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Learn to Love Me
Despite her secret past, Emily O'Shea was finally living a normal life. There had been some arguments with her husband, Trevor, lately, but no marriage is perfect. At least the column she writes for the local paper is going well...that is, until one of her interviewees goes missing, and a monster from her past resurfaces. Within a week Emily's life spins into chaos. Missing girls, a telephone stalker, murder, a monster, and an intense ex-lover; it's turning out to be one hell of a summer! Her husband is acting erratically, her boss is threatening to pull her column, and the police suspect she's the muse for a murderer. Can Emily save her marriage, her job, her life and her sanity? More importantly, are her darkest fears justified? Does Emily already know who the killer is and, if she does; can she do anything to stop them?
242 pages, Paperback
First published August 7, 2012
6 people are currently reading
338 people want to read
About the author
Sinead MacDughlas
8 books78 followersI was born in 1970, (I'll wait while you do the math, lol) I'm Canadian, a bit of a patriot, and I live in a small town North of Toronto, Ontario. I have a hard-working husband, two children, and a black, medium-haired cat who thinks I'm his pet.
My addictive personality is appeased by coffee, cheese, chocolate, books, music, the internet...and nicotine which I'm trying to give up.
I have an ongoing love affair with semi-colons, commas and ellipses. Punctuation, self-doubt and moths are my personal nemeses. People have called me an encyclopedia of useless information and I talk...Way.Too.Much.
My addictive personality is appeased by coffee, cheese, chocolate, books, music, the internet...and nicotine which I'm trying to give up.
I have an ongoing love affair with semi-colons, commas and ellipses. Punctuation, self-doubt and moths are my personal nemeses. People have called me an encyclopedia of useless information and I talk...Way.Too.Much.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
July 31, 2012
Hea y'all Anne here with my review of Learn To Love Me by Sinead MacDughlas. Well let me say I was lucky enough to get to beta read this book but I wasn't able to be much of a help. The content of the book was very telling and her attention to detail had me constantly stopping to get my grip back on reality. I do love the story, it was just a tiny bit hard for someone with a dark past. Do I think it should be read ABSOLUTELY!!! The story is brilliantly dark and intriguing, while the underlying message is important and needed.
Now to the story, the characters are deeply detailed and I found myself hating people while all the time I was sucked into the criminal mystery. Emily is a writer and it's what makes her happy, her husband is a bit of an ass and tries to pinch Emily down all the time. Emily is so much like so many women and in this I was able to truly connect to her character and was over whelmed at times by her peril. Writing her column strange things start to go wrong as Emily becomes the center of a missing person investigation, she doesn't know where the girls are but the more she digs into the cases the more she figures out not about them but about herself. The clues are leading her straight to a part of her past she wanted to forget and never see again. She drags up past loves and by doing that she unknowingly starts a time bomb that will blow her world to shreds. Her husband Trevor is very back and forth with the situations at hand, he at times seems so disconnected and then at other times is in your face over the edge with crazy. Like I said very detailed and it's a good thing too because without the details this story wouldn't have touched myself so deep and I know it will have others thinking too.
The mystery that is unfolding as the story is taking place is amazingly dark Following the clues and following the torment of the main character only builds to the intense drama that is coming. Emily knows that there is a connection other than the obvious but when she finally figures it out she will have to reevaluate everything she thought she knew and wanted!! This book is dark, twisted, intriguing, thought inducing and may have you looking over your shoulders as you walk down the streets. 5 out of 5 stars to Sinead MacDughlas for Learn To Love Me. coming soon!!!
Now to the story, the characters are deeply detailed and I found myself hating people while all the time I was sucked into the criminal mystery. Emily is a writer and it's what makes her happy, her husband is a bit of an ass and tries to pinch Emily down all the time. Emily is so much like so many women and in this I was able to truly connect to her character and was over whelmed at times by her peril. Writing her column strange things start to go wrong as Emily becomes the center of a missing person investigation, she doesn't know where the girls are but the more she digs into the cases the more she figures out not about them but about herself. The clues are leading her straight to a part of her past she wanted to forget and never see again. She drags up past loves and by doing that she unknowingly starts a time bomb that will blow her world to shreds. Her husband Trevor is very back and forth with the situations at hand, he at times seems so disconnected and then at other times is in your face over the edge with crazy. Like I said very detailed and it's a good thing too because without the details this story wouldn't have touched myself so deep and I know it will have others thinking too.
The mystery that is unfolding as the story is taking place is amazingly dark Following the clues and following the torment of the main character only builds to the intense drama that is coming. Emily knows that there is a connection other than the obvious but when she finally figures it out she will have to reevaluate everything she thought she knew and wanted!! This book is dark, twisted, intriguing, thought inducing and may have you looking over your shoulders as you walk down the streets. 5 out of 5 stars to Sinead MacDughlas for Learn To Love Me. coming soon!!!
September 10, 2013
From the first line you are drawn into Emily's life. The beautifully descriptive opening reads like a 1940's classic noir or hardboiled crime fiction. It spins a tale of the smoky, gauzy life of a journalist slightly disillusioned by the career. But very quickly MacDughlas spins this on us and instead of a forty something, chain smoking, male we find ourselves reading about a young, energetic, career driven female.
Emily describes herself as ordinary - so ordinary in fact that she often reminds people of someone they know. Ironic really that the whole nightmare that becomes her life boils down to this sad truth.
With girls going missing, a psycho phone stalker, a husband who runs hot and cold and an ex-lover who still holds her heart, Emily is tied to a complicated web of intrigue, lust and murder... one that will force her to make terrible sacrifices.
Oh goodness me I loved this! There is something about the way that MacDughlas writes - She manages to pull you in, make you feel at home and then slowly twists away until you are fraught with the tension. I felt like I had been suspended in ropes, over a piranha filled barrel, with a candle slowly burning its way through... I was that tense. The tale is intricately woven with carefully crafted plot lines and artfully constructed characters. Emily is the right balance of brave, bitch, insecure and lost and even if I do not agree with the way she handles her final decision (you will know exactly what I mean when you read it!) I couldn't help but admire her for her choices. The introduction of Alex and the tempestuous relationship with her husband Trevor make for some very edgy moments - most of which had me shouting for the yummy Alex. The host of other characters are so well described and embedded in Emily's life that when things get really bad and she starts to suspect everyone - we do too!
All in all this was a great read and I can't recommend it highly enough! Right now I'm off to blow my book budget on all of Ms MacDughlas's other works!
Read this if...
No if's ... just read it! It is absolutely worth it.
Emily describes herself as ordinary - so ordinary in fact that she often reminds people of someone they know. Ironic really that the whole nightmare that becomes her life boils down to this sad truth.
With girls going missing, a psycho phone stalker, a husband who runs hot and cold and an ex-lover who still holds her heart, Emily is tied to a complicated web of intrigue, lust and murder... one that will force her to make terrible sacrifices.
Oh goodness me I loved this! There is something about the way that MacDughlas writes - She manages to pull you in, make you feel at home and then slowly twists away until you are fraught with the tension. I felt like I had been suspended in ropes, over a piranha filled barrel, with a candle slowly burning its way through... I was that tense. The tale is intricately woven with carefully crafted plot lines and artfully constructed characters. Emily is the right balance of brave, bitch, insecure and lost and even if I do not agree with the way she handles her final decision (you will know exactly what I mean when you read it!) I couldn't help but admire her for her choices. The introduction of Alex and the tempestuous relationship with her husband Trevor make for some very edgy moments - most of which had me shouting for the yummy Alex. The host of other characters are so well described and embedded in Emily's life that when things get really bad and she starts to suspect everyone - we do too!
All in all this was a great read and I can't recommend it highly enough! Right now I'm off to blow my book budget on all of Ms MacDughlas's other works!
Read this if...
No if's ... just read it! It is absolutely worth it.
August 2, 2012
“Learn to love me” is a page turner. The words flow effortlessly and carry you along to the last page. The characters are well developed and have great chemistry, easy to identify and bond with. In my opinion “Learn to Love Me” has the most important ingredient for a mystery; that it seems like anyone could be the villain. And no one can be eliminated as a potential suspect until the exciting climax. That is the mark of mystery brilliance! I loved reading this book and its main character Emily O’Shea! Sinead MacDughlas has woven a tale that will keep you reading until its ending scene.
August 3, 2012
For as long as she can remember, Emily O'Shea has been running from a past she doesn't want to remember. She's now married to a man she loves dearly, despite their occasional arguments, and she has a job she loves doing. Well, two, but her love of writing takes precedence and she'll take her job at the newspaper over any other any day.
When a local girl goes missing, one she interviewed several years ago, Emily can't fathom as to who would want to do the girl harm. Brandi Millard is a straight A student and it's not like her to disappear so suddenly. Deep inside, she knows there's something else afoot, but she doesn't quite know what that is.
When her ex-boyfriend, Alex Newston, shows up on the scene after she receives several disturbing phone calls, Emily can't deny that she's still attracted to him. She remembers the reason why she left him in the first place, but knows that the two of them can never be anything more than friends. Alex, on the other hand, has never stopped loving her and is willing to forgive her for her past indiscretions. Unfortunately, their catching up on the past will have to wait.
The killer has abducted yet another girl and he's adamant in showing everyone that Emily is tied to the case in more ways than one. The calls continue to escalate, prompting Emily to take action. In her mind, her stepfather is the cause of her current worries and she'll do anything to make sure he leaves her alone. Sadly, that's easier said than done.
When Trevor starts acting out of the norm, Emily begins to wonder what's caused him to unhinge so quickly. Their arguments have a taken a turn for the worst and he's begun to think she's doing things she shouldn't. While she's done her best to show him that she loves him, Trevor is still convinced that she's done wrong. Nothing she says will change his mind and she begins fearing the worst.
Fearing for her life, Emily turns to the one person she never expected to turn to in the first place. Despite the fact that they've had quite a few differences between them, she's grateful for the fact that Alex understands where she's coming from. With his help, she'll do her best to put a stop to things before they get further out of hand. Yet with time running out and a third girl gone missing, she knows she'll need to figure things out as quickly as possible before something else goes wrong in the process. The question is, will she able to deduce who the killer is before anyone else is hurt in the process?
Learn To Love Me is Sinead's debut novel and I must say it's gotten even better since the moment I first beta read it for her. I've truly enjoyed this thrilling story. Set in the 1990's, the story starts off with a bang and keeps right on going. Twist after twist, the story is sure to capture the reader's attention and won't let go until they get to the very end. It's that hard to put down! I so can't wait to see what's in store next for Sinead.
When a local girl goes missing, one she interviewed several years ago, Emily can't fathom as to who would want to do the girl harm. Brandi Millard is a straight A student and it's not like her to disappear so suddenly. Deep inside, she knows there's something else afoot, but she doesn't quite know what that is.
When her ex-boyfriend, Alex Newston, shows up on the scene after she receives several disturbing phone calls, Emily can't deny that she's still attracted to him. She remembers the reason why she left him in the first place, but knows that the two of them can never be anything more than friends. Alex, on the other hand, has never stopped loving her and is willing to forgive her for her past indiscretions. Unfortunately, their catching up on the past will have to wait.
The killer has abducted yet another girl and he's adamant in showing everyone that Emily is tied to the case in more ways than one. The calls continue to escalate, prompting Emily to take action. In her mind, her stepfather is the cause of her current worries and she'll do anything to make sure he leaves her alone. Sadly, that's easier said than done.
When Trevor starts acting out of the norm, Emily begins to wonder what's caused him to unhinge so quickly. Their arguments have a taken a turn for the worst and he's begun to think she's doing things she shouldn't. While she's done her best to show him that she loves him, Trevor is still convinced that she's done wrong. Nothing she says will change his mind and she begins fearing the worst.
Fearing for her life, Emily turns to the one person she never expected to turn to in the first place. Despite the fact that they've had quite a few differences between them, she's grateful for the fact that Alex understands where she's coming from. With his help, she'll do her best to put a stop to things before they get further out of hand. Yet with time running out and a third girl gone missing, she knows she'll need to figure things out as quickly as possible before something else goes wrong in the process. The question is, will she able to deduce who the killer is before anyone else is hurt in the process?
Learn To Love Me is Sinead's debut novel and I must say it's gotten even better since the moment I first beta read it for her. I've truly enjoyed this thrilling story. Set in the 1990's, the story starts off with a bang and keeps right on going. Twist after twist, the story is sure to capture the reader's attention and won't let go until they get to the very end. It's that hard to put down! I so can't wait to see what's in store next for Sinead.
June 3, 2013
I could not learn to love Emily. I found her so self-centred that it was impossible to be sympathetic or gain any empathy for the character, which makes caring about what happens difficult.
The writing flows along easily enough and the settings are generally well done but there is just too much over-the-top unjustified emotion. Sentences like, “The struggle to hold back my fear for Brandi, had taken its toll. I was emotionally drained as well as physically spent. I didn't even have the energy to say thank you.” Yet when her husband suggests teenagers like Brandi do strange things she merely says, “I suppose. I just don't see it.”
The whole emotional involvement lacks freshness and becomes a shade tiresome. For example, a few of the 'heart' references:
“My heart pounded so loudly”
“My heart was pounding in my ears”
“My heart was pounding fit to leap out...”
“my heart was pounding again”
“My heart was pounding so loudly”
“My heart thumped once, hard”
“I could feel my heart pounding”
“My heart was pounding in my chest”
“My heart beat once, a sledgehammer...”
“My heart ripped and bled for the fear...”
“the pounding of my heart” etc etc.
Repetition of course cannot be avoided in a full-length book but when it jumps off the page then it is too much. I think this needs a cooler editor's eye because the writing is not that bad.
The writing flows along easily enough and the settings are generally well done but there is just too much over-the-top unjustified emotion. Sentences like, “The struggle to hold back my fear for Brandi, had taken its toll. I was emotionally drained as well as physically spent. I didn't even have the energy to say thank you.” Yet when her husband suggests teenagers like Brandi do strange things she merely says, “I suppose. I just don't see it.”
The whole emotional involvement lacks freshness and becomes a shade tiresome. For example, a few of the 'heart' references:
“My heart pounded so loudly”
“My heart was pounding in my ears”
“My heart was pounding fit to leap out...”
“my heart was pounding again”
“My heart was pounding so loudly”
“My heart thumped once, hard”
“I could feel my heart pounding”
“My heart was pounding in my chest”
“My heart beat once, a sledgehammer...”
“My heart ripped and bled for the fear...”
“the pounding of my heart” etc etc.
Repetition of course cannot be avoided in a full-length book but when it jumps off the page then it is too much. I think this needs a cooler editor's eye because the writing is not that bad.
February 21, 2013
The characters were all very believable and life like. Emily O'Shea had gone through so much in such a short period of time I felt extremely sorry for her. She dealt with things so much better than most poeple would have in her situation, but even though she was holding it together, several times she felt like she was going insane. She truly believed her past had come back to haunt her but in reality not knowing enough about the past is what came back to get her. This book was so interesting that I read the entire thing in less than a day.I spent the whole time wrapped up in the world and details of the characters. I was on the edge of my seat trying my hardest to figure out who was behind all the chaos. This was an Amazing book! I would definetly recommend this book to everyone! Don't Pass Up this Great Read!
March 3, 2013
“Learn to Love Me” was a great read and I really enjoyed it. I highly recommend this book to readers who love to read thrillers filled with mystery, crime, suspense and drama. The suspense will absolutely kill you but makes the ending worthwhile. It will be hard to put the book down once you start it and the crime scenes are a little gruesome. This book will definitely have you on the edge of your seat. I look forward to reading more books by Author Sinead MacDoughlas.
November 23, 2012
It took me only a few pages to fall in love with this book. Ms MacDughlas’s debut novel was a delightful surprise for me. I did not know what exactly to expect when I started it, as normally I am not someone who read book blurbs and reviews in great detail before venturing into a book of fiction. To me, knowing too much of the storyline beforehand kind of takes away the real joy of going on an adventure and hinders me as a reader from discovering something special on my own.
Despite my lack of prior knowledge when diving into the book, however, from the title Learn to Love Me, I kind of made certain assumptions – perhaps it would be an straight-forward, light-hearted read, perhaps a chick-lit or romance. Soon, I realized that I assumed wrong, and I was happy with that. I’ll tell you why – because in my heart of hearts, chick-lit and romantic novels are not my usual genres of reading, and crime thrillers are, especially good ones.
With masterfully thought-out plot and emotionally charged language, the story follows Emily O’Shea, a part-time journalist for a local paper, as her semi-normal life takes a sharp, dark turn, in a frightening, downhill spiral, forcing her to face a past which she’s fought ferociously to forget.
Ms MacDughlas has a great gift for vivid and wonderful characterization, and her expert use of language often had me in tears, leaving me deeply touched by what is happening to the protagonist and what she is put through. Emily O’Shea is a strong character who has won my heart and soul.
The setting in this book is Canada, a country I have never visited, yet the author manages to give a sense of place which I’ve found to be believable. Her descriptions of both people and place are equally vivid and realistic. The plot takes a number of unexpected turns and twists that keeps me guessing. I very much enjoyed the sense of suspense which was expertly built in, an essential part of this type of story-telling.
Having dabbed at crime fiction myself in my most recent attempt, I can easily appreciate and relate to what the author has put into plotting and telling such a heart-wrenching story. It is a rare skill to be able to intrigue and suck in the readers with a mystery, and to keep them interested from beginning to end. Ms MacDughlas has done a brilliant job in delivering a fabulously entertaining and thrilling read, and in the meantime, despite delving into the dark, sinister world of missing girls and gruesome murders, there remains a glimmer of hope, a positive message that good, decent human beings in this world would eventually overcome crazy, twisted, evil people.
The ending is sad, poignant and imperfect, which I think is appropriate and credible – like in real life, not everything will go according to plan nor will everyone enjoy a happy ever-after ending.
It’s one of the best books I’ve read in 2012. It’s a compelling page-turner which I’d recommend it to anyone.
Despite my lack of prior knowledge when diving into the book, however, from the title Learn to Love Me, I kind of made certain assumptions – perhaps it would be an straight-forward, light-hearted read, perhaps a chick-lit or romance. Soon, I realized that I assumed wrong, and I was happy with that. I’ll tell you why – because in my heart of hearts, chick-lit and romantic novels are not my usual genres of reading, and crime thrillers are, especially good ones.
With masterfully thought-out plot and emotionally charged language, the story follows Emily O’Shea, a part-time journalist for a local paper, as her semi-normal life takes a sharp, dark turn, in a frightening, downhill spiral, forcing her to face a past which she’s fought ferociously to forget.
Ms MacDughlas has a great gift for vivid and wonderful characterization, and her expert use of language often had me in tears, leaving me deeply touched by what is happening to the protagonist and what she is put through. Emily O’Shea is a strong character who has won my heart and soul.
The setting in this book is Canada, a country I have never visited, yet the author manages to give a sense of place which I’ve found to be believable. Her descriptions of both people and place are equally vivid and realistic. The plot takes a number of unexpected turns and twists that keeps me guessing. I very much enjoyed the sense of suspense which was expertly built in, an essential part of this type of story-telling.
Having dabbed at crime fiction myself in my most recent attempt, I can easily appreciate and relate to what the author has put into plotting and telling such a heart-wrenching story. It is a rare skill to be able to intrigue and suck in the readers with a mystery, and to keep them interested from beginning to end. Ms MacDughlas has done a brilliant job in delivering a fabulously entertaining and thrilling read, and in the meantime, despite delving into the dark, sinister world of missing girls and gruesome murders, there remains a glimmer of hope, a positive message that good, decent human beings in this world would eventually overcome crazy, twisted, evil people.
The ending is sad, poignant and imperfect, which I think is appropriate and credible – like in real life, not everything will go according to plan nor will everyone enjoy a happy ever-after ending.
It’s one of the best books I’ve read in 2012. It’s a compelling page-turner which I’d recommend it to anyone.
September 10, 2012
Ebook: Learn to Love Me
Author: Sinead MacDughlas
Fiction, Thriller
This review may contain spoilers
Summary: Despite her secret past, Emily O'Shea was finally living a normal life. There had been some arguments with her husband, Trevor, lately, but no marriage is perfect. At least the column she writes for the local paper is going well...that is, until one of her interviewees goes missing, and a monster from her past resurfaces. Within a week Emily's life spins into chaos. Missing girls, a telephone stalker, murder, a monster, and an intense ex-lover; it's turning out to be one hell of a summer! Her husband is acting erratically, her boss is threatening to pull her column, and the police suspect she's the muse for a murderer. Can Emily save her marriage, her job, her life and her sanity? More importantly, are her darkest fears justified? Does Emily already know who the killer is and, if she does; can she do anything to stop them?
The Review
Well, I was expecting not to enjoy this so much because I do love my paranormal but this was so much a thriller I was hooked and could not put it down, I felt so Sorry for Em in the beginning but I soon realized that she is a strong willed woman, who really had my respect by the end of the book, I was still guessing who had done it towards the end, I was totally shocked when he was revealed, I really did not see that coming especially with all the twists and turns in this book, if you want a great thriller that has you guessing right up to the end, then this is the one for you, I was abit upset at the ending, I was kinda hoping for a different ending but Em had her reasons, which I could totally understand, but still she deserved someone, I would highly recommend this to all my friends, 5/5
Author: Sinead MacDughlas
Fiction, Thriller
This review may contain spoilers
Summary: Despite her secret past, Emily O'Shea was finally living a normal life. There had been some arguments with her husband, Trevor, lately, but no marriage is perfect. At least the column she writes for the local paper is going well...that is, until one of her interviewees goes missing, and a monster from her past resurfaces. Within a week Emily's life spins into chaos. Missing girls, a telephone stalker, murder, a monster, and an intense ex-lover; it's turning out to be one hell of a summer! Her husband is acting erratically, her boss is threatening to pull her column, and the police suspect she's the muse for a murderer. Can Emily save her marriage, her job, her life and her sanity? More importantly, are her darkest fears justified? Does Emily already know who the killer is and, if she does; can she do anything to stop them?
The Review
Well, I was expecting not to enjoy this so much because I do love my paranormal but this was so much a thriller I was hooked and could not put it down, I felt so Sorry for Em in the beginning but I soon realized that she is a strong willed woman, who really had my respect by the end of the book, I was still guessing who had done it towards the end, I was totally shocked when he was revealed, I really did not see that coming especially with all the twists and turns in this book, if you want a great thriller that has you guessing right up to the end, then this is the one for you, I was abit upset at the ending, I was kinda hoping for a different ending but Em had her reasons, which I could totally understand, but still she deserved someone, I would highly recommend this to all my friends, 5/5
January 2, 2014
I have worked with Sinead a lot in the past as a PA to Rue Volley. I love working with her, in fact I am considering moving north just to sit in her backyard, drink mimosas or something like that, and let our kids chase creepy crawlies together.
I had no idea what a fabulous, absolutely FABULOUS, author she is in her own right. She asked me if I would like to beta read a Christmas novella for her, I did, and I was blown away.
Then she asked me if I would share this one with my blog readers and I said yeah, if you give me one. :D I didn’t say it like that, really, she offered me a copy, and I accepted.
After reading the first novella from her, I was expecting another romance, I didn’t read the blurb, I just hopped in.
Wow.
Murdering mystery fantasticness.
There is so much going on here with the different characters, the plot, the girls going missing, the issues in Emily’s marriage. It was awesome! I loved her mentor, hated her husband, and thought her boss was kind of cool underneath his rough exterior.
I opened my kindle app and didn’t close it until I had swiped the last page goodbye. I was completely caught up in this, I wanted to know who did it, who was the sick person behind the mutilations? Surely it couldn’t be this person or this person, but it might be this person. Nope, it can’t be them, they have an alibi. Where are going here?
This does not end the way you think (or maybe hope) it will. In fact, there is a little twist at the end that will leave your mouth hanging open saying what? When? How? Dude!
It was a great read! Loved it and it was a great shake up from all of the romance books I have been reading.
Thank you Sinead!
I had no idea what a fabulous, absolutely FABULOUS, author she is in her own right. She asked me if I would like to beta read a Christmas novella for her, I did, and I was blown away.
Then she asked me if I would share this one with my blog readers and I said yeah, if you give me one. :D I didn’t say it like that, really, she offered me a copy, and I accepted.
After reading the first novella from her, I was expecting another romance, I didn’t read the blurb, I just hopped in.
Wow.
Murdering mystery fantasticness.
There is so much going on here with the different characters, the plot, the girls going missing, the issues in Emily’s marriage. It was awesome! I loved her mentor, hated her husband, and thought her boss was kind of cool underneath his rough exterior.
I opened my kindle app and didn’t close it until I had swiped the last page goodbye. I was completely caught up in this, I wanted to know who did it, who was the sick person behind the mutilations? Surely it couldn’t be this person or this person, but it might be this person. Nope, it can’t be them, they have an alibi. Where are going here?
This does not end the way you think (or maybe hope) it will. In fact, there is a little twist at the end that will leave your mouth hanging open saying what? When? How? Dude!
It was a great read! Loved it and it was a great shake up from all of the romance books I have been reading.
Thank you Sinead!
February 18, 2013
Disclaimer: I was given an e-copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This is an exciting mystery/crime thriller/suspense/sort-of-romance all wrapped together with a tight little bow. Emily is a journalist trying to break into the exciting world of news instead of just writing a column. She gets her wish, but only after a girl she interviewed for her column goes missing. While trying to cope with the tragedy, her marriage is starting to falter, she's not so sure her husband is still the man she fell in love with, and to beat it all, she's getting harassing phone calls at work and home. When the detective assigned to her case turns out to be an old flame, things get really interesting, and Emily's whole life seems to spiral out of control.
This story has everything: journalists, cops, quarreling spouses, old boyfriends, haunted pasts, kidnapping, etc. etc. Once I started reading, I only put it down because my husband yelled at me to go to bed. I kept trying to guess who the bad guy was throughout the story, and I just couldn't settle on one person for too long. The author definitely keeps you guessing until the reveal at the end, and then the explanation is just as crazy as those we hear on the news. I can say, I totally didn't see the Epilogue coming, but it's just fantastic!!
I would definitely recommend this to fans of mysteries, suspense thrillers, crime thrillers, and anybody who just wants to read an awesome story that'll keep you guessing. =)
5 stars (wish I could give more)
This is an exciting mystery/crime thriller/suspense/sort-of-romance all wrapped together with a tight little bow. Emily is a journalist trying to break into the exciting world of news instead of just writing a column. She gets her wish, but only after a girl she interviewed for her column goes missing. While trying to cope with the tragedy, her marriage is starting to falter, she's not so sure her husband is still the man she fell in love with, and to beat it all, she's getting harassing phone calls at work and home. When the detective assigned to her case turns out to be an old flame, things get really interesting, and Emily's whole life seems to spiral out of control.
This story has everything: journalists, cops, quarreling spouses, old boyfriends, haunted pasts, kidnapping, etc. etc. Once I started reading, I only put it down because my husband yelled at me to go to bed. I kept trying to guess who the bad guy was throughout the story, and I just couldn't settle on one person for too long. The author definitely keeps you guessing until the reveal at the end, and then the explanation is just as crazy as those we hear on the news. I can say, I totally didn't see the Epilogue coming, but it's just fantastic!!
I would definitely recommend this to fans of mysteries, suspense thrillers, crime thrillers, and anybody who just wants to read an awesome story that'll keep you guessing. =)
5 stars (wish I could give more)
October 24, 2013
A tale of childhood suffering, domestic violence and dysfunction evolved into a thriller romance. I enjoyed the plot twists and how the author allowed for pace to reveal the back-story necessary by creating situations for the protagonist to be interviewed. It really is more enjoyable to read it in that form than a narrator info dump. Emily is the protagonist and her tortured past has led her into a situation where she has a stalker-creeper. The length of the list of possible perpetrators speaks volumes towards Emily's emotional condition.
The verbiage, grammar and use of slang was good and didn't take away from the story as it has in some works I've read. Any issues I had with this book had to do with transitions. I'm not a fan of the speaker changing within a paragraph. Writing breaks within chapters could likely be used to change scenes as opposed to 'she was on the phone in her kitchen' and one sentence later in the same paragraph 'she was almost to Stan's house'. These may seem kind of picky to some but they detract from the story for me.
Overall I enjoyed the work. I recommend it for readers seventeen and older due to the subject matter.
http://www.amazon.com/Learn-Secret-Co...
The verbiage, grammar and use of slang was good and didn't take away from the story as it has in some works I've read. Any issues I had with this book had to do with transitions. I'm not a fan of the speaker changing within a paragraph. Writing breaks within chapters could likely be used to change scenes as opposed to 'she was on the phone in her kitchen' and one sentence later in the same paragraph 'she was almost to Stan's house'. These may seem kind of picky to some but they detract from the story for me.
Overall I enjoyed the work. I recommend it for readers seventeen and older due to the subject matter.
http://www.amazon.com/Learn-Secret-Co...
March 2, 2013
Learn To Love Me by Sinead MacDughlas was a book I couldn't put down. In a little over a day I finished it, if things like sleep and work hadn't interfered it would have been much sooner. I won it in her release party giveaway, but I will be ordering the paperback shortly. Yeah, it's that good.
Emily O'Shea is a very engaging character and you instantly feel for her. You'll soon find she's gone through more than any one person should have to deal with. One of the scenes made me cry, and that's a hard thing to do. You will constantly be guessing who the bad guy is--it could be anyone. My first instinct was right, but I had also pinned nearly five other options through the course of this fast-paced book.
Even while I wasn't reading, Learn To Love Me remained in my thoughts. I would work out scenarios explaining how who did what. I can honestly say this is one of the best books I've read this year.
Emily O'Shea is a very engaging character and you instantly feel for her. You'll soon find she's gone through more than any one person should have to deal with. One of the scenes made me cry, and that's a hard thing to do. You will constantly be guessing who the bad guy is--it could be anyone. My first instinct was right, but I had also pinned nearly five other options through the course of this fast-paced book.
Even while I wasn't reading, Learn To Love Me remained in my thoughts. I would work out scenarios explaining how who did what. I can honestly say this is one of the best books I've read this year.
September 24, 2012
This was a definite win for me to be able to get my hands on this story by Ms. MacDughlas. I started this book and finished in less than an 8 hour period because I couldn’t put it down. The suspense was fantastic and the story is very well written.
Emily is a journalist and has a very unstable marriage. She believes she has met the love of her life in Trevor but the marriage isn’t going well for them. He has become possessive and the fights won’t stop. When her past comes back to haunt her from her father getting out of jail and an old love of hers in Alex, things get worse when some of the woman she has interviewed end up missing and have some kind of connection with Emily. Everyone is a suspect in this thrilling story by Ms. MacDughlas and the ending will knock your socks off. Great story and one I would recommend to everyone.
Emily is a journalist and has a very unstable marriage. She believes she has met the love of her life in Trevor but the marriage isn’t going well for them. He has become possessive and the fights won’t stop. When her past comes back to haunt her from her father getting out of jail and an old love of hers in Alex, things get worse when some of the woman she has interviewed end up missing and have some kind of connection with Emily. Everyone is a suspect in this thrilling story by Ms. MacDughlas and the ending will knock your socks off. Great story and one I would recommend to everyone.
November 14, 2012
10+*s. I recieved an ecopy of Learn to Love Me as a gift from the author and in return I am going to give my honest opinion.
What can I say........WOW!! This book hit me hard on so many different levels that I needed a box of tissues and I had a very hard time putting this book down!! It is very well written and so very fast paced that I had to say 'just one more chapter'. This is an amazing read that ripped my heart out and stomped on it, because things in this story do happen in real life whether we accepted it or not!! My heart went out for the character, Emily and how she had struggled through her whole life fighting her demons!! This is an exceptional MUST 18+ story that you will need a box of tissues for!! I also have to mention that the ending was my favorite and I LOVED the old guy too!! Thank you, Sinead MacDughlas, for this heartrenching story!!
What can I say........WOW!! This book hit me hard on so many different levels that I needed a box of tissues and I had a very hard time putting this book down!! It is very well written and so very fast paced that I had to say 'just one more chapter'. This is an amazing read that ripped my heart out and stomped on it, because things in this story do happen in real life whether we accepted it or not!! My heart went out for the character, Emily and how she had struggled through her whole life fighting her demons!! This is an exceptional MUST 18+ story that you will need a box of tissues for!! I also have to mention that the ending was my favorite and I LOVED the old guy too!! Thank you, Sinead MacDughlas, for this heartrenching story!!
December 10, 2012
Took my breath away!!!!
Let me just say that this is they type of book that you can't put down, nor do you WANT to put it down. Sinead MacDughlas created such a believable world with realistic characters that I felt as if I KNEW them. Then things start going wrong, girls go missing, creepy calls, suspect lists are created, people ruled out, added back in, and the suspense continues to draw everything out of you. This is the type of book that you sit and wonder "Why is this NOT a movie yet?" I don't know what type of magic Sinead MacDughlas has used to create something so fantastic as this novel, but I hope she keeps 'em coming. I recommend this book to anyone and everyone who loves suspense, thrills, and total "WHAT?!" type of books. This one will keep you turning the pages until the very end. Definitely get it, read it, and love it with me!
Let me just say that this is they type of book that you can't put down, nor do you WANT to put it down. Sinead MacDughlas created such a believable world with realistic characters that I felt as if I KNEW them. Then things start going wrong, girls go missing, creepy calls, suspect lists are created, people ruled out, added back in, and the suspense continues to draw everything out of you. This is the type of book that you sit and wonder "Why is this NOT a movie yet?" I don't know what type of magic Sinead MacDughlas has used to create something so fantastic as this novel, but I hope she keeps 'em coming. I recommend this book to anyone and everyone who loves suspense, thrills, and total "WHAT?!" type of books. This one will keep you turning the pages until the very end. Definitely get it, read it, and love it with me!
February 25, 2013
I just put this book down and I have to honestly say that I really enjoyed it. The main character Emily is likeable. Every character in the story is realistic and charismatic in their own way.
The story was full systems go from page one. It captivated me and I had a difficult time putting the book down to do my school homework. There is a love triangle, passion and danger around every corner. Poor Emily didn't get any kind of peace of mind or rest for almost two weeks. It was a week of your worst nightmares.
I experienced all kinds of emotions reading the book.. I was happy, intrigued, scared, confused, sad and mystified. I was even annoyed for Emily at different times in the story. Emily's personality is very similar to mine so I could relate to her.
I recommend reading this book. It's worth it.
The story was full systems go from page one. It captivated me and I had a difficult time putting the book down to do my school homework. There is a love triangle, passion and danger around every corner. Poor Emily didn't get any kind of peace of mind or rest for almost two weeks. It was a week of your worst nightmares.
I experienced all kinds of emotions reading the book.. I was happy, intrigued, scared, confused, sad and mystified. I was even annoyed for Emily at different times in the story. Emily's personality is very similar to mine so I could relate to her.
I recommend reading this book. It's worth it.
July 8, 2013
Ms. MacDughlas writes an entertaining tale that will pull you into the pages and not let go, start to finish.
This story left me on the edge of my seat, trying to determine the culprit up until the very end. Thankfully, I still have knuckles left because this truly was a nail biter.
I wanted to slap some characters and console others. By the end of the book, I felt like I lived the story right alongside Emily O'Shea. I experienced both sympathy and empathy for her characters and situations, bringing a level of reality to Ms. MacDughlas's fiction that I found refreshing.
I highly recommend Learn to Love Me and I eagerly anticipate reading what Ms. MacDughlas's imagination comes up with next! Bravo on a job well done!
This story left me on the edge of my seat, trying to determine the culprit up until the very end. Thankfully, I still have knuckles left because this truly was a nail biter.
I wanted to slap some characters and console others. By the end of the book, I felt like I lived the story right alongside Emily O'Shea. I experienced both sympathy and empathy for her characters and situations, bringing a level of reality to Ms. MacDughlas's fiction that I found refreshing.
I highly recommend Learn to Love Me and I eagerly anticipate reading what Ms. MacDughlas's imagination comes up with next! Bravo on a job well done!
May 1, 2013
Yet another packed in and deleted because it's full of mistakes !! The only thing I enjoyed was part of the author's dedication to her grandma which was sweet.
Apostrophe mistakes abound, sentences get repeated for no reason, there were spaces missing in people's names, missing words here and there, the dog's name goes from Brandy to Brandi more than once....just appalling.
You're supposed to believe a wife totally forgets her husband's birthday and it's his 30th too.
I gave up 36% of the way in.
Apostrophe mistakes abound, sentences get repeated for no reason, there were spaces missing in people's names, missing words here and there, the dog's name goes from Brandy to Brandi more than once....just appalling.
You're supposed to believe a wife totally forgets her husband's birthday and it's his 30th too.
I gave up 36% of the way in.
November 7, 2013
This book has been one of the creepiest stories I have ever read! Probably because it so could happen!
Sinead has written in so many twists and turns that you are left guessing until the very end! What a wonderfully written book!
Emily works for a newspaper and is in a marriage that seems to be falling apart. When girls start turning up missing, then murdered, Emily is the focus of the investigation.
You feel for her as she tries to come to terms with the past she tried to hide.
Can't wait for more books from this amazing author! WOW!!
Sinead has written in so many twists and turns that you are left guessing until the very end! What a wonderfully written book!
Emily works for a newspaper and is in a marriage that seems to be falling apart. When girls start turning up missing, then murdered, Emily is the focus of the investigation.
You feel for her as she tries to come to terms with the past she tried to hide.
Can't wait for more books from this amazing author! WOW!!
October 26, 2012
I really, really enjoyed this book. Admittedly, I wasn't to sure about it at first as it was offered as a freebie on Amazon. But I was pleasantly surprised. The plot sucked me in right away and I couldn't turn the e-pages quick enough. There were many times I teared up and yes, even drew a shuddered breath. It will break your heart many times. The perfect blend of mystery, suspense and action. You just have to read it!
May 22, 2015
This is one racy book!! Had me going from beginning to end. A lot of great plot twisters!!
I would diffidently recommend this book to anyone that enjoys "An interesting Mystery that will keep you thinking about the characters and the story way after it ends." I think I went through every emotion at least twice....
I felt real pain for the last two characters. Every story doesn't end with a :Happily Ever After: and that's what makes this a perfect book, it was more realistic and believable :)
I would diffidently recommend this book to anyone that enjoys "An interesting Mystery that will keep you thinking about the characters and the story way after it ends." I think I went through every emotion at least twice....
I felt real pain for the last two characters. Every story doesn't end with a :Happily Ever After: and that's what makes this a perfect book, it was more realistic and believable :)
October 8, 2012
i got to read and help edit this book. i thought it was amazing because i usually don't like these kind of books. i would recommend to anyone who likes a mystery. i couldn't put this book down when i first read it. i hope you guys enjoy this amazing book
March 30, 2014
I never was able to get into this book. The characters are shallow and there is little character development. I had to drag myself through this book and would definitely recommend this as a sleeping aid, it's seriously not gripping. Too bad I actually paid to read this book, definitely a $3 wasted!
November 23, 2013
This was a fantastic suspense and thriller but I hated it as a romance. I love a happy ending and this was not it. I hated this ending. the story definitely keeps you guessing.
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