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Now You're Mine
I’ll take good care of you…
Those words echo in Anna’s pounding head when she wakes up chained in the attic of her own home. It was the last thing her husband said before everything went dark.
Now the air is stifling. Her throat burns with thirst. Hours crawl by with no food, no water, and no way out. Below her, footsteps drift through the floorboards. Doors open. Voices murmur.
Life is going on without her.
And the longer Anna lies in the dark, the clearer one terrifying truth
Her husband didn’t lose control.
He put her here.
And if she doesn’t escape soon, she’ll find out exactly what he has planned for her.
—————
"A masterclass in domestic suspense.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"AJ Carter crafts tension like a spider spinning its web – slowly, deliberately, until you're completely ensnared." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"A chilling exploration of family dynamics that will have you checking the locks twice." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Just when you think you know where it's going, AJ Carter pulls the rug out from under you. Brilliant!" ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Deliciously twisted. I devoured it in one sitting!" ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Had me holding my breath until the very last page. Another triumph from the twisted mind of AJ Carter." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"If you read one thriller this year, make it this one." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Those words echo in Anna’s pounding head when she wakes up chained in the attic of her own home. It was the last thing her husband said before everything went dark.
Now the air is stifling. Her throat burns with thirst. Hours crawl by with no food, no water, and no way out. Below her, footsteps drift through the floorboards. Doors open. Voices murmur.
Life is going on without her.
And the longer Anna lies in the dark, the clearer one terrifying truth
Her husband didn’t lose control.
He put her here.
And if she doesn’t escape soon, she’ll find out exactly what he has planned for her.
—————
"A masterclass in domestic suspense.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"AJ Carter crafts tension like a spider spinning its web – slowly, deliberately, until you're completely ensnared." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"A chilling exploration of family dynamics that will have you checking the locks twice." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Just when you think you know where it's going, AJ Carter pulls the rug out from under you. Brilliant!" ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Deliciously twisted. I devoured it in one sitting!" ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Had me holding my breath until the very last page. Another triumph from the twisted mind of AJ Carter." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"If you read one thriller this year, make it this one." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
354 pages, Paperback
Published April 3, 2026
About the author
A.J. Carter
30 books374 followersAJ Carter is a psychological thriller author from Bristol, England. His first book, The Family Secret, is praised by critics around the world, and he continues to regularly deliver suspenseful novels you can’t put down.
Sign up to his mailing list today and be the first to hear about upcoming releases and hot new deals for existing books. You’ll also receive a FREE digital copy of The Couple Downstairs – an unputdownable domestic thriller you won’t find anywhere else in the world: https://BookHip.com/WAXFLLP
Sign up to his mailing list today and be the first to hear about upcoming releases and hot new deals for existing books. You’ll also receive a FREE digital copy of The Couple Downstairs – an unputdownable domestic thriller you won’t find anywhere else in the world: https://BookHip.com/WAXFLLP
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
June 10, 2026
4.5 stars
May 14, 2026
I couldn’t wait to finish this book, and no, not for good reasons. If I could rate this book zero stars I would. There was no start middle and end which I hate!
October 1, 2026
Carter is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors as your'e his "prisoner" from the very first page! Anna awakens and realizes she's chained to her ceiling in the attic. How did she get there and why? She remembers being married to Mark whose home is remarkable as "everything has its place" (and even this attic is fastidious)! Will she get out or die up here? Read it and see!
May 2, 2026
This was like a 3.8 star.
Why did I round up to 4? I read this in one sitting. It was relatively short and I didn't want to go to bed before knowing whether or not the fmc was able to escape or not. So the plot itself had me hooked...
BUT there were also things I didn't like.
The fmc is very repetitive in her thoughts. Which I think is on purpose but after awhile it gets super annoying.
I wish there was more of a reason behind the bad guys motive. There was a flimsy reason but overall I needed more. It was pretty weak.
Slight spoiler but I think this book should have had a trigger warning. I don't remember seeing one but there should be one for miscarriage especially with how things happened afterwards.
Why did I round up to 4? I read this in one sitting. It was relatively short and I didn't want to go to bed before knowing whether or not the fmc was able to escape or not. So the plot itself had me hooked...
BUT there were also things I didn't like.
The fmc is very repetitive in her thoughts. Which I think is on purpose but after awhile it gets super annoying.
I wish there was more of a reason behind the bad guys motive. There was a flimsy reason but overall I needed more. It was pretty weak.
Slight spoiler but I think this book should have had a trigger warning. I don't remember seeing one but there should be one for miscarriage especially with how things happened afterwards.
July 27, 2026
This made no sense. There was no motive and too much violence against the FMC. Kept reading hoping for an explanation, a twist, a something, but it never came. Why was the best friend even part of the story? This was repetitive yet felt rushed and not fully thought out. Too many similes, was trying to sound literary but was lacking. Do not recommend.
October 18, 2026
This is my second book by this particular author. Once I read Welcome to the Family, I was captivated by his writing style and the way he built things up. It was also easy to follow, which I like. That’s why I decided to read this one next.
Right away, the table of contents throws me off. Every chapter is either labeled “now” or “before.” I know that’s to separate between the past and current, I just hope I don’t get lost trying to differentiate between the two. I prefer writing between past and present tenses, but I’m not the best when it comes to reading it.
The title suggests a possible kidnapping and hostage situation, and right away, you discover that the main character Anna is chained in someone’s house. Already that gives me the creeps. I’m also trying to figure out if Anna is the character from the last book I read from Welcome to the Family. Anna quickly realizes she’s in her attic in her own house; the familiarity makes it even creepier because whoever did this is clearly someone she knows.
The next chapter Anna recalls meeting her husband, Mark, and the slight uneasiness she felt initially. Mark is calm, cool, and collected, which she likes. Then she goes back to the present and realizes he’s the one who kidnapped her…
The descriptions of being trapped in the attic are very good; I could easily see Anna in her distressed and desperate state. Still, it’s hard for me to stay involved in a book with only two characters. I’m on chapter 5 and so far, that’s all I’ve seen. The pace is slow and methodical, but I can’t help hoping it picks up soon.
Anna recalls her wedding day as the first indication that something wasn’t quite right about her new husband. You get the impression he was there, but never really there as far as being a married man. I’m trying to keep interest as the book is mainly dealing with Anna’s observations and thoughts and the occasional conversation with Mark. You know that only one of two things will eventually happen: she’ll get out of the attic or she’ll stay there. She’ll live or she’ll die. Beyond that, there’s nothing to hold my attention, unfortunately. I’m only on chapter eight, not even halfway through yet.
As Anna languishes in the attic, downstairs is a mystery woman who is clearly Mark’s new girlfriend. She comes and goes on a regular basis, which Anna plans to use to her advantage eventually. She knows she’s her only link between confinement and the outside world.
The book builds slowly, leaving the reader time to understand and process what’s happening. You see Mark growing more and more distant to his wife as their marriage goes on and she proceeds to suffer two miscarriages. You see Anna growing more and more desperate as she silently suffers in the attic. The conclusion finally comes and it is a shocking one. Not a bad story, but not sure I’ll read another book from this author. It didn’t leave me wanting to read more like the first one did.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 26, 2026
Brilliant read
One of the best story I've read for a while could not put this book down read it in one sitting will definitely be reading more books by this author well worthy of five stars and more
One of the best story I've read for a while could not put this book down read it in one sitting will definitely be reading more books by this author well worthy of five stars and more
April 19, 2026
A Real Nail Biter
What an extreme book. I was looking for something good to read and like this authors books. I was just really bamboozled as much as the character / victim / dummy? This was over the top pyche out. I couldn't verify predicted what was to come. Excellent job. Very Hichcock like from beginning to ending. Almost wish it was a series.
What an extreme book. I was looking for something good to read and like this authors books. I was just really bamboozled as much as the character / victim / dummy? This was over the top pyche out. I couldn't verify predicted what was to come. Excellent job. Very Hichcock like from beginning to ending. Almost wish it was a series.
June 15, 2026
Big spoiler alert!!!!!!
This woman is a moron ! Why would she stay or go back once she was out ?
From what I read, she knew for years that Mark was a twisted a-hole. And, still she stayed and put up with his crap! I gave the book 3 stars because I like the author and the premise of the story was good but badly done. And so many like we were repeated, so many times, I wanted to scream. Crazy.
This woman is a moron ! Why would she stay or go back once she was out ?
From what I read, she knew for years that Mark was a twisted a-hole. And, still she stayed and put up with his crap! I gave the book 3 stars because I like the author and the premise of the story was good but badly done. And so many like we were repeated, so many times, I wanted to scream. Crazy.
June 10, 2026
Extremely slow and very repetitive. Nothing happened till the very end.
June 9, 2026
Slow, boring. I did get to the end. the last 20% was OK.............just
May 27, 2026
Disappointing
AJ Carter is a fabulous author and I have read and highly rate most of his books. I found myself fast forwarding a lot of this one as it was rather slow and repetitive. Not one of his best in my humble opinion.
AJ Carter is a fabulous author and I have read and highly rate most of his books. I found myself fast forwarding a lot of this one as it was rather slow and repetitive. Not one of his best in my humble opinion.
May 5, 2026
Suspense
Too repetitive. About a tenth of the book could be condensed. It would have been a better thing suspense story.
Too repetitive. About a tenth of the book could be condensed. It would have been a better thing suspense story.
May 28, 2026
This book was slow moving and very repetitive. I kept waiting for something to happen but got through 60% and finally gave up.
May 31, 2026
Boring
I have given up trying to read this book. Far too boring for my liking. I fast forwarded through the book to creationists to see if it would improve but it didn't
I have given up trying to read this book. Far too boring for my liking. I fast forwarded through the book to creationists to see if it would improve but it didn't
June 5, 2026
This was fine and plenty interesting but I don’t understand why the main character did all that stuff that he did… There wasn’t really an explanation on either side. Lol.
June 7, 2026
Way too repetitive. Basically skimmed rather than reading.
August 11, 2026
Got to admit it was the catchy synopsis that drew me into this one; it sounded so good, and whilst, yes, it was an extremely easy read with a brilliant hook, unfortunately it also lacked substance and depth. The idea of a wife being forcibly imprisoned in her own loft by her own husband of ten years was what intrigued me. All the time I was racking my brain with the whys and what-nots. I thought we were gonna have some big twist and I kept waiting for something dramatic to occur but nada!! The finale when it finally arrived was lacklustre and was just so anti-climatic I was left feeling deflated and disappointed this could have been so good.
The premise here is that Anna awakens in her own loft/attic contained with a chain attached to a post by her own husband and she doesn't know why. He then mentally and physically plays god withholding food and water and continuing to live his life like normal. Anna can hear all of this underneath her but is unable to escape and has no idea of Mark’s end-game either. The reasoning behind all of this was so bizarre and never fully explored and this had some definite plot holes for sure. On top of that, we never delved any deeper into any background other than the superficial. Everything including the flashback chapters was surface level. This was told in a now-and-then fashion and all from Anna’s POV. Maybe that was why this felt one-layered and shallow because we only get her POV so nothing from the husband. Finally certain personalities namely one didn't make a whole lot of sense and we didn't even get any closure on what happened to them only Mark's fate.
Overall this was ok and in the moment when reading this I was invested but it was only because I was rooting for Anna to escape. If I'm completely honest I'm still none the wiser why Mark went to such levels as it was never fully expanded on and I also think there was a lot of missing information here that was alluded to then forgotten never explained it felt unfinished. Overall this was fairly predictable and a bit forgettable but it did have a cool premise and kept my attention whilst in the moment. I think if you like a Freida McFadden style of thriller you’re more than likely gonna like this one as it had very similar vibes.
The premise here is that Anna awakens in her own loft/attic contained with a chain attached to a post by her own husband and she doesn't know why. He then mentally and physically plays god withholding food and water and continuing to live his life like normal. Anna can hear all of this underneath her but is unable to escape and has no idea of Mark’s end-game either. The reasoning behind all of this was so bizarre and never fully explored and this had some definite plot holes for sure. On top of that, we never delved any deeper into any background other than the superficial. Everything including the flashback chapters was surface level. This was told in a now-and-then fashion and all from Anna’s POV. Maybe that was why this felt one-layered and shallow because we only get her POV so nothing from the husband. Finally certain personalities namely one didn't make a whole lot of sense and we didn't even get any closure on what happened to them only Mark's fate.
Overall this was ok and in the moment when reading this I was invested but it was only because I was rooting for Anna to escape. If I'm completely honest I'm still none the wiser why Mark went to such levels as it was never fully expanded on and I also think there was a lot of missing information here that was alluded to then forgotten never explained it felt unfinished. Overall this was fairly predictable and a bit forgettable but it did have a cool premise and kept my attention whilst in the moment. I think if you like a Freida McFadden style of thriller you’re more than likely gonna like this one as it had very similar vibes.
July 19, 2026
This book is about a woman (Anna) who is trapped in her own attic by her husband and needs to find a way to get out, while also figuring out why he put her there. The blurb is a lot more interesting than the actual book.
I made it to about 60% with substantial effort. It was tragically repetitive without any interesting plot development and full of two-dimensional characters who I did not care about. I jumped to the epilogue and then read backwards for a few chapters hoping that it got more satisfying towards the end, which sadly also did not happen. Some of the repetition was almost funny, like when Anna thinks, "This is not the man I married" as if it is a profound statement after he has kept her chained in her attic for several days...I think that's pretty obvious already, Anna??
Several passages of this book especially in the flashbacks also really sound like AI helped with the editing, or even wrote them completely, which did not help.
I made it to about 60% with substantial effort. It was tragically repetitive without any interesting plot development and full of two-dimensional characters who I did not care about. I jumped to the epilogue and then read backwards for a few chapters hoping that it got more satisfying towards the end, which sadly also did not happen. Some of the repetition was almost funny, like when Anna thinks, "This is not the man I married" as if it is a profound statement after he has kept her chained in her attic for several days...I think that's pretty obvious already, Anna??
Several passages of this book especially in the flashbacks also really sound like AI helped with the editing, or even wrote them completely, which did not help.
August 26, 2026
Holy freaking s***. This book was INTENSE and so incredibly well written! I couldn't put it down.
This story took me on an absolute emotional roller coaster. There were parts that made me cry, parts that made me want to scream in frustration, and parts that did make me scream… but in triumph. The tension, the twists, and the way everything unfolded kept me completely hooked from beginning to end.
I love a psychological thriller that can genuinely get under my skin, and Now You’re Mine absolutely delivered. I was invested, emotionally wrecked, frustrated, and cheering all at once. That’s the kind of book that stays with you after you’ve finished it.
If you love psychological thrillers that keep you guessing and pull you completely into the story, I absolutely recommend this one!
One content note: There are domestic abuse themes throughout the book, and some readers may find certain parts triggering. Definitely keep that in mind before picking it up.
This story took me on an absolute emotional roller coaster. There were parts that made me cry, parts that made me want to scream in frustration, and parts that did make me scream… but in triumph. The tension, the twists, and the way everything unfolded kept me completely hooked from beginning to end.
I love a psychological thriller that can genuinely get under my skin, and Now You’re Mine absolutely delivered. I was invested, emotionally wrecked, frustrated, and cheering all at once. That’s the kind of book that stays with you after you’ve finished it.
If you love psychological thrillers that keep you guessing and pull you completely into the story, I absolutely recommend this one!
One content note: There are domestic abuse themes throughout the book, and some readers may find certain parts triggering. Definitely keep that in mind before picking it up.
April 15, 2026
I have a few issues with this story. First, the female lead, Anna, annoyed me with her stupidity. There were red flags everywhere and she ignored them and married and stayed with a psycho. Secondly, it really makes no sense as to why he would keep her in the attic. No reason was ever given as to why do that instead of just divorcing her. Also, he said he hated her, that he wished he had married the other female in this story. So why oh why then did he marry Anna? Why did he marry someone he did not love? Why didn’t he marry the other woman instead? It makes no sense to me at all. There is no logical reason given for these actions. However I did in fact really like the ending and I did enjoy the story for the most part.
August 29, 2026
This was a bit disappointing to be honest.
I have no ideas why Mark married Anna to start with, or what drove him to then capture and torture her instead of just leave her for Kylie.
Kylie embarked on a 15 year plan to steal her best friend’s husband then help him kill her because she had a drunken snog with her boyfriend that she didn’t even remember.
The ending was just bizarre too, what happened to Kylie?
And I am pretty sure that Anna, with multiple wounds and broken bones, patches of hair missing and probably severe dehydration and malnutrition, as well as immeasurable trauma, would be taken to hospital and not sat in a plastic chair at a police station and then released into the care of neighbours who she just met.
I also found the repetitive phrases really annoying.
I have no ideas why Mark married Anna to start with, or what drove him to then capture and torture her instead of just leave her for Kylie.
Kylie embarked on a 15 year plan to steal her best friend’s husband then help him kill her because she had a drunken snog with her boyfriend that she didn’t even remember.
The ending was just bizarre too, what happened to Kylie?
And I am pretty sure that Anna, with multiple wounds and broken bones, patches of hair missing and probably severe dehydration and malnutrition, as well as immeasurable trauma, would be taken to hospital and not sat in a plastic chair at a police station and then released into the care of neighbours who she just met.
I also found the repetitive phrases really annoying.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 6, 2026
3.5/5. Slow build up but really gripping and thrilling ending! Initially, I thought the author was being a bit repetitive with the protagonists’s thoughts in the attic. I later realised this was intentional, and that the dehydration, sleep deprivation and fear of the protagonist were causing these repetitive thought patterns, which I thought was really intuitive. I wish we could see a bit more into the psyche of Mark and Kylie - I felt that the epilogue didn’t quite do enough of a deep dive into the reasons for their behaviour. Was a good read though and specifically enjoyed the last third of the book, where most of the action happened!
April 20, 2026
AJ always has this gal hooked!
After dating a narcissist for 3 years that easily can manipulate anyone in your life to think it’s you and not him, oh believe me as soon as he got out of his Audi I clocked it. SMH but the other twist had me. I also suffer from best friend of 30 years being a deceitful wench. So wow. Anyway great book. Am really pulls me in. I usually read female writers books for some reason , I felt that they versed things better but AJ is my number 1 favorite male thrill writer! Come to America for a book tour I need to meet this handsome man!
After dating a narcissist for 3 years that easily can manipulate anyone in your life to think it’s you and not him, oh believe me as soon as he got out of his Audi I clocked it. SMH but the other twist had me. I also suffer from best friend of 30 years being a deceitful wench. So wow. Anyway great book. Am really pulls me in. I usually read female writers books for some reason , I felt that they versed things better but AJ is my number 1 favorite male thrill writer! Come to America for a book tour I need to meet this handsome man!
May 29, 2026
Another great read
Great book, except I was hoping for more of an ending, revenge.
SPOILERS******
I was really hoping Anna would have sawed the beam to a millimeter of it breaking and threatened to collapse if the husband didn’t let her go, or something along those lines. I wanted to know what happened to Kylie. I wanted both (husbands name escapes me now and Kylie) of them locked in the attic and Anna get pay back. The end was too rushed and why didn’t she go to hospital?
Great book, except I was hoping for more of an ending, revenge.
SPOILERS******
I was really hoping Anna would have sawed the beam to a millimeter of it breaking and threatened to collapse if the husband didn’t let her go, or something along those lines. I wanted to know what happened to Kylie. I wanted both (husbands name escapes me now and Kylie) of them locked in the attic and Anna get pay back. The end was too rushed and why didn’t she go to hospital?
April 28, 2026
At a loss for words. Could not stop reading. Glad it was the ending I had hoped for.
I liked Anna's determination and drive. She worked until she found a way to save herself and proved once again actions have consequences and that there,are good people in the world looking out for and helping others.
I liked Anna's determination and drive. She worked until she found a way to save herself and proved once again actions have consequences and that there,are good people in the world looking out for and helping others.
April 29, 2026
Page Turner Most Definitely
I read this in almost a day. Thrillers are almost all I read. It’s difficult to find one that I can’t stop reading but this one did the trick. I was obsessed with how and if the main character would prevail. I don’t want to give way any spoilers. But loved this one!
I read this in almost a day. Thrillers are almost all I read. It’s difficult to find one that I can’t stop reading but this one did the trick. I was obsessed with how and if the main character would prevail. I don’t want to give way any spoilers. But loved this one!
May 2, 2026
Another story of a villainous husband who holds his wife hostage in the attic while he carries on an affair downstairs. Interesting enough to finish but very predictable and not particularly thrilling. Also, both of the leading female characters didn’t have a decent brain even if you put the two of them together.
July 2, 2026
good read
This author has become one of my favorites. A good thriller with unexpected twists. Well written, good characters. I did think it dragged on a bit. And there were parts or phrases that were used repetitively . A few grammatical errors and mistakes in details. But worth the read.
This author has become one of my favorites. A good thriller with unexpected twists. Well written, good characters. I did think it dragged on a bit. And there were parts or phrases that were used repetitively . A few grammatical errors and mistakes in details. But worth the read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews