Scan barcode
A review by marilynw
The Boy in the Photo by Nicole Trope
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.