📘 The Girl in Times
by Paullina Simons
Genre Fiction ◦ Contemporary
Publication William Morrow ◦ 2017
Format & Source Print ◦ For review, TLC Tours
Rating ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
📝 My Review
I’ve got to say… Paullina Simons knows how to write a compelling book! I was first introduced to her last year when I read her book Red Leaves, and it ended up on my top ten list for 2017. Now that I’ve read my second, I’m officially a fan.
The Girl in Times Square is about a missing girl, Amy, a young woman who vanishes from New York City. But it’s more about Lily Quinn, her roommate and best friend, whose kind of been floundering through life, working a dead end job and trying to graduate college at 24, but isn’t quite there yet. Her family is dysfunctional and she’s kind of on her own… then Amy disappears and everything takes a turn for the interesting as she is pulled into the investigation by a detective to whom she’s growing increasingly closer. Side note: this detective also appears in Red Leaves… pretty cool!
You’re left wondering the whole time where Amy went, who was involved, if she’ll come back… but you’re also pulled into Lily’s orbit completely. Strange family dynamics, a lottery ticket, an illness. The story is very, very complex and about much more than the missing girl, though the events seem to center around the disappearance. The book clocks in at just under 600 pages, which is undoubtedly long, but good for this particular story. Because of the length, a full picture is painted, and a lot of complex story lines are able to play out from start to finish. It’s much more than just a detective story; it’s rich and detailed and shocking. The story is dark and dreary and I couldn’t put it down.
In all, I loved this book. It consumed my thoughts and tangled so many damn webs, that I was entranced all the way through. At this point, I plan on picking up all of Simons' past books and future books to devour. Her writing is really unique and drawn out, and her characters are strange and flawed. If you have some time to invest in a really captivating book, I’d highly recommend this one.
“She hadn't meant to do it. Falling this crashingly in love with Spencer didn't take Lily by accident. It took her by storm.”
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