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Sunday 19 February 2023

REVIEW: You're Not Alone by G.M. Lawrence

 

You're Not Alone by G.M. Lawrence
Genre: Psychological thriller, Suspense
Read: 18th February 2023
Published: 12th February 2023

★ 1 star

DESCRIPTION:

He only has eyes for her…

Chloe needs to get her life back on track after the collapse of her marriage. So when she meets handsome, charismatic Danny on a night out, she is open to seeing what develops.
 
It should be normal, exciting, boy-meets-girl but something about Danny is…off. He’s a little too interested, a little too intense. So she doesn't give him her number. End of story.
 
But Danny isn't going anywhere. He pursues Chloe with a determination that frightens her, ignoring her warnings to leave her alone. He invades every corner of her world, makes every effort to get between her and Tom, a friend who could be more.
 
Chloe finds herself in the fight of her life as she realizes that Danny is deadly serious about his  promise that they will be together – at any cost.
 
And with Tom and Chloe growing closer, her fear for her new man only escalates as she struggles to answer one terrifying question – how far will Danny go to get what he wants?
 
You’re Not Alone – the stunning psychological thriller perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, K.L. Slater and Daniel Hurst.


MY THOUGHTS:

I have mixed feelings about this book...in as far as I read it. I really wanted to like it but I simply couldn't get into the story and the characters - Chloe and Danny - both grated on my nerves. The story was incredibly dark in places and I could see its potential. It pulls out all the stops on psychopaths, gaslighting and stalking. Plus many other sinister aspects hidden within.

I wasn't entirely drawn in from the beginning as the opening scenes was a club and (showing my age here) clubs are not my thing. Drinking to abandon, also not my thing. Going out the drink your troubles away and put oneself back out there on the market? Also not my thing. I can't imagine meeting a lasting relationship in a club where everyone is drinking and dancing till they throw up and then wake to remember nothing, or hardly anything, of the night before. Why do people do this to themselves? Also not a drinker myself I can't see the value, the draw or the point. 

But that aside, that is not why I couldn't get into this book. I didn't warm to Chloe from the beginning. And Danny gave me the heebee jeebies with major sinister vibes radiating from him in waves like a beacon in the night. I could feel the intensity of his stare and it made me uncomfortable just reading about him. I just didn't want to be in his presence and don't get me started on Chloe. She made some stupid choices and came across a little naive at times that I couldn't believe her stupidity. She was so blindingly frustrating at times. I just couldn't connect to her so therefore I couldn't really sympathise with her either. Therefore making my care factor zero. I found her a little one dimensional but that might just be me.

Having given up on it, I have since read some favourable reviews which highlight its highs as well as lows but also revealing that the second half was way better than the first. So I didn't stick around long enough to find out. Maybe if I had I'd have discovered the same. But honestly? Something about Danny just made me want to get out of his presence quick smart.

Despite my negative feelings about the book, the issue tackled is one of importance and while it was done with sensitivity, the end result was a bit of a miss for me. Not because of the writing...that was actually quite good. But the characters. And the story I really found repetitive and even a little boring.

I wish I could have finished it...but I just couldn't. That's not to say that this isn't a good twisty thriller. It just wasn't for me. I hate leaving negative reviews as I know that every book is a labour of someone's love and hard work. But reading is subjective and what might enthrall one may not excite another.

I would like to thank #GMLawrence#Netgalley and #InkubatorBooks for an ARC of #YoureNotAlone in exchange for an honest review.



MEET THE AUTHOR:

G. M. Lawrence writes psychological suspense novels that have sizzling suspense, plenty of heart and a thrilling twist or two. She decided to start writing as a hobby in 2015 and after a few half-hearted attempts at a novel, she decided to commit to it. Now, with a creative writing course under her belt, she loves nothing more than to open her laptop and let the words flow.

She lives in Hampshire in the UK with her husband, daughter, and two cats who love to bring as much chaos into their lives as possible.

Social media links:

Wesbite | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

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