Innocent Guilt by Remi Kone

Innocent Guilt by Remi Kone
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - in and out over 5 days

Pages - 424

Publisher - Quercus

Source - Review copy

Blurb from Goodreads

'A startling new crime writing talent!' Peter James
'Impossible to put down' Patricia Cornwell

Victim or murderer . . .
Can she discover the truth?

On a misty autumn afternoon, a woman covered in blood clutching a baseball bat walks silently into a London police station. The two officers assigned to her case are DI Leah Hutch and DS Benjamin Randle.

But the woman refuses to speak. She is not injured and the blood on the bat is not hers. What has she done? Is she the victim or the perpetrator? As Leah and Randle start their inquiry, a man is found battered to death in a nearby park. Journalist Odie Reid receives a tip off and is determined to solve the case first, trying to link this death to the woman held in custody.

Leah and Odie have history and very quickly their cat and mouse game becomes personal, leading them both to the very darkest corners of their pasts.


My Review

Opening chapter with Leah, clearly just having suffered a loss when she heads to work, she is a copper, a DI to be precise. As she gets to work, the station, a woman appears, covered in blood, clearly in shock, holding a bloody baseball bat. When she is checked over, she is uninjured so whose blood is it and where are they because it is A LOT of blood. We then get a chapter with a victim and then we meet Odie, a journalist who is enemy to Leah, why? They used to be work together, now in different careers they still have a very strained relationship. Odie is like a bloodhound, she gets a sniff of a story and nothing will get in her way.

The book is pretty good, the blood covered self presenting to the police station was a great pull, the damaged female detective dealing with a recent loss and with that of course comes family drama/trauma. Then the very tense "relationship" between Leah and Odie although to be fair Leah is very closed off to everyone and you get her back story, slowly unravelled so you do understand a bit better why she is the way she is. I really liked her partner, DS Randle, he is so understanding, patient and a real nice all rounder.

It is a busy book, the victims, the investigation, Odie investigating, Odie's family dynamics, Leah as the officer, Leah's personal life and following the aftermath of her loved ones death the opens another vein of story. A good start to a series, this is a debut from what I can see, so if it goes onto a series I will absolutely read more. Be interesting to see what else is in store for these guys and where the writer goes next, 4/5.

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Dancing in the Dark by Maureen Lee

Dancing in the Dark by Maureen Lee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1 day

Pages - 448

Publisher - Orion books

Source -

Blurb from Goodreads

A brilliantly compelling Liverpool saga following the lives of two women - three generations apart.

Millie Cameron is not at all pleased when she finds herself obliged to sort through the belongings of her aunt Flo, who has recently died. She hardly knew her aunt and besides, she has her own career to think about. But when she arrives at Flo's basement flat, Millie's interest is awakened.

As she sorts through her aunt's collection of photographs, letters and newspaper cuttings she finds herself embarking on a journey - a journey to a past which includes a lost lover and a secret child.

Picking through the tangled web of Flo's life, Millie makes the startling discovery that all the threads lead to herself...


My Review

First thing to say guys is the book features domestic abuse & violence towards children, not overly graphic as some books. The opening chapter is from the wean's point of view as they know what is coming, whilst it isn't gratuitous or depth of details, Lee writes the character's fear & words so authentically it is just worth an fyi. It reverts back to and has lasting reach as the children are adults, one being the main character and it has shaped how she is as an adult, her issues with relationships and letting anyone get close. Now, from nowhere she finds out her estranged auntie has died and she has to go and sort her house and belongings. What starts off as a reluctant chore soon becomes life changing for Millie. We flip from present with Millie to the past with Flo and learn about her life, mixed in and happening during war time.

Whilst the characters are overly loveable and warming, Millie does go through quite the journey of personal growth and finding herself by learning about her aunt. There are some very shady decisions/behaviours/relationships throughout and my God I wanted to slap a few people. The book deals with some dark topics and unsavoury, infidelity, domestic abuse, manipulation, unwed mother and what can happen (this was actually really sad) and how choices of the past can last throughout your whole life. It is hard to give too much heads up as we don't do spoilers and we would be venturing into that if we go further.

I liked Flo, she had a bit of a unique way of thinking especially when she decides what she can do to help the war! I liked her though, she got taken advantage of, people who should have been there for her weren't and she got done dirty more than once, I would have liked to have hugged her, poor soul.

It is a book centred heavily on family, family dynamics, relationships, secrets, lies cause and effect to name but a few. This is my second read by Lee and I have I think six more on the tbrm, if you want to leave you life for a little while and get caught up in la scandalosa of others this is for you, 4/5.

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Hera by Jennifer Saint

Hera by Jennifer Saint
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 3 days

Pages - 400

Publisher - Wildfire

Source - Bought

Blurb from Goodreads

Hera, immortal goddess and daughter of the ancient Titan Cronos, helped her brother Zeus to overthrow their tyrannical father so that they could rule the world. But, as they establish their reign on Mount Olympus, Hera suspects that Zeus might be just as ruthless and cruel as their father was, and she begins to question her role at his side. She was born to rule, but does that mean perpetuating a cycle of violence and cruelty that has existed since the dawn of time? Will assuming her power mean that Hera loses herself, or can she find a way to forge a better world?

Traditionally portrayed as a jealous wife, a wicked stepmother, and a victim-blaming instrument of the patriarchy, Hera is ripe for a retelling that shows her as a powerful queen―ruthless when she needs to be, but also compassionate, strategic, and ambitious. With Hera, beloved and bestselling author Jennifer Saint delivers another epic and enthralling reimagining of a Greek heroine we only thought we knew.


My Review

I don't know a whole lot of the Greek Mythology, like you know some or snippets of or the legends so when I see Saint has a new book coming out I tend to grab it. They are really interesting retellings and as I have little knowledge on the originals I am not sure how much is different but I do enjoy them (although enjoy seems the wrong word at times for some of the shocking stuff they get up to!).

So this book is about Hera and how she is left with no choice but to accept Zeus and his marriage proposal. Many of the Gods feature in this and their own actions/legends but it is Hera who is the main character and this is from her view point/interactions with the others.

The Gods are not very nice people, Zeus, Zeus comes off terribly in this, he doesn't know the word no, consent, he forces himself on females more than once and often they then suffer again after his initial assault. Hera I really felt for but at times, her choices with her revenge/vengeance against innocents, I struggled at times with her and her choices.

Constant drama/retribution(s)/skulduggery and overall shady behaviours by most if not all of them but it does make for interesting reading, 4/5 for me this time.

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The Sound of Violet by Allen Wolf Blog Tour

Today is my turn on the blog tour for "The Sound of Violet" by Allen Wolf.

About the author:

Allen Wolf has won multiple awards as an author and filmmaker. He is also the host of the popular Navigating Hollywood podcast where he interviews film and TV professionals about what it takes to thrive in entertainment.

He married his Persian princess, and they are raising their kids in Los Angeles. Allen loves traveling around the world and hearing people’s life stories. He is an avid fan of Disneyland. Allen wrote, directed, and produced the feature film adaption of The Sound of Violet, which is now available on Apple TV, Prime Video, Vudu, Google Play, Blu-ray, or DVD.

The Sound of Violet by Allen Wolf
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1 day

Pages - 194

Publisher - Morning Star Publishing

Source - Review copy

Blurb from Goodreads

Desperate to find his soulmate, Shawn goes on one awkward date after another until he encounters the alluring Violet. He starts dating her, but his autism keeps him from realizing that she’s actually a prostitute.

Shawn thinks he’s found a possible wife while Violet thinks she’s discovered her ticket to a brand new life. This hilarious and dramatic award-winning story takes all kinds of twists and turns and has been adapted into a major motion picture.


My Review

Shawn is our main character he just really really wants a wife and family, he works within a dating style agency and sees the success of his co-worker with the ladies. Shawn is desperate to get past first dates but it always seems to go wrong when it seemed to be going well. Shawn is also autistic and tends to say things as he sees them which often ends up landing him in some hot water with his dates and as an observer (reading) the story I did chuckle, bless him. When a seemingly chance meeting brings Violet into Shawn's life he thinks he has finally found the one. However Shawn's unique outlook means he misses all the clues to exactly who and what Violet is, will finding out the truth change anything?

Aw Shawn is the kind of character you cannot help but like and feel endeared to, he has elements of Sheldon Cooper and looks at things differently than we do. he is autistic working as a programmer, living with his grandma. He is close to his brother who couldn't be more different and they are a sweet trio.

Some of the book is funny, I almost spat my juice out at one of Shawn's comments on a date, he doesn't miss a beat because he is just being him, observing whereas the lady in question is not pleased, bless him. The book itself for only being just under 200 pages actually packs a lot in and whilst we have humour and light heartedness we also touch on some really dark topics and horrible scenes/sides of humanity. Violet is a prostitute which opens a lot of dark doors, human trafficking is touched upon, violence, drugs, exploitation but there is also love, friendship, loyalty, sweetness, innocence in parts.

The book is also a major motion picture I am hoping to watch soon. The characters are broad and range from quirky, sweet, loveable to those you want to shake, slap, scream at. As I say it is a lot packed into a small book and I would like to read more of Shawn's antics and adventures, 4/5 for me this time. This was my first dance with this author I would read him again!

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The Guilty Couple by C L Taylor

The Guilty Couple by C.L. Taylor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1 day

Pages - 352

Publisher - Avon

Source - Bought

Blurb from Goodreads

Five years ago, Olivia Sutherland was wrongfully convicted of plotting to murder her husband.

Now she's finally free, Olivia has three goals: repair her relationship with her teenage daughter, clear her name, and bring down her husband – the man who framed her.

Just how far is she willing to go to get what she wants? And how far will her husband go to stop her? Because his lies run deeper than Olivia could ever have imagined – and this time it’s not her freedom that’s in jeopardy, but her life…


My Review

We open with Olivia Sutherland, in the courtroom, defendant, accused of attempted murder on her husband. She is staring at the jury, she is staring at her husband, she cannot believe this is happening to her. Flip five years later, she is out, she wants nothing more than to see the wean who is a teenager now and clear her name because she knows she is innocent, her husband set her up, by why?

We have a wee insight into jail life with Olivia and then we are outside and free with her. I found some of her actions/choices so infuriating, I get it - I don't think many of us would be thinking straight and acting right but man she is so lucky, the chances she took!

The chapters flip between Olivia (wife), Dominic (husband) and Dani (personal trainer to Olivia and servicing officer) and as we hear from each we learn a little more as the story unravels of who the key players are, what they have done and what their focus is.

The book starts off sharp and pretty much keeps up the pace/focus of the reader. I wanted to know how and why, what is coming next and how Olivia is going to get through this without getting her butt thrown back to jail.

I do enjoy Taylor's books I think I have read them all now, I look forward to the next 4/5 for me this time.

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Heartbeat by Danielle Steel

Heartbeat by Danielle Steel
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 3 days

Pages - 432

Publisher - Dell

Source - Mum bought me it

Blurb from Goodreads

Bill Thigpen, writer producer of the No.1 daytime TV drama was so busy watching his career soar that he never noticed his marriage collapse. Now, nine years later, living alone in Hollywood, even without his wife and kids, his life and success are still reasonably sweet. Top-of-the-chart ratings, good-natured casual affairs, and special vacations with his two young sons. His life is in perfect balance, he thinks.
Adrian Townshed thought she had everything: a job she liked as a TV production assistant and a handsome husband who was a rising star in his own field. In as enviable life they'd worked hard for--the American Dream. Until she got pregnant. Suddenly all she had was chaos. And Steven's ultimatum. Him or the baby. The question was: did he mean it? He did.
Bill Thigpen and Adrian Townshed collided in a supermarket. And the very sight of her suddenly makes him want more in his life.... a woman he really loves, a real family again. But does he need the heartache of another man's baby, another wife? Neither does. But they couldn't help it.
Danielle Steel touches the Heartbeat of two wonderful people as their friendship deepens into love, as they meet the obstacles that life presents with humor, humanity, and courage.



My Review

Bill Thigpen is the writer of a super popular tv show, his marriage ended due to his over commitment to the show but he still sees the kids, not as much as he would like and he is keeping commitment free so as not to get hurt. Adrian Townsend is beautiful, successful news reader & the perfect (for her) husband, Steven, although she is esentially estranged really from her family/friends because of Steven. Life with Stephen is great (according to them as the reader I can't say I agree) until Adrian falls pregnant and Stephen gives her the worst ultimatum, its him or the child.

I have to say I really struggled with Adrian's whole behaviour/attitude to Steven and I know a lot of it is being in that type of relationship. It just shows the long hold a person can have even when one escapes their clutches but I found it insanely frustrating. Bill is such a sweetie and so patient/understanding and rare to find someone like that.

There is a central theme when discussing Steven or when he appears for pressure/emotional blackmail, underhanded tactics to try and pressure Adrian to choose him over the pregnancy so I think a warning is needed here just because it can be a lot for someone to read depending on their background.

I went back and forth on Adrian and was invested in seeing where the story went, 3.5/5 for me.

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Vile Stars by Sera Milano

Vile Stars by Sera Milano
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1 day

Pages - 384

Publisher - Electric Monkey

Source - Vine & then bought copy

Blurb from Goodreads

(TRUE) LOVE
(TOXIC) LOVE
(LOST) LOVE

This is a different kind of love story.

17-year-old Luka isn't looking for love. She's trying to piece her life back together after a heartbreaking loss. But when she meets the gorgeous and charismatic Cosmo under a meteor shower at the Greenwich Observatory, it feels like destiny has played a hand. Surely theirs is a love written in the stars.

But Cosmo isn't what he seems, using Luka's love for him to slowly take control of her life. As the pandemic starts to make headlines and lockdown sets in, she is trapped emotionally and physically in a coercive relationship. Luka's friends and brother can see what's happening, but struggle to reach her. Something will have to be sacrificed so Luka can set herself free - but what will be left of her when she does?

Luka's story is told from many points of view: through her letters, and through the voices of her brother, Alec, his boyfriend Theo and Luka's best friend, Roisin. Each of them holds a fragment of the story - it's time to put it all together.


My Review

I don't know what I was expecting with this one, when I first got it and seen the trigger warnings I was looking after my dad so put it aside. The parental loss isn't a huge central theme but relevant to the characters and there are many emotive issues. The characters are young, taking exams age and a tight group, best friends Luka (main character) & Roisin, Luka's brother Alec and his boyfriend Theo. Luka and Alec lost their mother & live with their step dad and wee sister, Cosmo is lost, writing letters to her mum and leaving them at the grave. Enter Cosmo, a chance encounter and he sweeps Luka off her feet and that folks is when everything starts to change and become dark.

So I think this may be my first book with pronouns and a trans character and whilst Luka is central Theo and the issues surrounding them is hugely important and relevant. Cosmo is a piece of work, I haven't loathed a character like this in a while. Luka is in the flows of grief and dealing with loss, heartache and trying to find herself so when Cosmo comes along we see red flags and vile traits that Luka is blinded to.

Despite the characters being young the amount of adult themes and issues are relatable across the board. The toxicity of the relationship was really uncomfortable to read but so important and well done, homophobia, transphobic, isolation, coercion and you have friendships, relationships, grief, loss, coping or rather trying to.

This is my first time reading this author, I will absolutely check out their other works, 4/5 for me.

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Just Another Liar by Mandy Byatt

Just Another Liar by Mandy Byatt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 2.5 days

Pages - 400

Publisher - Avon

Source - Review copy

Blurb from Goodreads

He says he loves you. He says you’re the only one. He’s just another liar…


Three women love him. But he’s lying to them all.

Denise, Petra, and Anna all have their reasons for being alone.
But they’re not ready to share them.
David is the answer to all their problems.
But they’ve only met him online.
Each woman wants her happy ending.
But only one of them can get it.
One of these women will end up dead.
But which one? And will you ever work out who killed them?


My Review

Meet Denise, Petra and Anna, three very different women with one thing in common - they are all dating the same man, David. David is perfect, everything each of them needs but none know of the others and none of them have met David. One of them will die but who and why?

There are a fair few unsavoury characters in this book so you can't help but turn page after page for more revelations. We hear from each of the women and short snippets from David. Whilst this is a fiction book the online dodgy dating many could ring off stories very similar. David offers them an escape or comfort, understanding, a distraction, romance, love, a relationship, something different to each of them.

It offers a perspective of online dating as the three women experience it, to look at the type of people they are and the old no-one is quite what they seem, especially online. Character flaws, very shady behaviour and questionable morals. This is one of those books you could quite happy sit with a bucket of popcorn as you go page to page with a oh no, cringe, ahhhhh. Lots of drama - a bit like sinking into a fab epiosde of one of your fave soaps! 4/5 for me, this is her debut novel I cannot wait to read more from Byatt!

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Your Neighbour's Wife by Tony Parsons

Your Neighbour’s Wife by Tony Parsons
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 2 days

Pages - 400

Publisher - Penguin

Source - Review copy

Blurb from Goodreads

Tara Carver seems to have the perfect life. A loving mother and wife, and a business woman who runs her own company, she's the sort of person you'd want to live next door to, who might even become your best friend.

But what sort of person is she really?

Because in one night of madness, on a work trip far from home, she puts all this at risk. And suddenly her dream life becomes a living nightmare when the married man she spent one night with tells her he wants a serious relationship with her. And that he won't leave her or her precious family alone until she agrees.

There seems to be only one way out.
And it involves murder...



My review

Wow this is an intense read so buckle in! Tara Carver is an independent business women, she runs a dating agency app whilst her stunning, fit husband Christian looks after their wee boy. When Tara flies to Japan for a business convention and meets James, well when the cat is away....... Tara has never done anything like this in her life, she is happy in her marriage and quickly regrets her one night with James. However Tara is about to learn that actions come with consequences and James isn't willing to let her go.

Oh Tara Tara Tara what a nightmare. James seems lovely but dear Lord how appearances can be deceiving. Even when Tara leaves Japan and thinks it is over but really it is just starting. The chapters flip between Tara and Christian as the story unfolds, the tension and steaks run high and things just go from bad to worse. You initially find it hard to have sympathy for Tara, she did cheat on her husband but things get dark really quickly and it isn't just impacting on Tara but those around her and she loves.

It is a pretty dark book, some really shady characters/actions throughout, Parson's brings swipe after swipe and things go from bad to worse to really really bad. Pretty short chapters and you are hooked in really quickly. It has been ages since I read Parson's and don't remember that book being anything like this. Really engaging, shocking, page turner and Parson's shows us again and again how things can just keep getting worse! 4/5 for me this time, I will be having a nosey at their back catalogue, my reading mojo has taken a kicking just now with stress etc but this was a book I found I could loose myself in for a wee while. If you think things aren't great yourself at least we aren't Tara ooft!

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Evil Games by Angela Marsons

Evil Games by Angela Marsons
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1 day

Pages - 435

Publisher - Bonnier Zaffre

Source - Book shop

Blurb from Goodreads

When a rapist is found mutilated in a brutal attack, Detective Kim Stone and her team are called in to bring a swift resolution. But, as more vengeful killings come to light, it soon becomes clear that there is someone far more sinister at work. With the investigation quickly gathering momentum, Kim finds herself exposed to great danger and in the sights of a lethal individual undertaking their own twisted experiment. Up against a sociopath who seems to know her every weakness, each move she makes could be deadly. As the body count starts to mount, Kim will have to dig deep to stop the killing. And this time—it's personal.


My Review

Detective Kim Stone is back and this time she has a killer who will put her through her paces and address things Kim would rather be kept firmly closed in a box! When a rapist is found murdered it seems a relatively straight forward case but something isn't sitting right with Stone. Add to this she has two little girls who have been sexually abused by their father and she is adamant he should pay. When another murder happens and both have a loose common link Kim is pushed to bring justice and keep her team focused. But what do you do when you suspect someone and no one else is buying your theory?

Oh you guuuuuuuuuys! This is book two in a series and whilst I really liked book one I loved book two. A "bad guy" who you find out very quickly their identity and why they are doing what they are doing, smart, position of power and absolutely ruthless, a typical sociopath with their own agenda. Stone is a pretty fabulous character, goes with her gut and gets peoples character relatively quickly, she is smart. closed off and very work focused. We know she has a past, we know she deals with it in her own way and to some people that makes for the ultimate challenge.

This is very much a cat and mouse game, good and evil, police versus bad guy. It has action from the very start, it covers some subjects that some readers will find hard going, sexual abuse, child pornography (it does not go into any kind of graphic detail but it does cover it), emotional manipulations and harm of very vulnerable individuals.

I think what makes this so compelling is you hear of cases on the news, you know professionals and services are involved in anyone experiencing a trauma and if someone in a position of trust abuses that it is terrifying. This book absolutely highlights the darker sides of some humans but in Stone we have a fantastic strong character. She is flawed, she has a past but she is so focused on her job and an absolute advocate of upholding the law, righteousness and justice I just love her. There is also a scene in the book that shows a tender side to her that just made me love it/her even more. I am a sucker for things like that and sorry to be vague but I don't do spoilers and as soon as you read it you will know what part I am referring to. In book one we also got a wee bit of an intro into Kim's past, we get more insight into that and why she is the way she is, I do like when books refer back to or link into stuff from the previous book.

Grabbed from the first pages and more than once I was just going to have one more chapter then would read something, gasp, sit bolt upright, adjust the pillow because I knew I wasn't putting the book down anytime soon. In actual fact I was up until 5am finishing this book as I couldn't end it at that chapter. Sometimes you read something and once you get to the end of that scene you can close off for the night, I would get to the end and HAVE to get right into the next, I NEEDED to know. 5/5 for me this time, one of my best reads this year, I have the next two books on my tbrm, I will be buying the rest of the series, I absolutely love this series, Marson's is fast becoming on of my new fav authors!

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Can't Get You Out Of My Head by Sue Shepherd

Can't Get You Out of My Head by Sue Shepherd
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1 day

Pages - 450

Publisher - Corazon Books

Source - Review copy

Blurb from Amazon

A moving and funny story about sisters, secrets and second chances.

Twin sisters Beth and Lisa do everything together, so what will happen now they both want a life of their own?

Beth has a secret she's kept from everyone except her sister. But it's time to get on with her life. Could a seductive Italian, a smooth-talking charmer or backpacking around Australia be the answer?

Lisa feels she's always lived in her sister's shadow. Maybe now it's her turn for some fun, whatever the consequences. But will her drunken antics land Beth in trouble?

And when it comes to the crunch, will one sister have to give up what she wants so the other can have what she needs?

Another entertaining page-turner from the No.1 bestselling author of Doesn't Everyone Have a Secret? – where things, and people, are not always as they first appear!



My Review

Twin sisters Beth and Lisa could not be more different, Beth is pretty much meek, a people pleaser and relatively submissive. Lisa is opinionated, forth right, will seize the day at any given opportunity and life and soul of any party given half a chance. We open with the girls as children then flip to adulthood, the frustrations sisters endure that we all know too well and maybe a few new ones too!

This is a pretty unique read and can I just say until I checked Amazon for the pages count (I always add that) I can't believe the book is 450 pages it certainly didn't seem that long! I would have read it a lot quicker if life didn't get in my way.

I always write non spoiler reviews, seriously what book "lover" does that and ruins a book for other readers, ugh. Anyways, certain things are hard to discuss because I don't want to spoil anything for anyone. Relationships are at the heart of the story, mostly centred around Beth, Lisa and their family, boyfriends and friends. Sibling relationships can be a nitemare the girls provide a fresh take on the old sibling rivalry. There is humour in some of the scenes and some heart wrenching moments too, love, loss, life, personal growth, self discovery and I feel like I am harping on but relationships/family are everything with this tale. Someone you love making you second guess yourself, manipulating, scathing and yet the sisters are so close.

I think we all have a relationship or know someone who has someone like that in their life. I went through periods of mixed feelings for both Beth and Lisa. Like, hate, dislike, sadness and it is hard to say why in any great detail. Beth is very doormat like, I just wanted her to have a backbone and rise up, I felt so sorry for her at times though and frustrated on her behalf. Lisa I disliked quite quickly but as the story progresses I flip flopped a bit there too. As we learn more about the characters and what they have experienced/endured you can't help but reevaluate your feelings and ideas about them both.

It is a story that flings curve balls that you really don't see coming. You are pulled in quickly with a childhood incident and then wonder what is coming next, where is the story going. As Shepherd teases out the details you are absorbed in their world before you realise you are a quarter of the way through the book and the rug has been pulled again. 4/5 stars for me this time, I can't believe this is my first dance with this author but it certainly won't be my last!

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Save Me by Mandasue Heller

Save Me by Mandasue Heller
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1 day

Pages - 400

Publisher - Pan MacMillan

Source - Netgalley

Blurb from Goodreads

A gripping thriller from the Sunday Times bestselling author of Run, Mandasue Heller. When Ellie Fisher misses her train home one night, she has no idea that being in the right place at the wrong time will change her life forever. That night she comes across Gareth, a young man about to take his own life, because as far as he’s concerned there is nothing left to live for. Putting her own life in danger Ellie convinces Gareth that there is always something left. Her own life is no bed of roses, she explains, but she always pushes on. However, good deeds aren’t always repaid the way we want. Has Ellie unwittingly put her life in danger, or is the real danger a lot closer to home?



My Review

Ellie Fisher misses her train home, bringing her into the path of a stranger Gareth who is going to take his own life. Ellie puts herself at risk, saving Gareth and in turn causing more ripples in her own life. Her controlling husband is suspicious, her colleagues take advantage of her good nature as does her sister who is utterly vile. All actions have consequences and Ellie is about to discover just how big an impact one kind deed can have on her life and those around her.

It has been a while since I read a book that grabbed me pretty much from the get go and it wasn't due to the knowing something bad was coming. The relationship dynamics infuriated me, I wanted Ellie to deal with the selfish horrible people in her life and put them in her place. I think depending on your family life and personal experiences will depend on how much that part of the story will impact on you. I was so infuriated I could have flung the book because I was so angry at how much Ellie allowed people to walk over her. The more I read and the more things happened I got so exasperated, then you have the violent side. Things start happening, you don't know who to trust or really what is coming next.

I have always enjoyed Heller's books, I didn't even look at the blurb when going for this book so it was a bit different from what I expected. It isn't her normal estate gritty type book, this is relationships, families, stalker type vibe with violence, suspense and building up page by page. 4/5 for me this time, available to buy from 28th December this year, my thanks to Netgalley.

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