Very disturbing... a little hard to believe a person with long time, deep-seated issues overcomes them quickly to unravel the mystery.

This book was very intriguing and it was full of twists and turns. Just when you think the worst of it is over, something else happens that throws you off balance. A great read and I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good mystery.

I haven’t read that many Net Galley titles yet to be classified as an ARC know-it-all, but this book is my absolute favourite of the ones I’ve read so far. Only one word describes it really….Wow, The story begins by introducing us to two friends who are involved in a terrible car accident and are lucky to survive, despite both spending a while in the Intensive Care Unit. Sadly, Jennifer’s mother is killed in the tragedy, and from this point on both girls compile a list of things “never” to do, so that they may be safer in the future. Unfortunately, this does not save them from a dangerous man who abducts them, keeping them in a cellar with two other girls, and subjecting them to horrific physical and mental torture. The story then focuses on Sarah in the present moment, who is still struggling to come to terms with what has happened to her, and terrifyingly is receiving letters from her abductor from jail. Even worse, there is a possibility he could walk free unless Sarah and the other survivors can get some hard evidence of his sadistic little world.

I enjoyed every moment of this twisted little tale. Whether we are with Sarah in the present moment, sympathising with the trauma that has made her a virtual recluse, cheering her on as she sets off on her determined (and may I say eye-opening?) journey to find out more about her abductor which enables her recovery, or cringing at her memories of the cellar and what she had to suffer whilst imprisoned there. I really rooted for Sarah throughout the novel, genuinely caring about what would become of her, which shows incredible ability on the part of the author in my opinion. I also haven’t read such a nail-biting ending in a while, and some parts of the story, which I don’t want to spoil but take my word for it, were truly horrific. Compelling and exciting, this novel will send more than one shiver down your spine, and I can’t wait to see what this author does next.

Please see my full review at http://www.bibliobeth.wordpress.com

I think I got a rec for this from Entertainment Weekly. In the end, I enjoyed reading it, but it lost a star because it was so incredibly predictable. Did anyone not see most of that coming?

To me - and this is just my non-writer opinion - the writing was.... not great.

Spoilers ahead....


Some of it was just... poor editing? Like "I turned my head toward the passenger window as we left the city.... I looked at Tracy. She nodded and put the car in drive." Um... what?

But overall, just not great. Like the main character kept mentioning her therapist by name (Dr. Simmons), and how Dr. Simmons kept calling and getting sent to voicemail, and Dr. Simmons this and Dr. Simmons that, and Dr. Simmons was Tracy's doctor too, and finally answers the phone and Dr. Simmons just basically says "Have a great vacation" and is never heard from or spoken of again. I for real thought Dr. Simmons was going to be in on some twist conspiracy or something, but... nope.

Just like the girl in the van. I get she was a writing device to give information and explain some things, but are really to believe once they are all at the police station, she's just gonna say, "Later, Taters" and slip out a door never to be seen or heard from again? Nope.

Also, I figured from the start that Jennifer was going to show up again. And the author did a really good job of making me question its inevitability. She also did a good job of explaining how she was able to show up when she did. However, getting me to believe "Sylvia's" picture wouldn't have been in ANY papers when she married Jack Derber ? Or the FBI was never going to look in to Sylvia and who she was (or wasn't)? Nope.

Also, Christine's surprise appearance? Nope.

And a whole lot more. Just wasn't too happy with this read overall.

There were several places where things worked out a little too conveniently and I felt like the narrator made an abrupt shift that wasn't quite believable. But overall it was a good thriller/mystery/page turner. The subject matter makes it sound like it might be gory, but it handles the topic without being gruesome. Recommended.

This book is electrifying. It is very well built and has very flowing style. I read this book in two days, just like for “The butterfly garden” last year, I read it while I was on vacation and it captivated me from the beginning and I could not wait to read what really happened to the girls.

Full review: https://eiencafe.com/the-never-list/
in italiano: https://eiencafe.com/it/dopo/

*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book on Netgalley from the publisher in return for an honest review*

Author
Koethi Zan was born in Opp, Alabama, the “City of Opportunity.” Koethi put herself through Birmingham-Southern College with scholarships. After this she went to Yale law school. She started working for a law firm representing mostley investment banks but did not like the corporate life very much. She made a switch to entertainment law. When she worked as the Senior Vice President & Deputy General Counsil at MTV she decided it was time to fulfill a life long dream and wrote The Never List on the side. She lives with her husband and two daughters in upstate New York.


Review
This book is a nerve-wracking psychological story which keeps you reading trough the night just because you need to know! Well honestly I did fell asleep but it gave me dreams and not very pleasant ones that is. The book takes you on a trip nobody wants to make. Into cellars where woman are held captive and are abused. As the story unfolds there are more details about what exactly happened to Sarah, Tracy, Christine, Jennifer and all the other people involved. The way the tension builds up just makes that you keep on reading and you really want everything to be ok. I had some problems connecting to Sarah but in a way I think that was not bad meaning, the hell she went trough and how she go out was so much of her personality and done so well I was glad in a way I could not connect to that. I did feel sorry for her so much that when it was mentioned that she hated the look on peoples faces when they knew who she was I felt a bit guilty. A big yes for people who love great psychological thrillers keeping in mind it is about woman and abuse which might not really be everyones topic.

Everyone is right when they say this is a quick and easy read. I liked this book as long as I was able to put aside some of the unlikely situations it contained. I was definitely into it, I enjoyed it and I recommend it to anyone wanting a quick thriller.