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tea_loverrr's review
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
christinebeswick's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book very much. Although the story line was fairly predictable, the build up of tension throughout was definitely real, and I found it hard to put down
craftsbetweennaps's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 only because I solved it a little too soon
marilynw's review against another edition
4.0
Megan's husband Greg, was physically, mentally, and emotionally abusive, claiming he loved her and that he'd do anything for her, all the while beating her down in every way. Megan and her husband eventually divorce, with Greg constantly trying to get back in her good graces, making it clear that Megan was the one who destroyed their family.
Then one day, when their son, Daniel, is six, Megan goes to pick him up from school. Daniel is gone! Greg had picked him up, without authorization to do so, and that is the last Megan sees or hears of Daniel for six years. The story conveys clearly, the heartbreak of losing a child to abduction by the other parent, wondering what he is doing at all times, wondering what he looks like as he grows, wondering if he remembers you, a constant hole in the heart and in life and no desire or ability to move on, when the only thing that can jumpstart life again is the return of the child.
But when Daniel returns, at the age of twelve, all is not well. It's not just all those years missed, big milestones in a child's life, but Daniel is so very different than the six year old boy she knew. Megan can hear Greg's hateful and manipulative words coming from Daniel's mouth, and most of them are directed at her. There is a very real sense of danger about Daniel and a feeling that there will never be a time when Megan's new family can feel settled and "normal" around him.
Megan is now married to Michael, the detective that was assigned to look for Daniel, a kind, caring, man who is light years away from her ex-husband Greg, in every way. Megan and Michael have a six month old daughter Evie, and it's clear that Daniel is disturbed that Megan went on with life without him, just like his father told him would happen.
There were things that I figured out before the reveals but that in no way diminished my enjoyment of this story. The long years of worry, heartbreak, feelings of guilt for having a child kidnapped by an ex, felt so real and then the "new and different" Daniel was heartbreaking too. Daniel came back disturbed and disturbing and the reader has to wonder if he can ever have a normal life again or if years on the run has harmed him in ways that can never be repaired.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for this ARC.
Then one day, when their son, Daniel, is six, Megan goes to pick him up from school. Daniel is gone! Greg had picked him up, without authorization to do so, and that is the last Megan sees or hears of Daniel for six years. The story conveys clearly, the heartbreak of losing a child to abduction by the other parent, wondering what he is doing at all times, wondering what he looks like as he grows, wondering if he remembers you, a constant hole in the heart and in life and no desire or ability to move on, when the only thing that can jumpstart life again is the return of the child.
But when Daniel returns, at the age of twelve, all is not well. It's not just all those years missed, big milestones in a child's life, but Daniel is so very different than the six year old boy she knew. Megan can hear Greg's hateful and manipulative words coming from Daniel's mouth, and most of them are directed at her. There is a very real sense of danger about Daniel and a feeling that there will never be a time when Megan's new family can feel settled and "normal" around him.
Megan is now married to Michael, the detective that was assigned to look for Daniel, a kind, caring, man who is light years away from her ex-husband Greg, in every way. Megan and Michael have a six month old daughter Evie, and it's clear that Daniel is disturbed that Megan went on with life without him, just like his father told him would happen.
There were things that I figured out before the reveals but that in no way diminished my enjoyment of this story. The long years of worry, heartbreak, feelings of guilt for having a child kidnapped by an ex, felt so real and then the "new and different" Daniel was heartbreaking too. Daniel came back disturbed and disturbing and the reader has to wonder if he can ever have a normal life again or if years on the run has harmed him in ways that can never be repaired.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for this ARC.
alanburch79's review
4.0
This was a hard book to read. Don't get me wrong, it was good, but it was also gut wrenching. It deals with a young boy who has been abducted by his abusive father; all to get back at his recently divorced wife. The anguish the mom goes through is almost too much to read, but it does make for a good book. Recommended.
daydreamer1983's review
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of "The Boy in the Photo" by Nicole Trope in exchange for an honest review.
"The Boy in the Photo" by Nicole Trope pulled at my heartstrings. To have a child taken by an ex and disappear is incomprehensible. The pain and agony that Megan goes through for six long years trying to find her missing son, Daniel is heartbreaking.
The mystery, suspense, family dynamics and writing style between past and present made this a great read.
"The Boy in the Photo" by Nicole Trope pulled at my heartstrings. To have a child taken by an ex and disappear is incomprehensible. The pain and agony that Megan goes through for six long years trying to find her missing son, Daniel is heartbreaking.
The mystery, suspense, family dynamics and writing style between past and present made this a great read.
nics_bookedmark's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
Am I being a bit harsh with a 2-2.5 stars?
Maybe...
But here's the thing... the story was just a little flat.
Like we get it your child went missing for 6 years and now he's back a little traumatised and BAM here's a little twist that I guessed about 100 pages ago?
Don't get me wrong, some of the writing was incredibly emotive and made me want to curl up in bed with my daughter and never let her go.
Her writing about abusive partners was also depicted perfectly as well so hats off to Nicole there.
But all in all... just wasn't the book for me.
Maybe...
But here's the thing... the story was just a little flat.
Like we get it your child went missing for 6 years and now he's back a little traumatised and BAM here's a little twist that I guessed about 100 pages ago?
Don't get me wrong, some of the writing was incredibly emotive and made me want to curl up in bed with my daughter and never let her go.
Her writing about abusive partners was also depicted perfectly as well so hats off to Nicole there.
But all in all... just wasn't the book for me.
kazeldya's review
4.0
Interesting book about a missing boo with a surprising twist. My first book by this author, and I'll look for more by her.