Book of The Month discussion

A woman invited to her wealthy fiance’s family retreat realizes they are hiding a terrible secret—and that she’s been there before, by the bestselling author of What Lies in the Woods.

A whirlwind romance.
When Theodora Scott met Connor—wealthy, charming, and a member of the powerful Dalton family—she fell in love in an instant. Six months later, he’s brought her to Idlewood, his family’s isolated winter retreat, to win over his skeptical relatives.

Stay away from Connor Dalton.
Theo has tried to ignore the threatening messages on her phone, but she can’t ignore the footprints in the snow outside the cabin window or the strange sense of familiarity she has about this place. Then, in a disused cabin, Theo finds something impossible: a photo of herself as a child. A photo taken at Idlewood.

I’ve been here before.
Theo has almost no recollection of her earliest years, but now she begins to piece together the fragments of her memories. Someone here has a shocking secret that they will do anything to keep hidden, and Theo is in terrible danger. Because the Daltons do not lose, and discovering what happened at Idlewood may cost Theo everything.

9 chapters

(view spoiler)[

Theo - hmmm. . .I wonder why she's hiding so much from the family. and weird, how is she familiar with these cabins? and the photo with the dad?! Yikes! Is she from this family. eek.

I don't have any guesses on who is warning her away yet. Could it be the brother that keeps bugging her? Could it not be the warning but really a caution - trying to get her away from the family? or Connor?
Connor doesn't seem like a bad guy.

and wow, there definitely seems like there's more to the story about the falling and death on the property
Love that the snow and isolation feels really realistic - both from the weather and the family and their location (hide spoiler)]

Page 104 thru Chapter 14. (view spoiler)[ Well, is Liam Theo's dad? If so, wouldn't that make Conner her half brother. That would be bad. Does Rose and/or Louise know? (hide spoiler)]

through 28 chapters

(view spoiler)[ wow, the images of her mom and the affair. I wonder who could have killed him. I don't think it was her, but then who

I like that she's discovered her real name: Rowen
but her last memory of her mom is so sad

and I just knew the family would research her, I don't know why she thought they wouldn't. . . (hide spoiler)]

through 38 chapters

(view spoiler)[ wow, the hunting accident was frightening. and now another death on the grounds. They must be paying off the sheriff or something because it's an awful lot of accidents to cover up. Yikes

We know that Nick knows, right? now it's a matter if she can get away from him and if Connor is willing to fight for her or if he'll side with his family (hide spoiler)]

and done

wow (view spoiler)[ I never thought the sister did it. and the way they all protected her, were willing to let Rowen die - OMG

I'm glad Connor wasn't involved
I thought the hunting "accident" was a set up but wow, Connor hitting her was completely a mistake and what foiled it!

the final stand off was good and shocking. great conclusion (hide spoiler)]

Question about characters

(view spoiler)[The Daltons seem like a bunch of hoity toity snobs! I only have the audiobook from NetGalley, so I might have some of the names a bit off or misspelled.

What is Rose's relationship with the Daltons? I missed who she is. And is one Mr. Vance?

Never mind...I have it from BOTM. lol (hide spoiler)]

Through Ch. 9

(view spoiler)[Whoa! That photo! That would be so eerie. She has supposedly never been there, never met Liam before meeting Connor and yet there's a photo of her with him when she's just a child. Is she actually Connor's sister? God, I hope not! But maybe related somehow and someone in the family gave her up for adoption. That might explain why she's getting those texts and that box...someone knew the Scotts called her DORA and not THEO.

The dreams she keeps having are a bit scary to me. They're too close to what she's seen in the photo...the bear with a read scarf. And the ornament with a dragonfly (if I heard that correctly) plus a red fox, white pine...all too close.

It definitely seems like someone on the property is sending her the messages to get out, leave Connor, etc. especially since someone knows her by Dora. I wonder why the Scotts don't want her, according to her. And why is she the "devil childe"? What on earth is she withholding from Connor? Plus the dream and Liam's father's death. I am dying to know! (hide spoiler)]

Through Ch. 28

(view spoiler)[There was a lot that surprised me in these chapters. Why did Connor try hiding that he sought her out rather than just happened to meet her at the party? Did he have a clue? And Alexis seems sus to me but not sure what she might have been involved in or know.

Louise is a snob and has no grace. I wonder who the father of "Rowan" is because it doesn't seem like the evidence is pointing to Liam. Did Alexis kill him or maybe even Trevor because he learned about his dad's affair? This is intense right now and I need more answers! (hide spoiler)]

Through Ch. 38

(view spoiler)[Oh my God! Can we please just find out the bottom line? Who killed her mother?!

Poor Olena. Nick confessed to killing her. So if he really didn't kill her mom, who the heck did and why? Mr. Vance seems likely at this point but I don't know why he would've. Could it have been Louise? I'm all over the place! lol (hide spoiler)]

Finished Be you knew I'd give this one a 5! lol

I had to finish this last night! But then I went to bed and had a meeting this morning and had to leave her by 7:15. I am so curious to hear everyone's final thoughts and read those of others who have already finished.

(view spoiler)[Oh. My. God! This book has more twists and turns than we get in most good mysteries. I loved the narrator who did the audio version of this. I think her narrating made my heart pound more than it would've otherwise. lol

Every time I decided on who killed her mom, I'd vacillate and change my mind. I was not willing to stick to any one suspect. lol I loved this book and the ending, the last few chapters, really had my heart racing and I was SO anxious to find out once and for all who did what!! I'm glad that Theo made the choice that she made at the end. I loved this one! (hide spoiler)]

Thru chapter 31 (view spoiler)[ Wow. So Theo is really Rowan? Her mom was killed by someone on that mountain, but who. Is Magnus the one that was sending those messaged to try to get Theo to stay away from the family? Did Connor know who Theo was before he meet her? Did he shoot her on purpose? I don't think Connor is the bad guy here but maybe that's why he is??? (hide spoiler)]

lol this one really keeps you guessing until the very end!

Finished (view spoiler)[ That was definitely a great tale. I loved the happy ending. (hide spoiler)]

YAY! I'm so glad you liked this one too!!

Theresa, regarding your final comment (post 14), so did I! :) Glad you loved it too.

I really enjoyed most of this one. The last 50 pages gave me whip lash. I liked how Theo finished the story, but when there were so many twists, I barely cared by the end who actually killed Mallory. Oh well, thrillers often disappoint me in the end, but I thought the writing was fantastic, had me on the edge of my seat for sure!