No Turning Back

by Susan Lewis

When her perfect world shatters, can Eva pick up the pieces?

Sixteen years ago Eva Montgomery had everything going for her, but her life changed forever when she fell in love with the wrong man. Shortly afterwards she was viciously attacked by a stalker, left disfigured, and forced to give up what was most precious to her for the chance of a new life for them both. Now, Eva has managed to rebuild her life in a way that seemed impossible after the attack. Her home in Dorset, high on the cliffs overlooking the sea, is as elegant as Eva herself, but bears none of the scars. The love she shares with her husband, Don, has become the very mainstay of her existence. Her beloved sister lives nearby. To an outsider, Eva's world seems perfect, however, behind the facade there is more tragedy and deceit than even she is aware of. When the past starts to invade the present, Eva wonders if she'll ever be able to break free from a past that nearly destroyed her—and is threatening to do so again.

Genres: Fiction, Family Drama, Drama

512 pages, Paperback

First published May 26, 2011

About the author

Librarian Note:
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.


Susan Lewis is the bestselling author of over forty books across the genres of family drama, thriller, suspense and crime. She is also the author of Just One More Day and One Day at a Time, the moving memoirs of her childhood in Bristol during the 1960s. Following periods of living in Los Angeles and the South of France, she currently lives in Gloucestershire with her husband James, stepsons Michael and Luke, and mischievous dogs Coco and Lulu.

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Eva was modelling at the young age of 20, under the name of Angelica, she was viciously attacked and left for dead, with her beautiful face horribly disfigured. As she lay in hospital, in the depths of despair, her devoted sister Patty didn't leave her side. Her beloved boyfriend Nick, who had told her things were over on the night of the attack, didn't visit her at all in the hospital, though it was him and a friend who had fought off her attacker and saved her life. When her baby, Nick's son, was born while she was still in hospital recovering from the attack 4 months later, she couldn't bear to look at him, wouldn't have anything to do with him, and gave him up for adoption.

16 years later, Eva has painstakingly rebuilt her life, where she lives in Dorset overlooking the sea with husband Don, whom she loves to distraction. Suddenly, events from the past collide with the present, and her perfect life comes crashing down, with more tragedy and deceit than she can deal with. Frightened and confused, she struggles to cope, overwhelmed with bitterness and hatred. She must right the wrongs she mistakenly made all those years ago, so she can be free again........

[Rebecca Pettman · Rating 1 out of 5]

I used to love Susan Lewis when I was younger but this book has ruined any good thoughts I had of her as an author. I've never stopped a book half way and just skipped to the last chapter before. Even then the chapter was so long I skim read that and didn't learn anything I didn't already know from the 70% I'd already got through. I can't even be bothered to summarise the plot. All in all it was utter rubbish!

[Di · Rating 1 out of 5]

Biggest piece of crap I've read in a long time. If it had been a movie, I think I would have turned it off after about 1/2 an hour. But seeing I have this stupid obsession about not leaving a book unfinished, I had to read it to the end. And the end couldn't come soon enough.

[Christine · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hate how the woman who gave her baby up for adoption, and all those around her, kept referring to her as the child's "mother", "real mother", or "natural mother" instead of his birth mother. And the woman who raised him and was, due to that fact, his real mother was relegated to a secondary place as his adoptive mother, but they never referred to her with even that much curtousy. She was almost a villan in the story! It was very hard for me to feel much sympathy for this self-centered, childish birth mother, who kept making mistakes and didn't learn from them very well. And the adultrey that became acceptable and condoned for the happiness of the adulterers was unacceptable and disgraceful.

[Leanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book seemed to drag and felt a bit long-winded. This book was 500 pages long and yet nothing interesting really happened in all that time! I found myself willing for the book to end, instead of wishing it wouldn't. Don't think I'll be reading one of Susan Lewis's books again any time soon.

[Naomi Stothard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly, it only started getting good at page 201.

Literally after 200 pages, the book started getting interesting. It creates a massive turmoil of emotions when you're reading it & since it's very relatable, you may or may not end up liking the outcome.

I HAVE to say though, that the end wasn't satisfying enough. Of course I give props to Suzan for not giving the book a typical fairy tale ending, but that kind of ending warrants a novella at least, because it felt that the climax of the story had not yet been reached.
Not to mention, some juice was missing...but I don't want to ruin it for those who haven't started/finished it yet.

I'll have to think about if I want to buy another Suzan Lewis book, but as for now I can say that I'm glad I've FINALLY finished this one --after having started it 3 years ago, & then stopped because I found it too boring & then only starting it back up 3 years later.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining book which kept me engaged although it was obvious it was going to be the happy ending as this was a classic chic-lit story where no matter how many bad things happen it all works out in the end. She was attacked years before and had loads of scars but her hubby was very protective and her sister living nearby helped out. It all falls to pieces when hubby goes off with sister, wrapped up with her trying to find the son she gave up at birth. Still alls well that ends well.

[Victoria Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed reading this book, but at the same time it INFURIATED me.

How could you ever forgive your OWN sister after she had an affair with your husband? She forgave her sister far too easily (but maybe I’m just too petty and invested).

[Gilden · Rating 2 out of 5]

All a bit tedious and predictable for me. I did finish it as it was very easy to read but not my cup of tea

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Jax Burrows · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story opens with Eva Montgomery in hospital, about to make the biggest mistake of her life.
It is a good opener with lots of emotion and drama, and I had hoped that this would be the standard for the rest of the book. But, it then jumps forward sixteen years to Eva living a comfortable, even luxurious existence in a beautiful house in Dorset, seemingly having everything she wants in life except the one thing she wants the most.
Unfortunately, the next few chapters seemed to be a bit slow, with lots of scenes of characters talking on their mobiles. There was a lot of exposition, explanation and internal monologue. The tension of the wonderful opening scene deflates, and I started to lose interest. This is why I gave it four stars rather than five.
But because Susan Lewis is such a good writer, I persevered and, luckily, it picks up again when Eva discovers something that turns her world upside down.
From then on there is lots of tension, conflict, emotion and action. The story becomes fast-paced again with a few twists along the way. The characterization is good, as are the descriptions, the secondary characters and the little touches such as “The Odds”, the description of the clothes, good food and wine and the dialogue is realistic. I ended up really enjoying this book and will definitely read more by Susan Lewis.

[Tracy Barrall · Rating 4 out of 5]

In one night pregnant model Eva is dumped by her boyfriend and suffers a brutal knife attack. As she tries to recover from her ordeal she makes a decision that will haunt her for 16 years. One night everything that she held dear collapses in a heap and people who were always there for her are not there for her now. For a few months we follow her life as everything catches up with her and secrets she never knew existed raise their ugly heads. They all believe she won’t cope that she needs them to survive, Patty the older sister who mothered her after their own mothers death, Don her loving husband and rock always there for her since the attack, Livvy the niece and Jasmine her stepdaughter who have divided loyalties. Can anyone help her now… A part of me felt that this book started half way through a story but I have no idea why because by the time I had finished it felt complete. It is very emotive near the end and I had tears rolling down my cheeks when Patty realises that her feelings are not what they should be! Everything happens for a reason and they need to get through this together or alone!

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in three long nights, hard to put down. I cried a ton of tears midway through the book. The betrayal of the sister and husband was so unforgivable. There is a somewhat happy ending but a little bit on the unrealistic side.

I found Patty to be annoying and playing victim a lot. I did not have any compassion for her. I did not agree with the line of falling in love and we couldn’t help ourselves. Really? In my world there are things that are very black and white. Especially when the relationship between the sisters was more like mother and daughter.

You never even entertain the idea of sleeping with your sisters husband. They are off limits completely. It is wrong on the same level of sleeping with a relative or a parent. You just don’t go there, ever. There are millions of people in the world. That one person who is already married to someone you love, they are not your soul mate. You can’t say you never wanted to hurt someone yet start the destruction of their marriage at the same time. And people, trying to say she will get over it within a few days or weeks, come on really?

[Tea Leaves and Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Susan Lewis, as always, doesn't disappoint with this book. It's long, but each chapter and each page is full of something to keep your eyes reading. It's worth picking up, but be warned you won't put it down until you've finished!

[Te Huinga Tahi Southland Campus Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book I think it would have to be the best book I read this year. Thanks Julia for recommending it.

[Zoe Horne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed this as a holiday by the pool book however I think some of that was due to knowing the local area described in the book.

[Jacquelyn Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chic lit with lots of interesting characters, bad decisions, relationships gone awry but neatly wrapped up at the end.

[Melissa Wray · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great story with well developed characters I enjoyed reading about.

[Gill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've started to read Susan Lewis books now and get quite into them. I thought this was pretty good.

[Sandals · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book! I couldn't put it down, a real roller coaster of emotions. Kept me hooked until the end. Beautifully written.

[Lucy McLaurin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really got into this and actually whiled away a big part of the afternoon reading it to the end whilst the boys were outside playing football! Very good and a nice ending too!

[Lesley Milburn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another really good book by Susan Lewis , I thoroughly enjoyed it, but the plot was very predictable as is her style! All a little twee! The main character is always very rich with an amazing house, endless money and the perfect life! However, you can’t help but love it, as all the characters are so wonderfully developed, The story flows well, you soon become engrossed in all the dramas and predicaments. It’s very easy to guess the plot But for some reason, it doesn’t really matter! All Susan Lewis’s books are happier ever after But lots of secrets, Betrayals which help draw you in! She writes so well, It’s easy to shed a tear or two as you almost feel you are part of the family or wish you were! The book is very long, but I didn’t get bored of it, I feel sad it’s ended and although it’s all predictable with very few surprises, I still enjoy her reading style and would read another of her books! I would’ve given this a five if there had been a surprise or two!

# No Turning Back
# 20/06/2025 ~ 22/06/2025
# 4.0 / 5.0

[Les bookbug · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first Susan Lewis book I have read. I found it very slow to start although it picked up pace half way through.
The main story was quite weak and what annoyed me most was that on every single page one of the characters were on their phone texting or picking it up to speak to someone and this was always described in detail.
It was an easy read but not very gripping and won’t stand out as one of these books you would pass round your friends .

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love most of Susan Lewis' books, though occasionally one will disappoint me. IMO she is one of the best chick lit writers, and I find her characterization of different generations always accurate. This story was interesting and kept me engaged, but it left a bit of a sour taste as I just did not like the main character. I found her selfish and entitled.

[Emma Sargeant · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an average book. As I have been really busy over the last couple of weeks and not had much time for reading it suited me as could pick it up/put it down easily. It is a fairly predictable storyline and I was hoping for a bit of a twist but there wasnt one.

[Christina Rochester · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm thoroughly surprised I didn't enjoy this one as I normally love Susan Lewis.

Too little happened, and then there were random chapters where everything seemed to happen. Not much progression for any of the characters.

Its a no from me.

[Julie Tombs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Susan Lewis always writes great character driven stories and this one sucked me in to the point I couldn’t put it down. However the plot does seem a bit contrived and seems to come together neatly at the end in a quite unrealistic manner.

[Jodi Pentico · Rating 5 out of 5]

in the beginning, I felt the connection between patty and don! then I was happy to read how life has moved on for eva! Perfect life,,, no one lives in a glass house. I love how life came full circle peace was finally spoken. dont bottle up your thoughts

[Sandra Preston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read, enjoyed