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, Audiobook, Psychological Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Mystery, Adult Fiction

322 pages, Kindle Edition

First 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.

[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.

[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

[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!!

[Aleesha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another fun little toxic family member centered thriller. It's got all the appropriate twists and turns, all the great psychological and family drama you'd want.

I will say it may not have been quite as shocking for me as it will be for others. Instead of being thrown for loops every time a new twist evolved, I felt like I was checking off yes or no to my own assumptions.

I was able to pretty much nail what was going on about halfway through the book, and after that a lot of the mystery was lost for me.

I am aware this could be just a ME problem, so take this criticism with a grain of salt.

I think this is one of those stories that will appeal more to newer thriller readers who haven't worked out all the tricks and tells thriller authors employ just yet.

The writing itself is pretty good. The pacing of the story is a bit slow - especially in the beginning - but it builds up nicely over the second half.

The biggest issue I had with this one is the main character's willful stupidity. All the drama and suspense felt forced beyond the halfway point and hinged ENTIRELY on Jess being an absolute too-trusting moron.

I will say that she does manage to snap out of this before the end and that was satisfying - even if it came at the 11th hour and was much too brief for my liking.

I also don't know how realistic the ending of the story really is. Jess really cleaned up the death of 2 people, then moved those 2 heavy bodies into the boot of her TINY UK car, then moved them AGAIN from said car to a BOAT with NOBODY seeing her (cameras?????), then took that boat out into the ocean and bumped those 2 heavy bodies - which she'd tied rocks to - overboard? Ehhhh I have doubts.

I also have doubts that those bodies just floated back to shore completely intact.

Just like I have doubts that the police are COMPLETELY useless in figuring out what's going on. You mean to tell me they couldn't figure out that Bryony's body hadn't been at sea long enough to match up with the date she went missing? Because she supposedly died 2-3 weeks before she ACTUALLY died and was tossed into the ocean.... 2-3 weeks in open salt water would SURELY do some serious damage to a hunk of meat, no?

And when they discover who Liam was, you mean to tell me there's no social media or other legal connections between him and Jess that would throw suspicion onto her considering he ALSO turns up dead?????

The ending is left a little open - but c'mon.

Overall I had a decent time with this. It's a quick and easy read and it held my interest, even if it didn't blow my mind.

[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

[Kerrie Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, this audiobook certainly takes you on a ride.

Initially I felt it was very similar to another book. I have recently read where a local artist is physically and mentally abusing his wife and she asks for support in faking her death to escape. The likeness to this book was uncanny to start with they lived on the clifftop in a seaside town. He was a local artist who everybody loved and nobody would believe her and her own way out was to fake her death. However, things very soon changed and several twists and turns unfolded.

I ended up binge listening to this audiobook as I wanted to discover exactly what happens and how the story would end. And the similarities soon disappeared and they ended up a completely and thrilling listen

The narrated fantastic job of bringing the story to life. It was told by the main character Jess, interspersed with chapters from her sister Briony leading up to the events as they happened

I am keen to explore more from this author, thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to listen to this book

This is a review of the audiobook.

[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

[Maddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book got me out my reading slump!!! Would have been 5 stars but the plot didn’t really take off until the 50% mark! And I guessed the main twist.. shock! 🤣 still bloody brilliant!

[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.

[Daniela · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh my! The predictability of the plot is unbelievable. The blurb tells you the story of the first half of the book anyway. From there I skipped most of the pages and missed nothing. The twists! Duh! The ending was a joke. I laughed a few times. When will I learn: Stay away from novels with sisters! I and them don‘t fit.