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slbeck94's review against another edition
3.0
I don't know if it's just me but I found the main character annoying and I didn't feel the love between her and her man. However, the book was easy to get through
thereadrose's review against another edition
2.0
Thank you to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
“After years of learning how to manage her bipolar disorder, Emily Firestone finally has it under control. Even better, her life is coming together: she’s got a great job, her own place, and a boyfriend, Paolo, who adores her. So when Paolo suggests a weekend sailing trip, Emily agrees—wine, water, and the man she loves? What could be better? But when Emily wakes the morning after they set sail, the boat is still adrift...and Paolo is gone.”
I’m only going to post the first paragraph of the synopsis because frankly, I feel like the description gave too much away about this story.
I feel so conflicted about this book. And Then You Were Gone was gifted to me in 2019 and I am just now getting around to reading it due to personal matters.
However, it was a little crazy reading a book that tries to prevent the spread of a possible epidemic/pandemic, when since this book was published, as we all know, a global pandemic did transpire. It was interesting to hear the perspective of a relative who had died from an infectious disease, as well as the scientific side of it. Did I understand what they were talking about? No. Did I get the gist? Yes.
However, I do not like the the-main-character-has-a-mental-illness-so-she-must-be-crazy-and-guilty stereotype that goes along with the stigma of mental illness. I feel like it's a low blow and honestly, a little cheap. As someone who suffers from ADHD, G.A.D., and severe depression, it's just not the most progressive point of view, especially with the author being a man writing in the POV of a “crazy” woman.
I DID like that Emily, the main character was a psychologist, I think, and that the story was based in Nashville. I say, “I think” because the story seemed to be more about her mental illness rather than her being successful in her field.
As far as the plotline goes, I only had one theory in mind while reading this story, which included a slight “twist” and I was proven 100% correct. I’m not someone who will give a thriller/mystery a low rating if I guess the ending correctly. I will however rate a book low if it feels like not much thought had been put into the the resolution. I didn’t find anything about this story “thrilling” besides the structure of the story that meets the bare minimum qualifications of a thriller novel.
There’s a possibility that I’d read a more recent work from this author, to see if he has, hopefully, evolved as a writer.
“After years of learning how to manage her bipolar disorder, Emily Firestone finally has it under control. Even better, her life is coming together: she’s got a great job, her own place, and a boyfriend, Paolo, who adores her. So when Paolo suggests a weekend sailing trip, Emily agrees—wine, water, and the man she loves? What could be better? But when Emily wakes the morning after they set sail, the boat is still adrift...and Paolo is gone.”
I’m only going to post the first paragraph of the synopsis because frankly, I feel like the description gave too much away about this story.
I feel so conflicted about this book. And Then You Were Gone was gifted to me in 2019 and I am just now getting around to reading it due to personal matters.
However, it was a little crazy reading a book that tries to prevent the spread of a possible epidemic/pandemic, when since this book was published, as we all know, a global pandemic did transpire. It was interesting to hear the perspective of a relative who had died from an infectious disease, as well as the scientific side of it. Did I understand what they were talking about? No. Did I get the gist? Yes.
However, I do not like the the-main-character-has-a-mental-illness-so-she-must-be-crazy-and-guilty stereotype that goes along with the stigma of mental illness. I feel like it's a low blow and honestly, a little cheap. As someone who suffers from ADHD, G.A.D., and severe depression, it's just not the most progressive point of view, especially with the author being a man writing in the POV of a “crazy” woman.
I DID like that Emily, the main character was a psychologist, I think, and that the story was based in Nashville. I say, “I think” because the story seemed to be more about her mental illness rather than her being successful in her field.
As far as the plotline goes, I only had one theory in mind while reading this story, which included a slight “twist” and I was proven 100% correct. I’m not someone who will give a thriller/mystery a low rating if I guess the ending correctly. I will however rate a book low if it feels like not much thought had been put into the the resolution. I didn’t find anything about this story “thrilling” besides the structure of the story that meets the bare minimum qualifications of a thriller novel.
There’s a possibility that I’d read a more recent work from this author, to see if he has, hopefully, evolved as a writer.
cfulton20's review against another edition
4.0
Amy McFadden (Narrator)
Energetic. Great story. Kept me guessing
Energetic. Great story. Kept me guessing
wildgurl's review against another edition
4.0
And Then You Were Gone
by R.J. Jacobs
due March 13, 2019
Crooked Lane Books
Emily Firestone, a child psychologist in the Nashville area is feeling much better these days. Her struggles with bipolar and mania are under control, she enjoys her work and has a supportive boyfriend, Paolo. Things are looking up.
Paolo is a successful scientist from Argentina working on developing a vaccine for the deadly H1-N24 virus. He suggests they spend a day together on his boat when they both have the same day free.
A little wine. A little cuddling. A little fun. A little while later Emily awakes to find the boat adrift and Paolo gone.
They immediately suspect Emily is responsible for the murder.....but Emily insists its someone else.
Then another body is found, under suspicious circumstances that point to Emily as well.
But is Emily responsible??
Is her mind playing tricks on her??
Could Paolo's murder be related to his scientific studies??
Emily has to figure this out. Her freedom depends on it.
R.J. Jacobs successfully weaves a psychological thriller that takes the reader inside the emotions and feelings, the obsessions and mania of a bipolar mind. The frustration and struggle are true and accurate and done with a warm, touching and respectful understanding.
I loved this book! The mystery and intrigue are spellbinding and it's hard not to relate to Emily. The depiction of a positive role model for bipolar and mania and the murder mystery make this a book I will not forget. Look for this in May 2019!
Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and #netgalley for this ARC.
#AndThenYouWereGone
by R.J. Jacobs
due March 13, 2019
Crooked Lane Books
Emily Firestone, a child psychologist in the Nashville area is feeling much better these days. Her struggles with bipolar and mania are under control, she enjoys her work and has a supportive boyfriend, Paolo. Things are looking up.
Paolo is a successful scientist from Argentina working on developing a vaccine for the deadly H1-N24 virus. He suggests they spend a day together on his boat when they both have the same day free.
A little wine. A little cuddling. A little fun. A little while later Emily awakes to find the boat adrift and Paolo gone.
They immediately suspect Emily is responsible for the murder.....but Emily insists its someone else.
Then another body is found, under suspicious circumstances that point to Emily as well.
But is Emily responsible??
Is her mind playing tricks on her??
Could Paolo's murder be related to his scientific studies??
Emily has to figure this out. Her freedom depends on it.
R.J. Jacobs successfully weaves a psychological thriller that takes the reader inside the emotions and feelings, the obsessions and mania of a bipolar mind. The frustration and struggle are true and accurate and done with a warm, touching and respectful understanding.
I loved this book! The mystery and intrigue are spellbinding and it's hard not to relate to Emily. The depiction of a positive role model for bipolar and mania and the murder mystery make this a book I will not forget. Look for this in May 2019!
Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and #netgalley for this ARC.
#AndThenYouWereGone
basicbsguide's review against another edition
3.0
I must apologize in advance to any book that follows a five-star read. We’ve all had the curse of the book hangover. Some of us wallow in it for weeks and some of us have troubles reading anything for quite some time. Often times if we don’t wait long enough it can affect our reading enjoyment.
Its quite clear to me that I would have enjoyed Jacobs book a lot more, had I not just read one of my top books for 2019. So, while I liked this book, I know there are people who really liked or even loved it so be sure to check out their reviews on Goodreads.
Imagine waking up on a boat and your boyfriend is no where to be found. Did he drown? Did he get picked up by another boat? Did he swim away? Where the heck did he go?
As the mystery unfolds, all fingers point to Emily. Has she done something she doesn’t remember and is she at fault for all the people that keep showing up dead? Racing to figure out what has happened she enlists the aid of her lost boyfriends’ coworker, Cal.
I thought Jacobs did an excellent job of portraying a character with bipolar disorder. The manic episodes and mood swings all seemed very real. So, it was no surprise to me that the author is a practicing psychologist.
If you read and enjoyed Blood Orange, then you may enjoy this book.
3.5 stars
Its quite clear to me that I would have enjoyed Jacobs book a lot more, had I not just read one of my top books for 2019. So, while I liked this book, I know there are people who really liked or even loved it so be sure to check out their reviews on Goodreads.
Imagine waking up on a boat and your boyfriend is no where to be found. Did he drown? Did he get picked up by another boat? Did he swim away? Where the heck did he go?
As the mystery unfolds, all fingers point to Emily. Has she done something she doesn’t remember and is she at fault for all the people that keep showing up dead? Racing to figure out what has happened she enlists the aid of her lost boyfriends’ coworker, Cal.
I thought Jacobs did an excellent job of portraying a character with bipolar disorder. The manic episodes and mood swings all seemed very real. So, it was no surprise to me that the author is a practicing psychologist.
If you read and enjoyed Blood Orange, then you may enjoy this book.
3.5 stars
thriller_chick's review against another edition
DNF
Too slow/ cheesy for me, but the blurb makes it sound like it has potential.
Too slow/ cheesy for me, but the blurb makes it sound like it has potential.
starrwad's review against another edition
4.0
I always wonder if the first book I finish in a new year will foretell what's to come in that year, at least where reading is concerned. I 70 percent loved this book. I identified with the main character and liked how she had what seemed almost like superhuman capabilities because of her mental illness. I know most people will not see it that way; even the other characters around her didn't see her that way, but that's how I felt. I enjoyed the voice, the writing style. It had an easy flow.
The twist wasn't hard to guess for me, and in my opinion, there were some actions and motivations that didn't seem quite right. Some things were unbelievable, and there were some inconsistencies. But overall, I liked this one.
Thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for allowing me to review an ARC.
The twist wasn't hard to guess for me, and in my opinion, there were some actions and motivations that didn't seem quite right. Some things were unbelievable, and there were some inconsistencies. But overall, I liked this one.
Thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for allowing me to review an ARC.