The Row by J.R Johansson

Standalone

Publisher: Farrar, Strauss and Giroux

Publication date: October 11^th, 2016

Source: eArc from Netgalley

Rating: 5 hearts

Synopsis

A death sentence. A family torn apart. One girl’s hunt for the truth.

Seventeen-year-old Riley Beckett is no stranger to prison. Her father is a convicted serial killer on death row who has always maintained that he was falsely accused. Riley has never missed a single visit with her father. She wholeheartedly believes that he is innocent.

Then, a month before the execution date, Riley’s world is rocked when, in an attempt to help her move on, her father secretly confesses to her that he actually did carry out the murders. He takes it back almost immediately, but she cannot forget what he’s told her. Determined to uncover the truth for her own sake, she discovers something that will forever change everything she’s believed about the family she loves.

Review

I’ve just finished this book and it’s crazy awesome, the story is sad because there is a man in death row but I really appreciated to see Ryley’s reactions.

Ryley always believe in her father’s innocence, she was six years old when he was taken, so young for a little girl to lost her father and see people began to hate her and her family. I like Ryley, she’s a strong girl, everyone hates her only because she’s the daughter of a supposed killer. It’s very hard for her but she’s brave enough to not acknowledge these people. She’s going to see her father every week, she’s playing chess with him and she believes that he never lied to her. Her world is crashing when after a visit she decided to learn about the case and try to help her father. She will discover that anyone lied. Fortunately for her, she made a new friend, Jordan, he will help her with the quest and he will be here for her.

I like Jordan, he’s sweet and kind, he took care of his little brother and I like the way he took care of Ryley. Their families are opposite but each of them have suffered in the last year, the hurt is deep for everyone. The relation between Ryley and Jordan is growing slowly, he’s a shoulder for her and the same can be said for him. Their relation is beautiful, it’s sweet and the romance is here after all.

Ryley’s family is broken, her mother is working very hard, and with her father in prison, she’s alone most of the time, she doesn’t have friends and the only other person who took care of her is Benjamin Masters, her father’s lawyer.

I like the secondary characters, Ryley’s mom is doing everything to take care of her family but the secret she has threatens to ruin all her work.

Mr Masters is great, he’s a nice guy, he helps this family and didn’t hesitate to tell family’s secret to appease Ryley and help her.

Ryley’s father is not so present but he seems to be a nice guy, except for one moment with his wife. And no I’m not telling you which moment, never, you will have to read the book.

This book is great, the story is one you can’t tell without feelings, it shows you how murderer’s families are treated by everyone. I was choked because how they can do this to a family who isn’t responsible for others crime. The subject is well handled by J.R Johansson, it’s not too sad and dark, and there is hope and I like that.

If The Row doesn’t give you shivers as I, and do not tempt you to learn the truth with Ryley, then I do not know what to tell you.

About the author

J.R.  Johansson’s books have been published in a dozen languages and more than twenty countries worldwide. She has a B.S. degree in public relations and a background in marketing. She credits her abnormal psychology minor with inspiring many of her characters. She lives in Utah with two sons, a wonderful husband, three cats, and a hot tub named Valentino.

She is represented by the stellar

Kathleen Rushall of Andrea Brown Literary Agency.

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