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A review by rk_reads
Close My Eyes by Beverley Harvey
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.