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The Mistake I Made
A man is dead. And only I know why. As we sit drinking wine by the river and I gaze into his dark brown eyes, I know I have finally met the man of my dreams. I have been hurt before, but this time will be different.
He has a terrible past and everyone tells me he can't be trusted, but they don't know what I know. I know deep down that together we can overcome anything.
Because sure he has secrets, but who doesn't?
But now a man is dead. And the police are knocking on my door.
Was trusting him the biggest mistake I could make...? I don't know where to go or who to turn to. What if I am next?
This addictive and gripping psychological thriller is perfect for fans of The Housemaid , The Family Across the Street and The Family Upstairs .
He has a terrible past and everyone tells me he can't be trusted, but they don't know what I know. I know deep down that together we can overcome anything.
Because sure he has secrets, but who doesn't?
But now a man is dead. And the police are knocking on my door.
Was trusting him the biggest mistake I could make...? I don't know where to go or who to turn to. What if I am next?
This addictive and gripping psychological thriller is perfect for fans of The Housemaid , The Family Across the Street and The Family Upstairs .
- GenresThriller
328 pages, Paperback
First published August 11, 2023
About the author
Sam Hepburn
5 books96 followersSam is a Scottish-Malaysian writer and cartoonist based in England. Schoolbot 9000 is her very first graphic novel. In a previous life, she wrote advertising copy for big brands in consumer goods, finance, tech and more. Writing about tech was a big inspiration for Schoolbot 9000, the story of a young boy whose world spirals into chaos when his favourite teachers are replaced by AI-powered robots. You can see more of Sam's comics and behind the scenes on Instagram @samhepburn
•Praise for Schoolbot 9000•
A ComicsBeat Most Anticipated Summer Title
★ "A tender and approachable work that emphasizes the importance of human ingenuity and community over mechanical efficiency... A timely, hilarious take on the increasing presence of artificial intelligence in everyday life.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review
“A timely tale to inspire rumination on the promise and dangers of AI... SCHOOLBOT and HomeBot, with their mechanical bodies and reflective eyes, frequently steal the show.” —Kirkus
"This timely, engaging, and funny story looks at the intersection of AI and one kid’s daily life...Graphic novel fans will gobble this up and be eager for the next installment. Highly recommended." —School Library Journal
•Praise for Schoolbot 9000•
A ComicsBeat Most Anticipated Summer Title
★ "A tender and approachable work that emphasizes the importance of human ingenuity and community over mechanical efficiency... A timely, hilarious take on the increasing presence of artificial intelligence in everyday life.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review
“A timely tale to inspire rumination on the promise and dangers of AI... SCHOOLBOT and HomeBot, with their mechanical bodies and reflective eyes, frequently steal the show.” —Kirkus
"This timely, engaging, and funny story looks at the intersection of AI and one kid’s daily life...Graphic novel fans will gobble this up and be eager for the next installment. Highly recommended." —School Library Journal
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
August 21, 2023
This book was full of surprises. I was totally bamboozled. Don't just read about this book. Read it for yourself. Am I ever glad I decided to include this one in my August reading. Vanessa Dunn is a character I will not soon forget. And I will most definitely be seeking out additional titles by Sam Hepburn.
Thank you to Bookouture and Net Galley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Bookouture and Net Galley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
July 22, 2023
This is my first Sam Hepburn book and I’m impressed. I LOVE being genuinely shocked by a twist … and this one had two that I didn’t see coming. It was like a slap in the face with both hands, stunning me and keeping me off balance. I’m going to bestow the title of Queen of Misdirection on Hepburn because I appreciated her use of foreshadowing. She’s mastered presenting clues in a subtle, almost off-handed manner while emphasizing fake clues that send her readers down the wrong path. In fact, I had to go back several times, not because I didn’t know what was going on, but because I wanted to look for clues I’d missed! When I saw her technique, I felt like bowing.
I loved the message about appearances being deceiving and about the necessity of rebooting our stalled existence. Vanessa looked successful but was struggling to put together the pieces of her personal life, many left broken by family and friends. Rather than wallow in misery, she forces herself out of her comfort zone and helps others. Her almost perfect transformation is put under the spotlight when she makes a fatal error…all in the name of helping others.
I did a little light sleuthing and discovered that Hepburn spent three years in Kenya volunteering as a care leaver. It was a light bulb moment - her experience brought authenticity to the portrayal of the needy and provided the necessary fuel for the plot.
I can’t wait to pick up another book by this author!
Go into this one blind. Watch for clues.
I was gifted this copy by Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
I loved the message about appearances being deceiving and about the necessity of rebooting our stalled existence. Vanessa looked successful but was struggling to put together the pieces of her personal life, many left broken by family and friends. Rather than wallow in misery, she forces herself out of her comfort zone and helps others. Her almost perfect transformation is put under the spotlight when she makes a fatal error…all in the name of helping others.
I did a little light sleuthing and discovered that Hepburn spent three years in Kenya volunteering as a care leaver. It was a light bulb moment - her experience brought authenticity to the portrayal of the needy and provided the necessary fuel for the plot.
I can’t wait to pick up another book by this author!
Go into this one blind. Watch for clues.
I was gifted this copy by Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
August 9, 2023
Looking up at those dark brown eyes, I know in that moment that I finally have the chance to make a difference to someone. I've been hurt before, but this time won't be the same. When my husband left me at the worst moment of my life, I could have decided not to trust anyone again. But I'm determined not to let it change me. Everyone tells me that I'm making the same mistakes all over again, trusting the wrong person. He has secrets, but who doesn't? I have things in my past I would much rather stay buried. But then he dies suddenly, and my whole world is turned upside down. I know he was killed, but the question is why?
The pace is slow to begin with. We get to know Veronica Dunn and how her life changed for the better since her divorce. She is now intent on reinventing herself and volunteers at a men's homeless shelter and a visitor at a local hospice. I thought I knew where this story was going, but I was wrong, I was taken on a completely different and twisted path. It just gets more intense and eerie. This is another fantastic read by the author.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookouture and the author #SamHepbuen for my ARC of #TheMistakeIMade in exchange for an honest review.
The pace is slow to begin with. We get to know Veronica Dunn and how her life changed for the better since her divorce. She is now intent on reinventing herself and volunteers at a men's homeless shelter and a visitor at a local hospice. I thought I knew where this story was going, but I was wrong, I was taken on a completely different and twisted path. It just gets more intense and eerie. This is another fantastic read by the author.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookouture and the author #SamHepbuen for my ARC of #TheMistakeIMade in exchange for an honest review.
July 28, 2023
Seriously, the only mistake about this book is not reading it 😎
I know I know reviewers inc me often say we are blindsided and we misjudged what was happening but with this I was 100% on the wrong footing, with both feet
The author is not just clever but remarkable how she has created such a tale that got me shouting to Matt when the truth came out to tell him how shocked I was
So well written, so craftily done to pull everything over the readers eyes and has left me amazed that even though I read a lot a book pulled me in and fooled me so well
Unbelievably good all round read
I know I know reviewers inc me often say we are blindsided and we misjudged what was happening but with this I was 100% on the wrong footing, with both feet
The author is not just clever but remarkable how she has created such a tale that got me shouting to Matt when the truth came out to tell him how shocked I was
So well written, so craftily done to pull everything over the readers eyes and has left me amazed that even though I read a lot a book pulled me in and fooled me so well
Unbelievably good all round read
July 31, 2023
All I ever wanted was to help him. But now I think I have made a terrible mistake…
Looking up at those dark brown eyes, I know in that moment that I finally have a chance to make a difference to someone. I’ve been hurt before, but this time won’t be the same.
When my husband left me at the worst moment of my life, I could have decided not to trust anyone again. But I am determined not to let it change me.
Everyone tells me that I am making the same mistakes all over again, trusting the wrong person.
I have not previously read any of Sally Hepburn's books but I will now be looking out for more. After a very unamicable divorce Vanessa is now single and runs a very impressive home/commercial interior design business. She is looking for something more to fulfil her life and decides to become a volunteer at a halfway house. Here she is introduced to numerous homeless men and as she gets to know them she decides to employ two of them in her business. Vanessa's mum is in a nursing home and she visits her regularly, Vanessa also has a sister Izzy who is completely different to her, she is a singer in numerous bands and lives a bit of a nomad lifestyle. As well as visiting the nursing home, Vanessa is contacted by a woman who desperately needs help in locating a child she gave birth to many years ago and adopted out which Vanessa agrees to assist her search for. Now things become very interesting!
This is as much of the story that I am going to say as I do not want to spoil the plot for other readers. All I can say is wow, once the story gets going it is an excellent read. Another afternoon lost as I spent it buried in the pages of this book. There are some OMG moments and the pace is fast, overall I cannot rate this highly enough. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions are my own.
Looking up at those dark brown eyes, I know in that moment that I finally have a chance to make a difference to someone. I’ve been hurt before, but this time won’t be the same.
When my husband left me at the worst moment of my life, I could have decided not to trust anyone again. But I am determined not to let it change me.
Everyone tells me that I am making the same mistakes all over again, trusting the wrong person.
I have not previously read any of Sally Hepburn's books but I will now be looking out for more. After a very unamicable divorce Vanessa is now single and runs a very impressive home/commercial interior design business. She is looking for something more to fulfil her life and decides to become a volunteer at a halfway house. Here she is introduced to numerous homeless men and as she gets to know them she decides to employ two of them in her business. Vanessa's mum is in a nursing home and she visits her regularly, Vanessa also has a sister Izzy who is completely different to her, she is a singer in numerous bands and lives a bit of a nomad lifestyle. As well as visiting the nursing home, Vanessa is contacted by a woman who desperately needs help in locating a child she gave birth to many years ago and adopted out which Vanessa agrees to assist her search for. Now things become very interesting!
This is as much of the story that I am going to say as I do not want to spoil the plot for other readers. All I can say is wow, once the story gets going it is an excellent read. Another afternoon lost as I spent it buried in the pages of this book. There are some OMG moments and the pace is fast, overall I cannot rate this highly enough. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions are my own.
August 13, 2023
OK I tried multiple times to write a review about this book the mistake I made by Sam Hepburn But trust me when I say there is so much going on in this book there’s no way I could write a summary without giving the whole plot away or leaving a key points out ofthe story. Just know a divorce woman promises a dying woman she will fulfill a favor for her but it’s a dangerous one and when people start following Vanessa it still doesn’t stop her. Even that brief summary does this book no justice and I know a lot of people say you will never guess the ending but “TRUST ME” you will never guess!!! Every now and then you run across a legitimate thriller and I love when that happens and it totally happened with the book there are so many twists the plot is authentic the writing is awesome and the storyline is the best I don’t know how this author has escaped my notice before the book because I can truly say it was a phenomenal read it’s not just a plot that’s great but the subplots, the adjunct narrative the whole thing it’s just an awesome awesome read! I wish I could’ve done a better summary but OMG this is a great book and the ending is… Wow! I want to thank Bookouture and net galley for my free Ark copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
September 14, 2023
The Mistake I Made is a very well written, smart and addictive psychological thriller that has multiple twists and a satisfying ending.
A wow read that will shock you and make you gasp more than once.
It’s clever, dynamic and bloody fabulous.
Vanessa is a business owner and decides to volunteer at a hospice.
She becomes friendly with a patient and helps her find her missing child.
This is the beginning of a twisted tale that takes you on a very wild ride.
No spoilers here, all I will say is read this book!
An intriguing plot that will have you guessing throughout.
So well done, executed stylishly and off the planet good.
A thrilling adventure and a very near perfect domestic drama.
A story of many secrets, revenge, lies and much intrigue.
Well written, emotive and compelling.
A definite must read especially for fans of the psychological thriller genre.
A wow read that will shock you and make you gasp more than once.
It’s clever, dynamic and bloody fabulous.
Vanessa is a business owner and decides to volunteer at a hospice.
She becomes friendly with a patient and helps her find her missing child.
This is the beginning of a twisted tale that takes you on a very wild ride.
No spoilers here, all I will say is read this book!
An intriguing plot that will have you guessing throughout.
So well done, executed stylishly and off the planet good.
A thrilling adventure and a very near perfect domestic drama.
A story of many secrets, revenge, lies and much intrigue.
Well written, emotive and compelling.
A definite must read especially for fans of the psychological thriller genre.
August 21, 2023
This was a pretty good book, though I don't think the synopsis accurately covered the storyline at all. The book centers on Vanessa, who is recently divorced and dealing with a lot of different things, including building her own interior design business, her mom with dementia, the death of a friend, an unstable sister, dating a new man, and her new interest in helping out at a homeless shelter. This is a lot of stuff but it's not hard to keep it straight. Vanessa senses she is being stalked and some creepy things happen, culminating in the death of someone with whom she had become close.
Vanessa is a bit of too good to be true do-gooder in the first half of the book, and her decision-making didn't really read true to me. She became immersed in the daily lives at the homeless shelter awfully quickly and I found it a bit hard to believe she could earn trust that fast. Speaking of trust, she put a lot of it into her store manager who seemed sneaky from the beginning. This all being said, the twist at about 3/4 of the way through the book puts all of these previous interactions into perspective and makes it all make a lot more sense. I didn't love the end of the book, because I didn't believe that this character would do something so stupid, but I did think it was well-crafted even if it wasn't my favorite.
Overall, this was a good book that is much better once you see the big picture and how it all comes together. I enjoyed the twists and thought there were some good surprises. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Vanessa is a bit of too good to be true do-gooder in the first half of the book, and her decision-making didn't really read true to me. She became immersed in the daily lives at the homeless shelter awfully quickly and I found it a bit hard to believe she could earn trust that fast. Speaking of trust, she put a lot of it into her store manager who seemed sneaky from the beginning. This all being said, the twist at about 3/4 of the way through the book puts all of these previous interactions into perspective and makes it all make a lot more sense. I didn't love the end of the book, because I didn't believe that this character would do something so stupid, but I did think it was well-crafted even if it wasn't my favorite.
Overall, this was a good book that is much better once you see the big picture and how it all comes together. I enjoyed the twists and thought there were some good surprises. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 5, 2023
WOW first of all I have to say this is definitely one of my top reads this year and I would advise everyone to read this!!!
Having read so many books I really thought I knew what direction the author was taking.... but no this author is extremely clever and took me on a magical twisting journey, where I had no idea what the final destination would be. The wool was definitely pulled over my eyes!!!
My advice is to go into this blind and enjoy this amazing book!!!
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
Having read so many books I really thought I knew what direction the author was taking.... but no this author is extremely clever and took me on a magical twisting journey, where I had no idea what the final destination would be. The wool was definitely pulled over my eyes!!!
My advice is to go into this blind and enjoy this amazing book!!!
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 5, 2023
This is an excellent mystery! Talk about unexpected twists!!!! Poor Vanessa. Her husband left her for a friend and she’s trying to rebuild her life. She’s started her own interior design business, is doing volunteer work, and even begins dating again. But there’s lots of darkness lurking about and it makes for one delicious story!
October 2, 2023
The Mistake I Made by Sam Hepburn was so good I ended up reading this book in one sitting, whilst sitting in my garden in the shade, under my favourite tree.The mistake I made had brilliant twists and turns throughout that will have you gripped.
All she ever wanted was to help him.
But now I think I have made a terrible mistake…........and she can never change what happened! looking up at those big dark brown eyes, I know in that moment that I finally have a chance to make a difference to someone. I've been hurt before, but this time won’t be the same.
When my husband left me at the worst moment of my life, I could have decided not to trust anyone again. But I am determined not to let it change me.
Everyone tells me that I am making the same mistakes all over again, trusting the wrong person.
He has secrets, but who doesn’t? I have things in my past I would much rather stay buried.
But then he dies suddenly, and my whole world is turned upside down. I know he was killed, but the question is, by who?
My shop is broken into, people close to me are lying to me, and I am being followed home. The police won’t believe me. My family think I’m mad. But I know the truth.
WoW This book was so good.....I could not turn my pages quick enough. I highly recommend this book. Another 5 star read.
Big Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
All she ever wanted was to help him.
But now I think I have made a terrible mistake…........and she can never change what happened! looking up at those big dark brown eyes, I know in that moment that I finally have a chance to make a difference to someone. I've been hurt before, but this time won’t be the same.
When my husband left me at the worst moment of my life, I could have decided not to trust anyone again. But I am determined not to let it change me.
Everyone tells me that I am making the same mistakes all over again, trusting the wrong person.
He has secrets, but who doesn’t? I have things in my past I would much rather stay buried.
But then he dies suddenly, and my whole world is turned upside down. I know he was killed, but the question is, by who?
My shop is broken into, people close to me are lying to me, and I am being followed home. The police won’t believe me. My family think I’m mad. But I know the truth.
WoW This book was so good.....I could not turn my pages quick enough. I highly recommend this book. Another 5 star read.
Big Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 15, 2023
Delighted to be part of the blog tour for this five star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read.
The Mistake I Made: A totally gripping psychological thriller with a jaw-dropping twist, by Sam Hepburn
⭐️ 📚 Synopsis:
A man is dead. And only I know why.��As we sit drinking wine by the river and I gaze into his dark brown eyes, I know I have finally met the man of my dreams. I have been hurt before, but this time will be different.��He has a terrible past and everyone tells me he can’t be trusted, but they don’t know what I know. I know deep down that together we can overcome anything.��Because sure he has secrets, but who doesn’t?��But now a man is dead. And the police are knocking on my door.��Was trusting him the biggest mistake I could make…? I don’t know where to go or who to turn to. What if I am next?��This addictive and gripping psychological thriller is perfect for fans of The Housemaid, The Family Across the Street and The Family Upstairs.
Buy link: https://geni.us/B0C4Z69WWGsocial
⭐️📚 My Review:
I am STUNNED! I was totally blindsided! There’s me, thinking I’d worked it out and then a HUGE twist hits and it’s the first of many, as this incredible plot unravels like a coiled spring 😮
The main protagonist, Vanessa, is struggling to trust after a divorce that broke her heart. Her mother is in a home with dementia and, despite her thriving business, she’s struggling for a sense of purpose in her personal life and chooses to volunteer in a hospice and a homeless shelter. Nothing mind-blowing there, right? Oh no, SO WRONG!
That’s really all I can say, without spoiling this for everyone else, because, believe me, you HAVE to read this book!
An intense and gripping story, that literally had me holding my breath in parts, gasping with shock and feeling deep sadness for the past events that lead to what ultimately happens.
Every character and the intricate plot line is well written and relevant. It’s one of those books where you sit and reflect once you get the end and the absolute genius of the plot hits you over and over again.
5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Sam Hepburn and Bookouture for an ARC in return for an honest review.
⭐️📚 The Author:
Sam Hepburn read modern languages at Cambridge University and, after a brief spell in advertising, joined the BBC as a General Trainee. She worked as a documentary maker for twenty years and was one of the commissioners for the launch of BBC Four. Since then, she has written several books, including psychological thrillers Gone Before and Her Perfect Life, and novels for young adults and children. She won the 2017 CWA Margery Allingham Short Story award and has been nominated for several other prestigious prizes, including the CILIP Carnegie Medal for her YA thrillers.
Sam has worked and travelled widely in Africa and the Middle East, and is a trustee of the Kenyan’s children’s charity, I Afrika. She now lives in London with her husband and children.
⭐️📚 Author Social Media:
Website
http://www.samhepburnbooks.com/
Facebook URL
https://www.facebook.com/SamHepburnAu...
Instagram URL
https://www.instagram.com/samhepburna...
Twitter URL
https://twitter.com/Sam_Osman_Books
Newsletter sign up
https://www.bookouture.com/sam-Hepburn
The Mistake I Made: A totally gripping psychological thriller with a jaw-dropping twist, by Sam Hepburn
⭐️ 📚 Synopsis:
A man is dead. And only I know why.��As we sit drinking wine by the river and I gaze into his dark brown eyes, I know I have finally met the man of my dreams. I have been hurt before, but this time will be different.��He has a terrible past and everyone tells me he can’t be trusted, but they don’t know what I know. I know deep down that together we can overcome anything.��Because sure he has secrets, but who doesn’t?��But now a man is dead. And the police are knocking on my door.��Was trusting him the biggest mistake I could make…? I don’t know where to go or who to turn to. What if I am next?��This addictive and gripping psychological thriller is perfect for fans of The Housemaid, The Family Across the Street and The Family Upstairs.
Buy link: https://geni.us/B0C4Z69WWGsocial
⭐️📚 My Review:
I am STUNNED! I was totally blindsided! There’s me, thinking I’d worked it out and then a HUGE twist hits and it’s the first of many, as this incredible plot unravels like a coiled spring 😮
The main protagonist, Vanessa, is struggling to trust after a divorce that broke her heart. Her mother is in a home with dementia and, despite her thriving business, she’s struggling for a sense of purpose in her personal life and chooses to volunteer in a hospice and a homeless shelter. Nothing mind-blowing there, right? Oh no, SO WRONG!
That’s really all I can say, without spoiling this for everyone else, because, believe me, you HAVE to read this book!
An intense and gripping story, that literally had me holding my breath in parts, gasping with shock and feeling deep sadness for the past events that lead to what ultimately happens.
Every character and the intricate plot line is well written and relevant. It’s one of those books where you sit and reflect once you get the end and the absolute genius of the plot hits you over and over again.
5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Sam Hepburn and Bookouture for an ARC in return for an honest review.
⭐️📚 The Author:
Sam Hepburn read modern languages at Cambridge University and, after a brief spell in advertising, joined the BBC as a General Trainee. She worked as a documentary maker for twenty years and was one of the commissioners for the launch of BBC Four. Since then, she has written several books, including psychological thrillers Gone Before and Her Perfect Life, and novels for young adults and children. She won the 2017 CWA Margery Allingham Short Story award and has been nominated for several other prestigious prizes, including the CILIP Carnegie Medal for her YA thrillers.
Sam has worked and travelled widely in Africa and the Middle East, and is a trustee of the Kenyan’s children’s charity, I Afrika. She now lives in London with her husband and children.
⭐️📚 Author Social Media:
Website
http://www.samhepburnbooks.com/
Facebook URL
https://www.facebook.com/SamHepburnAu...
Instagram URL
https://www.instagram.com/samhepburna...
Twitter URL
https://twitter.com/Sam_Osman_Books
Newsletter sign up
https://www.bookouture.com/sam-Hepburn
August 8, 2023
My Review:
Enjoyed!!!! I want to start off by saying that I have read this author before I have liked all her other books. If I had to rank them though this would come in last for me. I’m not sure what it was about this book that didn’t give me that spark like her other ones did. Even though I thought this was a great read there was something lacking in this one for me. I’m not sure what that was. There were a few characters that I felt could’ve been better. The big thing for me was that blurb. It is what drew me to this but I felt it was misleading a little. I thought it was going to go one way in my head but it went the total opposite direction. Now with all that being said I really loved that ending. It was shocking and twisted just the way I like them. It took me completely by surprise and my mind was blown. I will definitely be reading more by this author.
In conclusion, the plot, the characters and all the twists in this book made this book an enjoyable read. I would definitely recommend it and happily give it 4 Hearts❤️❤️❤️❤️
Enjoyed!!!! I want to start off by saying that I have read this author before I have liked all her other books. If I had to rank them though this would come in last for me. I’m not sure what it was about this book that didn’t give me that spark like her other ones did. Even though I thought this was a great read there was something lacking in this one for me. I’m not sure what that was. There were a few characters that I felt could’ve been better. The big thing for me was that blurb. It is what drew me to this but I felt it was misleading a little. I thought it was going to go one way in my head but it went the total opposite direction. Now with all that being said I really loved that ending. It was shocking and twisted just the way I like them. It took me completely by surprise and my mind was blown. I will definitely be reading more by this author.
In conclusion, the plot, the characters and all the twists in this book made this book an enjoyable read. I would definitely recommend it and happily give it 4 Hearts❤️❤️❤️❤️
September 8, 2023
Thabk you to Net Galley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC.
This book starts a little slow, but you need to stick with it! There is one heck of a twist that you definitely don't see coming. What a great read!!
This book starts a little slow, but you need to stick with it! There is one heck of a twist that you definitely don't see coming. What a great read!!
August 7, 2023
REALLY wanted to like it..
I really enjoyed Part Two of this story, and the twists toward the end were a lot of fun.
Unfortunately, the first 70% of the story was extremely difficult to get through.
I forced myself to keep going because I knew eventually I'd get to something exciting, based on the synopsis of the book.
The ending was abrupt and frustrating, but I'm not sure if that made it better or worse.
2.5/5
I really enjoyed Part Two of this story, and the twists toward the end were a lot of fun.
Unfortunately, the first 70% of the story was extremely difficult to get through.
I forced myself to keep going because I knew eventually I'd get to something exciting, based on the synopsis of the book.
The ending was abrupt and frustrating, but I'm not sure if that made it better or worse.
2.5/5
September 16, 2023
Actually, the raving reviews surprise me.
Ok, there was a nice twist at 75%.
But I found it hard to warm to the main character.
Quite a boring read in part 1, part 2 got somewhat better.
Ok, there was a nice twist at 75%.
But I found it hard to warm to the main character.
Quite a boring read in part 1, part 2 got somewhat better.
August 20, 2023
Twisted!
'The Mistake I Made' is set in the US, told in the first-person POV of Vanessa Dunn. Vanessa, attractive, thirty-something, recently single, business owner and creative, runs an interior design consultancy and shop. We meet her as a volunteer at a hospice, where she is talking to the slightly older Frances, who has cancer. Vanessa learns that her mother, Ellen, was Frances’ rich father’s housekeeper, and sort-of nanny for Frances.
Initially mistrustful, Frances eventually confides in Vanessa her closest secret about her long-lost child. Her businessman father had made her give him up; her cousin is uncaring towards her. Frances asks Vanessa to find her son in order that he may inherit her father’s estate. Vanessa is keen to be of help. So starts a sort of investigation into Frances’ childhood and her estranged remote, remaining relatives.
Vanessa regularly also visits her mother, who has dementia following a stroke. She gives her mother massages and brings her gifts although Ellen is no longer responsive and cannot communicate. However, Vanessa notes that Ellen warms up when her sister, Izzy, is brought up. Then Vanessa’s wayward sister, Izzy, drops in to stay, and there are clashes immediately. Vanessa’s father left for Spain when he broke up with his wife. There are visits to Vanessa’s ex, Doug, who left her for her best friend. These visits seem like stalking on Vanessa’s part.
Just when you think that Vanessa couldn’t get any busier, she also volunteers in a homeless men’s shelter. She leaves her manager, Meghan, in charge of her shop though she doesn’t trust much, which is hard to believe. I personally would have thought that the presence of so many disenfranchised men, some ex-convicts, would be frightening for a woman on her own. While there is merit in giving men, who are down and out. a leg up back into society, I felt there wasn’t much thought given , e.g. having a person escort Vanessa around. She was also in a closed room with one of these men. When an act of aggression occurs, not to Vanessa directly, she contrarily brings the perpetrator into her fold. There are untrustworthy vibes all around the shelter, including Mick, Jay and the manager.
An older man, Ralph, makes a purchase in Vanessa’s store and engages her for interior design. When he makes a move on Vanessa that she saw coming a mile off, though she has suspicions about him, she eventually squashes these. Is Ralph is as dodgy as Vanessa initially thought?
It's only when Vanessa finds herself being stalked, her house broken into, and her business ransacked, that she has pause for thought about her actions.
The book is full of dubious characters all with nefarious motives. The plot is fast-moving, winding this way and that. There is perhaps too much made of Vanessa’s creative work and the interior designs. There is not a sense of place (I can’t recall which town or state it is set in). More could have been made of the dangerous situations Vanessa placed herself in, thus creating tension. But she seemed to meander her way out of them. The twist at around 75% in was a game-changer – that I didn’t warm to. There was a hint a chapter earlier, but the unreliable narrator twist is ‘been there done that’.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. #TheMistakeIMade #NetGalley. This book review also appears in https://Amazon.com, https://netgalley.com and https://thereadersvault.blogspot.com/...
'The Mistake I Made' is set in the US, told in the first-person POV of Vanessa Dunn. Vanessa, attractive, thirty-something, recently single, business owner and creative, runs an interior design consultancy and shop. We meet her as a volunteer at a hospice, where she is talking to the slightly older Frances, who has cancer. Vanessa learns that her mother, Ellen, was Frances’ rich father’s housekeeper, and sort-of nanny for Frances.
Initially mistrustful, Frances eventually confides in Vanessa her closest secret about her long-lost child. Her businessman father had made her give him up; her cousin is uncaring towards her. Frances asks Vanessa to find her son in order that he may inherit her father’s estate. Vanessa is keen to be of help. So starts a sort of investigation into Frances’ childhood and her estranged remote, remaining relatives.
Vanessa regularly also visits her mother, who has dementia following a stroke. She gives her mother massages and brings her gifts although Ellen is no longer responsive and cannot communicate. However, Vanessa notes that Ellen warms up when her sister, Izzy, is brought up. Then Vanessa’s wayward sister, Izzy, drops in to stay, and there are clashes immediately. Vanessa’s father left for Spain when he broke up with his wife. There are visits to Vanessa’s ex, Doug, who left her for her best friend. These visits seem like stalking on Vanessa’s part.
Just when you think that Vanessa couldn’t get any busier, she also volunteers in a homeless men’s shelter. She leaves her manager, Meghan, in charge of her shop though she doesn’t trust much, which is hard to believe. I personally would have thought that the presence of so many disenfranchised men, some ex-convicts, would be frightening for a woman on her own. While there is merit in giving men, who are down and out. a leg up back into society, I felt there wasn’t much thought given , e.g. having a person escort Vanessa around. She was also in a closed room with one of these men. When an act of aggression occurs, not to Vanessa directly, she contrarily brings the perpetrator into her fold. There are untrustworthy vibes all around the shelter, including Mick, Jay and the manager.
An older man, Ralph, makes a purchase in Vanessa’s store and engages her for interior design. When he makes a move on Vanessa that she saw coming a mile off, though she has suspicions about him, she eventually squashes these. Is Ralph is as dodgy as Vanessa initially thought?
It's only when Vanessa finds herself being stalked, her house broken into, and her business ransacked, that she has pause for thought about her actions.
The book is full of dubious characters all with nefarious motives. The plot is fast-moving, winding this way and that. There is perhaps too much made of Vanessa’s creative work and the interior designs. There is not a sense of place (I can’t recall which town or state it is set in). More could have been made of the dangerous situations Vanessa placed herself in, thus creating tension. But she seemed to meander her way out of them. The twist at around 75% in was a game-changer – that I didn’t warm to. There was a hint a chapter earlier, but the unreliable narrator twist is ‘been there done that’.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. #TheMistakeIMade #NetGalley. This book review also appears in https://Amazon.com, https://netgalley.com and https://thereadersvault.blogspot.com/...
August 6, 2023
I'm in danger...but no one will believe me...
I'm not sure what I expected from this book but after devouring her previous domestic thriller "A Good Mother" and loving it, I knew I would be in for a treat. I wasn't wrong. But it was also something completely different. Nothing at all like I could have or might have expected. But I was seriously completely blindsided until BAM! she hit us with the first twist and then BAM! the second coming right before that ending.
Heartbroken after her husband divorced her, Vanessa Dunn is intent on reinventing herself in some form or another by reaching out and helping those less fortunate than others. She volunteers at a men's homeless shelter as well becoming a volunteer visitor at a hospice where she meets Frances Findlay who takes her into her confidence and entrusts her with an important task: to find the child she'd given birth to over two decades ago. And this is where things get interesting.
That aside, Vanessa is also the owner and operator of her own interior design business in which she employs some of the men from the homeless shelter looking to improve themselves after falling on hard times. She finds two such employees in Mick and Jay, much to the annoyance of her manageress, Meghan who doesn't trust them. But Vanessa is intent on giving them a positive outlook on life and something to work towards.
On a personal level, Vanessa's life hasn't been a bed of roses. She grew up in a house where she felt very little loved and where her much younger sister was the deemed favourite. Even now, with her father living abroad and her mother in a care home with dementia, Izzy is still the favoured sibling despite never being around to visit or care for their mother. That's all left up to Vanessa. Her entire life, even that of the new Vanessa is filled with care home visits, hospice visits, homeless shelter volunteering as well as her business.So when Ralph steps into her store one day to buy a wedding gift, Meghan is quick to push Vanessa into going out with him. But Vanessa isn't so sure.
That is Part One. When Part Two begins, I had to go back and see if I was reading it correctly. What just happened? You will just have pick up the book and find out yourself. But prepare to be shocked. Nothing is as it seems.
I read this book in one sitting in bed tonight, so it was a fairly quick read. There really isn't a lot I can say about it except that it was well plotted and cleverly crafted. Throughout the entire book I wasn't sure how I was going to rate it as it really seemed mediocre throughout much of the story. And then BAM! that twist just threw everything sideways and then that final one was just a delicious twist of the knife. So close and yet so far.
What started out as a 3 star read easily ramped up to 4 by the end.
I would like to thank #SamHepburn, #Netgalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheMistakeIMade in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
I'm not sure what I expected from this book but after devouring her previous domestic thriller "A Good Mother" and loving it, I knew I would be in for a treat. I wasn't wrong. But it was also something completely different. Nothing at all like I could have or might have expected. But I was seriously completely blindsided until BAM! she hit us with the first twist and then BAM! the second coming right before that ending.
Heartbroken after her husband divorced her, Vanessa Dunn is intent on reinventing herself in some form or another by reaching out and helping those less fortunate than others. She volunteers at a men's homeless shelter as well becoming a volunteer visitor at a hospice where she meets Frances Findlay who takes her into her confidence and entrusts her with an important task: to find the child she'd given birth to over two decades ago. And this is where things get interesting.
That aside, Vanessa is also the owner and operator of her own interior design business in which she employs some of the men from the homeless shelter looking to improve themselves after falling on hard times. She finds two such employees in Mick and Jay, much to the annoyance of her manageress, Meghan who doesn't trust them. But Vanessa is intent on giving them a positive outlook on life and something to work towards.
On a personal level, Vanessa's life hasn't been a bed of roses. She grew up in a house where she felt very little loved and where her much younger sister was the deemed favourite. Even now, with her father living abroad and her mother in a care home with dementia, Izzy is still the favoured sibling despite never being around to visit or care for their mother. That's all left up to Vanessa. Her entire life, even that of the new Vanessa is filled with care home visits, hospice visits, homeless shelter volunteering as well as her business.So when Ralph steps into her store one day to buy a wedding gift, Meghan is quick to push Vanessa into going out with him. But Vanessa isn't so sure.
That is Part One. When Part Two begins, I had to go back and see if I was reading it correctly. What just happened? You will just have pick up the book and find out yourself. But prepare to be shocked. Nothing is as it seems.
I read this book in one sitting in bed tonight, so it was a fairly quick read. There really isn't a lot I can say about it except that it was well plotted and cleverly crafted. Throughout the entire book I wasn't sure how I was going to rate it as it really seemed mediocre throughout much of the story. And then BAM! that twist just threw everything sideways and then that final one was just a delicious twist of the knife. So close and yet so far.
What started out as a 3 star read easily ramped up to 4 by the end.
I would like to thank #SamHepburn, #Netgalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheMistakeIMade in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
August 13, 2023
Another stunner from Sam Hepburn!! What a story!! Wholley deserved 5 stars!
Vanessa runs her own Interior Designs business and since her husband divorced her after cheating with her best friend, she pours everything she’s got into it determined to make it a success. Rather than dwelling on the past Vanessa is determined to reinvent herself and as part of this “new” Vanessa she wants to do things that take her out of her comfort zone and maybe that might even lead to meeting a new partner. She starts by volunteering at a local homeless shelter, and she also begins volunteering at a local hospice. The homeless shelter volunteering is tough but rewarding. The first patient Vanessa meets at the hospice is Frances and the two women are surprised by their shared history, Vanessa’s mother, Ellen, used to be the housekeeper for Frances’s wealthy father. Unfortunately, Ellen now has early onset dementia after a stroke and despite Vanessa’s constant regular visits, Ellen can no longer communicate with her. Frances and Vanessa quickly bond and become close friends and Frances feels comfortable enough to tell Vanessa her big long held secret and ask for her help. Vanessa agrees to help but when suddenly odd things start happening such as someone sneaking around outside her house and also her having the feeling someone is following her, Vanessa suddenly wonders if she can keep her promise to Frances and if she can what might it cost her?
This was brilliant but very hard to review because I don’t want to give away any spoilers!! But hey I’ll give it a go!
This was my second book by Sam Hepburn and just as good as the first one I read; she sure knows how to pull a reader in from the very start of the book as I was hooked very early on. I had to admire Vanessa’s courage but at the same time I was screaming in my head quite a few times “what are you doing?”. I was completely led down the wrong path quite a few times and was suspecting all the wrong people being the villain which was just brilliant. When the first twist occurred, it felt like I had whiplash, I did not see that coming so well done Sam Hepburn and it was at that point that I couldn’t put the book down and was desperate to read it in any spare moment I had. The second twist had me gasping out loud and all I can say is BRAVO!!
All in all, this was a brilliant psychological thriller, and I would recommend it for any fans that enjoy that genre. I can’t wait to see what Sam Hepburn comes out with next. An excellent book!
Thank you to NetGalley, Sam Hepburn and Bookouture for my advanced reading copy. Out now.
Vanessa runs her own Interior Designs business and since her husband divorced her after cheating with her best friend, she pours everything she’s got into it determined to make it a success. Rather than dwelling on the past Vanessa is determined to reinvent herself and as part of this “new” Vanessa she wants to do things that take her out of her comfort zone and maybe that might even lead to meeting a new partner. She starts by volunteering at a local homeless shelter, and she also begins volunteering at a local hospice. The homeless shelter volunteering is tough but rewarding. The first patient Vanessa meets at the hospice is Frances and the two women are surprised by their shared history, Vanessa’s mother, Ellen, used to be the housekeeper for Frances’s wealthy father. Unfortunately, Ellen now has early onset dementia after a stroke and despite Vanessa’s constant regular visits, Ellen can no longer communicate with her. Frances and Vanessa quickly bond and become close friends and Frances feels comfortable enough to tell Vanessa her big long held secret and ask for her help. Vanessa agrees to help but when suddenly odd things start happening such as someone sneaking around outside her house and also her having the feeling someone is following her, Vanessa suddenly wonders if she can keep her promise to Frances and if she can what might it cost her?
This was brilliant but very hard to review because I don’t want to give away any spoilers!! But hey I’ll give it a go!
This was my second book by Sam Hepburn and just as good as the first one I read; she sure knows how to pull a reader in from the very start of the book as I was hooked very early on. I had to admire Vanessa’s courage but at the same time I was screaming in my head quite a few times “what are you doing?”. I was completely led down the wrong path quite a few times and was suspecting all the wrong people being the villain which was just brilliant. When the first twist occurred, it felt like I had whiplash, I did not see that coming so well done Sam Hepburn and it was at that point that I couldn’t put the book down and was desperate to read it in any spare moment I had. The second twist had me gasping out loud and all I can say is BRAVO!!
All in all, this was a brilliant psychological thriller, and I would recommend it for any fans that enjoy that genre. I can’t wait to see what Sam Hepburn comes out with next. An excellent book!
Thank you to NetGalley, Sam Hepburn and Bookouture for my advanced reading copy. Out now.
August 29, 2023
Vanessa Dunn is a successful businesswoman and trying to give something back to the community. She volunteers at a hospice and a homeless shelter. She meets characters along the way that need her help but could she be making a mistake in trusting the wrong people?
The Mistake I Made is a psychological thriller and domestic drama with a huge twist! I'd advise not to read the blurb as it might give clues about the plot which I loved discovering for myself...
Vanessa is newly divorced, her mum has dementia and her sister is irritatingly free spirited. She is dealing with so much that I immediately wanted Vanessa to find some positives in her life! She meets a former acquaintance in the hospice she volunteers at and is entrusted with a mission to find a dying woman's child. Meanwhile she tries to help ex cons to rehabilitate by offering them jobs in her interior design company.
Sinister events, such as recurring sightings of a motorcyclist and a break in at her shop, create an atmosphere of tension as Vanessa tries to help her dying friend. Someone doesn't want her to succeed but could she be in danger? I mistrusted one of the characters but I think this was clever misdirection by the author. My hackles were raised by the selfishness of Vanessa's sister Izzy who breezes in and out, creating havoc and criticising Vanessa for caring for their mum. The characters really come to life and I felt invested in Vanessa finding happiness as she is so generous with her time and money.
There is a major twist in the final quarter of the book. It really blew me away and made me rethink so many of the characters and events. The whole style of narration and dynamic of the book changes and I was absolutely gripped by the plot developments.
The Mistake I Made is a carefully and cleverly crafted book with a huge twist.
The Mistake I Made is a psychological thriller and domestic drama with a huge twist! I'd advise not to read the blurb as it might give clues about the plot which I loved discovering for myself...
Vanessa is newly divorced, her mum has dementia and her sister is irritatingly free spirited. She is dealing with so much that I immediately wanted Vanessa to find some positives in her life! She meets a former acquaintance in the hospice she volunteers at and is entrusted with a mission to find a dying woman's child. Meanwhile she tries to help ex cons to rehabilitate by offering them jobs in her interior design company.
Sinister events, such as recurring sightings of a motorcyclist and a break in at her shop, create an atmosphere of tension as Vanessa tries to help her dying friend. Someone doesn't want her to succeed but could she be in danger? I mistrusted one of the characters but I think this was clever misdirection by the author. My hackles were raised by the selfishness of Vanessa's sister Izzy who breezes in and out, creating havoc and criticising Vanessa for caring for their mum. The characters really come to life and I felt invested in Vanessa finding happiness as she is so generous with her time and money.
There is a major twist in the final quarter of the book. It really blew me away and made me rethink so many of the characters and events. The whole style of narration and dynamic of the book changes and I was absolutely gripped by the plot developments.
The Mistake I Made is a carefully and cleverly crafted book with a huge twist.
August 9, 2023
This book is gripping, easy to read and exceptionally well executed.
The story is told from the perspective of main character Vanessa. Vanessa is recently divorced and owns her own successful interior design business. The story starts with Vanessa in a voluntary position as a hospital visitor, discovering that the dying woman she is visiting (Francis), is an old acquaintance, Vanessa's mother having being a nanny to Francis some 20+ years previously. The 2 women strike up a friendship and Vanessa is keen to share this information with her mother, who is in a residential home due to dementia. Vanessa struggles to reach her mum but shares tales of her life in a one-way monologue, unaware if her mother can understand her or not. In a further spurt of voluntary work, Vanessa connects with a halfway house, aiming to help homeless people get off the streets. There, she meets 27 year old Jay, a talented artist trying to get this life back on track. While they initially seems to lock horns, a mutual respect seems to develop between them that sees Vanessa offer Jay a job. The wisdom of this decision is questioned by Vanessa's colleague, and indeed events do take a turn for the unexpected after his appointment. I cant say more as this story is just SO good and I absolutely do not want to give spoilers!
This book is spectacularly well written with character development (particularly Vanessa) being exquisite. I would 100% recommend this book to anyone who loves an engaging drama, psychological thriller, or just very decent entertainment!
My thanks to NetGalley, author and publisher for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an advance copy.
The story is told from the perspective of main character Vanessa. Vanessa is recently divorced and owns her own successful interior design business. The story starts with Vanessa in a voluntary position as a hospital visitor, discovering that the dying woman she is visiting (Francis), is an old acquaintance, Vanessa's mother having being a nanny to Francis some 20+ years previously. The 2 women strike up a friendship and Vanessa is keen to share this information with her mother, who is in a residential home due to dementia. Vanessa struggles to reach her mum but shares tales of her life in a one-way monologue, unaware if her mother can understand her or not. In a further spurt of voluntary work, Vanessa connects with a halfway house, aiming to help homeless people get off the streets. There, she meets 27 year old Jay, a talented artist trying to get this life back on track. While they initially seems to lock horns, a mutual respect seems to develop between them that sees Vanessa offer Jay a job. The wisdom of this decision is questioned by Vanessa's colleague, and indeed events do take a turn for the unexpected after his appointment. I cant say more as this story is just SO good and I absolutely do not want to give spoilers!
This book is spectacularly well written with character development (particularly Vanessa) being exquisite. I would 100% recommend this book to anyone who loves an engaging drama, psychological thriller, or just very decent entertainment!
My thanks to NetGalley, author and publisher for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an advance copy.
September 8, 2023
Perhaps Vanessa Dunn’s divorce might lead to a fresh start in life. However, her method for starting over proves to be rather suspect, if not completely creepy. With pacing that is intense from the start, as well as a couple of twists, really ratchets up the tension in Sam Hepburn’s latest book, which will no doubt keep the reader invested page after page.
Becoming a volunteer at a halfway house gives her the idea to help a couple of them even more than they would expect. Meanwhile, her mother is in a nursing home due to Alzheimer’s and Vanessa seems to be quite the dutiful and faithful daughter by spending quality time with her. Her good deeds do not stop there. In fact, Vanessa agrees to help a woman in her search for her child that she gave up to adoption.
It may indeed seem that Vanessa is a kind and caring person. However, as the book progresses, we begin to see traits in Vanessa that aren’t so wonderful. Then, when you consider how this book is paced, it becomes more than a compelling read. The scenes where she spends time with her mother begin to show cracks in what just might seem an ordinary life for Vanessa.
If you want a shocking read that will catch you by surprise more than once, especially as you get to the very end, you cannot go wrong with The Mistake I Made.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Becoming a volunteer at a halfway house gives her the idea to help a couple of them even more than they would expect. Meanwhile, her mother is in a nursing home due to Alzheimer’s and Vanessa seems to be quite the dutiful and faithful daughter by spending quality time with her. Her good deeds do not stop there. In fact, Vanessa agrees to help a woman in her search for her child that she gave up to adoption.
It may indeed seem that Vanessa is a kind and caring person. However, as the book progresses, we begin to see traits in Vanessa that aren’t so wonderful. Then, when you consider how this book is paced, it becomes more than a compelling read. The scenes where she spends time with her mother begin to show cracks in what just might seem an ordinary life for Vanessa.
If you want a shocking read that will catch you by surprise more than once, especially as you get to the very end, you cannot go wrong with The Mistake I Made.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
July 9, 2023
Vanessa is a successful businesswoman and has gone through a nasty heartbreaking divorce. She decides to do volunteer work, and volunteers at a hospice, and then at a halfway home for men who are down on their luck and lived on the street.
She becomes a confidante for a woman in the hospice and promises to assist in locating the woman's child who was given up for adoption.
Vanessa also employs men from the halfway house to give them a sense of worth and a brand new start in life.
All seems to be going well until her sister arrives on the scene.
I really enjoyed this novel and part two had my head whipped around, and pages turned back looking to see if I missed some clue!!
What an absolute twist!
But nothing on the twist closer to the end. Absolutely brilliantly written, and fantastically plotted. I would never have guessed how it would end.
I don't want to say too much to give anything away, but this is exactly what a psychological thriller should be like.
Fantastic read! 5/5 stars!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
She becomes a confidante for a woman in the hospice and promises to assist in locating the woman's child who was given up for adoption.
Vanessa also employs men from the halfway house to give them a sense of worth and a brand new start in life.
All seems to be going well until her sister arrives on the scene.
I really enjoyed this novel and part two had my head whipped around, and pages turned back looking to see if I missed some clue!!
What an absolute twist!
But nothing on the twist closer to the end. Absolutely brilliantly written, and fantastically plotted. I would never have guessed how it would end.
I don't want to say too much to give anything away, but this is exactly what a psychological thriller should be like.
Fantastic read! 5/5 stars!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 27, 2023
Well as the saying goes, this takes you on a journey. It's certainly different. I wouldn't go by the blurb because I just reread that and wasn't sure I was reading for the same book, they don't exactly match up!!
Anyway, it starts off a bit slow and boring but then I found myself really getting into the whole helping out at the rehab centre and putting people's life's back on track (I'm a bit of a Vanessa pt 1).......so when part 2 hit like many other my jaw did hit the floor, but it made me sad, yes I'm a soppy old thing. I'm also not a fan of being deceived when it comes to our main character, I like to feel in the know of what's going on so it was all a bit mind blowing but not in a good way. I could imagine it could work well on tv screen though.
I have to offer 4 stars because it was clever, despite being extremely farfetched but I just felt so sad for 1 character in particular.
Thanks for the copy of #TheMistakesIMade #NetGalley
Anyway, it starts off a bit slow and boring but then I found myself really getting into the whole helping out at the rehab centre and putting people's life's back on track (I'm a bit of a Vanessa pt 1).......so when part 2 hit like many other my jaw did hit the floor, but it made me sad, yes I'm a soppy old thing. I'm also not a fan of being deceived when it comes to our main character, I like to feel in the know of what's going on so it was all a bit mind blowing but not in a good way. I could imagine it could work well on tv screen though.
I have to offer 4 stars because it was clever, despite being extremely farfetched but I just felt so sad for 1 character in particular.
Thanks for the copy of #TheMistakesIMade #NetGalley
July 21, 2023
Wow Wow Wow. This was a fantastic book. I have never read anything by this author, but perused their other books and they all look good. This was a true psychological thriller which is hard to find anymore. It checked all the boxes for me. There is a HUGE plot twist toward the end of the book that left me reeling.
This review will be brief only because saying anything much about the plot will spoil the read for others. We have Vanessa and Izzy. 2 sisters. Izzy is a singer in various bands and is constantly traveling and making poor decisions about men. Vanessa owns an interior design shop and is stable. She visits her mom weekly in a care facility after her mom suffered a stroke. Vanessa is recently divorced so takes up volunteering to fill in gaps in time and to help her feel better. Other characters are introduced but those are the 3 main characters.
This was a page turner from page 1. I love books like this. From start to finish I couldn't wait to see what would happen. And oh boy, did things happen. Excellent job by the author. I highly recommend this book. Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC. I greatly appreciate it, plus I was introduced to a great new author.
This review will be brief only because saying anything much about the plot will spoil the read for others. We have Vanessa and Izzy. 2 sisters. Izzy is a singer in various bands and is constantly traveling and making poor decisions about men. Vanessa owns an interior design shop and is stable. She visits her mom weekly in a care facility after her mom suffered a stroke. Vanessa is recently divorced so takes up volunteering to fill in gaps in time and to help her feel better. Other characters are introduced but those are the 3 main characters.
This was a page turner from page 1. I love books like this. From start to finish I couldn't wait to see what would happen. And oh boy, did things happen. Excellent job by the author. I highly recommend this book. Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC. I greatly appreciate it, plus I was introduced to a great new author.
August 9, 2023
Vanessa is a wealthy entrepreneur who recently went through a terrible divorce. She decides to undertake volunteer work and works at a hospice and a halfway house for guys who are out of employment and living on the streets.
She becomes a confidante for a woman in hospice and vows to help the woman find her kid, who was given up for adoption.
Her sister arrives on the scene just as everything appears to be going well. There were many moments in the second part of this novel that had my head whirling around, and I went back to make sure I wasn't missing anything! Wow, what a twist! In the end, there is no hint of the twist.
The plot is fantastic and the writing is brilliant. I never would have predicted the outcome. To avoid giving anything away, I won't say too much, but this is exactly what a psychological thriller should be.
She becomes a confidante for a woman in hospice and vows to help the woman find her kid, who was given up for adoption.
Her sister arrives on the scene just as everything appears to be going well. There were many moments in the second part of this novel that had my head whirling around, and I went back to make sure I wasn't missing anything! Wow, what a twist! In the end, there is no hint of the twist.
The plot is fantastic and the writing is brilliant. I never would have predicted the outcome. To avoid giving anything away, I won't say too much, but this is exactly what a psychological thriller should be.
August 22, 2023
I always forget why I picked a book by the time I read it and for this one I thought it was a women’s fiction book and boy was I wrong. This is a great book of misdirection. It starts out with meeting Vanessa as she is redirecting her life after a divorce. And I always chuckle when I see the words jaw dropping twist in the title or subtitle, but this time it is a pretty true statement. I did not see where this one was heading.
While the pace was a little slow in the beginning, it was lulling you in and developing the characters before the whammy. Go in blind and don’t read about this one as spoilers really would take away the fun of this one.
I don’t want to say any more and potentially spoil it. Just trust me. One part women’s fiction with an equal part psychological thriller. You can’t go wrong with this one.
While the pace was a little slow in the beginning, it was lulling you in and developing the characters before the whammy. Go in blind and don’t read about this one as spoilers really would take away the fun of this one.
I don’t want to say any more and potentially spoil it. Just trust me. One part women’s fiction with an equal part psychological thriller. You can’t go wrong with this one.
July 11, 2023
When life gives you lemons, you try and make lemonade. That is exactly what Vanessa is trying to do after having taken some time to recover. Life surely has not been kind to her and it was great to watch her starting to make that lemonade.
She first made a glass, but once she has got the hang of it she fills jar after jar. You cannot not admire her for what she does and is still planning to do...
I had quite some scenarios in my mind about how I thought the story would develop. The one direction I did not picture, is the one the author picked and I have to say it was pretty brilliant.
It was shocking but in an oh so amazingly good way. I really totally loved this fantastic book. I am still working on picking up my jaw from the floor. This story is top notch. 5 stars
Thank you
She first made a glass, but once she has got the hang of it she fills jar after jar. You cannot not admire her for what she does and is still planning to do...
I had quite some scenarios in my mind about how I thought the story would develop. The one direction I did not picture, is the one the author picked and I have to say it was pretty brilliant.
It was shocking but in an oh so amazingly good way. I really totally loved this fantastic book. I am still working on picking up my jaw from the floor. This story is top notch. 5 stars
Thank you
July 19, 2023
You know the feeling when you are reading a book, and there a nice people, and shady people, and you are trying to figure out who the actual bad guy is? Yes, this is one of those books, but I have got to tell you, nothing is as it seems, or at least I was taken by real surprise this time. I have read many, many books in this genre, so it is not easy to fool me, so this was a happy surprise!
I like the premises, enjoyed the plot, was taken by the surprised moving from part one to part two, and I simply just could not stop reading this book! Sam Hepburn is an extremely talented writer, that I knew from before, but I still was not ready for this, so an absolutely massive thanks goes out to the author for making me see that no, I have not yet seen and read it all.
I like the premises, enjoyed the plot, was taken by the surprised moving from part one to part two, and I simply just could not stop reading this book! Sam Hepburn is an extremely talented writer, that I knew from before, but I still was not ready for this, so an absolutely massive thanks goes out to the author for making me see that no, I have not yet seen and read it all.
August 10, 2023
This book has a slow burn but hang in there as it builds and you get sucked into the story.Vanessa's husband left her and she is trying to reinvent herself. She starts volunteering at a hospice unit and connects with a patient there. She feels like she is making a connection with Francine. Francine wants her to do something for her.
Vanessa goes on trying to find Francine's child she had when she is thirteen. She made a promise to Francine and she wants to keep it. Vanessa has her own mom's health that is fading so she tries to spend time with her too. Her mother is non-verbal but she feels her mom can still hear her.
This story is a lot of misdirection but it worked well. Slowly revealing the truth that has been hidden for so long.
Vanessa goes on trying to find Francine's child she had when she is thirteen. She made a promise to Francine and she wants to keep it. Vanessa has her own mom's health that is fading so she tries to spend time with her too. Her mother is non-verbal but she feels her mom can still hear her.
This story is a lot of misdirection but it worked well. Slowly revealing the truth that has been hidden for so long.
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