Nine

Author: Rachelle Dekker

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: September 1, 2020

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

This is the book I have been waiting for Rachelle Dekker to write: her own voice, her own story and one readers will not want to miss!

For the past several years, Zoe Johnson has done her best to stay in the shadows and not draw attention to herself. She has stayed to herself and not let anyone get close to her for fear of what it might mean. While working at a diner to support herself on the edge of a small town, a strange teenager makes her way in and has no memory of her past or anything other than she needs to find a woman in Corpus Christi. From that moment on, Zoe’s world changes and she finds herself on an adventure to steer clear of her past while helping this girl known as Lucy discover what has happened to her and stay one step ahead of those out to find Lucy and keep her secrets from the rest of the world.

Ever since I heard Rachelle Dekker was going to be writing like her father, Ted Dekker, I was super excited to see how her writing would compare to his. With her first few books, I noticed the writing style and voice were very much influenced by Ted, so much so that I thought I was reading one of his books, just not quite as good.  I felt the one they wrote together was just a Ted Dekker book, there was no distinction as to who wrote what part. In each of her books I haven’t heard a solid voice from Rachelle Dekker until now. This book is 100% hers!  I love the story, the style and everything about it. The one thing I didn’t love was not having enough time to sit and read it all at once.

Each character is perfectly crafted and has a beautiful arc throughout the story. Zoe grows up quickly taking on Lucy and helping her on her mission. At the beginning, readers don’t have a clear idea of how old Zoe is but I would say mid-twenties, not old enough to be the mother of a teenager but she quickly fills that roll and has to come to terms with her own issues as she is trying to help Lucy with hers. Seeley is the character we see change the most. It could be said that his change was too abrupt, but Dekker did a really great job of showing why he changed and giving readers a trail to follow to believe in this character. The way she wrote Lucy and Zoe and their relationship pulled me into the story and kept me glued to my seat wanting to know if they would come out okay and how they would get to that point. I felt such a deep connection to these characters and loved the way I was so absorbed into the story.

Again, this is the book I have been waiting for from Rachelle Dekker! She has finally found her voice and I hope she keeps it and continues to churn out amazing stories. I recommend this to readers that enjoy a great suspense thriller that will keep them guessing and give them a solid connection to the characters.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher.  The views and opinions expressed within are my own.