Love You Gone

by Rona Halsall

‘Hello? Police? My husband and our children… they’re gone.’

When Mel arrives at the holiday cottage in the Lake District, she expects to find the heating on and her husband Luke and the two children waiting for her. Maybe a bottle of wine open…

Instead, there is just a note on the side, saying they’ve gone out for a walk.

But they aren’t back several hours later, and Mel knows something is wrong. Really wrong. When a search doesn’t find them, she has to confess to the police that her marriage isn’t all that it seems.

Even if that risks her own secrets being revealed…

An absolutely incredible, page-turning psychological thriller with a twist you won’t see coming, for fans of Gone Girl, Behind Closed Doors and Ruth Ware.

Genres: Thriller, Audiobook, Fiction, Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Suspense, Psychological Thriller

306 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 15, 2018

About the author

Rona is the #1 best selling author of twisty psychological thrillers and loves to create mayhem in her characters' lives to keep her readers guessing. She lives halfway up a mountain in Snowdonia, North Wales with her three dogs - Maid, Evie and Sandy who are the writing support team.

She is an outdoorsy person, who loves nothing better than stomping up a mountain, and wandering round forests and woodlands while she's plotting her next book. Outside is where the ideas are!

The peak of her writing career was being short-listed for the International Thriller Writers Awards 2024, for THE BIGAMIST. The translation was also shortlisted for an award in Holland.

For the latest news and information on all her books you can check out her website: https://ronahalsall.org/

You can also sign up to her newsletter here:
https://bit.ly/RonaHalsallNews

Also...If you follow her Author page on Amazon, you'll get notifications when a new book is out. You can have a look here:

UK - https://tinyurl.com/yfk4ydyt
US - https://tinyurl.com/26cwfkc7

Go on... hit that Follow button!

Reviews

[ReadAlongWithSue recovering from a stroke★⋆. ࿐࿔ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book I’ll remember for a long time yet. Why? Because it was so exciting! I loved it.
This author surely knows what a reader wants when it comes to psychological thrillers, drama, family, twists that the reader bends around and finds there’s a sting in its tail where the plot really does thicken.

Imagine arriving in The Lake District where you were joining your husband and two children. Only to find the place empty.
That’s it there.....I’m saying nothing more.

At the beginning Mel was telling the story, the Police were called of course along with Rescue as she thought her family may have gone on a short hike. Not unusual, it’s something they enjoyed . Father and children.

The plot thickens like black treacle wherever you step in this story you are stuck to the pages.
I’m kidding you not. I just loved how this book was laid out.

Going back over the lead up was superb, I enjoyed being lead.

I do believe this author has another book, so I’m definitely buying it. I love how she writes, how she kept me guessing and boy oh boy, that ending.

[Lindsay L · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars!

Suspenseful and twisty!

A woman arrives at a vacation cabin excited to meet her family for a getaway. Her husband and children’s belongings are there, but her family is missing.

This story hooked me from the start! The author creates tension and suspense within the first few pages and it gripped me until the very end. This story felt real. The characters were emotion stirring. The setting was palpable and vivid.

This storyline carries a mysterious undertone all the way through. I was shocked several times at various plot reveals. This kept me on my toes, making me change my thoughts constantly on what was actually happening.

This was a unique, fast-paced, surprising book that I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend! It’s a blend of domestic drama/suspense with a thriller vibe. This was my first time reading this author and I look forward to spending more time with her books!

Thank you to the publisher for my review copy!

Audio rating: 4.5 stars! The narrator did an excellent job bringing the story to life. She enhanced my reading experience. Thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook!

[Nina (ninjasbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very exciting and engaging in the first half of the book, but it dragged a bit at the end. I liked it, though.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Mel arrives at the holiday cottage in the Lake District, she expects to find the heating on and her husband Luke and the two children waiting for her. But all she finds is a note telling her that they've gone for a walk. But they don't come back. The search is on to find her family, but where are they? Are they lost, had an accident or has something more sinister happened to them?

Though some parts of this story might just be a little bit unbelievable, I really liked it. A story where secrets and lies start to unfold. A psychological thriller that will mess with your mind. A story that you can't say too much about as reading this book with as little information as possible will make this a better read for everyone. Fasten your seatbelt, this is one roller coaster ride you won't want to miss. There's lots of twists to keep your interest and you will just want to keep turning the pages to find out what has happened to Luke and the kids.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Bookouture and the author Rona Halsall for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Debra - can't post any comments on site today grrr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rona Halsall has delivered once again with Love You Gone! It is gripping, hard to put down and full of twists! The less you know going into this thrilling book, the better.

Mel arrives late at their holiday cottage to find Luke, her husband and children gone. She finds a note saying they went for a walk, but when hours go by, she contacts the police...

Whew! Just when I thought I knew what was going on, Halsall threw in some shocking twists! This book is full of secrets, lies, deception and drama. I found this to be a fast-paced addictive page turner. Can you say that about an audiobook? I didn't want to stop listening. The narrator did a fantastic job, and I was on the edge of my seat desperate to know how things were going to turn out.

I enjoy Halsall's writing and how she manages to shock me with the twists in her well thought out books. I look forward to reading what she writes next! If you have not read a book by Rona Halsall before, you are missing out.

A gripping and tense psychological thriller!


Thank you to Bookouture Audio 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

[Kim ~ It’s All About the Thrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book from the very first page! I have had my eye on this book for quite some time. I initially passed up requesting the ARC because I wanted to try to get control of my TBR pile. Well I quickly realized my mistake as the fantastic raving reviews started rolling in. So I had no choice but to grab myself a copy and hot damn it is everything I thought it would be and more!

Imagine arranging to meet your husband and two children at an agreed upon holiday getaway. You are so bogged down with work so they agree to meet you there as they get a head start on the fun. You arrive to the cabin and they are not there. They have every light on and clearly have been there the past couple of days but where are they? The car is in the drive and a note states they went for a hike. You wait and wait and they never come back.

Mel experienced that heart breaking scenario and the search is on for her husband Luke and the children. I could feel her devastation or was it something else? Was she really so desperate to find them or is she scared her secrets were about to be revealed?

Talk about skeletons in your closet! This family has some secrets they are holding close. I could not put this down. Literally if I was forced to put it down, I found my thoughts returning to Mel and her family.

This was my first book by Rona Halsall and I absolutely loved her writing style. It flowed with such ease. I never felt a slow or dragged out period in this book. It is not a slow burn at all. I loved her choice of short chapters and I flew right through it. I can not wait to read her other novel Keep You Safe! Definitely add me to her fan list!

Doesn't Bookouture have the most stunning covers?! What a beauty this one is!

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars
A riveting story that will keep you hooked until the very end.

Mel had planned to spend some quality time with her family at a holiday cottage after work. However, upon arrival, she found the place deserted, and her family had left a note saying they had gone hiking. As hours passed, Mel began to feel uneasy, and she realized something was wrong when her family didn't return. She decided to call the police for help in finding her family. However, during police questioning, Mel realized she couldn't keep silent about her marriage. What secrets will the investigation reveal, and will Mel find her family?

I was completely engrossed in the story from start to finish, devouring it in a single day. I think it's best to go in blind, it'll make the twists and turns even more surprising. The only downside? The ending felt a bit rushed, but that didn't take away from the overall experience. If you're a fan of domestic drama and mystery, then this book is a must-read.

***Thank you to NetGalley, Rona Halsall, and Bookouture Audio for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***

[8stitches 9lives · Rating 3 out of 5]

You know those books that work best for the reader the less you know about the story? Well, this is one of those. Love You Gone, Rona Halsall's second psychological thriller, was a bit of a disappointment for me, it's certainly a step down from her debut which was released in August. I always appreciate a novel take on things especially in the trope laden and overpopulated crime genre, and that is definitely what the author has attempted to do here. Unfortunately, not all of her ideas work.

Well written and travelling at a steady pace, the plot has evidently been thought through but I found it wasn't as enthralling as I'd hoped. What I found refreshing, however, was that Halsall uses spousal abuse as the key concept which precipitates all that then unfolds but does so by making the male in the relationship the victim rather than the perpetrator. By reversing the roles or stereotypes she raises awareness and illustrates that domestic abuse is not always carried out by a male. It explores themes associated with abuse, such as the trauma and impact it has on the victim, by writing the story from the guys perspective and it makes a welcome change. There is also good characterisation, although none of the characters are likeable in any capacity which I found to be a big drawback.

Many thanks to Bookouture for an ARC.

[Tonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Your family is missing when you arrive expecting an enjoyable family holiday. After waiting and worrying with no word of their whereabouts you reach out to the police knowing the risks. Wow! This psychological thriller gripped me immediately. Secrets, denial, and deception drive this twisted, unpredictable tale. I enjoyed how the story was told from different perspectives and timelines. There were so many shocking twists I never knew where the plot was going. The narration added a layer of suspense while bringing the characters to life. As usual, Rona Halsall delivers an original, compelling story that will stay with me for a long time. Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for my audiobook.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is going to be such a hard review to write as the least you know about this story the better!

The opening chapters of Mel getting to the holiday home to find her husband and children missing had my interest piqued straight away. How could they just disappear? The police as well as Mel seem to be totally baffled. Then comes the secrets and lies. This is where I want to start screaming and shouting with excitement with all the OMG's as they just kept coming at me and I blooming well loved it!

I'm not going to say anything else about the actual story line as believe me, to do so, would just spoil it for anyone else. What I will say is, that if you love a psychological thriller that is seriously going to mess with your head, well here it is.

Love You Gone is a story that totally took me by surprise. No way could I ever envision the wonderful dark and twistedness of what was inside. From picking the book up I only put it down as I needed sleep, then was first thing I picked up the next morning not putting it down until I finished it. This book is going to send the reader spiralling through lots of emotions as the twists and turns keep coming. The adrenaline was coursing through my body as the thrill of what I was reading just intensified. A book that is definitely worthy of shouting about. Loved it!

My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.

[Nila (digitalcreativepages) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book thoroughly!! Absolute mind blowing, different thriller, though some parts may be slightly unbelievable

What do you call a book where the events make your pulse race?

What do you call a book where the plan unfolding makes you hold your breath?

What do you call a book where you jump with joy knowing things are falling into place?

What do you call a book where every scene makes you long for more?

What you call a book when your breath gets hitched and you forget to breathe when the cops come a-knocking?

What do call a book which you never want to end?

What do you call a book which makes you wonder at the intelligence of the author who writes it?

I call such a book AN UNFORGETTABLE ROLLERCOASTER THRILLER,
AND I CALL SUCH AN AUTHOR - ABSOLUTELY FREAKING BRILLIANT!!

This was Rona's best book to date, and I have no words to express how this author made me feel while reading the book.
She made me go bonkers, I tried imagining what would happen and how the scenes would play out, when everything seemed so dismal and inescapable. But she surpassed my imagination.

And the author found a fabulous way to fix every loose end like a jigsaw puzzle. I guessed the basic arc, but who cared on the face of the writing where the mind zaps and zings trying to figure it all out.

I didn't want to analyse this book I just wanted to feel it, I wanted to cheer it, I want to pump my fists and jump up high after reading it. The story was a bit overboard in some parts, the theme sounded familiar when the book started with Mel leaving from work late and joining her family at a remote holiday home, only to find the house empty with all the lights blazing!! Where were her husband and kids? The stage was set, cops were called, and the story rolled on. But there were a lot of things happening behind the curtains, and they literally blew my mind away!! Rocking fun all the way!!

I want more such books from this author who has shown what a thriller ought to be.
Good going, Rona!!

I received an ARC from NetGalley and publisher Bookouture abd this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a book written in three (or was it four) parts. The number is immaterial. Part one was pretty dull and the book was on track to be maybe 2 or 3 stars. But then it got much, much better. Its worth hanging in there. Mel turns up at a holiday house on a Sunday night. The rest of her family, Luke and children Tessa and Callum arrived on the Friday night as Mel had a program to run in Manchester on the Saturday. Mel is a management consultant. So, she arrives on Sunday night, the lights are all on but there is nobody at the house. Only a note saying they were on a hike. She waits a few hours, drives around a bit and then calls the police.

Soon we find out that the children are not hers. She has only been married to Luke for about a year, his wife and the mother of the children died about three years ago. The investigating police seem to think there is something a little off about Mel. When we get to part two we see that their suspicions are justified. Part two is from Luke's point of view and tells us how he met Mel and how she swept him off his feet, proposed to him and insisted they get married straight away.

Meanwhile Luke is re-establishing contact with his family whom he hasn't spoken to for fifteen years. Things seem a little off there too. From there it gets very interesting and twisty. Plans are afoot and subterfuge is rife and tables are turned. In the end I thought it was cleverly done. Unfortunately I can't tell you what 'it' is.

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have really enjoyed reading all of Rona Halsall’s books this year. Overall the standard has been consistently high with exciting plots , interesting characters and genuine page turners. This one was another very good read, not my overall favourite but still well worth reading.

After finishing work Mel is looking forward to joining up with her husband Luke and the two children at an holiday cottage in the Lake District. But when she gets there, instead of finding a welcome party and smiling faces, Mel finds an empty cottage and a note saying they have all gone out for a walk. Several hours later they still haven’t returned and Mel fears something is wrong and contacts the police. A search is arranged but still no returning family and Mel is forced to confess to the police that her marriage isn’t all it seems.

This is a real page turner that draws you in and drip feeds the clues along the way, constantly changing your mind to what is really going on. A very entertaining read.

[Els · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, let my start by saying that this story is an absolute gem! I loved it. It's one of those books with the built-in invisible hand that comes out as soon as you open it to  grab you by the collar and drag you in.

The author lets the two main characters do the talking. It starts in the present and you are taken back into the past and slowly brought back to this day.

The first part paints a certain picture, but is it the correct one? Who is fooling us and who tells the truth?

The storyline, the writing style and the characters were all superb.

Thank you, Rona Halsall, Bookouture and Netgalley.

https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com

[Foxy Vixen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first time reading any books by this author. And will probably be my last.
This takes place in Wales. I have to say that at first, I was really interested, got introduced to Mel and Lucus. Seemed like a typical lost in the woods kind of thriller. But as time went on, it went in a totally different way than I was expecting. So….with that, the characters became much more unlikable and just plain boring. The only thing I can say, I felt very sorry for the children and their dog.

[Berit☀️✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Holy plot twists, Batman!** "Love You Gone" by Rona Halsall is a wild rollercoaster ride that had me questioning everyone and everything. Mel's arrival at the Lake District cabin for a family vacation takes a chilling turn when she finds them missing, leaving behind a cryptic note about a walk. As the hours tick by, the story unravels through dual timelines and perspectives, twisting my loyalties like pretzels. Who can you trust when reality itself seems unreliable?

The audiobook narration by Tamsin Kennard is absolutely phenomenal. As a non-UK native, I always appreciate a regional accent that adds depth and authenticity to the story. Tamsin delivers a layered performance, capturing the desperation, suspicion, and underlying darkness that permeate the narrative.

While the plot is undeniably gripping, I must emphasize the need for a trigger warning for abuse. Halsall doesn't shy away from portraying the raw and disturbing realities of domestic violence, which could be upsetting for some listeners.

Overall, "Love You Gone" is a satisfyingly twisted and disturbing thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end. Just be prepared for a bumpy ride, and maybe have some tissues handy.

**4 out of 5 stars**

***Big thank you to Bookouture Audio for my gifted copy of this book, all opinions are my own.***

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading Rona Halsall first book Keep you safe, I was excited to read this book Love you gone.
The story starts with Mel, after arriving late at the holiday cottage to meet her husband Luke and their two kids. Only to find the doors open and Luke and the kids nowhere to be found. Mel is worried about Luke and calls first Mountain rescue and then the police get involved. When it comes to light that Mel and Luke marriage is not the perfect marriage everyone thinks. We learn that a year after Luke’s first wife Anna died Luke meets Mel and after a whirlwind relationship Mel moves I together. Mel’s temper though can change so quickly and becomes abusive towards Luke.
Love you gone is a quick read, written in several different perspectives and characters. It’s an original story with lots of twists and turns. It’s a gripping read and will keep you hooked to the last page.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for a copy of this book for a honest review.

[Linda (Lily) Raiti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagine going on a holiday to meet your husband and children and realise pretty quickly that not only are they not there, but have disappeared into thin air. This is Mel’s nightmare.

I can’t say too much about the plot without giving too much away. What I can say is this is one twisty, unputdownable domestic drama. I honestly could not put it down. Hasall defiantly knows how to keep her readers on the edge of their seats.

Jam packed full of clever twists, secrets and subterfuge, it’s a page turner. The audio was brilliantly narrated with perfect inflection. Highly recommended as an audiobook.

[Kira FlowerChild · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fans of domestic suspense fiction who aren't too picky about the quality of writing or plotting will probably enjoy this one. I found it predictable and the narrative was oddly paced. It would have made much more sense to interweave Mel and Luke's story (starting with the trip to the cabin) in chronological order. Backtracking to give Luke's back story slowed down the action and took up far more of the book than it needed to.

The book does bring up the subject of female on male domestic violence, which happens far more than people would believe, because most men are ashamed to talk about it. However, that did not give Luke the right to kill Mel, and if the author really wanted to deal with the subject realistically, Luke should have had to be tried for Mel's murder. The jury might have acquitted him, but it isn't right to let him get off without anyone even suspecting that he killed her. If nothing else, he should have confessed. You can't pretend you're doing a good thing by writing about domestic violence against males and then let that same male get away with murder. That's just wrong.

[Full of Lit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love you gone....

This was a really good psychological thriller, a tad light on the thriller side but that was fine. It was a fast read because it was a page turner.

I took one star because I hate it when I know what's coming and it was a little predictable at times but aside from that, this book didn't disappoint.

I found myself really rooting for Luke at times while at others wanting to shake some sense into him. He was a really relatable character.

Mel.... I think she'll surprise you.

It's hard to find a book where I don't get a little bored, but there was no point while I was reading this gem where boredom crosses my mind. It was a bit of a roller-coaster at times, sad, but a really good read by Rona Halsall.

[Between The Pages (Gemma M) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh. My. Goodness. This book blew me away! It’s bloody brilliant. Pulls the reader straight in then you’re trapped until the end (not a bad thing really). This book just had surprise after surprise add in the shocker here and there. You’re left thinking how many more secrets and lies are being hidden?

Love You Gone is one of those stories you want to devour in one sitting. It is gripping, thrilling, fast paced and well written. A must read! Brilliant. Sticks with you!

A well deserved five stars from me. Highly recommend. This book is also going to be in my top twenty of 2018. I absolutely loved it.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC audiobook provided in exchange for an honest review.

Tamsin Kennard did a fantastic job with the narration on this book! She seamlessly covers multiple characters points of views and was very entertaining to listen to. The story felt pretty straightforward from the start. Missing husband and children, lost in the wilderness, police get involved. But after that everything goes off the rails! Nothing was as it seems and as the layers start unraveling, there are some shocking twists! I would definitely recommend to anyone who love psychological thrillers with unreliable narrators!

[Denise]

A book you'll want to read in one sitting!

When Mel shows up around 8 pm at the Lake District vacation home that her husband, Luke, has rented for the holiday week, he and the children are not in the house. "Gone for a hike," the note says. After a couple of hours when they still have not returned she gets worried, calls in Mountain Rescue and then the local police get involved. Something is not right with this whole scenario and you are about to find out just how messed up things are. NO SPOILERS.

This was great fun with enough back and forth with the shifts in narrator from Mel to Luke that it kept you guessing until all was revealed. It's packed with thorny domestic issues, family drama and plenty of teasers to keep you racing through the pages as you simply must finish this story! I had a few predictions and was pleased to find that not all was as expected and I love it when a book can still surprise me. Although I can't say I really liked any of the characters, I did enjoy this and was quite satisfied with its ending despite thinking that some got off a bit too easy. I had read the first book by this author and hadn't been that thrilled with it, so very glad I gave her another chance.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review.

[Dee Groocock · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Mel arrives late at the cottage her husband has rented for a holiday, she finds a note stating Luke and the 2 children have gone on a hike. Once she realises something is wrong, she calls the Mountain Rescue Team and by the next morning, the police are involved too. I’m not going to say anymore on the storyline as you really need to read this for yourself!
This is a fantastic psychological thriller, the author has written a very clever book. There were plenty of twists and turns throughout the story, this is one of those books that will stay with me for some time to come. I would recommend this book.

[Farah · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Mel arrives at the holiday cottage and her husband Luke and two children are nowhere, she doesn't initially panic. But when after a few hours they don't turn up, she calls the police. Where can Luke and the kids be?

This was such a twisted story. Every time I thought I knew where the story was going, another twist was thrown in. It was great to listen to on audio with the narrator really bringing the story home. This was definitely a page turner and a great thriller. I was thoroughly entertained throughout. 

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Luke and Mel Roberts have planned a vacation with their children, Callum, age 9, and Tessa, age 10. Mel is the children’s stepmother and she and Luke have been married for about a year. The children’s mother, Anna, died from an aneurysm. Mel has a busy job and a late meeting means she had to drive to the vacation cottage alone and on a difficult route. When she arrives, it’s dark and she finds no one at home, but a note has been left saying they had gone on a hike. After waiting for hours for them to return, Mel drives around hoping to find them. Finally, she calls Mountain Rescue to help locate them. When they find nothing, the police step in. Mel explains that Luke tends to get depressed at times and they’ve been having some problems. Mel is now 40-years-old and wants a baby, but Luke doesn’t.

Earlier

After Luke’s wife died, he and the children moved back to his parent’s farm. He had not seen them in many years when he left to join the special forces. Now, he is ready to live there again. His family had not wanted him to leave the family farm so he was not sure of his welcome back. His mother has MS and is getting worse. His cousin lost his parents in an accident when he was little and became part of their family. Now, he thinks the farm should belong to him and resents Luke’s return. Shortly after, he meets Mel and is enchanted by her, resulting in a quick marriage. But, maybe they should have gotten to know one another better.

I have already given out more than most reviewers do, but I think there should be a plot laid out (like little bread crumbs) to make readers want to read a book. This is an unusual story and one that is sure to keep the reader’s interest. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Jayna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm going to preface my review by stating this is more a me and my preferences issue than a book issue. I have got to stop reading books about married couples where one of them and/or their child(ren) go missing. They sound intriguing, but I am not sure I've ever really enjoyed a single book with that premise. I typically end up being frustrated by everyone and basically not caring if the characters all die gruesome deaths. It doesn't matter who the perpetrator is- one of the spouses, the neighbor, a complete stranger, a creepy uncle- the books all tend to focus more on issues between the couple and I end up annoyed at how terrible these people are.

So, yeah. Needless to say, I didn't exactly enjoy this. There were aspects I liked, but I'd have been happier if those elements were instead thrown into more of a police procedural. Which, this book does have quite a bit of police involvement, and is from their POV at times. The later in the book, the more this happens. This is probably why I actually enjoyed the last 1/4 or so the most.

The audiobook is narrated by Tamsin Kennard. It was a decent performance- nothing to complain about. I listened to the book at 1.5 speed.

I received an audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Vandana ▪️ Whats on my bookshelf · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading rave reviews of Love you gone I really thought I was in for a treat and had high hopes going in. Have you ever read a book with great anticipation only to be disappointed? The only thing going for the book was the fast pace. It’s the fastest book I have read in recent times. Around six hours, more or less. Here’s the plotline:

Luke is a widower with two kids. He is at loss for living his life after the death of his wife. He is estranged from his parents and haven’t a clue how to bring up his children.

Mel is in her late thirties and a successful business woman. But she desperately wants a child. So when Luke comes in her life she sees the perfect opportunity to step into the role of a mum as well as try to have a child of her own.

After a series of problems they decide to go on a holiday to sort things with each other only to find Luke and the kids missing, once Mel arrives. What happened to them? How can they just disappear?

[Mackenzie Paul-Majors · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. You don’t often read about the woman in the relationship being the abuser. It definitely gave this book something different than your average thriller. Really really good. Will read more from this author.

[Wendy Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

So... I started Love You Gone by Rona Halsall this morning as a buddy read with a Fiction Cafe Book Club. We’ve just finished it! I’m speechless to tell you how fantastic it was!! Words fail me!! 😱😱😱

Here’s my 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟review!

Firstly I want to tell you how much I love the opening of this authors books. In each I’ve read they instantly pull me in and Love You Gone is a brilliant example of that. The intrigue is there instantly and is the same throughout the whole boom. Part Two we learn more about their relationship. This was full of surprises also which led to Part Three and Four! I couldn’t sit still! I was so fidgety waiting for the reveal! And there were plenty! With a few more twists thrown in, a few surprises and a great ending, this makes Love You Gone one of my top reads of the year!

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for a copy of this book.