The Good Girl

Even though there were a couple holes in this book, I enjoyed its readability and the turns it took. Nice vacation read!

I wasn't a very big fan of before and after. And also no much relevance or background related to ethnicity, so when I started I wasn't very much into the book, but as I got into the chapters I was reeled in but thought I know how it is going to end. However I didn't expect the epilogue, and it gave so much sense to Mia saying it is all her fault.

I will say first that I am a voracious reader. It's a true addiction-- the only positive one I've ever had! And though I read tons of books (depending on my work schedule AND the book itself, I read between two and five 250-400 pg books a week).I read novels, short story collections, poetry, art books, memoirs... and my most recent favorite genre has been suspense/thrillers, which is how I discovered Mary Kubica.Kubica is WAAAYY above and beyond the typical suspense writer. Yes, the books are suspenseful, true page turners because you cannot BELIEVE what you're reading, and you CANNOT put the book down.HOWEVER...her true genius is in her storytelling ability (seamless), and especially her character development. Her ability to empathize with her characters, getting to know them so deeply that the reader, without working very hard, comes to know them as well. There are a few books (compared to how many I've read), that I read again and again, simply for the characters. It's like visiting with old friends. THESE are the books that become my all-time favorites.The plot? I won't go into the plot except to say it's like nothing I've ever read before, I could not put it down, a true page turner...only it dives deeper into the psyche of the characters. This, in my opinion, is the best book I've read in months. You won't BELIEVE what you're reading. If they marketed this book as "literary fiction," it would certainly be celebrated as such.Basically, if you like to read: BUY THIS BOOK, get it from the library, just GET YOUR HANDS ON IT! You will NOT be disappointed!

** Good Girl** by Mary Kubica is a gripping psychological thriller that unravels the complexities of deception, family dynamics, and the unpredictable nature of human relationships. The narrative begins with Mia Dennett, who, after waiting for her unreliable boyfriend at a bar, makes the fateful decision to leave with a mysterious stranger named Colin Thatcher. What initially seems like a casual encounter quickly spirals into a nightmare when Colin chooses to hide Mia in a remote cabin instead of handing her over to his dangerous associates.As Mia’s mother, Eve, and Detective Gabe Hoffman launch a desperate search to find her, the story delves into the emotional turmoil and secrets that lie beneath the surface of Mia’s seemingly perfect family. The intertwining viewpoints and suspenseful plot twists make for an engaging read that keeps the tension high as unexpected revelations surface, shaking the foundation of Mia’s life and those around her. Kubica masterfully explores themes of trust, trauma, and the lengths to which people will go to protect their loved ones. **"The Good Girl"** is a captivating debut that leaves readers questioning the notions of innocence and the hidden darkness that can exist within even the most ideal families.

The Good Girl is a quick, enjoyable read. We’re talking $8 here people it’s not going to be the end all be all whodunnit, after all. I enjoyed reading the multiple narrator perspectives. I definitely wouldn’t call it a psychological thriller, because from the very beginning you knew Mia was safe and home. I wish the author would have developed Eve and Gabe’s characters more I would have liked to see how that situation played out. The fact that the family was wealthy and Mia was living in a cheap apartment was far fetched. James was so into keeping up appearances one would think he’d have done something about that even if Mia wasn’t his favorite. Eve’s perspective was one of a woman being emotionally and verbally abused and bullied, so the fact that she stood by while James treated Mia this way and did not have a real relationship with Mia is understandable; because James isolated her and made it so. This was very obvious due to the fact that the only person she could talk to about it was Gabe, she obviously had no friends and there is no mention of her even speaking with Grace about it. The Epilogue completely ruined it for me though. I was buying into the whole Stockholm syndrome thing. I figured James had something to do with it because of his indifference, and the finding out that Mia planned the whole thing herself made the amnesia unbelievable (especially with the hypnosis thing) and the story ultimately pointless. I did finish it in less than a day though so it held my interest; I did not find it boring at all.