The Long Way Back by Nicole Baart (Book Review by Stacey Lorenson)

I thoroughly enjoyed The Long Way Back, there is a lot happening in this coming of age, mystery thriller! Nicole Baart’s novel begins in a small midwestern town. Eva, a single mom, raises her 15-year-old daughter, Charlie, with intense and ferocious love intent on shielding Charlie from bullies and the unpleasantness of life. A random Instagram post catapults mother and daughter into Instagram celebrity. This allows them to travel the country, promote their brand, and deepen their connection with each other. But a picture is not always perfect, as Baart contrasts the glitzy, judgmental, filtered world of Instagram with the cold harsh world of reality. What begins as a sweet mother and daughter tale, takes an unexpected detour that changes their lives forever. After enjoying a casual boat excursion, Charlie wakes up alone with Eva missing. In her search for answers, Charlie uncovers Eva’s shocking hidden life. The urgency to find Eva increases as clues along the way bring them closer to rescuing her. I really enjoyed the development from light and cheery in the beginning, to an abrupt turn to the dark side. Baart accurately depicts the mother daughter bond by illuminating the struggle of independence and the angst of letting go. Charlie and Eva’s relationship endures harrowing obstacles through love and forgiveness. The labyrinth of secrets revealed to find Eva and the metamorphosis between Charlie and her daughter will keep readers engaged to the last page of The Long Way Back.