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The Personal Trainer
I just wanted to get fit for my wedding day. To look my best when I marry Seb. He made me believe in love again, after the tragic death of my first husband.
So I hire Claudia, a personal trainer.
At first, she’s perfect. All golden hair, gleaming teeth and relentless positivity. Workouts, meal plans, constant messages checking in.
But then she starts turning up at my door, unscheduled; hanging around in my local park. She’s crossing boundaries.
Maybe I’m paranoid. After all, everyone says I’m moving too fast with Seb. But he’s just right for me. He lost his partner just like I did. And he’s doing his best to bring up his teenage daughter — who doesn’t seem too keen on having a stepmother. But she’ll come round, with time and patience.
One evening, I’m pulling a bottle of wine from the fridge when I spot something on the kitchen counter. A photo in a tiny, plastic frame. A headshot of a young woman. She has large, hazel eyes, shiny blonde hair. She’s so pretty.
She looks familiar, but I can’t place her. Then it comes to me: it’s Seb’s dead wife.
I look out the window into the darkness.
My personal trainer is parked outside my house . . . She’s looking straight at me.
Right into my eyes.
AN EXHILARATING BLEND OF BREATHTAKING SUSPENSE AND NAIL-BITING TENSION WITH A SHOCKING FINAL TWIST.
So I hire Claudia, a personal trainer.
At first, she’s perfect. All golden hair, gleaming teeth and relentless positivity. Workouts, meal plans, constant messages checking in.
But then she starts turning up at my door, unscheduled; hanging around in my local park. She’s crossing boundaries.
Maybe I’m paranoid. After all, everyone says I’m moving too fast with Seb. But he’s just right for me. He lost his partner just like I did. And he’s doing his best to bring up his teenage daughter — who doesn’t seem too keen on having a stepmother. But she’ll come round, with time and patience.
One evening, I’m pulling a bottle of wine from the fridge when I spot something on the kitchen counter. A photo in a tiny, plastic frame. A headshot of a young woman. She has large, hazel eyes, shiny blonde hair. She’s so pretty.
She looks familiar, but I can’t place her. Then it comes to me: it’s Seb’s dead wife.
I look out the window into the darkness.
My personal trainer is parked outside my house . . . She’s looking straight at me.
Right into my eyes.
AN EXHILARATING BLEND OF BREATHTAKING SUSPENSE AND NAIL-BITING TENSION WITH A SHOCKING FINAL TWIST.
305 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 23, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
April 23, 2026
Juliet just wants to get in shape for her wedding—she met her fiancé in a group for widows and widowers, and it seems like her life is finally coming back together. But something about her new personal trainer, Claudia, makes her uneasy...
I picked this up for a couple of reasons. First, although I've read some psychological thrillers, it's been a while, and most of what I've read has been by big-name authors; I haven't read much in this vein from smaller presses, and I was curious. And second, I am in my Gym Rat Era 2.0; I am not interested in personal training, but it turns out that I am interested in (some) books with a character working out on the cover, even knowing that working out was probably going to be a relatively small part of it.
The earlier parts of the book I found a bit frustrating. It's clear very early on that all is not right with Claudia, and yet Juliet pretty much lets Claudia run the show—Juliet's been thinking just two or three sessions a week, but Claudia pushes for more and more sessions, and Juliet immediately capitulates; Claudia makes any number of food-shaming and body-shaming comments, and Juliet immediately withers; Claudia is suddenly everywhere, including at Juliet's house all the time, and Juliet thinks it's odd but never tries to gain any distance; Juliet's friends point out some of the ways Claudia's treatment of her is off, and Juliet weakly agrees and then continues to do everything Claudia tells her. (And—the other personal trainer—does she end up dead, or what?) Claudia gets mad throws a potentially damaging workout at her, and Juliet basically...cries and does it anyway. I understand that Juliet is insecure about the weight she's gained since her first husband died, but her doormat attitude towards Claudia feels especially odd in the context of Juliet saying that "I used to be slim and extremely fit, regularly doing 10k runs and going to the gym four or five times a week" (loc. 265*). This suggests that she has some understanding of fitness, and what is safe and is not, and hopefully of crash diets not being the way to go about things, but throughout the book she just...ignores all of this (and also ignores any suggestion that she doesn't have to lose weight and gain muscle to be lovable), and I don't know what to do with that.
There's a twist, of course—well, a couple of twists, but the book picked up for me quite a bit after the first real twist. I think by that point I was just a bit fed up with Juliet and ready for something else to happen. There aren't any huge surprises (though...I think Claudia should probably be housed somewhere for the criminally insane, probably for the rest of her life), but the last twist comes closest (and also cements Juliet as a doormat, but I guess by then we knew that). There's also a period where it genuinely isn't clear what will happen—e.g., whether all of the characters will survive—and that's always a satisfying thing in a thriller.
Overall I would have liked Juliet to be easier to root for and Claudia to not be so evil from the get-go, but it was a very fast read and an engaging introduction to this side of the genre.
*Quotes are from an ARC and may not be final.
Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.
I picked this up for a couple of reasons. First, although I've read some psychological thrillers, it's been a while, and most of what I've read has been by big-name authors; I haven't read much in this vein from smaller presses, and I was curious. And second, I am in my Gym Rat Era 2.0; I am not interested in personal training, but it turns out that I am interested in (some) books with a character working out on the cover, even knowing that working out was probably going to be a relatively small part of it.
The earlier parts of the book I found a bit frustrating. It's clear very early on that all is not right with Claudia, and yet Juliet pretty much lets Claudia run the show—Juliet's been thinking just two or three sessions a week, but Claudia pushes for more and more sessions, and Juliet immediately capitulates; Claudia makes any number of food-shaming and body-shaming comments, and Juliet immediately withers; Claudia is suddenly everywhere, including at Juliet's house all the time, and Juliet thinks it's odd but never tries to gain any distance; Juliet's friends point out some of the ways Claudia's treatment of her is off, and Juliet weakly agrees and then continues to do everything Claudia tells her. (And—the other personal trainer—does she end up dead, or what?) Claudia gets mad throws a potentially damaging workout at her, and Juliet basically...cries and does it anyway. I understand that Juliet is insecure about the weight she's gained since her first husband died, but her doormat attitude towards Claudia feels especially odd in the context of Juliet saying that "I used to be slim and extremely fit, regularly doing 10k runs and going to the gym four or five times a week" (loc. 265*). This suggests that she has some understanding of fitness, and what is safe and is not, and hopefully of crash diets not being the way to go about things, but throughout the book she just...ignores all of this (and also ignores any suggestion that she doesn't have to lose weight and gain muscle to be lovable), and I don't know what to do with that.
There's a twist, of course—well, a couple of twists, but the book picked up for me quite a bit after the first real twist. I think by that point I was just a bit fed up with Juliet and ready for something else to happen. There aren't any huge surprises (though...I think Claudia should probably be housed somewhere for the criminally insane, probably for the rest of her life), but the last twist comes closest (and also cements Juliet as a doormat, but I guess by then we knew that). There's also a period where it genuinely isn't clear what will happen—e.g., whether all of the characters will survive—and that's always a satisfying thing in a thriller.
Overall I would have liked Juliet to be easier to root for and Claudia to not be so evil from the get-go, but it was a very fast read and an engaging introduction to this side of the genre.
*Quotes are from an ARC and may not be final.
Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.
April 13, 2026
The Personal Trainer started off feeling like one of those cliché murder mysteries, but wow! It completely surprised me. I was hooked so fast I finished it in a day and sat there in pure awe. The story follows a bride-to-be, Juliet, who hires a personal trainer to get fit and glowing for her big day, and from there it’s a steady stream of “wait, what?” and “no way!” moments. By the last few chapters, the tension ramps up, the characters shift in unexpected ways, and everything becomes deliciously chaotic. I was entertained from start to finish, and honestly, the twists alone make this an easy 5‑star read. My first book by the author, and definitely not my last.
What I Enjoyed
• Fast-paced and easy to binge
• Fun incorporation of fitness, calorie counting, and living healthy culture
• A twist that genuinely had me on the edge of my seat
What Didn’t Sit Right
• “Once a killer, always a killer” vibes
• Juliet’s naivety from page one - UGH!
• Betrayals that went a little too far
Ratings Breakdown:
• Setting: 3⭐️
• Characters: 4⭐️
• Writing: 5⭐️
• Message: 4⭐️
• Overall: 5⭐️
Final Thoughts
A highly recommended whodunit for thriller girlies like me. It's shocking, dramatic, and oh-so engaging. Huge thanks to NetGalley, Joffe Books, and author Rebecca Collomosse for my advance copy. All thoughts are entirely my own.
~ JaNnA ~
What I Enjoyed
• Fast-paced and easy to binge
• Fun incorporation of fitness, calorie counting, and living healthy culture
• A twist that genuinely had me on the edge of my seat
What Didn’t Sit Right
• “Once a killer, always a killer” vibes
• Juliet’s naivety from page one - UGH!
• Betrayals that went a little too far
Ratings Breakdown:
• Setting: 3⭐️
• Characters: 4⭐️
• Writing: 5⭐️
• Message: 4⭐️
• Overall: 5⭐️
Final Thoughts
A highly recommended whodunit for thriller girlies like me. It's shocking, dramatic, and oh-so engaging. Huge thanks to NetGalley, Joffe Books, and author Rebecca Collomosse for my advance copy. All thoughts are entirely my own.
~ JaNnA ~
August 18, 2026
I didn't DNF this because I thought, surely the answers to all my questions will make it all make sense. Alas, no. Should have DNF'd. Or perhaps it was a satire of such ridiculous proportions that I missed the point? Anyway, I do not recommend.
July 30, 2026
Any book where I can't root for the 'good guy' is not ideal. The main character made so many dumb choices and decisions that I feel like she deserved everything that happened to her. The book was hours longer than it should have been and the multiple 'twists' seemed quite contrived.
August 1, 2026
What can I say about this book? The female main character, Juliet, was incredibly annoying and naive. I wanted to throw my Kindle across the room multiple times because of her stupidity. While there were many plot twists, the story sometimes dragged on because I couldn’t help but wonder how slow and clueless Juliet could be. I don’t know if this was intentional to keep the story going, but it felt like it could have been wrapped up sooner. Matt’s character was also repetitive. Overall, it was an interesting read, but I wish it had been more concise.
June 16, 2026
3.5 rounded up
It took me a lot longer to read this book than it normally does to read a novel but I did find myself going back to picking it up. I enjoyed the ending but I did feel like it took a while for anything exciting to happen. Overall I enjoyed it and would recommend.
It took me a lot longer to read this book than it normally does to read a novel but I did find myself going back to picking it up. I enjoyed the ending but I did feel like it took a while for anything exciting to happen. Overall I enjoyed it and would recommend.
May 7, 2026
A pulse pounding read that started off slow, steady, like a casual jog and then ended in a full on sprint that left me gasping for breath like after a killer workout!
July 15, 2026
This was overall a great read. It started slow and mehhhh, but the ending became more and more captivating up until the last page. I enjoyed this.
August 17, 2026
Cliché with obvious plot twists. This book was infuriating from start to finish.
July 10, 2026
This was a very frustrating read, I so badly wished to intervene in the life of the extremely naive and passive MC. I predicted every single twist very early on, within the first few chapters, but nonetheless finished the book and found myself wondering if I’d end up with a different result
June 6, 2026
This is an advanced reader copy in return for my honest review.
First of all, I want to say this was an unusual but brilliant take on a thriller, I have read so many but a personal trainer stalker, oh what a great read!
A nicely done, fast paced book, once I got in i couldn't put it down! I felt the ending was slow to arise but then all of a sudden it was on us, there was quite a lot of clumping I felt towards the end which made seem a little too fillery and all of a sudden wrapped up in a bow, but it all turned out quite well in the scheme of things.
The characters, wow well, I hated Seb by the end of it, but could see what was going on with him already, though the deter from the author was a good one. Claudia - at times I liked her and others I hated her but I was a sucker for her, she made me feel awkward and uncomfortable but I felt sorry for her too. That is superb character development!
I really liked Juliet but definitely showed her strong spirit towards the end of the book.
Libby needs to recheck herself as a friend.
I hated Sylvie but I did enjoy their relationship by the end..
All the characters were super developed and I found that super satisfying and it was one of the most things I enjoyed most about the book!
If I was Juliet, I'd have ditched the kid and changed my name.. dont take unnecessary risks, girl!
I really enjoyed this authors work and so will be looking out for her more.
I especially loved the glossary in the back of the book for the US readers as some of this also aided me as UK reader!
With thanks to Netgalley and Joffee books
First of all, I want to say this was an unusual but brilliant take on a thriller, I have read so many but a personal trainer stalker, oh what a great read!
A nicely done, fast paced book, once I got in i couldn't put it down! I felt the ending was slow to arise but then all of a sudden it was on us, there was quite a lot of clumping I felt towards the end which made seem a little too fillery and all of a sudden wrapped up in a bow, but it all turned out quite well in the scheme of things.
The characters, wow well, I hated Seb by the end of it, but could see what was going on with him already, though the deter from the author was a good one. Claudia - at times I liked her and others I hated her but I was a sucker for her, she made me feel awkward and uncomfortable but I felt sorry for her too. That is superb character development!
I really liked Juliet but definitely showed her strong spirit towards the end of the book.
Libby needs to recheck herself as a friend.
I hated Sylvie but I did enjoy their relationship by the end..
All the characters were super developed and I found that super satisfying and it was one of the most things I enjoyed most about the book!
If I was Juliet, I'd have ditched the kid and changed my name.. dont take unnecessary risks, girl!
I really enjoyed this authors work and so will be looking out for her more.
I especially loved the glossary in the back of the book for the US readers as some of this also aided me as UK reader!
With thanks to Netgalley and Joffee books
July 28, 2026
Good pace. Overall engaging, and I really like the narration of the audiobook. However... let's just say that if we were still living in a jungle, and MC was a real woman, she would not survive natural selection.
May 12, 2026
Weak ending and poor copy editing
The twists in this book were OK, but the ending felt contrived and I have to say that the editing was terrible. I understand the odd typo here or there, but there comes a point when it gets distracting. It’s a shame because I think I might’ve enjoyed the book more if there weren’t so many mistakes.
The twists in this book were OK, but the ending felt contrived and I have to say that the editing was terrible. I understand the odd typo here or there, but there comes a point when it gets distracting. It’s a shame because I think I might’ve enjoyed the book more if there weren’t so many mistakes.
April 23, 2026
Here is my review for The Personal Trainer by Rebecca Collomosse
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this gripping suspenseful psychological thriller about Juliet who lost her husband, Matt, suddenly in a car crash where he died instantly. Seb lost his wife to a heart attack and she was pronounced dead at the hospital. His eleven year old daughter, Sylvie, took it very hard. Juliet and Seb met at a Widows meeting group and started talking online at first. Once they were together and Juliet had moved in, Sylvie was a problem as she still missed her mum. Libby suggested Claudia as a personal trainer to Juliet as she wanted to lose weight for the wedding. She soon started losing weight but Claudia started crossing boundaries by asking about Seb a lot. Then, one night I went to the gym and bumped into Claudia. I was expecting to do my routine at an easy pace but Claudia said she was free so could fit me in. I couldn’t get out of it so I exercised with her then I just wanted to walk home but that didn't happen either as Claudia insisted on driving me home. I offered her a drink which she jumped at and came in with some awful teabags for me. When she leaves that night, she seems to sit outside the house for ages. What is she doing? What is she waiting for? I shut the shutters on the window and can feel her eyes on me. When I looked, she was looking straight at me. Then, I found a small photo of a blonde-haired young woman who looked familiar. When I ask Seb, it turns out to be a picture of his dead wife! This story was excellently written and so addictive that I just couldn’t put it down. What was Claudia really up to? It was brilliantly plotted and extremely well thought out. The more I read, the more I was hooked on the story and needed to know Claudia's ultimate plan! I didn't like Claudia. She didn't seem to act like a personal trainer should. Yes, they should motivate you but they shouldn't be in your face, shouting at you or ridiculing you in public. She crossed boundaries by inserting herself into Juliet's life and she seemed to turn up so often around her. The storyline was terrific and I really enjoyed this story.
Blurb :
I hire a personal trainer for my wedding. But instead she’s going to ruin my life.
I just wanted to get fit for my wedding day. To look my best when I marry Seb. He made me believe in love again, after I lost my first husband in a car accident.
So I hire Claudia, a personal trainer.
At first, she’s perfect. All golden hair and relentless positivity. Workouts, meal plans, constant messages checking in.
But then she starts crossing boundaries.
One evening, I spot something on the kitchen counter. A photo of a pretty young woman in a tiny, plastic frame.
She looks familiar. Then it comes to me: it’s Seb’s dead wife.
I look out the window.
My personal trainer is parked outside . . . She’s looking straight at me.
Right into my eyes.
AN EXHILARATING BLEND OF BREATHTAKING SUSPENSE AND NAIL-BITING TENSION WITH A SHOCKING FINAL TWIST.
This unputdownable psychological thriller with a massive twist is perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, Claire Douglas, Lisa Jewell, Jane E. James and Nicole Trope.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this gripping suspenseful psychological thriller about Juliet who lost her husband, Matt, suddenly in a car crash where he died instantly. Seb lost his wife to a heart attack and she was pronounced dead at the hospital. His eleven year old daughter, Sylvie, took it very hard. Juliet and Seb met at a Widows meeting group and started talking online at first. Once they were together and Juliet had moved in, Sylvie was a problem as she still missed her mum. Libby suggested Claudia as a personal trainer to Juliet as she wanted to lose weight for the wedding. She soon started losing weight but Claudia started crossing boundaries by asking about Seb a lot. Then, one night I went to the gym and bumped into Claudia. I was expecting to do my routine at an easy pace but Claudia said she was free so could fit me in. I couldn’t get out of it so I exercised with her then I just wanted to walk home but that didn't happen either as Claudia insisted on driving me home. I offered her a drink which she jumped at and came in with some awful teabags for me. When she leaves that night, she seems to sit outside the house for ages. What is she doing? What is she waiting for? I shut the shutters on the window and can feel her eyes on me. When I looked, she was looking straight at me. Then, I found a small photo of a blonde-haired young woman who looked familiar. When I ask Seb, it turns out to be a picture of his dead wife! This story was excellently written and so addictive that I just couldn’t put it down. What was Claudia really up to? It was brilliantly plotted and extremely well thought out. The more I read, the more I was hooked on the story and needed to know Claudia's ultimate plan! I didn't like Claudia. She didn't seem to act like a personal trainer should. Yes, they should motivate you but they shouldn't be in your face, shouting at you or ridiculing you in public. She crossed boundaries by inserting herself into Juliet's life and she seemed to turn up so often around her. The storyline was terrific and I really enjoyed this story.
Blurb :
I hire a personal trainer for my wedding. But instead she’s going to ruin my life.
I just wanted to get fit for my wedding day. To look my best when I marry Seb. He made me believe in love again, after I lost my first husband in a car accident.
So I hire Claudia, a personal trainer.
At first, she’s perfect. All golden hair and relentless positivity. Workouts, meal plans, constant messages checking in.
But then she starts crossing boundaries.
One evening, I spot something on the kitchen counter. A photo of a pretty young woman in a tiny, plastic frame.
She looks familiar. Then it comes to me: it’s Seb’s dead wife.
I look out the window.
My personal trainer is parked outside . . . She’s looking straight at me.
Right into my eyes.
AN EXHILARATING BLEND OF BREATHTAKING SUSPENSE AND NAIL-BITING TENSION WITH A SHOCKING FINAL TWIST.
This unputdownable psychological thriller with a massive twist is perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, Claire Douglas, Lisa Jewell, Jane E. James and Nicole Trope.
Review of advance copy
Going into The Personal Trainer, I was expecting a twisty psychological thriller with a slightly obsessive edge and while it definitely delivered on the tension, it also gave me a story that kept me constantly second-guessing what I thought I knew.
At its heart, this is a story about grief, second chances, and the fragile hope of starting over. Our narrator is preparing for her wedding to Seb, a man who has helped her believe in love again after the tragic loss of her first husband. There’s something quite tender and relatable in that desire to rebuild your life, to feel like yourself again and I really felt that emotional undercurrent throughout the novel.
Wanting to look and feel her best for the big day, she hires Claudia, a personal trainer who initially seems like the perfect fit. Claudia is everything you’d expect - bright, polished, endlessly positive, and completely committed. But as the story unfolds, that helpful enthusiasm slowly morphs into something far more unsettling. She begins to blur the lines between professional and personal, turning up unannounced, appearing in places she shouldn’t be… and that’s where the unease really starts to creep in.
I’ll admit, the Claudia storyline was one I felt I could see coming fairly early on. There’s a certain predictability to the “too perfect to be true” character, and I found myself waiting for the inevitable reveal. However, where this book really surprised me was in its layered tension particularly surrounding Seb and his past. The presence of his late wife lingers in a way that feels almost ghostly, especially with that chilling moment involving the photograph. It’s one of those scenes that quietly gets under your skin.
And then… that twist.
Without giving anything away, I have to say that the ending involving Seb genuinely shocked me. It came completely out of nowhere and made me question everything I thought I understood about the story. It was very much a “WTF just happened?” moment and honestly, I love when a book can still catch me off guard like that.
Overall, The Personal Trainer is a solid psychological thriller with a strong sense of atmosphere and an ending that packs a punch. While parts of the plot felt predictable, the emotional depth and that final twist made it a worthwhile read , perfect for fans who enjoy stories about obsession, grief, and the dark side of starting over.
At its heart, this is a story about grief, second chances, and the fragile hope of starting over. Our narrator is preparing for her wedding to Seb, a man who has helped her believe in love again after the tragic loss of her first husband. There’s something quite tender and relatable in that desire to rebuild your life, to feel like yourself again and I really felt that emotional undercurrent throughout the novel.
Wanting to look and feel her best for the big day, she hires Claudia, a personal trainer who initially seems like the perfect fit. Claudia is everything you’d expect - bright, polished, endlessly positive, and completely committed. But as the story unfolds, that helpful enthusiasm slowly morphs into something far more unsettling. She begins to blur the lines between professional and personal, turning up unannounced, appearing in places she shouldn’t be… and that’s where the unease really starts to creep in.
I’ll admit, the Claudia storyline was one I felt I could see coming fairly early on. There’s a certain predictability to the “too perfect to be true” character, and I found myself waiting for the inevitable reveal. However, where this book really surprised me was in its layered tension particularly surrounding Seb and his past. The presence of his late wife lingers in a way that feels almost ghostly, especially with that chilling moment involving the photograph. It’s one of those scenes that quietly gets under your skin.
And then… that twist.
Without giving anything away, I have to say that the ending involving Seb genuinely shocked me. It came completely out of nowhere and made me question everything I thought I understood about the story. It was very much a “WTF just happened?” moment and honestly, I love when a book can still catch me off guard like that.
Overall, The Personal Trainer is a solid psychological thriller with a strong sense of atmosphere and an ending that packs a punch. While parts of the plot felt predictable, the emotional depth and that final twist made it a worthwhile read , perfect for fans who enjoy stories about obsession, grief, and the dark side of starting over.
April 29, 2026
The Personal Trainer is a sleek, unsettling domestic thriller that slips from glossy self‑improvement into something far darker, and the descent is as compelling as it is claustrophobic. What begins as a simple desire — a bride‑to‑be wanting to feel her best on her wedding day — quickly becomes a study in obsession, control, and the terrifying ease with which a stranger can step into the cracks of your life.
Claudia arrives like a walking advertisement for wellness: bright, polished, endlessly encouraging. The early chapters have that breezy, aspirational feel, which makes the shift all the more chilling when her enthusiasm becomes intrusion. The unscheduled visits, the lingering presence in the park, the messages that feel a little too constant — the novel captures that creeping dread beautifully, the moment when “supportive” starts to feel like surveillance.
What gives the story its emotional weight is the vulnerability at its centre. Still grieving her first husband and clinging to the hope of a new beginning with Seb, the narrator is desperate to believe in her fresh start. Seb’s own grief, his complicated daughter, the whispers that she’s moving too fast — all of it creates a fragile emotional landscape that Claudia exploits with unnerving precision. And when the photo appears on the kitchen counter, the past staring back with those familiar hazel eyes, the tension snaps into something far more dangerous.
The final act is wonderfully taut, the kind of psychological unravelling that makes you question every earlier interaction. The image of Claudia parked outside, watching, is a perfect encapsulation of the book’s tone: quiet menace, intimate threat, danger delivered with a smile.
A gripping, darkly addictive thriller about vulnerability, boundaries, and the people who slip past them with alarming ease. It’s twisty, tense, and unsettling in all the right ways.
with thanks to Rebecca Collomosse, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Claudia arrives like a walking advertisement for wellness: bright, polished, endlessly encouraging. The early chapters have that breezy, aspirational feel, which makes the shift all the more chilling when her enthusiasm becomes intrusion. The unscheduled visits, the lingering presence in the park, the messages that feel a little too constant — the novel captures that creeping dread beautifully, the moment when “supportive” starts to feel like surveillance.
What gives the story its emotional weight is the vulnerability at its centre. Still grieving her first husband and clinging to the hope of a new beginning with Seb, the narrator is desperate to believe in her fresh start. Seb’s own grief, his complicated daughter, the whispers that she’s moving too fast — all of it creates a fragile emotional landscape that Claudia exploits with unnerving precision. And when the photo appears on the kitchen counter, the past staring back with those familiar hazel eyes, the tension snaps into something far more dangerous.
The final act is wonderfully taut, the kind of psychological unravelling that makes you question every earlier interaction. The image of Claudia parked outside, watching, is a perfect encapsulation of the book’s tone: quiet menace, intimate threat, danger delivered with a smile.
A gripping, darkly addictive thriller about vulnerability, boundaries, and the people who slip past them with alarming ease. It’s twisty, tense, and unsettling in all the right ways.
with thanks to Rebecca Collomosse, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
• 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 - 4.5✨
• 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 - April 23, 2026
• 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 -
- domestic psychological thriller
- obsession & manipulation
- toxic female rivalry
- family secrets
- gaslighting
- unreliable people
- slow burn suspense
• 𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 -
This story follows Juliet, a woman who is trying to build a new life and a new family with her fiancé Seb and his daughter. Everything looks calm and normal from the outside, but things slowly start to change when a new personal trainer enters her life. At first she seems supportive and helpful, but little by little her presence begins to feel strange, controlling, and uncomfortable.
What starts as simple fitness sessions slowly turns into psychological manipulation. Juliet begins to question people around her, her own decisions, and even her reality. The tension grows quietly and the atmosphere becomes darker with every chapter. Secrets from the past begin to surface and the truth behind certain relationships becomes more disturbing than expected.
I honestly enjoyed the slow tension in this book. The author created such a creepy and uncomfortable feeling without using anything overly dramatic. The manipulation and mind games were written really well and made the story feel realistic. I loved how the suspense kept building little by little instead of rushing everything.
Juliet was a character I truly felt for. Watching her slowly lose confidence and struggle with what was happening around her felt very emotional. The villain in this story was also written in a very chilling way. The obsession and twisted motivations made the plot even more intense.
The twists were satisfying and the final reveal added a strong thriller punch to the story.
Overall this was such an engaging domestic thriller with manipulation, secrets, and a very unsettling atmosphere.
Thank you zooloosbooktour for the ARC!
• 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 - April 23, 2026
• 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 -
- domestic psychological thriller
- obsession & manipulation
- toxic female rivalry
- family secrets
- gaslighting
- unreliable people
- slow burn suspense
• 𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 -
This story follows Juliet, a woman who is trying to build a new life and a new family with her fiancé Seb and his daughter. Everything looks calm and normal from the outside, but things slowly start to change when a new personal trainer enters her life. At first she seems supportive and helpful, but little by little her presence begins to feel strange, controlling, and uncomfortable.
What starts as simple fitness sessions slowly turns into psychological manipulation. Juliet begins to question people around her, her own decisions, and even her reality. The tension grows quietly and the atmosphere becomes darker with every chapter. Secrets from the past begin to surface and the truth behind certain relationships becomes more disturbing than expected.
I honestly enjoyed the slow tension in this book. The author created such a creepy and uncomfortable feeling without using anything overly dramatic. The manipulation and mind games were written really well and made the story feel realistic. I loved how the suspense kept building little by little instead of rushing everything.
Juliet was a character I truly felt for. Watching her slowly lose confidence and struggle with what was happening around her felt very emotional. The villain in this story was also written in a very chilling way. The obsession and twisted motivations made the plot even more intense.
The twists were satisfying and the final reveal added a strong thriller punch to the story.
Overall this was such an engaging domestic thriller with manipulation, secrets, and a very unsettling atmosphere.
Thank you zooloosbooktour for the ARC!
April 27, 2026
First, I want to thank Rebecca Collomosse, Joffee Books and Zooloo Book Tours for providing me with this book so I can bring you this review.
Dang!!! Rebecca Collomosse is a creative genius writing outside of the box with The Personal Trainer. This book is unlike any psychological thriller right now on the market that you have read! That being said, usually I can dive right into a book and binge it. However, with this book not so much. Never in my reading career have I been annoyed by a character as I was by Claudia!!!
I loved Nick Castle’s graphic cover design on The Personal Trainer! It is the perfect design for the cover!
Yes, Claudia rubbed me the wrong way in so many ways!! As someone who used to be 303lbs (now 116lbs) I can appreciate Juliet reaching out to Claudia, a personal trainer for weight loss and fitness tips to get in shape for her wedding. Even though Seb loved her for the way she was. However, Claudia always was going overboard in giving harsh advice on what not to eat and why! Oh she made me cringe with all her Claudia notes to Juliet! Each is more annoying than the next, especially the one about Seb!! Never did I dislike a character in a book so much as I did this one!! I was so close to giving up reading this book because of Claudia!!
Loved how Seb and Juliet met on an online widows support group. Seb had just lost his wife Jessie to a heart attack and Juliet lost her husband Matt in a car crash. Both bonding over tragedy that brought them to eachother.
Ohh this book is so twisted!! Take a wild stab at who we have to thank for that? You would never in a million years figure out this ending!!!
Side note I am glad my personal trainer is some sweet old man from the YMCA and is proud of my accomplishments so far.
Dang!!! Rebecca Collomosse is a creative genius writing outside of the box with The Personal Trainer. This book is unlike any psychological thriller right now on the market that you have read! That being said, usually I can dive right into a book and binge it. However, with this book not so much. Never in my reading career have I been annoyed by a character as I was by Claudia!!!
I loved Nick Castle’s graphic cover design on The Personal Trainer! It is the perfect design for the cover!
Yes, Claudia rubbed me the wrong way in so many ways!! As someone who used to be 303lbs (now 116lbs) I can appreciate Juliet reaching out to Claudia, a personal trainer for weight loss and fitness tips to get in shape for her wedding. Even though Seb loved her for the way she was. However, Claudia always was going overboard in giving harsh advice on what not to eat and why! Oh she made me cringe with all her Claudia notes to Juliet! Each is more annoying than the next, especially the one about Seb!! Never did I dislike a character in a book so much as I did this one!! I was so close to giving up reading this book because of Claudia!!
Loved how Seb and Juliet met on an online widows support group. Seb had just lost his wife Jessie to a heart attack and Juliet lost her husband Matt in a car crash. Both bonding over tragedy that brought them to eachother.
Ohh this book is so twisted!! Take a wild stab at who we have to thank for that? You would never in a million years figure out this ending!!!
Side note I am glad my personal trainer is some sweet old man from the YMCA and is proud of my accomplishments so far.
August 24, 2026
Your new best friend, your biggest mistake
Written by a favorite, Rebecca Collomosse and narrated by the brilliant Rosalind Lailey and Anna Burnett, “The Personal Trainer” is gripping, intricate and totally audictive. This Audible Plus gem is a must for fans of devious mysteries. Secrets galore, surprises I never saw coming and lies run amok. It starts simple enough: She just wanted to get fit for her wedding day. To look perfect marrying Seb – the man who made her believe in love again after what happened to her first husband. Everyone says she’s rushing. Maybe they’re right. Then she meets Claudia: Relentless positivity. At first, she’s everything – the workouts, the meal plans, the constant check-in messages. Her personal trainer. Her new best friend. Her biggest mistake. Because soon Claudia is everywhere. At the gym, in the park, outside her house, watching her. Seb says she’s imagining it. Until she finds a curious photo he swears he’s never seen – and Claudia’s car parked outside in the dark. Is Claudia after her life and family? Or is the real danger much closer to home? Lailey and Burnett bring this whole cast to vivid life – I felt every red flag, every doubt, every chill. Intense and binge-worthy, I found it virtually impossible to take a break. I listened to “The Personal Trainer” in record time. I can’t stress it enough; grab this one now while it’s included at no cost on Audible Plus. You can thank me later. Epic, indeed.
💥🎙️✍️🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟✍️🎙️💥
Written by a favorite, Rebecca Collomosse and narrated by the brilliant Rosalind Lailey and Anna Burnett, “The Personal Trainer” is gripping, intricate and totally audictive. This Audible Plus gem is a must for fans of devious mysteries. Secrets galore, surprises I never saw coming and lies run amok. It starts simple enough: She just wanted to get fit for her wedding day. To look perfect marrying Seb – the man who made her believe in love again after what happened to her first husband. Everyone says she’s rushing. Maybe they’re right. Then she meets Claudia: Relentless positivity. At first, she’s everything – the workouts, the meal plans, the constant check-in messages. Her personal trainer. Her new best friend. Her biggest mistake. Because soon Claudia is everywhere. At the gym, in the park, outside her house, watching her. Seb says she’s imagining it. Until she finds a curious photo he swears he’s never seen – and Claudia’s car parked outside in the dark. Is Claudia after her life and family? Or is the real danger much closer to home? Lailey and Burnett bring this whole cast to vivid life – I felt every red flag, every doubt, every chill. Intense and binge-worthy, I found it virtually impossible to take a break. I listened to “The Personal Trainer” in record time. I can’t stress it enough; grab this one now while it’s included at no cost on Audible Plus. You can thank me later. Epic, indeed.
💥🎙️✍️🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟✍️🎙️💥
April 24, 2026
Thankyou to Rebecca Collomosse Joffe Books for this advanced complimentary copy via Netgalley. This review is being left voluntarily and all opinions are my own.
I am truly blown away by how good this book was. Twists and turns aren't even enough to describe this book - more like whiplash and concussion because why is my head still spinning!
From the very beginning I was instantly hooked and desperate for answers. I tried to no avail to figure out where it was headed. Although there were some clues along the way, I couldn't have guessed the enormity of some of them.
We meet Juliet, who is about to marry Sebastien. They have a shared heartache as they are both widowers so surely they deserve a second chance at love?
Juliet is determined to get in shape before the wedding and in comes Claudia, the personal trainer, who is passionate and rigorous in her routines and regimes.
I spent the majority of this book rage reading because Claudia absolutely infuriated me. She is controlling, intense, shifty and I did not trust her one bit!
Just when you didn't think things could get any worse they absolutely did and at one point I gasped out loud, my mouth fell open, and I was unable to close it until I finished the book.
I absolutely loved this book. If you love to hate characters, meet Claudia, your new favourite worst character.
I am truly blown away by how good this book was. Twists and turns aren't even enough to describe this book - more like whiplash and concussion because why is my head still spinning!
From the very beginning I was instantly hooked and desperate for answers. I tried to no avail to figure out where it was headed. Although there were some clues along the way, I couldn't have guessed the enormity of some of them.
We meet Juliet, who is about to marry Sebastien. They have a shared heartache as they are both widowers so surely they deserve a second chance at love?
Juliet is determined to get in shape before the wedding and in comes Claudia, the personal trainer, who is passionate and rigorous in her routines and regimes.
I spent the majority of this book rage reading because Claudia absolutely infuriated me. She is controlling, intense, shifty and I did not trust her one bit!
Just when you didn't think things could get any worse they absolutely did and at one point I gasped out loud, my mouth fell open, and I was unable to close it until I finished the book.
I absolutely loved this book. If you love to hate characters, meet Claudia, your new favourite worst character.
April 26, 2026
Juliet is marrying Seb, and all she wants is to look amazing in her wedding dress. So, she hires a personal trainer. Claudia came recommended by a friend from the grief group that both Juliet and Seb are a part of. Both lost their spouses and then found each other. Claudia seems to be the perfect trainer. She's got workouts, meal plans, and constantly texts to check in. But then she starts dropping by unannounced and gets close to Seb's daughter, who is very much opposed to Juliet and Seb getting married. Her workouts start to become over-the-top, and she wants Juliet to only drink the shakes she makes for her. Is she really trying to help Juliet look good for her wedding, or does she have something else in mind?
This is one of those books where I could tell right away where it was heading, and even though I knew, I was hooked to see if I was right. And I was, but then there were the twists! The twists seriously knocked my socks off! I truly didn't see them coming and was completely shocked! The buildup of tension was palpable, and there was lots of drama. There was manipulation, jealousy, and dark secrets. Juliet was a bit of a frustrating character, and none of the other characters were very likable. But this book was engaging, incredibly entertaining, and totally bingeable! I would definitely recommend this one!🩷
This is one of those books where I could tell right away where it was heading, and even though I knew, I was hooked to see if I was right. And I was, but then there were the twists! The twists seriously knocked my socks off! I truly didn't see them coming and was completely shocked! The buildup of tension was palpable, and there was lots of drama. There was manipulation, jealousy, and dark secrets. Juliet was a bit of a frustrating character, and none of the other characters were very likable. But this book was engaging, incredibly entertaining, and totally bingeable! I would definitely recommend this one!🩷
April 27, 2026
Thank you to Zooloo Book Tours | Joffee Books for the advanced digital copy of this book!
3.5 stars. There was a little bit of repetiveness throughout the beginning but I think it only adds to the story.
The characters in this book got under my skin so bad. Just about everybody felt off to me, some even just from their introductions. Especially Claudia. Speaking of the PT… Claudia’s text messages make me want to punch a wall they’re so awful. But also, Seb. He’s not “book boyfriend” material, that’s for sure!
I’ve made it to Chapter 31. How dare Seb. Honestly. And now we know who Claudia is… I knew she had to be significant in more than just an old friend way. Well, now I’ve finished Chapter 41. More pieces of the puzzle have come together. And honestly, they make sense.
I was surprised that Sylvie had decided to live with Juliet at the end... and if I were either of the two of them, I would want to be out of that house indefinitely! Then I was surprised by Sylvia’s flashlight/basement confession! Juliet better cut ties with that 13 year old NOW. Her giving those mother day cards to both Juliet and Claudine was wild!
I will say the author kept me engaged! There were so many connections with so many of the characters, it was crazy how it all played out!
3.5 stars. There was a little bit of repetiveness throughout the beginning but I think it only adds to the story.
The characters in this book got under my skin so bad. Just about everybody felt off to me, some even just from their introductions. Especially Claudia. Speaking of the PT… Claudia’s text messages make me want to punch a wall they’re so awful. But also, Seb. He’s not “book boyfriend” material, that’s for sure!
I’ve made it to Chapter 31. How dare Seb. Honestly. And now we know who Claudia is… I knew she had to be significant in more than just an old friend way. Well, now I’ve finished Chapter 41. More pieces of the puzzle have come together. And honestly, they make sense.
I was surprised that Sylvie had decided to live with Juliet at the end... and if I were either of the two of them, I would want to be out of that house indefinitely! Then I was surprised by Sylvia’s flashlight/basement confession! Juliet better cut ties with that 13 year old NOW. Her giving those mother day cards to both Juliet and Claudine was wild!
I will say the author kept me engaged! There were so many connections with so many of the characters, it was crazy how it all played out!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 30, 2026
Many thanks to NetGalley and Joffe Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review.
A domestic thriller, Juliet want to get in shape for her wedding, she wants to look trim and toned, she is marrying Seb, they met at a Widows grief group, both having lost their other half
Here enters Claudia, a personal trainer, recommended by a friend. Claudia is attractive, slim, and fit, she pushes Juliet through gruelling workouts, has her on a strict diet, a shake for breakfast and lunch which she personally prepares for Juliet, she constantly makes food and body shaming comments. Claudia pushes for more sessions as the wedding moves clover, Juliet feels Claudia is everywhere, turns up at her house for unplanned sessions, is making herself friendly with Seb and his daughter. Juliet feels there is something off about Claudia but she can’t put her finger on it, odd that Claudia has no social media presence to promote her fitness business. Is she really who she says she is?
I found the first half of the book to be slow and repetitive but it definitely picks up pace in the second half, with female rivalry, obsession, manipulation, secrets and lies. The tension does eerily and slowly build and there is a jaw dropping twist and ending.
Overall 3.5 stars.
A domestic thriller, Juliet want to get in shape for her wedding, she wants to look trim and toned, she is marrying Seb, they met at a Widows grief group, both having lost their other half
Here enters Claudia, a personal trainer, recommended by a friend. Claudia is attractive, slim, and fit, she pushes Juliet through gruelling workouts, has her on a strict diet, a shake for breakfast and lunch which she personally prepares for Juliet, she constantly makes food and body shaming comments. Claudia pushes for more sessions as the wedding moves clover, Juliet feels Claudia is everywhere, turns up at her house for unplanned sessions, is making herself friendly with Seb and his daughter. Juliet feels there is something off about Claudia but she can’t put her finger on it, odd that Claudia has no social media presence to promote her fitness business. Is she really who she says she is?
I found the first half of the book to be slow and repetitive but it definitely picks up pace in the second half, with female rivalry, obsession, manipulation, secrets and lies. The tension does eerily and slowly build and there is a jaw dropping twist and ending.
Overall 3.5 stars.
April 25, 2026
Massive thanks to Rebecca Collomosse, Joffe Books and NetGalley for this free advanced copy of The Personal Trainer. I am leaving this review voluntarily and all the opinions expressed are my own.
Now that's what I call a thriller! If I had the option to erase my memory and go back and read it again for the first time I absolutely would.
The characters in the book are extremely well developed and elicited genuine emotions from me, whether it be disbelief, anger or pity. It is clear author has put a lot of work into her characters.
It was infuriating at times to watch the main character Juliet make consistently bad choices, but that was insignificant in comparison to the fury that I felt towards Claudia (AKA the personal trainer).
My wife warned me that I might gasp out loud as the book hurtled towards its conclusion and she wasn't wrong. I genuinely couldn't put it down towards the end.
There were twists and turns galore. Even when I thought the plot was finished, Rebecca managed to squeeze a few more in.
Such a great read and highly recommend to any fellow thriller readers.
Now that's what I call a thriller! If I had the option to erase my memory and go back and read it again for the first time I absolutely would.
The characters in the book are extremely well developed and elicited genuine emotions from me, whether it be disbelief, anger or pity. It is clear author has put a lot of work into her characters.
It was infuriating at times to watch the main character Juliet make consistently bad choices, but that was insignificant in comparison to the fury that I felt towards Claudia (AKA the personal trainer).
My wife warned me that I might gasp out loud as the book hurtled towards its conclusion and she wasn't wrong. I genuinely couldn't put it down towards the end.
There were twists and turns galore. Even when I thought the plot was finished, Rebecca managed to squeeze a few more in.
Such a great read and highly recommend to any fellow thriller readers.
April 29, 2026
I'm reviewing this as part of a tour with Zooloo's Book Tours.
This is a gripping psychological thriller. Juliet wants to get into shape before her wedding to her fiancé, Seb, so she hires Claudia as a personal trainer. She begins to notice that something about Claudia makes her uneasy, and finds Claudia taking over her life in the strangest ways. Strange things start to happen, and Juliet has more and more questions. Is Claudia really who she claims to be?
I decided to read this because I remembered enjoying another book by this author previously, and this one didn't disappoint either. Early on in the book, there was something about Claudia that gave me chills; just something about the way she came to life on the pages. I think this author has a specific way of building suspense that means if you try to put the book to one side, you'll still be thinking about it.
The second half of the book was a shocker; twisty and unpredictable. It was fast-paced, and at times I felt I couldn't turn the pages quickly enough.
Thank you to Zooloo's Book Tours, and to the author and publisher, for the opportunity to read and review this.
This is a gripping psychological thriller. Juliet wants to get into shape before her wedding to her fiancé, Seb, so she hires Claudia as a personal trainer. She begins to notice that something about Claudia makes her uneasy, and finds Claudia taking over her life in the strangest ways. Strange things start to happen, and Juliet has more and more questions. Is Claudia really who she claims to be?
I decided to read this because I remembered enjoying another book by this author previously, and this one didn't disappoint either. Early on in the book, there was something about Claudia that gave me chills; just something about the way she came to life on the pages. I think this author has a specific way of building suspense that means if you try to put the book to one side, you'll still be thinking about it.
The second half of the book was a shocker; twisty and unpredictable. It was fast-paced, and at times I felt I couldn't turn the pages quickly enough.
Thank you to Zooloo's Book Tours, and to the author and publisher, for the opportunity to read and review this.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was such a fast-paced, addictive read - I flew through it.
From very early on you know something isn’t quite right with Claudia. She’s one of those characters that immediately makes you uncomfortable, and I found myself getting so frustrated with how she treated Juliet and how far she kept pushing boundaries.
The tension builds really well throughout the book, and just when you think you’ve worked out what’s going on, something else is revealed that completely shifts your perspective again. Every time I thought okay, that must be the twist, another reveal came along and proved me wrong.
The twists in this were genuinely shocking in places - there were a couple of moments that actually made me gasp, which is always a good sign in a thriller. It’s one of those books that’s very easy to binge because you just need to know what’s really going on and why Claudia is so obsessed with Juliet’s life.
Fast-paced, twisty, and very difficult to put down - I stayed up far too late reading this and then refused to get out of bed the next morning until I’d finished it.
From very early on you know something isn’t quite right with Claudia. She’s one of those characters that immediately makes you uncomfortable, and I found myself getting so frustrated with how she treated Juliet and how far she kept pushing boundaries.
The tension builds really well throughout the book, and just when you think you’ve worked out what’s going on, something else is revealed that completely shifts your perspective again. Every time I thought okay, that must be the twist, another reveal came along and proved me wrong.
The twists in this were genuinely shocking in places - there were a couple of moments that actually made me gasp, which is always a good sign in a thriller. It’s one of those books that’s very easy to binge because you just need to know what’s really going on and why Claudia is so obsessed with Juliet’s life.
Fast-paced, twisty, and very difficult to put down - I stayed up far too late reading this and then refused to get out of bed the next morning until I’d finished it.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
3.5 stars for me.
Juliet just want to look her best at the wedding.Claudia is her personal trainer who soon to seem be everywere,even at Juliet house.Few thing starting to change,and soon Juliet have more questions than answers.
Who is Claudia and what she really wants?
It was an good psychological thriller.The tension was high,and in moments I was not sure how it will end.Juliet was really likable character,but quite naive,she knew that something was not right,yet let those who are not truthfull in her life anyway.I was rooting for her to get the truth,and the twist were really surprising.Whil I enjoyed this thriller the end was little bit off,who would just let admit to something like that and let that go?No matter how sorry I am for this person I would not want them in my life.Without spoilers it was a twist and tesnsion filled read that was engrossing and a little bit different than usual thriller plots.Working out can really be a killer.
Thank you Joffebooks publisher for my arc,my review is honest and my own.
Juliet just want to look her best at the wedding.Claudia is her personal trainer who soon to seem be everywere,even at Juliet house.Few thing starting to change,and soon Juliet have more questions than answers.
Who is Claudia and what she really wants?
It was an good psychological thriller.The tension was high,and in moments I was not sure how it will end.Juliet was really likable character,but quite naive,she knew that something was not right,yet let those who are not truthfull in her life anyway.I was rooting for her to get the truth,and the twist were really surprising.Whil I enjoyed this thriller the end was little bit off,who would just let admit to something like that and let that go?No matter how sorry I am for this person I would not want them in my life.Without spoilers it was a twist and tesnsion filled read that was engrossing and a little bit different than usual thriller plots.Working out can really be a killer.
Thank you Joffebooks publisher for my arc,my review is honest and my own.
April 30, 2026
The Personal Trainer by Rebecca Collomosse was an excellent Psychological Thriller that will just grab you from the very first few pages and it was so addictive. I ended up reading it in two sittings and I really enjoyed it.
When Juliet wants to get in shape for her big day, her wedding to her fiancé Seb. They both met at a Widows meeting group and it all feels like Juliet's life is getting better and bette. So she hires a new personal trainer, called Claudia, to help get to this goal. As the fitness sessions progresses, Claudia starts to cross boundaries by asking about Seb a lot.
But, Why is she asking all these questions about him?
Does she know him?
This book is full of brilliant twists and turns throughout and the characters are brilliant especially one who come across nice and just wants to help but do they? have motive to destroy whoever crosses them. . . . .and in away that can destroy so much.
WoW, I highly recommend this book. 4 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Big Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for my ARC.
When Juliet wants to get in shape for her big day, her wedding to her fiancé Seb. They both met at a Widows meeting group and it all feels like Juliet's life is getting better and bette. So she hires a new personal trainer, called Claudia, to help get to this goal. As the fitness sessions progresses, Claudia starts to cross boundaries by asking about Seb a lot.
But, Why is she asking all these questions about him?
Does she know him?
This book is full of brilliant twists and turns throughout and the characters are brilliant especially one who come across nice and just wants to help but do they? have motive to destroy whoever crosses them. . . . .and in away that can destroy so much.
WoW, I highly recommend this book. 4 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Big Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for my ARC.
April 23, 2026
Juliet lost more than a few pounds when she hired Claudia as a Personal Fitness Trainer.
Recently bereaved Juliet joins a widows self help group and falls head over heals for Seb
who’s also grieving for his deceased partner. They decide to marry but Juliet is anxious
about her body image and decides she must tone up before the wedding. A friend
recommends Claudia as a Personal Trainer and an intensive regime involving strict diet
and exercise follows. The inches and pounds fall away but at a cost. Claudia is gradually
taking over Juliet's life. On top of this Sebs daughter Sylvie is totally against Juliet and
misses her mum so much that she hates her future step mum. Claudia uses this and
quickly befriends Sylvie and drives the wedge between them even further.
The nightmare is only just beginning for Juliet and this becomes a horror story of
gaslighting and suspense until the final gut wrenching twist.
Recently bereaved Juliet joins a widows self help group and falls head over heals for Seb
who’s also grieving for his deceased partner. They decide to marry but Juliet is anxious
about her body image and decides she must tone up before the wedding. A friend
recommends Claudia as a Personal Trainer and an intensive regime involving strict diet
and exercise follows. The inches and pounds fall away but at a cost. Claudia is gradually
taking over Juliet's life. On top of this Sebs daughter Sylvie is totally against Juliet and
misses her mum so much that she hates her future step mum. Claudia uses this and
quickly befriends Sylvie and drives the wedge between them even further.
The nightmare is only just beginning for Juliet and this becomes a horror story of
gaslighting and suspense until the final gut wrenching twist.
May 24, 2026
This thriller completely caught me off guard. At first, I thought it might follow a familiar path, but the deeper I went, the more unsettling and addictive it became. The story centers on Juliet, who is preparing for her wedding and hires Claudia, a personal trainer, to help her get in shape. What begins as a simple fitness routine quickly spirals into something much darker, with Claudia crossing boundaries and inserting herself into Juliet’s life in ways that felt both invasive and chilling.
I loved how the tension built slowly, turning everyday moments like workouts and casual conversations into scenes filled with unease. Claudia is one of those characters you love to hate: controlling, manipulative, and impossible to trust.
The twists were relentless. By the final chapters, the suspense was so intense.
The author blended themes of grief, obsession, and betrayal into the thriller framework.
I loved how the tension built slowly, turning everyday moments like workouts and casual conversations into scenes filled with unease. Claudia is one of those characters you love to hate: controlling, manipulative, and impossible to trust.
The twists were relentless. By the final chapters, the suspense was so intense.
The author blended themes of grief, obsession, and betrayal into the thriller framework.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews