meanings in this book. The dangerous portion of highway surrounded by trees where the accident occurred, and the way narrative shifted when I thought I knew how it all went down. Vanskike wove together three ok really four different points of view in such masterful way. Everyone thought they knew what happened, and so did I, but I was wrong.
Moving back to town years after a fateful accident Emily is faced with confronting her past, will she choose to have a fresh start for her and her daughter, or will she fall back into the same patterns as before, the patterns that led people to think she may be a bit crazy? Everything is going well, she’s reconnected with her old friends, her daughter is making new friends and excelling at soccer, Emily is thinking about her daughter’s soccer coach in a new light (wink wink) until he takes in his troubled nephew. There is something eerily familiar about the nephew, something that leads Emily back to the dark places of her past. Will she be able to find the answers she needs to find closure? Or will she just end up embarrassing and alienating herself once again?
I was hooked by the prologue and didn’t want to put the book down. I loved that I thought I had it all figured out only to be proven wrong in the end. The epilogue left me wanting more in the best way possible 😊
Moving back to town years after a fateful accident Emily is faced with confronting her past, will she choose to have a fresh start for her and her daughter, or will she fall back into the same patterns as before, the patterns that led people to think she may be a bit crazy? Everything is going well, she’s reconnected with her old friends, her daughter is making new friends and excelling at soccer, Emily is thinking about her daughter’s soccer coach in a new light (wink wink) until he takes in his troubled nephew. There is something eerily familiar about the nephew, something that leads Emily back to the dark places of her past. Will she be able to find the answers she needs to find closure? Or will she just end up embarrassing and alienating herself once again?
I was hooked by the prologue and didn’t want to put the book down. I loved that I thought I had it all figured out only to be proven wrong in the end. The epilogue left me wanting more in the best way possible 😊
January 30, 2025
Need a quick and fast paced thriller you can read in one sitting! Look no further! THE TURN is the third installment of HOW IT HAD TO BE but also can be read as a stand-alone!
The main Character Emily Sutton tragically lost her son and hasn’t been able to move on. No one believes her story and of course nothing is as it seems 👀. I flew through this book. The author does an expert job creating characters that allow you to feel all the emotions from start to finish. The first half of this book builds on so much tension and the second half revels breadcrumbs of information to make you question EVERYTHING! A twist at the end that I did not see coming and the epilogue had me screaming for more! 🔥 A masterful and emotional thriller that you won’t be able to put down!
Read if you like ⤵️
▪️Small town settings
▪️Mom-daughter relationships
▪️Multiple POVs
▪️Emotional thrillers
▪️Secrets
▪️Seeking justice for a covered up crime
‼️TUESDAY is the day you can get your hands on this book! Get your preorders in now so you can read immediately!
The main Character Emily Sutton tragically lost her son and hasn’t been able to move on. No one believes her story and of course nothing is as it seems 👀. I flew through this book. The author does an expert job creating characters that allow you to feel all the emotions from start to finish. The first half of this book builds on so much tension and the second half revels breadcrumbs of information to make you question EVERYTHING! A twist at the end that I did not see coming and the epilogue had me screaming for more! 🔥 A masterful and emotional thriller that you won’t be able to put down!
Read if you like ⤵️
▪️Small town settings
▪️Mom-daughter relationships
▪️Multiple POVs
▪️Emotional thrillers
▪️Secrets
▪️Seeking justice for a covered up crime
‼️TUESDAY is the day you can get your hands on this book! Get your preorders in now so you can read immediately!
February 13, 2025
Honestly, this was hard to put down. As a mother, I felt a connection with Emily, knowing that if something happened to one of my sons, I would not move on either. She tries to move on, but can't. When the sale of the house seems imminent, she returns, hoping that she can find some peace, and maybe some answers.
This book was full of suspense, and I was not wanting to put the book down. Adulting is hard, when all you want to do is read. But as I read more, the more I wanted to know. The characters were wonderful, and you can feel the emotion on the pages. The Turn is one book that you should read soon.
This book was full of suspense, and I was not wanting to put the book down. Adulting is hard, when all you want to do is read. But as I read more, the more I wanted to know. The characters were wonderful, and you can feel the emotion on the pages. The Turn is one book that you should read soon.
January 6, 2025
I FINISHED THIS BOOK IN 3 HOURS! 3!!! I could picture every scene in my head. Although, it was set in my hometown of Lincoln, CA so it may mean more to me, but please please please pre-order this book (and read her others!), as it was SOOOO good. I thought I had it figured out…until I kinda didn’t.
February 4, 2025
I really enjoyed reading this book, if you like Marissa Vanskike's other books, this will not disappoint! The thriller kept me guessing until the very and then had multiple twists at the end, none of which I predicted. It's a fast and entertaining read that I just had to finish to know the conclusion!
February 11, 2025
his is the 3rd and final book in the How It Had To Be series.
Years ago Emily's son was killed in a car accident. She was accused of killing him. She moved out of her home with her daughter and divorced her husband. She has built a new life and cut off all contact with her friends. Then her husband is transferred out of the area and she moves back to the house, unable to sell/part with memories of her son.
Reconnecting with her life and friends, a teenage boy inserts himself in her life and she just KNOWS he was a part of her son's death.
Between her son's friends, her daughter's secrets and all of her friends, Emily will dig to discover what really happened that night.
Thank you, Marissa Vanskike for my ARC copy of this book. I highly recommend this book. I suggest reading Bronswood (book #2) first to get an understanding, but I don't think you would be lost if you couldn't. I for one am happy I did though.
Years ago Emily's son was killed in a car accident. She was accused of killing him. She moved out of her home with her daughter and divorced her husband. She has built a new life and cut off all contact with her friends. Then her husband is transferred out of the area and she moves back to the house, unable to sell/part with memories of her son.
Reconnecting with her life and friends, a teenage boy inserts himself in her life and she just KNOWS he was a part of her son's death.
Between her son's friends, her daughter's secrets and all of her friends, Emily will dig to discover what really happened that night.
Thank you, Marissa Vanskike for my ARC copy of this book. I highly recommend this book. I suggest reading Bronswood (book #2) first to get an understanding, but I don't think you would be lost if you couldn't. I for one am happy I did though.
February 17, 2025
Must read
This is her third book and just like the other 2 I was hooked. It was hard to stop reading. It was suspenseful, emotional, intriguing. Just when you think you have it figured out the story throws you for a loop. I can't wait to read what she writes next.
This is her third book and just like the other 2 I was hooked. It was hard to stop reading. It was suspenseful, emotional, intriguing. Just when you think you have it figured out the story throws you for a loop. I can't wait to read what she writes next.
May 18, 2025
Good end to the trilogy. Flawed characters. Aren’t we all? Enjoyed Harley’s sass.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews