Since You've Been Gone by Mary Jennifer Payne
I’m torn up over this book. I had grown to love Edie, her firm and preserving nature. It was always just the two of them, mother and daughter until the night her mother did not return home from her new job. Their life was far from routine and consistent as these two females were always on the run. They’re running from a man who used violence against them, a man able to track them down anywhere, causing them to flee once again, never allowing them to settle down and plant roots. I had to wonder what part of their lives were real and which parts were fictitious for their fear of being tracked and their fear of having their cover blown were constantly on their heels. Edie’s classmate Jermaine, whose criminal past has created quite an image, crosses paths with Edie and the two of them try to uncover the mystery of Edie’s mom’s disappearance. Their stories seem similar, yet are very different. They complement each other, assisting each other, talking and shedding the layers of burdens the two have been carrying all these years as they go about their task. Their relationship is simple and pure, it’s honest and one would be a positive light, I think anyone would. When Jermaine does a heroic deed, the police now get involved looking for Edie’s mom and suddenly the book’s pace turned on speed. This book was spiraling out of control, the book’s pace suddenly increased and I was not ready for how things progressed. Edie, she still continued to be my determined and assertive girl and she tried to put closure on a few issues but I believe everything just got wrapped up too quickly. I had to go back and read a few sections a couple times as I thought perhaps I missed something but no, it was coming to a close rather quickly. I guess I will have that.
I received this book from NetGalley and Dundurn in exchange for an honest review.
