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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
This is the second book I’ve read by Lucinda and I just want to know how her brain works cause oh my gosh.. I was intrigued the minute I started reading with all of the action. However, it did slow down a little but then it got right back to it. I also just don’t understand how a mom could do any of the things that Kate did.. but THE ENDING omg didn’t see that coming at all
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
When She Returned is a chilling, fast-paced psychological thriller that had me hooked from the first chapter. Lucinda Berry does what she does best—dives deep into the complexities of the human mind and twists reality in ways that leave you questioning everyone.
The story follows Kate, a woman who mysteriously reappears years after vanishing without a trace, now part of a strange cult-like group. Her return isn’t the joyful reunion her family expected—it’s uncomfortable, eerie, and full of secrets. As the layers unravel, so does the family’s stability, and what follows is a tense, emotional spiral into suspicion and betrayal.
Berry's background in psychology definitely shines through, making the characters feel disturbingly real. There were a few moments that felt a little rushed, but overall, the suspense, emotion, and twists kept me turning the pages late into the night.
If you like dark, mind-bending stories with emotionally complex characters and a touch of true crime energy, this one is worth the read.
The story follows Kate, a woman who mysteriously reappears years after vanishing without a trace, now part of a strange cult-like group. Her return isn’t the joyful reunion her family expected—it’s uncomfortable, eerie, and full of secrets. As the layers unravel, so does the family’s stability, and what follows is a tense, emotional spiral into suspicion and betrayal.
Berry's background in psychology definitely shines through, making the characters feel disturbingly real. There were a few moments that felt a little rushed, but overall, the suspense, emotion, and twists kept me turning the pages late into the night.
If you like dark, mind-bending stories with emotionally complex characters and a touch of true crime energy, this one is worth the read.
This wasn’t perfect, but it was entertaining! I love a good cult story. A few tired tropes throughout, but overall this was a fast-paced thriller told from multiple points of view/timelines. Got me out of an end of summer reading slump — I flew through it in a couple days.
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Really enjoyed this my first cult read. Easy to read and kept you guessing till the end.
The premise definitely grabbed me right away - the story delves into the world of a cult, which I found super intriguing at the start. Berry’s writing style is also really engaging and kept me turning the pages. However, as the story unfolded, I struggled a bit with the characters. Some of their actions felt a little far-fetched, making it hard to fully connect with them. And honestly, the ending didn’t quite land for me. It felt like they were aiming for one last big twist, but it just didn’t quite have the impact I was hoping for. Overall, while the initial concept and writing style were strong, the characters and the ending left me a little underwhelmed.
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
dark
fast-paced
By far the worst ending it could possibly have and especially as it was written by a trauma specialist.
Interesting concept! It fell a bit flat overall for me though.