In a Quiet Town by Amber Garza

 

Today's blog features In A Quiet Town by Amber Garza. Let's get right into in with a synopsis provided by the publisher:

ABOUT THE BOOK:

In this chilling new novel, a pastor’s wife discovers that her estranged daughter is missing, but no one will believe her, until she meets a man claiming to be her daughter’s fiancé.

The book is about Tatum, a woman who secretly reconnects with her estranged adult daughter—secretly because Adrienne’s been all but disowned by Tatum’s husband, a pastor at the church in their small California town, where every move is watched and reported by his congregation. When Adrienne doesn’t show up for her shift at the bar where Tatum’s been visiting her, she knows something is wrong. Adrienne may have been a bit of wild child, but she hasn’t missed a day of work without calling in for years.

Tatum tries desperately to get the police or her husband to take her daughter’s disappearance seriously, until a mysterious man shows up claiming to be Adrienne’s fiancé. It’s a relief to finally have someone who believes her and is trying as hard as she is to find out where Adrienne is. But can she trust that this stranger is really who he says he is? And can she find her daughter before it’s too late?

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Read on for an excerpt from the book! 

PROLOGUE (Language Warning)

His hands were in her hair, fingers threaded through the silky strands. I knew what it felt like.

My fingers had been buried in her hair many times, including last night. When their lips met,

I sat up straighter, leaning forward. It didn't feel real. I worked my jaw. It popped and clicked.

My own mouth buzzed with the memory of how her lips felt on mine.

The kiss was long. Too long.

She liked it.

My shoulder muscles pulled tight, a rubber band being stretched beyond its limits.

I thought they might snap.

The two of them drew back. She smiled. Smiled with the same lips that had smiled at me.

Kissed me.

Told me they loved me. Clearly, a lie.

She brushed back her hair, and the diamond on her finger sparkled.

Her ring. The one I’d given her. She was wearing it.

It felt like a punch to the gut. Like a big “fuck you” to me.

It wasn’t like she knew I’d followed her. But still… Shouldn’t she take her engagement ring

off before she hooked up with another dude?

Throwing her head back, her neck exposed, she giggled.

Imagining my hands wrapping around that tender flesh, I squeezed the steering wheel.

It gave under the pressure, and I squeezed harder. It felt good. Therapeutic.

I pictured her terrified.

Pleading. Mouth tight, eyes bulging. I squeezed and squeezed, my teeth grinding, the vein in

my forehead throbbing. My muscles ached by the time I released my grip.

Their hands clasped. My breathing was labored as I watched them walk off together,

around the side of the building, out of sight.

I’d loved her. Given her so much.

How dare she?

No one made a fool out of me.

She wouldn’t get away with this. Not by a long shot.

Excerpted from In A Quiet Town by Amber Garza, Copyright © 2023 by Amber Garza. Published by MIRA Books.  

BUY LINKS:

Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/p/books/then-she-disappeared-amber-garza/18816653?ean=9780778334255 

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/in-a-quiet-town-amber-garza/1142722524?ean=9780778334255 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Quiet-Town-Novel-Amber-Garza/dp/0778334252

SOCIAL LINKS:

Author website: https://ambergarza.com/ 

IG: https://www.instagram.com/ambergarzaauthor/?hl=en 

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MY TWO CENTS:

Unfortunately, this was not for me. The first issue I had with this book was that the use of "wanna" and "gonna." Do we talk like that? ABSOLUTELY! But, I usually don't see it in books in the written form. I am surprised that the editor didn't have an issue with this. I know it may sound petty, but it really started to irk me.

The plot as a whole is good, don't get me wrong, but it feels the author jumped on the whole "All men are bad" culture that seems prevalent today. The word misogynistic even got placed in for good measure. Seems like all the boxes were being ticked off. Do we have issues in this world? Of course, but law of probability dictates that all men cannot be bad. It's impossible.

That wasn't even the main issue I had. Finally, as I said, yes, the plot was good, but the whole story read like a YA book for me. I don't enjoy that. I don't need complex storylines or conversations but there is definitely a difference between one that sounds more adult and one that sounds more geared to the YA crowd.

All that being said, I am grateful to the publisher and to NetGalley for this opportunity. I am always excited for these opportunities. And, also, my opinion should never discourage someone from reading a book if they like the premise. In fact, if you do read it and like it, reach out to me and let me know why. I like to hear different opinions!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Amber Garza has had a passion for the written word since she was a child making books out of notebook paper and staples. Her hobbies include reading and singing. Coffee

and wine are her drinks of choice (not necessarily in that order). She writes while blaring music,

and talks about her characters like they're real people. She lives with her husband and

two kids in Folsom, California.