Mine to Keep

by J.M. Simpson

285 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 8, 2026

About the author

Jo was born in Essex but was raised primarily in the West Country, enjoying a childhood in Devon and Cornwall, never far from a rugged coastline, sandy beach, or harbour. Her parents moved to the country leaving London and her father leaving his job in banking.

Jo obtained a degree in Building Surveying from the University of Greenwich and then went on to specialise in research in construction and development, gaining her PhD in 2001. Jo still runs a successful research consultancy and writes her novels in every spare moment she has.

Jo lives in Kent, with her two (occasionally stroppy) teenage daughters, her extremely long suffering husband and her two writing partners Max (who features as Brock in the series) and Merlin, both rescue Border Collie’s.

Jo’s debut set of novels are the Castleby series, comprising of 5 books set in a coastal community and largely inspired by the plethora of time spent in and around the UK’s coastline, and the never ending visits to RNLI shops that her children insisted on with a regularity. The series seemed a natural progression and the fictional seaside town of Castleby grew with new people and new plotlines. The first debut novel in the Castleby series is SEA STATE.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sea-State-Ca...

Jo is currently writing a new series set in the Scottish highlands, the first of which will hopefully be published in Early 2023.

In what little spare time Jo has, she spends writing, walking by the ocean, being an armchair movie critic, and drinking copious amounts of wine in her most favourite pub with friends.

Reviews

[The Book Ssirren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very intense read. And it is also a very sensitive topic. But this author wrote about it with the utmost respect and care. Therefore, it was a very well written, in-depth story that pulled me in from the very beginning and had me glued to my seat until the end.
Jed had just lost his wife in the recent past. Trying to move forward in life, he takes a job as a PE instructor, has married, and thinks life is going to pretty well for him finally. That is, until a fifteen years old student develops an attraction towards him. She starts making advances, he declines in a respectful manner. And he decides it’s better left to the school to decide what should be done with the student. So he lets them know what’s going on, but they don’t believe him. It continues with by end in sight.
This story takes some serous twists and turns. My mind was blown more than once. I was angry, hurt, baffled beyond all hell. I couldn’t believe what was happening. This had suspense, like no other. Murd3r, domestic abuse, sexual assault…it was a very intriguing and hard story to read. But ultimately, it was absolutely amazing. This is a must read. But please, make sure you read your TWs as this could be very triggering for some.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blurb

Some secrets are deadly. Some obsessions can be fatal.

Jed Thomas has worked hard to rebuild his life after the tragic loss of his fiancée. Now remarried, he enjoys a respected job as a PE teacher, loyal friends, and has what looks like the perfect life.

But behind closed doors, Jed is hiding a painful secret. Just as he begins to contemplate a way out, a new danger emerges.

A fifteen-year-old pupil has become fixated on him—her behaviour crossing lines that can’t be uncrossed. When Jed reports her actions, no one believes him. Then, on a friend’s stag night, things spiral out of control.

Jed finds himself accused of a crime he didn’t commit. Betrayed by someone he once trusted, he’s arrested and publicly disgraced. His reputation is shattered. He’s alone, discredited and running out of options.

But the worst is yet to come. As lives unravel and truths come to light, Jed is forced to confront just how far obsession, betrayal, and revenge can go. His world is about to implode… and not everyone will survive the fallout.


Review

Wow! This book really packs a punch, literally and figuratively.

This is one of those books that makes you read on and on, despite the fact you can feel a train crash happening and you fearing what could happen, and developing story lines of your own. A very brave book to write, and boy was it written well, and screwed me up in several places and then spat me out. I thought everything had been resolved when suddenly we get a twist that played with everything we knew and thought we found had out, then as if that wasn’t enough there was a killer blow right at the end. You need to have tissues at the ready for this boo.k. I feel totally drained after reading it.

As mentioned I thought it was a brave book to write and the twist in a conventional theme, in a subject which is really talked about. I think the book should be read for this reason alone. On top of this theme (no spoilers) we have a school girl infatuation that could threaten a young teacher’s career and marriage. This book is like an onion that you just keep peeling off the layers.

I have to say if you enjoy psychological fiction, and well written stories then you really must pick up this book and read it, I couldn’t recommend it highly enough. Although having finished it I am going to go and lie down in a darkened room for a while whilst I mull over it. It will definitely stay with me for a while.

Trigger warnings : Domestic abuse, sexual assault.

Book Details

Mine to Keep by J.M. Simpson
Release date: 08th May 2026
Universal Links: www.books2read.com/mtkjms
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GYQ2JB36
Waterstones: https://www.waterstones.com/book/mine...

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Cahill Davis Publishing and J.M. Simpson for a digital advance copy in return for an honest review.

I first came across the name of J.M. Simpson on X (formerly Twitter) whilst scrolling and landing customarily on @BexBookaholic, someone I never fail to engage with for new recommendations. I had always assumed from the nature of her book titles that this author specialised only in crime drama. To have been so mistaken was a pleasant surprise.

‘Mine to Keep’ has a finite blend of characters, most of whom are school chums whose relationships have endured into adulthood. Jed, a sports teacher at a local comprehensive, is the handsome protagonist whose good looks and personality attract a host of admirers. Ordinarily such charm would not be a bad thing, but for Jed it has unintended and far reaching consequences. After the tragic, seemingly accidental death of his fiancée, Jed quickly marries a stunning partner. Lara, however, harbours a secret, her usually hidden and uncontrollable temper.

In the meantime Jed’s friend, Penny, has got engaged to Paul. The latter has lecherous tendencies, a fondness for alcohol and is prone to bouts of jealousy. Hazel, another pal of Jed’s and a working colleague, floats regularly in and out of the picture always having his back when difficulties arise. And, oh my, what hurdles they are! Throw precocious pupil, Emma, into the recipe mix and a dish of wholly incompatible ingredients results. For the reader, however, a delicious and tasty meal is about to be served.

When Cahill Davis Publishing offered me a review copy of ‘Mine to Keep’, I jumped at the chance to delve in. I was not to be disappointed. If you are currently in a reading slump and need something amazing to lift you out of it, then trust me, this is the book for you. It is a fast paced page turner with plenty of twists and turns and an unexpected ending. Do this and, like me, you will be sorely tempted to seek out J.M. Simpson’s backlist of publications. What an exciting prospect.

[Kelly the Reading Machine · Rating 5 out of 5]

JM Simpson is a favourite author of mine thanks to her fantastic series, both Castleby and Whistlers Peak. This time she is here with a stand alone domestic thriller that I absolutely flew through as I had to see how it played out.

Attractive, kind and friendly Sports teacher Jed Thomas is just trying to enjoy life. After a tragic time in his life when he lost his fiancée, he has finally found some happiness. A new wife, great friends and a job he loves. However, appearances can be deceiving, and Jed is struggling with a dark secret. When a student at his work becomes fixated on him, Jed soon struggles to determine who he can trust to have his back, and not everyone does…

This was a gripping novel with great pacing. JM Simpson has a way of writing characters you just warm to immediately and Jed is no different. The sort of man you want to know, one with integrity, humour and inner strength. He could with asking for more help occasionally though!

Side characters are well drawn too, realistic and relatable. I especially love Hazel. Her friendship with Jed is lovely to read, all banter and saying goodbye with a middle finger, yet you sense the familial love there.

This novel gives the reader a lot to think about, bringing up themes of trust, biased judgment and how appearances can be deceptive. I particularly liked how even a police officer misreads a situation, showing that no one is infallible, and anyone can assume the wrong thing despite their training, experience and expertise.

One that will stay with me a long time. I wish I could go into more depth but I can’t spoil it for anyone!
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[Books By Your Bedside · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Thanks to Cassandra at Cahill Davis for my gifted copy of this title in return for an honest review.

I own a couple of Simpson's books but haven't read them yet, but seeing as I've only seen universal praise for her writing, I jumped at the chance to read her new standalone offering.

It's so descriptive. You don't have to struggle through it. You know straight away who's who, what they look like, how they act, the environment, the situation everyone's in etc. It means you don't have to spend your energy thinking, you can just lose yourself in the story.

It's not a very long book which means it's quick to read, and because it's fast paced, it means it zooms by. But you don't feel shortchanged.

It made me feel quite uncomfortable reading it, but not in a bad way. It had this quiet tension, where you're never sure what's going on, always looking after your shoulder, scared to turn the page. I think that's more effective than a loud explicit thrill.

There is this power dynamic in Jed's family - how to say this without spoiling things - this power dynamic that we've seen so often in thrillers but it's turned on its head in this book. The characters are not necessarily who we think they are, which was interesting to read.

It's also quite frightening. Not in a horror sense. But this thing between Jed and his student. This discomfort, it's like a car crash, you don't want to look at it but you can't look away.

My only complaint, and that might be more to do with the formatting of my e-arc I don't know, but I'd have liked more obvious breaks between scenes, because wheat I read is you would get a scene in a classroom say, but then the next paragraph is set somewhere else but it hasn't specified that. It's not a big thing, and nothing to affect my enjoyment of the story, but in regards to being honest, I must mention it.

I'll definitely be moving her other books up my TBR list after this. It was uncomfortable to read, tense, with multi-layered characters. She said it's different to her previous books but as I haven't read those, I had nothing to compare it to. But her talent for character creation and storytelling is clear to see.

[Meg Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gripping, uncomfortable, and thought-provoking thriller, that tackles some incredibly difficult and sensitive themes. The story follows Jed Thomas, a man who has rebuilt his life, only to see it implode when a fifteen-year-old student at the school where he is a teacher, becomes dangerously obsessed with him.

What makes this book stand out is its exploration of societal bias. It forces the reader to confront the uncomfortable reality that in cases involving an adult man and an underage girl, the man is almost always automatically presumed guilty. The narrative expertly highlights how isolating it is for a victim of abuse when "the system", his friends/family and even his own workplace, refuses to stand by him simply because he doesn't fit the stereotypical image of a victim.

J.M. Simpson does an excellent job of making the reader feel Jed’s growing unease and tension. Some of the dialogue and treatment of women, especially of younger characters is intentionally sickening, successfully mirroring Jed's own deep discomfort as the book progresses.

I was initially worried that the story might be predictable, but I was pleasantly surprised. It is a true page-turner, that I found impossible to put down. Just when you think you know one thing,there is a twist!

The book was great and I loved JM Simpson’s writing. The ending was as unexpected as it was sad.

Although there are the thriller elements, the tension and the suspense, the heart of the book lies in the supportive relationship between Jed and his best friend, Hazel. Their bond is amazing and much needed amongst the chaos. I’d love to see a follow-up story focusing on Hazel's own journey to finding love and happiness!

This is a dark, tense, and important read that reminds us that men can be victims of abuse too, and that the truth is often much more complex than it seems.

[Bailey (Myveinsbleedink) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a solid 4.5 stars from me. I am not kidding when I say I sat down with this one and didn't stop until it was at 100%. And honestly WHOA, this book was intense. I'll start by getting my only complaint off my chest. I found the format frustrating to read at times. The scene would change paragraph to paragraph but there wasn't a good separation in the presentation. Not sure if it'll be like that in the final print but just to note it messed with the flow for me.
Okay now that that is out of the way....major trigger warnings for this one. Severe domestic abuse, attempt sexual assault, sexual assault, stalking, murder....just be prepared.
I can say I have never read a book about domestic abuse against the husband and it was extremely eye opening. It comes with such a stigma and the shame that the men feel and the doubt they go through on the daily. It is so tragic.
This book is tragic. There is no silver lining, there is no happiness, there is pain and loss and devastation. Jed, the guy who has it all, the hot wife, the good job, the good looks...what could he possibly have to complain about?? Well a fair bit. I don't want to spoil this book for anyone coming into it. This is an exceptional book and i'm truly glad I was given the opportunity to read and review it! Thank you Cahill Davis!

[Emma_bookaholic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book is something else! The storyline was handled carefully and with consideration.

This story keeps you engaged and I was hooked early on, it reminded me of a tv show with a student liking their teacher to a scary level but this puts into perspective the hoops Jed has to go through to protect himself. I do feel for him with his home life also, proves you never know what happens behind closed doors.

We also learn of a cold case that's linked to Jed and I was intrigued to how they were linked. All is revealed and it kept me guessing until the end!

I know that stalking and attempted r*pe are a hard one to write of and Simpson's writing made it both wanting to read through your fingers but also wanting to know how they were going to get out of the situation.

Well worth a read, my first by this author and I'm looking forward to finding more!

[Sarah B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jed Thomas is PE teacher at a local school, and he is trying to rebuild his life after losing his fiancee and has married the love of his life. But not all is as it seems behind closed doors. At the school, there is something going on and he tries to stay one step ahead but the problem won't go away - the fifteen year old student is fixated on him and Jed places his trust and truth into professional hands. He goes on a stag do that leaves him spiralling. I loved how Jed had a brilliant friend, Hazel, backing him and trying to pick up the pieces after the stag do. It was dark, disturbing, emotional, gripping, gritty, a few nail biting moments, quick to read, and the tension building to a dramatic conclusion.

[Zoe Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jed has had to rebuild his life after the death of his fiancee, and now he has remarried, has a very respected job as a PE teacher, and amazing friends. Sounds perfect, yes? 

Sadly, behind closed doors is a completely different story and just when you think it can't get any worse, a 15 year old student sets her sights on him and crosses lines that should not be crossed.


J M Simpson has written a gripping story from the first page, and one that will stick with the reader for a long, long time. A story about trust, heartbreak, societal prejudices and how the life people portray is not always the truth. I don't want to say too much and spoil it, but I do want to say that I applaud J M Simpson for how she has written about such hard-hitting topics in a sensitive yet explosive way to really put across to the reader how damaging these situations/topics are for the people living them. It really shows how much research was put into it, and shows a true amount of empathy.


I read this book within 24 hours and I still think about it daily. I cried, I applauded, I felt relief, heartbreak and shock (among many others) - so many emotions in one book and that is why I will always pick up a J M Simpson book. 


I also know that while the focus should be on Jed, I do want to add that everyone needs a Hazel in their life ❤️ 


Thank you to Cahill Davis Publishing for an advance e-arc.