robinlovesreading's review
4.0
Out with her sister Laura one night, Beth sees two men from her past and is suddenly overwhelmed when hit with a certain smell. This smell is what begins to trigger long hidden memories. Painful, disturbing memories. Beth begins to remember bits and pieces of an attack from years ago. If this attack happened, how is it that it got buried so deep? Yes, so deep to the point of completely forgetting the event.
Beth's experience is not unique. Triggers are quite common. I experience them myself, unfortunately. In Beth's case, this smell when around certain people begins to bring those painful memories to her clearer and clearer. The question that begs to be answered is whether or not she will dig deep enough to fully remember.
In fact, what about the fact that her memories allude to an attack? Will said attacker let Beth reign in her memories and possibly expose the individual? Will Beth's friends and family, and even a therapist be able to help her to recount her memories, keep her safe and bring the attacker to justice?
This thrilling story by Beverley Harvey is well-paced, written in dual POV, with the other character being Gemma, Beth's friend. While I was thoroughly invested in Beth's story, I loved the alternating chapters where readers begin to understand what Gemma's battles are and how she copes with what is happening with her life, which in part shows that the grass is not always greener.
This is only my second book by this talented author and I cannot wait to see what else is in store for readers who enjoy exciting stories with twists and turns as well as compelling characters.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Beth's experience is not unique. Triggers are quite common. I experience them myself, unfortunately. In Beth's case, this smell when around certain people begins to bring those painful memories to her clearer and clearer. The question that begs to be answered is whether or not she will dig deep enough to fully remember.
In fact, what about the fact that her memories allude to an attack? Will said attacker let Beth reign in her memories and possibly expose the individual? Will Beth's friends and family, and even a therapist be able to help her to recount her memories, keep her safe and bring the attacker to justice?
This thrilling story by Beverley Harvey is well-paced, written in dual POV, with the other character being Gemma, Beth's friend. While I was thoroughly invested in Beth's story, I loved the alternating chapters where readers begin to understand what Gemma's battles are and how she copes with what is happening with her life, which in part shows that the grass is not always greener.
This is only my second book by this talented author and I cannot wait to see what else is in store for readers who enjoy exciting stories with twists and turns as well as compelling characters.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
rbharath's review
4.0
This is a good suspense story which moves smoothly, has very good character development and is very focused on the storyline and central characters.
Beth sees two people from her childhood which immediately triggers panic reactions. It is not clear if these are based on paranoia & fears or based on real suppressed experiences. Her sister Laura and her dad Tim are a source of support. Gemma is a friend and is married to Guy, who Beth & Laura have known since they were children. Gemma has problems of her own with Guy being very career focused and ambitious. Beth seek medical help and it looks like some repressed pains from the past will surface.
The strong characters of - Beth, Laura and Gemma are a delight to follow and the book is very well written. Around half way through the book, I did sense an inkling of where this was heading. I liked the fact that the story was very honest without introducing unrealistic twists. The book is a slow burner with revelations turning up gradually, but yet is easy to read.
Recommended if you like the genre.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a free electronic review copy.
My rating: 4.25 / 5.
Beth sees two people from her childhood which immediately triggers panic reactions. It is not clear if these are based on paranoia & fears or based on real suppressed experiences. Her sister Laura and her dad Tim are a source of support. Gemma is a friend and is married to Guy, who Beth & Laura have known since they were children. Gemma has problems of her own with Guy being very career focused and ambitious. Beth seek medical help and it looks like some repressed pains from the past will surface.
The strong characters of - Beth, Laura and Gemma are a delight to follow and the book is very well written. Around half way through the book, I did sense an inkling of where this was heading. I liked the fact that the story was very honest without introducing unrealistic twists. The book is a slow burner with revelations turning up gradually, but yet is easy to read.
Recommended if you like the genre.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a free electronic review copy.
My rating: 4.25 / 5.
corinne82's review
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
3.5
Once I got the chance to really get stuck in properly it was a well paced, well written intriguing read if a predicable one. Told from the point of view of Beth and Gemma. To begin with its not evident the connection but it’s a good insight into 2 different lifestyles. Half way through the pace slowed to a slow burn and it was clear where the storyline was heading but I was hoping there would be some twists along the way that I hadn’t foreseen. I found the ending very rushed and left hanging and feel the story was left unfinished. I really liked the strong female characters, the different relationship dynamics and how certain topics were handled. It was a good enough read but feel a surprise here and there would have been good.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review this ARC that was published on the 23rd of March 2021.
rk_reads's review
5.0
Close My Eyes by Beverly Harvey addresses a tried-and-tested subject matter, but the distinctive writing style of the author had me bowled over.
39-year old Beth Harding works at a mental health charity and leads quite a drab existence. Her sister Laura and her boss/friend Nessa are rightfully concerned about her, as they feel Beth shies away from commitment. Beth, herself, finds nothing wrong in this until she begins to have anxiety attacks, out of the blue. Recognising her triggers, Beth, tries to find the cause of these attacks, which is buried in her long repressed memory.
On the outside, it looks like Gemma Ward has the perfect life. With a powerful husband, a sweet daughter, and a comfortable lifestyle, the 34-year-old housewife seems to want for nothing. But behind closed doors, it's an altogether different story.
The story crept by at a snail's pace for more than 50% of the novel, mostly describing the everyday life of the two main characters. But through these seemingly mundane scenes, the author has carefully woven snippets of the trauma and terror the women suffer, slowly reeling in the reader, keeping one engrossed and wanting to know more.
I loved how the author portrayed the two women as these broken, yet strong characters. But even more heartening was the handful of minor characters who recognised the distress signs and supported the victims. The subtle manner used to convey issues such as abuse, gaslighting, and trauma was beautiful. The last 30% or so of the book was rushed and while the protagonists get their closure, the story itself was left open-ended.
Despite the slow pace, the plot had me hooked for the better part of a day. Overall I found this to be a gripping novel and a must-read.
A big thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for providing a digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
39-year old Beth Harding works at a mental health charity and leads quite a drab existence. Her sister Laura and her boss/friend Nessa are rightfully concerned about her, as they feel Beth shies away from commitment. Beth, herself, finds nothing wrong in this until she begins to have anxiety attacks, out of the blue. Recognising her triggers, Beth, tries to find the cause of these attacks, which is buried in her long repressed memory.
On the outside, it looks like Gemma Ward has the perfect life. With a powerful husband, a sweet daughter, and a comfortable lifestyle, the 34-year-old housewife seems to want for nothing. But behind closed doors, it's an altogether different story.
The story crept by at a snail's pace for more than 50% of the novel, mostly describing the everyday life of the two main characters. But through these seemingly mundane scenes, the author has carefully woven snippets of the trauma and terror the women suffer, slowly reeling in the reader, keeping one engrossed and wanting to know more.
I loved how the author portrayed the two women as these broken, yet strong characters. But even more heartening was the handful of minor characters who recognised the distress signs and supported the victims. The subtle manner used to convey issues such as abuse, gaslighting, and trauma was beautiful. The last 30% or so of the book was rushed and while the protagonists get their closure, the story itself was left open-ended.
Despite the slow pace, the plot had me hooked for the better part of a day. Overall I found this to be a gripping novel and a must-read.
A big thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for providing a digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
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