Let me start by saying this book had me hooked from the first page. The emotional depth of Hannah and Bailey's complicated relationship is portrayed with such rawness that it feels incredibly real. The way their bond evolves under extreme circumstances is both heartbreaking and uplifting.

The twist at the end? Absolutely brilliant. I didn't see it coming, and that's rare for someone who reads as much as I do. Laura Dave masterfully weaves suspense with deep emotional currents, making you care about these characters while keeping you guessing.

Now, about those Austin setting details - yes, there are some inaccuracies that might bother locals (like the bat colony numbers or street names). But honestly? As someone who's visited Austin but doesn't live there, these didn't detract from my enjoyment. The story's momentum carries you past these minor hiccups.

The mob subplot does require some suspension of disbelief, especially regarding Texas politics. But here's the thing - it serves the larger themes of trust and sacrifice so well that I was willing to go along for the ride. The final confrontation between Hannah and Nicholas had me holding my breath!

What really shines is how Dave portrays female relationships - not just between Hannah and Bailey, but also Hannah's friendship with Jules. These feel authentic in ways many thrillers don't bother with. The characters pass the Bechdel test with flying colors while still delivering a page-turning mystery.

Is it perfect? No. Some plot points stretch credibility, and I wish we'd seen more mutual trust development between Hannah and Bailey rather than just crisis bonding. But when a book keeps me up until 3am because I 'just need to know what happens next,' those flaws become pretty forgivable.

Final verdict? If you want a thriller with real heart, complex female characters, and enough twists to keep you guessing (even if some details aren't perfectly researched), this is absolutely worth your time. Just be prepared to lose some sleep!