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In Her Words
While she seems to have it all, Sophie Knight is looking for more. When gorgeous and carefree Michael Frisk walks into her life, he offers the excitement and passion she desires.
Sophie is willing to risk everything she has. After all, she is used to concealing things from her husband—like her alcoholism, her unhappiness. But soon she has more to hide. She wakes up one morning in an alcoholic haze and finds bruises on her body, but has no recollection of what happened to her. Was she raped?
When unsettling notes and mysterious phone calls start, Sophie wonders whom she should turn to. Is Michael the cause of the frightening things happening in her life, or is he the answer to her problems?
Sophie is willing to risk everything she has. After all, she is used to concealing things from her husband—like her alcoholism, her unhappiness. But soon she has more to hide. She wakes up one morning in an alcoholic haze and finds bruises on her body, but has no recollection of what happened to her. Was she raped?
When unsettling notes and mysterious phone calls start, Sophie wonders whom she should turn to. Is Michael the cause of the frightening things happening in her life, or is he the answer to her problems?
- GenresThriller
395 pages, Paperback
First published May 7, 2019
About the author
J.S. Ellis
21 books135 followersJ.S Ellis is a thriller author. She has a degree in creative writing, English literature, and digital marketing. She lives in Malta with her fiancé and their fur baby Eloise. When she’s not writing or reading, she’s either cooking, eating cheese and chocolate, or listening to good music and enjoying a glass of wine or two.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
June 3, 2019
DNF @ 41%
The writing style was so repetitive, the plot wasn't really strong and it dragged...
The writing style was so repetitive, the plot wasn't really strong and it dragged...
June 9, 2019
On the surface, Sophie Knight seems to be living the life most women would envy. She’s an accountant with a respectable firm, married to a man with a successful and lucrative career and living in a fashionable section in Notting Hill. But beneath that veneer is a woman who’s unhappy and uses alcohol to dull her pain and restlessness. One night out with her best friend turns her life upside down while also begins a complicated relationship with Michael Frisk, a much younger man and musician.
The format of the story took me a moment to get used to as there aren’t formal chapters, just progressive entries in Sophie’s journal. I thought it would be off putting but it didn’t take long for me to adapt and enjoy this unusual approach to storytelling. Sophie’s got a serious drinking problem, which makes her an unreliable narrator as everything is seen through her eyes, told through her voice. There are times when I find this type device annoying but not here. It made me pay attention, get to know Sophie and decipher the clues impacted by alcoholic haze versus the probable reality based on behavioral norms. It was often akin to watching the proverbial train wreck about to happen but with some unforeseen moments of clarity on Sophie’s part to avert disaster. The path was sometimes predictable but mostly not.
I got to a point where I just couldn’t put the book down. The story dragged, just a little, towards the middle but I’d advise you to pay attention. It later becomes important when things combust in ways I didn’t see coming. I’m impressed that this is a debut novel as the author has crafted a story we’ve heard and seen before but done in a way that feels unique at the same time. I raced through the second half and hadn’t a clue how it would be resolved. While it does reach a conclusion, there are still aspects left open for the reader’s imagination. I liked that as it kept me thinking about Sophie and this story long after I’d finished. You’ll want to read this one.
(Thanks to Love Books Group Tours for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
The format of the story took me a moment to get used to as there aren’t formal chapters, just progressive entries in Sophie’s journal. I thought it would be off putting but it didn’t take long for me to adapt and enjoy this unusual approach to storytelling. Sophie’s got a serious drinking problem, which makes her an unreliable narrator as everything is seen through her eyes, told through her voice. There are times when I find this type device annoying but not here. It made me pay attention, get to know Sophie and decipher the clues impacted by alcoholic haze versus the probable reality based on behavioral norms. It was often akin to watching the proverbial train wreck about to happen but with some unforeseen moments of clarity on Sophie’s part to avert disaster. The path was sometimes predictable but mostly not.
I got to a point where I just couldn’t put the book down. The story dragged, just a little, towards the middle but I’d advise you to pay attention. It later becomes important when things combust in ways I didn’t see coming. I’m impressed that this is a debut novel as the author has crafted a story we’ve heard and seen before but done in a way that feels unique at the same time. I raced through the second half and hadn’t a clue how it would be resolved. While it does reach a conclusion, there are still aspects left open for the reader’s imagination. I liked that as it kept me thinking about Sophie and this story long after I’d finished. You’ll want to read this one.
(Thanks to Love Books Group Tours for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
July 23, 2019
Sophie goes to a club with a girlfriend, but wakes the next morning with only vague memories. She becomes obsessed with a young man she met that night and finding out what happened. Michael tells her a simple story that explains her ripped dress and bruises, but she can’t shake the feeling that there is more.
She’s unhappy with her job and her life. She knows she drinks too much. It wasn’t always this way.
Her husband is older and has heart issues. He travels for work, so she spends a lot of time alone. When did their life get so boring?
Written in diary format, we get Sophie’s POV. On the fence about this type of storytelling. The book was interesting, but not exciting enough to really grab me. One thing that did take away from it was errors. They don’t bother me in ARC’s, but they do in published books. Just a personal pet peeve.😊
My Rating: 3 ⭐️’s
Published: May 7th 2019 by Black Cat Ink Press
Pages: 395
Thank you to BookSirens, the publisher and the author for this ARC, in exchange for my honest review!
She’s unhappy with her job and her life. She knows she drinks too much. It wasn’t always this way.
”When we’re sad, we drink to forget. When we’re happy, we drink to celebrate. When nothing happens, we drink to make something happen. I drink to escape from the pain of life and to forget what happened.”
Her husband is older and has heart issues. He travels for work, so she spends a lot of time alone. When did their life get so boring?
“When the Devil presents himself to you, he’s alluring and beautiful.”
Written in diary format, we get Sophie’s POV. On the fence about this type of storytelling. The book was interesting, but not exciting enough to really grab me. One thing that did take away from it was errors. They don’t bother me in ARC’s, but they do in published books. Just a personal pet peeve.😊
My Rating: 3 ⭐️’s
Published: May 7th 2019 by Black Cat Ink Press
Pages: 395
Thank you to BookSirens, the publisher and the author for this ARC, in exchange for my honest review!
April 23, 2019
4.25 Stars
On the surface, Sophie Wright appears to have it all - a successful career, a loving husband and financial security. However, she also is trying to mask her pain with alcohol. Hiding her secret is a daily task, but it’s one she’s been able to manage until waking up one morning with no recollection as to how her body is bruised and her dress is ripped. Without sufficient facts or evidence, she is powerless especially knowing she will be labeled as a drunk.
“I knew what they were thinking – ‘Look at her, pretending to be posh. She’s just a drunk, so much for prim and proper.’”
As she tries to get answers, Sophie’s problems begin to compound. Though she has been loyal to her husband during their eleven-year marriage, Sophie’s insecurities resurface and she becomes distracted by a young, pretty musician. Trying to recapture the intangible is causing her to spiral downward.
“The thing about secrets is they are dangerous, and they can be seductive.”
Narrated from the protagonist’s POV in the form of diary entries, her intimate thoughts are uncensored and open to ridicule. Based on the content of her writing, the tone evokes an uneasy reaction, as it becomes clear what a precarious act Sophie is balancing. From the outset, the ramifications of Sophie’s bad choices are apparent, yet there is still some hope that she stops this reckless behavior.
Going into this book, I was expecting a thriller and the storyline certainly delivered on that point. But it also delves into the emotional aspects of what fuels Sophie’s unhappiness and the fallout when it all explodes. Adding to the tension is how her innermost thoughts – the highs and lows – are included in her diary. Because Sophie is a volatile and troubled character, it creates empathy for her vulnerability, but I was also steaming mad at her times.
Effectively, the storyline takes the reader down Sophie’s dark, destructive path. Though I had my suspicions early on, it didn’t detract from the tension or twists. However, I would have liked a bit more elaboration about a certain character’s motivations. When it all unravels, the impact is felt on multiple levels.
In Her Words is a thriller that will capture a reader’s curiosity until the very last page.
*An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review.*
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May 13, 2019
Sophie's life is on the brink of collapse. Her husband has a history of a heart attack, and as long as he takes his medication, he'll do okay. But Sophie feels like she's more of a care taker than a wife. Her husband doesn't treat her the same way he used to.
She's a woman of addictions ... she's a chain smoker and an alcoholic. although she hides the booze and cigarettes as much as possible. She's an accountant, with many clients, but her job is going to the dogs. She is extremely unhappy.
Now she has another addiction.... a man with shoulder length blonde hair, mesmerizing eyes... and he's 15 years younger than she is. How they meet is just part of this mystery.
Trying to balance everything wrong with her life is agony for her. How long can she keep up the lies she tells everyone?
But someone knows .... she's getting notes stating they know what she's doing. She feels eyes following her, more often than before. She's tried to break off with the young man ... but he's like a magnet drawing her back for more.
And then things really turn bad ... and dangerous.
IN HER WORDS is exactly that .. Sophie's tale is told through her journal .. every excruciating thought, deed, with every alcoholic drink she has, and every lie.
This is a well-written psychological fiction. There are twists and turns and many surprises along the way. The characters are finely drawn, lending a lot of credibility to this story. I opened this book and was riveted to the very last word.
Many thanks to the author / BookSirens for the digital copy of this Psychological Drama. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
May 31, 2019
In Her Words was one twisted read. From start to finish, the story took me on a twisted journey where I encountered several twists and turns. By the end, it had me scratching my head wondering what did I just read.
This story showed the dangers of addiction. Addiction comes in many forms and will cause your life to spiral out of control, as Sophia Knight will discover. It destroyed her life, both personal and professional and caused her to question her sanity. She allowed alcohol to be her crutch. If that was not enough, she opened up herself to infidelity with a hot musician half her age. SMH.
On the surface Sophia appears to have it all, a great job and a handsome and successful husband, but she is on a path of destruction. Her actions disgusted her husband, but Sophia continued on her downward spiral. On her last drinking binge, she woke up with no memory of what transpired and multiple bruises. She sets out to get answers to determine what transpired that night; however, this only compounded her problem, as she found herself playing a twisted game of cat and mouse, where she may just be the mouse.
I started out disliking Sophia, because I thought her selfish, but then as the author began to peel away her layers, I saw a woman troubled, hurting and insecure. The author managed to evoke feelings of sympathy for this flawed character, although there were moments when her irrational behaviour made me want to shake some sense in to her.
I am not a proponent of cheating and so I did not condone Sophia’s actions. However, based on the direction the author took the story it was a necessary evil.
While reading I had several questions to which I received the answers for as the story progressed. However, I still had questions at the end. I would love more information regarding the motives of the antagonist. Was Sophia being deliberately targeted or did her alcoholism made her a convenient mark?
In Her Words is a quick and easy read. It had me turning the pages, as I had to know the story would unfold. The story flowed seamlessly, and I enjoyed the format in which the author narrated the story. Done solely from Sophia’s POV in diary format. It showed her vulnerability, loneliness and desperation.
It is best to approach this story with an open mind to fully appreciate its message.
Conclusion/Recommendation
In Her Words is a riveting psychological thriller. I found the delivery fresh, engaging and suspenseful.
This story showed the dangers of addiction. Addiction comes in many forms and will cause your life to spiral out of control, as Sophia Knight will discover. It destroyed her life, both personal and professional and caused her to question her sanity. She allowed alcohol to be her crutch. If that was not enough, she opened up herself to infidelity with a hot musician half her age. SMH.
On the surface Sophia appears to have it all, a great job and a handsome and successful husband, but she is on a path of destruction. Her actions disgusted her husband, but Sophia continued on her downward spiral. On her last drinking binge, she woke up with no memory of what transpired and multiple bruises. She sets out to get answers to determine what transpired that night; however, this only compounded her problem, as she found herself playing a twisted game of cat and mouse, where she may just be the mouse.
I started out disliking Sophia, because I thought her selfish, but then as the author began to peel away her layers, I saw a woman troubled, hurting and insecure. The author managed to evoke feelings of sympathy for this flawed character, although there were moments when her irrational behaviour made me want to shake some sense in to her.
I am not a proponent of cheating and so I did not condone Sophia’s actions. However, based on the direction the author took the story it was a necessary evil.
While reading I had several questions to which I received the answers for as the story progressed. However, I still had questions at the end. I would love more information regarding the motives of the antagonist. Was Sophia being deliberately targeted or did her alcoholism made her a convenient mark?
In Her Words is a quick and easy read. It had me turning the pages, as I had to know the story would unfold. The story flowed seamlessly, and I enjoyed the format in which the author narrated the story. Done solely from Sophia’s POV in diary format. It showed her vulnerability, loneliness and desperation.
It is best to approach this story with an open mind to fully appreciate its message.
Conclusion/Recommendation
In Her Words is a riveting psychological thriller. I found the delivery fresh, engaging and suspenseful.
May 27, 2019
This journal narrative meant that readers are only presented with Sophie’s perspective. This is interesting on its own, but throw in the fact that she is a secret alcoholic, then things get very warped, very quickly.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this story as the blurb is rather ambiguous. However, the story development takes on a surprising twist that in the end, I did not find pacey nor gripping enough. Introduced to Sophie’s seemingly perfect lifestyle, it is a surprise how much alcohol she consumes. Then, following a seemingly very drunk night out with her friends, Sophie wakes to find that she cannot remember anything. With only the clues of bruises and a ruined dress to go on, I anticipated the story following her intense attempts to discover what really happened that night.
However, this is not the case. Instead, Sophie embarks on an illicit, sexual love affair with one of the men from her fated night out. Her already toxic lifestyle is intensified, as her affair with Michael is presented as never being able to continue. With the incessant, passionate arguments, it is obvious that there is no future with her young love. Yet, still Sophie returns to Michael, despite not really knowing what happened that night and despite the anonymous, threatening notes she is receiving. I think it is this that made me struggle to immerse myself into the intensity of her struggles because Sophie seems so willing to escape into her affair instead of finding out the truth.
As the story progresses, eventually the night in question becomes less of a concern. The final chapters of the story were surprising and I was intrigued to see how the writer would conclude the story. There seemed a lot still left to cover with only few chapters remaining! Yet, it seems the Sophie, suddenly with clarity of thought, is able to provide all answers and, then when I was finally engrossed in the story again as I had been at the beginning, the novel finally ended. It felt abrupt with no full conclusion. An Epilogue would have solved this, I believe, to remove that sudden and unexpected ending.
I enjoyed reading this at the start and towards the end, but my enjoyment lessened throughout the majority of the book. I think it was Sophie’s toxic living, her reliance on alcohol and Michael, rather than trying to find out the truth. Succumbing to her affair only heightened her sense of being trapped in her life yet, I wish she had shown more of a level head and an investigative mind when it is clearly obvious that her night out was not all innocence and fun. I also found that Michael’s attitude was a bit of a cliche and his young, carefree attitude, coloured with streaks of jealousy, made me dislike him even more.
This book definitely has potential and I am pleased to have read it. My gripes about the plot style and Sophie aside, I think that this is a writer with talent and craft. I would be interested to read further works and hope that there is a more gripping narrative to come.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this story as the blurb is rather ambiguous. However, the story development takes on a surprising twist that in the end, I did not find pacey nor gripping enough. Introduced to Sophie’s seemingly perfect lifestyle, it is a surprise how much alcohol she consumes. Then, following a seemingly very drunk night out with her friends, Sophie wakes to find that she cannot remember anything. With only the clues of bruises and a ruined dress to go on, I anticipated the story following her intense attempts to discover what really happened that night.
However, this is not the case. Instead, Sophie embarks on an illicit, sexual love affair with one of the men from her fated night out. Her already toxic lifestyle is intensified, as her affair with Michael is presented as never being able to continue. With the incessant, passionate arguments, it is obvious that there is no future with her young love. Yet, still Sophie returns to Michael, despite not really knowing what happened that night and despite the anonymous, threatening notes she is receiving. I think it is this that made me struggle to immerse myself into the intensity of her struggles because Sophie seems so willing to escape into her affair instead of finding out the truth.
As the story progresses, eventually the night in question becomes less of a concern. The final chapters of the story were surprising and I was intrigued to see how the writer would conclude the story. There seemed a lot still left to cover with only few chapters remaining! Yet, it seems the Sophie, suddenly with clarity of thought, is able to provide all answers and, then when I was finally engrossed in the story again as I had been at the beginning, the novel finally ended. It felt abrupt with no full conclusion. An Epilogue would have solved this, I believe, to remove that sudden and unexpected ending.
I enjoyed reading this at the start and towards the end, but my enjoyment lessened throughout the majority of the book. I think it was Sophie’s toxic living, her reliance on alcohol and Michael, rather than trying to find out the truth. Succumbing to her affair only heightened her sense of being trapped in her life yet, I wish she had shown more of a level head and an investigative mind when it is clearly obvious that her night out was not all innocence and fun. I also found that Michael’s attitude was a bit of a cliche and his young, carefree attitude, coloured with streaks of jealousy, made me dislike him even more.
This book definitely has potential and I am pleased to have read it. My gripes about the plot style and Sophie aside, I think that this is a writer with talent and craft. I would be interested to read further works and hope that there is a more gripping narrative to come.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 7, 2019
Life seems perfect for Sophie Knight. She has a great job, an older loving husband and money. But Sophie isn't happy. She drinks too much, smokes too much and one night out changes everything. She meets Michael,a charming guy that draws her in. But when she wakes the next morning with bruises, she doesn't know what happened. Told from her perspective in diary form as she tries to figure out what happened. Was she drugged? Did she fall? Every one that was there seems like they are hiding things from her. Then the mysterious phone calls start.Things as she knows it start to all fall apart. This was excellent. An engaging and intense read I read straight through. I held my breath a few times. Twisted and heart breaking. Fabulous debut!
Dawnny-BookGypsy
Novels N Latte Review
Dawnny-BookGypsy
Novels N Latte Review
May 17, 2019
This was a really dark thriller that hooked me from the beginning! Because it's told from Sophie's diary entries, we only get her perspective which is unusual as many novels give multiple perspectives and I initially wanted to "hear" from other characters. I am always a sucker for flawed characters but there was something so hard to reconcile at the beginning as Sophie is self-destructive, selfish, and basically unlikeable as she searches for love and attention outside her marriage and drowns her sorrows in drink. However, as the book went on I began to appreciate this darkness as we see how troubled she is and how she can't seem to gain the self-esteem to find happiness without degrading herself by finding men who appreciate only her outer beauty. So by the end I found this to be a fascinating study of the darkness that has the potential to take hold of people who are not satisfied with or capable of finding inner peace by themselves.
Thank you to BookSirens for this ARC in exchange for a voluntary review!
Thank you to BookSirens for this ARC in exchange for a voluntary review!
April 21, 2019
This book had me hooked, I really didn't want to put it down but had to because of life. With it being told in a diary format you really got into the characters head. Lost of twists that will have your head spinning. I hope to see more in the future from this author.
March 4, 2019
I don’t want to say anything to take away from the book so I won’t talk about it much. I did love the layout of how it was written and it kept me wanting to read more!
May 8, 2019
I wrote this book so I'm a bit biased xD
October 20, 2019
In this story we get it from Sophie's perspective, In Her Words! I thought that this was a very riveting psychological thriller that will keep you turning the pages faster and faster. I think J.S. Ellis does a good job with this one even though the story sort of took a lull for me at some places. It did pick back up though and I was glad I stuck with it.
Sophie's husband has had a heart attack and is ok as long as he takes his medicine. Now Sophie feels like she is more of a caretaker than a wife. The relationship between her and her husband is just not there anymore for Sophie. It doesn't help that has a fling going on on the side. Sophie also has an addiction to smoking and alcohol.
Sophie has been receiving these notes from someone saying that they know what she is doing with her fling. Sophie tries to break it off with him but she just keeps going back to him like all of her other addictions. Sophie can feel eyes on her and knows that someone is watching her. What is she going to do? Will she be able to hide her little escapades or will it be too late?
Just be ready for this book to mess with your mind. Sophie will lead you on one wild ride with her.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions are my own. Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for an advanced copy of this book.
Sophie's husband has had a heart attack and is ok as long as he takes his medicine. Now Sophie feels like she is more of a caretaker than a wife. The relationship between her and her husband is just not there anymore for Sophie. It doesn't help that has a fling going on on the side. Sophie also has an addiction to smoking and alcohol.
Sophie has been receiving these notes from someone saying that they know what she is doing with her fling. Sophie tries to break it off with him but she just keeps going back to him like all of her other addictions. Sophie can feel eyes on her and knows that someone is watching her. What is she going to do? Will she be able to hide her little escapades or will it be too late?
Just be ready for this book to mess with your mind. Sophie will lead you on one wild ride with her.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions are my own. Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for an advanced copy of this book.
June 13, 2019
Although she seems to have it all,a beautiful home,loving,devoted (but seemingly a bit controlling) husband and no money worries,Sophie Knight is very unhappy and is looking for more. She is also a (barely) functioning alcoholic. Maybe if she had been able to stop drinking for five minutes and remembered that the old saying The grass is always greener on the other side is just a myth and you really should be careful what you wish for. Then maybe she wouldn't have ended up with her perfect life being shattered into a million tiny pieces.
After a night out,Sophie wakes up and discovers that she has bruises on her body and the dress she had been wearing is torn and covered in mud. Sophie has no memories of what happened the previous night. Was she attacked,assaulted,has she been raped.
Does she go to the police,tell her husband,nope not Sophie Knight,instead she embarks on a torrid on again/off again affair with one of the young men she met at the club that night,gorgeous,carefree Michael Frisk.
Only things take a nasty turn when Sophie starts receiving unsettling notes and mysterious phone calls. Who can she turn to,who can she trust? Because a deadly enemy has Sophie in their sights and is prepared to go to any lengths to destroy her seemingly perfect life.
The story is told from Sophie's point of view and in the form of entries into her journal. Because the story is only told from Sophie's perspective therefore her alcoholism makes her a very unreliable narrator,the reader is unsure if the other characters were who they appeared to be. I struggled to feel any sympathy for Sophie as her life collapsed around her because it was her own selfish behaviour that caused her downfall. Millions of women have experienced the pain and heartache that Sophie had endured,including myself, and have survived without turning to the bottle or embarking on a torrid affair. All affairs cause is heartache,pain and misery and the situation is made even worse when the person who is having the affair does what Sophie did and insists that they still love the person they are cheating on. It's difficult to say much about the other characters because the reader's perceptions of then are rather one sided. Is Richard are controlling as he seems? Is Michael as immature as he appeared to be? Could Sophie really trust her best friend Sylvie? Who wanted to tear apart Sophie's seemingly perfect life and why?
In Her Words is a well written,debut thriller that hooks the reader in from the first page. Admit it,any book where the forth line on the first page is "I'm in trouble" is going to have most readers instantly hooked. The characters were vivid and realistic,the chapters were short and snappy and the story flowed well. The reader is kept guessing about the identity of Sophie's tormentor and that person's identity was a unexpected twist. I really enjoyed this gripping thriller and look forward to reading more of this author's books in the future
Many thanks to Kelly Lacey of Love Books Group Tours and publishers Black Cat Ink Press for the opportunity to read and review this book and take part in the Blog tour
After a night out,Sophie wakes up and discovers that she has bruises on her body and the dress she had been wearing is torn and covered in mud. Sophie has no memories of what happened the previous night. Was she attacked,assaulted,has she been raped.
Does she go to the police,tell her husband,nope not Sophie Knight,instead she embarks on a torrid on again/off again affair with one of the young men she met at the club that night,gorgeous,carefree Michael Frisk.
Only things take a nasty turn when Sophie starts receiving unsettling notes and mysterious phone calls. Who can she turn to,who can she trust? Because a deadly enemy has Sophie in their sights and is prepared to go to any lengths to destroy her seemingly perfect life.
The story is told from Sophie's point of view and in the form of entries into her journal. Because the story is only told from Sophie's perspective therefore her alcoholism makes her a very unreliable narrator,the reader is unsure if the other characters were who they appeared to be. I struggled to feel any sympathy for Sophie as her life collapsed around her because it was her own selfish behaviour that caused her downfall. Millions of women have experienced the pain and heartache that Sophie had endured,including myself, and have survived without turning to the bottle or embarking on a torrid affair. All affairs cause is heartache,pain and misery and the situation is made even worse when the person who is having the affair does what Sophie did and insists that they still love the person they are cheating on. It's difficult to say much about the other characters because the reader's perceptions of then are rather one sided. Is Richard are controlling as he seems? Is Michael as immature as he appeared to be? Could Sophie really trust her best friend Sylvie? Who wanted to tear apart Sophie's seemingly perfect life and why?
In Her Words is a well written,debut thriller that hooks the reader in from the first page. Admit it,any book where the forth line on the first page is "I'm in trouble" is going to have most readers instantly hooked. The characters were vivid and realistic,the chapters were short and snappy and the story flowed well. The reader is kept guessing about the identity of Sophie's tormentor and that person's identity was a unexpected twist. I really enjoyed this gripping thriller and look forward to reading more of this author's books in the future
Many thanks to Kelly Lacey of Love Books Group Tours and publishers Black Cat Ink Press for the opportunity to read and review this book and take part in the Blog tour
March 7, 2019
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
"In Her Words" is J. S. Ellis' excellent debut, and one of the best suspense novels I've ever read. The plot was well planned, with each small detail put into play for a clear reason. The characters were all well constructed and I loved their backstories. I found Michael the most fascinating character - he was super mysterious, and that made him hot. I admire J. S. Ellis for her ability to capture the essentials of the human personalities, with their hidden desires, secret motives etc.
If you enjoy reading thrillers, "In Her Words" is a must-read. It will keep you at the edge of your seat until the very last page.
"In Her Words" is J. S. Ellis' excellent debut, and one of the best suspense novels I've ever read. The plot was well planned, with each small detail put into play for a clear reason. The characters were all well constructed and I loved their backstories. I found Michael the most fascinating character - he was super mysterious, and that made him hot. I admire J. S. Ellis for her ability to capture the essentials of the human personalities, with their hidden desires, secret motives etc.
If you enjoy reading thrillers, "In Her Words" is a must-read. It will keep you at the edge of your seat until the very last page.
March 4, 2019
When I started reading In Her Words I didn't know what to expect from this book. But once I got into the book, I loved the thrilling mystery, secrets one woman keeps from the man who loves her. Why seek it from somewhere else and then the phone call and waking up to bruises and not know how they got there. I loved the book.
April 15, 2020
I really enjoyed J.S. Ellis' "In Her Words".
This review contains NO SPOILERS.
This is a slow burning thriller with some juicy twists at the end.
The plot kicked in immediately and the last 100 pages were very exciting!
Characters: I did not like ANY of the characters in this novel :D I don't think you're meant to like any of them! Well, thinking back on the characters, their choices and their interactions throughout the book, I believe it would be hard for readers to like the characters. Oh readers can understand them, can see the characters are real people, but they're not going to like their interactions and decisions! I believe this was intentional. The protagonist's choices and interactions with other characters, at times, made me want to shake her and scream at her! But that's an important aspect of reading. You either like a character and want to read on to see their story, or you dislike a character and STILL want to see how they interact with their world, see the decisions they make and see how they fare by the end of the story.
I believe the protagonist, Sophie Knight, was a well portrayed and realistic character. She made me frustrated and angry at times, but I really wanted to get to the bottom of her story. I wanted to see what happened to her at the end because I connected with her. Sophie was realistically created. She was a deep character with her own thoughts, emotions and desires. As such, the character of Sophie made the book un-put-downable, as I did truly connect with her as a "person" and want to see what would happen to her by the end of the book.
Layout: This novel is written entirely through diary format. There's still lots of dialogue and some descriptions of settings and people. I liked this layout, it was different, and it made the book easy to devour within two days. I also liked the diary format as I was able to plot/track the passage of time in the novel. It also made turning the pages easier as I am notorious for "just one more chapter", and each entry was short enough, so I found myself flicking through the entries rapidly!
Writing style: I really enjoy J.S. Ellis' writing style. This is the third book I have read from this author (I REALLY recommend "The Neighbour's Cat" and "The Sisters: A Short Story", these are epic reads!!!!). "In Her Words" is not written like Ellis' other works. I don't know how I feel about this, but I really respect Ellis' branching out and trying a different writing style and format, and I believe the diary format was done well in this novel. Thinking back on the writing style I would have liked a little bit more suspense, but in a way, the novel is a diary! So it is not going to be read like a thriller novel! And as such, the novel was written really well, because there were moments of tension, mystery and anxiety, which was gently sprinkled throughout. I found that very clever, as of course when a diary is being written, it is recording events, it is not going to be written like a thriller or horror novel! Also, looking back at the novel, the author still left us little bread-crumb clues throughout the story, to subtly give us those "ah-ha" moments when twists were revealed.
Setting: This novel is set in an English city. There is not a strong sense of place, but again, the format of the novel is a diary, so if you're writing in your diary you're not going to put pages of setting description into your entries. But I could clearly get a sense of space and place while the character was in her apartment or her lover's apartment.
Minor/other characters: Ellis did a great job in creating and developing characters other than her protagonist. In fact, Sophie Knight's husband and Sophie's lover, were very well established within just a few diary entries. I got a real sense of these characters, their motivations, desires and emotions. This was done really well because the characters are conveyed to the reader through Sophie's eyes, through Sophie's own distorted version of the world around her. So, in a way, when I think back on the novel and the other characters I find myself question what they were really like. Is that how they acted in that situation? Really? Was Sophie only interpreting that response that way? Or the body language in that manner? And that's where this novel is very clever. I finished the book three days ago and I am still thinking about the plot and the characters! And I think you will too!
Overall: Overall I really liked this novel. It was a slow-burning thriller. I found myself constantly turning the pages. I was truly immersed in the world of the novel. I connected with all of the characters and believe they were well created and developed. I really enjoyed the plot and loved the last 100 pages. I found the last third of the book very exciting and when I reached the end of the novel I really wanted there to be more! Don't get me wrong, I LOVED the ending, but I wanted another few chapters, I was definitely left wanting more of these characters and this world!
I would recommend this novel to anyone who likes thrillers, crime and even stand-alone drama novels. I think you would enjoy this book, the plot, characters, writing style and will be left with a lasting impression. I won't easily forget this book, the plot and the two protagonists and I think you will too!
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This review contains NO SPOILERS.
This is a slow burning thriller with some juicy twists at the end.
The plot kicked in immediately and the last 100 pages were very exciting!
Characters: I did not like ANY of the characters in this novel :D I don't think you're meant to like any of them! Well, thinking back on the characters, their choices and their interactions throughout the book, I believe it would be hard for readers to like the characters. Oh readers can understand them, can see the characters are real people, but they're not going to like their interactions and decisions! I believe this was intentional. The protagonist's choices and interactions with other characters, at times, made me want to shake her and scream at her! But that's an important aspect of reading. You either like a character and want to read on to see their story, or you dislike a character and STILL want to see how they interact with their world, see the decisions they make and see how they fare by the end of the story.
I believe the protagonist, Sophie Knight, was a well portrayed and realistic character. She made me frustrated and angry at times, but I really wanted to get to the bottom of her story. I wanted to see what happened to her at the end because I connected with her. Sophie was realistically created. She was a deep character with her own thoughts, emotions and desires. As such, the character of Sophie made the book un-put-downable, as I did truly connect with her as a "person" and want to see what would happen to her by the end of the book.
Layout: This novel is written entirely through diary format. There's still lots of dialogue and some descriptions of settings and people. I liked this layout, it was different, and it made the book easy to devour within two days. I also liked the diary format as I was able to plot/track the passage of time in the novel. It also made turning the pages easier as I am notorious for "just one more chapter", and each entry was short enough, so I found myself flicking through the entries rapidly!
Writing style: I really enjoy J.S. Ellis' writing style. This is the third book I have read from this author (I REALLY recommend "The Neighbour's Cat" and "The Sisters: A Short Story", these are epic reads!!!!). "In Her Words" is not written like Ellis' other works. I don't know how I feel about this, but I really respect Ellis' branching out and trying a different writing style and format, and I believe the diary format was done well in this novel. Thinking back on the writing style I would have liked a little bit more suspense, but in a way, the novel is a diary! So it is not going to be read like a thriller novel! And as such, the novel was written really well, because there were moments of tension, mystery and anxiety, which was gently sprinkled throughout. I found that very clever, as of course when a diary is being written, it is recording events, it is not going to be written like a thriller or horror novel! Also, looking back at the novel, the author still left us little bread-crumb clues throughout the story, to subtly give us those "ah-ha" moments when twists were revealed.
Setting: This novel is set in an English city. There is not a strong sense of place, but again, the format of the novel is a diary, so if you're writing in your diary you're not going to put pages of setting description into your entries. But I could clearly get a sense of space and place while the character was in her apartment or her lover's apartment.
Minor/other characters: Ellis did a great job in creating and developing characters other than her protagonist. In fact, Sophie Knight's husband and Sophie's lover, were very well established within just a few diary entries. I got a real sense of these characters, their motivations, desires and emotions. This was done really well because the characters are conveyed to the reader through Sophie's eyes, through Sophie's own distorted version of the world around her. So, in a way, when I think back on the novel and the other characters I find myself question what they were really like. Is that how they acted in that situation? Really? Was Sophie only interpreting that response that way? Or the body language in that manner? And that's where this novel is very clever. I finished the book three days ago and I am still thinking about the plot and the characters! And I think you will too!
Overall: Overall I really liked this novel. It was a slow-burning thriller. I found myself constantly turning the pages. I was truly immersed in the world of the novel. I connected with all of the characters and believe they were well created and developed. I really enjoyed the plot and loved the last 100 pages. I found the last third of the book very exciting and when I reached the end of the novel I really wanted there to be more! Don't get me wrong, I LOVED the ending, but I wanted another few chapters, I was definitely left wanting more of these characters and this world!
I would recommend this novel to anyone who likes thrillers, crime and even stand-alone drama novels. I think you would enjoy this book, the plot, characters, writing style and will be left with a lasting impression. I won't easily forget this book, the plot and the two protagonists and I think you will too!
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
May 8, 2019
Book: In Her Words
Author: J.S. Ellis
Rating: 3.5
Disclaimer: This is a no-spoilers review of the book - In Her Words. Thank you Ms. Ellis and Booksprout for the Advance Review Copy.
PLOT:
Sophie Knight - She had it all (or so everyone thought)- a loving, handsome husband, a fabulous apartment, a successful career. In most ways, her life was set.
Her life takes an unexpected turn when she wakes up one day, with no recollection of what happened, badly bruised, and in a bad shape. To what length will Sophie go to, to find out the truth? Why was it that she couldn’t remember anything?
That night changed everything for Sophie. She made one bad choice after another. It was almost as if she was leading a double life. At home, she was the girl her parents raised her to be and outside, she was someone else, someone going against everything she believed in. What kept her sane is her ramblings in her journal.
In Her Words is a story of love, betrayal, a past one would rather forget, and finally, murder told through the diary of Sophie Knight. Sophie’s personal and professional turmoils were to blame for her inability to make rational decisions. In the process, words were spoken, things were done, and people were hurt. It did not end well for Sophie - she lost everything that was dear to her. But finally when the truth came out, it set her free. It wasn’t easy, no, considering everything she had been through. Read ‘In Her Words’ to find out more.
What I loved:
In her words is a very fast-paced read and I couldn’t wait to find how it all ended. I finished the book in two days, probably the fastest I have ever read a book.
The plotline flows smoothly through the book. The author’s style of writing is unique and sets the book apart.
There were many exciting bits to the story. The suspense and drama keeps you glued to till the end.
What could be better:
There were a few editorial issues, but it a good book for a first time author.
All in all, a good read. Would recommend it if you are looking for a fast read.
P.S: ‘In Her Words’ will be released on 7th May, 2019.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Author: J.S. Ellis
Rating: 3.5
Disclaimer: This is a no-spoilers review of the book - In Her Words. Thank you Ms. Ellis and Booksprout for the Advance Review Copy.
PLOT:
Sophie Knight - She had it all (or so everyone thought)- a loving, handsome husband, a fabulous apartment, a successful career. In most ways, her life was set.
Her life takes an unexpected turn when she wakes up one day, with no recollection of what happened, badly bruised, and in a bad shape. To what length will Sophie go to, to find out the truth? Why was it that she couldn’t remember anything?
That night changed everything for Sophie. She made one bad choice after another. It was almost as if she was leading a double life. At home, she was the girl her parents raised her to be and outside, she was someone else, someone going against everything she believed in. What kept her sane is her ramblings in her journal.
In Her Words is a story of love, betrayal, a past one would rather forget, and finally, murder told through the diary of Sophie Knight. Sophie’s personal and professional turmoils were to blame for her inability to make rational decisions. In the process, words were spoken, things were done, and people were hurt. It did not end well for Sophie - she lost everything that was dear to her. But finally when the truth came out, it set her free. It wasn’t easy, no, considering everything she had been through. Read ‘In Her Words’ to find out more.
What I loved:
In her words is a very fast-paced read and I couldn’t wait to find how it all ended. I finished the book in two days, probably the fastest I have ever read a book.
The plotline flows smoothly through the book. The author’s style of writing is unique and sets the book apart.
There were many exciting bits to the story. The suspense and drama keeps you glued to till the end.
What could be better:
There were a few editorial issues, but it a good book for a first time author.
All in all, a good read. Would recommend it if you are looking for a fast read.
P.S: ‘In Her Words’ will be released on 7th May, 2019.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 9, 2019
In Her Words
by J.S Ellis
295 pages
1 ⭐
Description :
One night. One woman. One Man. One Mystery. When Sophie Knight wakes up and sees bruises on her body, she has no recollection of what happened to her, but she knows she has more to hide. Her alcoholism, something she tries to conceal from her husband, and resulting haze, has once again muddied the details of a night out.Even though Sophie seems to have it all—she’s beautiful, lives in a swanky apartment, has a thriving career and a devoted husband—she’s looking for something more. When gorgeous and fun-loving Michael Frisk walks into her life, she can’t resist.Then strange things start to happen—unsettling notes in her mailbox, mysterious phone calls, and she suspects that someone is following her. Is Michael the cause of her trouble? Or is he the only one she should trust?
📘MY REVIEW📕
This story is told through Sophie's eyes only as she writes in her diary. First off if you are going to write a book that is suppose to be written in diary format, write it like a diary. It was so clearly written just like any other book not in the character’s voice to her diary. The book was not interesting,and did not grab me at all. Another thing that took away from it was errors. There WAS way too many of them !This was suppose to be a really dark psychological thriller but it wasn’t thrilling at all. All Sophie did was act like a very spoiled child and drink. The storyline never seemed realistic at all. I also failed to connect with any of the characters at all. I was really intrigued by the description of the book, but the more I read, the worse it got. Even books I give bad reviews I try and point out a few good things I did like about it. However with this one ,there was not one thing I did like about it. Sorry but I can NOT recommend this book. If I could give it 0 stars I would. Many thanks to the Publisher , the Author , and NetGalley for a ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
#InHerWords #NetGalley
by J.S Ellis
295 pages
1 ⭐
Description :
One night. One woman. One Man. One Mystery. When Sophie Knight wakes up and sees bruises on her body, she has no recollection of what happened to her, but she knows she has more to hide. Her alcoholism, something she tries to conceal from her husband, and resulting haze, has once again muddied the details of a night out.Even though Sophie seems to have it all—she’s beautiful, lives in a swanky apartment, has a thriving career and a devoted husband—she’s looking for something more. When gorgeous and fun-loving Michael Frisk walks into her life, she can’t resist.Then strange things start to happen—unsettling notes in her mailbox, mysterious phone calls, and she suspects that someone is following her. Is Michael the cause of her trouble? Or is he the only one she should trust?
📘MY REVIEW📕
This story is told through Sophie's eyes only as she writes in her diary. First off if you are going to write a book that is suppose to be written in diary format, write it like a diary. It was so clearly written just like any other book not in the character’s voice to her diary. The book was not interesting,and did not grab me at all. Another thing that took away from it was errors. There WAS way too many of them !This was suppose to be a really dark psychological thriller but it wasn’t thrilling at all. All Sophie did was act like a very spoiled child and drink. The storyline never seemed realistic at all. I also failed to connect with any of the characters at all. I was really intrigued by the description of the book, but the more I read, the worse it got. Even books I give bad reviews I try and point out a few good things I did like about it. However with this one ,there was not one thing I did like about it. Sorry but I can NOT recommend this book. If I could give it 0 stars I would. Many thanks to the Publisher , the Author , and NetGalley for a ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
#InHerWords #NetGalley
May 12, 2019
OH MY HELL WHAT DID I JUST EXPERIENCE?! In Her Words took my breath away, while trying to simultaneously get my heart to explode out of my chest, and not in that whole sexy kind of way either. Nope, from what is going to happen next kind of way, which is just as good in my opinion. J.S Ellis penned a story with an extreme amount of twists that my f-bomb dropping was quite loud that by the time the story was ended, my voice was just about gone as well. I bet you're wondering if I'm going to give a description...and I'm wondering that too. I think not, as this is one of those stories which is soooooo much better going in blind. I mean, you have the book description, so that should be enough, and if it's not, well, then I guess you'll just have to experience this intense ride for yourselves. Like I'm telling you, it was a crazy train, and so good. If you're like me with some dark & twisty in you, then it's perfect, and if you don't know if you have those traits, try it anyway, because you will love it. It's twisted, raw, gritty suspense at it's best! So enough out of me with my confusing ramblings (no spoiler testing was involved), just once click this story, because what do you have to lose? Except missing out on a hell of a great read! HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
March 14, 2019
In Her Words is a uniquely written story. The entire format is from a diary perspective. This was a really cool idea and definitely got you into the head of the character.
It was interesting to see how she viewed herself and how she said others viewed her. It really makes you think about how quick we are to judge others. And even when we think we have all the information, there is still things we don’t know about situations.
The story was pretty intense and took a couple of turns I was not expecting. Many times I found myself willing Sophie not to do things. I stayed up way later than I should multiple nights reading this book because I needed to know what was going to happen next.
It was interesting to see how she viewed herself and how she said others viewed her. It really makes you think about how quick we are to judge others. And even when we think we have all the information, there is still things we don’t know about situations.
The story was pretty intense and took a couple of turns I was not expecting. Many times I found myself willing Sophie not to do things. I stayed up way later than I should multiple nights reading this book because I needed to know what was going to happen next.
May 10, 2019
Intriguing, captivating mysterious and emotional; a book not to be missed! An absolute attention grabber with a format that allows you to get inside of Sophie's mind, her turmoil, her inability to make rational decisions, her pain, her loss. But it also allows you to look into her world as she tries to solve the mystery of what has happened to her. Told to you as you are reading her diary, Sophie's story will attach itself to you and will not release you until you have reached the end.
This is a very fast-paced read with a plot-line that flows effortlessly throughout the book with suspense enough to have you glued to the spot until you read the very last world. Job well done for this first time Author!
This is a very fast-paced read with a plot-line that flows effortlessly throughout the book with suspense enough to have you glued to the spot until you read the very last world. Job well done for this first time Author!
May 8, 2019
First book I have read by this writer. Wow is one word I would use to describe this book. I loved how this book is written from her view. You can see and feel everything that she is. One night changes her whole life. One night she can't remember. But that might changes everything. Suspense twists turns gripping page turning. You are hooked from the very beginning to the very end. I was a little upset with the end because I feel like it does kind of leave you hanging. But this is definitely a book you will want to dig into and see what happens to her.
March 10, 2019
I received a ARC copy of this in exchange for an honest review. I must say this book is very well written. You feel the realness of the story and it’s so relatable to any reader by there own experience or through a friend or other family member. Excellent first book!!! The characters are great ! A definite page turner till the end!!! A must read! I loved it and look forward to reading more from J.S Ellis!!! Thank you for giving me a chance to read this!
August 24, 2019
Diary,
What happened that night and why can't I get my mind off of Michael? Sophie is trying to piece together what happened after blacking out. No one seems to be telling her the truth and she is determined to figure it out.
I did not want to put this book down. I loved that it was in the style of reading a diary and that I could feel the emotions, the connection with Sophie as I read it. I would definitely recommend reading this if you are looking for a fast paced read.
What happened that night and why can't I get my mind off of Michael? Sophie is trying to piece together what happened after blacking out. No one seems to be telling her the truth and she is determined to figure it out.
I did not want to put this book down. I loved that it was in the style of reading a diary and that I could feel the emotions, the connection with Sophie as I read it. I would definitely recommend reading this if you are looking for a fast paced read.
May 8, 2019
In Her Words By J.S. Ellis
5 Stars
Amazing! I was hoping this story would be great and it was a lot more than that! It is marvelous! Superb! Really kept my interest. So many twists and turns! I loved it! Very well written. Loved the characters. Loved it so much! I can not wait to read more by this author.
Recommend.
5 Stars
Amazing! I was hoping this story would be great and it was a lot more than that! It is marvelous! Superb! Really kept my interest. So many twists and turns! I loved it! Very well written. Loved the characters. Loved it so much! I can not wait to read more by this author.
Recommend.
May 20, 2019
In Her Words by J.S Ellis is a wonderful story that I have read. This is a wonderful story that I read writen by a brand new author for me to read. I highly recommend this story to everyone who loves reading thrillers and suspense in theri stories.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 5, 2019
I loved this story. It was cleverly woven around an alcoholics diary of events after a night out that she has no recollection of what happened but knows someone somewhere is lying to her. This book kept me on the edge of my seat until the very last word and I couldn’t put it down.
July 7, 2019
Title of the book: In her Words
Author of the book: J. S. Ellis
Summary
Sophie Knight was in a monotonous marriage. She kept her alcohol and smoking vices hidden from her husband Richard. But was that all she was hiding? It changed one fateful night. She cannot recall the events of the previous night. What she sees is only bruises all over her body and her dress torn up. Nothing comes to her even bleakly. And amid this chaos, she meets Michael Frisk. A musician by profession he pulls the right strings to her heart. He’s everything Sophie was missing in her life, like a breeze of fresh air. Something she was missing in her life. However, soon her life goes tumbling down. Will she be able to control her life or she will fall hard on the ground losing everything she had?
My take on the book:
In her words is a debut novel of J.S. Ellis. It is a psychological thriller that will completely twist your mind.
The author presented the story uniquely. The book is from Sophie’s point of view and is shown as the entries in the diary. Sophie recorded all the events in the diary. The story doesn’t slump even for a moment. The suspense building up with every chapter. There were only 6-7 characters in the book and even fewer main characters. This keeps the following suspense easy.
One of the downsides of the book is Sophie’s character. The character had complex flaws. Far from being likable, the character was stubborn & took irrational decisions.
This, however, is compensated by the plot line, overpowering suspense and gripping climax.
The author did an ingenious job in merging the sub-plots and the main story. Overall, it’s a good afternoon read.
My rating is 3.5 stars.
Thank you Booksiren and J. S. Ellis for the e-ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.
Author of the book: J. S. Ellis
Summary
Sophie Knight was in a monotonous marriage. She kept her alcohol and smoking vices hidden from her husband Richard. But was that all she was hiding? It changed one fateful night. She cannot recall the events of the previous night. What she sees is only bruises all over her body and her dress torn up. Nothing comes to her even bleakly. And amid this chaos, she meets Michael Frisk. A musician by profession he pulls the right strings to her heart. He’s everything Sophie was missing in her life, like a breeze of fresh air. Something she was missing in her life. However, soon her life goes tumbling down. Will she be able to control her life or she will fall hard on the ground losing everything she had?
My take on the book:
In her words is a debut novel of J.S. Ellis. It is a psychological thriller that will completely twist your mind.
The author presented the story uniquely. The book is from Sophie’s point of view and is shown as the entries in the diary. Sophie recorded all the events in the diary. The story doesn’t slump even for a moment. The suspense building up with every chapter. There were only 6-7 characters in the book and even fewer main characters. This keeps the following suspense easy.
One of the downsides of the book is Sophie’s character. The character had complex flaws. Far from being likable, the character was stubborn & took irrational decisions.
This, however, is compensated by the plot line, overpowering suspense and gripping climax.
The author did an ingenious job in merging the sub-plots and the main story. Overall, it’s a good afternoon read.
My rating is 3.5 stars.
Thank you Booksiren and J. S. Ellis for the e-ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.
June 29, 2019
Read all my reviews at https://brainfartsandbooks.wordpress.com
There's just something about a book written in a diary format that I love. In this book about a lonely woman named Sophie, the reader discovers just how intimate a diary can be and how its words could possibly help others to know and understand the truth when things get messy or something goes wrong. Sophie is married to Richard, a wealthy, busy man who is many years her senior. Richard goes out of town on business quite often and Sophie is left to her life of work and drinking and smoking to occupy her time. One night, she goes out with one of her girlfriends and has a little (or a lotta) too much to drink. From there, a group of male characters seem to both intrigue her and scare her as she does not remember part of what happened that night.
What I especially loved about this book is the ending. Things get quite messy and it's difficult to know who is telling the truth and who is not. What I found interesting is that if the book had not been written in diary form I might have found Sophie to be an unreliable protagonist. But because the diary entries were clear and concise and did not seem to be written while she was in a drunken state, I took all of the diary entries to be truth. The author neatly wraps everything up in the end and there are even a few casualties that are really unexpected. Overall, this book was one that I could not put down and would recommend to anyone looking for the next great thriller.
Thank you to BookSirens, J.S. Ellis, and Black Cat Ink Press for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
There's just something about a book written in a diary format that I love. In this book about a lonely woman named Sophie, the reader discovers just how intimate a diary can be and how its words could possibly help others to know and understand the truth when things get messy or something goes wrong. Sophie is married to Richard, a wealthy, busy man who is many years her senior. Richard goes out of town on business quite often and Sophie is left to her life of work and drinking and smoking to occupy her time. One night, she goes out with one of her girlfriends and has a little (or a lotta) too much to drink. From there, a group of male characters seem to both intrigue her and scare her as she does not remember part of what happened that night.
What I especially loved about this book is the ending. Things get quite messy and it's difficult to know who is telling the truth and who is not. What I found interesting is that if the book had not been written in diary form I might have found Sophie to be an unreliable protagonist. But because the diary entries were clear and concise and did not seem to be written while she was in a drunken state, I took all of the diary entries to be truth. The author neatly wraps everything up in the end and there are even a few casualties that are really unexpected. Overall, this book was one that I could not put down and would recommend to anyone looking for the next great thriller.
Thank you to BookSirens, J.S. Ellis, and Black Cat Ink Press for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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