The Girl Before

I received a copy of The Girl Before by Rena Olsen through NetGalley for an honest review. Thank you to G. P. Putnam and to Rena Olsen for the opportunity.
Having a degree in psychology when I picked this book I had no idea what a roller-coaster book this would be, nor did I think human trafficking would be such a heavy topic but OH MY GOD I loved this so much I can't wait to see what else Ms. Olsen has up her sleeve with books.
Clara's world is broken up into a series of events Then/Now. Each one flowing seamlessly into the next, unraveling the fabric of who Clara Lawson is and was. The story is heart breaking and beautiful all in one and you can't help but to keep reading. You have to finish this journey with Clara because she is so lost that you have to see where the story ends.
Clara has so many internal struggles to navigate. Clara is caught in an impossible situation, yet she refuses to call herself a victim. She chooses to keep living. I found this refreshing. Had she played the victim and turned in on herself this would have been an entirely different story.
“The Girl Before” is a shivery, shattering story about seeing your life from two very different perspectives – and coping when the two collide. You will want to buy this for others you will want to talk about it and most of all you will want to talk about this real topic with others because it does exist and needs more exposure. 5 STARS all the way.