
Member Reviews

I read this book in practically one sitting. It drew me in from the very first chapter where we are introduced to Jane who finds a young girl digging in her garden. The book alternates between before with chapters from Rene and Lauren and now with chapters from Jane. I’m not going to give a rehash of the story but suffice to say that it is very well plotted, extremely well written with a sensitivity of all the machinations of the human mind. This is one that will stay with me for a long time.

This books premise drew me to it. It was a good book overall with a final twist that I sort of predicted but was still really good. It did jump around a lot and at times I wasn’t sure who was talking, but I kept going because I needed to see how it ended. Thank you Natgalley and Storm Liblishing for the arc.

✨BOOK REVIEW✨
Lauren Is Missing by S.J. King
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Publication Date: July 2, 2025
“Memory is fragile.”
🌙 One night Lauren, Rene’s sister, goes missing. Rene is committed to finding her sister, who she believes is still alive, but Rene experiences a host of issues that prevents her from being her best self. Rene’s memory is not quite clear. Images pop in and out of her mind but she has a difficult time turning the images into memories. She can’t fully connect the dots to help solve her sister’s missing case. Rene is not sure who she can trust and turn to for help. As time is running out, can she collect herself, and her memories, to rescue the person she loves most?
“Wishes for the past are just regrets by a prettier name.”
🌟 S.J. King does it again! I love that this book was COMPLETELY different from her last novel, demonstrating the diverse layers of her talent as a writer. This book had me confused in the greatest way possible. As I was reading, I knew there was going to be a purpose for my confusion. I was holding my breath racing through the pages, feeling anxious for Rene and the twisted happenings.
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review. 4 stars!
#thriller #readersofinstagram #sjking #laurenismissing #pageturner #psychologicalthriller

This book consists of multiple points of view and multiple timelines. Some parts are before and after the incident that occurs when Lauren goes missing and some parts are after. You are also reading between Rene and Lauren's alternating points of view. The timelines do jump around, and I did have to go back multiple times to check who was talking and when, if it was during the before or the after. If multiple timelines are not for you then this book might test you. It did lose my attention during a few spots, and I felt those areas were repetitive, so I caught myself skimming. I needed to know what happened to Lauren and if she made it out of danger. But the big twist at the end I didn't predict.

I received this story as an ARC from NetGalley.
The story is set in the past and the present and has multiple points of view. There is Lauren who has been kidnapped, her sister Rene and Jane the lady who finds Lauren. The story jumps through time and people and in the beginning I was getting confused on who was who and when. However once I got properly into the story it was easier to keep track of.
I enjoyed the story, I didn't think the "major twist" was that difficult to see coming. It was ok, I've read it, don't think I would re-read.

"Lauren Is Missing" chronicles the intense journey of Rene, who is resolutely committed to finding her sister Lauren, who vanished eight years prior. Rene's fixation on locating Lauren has consumed her existence, resulting in mental health challenges and a strained relationship with her parents, whom she perceives as having abandoned the search prematurely. Clinging to her memories of Lauren, Rene receives a letter that implies her sister may still be alive, reigniting her hope and determination to rescue her.
The narrative unfolds through multiple viewpoints, primarily centering on Rene, Lauren, and Jane, a woman who inadvertently becomes involved when she discovers a distressed young woman excavating in her garden. The story alternates between past and present, offering insights into the sisters' tumultuous upbringing and the circumstances surrounding Lauren's disappearance. As the timelines merge, the emotional complexity of the characters is accentuated, revealing the impact of trauma on familial bonds.
While the storyline is engaging, at times, the pacing is sluggish due to certain moments that feel extraneous. However, the emotional investment in the characters' struggles, particularly Rene's resolve and Lauren's distressing experience, adds a profound layer of depth that resonates throughout the text. In summary, "Lauren Is Missing" offers a dark and compelling narrative that explores themes of resilience and the quest for truth within a fractured family. With a fusion of suspense and emotional storytelling, this psychological thriller will captivate you.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance review copy in exchange for my review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️
Lauren Is Missing was a bit of a tough one for me to follow. The story jumps between timelines and different points of view, and at times it felt a little all over the place. I found myself having to backtrack more than once to figure out who was who and when things were happening. That said, I’m really glad I stuck with it, the twist at the end genuinely surprised me and made it feel worth it. Not my favorite in terms of structure, but the payoff was solid.
Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for this ARC!

Thank you NetGalley, SJ King and Storm Publishing for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
I wanted to love this book, the blurb had me intrigued but I found the delivery a bit confusing at times but I did enjoy the twists and turns and would try other books from this author.

A stunning thriller, a greta story very well executed. Filled with twists and turns this strange and emotional book kept me turning the pages. The characters are very well developed and the plot is paced beautifully. A very satisfying read.

Lauren is Missing by S. J. King was an excellent psychological thriller and so addictive, especially as it was full of brilliant twists and turns that just had me turning the pages over to find out what happens next! Excellent and a joy to read. I loved it. I ended up reading it in one sitting whilst I sat in the shade in my garden.
Lauren is missing is told from multiple points of view and in parts that are ‘before’ and ‘after’ they are told by Lauren, her sister Rene and Jane who has moved into Lauren's home.
I highly recommend Lauren is missing. A great read. 5 ⭐️
Big Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley, SJ King, and Storm Publishing for the eARC. A true psychological thriller that kept me turning pages late into the night! Dark, intense, and absolutely wild—this story pulls you in and doesn’t let go.

Thanks to Storm Publishing for an ARC of this book.
This summary of this book had me wanting to dive in headfirst to the story. However, the story was lacking for me. The back and forth POVs had me so confused and trying to figure out who was who and the time period the character was talking in.
While this book did not do it for me, I’m still open to reading this author in the future.
2.5 ⭐️ for this one

Lauren Is Missing had me hooked from the first page. It’s eerie, emotional, and full of twists that kept me guessing the whole time. I loved diving into Rene’s world and unraveling the mystery bit by bit. The story felt unsettling in the best way, and I couldn’t wait to see how it all came together.
If you're in the mood for a creepy, character-driven thriller with a strong emotional pull—this one's a winner.
Special thanks to NetGalley for the ARC

This book tells the story from Lauren and Renes point of views with Jane’s in there a little too.
I enjoyed the storyline and didn’t guess the way it would unfold.
A good read all in all.

Another great read from S.J King!
Eight years ago, 14 year old Lauren went missing, it is presumed by everyone except her sister Rene that she has killed herself but Rene refuses to stop looking for her.
The book is told from the POV of both sisters across two timelines which works to cleverly conceal the plot twist.
Rene’s chapters really draw you in and make you feel sorry for her, as well as her missing sister she is also experiencing her own issues.
The chapters from Lauren’s POV are sometimes hard to read as they have a real claustrophobic feeling to them but really add to the story and help to build the tension.
Overall a fab read which I raced through.

4 Stars – Gripping and Gutsy!
Lauren is Missing pulls you in fast and keeps you on edge. S.J. King weaves a tense, twisty mystery that had me flipping pages like a detective on too much coffee. A few moments felt a bit rushed, but the suspense? Chef’s kiss. A sharp, satisfying read with just the right amount of chill.
Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own

I found this story to be quite intriguing. Lauren is (gasp) missing (no spoiler there) and this story is told from Lauren’s pov as well as her sister Rene, who is the forgotten and overlooked child left behind. Will Rene put the pieces together and find her sister? Will Lauren manage to escape or get word out secretly as to where she is at? You’ll just have to read it and find out. I’m not telling. But that twist? Did not see that coming.

Since she disappeared, Lauren’s sister has been determined to find her. It’s become more than an obsession and has dictated almost every moment of her life.
The story is also narrated by Jane, who doesn’t know how to react to the young woman who has turned up in her garden, frantically digging a hole and claiming that this is her home.
As the dual timelines and the layers of the story, come together, I was expecting more. I didn’t predict the outcome in its entirety, but I wasn’t far off and I did feel it was quite an anticlimax. Although there was an element of psychological thriller., it focuses primarily on a mother and her daughter’s feelings for each other and how their mental health has shaped their relationship.
Fairly slow and for me, there was too much unnecessary filler, but it was enjoyable enough. This will appeal to those who prefer more of a family drama to a psychological thriller.
3 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, S. J. King and Storm for an ARC of this book.

Every day, in her basement flat in a quiet street, Rene arranges her collection of objects just so. She takes her pills, looks at her photographs and remembers her free-spirited sister, Lauren, before she vanished. But lately the memories are shifting. When a letter arrives out of the blue, the opening words send ice through her veins. Lauren is alive. She’s waiting. And she needs Rene to find her before it’s too late.
This book pulls you in from the beginning and doesn't let go of you. Even after having finished it, it's still living rent-free in my head. That's the highest praise I could give a book. The mystery is compelling, and the thriller side of this is so well done. I highly recommend this one! 5⭐
I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

Told in multiple time lines this addictive novel will keep you hooked. Lauren is missing a few years before and her sister is tying to remember. Good characters and well paced. Loved it. Thanks to Storm publishing and Netgalley for this review ARC.