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The Survivor Stories #1
Where No One Can Hear You
Sometimes silence is more terrifying than screams.
Sixteen-year-old Amanda Gray's life shatters when what should have been a simple walk home with her best friend Sarah turns into a nightmare. One moment they're picking bluebells in the woods; the next, they're at the mercy of a predator who seems chillingly familiar with his routine.
Six weeks later, Amanda wakes in a hospital bed with a slash across her throat, her voice stolen, and no memory of how she escaped. And no one will talk to her about Sarah.
And the worst part?
Her most crucial memory might be the one she can't speak
Where No One Can Hear You is a haunting exploration of survival, memory, and the lengths one will go to save someone they love—even when they can't save themselves.
Sixteen-year-old Amanda Gray's life shatters when what should have been a simple walk home with her best friend Sarah turns into a nightmare. One moment they're picking bluebells in the woods; the next, they're at the mercy of a predator who seems chillingly familiar with his routine.
Six weeks later, Amanda wakes in a hospital bed with a slash across her throat, her voice stolen, and no memory of how she escaped. And no one will talk to her about Sarah.
And the worst part?
Her most crucial memory might be the one she can't speak
Where No One Can Hear You is a haunting exploration of survival, memory, and the lengths one will go to save someone they love—even when they can't save themselves.
417 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 28, 2025
1184 people are currently reading
8749 people want to read
About the author
J.E. Rowney
40 books829 followersWriter.
Visit my website for previews, further information.
http://www.jerowney.com/
"I always dreamed of being a writer, until I realised that I was. Then I started to write."
Visit my website for previews, further information.
http://www.jerowney.com/
"I always dreamed of being a writer, until I realised that I was. Then I started to write."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 229 reviews
April 19, 2025
One moment 16-year-old Amanda Gray and her best friend Sarah are picking bluebells in the woods; the next, they're at the mercy of a predator who seems chillingly familiar with his routine. Amanda wakes in the hospital but no one will talk to her about Sarah.
I had high hopes at the beginning of this novel but the tension didn't pan out as I hoped. I kept expecting a twist or two that didn't materialize. The book is very well written as a character study of the lengths a person will go to to try and save someone they love and it was encouraging to see Amanda come to know herself in her search to find out what happened to Sarah. The side characters are also well developed. Towards the end I found too much repetition and introspection and I started to get a bit bored. To be fair I was in hospital recovering from surgery so my focus was probably a little skewed. I'd still recommend the book to readers but not if you're expecting a thriller.
TW: There are several including violence, sexual assault, and mental health issues.
My thanks to BooksGoSocial, via Netgalley, for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: March 28, 2025
I had high hopes at the beginning of this novel but the tension didn't pan out as I hoped. I kept expecting a twist or two that didn't materialize. The book is very well written as a character study of the lengths a person will go to to try and save someone they love and it was encouraging to see Amanda come to know herself in her search to find out what happened to Sarah. The side characters are also well developed. Towards the end I found too much repetition and introspection and I started to get a bit bored. To be fair I was in hospital recovering from surgery so my focus was probably a little skewed. I'd still recommend the book to readers but not if you're expecting a thriller.
TW: There are several including violence, sexual assault, and mental health issues.
My thanks to BooksGoSocial, via Netgalley, for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: March 28, 2025
May 30, 2025
Hm. This was slightly exhausting to read.
I don’t mind the somber depiction of survival and recovery, but the repetitive and monotonous events after the main incident really took a toll on me.
The beginning chapters were intense, and I was completely enamored by the plot, the characters, and the actual abduction. But after that, everything went flat. The author even made one character seem suspicious and shady, but completely failed to do anything with it—that possibility just went nowhere.
Everything started to feel all over the place. The ending felt rushed, and the material related to the culprit wasn’t explored enough, which is kind of frustrating because I wanted more from the bad guy’s point of view.
I skimmed through this—I’ll admit that.
I don’t mind the somber depiction of survival and recovery, but the repetitive and monotonous events after the main incident really took a toll on me.
The beginning chapters were intense, and I was completely enamored by the plot, the characters, and the actual abduction. But after that, everything went flat. The author even made one character seem suspicious and shady, but completely failed to do anything with it—that possibility just went nowhere.
Everything started to feel all over the place. The ending felt rushed, and the material related to the culprit wasn’t explored enough, which is kind of frustrating because I wanted more from the bad guy’s point of view.
I skimmed through this—I’ll admit that.
March 27, 2025
Thanks to Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for this ARC!
The plot follows the aftermath of some traumatic events, where the heroine is trying to recover her memory and help with the investigation.
It was tense, but honestly, nothing surprised me—no shocking twists. I was curious about what would happen next, but it also got a bit boring.
It was painful and at times hard to read. The fmc is well-developed, so her feelings felt very real, and I teared up a bit.
But I realized I’m not really into thrillers like this; I’d watch a movie version, but reading this kind of stuff isn’t my thing.
Amanda Grey is 16 and lives with her mom, who has a new boyfriend in the picture. Her only comfort is Sarah, her long-time best friend. Everything falls apart when the friends take a long way home through the woods. After that, Amanda wakes up in the hospital...
This is my first time reading this author, and her writing style is pretty straightforward—easy and quick to read.
The plot follows the aftermath of some traumatic events, where the heroine is trying to recover her memory and help with the investigation.
It was tense, but honestly, nothing surprised me—no shocking twists. I was curious about what would happen next, but it also got a bit boring.
It was painful and at times hard to read. The fmc is well-developed, so her feelings felt very real, and I teared up a bit.
But I realized I’m not really into thrillers like this; I’d watch a movie version, but reading this kind of stuff isn’t my thing.
Amanda Grey is 16 and lives with her mom, who has a new boyfriend in the picture. Her only comfort is Sarah, her long-time best friend. Everything falls apart when the friends take a long way home through the woods. After that, Amanda wakes up in the hospital...
This is my first time reading this author, and her writing style is pretty straightforward—easy and quick to read.
April 1, 2025
My thanks to the author, J.E. Rowney,, BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for an ARC of this haunting but topical novel.
I did find several passages almost unbearable to read, so I quickly skimmed over them. The author does not tend to dwell on the actual violence (but there ARE several violent, shudder-worthy scenes!) but the ones that I did encounter had my blood pressure soaring. (Overly sensitive readers might want to read the author's lengthy trigger warning. I wish that I had!)
It is well written for the most part, but I found that the characterization was uneven: Amanda, the main character starts off as someone who even her mother tends to disregard. The school principal sneeringly refuses to investigate the reason why two girls were left on their own by their gym teacher during a class run in the woods. Just.... hard to accept that the the school principal would behave in a totally unprofessional/unacceptable way. What was wrong with Amanda that the principal would risk losing her job by failing to provide a minimum standard of care in such a situation? (I won't go into more details for fear of spoilers.) Amanda seemed to have the whole world unfairly treating and judging her very harshly indeed. (I could hear the violins playing, even! Poor downtrodden Amanda.... won't they be sorry when.... but, once again, for fear of spoilers, I can't finish this sentence.)
I also found the sudden turn around in her mother's behaviour toward Amanda a bit hard to swallow: her mom went from abject neglect to unswerving and supportive devotion. I know that I am going against the gushing tide here, but please do heed my warning that this book has some scenes that will definitely trigger many sensitive readers. I'm rating this 3 out of 5 stars.
I did find several passages almost unbearable to read, so I quickly skimmed over them. The author does not tend to dwell on the actual violence (but there ARE several violent, shudder-worthy scenes!) but the ones that I did encounter had my blood pressure soaring. (Overly sensitive readers might want to read the author's lengthy trigger warning. I wish that I had!)
It is well written for the most part, but I found that the characterization was uneven: Amanda, the main character starts off as someone who even her mother tends to disregard. The school principal sneeringly refuses to investigate the reason why two girls were left on their own by their gym teacher during a class run in the woods. Just.... hard to accept that the the school principal would behave in a totally unprofessional/unacceptable way. What was wrong with Amanda that the principal would risk losing her job by failing to provide a minimum standard of care in such a situation? (I won't go into more details for fear of spoilers.) Amanda seemed to have the whole world unfairly treating and judging her very harshly indeed. (I could hear the violins playing, even! Poor downtrodden Amanda.... won't they be sorry when.... but, once again, for fear of spoilers, I can't finish this sentence.)
I also found the sudden turn around in her mother's behaviour toward Amanda a bit hard to swallow: her mom went from abject neglect to unswerving and supportive devotion. I know that I am going against the gushing tide here, but please do heed my warning that this book has some scenes that will definitely trigger many sensitive readers. I'm rating this 3 out of 5 stars.
April 3, 2025
I’m an avid reader (300 books yearly) and abduction books are one of my favorite tropes so I was excited for this one. What I wasn’t expecting was to be completely blown away by this story. Completely blown away…
This book started out seemingly YA, best friends
Walking home from school.. But don’t be fooled. Once you get to part 2, everything ramps up quite quickly.
After being abducted with her best friend Sarah, Amanda wakes up several weeks later in the hospital and nobody will tell her what’s going on or where Sarah is… Amanda’s journey to answers had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I cried so many times during this book. I would love to tell you more but that would take away the fun for you. Go read this book!!
This book started out seemingly YA, best friends
Walking home from school.. But don’t be fooled. Once you get to part 2, everything ramps up quite quickly.
After being abducted with her best friend Sarah, Amanda wakes up several weeks later in the hospital and nobody will tell her what’s going on or where Sarah is… Amanda’s journey to answers had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I cried so many times during this book. I would love to tell you more but that would take away the fun for you. Go read this book!!
March 25, 2025
“Where No One Can Hear You” by J.E. Rowney is an emotionally charged, gripping thriller that delivers far more than just twists and suspense. It’s a story that digs deep and explores the aftermath of trauma, guilt, and grief in a way that feels raw and real. I honestly didn’t expect this book to hit me so hard, but it did—there were moments when I couldn't hold back tears.
The protagonist, Amanda, is battling a complex emotional landscape. After enduring a traumatic event, she’s left to navigate her grief while confronting guilt and the process of rediscovering herself. Rowney does an exceptional job of making Amanda’s internal struggle palpable. The author doesn’t just tell you about her pain; you feel it. The way trauma shapes her world, relationships, and sense of identity is beautifully written.
What makes this book stand out in the thriller genre is how it weaves together psychological tension with emotional depth. It’s not just about the mystery or the danger lurking at every corner. It’s about survival—both physically and mentally—and the fight for healing, which makes the stakes so much higher. Rowney blends suspense with moments of genuine human vulnerability, creating a narrative that’s as heart-wrenching as it is thrilling.
Where No One Can Hear You is a must-read. It’s a powerful, thought-provoking book that will leave you reflecting long after the last page. It sure has for me.
The protagonist, Amanda, is battling a complex emotional landscape. After enduring a traumatic event, she’s left to navigate her grief while confronting guilt and the process of rediscovering herself. Rowney does an exceptional job of making Amanda’s internal struggle palpable. The author doesn’t just tell you about her pain; you feel it. The way trauma shapes her world, relationships, and sense of identity is beautifully written.
What makes this book stand out in the thriller genre is how it weaves together psychological tension with emotional depth. It’s not just about the mystery or the danger lurking at every corner. It’s about survival—both physically and mentally—and the fight for healing, which makes the stakes so much higher. Rowney blends suspense with moments of genuine human vulnerability, creating a narrative that’s as heart-wrenching as it is thrilling.
Where No One Can Hear You is a must-read. It’s a powerful, thought-provoking book that will leave you reflecting long after the last page. It sure has for me.
June 9, 2025
Get to the POINT, Jesus Christ! This book reads like someone trying to hit a word count. This was a really bland, really slow read. The whole Maggie aspect of the story just fell so flat. What a weird storyline. I have no idea why on earth this needed 3 parts. The parts that were meant to be emotional and heartfelt came across cheesy. One of two books I almost didn’t finish this year.
April 25, 2025
This book really could have benefitted from a different perspective then just Amanda’s. It was very repetitive throughout, same conversations just at different locations. I wish the author would have shown more of the kidnappers side or talked about the investigation more.
April 25, 2025
Why is no one talking about this book?!
Such a well-written and executed story with a purpose! Where No One Can Hear You is a terrifying perspective of a kidnapping/murder attempt from the perspective of a healing survivor. This story is more than just a thriller, it’s a fictionalized tale of the horror a victim lives through during and after a terrifying attack.
This author really drove home the fear Amanda and Sarah experiences with such detailed writing that I could feel their fear within myself. The pages read like a true crime, first hand experience in vivid detail. JE Rowney found a way to make the hospital stay a palpable hell of sterile, routine procedure that drags on and on- without boring the reader. The repetition of this and the way the story is slowed- same as the healing process, gave truth to this story that it would’ve otherwise lacked.
This is my first JE Rowney novel so I can’t say if they all read like a piece of literary art, but Where No One Can Hear You, certainly did. In an industry where quickly pumping out thriller after thriller leads to less detailed, less engaging and believable stories, JE Rowney took their time to create this masterpiece. Thank you NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for this ARC!
Such a well-written and executed story with a purpose! Where No One Can Hear You is a terrifying perspective of a kidnapping/murder attempt from the perspective of a healing survivor. This story is more than just a thriller, it’s a fictionalized tale of the horror a victim lives through during and after a terrifying attack.
This author really drove home the fear Amanda and Sarah experiences with such detailed writing that I could feel their fear within myself. The pages read like a true crime, first hand experience in vivid detail. JE Rowney found a way to make the hospital stay a palpable hell of sterile, routine procedure that drags on and on- without boring the reader. The repetition of this and the way the story is slowed- same as the healing process, gave truth to this story that it would’ve otherwise lacked.
This is my first JE Rowney novel so I can’t say if they all read like a piece of literary art, but Where No One Can Hear You, certainly did. In an industry where quickly pumping out thriller after thriller leads to less detailed, less engaging and believable stories, JE Rowney took their time to create this masterpiece. Thank you NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for this ARC!
April 12, 2025
I struggled with this book. I felt like it was never going to end, it was slow paced. I have read some of this authors other books and have decided that she isn't for me. The story wasn't original in anyway. It wasn't shocking or captivating.
April 4, 2025
WHERE NO ONE CAN HERE YOU BY J.E. ROWNEY.
This book gave me chills and it upped my blood pressure for sure.
Really well written and I liked the writing style for this one.
Some parts of this book are emotional and distressing.
This is one of those books that you have to binge read because you need to know what happens next.
I really liked the main female character amanda and felt so sorry for her. This story is from Amanda's POV throughout.
It's got everything from trauma, violence, emotions, recovery and healing.
Trigger warnings are clearly in place before you read.
This is my 2nd book by this author and Will be reading more of her work
This book gave me chills and it upped my blood pressure for sure.
Really well written and I liked the writing style for this one.
Some parts of this book are emotional and distressing.
This is one of those books that you have to binge read because you need to know what happens next.
I really liked the main female character amanda and felt so sorry for her. This story is from Amanda's POV throughout.
It's got everything from trauma, violence, emotions, recovery and healing.
Trigger warnings are clearly in place before you read.
This is my 2nd book by this author and Will be reading more of her work
April 7, 2025
When I first picked up this book, I expected a typical kidnapping thriller filled with tension and escape sequences. Initially, the story leaned more toward a YA tone, and it took a while for the main event to unfold. Surprisingly, that central plot point wrapped up within just a few chapters, and the rest of the novel focused heavily on the aftermath. Had I known what to expect going in, I might have approached it differently.
That said, the deeper I got into the book, the more I appreciated the character development. The author did a remarkable job exploring the emotional and psychological impact of trauma. The way these themes were written with such sensitive, raw, and honest approach was truly commendable. While I personally would have liked a more fast paced plot or a twist or two to maintain momentum, the quality of the writing and the thoughtful treatment of difficult topics really stood out. Overall, it’s a well crafted novel with powerful emotional depth.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
That said, the deeper I got into the book, the more I appreciated the character development. The author did a remarkable job exploring the emotional and psychological impact of trauma. The way these themes were written with such sensitive, raw, and honest approach was truly commendable. While I personally would have liked a more fast paced plot or a twist or two to maintain momentum, the quality of the writing and the thoughtful treatment of difficult topics really stood out. Overall, it’s a well crafted novel with powerful emotional depth.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 5, 2025
Just finished this
Amazing 5 star read
Best book so far of 2025
Has you hooked from the beginning. I can't put into words how good it was.
Will definitely recommend this book to the members of the plot thickens book club on facebook.
Amazing 5 star read
Best book so far of 2025
Has you hooked from the beginning. I can't put into words how good it was.
Will definitely recommend this book to the members of the plot thickens book club on facebook.
May 29, 2025
It wasn't what I expected. I don't think it's a bad book, but it wasn't what I wanted to read. 80% of the story focuses on the protagonist's recovery after a traumatic event, and while I think it's a valuable topic, I was looking for a thriller where I was involved in the plot.
June 4, 2025
I’m really disappointed because this book started off SO intense and fast paced. It slowed waaaay down about halfway through and lost all momentum. Honestly felt like reading two completely different stories.
July 9, 2025
I‘ve been in a reading slump since the beginning of the year so I thought that I could start reading again during my vacation. This book reminded me why I love reading so much!
Wow what a phenomal book!
Wow what a phenomal book!
January 13, 2026
3.5
A bit repetitive
A bit repetitive
April 2, 2025
Thank you Netgalley and BooksGoSocial/ J.E. Rowney for this ARC
Oh. My. God. What a book! My jaw is still on the floor and my heart still in my thraot because this was so damn intense. I was invested from the first sentence and while I wanted to do nothing but keep reading, I had to pause at some points and take a breath.
I don't even know where to begin here. Surely not your typical thriller. But a story that holds you in your fangs and does not let go again, making you staring at the wall after you are done reading. J.E. Rowney, you are a genious! That is all I can say here. What a great, beautiful book! Thank you for that!
Oh. My. God. What a book! My jaw is still on the floor and my heart still in my thraot because this was so damn intense. I was invested from the first sentence and while I wanted to do nothing but keep reading, I had to pause at some points and take a breath.
I don't even know where to begin here. Surely not your typical thriller. But a story that holds you in your fangs and does not let go again, making you staring at the wall after you are done reading. J.E. Rowney, you are a genious! That is all I can say here. What a great, beautiful book! Thank you for that!
April 23, 2025
4.75 stars. It’s really good. A slow burn, character driven about survival. The epilogue made me cry so much till I couldnt breathe.
June 6, 2025
It took me forever to finish this book because it is BORING. Booktok bamboozled me so bad with this one. It honestly could have been like 100 pages shorter. It took so long to get to the point & the author uses the same words in different ways on just about every page. The main character’s inner dialogue got to be very annoying. Do not recommend this book at all.
March 29, 2025
"Sometimes silence is more terrifying than screams."
Where No One Can Hear You by J.E. Rowney is an emotionally charged thriller that explores the themes of trauma, grief and guilt.
Amanda Gray is just sixteen years old when she experiences a traumatic act of violence. While walking in the woods to collect flowers, Amanda and her best friend Sarah are brutally attacked and left for dead. When Amanda wakes up she is in the hospital with a severe injury to her throat. Completely voiceless and terrified, Amanda struggles to recall all of the traumatic experience. Determined to regain her voice and ask about Sarah, Amanda will push herself to find her voice, herself, and Sarah.
Wow!!! This book was a completely different take on the thriller genre then I am used to. Rich with emotional turmoil and very immersive, I was hooked. While this novel deals with very sensitive subjects, Rowney is delicate in how she portrays not only the violence of trauma but also the healing and growth afterwards. Amanda's character is written brilliantly, her strength and determination is amazing to see. I would definitely recommend this to fans of Alice Feeney and Gillian Flynn and also readers who love emotional psychological dramas / thrillers!
Thank you to NetGalley, J.E. Rowney and BooksGoSocial for this ARC. Publication date is March 28th 2025.
Where No One Can Hear You by J.E. Rowney is an emotionally charged thriller that explores the themes of trauma, grief and guilt.
Amanda Gray is just sixteen years old when she experiences a traumatic act of violence. While walking in the woods to collect flowers, Amanda and her best friend Sarah are brutally attacked and left for dead. When Amanda wakes up she is in the hospital with a severe injury to her throat. Completely voiceless and terrified, Amanda struggles to recall all of the traumatic experience. Determined to regain her voice and ask about Sarah, Amanda will push herself to find her voice, herself, and Sarah.
Wow!!! This book was a completely different take on the thriller genre then I am used to. Rich with emotional turmoil and very immersive, I was hooked. While this novel deals with very sensitive subjects, Rowney is delicate in how she portrays not only the violence of trauma but also the healing and growth afterwards. Amanda's character is written brilliantly, her strength and determination is amazing to see. I would definitely recommend this to fans of Alice Feeney and Gillian Flynn and also readers who love emotional psychological dramas / thrillers!
Thank you to NetGalley, J.E. Rowney and BooksGoSocial for this ARC. Publication date is March 28th 2025.
March 31, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to arc read this book!
This was a very good book that highlighted on trauma and recovery. I enjoyed where it was focused on the recovery and resolution of the case.
I do wish we could have had a longer section of her experience. I feel the book is presented as a thriller and when I think of thriller I think of an almost whole book of a traumatic experience. I think it was one or two chapters in this novel that presented Amanda's experience.
Despite that, it was still a really good read that I enjoyed!
This was a very good book that highlighted on trauma and recovery. I enjoyed where it was focused on the recovery and resolution of the case.
I do wish we could have had a longer section of her experience. I feel the book is presented as a thriller and when I think of thriller I think of an almost whole book of a traumatic experience. I think it was one or two chapters in this novel that presented Amanda's experience.
Despite that, it was still a really good read that I enjoyed!
April 3, 2025
have read all of Jayne’s books, so was really looking forward to reading this one and it certainly didn’t disappoint. It is by far the best book I’ve read in a long while.
A gripping psychological thriller from the victims point of view. It tells not just the lead up and actual event, but the long, difficult battle of recovery not just physically but mentally too. I was so captivated by the whole book, it was as if I was there in the sidelines wanting to help, do something, it felt so real. I cried buckets.
Well done Jayne, it must have been a very difficult book to write, you deserve a long holiday, not too long though we need another book 😝 xx
If you haven’t read this book yet, what’s keeping you? You must, it’s brilliant! 🤩
A gripping psychological thriller from the victims point of view. It tells not just the lead up and actual event, but the long, difficult battle of recovery not just physically but mentally too. I was so captivated by the whole book, it was as if I was there in the sidelines wanting to help, do something, it felt so real. I cried buckets.
Well done Jayne, it must have been a very difficult book to write, you deserve a long holiday, not too long though we need another book 😝 xx
If you haven’t read this book yet, what’s keeping you? You must, it’s brilliant! 🤩
April 30, 2025
If you haven't read this one, I highly recommend it!!! So well written!!!
June 11, 2025
Easy 5🌟. A thriller told from the perspective of a survivor and all that comes with navigating that journey. Highly highly recommend! It’s a tough but powerful read!
May 28, 2025
Too long!
This book seemed to never come to an end. I felt as if I had spent a year in therapy. I understand that was the purpose of the book to show people how to overcome tragic and traumatic events but for me it seemed it was never novel. to end. I didn't hate it but I also didn't love it. A lot of the therapy was very familiar even to lay people who have never been in therapy. It didn't seem like a very original
novel.
This book seemed to never come to an end. I felt as if I had spent a year in therapy. I understand that was the purpose of the book to show people how to overcome tragic and traumatic events but for me it seemed it was never novel. to end. I didn't hate it but I also didn't love it. A lot of the therapy was very familiar even to lay people who have never been in therapy. It didn't seem like a very original
novel.
April 26, 2025
This is a book and an author that certainly deserves much more recognition. As I read this book, I directly felt the emotions of the main character. I loved it.
April 3, 2025
Sarah and Amanda are best friends in high school. During an innocent walk to pick flowers after school, they're tied up, blindfolded, and kidnapped. Amanda wakes up 6 weeks later in a hospital, remembering little of what happened. She's unable to speak, as her throat has been slashed. No one will talk to her about Sarah's whereabouts and communication is difficult.
I thought I would be annoyed by the mostly staccato sentence structure of part 1, but it seemed to work well for the storyline. Amanda's descriptions of her struggles are almost suffocating at times, but in a way that makes you want to keep reading. I would read this author again.
Four stars - recommended for those who like mysteries, redemption arcs, and stories about the aftermath of trauma.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
I thought I would be annoyed by the mostly staccato sentence structure of part 1, but it seemed to work well for the storyline. Amanda's descriptions of her struggles are almost suffocating at times, but in a way that makes you want to keep reading. I would read this author again.
Four stars - recommended for those who like mysteries, redemption arcs, and stories about the aftermath of trauma.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
May 8, 2025
Where No One Can Hear You was a unique mystery-thriller that explored the other side of traumatic experiences. It's a story that dug deep and explored the aftermath of trauma, guilt, and grief in a way that felt raw and real. I loved J E Rowney’s intentional approach to writing this harrowing story. She chose to focused on the survivors rather than the perpetrator. More specifically, she portrayed the light of Amanda’s resilience, Sarah’s memory, and the profound truth that even in our most invisible moments, we matter. We are never alone as we sometimes feel.
The story was about a sixteen-year-old girl, Amanda Gray. Her life was shattered when what should have been a simple walk home with her best friend Sarah turned into a nightmare. One moment they were picking bluebells in the woods; the next, they were at the mercy of a predator who seemed chillingly familiar with his routine. Six weeks later, Amanda woke in a hospital bed with a slash across her throat, her voice stolen and no memory of what happened to her and her friend, Sarah.
This was the first book I’ve read by J E Rowney. I was entranced in her storytelling and the traumatic retelling events of the protagonist. I appreciated Rowney’s attention to the survivor's process of healing and the integration that took place. Parts of this story were heartbreaking to read particularly the parts about Amanda and Sarah’s traumatic experiences. But, Rowney was sensitive and graceful as she retold their stories. While there were parts that were difficult to read, I also appreciated that Rowney placed the most emphasis on the healing process. Instead of diving into the psychology of the perpetrator, Rowney immersed the reader in to Amanda’s world—her pain, guilt, fear, and the slow, raw process of healing. This was portrayed wholly.
In short, Where No One Can Hear You was a dark and unforgettable fictional thriller.
It was emotionally raw, disturbing, and utterly compelling.
Favorite Quote:
“…a strange sense of peace settling over me. Not closure. I’ve learned no such thing, not really. Life doesn’t tie itself up in the narrative bows. But something like acceptance something like hope.”
The story was about a sixteen-year-old girl, Amanda Gray. Her life was shattered when what should have been a simple walk home with her best friend Sarah turned into a nightmare. One moment they were picking bluebells in the woods; the next, they were at the mercy of a predator who seemed chillingly familiar with his routine. Six weeks later, Amanda woke in a hospital bed with a slash across her throat, her voice stolen and no memory of what happened to her and her friend, Sarah.
This was the first book I’ve read by J E Rowney. I was entranced in her storytelling and the traumatic retelling events of the protagonist. I appreciated Rowney’s attention to the survivor's process of healing and the integration that took place. Parts of this story were heartbreaking to read particularly the parts about Amanda and Sarah’s traumatic experiences. But, Rowney was sensitive and graceful as she retold their stories. While there were parts that were difficult to read, I also appreciated that Rowney placed the most emphasis on the healing process. Instead of diving into the psychology of the perpetrator, Rowney immersed the reader in to Amanda’s world—her pain, guilt, fear, and the slow, raw process of healing. This was portrayed wholly.
In short, Where No One Can Hear You was a dark and unforgettable fictional thriller.
It was emotionally raw, disturbing, and utterly compelling.
Favorite Quote:
“…a strange sense of peace settling over me. Not closure. I’ve learned no such thing, not really. Life doesn’t tie itself up in the narrative bows. But something like acceptance something like hope.”
April 25, 2025
When Amanda and her friend Sarah take the long way home after detention one day, their lives are changed forever. Amanda is left for dead, throat cut and without her voice. She wakes up six weeks later in a hospital bed, only to find that Sarah is still missing.
This book is not your typical thriller, it is so much more. It is very rare that we read a novel that is purely from the perspective of the victim. The perspective that looks at the grief, the struggle, but the strength of surviving an ordeal.
With no voice, we see Amanda struggle to process her own thoughts with nothing but a whiteboard to assist her in giving evidence. Determined to find her friend, the novel follows her journey to overcome the removal of her voice, working to fix the damage caused, both physical and emotional. The book moves from finding Sarah, to finding Maggie (the name that Amanda was called during the act of the crime) and then to finally finding herself in her new normal. This book is brilliantly written, with subjects of mental health, sexual assault and continuing trauma being approached sensitively, but it is still distressing to read in parts.
As a fan of a the thriller novel, I thought that this was a fresh take, and really couldn't put this book down.
This book is not your typical thriller, it is so much more. It is very rare that we read a novel that is purely from the perspective of the victim. The perspective that looks at the grief, the struggle, but the strength of surviving an ordeal.
With no voice, we see Amanda struggle to process her own thoughts with nothing but a whiteboard to assist her in giving evidence. Determined to find her friend, the novel follows her journey to overcome the removal of her voice, working to fix the damage caused, both physical and emotional. The book moves from finding Sarah, to finding Maggie (the name that Amanda was called during the act of the crime) and then to finally finding herself in her new normal. This book is brilliantly written, with subjects of mental health, sexual assault and continuing trauma being approached sensitively, but it is still distressing to read in parts.
As a fan of a the thriller novel, I thought that this was a fresh take, and really couldn't put this book down.
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