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What Is Mine: A Thriller
The search for a missing boy entwines the lives of two desperate women. One seeks redemption for her sister; the other will do anything for the love of her life. Hope Chen and her husband are raising her nine-year-old nephew, Luca, in the wake of his troubled mother’s death. Luca finally has a safe home in a neighborhood where kids play in the streets and nobody locks their doors. Then one day, Luca and his dog disappear without a trace. Guilt-ridden, fearing the worst but praying for the best, Hope finds her imagination running wild. Meanwhile, a woman with dangerous secrets to keep buried will do anything to protect her marriage. In one fleeting instant, it’s all within her reach. She can finally give her husband the one thing that will make him love her again. Hope will do anything to get Luca back. The other woman will do anything to stop Hope. As Hope’s search grows more desperate and the other woman’s plans more twisted, their lives collide in an explosive battle of wits. With a boy caught in the middle, nothing on this deadly path of love and revenge is what it seems.
317 pages, Paperback
First published February 6, 2024
About the author
Lyn Liao Butler
6 books294 followersLyn Liao Butler was born in Taiwan and moved to the States when she was seven. Before becoming an author, she was a professional ballet and modern dancer, and is still a personal trainer, fitness instructor, and yoga instructor. She is an avid animal lover and fosters dogs as well as volunteers with rescues.
When she is not torturing clients or talking to imaginary characters, Lyn enjoys spending time with her FDNY husband, their son (the happiest little boy in the world), their three stubborn dachshunds, sewing for her Etsy shop, and trying crazy yoga poses on a stand-up paddleboard. So far, she has not fallen into the water yet.
When she is not torturing clients or talking to imaginary characters, Lyn enjoys spending time with her FDNY husband, their son (the happiest little boy in the world), their three stubborn dachshunds, sewing for her Etsy shop, and trying crazy yoga poses on a stand-up paddleboard. So far, she has not fallen into the water yet.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews
March 3, 2024
2.5
Started out ok but then derailed. A lightweight ok read and nothing more. Wouldn’t describe it as a thriller either.
Kindle Unlimited
Started out ok but then derailed. A lightweight ok read and nothing more. Wouldn’t describe it as a thriller either.
Kindle Unlimited
February 10, 2024
Thank you to the author Lyn Liao Butler, publishers St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of WHAT IS MINE. All views are mine.
Three (or more) things I loved:
1. This perspective is kind of harrowing. We experience these very stressful events, the disappearance of a child, through the eyes of a navel gazing individual.
Three (or less) things I didn't love:
This section isn't only for criticisms. It's merely for items that I felt something for other than "love" or some interpretation thereof.
1. Honestly, the timeline is hard to follow. Not because it is nonlinear, but because the author tortures the narrative to hide certain details from the reader, *instead of* utilizing her alternating timeline to do that for her. It's one of the benefits of the form, after all.
2. This storyline stigmatizes mental illness. Such a common trope, still a story ruiner for me. Tons of space devoted to the fmc as having ptsd, only to portray her later as being violently disordered and dangerous. Mentally ill people aren't just random groupings of antisocial characteristics. Mentally ill characters shouldn't appear that way either.
3. I really don't like narrative twists that depend in some way on a mentally ill character's diagnoses or symptoms. It turns the character into a plot device, and a gimmicky one at that. In this book, the whole narrative could have played out in a nearly identical way without making the fmc a criminally psychotic person, you know, out of the blue and with such massive coincidence.
4. This book goes on for too long after the primary conflict resolves. It's boring because there is no reason to remain invested in these characters or problems anymore.
Rating: 🧌.5 / 5 crazy people tropes
Recommend? Sure, and learn from the trope! Try SOMEONE ELSE'S LIFE, which I liked much better.
Finished: Feb 7 '24
Format: Digital arc, Kindle, NetGalley
Read this book if you like:
🌪 a woman's descent
👨👩👧👦 family stories, family drama
👶🏻 children and procreation
🪦 death and grieving
👹 dangerous mentally ill person trope
Three (or more) things I loved:
1. This perspective is kind of harrowing. We experience these very stressful events, the disappearance of a child, through the eyes of a navel gazing individual.
Three (or less) things I didn't love:
This section isn't only for criticisms. It's merely for items that I felt something for other than "love" or some interpretation thereof.
1. Honestly, the timeline is hard to follow. Not because it is nonlinear, but because the author tortures the narrative to hide certain details from the reader, *instead of* utilizing her alternating timeline to do that for her. It's one of the benefits of the form, after all.
2. This storyline stigmatizes mental illness. Such a common trope, still a story ruiner for me. Tons of space devoted to the fmc as having ptsd, only to portray her later as being violently disordered and dangerous. Mentally ill people aren't just random groupings of antisocial characteristics. Mentally ill characters shouldn't appear that way either.
3. I really don't like narrative twists that depend in some way on a mentally ill character's diagnoses or symptoms. It turns the character into a plot device, and a gimmicky one at that. In this book, the whole narrative could have played out in a nearly identical way without making the fmc a criminally psychotic person, you know, out of the blue and with such massive coincidence.
4. This book goes on for too long after the primary conflict resolves. It's boring because there is no reason to remain invested in these characters or problems anymore.
Rating: 🧌.5 / 5 crazy people tropes
Recommend? Sure, and learn from the trope! Try SOMEONE ELSE'S LIFE, which I liked much better.
Finished: Feb 7 '24
Format: Digital arc, Kindle, NetGalley
Read this book if you like:
🌪 a woman's descent
👨👩👧👦 family stories, family drama
👶🏻 children and procreation
🪦 death and grieving
👹 dangerous mentally ill person trope
February 27, 2024
Hope and her husband, Shaun, have recently taken in her nephew, Luca. Hope’s sister - Luca’s mother - died of an overdose after a long battle with addiction. The nine-year-old is now staying with his aunt and uncle he never really knew, struggling to find his new normal.
One day Hope is making dinner while Luca is outside playing basketball, when suddenly she realizes she hasn’t heard the ball for a few minutes. She runs outside to find Luca and his dog, Mochi, missing. After a search of the house and street, and calling the few people who know Luca, they realize that he’s really gone. Someone has taken him, and Hope is feeling like she’s losing her sister all over again…
Meanwhile, the person who has him is taking him (and his dog) on a road trip, for the strangest reason: to save her husband and their marriage. She has her reasons, and she also has her own rationalizations that allow her to believe her actions are justified. Now she just has to hide from the country, which is riveted by the story.
The mystery/thriller part of this was relatively average, but this story did touch on some sensitive subjects like addiction, death and mental health, and handled them well. Luca was a sweet character, I really enjoyed him. This didn’t blow my mind, but I definitely liked it! 3.5 stars.
(Thank you to Thomas & Mercer, Lyn Liao Butler and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.)
One day Hope is making dinner while Luca is outside playing basketball, when suddenly she realizes she hasn’t heard the ball for a few minutes. She runs outside to find Luca and his dog, Mochi, missing. After a search of the house and street, and calling the few people who know Luca, they realize that he’s really gone. Someone has taken him, and Hope is feeling like she’s losing her sister all over again…
Meanwhile, the person who has him is taking him (and his dog) on a road trip, for the strangest reason: to save her husband and their marriage. She has her reasons, and she also has her own rationalizations that allow her to believe her actions are justified. Now she just has to hide from the country, which is riveted by the story.
The mystery/thriller part of this was relatively average, but this story did touch on some sensitive subjects like addiction, death and mental health, and handled them well. Luca was a sweet character, I really enjoyed him. This didn’t blow my mind, but I definitely liked it! 3.5 stars.
(Thank you to Thomas & Mercer, Lyn Liao Butler and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.)
January 15, 2024
3.5 stars
WHAT IS MINE is an engaging family drama with some surprising twists/reveals.
If you're sensitive to mental health representation in thrillers, I might encourage you to proceed with caution as that topic may not have been handled as delicately/intentionally as I would've liked.
In general, I was engaged with the story and I really liked the writing style. The pacing is a bit slower which is why it read more as a drama vs thriller to me, but I still enjoyed my time with the story and I felt that it had a cinematic quality to it. Reminds me of Lucinda Berry's writing style. I would definitely pick up another book from this author.
Thank you to the publisher for granting me access to an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
WHAT IS MINE is an engaging family drama with some surprising twists/reveals.
If you're sensitive to mental health representation in thrillers, I might encourage you to proceed with caution as that topic may not have been handled as delicately/intentionally as I would've liked.
In general, I was engaged with the story and I really liked the writing style. The pacing is a bit slower which is why it read more as a drama vs thriller to me, but I still enjoyed my time with the story and I felt that it had a cinematic quality to it. Reminds me of Lucinda Berry's writing style. I would definitely pick up another book from this author.
Thank you to the publisher for granting me access to an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 24, 2024
I finished What is Mine by Lyn Liao Butler in a couple of sittings because I couldn’t stop reading to find out what the heck happens next.
Hope and her husband Shaun have received custody of Hope’s 9 year old nephew Lucas after his mom dies from a drug overdose. Two months later while playing basketball in the driveway, Lucas disappears along with his dog Mochi.
Hope stops at nothing and does whatever she can to find Lucas, unraveling family secrets along the way.
The twists in this story were shockers and I know I read late into the night to discover them all.
I have to say that I really disliked Hope in the first half of the book. The things she was doing to find Lucas made her very creepy, especially the way she was treating her neighbors.
But Lucas! And the two dogs in the story, Mochi and Shadow, were to die for. I was very invested in seeing what happened to Lucas. And the shocking twist about halfway in was completely unexpected. Well done!
*Thank you so much to the author, Thomas and Mercer, and GetRedPR for the gifted ARC!*
Hope and her husband Shaun have received custody of Hope’s 9 year old nephew Lucas after his mom dies from a drug overdose. Two months later while playing basketball in the driveway, Lucas disappears along with his dog Mochi.
Hope stops at nothing and does whatever she can to find Lucas, unraveling family secrets along the way.
The twists in this story were shockers and I know I read late into the night to discover them all.
I have to say that I really disliked Hope in the first half of the book. The things she was doing to find Lucas made her very creepy, especially the way she was treating her neighbors.
But Lucas! And the two dogs in the story, Mochi and Shadow, were to die for. I was very invested in seeing what happened to Lucas. And the shocking twist about halfway in was completely unexpected. Well done!
*Thank you so much to the author, Thomas and Mercer, and GetRedPR for the gifted ARC!*
April 30, 2024
3.5 stars - Family drama + suspense = WHAT IS MINE
Trigger warnings include addiction, abuse, death, and mental health
This has a climatic start and then gets into the story of how the boy goes missing, why, whodunnit, etc.
Just when I thought the book wrapped up at the end, it kept going only to reveal something I was surprised to learn and also surprised I didn’t know it was coming. Besides that, everything else was pretty predictable, but the storyline was good and held my interest.
A good read especially for people just starting to dive into thrillers.
I enjoyed this novel and am looking forward to chatting with the author about it for our book club.
Trigger warnings include addiction, abuse, death, and mental health
This has a climatic start and then gets into the story of how the boy goes missing, why, whodunnit, etc.
Just when I thought the book wrapped up at the end, it kept going only to reveal something I was surprised to learn and also surprised I didn’t know it was coming. Besides that, everything else was pretty predictable, but the storyline was good and held my interest.
A good read especially for people just starting to dive into thrillers.
I enjoyed this novel and am looking forward to chatting with the author about it for our book club.
June 2, 2024
This wasn't exactly a thriller because there weren't as meany peaks as I'd expected. It's more of an engaging drama that begins with a child gone missing and a woman's guilt-stricken panic leading to surprising revelations triggered by another grief-stricken woman. The characterisation is worth appreciating because everyone leaves a mark with their personalities and motivations. Not very suspenseful, but it's a mystery that does satisfy by the end.
January 28, 2024
What Is Mine by Lyn Liao Butler. Thanks to @getredprbooks for the gifted copy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Hope and her husband are raising nine year old Luca after his troubled mother’s death. Until one day Luca disappears with no trace.
The book starts off as a missing child case, and changes up a bit halfway through. That was a surprise for me, but I enjoyed it. It got to be quite a wild ride at the end. I liked how every loose end was tied up and all my questions were answered with time. There’s also two dogs that play a big role in the story!
What is Mine comes out 2/6.
Hope and her husband are raising nine year old Luca after his troubled mother’s death. Until one day Luca disappears with no trace.
The book starts off as a missing child case, and changes up a bit halfway through. That was a surprise for me, but I enjoyed it. It got to be quite a wild ride at the end. I liked how every loose end was tied up and all my questions were answered with time. There’s also two dogs that play a big role in the story!
What is Mine comes out 2/6.
February 3, 2024
A dark secret. A deadly obsession. Two desperate women…
A book filled with secrets, lies, deceit and obsession? Sign me up, buttercup!
Lyn Liao Butler, narrates a wild ride filled with characters you will love and some you’ll love to hate. This book is dark! I was completely consumed as soon as I concluded the first chapter. There was no shortage of twists and turns and I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. The twist was insane and unpredictable!
I can not wait to see what Butler, comes out with next!
Teaser :
The search for a missing boy entwines the lives of two desperate women. One seeks redemption for her sister; the other will do anything for the love of her life.
Hope Chen and her husband are raising her nine-year-old nephew, Luca, in the wake of his troubled mother’s death. Luca finally has a safe home in a neighborhood where kids play in the streets and nobody locks their doors. Then one day, Luca and his dog disappear without a trace. Guilt-ridden, fearing the worst but praying for the best, Hope finds her imagination running wild.
Meanwhile, a woman with dangerous secrets to keep buried will do anything to protect her marriage. In one fleeting instant, it’s all within her reach. She can finally give her husband the one thing that will make him love her again.
Hope will do anything to get Luca back. The other woman will do anything to stop Hope. As Hope’s search grows more desperate and the other woman’s plans more twisted, their lives collide in an explosive battle of wits. With a boy caught in the middle, nothing on this deadly path of love and revenge is what it seems
A book filled with secrets, lies, deceit and obsession? Sign me up, buttercup!
Lyn Liao Butler, narrates a wild ride filled with characters you will love and some you’ll love to hate. This book is dark! I was completely consumed as soon as I concluded the first chapter. There was no shortage of twists and turns and I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. The twist was insane and unpredictable!
I can not wait to see what Butler, comes out with next!
Teaser :
The search for a missing boy entwines the lives of two desperate women. One seeks redemption for her sister; the other will do anything for the love of her life.
Hope Chen and her husband are raising her nine-year-old nephew, Luca, in the wake of his troubled mother’s death. Luca finally has a safe home in a neighborhood where kids play in the streets and nobody locks their doors. Then one day, Luca and his dog disappear without a trace. Guilt-ridden, fearing the worst but praying for the best, Hope finds her imagination running wild.
Meanwhile, a woman with dangerous secrets to keep buried will do anything to protect her marriage. In one fleeting instant, it’s all within her reach. She can finally give her husband the one thing that will make him love her again.
Hope will do anything to get Luca back. The other woman will do anything to stop Hope. As Hope’s search grows more desperate and the other woman’s plans more twisted, their lives collide in an explosive battle of wits. With a boy caught in the middle, nothing on this deadly path of love and revenge is what it seems
March 24, 2024
This was SO good, you must add it if you haven’t. I was not sure what to expect, and was blown away by so many things in here. This is a suspenseful read about a boy gone missing and the unraveling of both his past and the women that want what’s best for those they love. The writing is phenomenal, this is not your typical thriller, there is quite a bit of emotional depth to this story. I was hooked from the start and could not stop reading this one. And umm, let’s talk about that ending!! Holy cow!!
Thank you to Get Red PR Books and Thomas & Mercer for the gifted book to review.
Thank you to Get Red PR Books and Thomas & Mercer for the gifted book to review.
February 17, 2024
Book Rating: 4/5
Audiobook Rating: 2.5/5
I read Lyn Liao Butler's previous novel Someone Else’s Life last year and was interested to see what she would have in store for me in What Is Mine. This book gets almost just as wild and crazy as that one does, and despite a pretty slow start-middle, it really kicks up the pace when we get toward the end. The storyline and its mysterious qualities completely captured me, and my mouth dropped open more than once because of things that happened throughout. Even at the very end, she was still dropping twists, and I was completely immersed.
I am not sure what is going on with Butler's audiobooks, but I didn't like her last book on audio, and I wasn't a huge fan of the audio of What Is Mine either. Nancy Wu was just an ok narrator for me, and while she wasn't the worst, she wasn't the best either. Her pacing was off basically the entire time, and my recommendation would be to read this as opposed to listening to it. There were 2 different viewpoints in the book, and I think I most enjoyed Hope's, but both were tense and held my interest. I would recommend checking out triggers before reading, but if you are in the mood for a slow-burning emotional thriller, I would recommend!
Thank you to the publisher and Get Red PR for my complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Audiobook Rating: 2.5/5
I read Lyn Liao Butler's previous novel Someone Else’s Life last year and was interested to see what she would have in store for me in What Is Mine. This book gets almost just as wild and crazy as that one does, and despite a pretty slow start-middle, it really kicks up the pace when we get toward the end. The storyline and its mysterious qualities completely captured me, and my mouth dropped open more than once because of things that happened throughout. Even at the very end, she was still dropping twists, and I was completely immersed.
I am not sure what is going on with Butler's audiobooks, but I didn't like her last book on audio, and I wasn't a huge fan of the audio of What Is Mine either. Nancy Wu was just an ok narrator for me, and while she wasn't the worst, she wasn't the best either. Her pacing was off basically the entire time, and my recommendation would be to read this as opposed to listening to it. There were 2 different viewpoints in the book, and I think I most enjoyed Hope's, but both were tense and held my interest. I would recommend checking out triggers before reading, but if you are in the mood for a slow-burning emotional thriller, I would recommend!
Thank you to the publisher and Get Red PR for my complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
November 21, 2023
This is the first book I read from this author and it sure won't be the last ! The twists in there, I sure didn't see them coming. At first, I suspected someone of being behind Cassie's death, but I was so wrong. I am glad with how everything turns out for Luca.
Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for access to this arc in exchange for my honest review.
Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for access to this arc in exchange for my honest review.
February 8, 2024
What is Mine is a story that seems to start as a standard kidnapping story and turns into an emotional and moving story. As more character back stories are revealed, I was emotionally drained, making this thriller unique and EXTRA SPECIAL.
The intensity returns during the last third, with twist after twist, ending with a big WOWZA 🤯
This was a goodie, entertaining, gripping and so fast paced
The intensity returns during the last third, with twist after twist, ending with a big WOWZA 🤯
This was a goodie, entertaining, gripping and so fast paced
February 8, 2024
3.5 stars
What Is Mine follows the lives of two women and how their lives entwine during the search for a missing boy. I went in blind, and highly recommend you do as well.
In my opinion, this book was more of a family drama than a thriller. There are some twists, but it focused more on the lives of these two women. It is slower paced than a typical thriller but I actually enjoyed the pacing as it helped create a suspenseful build up while trying to figure out what happened to Luca.
The book is written in three parts, and I personally liked the first part best. Hope’s story drew me in, and I was as invested as she was in finding her nephew. Lyn Liao Butler wrote this part so well, and I felt the stress and hopelessness that Hope was going through. I won’t discuss the other parts to avoid spoilers.
You’ll find yourself engrossed in this story and the lives of everyone involved. I couldn’t put the book down because I needed to know what would happen next. Although I was able to figure out a lot of what was going on, I was still drawn into this story.
What Is Mine follows the lives of two women and how their lives entwine during the search for a missing boy. I went in blind, and highly recommend you do as well.
In my opinion, this book was more of a family drama than a thriller. There are some twists, but it focused more on the lives of these two women. It is slower paced than a typical thriller but I actually enjoyed the pacing as it helped create a suspenseful build up while trying to figure out what happened to Luca.
The book is written in three parts, and I personally liked the first part best. Hope’s story drew me in, and I was as invested as she was in finding her nephew. Lyn Liao Butler wrote this part so well, and I felt the stress and hopelessness that Hope was going through. I won’t discuss the other parts to avoid spoilers.
You’ll find yourself engrossed in this story and the lives of everyone involved. I couldn’t put the book down because I needed to know what would happen next. Although I was able to figure out a lot of what was going on, I was still drawn into this story.
January 15, 2024
What Is Mine
By: Lyn Liao Butler
5🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲
Hope Chen and her husband are raising her nephew after his mother died. Luca is nine years old and adjusting to loosing his mother. He turns up missing along with his dog and Hope gets the officials involved right away.
🌲
He disappeared without a trace from their yard. Luca’s mom had a troubled life of drugs and when she comes up dead, along with strange clues Hope wonders if her sister’s past has something to do with Luca missing.
🌲
Every neighbor is under suspicion! Will they get to Luca in time? Luca does not know who is father is and that opens another door to a possible abduction but when no ransom is requested and days go by everyone is on edge.
By: Lyn Liao Butler
5🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲
Hope Chen and her husband are raising her nephew after his mother died. Luca is nine years old and adjusting to loosing his mother. He turns up missing along with his dog and Hope gets the officials involved right away.
🌲
He disappeared without a trace from their yard. Luca’s mom had a troubled life of drugs and when she comes up dead, along with strange clues Hope wonders if her sister’s past has something to do with Luca missing.
🌲
Every neighbor is under suspicion! Will they get to Luca in time? Luca does not know who is father is and that opens another door to a possible abduction but when no ransom is requested and days go by everyone is on edge.
March 22, 2024
I love when a thriller grabs you from the start, and this one did just that; it starts with a bang and it’s a non-stop thrilling ride until the end. Twisty, emotional and suspenseful, the perfect mix to keep you at the edge of your seat.
Thank you Get Red PR for this gifted copy.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗲 by Lyn Liao Butler - Author released February 6, 2024.
https://www.instagram.com/booksandcof...
Thank you Get Red PR for this gifted copy.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗲 by Lyn Liao Butler - Author released February 6, 2024.
https://www.instagram.com/booksandcof...
January 28, 2024
This book had me in a chokehold from page one! I absolutely loved the writing style as well as the storyline. I could not put this book down and it easily gets 5 stars from me!
January 26, 2024
Lots of tension. Good storyline. I loved Tessa, she brought all the crazy drama. I recommend this book.
Thanks Netgalley and Lake Union.
Thanks Netgalley and Lake Union.
March 14, 2024
Thank you to Getredr, Lyn Liao Butler and Thomas and Mercer for the ARC!
When Hope’s troubled sister Lucy passes away, Hope is the only family Luca has. It isn’t easy, but Hope and her husband are doing their best to provide Luca a safe and stable home. He is finally starting to get settled with friends to play with and his beloved dog Mochi. One afternoon, Luca and Mochi disappear from the yard and Hope’s world is thrown into turmoil. She will do anything to get her nephew back, no matter who tries to stand in her way.
This is the second book I have read by this author and I loved it just as much as the first! Lyn Liao Butler once again crafted beautiful, complex characters that you can’t help but be drawn to. I can’t imagine any terror greater than a child going missing, and the desperation and fear Hope had radiated off the pages. It’s easy to understand why she would chase any lead no matter the cost. Hope also had a complicated relationship with her sister; I like that Butler wasn’t afraid to write about messy relationships, difficult relationships and addiction. She painted a very respectful portrait of what so many addicts (and their loved ones) suffer through.
Without giving any spoilers, this book is told from dual perspectives - Hope and Luca’s kidnapper’s. When the kidnapper was revealed, I was honestly shocked. But that wasn’ the only twist. The final portion of this book. seemed to be one twist after another and the pacing kept me glued to the pages. I can’t wait to see what this author comes out with next!
“What is Mine” releases February 6, 2024. This review will be shared to my instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly :)
When Hope’s troubled sister Lucy passes away, Hope is the only family Luca has. It isn’t easy, but Hope and her husband are doing their best to provide Luca a safe and stable home. He is finally starting to get settled with friends to play with and his beloved dog Mochi. One afternoon, Luca and Mochi disappear from the yard and Hope’s world is thrown into turmoil. She will do anything to get her nephew back, no matter who tries to stand in her way.
This is the second book I have read by this author and I loved it just as much as the first! Lyn Liao Butler once again crafted beautiful, complex characters that you can’t help but be drawn to. I can’t imagine any terror greater than a child going missing, and the desperation and fear Hope had radiated off the pages. It’s easy to understand why she would chase any lead no matter the cost. Hope also had a complicated relationship with her sister; I like that Butler wasn’t afraid to write about messy relationships, difficult relationships and addiction. She painted a very respectful portrait of what so many addicts (and their loved ones) suffer through.
Without giving any spoilers, this book is told from dual perspectives - Hope and Luca’s kidnapper’s. When the kidnapper was revealed, I was honestly shocked. But that wasn’ the only twist. The final portion of this book. seemed to be one twist after another and the pacing kept me glued to the pages. I can’t wait to see what this author comes out with next!
“What is Mine” releases February 6, 2024. This review will be shared to my instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly :)
January 20, 2024
[arc review]
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
What Is Mine releases February 6, 2024
This is the story of a nine year old boy who goes missing from his aunt’s house two months after the death of his mother. It’s told in dual pov from Luca’s aunt and his kidnapper.
The unreliable narrator was done really well and the strength of this book definitely lies in the ending and how everything seamlessly comes together.
Tessa was truly so unhinged and I enjoyed how this was a step more elevated than a typical suburban neighbourhood thriller.
An easy one-sitting read!
cw: mentions of drug overdose, past physical abuse, cancer
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
What Is Mine releases February 6, 2024
This is the story of a nine year old boy who goes missing from his aunt’s house two months after the death of his mother. It’s told in dual pov from Luca’s aunt and his kidnapper.
The unreliable narrator was done really well and the strength of this book definitely lies in the ending and how everything seamlessly comes together.
Tessa was truly so unhinged and I enjoyed how this was a step more elevated than a typical suburban neighbourhood thriller.
An easy one-sitting read!
cw: mentions of drug overdose, past physical abuse, cancer
March 22, 2024
This is marketed as a thriller but it read as more of a domestic suspense for me. The first part is told from Hope’s perspective. Hope and her husband are raising Hope’s nephew, Luca. When Luca is kidnapped, Hope starts getting clues that his kidnapping might be linked to her sister’s death. Part two is when the story switches to a different woman’s perspective — a woman who is desperate to protect her marriage.
I wasn’t able to predict the twist in the middle, and I definitely found myself more invested after that reveal. The ending felt like too much was thrown together to wrap up the story.
Reminded that three stars for me means that I enjoyed the story, but there were just a few things lacking. I found this to be a super quick read and am curious to read more work by this author!
I wasn’t able to predict the twist in the middle, and I definitely found myself more invested after that reveal. The ending felt like too much was thrown together to wrap up the story.
Reminded that three stars for me means that I enjoyed the story, but there were just a few things lacking. I found this to be a super quick read and am curious to read more work by this author!
December 7, 2023
First read from this author and I would say that it was well done.
I liked the complex family story wrapped and how it weaved into our delusional PTSD ridden main criminal.
I enjoyed how our main character grew during this story realizing how much her sister loved her and feeling a deeper connection of her nephew. Morphing into a a more protective caretaker.
I would have like to see more from the husband Sean and Richard however I understand that choice from this author to focus on the two woman.
I would read this author again and recommend her book. If this is indeed her first attempt at a novel I cannot wait to see what she brings for her second.
I liked the complex family story wrapped and how it weaved into our delusional PTSD ridden main criminal.
I enjoyed how our main character grew during this story realizing how much her sister loved her and feeling a deeper connection of her nephew. Morphing into a a more protective caretaker.
I would have like to see more from the husband Sean and Richard however I understand that choice from this author to focus on the two woman.
I would read this author again and recommend her book. If this is indeed her first attempt at a novel I cannot wait to see what she brings for her second.
March 29, 2024
I’m not usually one to read thrillers but for the most part I enjoyed What is Mine. I liked that the story was divided into three parts and I liked Hope’s and Tessa’s point of views. The characters themselves were okay, but occasionally something Hope said or did would make me pause and be like, really? I let it go for the most part because obviously she’s in a very stressful situation with her nephew, Luca missing. Luca’s character was probably my favorite. You could really tell he was a smart and sweet kid!
There was a few difficult topics discussed in this book. Death, addiction, and mental illness. For the most part, these were handled well, except for the portrayal of mental illness at times. (For me at least)
Overall, I liked this thriller and I’d for sure be interested in checking out more.
January 25, 2024
I received an advanced copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This book is filled with edge of your seat, heart pounding action and drama from the very beginning to the very end. Highly recommend this wild ride.
This book is filled with edge of your seat, heart pounding action and drama from the very beginning to the very end. Highly recommend this wild ride.
May 13, 2024
3.5!
September 19, 2024
I got this book to support a local Big Island author and we read it for Book Club. I thought it was good, but a little random.
December 13, 2023
There are many new novels featuring missing children yet this one has different nuances and is full of emotion adding to the thriller. Hope has just taken custody of Luca, her nephew, and was already wrought with guilt about not doing enough to save his mother, her sister from drugs and bad choices. Suddenly the unbearable happens - Luca and his dog disappear while playing in the driveway. Hope is devastated and is determined to find him and what really happened to her sister. It moves quickly, the story of Luca and his mother is heartbreaking and we read with a knot in our stomach as we are discovering the little boys bravery, the love between the mother and the son, and the hope of reuniting him with the only family he has left. I loved it.
April 7, 2024
TITLE: WHAT IS MINE
AUTHOR: LYN LIAO BUTLER
PUB DATE: 02.06.2024 Now Available
The search for a missing boy entwines the lives of two desperate women. One seeks redemption for her sister; the other will do anything for the love of her life.
THOUGHTS:
I always enjoy Lyn Liao Butler books whether it’s literary fiction or the slow-burn suspense thrillers, it’s always hard to put down and so enjoyable to read. In What Is Mine, Butler writes an emotionally gripping story that is suspenseful and very twisty. I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a thrilling read with a shocking twist of an ending.
AUTHOR: LYN LIAO BUTLER
PUB DATE: 02.06.2024 Now Available
The search for a missing boy entwines the lives of two desperate women. One seeks redemption for her sister; the other will do anything for the love of her life.
THOUGHTS:
I always enjoy Lyn Liao Butler books whether it’s literary fiction or the slow-burn suspense thrillers, it’s always hard to put down and so enjoyable to read. In What Is Mine, Butler writes an emotionally gripping story that is suspenseful and very twisty. I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a thrilling read with a shocking twist of an ending.
September 25, 2024
This was a quick, easy read for book club. Though, I felt the plot line was super random. I’d love to read a few of her other books to see how they compare.
February 11, 2024
2.5/5
Gifted by the publisher
The search for a missing boy entwines the lives of 2 desperate women. I enjoyed this fast-paced suspense with unexpected twists. My favorite parts are the complex sisterhood element and a dog named Mochi (the best coincidence when we have a Mochi too). I wish there were more dimensions to each character, especially the "villain" vs. "hero" trope is a bit too straightforward, and the story would've been even more compelling with another layer of plot complexity.
Gifted by the publisher
The search for a missing boy entwines the lives of 2 desperate women. I enjoyed this fast-paced suspense with unexpected twists. My favorite parts are the complex sisterhood element and a dog named Mochi (the best coincidence when we have a Mochi too). I wish there were more dimensions to each character, especially the "villain" vs. "hero" trope is a bit too straightforward, and the story would've been even more compelling with another layer of plot complexity.
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