A review by inliterarylove
Almost Gone by Mackenzie Baldwin, John Baldwin

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.