Really really enjoyed, which was not surprising as I love Sarah Pekkanen's books. Very fast paced and draws you in.

Ruth Sterling has spent her entire adult life protecting her daughter Catherine by moving frequently, keeping to herself, and never allowing her past to catch up with her. Now, as Catherine prepares to start a new job in another city, Ruth’s carefully constructed life begins to crack. Told in alternating points of view, Gone Tonight slowly unravels the truth behind Ruth’s secrets and Catherine’s growing suspicion that the woman she’s always trusted might not be who she seems. What starts as a quiet, layered family drama quickly morphs into a gripping, high-stakes thriller where the past is a threat neither of them can escape.

I both read and listened to this one and thoroughly enjoyed the narration by Kate Mara. The first half unfolds like a slow-burning mother-daughter novel, and while I was invested, I kept wondering: Where is this going? And then… the twist hit. From that point forward, it becomes a high-tension story about survival, legacy, and the lengths we go to protect the ones we love.

The structure of alternating chapters between Ruth and Catherine works brilliantly, with each perspective offering just enough insight to keep you guessing. The character work here really shines. Ruth’s internal world is full of complexity: she’s loving, but secretive; flawed, but fierce in her devotion. Catherine’s growth throughout the novel, from sheltered daughter to determined investigator, felt organic and satisfying. Watching their relationship shift from codependency to genuine partnership was one of my favorite parts of the story.

The pacing picks up in the final third, delivering tension, action, and emotional payoff in equal measure. And while the story does ask for a bit of suspension of disbelief (as all thrillers do), none of the twists felt implausible.

Bonus that Gone Tonight is available on KindleUnlimited!

Gone Tonight is out now. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for my advanced copies in exchange for my review. If you liked this review, please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my Instagram @speakingof.books.
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An Absolute Masterpiece of Thriller Writing!
Wow. Just, wow. Gone Tonight by Sarah Pekkanen was my first dive into her work, and I'm honestly wondering what I've been missing! This book is everything I love in a psychological thriller and then some. From the very first chapter, I was completely hooked.

Pekkanen crafts a narrative that is utterly compelling, dark, and wonderfully twisty. It was one of those rare reads where I literally couldn't stop reading. If I had to put it down, my mind was still buzzing, constantly thinking about the characters and the unfolding mystery. The pacing is relentless—a truly fast-paced, immersive read that grabs you from the get-go and doesn't let go until the very last page. I absolutely LOVED it! If you're a fan of thrillers, you need to pick this one up.

This author is now a definite auto buy for me!

Thank you to the publisher for letting me listen to this. The narration was engaging and I could not stop listening. I really loved it and hope others love it as well. The story was engaging as well as the characters. I would recommend.

This book started off firmly in 4 star territory. I thought Part 1 and most of Part 2 was interesting, and even though the pacing was a little slow, the mystery was solid. But Part 3 fell a little flat for me. Everything felt very coincidental, everything went as perfectly as it could’ve for both of them. It just felt very clean and like it was rushed.

Catherine’s mother, Ruth, has been doing some funny things: placing eggs in the cabinet instead of the refrigerator, calling ice cubes “water squares,” and forgetting to turn off the gas stove. Is Ruth showing signs of early-onset Alzheimer’s, or is she simply just distracted by something bigger (and maybe more sinister)? I wasn’t sure about this book until about 100 pages in. I should have known that things aren’t always what they seem; I was 😮😱 at this book several times. Minus a star for a lack of believability, but overall it was a great thriller about the lengths one may go to in order to keep his or her loved ones safe.

Review for Gone Tonight by Sarah Pekianen ”

1. Plot Uniqueness : 3/5
2. Pacing and Coherence :” 4/5
3. Emotional and intellectual Engagement : 3.5/5
4. Twists and turns : 3/5
5. Protagonists Character Development : 3.5/5
6. support character development : 3/5
7. Setting and atmosphere : 3.5/5
8. Chapter Organization : 4/5
9. Conclusion and tied loose ends : 3.5/5
10. Overall rating of book : 3.5/5

Narrator - 5/5

A twisty tale that winds through what a mother will do to keep her daughter. Catherine has finished her nursing training and is ready to move when her mother decides she really needs her to stay. Ruth has the early signs of Alzheimer's and has been hiding it for months. This story is full of mystery and twists and turns and things are not always adding up. Will they figure out what is going on?

Two POVs. A mother-daughter duo. Secrets. Your standard domestic thriller?

I admit, I enjoyed the second half more than the first, and perhaps only because the twist wasn't very twisty. Secrets are sometimes secrets for a reason. The more you go digging into your mother's past, the more may be revealed that you don't actually want to know. Stay safe.

🎧 Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio

The story revolves around Ruth and her daughter Catherine, whose seemingly close relationship begins to unravel when long-buried secrets from Ruth’s past resurface. Pekkanen’s dual perspectives are brilliantly executed, offering a layered exploration of trust, deception, and survival. The tension builds steadily as revelations about Ruth’s mysterious past come to light, each twist more shocking than the last. With its tight pacing, emotionally complex characters, and a suspenseful plot that keeps you guessing, Gone Tonight is a gripping and deeply emotional ride that’s impossible to put down.

I’m a firm believer that all audiobooks should be read by actors. Kate Mara did an excellent job narrating this book. I found the mother and daughter characters to each being their own strengths to the story and I was riveted to the end.

Gone Tonight is an intense, mother-daughter thriller about secrets and survival. As Kat starts digging into her mother Ruth’s mysterious past, she uncovers shocking truths that put them both in danger. The dual perspectives add depth to the story, and the twists keep you guessing. A perfect read if you love family drama with high stakes!

Gone Tonight is a gripping exploration of secrets, deception, and the complexities of mother-daughter relationships. The story alternates between the perspectives of Ruth and her daughter, Catherine, revealing their intricate and often dysfunctional bond. Ruth, who has always kept a tight grip on Catherine, will go to any lengths to prevent her from leaving, while Catherine begins to unravel the truths about her mother’s past.

I enjoyed the alternating POVs. The novel’s strength lies in its exploration of hidden truths and the lengths to which people will go to protect those they love. While the concept of hidden secrets in relationships isn’t entirely new, Pekkanen brings a fresh approach, delivering unexpected twists and early reveals that keep the story moving at a fast pace. The suspense builds steadily, and while nothing feels drawn out, the surprises continue to hit hard, keeping you hooked until the final page. Gone Tonight is an engaging that will keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat. I read and listened to this one. Kate Mara was great as the narrator.

My rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

I will read anything Sarah Pekkanen writes and I finished this one in one sitting. It was such a page turner with an incredibly gripping backstory. It really focuses on what it truly means to appreciate all the moments we get to share with those we love while still being a mindblowing thriller.

Catherine thinks she knows her mom, Ruth, but does she? This psychological thriller takes you on a ride to figure out what the truth actually is. With tons of twists and turns it leaves you wanting to read more. I listened to the audio and loved it. It kept my attention and the narration was clear. I listened on my usual 1.5 speed. I will read more from this author in the future!

Gone Tonight follows Ruth and her daughter Catherine, whose close relationship is strained as Catherine begins to uncover dark secrets about her mother’s past. Ruth has spent years running from a dangerous truth, and Catherine’s search for answers puts them both at risk. While the story has an intriguing premise, the pacing feels uneven, and the twists, though solid, don’t pack as much punch as expected. That said, Kate Mara’s incredible narration truly elevates the audiobook—her performance adds depth and emotion, making it a more immersive listening experience.

For every girl that has had a tremulous relationship with their mother and thought “what else could she do” I recommend reading this book. I love the spirit and the mystery of Gone Tonight. Would recommend for the unique plot and mild intensity.

Mother-Daughter Secrets Unraveled

Gone Tonight by Sarah Pekkanen is a gripping psychological thriller that revolves around a complex mother-daughter relationship. The story centers on Ruth Sterling, a single mother who has dedicated her life to her daughter, Catherine. Ruth, who had Catherine when she was just seventeen, has always been secretive about her past. The plot thickens when Ruth starts showing signs of early-onset Alzheimer's, leading Catherine to dig into her mother's mysterious past, only to uncover layers of secrets and lies that Ruth has meticulously kept hidden for years.

Gone Tonight is a compelling read that masterfully blends suspense with emotional depth. The strengths of the book lie in its well-developed characters and the intricate plot that keeps readers guessing until the end. However, some readers may find the pacing a bit slow initially, as the story takes its time to build up. Overall, Sarah Pekkanen delivers a thrilling and thought-provoking narrative that explores the complexities of family and the lengths one will go to protect loved ones.

For those who enjoy psychological thrillers with strong character dynamics, Gone Tonight is highly recommended.

I found this book to be quite average. The beginning was very promising and captured my attention immediately. I was genuinely looking forward to diving into the story. The plot was intriguing and had a lot of potential with its fresh ideas. However, as the story progressed, I felt like it became unnecessarily lengthy. There were sections that felt like filler material, which made it challenging to stay engaged. I believe that substantial parts of the book could have been trimmed down without losing the core plot. It's frustrating to encounter such excessive and unneeded content in an otherwise promising book.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

When this book started, it didn’t seem like it was going to be a mystery/thriller. The story developed, we learned there was more to it than just a relationship between a mother and daughter. I liked the characters and the story moved pretty well. There were a couple of glaring errors where the author mentioned something that couldn’t have happened when the book was set, but otherwise a pretty decent read.

While I like the narrator as an actress, she seemed a little out of her element doing an audiobook. She didn’t emote quite as much as she should have and she didn’t change voices for characters. She has a nice voice though.