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A False Reflection
'If you like thrillers, unreliable narrators, multiple perspectives and flawed characters, this book is for you'
How can you ever feel safe, when you can’t trust your own mind?
Izzy pulled me close and the two of us became partners, exploring the dark place that was hidden deep in my mind.
Since being a teenager, Lucy has never felt comfortable in her own skin - instead desperately replicating the lives of those she admires. Lucy’s parents, Cath and Jon, are still reeling from their daughter’s last attempt to be someone different. Even though twenty years have passed since that obsession reached a traumatic conclusion, they are still living their lives haunted by reflections of the past.
But now things seem calmer. Lucy has made a new life and seems happy. The summer stretches ahead with the promise of time spent with those she loves and the chance to reconnect with her husband. Instead, on arrival at their holiday cottage, Lucy is captivated by the small pieces left behind by the woman who stayed in there the week before her. She quickly imagines how perfect her life could be if the two of them became best friends, and enjoys her version of a holiday romance with a woman she will never meet.
But what happens if your holiday infatuation returns home with you? As Lucy is drawn further into an intense friendship with the charismatic Izzy, she is slowly consumed by the darkness of her troubled mind, fearing those around her mean her harm.
And when one friend is no longer prepared to share, the result can be deadly.
'By the end of the book I wasn't sure I could trust my own mind either!' ARC Review
Perfect for fans of The Housemaid, The Perfect Marriage and The Girl on the Train.
How can you ever feel safe, when you can’t trust your own mind?
Izzy pulled me close and the two of us became partners, exploring the dark place that was hidden deep in my mind.
Since being a teenager, Lucy has never felt comfortable in her own skin - instead desperately replicating the lives of those she admires. Lucy’s parents, Cath and Jon, are still reeling from their daughter’s last attempt to be someone different. Even though twenty years have passed since that obsession reached a traumatic conclusion, they are still living their lives haunted by reflections of the past.
But now things seem calmer. Lucy has made a new life and seems happy. The summer stretches ahead with the promise of time spent with those she loves and the chance to reconnect with her husband. Instead, on arrival at their holiday cottage, Lucy is captivated by the small pieces left behind by the woman who stayed in there the week before her. She quickly imagines how perfect her life could be if the two of them became best friends, and enjoys her version of a holiday romance with a woman she will never meet.
But what happens if your holiday infatuation returns home with you? As Lucy is drawn further into an intense friendship with the charismatic Izzy, she is slowly consumed by the darkness of her troubled mind, fearing those around her mean her harm.
And when one friend is no longer prepared to share, the result can be deadly.
'By the end of the book I wasn't sure I could trust my own mind either!' ARC Review
Perfect for fans of The Housemaid, The Perfect Marriage and The Girl on the Train.
341 pages, Paperback
Published July 1, 2025
2 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 14, 2025
A False Reflection is a beautiful story about identity and obsession.
Lucy becomes infatuated with other women and their lives very easily and the story explores the complexities of her mind from teenager to adulthood.
I really enjoyed this book, and the fact that the author lives just round the corner from me only added to my excitement! I found it easy to imagine what places looked like as the setting, were very familiar to me, like Lancaster, near me, Malham and Bolton Abbey, making it more realistic.
I enjoyed the way the past and present intertwined, and the chapters from Lucy's parents' perspective added depth and other voices to the story.
I felt that the way the author dealt with the mental health aspects was perfect, she managed to be factual and sensitive about them in a wonderful way.
Lucy becomes infatuated with other women and their lives very easily and the story explores the complexities of her mind from teenager to adulthood.
I really enjoyed this book, and the fact that the author lives just round the corner from me only added to my excitement! I found it easy to imagine what places looked like as the setting, were very familiar to me, like Lancaster, near me, Malham and Bolton Abbey, making it more realistic.
I enjoyed the way the past and present intertwined, and the chapters from Lucy's parents' perspective added depth and other voices to the story.
I felt that the way the author dealt with the mental health aspects was perfect, she managed to be factual and sensitive about them in a wonderful way.
July 21, 2025
Yes! This is the book of the summer! You need it for your holidays!!
It was beautifully written, Lucy’s character was captivating and her mental health was handled so kindly.
There are twists and turns right the way to the end!! Izzy?!! Who is she!!!
I love the touch of lilac, and Lucy’s parents they are adorable 🥰
It was beautifully written, Lucy’s character was captivating and her mental health was handled so kindly.
There are twists and turns right the way to the end!! Izzy?!! Who is she!!!
I love the touch of lilac, and Lucy’s parents they are adorable 🥰
July 16, 2025
This has so much going on that it keeps you engaged right til the end. Lucy gets caught up in "the gang" when she goes on holiday with Rob and Milly. Lucy is a homebody like me - not really interacting with others in holiday complexes when away but she also wants to feel included. I'd feel out of place if I was in Lucy's position at the holiday cottage.
I'm not a parent but can imagine her anxiety to Milly starting school soon and having to leave her to strangers. Do all parents have a WhatsApp group?
This book has chapters set "now" and twenty years ago when Lucy was a youngster, it's secretive up to what happened twenty years ago but it didn't sound good as you get snippets. All is explained and ties up the ends.
The mind is a powerful thing, creating scenarios and thoughts, what is real and what isn't? If you live in your own mind so much, can you notice the difference?
I liked Cath - Lucy's mum, she's a loveable character and plays her part well in the story, protecting her daughter and grandchild throughout childhood and adult life. So many emotions from the characters flow from the pages and you get a sense of the atmosphere at certain times. Enjoyable read with a sensitive subject but handled well.
I'm not a parent but can imagine her anxiety to Milly starting school soon and having to leave her to strangers. Do all parents have a WhatsApp group?
This book has chapters set "now" and twenty years ago when Lucy was a youngster, it's secretive up to what happened twenty years ago but it didn't sound good as you get snippets. All is explained and ties up the ends.
The mind is a powerful thing, creating scenarios and thoughts, what is real and what isn't? If you live in your own mind so much, can you notice the difference?
I liked Cath - Lucy's mum, she's a loveable character and plays her part well in the story, protecting her daughter and grandchild throughout childhood and adult life. So many emotions from the characters flow from the pages and you get a sense of the atmosphere at certain times. Enjoyable read with a sensitive subject but handled well.
July 27, 2025
I absolutely love a psychological thriller and this one really got inside my head.
It is fantastically written, dealing with mental health issues so carefully and with such understanding.
On arriving at ‘Beach Cottage’ Lucy has a read through the guestbook to see previous holidaymakers comments. She is drawn to one review in particular setting off an infatuation which sees her mental health spiral out of control.
Lucy is an amazingly complex character and having a dual timeline I really got to know her, past and present. This also brought so much tension as you are drip fed information leading to a traumatic event that happened 20 years ago. Not quite knowing what happened but assuming it’s similar to what’s happening in the present.
I really connected with Lucy’s parents. Felt their pain, anguish and worry. How they are still affected by what happened all those years ago and are always closely watching their daughter for signs of it happening again. Heartbreaking.
I was completely gripped the whole way through. There are shocking moments, twists, turns and at times I wasn’t sure if things were real or just in Lucy’s head.
💜An amazing debut and one I would 100% recommend💜
It is fantastically written, dealing with mental health issues so carefully and with such understanding.
On arriving at ‘Beach Cottage’ Lucy has a read through the guestbook to see previous holidaymakers comments. She is drawn to one review in particular setting off an infatuation which sees her mental health spiral out of control.
Lucy is an amazingly complex character and having a dual timeline I really got to know her, past and present. This also brought so much tension as you are drip fed information leading to a traumatic event that happened 20 years ago. Not quite knowing what happened but assuming it’s similar to what’s happening in the present.
I really connected with Lucy’s parents. Felt their pain, anguish and worry. How they are still affected by what happened all those years ago and are always closely watching their daughter for signs of it happening again. Heartbreaking.
I was completely gripped the whole way through. There are shocking moments, twists, turns and at times I wasn’t sure if things were real or just in Lucy’s head.
💜An amazing debut and one I would 100% recommend💜
July 22, 2025
This was a sensational debut novel. It completely blew me away. It was so tragic and it broke my heart. The concept was excellent and I loved this story.
The book is beautifully written and flows perfectly. I liked that it was a mix of first person (Lucy, Izzy & Bella) and third person (Cath, Jon, Rob, Milly and the 20 years earlier chapters). I thought this worked really well.
Mental health is one of the most important issues in the book. Sarah has researched this well. She's written about mental health with the greatest health and sensitivity which is always appreciated. Thank you Sarah. 💚
The characters are wonderful. They are all so rich and fit in very well. One of the characters isn't what she seems. I did like Lucy. I felt so sad for her and her situation.
I simply cannot recommend this enough and is definitely a very strong contender for my book of the year!
The book is beautifully written and flows perfectly. I liked that it was a mix of first person (Lucy, Izzy & Bella) and third person (Cath, Jon, Rob, Milly and the 20 years earlier chapters). I thought this worked really well.
Mental health is one of the most important issues in the book. Sarah has researched this well. She's written about mental health with the greatest health and sensitivity which is always appreciated. Thank you Sarah. 💚
The characters are wonderful. They are all so rich and fit in very well. One of the characters isn't what she seems. I did like Lucy. I felt so sad for her and her situation.
I simply cannot recommend this enough and is definitely a very strong contender for my book of the year!
July 22, 2025
This was a very engaging read, with twists I didn't see coming. This book follows Lucy, who trying to move on from an incident in her past, becomes close with a new friend made on holiday... but not everything is as it seems and as we read on, the reader becomes unsure on whether what Lucy thinks is happening is true or imagined. I really loved the way the author played with reality, and made me doubtful if I knew what had happened in previous chapters. A must read for people who love twists, an unreliable narrator, and a quick fast-paced read!
August 2, 2025
I am obsessed with psychological thrillers and really anything to do with the mind.
I love delving around in our characters heads and getting to know them and their thoughts, feelings and motivations.
So, you can imagine that this read was right up my street!
Lucy was such a fascinating character to explore and I loved that we got to see her backstory as well as the current story in play.
When away on holiday, Lucy becomes obsessed with the woman who had been staying in the cottage before them.
This deals with the complexities of mental health conditions and it was interesting to see how this presented in Lucy and how it affected both herself and her family around her.
At times this really felt like I was living out this story and I definitely felt like I didn't know what was going on and what was real or not.
This was so well written to draw the reader in and immerse us for the duration.
I raced through this needing to know the outcome and of course I loved how this story twisted and turned, blurring reality at times.
I absolutely loved the setting which felt so familiar to me.
I never lived there, but when visiting family in North Yorkshire, we've often visited some of the places described in the book and this made it so easy to visualise.
This was my first read by this author and the writing style totally captivated me.
I can't wait to see more in the future.
I love delving around in our characters heads and getting to know them and their thoughts, feelings and motivations.
So, you can imagine that this read was right up my street!
Lucy was such a fascinating character to explore and I loved that we got to see her backstory as well as the current story in play.
When away on holiday, Lucy becomes obsessed with the woman who had been staying in the cottage before them.
This deals with the complexities of mental health conditions and it was interesting to see how this presented in Lucy and how it affected both herself and her family around her.
At times this really felt like I was living out this story and I definitely felt like I didn't know what was going on and what was real or not.
This was so well written to draw the reader in and immerse us for the duration.
I raced through this needing to know the outcome and of course I loved how this story twisted and turned, blurring reality at times.
I absolutely loved the setting which felt so familiar to me.
I never lived there, but when visiting family in North Yorkshire, we've often visited some of the places described in the book and this made it so easy to visualise.
This was my first read by this author and the writing style totally captivated me.
I can't wait to see more in the future.
July 27, 2025
Literally tore through this in one day. I could not put it down. Unreliable narrators, obsession, spiralling mental illness and things not all being as they seem made this an addictive read.
July 31, 2025
A really well written book which I didn't want to put down. The mind games and manipulation were woven so well throughout. I particularly enjoyed each chapter being based from the perspective of one of the characters and I can't stop thinking about the story.
Can't wait for your next book.
Can't wait for your next book.
July 26, 2025
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'A False Reflection' by Sarah Jones
This is Sarah's DEBUT novel, not that you would ever think that!!! I cannot wait to get stuck into her next guaranteed success which I really hope she is writing as I type this up!!
OMG!!! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE, LOVE ,LOVED THIS BOOK, AN ABSOLUTELY AMAZING, GRIPPING AND PAGE TURNING EXPLOSIVE MUST READ FROM THIS AMAZING DEBUT AUTHOR!! MIND ABSOLUTELY BLOWN!!!! A GRIPPING, DARK AND SUSPENSE FILLED PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PUT DOWN!!!
The first thing I have got to say is an absolutely HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to the amazing author Sarah Jones! I was absolutely mind blown when I had finished this epic page turner and realised that it is actually her first and only book at the moment!! What an absolutely EPIC debut novel!! If THIS is what you can create for your very first book then I just cannot wait to see what on Earth you will come out with next!! This is definitely one of the best debut novels I have ever read and it is also one of my favourite psychological thrillers of all times!!! You seriously have to grab your copy of this twisty and gripping psychological thriller today!! The tension, the suspense, the characters, the absolutely mind blowing twists and turns!!! This book NEEDS to be turned into a movie!!! It really is an absolutely fantastic and explosive page turner that will blow your mind like never before!! The storyline is so compelling and immersive it had me hooked throughout so make sure you clear your schedules before stepping into the dark world of 'A False Reflection'!! The looks I was getting from my partner because of the amount of times I shouted out 'WTAF!!' , 'OMFG!!' and 'No FLexking way did THAT just happen' I seriously lost count. I mean seriously I cannot describe just how AMAZING and absolutely jaw droppingly mind blowing this book is!!! There are just no words. I mean I'll try but my advice is stop reading this review and GET YOUR COPY NOW!!! I am not going to go into the storyline as the synopsis already does a brilliant job of letting you know what the book is about and if you want to know more well you will just have to grab your copy of this gripping page turner today and I promise that you will not regret it!! With an addictive storyline ram packed with mystery, family, lies, mind blowing twists, suspense, manipulation, tension and so much more then what on Earth are you waiting for? Sarah absolutely captivated my attention and sucked me deep into the storyline. I cannot even express in words how good this storyline in and how much I was completely drawn into the storyline!! If you love thrillers, suspense, unique, mind blowing, action packed books, shocking twists and .do you know what? Whatever you like to read just give this a go and you will NOT regret it!!! As you can tell I absolutely LOVED this addictive and explosive page turner!!! I honestly loved absolutely everything about it from the start to the end. It was just one heck of an amazing read!!! I absolutely love, love, LOVED the unique storyline!! I have read so many books that it is getting harder and harder for me to find a truly unique plot but Sarah absolutely smashes it out of the world and further with this one!! There was no way I could put this book down until I had finished it. I picked it up and even though I kept telling myself just one more chapter I just could not put it down as every time I went to something happened which meant I had to read just one more again until I ended up reading it in one sitting having been glued to the book for a few hours!! Sarah's vivid evocative writing skills and descriptions really brought the storyline to life and I just cannot wait to get hooked into his next book!!! I have just never come across a book or movie anything like this one and I doubt I will again!!!! I really hope this is brought to the big screen and if not why not? I will definitely be first in line to watch it. I just genuinely love, love, LOVED IT!!! This book will suck you in and keep you gripped in the pages until your thrown out at the end with a racing heart!! A truly unforgettable one in a million page turner!!!! Get ready to pick your jaw up from the floor at the twists that you will NEVER see coming!! An absolute must read that I wont be forgetting about anytime soon!!
OMG!!! SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!!! WHAT HAVE I JUST READ!?!?!? Sarah Jones you lady are an absolute crime writing legend!!!
Do not start this book until you have cleared your schedules as you will not be able to put it down!! The characters were all realistic and strong and I was completely invested in them throughout. Sarah's evocative descriptions really makes them jump out of the book and come to life in front of the readers eyes. I was completely invested in each and every one of the characters who I enjoyed getting to know more about throughout the pages. Sarah does an absolutely fantastic job of weaving multiple protagonist perspectives together perfectly giving us a larger picture of what is going on but only giving away what she wants to and when she wants too while ensuring she does not confuse readers. Each of the characters all played their own roles perfectly and they all had their own unique and individual personalities with their own flaws, strengths and weaknesses. The fact that this is Sarah's debut novel yet he has managed to create these amazing, unique, dark, twisted and strong characters is just absolutely amazing!!! All of the characters were multi layered with complex personalities which definitely made them all the more interesting to read about!!! Unfortunately, I really can not say anymore as I don't want to spoil it for future readers. Regardless of what I thought about who, each character worked perfectly to make this page turning psychological thriller!!! I just cannot wait to see what characters this amazing author comes up with next!!! I genuinely loved getting to know all the characters and was completely invested throughout!! It just goes to show how fantastic Sarah's writing skills are as she completely brought them all to life for me. An absolutely fantastic selection of unique characters that all worked together perfectly to create an absolutely chilling, gripping and addictive page turner!!! This book really is a truly unique page turner that I picked up this morning and had completely devoured it in a few hours!!! When the hell is this being made into a film and when are you bringing your next book out as I need my next hit!!!
I seriously mean it when I say I have NEVER EVER, EVER come across a book like this before!! Just absolutely blooming amazing!! You lady have seriously just smashed straight into my favourite author list as well as hitting my best book of 2025 and in fact I would even say one of my favourite books ever!
SARAH YOU HAVE HIT MY FAVOURTIE AUTHOR LIST, MY FAVOURTIE PSYCHOLOGICAL SUSPENSE THRILLER LIST AND ONE OF MY BEST BOOKS OF ALL TIME!!!
Overall an absolutely unputdownable, action packed, intriguing, unique, mind blowing thriller with twists will leave you gobsmacked!
@SarahJones @SarahJonesWrites @CinderhillPublishing @LoveBooksTours @LBTCrew @KellyALacey
#AFalseReflection #SarahJonesWrites #CinderhillPublishing #Ad #LBTCrew #Bookstagram #LBTThriller
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Review for 'A False Reflection' by Sarah Jones
This is Sarah's DEBUT novel, not that you would ever think that!!! I cannot wait to get stuck into her next guaranteed success which I really hope she is writing as I type this up!!
OMG!!! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE, LOVE ,LOVED THIS BOOK, AN ABSOLUTELY AMAZING, GRIPPING AND PAGE TURNING EXPLOSIVE MUST READ FROM THIS AMAZING DEBUT AUTHOR!! MIND ABSOLUTELY BLOWN!!!! A GRIPPING, DARK AND SUSPENSE FILLED PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PUT DOWN!!!
The first thing I have got to say is an absolutely HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to the amazing author Sarah Jones! I was absolutely mind blown when I had finished this epic page turner and realised that it is actually her first and only book at the moment!! What an absolutely EPIC debut novel!! If THIS is what you can create for your very first book then I just cannot wait to see what on Earth you will come out with next!! This is definitely one of the best debut novels I have ever read and it is also one of my favourite psychological thrillers of all times!!! You seriously have to grab your copy of this twisty and gripping psychological thriller today!! The tension, the suspense, the characters, the absolutely mind blowing twists and turns!!! This book NEEDS to be turned into a movie!!! It really is an absolutely fantastic and explosive page turner that will blow your mind like never before!! The storyline is so compelling and immersive it had me hooked throughout so make sure you clear your schedules before stepping into the dark world of 'A False Reflection'!! The looks I was getting from my partner because of the amount of times I shouted out 'WTAF!!' , 'OMFG!!' and 'No FLexking way did THAT just happen' I seriously lost count. I mean seriously I cannot describe just how AMAZING and absolutely jaw droppingly mind blowing this book is!!! There are just no words. I mean I'll try but my advice is stop reading this review and GET YOUR COPY NOW!!! I am not going to go into the storyline as the synopsis already does a brilliant job of letting you know what the book is about and if you want to know more well you will just have to grab your copy of this gripping page turner today and I promise that you will not regret it!! With an addictive storyline ram packed with mystery, family, lies, mind blowing twists, suspense, manipulation, tension and so much more then what on Earth are you waiting for? Sarah absolutely captivated my attention and sucked me deep into the storyline. I cannot even express in words how good this storyline in and how much I was completely drawn into the storyline!! If you love thrillers, suspense, unique, mind blowing, action packed books, shocking twists and .do you know what? Whatever you like to read just give this a go and you will NOT regret it!!! As you can tell I absolutely LOVED this addictive and explosive page turner!!! I honestly loved absolutely everything about it from the start to the end. It was just one heck of an amazing read!!! I absolutely love, love, LOVED the unique storyline!! I have read so many books that it is getting harder and harder for me to find a truly unique plot but Sarah absolutely smashes it out of the world and further with this one!! There was no way I could put this book down until I had finished it. I picked it up and even though I kept telling myself just one more chapter I just could not put it down as every time I went to something happened which meant I had to read just one more again until I ended up reading it in one sitting having been glued to the book for a few hours!! Sarah's vivid evocative writing skills and descriptions really brought the storyline to life and I just cannot wait to get hooked into his next book!!! I have just never come across a book or movie anything like this one and I doubt I will again!!!! I really hope this is brought to the big screen and if not why not? I will definitely be first in line to watch it. I just genuinely love, love, LOVED IT!!! This book will suck you in and keep you gripped in the pages until your thrown out at the end with a racing heart!! A truly unforgettable one in a million page turner!!!! Get ready to pick your jaw up from the floor at the twists that you will NEVER see coming!! An absolute must read that I wont be forgetting about anytime soon!!
OMG!!! SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!!! WHAT HAVE I JUST READ!?!?!? Sarah Jones you lady are an absolute crime writing legend!!!
Do not start this book until you have cleared your schedules as you will not be able to put it down!! The characters were all realistic and strong and I was completely invested in them throughout. Sarah's evocative descriptions really makes them jump out of the book and come to life in front of the readers eyes. I was completely invested in each and every one of the characters who I enjoyed getting to know more about throughout the pages. Sarah does an absolutely fantastic job of weaving multiple protagonist perspectives together perfectly giving us a larger picture of what is going on but only giving away what she wants to and when she wants too while ensuring she does not confuse readers. Each of the characters all played their own roles perfectly and they all had their own unique and individual personalities with their own flaws, strengths and weaknesses. The fact that this is Sarah's debut novel yet he has managed to create these amazing, unique, dark, twisted and strong characters is just absolutely amazing!!! All of the characters were multi layered with complex personalities which definitely made them all the more interesting to read about!!! Unfortunately, I really can not say anymore as I don't want to spoil it for future readers. Regardless of what I thought about who, each character worked perfectly to make this page turning psychological thriller!!! I just cannot wait to see what characters this amazing author comes up with next!!! I genuinely loved getting to know all the characters and was completely invested throughout!! It just goes to show how fantastic Sarah's writing skills are as she completely brought them all to life for me. An absolutely fantastic selection of unique characters that all worked together perfectly to create an absolutely chilling, gripping and addictive page turner!!! This book really is a truly unique page turner that I picked up this morning and had completely devoured it in a few hours!!! When the hell is this being made into a film and when are you bringing your next book out as I need my next hit!!!
I seriously mean it when I say I have NEVER EVER, EVER come across a book like this before!! Just absolutely blooming amazing!! You lady have seriously just smashed straight into my favourite author list as well as hitting my best book of 2025 and in fact I would even say one of my favourite books ever!
SARAH YOU HAVE HIT MY FAVOURTIE AUTHOR LIST, MY FAVOURTIE PSYCHOLOGICAL SUSPENSE THRILLER LIST AND ONE OF MY BEST BOOKS OF ALL TIME!!!
Overall an absolutely unputdownable, action packed, intriguing, unique, mind blowing thriller with twists will leave you gobsmacked!
@SarahJones @SarahJonesWrites @CinderhillPublishing @LoveBooksTours @LBTCrew @KellyALacey
#AFalseReflection #SarahJonesWrites #CinderhillPublishing #Ad #LBTCrew #Bookstagram #LBTThriller
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July 28, 2025
“If I couldn’t have your life, then you couldn’t either.”
This opening line sets the mysterious tone perfectly for a story that slowly reveals its dark underbelly.
I absolutely despise Izzy. The structure of the book — told in three distinct parts — was cleverly done, and I particularly liked how the third part shifted to Izzy’s perspective. That said, it made me loathe her even more. The final chapter from Milly was intriguing and left me wondering if there’s a sequel coming. I, for one, would love to see karma finally catch up with Izzy.
This is one of those thought-provoking reads that really makes you question how easily someone can be gaslit, brainwashed, or manipulated. While I predicted many of the twists, it didn’t lessen how engrossing or captivating the story was. The short, fast-paced chapters made it incredibly easy to binge — I constantly found myself saying, “just one more chapter.”
Lucy, as a narrator, was completely unreliable at times, but that felt intentional and reflective of her mental health struggles (specifically bipolar disorder). Her narration seemed to match her mood: when she was manic, the chapters came thick and fast, giving you the sense of spiralling along with her. I really felt for her throughout.
Cath and Jon, Lucy’s parents, seemed loving but not without fault. Cath especially bothered me towards the end. Her behaviour felt off and, honestly, a little unrealistic. It didn’t sit right with me how easily she appeared to move on from everything.
Rob was more complex. I couldn’t get a handle on him for most of the book, but by the end, I really felt for him. In my view, he was manipulated from all sides. If there is a sequel, I’d be very curious to see how his story continues.
The story starts with a seemingly idyllic holiday at the beach cottage, but it’s only after they return home that the real mystery and plot development begin to unfold.
Told from multiple perspectives — Lucy, Cath, Jon, and Izzy — and shifting between past and present, the book gradually builds its narrative, especially in the first part, which is more about scene setting and character dynamics than plot.
Overall, this was a highly addictive read. Despite some predictable moments and a few character decisions that didn’t fully land for me, the emotional depth, structure, and pace more than made up for it. I’m left hoping for a follow-up — if only to see Izzy get what’s coming to her.
4.5
This opening line sets the mysterious tone perfectly for a story that slowly reveals its dark underbelly.
I absolutely despise Izzy. The structure of the book — told in three distinct parts — was cleverly done, and I particularly liked how the third part shifted to Izzy’s perspective. That said, it made me loathe her even more. The final chapter from Milly was intriguing and left me wondering if there’s a sequel coming. I, for one, would love to see karma finally catch up with Izzy.
This is one of those thought-provoking reads that really makes you question how easily someone can be gaslit, brainwashed, or manipulated. While I predicted many of the twists, it didn’t lessen how engrossing or captivating the story was. The short, fast-paced chapters made it incredibly easy to binge — I constantly found myself saying, “just one more chapter.”
Lucy, as a narrator, was completely unreliable at times, but that felt intentional and reflective of her mental health struggles (specifically bipolar disorder). Her narration seemed to match her mood: when she was manic, the chapters came thick and fast, giving you the sense of spiralling along with her. I really felt for her throughout.
Cath and Jon, Lucy’s parents, seemed loving but not without fault. Cath especially bothered me towards the end. Her behaviour felt off and, honestly, a little unrealistic. It didn’t sit right with me how easily she appeared to move on from everything.
Rob was more complex. I couldn’t get a handle on him for most of the book, but by the end, I really felt for him. In my view, he was manipulated from all sides. If there is a sequel, I’d be very curious to see how his story continues.
The story starts with a seemingly idyllic holiday at the beach cottage, but it’s only after they return home that the real mystery and plot development begin to unfold.
Told from multiple perspectives — Lucy, Cath, Jon, and Izzy — and shifting between past and present, the book gradually builds its narrative, especially in the first part, which is more about scene setting and character dynamics than plot.
Overall, this was a highly addictive read. Despite some predictable moments and a few character decisions that didn’t fully land for me, the emotional depth, structure, and pace more than made up for it. I’m left hoping for a follow-up — if only to see Izzy get what’s coming to her.
4.5
July 27, 2025
I received this as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
If you like thrillers with unreliable narrators, multiple perspectives, and deeply flawed characters, A False Reflection is the book for you.
How can you ever feel safe, when you can’t trust your own mind? That question is at the heart of Sarah Jones’s dark and twisty psychological thriller. I can’t believe this is her debut novel.
From the opening pages, I was pulled into Lucy’s world — a woman whose sense of self has always been fragile, and whose obsession with becoming someone else lingers like a shadow from her past. Twenty years after a traumatic incident that left her family fractured, Lucy appears to have built a new life. But when a seemingly innocent holiday spirals into fixation on a mysterious woman named Bella, Lucy’s carefully constructed reality begins to crack.
The story is haunting, immersive, and full of tension. Jones masterfully weaves multiple points of view, blurring the line between reality and delusion. Lucy’s voice is both compelling and unsettling; I found myself questioning every interaction, every memory, every character.
The toxic, magnetic pull between Lucy and Izzy is brilliantly written, exploring how obsession can twist even the most innocent of intentions. As the narrative darkens, whilst the twists, I found predictable, the way the story develops and the tension builds to a chilling, unexpected climax that left me reeling.
Perfect for fans of The Housemaid, The Perfect Marriage, and The Girl on the Train, this book is a must-read for anyone who loves a thriller that messes with your head.
If you like thrillers with unreliable narrators, multiple perspectives, and deeply flawed characters, A False Reflection is the book for you.
How can you ever feel safe, when you can’t trust your own mind? That question is at the heart of Sarah Jones’s dark and twisty psychological thriller. I can’t believe this is her debut novel.
From the opening pages, I was pulled into Lucy’s world — a woman whose sense of self has always been fragile, and whose obsession with becoming someone else lingers like a shadow from her past. Twenty years after a traumatic incident that left her family fractured, Lucy appears to have built a new life. But when a seemingly innocent holiday spirals into fixation on a mysterious woman named Bella, Lucy’s carefully constructed reality begins to crack.
The story is haunting, immersive, and full of tension. Jones masterfully weaves multiple points of view, blurring the line between reality and delusion. Lucy’s voice is both compelling and unsettling; I found myself questioning every interaction, every memory, every character.
The toxic, magnetic pull between Lucy and Izzy is brilliantly written, exploring how obsession can twist even the most innocent of intentions. As the narrative darkens, whilst the twists, I found predictable, the way the story develops and the tension builds to a chilling, unexpected climax that left me reeling.
Perfect for fans of The Housemaid, The Perfect Marriage, and The Girl on the Train, this book is a must-read for anyone who loves a thriller that messes with your head.
July 27, 2025
Firstly, thank you to Love Book Tours and Sarah Jones for the copy. This debut is emotional, twisted and overall beautifully written, delving into mental health.
‘A False Reflection’ follows a few points of view, our main being Lucy. At their yearly holiday cottage, Lucy soon becomes captivated by the traces left by the woman who stayed the week before. She begins fantasising a perfect life with this mystery woman. Lucy has never felt comfortable in her own skin, but things finally seem to be looking better. Haunted by the past, will history repeat itself?
The writing captures Lucy’s character perfectly: her anxiety, fragility and obsession to fit in, trying to be someone she’s not. We get flashbacks of twenty years before, also showing us young Lucy’s personality. I looked forward to those chapters, slowly revealing the dark events of the past to understand how they shaped her present. I also appreciated the shifting points of view: it gave me insight into how other characters felt. For example, how Lucy’s mother was constantly worrying for her daughter.
You wouldn’t believe this is a debut! It’s definitely a read that makes you think. I’d say go into this book blind (but maybe check trigger warnings). It’s a need to read for fans of psychological thrillers with complex characters.
‘A False Reflection’ follows a few points of view, our main being Lucy. At their yearly holiday cottage, Lucy soon becomes captivated by the traces left by the woman who stayed the week before. She begins fantasising a perfect life with this mystery woman. Lucy has never felt comfortable in her own skin, but things finally seem to be looking better. Haunted by the past, will history repeat itself?
The writing captures Lucy’s character perfectly: her anxiety, fragility and obsession to fit in, trying to be someone she’s not. We get flashbacks of twenty years before, also showing us young Lucy’s personality. I looked forward to those chapters, slowly revealing the dark events of the past to understand how they shaped her present. I also appreciated the shifting points of view: it gave me insight into how other characters felt. For example, how Lucy’s mother was constantly worrying for her daughter.
You wouldn’t believe this is a debut! It’s definitely a read that makes you think. I’d say go into this book blind (but maybe check trigger warnings). It’s a need to read for fans of psychological thrillers with complex characters.
July 24, 2025
Lucy has struggled with her mental health since her teenage years. This seemed to have settled when she became a wife, only to re-emerge after the birth of her daughter Milly. Lucy finds relationships and boundaries a challenge, wanting to be a reflection of someone else to an obsessive extent. I always think that poor mental health is a difficult subject for fiction writers to convey authentically and to get the right balance and equally difficult at times to read as an audience. In this book the authenticity and balance were, for me, perfect. I found this a compelling read in relation to Lucy but also the impact of her poor mental health on those around her. I really felt for her parents Cath and Jon who supported her unwaveringly through the dark times. I also really felt for Milly. I found the twists in the book clever and the ending very poignant. I will walk by lavender for some time and I think of this book and of Lucy and others struggling like her.
July 26, 2025
There is an ominous start to the book, you know something bad has happened in the past but you don't know what it is yet. There are a lot of hints and references to keep you guessing.
Is the main character just neurotic and too overprotective of millie or has something bad made her this way? And the introduction of Lucy's parents in the beginning really make you think about what is going on.
I Struggled with liking Rob in the beginning especially as it felt like he was hiding a lot and Just leaving his family when they are supposed to be having family time away but towards the end you get more of a sense as to how much he is struggling too dealing with Lucy.
This book really hits hard about mental health struggles and how everyone is affected not just the person experiencing it. All the what ifs that you think about afterwards and the hindsight of events build up and really makes you think about how you are as a person.
There is a massive twist at the end although I did guess at part of the link (no spoilers) I feel that the way the story ends with Millie's outlook, there definitely could be a sequel.
Heartbreaking and very thought provoking story.
Is the main character just neurotic and too overprotective of millie or has something bad made her this way? And the introduction of Lucy's parents in the beginning really make you think about what is going on.
I Struggled with liking Rob in the beginning especially as it felt like he was hiding a lot and Just leaving his family when they are supposed to be having family time away but towards the end you get more of a sense as to how much he is struggling too dealing with Lucy.
This book really hits hard about mental health struggles and how everyone is affected not just the person experiencing it. All the what ifs that you think about afterwards and the hindsight of events build up and really makes you think about how you are as a person.
There is a massive twist at the end although I did guess at part of the link (no spoilers) I feel that the way the story ends with Millie's outlook, there definitely could be a sequel.
Heartbreaking and very thought provoking story.
July 25, 2025
This book was brilliant. I loved the read and got totally hooked and didn’t want to put it down!
The mixtures of multiple POVs and the movement between the present and 20 years earlier makes for a captivating read and I was constantly wondering what would happen next.
I loved the characters and especially Lucy. Knowing that she has mental health struggles added to the intrigue as I was constantly wonderful what was real and what was imagined. Also, as a parent who does get anxiety I found Lucy’s anxiety around Milly so relatable! The rest of the characters are great too and I loved seeing the story pan out from different perspectives. I particularly loved Cath and could tell she was a caring mum.
Really incredible writing and this is definitely one of my fave reads of the last few weeks! Brilliant from start to finish.
The mixtures of multiple POVs and the movement between the present and 20 years earlier makes for a captivating read and I was constantly wondering what would happen next.
I loved the characters and especially Lucy. Knowing that she has mental health struggles added to the intrigue as I was constantly wonderful what was real and what was imagined. Also, as a parent who does get anxiety I found Lucy’s anxiety around Milly so relatable! The rest of the characters are great too and I loved seeing the story pan out from different perspectives. I particularly loved Cath and could tell she was a caring mum.
Really incredible writing and this is definitely one of my fave reads of the last few weeks! Brilliant from start to finish.
July 28, 2025
“How can you feel safe, when you can’t trust your own mind”
Wow! I absolutely loved this book. I can easily see this author becoming the next big thing. What a gripping book, written in a way that’s easy to read with short chapters, which I love. I really enjoyed the different POVs and jumping between timelines. I finished it in just a couple of days as I couldn’t put it down.
I don’t want to say too much about this one because I want you to enjoy the journey, but if you like reading psychological thrillers which keep the suspense building with twists, then you need to read this book.
Trigger Warning - This book contains characters and subjects involving Mental Health which have been delicately handled.
Wow! I absolutely loved this book. I can easily see this author becoming the next big thing. What a gripping book, written in a way that’s easy to read with short chapters, which I love. I really enjoyed the different POVs and jumping between timelines. I finished it in just a couple of days as I couldn’t put it down.
I don’t want to say too much about this one because I want you to enjoy the journey, but if you like reading psychological thrillers which keep the suspense building with twists, then you need to read this book.
Trigger Warning - This book contains characters and subjects involving Mental Health which have been delicately handled.
July 28, 2025
I really enjoy psychological thrillers so when I saw this book announced, I had to sign up to the readalong!
All of the characters were very interesting, in particular, Lucy was very interesting. While she is on holiday, she becomes obsessed with the woman who had been staying in the cottage before her. This allows us to delve into her mind, and how this obsession affects her and her family. The settings are also well written and immersive.
This is an incredibly well written book; Sarah Jones is a talented writer. The book is hard to put down and is often unpredictable.
If you enjoy psychological thrillers with multiple points of views and dual timelines, I highly recommend this book!
All of the characters were very interesting, in particular, Lucy was very interesting. While she is on holiday, she becomes obsessed with the woman who had been staying in the cottage before her. This allows us to delve into her mind, and how this obsession affects her and her family. The settings are also well written and immersive.
This is an incredibly well written book; Sarah Jones is a talented writer. The book is hard to put down and is often unpredictable.
If you enjoy psychological thrillers with multiple points of views and dual timelines, I highly recommend this book!
July 24, 2025
A False Reflection by Sarah Jones.
I loved the cover and blurb of this book. The flower field and how can you feel safe when you can't trust your own mind. I did enjoy this book. It was different. I did enjoy the twists. I liked the characters as they developed. It was very cleverly written. I couldn't put it down. I had no clue it was a debut. It's that well written. I read this in a few days. I definitely recommend this book.
I loved the cover and blurb of this book. The flower field and how can you feel safe when you can't trust your own mind. I did enjoy this book. It was different. I did enjoy the twists. I liked the characters as they developed. It was very cleverly written. I couldn't put it down. I had no clue it was a debut. It's that well written. I read this in a few days. I definitely recommend this book.
July 20, 2025
I loved this book! It was a real page-turner from beginning to end. The characters were well-developed and the details vivid. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good story.
This is the author’s first book and I believe her second book is coming out later this year, it’s already at the top of my wish list!
This is the author’s first book and I believe her second book is coming out later this year, it’s already at the top of my wish list!
July 28, 2025
Wow. I was not expecting to enjoy this as much as I did! It's a slow burn but with enough intrigue to keep you going. The twists and turns towards the end were brilliant too. The mental health aspect was expertly done. Highly recommended for those who enjoy women's fiction and slow burn thrillers.
October 21, 2025
I read this after reading Family Traits which I bought at an author event. I loved that book so was keen to try the first (though the books are stand alone)
I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Very different to Family Traits (which for me was my favourite) but a brilliant read. Loved the gas lighting, and again enjoyed the writing style. It really was ‘just one more chapter’ until I gave in and stayed up far too late to finish it!
I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Very different to Family Traits (which for me was my favourite) but a brilliant read. Loved the gas lighting, and again enjoyed the writing style. It really was ‘just one more chapter’ until I gave in and stayed up far too late to finish it!
August 1, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Mental Health | Obsession | Tragedy
- Each time we look up and see the same star, we are together in our hearts -
I can't stop thinking about this book, if you're into psychological thrillers and books that really get into your head then this is the one! I couldn't put it down.
Sarah covers the topic of mental health and postpartum psychosis with the care it deserves. Please bear in mind the trigger warnings 💜
This book explores the life of Lucy and how she has struggled with her mental health from a young age right through to having her daughter Milly. On a family break she becomes obsessed with with Bella, after reading her review in the guest book and of course listening to fellow holiday makers. Lucy relaxes on holiday, drinking, letting her hair down, missing medication and allowing herself to "be more Bella"! She goes on to meet Izzy 😱, who's made friends with her lovely Mum Cath, whilst Lucy has been away! Without me giving anything else away the rest is a whirlwind of chaos that will break your heart.
If you choose a book to take a chance on this year, make it A False Reflection 💜
Incredible!
Mental Health | Obsession | Tragedy
- Each time we look up and see the same star, we are together in our hearts -
I can't stop thinking about this book, if you're into psychological thrillers and books that really get into your head then this is the one! I couldn't put it down.
Sarah covers the topic of mental health and postpartum psychosis with the care it deserves. Please bear in mind the trigger warnings 💜
This book explores the life of Lucy and how she has struggled with her mental health from a young age right through to having her daughter Milly. On a family break she becomes obsessed with with Bella, after reading her review in the guest book and of course listening to fellow holiday makers. Lucy relaxes on holiday, drinking, letting her hair down, missing medication and allowing herself to "be more Bella"! She goes on to meet Izzy 😱, who's made friends with her lovely Mum Cath, whilst Lucy has been away! Without me giving anything else away the rest is a whirlwind of chaos that will break your heart.
If you choose a book to take a chance on this year, make it A False Reflection 💜
Incredible!
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