The Dream Job

by J.M. Hewitt

A good deed can be deadly… Hannah Barker’s actions undeniably saved the life of nine-year-old Sofia Arpels. Sofia’s mother, Alina, has everything she could ever dream of and declares herself forever in Hannah’s debt. Anything that Hannah wants, is hers. Alina has the wealth, power and status to grant any wish.

There are many things that Hannah desires. Edging closer to a role in the Momotaro Gallery is one of them, a goal she’s been pursuing for a while now, without success. But Hannah has another problem that’s even more pressing than her own career ambition.

What will Hannah ask for? And will Alina be able to give it to her? And what lengths will Hannah go to if she can’t?

A tense and gripping psychological thriller, perfect for fans of Jackie Kabler and Lizzy Barber.

Praise for The Dream Job 'An outstanding thriller, compelling and unsettling in equal measure. I could not put it down' Marion Todd

'One of the best novels I've read this year. Fans of Gillian Flynn and Jessica Knoll, grab this one as soon as you can' Shelia Bugler

Genres: Thriller

339 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 7, 2024

About the author

Silver Prize in the author v author competition 2008 (supported by the National Literary Trust)

Shortlisted for the Inspire and Mentor Campaign – selected by Jojo Moyes 2012

Two books independently published in 2010 and 2013

Longlisted for the Retreat West First Chapter Competition 2015

Winner of the BritCrime Pitch Competition 2015

Winner in the Twisted 50 Short Story Competition 2016. Short story 'Fingers' to be published in the Twisted 50 Anthology.

Appearing at the Felixstowe Book Festival in 2015 and 2016 and the East Anglia Author Festival 2016.

Member of the CWA, ITW and East Anglian Authors.

Exclusion Zone and The Hunger Within published 2016 / 2017 by Endeavour Media.

The Night Caller published by Bookouture 2019.

www.jmhewitt.com Twitter: @jmhewitt FB: www.facebook.com/j.mhewittauthor

Reviews

[Stefany Emsley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wish this book would’ve been called something else like “I owe you one” as it’s not even about a dream job other than the very last sentence of the book. A plot twist figured out quite early on as well. I don’t mean to be harsh but I wasn’t a lover of this one

[Sara🍉 Khan · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF

The writing was really bleak and we never really had an insight into the characters mind, also the plot was really boring. Just no.

[TheLisaD · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Dream Job by J.M. Hewitt presents an intriguing premise that blends career ambition with unexpected twists, creating a story that is as thought-provoking as it is unpredictable. The novel follows the journey of a character whose pursuit of what seems like the perfect job quickly takes a darker, more complicated turn. With its unique plot and surprising developments, *The Dream Job* certainly offers a fresh take on the "dream job" trope, but it may leave some readers wishing for a bit more depth and background to fully immerse them in the narrative.

At the heart of the story is a character who is eager to land their dream job—an opportunity that promises not only professional success but also personal fulfillment. However, as the plot progresses, the story takes a sharp turn, revealing that the job is not everything it seems. Without giving away too much, the twists in the story add layers of complexity to the narrative, forcing both the protagonist and the reader to reevaluate what has been presented as an ideal opportunity. The surprises are well-executed and certainly provide moments of suspense, making for an engaging read in the second half of the book.

However, while the twists are certainly effective, *The Dream Job* sometimes lacks the depth needed to fully invest readers in its characters and plot. There are moments where the story feels a bit rushed, and the lack of detailed background or context leaves the narrative feeling somewhat underdeveloped. The protagonist’s motivations, for example, could have been explored more thoroughly, giving readers a clearer sense of why they are so drawn to this seemingly perfect job, and what drives them to overlook red flags. Similarly, the setting and supporting characters could have benefited from more fleshing out to create a fuller, more immersive world.

J.M. Hewitt’s writing is clear and concise, with a smooth narrative flow that carries the story forward. The pacing, particularly in the beginning, might feel a bit too brisk for some readers, and the lack of buildup or deeper exploration of key elements may leave them feeling somewhat disconnected from the story. While the twists certainly add excitement, the emotional resonance and character development could have been stronger to make the payoff feel more earned.

Despite these areas where the story could have benefitted from a little more development, *The Dream Job* remains an enjoyable, quick read for those who enjoy thrillers with surprising turns. The central concept is fresh, and Hewitt’s ability to surprise the reader with unexpected plot developments ensures that the book is never predictable.

In conclusion, *The Dream Job* is a solid, twisty read that offers an interesting take on the idea of career success and ambition. While the surprises and the core premise are engaging, the story could have benefitted from a bit more depth and background to make the characters and their journey truly come alive. For readers looking for a quick, suspenseful story with a unique twist, this novel delivers—though it may leave some craving a bit more substance.

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars rounded up to 3 stars

A terrible event occurs, and young Sophia’s life is saved by a woman named Hannah who happened to be at the scene at the time. Sophia’s mother Alina cannot thank Hannah enough and tells her that she can ask for anything she wishes for, and Alina will provide it. As a very wealthy woman Alina expects Hannah to ask for money, and lots of it. Much to her surprise Hannah has other ideas.

Hannah has always dreamed of working in the Momotaro Gallery and feels that Alina has the contacts that may be the key to this dream coming true, but she also has a second request and wants Alina to help her in removing a toxic person from her life, will Alina agree?

The story takes quite a while to get off the ground and I found myself completely unable to identify with these two main characters, due to this I found it hard to invest myself in the book. There was not a lot of excitement or suspense that captured my attention, and I found myself turning the pages but not really caring about the resolution and if Hannah would have her requests fulfilled. I am not going to say anymore as we are all different and others may have an entirely different perspective and enjoyment of the book than I experienced.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions expressed are my own.

[Jamaica Tan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hannah Barker saved the life of nine-year-old Sofia Arpel in a freak accident at the museum. In return, Sofia's mother, Alina, decided to play the role of a fairy godmother to grant Hannah a wish. Any wish. Alina has all the riches and power one could ever dream of, and anything Hannah desire can be granted without Alina having ever lifting much of her fingers.

Hannah has been longing for a position at the Momotaro Gallery, something she has been pursuing without much success. However, more dire than that, she has another wish that needs to be executed immediately. It was this wish that spiralled into a never-ending cat-and-mouse chase and entwined the lives of Hannah and Alina together... forever.

It took me a while to complete this book. The storyline was disjointed and difficult to follow at times. There was little character development for Hannah and Alina. Though I was very much intrigued by Hannah and Alina's thoughts and actions, it sometimes lacked common sense, making their behaviour questionable. The plot also lacked suspense and remained flat throughout. The ending was disappointing and didn't provide a satisfying conclusion. Despite considering giving up midway, I finished the book hoping for a surprise that did not materialise.

Thanks NetGallery for sharing an advance digital copy of the book with me in exchange for an honest review.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a bit of a bizarre read, and not what I expected at all after reading the synopsis. When Hannah saves the life of Alina's young daughter, Alina will do anything to repay the debt. Hannah knows what she wants but doesn't know how far Alina will go. As the story progresses, we learn more about both the backgrounds and the motivations of the 2 primary characters.

While the book moved at a fast pace, it missed a bit of the characterization that I think would have made the story stronger. While there were some big twists, one reason they felt so unexpected is because the reader didn't have enough background information to see them coming. There were a couple revelations that gave me a good glimpse into the psyche of these characters, but I wish there had been more, and earlier. I did like the end of the book because what happened was a surprise, but by then I had enough background to make it all make sense. I thought some of the loose ends might have been tied up a little too neatly, but it worked for the book.

Overall, this was a unique story that went a completely different way than expected, but I would have enjoyed it more if I connected with any of the primary characters. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Mary Polzella · Rating 2 out of 5]

Alina, a wealthy and powerful woman is with her young daughter Sophia at an art exhibition when one of the art exhibits comes crashing down around Sophia. Alina is grateful that a young woman called Hannah is on hand to help save Sophia from injury and offers Hannah help with anything she wants. Hannah asks Alina for help to remove a toxic person from her life, 'no questions asked' and Alina agrees to assist. Alina is slowly drawn into Hannah's life and the mystery of the toxic person who is upsetting her existence.

I must confess, I struggled with this book. The concept of the story seemed interesting and solid but I found the story very slow to progress. I normally enjoy a slow burn but there wasn't a lot going on to keep me interested and invested in what was going to happen next. I found it difficult to understand either of the 2 lead characters who weren't particularly likeable and I struggled to understand their behaviour While there was an interesting twist towards the end of the story, it wasn't developed or revealed in a particularly exciting or shocking way

Thanks Netgalley for the opportunity to read this eARC

[Hannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

When Hannah saves the life of a child the child’s mother, Alina, grants Hannah the promise that she can provide her whatever she desires. Luckily for Hannah, Alina is a wealthy woman with high social status. What will Hannah ask for and will Alina be able to give it to her?

I found the concept of this one really intriguing and having previously read another book by this author, The Life She Wants, and enjoying it, I was keen to read this one. Sadly this didn’t really work for me as a thriller and I found I had to keep stopping and starting it as I struggled to connect to the story and the characters. The main issue was the lack of suspense and that the story never really picked up. It was also quite unbelievable at times. I think with a bit of tweaking this could be a really good story as the premise is definitely there. Even though this one wasn’t really for me, I would read another book by this author as I know from my past experience that she can write a great thriller. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.

[Farah G · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book felt like it had an interesting concept which the storytelling failed to deliver on entirely satisfactorily.

When Hannah saves the daughter of a very powerful and wealthy woman, Alina, she is offered the opportunity to have anything that she wants. Unfortunately, Hannah wants more than one thing. Even more unfortunately, one of the things that she wants has a very high price tag - and not just in material terms.

This story would have been more interesting if we were given an opportunity to get inside the heads of the main characters more effectively. As it is, the pace of the story needed work and its execution fell a little short. But there was definitely an interesting idea to work with.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[Sarah Lancey · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read the blurb then skip the first 200 pages and you may slightly enjoy this read. It was so painfully slow I nearly gave up on it at least 3 times.

Hannah as a character is awful, she’s cold and nothing likeable about her at all. Alina is as equally awful but at least when she’s in Russian Mafia badass mum mode there’s abit of something about…. her character 180 at the end is just ridiculous.

I want at all impressed by the inevitable demise of the ‘who dunnit’ character in question at the end. If anything I was relived the whole thing was over.

Give this one a miss folks.

[Nichola Gorji · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in return for an honest review. The premise sounded really interesting for this book and I enjoyed reading it. An intriguing and thoughtful thriller that had a lot going on throughout. I found the 2 main characters Hannah and Alina to be rather chilling and disturbing people which brought an edge to the story. A complex and engaging story that I would recommend.

[Chloe · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. 🌟

This book was very slow paced and I did struggle not to DNF. The characters were quite boring. I pressed on, curious to find out the twist. There is so much unnecessary information in this one, that was just plain and simple filler.

I got half way and had already guessed who was responsible for what happened to the daughter. I hadn’t managed to guess the other twists- which ended up being the only interesting part of the plot.

[Gemma Mck · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another skimmed book. It could be just me but I'm yet to figure why this book is called the dream job?

The character of Hannah was strange and I found it was too long to see her story of what happened to her husband and her family. I found the storyline weary and as if the author couldn't think what to write. Alina was another strange character who acted like she was from a mafia life but turns out she wasn't?!

This book left me baffled and didn't gage my interest.

[Arvin Dhillon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't understand why this book has received a low rating. It is a pretty good book and quite a chilling read in fact. The Dream Job has nothing whatsoever to with the actual plot. Book is certainly dreary at some points but evolving of Hannah is brilliant.

[sams_littlebooknook · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a strange read. It follows Alina and Hannah and how there lives unexpectedly cross. The story drags out about and even though I got the story I didn't feel like the plot thickens but more like it just pootles along.

[Rebecca Healey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Does this get any better? I'm on page 97 and I am bored of Aliana going back and forth to that Museum and how she is terrified her daughter could have died. WE GET IT. I fear this is going to continue for another 100 pages.

[Laura Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent book, I read most of it in one day and the writing did keep me interested however the plot was quite flimsy at times and feel like the whole ‘dream job’ concept was actually an after thought for the whole thing

[Mrs Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most Enjoyed

Interesting with all the twists and turns.
Can't wait to read JM Hewitt’s next book.
Sometimes I do wonder about what’s in an author’s head.

[Niabh Redmond · Rating 3 out of 5]

The pacing was very off for this book good concept but felt lacking in a way, really liked Alina as a character

[Brooke Wilsher · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring.

[Vicky Lou · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very dragged out story…

[ImA · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was bored 🥱

[Sophia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite a page-turner, storyline took quite a turn I didn't expect!

[Krystyna Szafranski · Rating 3 out of 5]

0

[Skye Griffiths · Rating 4 out of 5]

Obvious plot but I did enjoy!

[Paige Sell · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.6 🌟

[Emma Weston-Green · Rating 1 out of 5]

Predictable and obvious from the off

[A Reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really odd book, dull and made little sense, both POV characters strange and unlikable.

[Kirsten Bradley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A potentially deadly accident occurs, leading to Hannah saving the life of Sophia, Alina Arpels' daughter.
Alina is a wealthy, powerful woman determined to pay back Hannah in anyway that she can.
Expecting her wish to be money, she finds herself pleasantly surprised when Hannah asks for something else.

Initially I found the book very readable and engrossing, even if it I did need to suspend my disbelief. This changed though as the story went on, and on, and on. The last 15% caught my attention again, and once again I was engrossed. Hence the 3* rating. Could do with being a fair bit shorter.

[Poppy Logan · Rating 1 out of 5]

So long and boring