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He’ll Be Waiting
What would you do to remember? What would you give to forget?
When Tess Porter agrees to pick up her boyfriend’s college pal at the airport on a snowy December night, she has no idea she’s about to embark on the most dangerous ride of her life.
Two days later, the 17-year-old wakes up in a hospital with broken bones, unable to remember how she got there. Her parents are acting strange, and neither James, her boyfriend, nor her best friend, Izzy, has visited.
As she struggles to physically recover, Tess wrestles with haunting questions: What happened? Will her memory ever return? And what if she’s better off not recalling any of it?
When Tess Porter agrees to pick up her boyfriend’s college pal at the airport on a snowy December night, she has no idea she’s about to embark on the most dangerous ride of her life.
Two days later, the 17-year-old wakes up in a hospital with broken bones, unable to remember how she got there. Her parents are acting strange, and neither James, her boyfriend, nor her best friend, Izzy, has visited.
As she struggles to physically recover, Tess wrestles with haunting questions: What happened? Will her memory ever return? And what if she’s better off not recalling any of it?
366 pages, Paperback
First published April 2, 2021
133 people are currently reading
4251 people want to read
About the author
Liz Alterman
7 books472 followersLiz Alterman lives in New Jersey with her husband, three sons, and two cats.
Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Parents, McSweeney's, and other publications.
She spends most days microwaving the same cup of coffee and looking up synonyms.
For information on events and new releases or to have Liz join your bookclub, visit lizalterman.com.
Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Parents, McSweeney's, and other publications.
She spends most days microwaving the same cup of coffee and looking up synonyms.
For information on events and new releases or to have Liz join your bookclub, visit lizalterman.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 149 reviews
August 12, 2021
This was such a good thriller! It kept me guessing and wondering for so long, that I felt like I was Tess trying to figure things out. It had a lot of good twists, one I kind of thought, maybe? But others that I built up in my mind, and was so glad when they didn’t happen. If I hadn’t been back to work when I started reading this, I might have stayed up all night to read straight through because the suspense and needing to know just what happened to Tess kept me hanging and turning pages (digitally, but still). One part I also really really liked about this is how it didn’t end at the point I thought it would. We got a really good wrap-up as well as seeing what Tess’s life would be like after she got out of the hospital and went back to school. And things weren’t just all perfect and back to normal once things were figured out, it was very realistic in how things unfolded and how Tess’s life began to turn into its new normal. Such a great story, I can’t wait to share with my students!
Review first published on Lisa Loves Literature.
Review first published on Lisa Loves Literature.
November 22, 2022
5⭐
Ɱ◎◎ĐႽ…
➨ YA Mystery Thriller ➨ With Domestic Suspense Vibes ➨ Short-term Memory Loss ➨ Surprisingly engaging
If you’re thinking that this is YA…so it can’t be any good or you don’t like the memory loss trope, so you’d rather skip it…I can honestly say that you’d be missing out. Because…it was actually quite good. I found this title after listening to this author’s latest release, The Perfect Neighborhood. I requested it from the library, they bought a copy a few days later and so I dropped my planned book and listened to this instead…and I’m not disappointed that I did.
➨ Narrated by: 🎙️Anna Caputo📣 She was fabulous…she is well on her way to being a favorite of mine.
Total Score 9.57/10 | Opening-10 | Characters-9.5 | Plot-9.5 | Atmosphere-9.5 | Writing Style-9.5 | Ending-9. | Overall Enjoyment- 9.5
Ɱ◎◎ĐႽ…
➨ YA Mystery Thriller ➨ With Domestic Suspense Vibes ➨ Short-term Memory Loss ➨ Surprisingly engaging
If you’re thinking that this is YA…so it can’t be any good or you don’t like the memory loss trope, so you’d rather skip it…I can honestly say that you’d be missing out. Because…it was actually quite good. I found this title after listening to this author’s latest release, The Perfect Neighborhood. I requested it from the library, they bought a copy a few days later and so I dropped my planned book and listened to this instead…and I’m not disappointed that I did.
➨ Narrated by: 🎙️Anna Caputo📣 She was fabulous…she is well on her way to being a favorite of mine.
Total Score 9.57/10 | Opening-10 | Characters-9.5 | Plot-9.5 | Atmosphere-9.5 | Writing Style-9.5 | Ending-9. | Overall Enjoyment- 9.5
August 23, 2021
5 Cranky Stars
"What if I'm better off never knowing what happened?" Those are thoughts that run through Tess Porter's mind when she wakes up in a hospital bed with broken bones and a fuzzy memory. The last thing she can remember is anxiously awaiting a Christmas break visit from her boyfriend, James Potter.
Her parents are acting strange and nobody will tell her anything. She can't figure out why James hasn't been to visit her, but then she has two visits from him late at night when nobody is around. But, is he really there, is it a dream, or is it hallucinations brought on by the pain medications she is taking?
There was a lot of tension in the book as Tess begins to remember what led to her injuries. Along the way, she also discovers a lot about her parents that might have been better left unknown. When the truth is finally revealed, the horrors that transpired to leave her injured are almost more than she can stand. "Sometimes the only way out of a bad situation is to go straight through it."
This story grabbed me from the first and I just had to keep reading to find out how Tess was injured and what had actually happened. Even though I had part of the story figured out before it was revealed, the story was thoroughly engrossing and very well written and kept my interest up to the end.
The book is full of emotion, grief, acceptance, and all of the struggles that are involved in this process. "There are no safe spaces." Tess meets a young girl who is dying and discovers that some things are still worth living for. "Don't dwell in the darkness. Linger in the light."
Even though I am well beyond the target audience for Young Adult books, I will remember this one for a long, long time. I would recommend it for anyone going through a hard patch, dealing with loss or grief, or just looking for some inspiration. The book is part thriller, part suspense, part romance, and part coming of age. The reader can learn a lot about relationships from this book and also a lot about forgiveness.
"What if I'm better off never knowing what happened?" Those are thoughts that run through Tess Porter's mind when she wakes up in a hospital bed with broken bones and a fuzzy memory. The last thing she can remember is anxiously awaiting a Christmas break visit from her boyfriend, James Potter.
Her parents are acting strange and nobody will tell her anything. She can't figure out why James hasn't been to visit her, but then she has two visits from him late at night when nobody is around. But, is he really there, is it a dream, or is it hallucinations brought on by the pain medications she is taking?
There was a lot of tension in the book as Tess begins to remember what led to her injuries. Along the way, she also discovers a lot about her parents that might have been better left unknown. When the truth is finally revealed, the horrors that transpired to leave her injured are almost more than she can stand. "Sometimes the only way out of a bad situation is to go straight through it."
This story grabbed me from the first and I just had to keep reading to find out how Tess was injured and what had actually happened. Even though I had part of the story figured out before it was revealed, the story was thoroughly engrossing and very well written and kept my interest up to the end.
The book is full of emotion, grief, acceptance, and all of the struggles that are involved in this process. "There are no safe spaces." Tess meets a young girl who is dying and discovers that some things are still worth living for. "Don't dwell in the darkness. Linger in the light."
Even though I am well beyond the target audience for Young Adult books, I will remember this one for a long, long time. I would recommend it for anyone going through a hard patch, dealing with loss or grief, or just looking for some inspiration. The book is part thriller, part suspense, part romance, and part coming of age. The reader can learn a lot about relationships from this book and also a lot about forgiveness.
May 21, 2021
Wow. I was looking for something different from my normal genre and I hit on a treasure. This story was fabulous. I was sucked into the story from page one and couldn't put it down.
Yes, it might have been predictable in parts but the writing was excellent, the plot brilliant and something very realistic. I need to convince my teenage daughter to read this.
Emotions run wild through out the story. One minute I'm smiling at a sweet memory, the next I'm crying, heartbroken. Well worth the time. I'll be looking for more from Liz Alterman.
Yes, it might have been predictable in parts but the writing was excellent, the plot brilliant and something very realistic. I need to convince my teenage daughter to read this.
Emotions run wild through out the story. One minute I'm smiling at a sweet memory, the next I'm crying, heartbroken. Well worth the time. I'll be looking for more from Liz Alterman.
May 16, 2021
What a unique storyline!!! I loved this one. I had no idea where the plot was going until it happened! Man my feelings were alll over the place with this story! I’m the best possible ways, I was really identifying myself with these characters! I’ve never read this author before, and I made sure to follow her now! I’m really looking forward to her next book!
June 15, 2021
i really liked this book because i was able to read it pretty fast and i liked the way we slowly found out what happened. i was shocked by some of the plot points. overall i liked it but i felt like the last 100 pages of the book were not needed and the book would have been better without it
December 28, 2024
Oof. I think I’m too old for this book’s POV. This one’s “mystery” was just too easy to guess. I found the romance cloying, too-perfect, and sickly sweet. The protagonist’s perspective was supposed to be “quirky” (I think), but she was empty; nothing at stake. The bias against the mother character is hilariously teen-girl POV. Skipped most of end. No surprises. DNR
File Under: “Virgin Good Girl” Should be Banned — (even from supposed mysteries).
File Under: “Virgin Good Girl” Should be Banned — (even from supposed mysteries).
June 11, 2021
This book had me so messed up 😪😪. The beginning was kind of slow as I was waiting for the plot to pick up, but the rest of the book absolutely made up for it. The timeline of the story was well structured in a way that made sense for the story since Tess begins at the hospital and then tries to recall the events of the past 4 days in her journal. The story also gave a lot of important context for much of the plot. I admit that some of the twists were fairly predictable but still, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It brought me out of a book slump. By the end of the book, I was in tears as I experienced the emotions that Tess felt. A good author can help the reader to get into the shoes of a character and empathize with them. She was a good character to connect to as you began to understand her as more and more memories emerged. Throughout her anger, frustration, sadness, I really felt like I was there with her in those moments. I would absolutely recommend this book as a quick read.
July 22, 2021
If you know me, you know that I love amnesia thrillers! I flew through the first half of this book trying to guess what happened and why she couldn’t remember. The second half of this book took me surprise. It turned out to be a beautiful and emotional story about healing and moving through life’s obstacles. This is a great debut novel!
July 13, 2021
“𝘔𝘢𝘺𝘣𝘦 𝘐’𝘭𝘭 𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘴, 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴 – 𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘥 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨.”
I thought He’ll Be Waiting would be a fairly run of the mill YA thriller but it is so much more. If you’ve read the synopsis, you’ll see that Tess is asked by her boyfriend James to pick up one of his dorm mates during a blizzard. Then Tess awakens in the hospital with no memory of how she got there. This is where I knew it was going to be more than I expected and I read it in one sitting.
Ms. Alterman captures all the thrills I was expecting but she blended it so beautifully with a story of love, friendship, grief and loss, family issues and ultimately, forgiveness.
I thought He’ll Be Waiting would be a fairly run of the mill YA thriller but it is so much more. If you’ve read the synopsis, you’ll see that Tess is asked by her boyfriend James to pick up one of his dorm mates during a blizzard. Then Tess awakens in the hospital with no memory of how she got there. This is where I knew it was going to be more than I expected and I read it in one sitting.
Ms. Alterman captures all the thrills I was expecting but she blended it so beautifully with a story of love, friendship, grief and loss, family issues and ultimately, forgiveness.
May 29, 2021
What makes a great book? For me- it’s the story that grabs me and compels me to keep reading into the night to find out if I’m right….or wrong! In “He’ll be Waiting”, I was right sometimes and wrong in others but I wanted to know what happened to Tess and James from the first pages!
Tess was a pretty typical gen z teenager. She was not a “perfect specimen” as so many characters seem to be these days. She was a terrible athlete, and Ok student and at times a disappointing friend. She was in love for the first time and had dreams of seeing her boyfriend upon his return from college. Tess made some poor decisions and things went south. I won’t spoil the how and why for you-it’s worth finding out for yourself!
I liked that the author did not shy away from current topics, but also didn’t belabor them. The voice of Tess was very real. She experienced tragedy and she handled it like a teen would, but also with reason. Nothing drives me crazy more than to read about another “I can handle it all” person. We all need support at times. Tess set an example for teens to take the help and as a parent, I totally appreciate that!
I liked the back and forth with James throughout the start of the book. It left me with questions but also left me comforted. Having experienced a loss or two myself, I felt the author captured the feelings of grief very accurately. To have someone understand these feelings and convey them to a younger audience makes this book rank a little higher for me. Our world is fast, crazy and tragic at times. In the context of a thriller, providing the message that we are not alone and we should not ‘dwell in the dark ‘ but rather ‘linger in the light’, will be a meaningful takeaway for all readers.
I definitely recommend this book to readers of all ages!
Tess was a pretty typical gen z teenager. She was not a “perfect specimen” as so many characters seem to be these days. She was a terrible athlete, and Ok student and at times a disappointing friend. She was in love for the first time and had dreams of seeing her boyfriend upon his return from college. Tess made some poor decisions and things went south. I won’t spoil the how and why for you-it’s worth finding out for yourself!
I liked that the author did not shy away from current topics, but also didn’t belabor them. The voice of Tess was very real. She experienced tragedy and she handled it like a teen would, but also with reason. Nothing drives me crazy more than to read about another “I can handle it all” person. We all need support at times. Tess set an example for teens to take the help and as a parent, I totally appreciate that!
I liked the back and forth with James throughout the start of the book. It left me with questions but also left me comforted. Having experienced a loss or two myself, I felt the author captured the feelings of grief very accurately. To have someone understand these feelings and convey them to a younger audience makes this book rank a little higher for me. Our world is fast, crazy and tragic at times. In the context of a thriller, providing the message that we are not alone and we should not ‘dwell in the dark ‘ but rather ‘linger in the light’, will be a meaningful takeaway for all readers.
I definitely recommend this book to readers of all ages!
August 14, 2021
Holy cow! This incredible book is frightening, heartbreaking, inspiring, and hopeful all in one sitting. I'm so wrung out emotionally but in a good way.
Tess Porter is happy. She has an incredibly kind and loving college boyfriend who is coming home early for the holidays to spend time with her. But first, he asks her to do him a favor. Little did she know the favor would turn into a horrifying nightmare.
As Tess wakes up in the hospital with a broken and battered body, she slowly remembers what happened that terrifying night. I can't give away the plot, but my heart shattered for Tess as her life slowly crumbles. Her loss is so palpable as she blames herself for the events of that night though no one could have predicted the terrible outcome. Tess is a kind and brave young woman who grows up very quickly. The author does a fantastic job drawing out what happened to Tess and then covering her grieving process which includes so many people who were affected by what she thinks is from her rash decision. When she finally comes to terms with her grief, she starts to move on and make amends with those close to her. Everything changes, but not necessarily all for the better.
I highly recommend this beautiful and realistic book about life after an unimaginable tragedy. It's a suspense thriller with an aftermath of grief, depression, anxiety, and above all hope. Pick up this book. I guarantee you will not want to put it down.
Thank you to Ms. Alterman for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
Tess Porter is happy. She has an incredibly kind and loving college boyfriend who is coming home early for the holidays to spend time with her. But first, he asks her to do him a favor. Little did she know the favor would turn into a horrifying nightmare.
As Tess wakes up in the hospital with a broken and battered body, she slowly remembers what happened that terrifying night. I can't give away the plot, but my heart shattered for Tess as her life slowly crumbles. Her loss is so palpable as she blames herself for the events of that night though no one could have predicted the terrible outcome. Tess is a kind and brave young woman who grows up very quickly. The author does a fantastic job drawing out what happened to Tess and then covering her grieving process which includes so many people who were affected by what she thinks is from her rash decision. When she finally comes to terms with her grief, she starts to move on and make amends with those close to her. Everything changes, but not necessarily all for the better.
I highly recommend this beautiful and realistic book about life after an unimaginable tragedy. It's a suspense thriller with an aftermath of grief, depression, anxiety, and above all hope. Pick up this book. I guarantee you will not want to put it down.
Thank you to Ms. Alterman for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
March 5, 2022
He'll be waiting by @lizalterman
⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
"Adultery! Suicide! Murder! This story is one deranged clown away from being a Stephen King novel "
I finally got around to reading this one, huge shout out to Liz Alterman to mailing me this one , signed to add to my beautiful collection.
I loved this one . So much . There was so much going on . This book grabbed me on the first page and took me for a wild ride to knowing the truth about the night Tess picked her boyfriends friend up from the airport .
After waking up in the hospital Tess knows nothing . She doesn't know why bones are broken. She doesn't know why her family is acting strange. She doesn't know why she can't have her cell phone .
As we flash back and forth between her fearful hospital stay and what happened that night. Many questions are asked and just as many get answered along the way . The ending tore my heart out, chewed it up and spit it out . I was tearing up as the author put so much in depth description.
My only complaint about this book, is that there was a bit of unnecessary filler. Things that I personally felt had little to do with the story itself . . Other than that. This book will absolutely stop you in your tracks . I devoured it . And I can absolutely say, I love Liz Alterman ! . Both her books so far have been absolutely magnificent. And I hope I get a chance to read anything she has in the works moving forward.
⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
"Adultery! Suicide! Murder! This story is one deranged clown away from being a Stephen King novel "
I finally got around to reading this one, huge shout out to Liz Alterman to mailing me this one , signed to add to my beautiful collection.
I loved this one . So much . There was so much going on . This book grabbed me on the first page and took me for a wild ride to knowing the truth about the night Tess picked her boyfriends friend up from the airport .
After waking up in the hospital Tess knows nothing . She doesn't know why bones are broken. She doesn't know why her family is acting strange. She doesn't know why she can't have her cell phone .
As we flash back and forth between her fearful hospital stay and what happened that night. Many questions are asked and just as many get answered along the way . The ending tore my heart out, chewed it up and spit it out . I was tearing up as the author put so much in depth description.
My only complaint about this book, is that there was a bit of unnecessary filler. Things that I personally felt had little to do with the story itself . . Other than that. This book will absolutely stop you in your tracks . I devoured it . And I can absolutely say, I love Liz Alterman ! . Both her books so far have been absolutely magnificent. And I hope I get a chance to read anything she has in the works moving forward.
October 14, 2021
https://www.howdidthatbookend.com/liz...
This book started off as just a thriller and ended up so much more than the cover leads one to believe! The first half alternates between present day when Tess wakes from an accident with gaps in her memory, and flashbacks to the night of the accident as she struggles to remember what happened.
Unlike most thrillers, we find out what happened at the midpoint of the book. The rest of the story is spent exploring Tess's physical and emotional recovery. I LOVED this aspect! I often feel unfulfilled at the end of thrillers and want to know more about how the characters' lives were affected but the event. This really made this book stand out to me as more than others in its genre.
The teen angst is real in this YA thriller, and may serve as a fun reflection to high school and thinking your significant other was the whole world.
If you often feel left hanging at the end of a thriller, definitely add He'll Be Waiting to your list.
This book started off as just a thriller and ended up so much more than the cover leads one to believe! The first half alternates between present day when Tess wakes from an accident with gaps in her memory, and flashbacks to the night of the accident as she struggles to remember what happened.
Unlike most thrillers, we find out what happened at the midpoint of the book. The rest of the story is spent exploring Tess's physical and emotional recovery. I LOVED this aspect! I often feel unfulfilled at the end of thrillers and want to know more about how the characters' lives were affected but the event. This really made this book stand out to me as more than others in its genre.
The teen angst is real in this YA thriller, and may serve as a fun reflection to high school and thinking your significant other was the whole world.
If you often feel left hanging at the end of a thriller, definitely add He'll Be Waiting to your list.
October 15, 2021
I was so excited to read this as part of #Spooktober but you guys, I would be doing you a disservice. This is WAY above and beyond that. This book blew me away! I will say I figured out the twist right away but, I feel like it was set up obviously and yet …was it?! I had to keep reading page after page to see what happened. Once I knew what happened I was SO invested in every single character I had to see the outcome, results and aftermath. Liz does such a great job of wrapping it all up but, it isn’t tidy folks. It’s real life. The way she writes on trauma, grief and forgiveness is so spot on I had tears in my eyes. This one knocked it out of the park for me. I don’t want to spoil anything! READ IT! 👏🏼
March 22, 2022
This has literally been waiting on my shelf for months. And then when I finally picked it up I read it one day. I could not put this book down.
Tess wakes up in the hospital. Her left arm and leg are broken and she has suffered a concussion. But no one will tell her what happened or why her boyfriend hasn’t come to visit her. She slowly begins to put the pieces together as her memory returns little by little.
I guessed a lot of the twists in this one, but that didn’t stop me from turning the pages as fast as humanly possible because there were still so many unanswered questions I needed to get to the bottom of. This book is full of tension and heart and is so well-written.
Tess wakes up in the hospital. Her left arm and leg are broken and she has suffered a concussion. But no one will tell her what happened or why her boyfriend hasn’t come to visit her. She slowly begins to put the pieces together as her memory returns little by little.
I guessed a lot of the twists in this one, but that didn’t stop me from turning the pages as fast as humanly possible because there were still so many unanswered questions I needed to get to the bottom of. This book is full of tension and heart and is so well-written.
July 27, 2021
Thank you @lizalterman and @letstalkbookspromo for the #gifted copy.
This book surprised me, but in a good way. Looking at the cover and reading the synopsis I expected this to be a dark and twisty thriller. It was so much more than that. It was also a family drama that covered friendship and love… and more really, but I will stop there because I truly think it’s best to go into this one blind.
I did question Tess’s actions and decision making at times, but then remembered what a know-it-all delight I was at 17 and realised I would probably have done exactly the same. 😂
This book surprised me, but in a good way. Looking at the cover and reading the synopsis I expected this to be a dark and twisty thriller. It was so much more than that. It was also a family drama that covered friendship and love… and more really, but I will stop there because I truly think it’s best to go into this one blind.
I did question Tess’s actions and decision making at times, but then remembered what a know-it-all delight I was at 17 and realised I would probably have done exactly the same. 😂
May 9, 2021
He'll Be Waiting by Liz Alterman
Genre: Young Adult
Editorial Review
The compelling opening immediately hooks you in. Seventeen year old, Tess Porter (an “unstoppable” Aries) who lives in New Jersey, wakes up in the hospital. She's beat up pretty badly and no one is sure why. Her parents, tortured by their own secrets, seem somewhat lost in how to deal with her. They're visiting her in “shifts” and it's making her mad. Not only is she frustrated because no one will tell her what happened (but they claim they aren't sure themselves), she's not allowed to have her phone. Her lawyer mother was always busy but since the dramatic death of a colleague/"friend", she's acting even more preoccupied than usual.
“Lately, we're three sharp points of a triangle, each in our own corner,” Tess observes.
Then there are the therapists, maybe a tad too perky. One of them, Lydia, gives her a 'right-handed' journal. They're hoping if she writes, maybe she can remember...It's the thought that counts. Prior to the accident, Tess had a falling out with her best friend, Izzy, and now would love to see her but it wasn't just Izzy, it was Izzy's whole big, loving, crazy family she loved, so different from her own 'triad' of just she and her two self-absorbed parents. And James. James. Her boyfriend (thanks to Izzy). One grade older, he's dreamy and perfect. They met when he interviewed her for the school newspaper “nobody reads” because she popped a grape out of someone's mouth when they were choking. After his article, Tess gains recognition for her citizen action. She receives awards but what she really wants is to be 'awarded' with is James's heart.
He comes and goes from her hospital room (or is it all just a dream? They have her on a lot of pain killers). Some memories start to rise to the surface of her mind but it all starts to break loose when she mentions someone named Nick Lawrence. There are gasps and anguish. What in the world is the big deal about a guy named Nick Lawrence? She is so tired. This is all requiring so much energy. Why won't they just tell her what in the hell happened?
“Who withholds crucial information from someone who's already pretty badly shaken up? Why add to the torment?” Tess wondered.
Pre-accident, the memory of the last time she saw James, her 'normal' life, he is on his way back from Chicago where he now goes to college. It's been four long months. Tess, an aspiring chef (and excited as hell), is going all out. She plans a delicious dinner, what she will wear, how to style her hair--oh the beau of her dreams is coming home to see her for Christmas! Her heart is full but suddenly there is a strange twist. James asks her to pick up a friend of his who is stranded at the Newark Airport. A bit deflated, Tess agrees even though she has to drive through a raging blizzard...but she would do anything for James. The guy's name is Nick Lawrence. Of course, her parents aren't home, her mother is God knows where, her father, maybe teaching a class or off (desperately) writing. Point being, nobody knows what she's doing (except James who isn't there yet). She takes the safest car she can, the family's old Volvo. She decides to wear her mother's warm coat instead of her own and finds what? A silver pocket watch on a long chain? She has never seen it before. Her mother has been acting so strange, emotional, unstable (and drunk) since the death of her colleague/"friend". She stares at what she calls “a truth bomb” ticking in her hand. Putting it back in the coat, she heads to the airport and there is Nick, waiting for her. He seems familiar but not in a good way. She suppresses a desire to run away from him but if he's James's friend, he must be okay. Lulled by the idea everything is okay if this is James's friend, naive, even as things get weirder and more tense, she tolerates this Nick guy. None of the their lives will ever be the same.
While you want to believe what happens in the story would never happen in “real life” this story is in many ways, the story of America that includes angry young men that don't know how to handle their emotions, don't know where to go, retribution and revenge, and of course, gun violence.
There are a lot of 'moving parts' to the story. At times it seems contrived and considering all the dramatic tragedies in the story (train collision, violent attack, terminally ill girl, not to mention her parent's failing marriage including a possible affair), emotionally superficial. This may be because of the ambitious plot and all the characters in the story. It may have been better to limit the number of characters and flush out their emotional development/evolution versus the constant adding in of new ones. Keeping the characters and story line straight becomes a bit challenging. For example, after Tess finds out the true extent of her tragedy (no spoilers, sorry), her therapist moves her into a hospital room with a terminally ill girl (Annie) who only has a few weeks to live. (What 'therapist' would take an already distraught and heart-broken teenager and put her in with a terminally ill girl whose death is imminent?). It's unclear why the author thought it necessary to introduce yet another tragic character so late in the novel (the reader is already a bit exhausted and looking forward to resolution). Tess's and Annie's relationship seemed rushed and shallow considering the gravity of Annie's condition and everything everyone has been through. The character of Tess doesn't need an 'Annie' to remind her about the fragility of life. (In the real world, Tess might have had a nervous breakdown with the emotional overload courtesy of her therapist).
Many young adult novels read like an adult author trying to affect that of a young adult but not this story in which the voice of the protagonist, Tess Porter, stays true to form throughout. It reads as if a 17 year old girl wrote it and it has all the expected references to pop culture: music, movies, texting, Snap Chat, Instagram, etc. There is some crude “teenager talk” in the story that wasn't necessary. Unfortunately, as a character, Tess does not develop emotionally throughout the story and seems the same at the end of the story as she was in the beginning, pre-tragedy. Though 17, there are a lot of emotionally developed and deep 17 year olds and considering what the character of Tess goes through, she stays emotionally and intellectually superficial throughout the story. (No marches to end gun violence in this story). The book is full of loss and tragedy yet none of this, including her own losses, seems to deepen her character. In this sense, this was a lost opportunity for character development/revelation that could have been more inspirational.
Overall, it's a compelling story, hard to put down, and a good read.
Susan (NorCal Writes)
Genre: Young Adult
Editorial Review
The compelling opening immediately hooks you in. Seventeen year old, Tess Porter (an “unstoppable” Aries) who lives in New Jersey, wakes up in the hospital. She's beat up pretty badly and no one is sure why. Her parents, tortured by their own secrets, seem somewhat lost in how to deal with her. They're visiting her in “shifts” and it's making her mad. Not only is she frustrated because no one will tell her what happened (but they claim they aren't sure themselves), she's not allowed to have her phone. Her lawyer mother was always busy but since the dramatic death of a colleague/"friend", she's acting even more preoccupied than usual.
“Lately, we're three sharp points of a triangle, each in our own corner,” Tess observes.
Then there are the therapists, maybe a tad too perky. One of them, Lydia, gives her a 'right-handed' journal. They're hoping if she writes, maybe she can remember...It's the thought that counts. Prior to the accident, Tess had a falling out with her best friend, Izzy, and now would love to see her but it wasn't just Izzy, it was Izzy's whole big, loving, crazy family she loved, so different from her own 'triad' of just she and her two self-absorbed parents. And James. James. Her boyfriend (thanks to Izzy). One grade older, he's dreamy and perfect. They met when he interviewed her for the school newspaper “nobody reads” because she popped a grape out of someone's mouth when they were choking. After his article, Tess gains recognition for her citizen action. She receives awards but what she really wants is to be 'awarded' with is James's heart.
He comes and goes from her hospital room (or is it all just a dream? They have her on a lot of pain killers). Some memories start to rise to the surface of her mind but it all starts to break loose when she mentions someone named Nick Lawrence. There are gasps and anguish. What in the world is the big deal about a guy named Nick Lawrence? She is so tired. This is all requiring so much energy. Why won't they just tell her what in the hell happened?
“Who withholds crucial information from someone who's already pretty badly shaken up? Why add to the torment?” Tess wondered.
Pre-accident, the memory of the last time she saw James, her 'normal' life, he is on his way back from Chicago where he now goes to college. It's been four long months. Tess, an aspiring chef (and excited as hell), is going all out. She plans a delicious dinner, what she will wear, how to style her hair--oh the beau of her dreams is coming home to see her for Christmas! Her heart is full but suddenly there is a strange twist. James asks her to pick up a friend of his who is stranded at the Newark Airport. A bit deflated, Tess agrees even though she has to drive through a raging blizzard...but she would do anything for James. The guy's name is Nick Lawrence. Of course, her parents aren't home, her mother is God knows where, her father, maybe teaching a class or off (desperately) writing. Point being, nobody knows what she's doing (except James who isn't there yet). She takes the safest car she can, the family's old Volvo. She decides to wear her mother's warm coat instead of her own and finds what? A silver pocket watch on a long chain? She has never seen it before. Her mother has been acting so strange, emotional, unstable (and drunk) since the death of her colleague/"friend". She stares at what she calls “a truth bomb” ticking in her hand. Putting it back in the coat, she heads to the airport and there is Nick, waiting for her. He seems familiar but not in a good way. She suppresses a desire to run away from him but if he's James's friend, he must be okay. Lulled by the idea everything is okay if this is James's friend, naive, even as things get weirder and more tense, she tolerates this Nick guy. None of the their lives will ever be the same.
While you want to believe what happens in the story would never happen in “real life” this story is in many ways, the story of America that includes angry young men that don't know how to handle their emotions, don't know where to go, retribution and revenge, and of course, gun violence.
There are a lot of 'moving parts' to the story. At times it seems contrived and considering all the dramatic tragedies in the story (train collision, violent attack, terminally ill girl, not to mention her parent's failing marriage including a possible affair), emotionally superficial. This may be because of the ambitious plot and all the characters in the story. It may have been better to limit the number of characters and flush out their emotional development/evolution versus the constant adding in of new ones. Keeping the characters and story line straight becomes a bit challenging. For example, after Tess finds out the true extent of her tragedy (no spoilers, sorry), her therapist moves her into a hospital room with a terminally ill girl (Annie) who only has a few weeks to live. (What 'therapist' would take an already distraught and heart-broken teenager and put her in with a terminally ill girl whose death is imminent?). It's unclear why the author thought it necessary to introduce yet another tragic character so late in the novel (the reader is already a bit exhausted and looking forward to resolution). Tess's and Annie's relationship seemed rushed and shallow considering the gravity of Annie's condition and everything everyone has been through. The character of Tess doesn't need an 'Annie' to remind her about the fragility of life. (In the real world, Tess might have had a nervous breakdown with the emotional overload courtesy of her therapist).
Many young adult novels read like an adult author trying to affect that of a young adult but not this story in which the voice of the protagonist, Tess Porter, stays true to form throughout. It reads as if a 17 year old girl wrote it and it has all the expected references to pop culture: music, movies, texting, Snap Chat, Instagram, etc. There is some crude “teenager talk” in the story that wasn't necessary. Unfortunately, as a character, Tess does not develop emotionally throughout the story and seems the same at the end of the story as she was in the beginning, pre-tragedy. Though 17, there are a lot of emotionally developed and deep 17 year olds and considering what the character of Tess goes through, she stays emotionally and intellectually superficial throughout the story. (No marches to end gun violence in this story). The book is full of loss and tragedy yet none of this, including her own losses, seems to deepen her character. In this sense, this was a lost opportunity for character development/revelation that could have been more inspirational.
Overall, it's a compelling story, hard to put down, and a good read.
Susan (NorCal Writes)
September 3, 2021
Overall great book! The story line was intriguing and kept me turning the pages. However after the “big event” I felt it did drag on a bit. Again though it is worth the read.
May 18, 2021
I received an ARC via Inkslinger PR, all opinions expressed are my own.
When I read the description of this, I knew I had to read it. It sounds like everything I want in a thriller. I wasn't disappointed. This is a YA thriller, so if you don't like a ton of graphic detail, gruesome descriptions, or violence this is one I'd highly recommend. This is perfect for younger readers, those getting started in the thriller genre, or if you just want a break from violent and gory descriptions that you sometimes find in adult thrillers.
I the amnesia aspect was it was done really well here and gives main character Tess a bit of an unreliable narrator feel as she tries to piece together what happened to land her in the hospital. She wakes up to find herself in the hospital with multiple broken bones, her body in pain, and her memory a jumble. When her therapist suggests she start journaling to put her thoughts in order and try to recover as much as she can about what happened, Tess slowly starts piece the night back together. She also starts to observe the strange behavior of the adults around her. Her parents and some of the medical staff are keeping information from her, and some of her friends haven't been to visit her.
As Tess remembers what happens she also has to deal with some other things unrelated to her accident that she also remember that happened on that snowy Saturday that changed her life. The more she remembers the more she wants to forget that it ever happened and her life is turned upside down when her memory finally returns. While I kind of figured out the twists ahead of time I still enjoyed the reveals and thought they were well done. I wouldn't say this was predictable, but avid thriller readers will see things coming before they happen in this one. Not only do we get a well crafted YA Thriller, we also get a decent contemporary novel as well. This also deals with alot of heavy emotions regarding the events that take place before, during, and after the accident. Tess has to process quite a bit of stuff before she can move on from that event and figure out what to do next. Alot of times we only see a short wrap up of what happens after the bad event in the thriller and the bad guy getting caught. In this case, we stay with Tess for quite a while afterwards as she figures things out and processes everything. It gets pretty emotional at times.
This is my first book by Liz Alterman, and I very much enjoyed it. I look forward to seeing what she comes up with next. I had a hard time putting this one down!
When I read the description of this, I knew I had to read it. It sounds like everything I want in a thriller. I wasn't disappointed. This is a YA thriller, so if you don't like a ton of graphic detail, gruesome descriptions, or violence this is one I'd highly recommend. This is perfect for younger readers, those getting started in the thriller genre, or if you just want a break from violent and gory descriptions that you sometimes find in adult thrillers.
I the amnesia aspect was it was done really well here and gives main character Tess a bit of an unreliable narrator feel as she tries to piece together what happened to land her in the hospital. She wakes up to find herself in the hospital with multiple broken bones, her body in pain, and her memory a jumble. When her therapist suggests she start journaling to put her thoughts in order and try to recover as much as she can about what happened, Tess slowly starts piece the night back together. She also starts to observe the strange behavior of the adults around her. Her parents and some of the medical staff are keeping information from her, and some of her friends haven't been to visit her.
As Tess remembers what happens she also has to deal with some other things unrelated to her accident that she also remember that happened on that snowy Saturday that changed her life. The more she remembers the more she wants to forget that it ever happened and her life is turned upside down when her memory finally returns. While I kind of figured out the twists ahead of time I still enjoyed the reveals and thought they were well done. I wouldn't say this was predictable, but avid thriller readers will see things coming before they happen in this one. Not only do we get a well crafted YA Thriller, we also get a decent contemporary novel as well. This also deals with alot of heavy emotions regarding the events that take place before, during, and after the accident. Tess has to process quite a bit of stuff before she can move on from that event and figure out what to do next. Alot of times we only see a short wrap up of what happens after the bad event in the thriller and the bad guy getting caught. In this case, we stay with Tess for quite a while afterwards as she figures things out and processes everything. It gets pretty emotional at times.
This is my first book by Liz Alterman, and I very much enjoyed it. I look forward to seeing what she comes up with next. I had a hard time putting this one down!
July 29, 2021
Okay, friends- let’s start this review by clearing one thing up. This cover might promise a slasher/ horror type thriller but don’t let that fool you. There are elements of that within this novel, especially in the first half. I was getting Steven King-type vibes within the first half, which is not my usual type of read. I was very happy to have that in the first half and find something that was more familiar in the second half. Most thrillers end shortly after most of the action occurs, but this book follows through to explore what happens to our protagonist after her traumatic event. There is an exploration of grief, family conflict & a journey of healing. The author herself has said that the second half is more of a coming of age tale.
Liz Alterman has been so kind to her buddy readers- she signed our advance copies and sent along a matching book mark. She also was so sweet during her chat with @BeritTalksBooks on Instagram. Alterman did say that her next book will be an adult thriller, which I sincerely can’t wait to read.
Liz Alterman has been so kind to her buddy readers- she signed our advance copies and sent along a matching book mark. She also was so sweet during her chat with @BeritTalksBooks on Instagram. Alterman did say that her next book will be an adult thriller, which I sincerely can’t wait to read.
May 19, 2021
Thank you to the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
If you are looking for a thriller on a holiday then this is one.
“Tess! Tess!’ Mom pats my right arm gently. “Honey, wake up, you’re having a bad dream.”
Tess was injured badly and she got no memories of what was happened. Everyone besides her stayed silent about this. While Tess is recovering from her injuries, she was hoping to look for answers.
Highly recommended, you will enjoy this more then you think.
If you are looking for a thriller on a holiday then this is one.
“Tess! Tess!’ Mom pats my right arm gently. “Honey, wake up, you’re having a bad dream.”
Tess was injured badly and she got no memories of what was happened. Everyone besides her stayed silent about this. While Tess is recovering from her injuries, she was hoping to look for answers.
Highly recommended, you will enjoy this more then you think.
January 21, 2022
This was a quick read and definitely had some good suspenseful moments but overall I found it lacking. There was way too much extra fluff about their relationship and Tess’ past that just did not interest me at all, and honestly everything was PAINFULLY obvious. I wasn’t surprised at all by any of what I assumed were supposed to be twists and I just wanted so much more from the actual situation that only turned out to be an entire chapter. A whole chapter dedicated to what the book is about! Amazing. This could’ve been a lot better if it had been flushed out even a little but it was more a contemporary drama than a thriller.
January 20, 2026
This book was not what I thought it was going to be, but in the best way possible. I went in expecting one thing and got something completely different, and I loved it.
Tess wakes up in the hospital with no memory of how she got there. Everyone around her is acting strange, and nothing feels right. They are all desperate for her to remember, but why? That mystery alone kept me hooked.
The story is filled with suspense, secrets, and so many unanswered questions. Adultery, suicide, and murder all play a part, and the twists just keep coming. Every time I thought I had it figured out, something new was revealed.
One of my favorite things about this book was how it tied everything together. It actually answered the questions you usually get left wondering about after finishing a thriller, which I really appreciated.
Overall, this was a gripping, twisty read that unfolded perfectly. I’m so glad I listened to it on audio. Highly recommend if you love psychological suspense.
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZThBMyeej/
Tess wakes up in the hospital with no memory of how she got there. Everyone around her is acting strange, and nothing feels right. They are all desperate for her to remember, but why? That mystery alone kept me hooked.
The story is filled with suspense, secrets, and so many unanswered questions. Adultery, suicide, and murder all play a part, and the twists just keep coming. Every time I thought I had it figured out, something new was revealed.
One of my favorite things about this book was how it tied everything together. It actually answered the questions you usually get left wondering about after finishing a thriller, which I really appreciated.
Overall, this was a gripping, twisty read that unfolded perfectly. I’m so glad I listened to it on audio. Highly recommend if you love psychological suspense.
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZThBMyeej/
Read
January 7, 2024Loved how this book offers us two kind of experiences. The first half being an excellent thriller will make you rush through the pages and the last half will make you empathize with the protagonist, beautifully showing the art of moving on and how a single decision can change the whole dynamic of one's life. Altogether I loved this book and eager to read more from this author. ♥︎
August 23, 2021
Crazy Story With Sadness
Ms. Liz has a storyline that will keep you engaged and reading.
The characters are well written and there's a lot of human in the story.
All is believable. The addition to the social media and paparazzi is spot on.
#ReadThisBook
Ms. Liz has a storyline that will keep you engaged and reading.
The characters are well written and there's a lot of human in the story.
All is believable. The addition to the social media and paparazzi is spot on.
#ReadThisBook
October 29, 2025
4.5 rounded up. Dark and emotional, even if it didn't really surprise. Completely gripping.
January 27, 2026
Definitely more young adult than thriller since the thriller doesn't doesn't last long in the book. Well written and good if you want romance and young adult but not so much if you want a thriller.
July 3, 2024
More than I was expecting. A YA thriller, but it’s also about grief, family and trauma.
May 11, 2021
Whoa this book was JAM PACKED full of suspense! It was awesome (but extremely sad) figuring out everything with Tess because you know that things are not as cut and dry as they seem. It was an interesting book and though things seemed a bit all over the place it also made sense because lets be real, Tess was pretty much all over the place too and rightfully so.
All in all this book was full of emotions and suspense and it was so darn heartbreaking at times. I enjoyed it and liked how it all played out and give it 4 outta 5 stars!
PS: Thank you to Liz Alterman and Inkslinger PR for allowing me an advanced copy of the book to read and review honestly!
All in all this book was full of emotions and suspense and it was so darn heartbreaking at times. I enjoyed it and liked how it all played out and give it 4 outta 5 stars!
PS: Thank you to Liz Alterman and Inkslinger PR for allowing me an advanced copy of the book to read and review honestly!
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