Reviews

Almost Gone by Mackenzie Baldwin, John Baldwin

inliterarylove's review against another edition

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5.0

As a mom to two young girls, this book gripped me. I was in full anxiety mode the entire time. I cannot imagine the turmoil John and Stephanie went through trying to save their daughter. Mack was so young, so headstrong, so SURE that Aadam was a good guy. But what do you really know about someone you meet online and have never truly met?

To come to find that your daughter is planning on running away is one thing. To find out that she is engaged to some manboy and planning to run to a foreign land known for sex trafficking, organ harvesting and the desire to do ANYTHING for US citizenship is downright terrifying. What do you do? She’s 18. She’s an adult. If she wants to convert to Islam, she’s allowed. If she wants to leave the country, unfortunately- she’s allowed. But when you know, you just KNOW your child is in danger, you will do anything on God’s green earth to get her back. Even if it means getting the FBI involved. Because you only have 25 days before she’s gone.

MacKenzie, sweet girl, I wanted to ring your neck with how stubborn you were in this book. But you were so young, so naïve. You experienced infatuation to a dangerous degree. Putting Christianity vs. Islamic faith aside, you were in deep. And for not the love and determination of your parents, who knows where you would be today.

All parents need to have this book and keep it handy. It shows that no matter what you do, no one, no family, is perfect. If you find yourself with a stubborn, willful woman (or man) child, have them read this as well. Truly a moving and thought provoking read. Thank you to the Baldwins for sharing your story.

Thank you also to the Great Thoughts Ninja Team for the honor of reading and reviewing this book. All opinions are my own.

cnc5351's review against another edition

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3.0

Was almost as if it was a nice little podcast to listen to at work during the day.

theocbookgirl's review against another edition

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3.0

Almost Gone
John and Mackenzie Baldwin
⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was an honest and scary look at a family who almost lost their daughter. Good Christian home, loving parents and a daughter who almost gave it all up for a person she had never met. Told from both the father and daughters viewpoints, the story details how Mackenzie met Aadam, a Muslim man living in Kosovo on a random chat website. How they talked for over a year and the plans they made. It's an incredible story and one that I'm sure is not that unusual. The parents heartbreak and confusion and surprise was real. This would be a good book to read with your daughter.

Thanks to Netgalley and the Great Thoughts Ninja Review team for this advance copy!

bowdiesgirl's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

4.0

robbyrose's review against another edition

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3.0

I started this on my plane ride to Florida and finished it on my plane ride home. I was enthralled by the story at first, but really would have liked more detail from McKenzie's side. Overall very interesting and excellent example of why internet safety for teens is SO important!!!
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