#the missing half

The answer is always you- Siegfried might have said that he will always need her but Audrey also needs him. More than she probably realises.

books I’ve read in 2025 📖 no. 046

The Missing Half by Ashley Flowers

you promised "in another life"

Though i need you most in this one

But you're not here anymore

Because the deed is already done

i remember your laugh when you said "it only just begun"

How could you do this

Not after saying we'd make bearable seem fun

It's not use yelling at your grave

You called me "angel"

I guess i was wrong for calling you brave

Now it feels like it's been cold all season

And putting "i love you" on a letter

Is NOT a fucking reason

You said you were finally happy so someone needs to explain

We talked about everything

How were you so good at hiding your pain

Now it's my turn to lie about being fine

I'll probably go crazy

I have liked some of the podcasts by Ashley Flowers, and, so, I thought that I’d give this book by her a try.

Nic’s sister disappeared seven years before the book. And, she and her Dad aren’t doing well, although Nic is trying her best to move on. Jenna also has a sister who simply vanished, as it happens, two weeks before Nic’s sister. She comes to Nic and wants to team up so that they can find the truth about their missing sisters.

I really liked the sibling (in this case sister) bond that was so well done in this book, even though one of each of the main character’s sisters were off screen. I also really liked the thriller/mystery plot too, it kept me guessing just enough for me to definitely enjoy this read.

You may like this book If you Liked: Catch You Later by Jessica Strawser, The Summer Girl by Jenny Blackhurst, or Night Will Find You by Julia Heaberlin

"You think you can escape the gnomes? We know this town inside and out! You can't escape us, Mabel! It's was cute of you to try though. Now come with us, my dear QUEEN!"

"Dipper!" Mabel shouted, as the gnomes pulled her by her ankles, making sure she couldn't get away.

"Mabel!" Dipper cried, struggling against the vines the gnomes had tied him up with. Unfortunately, as soon as he was able to get free, it was too late. Mabel Pines had been taken to their lair, and was never heard from again.

Some say she died that day, their Great Uncle Stan devastated at the loss of his niece. Wendy and Soos tried to comfort the family the best they could, but the shock had even gotten to them. The whole Shack was a miserable place to be.

Now as for Mabel, well she did not die that day. In fact, she is alive to this day, where our story takes place. The Gnomes had successfully converted her to being their queen for as long as she lived, after casting a spell or two of course. They had to make sure she had no memories of her life before, and had taken away anything that could remind her. Her sweaters, shoes, headbands, earrings, even her braces were able to be removed with a bit of magic (and some strength). What was left of the bubbly Mabel Pines everyone had known and loved, was now an empty shell of the girl. She hadn't aged a day in the 13 years she had spent with the gnomes. Her hair dragged across the forest floor, being the only thing on her that kept growing.

She wore a sheet that had been fashioned into a dress by her subjects, and a thorny crown that contained the very gems in the ring that Jeff had given her. These gems held a powerful secret. They bound her to the forest. To leave caused her a great deal of pain. She had tried to go to town once or twice, to see what it was like, but Mabel had quickly learned her lesson after she had fainted just on the outskirts of the forest.

For Mabel, the safest place to be was in the forest. Yet, she still felt like something was missing. She was never truly happy, no matter what her Gnomes brought her. She wasn't sure what that missing piece was, but she knew she had to find it.