My Book Reviews

Category: Psychological

  • The Assistant by Cathryn Grant

    The Assistant by Cathryn Grant

    The Assistant

    The Assistant by Cathryn Grant

    Release: September 27th 2020
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: Inkubator Books
    Source: Damppebbles Blog Tours
    Find it at:  Amazon UK

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    Two women. One office. A fight to the death.

    Laura has sacrificed a lot for her high-powered career – her marriage, the chance to have kids. Now, finally, she’s in line for a big jump up the corporate ladder – all the way to the boardroom.

    But there’s a fly in the ointment in the shape of beautiful Vanessa, a lowly assistant who seems to have it in for Laura.

    Vanessa is PA to Hank, the most powerful executive in the company. a man whose support Laura desperately needs if she is to secure her dream job. Vanessa repels Laura’s naked ambition. As she is fiercely possessive of her boss, Vanessa deliberately sabotages Laura’s every attempt to make a good impression on Hank.

    Laura threatens and cajoles but Vanessa just won’t play fair. Soon their mutual dislike escalates to an all-out war.

    But career-obsessed Laura has always been willing to do whatever it takes to get ahead. And if Vanessa stands in her way… she’s going to pay the ultimate price.

    The stunning psychological thriller from the author of The Guest.

    About the Author:

    Cathryn Grant writes psychological thrillers, psychological suspense, and ghost stories. She’s the author of twenty-three novels. She’s loved crime fiction all her life and has an endless fascination for  the twists and turns, and the dark corners of the human mind.

    When she’s not writing, Cathryn reads fiction, eavesdrops, and tries to play golf without hitting her ball into the sand or the water. She lives on the Central California coast with her husband and two cats.

    Cathryn is the author of The Guest, The Good Mother and other psychological thrillers. Inkubator Books. will publish her fourth novel THE ASSISTANT .

    Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Amazon UK

    The Assistant Review:

    This is one of those stories that slowly creeps on you. The author did a very nice job of constructing a psychological thriller in the office work environment and I enjoyed reading it.

    For me, the highlight of the story was the two main characters. Vanessa and Laura are compelling in their own manner. It surprised me at how my feelings for them changed in the story. In the beginning, I liked Vanessa because I thought no one understood her well,  and hated Laura because she was snobbish and nosy. However, as the story progressed, I started to like Laura even more than Vanessa. However, between the two, I found Laura to be very complex. It is interesting to see her becoming overconfident and deluded by taking revenge on her co-workers. Similarly, I didn’t really like Vanessa much, especially her shoplifting tendencies.

    Some of the scenes are very intense, like how the psychotic man attacks Laura while she is running, or towards the climax with Laura and Vanessa. The supporting characters like Hank and Matt also add well to the storyline. The author has a wonderful talent for character development and wrote the two very well.
    However, the only reason I didn’t give the story 5 stars is because it tends to get repetitive. I really liked the concept of the story and wanted it to progress in a good manner. But some of the scenes felt repetitious, like the constant arguments Vanessa and Laura have at work. I enjoyed their bickering verbal catfights, but felt it slowed the pacing.

    Overall, this was a nice psychological thriller, which would have been perfect if there were more twists and turns.

    Book Tour Schedule

    The Assistant

    I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the The Assistant by Cathryn Grant Blog Tour hosted by  Damppebbles Blog Tours.

     

     

  • The Unravelling by Liz Treacher

    The Unravelling by Liz Treacher

    The Unravelling

    The Unravelling by Liz Treacher

    Release: July 13th 2020
    Format: Paperback
    Publisher: Skelbo Press
    Source: Love Books Tours
    Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon UK

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    A cappuccino.’ He spoke clearly but slowly, as if he were a stranger here.
    ‘One shot or two?’
    He gazed at me with thinly veiled contempt. ‘Oh, only one shot.’

    For Ella Aldridge, a brilliant Classics student, was expecting an excited life. Thirty years on, she’s still in the suburbs in a boring job and a failing marriage. Even her daughter, the one she gave it all up for, seems distant.

    But a sinister encounter on platform three is about to change everything. Ella comes under the watchful eye of a shadowy ticket inspector and his mysterious associate. She finds herself spiralling into a murky underworld where portentous signs appear from nowhere, memory sticks store her thoughts, and speeding express trains may be more than they seem. As she begins to lose her grip on reality, Ella embarks on an extraordinary journey that touches everyone around her, forcing her to confront the biggest question of all.

    By turns poignant, chilling and tinged with dark humour, The Unravelling is a novel full of heart and beauty, about the myth and magic of everyday life, and the sacrifices we make for what really matters.

    About the Author:

    Liz is a writer and a Creative Writing Tutor. She has already written two romantic comedies, set in 1920, called The Wrong Envelope and The Wrong Direction. Her third novel, The Unravelling, published by Skelbo Press is a new departure into a darker, contemporary style. When not writing or teaching, Liz works as an art photographer and a love of images inspires her writing. She is married with two children and lives in the Scottish Highlands by the sea.

    Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

    The Unravelling Review:

    This is my kind of book! I love a good psychological thriller with an eclectic cast, and this story had it all.

    Click to view on Instagram

    The author narrates the tale in such a compelling way that you cannot put it down. I honestly could not figure out if Ella is going mad or if there is actually a conspiracy taking place. What’s interesting is that the story doesn’t revolve only on Ella and her family. As the story progresses, you see the mystery spread to the supporting cast. You have the creepy stranger in the leather jacket who meets Patricia, and the mystery person who comments about the customers in the café. The story is just eerie throughout where you keep guessing what is happening.

    Moreover, the main characters, Ella, Derek or Brenda are all drawn out in such a manner that you can relate to them. Each of them face their own inner demons and turmoil, and it was so interesting to see how their storylines merged towards the climax. Nigel is awesome as the devious villain. Similarly, Donna and Ken are characters you just love to hate. On a side note, I enjoyed the connection Ella has with Abdul and his experiences as a refugee.

    However, the only thing that threw me off was how the author concludes it. While I love stories that allow readers to interpret their own conclusion, there were a few issues which remained unexplained. This is one of those books I would definitely re-read to see if I can pick out something new from the story each time.

    But, overall, this was a wonderfully atmospheric book that just kept me on my toes.

    The Unravelling

    I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the The Unravelling by Liz Treacher Blog Tour hosted by Love Books Tours.

  • The Seven Doors by Agnes Ravatn

    The Seven Doors by Agnes Ravatn

    The Seven Doors

    The Seven Doors by Agnes Ravatn

    Release: September 17th 2020
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: Orenda Books
    Source: Random Things Tours
    Find it at: Amazon, Kindle,Kobo, Book Depository

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    When the tenant of a house that university professor Nina owns with her doctor husband goes missing after an uncomfortable visit, Nina starts her own investigation but with deeply disturbing results. The long-awaited new thriller from the bestselling author of The Bird Tribunal.

    University professor Nina is at a turning point. Her work seems increasingly irrelevant.  Also ,her doctor husband is never at home. Further, she has strained relationship with her difficult daughter . Moreover, their beautiful house will be demolished.

    Also, she discovers that she and her husband own a house she thought sold years earlier. Things soon take a turn for the worse. Then, the young woman living there disappears, leaving her son behind, the day after Nina and her daughter pay her a visit.

    With few clues, the police inquiry soon grinds to a halt, but Nina has an inexplicable sense of guilt. Unable to rest, she begins her own investigation, but as she pulls on the threads of the case, it seems her discoveries may have very grave consequences for her and her family.

    Exquisitely dark and immensely powerful, The Seven Doors is a sophisticated and deeply disturbing psychological thriller from one of Norway’s most distinguished voices.

    About the Author:

    Agnes Ravatn (b. 1983) is a Norwegian author and columnist. She made her literary début with the novel Week 53 (Veke 53) in 2007. Since then she has written three critically acclaimed and award-winning essay collections. Standing still (Stillstand), 2011, Popular Reading (Folkelesnad), 2011, and Operation self-discipline (Operasjon sjøldisiplin), 2014.

    In these works, Ravatn revealed a unique, witty voice and sharp eye for human fallibility. Moreover, her second novel, The Bird Tribunal (Fugletribuanlet), was an international bestseller translated into fifteen languages. It also won an English PEN Award, shortlisting for the Dublin Literary Award, a WHSmith Fresh Talent pick and a BBC Book at Bedtime. Also, It was made into  a successful play, which premiered in Oslo in 2015. Agnes lives with her family in the Norwegian countryside.

    Goodreads

    The Seven Doors Review:

    Reading a psychological thriller like “The Seven Doors” is like tasting fine wine; the effects slowly grab on to you and make you satisfied and long for more.

    The author also wrote the characters really well. I really liked Nina in the lead. It is refreshing to see an senior citizen in the main role and the author wrote her perfectly! It was also interesting to see how she balanced the frustrations of her personal life versus trying to find out what happened to Mari. In fact, the author wrote all the characters in a dynamic manner that you feel some emotion for them. For example, I despised Ingeborg and her crass, selfish attitude.

    Another reason why I really enjoyed the story is how atmospheric it is. Mainly, the suspense and mystery just creeps up slowly as Nina tries to figure out what happened to Mari. Its definitely a change from the fast paced thrillers I read regularly with the sudden twists. Moreover, the author makes most of the Mari’s family members as suspects, so after a certain point you start wondering what really happened to her. The story gets more intricate and interesting as secrets start to unravel and you figure out what is going on.

    Perhaps my only criticism for the novel is the author’s writing style. The author has a unique style of writing the dialogues without the quotations. I know a lot of people enjoy this, but personally I found it difficult to read and it slowed down my reading speed. Apart from this, I really enjoyed reading this story.

    Overall, the Seven Doors is a very nice psychological thriller that slowly builds up, but leads to a very memorable mystery.

    Book Tour Schedule

    The Seven Doors

    I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the The Seven Doors by Agnes Ravatn Blog Tour hosted by Random Things Tours.

  • Escaping the Whale by Ruth Rotkowitz

    Escaping the Whale by Ruth Rotkowitz

    Escaping The Whale

    Escaping the Whale. The Holocaust is over. But is it ever over for the next generation? by Ruth Rotkowitz

    Release: April 11th 2020
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: Amsterdam Publishers
    Source: Random Things Tours
    Find it at: Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N, Book Depository

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    To everyone who knows her, 28-year-old Marcia Gold leads the perfect life. A high school guidance counselor in 1980 Brooklyn, New York who specializes in helping pregnant teens, Marcia thrives in her work. She also has a handsome, successful boyfriend who has won the approval of her Jewish, Holocaust-survivor family – no easy feat.

    However, beneath the shiny surface lurks another reality. She carries the stigma of  her family’s wartime frightening and debilitating panic attacks .The Iranian hostage crisis in the news adds fuel to the fire.  Marcia becomes convinced that “demons” are occupying her closet and her mind. Determined to keep her terrifying secret life a secret, Marcia is pushed closer and closer to a breaking point.

    A series of crises finally forces the explosion Marcia can no longer contain. She concots a plan to rid herself of her “demons,” and become a new person. Unfortunately, she discovers that her plan creates its own problems. Can she find another path out of her psychic pain, one that will lead her to true normalcy?

    About the Author:

    Ruth Rotkowitz is a second-generation child – the daughter of Holocaust survivors from Austria. This has informed much of her research and writing. She has published fiction, non-fiction, and poetry in a variety of anthologies and literary journals. Ruth was a staff writer and member of the editorial board of the (now-defunct) Woman’s Newspaper of Princeton, winning awards for many of her feature articles. She holds a B.A. and M.A. in English .Also she  taught English on both the college and high school levels. She currently leads book talks in the Phoenix, Arizona area, where she lives with her husband.

    Website | Goodreads

    Escaping the Whale Review:

    Escaping the Whale is haunting and atmospheric, yet emotional and vulnerable story, that creeps on you and leaves a mark.

    I recently read an article about the post-traumatic stress that Holocaust survivors endure which fascinated me. Similarly,  this book accurately depicts the psychological turmoil that Marcia faces that sends her life on a downward spiral.

    There was one particular dialogue that Jason tells Marcia over their conversation, which is: “Sometimes you have to not let things get to you, Marcia. Otherwise, life just stops. You get nowhere.” There are many such passages in the story that beautifully summarizes my take on the story. Although WWII is over, humans as a species continue to fight and attack one another for the greater power. As a result, many become victims amidst all this and find it difficult to cope with reality. The story realistically depicts how a person like Marcia would suffers with mental health issues as the repercussion.   

    Speaking of Marcia, I thought she was wonderful as the main character. You know there is something different about her as soon as the author introduces her. At times, you just want to step into the pages and be by her side to help her. Moreover, even the supporting cast like Jason, Cheryl and Rochelle add well to the story.

    However, the only minor criticism I have towards the novel is how it tends to get lengthy in certain places. For instance, the author provides counselling to various students like Lucy, Polly and Corrine, but they felt repetitive and redundant. Apart from that, this was a compelling read. Overall, I liked how the story dwells into the mind of next generation Holocaust Survivor.

    Book Tour Schedule

    Escaping The Whale

    I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the Escaping the Whale by Ruth Rotkowitz hosted by Random Things Tours.

     

  • The Things I Want To Say But Can’t by Carla Christian

    The Things I Want To Say But Can’t by Carla Christian

    The Things I Want To Say But Can't

    The Things I Want To Say But Can’t by Carla Christian

    Release: June 1st 2020
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: Carla Christian
    Source: Love Books Tours
    Find it at: Amazon UK

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    ‘A lifetime of endings, a million goodbyes. None of them right. It’s funny what you remember when you’ve got nothing else to think about. All those things you should’ve said while you had the chance. You never learned, did you? You never, ever learned.’

    Belle has a habit of losing things. Her friends ,her lovers and her mind.

    Everything ends eventually, or at least that’s what life has taught her. But what if everything she lost came back again? what if she got a chance to finally have her say? To face her past. To put things right.

    However, second chances aren’t easy when memories are all you have. So, when Belle invites the nightmares of her past back in, is she willing to deal with the consequences? Because maybe, just maybe, this time she’s getting what she deserves.

    About the Author:

    Carla Christian lives in the Lake District in the North of England. A busy working mum of two teenagers, she has a passion for writing, art and travel, and these interests have been a part of her for as long as she can remember.

    Constantly inspired by both the good and the bad in the world around her, she spends much of her time creating in one way or another; be it painting canvases for the blank walls of her new home, sketching pictures to capture memories of the many travel adventures she’s been lucky enough to go on, baking fantastical cakes with her daughter, or writing endless beginnings to a million unfinished stories.

    This is her first novel.

    Goodreads

    The Things I Want To Say Review:

    This book was amazing! I was glued to the psychological thriller because of its unique style of storytelling.

    Click to view on Instagram

    Firstly, I loved the way the author describes the tale. She slowly details the plot in bits and pieces, while toggling between various perspectives and timelines. Even halfway into the book, you still don’t know exactly what is happening with Belle. Hence, I really enjoyed the style of writing because I thought it stepped out of the box and was unique. It’s only towards the end when the author pieces all the ends to complete the puzzle, and it is so satisfying!

    Moreover, Belle is gripping and complex as the main character. When you start reading about her, you really don’t know what she is facing. There are so many theories that I formed about Belle and her situation. So, the author keeps you guessing as to what is happening to her. But, you can sense her slowly unraveling from the issues with her mother, her friends leaving, to the abuse she faces. My heart went out to Belle in the story.

    However, while I loved the story, there were a few minor things which could have been better. For instance, at times, it was a challenge keeping up with the timeline toggle and figuring out the plot. Also, at times I felt like the author over-described some of the scenes, which could have been cut short. But apart from that, this story was perfect. In short, I think this is one of those books I would definitely revisit to get a different perspective.

    Overall, this is a wonderful debut novel by the author and I look forward to her future books!

    Book Tour Schedule

    The Things I Want To Say But Can't

    I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the The Things I Want To Say But Can’t by Carla Christian Blog Tour hosted by Love Books Tours.

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    Meredith Rankin – 27th Aug-Digital
    Becca Adams – 27th Aug-REVIEW
    Books in Bucks – 28th Aug-DIGITAL
    Jenguerdy – 28th Aug-Digital
    Mrs Davies28 – 28th Aug-REVIEW
    Geraldine Gatsby – 29th Aug-REVIEW
    B for Book Review – 29th Aug-INTERVIEW
    Midnightangel book heaven – 29th Aug-REVIEW
    The P Turners Book Blog – 29th Aug-Excerpt
    Manic Mumdays – 30th Aug-REVIEW
    Charlotte’s Picks – 30th Aug-REVIEW
    Booksaremybestfriendz – 30th Aug-INTERVIEW
    Books and Cwtches – 31st Aug-REVIEW
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    The Cosy Reader – 1st Sept-REVIEW
    Reading Through the Lookinglass – 2nd Sept-REVIEW
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  • The Memories We Bury by H.A. Leuschel

    The Memories We Bury by H.A. Leuschel

    The Memories We Bury

    The Memories We Bury by H.A. Leuschel
    Release: April 17th 2020
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: EKT Selection Ltd
    Source: R&R Book Tours
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    An emotionally charged and captivating novel about the complexities of female friendship and motherhood.

    Lizzie Thomson has landed her first job as a music teacher, and has a whirlwind romance with Markus. The newlywed couple move into a beautiful new home in the outskirts of Edinburgh. Lizzie quickly befriends their neighbour Morag, an elderly, resourceful yet lonely widow, who’s own children rarely visit her. Moreover, everything seems perfect in Lizzie’s life until she finds out she is pregnant and her relationship with both Morag and Markus change beyond her control.

    Can Lizzie really trust Morag and why is Markus keeping secrets from her?

    In ‘The Memories We Bury’ the author explores the dangerous bonds we can create with strangers and how past memories can cast long shadows over the present.

    About the Author:The Memories We Bury

    Helene Andrea Leuschel gained a Master in Journalism & Communication, which led to a career in radio and television in Brussels, London and Edinburgh. She later acquired a Master in Philosophy, specializing in the study of the mind. Also, Helene has a particular interest in emotional, psychological and social well-being and this led her to write her first novel, Manipulated Lives, a fictional collection of five novellas, each highlighting the dangers of interacting with narcissists. She lives with her husband and two children in Portugal.

    Website || Twitter || Facebook || Lovely Books || Goodreads || Pinterest

    The Memories We Bury Review

    What a delightful, eerier, atmospheric story! It’s a simple, yet gripping psychological thriller about how someone you love and trust can manipulate your life.

    Click to view on instagram

    The main highlight of the story is the two main characters, Lizzie and Morag. The author has written both of them in such a complex manner. However, my favorite character was Morag. Even though you know she how unpredictable she is, you still feel sorry for her at times. Moreover, the author keeps you second guessing as to whether she is trustworthy or not. At times, At times I believed Aileen’s side of the events, but at times, I also believed Morag’s version. Lizzie is also beautifully written. As an introvert and a bit of a pushover, I could relate to her. To be honest, it’s difficult standing up for what’s right when you have overbearing personalities controlling you. I loved how the author portrayed her. 

    However, the only criticism I have is I was expecting more twists and turns. I am not giving away spoilers, but I felt like the story-line resolved pretty early, and was expecting a shocking twist towards the end. I also felt like Markus was not clearly defined. He feels like a different character between beginning and end of the story, but no explanation provided on the change. Also, there are story-line with the mysterious letters and calls that Markus receives. Even though there is an explanation provided, it seemed weak and I still suspected him. Consequently, Markus and his story-line is pushed to the side and hardly seen in the second half. I wished we had resolution on his character as well.

    But, apart from that, this book was perfect! Overall, I would encourage anyone to read “The Memories we Bury” if you are looking for a nice psychological thriller.

    Giveaway:

    Enter the giveaway to win a digital copy of the book!

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    The Memories We Bury

    Today I am thrilled to share with you all, H.A. Leuschel’s latest novel, The Memories We Bury, “An emotionally charged and captivating novel about the complexities of female friendship and motherhood.”

    From June 29th to July 5th, you can purchase her book for ONLY $0.99 on Amazon! You can also try to win a digital copy of The Memories We Bury by entering the giveaway below!

    Blog Tour Schedule
    June 29th

    Cocktails & Fairytales (Spotlight) https://www.facebook.com/CocktailsFairytales
    The Purple Shelf Club (Review) https://www.purpleshelfclub.com/
    Rajiv’s Reviews (Review) https://www.rajivsreviews.com/
    Jessica Belmont (Spotlight) https://jessicabelmont.wordpress.com/

    June 30th

    Breakeven Books (Spotlight) https://breakevenbooks.com
    The Faerie Review (Spotlight) http://www.thefaeriereview.com
    Tsarina Press (Spotlight) https://www.tsarinapress.com
    Libroum in Sepiternum (Review) http://libroruminsempiternumhome.wordpress.com

    July 1st

    Meli’s Book Reviews (Review) https://melisbokreviews.wordpress.com/
    My Comic Relief (Review) https://mycomicrelief.wordpress.com/
    Stine Writing (Review) https://christinebialczak.com/

    July 2nd

    Rambling Mads (Spotlight) http://ramblingmads.com
    Dark Whimsical Art (Spotlight) https://www.darkwhimsicalart.com
    52 Weeks with Books (Spotlight) https://www.instagram.com/52weekswithbooks/

    July 3rd

    Reads & Reels (Spotlight) http://readsandreels.com
    Book Reviews by Satabdi (Review) http://satabdimukherjee.wordpress.com
    Tranquil Dreams (Review) https://klling.wordpress.com/

  • The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

    The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

    The Silent Patient

    The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
    Release: February 5th 2019
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: Celadon Books
    Source: Amazon

    Synopsis:

    Alicia Berenson’s life is seemingly perfect. A famous painter married to an in-demand fashion photographer, she lives in a grand house with big windows overlooking a park in one of London’s most desirable areas. One evening her husband Gabriel returns home late from a fashion shoot, and Alicia shoots him five times in the face, and then never speaks another word.

    Alicia’s refusal to talk, or give any kind of explanation, turns a domestic tragedy into something far grander, a mystery that captures the public imagination and casts Alicia into notoriety. The price of her art skyrockets, and she, the silent patient, is hidden away from the tabloids and spotlight at the Grove, a secure forensic unit in North London.

    Theo Faber is a criminal psychotherapist who has waited a long time for the opportunity to work with Alicia. His determination to get her to talk and unravel the mystery of why she shot her husband takes him down a twisting path into his own motivations—a search for the truth that threatens to consume him…

    My Video review:

    The Silent Patient Review:

    Easily one of the best psychological thrillers I have read, EVER! Watch my video review for the detailed review.

    Firstly, is this the author’s first novel? This is a surprising because the author has written the story brilliantly! He writes the plot in a very simple and direct manner. Hence, even someone who isn’t a frequent reader would enjoy it if they liked psychological thrillers. The story-line is gripping that gets you addicted to the story from page one. Moreover, each chapter is very small with just a few pages, so you don’t feel like the book is dragging. Also, the author has written the two characters so well. I loved the interactions between Alicia and Theo. Similarly, I liked some of the supporting characters as well, including Barbie. There are also many twists and turns that keeps you on your toes. Furthermore, let’s not forget the big twist in the end that completely threw me off!

    Overall, The Silent Patient is like a breath of fresh air to the genre and I loved every moment of it!

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  • The Dark Side by Danielle Steel

    The Dark Side by Danielle Steel

    Dark

    The Dark Side by Danielle Steel
    Release: August 27th 2019
    Format: EBook
    Publisher: Delacorte Press
    Source: Amazon

    Dark



     

    The Dark Side Synopsis:

    In her new novel, Danielle Steel tells a riveting story of the dark side of motherhood.

    Zoe Morgan’s grew up by her younger sister’s tragic illness. She watched as her parents dedicated themselves completely to her final days and then divorced. As a young woman driven by these painful memories, Zoe sets the bar high for herself, studying hard and pursuing a career in the nonprofit world, where her deep compassion for disadvantaged children finds a focus.

    When Zoe falls in love and has her own child, she is determined to be a perfect mother as well. But before long, old scars begin to pull Zoe to the edge of an abyss too terrifying to contemplate.

    As Zoe is haunted by the ghosts of the past, her story will become a race against time and a tale of psychological suspense that no reader will soon forget.

     

    Review:

    Watch my video review of The Dark Side by Danielle Steel

    [embedyt] https://youtu.be/KJ5hZfbR6kw[/embedyt]

    The story starts off in full swing where we learn about Zoe’s life, but slows down once she gets married. It then moves in a slow pace but again picks up on the second half where we find out what is actually happening. What I really liked about the story is how the author highlights an disorder that I had no idea that existed. It is always interesting reading a book where you learn something new in the psychological field. The characters are complex and well-written. I really liked Zoe as the main character as she is very complex and you don’t know how she will react to the situation.

    There are only two problem areas for me in the story. Firstly, I thought the climax was flat and disappointing for all the buildup that happens. Secondly, I did not care for the sudden romance that happens in the last page of the story. I thought it was unnecessary and didn’t make much sense. But surprisingly, I enjoyed reading the Dark Side, and a Danielle Steel novel after a long time!