nixbix_reads's review against another edition
4.0
This was an engrossing read. I really enjoyed the dual perspective from Noah & Alice, and to see what secrets they had hiding in their pasts. Alice runs from her past & ends up in Thailand while Noah represses the urge to run as far as possible from his family - I thought it was interesting to see the similarities and differences in their situations and how they dealt with them. Every chapter seemed to rapidly move towards an implosion for at least one of them, and this had me hooked for the next chapter. This was a fast paced tale of murder, love and family drama - it was well written & I could have easy read this in one sitting.
cheyenneisreading's review against another edition
4.0
Another brilliant read from a talented Australian author. A fast read for me, hard to put it down. I definitely didn’t expect the outcome, it did feel kind of random, but somewhat made sense. Somewhat. I don’t want to give anything away but aside from that part I really enjoyed this book.
toyareads26's review against another edition
3.0
My worst reading experiences are the ones when I'm expecting something and then end up being totally disappointed. This book turned out to be just that so I will try to keep this review brief. I think I have run into the problem of books being marketed as one things but end up being something entirely different. This book is marketed as a thriller (I was expecting a thriller), but I honestly thought it read more like romantic suspense. For me, there was too much romance and it was a little on the mushy side at times especially with the dialogue. I would have been okay with this had I not been expecting a thriller. I'm sorry to say this but at some points this read like a Danielle Steele or Nora Roberts book (no offense). Or even like a bad Lifetime movie. Also, I found it to be repetitive in places and that made it a bit of a chore to read. It was so slow at times that I had to force myself to finish. The mystery at the heart of the story was just okay even though the reveal felt a little rushed. However, I did think the plot was good. I just wish that it had maybe been executed differently. The book did pick up a little and I found myself wanting to know how it would all play out, but I it didn't quite make up for the slow start. The first half or so felt like it was leading to nowhere. I found myself wishing that the book would just get on with it and I was impatient with the pacing. Aside from that (or because of it), I never really got into the story and I didn't connect with it or the characters. Speaking of the characters, they were really one dimensional and they needed to be fleshed out more. It was also a bit unrealistic. I understand bad things happen but I think some of the trauma the characters went through was unnecessary.
My overall feelings about the book are that it is a light and easy read. If you are into suspense novels that aren't too dark then I think you would enjoy this. If you are looking for a gripping thriller; be warned there is nothing about this book that qualifies it to be called a thriller. I did enjoy the podcast elements of the story and I think that the ending was satisfying. I was surprised at how emotional the ending was and I'm glad it wasn't too cheesy. All in all, this was an okay read that would have been better had it not been marketed as a thriller.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the advanced readers' copy.
My overall feelings about the book are that it is a light and easy read. If you are into suspense novels that aren't too dark then I think you would enjoy this. If you are looking for a gripping thriller; be warned there is nothing about this book that qualifies it to be called a thriller. I did enjoy the podcast elements of the story and I think that the ending was satisfying. I was surprised at how emotional the ending was and I'm glad it wasn't too cheesy. All in all, this was an okay read that would have been better had it not been marketed as a thriller.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the advanced readers' copy.
tehcup's review against another edition
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
cokeemoose's review against another edition
3.0
Such a quick, easy and enjoyable read! Did not even guess at the ending but it made so much sense once it was revealed. I didn’t like the reveal of Alice’s secret after Noah’s since it made it feel pretty hollow in comparison and it felt really easy to guess.
mandylovestoread's review against another edition
4.0
Another great read from another great Aussie author. You Don't Know Me was a super quick read for me. I started it on Saturday night and by lunchtime on Sunday I was finished. The story was written at a fast pace and there were plenty of twists and revelations to keep you hooked right from the very beginning. I have read one other book by Sara Foster and will be looking out for more.
Alice is an Aussie living and working as an English teacher in Thailand. Noah is an Aussie on holiday in Thailand. When they meet at a Buddhist temple sparks fly and they fall hard for each other. So much so that Noah extends his holiday to spend more time with her. Both of them have big secrets in their pasts and tell each other just enough. Eventually Noah has to return to Sydney to run his families restaurant and Alice stays, not knowing when they will see each other again. Soon though she is forced to return home for family reasons. As they try to find time to be together their family lives are in tatters.
There is a lot more happening in the story but I will let you read it find out this all out. It is told from the perspectives of both Noah and Alice. Family is important to them both but can they please everybody? Can they have everything that they want in life and be happy?
Thanks to Simon and Schuster Australia and Netgalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased.
Alice is an Aussie living and working as an English teacher in Thailand. Noah is an Aussie on holiday in Thailand. When they meet at a Buddhist temple sparks fly and they fall hard for each other. So much so that Noah extends his holiday to spend more time with her. Both of them have big secrets in their pasts and tell each other just enough. Eventually Noah has to return to Sydney to run his families restaurant and Alice stays, not knowing when they will see each other again. Soon though she is forced to return home for family reasons. As they try to find time to be together their family lives are in tatters.
There is a lot more happening in the story but I will let you read it find out this all out. It is told from the perspectives of both Noah and Alice. Family is important to them both but can they please everybody? Can they have everything that they want in life and be happy?
Thanks to Simon and Schuster Australia and Netgalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased.
bry_dilla's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. The author had me trying to figure things out from the get go and I still didn't see it coming. I had to put the book down at one stage and walk away, but in a good, suspenseful way. Looking forward to checking out more of her work.
shelleyrae's review against another edition
4.0
“The search parties move through the forest shortly after dawn, flashes of neon jackets among the trees, the slumbering air stirring towards an early morning chill. They call her name again and again, then wait, hoping for something in return.”
For just a moment, when Noah glimpses a woman with long red hair on a ferry while holidaying In Thailand escaping the pressures of work and family, he thinks it could be his brother’s missing girlfriend, Lizzie, more than a decade later and thousands of kilometres from where she was last seen. Of course it’s not, but he is drawn to the beautiful redheaded stranger, and when he sees her next, he learns her name.
Alice is almost half way through her six month contract teaching English in Thailand, having fled Australia in search of anonymity. She’s not looking for anything that might complicate her attempt at building a new life for herself, but she finds Noah irresistible.
Though Noah has to return to Sydney in a few days, and Alice can’t leave Thailand, they embark on a passionate affair, and vow to find a way to make their relationship work, but the truth is, sometimes love just isn’t enough.
Unfolding from the perspectives of Noah, and Alice, You Don’t Know Me is an absorbing story of family drama, mystery, and romance from Sara Foster.
Foster deftly explores the complicated dynamics that has both shaped and ultimately twisted the members of the Carruso family. Meeting Alice causes Noah to question the path he has taken in life stirring up lots of family drama that is exacerbated by the return of Noah’s older brother, Tom, after an eleven year absence. With no love lost between the two brothers stemming from childhood rivalry and the uncertainty surrounding Lizzie’s disappearance, the tension ratchets, and then explodes, just as a coronial inquiry to determine Lizzie’s fate forces Noah to confront the guilt, shame, and anger he has been repressing for years.
I was intrigued by the mystery surrounding Lizzie’s disappearance, the details of which are communicated through the transcript of a podcast. Foster presents several suspects, and creates some stunning twists as the coronial inquiry plays out. I was left guessing about what happened to Lizzie, and who was responsible, until very nearly the end.
While Noah struggles with his conscience, Alice unexpectedly returns to Australia when her father is badly injured and must face her own demons. The combined drama and its emotional toll leaves its mark on Noah and Alice’s fledgling relationship, which Foster explores thoughtfully as they try to support one another through all the turmoil, and desperately attempt to hold on to the joy they find in each other.
I found You Don’t Know Me to be gripping story.
For just a moment, when Noah glimpses a woman with long red hair on a ferry while holidaying In Thailand escaping the pressures of work and family, he thinks it could be his brother’s missing girlfriend, Lizzie, more than a decade later and thousands of kilometres from where she was last seen. Of course it’s not, but he is drawn to the beautiful redheaded stranger, and when he sees her next, he learns her name.
Alice is almost half way through her six month contract teaching English in Thailand, having fled Australia in search of anonymity. She’s not looking for anything that might complicate her attempt at building a new life for herself, but she finds Noah irresistible.
Though Noah has to return to Sydney in a few days, and Alice can’t leave Thailand, they embark on a passionate affair, and vow to find a way to make their relationship work, but the truth is, sometimes love just isn’t enough.
Unfolding from the perspectives of Noah, and Alice, You Don’t Know Me is an absorbing story of family drama, mystery, and romance from Sara Foster.
Foster deftly explores the complicated dynamics that has both shaped and ultimately twisted the members of the Carruso family. Meeting Alice causes Noah to question the path he has taken in life stirring up lots of family drama that is exacerbated by the return of Noah’s older brother, Tom, after an eleven year absence. With no love lost between the two brothers stemming from childhood rivalry and the uncertainty surrounding Lizzie’s disappearance, the tension ratchets, and then explodes, just as a coronial inquiry to determine Lizzie’s fate forces Noah to confront the guilt, shame, and anger he has been repressing for years.
I was intrigued by the mystery surrounding Lizzie’s disappearance, the details of which are communicated through the transcript of a podcast. Foster presents several suspects, and creates some stunning twists as the coronial inquiry plays out. I was left guessing about what happened to Lizzie, and who was responsible, until very nearly the end.
While Noah struggles with his conscience, Alice unexpectedly returns to Australia when her father is badly injured and must face her own demons. The combined drama and its emotional toll leaves its mark on Noah and Alice’s fledgling relationship, which Foster explores thoughtfully as they try to support one another through all the turmoil, and desperately attempt to hold on to the joy they find in each other.
I found You Don’t Know Me to be gripping story.