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Anything for Her
Sometimes the past comes back to haunt you.
Louise Leighton’s life has fallen apart, all because of one fateful night. Her husband is an adulterer, her sister is his mistress, and soon, Louise will lose everything she owns. But she never imagined she would lose her daughter.
Eighteen-year-old Brooke Leighton is missing. It’s up to Louise and the Metropolitan Police to find her. Has Brooke run away? Or has she been taken against her will? And can Louise aid the investigation without mentioning the night where all of her troubles began?
If she mentions that night, she will incriminate her daughter for heinous crimes. But if she doesn’t, she may never find Brooke; and if she has been abducted, the person who took her may come for Louise, too.
Sometimes the past comes back to kill you.
Louise Leighton’s life has fallen apart, all because of one fateful night. Her husband is an adulterer, her sister is his mistress, and soon, Louise will lose everything she owns. But she never imagined she would lose her daughter.
Eighteen-year-old Brooke Leighton is missing. It’s up to Louise and the Metropolitan Police to find her. Has Brooke run away? Or has she been taken against her will? And can Louise aid the investigation without mentioning the night where all of her troubles began?
If she mentions that night, she will incriminate her daughter for heinous crimes. But if she doesn’t, she may never find Brooke; and if she has been abducted, the person who took her may come for Louise, too.
Sometimes the past comes back to kill you.
370 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2015
117 people are currently reading
1853 people want to read
About the author
Jack Jordan
9 books848 followersSunday Times bestselling author of eight thrillers. 9th coming 2026.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 247 reviews
June 26, 2024
If you're looking for suspense and emotion, "Anything for Her" by Jack Jordan is your ticket to a heart-pounding adventure. This gripping thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat, flipping pages long into the night.
Louise Leighton's life is turned upside down when a devastating secret from her past resurfaces, threatening to destroy everything she holds dear. As her family is plunged into a nightmare, Louise must make impossible choices to protect her loved ones. The stakes are high, the tension is palpable, and the twists are relentless.
Louise is a relatable and strong protagonist, whose determination to save her family will resonate deeply. The supporting characters add layers of complexity and keep you guessing about their true motives. Jack Jordan weaves a tight, suspenseful narrative that keeps you hooked from the first page to the last. Each chapter brings new surprises, making it impossible to predict what will happen next. Beyond the thrills and chills, this book explores profound themes of love, sacrifice, and the lengths we go to for the ones we love. It's a story that will tug at your heartstrings while keeping your pulse racing.
The story moves quickly, with no dull moments. Every scene is crafted to heighten the tension and propel the plot forward. Just when you think you have it all figured out, Jordan throws in a twist that leaves you reeling. The plot is full of surprises that will keep you guessing until the very end. Jack Jordan's writing is crisp, clear, and highly engaging. His ability to create vivid scenes and intense emotions is exceptional.
Louise Leighton's life is turned upside down when a devastating secret from her past resurfaces, threatening to destroy everything she holds dear. As her family is plunged into a nightmare, Louise must make impossible choices to protect her loved ones. The stakes are high, the tension is palpable, and the twists are relentless.
Louise is a relatable and strong protagonist, whose determination to save her family will resonate deeply. The supporting characters add layers of complexity and keep you guessing about their true motives. Jack Jordan weaves a tight, suspenseful narrative that keeps you hooked from the first page to the last. Each chapter brings new surprises, making it impossible to predict what will happen next. Beyond the thrills and chills, this book explores profound themes of love, sacrifice, and the lengths we go to for the ones we love. It's a story that will tug at your heartstrings while keeping your pulse racing.
The story moves quickly, with no dull moments. Every scene is crafted to heighten the tension and propel the plot forward. Just when you think you have it all figured out, Jordan throws in a twist that leaves you reeling. The plot is full of surprises that will keep you guessing until the very end. Jack Jordan's writing is crisp, clear, and highly engaging. His ability to create vivid scenes and intense emotions is exceptional.
May 20, 2016
I received a copy of Anything For Her by Jack Jordan through NetGalley. My thanks to JJP Publishers and to Jack Jordan for the opportunity.
Rage......Blazing anger that would pop the bolts out of a highrise girder.
Louise Leighton has just received the news that her husband, Michael, of twenty years has been having an affair. An affair for the last ten months. Twist the knife. An affair with her own sister. Twist the knife harder. Her much younger sister.
Michael just can't seem to back away from sloshing lighter fluid on an already combustible situation. You see, dastardly Michael is facing prison time for tanking his business with insider trading, tax evasion, and using the employees' funds. Nice guy.
Louise, a therapist for fourteen years, is going to need one herself. She and Michael have two children: Dominic 10 years old and Brooke 18 years old. But Louise is overcome with this seething anger and packs a bag immediately. Her escape route takes her to their country home which is already up for sale. She snuggles up before the fire with a bottle of wine.
Louise's rampage shuffles the deck for some pretty good lines from this author as she tosses wedding pictures into the fire: "The fire ate his smile and the sparkle in his eyes: it devoured him until his face had turned to ash." A woman scorned.
But Louise has secrets of her own to bury. No fire in hell or anywhere else can destroy what has recently transpired in her own life. And the author holds that card from the deck until much later. It appears that someone knows where Louise is and doesn't just want to snuggle up by the fireplace with her.
This was a good read from Jack Jordan with crucially placed footsteps in just the right direction. He seems to have a penchant for "broken glass" throughout the story. Count the ways in which he inserts the shattered shards in just the right places. Kind of a Humpty Dumpty theme going on here with "All the king's horses and all the king's men, couldn't put.....You know the rest.
The ending left a lot of questions for me with the tidiness of a wrap-up. But Jack Jordan has a good thing going here. There's talent in them there bones. I have another one of his books, My Girl, waiting on the horizon for me. Seems like I am invested in you, Jack.
Rage......Blazing anger that would pop the bolts out of a highrise girder.
Louise Leighton has just received the news that her husband, Michael, of twenty years has been having an affair. An affair for the last ten months. Twist the knife. An affair with her own sister. Twist the knife harder. Her much younger sister.
Michael just can't seem to back away from sloshing lighter fluid on an already combustible situation. You see, dastardly Michael is facing prison time for tanking his business with insider trading, tax evasion, and using the employees' funds. Nice guy.
Louise, a therapist for fourteen years, is going to need one herself. She and Michael have two children: Dominic 10 years old and Brooke 18 years old. But Louise is overcome with this seething anger and packs a bag immediately. Her escape route takes her to their country home which is already up for sale. She snuggles up before the fire with a bottle of wine.
Louise's rampage shuffles the deck for some pretty good lines from this author as she tosses wedding pictures into the fire: "The fire ate his smile and the sparkle in his eyes: it devoured him until his face had turned to ash." A woman scorned.
But Louise has secrets of her own to bury. No fire in hell or anywhere else can destroy what has recently transpired in her own life. And the author holds that card from the deck until much later. It appears that someone knows where Louise is and doesn't just want to snuggle up by the fireplace with her.
This was a good read from Jack Jordan with crucially placed footsteps in just the right direction. He seems to have a penchant for "broken glass" throughout the story. Count the ways in which he inserts the shattered shards in just the right places. Kind of a Humpty Dumpty theme going on here with "All the king's horses and all the king's men, couldn't put.....You know the rest.
The ending left a lot of questions for me with the tidiness of a wrap-up. But Jack Jordan has a good thing going here. There's talent in them there bones. I have another one of his books, My Girl, waiting on the horizon for me. Seems like I am invested in you, Jack.
May 28, 2016
ANYTHING FOR HER is the debut psychological thriller by Jack Jordan. This is one haunting book that will have you flipping the chapters to see what will happen next…and discover the truth about “that night.”
Michael Leighton confessed to his wife Louise to a 10-month affair with her younger sister, Denise. After 20 years of marriage her life has fallen apart, all because of one night. He BETRAYED her and she can NEVER forgive her sister! Michael has also lost control of his life and could face prison time being charged with inside trading, tax evasion and theft from his employees’ funds. Louise will lose everything she owns. Louise leaves the family home and escapes to the country home in Cotswolds outside London, UK. to get away from her problems.
Michael and Louise have two children; their eighteen year old daughter, Brooke and their ten year old son, Dominic.
Everyone has secrets! Louise and Brooke have a secret and no one else knows…all going back to that night!
“That night destroyed your mind, your daughter, and has helped destroy your marriage.” She now suffers from depression and has taken up drinking and smoking.
“You don’t deserve to live after what you did.”
Louise keeps talking to herself about how she cannot continue living a lie, living with the guilt of what she did. But WHAT did she do?
But then a series of bad things start to happen both at the cottage and at home. At the cottage, she finds a dead robin on her door mat. The next morning she finds 22 dead robins covering her in bed. At home, Brooke is alarmed when she sees a man looking into the window. With haunting visions of “that night”, Brooke runs to her mother.
But then Brooke goes missing! WHY? Is it related to “that night”? Louise works with the police to find her.
I frantically flip the pages to find out what happened “that night”. I had to know. The author revealed information on a need-to-know basis, thereby churning up the tension and suspense in this novel.
This was a super psychological thriller and one that will grip you right from the beginning. The characters are engaging and the reader finds themselves flipping pages on the short chapters…to find out the secrets about “that night”. I HAD to know!
On a deeper side, this novel shows the unconditional love between a mother and her daughter, and the lengths a mother would go to…to protect her child.
“Sometimes the past comes back to kill you.”
Many thanks to the author , JJP Publishers and NetGalley who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. Now looking forward to starting “My Girl”.
Michael Leighton confessed to his wife Louise to a 10-month affair with her younger sister, Denise. After 20 years of marriage her life has fallen apart, all because of one night. He BETRAYED her and she can NEVER forgive her sister! Michael has also lost control of his life and could face prison time being charged with inside trading, tax evasion and theft from his employees’ funds. Louise will lose everything she owns. Louise leaves the family home and escapes to the country home in Cotswolds outside London, UK. to get away from her problems.
Michael and Louise have two children; their eighteen year old daughter, Brooke and their ten year old son, Dominic.
Everyone has secrets! Louise and Brooke have a secret and no one else knows…all going back to that night!
“That night destroyed your mind, your daughter, and has helped destroy your marriage.” She now suffers from depression and has taken up drinking and smoking.
“You don’t deserve to live after what you did.”
Louise keeps talking to herself about how she cannot continue living a lie, living with the guilt of what she did. But WHAT did she do?
But then a series of bad things start to happen both at the cottage and at home. At the cottage, she finds a dead robin on her door mat. The next morning she finds 22 dead robins covering her in bed. At home, Brooke is alarmed when she sees a man looking into the window. With haunting visions of “that night”, Brooke runs to her mother.
But then Brooke goes missing! WHY? Is it related to “that night”? Louise works with the police to find her.
I frantically flip the pages to find out what happened “that night”. I had to know. The author revealed information on a need-to-know basis, thereby churning up the tension and suspense in this novel.
This was a super psychological thriller and one that will grip you right from the beginning. The characters are engaging and the reader finds themselves flipping pages on the short chapters…to find out the secrets about “that night”. I HAD to know!
On a deeper side, this novel shows the unconditional love between a mother and her daughter, and the lengths a mother would go to…to protect her child.
“Sometimes the past comes back to kill you.”
Many thanks to the author , JJP Publishers and NetGalley who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. Now looking forward to starting “My Girl”.
May 27, 2016
Copy furnished by Net Galley for the price of a review.
As a full moon casts a cold and watchful eye over the landscape, something takes place that will unhinge lives. What happened that night on that dark road?
Conflicted feelings, dead birds, betrayal, and a mysterious journal with Read Me written in blood on the cover. The disintegration of a marriage and a family in rapid decline. My intent was to mention the usage of broken glass in the story, but I see another reviewer beat me to it (good review, Linda!). It was a nice touch and quite apt to the storyline.
As a full moon casts a cold and watchful eye over the landscape, something takes place that will unhinge lives. What happened that night on that dark road?
Conflicted feelings, dead birds, betrayal, and a mysterious journal with Read Me written in blood on the cover. The disintegration of a marriage and a family in rapid decline. My intent was to mention the usage of broken glass in the story, but I see another reviewer beat me to it (good review, Linda!). It was a nice touch and quite apt to the storyline.
June 5, 2016
3.5 Stars - I read in another reviewer's posting that this author is only 23 years old. What? This is an excellent debut novel and it sounds like his next book, My Girl, is even better.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley. I'm definitely headed back there to request his second book.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley. I'm definitely headed back there to request his second book.
November 2, 2015
Anything For Her is an absolutely rip roaring page turner of a novel – a tense yet emotional thriller that is utterly gripping from the opening pages.
Louise and her daughter hide a devastating secret. In fact not a lot is going right in Louise’s life and yet things are about to get worse…
There are a lot of reasons why this one works SO well – great writing yes, but great characters who have a resonant depth to them, not always likeable (in fact hardly at all) but endlessly fascinating in their choices and outlook. On top of that some terrific storytelling, a twisted tale that never lets up and builds the tension throughout until you are completely on the edge of your seat.
It is hard hitting and unrelenting in places – not for the faint hearted – but the intricacies of the plot building, the character development and most of all the way it absorbs you into it so you simply cannot put it down until you know the outcome makes this one of the stand out thrillers of the year for me.
Highly Recommended.
There is an interview with Jack on the blog today (2nd Nov) for anyone interested.
http://lizlovesbooks.com/lizlovesbook...
Louise and her daughter hide a devastating secret. In fact not a lot is going right in Louise’s life and yet things are about to get worse…
There are a lot of reasons why this one works SO well – great writing yes, but great characters who have a resonant depth to them, not always likeable (in fact hardly at all) but endlessly fascinating in their choices and outlook. On top of that some terrific storytelling, a twisted tale that never lets up and builds the tension throughout until you are completely on the edge of your seat.
It is hard hitting and unrelenting in places – not for the faint hearted – but the intricacies of the plot building, the character development and most of all the way it absorbs you into it so you simply cannot put it down until you know the outcome makes this one of the stand out thrillers of the year for me.
Highly Recommended.
There is an interview with Jack on the blog today (2nd Nov) for anyone interested.
http://lizlovesbooks.com/lizlovesbook...
March 21, 2017
I got to 20% and just couldn't go on.
I think that by continually referring to 'that night', the author is trying to build up suspense. Unfortunately, it just didn't work for me. I found it irritating. Perhaps if he had dribbled just a little information each time I would have kept going.
Another thing that annoyed me (other than the characters, who were all very annoying!) was that Louise, who badly sprained her ankle one night, walks for hours on it the following day. Is she a masochist?
I wanted to like this book. This is a young author, a first book, and I really tried to like it. But when I was looking at my Kindle and dreading picking it up, I knew I just had to cut this one loose.
Thank you to publishers JJP via NetGalley for a digital ARC of Anything for her by Jack Jordan for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
I think that by continually referring to 'that night', the author is trying to build up suspense. Unfortunately, it just didn't work for me. I found it irritating. Perhaps if he had dribbled just a little information each time I would have kept going.
Another thing that annoyed me (other than the characters, who were all very annoying!) was that Louise, who badly sprained her ankle one night, walks for hours on it the following day. Is she a masochist?
I wanted to like this book. This is a young author, a first book, and I really tried to like it. But when I was looking at my Kindle and dreading picking it up, I knew I just had to cut this one loose.
Thank you to publishers JJP via NetGalley for a digital ARC of Anything for her by Jack Jordan for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
May 14, 2016
Michael Leighton has just confessed to his wife, Louise, that he's been having an affair with her sister for months. Michael is also going to prison for embezzlement and everything they own will no longer be theirs.
Louise and her daughter, Brooke, have a secret .. one that even Michael doesn't know. And a secret that has changed their lives forever.
Staying at a second house many hours away, Louise is trying to wrap her head about all the terrible things that have happened. She finds a dead robin on her doorstep. The next morning she finds 22 dead robins covering her in bed.
At home, Brooke sees a man looking into her bedroom window. Terrified that someone knows what happened 'that night' she runs to her mother.
But then Brooke disappears.
Has the past caught up with them? Who else could possibly know what happened? What exactly did happen? What could they have done so bad that someone wants to kill them? And where is Brooke?
Great psychological thriller! Well-written, although I have mixed feelings about the ending. There are no cliff hangers and the reader is treated to bits and pieces of the secret as the book progresses. The timing is everything and I didn't want to put the book down for a minute.
Many thanks to the author / JJP / NetGalley who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
Louise and her daughter, Brooke, have a secret .. one that even Michael doesn't know. And a secret that has changed their lives forever.
Staying at a second house many hours away, Louise is trying to wrap her head about all the terrible things that have happened. She finds a dead robin on her doorstep. The next morning she finds 22 dead robins covering her in bed.
At home, Brooke sees a man looking into her bedroom window. Terrified that someone knows what happened 'that night' she runs to her mother.
But then Brooke disappears.
Has the past caught up with them? Who else could possibly know what happened? What exactly did happen? What could they have done so bad that someone wants to kill them? And where is Brooke?
Great psychological thriller! Well-written, although I have mixed feelings about the ending. There are no cliff hangers and the reader is treated to bits and pieces of the secret as the book progresses. The timing is everything and I didn't want to put the book down for a minute.
Many thanks to the author / JJP / NetGalley who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
August 21, 2023
I picked this up cheap from Amazon and had not heard of this author, I will definitely be looking for more from him. I absolutely loved this book, great characters, lots of suspense that kept drawing you in and a very intense plot. This was one of those books where you keep saying just one more chapter, one more chapter and the next thing you know two hours has flown by.
May 23, 2016
This was one of those "just one more chapter"-books that pulled me in right from the start and then was difficult to put down because I really wanted to find out what exactly happened "that night".
Whatever took place "that night" has remained a secret between Louise and her eighteen-year-old daughter Brooke. Not even Louise's husband Michael knows and family life - once happy, carefree and loving - hasn't been the same since. There are other problems to deal with as well. The family is facing financial ruin and Michael is facing prison time due to improper handling of his company's finances. But that's not all. Douchebag Michael feels so hard done by, he has an affair. Not just with anybody, no, with Louise's sister. That is the last drop that makes the cup run over and Louise decides she needs time out and leaves the family home for their country house, but then "that night" comes back to haunt her and her family.
This was a really well-written debut novel with a powerful plot and some great twists culminating in an ending that I thought was brilliant. The characters were certainly not the likable sort, but the family disintegration was like the proverbial train-wreck. Michael is a jerk, Brooke is broken, and Louise's decision-making process I find difficult to relate to. She has a sensitive ten-year-old son at home but heads off for a one-woman pity party. But you don't need likable characters to have an excellent story. A good book is one that evokes an emotional reaction and has me compelled to keep reading, and Jack Jordan's debut definitely did that. Intense and suspenseful and the second book within a week that made me uneasy due to my fear of birds.
I'm looking forward to reading the author's next book My Girl which will be published in July. But next, I'm looking for a lighthearted story that doesn't feature birds.
Many thanks to the author, the publisher JJP and NetGalley for my free copy in exchange for an unbiased review.
Whatever took place "that night" has remained a secret between Louise and her eighteen-year-old daughter Brooke. Not even Louise's husband Michael knows and family life - once happy, carefree and loving - hasn't been the same since. There are other problems to deal with as well. The family is facing financial ruin and Michael is facing prison time due to improper handling of his company's finances. But that's not all. Douchebag Michael feels so hard done by, he has an affair. Not just with anybody, no, with Louise's sister. That is the last drop that makes the cup run over and Louise decides she needs time out and leaves the family home for their country house, but then "that night" comes back to haunt her and her family.
This was a really well-written debut novel with a powerful plot and some great twists culminating in an ending that I thought was brilliant. The characters were certainly not the likable sort, but the family disintegration was like the proverbial train-wreck. Michael is a jerk, Brooke is broken, and Louise's decision-making process I find difficult to relate to. She has a sensitive ten-year-old son at home but heads off for a one-woman pity party. But you don't need likable characters to have an excellent story. A good book is one that evokes an emotional reaction and has me compelled to keep reading, and Jack Jordan's debut definitely did that. Intense and suspenseful and the second book within a week that made me uneasy due to my fear of birds.
I'm looking forward to reading the author's next book My Girl which will be published in July. But next, I'm looking for a lighthearted story that doesn't feature birds.
Many thanks to the author, the publisher JJP and NetGalley for my free copy in exchange for an unbiased review.
June 29, 2016
Louise Leighton was married for 20 years until she found out her husband Michael was having an affair with Louise's sister she was so outraged she left the home she had with him & their 2 children Brooke & Dominic she ended up on a bridge contemplating whether to end it al on the bottle & totally unaware of what she is doing sher nearly falls off so decides she will return home to her cad of a husband & her children.
All of a sudden dead birds start to arrive on her doorstep she does not know why or who left them Brooke & louise are hiding a secret that happened years earlier that they both will stop at nothing to protect is it a pure coincidence or were they left for a reason.
Meanwhile Michael the cad of a man knows nothing of what has been going on he is so out of touch with his family he just goes on as if nothing has happened, meanwhile Brooke gets very scared as she sees a man in the house petrified she rings Louise & she is frantic she!! returns home to find more birds on the porch 22 what is this all about could it have anything to do with what happened THAT NIGHT !!
Brooke suddenly disappears with no sign of her anywhere so Louise & Detective Jessica Dean stop at nothing to find her it all has to do with what happened years earlier what happens from here on in is a lot of twists thst i didn't see coming the ending was sad i felt for the perp which shocked me.
I liked this book a really good read fast paced well written one thing i just thought all the family were fractured & their emotions were all over the place totally flawed in every way a 4 because of that
All of a sudden dead birds start to arrive on her doorstep she does not know why or who left them Brooke & louise are hiding a secret that happened years earlier that they both will stop at nothing to protect is it a pure coincidence or were they left for a reason.
Meanwhile Michael the cad of a man knows nothing of what has been going on he is so out of touch with his family he just goes on as if nothing has happened, meanwhile Brooke gets very scared as she sees a man in the house petrified she rings Louise & she is frantic she!! returns home to find more birds on the porch 22 what is this all about could it have anything to do with what happened THAT NIGHT !!
Brooke suddenly disappears with no sign of her anywhere so Louise & Detective Jessica Dean stop at nothing to find her it all has to do with what happened years earlier what happens from here on in is a lot of twists thst i didn't see coming the ending was sad i felt for the perp which shocked me.
I liked this book a really good read fast paced well written one thing i just thought all the family were fractured & their emotions were all over the place totally flawed in every way a 4 because of that
November 27, 2015
This book is unputdownable! That's probably not even a word but it's true. Gripping from start to finish, this crime thriller is a massive achievement from this first time author, who I hope won't keep us waiting too long for the next one. Jack must have done a lot of research to achieve the depth of knowledge it displays - either that or he is very mature and experienced for his young age.
What impressed me the most was his unerring ability to leave a cliff-hanger at the end of every chapter (and there are lots of short chapters) - you just have to keep going and going, just one more, until the end. I predict that alot of people will be getting back to work late after their lunch break and children will have to resort to peanut butter sandwiches because Mum or Dad are too busy reading to cook dinner - well done Jack Jordan.
This would make a great holiday read but take another book as well because you’ll finish this one in no time.
What impressed me the most was his unerring ability to leave a cliff-hanger at the end of every chapter (and there are lots of short chapters) - you just have to keep going and going, just one more, until the end. I predict that alot of people will be getting back to work late after their lunch break and children will have to resort to peanut butter sandwiches because Mum or Dad are too busy reading to cook dinner - well done Jack Jordan.
This would make a great holiday read but take another book as well because you’ll finish this one in no time.
December 1, 2015
This is a novel that draws you in and never lets you go until you reach the end. The characters are finely tuned amidst a family that is on the precipice of disintegration before your eyes. The atmosphere of despairing agony clings to you like a clammy fog. Jack Jordan has written a debut novel that is a thrilling unsettling ride which I hope many will pick up and read. I for one look forward in anticipation for his next book. I would like to thank the author for sending a copy of the novel via the good reads giveaways.
March 29, 2017
I’m sorry… ‘Sometimes the past comes back to haunt you‘??? Nah… the past ALWAYS comes back to haunt you… and sometimes it may kill. Mostly though past comes to be a major pain in the hole.
Before I go into rambling about the book, let me just leave this here: W-O-W!
I liked My Girl by Jack Jordan, but Anything for Her was MILES better for me and I rated My Girl 4 stars. Goes without saying that I’m going to slap a ‘grim, what the hell are these people like‘ 5 stars on this one!
From sentence one… ONE… this novel starts with a massive bang. And the bang? Well, it doesn’t die out, it doesn’t leave you with a faint echo of awesomeness, it simply is and continues to be impactful and present and it’s ‘loudness’ will start to grate on your ears and reverberate your core… basically… it’s the longest crash you’ll ever read and witness. The. Longest. Because that one night in the past, a year ago, has snowballed, gathered momentum and everything goes Express style to Turdville!
Louise had never wanted her husband to die. Not until he ripped their family apart. Testicular cancer? Rabies? A fatal fall from a windy clifftop? Lightning strike to his adulterous crotch? She hadn’t decided. All she knew was, once a husband told her wife that he had been having an affair with her younger sister, it was more than acceptable, if not entirely necessary, for his wife to imagine his gruesome death over and over for her own pleasure.
Louise, Michael and their two kids, Brooke (18) and Dominic (10) were well off, everything was hunky dory. Love and sunshine and rainbows, mostly. But when Michael confesses that he has been ‘servicing’ Louise’s sister for the past 10 month, because of THAT NIGHT, that’s exactly the moment THAT NIGHT from the past finds a way in the door to deliver judgement! With emotions running high, Jordan starts to tease you with snippets, teeny tiny snippets, of something bigger, darker and deadlier than Michael’s ding-dong in Denise and his other looming trouble (for you to find out as you’re reading, courtesy of yours truly).
As Louise packs a bag to go ‘be in peace’ and leaves her kids behind her, she has no idea that her drinking session in the country house will have a bigger effect on her life than a simple hangover….
She began to cry where she lay, the rain soaking through her clothes and dripping from her skin and hair. Her sobs were almost silenced by the orchestra of the wind, the thrashing trees, and the noisy rush of the rain.
I deserve this, she thought. I deserve everything I get.
But…
I don’t want to talk about the plot any more… I think even the blurb gives away a bit too much… but that’s just imho. Be warned and be assured that in this book there are surprises, there are horrible happenings and one big dysfunctional family.
Michael, you dirty dog, I am looking at you! Weak male specimen! And Louise, really? And Denise, really-really?
I’m telling you… a whole pile of shit decisions!
Without a shadow of a doubt, this book was thrilling to the max. It was the most twisted, darkest thing I’ve read in a while and it was delivered brilliantly. I read it in one sitting long into the night (hence my bloodshot eyes today at work) but I just could not put it down. Everything- from me feeling disdain towards most of the characters, feeling hooked, feeling disbelief and hollering out in glee for this brilliantly evil plot- was just a perfect mix!
The writing was fantastic. I loved how Jordan managed to make me feel every emotion, every setting, every scene. I most felt for Dominic, the 10 year old boy who was born into these horrible circumstances to parents that were seemingly unable to make the right decisions and came across directly put- selfish as f*ck. Louise, Michael and Brooke being in their own kinds of trouble gave them NO right to forget that there is a little confused boy in the mix of it all… But the feelings of suspense and foreboding were so greatly written I nearly felt horrified at times. And being so utterly overwhelmed by the emotions, my heart rate went up and that was a valid reason for me to skip my evening walk because my state of high alert felt like exercise enough.
Now, I was soooo afraid of finding out about THAT NIGHT because Jordan really teases with it… often and effectively… and I was just there- oh, Lord Jesus, save me from this agony, what happened that night?– Ha! Just kidding, LJ wouldn’t give me the time of day, and anyway, I didn’t really want or need saving. Jordan’s teasing was just so much suspense. Suspense is good, but at the back of my head I was afraid of the ‘big reveal’ to be something predictable. And that I was going to be pricked by the twist as if with a needle and be deflated like a spit-filled balloon.
Never have I ever been more happy (I actually feel awful saying this considering what happened in the book, but you other psychos get my gist) to discover that the twistedness and the darkness and the awfulness and the disgust and the genius of pulling the plot together did not let me down. Jack Jordan, I salute you- THIS is how you create a harrowing read!
The ending was another aspect I was afraid to get to. How does Jordan end a book that’s been delivering in terms of a strong start, a strong middle and the overall continuous wonderful horribleness?
I, for one, wasn’t disappointed. I doubt anyone could really be disappointed by this ending. The finale prior to reaching that 100% reading progress mark on my Kindle, was 3 parts bittersweet, 3 parts ‘truth shall set you free‘, 3 parts painful and deadly and 1 part baffled little boy who will forever think he was abandoned.
5*- Loved this book for for the reading experience it gave me! Recommended for thriller fans!
Before I go into rambling about the book, let me just leave this here: W-O-W!
I liked My Girl by Jack Jordan, but Anything for Her was MILES better for me and I rated My Girl 4 stars. Goes without saying that I’m going to slap a ‘grim, what the hell are these people like‘ 5 stars on this one!
From sentence one… ONE… this novel starts with a massive bang. And the bang? Well, it doesn’t die out, it doesn’t leave you with a faint echo of awesomeness, it simply is and continues to be impactful and present and it’s ‘loudness’ will start to grate on your ears and reverberate your core… basically… it’s the longest crash you’ll ever read and witness. The. Longest. Because that one night in the past, a year ago, has snowballed, gathered momentum and everything goes Express style to Turdville!
Louise had never wanted her husband to die. Not until he ripped their family apart. Testicular cancer? Rabies? A fatal fall from a windy clifftop? Lightning strike to his adulterous crotch? She hadn’t decided. All she knew was, once a husband told her wife that he had been having an affair with her younger sister, it was more than acceptable, if not entirely necessary, for his wife to imagine his gruesome death over and over for her own pleasure.
Louise, Michael and their two kids, Brooke (18) and Dominic (10) were well off, everything was hunky dory. Love and sunshine and rainbows, mostly. But when Michael confesses that he has been ‘servicing’ Louise’s sister for the past 10 month, because of THAT NIGHT, that’s exactly the moment THAT NIGHT from the past finds a way in the door to deliver judgement! With emotions running high, Jordan starts to tease you with snippets, teeny tiny snippets, of something bigger, darker and deadlier than Michael’s ding-dong in Denise and his other looming trouble (for you to find out as you’re reading, courtesy of yours truly).
As Louise packs a bag to go ‘be in peace’ and leaves her kids behind her, she has no idea that her drinking session in the country house will have a bigger effect on her life than a simple hangover….
She began to cry where she lay, the rain soaking through her clothes and dripping from her skin and hair. Her sobs were almost silenced by the orchestra of the wind, the thrashing trees, and the noisy rush of the rain.
I deserve this, she thought. I deserve everything I get.
But…
I don’t want to talk about the plot any more… I think even the blurb gives away a bit too much… but that’s just imho. Be warned and be assured that in this book there are surprises, there are horrible happenings and one big dysfunctional family.
Michael, you dirty dog, I am looking at you! Weak male specimen! And Louise, really? And Denise, really-really?
I’m telling you… a whole pile of shit decisions!
Without a shadow of a doubt, this book was thrilling to the max. It was the most twisted, darkest thing I’ve read in a while and it was delivered brilliantly. I read it in one sitting long into the night (hence my bloodshot eyes today at work) but I just could not put it down. Everything- from me feeling disdain towards most of the characters, feeling hooked, feeling disbelief and hollering out in glee for this brilliantly evil plot- was just a perfect mix!
The writing was fantastic. I loved how Jordan managed to make me feel every emotion, every setting, every scene. I most felt for Dominic, the 10 year old boy who was born into these horrible circumstances to parents that were seemingly unable to make the right decisions and came across directly put- selfish as f*ck. Louise, Michael and Brooke being in their own kinds of trouble gave them NO right to forget that there is a little confused boy in the mix of it all… But the feelings of suspense and foreboding were so greatly written I nearly felt horrified at times. And being so utterly overwhelmed by the emotions, my heart rate went up and that was a valid reason for me to skip my evening walk because my state of high alert felt like exercise enough.
Now, I was soooo afraid of finding out about THAT NIGHT because Jordan really teases with it… often and effectively… and I was just there- oh, Lord Jesus, save me from this agony, what happened that night?– Ha! Just kidding, LJ wouldn’t give me the time of day, and anyway, I didn’t really want or need saving. Jordan’s teasing was just so much suspense. Suspense is good, but at the back of my head I was afraid of the ‘big reveal’ to be something predictable. And that I was going to be pricked by the twist as if with a needle and be deflated like a spit-filled balloon.
Never have I ever been more happy (I actually feel awful saying this considering what happened in the book, but you other psychos get my gist) to discover that the twistedness and the darkness and the awfulness and the disgust and the genius of pulling the plot together did not let me down. Jack Jordan, I salute you- THIS is how you create a harrowing read!
The ending was another aspect I was afraid to get to. How does Jordan end a book that’s been delivering in terms of a strong start, a strong middle and the overall continuous wonderful horribleness?
I, for one, wasn’t disappointed. I doubt anyone could really be disappointed by this ending. The finale prior to reaching that 100% reading progress mark on my Kindle, was 3 parts bittersweet, 3 parts ‘truth shall set you free‘, 3 parts painful and deadly and 1 part baffled little boy who will forever think he was abandoned.
5*- Loved this book for for the reading experience it gave me! Recommended for thriller fans!
August 6, 2016
Anything For Her is a debut from Jack Jordan that is both accomplished and and very readable. I had actually requested this on NetGalley only then to realise that I had purchased it some time before. I fully appreciate the gesture though and am grateful for the offer, so thanks for that.
After a few hours sleep one night I found I couldn't drift off again so I decided to pick this one up. A few pages in and I was hooked. So immersed I became as we met Louise the mother and Brooke the daughter. It's clear that they're hiding a terrible secret that is slowly tearing them apart but neither are prepared to talk to anyone about it including those that are close around them. The storytelling is taut and perfectly paced as titbits are fed through as to what this secret could actually be. I didn't much care for the characters here, in fact, I didn't like them at all as Louise stumbled around on her quest to 'forget' the pain of all that was going on in her life. Many of the actions here are selfish and thoughtless and you find yourself feeling wary as you read on, knowing full well that this is not heading anywhere good.
I can't really believe that this is a debut. Jordan knows how to write in a 'I'm going to suck you in quickly and never really let go until the last page' kind of way. It's skilled and I love how I tore through the book so keen I was to reach the conclusion. The book really does live up to its title and has firmly etched into my brain that I will definitely be reading My Girl, the next offering by Jordan and wonder if it is just as compelling. I hope so!!
Definitely a recommended.
After a few hours sleep one night I found I couldn't drift off again so I decided to pick this one up. A few pages in and I was hooked. So immersed I became as we met Louise the mother and Brooke the daughter. It's clear that they're hiding a terrible secret that is slowly tearing them apart but neither are prepared to talk to anyone about it including those that are close around them. The storytelling is taut and perfectly paced as titbits are fed through as to what this secret could actually be. I didn't much care for the characters here, in fact, I didn't like them at all as Louise stumbled around on her quest to 'forget' the pain of all that was going on in her life. Many of the actions here are selfish and thoughtless and you find yourself feeling wary as you read on, knowing full well that this is not heading anywhere good.
I can't really believe that this is a debut. Jordan knows how to write in a 'I'm going to suck you in quickly and never really let go until the last page' kind of way. It's skilled and I love how I tore through the book so keen I was to reach the conclusion. The book really does live up to its title and has firmly etched into my brain that I will definitely be reading My Girl, the next offering by Jordan and wonder if it is just as compelling. I hope so!!
Definitely a recommended.
January 15, 2018
Author: Jack Jordan
Published: 11/06/2015
Recommended for: fans of crime thrillers
I received this book for free through GoodReads FirstReads competitions. I thought that this was an extremely well written novel that effortlessly captures the readers attention and keeps hold of it. It is a book that is incredibly hard to put down, I lost alot of hours of sleep as I just couldn't stop reading this book!
Jack Jordan is a very talented author who keeps up and excellent pace throughout the book so that there isn't a lull where you consider putting the book down. It is one that I would definately read again and again and read more by this fantastic author. The way he describes the characters and the surroundings paints a vivid image in your mind so that you can see it all playing our infront of you, the characters are easy to relate to, understand and realistic. An absolutely fabulous book to read! I am so happy that I won this book.
Published: 11/06/2015
Recommended for: fans of crime thrillers
I received this book for free through GoodReads FirstReads competitions. I thought that this was an extremely well written novel that effortlessly captures the readers attention and keeps hold of it. It is a book that is incredibly hard to put down, I lost alot of hours of sleep as I just couldn't stop reading this book!
Jack Jordan is a very talented author who keeps up and excellent pace throughout the book so that there isn't a lull where you consider putting the book down. It is one that I would definately read again and again and read more by this fantastic author. The way he describes the characters and the surroundings paints a vivid image in your mind so that you can see it all playing our infront of you, the characters are easy to relate to, understand and realistic. An absolutely fabulous book to read! I am so happy that I won this book.
October 6, 2016
I could hardly believe this book was the debut effort from a very young writer.. Great effort, the only reason I cannot review this a bit higher is that I did not feel any connection at all with the main characters. The book is suspenseful and goes back and forth between the present and "That Night". Something bad happened "That Night" and as you read on you find out exactly how bad it really was-. The book was fast paced but I did not like the main character-Louise at all --I feel her and her husband and most of her family (except for the son)had no redeeming qualities. I would recommend this book to someone who likes stories where justice is served in the end.
May 6, 2017
Finished reading: May 3rd 2017
"What I've learned, Dominic, is that it isn't us that's weird, for not following the rules - it's those who cannot think for themselves that are the weird ones."
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and JJP in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
P.S. Find more of my reviews here.
February 13, 2017
This one is tough to review. For a debut novel the writing is pretty good. The characters are not very likeable and there's really not much redemption happening. The mystery is ok, but I guessed it fairly early on. I thought I must have been wrong and the author would throw in some twists to prove I had fallen for a red herring, but no it was what I thought all along.
It took me quite a while to finish this one. I can't quite explain why. The author did a good job of ending each chapter with a little bit of a cliffhanger and that usually keeps me turning the pages, but I think it was the characters. I just didn't care about them enough to want to race to the ending. .
NetGalley ARC received for an honest review.
It took me quite a while to finish this one. I can't quite explain why. The author did a good job of ending each chapter with a little bit of a cliffhanger and that usually keeps me turning the pages, but I think it was the characters. I just didn't care about them enough to want to race to the ending. .
NetGalley ARC received for an honest review.
July 16, 2015
What a fantastic debut. This book had me longing to read on from the very first page. I love how descriptive this author is - he writes in such a way that you can literally imagine every person, every image and every scene like you're there. I've read so very many thrillers and it's rare that I come across an ending that is not exactly what I had expected by mid-book, but I was left shocked by this story. I absolutely loved it and I can't wait for the sequel!
December 26, 2015
I was given this book by the author in exchange for an honest review. My rating is actually 3.5 stars.
This is the authors debut novel, and on that note, I have to give him credit as writing is not as easy as some people think! The plot itself was interesting enough to grab my attention and had some key twists which I really enjoyed.
Unfortunately though, I have to admit that I really...really...struggled to read this book. I am a pretty fast reader. I can plough through, absorb and become utterly immersed in a book to the point it takes me only hours to read. This book took me nearly 5 days! I even had to stop in between --read TWO other books-- and then pick this one back up because it just did not keep me hooked.
I found the first few chapters to be slightly repetitive. I suspect this may have been for some sort of effect that the author was trying to get across. It did, however, just annoy me slightly. I was just not "feeling" it.
There were also various POV's (Points of View) used which were not too bad, but I wondered if the story had been told differently, would it have captured my imagination and indeed my attention...that little bit more.
Some of the characters also annoyed me...but in a good way...as I just wanted to slap them silly!! Louise especially! I mean, c'mon woman!! get yourself together. Michael was a bit of a dark horse and Louise's sister too!
The pace did not pick up until I was about 80% into the book. For me...that is just far too long. But for others, they may find themselves more interested earlier on. I know what I like and how I like it I guess.
As I said, this is the authors debut novel and so overall it was good! It is definitely worth giving it a go as others seemed to have enjoyed it immensely.
My favourite part was the authors note at the end...no spoilers, but well said Mr Jordan. I will certainly read another book from this author in the future as you never know..greatness could be hiding around the corner!
This is the authors debut novel, and on that note, I have to give him credit as writing is not as easy as some people think! The plot itself was interesting enough to grab my attention and had some key twists which I really enjoyed.
Unfortunately though, I have to admit that I really...really...struggled to read this book. I am a pretty fast reader. I can plough through, absorb and become utterly immersed in a book to the point it takes me only hours to read. This book took me nearly 5 days! I even had to stop in between --read TWO other books-- and then pick this one back up because it just did not keep me hooked.
I found the first few chapters to be slightly repetitive. I suspect this may have been for some sort of effect that the author was trying to get across. It did, however, just annoy me slightly. I was just not "feeling" it.
There were also various POV's (Points of View) used which were not too bad, but I wondered if the story had been told differently, would it have captured my imagination and indeed my attention...that little bit more.
Some of the characters also annoyed me...but in a good way...as I just wanted to slap them silly!! Louise especially! I mean, c'mon woman!! get yourself together. Michael was a bit of a dark horse and Louise's sister too!
The pace did not pick up until I was about 80% into the book. For me...that is just far too long. But for others, they may find themselves more interested earlier on. I know what I like and how I like it I guess.
As I said, this is the authors debut novel and so overall it was good! It is definitely worth giving it a go as others seemed to have enjoyed it immensely.
My favourite part was the authors note at the end...no spoilers, but well said Mr Jordan. I will certainly read another book from this author in the future as you never know..greatness could be hiding around the corner!
June 4, 2016
This is Jack Jordan's debut novel and what a great way to start his writing career.
ONE NIGHT has serious repercussions for many people. I liked that we didn't find out until later in the story what actually happened on that one night. While we wonder what happened that night we see Louise's life falling apart when her husband confesses to having an affair- with her sister. As if that isn't bad enough on its own they are going to lose everything they own.
Needing to escape she leaves the family home and goes to stay in their country holiday home. However strange things start happening around Louise and her daughter Brooke that leaves them terrified. Can they keep their secret about what happened that night??
'A mother will do anything for her daughter.
A killer will do anything for his'.
I thought this was a well written psychological thriller that had me gripped. I went from wanting to punch Michael to wanting to give Louise a good shake.
I kept wondering how the author was going to end this story and I've got to say I found the ending faultless.
Looking forward to reading more from this author.
ONE NIGHT has serious repercussions for many people. I liked that we didn't find out until later in the story what actually happened on that one night. While we wonder what happened that night we see Louise's life falling apart when her husband confesses to having an affair- with her sister. As if that isn't bad enough on its own they are going to lose everything they own.
Needing to escape she leaves the family home and goes to stay in their country holiday home. However strange things start happening around Louise and her daughter Brooke that leaves them terrified. Can they keep their secret about what happened that night??
'A mother will do anything for her daughter.
A killer will do anything for his'.
I thought this was a well written psychological thriller that had me gripped. I went from wanting to punch Michael to wanting to give Louise a good shake.
I kept wondering how the author was going to end this story and I've got to say I found the ending faultless.
Looking forward to reading more from this author.
June 14, 2016
Remind Me Never to Leave My Coat on the Host Bed at a Party
I read both recent Jack Jordan novels back to back. Lately I have been attracting the dark psychological thriller genre. I may need a break after reading Anything for Her.
Anything for Her is the story of a picture perfect family in the aftermath of a horror story. Brooke Leighton is eighteen years old and tormented by the events of a terrible night in which people lost their lives. Her mother Louise is hiding her secret along with a terrible one of her own, also stemming from “that night”. Life for the Leightons is clearly defined as before that night and after. Michael, the patriarch was a successful business man before that night but afterwards is being investigated for fraud and embezzlement. Oh, and since Louise, his once sexy, game-for-anything wife has done a complete 180 after that night, Michael decides to add sleazy adulterer to the list by sleeping with Louise’s sister, justifying it because his wife will no longer put out. The story rather ridiculously implies that people are like light switches, either on or off.
Suicidal and desperate, Louise decides to flee their London town home escaping to the countryside for some time alone to think, leaving Brooke and her ten year old son to fend for themselves. Shortly thereafter Louise is stalked by an intruder who mysteriously and easily enters her home and yard, leaving telltale dead baby robins all over the place. At the same time, Brooke is also being stalked back in London.
The story gets even more unbelievably bizarre from here.
The reader is beaten over the head with the promise of finding out what happened “that night”. Instead of building tension and teasing appropriately, the effect of the relentless buildup was obnoxious that I nearly lost interest altogether. Louise’s character was written in such a way that no mother I know would be able to relate. Her complete lack of judgment in handling the details of that night puts her daughter in extreme danger and causes her even greater trauma. Laughably, Louise’s profession is that of a therapist. Brooke’s decision to call her mother for help that night was the worst decision she could have made. Stupidly, Louise decides to keep a written account of what happened via a journal as a ridiculous attempt to assuage her guilt.
I’ll give you one guess as to whether or not the diary is found out?
By the time I got to the big reveal, I was thoroughly disgusted and even put the book away for a while. There was no “can’t put it down feel.”
Immature characters that didn’t ring true, a plot that completely jumped the shark, and unresolved story lines that go nowhere makes this one to skip.
BRB Rating: Skip It
I read both recent Jack Jordan novels back to back. Lately I have been attracting the dark psychological thriller genre. I may need a break after reading Anything for Her.
Anything for Her is the story of a picture perfect family in the aftermath of a horror story. Brooke Leighton is eighteen years old and tormented by the events of a terrible night in which people lost their lives. Her mother Louise is hiding her secret along with a terrible one of her own, also stemming from “that night”. Life for the Leightons is clearly defined as before that night and after. Michael, the patriarch was a successful business man before that night but afterwards is being investigated for fraud and embezzlement. Oh, and since Louise, his once sexy, game-for-anything wife has done a complete 180 after that night, Michael decides to add sleazy adulterer to the list by sleeping with Louise’s sister, justifying it because his wife will no longer put out. The story rather ridiculously implies that people are like light switches, either on or off.
Suicidal and desperate, Louise decides to flee their London town home escaping to the countryside for some time alone to think, leaving Brooke and her ten year old son to fend for themselves. Shortly thereafter Louise is stalked by an intruder who mysteriously and easily enters her home and yard, leaving telltale dead baby robins all over the place. At the same time, Brooke is also being stalked back in London.
The story gets even more unbelievably bizarre from here.
The reader is beaten over the head with the promise of finding out what happened “that night”. Instead of building tension and teasing appropriately, the effect of the relentless buildup was obnoxious that I nearly lost interest altogether. Louise’s character was written in such a way that no mother I know would be able to relate. Her complete lack of judgment in handling the details of that night puts her daughter in extreme danger and causes her even greater trauma. Laughably, Louise’s profession is that of a therapist. Brooke’s decision to call her mother for help that night was the worst decision she could have made. Stupidly, Louise decides to keep a written account of what happened via a journal as a ridiculous attempt to assuage her guilt.
I’ll give you one guess as to whether or not the diary is found out?
By the time I got to the big reveal, I was thoroughly disgusted and even put the book away for a while. There was no “can’t put it down feel.”
Immature characters that didn’t ring true, a plot that completely jumped the shark, and unresolved story lines that go nowhere makes this one to skip.
BRB Rating: Skip It
March 31, 2016
Anything for Her is the story of a family dealing with more problems than any family should ever have to deal with. A father, Michael, who is currently facing jail time for insider trading, is also having an affair – with his wife’s sister. His wife, Louise, and daughter, Brooke, share a dark secret that could cost them their lives, yet they are determined to take it to their graves. The story is told through each of their eyes, letting us see the whole picture in a way that none of them can. Small clues appear in the form of frozen birds, Robins, to hint that someone knows Louise and Brooke’s secret, and he is coming for them. A frantic chase ensues, with Louise trying to keep her secret while staying one step ahead of a killer.
The story starts out slow, but after the first third of the book, it really starts coming together. The writing and editing throughout are top-notch, allowing you to focus solely on the action. The story is told quite well overall and the author makes wonderful use of descriptive phrasing to really bring the scenes to life. The characters all also drawn very well, with each primary having their own identity, flaws and voice. The entire story is told in the present tense, even during flashbacks, which can hit the ear wrong at times, but never detracts from the story. Some of the events toward the end are extremely improbable, but the tension is high enough that I was able to suspend my disbelief and make it through. Overall, it was a very enjoyable, highly recommended read.
See the full review at DonnieJBurgess.com
The story starts out slow, but after the first third of the book, it really starts coming together. The writing and editing throughout are top-notch, allowing you to focus solely on the action. The story is told quite well overall and the author makes wonderful use of descriptive phrasing to really bring the scenes to life. The characters all also drawn very well, with each primary having their own identity, flaws and voice. The entire story is told in the present tense, even during flashbacks, which can hit the ear wrong at times, but never detracts from the story. Some of the events toward the end are extremely improbable, but the tension is high enough that I was able to suspend my disbelief and make it through. Overall, it was a very enjoyable, highly recommended read.
See the full review at DonnieJBurgess.com
June 5, 2016
Review rating: 5+ Thrilling Stars!
Anything for her is a passionate story about how far you will go to protect your family and what you do when the past comes back to haunt you.
Louise Leighton just found out her husband is cheating on her with her sister. Angry and bitter, she leaves her family for some alone time at their country home.
Eighteen-year-old Brooke Leighton is missing. It’s up to Louise and the Metropolitan Police to find her. Has Brooke run away?
Louise and Brooke share a secret, one they will never escape from. When someone starts stalking Louise and Brooke goes missing, Louise still doesn't come clean with what happened a year ago.
I was hooked from page one. The author keeps you guessing until the end.
I read this just under 4 hours, couldn't wait to turn the next page!
My first novel by Jack Jordan and not the last! I look forward to read more of this author's work.
A great read and brilliantly written.
Thank you to Jack Jordan, via Netgalley, for providing me with a free copy of Anything for Her for a fair and honest review.
Thank you for reading my review ♥
Anything for her is a passionate story about how far you will go to protect your family and what you do when the past comes back to haunt you.
Louise Leighton just found out her husband is cheating on her with her sister. Angry and bitter, she leaves her family for some alone time at their country home.
Eighteen-year-old Brooke Leighton is missing. It’s up to Louise and the Metropolitan Police to find her. Has Brooke run away?
Louise and Brooke share a secret, one they will never escape from. When someone starts stalking Louise and Brooke goes missing, Louise still doesn't come clean with what happened a year ago.
I was hooked from page one. The author keeps you guessing until the end.
I read this just under 4 hours, couldn't wait to turn the next page!
My first novel by Jack Jordan and not the last! I look forward to read more of this author's work.
A great read and brilliantly written.
Thank you to Jack Jordan, via Netgalley, for providing me with a free copy of Anything for Her for a fair and honest review.
Thank you for reading my review ♥
March 30, 2017
Wow! This is the debut novel of Jack Jordan. I'm very impressed and will be watching for more from him.
This novel was a very quick read. I would have read it in one sitting if life had not gotten in the way. The story goes back and forth between present day and "that night". It was not hard to follow at all though.
I was shocked by the end. I never expected what happened. This was a great suspense novel.
I would recommend it to anyone who loves a good psychological/suspense/thriller.
This novel was a very quick read. I would have read it in one sitting if life had not gotten in the way. The story goes back and forth between present day and "that night". It was not hard to follow at all though.
I was shocked by the end. I never expected what happened. This was a great suspense novel.
I would recommend it to anyone who loves a good psychological/suspense/thriller.
July 23, 2024
Jack Jordan's debut novel is a very, very, very dark tale of revenge and parental love.
Unfortunately, at times, the book's pacey storyline was fragmented and all over the place.
(Where was the editor????)
Overall, the book's characterizations were strong with a well-crafted and jaw-dropping ending.
I listened to the audiobook read by Julie Maisey, who did an outstanding job with the narration.
Since the book unfolded from multiple POVs, a full-cast audio would have been preferred.
This was an impressive debut for a 23-year-old author.
I am a huge fan of this author and eagerly await his future releases.
September 12, 2015
We meet Louise Leighton when she is in the depths of despair. She knows that her husband Michael is having an affair with her sister and they are about to lose everything and then her eighteen year old daughter Brooke goes missing! Did she leave of her own accord or has someone taken her against her will? The main part of the story is told in the present tense and concentrates on the search for Brooke although we do get some glimpses of life before everything went wrong.
Louise’s dilemma is a really tough one. If the police are going to find Brooke then the secret that the pair have been keeping for the last year will have to be revealed. Michael, is in the dark about whatever happened one night that changed his wife to a shell of herself and simultaneously has caused his once outgoing daughter into a withdrawn introverted young woman. This now dysfunctional family has only one member who appears normal and that is Brooke’s brother Dominic who is protective of both his mother and sister.
There is plenty of tension in this book especially as Louise is sure that she is being watched, she keeps getting strange, and by strange, I mean really strange, gifts left for her to find. Someone is coming into her house and she isn’t able to ask for help because, yes you’ve guessed it, the secret will be revealed.
So with such a set-up the secret needs to be a good one and I’m pleased to report that when it was finally revealed I could understand Louise’s insistence to keep it to themselves, although my guess was fairly close to what happened. Unusually for me the fact that I didn’t really warm to any of the main characters was slightly problematic, although I was marginally more sympathetic to Brooke’s plight than Louise’s. My feelings about the characters meant that I wasn’t entirely convinced by some of their actions at times. For example we are told why Michael had the affair, but this seemed overly simplistic, and besides if he had been the man Louise claimed he was then ether surely there were other options! To be fair some of the other suspect behaviour was explained by the parts of the story that were told from before that fateful night and this is a tale where it will work as long as you go with the flow – unfortunately I had to many breaks in between my reading which perhaps gave me too much time to question rather than simply enjoy.
I wouldn’t recommend this book for those of a sensitive nature, there were times when the crudeness of the language seemed just a bit too much, which had the effect of breaking the tension, but this may be down to my personal taste. None of this can take away the sense of terror particularly as the ending nears, by this time I was on the edge of my seat!
This was an enjoyable read with plenty of action so perfect for reading in as short a space of time as possible and at the moment it is available on kindle for the bargain price of 99p.
I am very grateful to the author for giving me a copy of this book for review purposes. Anything for Her was published on 21 June 2015.
Louise’s dilemma is a really tough one. If the police are going to find Brooke then the secret that the pair have been keeping for the last year will have to be revealed. Michael, is in the dark about whatever happened one night that changed his wife to a shell of herself and simultaneously has caused his once outgoing daughter into a withdrawn introverted young woman. This now dysfunctional family has only one member who appears normal and that is Brooke’s brother Dominic who is protective of both his mother and sister.
There is plenty of tension in this book especially as Louise is sure that she is being watched, she keeps getting strange, and by strange, I mean really strange, gifts left for her to find. Someone is coming into her house and she isn’t able to ask for help because, yes you’ve guessed it, the secret will be revealed.
So with such a set-up the secret needs to be a good one and I’m pleased to report that when it was finally revealed I could understand Louise’s insistence to keep it to themselves, although my guess was fairly close to what happened. Unusually for me the fact that I didn’t really warm to any of the main characters was slightly problematic, although I was marginally more sympathetic to Brooke’s plight than Louise’s. My feelings about the characters meant that I wasn’t entirely convinced by some of their actions at times. For example we are told why Michael had the affair, but this seemed overly simplistic, and besides if he had been the man Louise claimed he was then ether surely there were other options! To be fair some of the other suspect behaviour was explained by the parts of the story that were told from before that fateful night and this is a tale where it will work as long as you go with the flow – unfortunately I had to many breaks in between my reading which perhaps gave me too much time to question rather than simply enjoy.
I wouldn’t recommend this book for those of a sensitive nature, there were times when the crudeness of the language seemed just a bit too much, which had the effect of breaking the tension, but this may be down to my personal taste. None of this can take away the sense of terror particularly as the ending nears, by this time I was on the edge of my seat!
This was an enjoyable read with plenty of action so perfect for reading in as short a space of time as possible and at the moment it is available on kindle for the bargain price of 99p.
I am very grateful to the author for giving me a copy of this book for review purposes. Anything for Her was published on 21 June 2015.
May 19, 2016
The sense of foreboding in this book is spine tingling. As soon as you start reading you know that something about these characters, something they’ve done, is catastrophic. From start to finish my heart rate increased by a few beats a minutes and I felt tense, waiting…
Louise Leighton’s life is falling apart. Everything that can go wrong is, and it’s going wrong with bells on it! Her husband has been cheating on her, with her sister. Her husband is about to be arrested for tax evasion and fraud (seems the husband is to blame for most of her misery!). She and her family are about to lose everything they own in order to pay her husband’s debts. But worst of all, Louise has a secret. Now her daughter is missing and deep down Louise knows it’s all because of THAT night. The night life changed forever for the Leighton family…
This book is chock full of suspense. It’s an ‘edge of your seat’ read and very hard to put down once you start (I read it in a day which is very quick for me). The only character I really warmed to was the lovely Dominic, Louise’s young son. Everyone else has a slightly sinister edge which makes it a challenge to like them. I really wanted to like Louise but she is so flawed that I failed, miserably. Plus I’m really not all that sure about her style of parenting! I’m definitely not a perfect mum myself but, oh my!
I found certain parts of the story quite creepy. There is one scene (I’m trying very hard to not give anything away for those that haven’t read it yet) where Louise wakes up in bed after a heavy night on the wine to find she is not alone. Just thinking about it now makes me shudder!
I have Jack Jordan’s new book, My Girl, to read and I’m very much looking forward to it. Even more so after reading this his debut novel. Oh, and did I mention that I’m on the blog tour for My Girl too?
Four and a half out of five stars.
Many thanks to Jack Jordan for providing me with a copy of Anything For Her in exchange for an honest review.
Louise Leighton’s life is falling apart. Everything that can go wrong is, and it’s going wrong with bells on it! Her husband has been cheating on her, with her sister. Her husband is about to be arrested for tax evasion and fraud (seems the husband is to blame for most of her misery!). She and her family are about to lose everything they own in order to pay her husband’s debts. But worst of all, Louise has a secret. Now her daughter is missing and deep down Louise knows it’s all because of THAT night. The night life changed forever for the Leighton family…
This book is chock full of suspense. It’s an ‘edge of your seat’ read and very hard to put down once you start (I read it in a day which is very quick for me). The only character I really warmed to was the lovely Dominic, Louise’s young son. Everyone else has a slightly sinister edge which makes it a challenge to like them. I really wanted to like Louise but she is so flawed that I failed, miserably. Plus I’m really not all that sure about her style of parenting! I’m definitely not a perfect mum myself but, oh my!
I found certain parts of the story quite creepy. There is one scene (I’m trying very hard to not give anything away for those that haven’t read it yet) where Louise wakes up in bed after a heavy night on the wine to find she is not alone. Just thinking about it now makes me shudder!
I have Jack Jordan’s new book, My Girl, to read and I’m very much looking forward to it. Even more so after reading this his debut novel. Oh, and did I mention that I’m on the blog tour for My Girl too?
Four and a half out of five stars.
Many thanks to Jack Jordan for providing me with a copy of Anything For Her in exchange for an honest review.
February 19, 2017
Where oh where to start. So many emotions packed into one book that I am struggling to find the words to convey my actual feelings. I saw this book on NetGalley and was intrigued so I requested it, and thought nothing of it when I got approved. I have never heard of the author, and after some digging, saw this was a debut novel. Normally debut novels are hit or miss. They either suck so hard and I am pissed I wasted time reading it, or I love it so much that I read all night.
If you are wondering what camp I am in this time, first look at my rating and then know this, I stayed up past midnight to finish the book, and then immediately started the author's next novelMy Girl.
Louise's life is literally becoming hell. Her husband has just admitted to having an affair...with her sister. Then, her teenage daughter Brooke goes missing. Is it because of "that night"? Like some mother/daughters, Brooke and Louise share a secret. It's like Gilmore Girls...on crack.
We are then taken down a very depressing hole as we see this once loving family crack. The husband Michael has his own problems to deal with, Louise is torn between giving it all up or being a mama bear, Brooke is...who knows, and the youngest, Dominic, has to deal with a whole family of nutters. That kid will be needing much therapy later in life.
I do want to say this to potential readers, this book is dark and depressing. If this is not your normal cup of tea, you might want to bypass it. However, if you are fond of reading books that really dig deep and don't have happy endings, then this is for you. Just make sure you have one of the following while reading:
1.Wine
2.Prozac
3.A cat to cuddle
4. All of the above
I would like to thank NetGalley, the author, publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
If you are wondering what camp I am in this time, first look at my rating and then know this, I stayed up past midnight to finish the book, and then immediately started the author's next novelMy Girl.
Louise's life is literally becoming hell. Her husband has just admitted to having an affair...with her sister. Then, her teenage daughter Brooke goes missing. Is it because of "that night"? Like some mother/daughters, Brooke and Louise share a secret. It's like Gilmore Girls...on crack.
We are then taken down a very depressing hole as we see this once loving family crack. The husband Michael has his own problems to deal with, Louise is torn between giving it all up or being a mama bear, Brooke is...who knows, and the youngest, Dominic, has to deal with a whole family of nutters. That kid will be needing much therapy later in life.
I do want to say this to potential readers, this book is dark and depressing. If this is not your normal cup of tea, you might want to bypass it. However, if you are fond of reading books that really dig deep and don't have happy endings, then this is for you. Just make sure you have one of the following while reading:
1.
2.
3.
4. All of the above
I would like to thank NetGalley, the author, publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
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