Review: Six Years

Summary: Six years have passed since Jake Sanders watched Natalie, the love of his life, marry another man. Six years of hiding a broken heart by throwing himself into his career as a college professor. Six years of keeping his promise to leave Natalie alone, and six years of tortured dreams of her life with her new husband, Todd.

But six years haven’t come close to extinguishing his feelings, and when Jake comes across Todd’s obituary, he can’t keep himself away from the funeral. There he gets the glimpse of Todd’s wife he’s hoping for…but she is not Natalie. Whoever the mourning widow is, she’s been married to Todd for almost two decades, and with that fact everything Jake thought he knew about the best time of his life—a time he has never gotten over—is turned completely inside out.

As Jake searches for the truth, his picture-perfect memories of Natalie begin to unravel. Mutual friends of the couple either can’t be found, or don’t remember Jake. No one has seen Natalie in years. Jake’s search for the woman who broke his heart, who lied to him, soon puts his very life at risk as it dawns on him that the man he has become may be based on a carefully constructed fiction.

Harlan Coben once again delivers a shocking page-turner that deftly explores the power of past love, and the secrets and lies that such love can hide. -- Dutton

I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I've never read an adult Harlan Coben book. I've read two of his YA mystery novels which I really enjoyed, and that's probably why I felt the need to read his newest novel SIX YEARS. There was just something about the writing that made the books so easy to read. Plus, I loved the mystery aspects of the stories.

Now that I've finally read a grown-up Coben book, I have to say that I was extremely impressed. SIX YEARS was so good for so many reason! In fact, I think I'm officially a fan... and I might even be a big one. I want to go back and read all of his novels!

SIX YEARS is quite the mystery/thriller. Six years ago, Jake and Natalie seemed to be perfect for each other, at least according to Jake. However, Natalie mysteriously dumped Jake and married another man. Jake has never fully recovered from the breakup, but he's done his best to move on.

When Jake stumbles upon an obituary for Natalie's husband, all of his feelings for Natalie come rushing back. He is so intrigued that he attends the funeral and discovers that this man's widow isn't Natalie at all. Rather she's a woman who's been married to this man for twenty years and even has children with him. Needless to say, Jake is extremely confused!

Jake begins delving into his past and is determined to find Natalie. Through his investigation, he quickly learns that his relationship was nothing like it seemed. He can't find Natalie, and furthermore, he can't find anyone that even remembers Natalie. It's apparent to Jake that something isn't quite right, and Jake isn't sure who or what to believe as his search for the truth takes him to some very dangerous places.

SIX YEARS was certainly a page-turner! It was an extremely fast paced story that was highly entertaining, and I was so intrigued by the mystery. Like Jake, I wasn't quite sure what to believe; and I definitely began having doubts about everyone Jake encountered... including Jake himself. I honestly had no idea where the story was going to go and I was extremely surprised by all of the twists. SIX YEARS encompassed everything I expect from a psychological thriller!

But SIX YEARS also offered so much more than just a quality mystery. It actually had some decent character development, particularly as it applied to Jake. Jake was a pretty complex character who was challenged by not only his recollection of his past, but also by the loss of his true love. I thought his voice was so genuine (and funny!), and I couldn't help but really like him. Of course, it didn't hurt that I imagined him as being Hugh Jackman, since Mr. Jackman was recently cast as Jake for the movie!

I guess it's no surprise that I highly recommend SIX YEARS to fans of mysteries. I just loved this book and can't wait to read more from Mr. Coben.

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this novel.

Mystery Mondays is a regular feature where I review all types of mystery books -- traditional mysteries, suspense/thrillers, and even cozies! Please feel free to share your thoughts on any recent mystery books that you've read.