The Girl Before

In this powerful psychological suspense debut, when a woman’s life is shattered, she is faced with a devastating question: What if everything she thought was normal and good and true . . . wasn’t?

Clara Lawson is torn from her life in an instant. Without warning, her home is invaded by armed men, and she finds herself separated from her beloved husband and daughters. The last thing her husband yells to her is to say nothing.

In chapters that alternate between past and present, the novel slowly unpeels the layers of Clara’s fractured life. We see her growing up, raised with her sisters by the stern Mama and Papa G, becoming a poised and educated young woman, falling desperately in love with the forbidden son of her adoptive parents. We see her now, sequestered in an institution, questioned by men and women who call her a different name—Diana—and who accuse her husband of unspeakable crimes. As recollections of her past collide with new revelations, Clara must question everything she thought she knew, to come to terms with the truth of her history and to summon the strength to navigate her future.

I enjoyed the experience of reading this novel.  At times, it almost read like a memoir.  I truly believed these things were happening to Claire and it felt extremely real.  The author did a phenomenal job of getting in the head of each character in order to portray them in a way I actually think would be very true to form.  While I was intrigued, nothing was shocking or "how did I not see that coming" for me.  It was more a fast-paced character study and I loved it.  As long as you don't have to have a huge surprise element, I think this is a great book to read next!  

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