G.P. Putnam's Sons | June 2019 | 320 pgs
Source: Library
Lana Stone and her partner, Tyler, have been trying for a baby for a while but no such luck. The IVF treatments aren't successful either so the last option is to go through an agency for an egg donor. Getting an egg donor isn't easy, and Lana's wish is to find a Bulgarian so that they could share the same roots. And as much as Tyler is supporting in every sense, the stress of getting pregnant has finally taken its toll on their relationship as Lana's mind and conversations are all about the baby. Tyler decides to leave Lana at this stage despite she's in the middle of the donor egg cycle, claiming that both of them need some break. Needless to say, Lana is mortified but that feeling is quickly replaced by exhilaration as she soon learned that she is pregnant.
Lana should've informed Tyler at that time but she didn't, thinking he must've found someone. It is also at this moment that she's interested to know more about the egg donor, though she understand the implications it'd cause if she's not careful and reveal her identity. Lana didn't expect she'd find her easily, but Katya Dimitrova seemed to have found her way to Lana as the latter recognised her face from the agency's record. Not willing to lose her, Lana decides to watch her from a distance but a circumstances bring them together and an unexpected friendship is born.
As Lana gets to know Katya without revealing her identity, she finds that Katya is a free spirited girl who lives life at the edge. She loves attention from men and she's not shy at voicing her thoughts. Lana may not agree to her lifestyle, but she's still fascinated by this college girl who has brought out her fun self she's left a decade ago. Just when Lana gets to know her a little better, Katya disappears and it seems she might be the last person to see her before she went missing. With no clues from the police, Lana decides to do some investigations on her own but she isn't prepared for the secrets she's unearthed.
I'd say this novel is a light domestic thriller as it focused much on the character developments more than the suspense itself. The sense of foreboding is still present, but this is more of Katya's story as the story progresses. The narrations of Lana's present and Katya's past are both intriguing to read (and Tyler's too, although his leaving Lana both annoyed and perplexed me) and ironically, the reader gets to learn more about Katya right after she disappears while Lana's presence seems more like a supporting role. There are some red herrings as well as a few men surrounding Katya become suspects, but Katya's characteristics seems to portray she may be the cause of her own fate. So who's the perpetrator here? I think not all readers will take the ending as it is, but personally I think it is well executed which explain everything.
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New story and author for me. Thanks for the review.
Mystica - Despite it was more of a case of characters study, I still enjoyed the book. :)
I'm a little tired of too suspenseful domestic thrillers--a light one that is more character-driven appeals to me. Thanks, Melody. :)
I'm tired of the domestic thrillers as well, but you make this one sound different and very appealing, Melody. And it turns out my library has it - yay!
Jenclair - I know, right? There are currently too many domestic thrillers in the book market, not that I'm complaining, but some seem redundant. I find this book refreshing as it focused more on the characters and their interactions. :)
Kay - Looks like we all share the same sentiments, Kay. :) Hope you enjoy it if you get to it.
I don't read a lot of domestic thrillers, but I'm glad you enjoyed this one.
Lark - Domestic thrillers are hit or miss to me but surprisingly I enjoyed this one despite the intensity wasn't that heavy.
I like the premise of this story and isn't that a gorgeous cover? Definitely interested in this one!
Iliana - That cover is pretty, isn't it? I thought the premise is intriguing, too. :)