REVIEW:

Emerald O’Brien’s Little Sparrow was one of those books I did not read the synopsis of  before I opened the book. I’ve read several of her books and knew that I was in for an edge of your seat ride and I needed to buckle up!

The characters in this book were interesting to say the least. I had a hard time figuring them out as people and I am not sure I did that by the end of the book. It made it a little more interesting because I didn’t know their true motivation. I’m still not positive. Rowan, the main character, is probably the only stable one in the book. 

Not only are the characters unstable, the story in itself is on shaky ground. I can’t say this is an unreliable narrator because I don’t know that anyone knew exactly what was going on. I’m not even sure the author knew what was happening sometimes! Don’t get me wrong. I am of the belief that this story had a spirit of its own and had a big hand in the process of it being written. Does that make sense?

I know this sounds like a negative review. We have unstable characters and an ever changing evolving story. This sounds like a complete mess. Believe me, it is not! This author did a phenomenal job pulling this story out of the laundry basket and ironing out the wrinkles. 

Emerald O’Brien and her book Little Sparrow actually made me think for a bit about what I just read and how I felt about it. Sometimes, I know exactly what I felt for a book but this one makes me think a little. I enjoyed the story and the challenge to understand exactly what all happened. Some of the story had been brewing for many years and actually came to an ending we can all cheer for. Bravo, Emerald!

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. The opinions I have expressed are my own and I was not required to write a review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

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SYNOPSIS:

Rowan Bell doesn’t believe people can change.

Not her self-serving mother, who had an affair while on a family vacation at their camper trailer on Sparrow Lake. Despite their distant relationship, she now offers Rowan the opportunity to own it—on one disconcerting condition.

Not her best friend’s twin, Leon, whose years-long estrangement while in prison ended the day he called Lucy, desperate to reunite on their birthday weekend. He somehow wormed his way into their road trip, and Rowan is just waiting to pick up the pieces when his uncontrollable temper breaks Lucy’s heart again.

Not even Rowan’s stubborn, non-committal nature, ever since her father nicknamed her after her flighty ways and the lake she’s about to return to.

Upon their arrival, Rowan isn’t surprised to find that places don’t seem to change, either.

Old, familiar faces greet her, and soon, they’re reminiscing about their childhood on Sparrow Lake on a late-night walk. But when cars speed by, disappearing up the road, a horrific accident occurs—an accident involving Lucy’s twin. While the man in the other vehicle is rushed to the hospital, Leon walks away without a scratch, claiming the driver lost control while tailgating him. An anxious tension lingers until the following morning, but with limited time to reconnect, Lucy suggests they leave early for their next pitstop—a concert. Along the way, old tensions are reignited between Rowan and Leon, and new bonds are forged; all while an uneasy feeling of being watched lingers.

When their suspicions of being followed are confirmed, threats are made, and lines are crossed.

It seems the stalkers will stop at nothing until they get what they want. With Leon insistent on keeping police involvement to a minimum after his traumatic past—and Rowan and Lucy in the dark—his initial story about the crash begins to fray at the edges. Rowan searches for proof of Leon’s guilt, but he isn’t the only one hiding something. Everyone has secrets. Forced to stay in place at Sparrow Lake as an investigation into the dire situation ensues, they become easy targets for those with a mysterious and violent vendetta against them.

And when a shocking revelation calls everything Rowan thought she knew into question, she fears Lucy will realize too late the truth that Rowan has always known—second chances are dangerous—and this one could prove deadly.

From the author of The Waking Place and Bleed comes a tense, twisted, and jaw-dropping psychological thriller about the history we hide away that haunts us, second chances, and the lengths we’ll go to protect the ones we love.