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I Become Her
A wife’s search for her husband’s true identity spirals into a nightmare of fear and paranoia in a twisting novel of psychological suspense by the Edgar Award–winning author of Or Else.
Only ten days into their marriage, Imogen and Lev Carmichael are on a honeymoon cruise in the Mediterranean when Imogen suspects her husband of being unfaithful. Amid the recriminations, denials, and rage, Lev falls overboard into the water. It’s a miracle he’s found alive. And with no memory of what pushed him—and Imogen—over the edge.
Back home among family and friends, Imogen and Lev are finally starting to readjust. As terrified as Imogen is of Lev’s memories returning, it’s her suspicions of infidelity that get the best of her. Then, searching for clues, she discovers a woman from Lev’s past he never told her about…a woman who has been missing for years. More alarming is that Imogen soon has reason to believe that Lev remembers more than he’s letting on. But why would he lie?
The man Imogen loved, married, and trusted is a man she’s now beginning to fear. And she must decide how far she’s willing to go to uncover the truth.
Only ten days into their marriage, Imogen and Lev Carmichael are on a honeymoon cruise in the Mediterranean when Imogen suspects her husband of being unfaithful. Amid the recriminations, denials, and rage, Lev falls overboard into the water. It’s a miracle he’s found alive. And with no memory of what pushed him—and Imogen—over the edge.
Back home among family and friends, Imogen and Lev are finally starting to readjust. As terrified as Imogen is of Lev’s memories returning, it’s her suspicions of infidelity that get the best of her. Then, searching for clues, she discovers a woman from Lev’s past he never told her about…a woman who has been missing for years. More alarming is that Imogen soon has reason to believe that Lev remembers more than he’s letting on. But why would he lie?
The man Imogen loved, married, and trusted is a man she’s now beginning to fear. And she must decide how far she’s willing to go to uncover the truth.
363 pages, Paperback
First published August 26, 2025
1313 people are currently reading
8320 people want to read
About the author
Joe Hart
52 books1,385 followersJoe Hart is the Edgar Award-winning and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of seventeen novels including The River Is Dark, Obscura, The Last Girl, and Or Else. His work has been optioned for film and translated into eight languages. He lives with his family in Minnesota.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 320 reviews
August 20, 2025
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The Book Review Crew Blog
I read Or Else by this author a few years ago and really enjoyed it. This book, too, was such a fun ride, and it is filled with plenty of twists. This one is more of a psychological thriller, and I liked the way he did it.
Newly married Lev and Imogen are on their honeymoon in the Mediterranean when Lev falls overboard. Now, that's not such a big deal because he is rescued, but he has lost part of his memory. When they get back to their home in Washington, D.C., Imogen starts spiralling and becomes suspicious of Lev. She thinks he's had an affair with a waitress and starts wondering about his missing ex, one he has never mentioned to her before. She also believes he is faking the memory loss.
I loved the dual perspectives and changing timelines in this one; it never became confusing. I know the memory loss trope has been done to death, but Hart makes it fresh. I was sucked into this right away. Right from the start of the honeymoon, things went from idyllic to ominous, and I couldn't put the book down. The pacing is warp-speed, and the suspense is very tense. The characters are realistic, flawed, and compelling.
The ending felt a little unfinished, so I am left wondering if there will be a book two. Other than that, it was near perfection. This one was atmospheric, tense, and extremely entertaining.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
The Book Review Crew Blog
I read Or Else by this author a few years ago and really enjoyed it. This book, too, was such a fun ride, and it is filled with plenty of twists. This one is more of a psychological thriller, and I liked the way he did it.
Newly married Lev and Imogen are on their honeymoon in the Mediterranean when Lev falls overboard. Now, that's not such a big deal because he is rescued, but he has lost part of his memory. When they get back to their home in Washington, D.C., Imogen starts spiralling and becomes suspicious of Lev. She thinks he's had an affair with a waitress and starts wondering about his missing ex, one he has never mentioned to her before. She also believes he is faking the memory loss.
I loved the dual perspectives and changing timelines in this one; it never became confusing. I know the memory loss trope has been done to death, but Hart makes it fresh. I was sucked into this right away. Right from the start of the honeymoon, things went from idyllic to ominous, and I couldn't put the book down. The pacing is warp-speed, and the suspense is very tense. The characters are realistic, flawed, and compelling.
The ending felt a little unfinished, so I am left wondering if there will be a book two. Other than that, it was near perfection. This one was atmospheric, tense, and extremely entertaining.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
September 18, 2025
OMMMGGGEEE! Mind-blowing, twisty, and unguessable in the extreme, I Become Her took me on a rollercoaster ride of suspense filled with expert mind games and plenty of chills. From the cleverly crafted unreliable narrator to her supposedly perfect new husband, I went back and forth in my head about the on-point characterizations of not only them, but the third mysterious POV as well. After all, not only were they beyond well-developed, but the depth of the plot had me flying through the chapters at speed until I reached the very last word. But then, that wasn’t all that I loved in this thrilling tale.
What was the other reason I inhaled page after page, you might ask? Well, that was most definitely the two seemingly unrelated plot lines and their twisted connection. I’m not one to usually be surprised by supposed jaw-dropping twists, but this one was a *chef’s kiss* revelation that took me out at the knees. Well set up and obscured through some truly brilliant plotting, my breath was taken away as the puzzle pieces dropped into place with precision. I can’t say much more without providing a spoiler, but just know that it was on par with anything by Sarah Pekkanen but with a slight B.A. Paris vibe.
All said and done, despite the need to suspend my disbelief here and there, the immersive storytelling, eerie foreboding, and downright perfect pacing made this into an absolute white-knuckle ride. From the domestic suspense lead-up to the psychological thriller climax and conclusion, there was nothing but perfection between the covers of this one. I mean, how could you not love a story that alternated between feeling unhinged and all-too realistic? Just one small request from this thriller lover. Go into this book blind—that way the “WTF?!” twists will be sure to shock you but good. Rating of 5 stars.
BRIEF BLURB:
Like I said in my review, I highly recommend going into this book blind. All you need to know is that it’s about a new bride on her honeymoon, who accidentally pushes her husband over the railing of their cruise ship balcony. Consumed with suspicion that he’s already been cheating, her intuition—or paranoia—drove her to act rashly. Is she already a widow only ten days into her marriage? Or did he survive the sixty foot fall? And if he did, what will he say when he’s found? Everything else you don’t need to know before diving into this unputdownable novel. After all, I swear on my life that it’s better finding out the rest from Joe Hart himself.
Thank you to Joe Hart and Thomas & Mercer for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: August 26, 2025
See below for my potentially plot spoiling trigger list.
Content warning: infidelity, domestic abuse, gaslighting, stalking, gun violence, mention of: murder
What was the other reason I inhaled page after page, you might ask? Well, that was most definitely the two seemingly unrelated plot lines and their twisted connection. I’m not one to usually be surprised by supposed jaw-dropping twists, but this one was a *chef’s kiss* revelation that took me out at the knees. Well set up and obscured through some truly brilliant plotting, my breath was taken away as the puzzle pieces dropped into place with precision. I can’t say much more without providing a spoiler, but just know that it was on par with anything by Sarah Pekkanen but with a slight B.A. Paris vibe.
All said and done, despite the need to suspend my disbelief here and there, the immersive storytelling, eerie foreboding, and downright perfect pacing made this into an absolute white-knuckle ride. From the domestic suspense lead-up to the psychological thriller climax and conclusion, there was nothing but perfection between the covers of this one. I mean, how could you not love a story that alternated between feeling unhinged and all-too realistic? Just one small request from this thriller lover. Go into this book blind—that way the “WTF?!” twists will be sure to shock you but good. Rating of 5 stars.
BRIEF BLURB:
Like I said in my review, I highly recommend going into this book blind. All you need to know is that it’s about a new bride on her honeymoon, who accidentally pushes her husband over the railing of their cruise ship balcony. Consumed with suspicion that he’s already been cheating, her intuition—or paranoia—drove her to act rashly. Is she already a widow only ten days into her marriage? Or did he survive the sixty foot fall? And if he did, what will he say when he’s found? Everything else you don’t need to know before diving into this unputdownable novel. After all, I swear on my life that it’s better finding out the rest from Joe Hart himself.
Thank you to Joe Hart and Thomas & Mercer for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: August 26, 2025
See below for my potentially plot spoiling trigger list.
Content warning: infidelity, domestic abuse, gaslighting, stalking, gun violence, mention of: murder
June 20, 2025
I take you for better or for worse, to love and to cherish, until death do us part…oopsy daisy!😇
Imogen and Lev have embarked for their honeymoon on a Mediterranean cruise. And one night of drinking and accusations of infidelity leaves Lev overboard.
The question is…Did he fall or was he pushed?
Fortunately, a fishing boat was in the vicinity and found Lev alive but with no memory of how he wound up in the sea.
Now back home, Imogen and Lev try to move forward, all the while waiting for Lev to regain his memory. But as time goes on Imogen is getting more suspicious, and begins to question everything about the man she married. Who is this guy? And what exactly is he hiding?
This was a fast-paced thriller that grabbed and held my attention from beginning to end.
Short chapters that will have you reading late into the night, or in my case, sneaking a chapter in whenever I had a break at work. (Our little secret!)🤫.
And the twist, let’s just say I was forced to pause to wrap my head around it! Well played!👋🏼
This was my first Joe Hart book, and I’m impressed Joe! You have a new fan! I’ll definitely be back for more!
Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer
Pub date: Aug 26 2025
Imogen and Lev have embarked for their honeymoon on a Mediterranean cruise. And one night of drinking and accusations of infidelity leaves Lev overboard.
The question is…Did he fall or was he pushed?
Fortunately, a fishing boat was in the vicinity and found Lev alive but with no memory of how he wound up in the sea.
Now back home, Imogen and Lev try to move forward, all the while waiting for Lev to regain his memory. But as time goes on Imogen is getting more suspicious, and begins to question everything about the man she married. Who is this guy? And what exactly is he hiding?
This was a fast-paced thriller that grabbed and held my attention from beginning to end.
Short chapters that will have you reading late into the night, or in my case, sneaking a chapter in whenever I had a break at work. (Our little secret!)🤫.
And the twist, let’s just say I was forced to pause to wrap my head around it! Well played!👋🏼
This was my first Joe Hart book, and I’m impressed Joe! You have a new fan! I’ll definitely be back for more!
Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer
Pub date: Aug 26 2025
August 27, 2025
Guys… I LOVED this book!!! Thank you so much @mbc_books for my gorgeous gifted copy!! 🥰This is a 5 star ⭐️ read that had me hooked from the very first page!! In fact I listened to the audiobook too so I didn’t have to stop!! 😉 I took it EVERYWHERE! Thank you @brilliancepublishing for the gifted audiobook ❤️
Pub date is tomorrow!! 8/25! 🥳
What did I love? Listen to this… Newly married and your husband Lev just happens to fall overboard during your honeymoon ?! 🤔🤔 Hmmm… nothing suspicious about that. 😬🤷♀️Like I said this started with a bang and didn’t let up. 😳
The first twist hit and I definitely said Nooo 🫨.. Oh yes!! 😂
Holy stalker!! This quickly became a fast paced game of cat and mouse that had me on the edge of my seat the entire time.
Pub date is tomorrow!! 8/25! 🥳
What did I love? Listen to this… Newly married and your husband Lev just happens to fall overboard during your honeymoon ?! 🤔🤔 Hmmm… nothing suspicious about that. 😬🤷♀️Like I said this started with a bang and didn’t let up. 😳
The first twist hit and I definitely said Nooo 🫨.. Oh yes!! 😂
Holy stalker!! This quickly became a fast paced game of cat and mouse that had me on the edge of my seat the entire time.
August 22, 2025
I still can't believe what I just read. I Become Her is, without question, the best psychological thriller I've devoured this year. I went in blind—no blurb, no expectations—and was promptly strapped into a rollercoaster I didn’t know I’d boarded. It starts with a slow climb, all eerie calm and rising tension, and then—bam—you're screaming through twist after twist, white-knuckling it to the end.
This, ladies and gentlemen, is how a thriller should be written.
If you're in a reading slump, this is the jolt you need. Yes, I smugly guessed the major twist (detective hat on and all), but it didn’t dull the thrill one bit. The writing, the pacing, the atmosphere. It all hit the mark. I Become Her checks every box on my psychological thriller wish list and then some.
And mark my words: this needs to be a movie. If the adaptation captures even half the tension of the book, I’ll be first in line, popcorn ready.
This was my first Joe Hart experience, and I’m officially hooked.
Next stop: guzzling his entire backlist.
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for this digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This, ladies and gentlemen, is how a thriller should be written.
If you're in a reading slump, this is the jolt you need. Yes, I smugly guessed the major twist (detective hat on and all), but it didn’t dull the thrill one bit. The writing, the pacing, the atmosphere. It all hit the mark. I Become Her checks every box on my psychological thriller wish list and then some.
And mark my words: this needs to be a movie. If the adaptation captures even half the tension of the book, I’ll be first in line, popcorn ready.
This was my first Joe Hart experience, and I’m officially hooked.
Next stop: guzzling his entire backlist.
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for this digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
August 28, 2025
the setup…
Imogen and Lev Carmichael are on their honeymoon cruise in the Mediterranean when she sees him in an interaction with a waitress that is disturbing. Later when she’s back on the ship and wakes to find him missing, Imogen suspects he’s disembarked for a tryst and thinks she saw him. They argue when he returns and Lev goes over the balcony (with a little unintentional help from her). Miraculously he’s rescued…but has no memory of how he ended up in the ocean and she’s not filling in the blanks. Back home, Imogen is fearful his memories will return but she’s equally suspicious of his fidelity, or lack thereof.
the heart of the story…
I’ve never been so “at sea” in a story as I was with this one. It’s mostly Imogen’s point of view interspersed with those of someone named Sierra. I couldn’t figure out if Imogen was being paranoid or if Lev was running a con and how Sierra factored into things. I went back and forth so many times I gave myself whiplash.
the narration…
Sarah Naughton, Abigail Reno and Joe Knezevich were wonderful storytellers, with Naughton carrying most of the weight as Imogen. She gave nothing away until it was time!
the bottom line…
It takes a skillful writer to have me confused for 75% of the story and still keep me deeply immersed in it. Is Imogen seeing things that aren’t there or is Lev that good at masking who he really is? This was the ultimate psychological thriller that kept me guessing through the shocking end. Nothing at all typical about this one. 4.5 stars
(Thanks to Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
Imogen and Lev Carmichael are on their honeymoon cruise in the Mediterranean when she sees him in an interaction with a waitress that is disturbing. Later when she’s back on the ship and wakes to find him missing, Imogen suspects he’s disembarked for a tryst and thinks she saw him. They argue when he returns and Lev goes over the balcony (with a little unintentional help from her). Miraculously he’s rescued…but has no memory of how he ended up in the ocean and she’s not filling in the blanks. Back home, Imogen is fearful his memories will return but she’s equally suspicious of his fidelity, or lack thereof.
the heart of the story…
I’ve never been so “at sea” in a story as I was with this one. It’s mostly Imogen’s point of view interspersed with those of someone named Sierra. I couldn’t figure out if Imogen was being paranoid or if Lev was running a con and how Sierra factored into things. I went back and forth so many times I gave myself whiplash.
the narration…
Sarah Naughton, Abigail Reno and Joe Knezevich were wonderful storytellers, with Naughton carrying most of the weight as Imogen. She gave nothing away until it was time!
the bottom line…
It takes a skillful writer to have me confused for 75% of the story and still keep me deeply immersed in it. Is Imogen seeing things that aren’t there or is Lev that good at masking who he really is? This was the ultimate psychological thriller that kept me guessing through the shocking end. Nothing at all typical about this one. 4.5 stars
(Thanks to Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
November 16, 2025
2.5⭐
Available on Kindle Unlimited with Audio
I seem to be an outlier on this one! I honestly found myself struggling with it. I started and stopped several times and even tried reading at different times of the day, hoping to understand what others appreciated about it, but unfortunately, it never clicked for me. Please note that this is just my personal opinion. I strongly encourage you to read other reviews for a much more balanced perspective on the book.
This is my first time around with A Joe Hart thriller. He comes highly recommended, I think this one is just not for me. Possibly because I listened on audio? The narrators were fine but sometimes books are meant to be read vs listened to.
On the positive side, the ending featured a fantastic twist that I did not see coming—it was a jaw-dropper. While I had figured out many of the events earlier in the story, this one major surprise made the conclusion highly rewarding. My main critique, however, is that the journey to reach that ending felt too long. The characters are also very well developed. By the end, you have a complete understanding of the who, why, and how, leading to a satisfying "Ahhh, it all makes sense now!" moment. The writing itself is clear and descriptive.
There is a definite sense of evil within both the antagonist and the plot, making it neither a light nor an easy read. Given that Mr. Hart is an Edgar Award winner, the depth, mystery, and darkness in his writing are consistent with the caliber of authors recognized by the award.
The main element that was challenging for me was the extensive focus on the MFC mistrust and suspicion regarding her husband's (MMC) fidelity. This dynamic—which included a history of violence against a former boyfriend based on similar concerns—dominated the first 25% or more of the book. While I understand this paranoia was integral to the overall plot and the eventual finale, I found the MFC's character development in this section to be quite obnoxious. I suspect the audio format may have contributed to my dissatisfaction with this specific area of dislike. Additionally, I generally do not enjoy storylines centered on gaslighting or mother-daughter conflict, both of which were present here. Finally, I felt the plot was overly complex with too many converging factors. Although it was easy enough to follow the various threads, the volume of elements made it equally easy to lose interest.
Available on Kindle Unlimited with Audio
I seem to be an outlier on this one! I honestly found myself struggling with it. I started and stopped several times and even tried reading at different times of the day, hoping to understand what others appreciated about it, but unfortunately, it never clicked for me. Please note that this is just my personal opinion. I strongly encourage you to read other reviews for a much more balanced perspective on the book.
This is my first time around with A Joe Hart thriller. He comes highly recommended, I think this one is just not for me. Possibly because I listened on audio? The narrators were fine but sometimes books are meant to be read vs listened to.
On the positive side, the ending featured a fantastic twist that I did not see coming—it was a jaw-dropper. While I had figured out many of the events earlier in the story, this one major surprise made the conclusion highly rewarding. My main critique, however, is that the journey to reach that ending felt too long. The characters are also very well developed. By the end, you have a complete understanding of the who, why, and how, leading to a satisfying "Ahhh, it all makes sense now!" moment. The writing itself is clear and descriptive.
There is a definite sense of evil within both the antagonist and the plot, making it neither a light nor an easy read. Given that Mr. Hart is an Edgar Award winner, the depth, mystery, and darkness in his writing are consistent with the caliber of authors recognized by the award.
The main element that was challenging for me was the extensive focus on the MFC mistrust and suspicion regarding her husband's (MMC) fidelity. This dynamic—which included a history of violence against a former boyfriend based on similar concerns—dominated the first 25% or more of the book. While I understand this paranoia was integral to the overall plot and the eventual finale, I found the MFC's character development in this section to be quite obnoxious. I suspect the audio format may have contributed to my dissatisfaction with this specific area of dislike. Additionally, I generally do not enjoy storylines centered on gaslighting or mother-daughter conflict, both of which were present here. Finally, I felt the plot was overly complex with too many converging factors. Although it was easy enough to follow the various threads, the volume of elements made it equally easy to lose interest.
September 12, 2025
This is the fourth Joe Hart book I've read and I liked them all. The description of this one is what made me decide to read it.
Description:
Only ten days into their marriage, Imogen and Lev Carmichael are on a honeymoon cruise in the Mediterranean when Imogen suspects her husband of being unfaithful. Amid the recriminations, denials, and rage, Lev falls overboard into the water. It’s a miracle he’s found alive. And with no memory of what pushed him—and Imogen—over the edge.
Back home among family and friends, Imogen and Lev are finally starting to readjust. As terrified as Imogen is of Lev’s memories returning, it’s her suspicions of infidelity that get the best of her. Then, searching for clues, she discovers a woman from Lev’s past he never told her about…a woman who has been missing for years. More alarming is that Imogen soon has reason to believe that Lev remembers more than he’s letting on. But why would he lie?
The man Imogen loved, married, and trusted is a man she’s now beginning to fear. And she must decide how far she’s willing to go to uncover the truth.
My Thoughts:
I have to admit while reading this I found Imogen's suspicions and obsessions irritating and I didn't like her very much. But that all changed as things were revealed. The book was interesting, the way it was told. I did get caught up in it. Lev seemed like such a great guy. The plot moved at a steady pace and there were several red herrings. It took Imogen quite some time to piece together what was true and what she imagined. I liked the book more than I expected.
Thanks to Thomas & Mercer through Netgalley for an advance copy.
Description:
Only ten days into their marriage, Imogen and Lev Carmichael are on a honeymoon cruise in the Mediterranean when Imogen suspects her husband of being unfaithful. Amid the recriminations, denials, and rage, Lev falls overboard into the water. It’s a miracle he’s found alive. And with no memory of what pushed him—and Imogen—over the edge.
Back home among family and friends, Imogen and Lev are finally starting to readjust. As terrified as Imogen is of Lev’s memories returning, it’s her suspicions of infidelity that get the best of her. Then, searching for clues, she discovers a woman from Lev’s past he never told her about…a woman who has been missing for years. More alarming is that Imogen soon has reason to believe that Lev remembers more than he’s letting on. But why would he lie?
The man Imogen loved, married, and trusted is a man she’s now beginning to fear. And she must decide how far she’s willing to go to uncover the truth.
My Thoughts:
I have to admit while reading this I found Imogen's suspicions and obsessions irritating and I didn't like her very much. But that all changed as things were revealed. The book was interesting, the way it was told. I did get caught up in it. Lev seemed like such a great guy. The plot moved at a steady pace and there were several red herrings. It took Imogen quite some time to piece together what was true and what she imagined. I liked the book more than I expected.
Thanks to Thomas & Mercer through Netgalley for an advance copy.
September 6, 2025
“But we all have an ugly place deep inside that we’re aware of.”
Watch out, cause this one is paranoia inducing, full of juicy drama with secrets and lies, but with the added depth of truly knowing and finding oneself! Only Joe Hart could pull off the mastery of a suspenseful domestic tale with insightful nuggets of wisdom about life.
The cryptic opening chapter from Sierra's POV grabbed my attention instantly, and from there things only got more tense and uncomfortable with Imogen's POV. Both women feel so unabashedly REAL. Imogen is truly questioning her reality, her UNDERSTANDING of her life, her marriage, her surroundings, even WHO she is as a person and it feels like peeking into a person's soul. Has her husband Lev been unfaithful? On their honeymoon no less? Is Imogen just reading into things because of her past bad experiences and broken trust? There's an oppressive claustrophobic feeling that builds with every chapter along with Imogen's internal struggle.
From fairly early on, I had a sneaking suspicion that proved to be true, and it was wonderful to see how it all played out. Hart drops just enough subtleties that I was able to piece together an almost complete picture, though I wasn't quite sure how it would all end. Speaking of the ending, it was utterly satisfying on a primal level and I couldn't have asked for better!
I BECOME HER is a tense, simmering look into the intricacies of family, friendship and marriage that will suck you in straight away and not let go. If you're a fan of twisty psychological thrillers with themes of trust, fidelity, and being true to yourself, you need to snatch this up immediately!
____
Thank you Joe Hart & Amazon Publishing for my gifted copy. All thoughts are my own.
Watch out, cause this one is paranoia inducing, full of juicy drama with secrets and lies, but with the added depth of truly knowing and finding oneself! Only Joe Hart could pull off the mastery of a suspenseful domestic tale with insightful nuggets of wisdom about life.
The cryptic opening chapter from Sierra's POV grabbed my attention instantly, and from there things only got more tense and uncomfortable with Imogen's POV. Both women feel so unabashedly REAL. Imogen is truly questioning her reality, her UNDERSTANDING of her life, her marriage, her surroundings, even WHO she is as a person and it feels like peeking into a person's soul. Has her husband Lev been unfaithful? On their honeymoon no less? Is Imogen just reading into things because of her past bad experiences and broken trust? There's an oppressive claustrophobic feeling that builds with every chapter along with Imogen's internal struggle.
From fairly early on, I had a sneaking suspicion that proved to be true, and it was wonderful to see how it all played out. Hart drops just enough subtleties that I was able to piece together an almost complete picture, though I wasn't quite sure how it would all end. Speaking of the ending, it was utterly satisfying on a primal level and I couldn't have asked for better!
I BECOME HER is a tense, simmering look into the intricacies of family, friendship and marriage that will suck you in straight away and not let go. If you're a fan of twisty psychological thrillers with themes of trust, fidelity, and being true to yourself, you need to snatch this up immediately!
____
Thank you Joe Hart & Amazon Publishing for my gifted copy. All thoughts are my own.
August 22, 2025
Imogen and Lev Carmichael go on their honeymoon. Lev falls overboard hits his head and suffers a concussion. He has no memory after the incident. His wife suspects him of cheating and digs up his past. He was involved with several women that’s come up missing.
This was a really good page turner I couldn’t put down. If you love suspense you’ll love this.
Thanks NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this eARC that will be released August 26, 2025!
This was a really good page turner I couldn’t put down. If you love suspense you’ll love this.
Thanks NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this eARC that will be released August 26, 2025!
August 26, 2025
If Joe Hart writes it, I will read it.
I was excited to pick up I Become Her as it felt more like my typical genre and not quite the horror I've come to expect with Hart. I Become Her will hit the mark for suspense fans. It kept me guessing and about halfway through, I couldn't put it down.
Some of the storyline felt familiar - a bout of amnesia after an accident, a new spouse that may not be who you believed them to be, a hidden past, secrets, and a mystery narrator. But as with other Hart novels, the execution was flawless and he walked me into a twist I never thought to see coming.
I liked that this novel took a seemingly well used idea and flipped it on its head. The use of multiple narrators and mixed timelines kept me guessing and kept the story propelling forward.
You won't get the dose of horror we've come to love and expect from Hart with I Become Her, but if you're looking for a psychological suspense that will make you question everyone and everything, look no further.
The Pulse continues to buzz about Hart's latest so don't miss out!
I Become Her releases 8/26/2025.
I was excited to pick up I Become Her as it felt more like my typical genre and not quite the horror I've come to expect with Hart. I Become Her will hit the mark for suspense fans. It kept me guessing and about halfway through, I couldn't put it down.
Some of the storyline felt familiar - a bout of amnesia after an accident, a new spouse that may not be who you believed them to be, a hidden past, secrets, and a mystery narrator. But as with other Hart novels, the execution was flawless and he walked me into a twist I never thought to see coming.
I liked that this novel took a seemingly well used idea and flipped it on its head. The use of multiple narrators and mixed timelines kept me guessing and kept the story propelling forward.
You won't get the dose of horror we've come to love and expect from Hart with I Become Her, but if you're looking for a psychological suspense that will make you question everyone and everything, look no further.
The Pulse continues to buzz about Hart's latest so don't miss out!
I Become Her releases 8/26/2025.
August 30, 2025
4.5 rounded up. What did I just read? Beautifully twisty and not at all what I thought was happening.
Imogene and Lev are on their honeymoon on a cruise ship in Greece. But then Lev falls overboard and hits his head on the way down. Hours later he is rescued but suffers a major concussion which causes amnesia and doesn’t remember even getting married or how he fell from the ship.
In the meantime, Imogene suspects that her husband may have cheated on her during their honeymoon and goes into a paranoid spiral in the following months seeking to find out the truth about her new husband.
I’m usually not a huge fan of the slow build of the unreliable narrator but trust me when I say, this book is worth it. The suspense in this psychological thriller had me turning the pages faster and faster as I got in deeper. Brilliant! This is the genre at it’s absolute best!
Joe Hart has a new fan and I definitely need to check out his backlist!
*Thanks so much to Thomas and Mercer of Amazon Publishing, and to MBC Books for the gifted copy! *
Imogene and Lev are on their honeymoon on a cruise ship in Greece. But then Lev falls overboard and hits his head on the way down. Hours later he is rescued but suffers a major concussion which causes amnesia and doesn’t remember even getting married or how he fell from the ship.
In the meantime, Imogene suspects that her husband may have cheated on her during their honeymoon and goes into a paranoid spiral in the following months seeking to find out the truth about her new husband.
I’m usually not a huge fan of the slow build of the unreliable narrator but trust me when I say, this book is worth it. The suspense in this psychological thriller had me turning the pages faster and faster as I got in deeper. Brilliant! This is the genre at it’s absolute best!
Joe Hart has a new fan and I definitely need to check out his backlist!
*Thanks so much to Thomas and Mercer of Amazon Publishing, and to MBC Books for the gifted copy! *
June 23, 2025
DAMN was this book good! I can't even imagine being married for only 10 days and suspecting my husband of infidelity. This was a pulse pounding, spine tingling psychological suspenseful book that had me racing through to get to the end at the same time trying to savour every word. Joe Hart continues to be one of my favorite authors. Bravo, job well done!
August 17, 2025
WOW! Okay. I see you Joe Hart and will immediately be adding your backlist books to my wishlist.
I Become Her is absolutely brilliant! Easy 5 stars!
What I Loved:
Top notch characters
Excellent storyline
That WTF moment
Perfectly paced
Satisfying conclusion
I would highly recommend reading this book! Big thanks to MBC Books for my gifted copy.
I Become Her is absolutely brilliant! Easy 5 stars!
What I Loved:
Top notch characters
Excellent storyline
That WTF moment
Perfectly paced
Satisfying conclusion
I would highly recommend reading this book! Big thanks to MBC Books for my gifted copy.
September 26, 2025
This one’s definitely a slow burn. The story and characters were solid, but the pacing just dragged for me. I like my thrillers faster, with twists popping up along the way. I almost DNF but I kept going. I Become Her has plenty of 5-star reviews. Most seemed to love it, but unfortunately, it didn't work for me.
October 31, 2025
"You never knew when someone’s soul would slip into view. It was key to be watching and remember its shape." Huh?
I had never read anything by the author and for some reason that is hard to explain now this one caught my eye, I guess it could have been all the 4 and 5 ⭐ reviews. This book is a perfect example of why I should stay away from contemporary domestic "thrillers". There was nothing remotely suspenseful or tnrilling about this story, there are over 360 pages of the same old tired tropes, frantic, suspicious wife, controlling, sketchy husband whose previous love interests have a tendency to disappear, and " twists" you can see coming a mile away, definitely not for me.
I had never read anything by the author and for some reason that is hard to explain now this one caught my eye, I guess it could have been all the 4 and 5 ⭐ reviews. This book is a perfect example of why I should stay away from contemporary domestic "thrillers". There was nothing remotely suspenseful or tnrilling about this story, there are over 360 pages of the same old tired tropes, frantic, suspicious wife, controlling, sketchy husband whose previous love interests have a tendency to disappear, and " twists" you can see coming a mile away, definitely not for me.
August 22, 2025
I BECOME HER as a fast paced story that was very intriguing. I liked the plot and all the twists. I will admit, I was confused at times and I can’t believe I didn’t figure anything out until the big reveal at the end. I recommend this one on audiobook. It was easy to get lost in.
Many thanks to Brilliance Audio for my gifted ALC.
Many thanks to Brilliance Audio for my gifted ALC.
August 13, 2025
I Become Her was such a great thriller. I loved how the mystery unfolded, layer by layer. There were many moments so intense I was vibrating as my heart raced. This was unputdownable!
September 8, 2025
I reviewed this book? Why’s it saying I haven’t .. 🤦🏼♀️
#ad much love for my advance copy @thrillerbookloversthepulse #partner
@brilliancepublishing #partner for the ALC
🅸 🅱🅴🅲🅾🅼🅴 🅷🅴🆁
< @joe_hart_author >
ʀᴇʟᴇᴀꜱᴇꜱ: ᴀᴜɢᴜꜱᴛ 𝟤𝟨, 𝟤𝟢𝟤𝟧
ᴀʟꜱᴏ ᴡɪʟʟ ʙᴇ ᴀᴠᴀɪʟᴀʙʟᴇ ᴠɪᴀ ᴋᴜ ᴀꜱ ᴀ ʀᴇᴀᴅ + ʟɪꜱᴛᴇɴ ɴᴏᴡ
“…the mind isn’t a naturally quiet place. I’s a street corner in the busiest city in the world. All noise and movement and clamoring for attention,” (p. 40).
“People are great at judging others, but not so much when looking in the mirror,” (p. 42).
Imogen thought her husband had been cheating on her - so she accidentally pushed him right off their cruise ship. Happy honeymoon baby. Oops! Only problem for her is that he didn’t die - and now he’s back.
This was a fabulous darker thriller that I didn’t want to stop reading. I wanted the story to keep going on and on forever. My only complaint is the dual timelines - and only because I’m not a huge fan of them. I prefer to stay in the present. I’d be all into what’s happening on the cruise ship and then the next chapter would throw us back in time. It was annoying.
🎧: Also listened to the audio while following along and highly recommended this audio. Sarah Naughton, Abigail Reno, and Joe Knezevich did a phenomenal job bringing this story to life. The narrators are seriously perfect. I could listen to them read all day.
Is he cheating or isn’t he? It’s irrelevant; because she knows he is. Now she just needs to find the proof. But has he really lost his memory or is he faking?
This was a fun and entertaining mystery/thriller that I fully enjoyed reading.
#ad much love for my advance copy @thrillerbookloversthepulse #partner
@brilliancepublishing #partner for the ALC
🅸 🅱🅴🅲🅾🅼🅴 🅷🅴🆁
< @joe_hart_author >
ʀᴇʟᴇᴀꜱᴇꜱ: ᴀᴜɢᴜꜱᴛ 𝟤𝟨, 𝟤𝟢𝟤𝟧
ᴀʟꜱᴏ ᴡɪʟʟ ʙᴇ ᴀᴠᴀɪʟᴀʙʟᴇ ᴠɪᴀ ᴋᴜ ᴀꜱ ᴀ ʀᴇᴀᴅ + ʟɪꜱᴛᴇɴ ɴᴏᴡ
“…the mind isn’t a naturally quiet place. I’s a street corner in the busiest city in the world. All noise and movement and clamoring for attention,” (p. 40).
“People are great at judging others, but not so much when looking in the mirror,” (p. 42).
Imogen thought her husband had been cheating on her - so she accidentally pushed him right off their cruise ship. Happy honeymoon baby. Oops! Only problem for her is that he didn’t die - and now he’s back.
This was a fabulous darker thriller that I didn’t want to stop reading. I wanted the story to keep going on and on forever. My only complaint is the dual timelines - and only because I’m not a huge fan of them. I prefer to stay in the present. I’d be all into what’s happening on the cruise ship and then the next chapter would throw us back in time. It was annoying.
🎧: Also listened to the audio while following along and highly recommended this audio. Sarah Naughton, Abigail Reno, and Joe Knezevich did a phenomenal job bringing this story to life. The narrators are seriously perfect. I could listen to them read all day.
Is he cheating or isn’t he? It’s irrelevant; because she knows he is. Now she just needs to find the proof. But has he really lost his memory or is he faking?
This was a fun and entertaining mystery/thriller that I fully enjoyed reading.
December 8, 2025
Yeeeees!!!! I loved this one. I have read a few others by this author and he always delivers! This was a psychological suspense that had me reading late into the night. It had secrets and lies and kept me guessing about who to believe. I did not see the twist coming at all which and it was excellent. I highly recommend this one, you won't be disappointed.
October 11, 2025
4.5 Stars rounded up to 5 Stars
WOW 🤩 ‼️
Psychological thriller of the domestic type.
I love psychological thrillers, but usually tend to stay away from the domestic ones.
This book was mostly written in first person.
It flowed extremely well.
It drew me in right from the start and
I didn’t want to put the book down.
It had some interesting twists, too.
Strong & smart women rock 💪 even if they appear naive and weak to outsiders.
I highly recommend this novel!
WOW 🤩 ‼️
Psychological thriller of the domestic type.
I love psychological thrillers, but usually tend to stay away from the domestic ones.
This book was mostly written in first person.
It flowed extremely well.
It drew me in right from the start and
I didn’t want to put the book down.
It had some interesting twists, too.
Strong & smart women rock 💪 even if they appear naive and weak to outsiders.
I highly recommend this novel!
September 19, 2025
This is my first book by Hart. I have been wanting to give his books a try and when I saw this one getting so many great reviews, I knew I had to pick it up. This one definitely has all the aspects I love in a psychological thriller. It's fast paced, it's twisty, and it completely went in a direction I did not expect. Imogen and Lev are on their honeymoon on a cruise and she suspects he's cheating. Lev ends up falling overboard, but survives. He claims to not remember anything. Imogen begins to be suspicious, and paranoid and doesn't feel like she can trust Lev. She starts to do some digging into his past, to find out who he really is. The further into the boom I got, the more intense it was and I couldn't put it down. I loved this one!
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my y.
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my y.
August 30, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A Dark, Twisty Thriller That Will Leave You Breathless
As a die-hard thriller reader, I Become Her by Joe Hart completely floored me. From the first shocking moment on that Mediterranean cruise, I was hooked, and the tension never let up.
What begins as a story of suspicion between a newly married couple spirals into a pulse-pounding tale of secrets, lies, and the terrifying realization that you may not know the person you’ve pledged your life to.
Imogen is a brilliantly drawn protagonist - raw, vulnerable, and caught in the crossfire of love, doubt, and survival. The more she digs, the more unsettling the truth becomes, and Hart masterfully dials up the dread with every chapter. The atmosphere is thick with paranoia, the twists are razor-sharp, and the ending…absolutely chilling.
Joe Hart is at the top of his game here. He doesn’t just tell a story; he immerses you in it, making you question every motive, every memory, every heartbeat. If you love psychological thrillers that keep you reading way past midnight, I Become Her is a must-read.
This is the kind of thriller that keeps you up way too late saying “just one more chapter.” If you’re a fan of jaw-dropping twists, unreliable memories, and the creeping dread of not knowing who to trust, this book is for you.
Absolutely addictive.
A Dark, Twisty Thriller That Will Leave You Breathless
As a die-hard thriller reader, I Become Her by Joe Hart completely floored me. From the first shocking moment on that Mediterranean cruise, I was hooked, and the tension never let up.
What begins as a story of suspicion between a newly married couple spirals into a pulse-pounding tale of secrets, lies, and the terrifying realization that you may not know the person you’ve pledged your life to.
Imogen is a brilliantly drawn protagonist - raw, vulnerable, and caught in the crossfire of love, doubt, and survival. The more she digs, the more unsettling the truth becomes, and Hart masterfully dials up the dread with every chapter. The atmosphere is thick with paranoia, the twists are razor-sharp, and the ending…absolutely chilling.
Joe Hart is at the top of his game here. He doesn’t just tell a story; he immerses you in it, making you question every motive, every memory, every heartbeat. If you love psychological thrillers that keep you reading way past midnight, I Become Her is a must-read.
This is the kind of thriller that keeps you up way too late saying “just one more chapter.” If you’re a fan of jaw-dropping twists, unreliable memories, and the creeping dread of not knowing who to trust, this book is for you.
Absolutely addictive.
May 5, 2025
Imogen and Lev Carmichael's honeymoon cruise turns into a nightmare when Imogen suspects Lev of infidelity. When Lev falls overboard and loses his memory, Imogen is torn between her fears of his memories returning and her suspicions of his fidelity. As they return home and uncover secrets from Lev's past, Imogen begins to question the man she thought she knew and must decide how far she is willing to go to uncover the truth.
I was absolutely thrilled to dive into this book! As a newcomer to this author and their unique writing style, I was eager to see what all the fuss was about. This book turned out to be a slow burn, with moments of intensity that kept me on the edge of my seat. Overall, it was a delightful and suspenseful read.
The main character, Imogen, was a slow-burning revelation, gradually unfolding alongside her husband Lev. As I turned the pages, I found myself becoming more and more invested in her story. I was dying to know what actually happened and who on earth Sierra was! I couldn't help but cheer Imogen on as she fought to reclaim her life.
The setting was simply breathtaking - having lived near Seattle for four years, I can attest to the wild beauty of nature in that area. The ending was both unexpected and satisfying, leaving me feeling like I was right there witnessing it all unfold before my eyes.
If you're a fan of suspenseful page-turners, enjoy playing detective, or simply love a story with a strong female lead, then this book is a must-read! It's a quick and perfect summer read that will keep you hooked until the very last page.
Thank you, Thomas & Mercer, for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I was absolutely thrilled to dive into this book! As a newcomer to this author and their unique writing style, I was eager to see what all the fuss was about. This book turned out to be a slow burn, with moments of intensity that kept me on the edge of my seat. Overall, it was a delightful and suspenseful read.
The main character, Imogen, was a slow-burning revelation, gradually unfolding alongside her husband Lev. As I turned the pages, I found myself becoming more and more invested in her story. I was dying to know what actually happened and who on earth Sierra was! I couldn't help but cheer Imogen on as she fought to reclaim her life.
The setting was simply breathtaking - having lived near Seattle for four years, I can attest to the wild beauty of nature in that area. The ending was both unexpected and satisfying, leaving me feeling like I was right there witnessing it all unfold before my eyes.
If you're a fan of suspenseful page-turners, enjoy playing detective, or simply love a story with a strong female lead, then this book is a must-read! It's a quick and perfect summer read that will keep you hooked until the very last page.
Thank you, Thomas & Mercer, for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 1, 2025
Really enjoyed this! The antagonist is slowly revealed. The twists are interesting and exciting. 5 stars based on my level of enjoyment!
April 16, 2025
𝑰𝒕'𝒔 𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒊𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖'𝒓𝒆 𝒂 𝒈𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒐𝒏. 𝑰𝒏𝒄𝒂𝒑𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒄𝒆𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒔. 𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝒘𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒂𝒏 𝒖𝒈𝒍𝒚 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒆𝒑 𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒘𝒆'𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒐𝒇. 𝑨 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒘𝒆 𝒌𝒆𝒆𝒑 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒔𝒕 𝒂𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒗𝒆𝒔 𝒘𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒏'𝒕 𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘𝒍𝒆𝒅𝒈𝒆. 𝑨 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒘𝒆 𝒊𝒈𝒏𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒍 𝒊𝒕 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒔 𝒊𝒕𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘𝒏.
Imogen has been married to Lev for ten days, and they're on a honeymoon cruise in the Mediterranean when Imogen suspects Lev of being unfaithful. After a tense confrontation, Lev ends up in the open sea. Imogen is frozen in shock, and she's even more incredulous when Lev is found alive hours later with no memory of how he ended up in the water.
The couple returns home and tries to restart their married life, but all the while, the fear that Lev's memories will return is palpable. However, Imogen can't shake the feeling of his infidelity, so she starts to dig. She starts by locating the social media account of the waitress she's sure she saw Lev with and sends her a message. A little more digging unveils the shocking discovery of a woman from Lev’s past he never told her about--a woman who has been missing for years. The tension skyrockets when Imogen begins to suspect that Lev remembers exactly what happened that night on the ship.
Unreliable hysterical wife or cheating gaslighting husband? Told from alternating points of view, I had no idea who or what to believe, and when I got to the line that inspired the title, I screamed. I felt SO DAMN STUPID that I didn't figure out what was going on. Well played, sir.
This book is everything a thriller should be. I was invested immediately, and I felt every bit of the tension, fear, and paranoia the MC felt. This author became an auto-buy for me many books ago. It's not just the genuine twists and exceptional storytelling; it's the fact that he knows how to write female characters without turning them into stereotypes, and he has such deep insight into what it means to be human. He totally nails the flawed familial relationships, past traumas, betrayals by those closest to us, and all the little detritus that makes up who we are.
A huge thank you to Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse and Thomas and Mercer for the early copy. This stunner publishes August 26, 2025.
Imogen has been married to Lev for ten days, and they're on a honeymoon cruise in the Mediterranean when Imogen suspects Lev of being unfaithful. After a tense confrontation, Lev ends up in the open sea. Imogen is frozen in shock, and she's even more incredulous when Lev is found alive hours later with no memory of how he ended up in the water.
The couple returns home and tries to restart their married life, but all the while, the fear that Lev's memories will return is palpable. However, Imogen can't shake the feeling of his infidelity, so she starts to dig. She starts by locating the social media account of the waitress she's sure she saw Lev with and sends her a message. A little more digging unveils the shocking discovery of a woman from Lev’s past he never told her about--a woman who has been missing for years. The tension skyrockets when Imogen begins to suspect that Lev remembers exactly what happened that night on the ship.
Unreliable hysterical wife or cheating gaslighting husband? Told from alternating points of view, I had no idea who or what to believe, and when I got to the line that inspired the title, I screamed. I felt SO DAMN STUPID that I didn't figure out what was going on. Well played, sir.
This book is everything a thriller should be. I was invested immediately, and I felt every bit of the tension, fear, and paranoia the MC felt. This author became an auto-buy for me many books ago. It's not just the genuine twists and exceptional storytelling; it's the fact that he knows how to write female characters without turning them into stereotypes, and he has such deep insight into what it means to be human. He totally nails the flawed familial relationships, past traumas, betrayals by those closest to us, and all the little detritus that makes up who we are.
A huge thank you to Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse and Thomas and Mercer for the early copy. This stunner publishes August 26, 2025.
August 13, 2025
In this domestic thriller, newlywed Imogen Carmichael is on a cruise for her honeymoon and she already suspects her husband of being unfaithful. During an argument back in their cabin, she pushes Lev and he falls overboard. He survives, but can't remember the accident or the months leading up to it - or so he says.
This is a clever story told through different points-of-view and timelines, but is sometimes confusing. I found myself doing a lot of re-reading to clarify what happened and when. At times the book was tense, sad, puzzling, or hopeful, but it was always suspenseful. As Imogen starts seeing signs that maybe her amnesiac husband not only remembers more than he's saying, but might be dangerous, the book becomes fast-paced and engaging. There are several unlikable characters, but there are a few heroes, too. Things start to come together in a surprising way at the end that had me questioning some of what I had read in the beginning! I enjoyed the unique spin the author put on what could have been a typical domestic suspense story to make it into something unexpected.
I received an advance copy of this book for review consideration from Thomas and Mercer and MB Communications. My review is voluntary and unbiased. .
This is a clever story told through different points-of-view and timelines, but is sometimes confusing. I found myself doing a lot of re-reading to clarify what happened and when. At times the book was tense, sad, puzzling, or hopeful, but it was always suspenseful. As Imogen starts seeing signs that maybe her amnesiac husband not only remembers more than he's saying, but might be dangerous, the book becomes fast-paced and engaging. There are several unlikable characters, but there are a few heroes, too. Things start to come together in a surprising way at the end that had me questioning some of what I had read in the beginning! I enjoyed the unique spin the author put on what could have been a typical domestic suspense story to make it into something unexpected.
I received an advance copy of this book for review consideration from Thomas and Mercer and MB Communications. My review is voluntary and unbiased. .
August 15, 2025
I devoured this early copy greedily. Only ten days into their marriage, on their honeymoon, Imogen suspects her husband Lev is being unfaithful. Is she paranoid or does she have good reason the be concerned? Unusual things start happening. Imogen is starting to spiral. Will anyone believe her?
I am always on the hunt for inconsistencies in books, especially thrillers. Every time I thought I found one, it was eventually explained. Hart did a great job crafting this novel.
I am always on the hunt for inconsistencies in books, especially thrillers. Every time I thought I found one, it was eventually explained. Hart did a great job crafting this novel.
October 15, 2025
This novel was pretty good although I feel like at the beginning it was a bit wandering, and then steered off into a direction later on. Probably more a 3.5 stars but whatever, the writing outside the plot was decent. I feel compelled to rate books but really would rather do without. They sit in our thoughts and thoughts change, and there are only five stars. I feel like I wound someone's pride if I give them three. A bit ridiculous. Anyhow, I veer off topic. First novel by this author. Enjoyable but wicked in parts.
April 9, 2025
4.5 rounded up
I received this book from NetGalley and here are my genuine thoughts.
This book was a damn near perfect thriller that had me confused and gastered my flabbers. Twist after TWIST from about 55% on!
It's a dual perspective jumping timeline book. In following Imogen's narration, she would go back to memories that provided much needed context and I liked that a lot. Every detail of the book felt like it added to the story and wasn't just filler.
Some people don't like an unreliable narrator, but I had so much fun following Imogen. I wanted more for her, wanted to root for her through her confusion. From the beginning, my girl was unhinged and I didn't know what was real or what she was making up in her head.
I thoroughly was confused until about page 300 when it all clicked and my jaw dropped. I guessed several times who the culprit was, what was going on, but I was wrong each time.
Why didn't it get 5 stars from me?
There are some things that are pet peeves for me/I just can't get past and the use of the same time of phrase multiple times throughout the book drives me absolutely up the wall.
The ending felt a bit improbable and I felt I had too many logical questions for it to feel satisfying enough. Be that as it may, I still was up late reading and did NOT want to put the story down and I definitely want to read more from this author.
Read my full opinion and my thoughts on other books on my blog: https://www.thewillowbranchbooks.com/...
I received this book from NetGalley and here are my genuine thoughts.
This book was a damn near perfect thriller that had me confused and gastered my flabbers. Twist after TWIST from about 55% on!
It's a dual perspective jumping timeline book. In following Imogen's narration, she would go back to memories that provided much needed context and I liked that a lot. Every detail of the book felt like it added to the story and wasn't just filler.
Some people don't like an unreliable narrator, but I had so much fun following Imogen. I wanted more for her, wanted to root for her through her confusion. From the beginning, my girl was unhinged and I didn't know what was real or what she was making up in her head.
I thoroughly was confused until about page 300 when it all clicked and my jaw dropped. I guessed several times who the culprit was, what was going on, but I was wrong each time.
Why didn't it get 5 stars from me?
There are some things that are pet peeves for me/I just can't get past and the use of the same time of phrase multiple times throughout the book drives me absolutely up the wall.
The ending felt a bit improbable and I felt I had too many logical questions for it to feel satisfying enough. Be that as it may, I still was up late reading and did NOT want to put the story down and I definitely want to read more from this author.
Read my full opinion and my thoughts on other books on my blog: https://www.thewillowbranchbooks.com/...
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