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The Stepfather
Please note this is a revised version of the book previously published as The Girl I Left Behind by L.E. Hill.
My stepfather destroyed our family. Now, twelve years later, he’s back in our life and I want justice for myself, and for my little sister.
It’s that aftershave. I’m trying to work out the familiar smell which is creeping up my nostrils.
I see him come towards me confidently, smiling. Dressed in a navy suit, crisp white shirt and red tie. He may be a bit greyer around the edges, but there’s no doubt it’s him.
As I stand just a few inches away from the man who invaded my sleep, dreams and nightmares for years, I can’t believe I’ve survived.
I stare straight into his dark eyes. As he reaches his hand out towards me, I vomit all over his feet.
Everyone respects my stepfather. But I know who he really is.
AN EXHILARATING BLEND OF EMOTIONAL FAMILY DRAMA AND BREATHTAKING SUSPENSE WITH A SHOCKING FINAL TWIST.
My stepfather destroyed our family. Now, twelve years later, he’s back in our life and I want justice for myself, and for my little sister.
It’s that aftershave. I’m trying to work out the familiar smell which is creeping up my nostrils.
I see him come towards me confidently, smiling. Dressed in a navy suit, crisp white shirt and red tie. He may be a bit greyer around the edges, but there’s no doubt it’s him.
As I stand just a few inches away from the man who invaded my sleep, dreams and nightmares for years, I can’t believe I’ve survived.
I stare straight into his dark eyes. As he reaches his hand out towards me, I vomit all over his feet.
Everyone respects my stepfather. But I know who he really is.
AN EXHILARATING BLEND OF EMOTIONAL FAMILY DRAMA AND BREATHTAKING SUSPENSE WITH A SHOCKING FINAL TWIST.
308 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 7, 2020
646 people are currently reading
108 people want to read
About the author
L.E. Hill
3 books5 followersLE Hill has always loved reading and writing and her short stories and poetry have been published in various anthologies.
The Girl I Left Behind is her debut novel.
A former journalist, she spent much of her working life in Glasgow, Edinburgh and London. She has also worked in marketing, teaching and research.
She is particularly interested in creative writing for health and well-being and runs a small social enterprise in East Lothian, Sharing A Story CIC, using shared reading and creative writing sessions to reduce social isolation and build confidence.
Her favourite authors, in no particular order, include Val McDermid, Liza Marklund, Elif Shafak, Shari Low and Lin Anderson.
The Girl I Left Behind is her debut novel.
A former journalist, she spent much of her working life in Glasgow, Edinburgh and London. She has also worked in marketing, teaching and research.
She is particularly interested in creative writing for health and well-being and runs a small social enterprise in East Lothian, Sharing A Story CIC, using shared reading and creative writing sessions to reduce social isolation and build confidence.
Her favourite authors, in no particular order, include Val McDermid, Liza Marklund, Elif Shafak, Shari Low and Lin Anderson.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
August 10, 2020
Horrible family time. Unhealed trauma creeping out bit by bit. The wonderful sex pest at rampage. Teen angst & #metoo.
Q:
She always flew into a panic at the slightest thing that might happen. Not the things that were actually happening around her at that moment. She worried about what might go wrong. (c)
Q:
I felt like my life was different shades of grey. I felt like I was treading through a big bog which I couldn’t get out of. (c)
Q:
I just wondered why you told Davina you were from Glasgow, when you told me that you are from Edinburgh?’
‘Ah, well,’ I say, thinking quickly, ‘they’re both true, in a way. I was born in Edinburgh, but brought up in the west. I was kind of interested to hear what she would say about Glasgow. She thinks it’s Danger City. Did you see her edging away from me?’ (c)
Q:
‘’Aye, a letter claiming that we should be looking into your past. That you’re not to be trusted and that the hospital should be looking into deaths at the hospital at the time you were there. It claims you were sloppy with a few things.’ (c) Nice touch.
Q:
‘Your husband is a journalist and you don’t read the news. Classic.’ (c)
Q:
‘Nothing really surprises me, to be honest,’ she says. ‘Journalism kind of does that to you.’ (c)
Q:
I’m sure it couldn’t have been easy having me on her team. I tended to lend a sense of heaviness to things, as I wasn’t the type of person to skip through life brimming over with joy. I never brought any happy news to the workplace. No news about a new boyfriend or an engagement or a wedding like my colleagues did. They seemed to bubble over with enthusiasm at the smallest thing which brought them joy in their lives. A holiday, a new car — even a new pair of shoes. I often wondered about my sister Julie and what life would be like if things had been different. Then a twinge of regret and sadness would start to gnaw away at me and I would push the memories back down into the depths of my soul where I thought they should remain.
As I began to make plans for my adventure and fresh start I did begin to feel some little stirrings of excitement which gave me hope and made me smile. It had been so long since I’d felt anything like that I had become used to feeling numb and dead inside and bereaved. (c)
Q:
I don’t have kids. I just like to act like one. (c)
Q:
She always flew into a panic at the slightest thing that might happen. Not the things that were actually happening around her at that moment. She worried about what might go wrong. (c)
Q:
I felt like my life was different shades of grey. I felt like I was treading through a big bog which I couldn’t get out of. (c)
Q:
I just wondered why you told Davina you were from Glasgow, when you told me that you are from Edinburgh?’
‘Ah, well,’ I say, thinking quickly, ‘they’re both true, in a way. I was born in Edinburgh, but brought up in the west. I was kind of interested to hear what she would say about Glasgow. She thinks it’s Danger City. Did you see her edging away from me?’ (c)
Q:
‘’Aye, a letter claiming that we should be looking into your past. That you’re not to be trusted and that the hospital should be looking into deaths at the hospital at the time you were there. It claims you were sloppy with a few things.’ (c) Nice touch.
Q:
‘Your husband is a journalist and you don’t read the news. Classic.’ (c)
Q:
‘Nothing really surprises me, to be honest,’ she says. ‘Journalism kind of does that to you.’ (c)
Q:
I’m sure it couldn’t have been easy having me on her team. I tended to lend a sense of heaviness to things, as I wasn’t the type of person to skip through life brimming over with joy. I never brought any happy news to the workplace. No news about a new boyfriend or an engagement or a wedding like my colleagues did. They seemed to bubble over with enthusiasm at the smallest thing which brought them joy in their lives. A holiday, a new car — even a new pair of shoes. I often wondered about my sister Julie and what life would be like if things had been different. Then a twinge of regret and sadness would start to gnaw away at me and I would push the memories back down into the depths of my soul where I thought they should remain.
As I began to make plans for my adventure and fresh start I did begin to feel some little stirrings of excitement which gave me hope and made me smile. It had been so long since I’d felt anything like that I had become used to feeling numb and dead inside and bereaved. (c)
Q:
I don’t have kids. I just like to act like one. (c)
November 6, 2024
I picked this up in the read now section because I needed something light. Well, this story isn't exactly 'light' because Sophie has a lot on her mind. Her move from Sydney to cold and dark London, her husband Eliott who's always working, and her beloved daughter Emma and her mother-in-law Joan who comes to stay - maybe indefinitely?
And there there are her dark memories of her childhood, with her mother who doesn't care a lot about Sophie because she reminds her of her father, but dotes on Sophie's sister Ellie, who tragically dies when she's a teenager - and not to mention her stepfather James, a politician as bad as they come.
Slowly - sometimes too slowly - we learn what happened with Sophie's family and slowly, very slowly James comes back in Sophie's life to make her even more miserable. But she's had enough and decides to fight back.
The book drags on in places and most characters are quite flat but it was an easy read and therefore I ended up giving three stars.
And there there are her dark memories of her childhood, with her mother who doesn't care a lot about Sophie because she reminds her of her father, but dotes on Sophie's sister Ellie, who tragically dies when she's a teenager - and not to mention her stepfather James, a politician as bad as they come.
Slowly - sometimes too slowly - we learn what happened with Sophie's family and slowly, very slowly James comes back in Sophie's life to make her even more miserable. But she's had enough and decides to fight back.
The book drags on in places and most characters are quite flat but it was an easy read and therefore I ended up giving three stars.
November 5, 2024
Sophie and her little sister Julie grew up with their mother and lost their dad when they were very young. Some years later their mother married again, and they ended up with a new stepfather James, a local politician who to the outside world is respected and loved by his local constituents and members of their community. It seems he can do no wrong in their eyes he is charismatic, charming and pays people the kind of attention that makes them feel like they are of great importance to them.
But James is not a nice man, and this is evident by the way his stepchildren feel towards him, their mother seems to be oblivious as to what may be happening to her daughters. Julie has always been the favourite daughter and Sophie has always felt second best. Her mental health is suffering, and her life is very unhappy.
Years later Sophie marries Elliot and moves countries so that Elliot can expand his career. Sophie who now has a five-year-old daughter Emma cannot believe it when she finds out James is living in her local town and now, she is after revenge.
I found that this book dragged, the story is a slow burn and maybe it was because it is such a depressing topic, but my mind kept wandering and I was wanting it to hurry up and end. By the time I got to the conclusion I was more than ready to put the book down and move on to something else.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions expressed are my own. 2.5 stars rounded up.
But James is not a nice man, and this is evident by the way his stepchildren feel towards him, their mother seems to be oblivious as to what may be happening to her daughters. Julie has always been the favourite daughter and Sophie has always felt second best. Her mental health is suffering, and her life is very unhappy.
Years later Sophie marries Elliot and moves countries so that Elliot can expand his career. Sophie who now has a five-year-old daughter Emma cannot believe it when she finds out James is living in her local town and now, she is after revenge.
I found that this book dragged, the story is a slow burn and maybe it was because it is such a depressing topic, but my mind kept wandering and I was wanting it to hurry up and end. By the time I got to the conclusion I was more than ready to put the book down and move on to something else.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions expressed are my own. 2.5 stars rounded up.
December 13, 2024
THE STEPFATHER
I COULD hardly wait for this book to end. It was not well written. There were parts that sounded like an adult voice and others that sounded like a high schooler but not necessarily where it should. I liked she wasn’t very graphic about the abuse.
RECOMMENDATION: SKIP IT
I COULD hardly wait for this book to end. It was not well written. There were parts that sounded like an adult voice and others that sounded like a high schooler but not necessarily where it should. I liked she wasn’t very graphic about the abuse.
RECOMMENDATION: SKIP IT
November 18, 2024
The Stepfather was a little bit of a slow burn to me. The first part of the book took some build up and anticipation, but once the story really took hold I was hooked.
The secrets just kept unraveling and kept me interested in the story line. Trigger warning, the plot contains mention of childhood SA, and grooming. There’s mention of the me too movement, and gaslighting of victims too.
There were some heavy plot points, but overall I throughly enjoyed this read.
The secrets just kept unraveling and kept me interested in the story line. Trigger warning, the plot contains mention of childhood SA, and grooming. There’s mention of the me too movement, and gaslighting of victims too.
There were some heavy plot points, but overall I throughly enjoyed this read.
March 4, 2025
Traumatised childhood, trying to get justice. It was an ok read, nothing to exciting
August 13, 2020
As a lover of thrillers and after reading many positive reviews, I started this book with high hopes. An easy read (short chapters, alternating between both past and present) which allows you to become invested in the character(s). Finishing the book, I am unsure as to how I feel. I enjoyed reading this book, but the ending fell short and anti-climatic in comparison to the theme of the book. I would recommend the book, however, I jumped in with the expectation of a huge plot twist and was left with disappointment.
November 6, 2024
2.5⭐️
Thank you NetGalley, Choc Lit and Joffe Books for this ARC. The views outlined are my own.
Plot
Sophie has married an Australian and has a daughter, Emma. She and her family return to England and Sophie takes the reader through her past and present unravelling the secrets behind her Stepfather - a well respected MP with a dark past.
Review
In order to make my review fair and balanced, I’ll outline the positives and the negatives from the book. Beginning with the positives:
1. The book does make you want to understand what exactly happened.
2. It does a good job of building tension
3. It has very short bursts chapters so you get through the book quite quickly.
4. The plot is very interesting and I didn’t hate the characters - except James but I’m fairly sure I’m meant to.
However, some of the negatives that I tried really hard to overlook but couldn’t include:
1. The constant switching between past and present did make it incredibly difficult to follow what era we were in. I understand this was one of the ways the author tried to introduce cliffhangers but sometimes it felt like it would be more appropriate to have a few chapters from one era and a few from another.
2. I understand this is an unedited version but there were a lot of silly spelling mistakes and errors in the plot.
3. The first person narrative was really annoying. I love a good first person narrative but this narrator was working too hard to over describe everything, was often repetitive and it got boring in parts because of this.
4. A minor issue but the copy I had, the typing was too close together and was pretty poor accessibility wise to read. I’d consider double spacing for the official ebook or readers with poor eyesight may struggle.
Overall, it wasn’t an awful book but I didn’t love it and I don’t think I’ll be rushing out to buy this or another book by this author unfortunately.
Thank you NetGalley, Choc Lit and Joffe Books for this ARC. The views outlined are my own.
Plot
Sophie has married an Australian and has a daughter, Emma. She and her family return to England and Sophie takes the reader through her past and present unravelling the secrets behind her Stepfather - a well respected MP with a dark past.
Review
In order to make my review fair and balanced, I’ll outline the positives and the negatives from the book. Beginning with the positives:
1. The book does make you want to understand what exactly happened.
2. It does a good job of building tension
3. It has very short bursts chapters so you get through the book quite quickly.
4. The plot is very interesting and I didn’t hate the characters - except James but I’m fairly sure I’m meant to.
However, some of the negatives that I tried really hard to overlook but couldn’t include:
1. The constant switching between past and present did make it incredibly difficult to follow what era we were in. I understand this was one of the ways the author tried to introduce cliffhangers but sometimes it felt like it would be more appropriate to have a few chapters from one era and a few from another.
2. I understand this is an unedited version but there were a lot of silly spelling mistakes and errors in the plot.
3. The first person narrative was really annoying. I love a good first person narrative but this narrator was working too hard to over describe everything, was often repetitive and it got boring in parts because of this.
4. A minor issue but the copy I had, the typing was too close together and was pretty poor accessibility wise to read. I’d consider double spacing for the official ebook or readers with poor eyesight may struggle.
Overall, it wasn’t an awful book but I didn’t love it and I don’t think I’ll be rushing out to buy this or another book by this author unfortunately.
November 18, 2024
Lorna Henderson’s The Stepfather is a gripping psychological thriller that hooks readers from the start and doesn’t let go until the final page. This is a story that lingers in your mind long after reading, filled with unexpected twists, simmering drama, and a depth that defies expectations.
Henderson masterfully builds tension, crafting a narrative where every reveal feels like a piece of a larger puzzle falling into place. The story doesn’t just reach a climactic spillover; it keeps readers on edge by layering more secrets, surprises, and emotional shocks even after you think the dust has settled.
What sets The Stepfather apart is Henderson’s ability to balance intricate plotting with richly developed characters. Every twist feels earned because of the depth of the relationships and the emotional stakes woven throughout. The dynamics between family members—complicated, raw, and sometimes unsettling—keep the reader guessing about motives and truths.
The novel explores themes of trust, betrayal, and the hidden complexities of family life. It challenges readers to question appearances and ponder how far people will go to protect—or destroy—those closest to them.
With its steady pacing and unforgettable conclusion, The Stepfather is a must-read for fans of domestic thrillers and stories that blur the line between right and wrong. Lorna Henderson has delivered a compelling tale that will stay with readers long after the last page is turned.
Henderson masterfully builds tension, crafting a narrative where every reveal feels like a piece of a larger puzzle falling into place. The story doesn’t just reach a climactic spillover; it keeps readers on edge by layering more secrets, surprises, and emotional shocks even after you think the dust has settled.
What sets The Stepfather apart is Henderson’s ability to balance intricate plotting with richly developed characters. Every twist feels earned because of the depth of the relationships and the emotional stakes woven throughout. The dynamics between family members—complicated, raw, and sometimes unsettling—keep the reader guessing about motives and truths.
The novel explores themes of trust, betrayal, and the hidden complexities of family life. It challenges readers to question appearances and ponder how far people will go to protect—or destroy—those closest to them.
With its steady pacing and unforgettable conclusion, The Stepfather is a must-read for fans of domestic thrillers and stories that blur the line between right and wrong. Lorna Henderson has delivered a compelling tale that will stay with readers long after the last page is turned.
November 21, 2024
"The Stepfather" tells the tale of Sophie's life, alternating between past and present. The author alludes to terrible things happening to Sophie during her teen years, but it isn't until 1/3 of the way through the book that the reader finds out what the terrible things actually were.
As an adult, Sophie, along with her husband and young daughter, move from Australia back to the UK. Sophie has been keeping secrets about her past from her husband, and she is worried that when her husband finds out what she's done, he will no longer love her.
Sophie finally decides that her Stepfather needs to be held accountable for his actions, hopefully saving other young girls from a life of abuse.
I kept thinking something big/exciting was going to happen. I was disappointed when that never occurred. The book ended kind of abruptly, almost as if the author needed to meet a deadline and didn't take the time to fully develop the conclusion.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion/review.
As an adult, Sophie, along with her husband and young daughter, move from Australia back to the UK. Sophie has been keeping secrets about her past from her husband, and she is worried that when her husband finds out what she's done, he will no longer love her.
Sophie finally decides that her Stepfather needs to be held accountable for his actions, hopefully saving other young girls from a life of abuse.
I kept thinking something big/exciting was going to happen. I was disappointed when that never occurred. The book ended kind of abruptly, almost as if the author needed to meet a deadline and didn't take the time to fully develop the conclusion.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion/review.
December 23, 2024
A book where nothing actually happens. I mean the main character tells us, kinda, what happened in the past but she may as well have been talking about washing her hair. Boring. All the characters are boring. The big bad villain was a cipher. There are tidbits sprinkled throughout that made me think some plot twists were coming but nope; they all led nowhere and I'm not sure what the purpose was . The entire story felt like an outline rather than a finished book, or like someone telling you about what the book is about.
October 9, 2020
Sophie’s Secrets
Sophie Lewis once had a mother and a younger sister named Julie. Then first Julie, and then her mother died. Sophie fled from the United Kingdom to Australia to begin new life, and put the past
behind her!
Now along with her husband and young daughter, she’s back in the UK. Now she feels ready and strong enough to confront her much despised stepfather, John MacIntyre, MP with his transgressions against her and her family.
What were the MP’s transgressions? How did Julie die? Why did Sophie feel so unloved, angry, and hopeless as a teenager? To discover Sophie’s secrets read The Girl I Left Behind!
Sophie Lewis once had a mother and a younger sister named Julie. Then first Julie, and then her mother died. Sophie fled from the United Kingdom to Australia to begin new life, and put the past
behind her!
Now along with her husband and young daughter, she’s back in the UK. Now she feels ready and strong enough to confront her much despised stepfather, John MacIntyre, MP with his transgressions against her and her family.
What were the MP’s transgressions? How did Julie die? Why did Sophie feel so unloved, angry, and hopeless as a teenager? To discover Sophie’s secrets read The Girl I Left Behind!
November 23, 2024
Thank you, NetGalley, Choc Lit, and Joffe Books, for this ARC. I am 100 percent responsible for my own opinions.
This book was very drawn out. As a person who has childhood trauma of my own, that was a bit hard to get through.
The story itself was suspenseful and kept the reader intrigued. However, the extra-drawn-out aspect of this book took away from the reading experience. The constant going from the past to the present didn't help much.
This book is still worth the effort to read, but it does have triggers for anyone with a childhood past.
This book was very drawn out. As a person who has childhood trauma of my own, that was a bit hard to get through.
The story itself was suspenseful and kept the reader intrigued. However, the extra-drawn-out aspect of this book took away from the reading experience. The constant going from the past to the present didn't help much.
This book is still worth the effort to read, but it does have triggers for anyone with a childhood past.
March 15, 2025
Step Right IntoA Riveting Read.
Kept me interested from the beginning to the end. The story flowed and I found the characters were believable having been a Stepdaughter myself. I also was ‘ Saddled’with a Step Sister who I was never told she was such - worked that out for myself aged 9!I was hissing at the “Stepfather “ all the way through., I actually cried for our Heroine. Our Author provided the best Twist I’ve ever come across for an ending. Praise indeed from an avid reader like myself.Im starting my next Lorna Henderson now. Looks like another late night !
Kept me interested from the beginning to the end. The story flowed and I found the characters were believable having been a Stepdaughter myself. I also was ‘ Saddled’with a Step Sister who I was never told she was such - worked that out for myself aged 9!I was hissing at the “Stepfather “ all the way through., I actually cried for our Heroine. Our Author provided the best Twist I’ve ever come across for an ending. Praise indeed from an avid reader like myself.Im starting my next Lorna Henderson now. Looks like another late night !
December 8, 2024
This is the story of a woman who tried to run away from trauma but is now back to confront the source of it. The chapters alternate between her present (temporarily back to the UK with her Australian husband and 4-years-old daughter) and past (mostly her teenage years in Scotland), and I enjoyed following the two timelines that way. It easily kept my attention most of the time, although by the end I found myself not really knowing what to think of the plot. It's still a good book overall.
July 24, 2025
Excellent read
I really enjoyed this book. It focuses on a terrible crime that is way more pervasive than many are aware of unless they have been personally involved: STEPFATHERS are overwhelmingly the culprits, but often go unreported. Just a caveat, you never really know what is in someone else's mind. Protect your child and yourself from this heartbreak.
I really enjoyed this book. It focuses on a terrible crime that is way more pervasive than many are aware of unless they have been personally involved: STEPFATHERS are overwhelmingly the culprits, but often go unreported. Just a caveat, you never really know what is in someone else's mind. Protect your child and yourself from this heartbreak.
February 9, 2026
The author delivers excellent pacing that had me hooked from start to finish. The slow-burn tension around the stepfather's arrival kept me reading well past my bedtime. My only disappointment was the final reveal—after such masterful buildup, I expected a more shocking twist. Despite this, it's an engaging thriller that's well worth your time.
August 1, 2020
This book was absolute rubbish. I could not believe how many loose ends were not tied in the final chapter. Several times I wanted to give up on this but it is not something I like to do, not finish a book. Sorry I wasted time reading this will not read any more from this author.
October 5, 2020
Good but predictable
A good story, although predictable. Maybe I've read far too many books...if that is possible ... but I figured out the plot line early in the story. Well worth reading, but I would not call it a gripping psychological thriller.
A good story, although predictable. Maybe I've read far too many books...if that is possible ... but I figured out the plot line early in the story. Well worth reading, but I would not call it a gripping psychological thriller.
November 21, 2022
3 1/2 stars, rounded up here because of the way the book grips you and the writing. Not that happy with the ending because I think I would have liked to read further into the her thoughts and keep reading. But if you want to keep reading a book that’s got to be a positive.
November 17, 2024
An unsettling read
A story told in two time periods, the past and the present. It includes child abuse and mental health. Two sisters, a powerful stepfather and a depressed mother. The twists were really thrilling and kept the suspense in this story.
A story told in two time periods, the past and the present. It includes child abuse and mental health. Two sisters, a powerful stepfather and a depressed mother. The twists were really thrilling and kept the suspense in this story.
December 15, 2024
I received an arc copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest opinion of it. I really didn't care for this book and skimmed the last few chapters to be finished with it. I just felt like it got so far off the storyline and I didn't care for the main character either.
February 3, 2025
So true
I have a relative who was molested by a family member when she was 12. It led to decades of bad decisions. Fortunately, she has turned her life around. This book really resonated with me.
I have a relative who was molested by a family member when she was 12. It led to decades of bad decisions. Fortunately, she has turned her life around. This book really resonated with me.
July 13, 2020
Couldn’t put it down
Perfectly paced plot with depth and twists. Page turner that had me hooked from the start. Look forward to reading more from this author.
Perfectly paced plot with depth and twists. Page turner that had me hooked from the start. Look forward to reading more from this author.
July 27, 2020
A gripping read that moves between the past and present and keeps you hooked right until the last sentence.
I couldn't put this down once I started it!
I couldn't put this down once I started it!
February 17, 2021
Good read
Really enjoyed this book kept you guessing right to the very end will definitely be reading more books by the author
Really enjoyed this book kept you guessing right to the very end will definitely be reading more books by the author
November 7, 2024
This novel draws readers in right from the start, delving into Sophie’s journey to confront her past and seek justice for the harm caused by her stepfather. The first three-quarters of the book are gripping, with tension building as Sophie, haunted by years of trauma, returns to face the man who destroyed her family.
However, as the story nears its conclusion, the momentum slowed for me, and the final quarter didn't fully deliver on the suspenseful buildup. Some plot lines ultimately fall flat for me, lacking the shocking resolution that might have made the ending truly satisfying. While the wrap-up may have left me wanting more, Sophie’s journey is still compelling, and the story’s emotional depth makes it a worthwhile read.
Overall, this book earns a balanced 3 stars—an engaging read that might not fully satisfy but still delivers suspense and intensity.
Thank you to Joffe Books, Lorna Henderson, and NetGalley for the ARC.
However, as the story nears its conclusion, the momentum slowed for me, and the final quarter didn't fully deliver on the suspenseful buildup. Some plot lines ultimately fall flat for me, lacking the shocking resolution that might have made the ending truly satisfying. While the wrap-up may have left me wanting more, Sophie’s journey is still compelling, and the story’s emotional depth makes it a worthwhile read.
Overall, this book earns a balanced 3 stars—an engaging read that might not fully satisfy but still delivers suspense and intensity.
Thank you to Joffe Books, Lorna Henderson, and NetGalley for the ARC.
November 22, 2024
Wow! Just Wow!
What an excellent storyline, unlike any I've read in quite some time! And the ending blew me away 😱! Superbly done Ms. Henderson!
What an excellent storyline, unlike any I've read in quite some time! And the ending blew me away 😱! Superbly done Ms. Henderson!
November 22, 2024
Brilliant
Had me hooked from the 1st page, twist and turns, a very good story of love mental health and historical abuse and the outcomes for alot of people highly recommend
Had me hooked from the 1st page, twist and turns, a very good story of love mental health and historical abuse and the outcomes for alot of people highly recommend
November 23, 2024
This is not a thriller. I really wish publishers would stop calling any old book a psychological thriller.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews