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Obsession
One evening, a wife asks her husband a question: who else would you go for, if you could?
It is a simple question – a little game – that will destroy her life.
Carly and Rob are a perfect couple. They share happy lives with their children and their close friends Craig and Jenny. They’re lucky. But beneath the surface, no relationship is simple: can another woman’s husband and another man’s wife ever just be good friends?
Little by little, Carly’s question sends her life spiralling out of control, as she begins to doubt everything she thought was true. Who can she trust? The man she has promised to stick by forever, or the best friend she has known for years? And is Carly being entirely honest with either of them?
438 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2017
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4730 people want to read
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February 8, 2018
FIVE STARS
Armchair psychologists, REJOICE! This is your book! Take out your pen and paper because your skills are needed to DIAGNOSE a mental patient. The only issue is to decide WHICH character is mentally obsessive and potentially homicidal.
This book is so deliciously dark, I'm tempted to say something corny like "Your only obsession will be with this novel." I would never say that.
BUT IT IS SO FREAKIN' GOOD! I could not do anything else except glue my eyeballs to every page until I finished it off. Whew! A mental rollercoaster like no other. This is my kind of book, a deep character study and a sense of dread coming with each plot turn. You have no idea how this will end, but you know it is not going to be a happy one. LISTEN! Until you read the VERY LAST PAGE, you don't even know the Mother of all Plot Twists that is waiting to make your day!
The novel starts innocently enough when Carly drunkenly asks her husband "Who else would you go for, if you could?" Oh Carly. Why did you ever have to ask that question? Rob's answer is like a dagger to her heart and brain. The die is cast, fates are sealed, destiny is determined. An obsession starts growing roots.
The story is presented from each of the four character's P.O.V. The chapters are short, but the book is long. Get ready to go in deep. Scandalous, frightening innermost thoughts are revealed and it's not pretty. Downright uncomfortable. I find it so fascinating to compare a person's thoughts with their contrasting behavior.
It's been awhile since I read a psychological suspense that contained so many graphic sex scenes. But I didn't find it to be gratuitous, since one of the characters suffers from a sex addiction and it is pertinent to telling the story. I just point it out as a minor warning if you don't want to read sex. Besides sex and drug addiction, you may be surprised to find yourself reading quite a bit about God and religion, medical professions, and child rearing. Hey, I told you! This book goes deep. No subject is too sensitive or off-limits for this author to tackle.
I'm really excited, if you couldn't tell, to recommend this book about two couples with a "schizophrenic" relationship between all four members. Just when you think you know who is obsessing, who is the unreliable narrator, who is just an ordinary flawed human, you have to start all over again because, like I said..... until the very last page, you don't know for sure. YASSSSS, I LOVE IT and I'M ADDING IT TO MY TWISTER HALL OF FAME RIGHT NOW!
This is Amanda Robson's phenomenal debut novel. It was the #1 e-book all summer in the U.K., Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. The US publication is scheduled for September 19, 2017.
Ms. Robson was kind enough to sit down and answer my questions in an interview. Check it out here: https://booksbejeweled.com/2017/09/08...
Armchair psychologists, REJOICE! This is your book! Take out your pen and paper because your skills are needed to DIAGNOSE a mental patient. The only issue is to decide WHICH character is mentally obsessive and potentially homicidal.
This book is so deliciously dark, I'm tempted to say something corny like "Your only obsession will be with this novel." I would never say that.
BUT IT IS SO FREAKIN' GOOD! I could not do anything else except glue my eyeballs to every page until I finished it off. Whew! A mental rollercoaster like no other. This is my kind of book, a deep character study and a sense of dread coming with each plot turn. You have no idea how this will end, but you know it is not going to be a happy one. LISTEN! Until you read the VERY LAST PAGE, you don't even know the Mother of all Plot Twists that is waiting to make your day!
The novel starts innocently enough when Carly drunkenly asks her husband "Who else would you go for, if you could?" Oh Carly. Why did you ever have to ask that question? Rob's answer is like a dagger to her heart and brain. The die is cast, fates are sealed, destiny is determined. An obsession starts growing roots.
The story is presented from each of the four character's P.O.V. The chapters are short, but the book is long. Get ready to go in deep. Scandalous, frightening innermost thoughts are revealed and it's not pretty. Downright uncomfortable. I find it so fascinating to compare a person's thoughts with their contrasting behavior.
It's been awhile since I read a psychological suspense that contained so many graphic sex scenes. But I didn't find it to be gratuitous, since one of the characters suffers from a sex addiction and it is pertinent to telling the story. I just point it out as a minor warning if you don't want to read sex. Besides sex and drug addiction, you may be surprised to find yourself reading quite a bit about God and religion, medical professions, and child rearing. Hey, I told you! This book goes deep. No subject is too sensitive or off-limits for this author to tackle.
I'm really excited, if you couldn't tell, to recommend this book about two couples with a "schizophrenic" relationship between all four members. Just when you think you know who is obsessing, who is the unreliable narrator, who is just an ordinary flawed human, you have to start all over again because, like I said..... until the very last page, you don't know for sure. YASSSSS, I LOVE IT and I'M ADDING IT TO MY TWISTER HALL OF FAME RIGHT NOW!
This is Amanda Robson's phenomenal debut novel. It was the #1 e-book all summer in the U.K., Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. The US publication is scheduled for September 19, 2017.
Ms. Robson was kind enough to sit down and answer my questions in an interview. Check it out here: https://booksbejeweled.com/2017/09/08...
February 22, 2021
This was a mess.
Spoilers below! I’m gonna rant a fair bit and can’t be assed to mark them separately so if you do want to read this one then look away now!!
Carly and Rob have the perfect marriage. Or so they think. When they are both tipsy Carly asks Rob who he’d be interested in if he could have anyone else and he says their mutual friend Jenni.
From here spirals insecurity, paranoia and all sorts of malarkey.
My main gripes I will put in a list
- Repetitive. Honestly there’s only so many times I can read about Jenni’s ‘honey brown eyes’ or Carly’s ‘voluptuous breasts’.
- Too long. Thrillers should no be this long. It dragged out far too much.
- No clarification. Both women sleep with the others husband, but it is never clear on the nature of their relationship. Carly’s is described as a product of her mental illness. But Jenni and Rob - what the fuck was that? She handcuffs him to a chair and he says he was raped. She thinks it is love. Which is it?
- I hated pretty much everyone. I can handle an unlikeable character but Jenni was just vile in every way.
- Why did Jenni and Carly keep faking their friendship when they basically detested one another??
- I didn’t understand the religious element. What was the purpose of Jenni and Rob being religious?
The whole thing just seemed super unbelievable and extreme just for the sake of being extreme. And did Carly really kill Jenni on purpose? I kind of hope she did 😂
Spoilers below! I’m gonna rant a fair bit and can’t be assed to mark them separately so if you do want to read this one then look away now!!
Carly and Rob have the perfect marriage. Or so they think. When they are both tipsy Carly asks Rob who he’d be interested in if he could have anyone else and he says their mutual friend Jenni.
From here spirals insecurity, paranoia and all sorts of malarkey.
My main gripes I will put in a list
- Repetitive. Honestly there’s only so many times I can read about Jenni’s ‘honey brown eyes’ or Carly’s ‘voluptuous breasts’.
- Too long. Thrillers should no be this long. It dragged out far too much.
- No clarification. Both women sleep with the others husband, but it is never clear on the nature of their relationship. Carly’s is described as a product of her mental illness. But Jenni and Rob - what the fuck was that? She handcuffs him to a chair and he says he was raped. She thinks it is love. Which is it?
- I hated pretty much everyone. I can handle an unlikeable character but Jenni was just vile in every way.
- Why did Jenni and Carly keep faking their friendship when they basically detested one another??
- I didn’t understand the religious element. What was the purpose of Jenni and Rob being religious?
The whole thing just seemed super unbelievable and extreme just for the sake of being extreme. And did Carly really kill Jenni on purpose? I kind of hope she did 😂
December 26, 2020
For me, Amanda Robson’s books are very close to the definition of “guilty pleasure”. They can be over the top, bonkers, and sinfully delicious. I decided that now was a good time to minimize my TBR pile by a notch or two, and grabbed her debut novel.
OBSESSION starts out with Carly and Rob, a seemingly perfect couple, who have far too much to drink one night. Carly asks Rob who is person would be, if he had the opportunity to be with another woman. Unfortunately for everyone in this novel, Rob answers her.
To say that this is one F’d up story would be an understatement. Carly becomes unhinged, and in true Robson fashion...twists start to occur, and you really don’t know who is bad and who is good.
This one is narrated by four individuals, and I detested all of them. Seriously, these are despicable folks. While I enjoyed it enough to finish, it was also long-winded and a bit repetitive at times. I don’t mind OTT and crazy when the book is a juicy read, but this was really a bit too much for me. The actions of the characters are not very believable (going from cruel and psychotic to reasonable to cruel and psychotic from one chapter to the next), and the book is sexually explicit (not in a way that would turn on a level-headed individual). It’s mostly gripping, but more so in the way of, “What the F!ck am I reading? I can’t turn away.”
I think the author has improved since this book. If you are unfamiliar with her work but want to give her a try, I would suggest starting with the far superior MY DARLING.
2.5 stars
Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com
OBSESSION starts out with Carly and Rob, a seemingly perfect couple, who have far too much to drink one night. Carly asks Rob who is person would be, if he had the opportunity to be with another woman. Unfortunately for everyone in this novel, Rob answers her.
To say that this is one F’d up story would be an understatement. Carly becomes unhinged, and in true Robson fashion...twists start to occur, and you really don’t know who is bad and who is good.
This one is narrated by four individuals, and I detested all of them. Seriously, these are despicable folks. While I enjoyed it enough to finish, it was also long-winded and a bit repetitive at times. I don’t mind OTT and crazy when the book is a juicy read, but this was really a bit too much for me. The actions of the characters are not very believable (going from cruel and psychotic to reasonable to cruel and psychotic from one chapter to the next), and the book is sexually explicit (not in a way that would turn on a level-headed individual). It’s mostly gripping, but more so in the way of, “What the F!ck am I reading? I can’t turn away.”
I think the author has improved since this book. If you are unfamiliar with her work but want to give her a try, I would suggest starting with the far superior MY DARLING.
2.5 stars
Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com
June 30, 2017
Obsession is the debut novel from Amanda Robson and has the by now almost compulsory tagline promoting it as a ‘psychological thriller perfect for summer reading’.. I suspect that the term psychological thriller has been very loosely applied, because to me, Obsession read part toe-curling gratuitous erotica, but for the most part this was just a compilation of bizarre behaviour and nonsensical responses by two husbands and wives. Over the course of a sleep inducing and repetitive 464 pages, Obsession struggled to compel me to continue reading and it doesn’t help that the likelihood of such a situation actually occurring in real life is minimal, hence making this tale of relationships seem puerile at best.. only to then go seriously off the scale in terms of out there plot twists.
The craziness begins from the get go in Obsession as a drunk Carly Burton shares a bottle of wine with her husband of ten years, GP Rob, and relieved of the burden of supervising her three children, she mischievously asks him a question about who else he would go for, if he could. Religious Rob initially resists being drawn into the conversation but as Carly goads him he eventually gives the name of Jenni Rossiter, fellow NCT mother and one half of a couple - with husband Craig - who they share a close friendship with. This disclosure seriously upsets the apple cart and suddenly Carly is hellbent on seducing Jenni’s husband, Craig, which takes next to no time to come to fruition. However, Jenni’s response when she discovers her husbands adultery with her close friend is to throw Craig out, but not tell Carly that she knows that she was the other woman involved, leave Rob in the dark and continue to fraternise with the couple. How likely is it that you would want any further contact with each other in such a situation? Unfathomable, would be my answer.
Jenni, who quickly morphs into a deranged religious zealot decides to make Craig wait for forgiveness and meanwhile sets in motion her own devious quest for retribution. Over the course of this tepid novel Carly has a spell in a psychiatric hospital for her severe mental health problems (which she overcomes with mesmeric speed), Jenni starts working at the doctors surgery alongside Rob and Carly and then moves away to a fishing village in Cornwall. Still caught in a bitter game of last man standing in pursuit of what they want, Carly and Jenni, are both scheming and very flexible with the truth. As the story progresses the two female characters both takes turns in adding another kink into developments along the way, but in between all this there is an awful lot of ‘come to bed’ eyes and beseeching of the Lord. It should come as no surprise that Amanda Robson does manage to throw some deaths in along the way but frankly, I would not have been surprised if she had also found time for an alien landing in this melodrama of two marriages and two jealous women utterly losing the plot.
What makes this novel even stranger is that the four adults all appear pretty compos mentis before the fateful question is posed, making the ensuing drama all the more contrived when Carly seems to develop a sex addiction, alcohol addition, paranoia and serious self-esteem problems all in the course of a few pages. Although I enjoyed the narrative style of moving through the four players all contributing their own points of view it does lead to some overlap. I struggled to find a definitive timeline behind the events that unfold which I think would have certainly helped me to gain perspective on seeing Carly go from hearing Jenni’s name to suddenly setting Craig firmly in her sights. From what I can gather, the entire novel takes place over the course of two-years or so, but without any recourse to the dates, I found the sudden shifts in mindset from stable to seriously mentally ill unrealistic. I also had issues with the role of religion in Obsession, specifically that both Rob and Jenni are committed followers whereas spouses Craig and Carly are not. Given that most couples that come together usually share a common belief and have been married for nigh on a decade, it seemed odd that it could suddenly undermine the relationships.
Carly is best described as an out and out piece of work: an attention seeking drama queen with a fiery temper and a malevolent streak whose interest and concern for her children was negligible and basically equated to ignoring them or plonking them in front of the television. In contrast, Jenni, starts Obsession as a simpering religious bore only to then transform to some kind of vamp! For me, it was not a problem that I disliked most of the characters, more so that they were one-dimensional, underdeveloped and never really progressed beyond platitudes to communicate with each other, hence there was little to cement the belief that they would have ever fallen in love. Sadly I would have preferred a more ‘show, don’t tell’ approach to the whole story. I personally felt little suspense in the novel and even found myself laughing when Carly’s husband, Rob, described the “schizophrenic friendship” between the two women. An excuse for a psychological thriller, this is soft-porn depicting two of the mystifyingly superficial and vapid relationships that limps to a finish. Not a book that I feel able to recommend and the novel equivalent of the maxim, ‘hell hath no fury like a woman scorned’.
The craziness begins from the get go in Obsession as a drunk Carly Burton shares a bottle of wine with her husband of ten years, GP Rob, and relieved of the burden of supervising her three children, she mischievously asks him a question about who else he would go for, if he could. Religious Rob initially resists being drawn into the conversation but as Carly goads him he eventually gives the name of Jenni Rossiter, fellow NCT mother and one half of a couple - with husband Craig - who they share a close friendship with. This disclosure seriously upsets the apple cart and suddenly Carly is hellbent on seducing Jenni’s husband, Craig, which takes next to no time to come to fruition. However, Jenni’s response when she discovers her husbands adultery with her close friend is to throw Craig out, but not tell Carly that she knows that she was the other woman involved, leave Rob in the dark and continue to fraternise with the couple. How likely is it that you would want any further contact with each other in such a situation? Unfathomable, would be my answer.
Jenni, who quickly morphs into a deranged religious zealot decides to make Craig wait for forgiveness and meanwhile sets in motion her own devious quest for retribution. Over the course of this tepid novel Carly has a spell in a psychiatric hospital for her severe mental health problems (which she overcomes with mesmeric speed), Jenni starts working at the doctors surgery alongside Rob and Carly and then moves away to a fishing village in Cornwall. Still caught in a bitter game of last man standing in pursuit of what they want, Carly and Jenni, are both scheming and very flexible with the truth. As the story progresses the two female characters both takes turns in adding another kink into developments along the way, but in between all this there is an awful lot of ‘come to bed’ eyes and beseeching of the Lord. It should come as no surprise that Amanda Robson does manage to throw some deaths in along the way but frankly, I would not have been surprised if she had also found time for an alien landing in this melodrama of two marriages and two jealous women utterly losing the plot.
What makes this novel even stranger is that the four adults all appear pretty compos mentis before the fateful question is posed, making the ensuing drama all the more contrived when Carly seems to develop a sex addiction, alcohol addition, paranoia and serious self-esteem problems all in the course of a few pages. Although I enjoyed the narrative style of moving through the four players all contributing their own points of view it does lead to some overlap. I struggled to find a definitive timeline behind the events that unfold which I think would have certainly helped me to gain perspective on seeing Carly go from hearing Jenni’s name to suddenly setting Craig firmly in her sights. From what I can gather, the entire novel takes place over the course of two-years or so, but without any recourse to the dates, I found the sudden shifts in mindset from stable to seriously mentally ill unrealistic. I also had issues with the role of religion in Obsession, specifically that both Rob and Jenni are committed followers whereas spouses Craig and Carly are not. Given that most couples that come together usually share a common belief and have been married for nigh on a decade, it seemed odd that it could suddenly undermine the relationships.
Carly is best described as an out and out piece of work: an attention seeking drama queen with a fiery temper and a malevolent streak whose interest and concern for her children was negligible and basically equated to ignoring them or plonking them in front of the television. In contrast, Jenni, starts Obsession as a simpering religious bore only to then transform to some kind of vamp! For me, it was not a problem that I disliked most of the characters, more so that they were one-dimensional, underdeveloped and never really progressed beyond platitudes to communicate with each other, hence there was little to cement the belief that they would have ever fallen in love. Sadly I would have preferred a more ‘show, don’t tell’ approach to the whole story. I personally felt little suspense in the novel and even found myself laughing when Carly’s husband, Rob, described the “schizophrenic friendship” between the two women. An excuse for a psychological thriller, this is soft-porn depicting two of the mystifyingly superficial and vapid relationships that limps to a finish. Not a book that I feel able to recommend and the novel equivalent of the maxim, ‘hell hath no fury like a woman scorned’.
May 21, 2017
4☆ Gripping and addictive
When I read the blurb of Obsession I wasn't too sure what to expect.
What I did find was that the characters, to be honest are very unlikable....but I do believe this is the exactly how the Author wanted you to perceive them.
They are not characters you are meant to like. You will understand more if you have the chance to read this book.
I also found the story in general made me feel uneasy if not at times uncomfortable which is exactly what a great physiological thriller should do!
Now if your partner asked you honestly...... Who else would you go for if you could?... in a sexual context.... would you answer truthfully??
Would you expect the answer to be given truthfully??
Well when Carly asks her husband Rob.... she gets a completely honest answer that is about to rock their world!
Potentially destroying all that is good!
This story is about 4 people 2 couples/ friends ....deceipt,lies,revenge, affairs infatuation, lust.
It also touches on addiction,alcoholism, mental health and religious beliefs.
The story is written in first person and is told by each of the four people and their innermost thoughts and feelings.
Which at times can be a little too intimate!... you have been warned!
The chapters are short but the book is long.
However it packs a whole lot of twists, turns, suspense, drama and sex.
This book is cleverly written and keeps the reader on edge the whole way through!
It really pushed the boundaries of relationships and obsessions making the reader feel uncomfortable at times but completely absorbed.
It's so hard to imagine a book where you are so addicted with the story yet the characters are so unlikable.
But as I mentioned before I believe Amanda has done this for a reason, it adds to the drama of the story.
This book does contain some very sensitive subjects and lots of sexual themes so approach with caution!
Overall a clever Thriller, some unexpected twists and turns, a dark and sometimes uncomfortable read a perfect mix for a physiological thriller!
Would I recommend this book.... Yes
Especially if you love books that test the boundaries and you enjoy dark Disturbing Thrillers.
I received this book from the Publisher in exchange for a honest and fair review via Netgalley.
When I read the blurb of Obsession I wasn't too sure what to expect.
What I did find was that the characters, to be honest are very unlikable....but I do believe this is the exactly how the Author wanted you to perceive them.
They are not characters you are meant to like. You will understand more if you have the chance to read this book.
I also found the story in general made me feel uneasy if not at times uncomfortable which is exactly what a great physiological thriller should do!
Now if your partner asked you honestly...... Who else would you go for if you could?... in a sexual context.... would you answer truthfully??
Would you expect the answer to be given truthfully??
Well when Carly asks her husband Rob.... she gets a completely honest answer that is about to rock their world!
Potentially destroying all that is good!
This story is about 4 people 2 couples/ friends ....deceipt,lies,revenge, affairs infatuation, lust.
It also touches on addiction,alcoholism, mental health and religious beliefs.
The story is written in first person and is told by each of the four people and their innermost thoughts and feelings.
Which at times can be a little too intimate!... you have been warned!
The chapters are short but the book is long.
However it packs a whole lot of twists, turns, suspense, drama and sex.
This book is cleverly written and keeps the reader on edge the whole way through!
It really pushed the boundaries of relationships and obsessions making the reader feel uncomfortable at times but completely absorbed.
It's so hard to imagine a book where you are so addicted with the story yet the characters are so unlikable.
But as I mentioned before I believe Amanda has done this for a reason, it adds to the drama of the story.
This book does contain some very sensitive subjects and lots of sexual themes so approach with caution!
Overall a clever Thriller, some unexpected twists and turns, a dark and sometimes uncomfortable read a perfect mix for a physiological thriller!
Would I recommend this book.... Yes
Especially if you love books that test the boundaries and you enjoy dark Disturbing Thrillers.
I received this book from the Publisher in exchange for a honest and fair review via Netgalley.
April 26, 2017
There are two married couples who are the main characters in this novel and each chapter is written from one of the characters perspective. One night Carly asks her husband Rob "who else would you go for, if you could?" They are close friends with Jenny and Craig.
There's not much more I can say about this novel as I would give far too much away.
This is a very well written debut novel. The main characters are developed slowly, with each chapter we learn a little more about them. There is some twists and turns to keep your interest. The plot line is gripping and it covers mental health, relationships and deceit. There is also a lot of sex in the book that might offend some people.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Avon Books UK and the author Amanda Robson for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
There's not much more I can say about this novel as I would give far too much away.
This is a very well written debut novel. The main characters are developed slowly, with each chapter we learn a little more about them. There is some twists and turns to keep your interest. The plot line is gripping and it covers mental health, relationships and deceit. There is also a lot of sex in the book that might offend some people.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Avon Books UK and the author Amanda Robson for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 20, 2019
I would have taken great pleasure in editing this to half it's length.
April 30, 2017
When I started reading Obsession, I was confused. I thought I'd picked up a thriller but it felt more like erotica. I actually had to Google the book and check the genre! Although the thriller elements picked up as the story went on, my enjoyment didn't. There were promising aspects, like the sinister tone and the four perspectives. However, other than the four main characters, every other character was so under-developed it was painful. They barely even appeared. It was like the author forgot that other characters could exist. The voice of each of the four protagonists was barely distinctive, which was disappointing, and none of them were likeable. I couldn't root for anyone and that was a problem for me because this story felt like it needed a victim. Oh and the portrayal of mental health was disgusting and exploitative. While the plot moved along, the writing became very poor. It was basically all thought processes, with little scenes or action. There was very little description, so all of the weight was on the voices, which were crap. Also, for a thriller, there were no clues. Poor red-herrings. It was all just TOLD to the reader, rather than letting us play detective. Overall, very disappointing.
February 6, 2019
Ugh.
I read the first part and basically skim read the rest of the way through. What a mess. I am not sure if this belongs in Christian fiction genre or what. There were religious references in every chapter, and that is just not my thing...weird moral placements all over the place.
None of the characters made sense to me, the plot was all over the map. One wife acting out sexually, the other practically a virginal angel in white. The 2 husbands just basically succumbing to everything the wives are doing. Praying to the Lord in every other chapter, then suddenly throw in some mental illness, like that will solve some answers to the crazy plot. Total cop out.
Yep, could not stand this book. To each his own with all the high ratings this book got, (one of the reasons I purchased this book, what a mistake!). Immediately going in the donate pile, apparently someone is gonna like it, proven by the Goodreads ratings.
I read the first part and basically skim read the rest of the way through. What a mess. I am not sure if this belongs in Christian fiction genre or what. There were religious references in every chapter, and that is just not my thing...weird moral placements all over the place.
None of the characters made sense to me, the plot was all over the map. One wife acting out sexually, the other practically a virginal angel in white. The 2 husbands just basically succumbing to everything the wives are doing. Praying to the Lord in every other chapter, then suddenly throw in some mental illness, like that will solve some answers to the crazy plot. Total cop out.
Yep, could not stand this book. To each his own with all the high ratings this book got, (one of the reasons I purchased this book, what a mistake!). Immediately going in the donate pile, apparently someone is gonna like it, proven by the Goodreads ratings.
January 21, 2018
Find this review and more on my blog Sometimes Leelynn Reads.
"He pants my name at the moment he climaxes. He pants my name in his sleep."
I read this book for my book club, Bookish Babes of Norfolk. If you guys are living in Norfolk, VA and are looking for a club to join, I recommend them.
After saying all that, I honestly don't think this is a book I would have ever picked up. I was listening to it at work, and within the first few chapters, there's a sex scene that I wasn't expecting. Call me a prude or whatever, I don't really care. But I personally do not like reading about sex in books. To me, it doesn't add to the story, and I don't need to hear about all the blowjobs and climaxes happening behind closed doors. But in this case, the sex scenes did add to the story because of what the book was about.
So this story - and every single terrible thing in this story - happened because one of the main characters Carly asked her husband Rob a question: if he could have sex with anyone else but her, who would he choose?
Well, Rob made the critical mistake of saying Carly's best friend Jenni. And that's when "shit hit the fan".
The drama between these two couples: Carly and Rob, and Jenni and Craig, is absolutely ridiculous. I understand that Carly has been made to have depression and paranoia, but I'm curious as to why Jenni was never diagnosed with anything. These women were pretty ruthless towards one another, and their husbands were complete idiots. I pretty much hated every single character in this book, with the exception of the children. They didn't do anything. Once again, only the children are innocent in a book like this.
Also, while reading this book, I didn't really see how it was considered a psychological thriller until more than halfway through the book. Even then, I wouldn't have labeled it a thriller. It didn't keep me on the edge of my seat like The Couple Next Door. It didn't make me want to know how the ending would play out. I just knew who I hated, and I didn't care what happened to them. They were stupid, and they purposely did stupid things and had the audacity to not understand why things were starting to go wrong.
I also had a question about Rob's integrity as a narrator. There were times where his narration would continue right after Jenni, or right after Carly, and the differences between his recollection and the women's was almost startling. I feel like he lied about a lot of things, and he just was not a good person, to begin with. Both Rob and Jenni claimed to be religious people, and yet their actions were anything but holy. At least Craig and Carly owned their actions and didn't try to hide behind God or anything else.
"He pants my name at the moment he climaxes. He pants my name in his sleep."
I read this book for my book club, Bookish Babes of Norfolk. If you guys are living in Norfolk, VA and are looking for a club to join, I recommend them.
After saying all that, I honestly don't think this is a book I would have ever picked up. I was listening to it at work, and within the first few chapters, there's a sex scene that I wasn't expecting. Call me a prude or whatever, I don't really care. But I personally do not like reading about sex in books. To me, it doesn't add to the story, and I don't need to hear about all the blowjobs and climaxes happening behind closed doors. But in this case, the sex scenes did add to the story because of what the book was about.
So this story - and every single terrible thing in this story - happened because one of the main characters Carly asked her husband Rob a question: if he could have sex with anyone else but her, who would he choose?
Well, Rob made the critical mistake of saying Carly's best friend Jenni. And that's when "shit hit the fan".
The drama between these two couples: Carly and Rob, and Jenni and Craig, is absolutely ridiculous. I understand that Carly has been made to have depression and paranoia, but I'm curious as to why Jenni was never diagnosed with anything. These women were pretty ruthless towards one another, and their husbands were complete idiots. I pretty much hated every single character in this book, with the exception of the children. They didn't do anything. Once again, only the children are innocent in a book like this.
Also, while reading this book, I didn't really see how it was considered a psychological thriller until more than halfway through the book. Even then, I wouldn't have labeled it a thriller. It didn't keep me on the edge of my seat like The Couple Next Door. It didn't make me want to know how the ending would play out. I just knew who I hated, and I didn't care what happened to them. They were stupid, and they purposely did stupid things and had the audacity to not understand why things were starting to go wrong.
I also had a question about Rob's integrity as a narrator. There were times where his narration would continue right after Jenni, or right after Carly, and the differences between his recollection and the women's was almost startling. I feel like he lied about a lot of things, and he just was not a good person, to begin with. Both Rob and Jenni claimed to be religious people, and yet their actions were anything but holy. At least Craig and Carly owned their actions and didn't try to hide behind God or anything else.
March 28, 2017
Whew. This one seemed to go on forever and ever, and when I finished and looked up the page length, I was shocked it was 464 pages. Partly because it seemed like 864 pages. I kid, I kid. Here we have two couples that are friends, and two of them end up hooking up, which leads to disaster for all involved. I thought this one had a lot of potential, and started off alright, but then it got pretty out of control with parts you really had to suspend your disbelief on. There was no character to root for, which is fine if the whole unlikable character thing is at least done with an interesting or entertaining character. These 4 were so dry and one dimensional that I never got invested. About 70% in, I was ready for this one to end but it kept going, which really made the whole thing feel too drawn out. I can't really recommend it, but have read a lot worse.
October 1, 2017
One of the worst books I've ever read. It says on the front cover 'thriller...unputdownable..', unfortunately it was neither. Don't waste your time on this inane drivel, there are so many more brilliant books out there.
October 14, 2018
This book was amazing! I love psychological thrillers and this was right up my alley!! The story is about two married couples who seemingly have perfect lives and are best friends except when the wives start to obsess about each other’s husbands. The characters are believable, and the story is told in alternating chapters of each character’s perspective. The ending? Not mind blowing but still amazing read.
The words were very descriptive and Robson does not disappoint with her story telling.
Case and point :
“Fingers gnarled like bent tree trunks. Skin like potato peel. She tried to brighten herself up with green eye shadow and red lipstick. But her eyesight is going and she obviously can’t put her eye shadow on properly. It is above and below her eyes, making her look like a green eyed panda. “
That was my favourite passage in the book. Thought I’d share! Made me snort while I was having some water! 😂🤣😱
The words were very descriptive and Robson does not disappoint with her story telling.
Case and point :
“Fingers gnarled like bent tree trunks. Skin like potato peel. She tried to brighten herself up with green eye shadow and red lipstick. But her eyesight is going and she obviously can’t put her eye shadow on properly. It is above and below her eyes, making her look like a green eyed panda. “
That was my favourite passage in the book. Thought I’d share! Made me snort while I was having some water! 😂🤣😱
April 3, 2017
Thankyou to the publishers and net galley for an arc in return for an honest review.
I did finish this book, but it was a slog. The premise sounded intriguing, but the author just didn't manage to pull it off. The story is told from the viewpoint of each of the characters, but there is no intrigue or nuance. Rob, Carly, Craig and Jenny are all equally unlikeable and incredibly 1 dimensional and flat. Attempts at misdirection from the author, or potential ambiguities come across as confusing and contradictory.
Jenny's doe eyes and cherry lips are repeatedly referred to, as is Carly's voluptuous figure and Marilyn-like blonde hair. Short skirts are "pussy pelmets" and the women in the book seem very clearly divided into "good" and "bad". The men are there to be adored, and the women are there to wait on the men and stroke their ego's.
There's a bit about mental health thrown in, that felt really badly handled.
Not one I would recommend.
I did finish this book, but it was a slog. The premise sounded intriguing, but the author just didn't manage to pull it off. The story is told from the viewpoint of each of the characters, but there is no intrigue or nuance. Rob, Carly, Craig and Jenny are all equally unlikeable and incredibly 1 dimensional and flat. Attempts at misdirection from the author, or potential ambiguities come across as confusing and contradictory.
Jenny's doe eyes and cherry lips are repeatedly referred to, as is Carly's voluptuous figure and Marilyn-like blonde hair. Short skirts are "pussy pelmets" and the women in the book seem very clearly divided into "good" and "bad". The men are there to be adored, and the women are there to wait on the men and stroke their ego's.
There's a bit about mental health thrown in, that felt really badly handled.
Not one I would recommend.
January 9, 2018
Nie ma co się dziwić, że „Jej obsesja” tuż po swojej brytyjskiej premierze zaczęła piąć się na listach bestsellerów, tym samym podbijając kolejne serca czytelników. Małżeńskie, a tak naprawdę rodzinne dreszczowce mają to do siebie, że wymykają się klasyfikacjom swojego gatunku. Amanda Robson czerpie garściami z możliwości, jakie się przed nią rysują i sprawia, że „Jej obsesja” staje się fascynującą mieszanką thrillera, powieści obyczajowej, dramatu rodzinnego, a całość nakrapiana jest elementami wplecionej sprytnie w fabułę cielesności. A to wszystko obserwowane i pieczołowicie opisywane przez czterech różnych narratorów, ofiar tej zmierzającej ku nieuchronnej zagładzie tragedii. W tej historii nie brakuje żywych emocji, nie ucieknie się przed kłamstwami, w które każdy chciałby tu uwierzyć – efekt śnieżnej fabularnej kuli porywa bohaterów i porywa czytelników, by rozbić się w najbardziej spektakularny sposób.
June 3, 2018
I had expected a lot. A LOT.
There was absolutely nothing happening in this book. The plot was incredibly sloppy. We had two couples: Jenni and Craig, Carly and Rob. And then there were these weird love crossings that was beyond my comprehension. Of course, we knew firsthand that Carly was infatuated with Craig and tried to seduce him, and obviously he fell for it. We just didn't know if Jenni knew about the affair or not. The story would be supposedly very good if the events were handled more carefully and the story was better structured from here. The plot was just a jumble mixture of different affairs between these four people, and then suddenly, murders took place, and a lot of based-on-nothing suspicion that totally didn't make any sense. It was irrational. Personally, I thought that the author hadn't planned on a good-structured plot with thorough thought events before writing. The characters were underdeveloped, which was mildly disappointing, since I was more heavily affected by the plot itself. I didn't think that obsession was the right theme for this one. No character showed any sign of obsession. It was just chaotic mixed states of feeling that led to no reasonable actions. A loved B, and then B left A, and C knew that, and C suddenly turned to D, for revenge, I guess? and D seemed to love A so much, but D also took a liking to C, and B appeared after a long time, claimed his intense love for A, and promised meaningless things, and still, C liked A, just less. Yes, it was sloppy like that, no rational explanation was definite. It was like the author just threw everything into this story and cooked a bad batch.
There was absolutely nothing happening in this book. The plot was incredibly sloppy. We had two couples: Jenni and Craig, Carly and Rob. And then there were these weird love crossings that was beyond my comprehension. Of course, we knew firsthand that Carly was infatuated with Craig and tried to seduce him, and obviously he fell for it. We just didn't know if Jenni knew about the affair or not. The story would be supposedly very good if the events were handled more carefully and the story was better structured from here. The plot was just a jumble mixture of different affairs between these four people, and then suddenly, murders took place, and a lot of based-on-nothing suspicion that totally didn't make any sense. It was irrational. Personally, I thought that the author hadn't planned on a good-structured plot with thorough thought events before writing. The characters were underdeveloped, which was mildly disappointing, since I was more heavily affected by the plot itself. I didn't think that obsession was the right theme for this one. No character showed any sign of obsession. It was just chaotic mixed states of feeling that led to no reasonable actions. A loved B, and then B left A, and C knew that, and C suddenly turned to D, for revenge, I guess? and D seemed to love A so much, but D also took a liking to C, and B appeared after a long time, claimed his intense love for A, and promised meaningless things, and still, C liked A, just less. Yes, it was sloppy like that, no rational explanation was definite. It was like the author just threw everything into this story and cooked a bad batch.
March 28, 2018
One drunken night Carly asks her husband, "Who else would you go for, if you could?"
A simple, harmless question, yet the answer could lead to deadly consequences.
Rob and Carly are the "it" couple - Rob a doctor, Carly a bombshell blonde and a nurse. Together they appear to have it all, three wonderful children and a strong friendship with another amazing couple - Craig and Jenny. But now, I must ask another deadly question- just how much would you trust your spouse with your "friend?" Your friend Jenny, whom you now dub, the "bitch-whore."
Every couple has a few dirty little secrets lying in the shadows- hidden behind the blissful facade of marriage. How far would you go to keep your secrets - secret? To keep your marriage in tack? Just how far would you go?
Obsession is a brilliant, dark, twisted tale of fairytale love gone bad. It tells the story of the deep, dark hate and yes my friends - obsession! Obsession and hate, that one can carry when they realize their own little fairytale is actually a nightmare to which they can't awake from.
Obsession makes you question the true meaning of, "till death do us part."
Yet another favorite to add to my list!! ❤️❤️
A simple, harmless question, yet the answer could lead to deadly consequences.
Rob and Carly are the "it" couple - Rob a doctor, Carly a bombshell blonde and a nurse. Together they appear to have it all, three wonderful children and a strong friendship with another amazing couple - Craig and Jenny. But now, I must ask another deadly question- just how much would you trust your spouse with your "friend?" Your friend Jenny, whom you now dub, the "bitch-whore."
Every couple has a few dirty little secrets lying in the shadows- hidden behind the blissful facade of marriage. How far would you go to keep your secrets - secret? To keep your marriage in tack? Just how far would you go?
Obsession is a brilliant, dark, twisted tale of fairytale love gone bad. It tells the story of the deep, dark hate and yes my friends - obsession! Obsession and hate, that one can carry when they realize their own little fairytale is actually a nightmare to which they can't awake from.
Obsession makes you question the true meaning of, "till death do us part."
Yet another favorite to add to my list!! ❤️❤️
August 27, 2020
This is the second time I've read Obsession and I will always love it. One of my favourite Amanda Robson books. Even the second time reading it the twists took my breath away.
I love how the whole Jenni/Craig/Rob/Carly situation. It's so twisted but honestly it's so realistic. Knowing one stupid answer can set of a huge chain of events. A answer from Rob to a question that should never have been asked or answered that ended up with death, infidelity, severe mental health issues and pain. This book is so shocking and thrilling there's no putting it down.
If there is one book that should be read at least once this is the one.
I love how the whole Jenni/Craig/Rob/Carly situation. It's so twisted but honestly it's so realistic. Knowing one stupid answer can set of a huge chain of events. A answer from Rob to a question that should never have been asked or answered that ended up with death, infidelity, severe mental health issues and pain. This book is so shocking and thrilling there's no putting it down.
If there is one book that should be read at least once this is the one.
April 23, 2017
Obsession is a hard-hitting, emotional turmoil of a novel focusing on the lives of 2 married couples. Rob and Carly. Jenni and Craig.
First person POVs from the four of them gave for a very personal and intimate reading experience, leaving me often times frustrated. One thing is for sure, there ain’t no saints and sinners in this book. There are only sinners. Which is funny because one husband and one wife are devoted Christians and they’re not married to each other.
Due to the nature of this book, there isn’t much I can reveal in terms of plot. I couldn’t even tell you just how many surprising turns of events happen because this way you’ll expect them as you read the book yourself. There may be one mega twist, or there may be a gazillion mini twists. You’ll never know until you plant yourself into the lives of the two families. Their lives and thoughts will pull you in and as you’re on the direct train towards Town ‘Oh Hell, No’ with them, don’t forget that this is fiction you’re reading. And, please, do not ask your spouse silly questions if you can’t handle the answers!
So, I promise you this- you won’t be bored. There’s drama galore but not in the cheap manner of a Latin American telenovela but rather in a devastating ‘this could actually happen’ way. Obsession is truly quite dark, difficult to process and full of emotions ranging from love to hate, from fidelity to spouse and God to disloyalty.
Obsession is not just a story about one woman’s obsession of her husband cheating on her. It’s about more. So much more. It’s about obsession with everything: sex, drugs, attention. It’s about depression and bad decisions. It’s about selfishness and more selfishness. It’s about being a complicated human being. Most importantly, it’s about showing that we’re ALL complicated, selfish and obsessed. Some are just better at hiding it than others.
Going back to being frustrated… yeah, Robson managed to twist it all up into a perfect knot that can never be untangled. Two relationships impacting each other. 4 adults with personal demons. Using, abusing, going crazy with no return. Frustrated? I wanted to like at least one character in this book. I didn’t. Not because they weren’t written well. But because they WERE written well. I never really want to be in anyone’s head like this, so deeply, not a single thought hidden.
You know how sometimes you’re asked: If you could have a superpower, what would you like?
And sometimes people say: the power to read minds.
I say: thanks, but no thanks! I say, fuck that! And again, no thanks! Sharing deepest thoughts, desires and dreams with a spouse is good, of course. But the beauty here is knowing said spouse… knowing where their limits are, knowing the truths and secrets they can handle or not, knowing what should and should not be left unsaid. Even though two people are one, two people are still two people.
Obsession, in that sense, was really well written. I may be repeating myself here, but whatever writing technique Robson was using- it worked.
To summarize:
There were moments in this book I felt I was invading the character’s most intimate moments and thoughts. These moments were brutally honest, selfish and sad. I cringed. A lot.
Responsibility is killing me.
There were moments in this book where the intimate moments in between characters made me want to cry for help and someone to pass a scoop of common sense. Please, someone send a good few moments of mental clarity! But life isn’t pretty… we take what we want.
We climax and climax, together. A waterfall that feels as if it will never stop.
There was a moment in Obsession, when I wanted to high five a devout Christian. That was a first for me *tongue in cheek* It was funny and unexpected. I laughed out loud, so loud.
‘Jenni, I can explain,’ he repeats.
‘Can you, Judas?’ I hiss.
Fact is this- the book does feel a bit long at 464 pages. It made me feel trapped in a nightmare, and yet I couldn’t stop reading. I was inhaling every word, inhaling every inner monologue, inhaling every bittersweet moment…. 464 pages…. 464 pages of me being disgusted, of me trying to be understanding, of me shaking fists at the Lord above (yeah, not really that last one)… 464 pages of me not understanding how people can live their lives into such difficulty. How, actually, it might be easier than one could think, to slip into a dark hole and become a vile monster.
One simple question from wife to husband. A stupid, silly question. One simple answer. A stupid, silly answer! Less than a minute of interaction in between partners which resulted into years of heading towards hell. One simple question and answer, at a crossroads, which, if both were left unsaid, could have pushed married lives into a completely different direction.
Time… yes, if only we could turn back time. Hindsight is 20/20, as they say and all that jazz.
Time… yes, time is a handy tool to use.. think before speaking. Think before asnwering. That’s what time was invented for. Time to use, time to spend, time to regret…
And the ending? I don’t want to spoil it for you, but I will say this- impact equivalent of a roundhouse kick to the Solar Plexus. Karma is a clever Lady, and life is its bitch.
First person POVs from the four of them gave for a very personal and intimate reading experience, leaving me often times frustrated. One thing is for sure, there ain’t no saints and sinners in this book. There are only sinners. Which is funny because one husband and one wife are devoted Christians and they’re not married to each other.
Due to the nature of this book, there isn’t much I can reveal in terms of plot. I couldn’t even tell you just how many surprising turns of events happen because this way you’ll expect them as you read the book yourself. There may be one mega twist, or there may be a gazillion mini twists. You’ll never know until you plant yourself into the lives of the two families. Their lives and thoughts will pull you in and as you’re on the direct train towards Town ‘Oh Hell, No’ with them, don’t forget that this is fiction you’re reading. And, please, do not ask your spouse silly questions if you can’t handle the answers!
So, I promise you this- you won’t be bored. There’s drama galore but not in the cheap manner of a Latin American telenovela but rather in a devastating ‘this could actually happen’ way. Obsession is truly quite dark, difficult to process and full of emotions ranging from love to hate, from fidelity to spouse and God to disloyalty.
Obsession is not just a story about one woman’s obsession of her husband cheating on her. It’s about more. So much more. It’s about obsession with everything: sex, drugs, attention. It’s about depression and bad decisions. It’s about selfishness and more selfishness. It’s about being a complicated human being. Most importantly, it’s about showing that we’re ALL complicated, selfish and obsessed. Some are just better at hiding it than others.
Going back to being frustrated… yeah, Robson managed to twist it all up into a perfect knot that can never be untangled. Two relationships impacting each other. 4 adults with personal demons. Using, abusing, going crazy with no return. Frustrated? I wanted to like at least one character in this book. I didn’t. Not because they weren’t written well. But because they WERE written well. I never really want to be in anyone’s head like this, so deeply, not a single thought hidden.
You know how sometimes you’re asked: If you could have a superpower, what would you like?
And sometimes people say: the power to read minds.
I say: thanks, but no thanks! I say, fuck that! And again, no thanks! Sharing deepest thoughts, desires and dreams with a spouse is good, of course. But the beauty here is knowing said spouse… knowing where their limits are, knowing the truths and secrets they can handle or not, knowing what should and should not be left unsaid. Even though two people are one, two people are still two people.
Obsession, in that sense, was really well written. I may be repeating myself here, but whatever writing technique Robson was using- it worked.
To summarize:
There were moments in this book I felt I was invading the character’s most intimate moments and thoughts. These moments were brutally honest, selfish and sad. I cringed. A lot.
Responsibility is killing me.
There were moments in this book where the intimate moments in between characters made me want to cry for help and someone to pass a scoop of common sense. Please, someone send a good few moments of mental clarity! But life isn’t pretty… we take what we want.
We climax and climax, together. A waterfall that feels as if it will never stop.
There was a moment in Obsession, when I wanted to high five a devout Christian. That was a first for me *tongue in cheek* It was funny and unexpected. I laughed out loud, so loud.
‘Jenni, I can explain,’ he repeats.
‘Can you, Judas?’ I hiss.
Fact is this- the book does feel a bit long at 464 pages. It made me feel trapped in a nightmare, and yet I couldn’t stop reading. I was inhaling every word, inhaling every inner monologue, inhaling every bittersweet moment…. 464 pages…. 464 pages of me being disgusted, of me trying to be understanding, of me shaking fists at the Lord above (yeah, not really that last one)… 464 pages of me not understanding how people can live their lives into such difficulty. How, actually, it might be easier than one could think, to slip into a dark hole and become a vile monster.
One simple question from wife to husband. A stupid, silly question. One simple answer. A stupid, silly answer! Less than a minute of interaction in between partners which resulted into years of heading towards hell. One simple question and answer, at a crossroads, which, if both were left unsaid, could have pushed married lives into a completely different direction.
Time… yes, if only we could turn back time. Hindsight is 20/20, as they say and all that jazz.
Time… yes, time is a handy tool to use.. think before speaking. Think before asnwering. That’s what time was invented for. Time to use, time to spend, time to regret…
And the ending? I don’t want to spoil it for you, but I will say this- impact equivalent of a roundhouse kick to the Solar Plexus. Karma is a clever Lady, and life is its bitch.
April 2, 2017
It is not very often that you finish reading a book...a book that you just couldn't put down and read in pretty much one sitting...and say that you did not like a single one of the main charachters. All four of them in their own way were vile.....and yet you couldn't stop reading.
The story was gripping and fantastically written. I read it with something close to disgust as the characters slowly tore away at each other, mentally wearing each other down.
The story is written from four different perspectives, so you're reading the same events as each person saw it. Centered around two couples that are friends, the drama starts to unfolds as the wife of one of the couples asks her husband.....If you could who would you hook up with. Stupidly he answers and then it all starts to unravel before you.....it's uncomfortable, it's painful at times but you just can't look away.
The only quibble I would have with this story is there are one or two unanswered questions when the book finishes but it's not enough for me to feel that I've been short changed.
A corker of a debut novel.
The story was gripping and fantastically written. I read it with something close to disgust as the characters slowly tore away at each other, mentally wearing each other down.
The story is written from four different perspectives, so you're reading the same events as each person saw it. Centered around two couples that are friends, the drama starts to unfolds as the wife of one of the couples asks her husband.....If you could who would you hook up with. Stupidly he answers and then it all starts to unravel before you.....it's uncomfortable, it's painful at times but you just can't look away.
The only quibble I would have with this story is there are one or two unanswered questions when the book finishes but it's not enough for me to feel that I've been short changed.
A corker of a debut novel.
January 10, 2019
First of all I would like to put my hand on my heart and say a very big thank you to Avon for sending me Obsessions to review. Reading about marriage/thrillers is my speciality, I just reading about what goes on behind a marriage.
I couldn't take my eyes of the pages from these characters that all had husband and wife secrets. Obsession is a dark, twisting thriller. A must buy - must read.
Carly Burton is a loving nurse, wife and mother. After one evening when Carly asks her husband Rob who else would you go for, if you could. When he answers Jenni this simple little game destroys Carly's life.
Rob is a religious man who is a doctor that has patients pulling him into a busy routine at his surgery in Stanfield.
Jenni Rossiter who works at the surgery has a religious fixation going to church, praying every morning and every evening.
A web of betrayal is about to explode.
Jenni's husband Craig and Carly start having just a pure sexual affair. When Jenni finds out about her husband Craig and Carly having a sexual affair together for her this is totally unforgivable in her eyes and demands a divorce.
Carly Suspects that Rob is having an affair with Jenni.
Carly Burton is suffering from an illness that is very complicated with depression, low self-esteem, alcoholism mixed with paranoia and sex addiction.
Craig and Jenni move to Cornwall to have a fresh start at their marriage, but Craig falls in love with another woman.
Crazy things start happening through out this brilliant story and things start to go horribly wrong.
I very strongly recommend reading Obsession by Amanda Robson.
May 11, 2017
Obsession is the debut novel by Amanda Robson and it certainly got under my skin. It revolves around four friends, two couples, who find their lives in a turbulent spiral of deceit and fixation when Rob, the husband of Carly answers her ‘Who else would you go for, if you could?’ question honestly. I don’t want to talk about the plot in any way as you need to experience Obsession for yourself and come to your own conclusions without outside influence.
The events that unfold are told in first person narrative by Carly, Rob, Jenni and Craig, giving the reader what should be unprecedented access to their thoughts and feelings. Throughout I didn’t know whose version of events to believe and who to trust. I adore an unreliable narrator and Obsession has them in abundance. Robson cleverly pulls this off with each chapter being perfectly crafted, leaving you doubting your own thoughts as you turn each page. Maximum impact is further made with short, punchy chapters and a rhythm that is wonderfully dark in tone. As the book progresses you can’t shift the unease and sense of foreboding that sits with you and increases with each chapter.
This is a novel that lends itself perfectly to discussion. It twists and turns, raising issues you weren’t expecting to come across. Mental health, adultery, religious beliefs, honesty and maternal instincts are all in there along with, as the title suggests, compulsive infatuation. Every time you put the book down, part of it is scorched into your mind and you can’t help but mull over what you have read. The big questions that arose for me were: are we too quick to judge someone who has suffered with mental health difficulties as paranoid if they raise what seem to be outlandish concerns? And how far can someone hide who they really are? I adore a book that entertains me while also getting the old cerebral juices going and Obsession hit the mark perfectly.
A novel that explores the darker side of human nature within ordinary people, Obsession will have you infatuated from the first chapter. The need to know and understand the thoughts and behaviour of the characters becomes like an itch you can’t scratch. A fantastic debut novel that is well-written, and both dark and heart-breaking, Robson is an author to keep an eye on in the future.
A huge thank you to Avon and Amanda Robson for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review and for inviting me to take part in the Obsession blog tour.
The events that unfold are told in first person narrative by Carly, Rob, Jenni and Craig, giving the reader what should be unprecedented access to their thoughts and feelings. Throughout I didn’t know whose version of events to believe and who to trust. I adore an unreliable narrator and Obsession has them in abundance. Robson cleverly pulls this off with each chapter being perfectly crafted, leaving you doubting your own thoughts as you turn each page. Maximum impact is further made with short, punchy chapters and a rhythm that is wonderfully dark in tone. As the book progresses you can’t shift the unease and sense of foreboding that sits with you and increases with each chapter.
This is a novel that lends itself perfectly to discussion. It twists and turns, raising issues you weren’t expecting to come across. Mental health, adultery, religious beliefs, honesty and maternal instincts are all in there along with, as the title suggests, compulsive infatuation. Every time you put the book down, part of it is scorched into your mind and you can’t help but mull over what you have read. The big questions that arose for me were: are we too quick to judge someone who has suffered with mental health difficulties as paranoid if they raise what seem to be outlandish concerns? And how far can someone hide who they really are? I adore a book that entertains me while also getting the old cerebral juices going and Obsession hit the mark perfectly.
A novel that explores the darker side of human nature within ordinary people, Obsession will have you infatuated from the first chapter. The need to know and understand the thoughts and behaviour of the characters becomes like an itch you can’t scratch. A fantastic debut novel that is well-written, and both dark and heart-breaking, Robson is an author to keep an eye on in the future.
A huge thank you to Avon and Amanda Robson for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review and for inviting me to take part in the Obsession blog tour.
September 23, 2017
Really surprised this has such high ratings. It was more like reading a magazine than a novel - I found the characters one dimensional and the storyline completely unrealistic. The main aim seemed to be to shock rather than any time having been spent on character development or a storyline that a reader could properly engage with.
August 1, 2023
This is a book about four people - married couple Carly and Rob and their good friends, married couple Jenni and Craig.
Carly and Rob are on a camping holiday in France with their three children. Carly is not having a good time - the weather is not ideal and she is constantly cold. She also resents her children, preferring to be alone with her husband: 'Holidays aren't holidays any more. We just take our children to a different place to look after them. A place that is harder work.'
One evening, Carly asks Rob a question that she shouldn't ask, in case she doesn't like the answer: 'Who else would you go for if you could?' Initially, Rob says 'No-one' but eventually, under pressure from Carly, says that he 'quite likes Jenni'. This answer sets off a chain of events that cause chaos in the couples' relationships, leading to cheating, lying, adultery, mental breakdown - and death. Which of the four main protagonists will still be alive at the end of the story?.....
This book is told in a series of short chapters (or sometimes paragraphs) by the four main characters, none of whom turn out to be particularly likeable. The two men, Rob and Craig, both seem to think with another part of their anatomy rather than their brains and are so easily manipulated by both Carly and Jenni at various times in the book. Meanwhile Jenni, who is deeply religious and refuses to have sex with Craig before they are married, appears to turn into a raging nymphomaniac after her marriage; at the same time, Carly now views her former best friend with jealousy and suspicion following Rob's holiday revelation.
As the two women repeatedly clash - and launch into adulterous relationships - the two men are almost bemused observers at times, both being repeatedly manipulated by their partners. The story twists and turns with several unexpected outcomes and a particularly shocking ending that I was certainly not anticipating. I am certainly going to look out for more from this author! - 9/10.
Carly and Rob are on a camping holiday in France with their three children. Carly is not having a good time - the weather is not ideal and she is constantly cold. She also resents her children, preferring to be alone with her husband: 'Holidays aren't holidays any more. We just take our children to a different place to look after them. A place that is harder work.'
One evening, Carly asks Rob a question that she shouldn't ask, in case she doesn't like the answer: 'Who else would you go for if you could?' Initially, Rob says 'No-one' but eventually, under pressure from Carly, says that he 'quite likes Jenni'. This answer sets off a chain of events that cause chaos in the couples' relationships, leading to cheating, lying, adultery, mental breakdown - and death. Which of the four main protagonists will still be alive at the end of the story?.....
This book is told in a series of short chapters (or sometimes paragraphs) by the four main characters, none of whom turn out to be particularly likeable. The two men, Rob and Craig, both seem to think with another part of their anatomy rather than their brains and are so easily manipulated by both Carly and Jenni at various times in the book. Meanwhile Jenni, who is deeply religious and refuses to have sex with Craig before they are married, appears to turn into a raging nymphomaniac after her marriage; at the same time, Carly now views her former best friend with jealousy and suspicion following Rob's holiday revelation.
As the two women repeatedly clash - and launch into adulterous relationships - the two men are almost bemused observers at times, both being repeatedly manipulated by their partners. The story twists and turns with several unexpected outcomes and a particularly shocking ending that I was certainly not anticipating. I am certainly going to look out for more from this author! - 9/10.
August 16, 2017
Although you probably won't like many characters and although you probably won't like what they get up to! You certainly won't be able to put this book down.
It is about two couples Jenni and Craig. Carly and Rob. Best friends. or are they?
This cleverly written book, twists and turns, keeping you guessing until the very end.
There is sexual content which I feel is relevant to the plot, however it is explicit at times, so may not suit everyone.
I think I will be thinking about this one for a while.
It is about two couples Jenni and Craig. Carly and Rob. Best friends. or are they?
This cleverly written book, twists and turns, keeping you guessing until the very end.
There is sexual content which I feel is relevant to the plot, however it is explicit at times, so may not suit everyone.
I think I will be thinking about this one for a while.
March 1, 2021
Interesting debut, about how a simple game, a question to your spouse, can lead to events that quickly spiral perilously out of control.
What if it had the ability to destroy your life as you know it and those "supposedly" close to you? To me, the stakes were even higher because there were children involved, which only only made it worse.
Perhaps I should have put it down after a few chapters...I don't think I was in the right frame of mind to deal with so many truly unlikeable, despicable, manipulative sick character overload.
It's a dark, disturbing book that certainly will keep you guessing as to who exactly was the most twisted among these conniving two couples, but for me it was rather depressing.
If you like disturbing, twisted and a bit convoluted books...filled with extreme religious overtones, mental instabilities, extreme manipulation...sexual and otherwise, maybe it's your book. Curious what her next novel will reveal...
What if it had the ability to destroy your life as you know it and those "supposedly" close to you? To me, the stakes were even higher because there were children involved, which only only made it worse.
Perhaps I should have put it down after a few chapters...I don't think I was in the right frame of mind to deal with so many truly unlikeable, despicable, manipulative sick character overload.
It's a dark, disturbing book that certainly will keep you guessing as to who exactly was the most twisted among these conniving two couples, but for me it was rather depressing.
If you like disturbing, twisted and a bit convoluted books...filled with extreme religious overtones, mental instabilities, extreme manipulation...sexual and otherwise, maybe it's your book. Curious what her next novel will reveal...
May 21, 2017
Blimey... I feel like I've been beaten up! A great psycho-sexual thriller. This book is intense, chilling, heart-wrenching in places and completely addictive. So addictive I've finished it in less than a day as I just needed to know what happened next. I was on edge throughout.
I loved how the story was told from all four of the main characters POV in short, snappy chapters and the author either spent a great deal of time researching mental health or sadly has in-depth personal experience.
Amanda Robson is an author I will now look out for in future.
Thanks to Avon Books UK for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.
I loved how the story was told from all four of the main characters POV in short, snappy chapters and the author either spent a great deal of time researching mental health or sadly has in-depth personal experience.
Amanda Robson is an author I will now look out for in future.
Thanks to Avon Books UK for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.
July 6, 2017
I think it was good but it did not capture me , I'm finding review hard to write cause I'm not honestly sure what to think ... had a good ending but the rest of it was like love triangles I can't find the words lol
It starts off when she asks a question about who her husband would want and the answer sets off chain of events that lead to bad things happening , once the first incident happens it's classed as a accident but no one knows what she is really like ... it does touch on mental health problems also it tells the story from all their point of views and how they see it happening
I would give it 3 stars
It starts off when she asks a question about who her husband would want and the answer sets off chain of events that lead to bad things happening , once the first incident happens it's classed as a accident but no one knows what she is really like ... it does touch on mental health problems also it tells the story from all their point of views and how they see it happening
I would give it 3 stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 19, 2018
This book was terrible. It didn't hold my interest, yet I endured reading it. I found it to have no real plot and had boring characters that I didn't like, anyway. I received this book as a Goodreads first reads giveaway, in exchange for my honest review.
December 23, 2017
**2.5 Goodreads Stars**
I started Amanda Robson's Obsession back in August of this year (2017), only to put it down because it was moving slowly. I decided to give it another try over the winter holidays, and unfortunately my initial instincts about the book were correct. I made it through the entire book, but it let me down in several key ways.
The book is told through the eyes of four different characters: Craig, Rob, Carly, and Jenni. Jenni is married to Craig, and Rob is married to Carly. The two couples have been friends for a long time, and spend a good deal of time together. They both have children around the same ages, and life, at least from an outsider's perspective, seems perfect between the two couples. That is, until Carly and Craig cheat on their respective partners.
Carly has a wild streak, and she thrives off of exciting and dangerous situations. Jenni couldn't be more different from Carly. Jenni is an observant Christian, and tends to be prudish. The two are supposedly "best friends," but there are cracks and fissures in their relationship that ultimately come to a head when Jenni finds out that Carly has been having an affair with Craig, Jenni's husband.
From thereon out, both couples' lives start spiraling out of control. Jenni finds herself contemplating doing things she would have never imagined as a practicing, devout Christian. Carly descends into madness. As a result Rob, Carly's husband, commits Carly to a mental institution. The two couples end up turning on each other as well as partner against partner. This book is basically like watching a massive train wreck.
What bothered me the most about the characters was that not one of them was redeemable. Yes, every single human being on the planet has flaws, but these people are severely flawed individuals who make horrible decisions every step of the way. Carly is self-absorbed and pretentious, bordering on a narcissistic personality. She is eventually diagnosed with bipolar disorder, but her personality really doesn't change that much after she gets the care she needs. Jenni throws out all of her values once the going gets tough in her life, which seems odd for someone who was a committed Christian all of her life.
Also, there were way, way, WAY too many plot twists and turns. I was able to follow the book, but I kept wondering why there just so many odd, irrelevant shifts in where the book was going. Jennie's mother dies. Carly ends up in a mental institution. Somehow Jenni ends up working for Rob's medical practice alongside Carly. Several characters are poisoned. One of the characters ends up blowing themselves up while lighting a bonfire. Just as I was getting used to a setting in the book, the author would move the setting to another place and/or time.
I really, really wanted to like this book, but there was simply too much going on, the characters were all unlikable, and the book had way too many unbelievable plot scenarios and scenes.
I appreciate the opportunity to review this book thanks to Edelweiss+, the publisher, HarperCollins, and the author, Amanda Robson.
For more of my book reviews, check out my website, I Dig Books (and Dirt).
I started Amanda Robson's Obsession back in August of this year (2017), only to put it down because it was moving slowly. I decided to give it another try over the winter holidays, and unfortunately my initial instincts about the book were correct. I made it through the entire book, but it let me down in several key ways.
The book is told through the eyes of four different characters: Craig, Rob, Carly, and Jenni. Jenni is married to Craig, and Rob is married to Carly. The two couples have been friends for a long time, and spend a good deal of time together. They both have children around the same ages, and life, at least from an outsider's perspective, seems perfect between the two couples. That is, until Carly and Craig cheat on their respective partners.
Carly has a wild streak, and she thrives off of exciting and dangerous situations. Jenni couldn't be more different from Carly. Jenni is an observant Christian, and tends to be prudish. The two are supposedly "best friends," but there are cracks and fissures in their relationship that ultimately come to a head when Jenni finds out that Carly has been having an affair with Craig, Jenni's husband.
From thereon out, both couples' lives start spiraling out of control. Jenni finds herself contemplating doing things she would have never imagined as a practicing, devout Christian. Carly descends into madness. As a result Rob, Carly's husband, commits Carly to a mental institution. The two couples end up turning on each other as well as partner against partner. This book is basically like watching a massive train wreck.
What bothered me the most about the characters was that not one of them was redeemable. Yes, every single human being on the planet has flaws, but these people are severely flawed individuals who make horrible decisions every step of the way. Carly is self-absorbed and pretentious, bordering on a narcissistic personality. She is eventually diagnosed with bipolar disorder, but her personality really doesn't change that much after she gets the care she needs. Jenni throws out all of her values once the going gets tough in her life, which seems odd for someone who was a committed Christian all of her life.
Also, there were way, way, WAY too many plot twists and turns. I was able to follow the book, but I kept wondering why there just so many odd, irrelevant shifts in where the book was going. Jennie's mother dies. Carly ends up in a mental institution. Somehow Jenni ends up working for Rob's medical practice alongside Carly. Several characters are poisoned. One of the characters ends up blowing themselves up while lighting a bonfire. Just as I was getting used to a setting in the book, the author would move the setting to another place and/or time.
I really, really wanted to like this book, but there was simply too much going on, the characters were all unlikable, and the book had way too many unbelievable plot scenarios and scenes.
I appreciate the opportunity to review this book thanks to Edelweiss+, the publisher, HarperCollins, and the author, Amanda Robson.
For more of my book reviews, check out my website, I Dig Books (and Dirt).
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