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Hunting You: A Psychological Thriller
My new coworker Erin Milton is hiding something.
She’s distracted, jumpy, and becomes visibly anxious every time she receives a new text message from her boyfriend.
I know what’s going on. I’ve been there. And something inside of me is telling me to help this girl... to get her out of that relationship before it's too late.
The only problem is, as soon as I stick my nose where most people would say it doesn't belong, I start receiving cryptic text messages from an unknown number. Worse, I think someone might be following me.
If her boyfriend is onto me, then I underestimated him, and I'm in real danger.
But that won't stop me.
He has no idea what I've been through or what I'm capable of.
She’s distracted, jumpy, and becomes visibly anxious every time she receives a new text message from her boyfriend.
I know what’s going on. I’ve been there. And something inside of me is telling me to help this girl... to get her out of that relationship before it's too late.
The only problem is, as soon as I stick my nose where most people would say it doesn't belong, I start receiving cryptic text messages from an unknown number. Worse, I think someone might be following me.
If her boyfriend is onto me, then I underestimated him, and I'm in real danger.
But that won't stop me.
He has no idea what I've been through or what I'm capable of.
377 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 16, 2024
456 people are currently reading
1331 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
May 20, 2024
REVIEW TO COME!!!!!!!
April 12, 2024
This is a compelling, heart-wrenching thriller about the aftermath of a life full of abuse. Bree is a survivor. She has survived abuse while in foster care and domestic abuse. Although she has endured damaging abuse, she is not a victim. Her journey is heartbreaking and uplifting. The twists at the conclusion and in the epilogue were mind-blowing! Very shocking and I loved it! Thank you BookSirens for my copy.
April 28, 2024
I really enjoyed this story from the beginning. It had me drawn in from the first page. It did touch on some sensitive issues but, didn’t go into depth. Just when I thought I had it figured out, I was wrong. I enjoy books that keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat. If you enjoy thrillers and a who done it, then I recommend this book.
Thank you Shade Owens for the opportunity to read your book before it was available 🫶🏻
Thank you Shade Owens for the opportunity to read your book before it was available 🫶🏻
April 21, 2024
After enjoying Beneath These Walls by Shade Owens so much, I was excited to read this one, and it delivered just as I was hoping it would. While touching on a very sensitive topic, Owen’s handled it delicately. She did a great job showing us how the mindset of the abused works and their thought process with everything from making basic decisions to more complex decisions. Parts of this book were hard to read due to the descriptive storytelling surrounding DV, but that contributes to the fact that Owens is great at her craft.
I was kept guessing up until the very end. There were well-timed twists that I did not predict. The plot was developed and delivered in a way that ran you through a list of varying emotions. Not only was I captivated in the story, but I was invested in the characters. The fact that our main character and those closest to her were all so POWERFUL by the end of this book was not lost on me. There was a very strong, encouraging message in this book. If DV isn’t a trigger warning for you, I definitely recommend this one.
Thank you NetGalley and Red Raven Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I was kept guessing up until the very end. There were well-timed twists that I did not predict. The plot was developed and delivered in a way that ran you through a list of varying emotions. Not only was I captivated in the story, but I was invested in the characters. The fact that our main character and those closest to her were all so POWERFUL by the end of this book was not lost on me. There was a very strong, encouraging message in this book. If DV isn’t a trigger warning for you, I definitely recommend this one.
Thank you NetGalley and Red Raven Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
May 12, 2025
I really enjoyed this book until I got near the end and it completely ruined it for me!
May 1, 2024
What's it about?
As a survivor of domestic violence, Bree has come to recognize the signs. That’s why she’s pretty sure her coworker, Erin, has an abusive boyfriend. Erin is jumpy and distracted at work.
Bree takes it upon herself to try and help Erin, but as soon as she does, she starts receiving strange messages from an unknown number, and she’s pretty sure someone is following her.
Is Bree right, or has she seriously misjudged the situation, leaving her at the mercy of something even worse than Erin’s ego-hurt boyfriend?
Thoughts
This was a relatively quick read, but there were a few choices the main character made that felt like she jumped to conclusions, and she was pretty pushy. In the last quarter of the book, Bree seemed to begin learning from her earlier actions, which made the book more enjoyable overall for me.
While the story was, at its heart, a survival story about a woman who was abused, as the details of what she went through are revealed it provides a solid motivation for the agency the characters find to figure out to try and figure out who is following Bree.
I love the way the character was built, because at first, I found Bree pretty self-righteous, but the character growth is done really well (even if her intentions don’t always mean things turn out as planned).
Bree and Erin’s interactions felt natural, and I really enjoyed the sub plot of the two of them getting to know each other. I was wondering the whole time if Erin would turn out to be the bad guy (and I’m not going to reveal here whether or not she was because if you’re even half curious, I would recommend reading this one to find out)!
This was an unedited ARC, and the final product may differ to the version I read. Thanks to BookSirens, Red Raven Publishing and Shade Owens for an ARC😊
As a survivor of domestic violence, Bree has come to recognize the signs. That’s why she’s pretty sure her coworker, Erin, has an abusive boyfriend. Erin is jumpy and distracted at work.
Bree takes it upon herself to try and help Erin, but as soon as she does, she starts receiving strange messages from an unknown number, and she’s pretty sure someone is following her.
Is Bree right, or has she seriously misjudged the situation, leaving her at the mercy of something even worse than Erin’s ego-hurt boyfriend?
Thoughts
This was a relatively quick read, but there were a few choices the main character made that felt like she jumped to conclusions, and she was pretty pushy. In the last quarter of the book, Bree seemed to begin learning from her earlier actions, which made the book more enjoyable overall for me.
While the story was, at its heart, a survival story about a woman who was abused, as the details of what she went through are revealed it provides a solid motivation for the agency the characters find to figure out to try and figure out who is following Bree.
I love the way the character was built, because at first, I found Bree pretty self-righteous, but the character growth is done really well (even if her intentions don’t always mean things turn out as planned).
Bree and Erin’s interactions felt natural, and I really enjoyed the sub plot of the two of them getting to know each other. I was wondering the whole time if Erin would turn out to be the bad guy (and I’m not going to reveal here whether or not she was because if you’re even half curious, I would recommend reading this one to find out)!
This was an unedited ARC, and the final product may differ to the version I read. Thanks to BookSirens, Red Raven Publishing and Shade Owens for an ARC😊
January 22, 2025
The story was very slow, repetitive, and the ending was predictable. I still enjoyed the story I just wish I was on the edge of my seat and not chill while reading this story.
April 5, 2024
If ever put in the situation Bree was put in, I’m not sure I’d be strong enough to make it out alive! She is strong and smart and a great character. Y’all this one had twists even I couldn’t be 100% certain on! It was good!! So good!! It’s not a 5 star for me but a solid 4!!!! If you’re into thrillers this one is one you’re going to want to read!!! It kept me engaged and on the edge of my seat the whole time!
April 18, 2024
I was completely hooked from beginning to end! This book was a thrilling, high-speed journey that kept you invested in every single chapter.
The story follows Bree who is a domestic abuse victim. She meets Erin, and straight away Bree knows what’s up. She has to help, she has to save her before she ends up dead.
The plot twists that unfolded towards the conclusion and the final moments of the book were great, although I did have some inklings to a few things, they were all still great and they made sense. It was the kind of story that compelled you to read the last chapter late into the night, only to find yourself unable to resist diving into one more chapter, and then another, and just when you thought it was the last, you couldn't help but crave for yet another thrilling chapter.
I received this book as an advanced reader copy for free and have provided my review absolutely voluntarily.
The story follows Bree who is a domestic abuse victim. She meets Erin, and straight away Bree knows what’s up. She has to help, she has to save her before she ends up dead.
The plot twists that unfolded towards the conclusion and the final moments of the book were great, although I did have some inklings to a few things, they were all still great and they made sense. It was the kind of story that compelled you to read the last chapter late into the night, only to find yourself unable to resist diving into one more chapter, and then another, and just when you thought it was the last, you couldn't help but crave for yet another thrilling chapter.
I received this book as an advanced reader copy for free and have provided my review absolutely voluntarily.
September 3, 2024
KU book! 3.5-3.75 stars
Thoughts: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTNo9npkt/
Thoughts: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTNo9npkt/
March 31, 2024
This story truly kept me captivated the entire time. I didn't want to put it down. I enjoyed how it touched on some sensitive topics but didn't go too into detail. When I thought I had it figured out, it twisted in a way I didn't expect. I enjoyed all of the characters in this story as well. This author brought out so many emotions while I was reading this. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes thrillers.
May 5, 2024
I received an advance review copy for free from BookSiren, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Wow. I'm speechless right now. This book kept me at the edge of my seat for practically the entire book. I couldn't put it down. I got an ARC copy of this book but didn't get a chance to read it till now and when I started, I couldn't put it down.
The suspense, and the plot twists. Couldn't as for more out of a phycological thriller. If those types of books are your jam, then pick up Hunting You. Join Bree on this crazy ride through the past and present of domestic abuse and all the little threads that are left behind even after it seems the past is finally buried.
You won't regret it.
Wow. I'm speechless right now. This book kept me at the edge of my seat for practically the entire book. I couldn't put it down. I got an ARC copy of this book but didn't get a chance to read it till now and when I started, I couldn't put it down.
The suspense, and the plot twists. Couldn't as for more out of a phycological thriller. If those types of books are your jam, then pick up Hunting You. Join Bree on this crazy ride through the past and present of domestic abuse and all the little threads that are left behind even after it seems the past is finally buried.
You won't regret it.
April 28, 2024
I read this one really fast, because it kept my attention. It definitely left you guessing from one chapter to the next what exactly was going on. As someone with experience with abusive relationships, and as someone who has read self-help books on the subject, the author definitely got the character descriptions right. The writing style is very first person and comfortable. Very conversational, as if you were speaking with the main character or reading her diary. Interesting suspenseful read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 18, 2024
Hunting You was a well written suspense novel. I'm not sure I would call it a thriller or a mystery book. There were parts that seemed slow and repetitive, yet I still felt on the edge of my seat. Domestic violence is so difficult to escape and I don't think many people realize this. I think the author did a good job spelling out what goes through someone's mind when they decide to stay in such a relationship. While at times I wanted to reach through the book and shake Erin, I understand it's not that simple. I gave this 3 stars more so because I was expecting a surprise ending. The ending was predictable and did not provide that shock I usually feel from a thriller which is why I say this was more of a suspense book. If I was able to, I would give it 3.5 stars. I did enjoy the author's writing style and character development, therefore, I will pick up another book by Owens.
March 28, 2024
Hunting You is a story about domestic abuse. Bree our MC has a heartbreaking upbringing being placed in foster home to foster home where her abuse initially started. Ethan her hot shot CEO boyfriend turns out to be a manipulative narcissist who abuses Bree both physically and mentally. Ethan commits suicide and his mother blames Bree. At Ethan’s funeral Bree meets his ex, Rebecca. Rebecca offers her condolences and gives Bree her number if she ever wants to talk. Bree thinks it’s odd but reassuring because obviously this woman has had similar experiences to be suggesting this.
Bree works for an Eco friendly cleaning business where she trains new hire, Erin. Bree instantly notices that Erin is in an abusive relationship. She’s glued to her phone and has noticeable bruising on her body. Bree feels empathetic towards this woman because she knows what it’s like to be in an abusive relationship. Erin’s boyfriend becomes a really big problem dragging Bree down with her. Bree is on a mission to get him caught in put in jail for good.
This story was an easy read but at times difficult with all the abuse happening. I related so much with Bree’s character because I have been in abusive relationships myself and very much had her same demeanor for a long time.
The author did a great job portraying what domestic abuse is with realistic character types and events. Erin’s character was annoying and frustrating at times but very honestly showed what a victim of abuse is like before they break free from the relationship.
The story jumped around a lot from different time periods with certain characters which made it hard to follow at times but overall was a good story line. There wasn’t much of a twist and it was rather predictable in my opinion but still enjoyable with all of the action. The epilogue hints at possibly another book.
Thank you to Book Sirens and Shade Owen’s for this ARC. Hunting You will be available on April 16th, 2024.
Bree works for an Eco friendly cleaning business where she trains new hire, Erin. Bree instantly notices that Erin is in an abusive relationship. She’s glued to her phone and has noticeable bruising on her body. Bree feels empathetic towards this woman because she knows what it’s like to be in an abusive relationship. Erin’s boyfriend becomes a really big problem dragging Bree down with her. Bree is on a mission to get him caught in put in jail for good.
This story was an easy read but at times difficult with all the abuse happening. I related so much with Bree’s character because I have been in abusive relationships myself and very much had her same demeanor for a long time.
The author did a great job portraying what domestic abuse is with realistic character types and events. Erin’s character was annoying and frustrating at times but very honestly showed what a victim of abuse is like before they break free from the relationship.
The story jumped around a lot from different time periods with certain characters which made it hard to follow at times but overall was a good story line. There wasn’t much of a twist and it was rather predictable in my opinion but still enjoyable with all of the action. The epilogue hints at possibly another book.
Thank you to Book Sirens and Shade Owen’s for this ARC. Hunting You will be available on April 16th, 2024.
April 9, 2024
First off, it’s so important to note the trigger warnings on this one. Hunting You’s storyline centers around domestic violence with powerful, descriptive and sometimes disturbing scenes of terrible abuse. The author’s writing is extremely sensitive to this issue and accurately depicts the struggles abuse victims experience. While it’s a worthwhile read to bring awareness and help people understand/spot signs of abuse, this book may be extremely triggering for those who have experienced this kind of trauma.
I went into this book thinking it would be a popcorn thriller, but really only the last 1/4 of the book was twisty-turny. Most of this book was more domestic drama with some suspense. It was very well written but due to its slow burn nature, it did feel drawn out. The last 25% of the book was extremely action packed, with some twists being predictable and some you’d never see coming. If you can hold on through the slow burn character development, the ending makes this book very worthy of the thriller genre. I’d definitely read another book from this author.
3.5 ⭐️ rounded up
They say don’t judge a book by its cover, but this cover is beautiful!
Thank you to NetGalley & Red Raven Publishing for the opportunity to read this digital ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.
I went into this book thinking it would be a popcorn thriller, but really only the last 1/4 of the book was twisty-turny. Most of this book was more domestic drama with some suspense. It was very well written but due to its slow burn nature, it did feel drawn out. The last 25% of the book was extremely action packed, with some twists being predictable and some you’d never see coming. If you can hold on through the slow burn character development, the ending makes this book very worthy of the thriller genre. I’d definitely read another book from this author.
3.5 ⭐️ rounded up
They say don’t judge a book by its cover, but this cover is beautiful!
Thank you to NetGalley & Red Raven Publishing for the opportunity to read this digital ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.
April 13, 2024
I really enjoyed this book which was an early advanced copy and this is my honest review.
I’ve not heard of this author before but I liked the writing style, the twists and the cover drew me in. This was cleverly put together, a little show to start but it was clear every piece of Bree’s thoughts were important for this story. I loved her relationship with Erin’s, like two peas in a pod. You never know how dark someone can or what demons they’re holding. If you like a good psychological thriller, give this a go
I’ve not heard of this author before but I liked the writing style, the twists and the cover drew me in. This was cleverly put together, a little show to start but it was clear every piece of Bree’s thoughts were important for this story. I loved her relationship with Erin’s, like two peas in a pod. You never know how dark someone can or what demons they’re holding. If you like a good psychological thriller, give this a go
November 5, 2024
3.75 ⭐️ Did not see the twists coming at all with this one. I will say it took me a little to get into and I found the ending to be a bit out there but it was a decent read overall.
May 8, 2025
Kept me guessing the whole time. The twists and turns were well thought out. Character development was 🤌🏼. If domestic violence is a trigger for you- do not read. BUT, I loved how the ending showed how strong these women were. Still a little confused with Randi’s involvement and why her character was needed?
June 17, 2025
Wow!!!! This one was a great read!!! I was hooked from page 1!!!
July 14, 2025
“That’s what abusers do. They make you question your own reality.”
This book had some great nuggets that I highlighted on my Kindle! Overall a decent and easy read.
This book had some great nuggets that I highlighted on my Kindle! Overall a decent and easy read.
April 13, 2024
Absolutely loved this one. Found it truly hard to put down. Plenty of times you will wonder what is actually happening which makes for a wonderful ride. I would definitely pick you the next book this author writes. You will be rooting for the characters in this one. And I'm good with how this all works out.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 10, 2025
Outstanding
I was highly impressed with the strong characters and how they all played in such an outstanding storyline. Love the ending!
I was highly impressed with the strong characters and how they all played in such an outstanding storyline. Love the ending!
April 15, 2024
I really enjoyed Hunting You by Shade Owens! This book follows Bree who is a survivor of domestic violence who befriends a new co-worker Erin who is also being abused by her boyfriend. While she’s trying to help Erin she starts to receive threatening text messages from an unknown number. This book was definitely a page turner! I could not put it down!! Thank you so much to netgalley for the opportunity to read this book. Such a great thriller and will keep you guessing throughout the whole story!
April 25, 2024
Hunting You is marketed as a psychological thriller about Bree whose boyfriend was abusive and killed himself. While Bree is starting her life over in a new town she meets another woman named Erin, and Bree knows all too well the signs she’s seeing. Erin is also in an abusive relationship. Behind the scenes something is lurking.
I had a difficult time getting into the story for a couple of reasons. The biggest one being the story felt very disconnected and just random thoughts strung together. With it being a first person pov it made Bree feel extremely young, when in reality she’s supposed to be in her early 30’s. There was some disconnect between chapters where things happened off page that really should have been on page for the sake of the story.
This felt less like a thriller and more like an origin story, especially with the epilogue. None of the twists were super shocking, and I really couldn’t have cared less when one of the bigger twists was revealed. Honestly, good for Bree, but also why did this take nearly 300 pages to get into? It was super easy to follow along with, which speaks to the author knowing where they wanted to go.
The premise is clever and the author did a good job highlighting the nuances of those who are in abusive relationships and how they handle the during and after of the relationship.
If you’re new to thrillers, enjoy a book that uses simple vocabulary and dialogue, and don’t mind reading about victims of abuse - then this book is for you!
Thank you to the author, Shade Owens, and Book Sirens for allowing me to read an advanced readers copy of Hunting You. I did receive this advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I had a difficult time getting into the story for a couple of reasons. The biggest one being the story felt very disconnected and just random thoughts strung together. With it being a first person pov it made Bree feel extremely young, when in reality she’s supposed to be in her early 30’s. There was some disconnect between chapters where things happened off page that really should have been on page for the sake of the story.
This felt less like a thriller and more like an origin story, especially with the epilogue. None of the twists were super shocking, and I really couldn’t have cared less when one of the bigger twists was revealed. Honestly, good for Bree, but also why did this take nearly 300 pages to get into? It was super easy to follow along with, which speaks to the author knowing where they wanted to go.
The premise is clever and the author did a good job highlighting the nuances of those who are in abusive relationships and how they handle the during and after of the relationship.
If you’re new to thrillers, enjoy a book that uses simple vocabulary and dialogue, and don’t mind reading about victims of abuse - then this book is for you!
Thank you to the author, Shade Owens, and Book Sirens for allowing me to read an advanced readers copy of Hunting You. I did receive this advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 10, 2024
TW: This book perfectly captures the cycle abuse victims often find themselves in.
After the death of her abusive ex, Bree has moved on. Sort of. She’s living in a crappy motel with her dog and goes to work every day at a job she doesn’t love. When Erin begins working with her, Bree can immediately tell something is wrong. Bree tries to save Erin from her abusive situation, but maybe her own past isn’t as “past” as she thought.
To be honest, I got a little tired of Bree trying to save Erin. For awhile it felt like the plot wasn’t going anywhere. Maybe this was intended? To mimic that cycle of abuse? I can see it. Things got a little more exciting when Bree begins to receive threats and, given her past, refuses to back down. Bree is full of personality and her sense of humor and snide commentary keeps things going.
The ending seems a little contrived and doesn’t immediately follow from the rest of the plot. It wasn’t really a twist; on the contrary, I sort of expected everything that is revealed. Maybe it would have been a little more effective if the information hadn’t been reported at the end and had, instead, been working into the falling action a little more?
Overall? A little slow, but interesting.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
After the death of her abusive ex, Bree has moved on. Sort of. She’s living in a crappy motel with her dog and goes to work every day at a job she doesn’t love. When Erin begins working with her, Bree can immediately tell something is wrong. Bree tries to save Erin from her abusive situation, but maybe her own past isn’t as “past” as she thought.
To be honest, I got a little tired of Bree trying to save Erin. For awhile it felt like the plot wasn’t going anywhere. Maybe this was intended? To mimic that cycle of abuse? I can see it. Things got a little more exciting when Bree begins to receive threats and, given her past, refuses to back down. Bree is full of personality and her sense of humor and snide commentary keeps things going.
The ending seems a little contrived and doesn’t immediately follow from the rest of the plot. It wasn’t really a twist; on the contrary, I sort of expected everything that is revealed. Maybe it would have been a little more effective if the information hadn’t been reported at the end and had, instead, been working into the falling action a little more?
Overall? A little slow, but interesting.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 3, 2024
This is a tale of a survivor of domestic abuse who recognises the signs in a new colleague she is told to train at work. Bree left her latest boyfriend after one beating too many and managed to drive to another town, where a lady called Quip helped her out with a good deal on a long stay motel room, she owned with her wife. A couple of days later, she found out her ex-boyfriend Ethan had killed himself. She had nothing, as everything was in Ethan’s house and she couldn’t go back there, apart for the day of the funeral. She was lucky to find a job and somewhere really cheap to stay, but now six months after Ethan’s funeral, she has reminders of her own recent past, from Erin Milton, who acts scared all the time and has to answer her phone all the time. Bree knows the signs and tries talking to Erin and asking her if she is okay, but Erin loves her boyfriend Miguel and makes excuses for him all the time! When Bree tries to take a more direct action and speak to this Miguel, she gets a violent response and Erin clearly pays the price.
Soon after this, Bree starts to get anonymous messages to her phone and believes it is Miguel to start with, but the person knows a lot more about her past than Erin could have possibly known or passed on to anyone. When she spots a darkened out car following her she worries that she might have underestimated Miguel and if it isn’t Miguel, then she has no idea who is after her. They want her to admit to what she had done, but never quite say what. She even gets so messed up and worried, she thinks for an instant that it could have been Ethan himself, back from the dead, having never died in the first case. But she knows that is wrong, having seen his body! Erin eventually begins to trust Bree, but matters are ramping up from Bree’s mysterious messenger and she can’t go to the police about any of it. In fact, she has police suddenly coming around after some six months, saying they have some new evidence about Ethan’s death and an anonymous caller placed her at his house that night. Someone is trying to frame her, but they have no idea of just what Bree is capable of and what she has already gone through in her life to this point! A good couple of twists and turns that will bring a few surprises to the tale and make you start to wonder who is truly behind everything.
I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
Soon after this, Bree starts to get anonymous messages to her phone and believes it is Miguel to start with, but the person knows a lot more about her past than Erin could have possibly known or passed on to anyone. When she spots a darkened out car following her she worries that she might have underestimated Miguel and if it isn’t Miguel, then she has no idea who is after her. They want her to admit to what she had done, but never quite say what. She even gets so messed up and worried, she thinks for an instant that it could have been Ethan himself, back from the dead, having never died in the first case. But she knows that is wrong, having seen his body! Erin eventually begins to trust Bree, but matters are ramping up from Bree’s mysterious messenger and she can’t go to the police about any of it. In fact, she has police suddenly coming around after some six months, saying they have some new evidence about Ethan’s death and an anonymous caller placed her at his house that night. Someone is trying to frame her, but they have no idea of just what Bree is capable of and what she has already gone through in her life to this point! A good couple of twists and turns that will bring a few surprises to the tale and make you start to wonder who is truly behind everything.
I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
April 9, 2024
this is one of those almost rare gems that pulls you in from the get-go. it features a MFC, Bree, who has endured abuse at the hands of caregivers and partners. as fierce and protective as Bree has become, she's had to fight battles to become that way. she saw herself in another woman (Erin) whose spirit had seemingly been broken at the hands of her abuser, and refused to allow Erin to become another statistic... even if it meant putting her own life on the line. Bree is a bada$$, and she has every reason to be.
the author writes this almost as if Bree is telling the story to you, as if confiding in a friend. sometimes it's as if she's telling it to herself, to remind herself of where she's been and how she plans to go about navigating her life moving forward. you see her internal battles when it comes to her choices, and especially when it came to trusting others. as a survivor myself, this felt all too real. and that's why i couldn't help but love it. it's validating, but also heartbreaking knowing that others have had to deal with monsters in their lives.
even though this book can be a bit hard to read, i feel like if other women read this book... it can be almost a handbook in how powerful we could become if we really came together, and genuinely protected each other. seeing the signs, empathizing, and giving a safe space for someone else's plight is a powerful thing. judging or snide comments are never helpful. because it never is as easy as just calling in police, walking away, or leaving an abusive partner.
highly recommend for everyone and anyone who can handle this book.
thank you to NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read this book. i received this as an ARC and leave this review voluntarily.
the author writes this almost as if Bree is telling the story to you, as if confiding in a friend. sometimes it's as if she's telling it to herself, to remind herself of where she's been and how she plans to go about navigating her life moving forward. you see her internal battles when it comes to her choices, and especially when it came to trusting others. as a survivor myself, this felt all too real. and that's why i couldn't help but love it. it's validating, but also heartbreaking knowing that others have had to deal with monsters in their lives.
even though this book can be a bit hard to read, i feel like if other women read this book... it can be almost a handbook in how powerful we could become if we really came together, and genuinely protected each other. seeing the signs, empathizing, and giving a safe space for someone else's plight is a powerful thing. judging or snide comments are never helpful. because it never is as easy as just calling in police, walking away, or leaving an abusive partner.
highly recommend for everyone and anyone who can handle this book.
thank you to NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read this book. i received this as an ARC and leave this review voluntarily.
April 23, 2024
Wow, Shade Owens does it again! Beneath These Walls (my first Shade Owens read) was also a 5/5!
Bree's new coworker, Erin, is definitely hiding something. She is super nervous, shy, and cagey. Every time she receives a text message from her boyfriend, she is visibility distraught. When Erin shows up with a badly covered bruised one day, Bree understands what is happening. She has been there herself. She is determined to help Erin and make the girl see that there is an out.
While helping Erin, strange things start happening to Bree - cryptic messages, a car following her, etc. Is Erin's boyfriend on to Bree? If so, she could be in real danger. But Bree is a fighter. She won't back down.
What a crazy novel! It drew me in from the very first page. You will definitely be saying "one more page" and before you know it, it will be midnight! I also loved the main character, Bree. I love a powerful female lead, and boy, did Shade Owens deliver one!
Shade Owens explores the cycle of abuse and how victims are affected. This is obviously a very sensitive and delicate subject, but Shade Owens respectfully and realistically explored the cycle of abuse. The book left a lasting impression on me and I will be thinking about it over the days to come.
This is a must read for any thriller lover. It is captivating from start to finish and full of twists and turns. Cannot wait for the next Shade Owens novel!
Thank you Red Raven Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Bree's new coworker, Erin, is definitely hiding something. She is super nervous, shy, and cagey. Every time she receives a text message from her boyfriend, she is visibility distraught. When Erin shows up with a badly covered bruised one day, Bree understands what is happening. She has been there herself. She is determined to help Erin and make the girl see that there is an out.
While helping Erin, strange things start happening to Bree - cryptic messages, a car following her, etc. Is Erin's boyfriend on to Bree? If so, she could be in real danger. But Bree is a fighter. She won't back down.
What a crazy novel! It drew me in from the very first page. You will definitely be saying "one more page" and before you know it, it will be midnight! I also loved the main character, Bree. I love a powerful female lead, and boy, did Shade Owens deliver one!
Shade Owens explores the cycle of abuse and how victims are affected. This is obviously a very sensitive and delicate subject, but Shade Owens respectfully and realistically explored the cycle of abuse. The book left a lasting impression on me and I will be thinking about it over the days to come.
This is a must read for any thriller lover. It is captivating from start to finish and full of twists and turns. Cannot wait for the next Shade Owens novel!
Thank you Red Raven Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 4, 2024
Opinião: Este livro é um conjunto de reviravoltas tão grande que me deixou a cabeça às voltas. A oitenta por cento da leitura ainda não tinha entendido NADA do que se estava a passar. A protagonista suspeita que a sua nova colega de trabalho esconde algo sombrio, tendo em conta a experiência que tem com relacionamentos abusivos ao longo da sua vida. Apesar de não se querer envolver, acaba mesmo por tentar ajudar Erin e as coisas começam a correr mesmo muito mal. A questão é que Bree, também tem um belo conjunto de esqueletos no armário, e aos poucos eles vão saindo e vamos descobrindo que aquilo que achamos que é verdade, não é. Confesso que suspeitei sempre que a Bree não era a típica boa Samaritana, mas tendo em conta todo o enredo e informações que vamos lendo, não esperava o final da forma como foi. Gostei mesmo muito, é de começar a ler e só parar no fim. Adoro a escrita da Shade Owens!
ENG Review: This book has such a plot twist that it left my head spinning. Eighty percent of the way through reading I still didn't understand ANYTHING of what was going on. The protagonist, Bree, suspects that her new coworker is hiding something dark, a fact known by her experience with abusive relationships throughout her life. Despite not wanting to get involved, she ends up trying to help Erin and things start to go really bad. The point is that Bree also has a beautiful amount of skeletons in the closet, and little by little they come out and we discover that what we think is true, it isn't. I confess that I always suspected that Bree wasn't the typical good Samaritan, but with all the plot and information we're reading, I didn't expect the ending the way it was. I really liked it, I started reading and only stopped at the end. I love Shade Owens' writing!
@bibliotecamil_insta
ENG Review: This book has such a plot twist that it left my head spinning. Eighty percent of the way through reading I still didn't understand ANYTHING of what was going on. The protagonist, Bree, suspects that her new coworker is hiding something dark, a fact known by her experience with abusive relationships throughout her life. Despite not wanting to get involved, she ends up trying to help Erin and things start to go really bad. The point is that Bree also has a beautiful amount of skeletons in the closet, and little by little they come out and we discover that what we think is true, it isn't. I confess that I always suspected that Bree wasn't the typical good Samaritan, but with all the plot and information we're reading, I didn't expect the ending the way it was. I really liked it, I started reading and only stopped at the end. I love Shade Owens' writing!
@bibliotecamil_insta
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