Almost Missed You
Fiction
St. Martin's Press
March 28, 2017
Hardcover
320
Publisher
Violet and Finn were “meant to be,” said everyone, always. They ended up together by the hands of fate aligning things just so. Three years into their marriage, they have a wonderful little boy, and as the three of them embark on their first vacation as a family, Violet can’t help thinking that she can’t believe her luck. Life is good. So no one is more surprised than she when Finn leaves her at the beach—just packs up the hotel room and disappears. And takes their son with him. Violet is suddenly in her own worst nightmare, and faced with the knowledge that the man she’s shared her life with, she never really knew at all. Caitlin and Finn have been best friends since way back when, but when Finn shows up on Caitlin’s doorstep with the son he’s wanted for kidnapping, demands that she hide them from the authorities, and threatens to reveal a secret that could destroy her own family if she doesn’t, Caitlin faces an impossible choice. Told through alternating viewpoints of Violet, Finn and Caitlin, Jessica Strawser's Almost Missed You is a powerful story of a mother’s love, a husband’s betrayal, connections that maybe should have been missed, secrets that perhaps shouldn’t have been kept, and spaces between what’s meant to be and what might have been.
My review:
This book was an absolute 5 star review for me up until the very last chapter when I wanted to fling it across the room! I haven't had this visceral of a reaction to a book since I read Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult (that one was problematic for me all the way through, whereas this one was only the last chapter). This book had everything going for it, a fast paced plot, engaging characters, secrets and lies, friendships put to the test, a kidnapping, and a recurring theme of missed connections. You name it, it was all here to pull you in and keep you glued to the pages (I read this book in 24 hours!). The writing was engaging, and the style with the back and forth from the three main characters worked really well. Everything was hunky-dory for me until I reached the end, and my "oh good, this is all going to end the way I hoped" didn't happen. Of course I can't go into the details of why I HATED (yes, I'm yelling!) the end so much without ruining the story, but suffice it to say there was more than just one reason, not just what you think was the obvious one. Why oh why was she such a wuss in the end? I better leave it at that!
A fantastic book, but make up your own end and skip the last chapter if you have any sense! I'm kidding, but if you've read this and want to discuss, message me on social media. I can't wait to see what this author comes up with next, I will definitely be reading it. I know I'm in the minority with how I reacted to the end, so I'm excited to see what 's next for Ms. Strawser.
This book was chosen by the SheReads blog network as one of its spring picks. Click on this link to learn more about them.
Very visceral reaction to the ending! I liked the book too but was disappointed with Violet at the end, however that may not have been what ignited your wick!
Yes, it was Violet who yanked my chain! Her decisions regarding her relationships with both the other main characters really distressed me!