3.5 stars

Like many of the other reviewers, this sociopathic Jane story didn't quite hold my attention like the first sociopathic Jane story. I loved the first one, and liked this one.

The first 25% of Problem Child was the best. Jane's interactions with her co-worker, Rob, reminded me so much of the first book, I was grinning like an idiot. After that, while we received tons of interesting information about Jane's formative years, it felt a little dry. Our wonderful, diabolic Jane seemed nearly mundane in book two.

Regardless, Victoria Helen Stone has a gold mine in this character. Jane is so. much. fun. Looking forward to book three!

Many thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Lately, I've had a keen interest in thrillers, especially psychological thrillers. While I had KU, I was able to read the first book in this series so I could get a feel for Jane and her life. I am so glad I read that book to understand Jane and her sociopathic behaviors. I never thought about someone that is a sociopath isn't always a lunatic or a killer. They just know how to manipulate the people around them to keep control of the situation.

In this book, Jane travels to Oklahoma, where her family resides, to find her niece that was reported missing. Normally, Jane wouldn't care about someone in her family, but she is intrigued by the fact that Kayla is supposedly just like her, another sociopath. The family may not realize that is what they are, but they do understand their similarities. Jane does some digging to find her niece. It helps to be familiar with the area and some of the people. It was fascinating to see the interaction with her mom and dad. Let's just say they aren't the nurturing types.

I enjoyed the interaction between Jane and Kayla. They have to learn to trust each other, or as much as they can, and maybe Kayla won't end up in a bad situation. There is a twist at the very end of the book that surprised me, and surprised even Jane. Now I have to know how things continue in the next book. Will Kayla turn over a new leaf or will she revert back to her old ways.

If you are in the mood for a good psychological thriller, then this is a series you want to pick up. We give it 5 paws up.

Thank you to NetGalley, Victoria Helen Stone and Lake Union Publishing for the free e-book in exchange for an honest review.

I was so excited to find out there was going to be another novel with Jane and her wild life! She is probably my all time favorite character because she is so different and I find her so hilarious. I find these novels so unique and I loved the relationship with Luke and how she handles all that comes with a long-term relationship. I loved the idea of another sociopath just like Jane and how action packed this novel was! I flew right through this in one sitting and couldn’t help but be upset that the next one isn’t out soon, especially after that ending!

This is the second book by Victoria Helen Stone I've read. I was so glad to be back in Jane’s calculated mind. I truly missed her and her mischievous ways. This book, however, felt much different than Jane Doe. This book felt much slower, it felt like it was repeating itself and there wasn't as much action and suspense as I thought there was going to be. That's one of the things that made me love the first book. The on the edge of my seat, heart pounding, not sure what’s going to happen next, page turner. And this didn't do that for me. Don’t get me wrong this was a great story. We learned much more about Jane’s family and I was excited to learn more about her niece Kayla and how they would interact with one another. I found Kayla to be really interesting and she’s someone you do not want to mess with. I am excited to see if we will see more of her in a future book. Overall, this book was good and I did enjoy it. I just went in with other expectations and they were not quite met.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

I received an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was really excited about this book because I loved Jane Doe. Unfortunately I didn't enjoy this book as much. I found it pretty slow and although I love Jane the plot was very predictable. I found myself not wanting to pick it back up but I did enjoy the slight twist at the end. Overall it'll be a three star for me.

I loved Jane Doe. It was the first book in a long time that I stayed up all night to read. Problem Child is an interesting book considering I never dreamed that Jane Doe would turn into a series! Right away I was laughing at Jane's description of her lame coworker. This isn't a perfect read for me like book one though. I didn't get the part with the windmills? Kinda weird and not necessary for the story to be honest. And I borderline didn't care about the missing niece. However the ending made my heart drop. Way to get us hooked for book three!

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, Jane Doe, so I was looking forward to the next installment. Things started off well enough but unfortunately this one didn’t work for me. I wanted to like it, I liked seeing Jane in her life pretty much where book one ended, but beyond that I continued to lose interest.

The story focused more on Jane’s past and her personality than I was expecting. The mystery elements fell short for me and were a bit more drawn out than I like. I think that Jane is an interesting character but I was hoping for more action and plot, especially when it came to Jane looking for her niece.

All the pieces were there but this book just didn’t work for me. The hints at book three were nice and I may pick it up to see how Jane continues.

Jane is BACK and has not changed one bit - and I wouldn't want it any other way! Problem Child sends Jane on a quest to find her kidnapped niece, a ride that will take Jane to some pretty interesting places and ends us on a perfect setup for book 3 - which I hope we will get!

A Jane Doe Thriller #2

Jane is a self diagnosed sociopath who lives a double life. Her best friend, Meg had been dating the devilishly handsome and abusive Steven. Ut Meg committed suicide after he broke off their relationship. Jane is out to get revenge for her friend. To do this she has to learn his weaknesses.

The story is told from Jane's perspective. She's not a likable character. This is a story a out revenge and Jane is a sociopath who is out to get it. Jane is also manipulative and calculating it she can also be funny and sympathetic. Steven isn't a likable character and probably deserved all that he got. There's so much in want to say about this book but I would spoil it for potential readers. I do recommend this book.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and the author Victoria Helen Stone for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The author has hit it out of the ball park with the second Jane For book. If you haven't read Jane For you're missing out so pick up both. One the best series I have read and I am very picky. Broken female characters are always my favorite. Happy reading!

The second book in this series, while not as thrilling as the first book was still pulse pounding. You get in the mind of a sociopath who is trying to navigate having a lover, while also tracking her niece.

This seems more like a setup for the next book, and the end of the book leaves your jaw dropping. Looking forward to see where the story goes.

This book was one of my fav follow ups! It was sooo good! I highly recommend this book! U won’t be able to sleep after!

I absolutely LOVE Jane and wish that more thrillers were from her point of view. She's a sociopath and knows it. I especially loved the first and last 15% of this book, they were by far the best parts. The middle part was a little slower for me but still very entertaining! I read through it in 2 sittings and that ending was very well done! I hope there will be a 3rd book in this series to know how it all pans out!

This one is out today! I highly recommend checking it out!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a free advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Everyone's favorite sociopath is back in this second installment, and she may have just met her match! It's definitely recommended that you start with JANE DOE, the first book, simply to understand her behavior and motivations. Jane is unapologetic about who she is and lacks any expression of emotion, making her the perfect character to wade through with in a thriller. You'll want her in your life, but just remember, you better be on her side or get out of the way!

Traveling back to her hometown in a search for her missing niece, Jane revisits the people and places that essentially made her who she is today. Her drive to succeed is as much about survival as it is proving everyone wrong for the horrible behavior that was inflicted upon her. She freely admits that her life could have gone in a completely different direction; however, she made it a point to learn how to play the system in order to get ahead and leave them all behind. They will never be held accountable for what they have done, but Jane's memory is long and watching them beg for her help now is a thrilling part of her game.

It was incredibly fascinating to watch Jane's interactions with various characters across the story. She has a way of manipulating connections to her benefit, while having such an interesting outlook on how the world works. She's spent a lifetime studying people in order to appear like everyone else, so it only takes a minute to flip the situation to her favor without the other person ever being the wiser. The twist adds a clever moment to make Jane consider whether she really has it all figured out as much as she prides herself to believe. I can't wait to find out where this will go next!

The author doesn't shy away from difficult topics of discussion, especially when it came to sexual exploitation or gratification. The tension is fantastically built because there is always this sense of dread that something awful is brewing in the background. Jane's reflections throughout the story on misogyny are absolutely profound, especially for female readers who will strongly identify with a lot of what is said.

Overall, this is a fast-paced, entertaining, and page-turning story that will have you holding your breath for its unexpected and jaw-dropping conclusion!

Our favorite psychopath is back in this entertaining, fast-paced psychological thriller. This novel introduces us to Kayla, Jane's 16 year old niece who has gone missing. No one really seems to care that Kayla is missing, until Jane sees a picture of her and realizes that like Jane, Kayla is a sociopath. It was entertaining to watch as Jane has finally met her match. I was intrigued the whole time as I was reading, and Jane is a character you can't help but love. As she is looking for and helping her niece, she continues to navigate her relationship with her boyfriend, who we were introduced to in the first book-Jane Doe. If you haven't read these books yet, I would definitely recommend reading both of them. The first book provides a solid foundation for this one. The ending was perfect, and left off in a way that I am sure there will be a third installment in this series, which I truly hope is the case. This one is out tomorrow! Thank you @netgalley @lakeunionauthors @victoriahelenstone for this free e-copy to review

From my blog: Always With a Book:

I am so glad that Jane Doe is back...she is one of the best psychopaths I have ever come across in a novel and I love being in her company! Is that crazy? Probably...and I'm not quite sure what that says about me, but I just cannot get enough of her!

I'm so glad that Victoria Helen Stone has given us readers another dose of Jane Doe. Did we possibly strong arm her into writing it? Maybe...maybe so many of us wanted it so bad that she had no choice or maybe it was the plan all along. Whatever that case may be, all I know is that I was ecstatic when I heard it was coming and begged for this book and it did not disappoint! I flew through it and enjoyed every second I had with Jane once again.

Now, I will say I definitely think you need to read the prior book, Jane Doe, before reading this one to really get the full effect of Jane in all her glory. In this book, it's a bit different, with a more sedate pace, but Jane is still Jane and her voice is still so original that you cannot help but love her for it. She now has a steady boyfriend - who would have thought that possible??? - but is still kicking a** and taking names.

I love that we learn a bit more about her history in this book. Meeting her family and seeing where she came from gives us such great insight into Jane and why she is the way she is. I loved this part and while at times it does feel like parts dragged, I think this is such crucial information. But, true to form, the author does infuse such levity that you cannot help but laugh and so it really does keep things moving.

So, is this the last of Jane Doe? I do not think so. Now that Jane has found her niece and seen for herself that she really is like her, I think we will be seeing more of these two. And I cannot wait! Jane being given the opportunity to mold her niece into her protege? What could be better???

This is a great series to pick up...it's fun, original and completely binge-worthy. Exactly what we need during these uncertain times. Get out of your head and get into Jane's...you won't be sorry!

Jane Doe had a brutal childhood that molded the woman who took charge, educated herself, passed the bar and fled the family home. She met a man who finds her fascinating and is ready to take their relationship to another level. But she isn't. She's a sociopath--and doesn't know if she loves him. Then she gets a call about a niece, Kayla, who she wouldn't care about at all, except that she is apparently "just like her." She can't resist the temptation to find the missing girl and see for herself if that is true.

I came in to Book 2 as a standalone and must say this one came as quite a shock. There is humor of a dark nature, sexual adventures, and she is foul-mouthed. She has trust issues, but her cynicism has been a positive and along with her wit kept her (mostly) safe.

When she finds Kayla, she is what you'd expect a sixteen-year-old raised in the same poisonous atmosphere to be. She's annoying and manipulative. The middle block of the story tended to be on the crude side, some of which unnecessary to the storyline. There is a well-plotted story at a good pace breezing through Jane's encounters with the population of her hometown. The conclusion appears to suggest a happy solution for both Jane and Kayla, as well as Luke, right up until that last little zinger at the end--a spark for Book 3--and a stunner. I did NOT see that twist coming and it definitely threw me.

I'll include a few trigger warnings: sexual content, language, drugs and drinking. Interesting to park yourself in the mind of a sociopath, safely, where you could escape back to reality at the end of the novel (but not totally unscathed). I received this uncorrected proof from the publisher through NetGalley and appreciated the opportunity to break out of my pleasant, but predictable reads. Will I request Book 3? Yes.3.5/5 stars

See my full review at https://rosepointpublishing.com/2020/03/22/problem-child-a-jane-doe-thriller-by-victoria-helen-stone-blogtour-bookreview-giveaway/

For the most part, Problem Child gave me all the right emotions. I love being in Jane's head.It was quiet a unique story!I loved how the story started and the last part was one of the best!I thought the middle part was a bit too long and it didn’t hold my interest like the rest of the book.

I enjoyed the first book in this series. I thought this one was boring. Basically it was about how a sociopath thinks. There was no interesting story.

Thank you to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and Victoria Helen Stone for a copy of "Problem Child" in exchange of an honest review.

"My heart is calm now. My pulse steady. But my mind is churning with sharp spikes, turning over the past few weeks. I'm a sociopath. I don't have regrets and I don't have fear."

What a ride! I will not say no to the possible sequel because I crave more of Jane. I really cannot about how much I love this series! Ugh, the love I have for this series! So much that I picked this one right after I completed Jane Doe a night back kissing my sleep goodbye. Let's say I kissed it goodbye but it refused to leave me so I ended up sleeping. Nevertheless, it's the thought that matters.

Official Description: After a brutal childhood, Jane Doe has been permanently wired to look after herself and only herself. Now, looking next to normal, Jane has a lover and a job. But she hasn’t lost her edge. It sharpens when she hears from her estranged family.
Jane’s deeply troubled sixteen-year-old niece, Kayla, has vanished, and no one seems to care. Neither does Jane. Until she sees a picture of Kayla and recognizes herself in the young girl’s eyes. It’s the empty stare of a sociopath.
Jane knows what vengeful and desperate things Kayla is capable of. Only Jane can help her—by being drawn into Kayla’s dark world. And no one’s more aware than Jane just how dangerous that can be.

As a scintillating and a copacetic sequel to Jane Doe, the plot follows the events after one year of previous book's events. I wouldn't say it is as equally pulse-pounding as the first one but it is pulse-pounding on its own measure. Sometimes, some sequels to a book this amazing turn out to be bland and disappointing but Stone writes this equally overwhelmingly impressive as the first one. As ironic as it is to say we see a bit more humane side of Jane as she tries to track down her missing niece, the plot takes turns with gasp-worthy twists (mainly, the one in the end) that will leave the reader in hunger for more.
Except I have one complaint. I wanted Luke to a bit extra part of it but then it is totally understandable. We are exploring the events through Jane's POV.

I stan Stone so much at this moment that I would literally bully her into writing another book in the series if I could. C'mon, don't judge me, a girl could dream.
Stone has set a piquant groundwork to officially make this a trilogy. Or more. Give me as much Jane you can, I am gonna take it.

I loved reading this and I enjoyed (a tad bit less than the first one though) this! I will never be able to get enough of this masterpiece of a series by Victoria Helen Stone and I hope I never will!

Rating: 4.5/5
Recommended: Guess who will be recommending this as much as I still recommend Millenium and Hannibal Lecter series? That's right, it's me!

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing me with an e-arc!