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eablick's review against another edition
5.0
Taking us back to Georgia in 1971. George and Rachel Dixon are exhausted. They have been dealing with a music festival at a nearby farm. The music has kept them, and most importantly, their infant daughter, Emily from getting any sleep. On the final night of the festival, a storm rolls in and helps to drown out the noise. The thundering and rain lull all of the Dixon family to sleep. The morning after is supposed to be a fresh start, as the festival is over. When Rachel goes to get Emily out of her crib, she's gone! Who would do this and where did she go?
Vicki Robart is attending the festival in hopes that it will take away the ache from the loss of her stillborn daughter only a few months prior. She is self-medicating with marijuana and at the end of the festival is looking for food. Murph, is driving, and Vicki persuades him to stop at a dark house to allow Vicki to run for something to eat. When Vicki gets into the house, she opens the fridge and sees more than just food. What she sees drives her to do something that she will never be able to personally take back. A decision that will impact so many lives.
This book was such a treat to read and was so well-written. Bette Lee Crosby was able to discuss the horrendous topic of kidnapping with so much grace. She was able to walk through the emotions of each character and how it impacts the relationships they have to where you could FEEL the emotions yourself. I felt so much anger towards Vicki, my heart broke with Rachel, and my heart swelled with love for George.
This book will have you hooked immediately and you won't be able to put it down! Make sure you have plenty of time to read it!
Thank you to Bette Lee Crosby, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley who provided me with a digital advanced reader's copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Vicki Robart is attending the festival in hopes that it will take away the ache from the loss of her stillborn daughter only a few months prior. She is self-medicating with marijuana and at the end of the festival is looking for food. Murph, is driving, and Vicki persuades him to stop at a dark house to allow Vicki to run for something to eat. When Vicki gets into the house, she opens the fridge and sees more than just food. What she sees drives her to do something that she will never be able to personally take back. A decision that will impact so many lives.
This book was such a treat to read and was so well-written. Bette Lee Crosby was able to discuss the horrendous topic of kidnapping with so much grace. She was able to walk through the emotions of each character and how it impacts the relationships they have to where you could FEEL the emotions yourself. I felt so much anger towards Vicki, my heart broke with Rachel, and my heart swelled with love for George.
This book will have you hooked immediately and you won't be able to put it down! Make sure you have plenty of time to read it!
Thank you to Bette Lee Crosby, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley who provided me with a digital advanced reader's copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
3.0
Emily, Gone by Bette Lee Crosby takes readers back to August of 1971. A music festival has been scheduled by Big Sound to be held in Baker’s Field just outside Hesterville, Georgia. George and Rachel Dixon along with their six month old daughter, Emily live near there and are overwhelmed by the music. None of them get sleep until the rain hits on Sunday muffling the music thanks to their metal roof. Emily is put to sleep in her crib and her parents fall into a deep sleep in their room. They never hear the woman slipping into their home, pick up Emily and disappear into the night. The next morning, Rachel goes into Emily’s room to discover her gone. The Dixon’s life will never be the same again.
Vicki Robart and her boyfriend, Russ “Murph” Murphy are attending the music festival with thousands of others. Vicki has been keeping herself numb with marijuana since her daughter was stillborn in February. When they depart the festival on Sunday evening, Vicki is hungry. She spots the dark farmhouse and has Murph stop hoping the family leaves their kitchen door unlocked. Vicki sneaks into the kitchen and spots the baby bottles. She has a chance to fill her arms which have ached since her little girl was stillborn. Vicki’s act changes the lives of three women. What happens, though, when the truth is finally revealed?
Emily, Gone is the story of what happens when a woman takes a child and the aftermath. I thought Emily, Gone was well-written with steady pacing. It deals with a tragedy that affects not just Vicki, Rachel, George and Emily but others as well including the residents of Hesterville and Sheriff Carl Wilson. The kidnapping took place before the internet and amber alerts. There is little forensic evidence and thousands of suspects. Finding a six month old child is like finding a needle in a haystack. Rachel Dixon blames herself for not locking the kitchen door while George goes through a similar blame game. Russ Murphy knows what Vicki did is wrong, and he tries to find a way to rectify the situation. The two stories are told in a direct manner. The characters are realistic along with the feelings and situations. I could feel Rachel’s distress and loss. George wants to stay strong for his wife, but he is dealing with the same emotions. Vicki is thrilled to have her baby and joy pours from her. Bette Lee Crosby portrays the long term affects of the kidnapping. Helen Dixon, George’s mother, is my favorite character. She is not without flaws and is no stranger to heartbreak. Helen, or Mama Dixon as she is called, provides strength to Rachel and George along with love, understanding, and provides practical advice. I do want readers to know that the book contains foul language and judicious use of marijuana (it was the 70s). I did feel that the story was a little long at 394 pages and Russ Murphy’s story seemed incomplete. I appreciated the epilogue. Emily, Gone is a feel good story that shows there is a reason for why things happen. I enjoyed the reference to the little girl’s Mrs. Beasley doll (I wanted one of these dolls) from Family Affair. There are two phrases I thought were especially profound. “Sorrow does strange things to a woman” is the first. “When someone you love hurts, you hurt for them. That’s how love is” as said by Mama Dixon. Emily, Gone shows that God does work in mysterious ways.
Vicki Robart and her boyfriend, Russ “Murph” Murphy are attending the music festival with thousands of others. Vicki has been keeping herself numb with marijuana since her daughter was stillborn in February. When they depart the festival on Sunday evening, Vicki is hungry. She spots the dark farmhouse and has Murph stop hoping the family leaves their kitchen door unlocked. Vicki sneaks into the kitchen and spots the baby bottles. She has a chance to fill her arms which have ached since her little girl was stillborn. Vicki’s act changes the lives of three women. What happens, though, when the truth is finally revealed?
Emily, Gone is the story of what happens when a woman takes a child and the aftermath. I thought Emily, Gone was well-written with steady pacing. It deals with a tragedy that affects not just Vicki, Rachel, George and Emily but others as well including the residents of Hesterville and Sheriff Carl Wilson. The kidnapping took place before the internet and amber alerts. There is little forensic evidence and thousands of suspects. Finding a six month old child is like finding a needle in a haystack. Rachel Dixon blames herself for not locking the kitchen door while George goes through a similar blame game. Russ Murphy knows what Vicki did is wrong, and he tries to find a way to rectify the situation. The two stories are told in a direct manner. The characters are realistic along with the feelings and situations. I could feel Rachel’s distress and loss. George wants to stay strong for his wife, but he is dealing with the same emotions. Vicki is thrilled to have her baby and joy pours from her. Bette Lee Crosby portrays the long term affects of the kidnapping. Helen Dixon, George’s mother, is my favorite character. She is not without flaws and is no stranger to heartbreak. Helen, or Mama Dixon as she is called, provides strength to Rachel and George along with love, understanding, and provides practical advice. I do want readers to know that the book contains foul language and judicious use of marijuana (it was the 70s). I did feel that the story was a little long at 394 pages and Russ Murphy’s story seemed incomplete. I appreciated the epilogue. Emily, Gone is a feel good story that shows there is a reason for why things happen. I enjoyed the reference to the little girl’s Mrs. Beasley doll (I wanted one of these dolls) from Family Affair. There are two phrases I thought were especially profound. “Sorrow does strange things to a woman” is the first. “When someone you love hurts, you hurt for them. That’s how love is” as said by Mama Dixon. Emily, Gone shows that God does work in mysterious ways.
rmarcin's review against another edition
5.0
In August 1971 a music festival came to a small town in Georgia and changed the lives of a family in town. A couple went to bed exhausted from the blaring sounds of the festival and when they awoke they discovered that their baby girl had been stolen from her crib. And so began a nightmare for the family. Rachel and George Dixon, along with George’s mother, Helen, navigate the sorrow of a missing child taken from them under awful circumstances.
This book is a story of sadness and despair, recovery and redemption and hope. It is the story of a woman who slowly rejoins the world with the help of others and her hope that one day she will be reunited with her daughter.
I loved this story and I loved the way the author wrote with raw emotion, and showed the power of forgiveness in helping to heal.
I can’t wait to read more from this author.
#EmilyGone #BetteLeeCrosby
This book is a story of sadness and despair, recovery and redemption and hope. It is the story of a woman who slowly rejoins the world with the help of others and her hope that one day she will be reunited with her daughter.
I loved this story and I loved the way the author wrote with raw emotion, and showed the power of forgiveness in helping to heal.
I can’t wait to read more from this author.
#EmilyGone #BetteLeeCrosby
bookswritingandmore's review against another edition
5.0
An enthusiastic five stars and more goes this book for original content, character development and exquisite writing. I was completely enthralled with this book and couldn't out it down for long periods of time without thinking about it and wishing I could be reading it. This was my first book by Bette Lee but I cannot wait to pick up more.
Rachel and George Dixon go to sleep one night and wake up to the terrifying reality that their baby was taken sometime during the night while they slept. What follows is an emotionally charged novel with many different characters taking part.
Id highly recommend this book to anyone who loves suspense and family ties drama.
Rachel and George Dixon go to sleep one night and wake up to the terrifying reality that their baby was taken sometime during the night while they slept. What follows is an emotionally charged novel with many different characters taking part.
Id highly recommend this book to anyone who loves suspense and family ties drama.
hmbb99's review against another edition
4.0
It's a hot summer night. There is a music festival blaring music keeping baby Emily and the Dixon's from getting any sleep. Suddenly a storm rolls in, stopping the music from playing and finally allowing baby Emily and her parents a chance to sleep. The Dixon's place Emily in her crib and the next morning when they wake, Emily is gone, taken from her crib while they slept.
This story delves into the lives of both the Dixon's and those who have taken Emily. It shows both sides of the unfortunate situation. It embraces the feeling of heartache, loss, and sorrow, while also stressing faith and forgiveness. It will make you smile and cry as it touches your heart.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of the book. The opinions are my own.
This story delves into the lives of both the Dixon's and those who have taken Emily. It shows both sides of the unfortunate situation. It embraces the feeling of heartache, loss, and sorrow, while also stressing faith and forgiveness. It will make you smile and cry as it touches your heart.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of the book. The opinions are my own.
meganmatranga88's review against another edition
4.0
I thought the storyline was wonderful, the ending was wonderful. I will say in between was a little lengthy I could have gone without a lot of the extra details. Definitely a great read though.
susanthebookbag's review against another edition
5.0
I have loved all of Bette's books but this has now become my favorite. Her books are always full of wonderful and interesting characters, so much love, and so much wisdom. Emily, Gone will pull at your heart strings and make you feel all the feels. A mother's love is so, so strong. And in Emily, Gone one mother's love never forgets and another mother's love causes heartache and tears.
I loved how Bette transported me back in time to the 1970s—a time of peace and love. But that peace is shattered for Rachel when she finds her little baby missing from her crib. And will Vicki's actions give her the peace she is looking for after the loss of her own baby?
This was such a sad, but heartwarming story, a story that brought tears a few times. But at the same time, it was an uplifting story—such an amazingly beautiful story. And one that will stay with me for a long time.
I always recommend Bette's books—she is such a wonderful storyteller. Emily, Gone is definitely one you need to read!
I loved how Bette transported me back in time to the 1970s—a time of peace and love. But that peace is shattered for Rachel when she finds her little baby missing from her crib. And will Vicki's actions give her the peace she is looking for after the loss of her own baby?
This was such a sad, but heartwarming story, a story that brought tears a few times. But at the same time, it was an uplifting story—such an amazingly beautiful story. And one that will stay with me for a long time.
I always recommend Bette's books—she is such a wonderful storyteller. Emily, Gone is definitely one you need to read!
jolantheerb's review against another edition
4.0
Seeing the story unfold is heartbreaking, but I absolutely adore how the author unpacks all the grief the family goes through, especially the relationship/reconciliation between one of the main characters and her mother-in-law. Truly one of the best parts in the book. A few parts were a bit slow-going, but overall, fabulous read.
samalvarez823's review against another edition
5.0
Breathtaking, intimate, beautiful and captivating story that gives truth to the word forgiveness…
Please tell me why in the world this is the first book of Ms Bette’s that I’ve read??
Emily, Gone was everything I was looking for and more! It read so easily and was actually a fast read, I didn’t want to put it down and only did so when I had to. The word heartbreaking comes to mind to describe my emotions throughout this book but, it turns into an enchanting read by the end.
The details, the descriptions of the characters and towns, the small things that truly bring this book to life. I enjoyed this novel wholeheartedly and I completely recommend it to all! I will be adding every single book that Bette Lee Crosby has ever written to my to-be read list for certain!
Another thank you as well to Ms Bette for this beautiful copy and the swag you sent!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Go grab it for yourself and experience this amazing read like I did.
Please tell me why in the world this is the first book of Ms Bette’s that I’ve read??
Emily, Gone was everything I was looking for and more! It read so easily and was actually a fast read, I didn’t want to put it down and only did so when I had to. The word heartbreaking comes to mind to describe my emotions throughout this book but, it turns into an enchanting read by the end.
The details, the descriptions of the characters and towns, the small things that truly bring this book to life. I enjoyed this novel wholeheartedly and I completely recommend it to all! I will be adding every single book that Bette Lee Crosby has ever written to my to-be read list for certain!
Another thank you as well to Ms Bette for this beautiful copy and the swag you sent!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Go grab it for yourself and experience this amazing read like I did.
hugbandit7's review against another edition
5.0
Such a fantastic story with a happy ending...but then I don't know of many books by this author that doesn't have a happy ending or at least not a sad one.
This story revolves around a baby that is kidnapped and what her biological family goes through not knowing if she is ok or not, and the life of the child as she grows up only to find out later in life that what she thought she knew wasn't even close.
Bette is a master storyteller and I am always excited to read a new book by her. She addresses real world issues with a kind touch. The emotions are still there and I felt for the characters and hoped that they would have a happy resolution in the end.
This story revolves around a baby that is kidnapped and what her biological family goes through not knowing if she is ok or not, and the life of the child as she grows up only to find out later in life that what she thought she knew wasn't even close.
Bette is a master storyteller and I am always excited to read a new book by her. She addresses real world issues with a kind touch. The emotions are still there and I felt for the characters and hoped that they would have a happy resolution in the end.