ASK HIM

by Julie Savanth

319 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 6, 2026

Reviews

[Sarah Marston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to author Julie Savanth for the ARC of Ask Him.
This is a novel about Rachel, whose 13-year-old son, Matt, has gone missing. Rachel refuses to give up hope and continues searching for him, even when others, including the police, appear to have given up.
I started to suspect her husband, Dom (along with the media), early on in the story. Dom is a bit of a cold fish and comes across as detached, which made me question him from the outset.
This is a fast-paced thriller with a sci-fi/fantasy twist that I genuinely didn’t see coming. It’s also a story about grief loss and maternal resilience and determination.
It’s a great debut novel, and I would definitely recommend it. Bring on book two!

[Emily Webb · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not the type of book I thought it would be and became relatively long winded and overly technical towards the end. Ending was also clearly set up for the following book, which I didn’t hate but have no wish to read. Relatively well written but just not for me I think.

(Read as an ARC copy)

[The Simple Book Review · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC Review

This was such an interesting novel and it didn't go where I was expecting at all!
We meet Rachel in the midst of her grief after her sons disappearance. Her emotion is raw, she is lost and questioning everything. We see her determination grow and her love for her son is unquestionable.
Savanth has a wonderful descriptive writing style that throws us into the landscape and encourages our mood to shift with the language that is used.
The narrative got a little complex towards the end and I found it slightly difficult to follow, with long explanations to fill in the gaps of the story.
We are left on a cliff hanger for the next book, and I actually really enjoyed the final chapter that sets us up for the next instalment. I'm looking forward to finding out what happens next.

[Trina Dixon · Rating 3 out of 5]

The books premise and synopsis had me excited about reading this novel. I was enthralled by the first part and admired Rachel's doggedness is wanting to find out what had happened to her son Matty after his disappearance. I had my suspicions around her husband Dom as he seemed indifferent to her grief. I had no idea where the book was going to lead me. I must admit to being slightly overwhelmed during the 2nd half as the book took a totally different spin on what I expected. As Sci-fi has never been my thing I was baffled by some of the end story. However it is a unique take and I admire the author for her writing skill around this subject

[Sandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I read the synopsis, I thought this would be a mysterious, psychological thriller about a Mom trying to find her missing son, Matt, 13. And to be fair, it was that type of book. But it's misleading. Why Rachel and her husband waited 2 days to report Matt missing was a huge red flag. I was very suspicious of Dom. Who's that? *Spoiler alert* Matt's Dad. He was doing really weird things. Not to mention the other missing 13-14yr olds. They vanished. Add to the mix, a relentless author trying to connect the information and another Mom looking for her missing daughter, and you can see the world building starting to take off, right? It connects to an old forest. Hence the cool book cover. But keep looking at it and you may see those bright red roots sinking down.⬇️🌳🛜🌳🛜🌳 To buried tunnels? Like ants. Or aliens. Maybe awakened machines.🤔

Even the detectives told Rachel to stop investigating and looking for her son. Who would tell a parent that? Massive red flags!!!!!

There's even a cat named King Tut. Cute.

Then it hit the wall!!🤜🏻💥💥💥 The second half didn't fit with the beginning. Sure there's foreshadowing with not being able to see what is in plain sight in front of you and bigger things at play or hidden messages etc etc. Even tarot cards. But it became something else entirely and it fell apart. Too much was thrown in and it got exhausting. I've read my share of thrillers, horror, sci-fi, but this didn't make any sense. At all. It dragged with too much jargon that got confusing and OTT complexities. It got bizarre. There's no chapter 27. Maybe that's on purpose. Chapter 28 had drawings and symbols.😒😮‍💨 Morse code. It's trying to be the X-Files meets Stranger Things meets The Matrix. What does Egypt ((King Tut, young Pharaoh)) or AI have to do with 13yr olds who are missing? Good question. Matt didn't even have a cell phone.

The generals.🙄 More like recruiting for HIM that has a god complex for altering timelines or other multiple universes within a multiverse to its liking.😵‍💫 *Another spoiler* teens are being recruited and relocated. Whaaaat? For seeing or learning too much? Take that however you want. Are you adding reincarnation/do overs to the long list of themes too?

The beginning was fine but that's about it. Shout-out to King Tut.😼 Happy reading.*•>§<•*😶‍🌫️👽😶‍🌫️

🚩🚩Read the TWs 18+ read.🚩🚩

🌫️🌳🛸Thank you to Ms Savanth and Booksprout. The opinions shared here are my own.🛸🌳🌫️

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ask Him is a gripping, emotionally charged thriller that pulls you straight into the panic and heartbreak of a mother who refuses to stop searching. From the moment Matt disappears on his walk home from school, the story locks into that unsettling space between hope and dread — and it never lets go.

Rachel is such a compelling protagonist. Her determination feels raw and real, especially as everyone around her urges her to move on. The police stall, friends drift away, and even her husband seems strangely eager to shut the door on the investigation. That isolation makes her search feel even more urgent, and I found myself rooting for her at every turn.

The mystery deepens beautifully. As Rachel uncovers connections between Matt and other missing children, the tension tightens, and the discovery of Matt’s coded message is a fantastic turning point. It shifts the story from grief‑driven searching to something far more chilling — a sense that Matt stumbled into a truth he was never meant to see.

What I loved most is how the book blends emotional depth with genuine suspense. It’s not just a thriller; it’s a story about perception, love, and the lengths a parent will go to when the world tells them to stop fighting. The atmosphere is eerie, the pacing sharp, and the final revelations land with real weight.

A haunting, thought‑provoking read that kept me turning pages late into the night. Perfect for readers who enjoy thrillers with heart, mystery, and a touch of the uncanny.

With thanks to Julie Savanth, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[Sadie's Cosy Book Corner · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book starts of really gripping. You are hooked just trying to find out what happens to Matt. The chapters fluctuate between quick and long but not too long where you lose interest. It all seems realistic and it could happen to you. Got a feeling who was behind it quite quickly.
About halfway through my brain starts to scramble with all the story. Feels a little bit unrealistic with where the storyline is going and how Matt disappeared. Hopefully, it will unscramble the more I read. I feel like the main character - so confused. My suspicions were correct on who was behind the disappearance.
A third of the way through the book the story starts to slow and drag. It's like the author had to fill the space of the book. It fit in with what was happening but felt like the mundane parts of life.
The final part of the book really picked up. Felt more of the action happen here. However, you feel a bit of an unanswered question....what happened to Rach in 2025? The last chapter to me was a bit questionable though. Not sure how I feel about the actual ending of the book
Definitely would recommend the book though.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into this expecting a solid missing-child mystery, and that's exactly how it starts. Rachel refuses to give up searching for her son Matt after everyone else—including the police and even her husband—seems ready to move on. As she uncovers connections to other missing children, the suspense steadily builds...and then BAM...there's a genre twist I never saw coming!
I was so pleasantly surprised by the direction this story took. It could have felt out of place, but instead it made the story even more compelling and unique. I found myself flying through the pages because I had to know where it was all going. The mystery kept me completely invested, and the unexpected twist gave it a fresh, thought-provoking edge.
If you enjoy thrillers that aren't afraid to take a bold risk and surprise you, this one is definitely worth picking up. Go in as blind as possible—I think that's the best way to experience it. I loved the direction it took and will definitely be checking out more from this author.

[Jo Badger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review

This book can be described as the written version of a game of ‘Cluedo’ with hints, tantalising glimpses and subtle prompts to lead you on the ‘detective’ trail to find out, as in the board game analogy, who did it, in what room and with which instrument. I can also see it as a possible ‘cross’ between Cluedo and Dr. Who but that overview does not do it justice. Its inventive imagination is so much more breathtaking.
There is an intriguing path throughout this book that literally leads you to discovering what’s really going on behind the illusion of everyday ‘reality’.
The characters are nuanced and interesting. The detail of people, their relationships and locations brings a stark reality to the narrative.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, from the unexpected descriptions in the opening scenes to the fascinating scenario at the end.
Well done on your first novel, Julie. An absolute scorcher!!

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of this book from the author.

In this dark, twisty thriller, thirteen year old Matt has vanished without a trace. Will his parents, Rachel and Dom, ever find out what happened to him?

I felt the suspense building from the first chapter. There was something about the writing that made me feel both unsettled and very invested. I thought about how it might feel to be in a situation like Rachel and Dom's, to be seeking closure in that way. It seemed unfathomable, but at the same time, the characters felt very real to me.

The first half was gripping and nail-biting, but the second half was full of surprises, and I knew I wouldn't be able to put it down for the rest of the evening. I found myself questioning so many things, and it was quite psychological in that way.

I never knew what to expect on the next page, so if you love a thriller that will keep you guessing, add this to your TBR.

Thank you to the author for sending me an ARC copy.

[Carla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review of advanced copy received from NetGalley and Cameron Publicity and Marketing Ltd.

This ended up being very different to what I was expecting it to be. It starts off in one genre and then takes a sharp turn about halfway through into sci-fi. I feel like the first half was pretty slow going, it moved much faster once it switched to more science fiction themes. I would have preferred going into this book knowing it was going to be sci-fi although there were a few clues dropped that suggested it was heading that way. I did enjoy the book, and found the ideas interesting but I would have enjoyed it more had it swerved into sci-fi much earlier and gone deeper, explained things more. It was a little confusing at times and there were certain things were not explained to my satisfaction which added to the confusion. But overall an enjoyable read

[Kerry-Louise Philps · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of ASK HIM by Julie Savanth.

For the first half of this book, I was completely hooked. The pacing was great, the mystery was getting deeper, and I didn’t know where it was going. It was exciting, and I read it in one sitting. The writing is good, Julie is a strong storyteller, and the emotions of the mother with a missing son felt very real. I also really liked the way the other characters reacted to her.

I requested this ARC because, based on the premise, I expected a dark mystery thriller with a puzzle that gradually comes together. I’m a big fan of mystery and thriller books, but I’m not really a sci-fi reader. I think that’s where this book lost me.

The writing is strong, but the story just moved away from being my kind of thing.

[Bridget · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a digital copy of this book through NetGalley.

I really found this book to be ok, but felt like it was very repetitive. I feel like it starts to get somewhat interesting around chapter 29, but starts to get somewhat dull again a little afterwards. I felt like there needed to be more suspense and more action, but I just was not feeling it. I did find the relationship between Rachel and her sister, Tash, to be entertaining at times and her relationship with her best friend, Skye, can be funny at times. The book definitely shows the determination of a mother after a child has gone missing, the way this situation can affect a marriage, and how sometimes you have to take things into your own hands when you don't feel like the authorities are doing everything possible.

[Britney Ireland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need book 2 immediately please!!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I’m giving this book 5 stars! I was hooked from page one and said Whoa 🤯 with that very last sentence at the end!!!

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC of this book to review. I definitely know what I’ll be recommending to all my friends in a week from now! I hope everyone enjoys this as much as I did.
It was such an unexpected good storyline!

If you like a great mystery mixed with a little syfy-supernatural vibe this book is for you! The story draws you in and you get hooked to keep reading and reading. I didn’t at any point find myself not engaged in this story. I was completely emerged into this world I wasn’t expecting.

[Twisted Chapters · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book hooked me in quickly with it's fast paced narrative and it's clear that Julie is a strong storyteller from how she showed the mother's grief and the impact of that on the characters in ways that aren't always obvious. The writing is fluid, clear and I immediately wanted to know what happened next. 

I kept reading as I needed to know the next bit of the story but I do feel at points I was chasing a conclusion that I then never got and the second half of the story didn't quite grab me as much as the first. 

Whilst the narrative of this book wasn't entirely for me, Julie has a wonderful writing style and I would definitely pick up another book of hers in the future.

[Casca Wardle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t know what to expect after seeing this book randomly advertised on Instagram. I was so intrigued to find out more, so I requested to read an ARC directly from the author on her website and was kindly approved to review this. I loved how it started off, the haunting feelings I felt when it kept flashing from past to present day. When everything starts to unravel as the story goes on, I found it very hard to put this down until I knew how it ended. I love a good story that takes on an unexpected new direction, and “ASK HIM” does exactly this. I now need book 2 to come out please!

5 out of 5! This story will have you completely sucked in, right to the end!

[Hollie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of Ask Him by Julie Savanth.

The beginning had me completely intrigued and drawn right in, the pacing was great, the mystery built really well, and I was hooked straight away. The writing is strong, and Julie is a skilled storyteller.

That said, the second half felt quite long‑winded and lost some of that early momentum. It also shifted more into sci‑fi territory, which isn’t my usual preference.

While it didn’t quite stay the read I expected, it’s still a solid, well‑crafted story overall.

[Gemma Kaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was honoured to be chosen as an ARC reader for Julie Savanth’s debut mystery thriller novel ASK HIM. I loved this book. It had me hooked from the first chapter. This book follows a Mother who is desperately searching for her son who went missing, and comes to realise that his disappearance is connected to other children’s disappearances. It is very well written and you truly keep thinking ‘just one more chapter.’ The plot was excellent and kept me guessing the whole way through.

[Lily-May · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started off really strong and had me completely hooked from the beginning. Unfortunately, as the story progressed, I found the pace slowed down a bit and it started dragging.

Overall, i thought the story was ok. While it wasnt quite what I'd hoped for I really enjoyed the authors writing style. It was engaging and easy to read, and I would definitely look into reading more of her books.

Thank you netgalley

[Leanne Duckett · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book starts with the gut-wrenching premise of a mother searching for her missing son. However, further discoveries uncover so much more!

The charachters feel real... like people you might know, and the brilliant scene setting keeps you turning the page.

This is a well paced, super interesting take on genre blending and I'm looking forward to seeing whats next!

[Jill Cochrane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance reader copy of the book, I enjoyed the book and loved the way the book kept you guessing at what was actually happening. The fact that you were never sure of what was going on with the character always had me second guessing, I would recommend this book.

[Larz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about loss, grief and mythical mystery.
It takes you on a journey through time and space.

This was an ARC.

[Emily]

✨ARC Review✨

This book had me hooked, honestly I wasn’t sure what route this was going to take but the way it went I was not expecting that.

I was skeptical about Dom from the beginning but I think my opinion was the typical “Blame The Dad” vibe but oh I was wrong.

The strength and persistence from Rachel definitely showed how Mothers are and that they trust their instincts even when others (family/police) don’t believe them.

The way this book was written was brilliant, it was captivating and kept me wanting more. I always think there’s only certain ways to write a thriller but this is completely different from the others I have read. The storyline was brilliant, the characters were well written and there was character growth.

I highly recommend this book!!