jtturpin's review against another edition
2.0
Rounded to 2.5. I dunno, I think maybe I've read too many mystery/thriller books. I wasn't captivated. Nothing was shocking. It was fine.
catreader18's review against another edition
4.0
This was my first book by this author and I loved it. I had a hard time putting it down!
bug_kt's review against another edition
3.0
My review can also be seen at: https://katieonthecase.com/2019/03/29/review-the-night-before-by-wendy-walker/
"If you keep leaving the herd, the wolves will come."
The premise of Wendy Walker's The Night Before is certainly a fresh one, diving into the modern world of online dating and its potential scares. I really enjoyed that this book focused on something so common in this day and age, but with more twists and turns as well as deeper issues. The plot starts simple, a blind date and a nervous girl with a damaged, and actually infamous past. The book focuses on more than the blind date, going into the territory of mental health, self awareness, and challenging upbringings. That's all I really want to say about the plot itself, for fear of giving too much away, but just know its more than just a book about dating.
With that being said, I want to start out my review by saying that this blurb was PERFECT and should be a lesson to the whole thriller genre. The blurb was maybe five sentences, just enough to draw you in without giving a single plot line away. (Side rant: way too often I feel like I can basically guess the whole premise by just reading the long, drawn out blurbs and spoil the whole book for myself. Some blurbs give away the whole twist! OK end rant.)
As I said, I don't want to give too much away about the plot itself, but I do want to share my thoughts about the other aspects of the book. I've actually been pretty torn on how to rate this one, because there were some parts I loved and some parts that I felt had potential but didn't get all the way there. On one hand, I think the pacing was excellent and constantly kept me on my toes. This is going to be a huge hit this summer for the unique plot line and immersive writing alone. I actually had to force myself to turn off my Kindle and go to sleep- it's that thrilling. I was constantly wondering what was going to happen, and who the real villains were.
Unfortunately I do think I figured out the plot twist a little too early for my liking, and would like to have been more surprised by the end, but that's just personal preference. Some readers really love to use their armchair detective skills, so they would probably really enjoy this slow reveal. I think I just felt like the plot was a bit spoon-fed for me and tried to hard to make everything neat and perfect. Another possibility is that I read too much of this genre and can't be totally shocked by what I read anymore, which is also just a personal issue!
Although I liked the pacing and the alternating perspectives, the other aspects of the writing fell a bit flat for me. I didn't ever really connect with any of the characters, in fact, I didn't really like any of them at all. I think they could use some more flushing out, maybe by making the book a bit longer and diving deeper into each of their histories? I don't necessarily need likable characters, but I think I would have liked to see a bit more character development here. Although I do understand the book takes place in basically one day. Again, I really did love getting multiple perspectives on the same night and getting constant cliffhangers at the end of each chapter!
Overall, I think The Night Before is a fresh idea and I absolutely know it will be a hit this summer, I think it was just kind of middle of the road for me, and that's ok. It was still a very fun read that I finished in a few sittings and would still most likely recommend to my other thriller friends! I will definitely be checking out Wendy Walker's previous novels too.
Thank you NetGalley, Wendy Walker, and St. Martin's Press for the ARC of this novel and the opportunity to enjoy early in return for my honest review.
"If you keep leaving the herd, the wolves will come."
The premise of Wendy Walker's The Night Before is certainly a fresh one, diving into the modern world of online dating and its potential scares. I really enjoyed that this book focused on something so common in this day and age, but with more twists and turns as well as deeper issues. The plot starts simple, a blind date and a nervous girl with a damaged, and actually infamous past. The book focuses on more than the blind date, going into the territory of mental health, self awareness, and challenging upbringings. That's all I really want to say about the plot itself, for fear of giving too much away, but just know its more than just a book about dating.
With that being said, I want to start out my review by saying that this blurb was PERFECT and should be a lesson to the whole thriller genre. The blurb was maybe five sentences, just enough to draw you in without giving a single plot line away. (Side rant: way too often I feel like I can basically guess the whole premise by just reading the long, drawn out blurbs and spoil the whole book for myself. Some blurbs give away the whole twist! OK end rant.)
As I said, I don't want to give too much away about the plot itself, but I do want to share my thoughts about the other aspects of the book. I've actually been pretty torn on how to rate this one, because there were some parts I loved and some parts that I felt had potential but didn't get all the way there. On one hand, I think the pacing was excellent and constantly kept me on my toes. This is going to be a huge hit this summer for the unique plot line and immersive writing alone. I actually had to force myself to turn off my Kindle and go to sleep- it's that thrilling. I was constantly wondering what was going to happen, and who the real villains were.
Unfortunately I do think I figured out the plot twist a little too early for my liking, and would like to have been more surprised by the end, but that's just personal preference. Some readers really love to use their armchair detective skills, so they would probably really enjoy this slow reveal. I think I just felt like the plot was a bit spoon-fed for me and tried to hard to make everything neat and perfect. Another possibility is that I read too much of this genre and can't be totally shocked by what I read anymore, which is also just a personal issue!
Although I liked the pacing and the alternating perspectives, the other aspects of the writing fell a bit flat for me. I didn't ever really connect with any of the characters, in fact, I didn't really like any of them at all. I think they could use some more flushing out, maybe by making the book a bit longer and diving deeper into each of their histories? I don't necessarily need likable characters, but I think I would have liked to see a bit more character development here. Although I do understand the book takes place in basically one day. Again, I really did love getting multiple perspectives on the same night and getting constant cliffhangers at the end of each chapter!
Overall, I think The Night Before is a fresh idea and I absolutely know it will be a hit this summer, I think it was just kind of middle of the road for me, and that's ok. It was still a very fun read that I finished in a few sittings and would still most likely recommend to my other thriller friends! I will definitely be checking out Wendy Walker's previous novels too.
Thank you NetGalley, Wendy Walker, and St. Martin's Press for the ARC of this novel and the opportunity to enjoy early in return for my honest review.
seekwithari's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
bags_and_bookz's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for this e-ARC in return of my honest review.
Two sisters tell the story from each other’s end. Laura, the youngest, tomboy in childhood, in search of true love is heading for date with a man from online dating site. Everything looks promising until Rosie, the oldest sister, now married and young mom, find Laura’s room empty next morning. The past horrible secret unifies both sisters and Rosie is on the quest to find her sister. Along she unravels mind-blowing secrets from the past.
The story was gripping at times, but I did not feel particularly thrilled. I could not connect with Laura desires and fears, as she wasn’t fully drawn until very last chapters. Readers get these pieces of information from her and her sister’s flashbacks from their childhood. I did not feel Rosie who lost any traces of communication with her sister. She got so caught up with her own family taking care of her husband and son, she kind of abandon her sister. Aren’t we all a bit guilty of it though? With work everyday, never-ending chores and making house a home? I should have liked Rosie more, but I was confused why she didn’t believe her sister when accident happened?
The plot was a little bit predictable, but there were few twists I appreciated. I think I should stop right here or I’ll spill something important.
Overall, good read
Two sisters tell the story from each other’s end. Laura, the youngest, tomboy in childhood, in search of true love is heading for date with a man from online dating site. Everything looks promising until Rosie, the oldest sister, now married and young mom, find Laura’s room empty next morning. The past horrible secret unifies both sisters and Rosie is on the quest to find her sister. Along she unravels mind-blowing secrets from the past.
The story was gripping at times, but I did not feel particularly thrilled. I could not connect with Laura desires and fears, as she wasn’t fully drawn until very last chapters. Readers get these pieces of information from her and her sister’s flashbacks from their childhood. I did not feel Rosie who lost any traces of communication with her sister. She got so caught up with her own family taking care of her husband and son, she kind of abandon her sister. Aren’t we all a bit guilty of it though? With work everyday, never-ending chores and making house a home? I should have liked Rosie more, but I was confused why she didn’t believe her sister when accident happened?
The plot was a little bit predictable, but there were few twists I appreciated. I think I should stop right here or I’ll spill something important.
Overall, good read
kbranfield's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars.
The Night Before by Wendy Walker is a tension-filled, suspenseful mystery.
Following a crushing break-up, twenty-eight year old Laura Lochner moves in with her sister Rosie Ferro, brother-in-law Joe and nephew Mason. Returning to her small hometown is not easy, but Laura is trying to make the best of things under difficult circumstances. Against Rosie's advice, Laura signs up for an online dating service and she is going on her first date with Jonathan Fields. When Laura fails to return home, Rosie enlists Joe and their close Gabe Wallace to try to locate her sister. What, if anything, has happened to Laura? And more importantly, where is she?
Laura has never recovered from the emotional pain of her parent's divorce. Her history of choosing the wrong man dates back to her first boyfriend in high school. That relationship ended under a cloud of suspicion which is why she rarely returns to her hometown to visit. Following her devastating break-up, Laura's makes a fateful decision to move in with Rosie while she tries to figure out what comes next. She is enjoying reconnecting with Rosie, Joe and Gabe and she is thrilled to have unlimited access to her nephew. Laura's heart is broken but she is determined to find a man to share her life with. But will she be able to break her habit for choosing men who are emotionally unavailable? Can Laura trust that Jonathan is telling her the truth about himself?
Due to what happened with Laura's first boyfriend, Rosie is extremely reluctant to involve the police when her sister fails to return after her date. Luckily, Gabe has the expertise and connections that help them search for Laura. However, after their efforts fail to locate her, Rosie has no choice but to contact the police. To her dismay, they do not take her disappearance too seriously. Rosie then becomes frantic about Laura's safety but is she prepared for the information she is about to unearth?
Written in first person, Laura's chapters are quite compelling as she tries to figure out if she can trust her intuition about Jonathan. Interspersed with both her and Rosie's chapters are intriguing snippets of her interactions with therapist Dr. Brody. These short chapters provide a heartrending portrait of Laura's attempts to understand why she inevitably selects the wrong man. Armed with a better understanding of herself and her motives, Laura attempts to apply this insight to her observations, feelings and gut instincts about Jonathan.
The Night Before is an absolutely riveting psychological mystery that is fast-paced and quite fascinating. Laura's self-doubt during her date is absolutely heartbreaking since she is unable to completely trust her own judgment. Rosie's frenzied search for Laura takes a twist-filled turn that makes her wonder if she knows her loved ones as well as she believes. Wendy Walker skillfully keeps readers guessing what happened to Laura as she brings this mesmerizing novel to a jaw-dropping conclusion. I highly recommend this clever mystery to fans of the genre.
The Night Before by Wendy Walker is a tension-filled, suspenseful mystery.
Following a crushing break-up, twenty-eight year old Laura Lochner moves in with her sister Rosie Ferro, brother-in-law Joe and nephew Mason. Returning to her small hometown is not easy, but Laura is trying to make the best of things under difficult circumstances. Against Rosie's advice, Laura signs up for an online dating service and she is going on her first date with Jonathan Fields. When Laura fails to return home, Rosie enlists Joe and their close Gabe Wallace to try to locate her sister. What, if anything, has happened to Laura? And more importantly, where is she?
Laura has never recovered from the emotional pain of her parent's divorce. Her history of choosing the wrong man dates back to her first boyfriend in high school. That relationship ended under a cloud of suspicion which is why she rarely returns to her hometown to visit. Following her devastating break-up, Laura's makes a fateful decision to move in with Rosie while she tries to figure out what comes next. She is enjoying reconnecting with Rosie, Joe and Gabe and she is thrilled to have unlimited access to her nephew. Laura's heart is broken but she is determined to find a man to share her life with. But will she be able to break her habit for choosing men who are emotionally unavailable? Can Laura trust that Jonathan is telling her the truth about himself?
Due to what happened with Laura's first boyfriend, Rosie is extremely reluctant to involve the police when her sister fails to return after her date. Luckily, Gabe has the expertise and connections that help them search for Laura. However, after their efforts fail to locate her, Rosie has no choice but to contact the police. To her dismay, they do not take her disappearance too seriously. Rosie then becomes frantic about Laura's safety but is she prepared for the information she is about to unearth?
Written in first person, Laura's chapters are quite compelling as she tries to figure out if she can trust her intuition about Jonathan. Interspersed with both her and Rosie's chapters are intriguing snippets of her interactions with therapist Dr. Brody. These short chapters provide a heartrending portrait of Laura's attempts to understand why she inevitably selects the wrong man. Armed with a better understanding of herself and her motives, Laura attempts to apply this insight to her observations, feelings and gut instincts about Jonathan.
The Night Before is an absolutely riveting psychological mystery that is fast-paced and quite fascinating. Laura's self-doubt during her date is absolutely heartbreaking since she is unable to completely trust her own judgment. Rosie's frenzied search for Laura takes a twist-filled turn that makes her wonder if she knows her loved ones as well as she believes. Wendy Walker skillfully keeps readers guessing what happened to Laura as she brings this mesmerizing novel to a jaw-dropping conclusion. I highly recommend this clever mystery to fans of the genre.
jsanchez11153's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
andrearbooks's review against another edition
5.0
The Night Before by Wendy Walker was a thriller that I could not put down. Literally, y'all, I read it in one sitting. Laura decides to give online dating a go. However, when she doesn't return home, her older sister Rosie is convinced something terrible must have happened. The story is told through both Laura and Rosie's eyes. Laura's is told in the night before (annnd the title makes sense!), and Rosie's is told in the day after. Through alternating narrations, the timelines converge, and the truth is revealed. The twistiness of this one was so great! I thought for sure I had it figured out, and then the twists went in a completely different direction, and then they did again. This one isn't out until May (thanks for the sneak peek, St. Martins Press), and I feel quite confident in telling y'all that this will be a thriller that people are going to be buzzing about, and they 100% should be! Is the first week of the month too early for me to say this is one of the best thrillers of the year? Yeah, I didn't think so.
menniemenace's review against another edition
3.0
2.5/5
It's not especially good, but it was entertaining. I felt like it was predictable at times, but at other times the events barely connected to each other.
I liked Luara, though. She's a pretty cool character.
**Book 4 out of 10 in the reading marathon
It's not especially good, but it was entertaining. I felt like it was predictable at times, but at other times the events barely connected to each other.
I liked Luara, though. She's a pretty cool character.
**Book 4 out of 10 in the reading marathon