I Owe You One

by Lauren North

She saved my life. I faked her death…

I only came back home to lie low and reconnect with my sister, Bryony. Her life with her gorgeous husband Alex is perfect – a far cry from the disaster mine has turned into…

But almost immediately I can tell something is wrong. My once bubbly sister’s skin is pale, her hair dull, her eyes unfocussed. She tells me Alex has turned obsessive, controlling her every move. A tear tracks down her cheek as I stare at her in horror.

‘I have to fake my death,’ she whispers and I jolt back in shock. ‘And I need your help to do it.’ As I start to shake my head, mouth trembling, she lays her winning card ‘You owe me, Jess. I saved your life.’

But after she’s successfully disappeared, I realise there are holes in her story – things she’s told me about Alex that can’t be true. Threatening messages that can’t have come from him. Rumours in the village about the way she’s been acting. She doesn’t contact me like she promised – and rather than being angry she’s gone, Alex seems completely devastated…

So when I learn Bryony never actually saved me all those years ago, I start to question everything. Have I just saved my sister, or helped her get away with something terrible? And when the truth comes out, will I be the one whose life is in danger…?

An utterly page-turning, edge-of-your-seat psychological thriller that will have you reading late into the night! Perfect for fans of The Housemaid, The Couple Next Door and The Family Upstairs.

Readers love Lauren

‘Wow, just wow!… Brilliant… Kept me awake far later than planned… I devoured this gem in one sitting. I was hooked… Impossible to put down.’ Littlemissbooklover87, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Wow, wowsers, just wow!… My mind is blown… I could barely stop reading… I kept on gasping out loud… Just wow… I loved it… Addicted!’ Rachels Random Read, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘OMG!!!… My mind is still trying to wrap my head around this story! SOO GOOD!!!… Truly heartbreaking… I was literally yelling at my e-reader!!… Heart-wrenching, suspenseful, thrilling… Intensely wicked twists that will blow your mind!! It is a must-read!!’ Heidi Lynns Book Reviews, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘Hooked me from the very first page… Kept me up way too late… I had to know how it ended… Guessing the whole time… Jaw-dropping… A must-read.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I could not put this book down… Devoured it in one sitting… An absolutely unputdownable, addictive page-turner!!… Fantastic!!… A heart-racing, action packed, page-turning must-read!’ Bookworm86, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Wow wow wow!…

Genres: Thriller, Psychological Thriller, Audiobook, Mystery, Adult Fiction

322 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 8, 2026

About the author

Lauren writes psychological suspense novels that delve into the darker side of relationships and families. She has a lifelong passion for writing, reading, and all things books. Lauren’s love of psychological suspense has grown since childhood and her dark imagination of always wondering what’s the worst thing that could happen in every situation.

Lauren studied psychology before moving to London where she lived and worked for many years. She now lives with her family in the Suffolk countryside. Readers can follow Lauren on Twitter @Lauren_C_North and Facebook @LaurenNorthAuthor

Reviews

[Tonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author asks, “What does it really mean to owe someone your life?” This question is put to the test throughout this twisted story of jealousy, deception, and betrayal. What happens when a sisterly bond becomes an unwelcome noose? I enjoyed how the story was told from different perspectives and timelines. Lauren North meticulously crafts a plot full of countless unexpected twists while building tension and suspense. This would make the perfect addictive series on Netflix. This is the fourth book I have read by this author and they have all been five-star reads. I look forward to reading more books from Lauren North in the future. Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for my copy.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING! AMAZING! AMAZING!!!

So, this is the story of two sisters! Jess and Bryony.

We open up with Jess meeting Bryony by her big beautiful home with her husband… but, outside the home. Along the cliff line that hovers well above the shore.
Bryony is a wreck. She tells her sister that she needs to die. Not really… just fake her death. Jess is shocked. Unsure. Why? But she knows she will help her with whatever she needs…. And she brings up the fact that ‘You owe me, Jess!” And she’s off to the big home again… And Jess realizes that she is right…

We go back and forth between the time when they were kids and current day.
But, keep alluding to the ‘accident’. The thing that has terrorized Jess’s life since she was a kid. The thing she still has nightmares about. 16 years later….

We also learn about the family dynamics. How Jess was smart, and funny, and kind. How Bryony was scheming, and mean, and somewhat jealous…

We learn about the parents splitting after ‘the accident’ and how Jess stayed with her Mom, and Bryony went with her Dad. And they grew up apart…. And then Jess went away to college…and met a guy… and started a life and a business with him… and then things started to change…. And so now, she goes back to her ailing Mom, and the town she grew up in, and she hopes to become best of friends again with her sister.

But ‘the accident’… she just wishes she could remember!

This was phenomenal!
I read a few of the reviews that stated that they figured out ‘the twist’ early on… as did I.
BUT…what about the OTHER twists? The ones that I never saw coming and then smacked me right in the head!
The ones that had me gasping and then holding my breath? The ones that ended up changing the entire storyline! Those are the things we should be talking about and praising! For they were spectacular!!!

#IOweYouOne by @LaurenNorth and narrated wonderfully by @HeatherLong!

This one releases tomorrow, 4/8/26…so keep your eyes 👀 open for it!

All the stars for me for this crazy, psychotic, Cliff-hanger, insane-family-dyanamics of a book for me! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨✨✨✨✨🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟💫💫💫💫💫

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and @BolondaAudio for an ALC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

You can also find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Instagram: @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine

Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!!

And as always, thanks for reading along with me! 📚⭐️🩷

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC (Advance Reader Copy) of I Owe You One by Lauren North. This is my second book by this author. There were lots of twists in this one. As soon as I thought I had something figured out, oops something shifted. It was well written and very entertaining. Some parts were very fast paced and some were a bit slow. Overall, I wanted to keep reading. So as you read this and figure out the twist, keep reading to see if you can figure out the next one, and the one after that and so on! I gave this one a 4 star rating. #Bookouture #LaurenNorth

[Melody McNamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Owe You One is a compelling read that explores the toxic relationship between two sisters, whose present is colored by a past traumatic event. Filled with sibling rivalry, deception, manipulation and escalating tension, it was a bit predictable, as the blurb gives away too much information. It was easy to see where the story was headed, but there were enough twists and surprises to keep me guessing.

[Christina C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Owe You One by Lauren North is a gripping and well-written psychological drama that kept me hooked from start to finish. Centered around two sisters and the complicated, often messy bond they share, the story dives deep into family dynamics, secrets, and long-standing tensions.

North does a great job of building suspense throughout the novel, slowly unraveling the layers of the sisters’ relationship while keeping you guessing about what really happened in the past. The emotional depth and twists along the way made it hard to put down.
And that ending….completely shocking. Just when you think you have everything figured out, the story takes a turn that leaves you rethinking everything you’ve read.

Overall, this was a compelling and engaging read. While some parts felt a bit slower in pacing, the strong writing and jaw-dropping conclusion make it a solid 4-star book. Highly recommend for fans of twisty family dramas

[Jo Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve already had the pleasure of reading some of Lauren Norths work so I was thrilled to discover the latest offering available to download from NetGalley. It’s so rare for me to find a thriller lately that I don’t find to be predictable, so I had high hopes as I know I’ve loved the previous books, and let me tell you she did not disappoint. My little head was all over the place trying to figure out what on earth was going on here.

A mid pace which I really enjoyed the story played out carefully, there were twists and turns all along the way and I enjoyed every moment of this!

Great narration added to the enjoyment.

Huge thanks to Bolinda Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this ALC 🎧

[Bo.reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lauren North’s You Owe Me One had a strong, suspenseful start that immediately pulled me in. The prologue hooked me straight away, and I was eager to uncover the truth behind the sisters’ complicated relationship, the sailing accident, and why Bryony was so desperate to fake her own death.

Jess is the main POV we follow, and while I understood how her toxic relationship with her older sister shaped who she’d become, she could also be incredibly frustrating at times. There were so many obvious red flags that had me waiting for everything to finally click into place for her. Jess clearly knew Bryony was jealous, manipulative, and vindictive, yet she still struggled to fully piece together what was happening around her.

One thing the book did well was explore toxic sibling dynamics, particularly guilt-induced compliance, gaslighting, emotional manipulation, and the lasting effects those relationships can have well into adulthood. It definitely created an uncomfortable tension throughout the story.

I didn’t find any of the characters especially likeable or memorable, and while the twists didn’t completely wow me, the pacing and ending were enough to keep me invested and ultimately saved the book for me.

I’d recommend going into this one as blind as possible because I felt the blurb revealed far too much of the story beforehand.

Overall, it was a decent psychological thriller with an intriguing premise, but I was left wanting a little more.

[Samantha Bailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the early copy of this book.

While this is a fun, fast paced thriller, I felt like the story became a little predictable as the book progressed. That's not to say I didn't have a great time reading it, but I did figure out the reveal much earlier that the writer intended. Despite this, if you love thriller novels, I'd say definitely check this one out.

[Corinne’s Chapter Chatter · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

This was an interesting one because I genuinely enjoyed the experience… but if I’m being fully honest, it was very predictable, and a lot of that comes down to the structure and those heavy-handed red herrings.

Thrillers are hard to write. Sometimes authors try so hard to misdirect the reader that they end up doing the exact opposite—basically shining a spotlight on the twist. That’s exactly what happened here. It actually gave me similar vibes to Dear Debbie by Frieda McFadden in that way, throwing out so many “clues” and distractions that the real answer becomes obvious way too early.

That said—this is a much stronger book overall. Better writing, more engaging, and honestly just a more enjoyable ride. So that comparison ends there… mostly. They’re both popcorn thrillers, but this one has a little more bite. Think: flavored popcorn instead of plain.

I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Heather Long, who did a great job and is definitely part of why I rounded up my rating. The production was clean, smooth, and easy to stay immersed in.

I typically love dual timeline, dual narration formats, but here it actually worked against the story and made the predictability worse. So this ends up being one of those cases where the core story is solid, but the execution didn’t quite do it any favors. Honestly, this feels like an editing miss more than anything.

All that said—still enjoyable! I’d recommend it if you’re looking for a quick, low-stakes thriller that keeps you entertained.

I am thankful to have received a complimentary ALC from Bolinda Audio via NetGalley, which gave me the opportunity to share my voluntary thoughts.

[Rachel Floyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first Lauren North book, and I’ll definitely been adding her others to my TBR pile! Her writing style reminded me of Freida McFadden.

They hit the nail on the head when they called this “a totally jaw-dropping, twisty and addictive psychological thriller.” Every time I thought I had it figured out, it would pivot and reveal something completely different!

I felt for Jess. Bless her sweet, trusting heart. She just couldn’t catch a break.

Thank you to #NetGalley, the publishers and author for my advanced copy of this book! This is my honest review and the opinions are my own.

[Robin Loves Reading]

Repaying a debt to her sister Bryony is everything to Jess. Their childhood was undeniably tumultuous, and as adults, their lives are no less complicated. Jess has endured significant setbacks, including the loss of both her business and her relationship. Meanwhile, Bryony confides in Jess about the abuse she is suffering at the hands of her husband, Alex. This is a revelation that completely shocks her, given that Alex has long been one of Jess’s closest friends. It’s almost impossible for Jess to reconcile the man she knows with the one Bryony describes.

But Bryony reminds Jess of one undeniable truth: she owes her. Bound by this lingering debt, Jess feels compelled to help Bryony in exactly the way she asks. Bryony has a carefully crafted plan, and despite her doubts, Jess sees no way out but to go along with it. The story unfolds through a dual timeline, gradually revealing the past and the events that cemented Jess’s deep sense of obligation.

Jess’s perspective remains clear and grounded throughout, even as the tension steadily builds. The plot layers twist upon twist, creating a gripping pace that keeps the pages turning. By the time the story reaches its conclusion, the final revelations are nothing short of jaw-dropping. I was left genuinely stunned.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

[~ Cariad ~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

#ioweyouone #NetGalley #laurennorth

What a great audiobook, I've flown through it over the past three days!
I thought I knew what was going to happen, but the twists kept it hidden until the end.
Heather Long's narration was perfect, I really enjoyed listening to her bring the characters to life.

I was lucky enough to receive this audiobook via Bolinda Audio and NetGalley in exchange for my honest thoughts on it.

[Kimmy Goldman · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️.
Loved the two sisters component in this unputdownable thriller! And their relationship with Alex. Well done!!

[Kayl_may · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

Lauren North is one of my go-to authors. I’ve enjoyed both listening to and reading her books, so I couldn’t wait to read an ARC of her latest novel.

This story follows Jess and her sister Bryony. Bryony saved Jess’s life when they were younger, leaving Jess feeling forever indebted to her. So when Bryony asks for help faking her own death to escape an abusive relationship, Jess feels she has no choice but to agree. However, Jess soon begins to realise that things may not be quite what they seem…

The story is told mainly from Jess’s viewpoint, with a few flashbacks to past events. I always enjoy books told from a single character’s perspective, as it helps me connect with them more, even if it does sometimes leave me questioning how reliable the narrator really is.

I found this one a little slow to start, with much of the first half focused on setting the scene. However, the pace really picks up in the second half and I ended up reading it in just a few hours as I couldn’t put it down! It became gripping and exciting, and I found myself constantly trying to work out who the real victim(s) were and who could be trusted.

I did manage to figure out some of the twists, mainly because I tend to guess every possible outcome (a bad habit of mine!). However, the ending completely surprised me, which I loved.

Overall, this was a fantastic read that I’ll definitely be recommending to my friends. This is the seventh novel I’ve read by Lauren North, and it’s definitely up there as one of my favourites.

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.

[ThrillersDoodles · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5* What does it truly mean to owe someone your life?

Lauren North does a fantastic job of exploring just that in this psychological thriller.

I Owe You One is complex, twisted and delicious!
The characters were well done and I loved how the story unfolded, revealing secrets just so. It’s a fresh take I haven’t seen before.

I looked forward to getting back to the story when I had to set it down a few times. And, the ending was so satisfying!

It’s my first book by Lauren North (narrated by Heather Long) but it won’t be my last. Definitely checking out the back list!

What to expect:
- [x] Multi pov
- [x] Dual timeline
- [x] Twists
Topic(s): family drama, jealousy, gaslighting, sisters, psychological thriller

Audiobook:
Narrator(s): Heather Long
- [x] Sound quality is great
- [x] Unique sounding characters for the most part. I mostly know who is talking without having to look.
- [x] The energy and tone are good, making it easy to get to know the characters.
- [x] Easy to understand/ UK accented.
1.75x

Flow and Pacing:
- [x] Hooked
- [x] Engaging

Recommend:
Oh yeah! It’s a good one.
Freida McFadden and Sally Hepworth fans will love this one!

With thanks to NetGalley and Bolinda Audio for the advance listening copy.

[Lynsey is Reading · Rating 3 out of 5]

I Owe You One by Lauren North is one of those quick, page-turners that are the lifeblood of every thriller-girly's TBR. It’s an engaging, fast-paced read, and perfect if you’re in the mood for something eerily suspenseful where you don't know who to trust.

The premise is intriguing, centring on two sisters bound by a traumatic childhood event and a debt that can never truly be repaid. That emotional foundation adds a nice layer of tension to the story, and I absolutely understood Jess feeling as though she couldn't possibly say no to Bryony's request.

The most gut wrenching part of this was the fact that Jess didn't have long enough to truly consider the ramifications of what she said yes to. I mean, if you're going to pretend someone is dead, it's not just the one person you're trying to get away from that finds out, it's everyone, including close family members who will be DEVASTATED. It really was just an awful position for Jess to be in.

Aside from that, what also stood out most to me was the setting. I do read an awful lot of thrillers but here the coastal backdrop and the boating community really added a different flavour and made it feel unique. It’s always a bonus when a setting feels vivid enough to really cement the book in your memory, and that was definitely the case here.

That said, my only complaint is that the blurb gives a bit too much away. It nudged me to distrust a particular character from the outset, which meant some of the twists didn’t land as strongly as they might have otherwise. I found myself anticipating certain developments rather than being genuinely surprised by them.

Overall, this is a solid “popcorn thriller” style read. Short chapters, conflicting clues, and I do love a good sisters trope. (Are sisters a trope? You know what I mean!) Overall, it was entertaining, easy to get through, and a good choice if you’re looking for something fast-paced and twisty.

My rating ★★★.5

Thank you to Netgalley for providing an early copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Adam Forster-Nnachi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Massive thanks to Lauren North, Bookouture and NetGalley for this free advanced copy of I Owe You One. I am leaving this review voluntarily and all opinions expressed are my own.


Wow this book was such a crazy ride and it had be gripped from the first page to the last.


Told from the POV of two sisters, Jess and Bryony, the book is filled with intrigue, mystery and unspoken secrets.


Jess and Bryony could not be more different in terms of personality, but they are bonded by a shared trauma from their childhood. This trauma and Jess' love for her sister are what convince her to help Bryony out when she makes an almost unbelievable request.


I enjoyed the split POV and how the narrative jumps between the traumatic past incident and the frankly crazy things taking place in the present day.


I tend to be quite calm and restrained when reading but I Owe You One made me gasp out loud on multiple occasions as more information came to light and the full picture began to come into focus.


The pace of the story accelerated to an incredible speed in the final third of the book and (without spoilers) certain developments completely flip the direction of the narrative on its head. 


Twist after twist came at me from all angles and every time I thought I had it all worked out, the author proved me wrong. Couldn't be anything but 5 stars for this fantastic thrilller.

[Ashley Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW, this one completely pulled the rug out from under me in the best way
I kind of had it figured out, but then I was shocked more than once, fully invested in the FMC and genuinely rooting for her the entire time. The emotional core really hit too. The strong family bonds, the love she has for her husband, and how everything is tested as the story unfolds, made it feel grounded even while the thriller elements kept escalating
And those twists don’t just show up; they land. By about 50 percent, I already knew I was in 5-star territory, and the second half just kept proving me right. This is the kind of book that makes you stop and think I need other people to read this immediately
The narration was also excellent, smooth, engaging, and perfectly matched to the pacing of the story. The flow made it really easy to stay hooked, and I never felt pulled out of the experience
If you enjoy authors like Jeneva Rose or Freida McFadden, this absolutely hits that same addictive thriller vibe, but with an extra punch of intensity and excitement that sets it apart
Fast-paced, twisty, emotional, and impossible to put down. Highly recommend

[Emma F · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up to 5

Jess is returning to her Cornish town, the town she left as soon as she was old enough. She’s lost everything, her job, home and partner. She’s plagued by nightmares from a sailing accident sixteen years ago, when she was thirteen, saved by her sixteen year old sister. She can’t remember what happened. Her mother has dementia so she can’t no longer ask her. Her sister, Bryony, is suffering from domestic abuse and needs her help and Jess does owe her.

Jess is the narrator, we get glimpses of her at thirteen, when the accident took place. Her life in the present has fallen apart and she has no one to turn to. Through the book we learn that maybe things aren’t as they seem. Jess trusts her sister but there are gaps in her story, and her mother (in moments of clarity) reveals things. I was hooked from the prologue and read it in an afternoon. I would definitely recommend it.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had never heard of Lauren North. I’m officially hooked on her books! I’m adding them all to my TBR list.
Lauren North’s writing style reminds me a lot of Freida McFadden.

“I Owe You One” was a 5 star read for me. This book kept me on the edge of my seat all the way through. Every time I thought I had it figured out, there was another twist and turn.

My heart broke for Jess throughout the book. Unfortunately, she learned the hard way that blindly trusting someone, even family, can end up breaking your heart over and over.

Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and Bolinda Audio for the ARC of this audiobook.

This mystery was good and definitely different! It was a little slow at first, but once it picked up, it really picked up.
I called the twists, but that didn't make it any less entertaining.
Lauren did a great job at keeping things suspensful and kept you questioning the motive and confirm the twists and if I was right.
I liked the narrator, too!

[Frankie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Owe You One by Lauren North was an easy and enjoyable read that kept me hooked from the start. The story had a really good twist that kept me guessing throughout, and I liked how the suspense built as the book went on. A great psychological thriller that I’d definitely recommend reading.

[Cherrie TeaSea · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Chantelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this arc.

I don’t often reach for thrillers, but this one might have just converted me.

From the very start, I was completely pulled in. The premise alone is gripping, but what really got me was how it constantly kept me off balance. Every time I thought I had worked out what was going on, I was wrong. Completely wrong. I was second guessing myself on every page, and I loved it.

The tension builds so well throughout, with twist after twist that genuinely surprised me. Just when you think you’ve got a handle on the characters and their motives, something shifts and you’re back to questioning everything. It made it impossible to put down.

I also really enjoyed the dynamic between the sisters and how the story slowly unravels around them. The uncertainty, the doubt, the creeping feeling that something isn’t quite right—it all worked so effectively.

Overall, such an addictive read. Full of twists, full of tension, and completely hooked me from start to finish. Definitely a thriller that’s made me want to pick up more in the genre.

[Alina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Owe You One by Lauren North was such a gripping and suspenseful read—definitely one I’ve enjoyed in a while. The story pulls you in quickly and keeps you hooked with its twists and underlying tension.

I especially loved the dynamic between Jess and Bryony. Their relationship felt layered and complex, shaped by the tragic accident from their teenage years that continues to ripple through their lives. The way the past and present intertwine added depth and kept the suspense building throughout.

And that ending—absolutely phenomenal. It tied everything together in a way that was both satisfying and unexpected.

A solid 4-star thriller that I’d definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys psychological suspense with emotional depth.

[Sam “My Cosy Book Nook” · Rating 5 out of 5]

Call me fickle if you will. But there are times when I love to try new things. Such as finding holiday destinations that I haven't previously visited - this year, I'm looking at routes through France to reach Lake Annecy, at the bottom of the Alps - or signing up for blog tours of books by new-to-me authors.

But there are also times when I enjoy the comfort of the familiar. And for a prime example of this, look no further than a typical Friday night, when, after turning off my work computer, there's really nothing more tempting than a short walk to my local pub, for a relaxing couple of drinks and the chance to read a few chapters of my current book. And if you think that doesn't sound exciting, well, my dog would beg to differ. You'd think that an evening walk, followed by some crisps, was the single biggest highlight of her life.

Last week, Friday night was particularly enjoyable because the book in question was I Owe You One, the latest psychological thriller by Lauren North, and that's a bit like having the best of both worlds. Lauren is an author to whom I was first introduced by a blog tour, but who has since become a favourite. I know, before even starting one of her books, that it's going to be something fast-paced, twisty and exciting. And that's great.

Lauren: if you were wondering whether this intro was going to be a build-up to me saying that this latest book didn't meet my expectations, you can stop worrying and breathe again. It contains everything that I've come to expect, and hope for, and love.

The opening scene in the prologue, of the hurried walk along the cliffpath above a Devon seaside village, is so well portrayed that I could not only see it, but I may have actually shivered as I felt the penetrating wind that threatened to push Jess over the edge. That's followed almost immediately by the tense meeting with Jess' sister Bryony, in which she - and this isn't a spoiler if you've read the blurb - begs for Jess' help to fake her own death. I don't know if there's any sort of record for how much intrigue can be fitted into a single sentence - or how that might be judged - but surely there has to be a contender here. Is Bryony's parting shot, "Yo owe me, Jess. I saved your life", spoken purely out of desperation? Or something else?

Then we're taken back sixteen years, to those terrifying moments before the life-saving happened, and, well, that's really the first job done. I've read other psychological thrillers where the author has spent the whole book trying, and not succeeding to get me inside the main character's head. Lauren North manages it with me and Jess in just two chapters.

And once I'd been put inside Jess' head, I wasn't let out again. Not once, not for so much as a single page. This meant that I not only understood, but shared her motivation to help her sister succeed in her seemingly desperate and crazy plan. But afterwards, I also shared her icy shivers of doubt as she began to realise that some parts of the story Bryony told her just don't add up. And, in a separate strand to the main story, I also shared her heartache as she struggled to communicate with her mum, who is suffering from dementia.

I will say that I guessed where the book was going fairly early on. I'll also say that it didn't really matter. Because, whilst I was right about the direction, I was wrong about the end destination. It goes way, way further than I thought it would. The ending is exciting to the point of fever pitch and yet that doesn't come at the expense of any plot details. Everything makes perfect, terrible sense.

I'll finish with a message to my fellow readers, and reviewers on this tour. If you're discovering Lauren North for the first time, and this book has done enough to cement her in your mind as a new favourite - and I really hope it has - then I know just how you feel. A few years ago, She Says She's My Daughter did the same thing to me.

My thanks to Bookouture for including me on the blog tour for this book, which was published on 8th April 2026. Thanks too to Netgalley for the digital ARC. My review is also available on my blog at www.mycosybooknook.wordpress.com and will be published on Amazon and shared on my social media pages.

[UKDana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jess has returned home following the failure of both her relationship and business. At home, she finds her older sister, Bryony, begging for help. Bryony convinces Jess that she needs to fake her own death to escape the coercive control of her husband. Jess feels she has no choice but to help since Bryony saved her life when they were younger.

I've never read anything previously written by Lauren North, but I have loved the two books she has published under the pen name L. C. North. Listening to I Owe You One gave me an opportunity to correct this situation. Just from reading the blurb, you realise this is going to be filled with twists, I just didn't realise how many twists and cliffhangers there were going to be.

You are straight into the action as the story opens. Bryony is begging Jess to help her fake her death. My interest was immediately piqued, wanting to know why. The story then jumps back in time slightly, giving us a chance to learn more about Jess and her situation. We discover that Jess's life is in turmoil; her business has failed, she caught her partner with another woman, and her mother has moved into a nursing home as a result of dementia. The only positive is the fact that her older sister, Bryony, is happily married and living close by.

The chaos of her life is compounded when Bryony tells her about the abuse she is suffering. I immediately felt sympathetic towards both women, hoping that together they could resolve the problems they were struggling with. I could also understand Jess's confusion; Bryony's husband, Alex, was Jess's best friend, and she finds it difficult to believe that he has changed so much.

Alongside the problems Bryony is asking for help with, Jess is also avoiding threatening phone calls from a mystery caller and any contact with her partner. We also discover that Jess has blocked out the traumatic event from her childhood when Bryony saved her life. All of these add extra layers of suspense.

The storyline features numerous cliffhangers; just when you think you have guessed what is happening, the author pulls the rug out from under you, and you have to recalibrate all of your thoughts. I cannot believe how many OMG moments the author has managed to pack into the story. I vividly remember one moment in particular where I desperately needed to know what was happening but had to pause the audiobook as I was going out, needless to say, I listened to the next chapter as soon as I got home. This really is one of those audiobooks where you want to listen to the whole thing in one go.

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[Barbara Schultz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: I Owe You One
Author: Lauren North
Format: 🎧
Narrator: Heather Long
Publisher: Bolinda Audio/Bookouture
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Pub Date: April 8, 2026
My Rating: 4.6 stars
Pages: 322

The Prologue starts when Jess returns to her hometown and finds her sister Bryony a bit of a mess.
Bryony states ~ ‘I have to fake my death,’
‘And I need your help to do it.’
‘You owe me, Jess. I saved your life.’

Story told in two time periods – Now and Sisteen years ago from the POV of Jess and Bryony.

Story starts sixteen years ago when Jess was thirteen and Bryony sixteen. They go for a boat ride on the Calypso (something they are not supposed to do alone without their parents). Jess falls off the boat into the water; Bryony jumps in to save her. Jess blacks out - and cannot remember how she fell or what happened next.

Now Jess is twenty-nine and is visiting with her sister. Bryony’s life seems perfect she is married to the handsome Alex who was once Jess’s boyfriend.

But almost immediately Jess knows something is wrong. Her once bubbly sister’s skin is pale, her hair dull, her eyes unfocussed. She confesses that she is fearful Alex will kill her - Thus her plea for Jess to help her fake her death,

But after Bryony disappears, Alex appears to be completely devastated… Jess starts to doubt all the things Bryony told her about Alex. Jess knew him for years and knows she was a perfectionist when it came to his art but ‘Threatening messages seem like something he would not do. Also the Calypso incident continues to haunt her~ what really happened.


I went into this story knowing nothing about it other than I like the author, Lauren North. Story turned out great – it kept me guessing.
I liked Heather Long the audiobook narrator, as he did a great job performing the characters.
Also enjoyed the author’s Note at the end. She tells us how the idea of it really means when someone says – “I owe you”.
There is the emotional debt such as Jess felt as she wanted to do the right thing.
Ms. North states Bryony was fun plus a challenger to write.
Story is about:
Loyalty
Power and
The dangerous line between love and control.
One might ask themselves - how far you would go if you believed you owed someone.
I want to thank NetGalley, Bolinda Audio and Bookouture Books for this audiobook.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for April 8, 2026.

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Owe You One by Laura North it’s about Jess who after losing her business and catching her husband kissing another woman is going back home to lick her wounds clear out her mother‘s house and decide what to do with the rest of her life. She also wants to get closer to her sister Brianne who she’s had a complicated relationship with ever since she knew her. Although her sister did save her life in a boating accident they really haven’t been that close. It’s when she arrives home and she sees the relationship of her ex best friend Alex And sister Brian who got married despite just telling her sister she had a crush on him but now it seems the tension is high in their relationship it isn’t until her sister asked her to help her fake her depth because Alex is abusive and keeps tabs on her 24 seven that just believes she knows the real story and although she’s hesitant she eventually goes along with her sisters wishes after she reminds Jess that she saved her life when they were children and says you owe me one.. while this is happening her husband Liam who said he will never give up trying to get her back because what happened with him kissing the woman was a big mistake and nothing he wanted. So he keeps trying to call her but Jess sends him to voicemail. The phone calls stop right when Jess things she may want to at least talk to him. She also has someone in a black SUV following her when she goes to visit her mom in the old folks home she sees the vehicle.When she hears someone trying to open the front door in the middle of the night she looked out the window to see the vehicle again. soon her once amazing life is now a nightmare and her sisters fake murder turned into a real murder of someone else close to Jess. Can she put a stop to all the craziness that’s going on should she go to the police or figure it out herself? this is a wild ride in another book that kept me up to the spooky hours of the night reading just one more chapter there are some authors who can write books that make no sense that has you rolling your eyes and saying as if and then other authors weaving in so seamlessly at the same out of the box content is something you’re absolutely believing and can’t wait to see how it ends and I believe that is this author I love this book there’s nothing better than a good popcorn thriller and this is definitely that so if that is something you enjoy I would definitely recommend it. #NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview,