The Second Life of Ava Rivers

By: Faith Gardner

Narrated by: Raquel Beattie

Vera Rivers’ twin sister Ava disappeared twelve years ago on Halloween.

The once-happy Rivers family has been spiraling ever since.

The case shocked their community and made front-page news. But after years of investigators, theories, tips, and clues, the headlines have faded. There are still no answers. And now Vera is eighteen, ready to go to college and finally build a new life away from her family’s dark history.

Until Ava Rivers turns up at a local hospital—broken, amnesia-stricken, and crying to go home.

Ava’s miraculous return changes everything. But behind the celebration, the rediscovered joy of sisterhood, and the dizzying media attention, there’s still one glaring, unanswered question on everyone’s mind.

Where on earth has Ava Rivers been all these years?

©2018, 2022 Faith Gardner (P)2025 Faith Gardner

Critic reviews

"Remarkable."--VOYA

"Genre-defying."--Booklist

"Deeply compelling."--BCCB

Great book, wrong narrator

5 STARS

At age six, Vera’s twin Ava goes missing Halloween night. For almost twelve years, the Rivers family barely functions. Their father retreats to the basement, rarely leaving the home. Their mother races from activities related to Ava and missing children. Older brother Elliot is lost in drugs. Vera can’t remember the last time she’s seen him. And Vera fades into the background, eager to move to Portland to start college.

Faith Gardner’s gorgeous writing made frequently me pause and reread passages. I felt as though I was inside Vera’s skin, feeling her emotions throughout the book. Everyone should have a sister as loving as Vera. She’s strong, yet vulnerable. She doesn’t tell you about her great sense of humor, she shows you in her quips. Before the kidnapping, Ava had been the animated, attention grabber. Vera, content in her sister’s shadow, stands up to her twin that fateful Halloween with disastrous consequences. Ava was so damaged, broken by her years in captivity, a survivor with years of healing ahead of her.

I enjoy kidnapped/returned stories and have twenty-one in my kindle collection. THE SECOND LIFE OF AVA RIVERS is among the best with unique components (can’t say which, you’ll know when you finish). There were a few unanswered questions, clues I wanted more information about. I don’t want to say more about the plot for fear of spoiling. Don’t read too many reviews before starting.

THE SECOND LIFE OF AVA RIVERS is more contemporary than a mystery. I wouldn’t use the word thriller, although the ending is suspenseful.

I’m anxious to read Gardner’s review, Perdita and will automatically preorder her next book.

The narrator for the audiobook sounds more like a 40 year old woman than an older teen. She doesn’t read voices well.