Sunday 6 November 2016

The Girl Who Stayed ~ Tanya Anne Crosby


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If you are like me, then you have reading moods that shift from day to day or even week by week.
(Oh, did I say 'reading moods' ...I meant moods in general...if you see me wearing my "I'm Grumpy 'Cause You're Dopey' Shirt" while listening to the Dangerous Minds soundtrack.......RUN!!!)

Sometimes I am in the mood for something lighthearted and sweet, other times I want something sexy or historical....maybe I want a great mystery or a horror..... My moods can be all over the map (Just ask my husband or see my Twitter feed!)

This past week I loaded up my Kobo with books to reflect all my moods, most of them on sale (Hooray!) and I decided I would read through them as the mood struck.

The first few books were fluffy romances, I realized I have had my fill of those. (One of them I didn't even bother to finish... ) so I turned to the one which had an intriguing premise. "The Girl Who Stayed" by Tanya Anne Crosby. (Released earlier this year)
 

I HIGHLY recommend this if you are looking for something more gritty and honest or just prefer a solid drama.

The novel is told in the narrative of protagonist Zoe Rutherford. She's not only running away from her present, but seeking answers from her past. Through her thoughts flashing back, you learn about her life's story as the eldest child in a family who suffers unspeakable tragedy. You see her struggle with her current life situation and how they all connect. Like so many of us, she is a chronic over-thinker, full of what ifs and in need of self discovery. The entire novel is mainly a reflection as she searches her soul and the real world for answers, all the while prepping her old family home for sale.

The Girl Who Stayed was a novel that I didn't want to put down and when I did- I found myself wondering where the story was going next. I liked not being able to figure out the exact plot. What was happening the ex? What happened to her sister Hannah? Was Zoe on a path to self destruction or self discovery? Is her subconscious trying to tell her something?? Who can she trust? I felt really bad for this character. She felt really 'real' to me, it was like reading the unfiltered mind of someone else.
The ending actually left me with a small book hangover for the simple reason that it was a bit abrupt after being in her head all that time. That said, I was both satisfied with the ending but like with most books I enjoy I always want a bit more. (I am selfish like that!)

 I give "The Girl Who Stayed" a rating of 4/5 stars. I could see this novel played out dramatically on television, like the Netflix series Bloodline. (If I am going to make a small comparison)

The bottom line, If you are in a book club or like a book that makes you step back and think, or that has a bit of mystery and zero fluff.... Then I suggest that you give this one a try.

This was my first novel that I have read by Author Tanya Anne Crosby, and I certainly will be adding her novels to my 'must read author list' from now on.
Click here to visit her website for more books and information.

Here is the official book synopsis:

Zoe Rutherford wasn't sure what she was expecting when she returned to Sullivan's Island. The house on Sullivan's hadn't represented home to her in decades. It was the place where she endured her father's cruelty. It was the place where her mother closed herself off from the world. It was the place where her sister disappeared. But now that her parents are gone, Zoe needs to return to the house, to close it down and prepare it for sale. She intends to get this done as quickly as possible and get on with the rest of her life, even though that life seems clouded by her past, both distant and recent. But what she discovers when she gets there is far beyond her imagining and will change her in profound ways. 


Happy Reading!

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