How many versions of yourself can you become before one of them catches up to you? Laura Frost’s Seeking Sasha is a thrilling debut that blends psychological suspense with emotional depth, offering a fresh take on the familiar cop-and-runaway dynamic. Interwoven with a bittersweet childhood-friends-to-lovers thread, Frost builds a story that is as intimate as it is tense. Running from a haunted past never stops, and Sasha has been on the run for years. Every town greets a new version of her—new name, new appearance, new personality—and keeps her within the folds of obscurity. But when her childhood best friend, Cole, bumps into her at a party years later, her multiple identities begin to unravel. Much to Sasha’s chagrin, Cole is a cop, one who knows her far better than anyone else, and as they begin to reconnect, his instincts flare. Like a bloodhound, he is dead set on discovering what Sasha is hiding. Fearing he’s getting too close, she flees again and again, across towns and vineyards, her precarious repertoire of personas unspooling into threads that summon danger right to her. With a keen talent for imbuing narrative with emotional depth, Frost transforms the story from a simple mystery into an immersive human journey through hardship and adaptation. Taut with tension, the novel orchestrates a tango between truth and mystery, and highlights the ever-lasting affection between Cole and Sasha, whose connection is charged and complex—a bond that refuses to break, even when everything else does. Their relationship, shaped by shared history and unresolved feelings, anchors the novel and gives weight to its high-stakes plot. The pacing is one of the novel’s greatest strengths. Chapters are short, sharp, and compelling, creating a steady rhythm that propels the reader forward. It’s the kind of novel that moves quickly; easy to pick up, and difficult to set aside. Frost’s writing is clear and accessible, making it an ideal choice for readers seeking an engaging, fast-paced read that still carries emotional impact. At times, however, the execution doesn’t fully match the strength of the premise. While the characters work well together, they can occasionally feel more defined by traits than fully developed individuals, and some dialogue—particularly in procedural moments—can read as slightly mechanical. Scene transitions can also feel abrupt at times. Even so, these moments do little to detract from the novel’s overall impact. The shifting settings—isolated, transient, and often unforgiving—mirror Sasha’s internal state, reinforcing the sense of instability that defines her life. She’s always moving, but never quite escaping. As the story builds toward its climax, Frost skillfully weaves together earlier threads, delivering a denouement that feels cohesive and thought-provoking. Fans of Frieda McFadden and Paula Hawkins will find much to enjoy here. With its blend of lies and truth, and Frost’s intelligent, chess-like manoeuvring of her characters, this debut is unequivocally binge-worthy. Seeking Sasha is the perfect book for a Sunday afternoon, light and intriguing, with an ending that will leave readers pondering for days after. —CANREADS BOOK REVIEW Published by Willow River Press www.laurafrostwrites.com Instagram: @laurafrostwrites