Almost Missed You
Grade : A-

Almost Missed You is Jessica Strawser's début novel, and it's one I'm finding it difficult to describe. Some reviewers say it's best to go into this novel knowing as little about the plot as possible, but personally, I’m not one to pick up a book I know nothing of, so I'll do my best to summarize things without giving too much away. The novel blurs the line between women's fiction and suspense in the very best way, taking elements of both and combining them into an unforgettable story.

Ask anyone who knows them and they'll tell you Finn and Violet are absolutely, without a doubt, meant to be together. The story of their meeting is one they love to tell at parties, and it almost always makes people smile. They seem to have the perfect life, and, three years into their marriage, they're the proud parents of a three-year-old son. But then, while vacationing on the beach where she and Finn first met, Violet is stunned to wake up from a nap to discover that Finn has disappeared, taking their son with him. She can't imagine how this is possible, but after searching high and low, she is forced to accept that Finn has abducted Bear.

Caitlin and Finn have been best friends for years. They know each other's darkest secrets, and there's nothing Caitlin and her husband wouldn't do for Finn and Violet. The two families used to live next door to one another, but Finn and his family have since moved to North Carolina. Then, out of the blue, Finn shows up on Caitlin's doorstep with Bear in tow, demanding that Caitlin hide them. She's put in an untenable position. Remember what I said about Finn and Caitlin knowing each other's deepest secrets? Well, Finn uses those secrets to manipulate Caitlin, making it clear that If she doesn't do what he asks, he'll reveal everything he knows and her marriage will be ruined.

You probably have tons of questions after reading my summary, but you really have got to find the rest out for yourself. This is a novel meant to keep the reader guessing until the very end, and it mostly delivers. There are a few places that seem a little repetitive, as we see the same events from multiple points of view, but by and large, this highly emotional book should keep you fully engaged.

There were times I wanted to shake each of the characters, though. They're each a little flawed, and sometimes, those flaws are pushed to the forefront in a way that is the tiniest bit annoying. Caitlin, for example, wants nothing more in life than to be a devoted wife and mother, so she'll do pretty much anything in order to keep her family together. On the surface, this is commendable, but, under these circumstances, she acts in ways that make her difficult to like and relate to. The same can be said for Violet and Finn, although their motivations are completely different from Caitlin's.

I strongly urge you to pick up a copy of Almost Missed You. It's a book you won't soon forget and is a remarkable début. I can't wait to see what's next for Jessica Strawser.

Buy it on Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes & Noble/Kobo

Reviewed by Shannon Dyer
Grade : A-
Book Type: Women's Fiction

Sensuality: N/A

Review Date : March 31, 2017

Publication Date: 03/2017

Review Tags: suspense

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Shannon Dyer

I'm Shannon from Michigan. I've been an avid reader all my life. I adore romance, psychological fiction, science fiction, fantasy, and the occasional memoir. I share my home with my life partner, two dogs, and a very feisty feline.
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