Moment in Time: A Novel

Every book I pick up after reading, I want to feel like I do now. The subject matter is current and tough. The author writes a story with a beginning and end. The inbetween is done really well.

I didn't realize Redfearn wrote one of my top five favorite books a couple of years ago, In an Instant. Moment in Time is a sequel. It stands alone; however, if you can read In an Instant first, you will understand the characters a little more.

Basically, a date rape drug is used, and thus the story. It's not graphic. The author uses her skills and talents with words to make her points. This is for smart people.

I appreciated there was no swearing.

This story kept me guessing till the end! I had no clue how it could end--how the accusations could be resolved, but it finally all came together. There is still one question left unanswered, so I am hoping the answer will come out in another of Suzanne's books just like references in this book resolved what happened to others and why in a previous story. Suzanne has an amazing knack for telling a story, but keeping the issues from being solved by her readers early on. I'll keep reading her books, hoping all will continue to hold my interest to the end. Thank you, Suzanne, for providing us with a place to go for such interesting and engaging stories. Personally I hope to see, especially "Moment in Time," as a movie for those who prefer to watch than read. That being said, I will make it my intention to always read your stories before I go to watch them play out on a "big screen."

I really don't know. I thought "In An Instant" was a true masterpiece. So I expect anything subsequently written by the same author to be at least just as good, and maybe that's never h II7andgoing to happen as its asking for too much. That being said, there were parts of the book that were out of character and ridiculous. SLIGHT SPOILER: The white bread characters were genuinely shocked to learn that a new man in their lives had gone to prison 8 years ago. Then it's matter-of-factly revealed that their naive, book worm- ish friend murdered a bad guy who was a stranger to them! They take this right in stride, not shocked at all. I kept waiting for it to be revealed how and why she decided to do rhos, and for it to be proven that she had actually done it, but that never happened. DEFINITE SPOILER: Also totally out of character, our level headed heroine, Mo, who is perfect, decides to make a deal with the devil himself and say she had consensual sex with him because she feels guilty. She is willing to let her boyfriend believe she was unfaithful, no guilt there? There were a lot of details that I didn't find plausible. Why does the boyfriend of Mo dislike the character of Chloe? It's supposedly from what happened in the first book, but that book was filled with forgiveness. It's out of character. Still, it was good enough to finish, good enough to get irritated with. I finished it. I listened to a lot of the story on Audible and I liked the narration. I just stopped believing in it over the ridiculous part where, without fanfare, a stranger is murdered. The book's main theme is integrity vs guilt, but the murderess doesn't flinch. Its like the author forgot that was written in there. Disappointing.

It’s been eight years since a tragic accident changed Mo Kaminski’s and Chloe Miller’s lives forever. Now in their midtwenties, they’re sharing an apartment in San Francisco and navigating the normal challenges of early adulthood. Along with their roommate, Hazel, they are making their marks on the world—Mo revolutionizing the news with her media start-up, Hazel using her big brain to anticipate the future, and Chloe rescuing abandoned strays in the city.

But when Hazel disappears after being sexually assaulted, Mo’s and Chloe’s lives are again suddenly ripped apart. And when the perpetrator turns up drugged and beaten, the mystery of where Hazel is deepens. Intensely worried and desperate to discover the truth, they set out to find Hazel and bring her home.

Mo and Chloe are no strangers to tragedy, but this journey will test them in ways they never imagined. The stakes are high; the future uncertain; the need for justice essential.

Will their commitment to their friend bring them closer together—or ultimately drive them apart?

My Thoughts:

The connection between the women in Moment in Time reminds me of great friendships that last for years, even when challenges take them off course for a while.

An assault takes Mo and Chloe on a journey to help Hazel, hopefully preventing her from making a bad choice, and protecting her from more harm.

Alternating narrators tell the story, from years before when each of the women faced difficulties, and to the present as they take on the current dilemma.

When one man takes action to tear them all apart, they come together in different ways to resolve things.

I loved how the story led us through their plans to help each other, and how they finally won out over their enemies. 4.5 stars

I was excited about this book because I loved In An Instant. I was glad to get an update on the characters and the aftermath of their tragic accident. At first, I couldn’t see where this book was going. It seemed like it was going to be sweet and sappy. It quickly turned into something much deeper. The trauma that the women endured was so heavy. It was beginning to look like Mo was going to be destroyed. Some form of justice was eventually served. I enjoyed how things were all tied up by the end. I loved that this story visited the Chelan Native American tribe that was featured in Redfearn’s book, Hush Little Baby. This book turned out to be so much more engrossing than I expected.

MARCH 2022 : 3 STARS.

It’s been eight years since a tragic accident changed Mo Kaminski’s and Chloe Miller’s lives forever. Now in their mid-twenties, they’re sharing an apartment in San Francisco and along with their roommate, Hazel, they are making their marks on the world. When Hazel disappears after being sexually assaulted, Mo’s and Chloe’s lives are again suddenly ripped apart. And, when the perpetrator turns-up drugged and beaten, the mystery of where Hazel is deepens.

Previous books by this author were all 4 star reads; Hush Little Baby (‘19 - Read ‘21), Hadley & Grace (‘21) and In An Instant (‘20). Main characters from all her other books are in this one. This book barely held my interest. I kept hoping it would get better and straighten-out. Sooooo many bad decisions by all characters. Too much going on and not enough of Hazel speaking for herself. I’m thinking the author spent too much concentrating on getting the old characters together and not enough time on the plot.