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hmbb99's review against another edition
4.0
Maddy and her daughter Vinni were enjoying a lovely day on the beach when their lives suddenly change. An old man collapses and Maddy runs off to call for help, only to return to find her daughter missing. Who takes a child? This question is asked numerous times throughout the book as Maddy tries to figure out that answer while also trying to figure out how to go on living without her daughter. Despite everyone telling her to stay out of the investigation, Maddy delves deeper and deeper into the lives of those who might be responsible which puts her personal safety in danger.
This story grabs your attention from the first page and doesn't let go. It shows you the undying love Maddy has for her daughter. It teaches you about the struggle of dealing with grief and with guilt through Maddy's emotional decline.
How does one move on when they lose a child? When is a child truly lost? Who takes a child? This book explores all these topics while keeping you guessing at the mystery of where is Vinni.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC. The opinions are my own.
This story grabs your attention from the first page and doesn't let go. It shows you the undying love Maddy has for her daughter. It teaches you about the struggle of dealing with grief and with guilt through Maddy's emotional decline.
How does one move on when they lose a child? When is a child truly lost? Who takes a child? This book explores all these topics while keeping you guessing at the mystery of where is Vinni.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC. The opinions are my own.
rochelleweinstein's review against another edition
5.0
This beautiful book! Maloney spins a heart-wrenching tale with depth and heart. I felt every single emotion alongside Maddy as she spiraled through the kidnapping of her young daughter. Hard to put down and oh so beautifully written. I'm still thinking about these characters. Brava, Julie. You're a magnificent writer and storyteller.
mindfullibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
Thanks to the author for this review copy - all opinions are my own!
I grabbed this off of my review shelf, thinking I'd maybe give it 20 pages to determine whether I would read the entire thing......and then absolutely couldn't put it down and inhaled the entire book in one blizzarding April day. This is one of those books I very well may not have been exposed to if not for the author reaching out to me, given that it's published by a smaller press, and I am SO grateful to have had the opportunity to read it ~ the glories of the reviewer life!
Maloney has written a marvelous story that I would best describe as a cross between a domestic drama and suspense ~ it takes place over the course of 5 heartbreaking years in which a mother is desperately searching for her kidnapped daughter, both in the US and abroad. The pain is palpable and the journey was riveting for me, with rich supporting characters and strong settings.
I highly recommend this one to anyone who wants a story that will drag you right in and not let go. And while it is about a tough parenting topic, it wasn't one that was triggering or traumatic to me as a mother, perhaps because the setting and circumstances are so removed from my own. Fabulous debut, Julie!
Also, another book by the same press that hit me equally hard last year was EDEN by Jeanne Blasberg ~ it was one of my top beach picks of last summer and I highly recommend it! Another one that I wouldn't have encountered if not approached by the author.
I grabbed this off of my review shelf, thinking I'd maybe give it 20 pages to determine whether I would read the entire thing......and then absolutely couldn't put it down and inhaled the entire book in one blizzarding April day. This is one of those books I very well may not have been exposed to if not for the author reaching out to me, given that it's published by a smaller press, and I am SO grateful to have had the opportunity to read it ~ the glories of the reviewer life!
Maloney has written a marvelous story that I would best describe as a cross between a domestic drama and suspense ~ it takes place over the course of 5 heartbreaking years in which a mother is desperately searching for her kidnapped daughter, both in the US and abroad. The pain is palpable and the journey was riveting for me, with rich supporting characters and strong settings.
I highly recommend this one to anyone who wants a story that will drag you right in and not let go. And while it is about a tough parenting topic, it wasn't one that was triggering or traumatic to me as a mother, perhaps because the setting and circumstances are so removed from my own. Fabulous debut, Julie!
Also, another book by the same press that hit me equally hard last year was EDEN by Jeanne Blasberg ~ it was one of my top beach picks of last summer and I highly recommend it! Another one that I wouldn't have encountered if not approached by the author.
melissabeth's review against another edition
5.0
I read this book because the author will be coming to my library. I didn't know anything about the book until I started to read it. The author pulls you in with her Easy-to-Read Style of writing. Even though the subject is frightening and upsetting to me it is so well told that you can't put the book down. She is an excellent storyteller and I look forward to meeting her and reading whatever she writes next. I highly recommend this book.
atlantabelle's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book. It pulls you in and doesn't let go. As I mother, I could feel her pain and be filled with the hope of someday being reunited with her lost child.
whatsjennareading's review against another edition
4.0
It is rare for me to pick up a book about missing children. Since becoming a mother, the idea of losing a child in any way is the worst thing I can think of. Because of this, I was a bit nervous when Julie reached out to me to see if I wanted to review her book. Despite my reservations, I was excited about being asked and the book genuinely sounded good, so I agreed to give it a go. Parts of, A Matter of Chance were difficult for me to read, but I’m glad I did. This book tells the story of a mother who very suddenly loses her only child and the journey she takes to try and get her back. I flew through this one, the writing raced along and at times felt as frantic as the character’s emotions. It was full of mystery and I found it hard to put down until I got to the surprising and satisfying conclusion. A huge thank you to Julie Maloney, who is so kind and to She Writes Press for this review copy!
meganmccamy's review against another edition
3.0
Super fast read. Okay story but I thought the ending was super abrupt.
inliterarylove's review against another edition
5.0
It took me a few days to write this one. A Matter of Chance is one of those rare books that leave you a little hungover with the need to process what just happened.
When Vinni is taken, Maddy refuses to give up hope. She knows her daughter is alive, but is getting nowhere in finding her. Detective D’Ofini hates that a child was lost on his watch. Together, with her ignoring his warnings, for the next 5 years they uncover a tangle of connections, lies, and hurt. Is it a case of human trafficking? Why is the Russian mob involved? Where is Vinni?
As a mother my heart was sick needing to know what happened. In depth characters and a riveting story, A Matter of Chance will grab ahold of you until the very last page.
Thanks to the author for a copy of this book. All opinions are mine alone.
When Vinni is taken, Maddy refuses to give up hope. She knows her daughter is alive, but is getting nowhere in finding her. Detective D’Ofini hates that a child was lost on his watch. Together, with her ignoring his warnings, for the next 5 years they uncover a tangle of connections, lies, and hurt. Is it a case of human trafficking? Why is the Russian mob involved? Where is Vinni?
As a mother my heart was sick needing to know what happened. In depth characters and a riveting story, A Matter of Chance will grab ahold of you until the very last page.
Thanks to the author for a copy of this book. All opinions are mine alone.
veloyello's review against another edition
2.0
I've never wanted to give up on a book so bad over 200 pages in.
crolovr's review against another edition
5.0
A Matter of Chance tells the story of a mothers worst nightmare come true. Maddy Stewart's eight year old daughter Vinni is kidnapped from a beach in New Jersey. When her best friend Kay and her ex-husband Steve give Vinni up for dead, Maddy knows in her heart that her daughter is alive. The story takes us through the five heartbreaking and soul searching years of Maddy's search for her daughter. Maddy's friend and neighbor Evelyn help her find an outlet for her grief in renewing her love of painting. Detective John D’Orfini keeps Maddy informed on the progress of the case and warns her not to take matters into her own hands. Of course Maddy does not listen to this advice which puts her in a dangerous situation. It is hard to believe this is Julie Maloney's debut novel. The heartbreaking story is beautifully written and at times poetic. The characters are well developed and the story captures you from the very beginning. Thank you Julie Maloney for an ARC of your book and this is my honest review. A must read!