Lost You

Libby needs a break. Three years ago her husband split, leaving her to raise their infant son Ethan alone as she struggled to launch her writing career. Now for the first time in years, things are looking up. She's just sold her first novel, and she and Ethan are going on a much-needed vacation. Everything seems to be going their way, so why can't she stop looking over her shoulder or panicking every time Ethan wanders out of view? Is it because of what happened when Ethan was born? Except Libby's never told anyone the full story of what happened, and there's no way anyone could find her and Ethan at a faraway resort . . . right?

But three days into their vacation, Libby's fears prove justified. In a moment of inattention, Ethan wanders into an elevator before Libby can reach him. When the elevator stops and the doors open, Ethan is gone. Hotel security scours the building and finds no trace of him, but when CCTV footage is found of an adult finding the child wandering alone and leading him away by the hand, the police are called in. The search intensifies, a lost child case turning into a possible abduction. Hours later, a child is seen with a woman stepping through an emergency exit. Libby and the police track the woman down and corner her, but she refuses to release Ethan. Asked who she is, the woman replies: "I'm his mother."

I loved Haylen Beck's previous novel, Here and Gone, so much that I didn't hesitate to request an early copy of his newest novel as soon as I saw it on Netgalley.  I will admit that I didn't like it as much, but it was still a solid story.  I found the topic of surrogacy and the all legal and non-legal ways that it can go wrong so fascinating.  The novel also explored that unconditional love that a mother has for her children and to what lengths she will go to protect them.  I would definitely recommend this book and will pick up whatever he writes next as well!

            * I received this book from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review *