The reappearance of a missing man puts his wife and child at risk in this fast-paced thriller. Five years ago, Hannah Hall’s husband, Owen, disappeared, leaving her and her stepdaughter, Bailey, to forge a new life. Now Owen has reappeared, signaling that Hannah and Bailey must flee the ruthless crime syndicate that caused him to run years before. Author Laura Dave knows how to portray the heartrending twists and turns of complicated family relationships, all while delivering adventure at a breakneck speed. In Dave’s sleek prose, Hannah and Bailey—and even Owen—learn hard lessons about trust and forgiveness, making us sigh and yearn even as we were scared for what might come next. Weaving together multiple viewpoints, a stellar cast of narrators kept us breathless during the globe-trotting race through beautiful settings that made the danger even more discordant. A nonstop thrill ride with love at its center, The First Time I Saw Him is a true pulse-pounder.

APPLE BOOKS REVIEW