BOOK REVIEW – Hurry Home by Roz Nay

Published July 7th 2020 by Crooked Lane Books

 

An addictive and thought-provoking read!

Twenty-five-year old, Alexandra Van Ness (Alex) lives in a beautiful apartment, has a wonderful boyfriend, and a job she is very proud of. She is a child protection social worker and her first and only goal is to save children that are at risk. To say Alex goes above and beyond is putting it mildly.

Alex and another social worker, Minerva are investigating a report of negligence involving a little boy named Buster Floyd. When they get to the Floyd home, the boy’s parents are definitely not happy to see them. Alex and Minerva explain that someone reported that Buster had been left alone in the car outside the post office. The mother has an explanation that satisfies Minerva, but she warns them not to leave Buster alone in the car again. They schedule a follow-up home visit.

Minerva feels that the visit went well and that what happened wasn’t a big deal but Alex disagrees. She feels they need to be more proactive.

After a long day, Alex is happy she’s finally home with her ever-cheerful boyfriend, Chase. They are about to eat dinner when there is a knock on the door. A woman stands on the doorstep.

It’s Alex’s sister, Ruth Van Ness.

It’s been more than ten years since they’ve seen each other.

At first, Alex is speechless. But when Chase leaves the room she speaks up.

“So why are you here?”

Ruth wishes she hadn’t come but she didn’t have any other choice. She left Pittsburgh in a rush. It wasn’t safe for her there. She had no time to pack though she did bring something with her. She doesn’t tell Alex any of this.

There are many things she’s not telling her sister.

Alex tells Ruth that she will help her, but Ruth must follow her rules. She also makes Ruth promise that she won’t EVER talk about the past to Chase or anyone else.

“Break any of the rules and you’re done.”

Alex worries that Ruth is up to something. She’s also worried about the Floyd boy.

Sometimes no matter how hard you try, the past just won’t stay buried.

 

I really enjoyed this clever and unputdownable read!

The story alternates between Alex and Ruth’s point of view. Something happened when the sisters were young that changed their family forever.

The story had great characters (some that really had me fuming) and twists that I didn’t see coming. It really kept me on my toes. I didn’t know who to trust. The parts that involved child abuse were hard to read. However, I don’t feel the author went overboard in their descriptions.

A twisted psychological thriller that gripped me from start to finish.

 

I’d like to thank the publisher for providing me with a copy of this novel. All opinions are my own.