First Impression: She’s Not Sorry is a case of good and evil and a lot of grey matter sprinkled in between with an extra dose of deceit.
In She’s Not Sorry, Mary Kubica draws us into Meghan Michaels’s life. She’s a newly divorced nurse trying to balance work and single motherhood. Meghan shares custody of her daughter, Sienna, with her ex-husband Ben. He has the condo and every-other-weekend visits. She has a cramped Chicago apartment right on a train line. The constant rattling reflects her unsteady life, but as a nurse, she does what she must.
The She’s Not Sorry prologue immediately sets a chilling tone with a kidnapping. Through Meghan’s eyes, we hear her daughter’s muffled cries fading away. Then, in sharp contrast, Chapter One begins in a busy hospital. Meghan arrives for work as gossip swirls about a possible suicide attempt. The early chapters shift between timelines. Present-day tension collides with flashbacks showing Sienna’s ordinary life. These alternating views keep readers unsettled until the storylines merge. By then, the suspense is gripping, and the shift feels seamless.
From that point, Kubica juggles several threads. An old school friend resurfaces. A predator lurks in the background. Family relationships add another layer of conflict. Despite the different angles, everything ties into a cohesive whole. Just as readers start piecing things together, Kubica slows the pace. This pause allows space to connect with the characters on a deeper level. We find ourselves empathizing with them, even knowing one must play the villain. That tension—liking characters while doubting them—keeps the novel addictive.
Themes run strong throughout. Morality, secrecy, and betrayal weave through parent–daughter relationships, especially between Meghan and Sienna, and Caitlin and her own family. Jealousy and deceit also rise to the surface, while death lingers as a constant shadow. Each thread builds on the next. Together they form a story that feels intimate, unsettling, and impossible to put down.
For me, She’s Not Sorry was one of the most anticipated releases of the year. I was thrilled to receive the Advanced Reader Copy and dive in early. Every time I thought I had solved the mystery, Kubica tossed in another red herring. Twists and curveballs landed one after another, keeping me off balance until the final page.
She’s Not Sorry will appeal to anyone who enjoys psychological thrillers filled with unexpected turns. Readers who appreciate medical drama or family-centered suspense will also find plenty here. Thanks to sharp pacing, complex characters, and a layered plot, Kubica delivers another standout read. For me, it’s a solid 5 out of 5 stars.
Quick Rating: ⭐ ⭐⭐⭐/ R
Have your say: The Papergirl Community would like to know whether we have readers who have done something bad, but frankly, they are not sorry for it. Let us know in the comments below.
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