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The Girl Before
The Girl Before | Rena Olsen
In this powerful psychological suspense debut, when a womans life is shattered, she is faced with a devastating question: What if everything she thought was normal and good and true . . . wasnt? Clara Lawson is torn from her life in an instant. Without warning, her home is invaded by armed men, and she finds herself separated from her beloved husband and daughters. The last thing her husband yells to her is to say nothing. In chapters that alternate between past and present, the novel slowly unpeels the layers of Claras fractured life. We see her growing up, raised with her sisters by the stern Mama and Papa G, becoming a poised and educated young woman, falling desperately in love with the forbidden son of her adoptive parents. We see her now, sequestered in an institution, questioned by men and women who call her a different nameDianaand who accuse her husband of unspeakable crimes. As recollections of her past collide with new revelations, Clara must question everything she thought she knew, to come to terms with the truth of her history and to summon the strength to navigate her future. From the Hardcover edition.
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bookaholic1
The Girl Before | Rena Olsen
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Pickpick

#31
What a great read..but a very hard subject

Bklover Beautiful kitty!💙 1y
32 likes2 comments
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CaitlinByTheBook
The Girl Before | Rena Olsen
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Panpan

Ugh, did NOT like this book. The summary made me expect one thing and I got something completely different. It wasn‘t suspenseful because you know what‘s going on a few pages into it and it was SO cliche. It has lots of good reviews on goodreads which really surprised me. I finished it, but definitely don‘t recommend it.

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everfree7
The Girl Before | Rena Olsen
Mehso-so

Parts of the book frustrated me — mainly because of the characters but you really shouldn‘t like them. I hated that the past portions weren‘t in alphabetical order and that they switched perspectives every page and a half.

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she.hearts.horror
The Girl Before | Rena Olsen
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Pickpick

This book was an incredibly challenging, emotive, and enriching journey. I think it‘s the first time that I‘ve had a delayed reaction to the fact I was crying while reading. That‘s how engaged and impacted I was by this story.

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she.hearts.horror
The Girl Before | Rena Olsen
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Me: 👀😳

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eanderson
The Girl Before | Rena Olsen
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Pickpick

First finished book of the year. I really enjoyed it. It really made me think about the depth of human trafficking and the victims. It‘s a very serious issue. I loved the character ark of Clara. She was so easily manipulated because of her age. She also was much stronger than she thought she would be. 🌟🌟🌟🌟

46 likes1 stack add
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eanderson
The Girl Before | Rena Olsen
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Morning view with this little babes. 😍 This book on the other hand. I feel bad for Clara because she doesn‘t know any different but I can‘t help but wonder if she understands that life could be better?

robinb Oh my goodness....ADORABLE!!! 💙💙💙 5y
wanderinglynn So sweet! ❤️ 5y
Cathythoughts Gorgeous baby .... enjoy every minute 5y
BarbaraBB Super cute! 5y
eanderson @robinb @wanderinglynn @BarbaraBB 💕💕💕 @Cathythoughts thank you!!! I definitely will! He‘s already growing too fast. 5y
51 likes5 comments
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Hooked_on_books
The Girl Before | Rena Olsen
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Pickpick

Clara is suddenly yanked from her home and placed in a facility, questioned repeatedly by strangers. Her situation quickly becomes apparent, but the true horror gradually unfolds through alternating timelines. A great psychological thriller that does get dark and violent.

#ReadingUSA2019 #Iowa

Librarybelle Sounds good! 5y
ljuliel Good for you ! How many states do you have left ? 5y
BarbaraBB Echoing @ljuliel I am curious too! 5y
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Hooked_on_books @ljuliel @BarbaraBB Two to go! Kentucky and Rhode Island. I have the books picked out and in a prominent location so they‘ll stare at me until I read them. 😆 5y
BarbaraBB So good! I am starting West Virginia right now and then only Maryland and Missouri left! 5y
squirrelbrain Yay! Another one bites the dust...! 5y
ljuliel Great job @Hooked_on_books @BarbaraBB You guys are doing terrific and you‘ll both have time to complete this. 📚 5y
Pamwurtzler Good job! 5y
vivastory This sounds fantastic & that cover is 👌 5y
Hooked_on_books @vivastory Not only does the cover look cool, it has texture. 5y
55 likes5 stack adds10 comments
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Clwojick
The Girl Before | Rena Olsen
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This book was sooooo good. 😍 Dark. But REALLY good.

75 likes2 stack adds
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LiteraryAries
The Girl Before | Rena Olsen
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Just started listening to this! #audible

10 likes3 stack adds
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Anastriel
The Girl Before | Rena Olsen
Pickpick

The Girl Before alternates from the present day to flashbacks, so I was expecting twists and turns but instead the story unfolded predictably - but that shouldn't be viewed as a negative. The appeal in this book is not discovering the what happened, but instead taking the reader on a powerful emotional journey. The narrator Clara is a very believable character, and even when she is wrong, as a reader you cannot help but understand and empathise

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TheLudicReader
The Girl Before | Rena Olsen
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Mehso-so

This was a perfect vacation book because it was easy to put down when it was time to go off on another Amalfi adventure. And then easy to pick back up. Story of a girl kidnapped at a young age and brainwashed into thinking she and all the other girls are being groomed for a better life...when they are really going to be sold into the sex trade.

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Christyco125
The Girl Before | Rena Olsen
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Pickpick

Wow. A compelling story and so many triggers. #2018christyread

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Ssmith
The Girl Before | Rena Olsen
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Iced coffee with a dash of cinnamon and a book- my perfect morning

Nuwanda What an interesting cover! 7y
90 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Kaylamburson
The Girl Before | Rena Olsen
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Surprise book mail from an old coworker! Book mail is the best mail, and I can't wait to jump into these.

I've been wanting to read Olsen's The Girl Before for a while now, but I feel like JP Delaney's The Girl Before stole the moment.

I haven't heard of The Thunder Beneath Us until now, but it sounds intriguing! Denial, grief, and broken pasts.

ErinC The Girl Before is really good! 7y
Kaylamburson So excited to read it. I was just checking out the Litsy thoughts on it and it's pretty positive, overall. @erinc 7y
Hollie That's so sweet! Book mail is the best! 7y
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Kaylamburson Definitely! I'm so grateful and happy. @hollie 7y
RadicalReader @Kaylamburson I loved The Girl Before by JP Deleaney!! Was intrigued to see another book with the same title 7y
Kaylamburson Yes, I also loved Delaney's version! I still haven't read Olsen's, but definitely soon! @RadicalReader 7y
46 likes6 comments
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Ehbooklover
The Girl Before | Rena Olsen
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Pickpick

I chose to read this book after both a coworker and a customer raved about it. They were right! It was the very definition of a page-turner. I couldn't stop reading. I especially liked the way the chapters alternated between "Then" and "Now" as it helped me to understand why the protagonist made the decisions that she did. A great read about a very difficult and timely subject.

23 likes4 stack adds
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TriciaIngramWilliams
The Girl Before | Rena Olsen
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Bailedbailed

This is just written so poorly and the plot was predictable from the beginning.

2 likes1 stack add
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ErinC
The Girl Before | Rena Olsen
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#gonebabygone. This was so good! And the author is from my home town.

Alicia Just listened to this one! I enjoyed it as well! 8y
52 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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redphoto3
The Girl Before | Rena Olsen
Pickpick

This book proved me wrong again and again. Just when I thought I couldn't possibly become anymore more disgusted, this book achieved it. I mean the depths of sickness knew no bounds in this book. This is a book about human trafficking, make no mistake. However that said I couldn't look away from the train wreck that was the narrator's life. So there you go.

67 likes3 stack adds
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redphoto3
The Girl Before | Rena Olsen
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Listening to this in the car and while editing photos. #audiobook

41 likes1 stack add
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GinaTheBookWorm
The Girl Before | Rena Olsen
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Pickpick

I loved this book! This is a book that will probably stay with me forever. The story is so raw and real and incredible! I don't wanna give too much away, but what would you do if the only family you've ever known was never even your family at all? I highly recommend this book. You will not be disappointed

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Khadeja
The Girl Before | Rena Olsen
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Pickpick

What a disturbing, unsettling, sad book! I need to gather my feelings, very mixed feelings for this book!! I loved the writing, I loved how they moved from past to present. I felt sorry for some characters, but also disgusted for what they have done. The ending was beautiful, and perfect. Such a heavy, and important topic. It's sad how kids can grow up to believe what they have been told just to survive.

7 likes2 stack adds
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TheLibrarian
The Girl Before | Rena Olsen
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My tentative February #tbr pile. #feistyfeb

saresmoore I'm reading The Bear and the Nightingale, too! 8y
TheLibrarian I've read great things about it @saresmoore 8y
Samwise_Gamgee Let us know how Wires and Nerve is!! (edited) 8y
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TheLibrarian @Samwise_Gamgee Will do! Did you read the Lunar Chronicles? 8y
RealLifeReading Nice! I've yet to read any of these! 8y
Samwise_Gamgee @TheLibrarian yes!! I devoured them last year 8y
70 likes3 stack adds6 comments
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Khadeja
The Girl Before | Rena Olsen
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Finally reading this book, and I cannot be more excited. It was recommended by one of my dear bookish friends so I have high expectations for this one!

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kkskinner
The Girl Before | Rena Olsen
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My first book on OverDrive. Loving it so far!

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MCYmermaid
The Girl Before | Rena Olsen
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Today's assortment of recommendations from Kobo. #girlinthetitle much?!

Suzze And how many are really about girls (vs. women) anyway? 8y
jessberk13 I love love loved 8y
27 likes2 comments
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jackeyoh
The Girl Before | Rena Olsen
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I was inspired to do this over at @gibblr page #2017bookishhorroscope (I hope that is the hashtag ?)
"We continue to back up until Papa looks over his shoulder. His men are waiting for us at every possible escape route."
Well 2017 sounds lovely ?

Turn to page 117 of a book to your left. The second sentence will show you how 2017 will be for you. Give it a try!

gibblr 😳😳😳 8y
4 likes1 comment
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dixi_e
The Girl Before | Rena Olsen
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Pickpick

I liked coming into this book knowing the broad basics, thinking it meant one thing but quickly being shown it was about another.

Written from Clara's perspective the consequences and reality of her past are revealed to the reader in the same, drawn out manner as the development of her own understandings.

This is a thought-provoking tale, worth the contemplation.

9 likes1 stack add
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dixi_e
The Girl Before | Rena Olsen
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Curious to know how Clara's life lead to this moment and how she could be so indoctrinated and disillusioned. #tequilathehonduranhound just wants an ear rub. #currentlyreading

Desha What a great name for such a cute dog! ❤️🐶 8y
SharonGoforth 🐶🐶 8y
LauraBeth Awwww 🐶💕 8y
dixi_e @Desha Thanks! She's the best Honduran Hound in 🇨🇦 ♥️ 8y
Desha Awwww she looks like it! Sweet face! ❤️🐶❤️ 8y
12 likes5 comments
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dixi_e
The Girl Before | Rena Olsen
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Next read. Hope this is as compelling as the last. 🤞🏻

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DianeNY
The Girl Before | Rena Olsen
Pickpick

This was a pretty good book. I read this for one of my book clubs. I wasn't sure of the plot at first but it held my interest to finish in one night.

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M-D
The Girl Before | Rena Olsen
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One of my 2 books with girl in the title. Not pictured, The Danish Girl. #girlinthetitle #readJanuary

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jackeyoh
The Girl Before | Rena Olsen
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3 likes1 stack add
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ErinC
The Girl Before | Rena Olsen
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Pickpick

My first 5⭐️ book of 2017. This is a heartbreaking look at the human trafficking industry through the eyes of a victim. It was interesting to see Clara come to terms with the life she'd lived. This is my debut novel for #readharder and Letter O for #lisyAtoZ and I'm still debating what to log it under on #litsyreadingchallenge as it could fulfill a couple categories. Likely "recommended by" my sister-in-law.

JDHawkins I ate this one up! 8y
MyNamesParadise I have this one- part of my TBR list! 8y
ErinC @MyNamesParadise - it was a fast read! 8y
ErinC #LetterO for my #LitsyAtoZ @BookishMarginalia - forgot to tag earlier! 8y
60 likes9 stack adds4 comments
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ErinC
The Girl Before | Rena Olsen
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Distorted #bookface for #readjanuary. I'm excited to read this one this month! @RealLifeReading

44 likes3 stack adds
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MarticaMustRead
The Girl Before | Rena Olsen
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Pickpick

🌟🌟🌟🌟
The POV of Clara is what made this psychological thriller stand out. Instead of the typical 'captive' perspective, we learn about a human trafficking ring through the eyes of a woman who grew up in this world. Through alternating 'Then' & 'Now' chapters, we learn how she goes fr helping to 'train' these young girls, to being captured & learning that her whole life has been a horrible lie & that her real life was stolen from her long ago.

MarticaMustRead Here's my review @TheLudicReader , it was a good read!👍 8y
20 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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FoldedPagesDistillery
The Girl Before | Rena Olsen
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Well, it's the last #socksunday before Halloween and I thought I would pull out a few thrillers I am hoping to get to. The Girl Before is a psychological suspense, which are my favorite. It will probably be the first of these three I pick up! What thrilling reads do you have planned before the holidays hit?

Karkar Love your socks! 😍😍 8y
Emory Those socks are amazing! 8y
Godmotherx5 The socks are great. I'm contemplating The Couple Next Door & maybe 8y
See All 8 Comments
Krysta Those socks are so amazing 8y
Bette Nice sox! ❤️👏🏻 8y
monsterthing Oh wow, those socks are amazing 8y
misswendyd I got really frustrated with THE GIRL BEFORE, but I liked THE COUPLE NEXT DOOR. 8y
M-D Love the sox 😍 8y
80 likes5 stack adds8 comments
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MarticaMustRead
The Girl Before | Rena Olsen
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Because tacos go with everything❣?????

After this yummy spread with my cousin, I'm now happily stuffed to the gills and settling in for the night with my current psychological thriller. ???

Oh, and "Hocus Pocus" is on TV!!??☻????

read_diverse_books Yummy. I really do want a taco truck on every corner! 🙆 8y
MarticaMustRead Oh I could TOTALLY go for that @read_diverse_books diverse !😍🌮🌮🌮👍🙆 8y
17 likes2 comments
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MarticaMustRead
The Girl Before | Rena Olsen
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'We see her now, sequestered in a barren room, questioned by men&women who call her by a different name- Diana- & who accuse her husband of unspeakable crimes.' 😲

Oh snaps....SOLD!🙆

Working the evening shift tonight at the library & it's deadly quiet. 👻

So HELLO?! Duh! It's OBVIOUSLY the perfect time to start a new creepy 'Criminal Mind-esh' psychological thriller! Who doesn't love those?!☻🙊 #PsychologicalThriller #CreepierTheBetter

TheLudicReader I had this in my hand last night at the bookstore, but I put it back. Looking forward to hearing whether it's any good. 8y
13 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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fairlyliterary
The Girl Before | Rena Olsen
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I love how creative this cover is. Once you begin this it jumps right into the action and I'm enjoying it so much!! #thegirlbefore #psychothriller #thrillsandchills #thriller #readalong #amreading #amlistening

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fairlyliterary
The Girl Before | Rena Olsen
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I'm sure I am in for a thrill with this one. I have an mp3 version of this and plan on enjoying #audiobook #thrillervibes #suspensethrills #givemechills #psychologicalthrills #thegirlbefore #nowplaying

6 likes1 stack add
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BookBoggart
The Girl Before | Rena Olsen
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Pickpick

To start off #booktober I finished this half is sept and half in Oct!
First off I'm a sucker for then/now narrative. That aspect drew me in right quick. You feel for the main character you see her growth, realizations and frustrations coming full circle. I wasn't expecting this to be about human trafficking. It shed an entire new light on manipulation and what children, especially, will believe. I found it raw, loving and forgiving. #muchlove

19 likes1 stack add
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BrainyHeroine
The Girl Before | Rena Olsen
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Pickpick

Similar to Dot Hutchinson's The Butterfly Garden, The Girl Before is told in two parts, then and now. With the "Then" time line swirling us through Clara's past and the "Now" time line being linear, this story grips you. A must read.

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BookBoggart
The Girl Before | Rena Olsen
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My perfect Sunday. What's yours?
#muchlove

BookishMarginalia 👍🏼 8y
9 likes1 comment
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BrainyHeroine
The Girl Before | Rena Olsen
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I can't stop listening to this book!

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HarleyQuinn
The Girl Before | Rena Olsen
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#mystery #thriller Hope it's good!

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BookishDevices
The Girl Before | Rena Olsen
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Pickpick

This book grabbed Jennifer from the opening lines.
http://wp.me/p4kTLQ-vA

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Jennifer_BookishDevices
The Girl Before | Rena Olsen
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Pickpick

This book grabbed me from the opening lines.
http://wp.me/p4kTLQ-vA

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Jennifer_BookishDevices
The Girl Before | Rena Olsen
Pickpick

This book grabbed me from the opening lines.
http://wp.me/p4kTLQ-vA

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Ckbadara
The Girl Before | Rena Olsen
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Pickpick

I loved this book. I could not put it down and finished it in a day. Although, I had an idea of what was happening early on, the way the author unravelled Clara's story kept me hooked. This was a fantastic first novel!

MrBook Great review 😎👍🏻 8y
MyNamesParadise Ron Howard secured the film rights for this at the end of 2015! I read that and was looking forward to this all year! It's on my never ending to-read list! 8y
4 likes1 stack add2 comments