Happy Monday! Today I have a review of Mary Kubica’s newest book, a domestic suspense, When the Lights Go Out, publishing by Harlequin/Park Row on September 4, 2018. Mary Kubica is a go-to author of mine for a smoldering, slow-burning fix. I can rely on her storytelling to be emotive and easy to fall into. When the Lights Go Out has a rather controversial ending! Read on to see how I felt about it (without spoilers, of course!).
My Thoughts:
When the Lights Go Out is told in alternating timelines: Jessie in the present day and Eden in 1996.
Eden desperately wants to be a mother. Her narrative is focused on that side of things. Jesse, Eden’s daughter, in the present time is struggling with caring for her mother and in the aftermath of her loss, as Eden has been diagnosed with terminal cancer and is nearing the end of her life.
After years of caretaking for her mother, Jessie is faced with rebuilding her life. On a leap of faith, she applies to college but quickly discovers there might be a problem with her registration due to identity. What does this mean for Jessie? The mystery of figuring out just who she is takes her down an unbidden path. She is extremely fatigued and overwhelmed with insomnia, and it is affecting every aspect of her life while she also tries to figure out who she is. The lines between truth and fiction become blurred, and the fact that Jessie’s judgment is unclear makes it even harder for her to see straight.
I quickly came to know Eden and Jessie because Kubica’s character-building is on point, and not only did I know them, I empathized with each of them and truly felt emotional about the issues they were individually facing.
As for that ending, I did not see it coming. Even with all of the reviews I had read, I never expected that. And I have to say, in all the thrillers I’ve read, I’ve never witnessed that before, so it was completely original. I was so shocked, I remember gasping out loud. I think that fit with the storyline, though it was a big risk.
Overall, I found When the Lights Go Out to be another page-turning suspense novel from Mary Kubica, more on the domestic suspense side than thriller. It is well-written, slow-burning, and I don’t think I’ll ever forget that ending.
Thank you go Harlequin/Park Row for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis:
A woman is forced to question her own identity in this riveting and emotionally charged thriller by the blockbuster bestselling author of The Good Girl, Mary Kubica
Jessie Sloane is on the path to rebuilding her life after years of caring for her ailing mother. She rents a new apartment and applies for college. But when the college informs her that her social security number has raised a red flag, Jessie discovers a shocking detail that causes her to doubt everything she’s ever known.
Finding herself suddenly at the center of a bizarre mystery, Jessie tumbles down a rabbit hole, which is only exacerbated by grief and a relentless lack of sleep. As days pass and the insomnia worsens, it plays with Jessie’s mind. Her judgment is blurred, her thoughts are hampered by fatigue. Jessie begins to see things until she can no longer tell the difference between what’s real and what she’s only imagined.
Meanwhile, twenty years earlier and two hundred and fifty miles away, another woman’s split-second decision may hold the key to Jessie’s secret past. Has Jessie’s whole life been a lie or have her delusions gotten the best of her?
Will check this book out Jennifer
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This is a wonderfully reliable author, Shalini. I love her books!
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I need to read this book and find out what the ending was. I am really curious especially because you mention that you have never read anything like it before. Great review!
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Thanks, Diana! The ending has been really controversial in reviews, and I think it made me want to read it all the more, too.
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Great review Jen! I’ve never read this author before but so many on Goodreads love her! Happy Monday!😊💖
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Thanks, Sus! She’s pretty wonderful. I totally get the love! I hope you’ve had a great Monday, too! 💗 xo
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Great review (as usual), Jennifer! I haven’t put this on my shelf yet as I’m waiting for the audio version. Now I’ve got to get to that ending.
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Thanks, Jonetta! I can’t wait to hear how the audio is for this one! I also want to hear what you think of the ending!
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Was wondering what your thoughts would be on this one!!!
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Your review prepared me to be shocked by that ending! ♥️
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Now I really want to know what ‘that’ is! I’ve read only her first novel I think, which I really enjoyed. Definitely an author I want to read books of! Great review, you made me very curious!
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Thanks, Inge! I’m happy you enjoyed her first book, too. I love the depth of emotion in her books. The ending in this one is receiving lots of talk on both sides. If you end up reading this one, I hope you enjoy it!
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I will be getting to this one soon. Great review, Jennifer!
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Thanks, Marialyce! I hope you enjoy it too!
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This sounds like a fun one. I may need to read it to see about that ending! 🤗 have a wonderful Monday!
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Thanks, Lana! That ending is something else! I hope you are having a wonderful Monday! 💕
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I love Mary. Kubica. I’ve read all her books. I can’t wait to jump on this one! Great review. 💜📖
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Thanks so much, Angie! I can’t wait for you to read this one, too! Thanks for the reblog also! ♥️
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You’re welcome!
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Reblogged this on Angie Dokos.
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Mary Kubica’s also one my go to authors. I just finished reading When the Lights Go Out and like you did not see the ending coming. Loved your review!
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Thank you! I can’t wait to read your thoughts on it! Wasn’t that ending a true surprise?! Happy you love this author, too!
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I’m not normally a thriller fan but Mary Kubica is a must-read for me! Great post 🙂
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Thank you! The depth of emotion and the strength of the characters makes her thrillers more accessible I think? I’m so happy you enjoy her too!
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Awesome review. I added this suspenseful drama to my list. Happy Monday!❤️📚🌺💕😻🌹
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Thank you, Virginia! I hope you love it, too, and hope your Monday has been grand! 💗 xo
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I’m now very intrigued by that ending! Wonderful review, Jennifer!
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Thank you, Chrissi! It’s a shocker, that’s for sure!
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“That” was a good review! 😜
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Thanks, Paul! 😊
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Ooh!!! Looking forward to this ending—that’s quite an endorsement! Great review, Jennifer 💕
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Thanks, Mack! This author is local to you! I can’t wait to see what you think of that ending! ♥️
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Well you have me super curious about this one now! This will be my first book by her and I have no idea what to expect from this ending! You’re such a tease!😉😘
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😂 I can’t wait for you to read this and tell me what you think! I’m tapping my foot over here waiting! 😂 No, really, I am excited for you to read it and hope it’s an amazing first read for you from this author! 😘 xo Can’t wait to discuss!
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Yes don’t wear out that foot!
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Well, if this review doesn’t spark a little curiosity!! Ending Ending Ending, now I kind of have to know lol
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😂 Didi, I am sorry I tempted you! It’s such a good ending to tempt with, though! It seems to be leave or take with readers! Hope you are doing well! ♥️
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HAHA well, in all fairness, I would likely have tempted the same way! haha.. I am very well, thank you 🙂 I hope you’re doing fantastic yourself 😉
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You have me intrigued about that ending! Let me guess – alien invasion? She discovered she was a mutated lizard? Darcy dumped Lizzie and proposed to her? 😉
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All great guesses, FF! Not quite that outlandish, though! 😊
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Great review Jen you’ve got me so intrigued especially about that ending! I’ve only read The Good Girl by this author before but I would DEFINITELY read this! 🤗
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Thanks, Beth! I hope that means you liked The Good Girl, too! That one had my head spinning. This ending seems to be loved or not embraced, but I was open to it! ♥️
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How can I not get this book now Jennifer after you’ve told me how incredible the ending is!! It’s hard to believe that whatever it is it hasn’t been done before, but I’ll take your word for it. 😉
Thanks for the enticing review.
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Aw, thank you, Laurie! Big disclaimer, though- that ending has been very controversial. I have friends who did not like it at all. It worked for me, but I understand it won’t work for everyone. That said, I absolutely loved this book! ♥️
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Thanks for letting me know that Jennifer. Now I’m REALLY curious.
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You’re welcome, Laurie. Knowing that it was controversial when I went into it helped me to be even more open to it I guess. I had no idea what to expect!
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