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The Pick Up: A totally addictive psychological thriller with a shocking final twist
332 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 10, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
September 10, 2026
I really enjoyed this one! I loved the set-up of a seemingly chance meeting turning into something far more sinister, especially as Ralph initially appears to be everything Melissa could want after her breakup.
The relationship starts off as you’d expect - attention, expensive dates and the feeling that she’s finally found someone who genuinely wants her. But little things begin to niggle, and I really liked watching those doubts build as the cracks in Ralph’s story started to show.
The more Melissa discovers, the more I found myself questioning Ralph’s motives and wondering why he’d chosen her. And then there’s the big question of what happened to his first wife…
I thought Sadie did a great job of creating that sense of unease without giving everything away too quickly. There were plenty of moments that made me question what I thought I knew, and I definitely wasn’t trusting Ralph!
A sinister psychological thriller about manipulation, secrets and how dangerous the wrong person can be.
The relationship starts off as you’d expect - attention, expensive dates and the feeling that she’s finally found someone who genuinely wants her. But little things begin to niggle, and I really liked watching those doubts build as the cracks in Ralph’s story started to show.
The more Melissa discovers, the more I found myself questioning Ralph’s motives and wondering why he’d chosen her. And then there’s the big question of what happened to his first wife…
I thought Sadie did a great job of creating that sense of unease without giving everything away too quickly. There were plenty of moments that made me question what I thought I knew, and I definitely wasn’t trusting Ralph!
A sinister psychological thriller about manipulation, secrets and how dangerous the wrong person can be.
September 15, 2026
This is the story of Melissa, a woman who has come out of a difficult relationship and has sworn off men. But on a night out she meets Ralph, a charming and charismatic man who promises to help her forget her past and build a shining future together.
She is swept up in the romance, the love bombing and the manipulationm but soon she starts having doubts. Surely its all in her head? Told via multi pov this added a layer as we were able to hear from Ralph also.
Melissa as a main character was incredibly frustrating because what do you mean you are repeatedly going to gaslight yourself and ignore those close to you even when they come with facts? And instead believe and put all your trust in a man you've known for about 5 minutes.
Maybe that is not a sympathetic view of the situation she faced because at the crux of it she is a victim of a con man. She is vulnerable because she is lonely and craving love, but her naivety and will to bend was bordering on painful to watch.
Although I was incredibly frustrated, I found myself rushing through because I needed to find out how this played out. There were some twists I was able to guess but the final reveal is clever. The pacing is slower in the beginning but this is used to build a sense of unease and create doubt.
This ones for you if you love to shout at a book because the characters seem intent on running head first into danger.
Thankyou to Sadie Ryan and Joffe books for this advanced complimentary copy via Netgalley. This review is being left voluntarily and all opinions expressed are my own.
She is swept up in the romance, the love bombing and the manipulationm but soon she starts having doubts. Surely its all in her head? Told via multi pov this added a layer as we were able to hear from Ralph also.
Melissa as a main character was incredibly frustrating because what do you mean you are repeatedly going to gaslight yourself and ignore those close to you even when they come with facts? And instead believe and put all your trust in a man you've known for about 5 minutes.
Maybe that is not a sympathetic view of the situation she faced because at the crux of it she is a victim of a con man. She is vulnerable because she is lonely and craving love, but her naivety and will to bend was bordering on painful to watch.
Although I was incredibly frustrated, I found myself rushing through because I needed to find out how this played out. There were some twists I was able to guess but the final reveal is clever. The pacing is slower in the beginning but this is used to build a sense of unease and create doubt.
This ones for you if you love to shout at a book because the characters seem intent on running head first into danger.
Thankyou to Sadie Ryan and Joffe books for this advanced complimentary copy via Netgalley. This review is being left voluntarily and all opinions expressed are my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2026
What happens when you're blinded by love and trust?
The Pick Up by Sadie Ryan delivers a chilling, fast-paced answer that had me hooked from start to finish.
When Melissa meets charming, silver-haired Ralph, she's swept off her feet. But as the red flags pile up, she refuses to see them, explaining away every lie and brushing off her friends' desperate warnings. You can practically feel their frustration jumping off the page!
It's a terrifying reminder of how easily our vulnerability can be weaponised by a skilled manipulator, and Ralph is written as a truly chilling, narcissistic villain.
Packed with sharp twists, brilliant characters, and a gut-punch of an ending, Sadie Ryan never lets you down. A gripping, cautionary thriller!
My thanks to Joffe Books for the ARC. This is my own opinion.
The Pick Up by Sadie Ryan delivers a chilling, fast-paced answer that had me hooked from start to finish.
When Melissa meets charming, silver-haired Ralph, she's swept off her feet. But as the red flags pile up, she refuses to see them, explaining away every lie and brushing off her friends' desperate warnings. You can practically feel their frustration jumping off the page!
It's a terrifying reminder of how easily our vulnerability can be weaponised by a skilled manipulator, and Ralph is written as a truly chilling, narcissistic villain.
Packed with sharp twists, brilliant characters, and a gut-punch of an ending, Sadie Ryan never lets you down. A gripping, cautionary thriller!
My thanks to Joffe Books for the ARC. This is my own opinion.
September 13, 2026
Ryan has fast become one of my 'auto-read' authors when it comes to an addictive thriller that keeps me guessing and on my toes.
The Pick Up was no exception and delivered on every level.
I found the pacing switched up or down to suit the narrative. The left turns and twists got me good and the ending blindsided me.
The plot is told across dual timelines from the POV of unreliable narrators, with their secrets and lies, and a glut of gaslighting driving the story.
A gripping page-turner.
The Pick Up was no exception and delivered on every level.
I found the pacing switched up or down to suit the narrative. The left turns and twists got me good and the ending blindsided me.
The plot is told across dual timelines from the POV of unreliable narrators, with their secrets and lies, and a glut of gaslighting driving the story.
A gripping page-turner.
September 13, 2026
Here’s my review for The Pickup by Sadie Ryan
I absolutely loved reading this gripping, suspenseful and addictive psychological thriller that hooked me right from the very start of the story. Melissa met Ralph at the wine bar, where she was with friends. She saw him outside when she grabbed some air and then again by the door when it looked like he was leaving. He introduced himself and said about going somewhere quieter. She doesn't usually open up to strangers but she answered all Ralph's probing questions about her but he didn’t say much about himself. He made out he had money and a company so at the start he paid for everything and made her feel like the only woman in the room. But then, she started paying for everything with him saying he would pay later. They went to a christening for a couple of his friends but they didn't seem to know him. Melissa's friends tell her to be careful and one even checks him out but she doesn't listen, she wants this relationship to work so badly. She stops asking questions as he seems to know everything about her. She doesn't even ask what happened to his first wife. Perhaps she should have done, because meeting him was the worst thing ever to happen to her.
I found this to be a brilliant psychological thriller. The story was superbly written, extremely well plotted and excellently thought out. The characters were intriguing, well described and well thought out. It was told from multiple povs which are stories I really enjoy reading and you seem to learn so much more about the story. I believe the author did some extensive research before writing this story as the information contained within the novel confirms this. I really liked the author’s writing style which was so easy to read. I love reading this author’s psychological thrillers and I'm looking forward to the next one.
Synopsis :
By the time I realize Ralph isn’t the man he claims to be, it’s already too late.
I didn’t want to come out tonight. The wine bar is too loud. Too crowded. And I’m still not over my ex.
Then I see him.
Tall. Silver‑haired. Watchful. Like he’s waiting for someone.
‘Hi, I’m Ralph.’ He smiles. ‘Want to get out of here? I know a quieter place.’
And just like that, everything changes.
At first, it feels perfect. Fancy restaurants. Expensive wine. The way he looks at me like I’m the only woman in the room.
But then the cracks begin to show.
The stories that don’t quite add up. The friends who don’t seem to know him. The money he always promises to pay back.
Everyone tells me to be careful. But I want this to work so badly that I stop asking questions. Like why he chose me. What happened to his first wife. And why does it feel like he knows everything about me.
He picked me up that night for a reason. Getting together with him was the worst mistake I ever made.
Perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, K.L. Slater, Lisa Jewell, Daniel Hurst and Jeneva Rose.
I absolutely loved reading this gripping, suspenseful and addictive psychological thriller that hooked me right from the very start of the story. Melissa met Ralph at the wine bar, where she was with friends. She saw him outside when she grabbed some air and then again by the door when it looked like he was leaving. He introduced himself and said about going somewhere quieter. She doesn't usually open up to strangers but she answered all Ralph's probing questions about her but he didn’t say much about himself. He made out he had money and a company so at the start he paid for everything and made her feel like the only woman in the room. But then, she started paying for everything with him saying he would pay later. They went to a christening for a couple of his friends but they didn't seem to know him. Melissa's friends tell her to be careful and one even checks him out but she doesn't listen, she wants this relationship to work so badly. She stops asking questions as he seems to know everything about her. She doesn't even ask what happened to his first wife. Perhaps she should have done, because meeting him was the worst thing ever to happen to her.
I found this to be a brilliant psychological thriller. The story was superbly written, extremely well plotted and excellently thought out. The characters were intriguing, well described and well thought out. It was told from multiple povs which are stories I really enjoy reading and you seem to learn so much more about the story. I believe the author did some extensive research before writing this story as the information contained within the novel confirms this. I really liked the author’s writing style which was so easy to read. I love reading this author’s psychological thrillers and I'm looking forward to the next one.
Synopsis :
By the time I realize Ralph isn’t the man he claims to be, it’s already too late.
I didn’t want to come out tonight. The wine bar is too loud. Too crowded. And I’m still not over my ex.
Then I see him.
Tall. Silver‑haired. Watchful. Like he’s waiting for someone.
‘Hi, I’m Ralph.’ He smiles. ‘Want to get out of here? I know a quieter place.’
And just like that, everything changes.
At first, it feels perfect. Fancy restaurants. Expensive wine. The way he looks at me like I’m the only woman in the room.
But then the cracks begin to show.
The stories that don’t quite add up. The friends who don’t seem to know him. The money he always promises to pay back.
Everyone tells me to be careful. But I want this to work so badly that I stop asking questions. Like why he chose me. What happened to his first wife. And why does it feel like he knows everything about me.
He picked me up that night for a reason. Getting together with him was the worst mistake I ever made.
Perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, K.L. Slater, Lisa Jewell, Daniel Hurst and Jeneva Rose.
September 12, 2026
I'll be honest, when I sat down with this one this morning, I really didn't know what I was walking into. Something about a bar, a meet-cute, maybe a slow-burn romance? That was about the extent of my guess. What I got instead was so much richer, and honestly, a little more heart-stopping than I expected.
We meet Melissa, freshly out of a ten-year relationship and staring down forty with the sinking feeling that love might have left the building for good. I think anyone who's ever felt that particular kind of post-breakup dread will recognise themselves in her immediately. Then comes one night out with her friends, and suddenly she's swept into the orbit of Ralph Darling.
And swept really is the word. The whirlwind romance moves fast, with a wedding on the horizon just two months in. But here's the thing that had me gripping the pages: Ralph is too good to be true, in the most unsettling sense possible. He's a con artist, methodical and patient, and Melissa is exactly where he wants her. If he plays his cards right, she becomes his next payday, drained slowly and deliberately while she thinks she's found her happy ending.
What I loved most, though, wasn't the con itself, it was the people around Melissa. Her friends Liam and John are the beating heart of this story. No matter how far Ralph tries to pull her away from them, they keep showing up, keep trying to gently reel her back toward reality. There's something deeply comforting about reading a book where the found family refuses to give up, even when the person they love can't see what's happening to her.
Set against a really well-drawn UK backdrop, this is a con-artist story with genuine emotional stakes. It's not just a thriller about deception, it's a story about loneliness, hope, and the particular vulnerability of wanting so badly for something to be real that you ignore the warning signs. It left me thinking about how often "too good to be true" really is exactly that.
If you're after a read that will keep you wary and warm-hearted in equal measure, this one's for you.
We meet Melissa, freshly out of a ten-year relationship and staring down forty with the sinking feeling that love might have left the building for good. I think anyone who's ever felt that particular kind of post-breakup dread will recognise themselves in her immediately. Then comes one night out with her friends, and suddenly she's swept into the orbit of Ralph Darling.
And swept really is the word. The whirlwind romance moves fast, with a wedding on the horizon just two months in. But here's the thing that had me gripping the pages: Ralph is too good to be true, in the most unsettling sense possible. He's a con artist, methodical and patient, and Melissa is exactly where he wants her. If he plays his cards right, she becomes his next payday, drained slowly and deliberately while she thinks she's found her happy ending.
What I loved most, though, wasn't the con itself, it was the people around Melissa. Her friends Liam and John are the beating heart of this story. No matter how far Ralph tries to pull her away from them, they keep showing up, keep trying to gently reel her back toward reality. There's something deeply comforting about reading a book where the found family refuses to give up, even when the person they love can't see what's happening to her.
Set against a really well-drawn UK backdrop, this is a con-artist story with genuine emotional stakes. It's not just a thriller about deception, it's a story about loneliness, hope, and the particular vulnerability of wanting so badly for something to be real that you ignore the warning signs. It left me thinking about how often "too good to be true" really is exactly that.
If you're after a read that will keep you wary and warm-hearted in equal measure, this one's for you.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
“Trust has a way of binding us.”
The premise of the book is the main character, Melissa meets a con man, Ralph & Ralph has a long history of swindling women. Will Ralph swindle Melissa out of all her money? My first impression of the book is the characters are interesting & the book immediately captures my attention. Melissa meets Ralph in the first chapter. Ralph is described as a perfect conman: handsome & charming. Melissa is desperate for love after her last break up. Liam & John are good friends questioning her relationship with Ralph when things start to not add up.
I also enjoyed the way the plot progressed. The book was more plot driven instead of character driven. The story kept my attention & kept me wanting to read more. I spent many nights up late reading this book. The only thing negative I would say about the plot is the twist at the end wasn’t as surprising as I expected it to be. I loved the reason Ralph chose Melissa though.
The biggest problem I had with this book was Melissa. She gaslight herself more than Ralph did. It didn’t take much from Ralph to con her. Ralph was not as sly as what the author intended. I feel like anyone could have swindled Melissa, not Ralph specifically. She made me think she was an idiot the whole book & more than just desperate for love.
Overall, this book would be good for someone who enjoys reading about rich people & the people who can take advantage of them. The plot drive of the book is good for readers who only need a basic understanding of characters & are more interested in the pacing of the book.
The premise of the book is the main character, Melissa meets a con man, Ralph & Ralph has a long history of swindling women. Will Ralph swindle Melissa out of all her money? My first impression of the book is the characters are interesting & the book immediately captures my attention. Melissa meets Ralph in the first chapter. Ralph is described as a perfect conman: handsome & charming. Melissa is desperate for love after her last break up. Liam & John are good friends questioning her relationship with Ralph when things start to not add up.
I also enjoyed the way the plot progressed. The book was more plot driven instead of character driven. The story kept my attention & kept me wanting to read more. I spent many nights up late reading this book. The only thing negative I would say about the plot is the twist at the end wasn’t as surprising as I expected it to be. I loved the reason Ralph chose Melissa though.
The biggest problem I had with this book was Melissa. She gaslight herself more than Ralph did. It didn’t take much from Ralph to con her. Ralph was not as sly as what the author intended. I feel like anyone could have swindled Melissa, not Ralph specifically. She made me think she was an idiot the whole book & more than just desperate for love.
Overall, this book would be good for someone who enjoys reading about rich people & the people who can take advantage of them. The plot drive of the book is good for readers who only need a basic understanding of characters & are more interested in the pacing of the book.
September 18, 2026
Melissa had become single after her previous boyfriend had completely fleeced her of her money. 😩 She thought she had finally found some happiness and stability when she met Ralph, a wealthy new man who charmed her and seemed to put her at the centre of his world. 🫶🏼
At first, Ralph seems like the perfect dream guy that every girl could hope for - romantic, attentive and successful. 🥰But, bit by bit, the red flags start to appear. 🚩 The explanations Ralph gives for his actions just don’t seem to add up, and then there’s the borrowing of money. Melissa’s friends begin to notice things that she doesn’t and try to warn her… 🫣
Melissa eventually starts to realise that she doesn’t really know who Ralph claims to be, or why he has chosen her as his next victim. And then there’s the question of what really happened to his wife, Roz… 🤔
This book is packed with love, manipulation, deception, gaslighting and the terrifying reality of being scammed by someone you think you can trust completely. There are also some twists along the way that kept me turning the pages! 📖👀
I really enjoyed this book! 😍 Sadie did a great job of making me question Ralph and wonder what was really going on. It was an easy-to-read, gripping story that kept me curious about where everything was heading. 🤨 Definitely one for anyone who enjoys psychological thrillers involving scams, manipulation and plenty of red flags! 😱
Thank you so much to Sadie and Zooloos Book Tours for letting me take part in this tour. ♥️
And please accept my apologies for sending my review in late! 🥺
At first, Ralph seems like the perfect dream guy that every girl could hope for - romantic, attentive and successful. 🥰But, bit by bit, the red flags start to appear. 🚩 The explanations Ralph gives for his actions just don’t seem to add up, and then there’s the borrowing of money. Melissa’s friends begin to notice things that she doesn’t and try to warn her… 🫣
Melissa eventually starts to realise that she doesn’t really know who Ralph claims to be, or why he has chosen her as his next victim. And then there’s the question of what really happened to his wife, Roz… 🤔
This book is packed with love, manipulation, deception, gaslighting and the terrifying reality of being scammed by someone you think you can trust completely. There are also some twists along the way that kept me turning the pages! 📖👀
I really enjoyed this book! 😍 Sadie did a great job of making me question Ralph and wonder what was really going on. It was an easy-to-read, gripping story that kept me curious about where everything was heading. 🤨 Definitely one for anyone who enjoys psychological thrillers involving scams, manipulation and plenty of red flags! 😱
Thank you so much to Sadie and Zooloos Book Tours for letting me take part in this tour. ♥️
And please accept my apologies for sending my review in late! 🥺
September 12, 2026
I'd give this one 4.5 stars!
This is my first Sadie Ryan book and it did not disappoint. I finished it in 2 days and found that due to the short and fast-paced chapters, it was easy to breeze through. I could not put it down!
I loved tthat he book was written from multiple points of view as it really helped to understand the level of manipulation Ralph went to, to have Melissa eating out of the palm of his hand. Ralph twisted the truth, shrugged off any hint of wrong-doing, and convinced Melissa his intentions were true, At points, I was SO frustrated with Melissa for not being able to see through him, but it really highlighted how skilled conmen can be at gaining trust, and turning their victims against people who they have known much longer and are truly on their side.
I really enjoyed the twist at the end, and thought it was cleverly done! My only niggle was that the ending felt a little rushed and although all loose ends were tied up, it felt as though it ended quite abruptly, whereas the the first 85% of the book was paced excellently.
I’d definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes a psychological thriller that focuses heavily on suspense, manipulation, and secrets within a relationship. Great book!
This is my first Sadie Ryan book and it did not disappoint. I finished it in 2 days and found that due to the short and fast-paced chapters, it was easy to breeze through. I could not put it down!
I loved tthat he book was written from multiple points of view as it really helped to understand the level of manipulation Ralph went to, to have Melissa eating out of the palm of his hand. Ralph twisted the truth, shrugged off any hint of wrong-doing, and convinced Melissa his intentions were true, At points, I was SO frustrated with Melissa for not being able to see through him, but it really highlighted how skilled conmen can be at gaining trust, and turning their victims against people who they have known much longer and are truly on their side.
I really enjoyed the twist at the end, and thought it was cleverly done! My only niggle was that the ending felt a little rushed and although all loose ends were tied up, it felt as though it ended quite abruptly, whereas the the first 85% of the book was paced excellently.
I’d definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes a psychological thriller that focuses heavily on suspense, manipulation, and secrets within a relationship. Great book!
September 14, 2026
4.25*
'Love made people blind. Love made them generous. Love made them stupid'.
(Extract from my proof copy)
I should have been cooking my dinner, I should have been sleeping, I should have been doing plenty of things but I was hooked to this book from start to finish!
I wish I could talk openly about this book but I really don't want to give anything away! All I will say is from approx 36% into the book the MFC Melissa started to get way too trusting and would not listen to her friends, sometimes doing the exact opposite of what they warned her not to do! I certainly would never do what she did but I've watched documentaries where people have done exactly this (loved these docs) so it is actually pretty realistic amazingly.
Melissa is 40 and single having come out of a bad relationship. Her good friends Liam, John and Clare are concerned when she meets Ralph by chance on a night out. She quickly falls under his spell and he works his magic. I loved how we got his POV aswell!
This was fast paced, gripping, exciting and no matter what, I had to know what happened next!
I would absolutely read this authors other books and recommend this to psychological thriller/ suspense lovers!
I received a free advanced reader copy and am leaving my honest review voluntarily.
'Love made people blind. Love made them generous. Love made them stupid'.
(Extract from my proof copy)
I should have been cooking my dinner, I should have been sleeping, I should have been doing plenty of things but I was hooked to this book from start to finish!
I wish I could talk openly about this book but I really don't want to give anything away! All I will say is from approx 36% into the book the MFC Melissa started to get way too trusting and would not listen to her friends, sometimes doing the exact opposite of what they warned her not to do! I certainly would never do what she did but I've watched documentaries where people have done exactly this (loved these docs) so it is actually pretty realistic amazingly.
Melissa is 40 and single having come out of a bad relationship. Her good friends Liam, John and Clare are concerned when she meets Ralph by chance on a night out. She quickly falls under his spell and he works his magic. I loved how we got his POV aswell!
This was fast paced, gripping, exciting and no matter what, I had to know what happened next!
I would absolutely read this authors other books and recommend this to psychological thriller/ suspense lovers!
I received a free advanced reader copy and am leaving my honest review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Some people are just so desperate for love that they will turn a blind eye to their partner's failings, despite all the red flags and even given proof of the person's misdeeds.
This is the story of Melissa who was picked up by Ralph at a party. He was everything she wanted in a man. Handsome. Successful. Charming. Just too good to be true.
I got so irritated at Melissa's steadfast loyalty to Ralph!! He gaslighted her constantly, and she swallowed every lie, and ignored her instincts!
Romance scammers can be anywhere. Online, at a party, in a bar. Women (and men) are taken in by a pretty face and a kind word, and they are the one's who are hurt in the end.
The book is tense and is a 'one more chapter' type of book that will keep the reader up late into the night.
There are twists I never expected, and I was touched by the friendships in the book.
However, it got a little tedious when Melissa just didn't want to hear anything negative about Ralph.
3/5 stars
This is the story of Melissa who was picked up by Ralph at a party. He was everything she wanted in a man. Handsome. Successful. Charming. Just too good to be true.
I got so irritated at Melissa's steadfast loyalty to Ralph!! He gaslighted her constantly, and she swallowed every lie, and ignored her instincts!
Romance scammers can be anywhere. Online, at a party, in a bar. Women (and men) are taken in by a pretty face and a kind word, and they are the one's who are hurt in the end.
The book is tense and is a 'one more chapter' type of book that will keep the reader up late into the night.
There are twists I never expected, and I was touched by the friendships in the book.
However, it got a little tedious when Melissa just didn't want to hear anything negative about Ralph.
3/5 stars
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Melissa, newly divorced from a toxic, manipulative husband, is trying to rebuild her life — grieving her parents, finding her independence through her inheritance, and cautiously stepping back into the world. A night out with colleagues Liam, Clare, and John introduces her to Ralph: handsome, sophisticated, successful… and seemingly everything Melissa deserves.
But when Ralph confides that he needs liquidity to launch a lucrative investment and asks for her help, Melissa reluctantly agrees. She barely knows him, yet she’s already swept up in the charm she’s been starved of for years.
Her friends, however, are alarmed. They’ve seen Melissa fall for the wrong man before, and Ralph’s request raises every red flag. As they start digging, what they uncover forces them to question everything — about Ralph, about Melissa’s past, and about how well you can ever truly know someone.
A tense, addictive page‑turner.
Huge thanks to the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
But when Ralph confides that he needs liquidity to launch a lucrative investment and asks for her help, Melissa reluctantly agrees. She barely knows him, yet she’s already swept up in the charm she’s been starved of for years.
Her friends, however, are alarmed. They’ve seen Melissa fall for the wrong man before, and Ralph’s request raises every red flag. As they start digging, what they uncover forces them to question everything — about Ralph, about Melissa’s past, and about how well you can ever truly know someone.
A tense, addictive page‑turner.
Huge thanks to the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 10, 2026
The Pick Up by Sadie Ryan was a pretty quick and entertaining thriller, but unfortunately it didn’t completely work for me.
I liked the premise and the multiple POVs, and the short, fast-paced chapters definitely helped keep things moving. There was always something happening, and I wanted to see where everything was going.
I spent SO much of this book wanting to shake some sense into Melissa. Ralph was throwing up red flag after red flag, and somehow she kept finding a way to explain them away. I understand that manipulation and gaslighting are a huge part of the story, but after a while I found myself getting more frustrated than invested.
I also thought the twists were decent, but I did figure out where things were headed before the big reveal, so the ending didn't have quite the impact I was hoping for.
Overall, this was a solid, fast-paced popcorn thriller with a good premise, but Melissa's character choices drove me a little crazy and kept me from loving it. I’d definitely read Sadie Ryan again, though!
I liked the premise and the multiple POVs, and the short, fast-paced chapters definitely helped keep things moving. There was always something happening, and I wanted to see where everything was going.
I spent SO much of this book wanting to shake some sense into Melissa. Ralph was throwing up red flag after red flag, and somehow she kept finding a way to explain them away. I understand that manipulation and gaslighting are a huge part of the story, but after a while I found myself getting more frustrated than invested.
I also thought the twists were decent, but I did figure out where things were headed before the big reveal, so the ending didn't have quite the impact I was hoping for.
Overall, this was a solid, fast-paced popcorn thriller with a good premise, but Melissa's character choices drove me a little crazy and kept me from loving it. I’d definitely read Sadie Ryan again, though!
September 10, 2026
Wow! Sadie Ryan at her finest. A rollercoaster psyco-thriller with sickening gaslighting and cruel ghosting.
Melissa has been badly let down in a relationship but with the help of friends is coming out of her dark place. She is desperate to be loved but scared witless of getting hurt again. This leaves her vulnerable and easy prey for scammed and heart breakers.
Up steps Ralph Darling and wins her over with his looks, his charm, and his promises. It doesn't take much to turn Mel's head and before long the sob stories begin, and she falls for it hook line and sinker. Despite the warnings and pleas from her best friends John and Sean she's besotted and prepared to give him everything she has.
This tale is frustrating as the reader can see clearly what is happening but the clever plot takes twists and turns and lurches from gaslighting and ghosting until the brilliant ending. A super piece of writing from Sadie Ryan that I believe to be her best yet and will be hard to beat.
Melissa has been badly let down in a relationship but with the help of friends is coming out of her dark place. She is desperate to be loved but scared witless of getting hurt again. This leaves her vulnerable and easy prey for scammed and heart breakers.
Up steps Ralph Darling and wins her over with his looks, his charm, and his promises. It doesn't take much to turn Mel's head and before long the sob stories begin, and she falls for it hook line and sinker. Despite the warnings and pleas from her best friends John and Sean she's besotted and prepared to give him everything she has.
This tale is frustrating as the reader can see clearly what is happening but the clever plot takes twists and turns and lurches from gaslighting and ghosting until the brilliant ending. A super piece of writing from Sadie Ryan that I believe to be her best yet and will be hard to beat.
September 13, 2026
Title: The Pick Up
Author: Sadie Ryan
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟
Publication Date: September 10, 2026
Melissa is just so desperate for someone to love her that she is blinded by Roger's attention and affection. She is soooo gullible that she believes everything the man tells her, even though she hasn't known him very long. Her behavior just frustrated me!! There were so many "palm on forehead" moments... 🤦🏽♀️
Throughout the entire book, I kept thinking, why Melissa?? Why was she targeted? How did Roger know anything about her? I actually never saw the truth coming until just before it was revealed.
I felt the storyline was a bit monotonous and it just drug on and on and on and on... The ending felt very anticlimactic and blah. Disappointing. Not one of her best books, but still worth a read.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion/review.
Author: Sadie Ryan
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟
Publication Date: September 10, 2026
Melissa is just so desperate for someone to love her that she is blinded by Roger's attention and affection. She is soooo gullible that she believes everything the man tells her, even though she hasn't known him very long. Her behavior just frustrated me!! There were so many "palm on forehead" moments... 🤦🏽♀️
Throughout the entire book, I kept thinking, why Melissa?? Why was she targeted? How did Roger know anything about her? I actually never saw the truth coming until just before it was revealed.
I felt the storyline was a bit monotonous and it just drug on and on and on and on... The ending felt very anticlimactic and blah. Disappointing. Not one of her best books, but still worth a read.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion/review.
September 19, 2026
Melissa meets Ralph at a time in her life when she was vulnerable to a predatory man. I cringed as she told him so much about herself and ignored the clues that something wasn’t right, trying to excuse his behaviour and gloss over what was unfolding. But there was more to Ralph’s manipulation than met the eye and it was this which added another level of anxiety to reading The Pick Up.
It’s tempting to think it’s not realistic for someone to move so quickly in a relationship, to ignore the lies, the manipulation and the gaslighting because they want things to work, but it unfortunately truly happens.
Despite knowing this, I’ll admit to groaning irritably at some of Sadie’s actions, and racing through the chapters to get to the bottom of what was going on. It’s fast-paced and will keep you up at night as you fall into the “just one more chapter” trap. A great example of this genre and an author I will definitely be reading more from.
It’s tempting to think it’s not realistic for someone to move so quickly in a relationship, to ignore the lies, the manipulation and the gaslighting because they want things to work, but it unfortunately truly happens.
Despite knowing this, I’ll admit to groaning irritably at some of Sadie’s actions, and racing through the chapters to get to the bottom of what was going on. It’s fast-paced and will keep you up at night as you fall into the “just one more chapter” trap. A great example of this genre and an author I will definitely be reading more from.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books for an early copy of The Pick Up. Beautiful, intriguing cover! A quarter way through and there was a WOW moment that I was Not expecting. As bad as Ralph was, Melissa was the most annoying character. I honestly didn’t care what happened to her because she was ridiculous. I definitely felt Clare was more involved than just being the boss and so called friend. Liam and John were the Best characters ever, we should all have friends like that. As ridiculous as Ralph’s schemes were, I couldn’t wait to continue reading to see what else he was going to do. Fast reading, enjoyable, weekend book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
5* Addictive and a real page turner.
Gripping from the opening chapter.
Dazzled by Ralph's polished appearance, obvious wealth and immediate devotion to her, Melissa ignores his lies, inconsistencies, even her friends' warnings, and loses herself to his complete control.
It's impossible to read this riveting thriller without occasionally exclaiming, 'Noooo, you fool, he's lying'.
Be prepared for just another chapter, and another, and another. It was so good that I read it in one day.
With thanks to Joffe Books and the author for the ARC, this review is my personal, unbiased opinion.
Gripping from the opening chapter.
Dazzled by Ralph's polished appearance, obvious wealth and immediate devotion to her, Melissa ignores his lies, inconsistencies, even her friends' warnings, and loses herself to his complete control.
It's impossible to read this riveting thriller without occasionally exclaiming, 'Noooo, you fool, he's lying'.
Be prepared for just another chapter, and another, and another. It was so good that I read it in one day.
With thanks to Joffe Books and the author for the ARC, this review is my personal, unbiased opinion.
September 16, 2026
What a wild ride! This one made me thankful that I’m already married & not out there dating again 🤣
Reading this book will make you question if you really know the people in your life? How can you be sure that they are who they say they are? How easy is it to be manipulated by someone else?
There were moments when I was so frustrated a with the FMC I was yelling at her to open her eyes.
I loved getting the multiple POV. Knowing what each character was thinking and doing really opened up all the layers of the story.
Thank you zooloo books tours, Joffe books and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy!
Reading this book will make you question if you really know the people in your life? How can you be sure that they are who they say they are? How easy is it to be manipulated by someone else?
There were moments when I was so frustrated a with the FMC I was yelling at her to open her eyes.
I loved getting the multiple POV. Knowing what each character was thinking and doing really opened up all the layers of the story.
Thank you zooloo books tours, Joffe books and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy!
September 8, 2026
2 stars for me.
Well this one was not what I was expecting.There's no other way than to say main character was just dumb.She knew something was not right,yet ignored all the signs,her friends warnings and then cry that what happened to her.Told from few POV there really was nothing to figure it out,and I was waiting for the twist.Two stars instead of one as I liked the cover and John and Liam in this story,they were the best as friends who got your back.I guess it was just not for me.
Thank you Joffe Books for arc,my review is honest and my own.
Well this one was not what I was expecting.There's no other way than to say main character was just dumb.She knew something was not right,yet ignored all the signs,her friends warnings and then cry that what happened to her.Told from few POV there really was nothing to figure it out,and I was waiting for the twist.Two stars instead of one as I liked the cover and John and Liam in this story,they were the best as friends who got your back.I guess it was just not for me.
Thank you Joffe Books for arc,my review is honest and my own.
September 10, 2026
This is a fast-paced psychological thriller with plot twists and turns that are just so shocking and so good! What if you met the love of your life and he proposes. Everything is picture perfect until these red flags start popping up about him. His so-called friends who don't recognize him. He says he lost his wallet and promises to pay you back. Too many things don't add up. Would you listen to your intuition and leave this man or are you so desperate to get married that you would do anything for him?
September 6, 2026
Thanks netgalley for the arc!
This thriller was unlike any I’ve read before. The dual-POV perspective makes you think you have it all figured out… but do you really? By the time my suspicions hit their peak, it was too late. From yelling at Melissa to get her act together to the horror of piecing together what Ralph would do next, this book had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish.
This book is definitely making the group chat and I personally be adding it to everyone’s tbr.
This thriller was unlike any I’ve read before. The dual-POV perspective makes you think you have it all figured out… but do you really? By the time my suspicions hit their peak, it was too late. From yelling at Melissa to get her act together to the horror of piecing together what Ralph would do next, this book had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish.
This book is definitely making the group chat and I personally be adding it to everyone’s tbr.
September 10, 2026
I Didn't Want To Put The Book Down
After the breakup of a ten year relationship, Melissa wonders whether she will ever find love. Enter Ralph Darling, he seems to be everything Melissa is looking for and more but is he too good to be true? Her friends try to warn her to be careful, but she won't listen. Is he the man of her dreams or her worst nightmare? I really enjoyed this book although I did want to shout at Melissa at times but I still didn't want to put the book down.
After the breakup of a ten year relationship, Melissa wonders whether she will ever find love. Enter Ralph Darling, he seems to be everything Melissa is looking for and more but is he too good to be true? Her friends try to warn her to be careful, but she won't listen. Is he the man of her dreams or her worst nightmare? I really enjoyed this book although I did want to shout at Melissa at times but I still didn't want to put the book down.
September 18, 2026
Engaging, page-turner, psychological thriller.
This book never stopped keeping me at the edge of my seat! The twists just kept coming and it kept making me guess, but I couldn’t ever get it right.
He was great at mind-controlling and making you second-guess yourself.
She had great friends that kept watching over her and never gave up protecting her.
Thank you NetGalley, Joffe Books & Sadie Ryan for this eARC.
This book never stopped keeping me at the edge of my seat! The twists just kept coming and it kept making me guess, but I couldn’t ever get it right.
He was great at mind-controlling and making you second-guess yourself.
She had great friends that kept watching over her and never gave up protecting her.
Thank you NetGalley, Joffe Books & Sadie Ryan for this eARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I'm not quite sure how I feel about this book. It had me hooked the entire time but I'm not sure if it was because I was so irritated by the main characters. I couldn't stand anyone except for Liam. I did predict the final twist as well. The ending was satisfying. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
September 11, 2026
I enjoyed this book with the duel POV and all the lies and secrets it kept me hooked to the end. The characters wete good ( if sometimes annoying). This is the first Sadie Ryan book I've read it won't be the last. Overall I would recommend this book. Thanks to Joffe Books and Netgalley for this review copy.
September 12, 2026
The Pick Up: by Sadie Ryan was another excellent psychological thriller that will have you glued to your kindle from the very beginning till the very end! Plus it was so addictive I ended up reading it all day until I had finished and WoW what a shocking final twist, I didn't see that coming!!!!
Superb Book and I highly recommend it.
Superb Book and I highly recommend it.
September 17, 2026
I almost DNF this but it just barely managed to keep me interested enough to get to the end. I couldn’t sympathise with any of the characters and found the main character just too stupid, almost deserving to get conned. 2.5 stars
September 10, 2026
“The Pick Up” by Sadie Ryan was an intense read full of deception and twists. I was hooked from the start and had a hard time putting it down! A suspenseful read that kept me guessing.
September 11, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book. This book was definitely a wild ride. I was not expecting those twists at the end.
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