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Trust Me
Who can you trust if you can't trust yourself?
Twenty-seven-year-old Lizzie has a great relationship with her teenage stepson, Sam, even though they could pass for brother and sister.
When Sam becomes sullen and withdrawn, Lizzie starts to suspect that something sinister is going on at school. But no one believes her – and then suspicion falls on Lizzie herself...
Trust Me is an absorbing, suspenseful and thought-provoking thriller that asks if you can ever really trust anybody, including yourself.
314 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2017
23 people are currently reading
198 people want to read
About the author
Zosia Wand
5 books14 followersZosia Wand is an author and playwright whose stories are rooted in the landscape of South Cumbria. Her commissions include a number of plays for Radio 4 and theatre productions. The Guardian described her adaptation of Hansel and Gretel and More Tales from the Forest for Williamson Park as “a form of free-association fairy tale remix that owes as much to Shrek as to the Brothers Grimm”. A graduate of the Sky Drama’s Flip The Script course, Zosia is currently developing a drama for television. Her novels include the Tarnside Trilogy, an interlinked series of psychological thrillers. Once Upon A Place is her literary debut. Zosia has worked extensively in reader development, regularly hosts events in libraries and bookshops and teaches creative writing. To find out more go to www.zosiawand.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
March 26, 2024
EXCERPT: Sam sees it first. I'm oblivious to what's about to happen, resting against the wooden lip of the hull with my head tilted up as the sun licks my face. Coniston Water. The English Lake District. A glorious spring day, sharp as a shard of glass. We're gliding up the lake, the boat following a comfortable melody, and I'm finally beginning to relax.
I'm a city girl; sailing is an alien activity. In my former life, people who sailed inhabited a different world. I glimpsed them in foreign sun-kissed marinas as they descended from dazzling white yachts in their deck shoes, designer jeans turned up at the ankle and pastel-coloured jumpers draped across their shoulders. I was the one walking past in search of a cheap hostel, interrail card in my pocket, back sweaty from the rucksack dragging on my shoulders. When the boys first mentioned sailing I'd foolishly imagined gin and tonics in iced glasses and careless laughter over meals in restaurants too exclusive to display their prices, but this is Coniston in March, not La Rochelle in August.
ABOUT 'TRUST ME': Lizzie is 27, and she has a great relationship with her 17-year-old stepson, Sam, even though they could pass for brother and sister. When Sam becomes sullen and withdrawn, Lizzie starts to suspect that something sinister is going on at school. She thinks an older woman is grooming him, trying to turn him against his family. But nobody believes her—and then suspicion falls on Lizzie herself. Trust Me is an absorbing, suspenseful and thought-provoking thriller that asks if you can ever really trust anybody . . . including yourself.
MY THOUGHTS: Trust Me was different to what I was expecting. The start, in fact probably the first half of the book, is very slow, but there was enough promise to keep me interested and reading.
The main character, Lizzie, is a difficult person to like. She is 27 and living with Jonty who is in his fifties. She comes across as very immature, but then Jonty is also very immature. Just how immature doesn't fully come across until the second half of the story.
I think Lizzie is more than a little in love with Sam, Jonty's son. She gushes about him and is constantly touching him. She is in a strange position. She is much closer to Sam's age than Jonty's and has no formal status in the household. Is she expected to be like a stepsister to Jonty, or stepmother? Lizzie has no real idea and thus wings it, but some of her actions seemed to me borderline inappropriate bearing in mind Sam is 17 and full of raging male hormones.
But then a curveball is thrown into the mix and the easy-going atmosphere of the household disintegrates into rage, jealousy and turmoil. Zosia Wand has done a great job depicting the changing family dynamics and Sam's mercurial character.
I ended up enjoying this book far more than I expected at the outset. It got a whole lot more interesting after the 50% mark and I didn't know who to trust.
I will be looking for more books by this author.
⭐⭐⭐.8
#TrustMeZosiaWand #NetGalley
THE AUTHOR: Zosia Wand is an author and playwright whose stories are rooted in the landscape of South Cumbria. She has worked extensively in reader development, regularly hosts events in libraries and bookshops and teaches creative writing.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Head of Zeus via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of Trust Me by Zosia Wand for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Trust Me by Zosia Wand was published May 2018. My bad for taking so long to read it.
I listened to the audiobook of Trust Me by Zosia Wand superbly narrated by Imogen Church who is one of my favorite narrators.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
I'm a city girl; sailing is an alien activity. In my former life, people who sailed inhabited a different world. I glimpsed them in foreign sun-kissed marinas as they descended from dazzling white yachts in their deck shoes, designer jeans turned up at the ankle and pastel-coloured jumpers draped across their shoulders. I was the one walking past in search of a cheap hostel, interrail card in my pocket, back sweaty from the rucksack dragging on my shoulders. When the boys first mentioned sailing I'd foolishly imagined gin and tonics in iced glasses and careless laughter over meals in restaurants too exclusive to display their prices, but this is Coniston in March, not La Rochelle in August.
ABOUT 'TRUST ME': Lizzie is 27, and she has a great relationship with her 17-year-old stepson, Sam, even though they could pass for brother and sister. When Sam becomes sullen and withdrawn, Lizzie starts to suspect that something sinister is going on at school. She thinks an older woman is grooming him, trying to turn him against his family. But nobody believes her—and then suspicion falls on Lizzie herself. Trust Me is an absorbing, suspenseful and thought-provoking thriller that asks if you can ever really trust anybody . . . including yourself.
MY THOUGHTS: Trust Me was different to what I was expecting. The start, in fact probably the first half of the book, is very slow, but there was enough promise to keep me interested and reading.
The main character, Lizzie, is a difficult person to like. She is 27 and living with Jonty who is in his fifties. She comes across as very immature, but then Jonty is also very immature. Just how immature doesn't fully come across until the second half of the story.
I think Lizzie is more than a little in love with Sam, Jonty's son. She gushes about him and is constantly touching him. She is in a strange position. She is much closer to Sam's age than Jonty's and has no formal status in the household. Is she expected to be like a stepsister to Jonty, or stepmother? Lizzie has no real idea and thus wings it, but some of her actions seemed to me borderline inappropriate bearing in mind Sam is 17 and full of raging male hormones.
But then a curveball is thrown into the mix and the easy-going atmosphere of the household disintegrates into rage, jealousy and turmoil. Zosia Wand has done a great job depicting the changing family dynamics and Sam's mercurial character.
I ended up enjoying this book far more than I expected at the outset. It got a whole lot more interesting after the 50% mark and I didn't know who to trust.
I will be looking for more books by this author.
⭐⭐⭐.8
#TrustMeZosiaWand #NetGalley
THE AUTHOR: Zosia Wand is an author and playwright whose stories are rooted in the landscape of South Cumbria. She has worked extensively in reader development, regularly hosts events in libraries and bookshops and teaches creative writing.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Head of Zeus via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of Trust Me by Zosia Wand for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Trust Me by Zosia Wand was published May 2018. My bad for taking so long to read it.
I listened to the audiobook of Trust Me by Zosia Wand superbly narrated by Imogen Church who is one of my favorite narrators.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
October 18, 2017
Lizzie is only 27 and her partner Jonty is much older, 53. This shouldn't matter right?
He has a son who is 17 so that makes Lizzie much closer in age to him than his father.
She has much more in common with him too it seems, but she is technically his step mother.
Sam starts to make sexual advances towards Lizzie, then he is so sorry for doing this. I thought like Lizzie is was down to teenage hormones, however, Lizzie feels its more than this and he might be being groomed.
Some believe its Lizzie herself that is the groomer of this teenage boy.
Lizzie then starts to not trust herself, but, then she thinks she knows who is the groomer.
Its a very disturbing book at times that tackles a subject matter that is difficult to read and some want to 'turn a blind eye to' but this author has handled is well.
What I thought this book was going to be about turned me upside down, it unexpectedly got my attention fully 100% half way through more and more as I flicked through the pages.
The lake district figures a lot in this book due to the author living there, it was a lovely bonus to read parts of this.
Lizzie and Jonty, I have no idea how they got together, she is much more immature than her age even, but then Jonty wasn't a welcoming character that I felt settled to get to know either.
I really loved how this author made this young boy come across so sweet and innocent, how we get emotional for him and how this slowly takes a turn.
I really did enjoy this although I see its got hugely mixed reviews I quite liked it.
I would like to than Head of Zeus for my copy.
November 24, 2019
This book really wasn’t for me. Some bits were so boring an I had to skim read them. I couldn’t stand the main character Lizzie. She was one of the worst characters in a book I’ve ever read. She was so frustrating and really annoying and you could just tell she was in love with Sam so it got on my nerves her constantly saying she didn’t when the next second she would say contradicting things. The other characters were dull and the for the first half I honestly wondered why the author had even bothered with this book. It wasn’t going anywhere and it just dragged on. The last quarter did pick up a bit and some bits were good but I was relieved to finally finish it. Zosia Wand’s the accusation book was really good but this was just terrible.
October 18, 2017
1 1/2 stars ... After what I thought started off as a good read , the realisation that this was not going to develop to be the 'page turning thriller ' I had been promised soon became apparent.
Quite repetitive and the main character certainly spent a lot of time telling herself " I feel something brewing! " Not sure what this book wanted to be and would have perhaps been better , exploring the predatory nature of the female character and the frailty of youth . I skim read the last third of the book only so I could indeed confirm that the somewhat obvious 'twist ' happened .
Quite repetitive and the main character certainly spent a lot of time telling herself " I feel something brewing! " Not sure what this book wanted to be and would have perhaps been better , exploring the predatory nature of the female character and the frailty of youth . I skim read the last third of the book only so I could indeed confirm that the somewhat obvious 'twist ' happened .
September 15, 2017
an enjoyable read thanks to Head of Zeus via NetGalley. Something different with likeable and very unlikable characters that draw you into their story and lives.
December 10, 2018
5 Words: Family, trust, love, confusion, power.
AUDIOBOOK
Can one woman create so much devastation?
AUDIOBOOK
Can one woman create so much devastation?
October 16, 2017
Psychological thriller set in the LAKE DISTRICT, Coniston Water
Lizzie is 27. She is the partner of Jonty, 53 – and lives with him and his 17 year old son, Sam, in a village on Coniston Water in the English Lake District. Despite being much closer to him than Jonty in terms of age, she is in effect Sam’s step mum. Lizzie feels they are a family, but her position is a little precarious – Jonty and she have never formalised their relationship.
Sam begins to behave in strange ways. He one minute makes unsolicited sexual advances to Lizzie, and the next is full of remorse. Lizzie initially puts it down to teenage hormones, but increasingly believes he is being manipulated and groomed. Others share this view – but tend to believe that Lizzie is the manipulator and groomer… She begins to doubt herself and her own sanity. As the story progresses she does, though, begin to develop suspicions as to who the groomer might be – but will anyone believe her?
A game of cat and mouse follows.
Trust Me is a disturbing read. The subject matter is challenging, and the atmosphere that Zosia so cleverly creates is unnerving. There is a feeling of apprehension as you turn every page. You never quite know where the story is heading or when violence will erupt… It is in the tradition of the best psychological thrillers.
The story moves to an exciting conclusion. You’ve sort of guessed it, but that in no way detracts from it.
And there is a big additional plus for TripFiction readers. The scenery and ambiance of the Lake District really come to life. Zosia was born in London, but now lives in the Lake District. Her passion for the area comes though loud and clear.
Trust Me is a very good and a very disturbing book. Highly recommended. It’ll make you think about relationships and who, indeed, you can trust.
Lizzie is 27. She is the partner of Jonty, 53 – and lives with him and his 17 year old son, Sam, in a village on Coniston Water in the English Lake District. Despite being much closer to him than Jonty in terms of age, she is in effect Sam’s step mum. Lizzie feels they are a family, but her position is a little precarious – Jonty and she have never formalised their relationship.
Sam begins to behave in strange ways. He one minute makes unsolicited sexual advances to Lizzie, and the next is full of remorse. Lizzie initially puts it down to teenage hormones, but increasingly believes he is being manipulated and groomed. Others share this view – but tend to believe that Lizzie is the manipulator and groomer… She begins to doubt herself and her own sanity. As the story progresses she does, though, begin to develop suspicions as to who the groomer might be – but will anyone believe her?
A game of cat and mouse follows.
Trust Me is a disturbing read. The subject matter is challenging, and the atmosphere that Zosia so cleverly creates is unnerving. There is a feeling of apprehension as you turn every page. You never quite know where the story is heading or when violence will erupt… It is in the tradition of the best psychological thrillers.
The story moves to an exciting conclusion. You’ve sort of guessed it, but that in no way detracts from it.
And there is a big additional plus for TripFiction readers. The scenery and ambiance of the Lake District really come to life. Zosia was born in London, but now lives in the Lake District. Her passion for the area comes though loud and clear.
Trust Me is a very good and a very disturbing book. Highly recommended. It’ll make you think about relationships and who, indeed, you can trust.
August 6, 2022
A good read! Not as fast paced as I'd like, but still worth reading.
October 15, 2017
There have been mixed reviews about this book, but I really enjoyed it! Covering everything from family to trust, Trust Me was an exciting and suspenseful read that ramped up the tension steadily over the course of the book had me racing to finish it by the end.
Though the blurb of the book gave me the impression that the story would be about child grooming, that ended up being a twist halfway through the novel. The bulk of the novel centres on Lizzie, a twenty-seven year old woman who lives in the Lake District with her older boyfriend, Jonty, and his seventeen-year old son, Sam. When Sam starts acting strangely- skipping school, and behaving inappropriately around Lizzie- she starts to question herself, her feelings for him and whether her love for him is as innocent as she first thought it was- and as other people are starting to doubt it is.
I really admired the way in which Zosia Wand set up the family dynamics in Trust Me, especially when it came to Lizzie’s in-between situation as a woman who could conceivably be Sam or Jonty’s girlfriend. At the start of the book the situation between the three of them isn’t explained at all, leaving you to draw your own conclusions, before you then learn what Lizzie is to both of the men. Her situation as a mother figure for Sam and as an object of desire is a precarious balance to maintain, which Wand fully exploits as the tension begins to ramp up in the story and Lizzie’s new friend, Rebecca, begins to upset the balance even further.
Lizzie is an interesting character. Wand goes to great lengths to illustrate how young she is in comparison with Jonty, missing out on exotic holidays with her friends to arrange festivals in the Lake District, but although she professes to be an ‘old soul’ she does come across as rather naïve sometimes. She’s likeable- if a bit touchy-feely with Sam- and is above all believable- which helps you empthasize with her as the situation between her and the two men becomes ever more fraught and confusing. You believe she wants the right thing for both boys, and loves them both, which is really nice.
Similarly, Wand does a great job of getting you to care about Sam, and does so much good work presenting him as a sympathetic, sweet boy at the start that his spiral downwards into aggressive and threatening behaviour later on hooks you and keeps you reading- well, it did me! Though I didn’t really like Jonty, and was kind of waiting for Lizzie to break up with him the whole way through, it was Sam’s character arc that was ultimately the most interesting of all of them: mostly because I didn’t know what was happening to him.
The plot itself races along: it starts off sedately and then slowly ramps up the tension, making innocent actions take on a whole new significance and the reader become as paranoid as Lizzie. Though the ending was a tad overdramatic, it still packed a punch: at one point, you didn’t know who to believe, even the main character, which added to the atmosphere of confusion and fear and was just how I liked it.
Above all, it’s an exploration about how precarious love is, and how easily it can be warped by other people. In an age where school grooming and paedophiles are in the news all the time, Trust Me is a worrying exploration of the blame game and how important it is to trust others.
Though the blurb of the book gave me the impression that the story would be about child grooming, that ended up being a twist halfway through the novel. The bulk of the novel centres on Lizzie, a twenty-seven year old woman who lives in the Lake District with her older boyfriend, Jonty, and his seventeen-year old son, Sam. When Sam starts acting strangely- skipping school, and behaving inappropriately around Lizzie- she starts to question herself, her feelings for him and whether her love for him is as innocent as she first thought it was- and as other people are starting to doubt it is.
I really admired the way in which Zosia Wand set up the family dynamics in Trust Me, especially when it came to Lizzie’s in-between situation as a woman who could conceivably be Sam or Jonty’s girlfriend. At the start of the book the situation between the three of them isn’t explained at all, leaving you to draw your own conclusions, before you then learn what Lizzie is to both of the men. Her situation as a mother figure for Sam and as an object of desire is a precarious balance to maintain, which Wand fully exploits as the tension begins to ramp up in the story and Lizzie’s new friend, Rebecca, begins to upset the balance even further.
Lizzie is an interesting character. Wand goes to great lengths to illustrate how young she is in comparison with Jonty, missing out on exotic holidays with her friends to arrange festivals in the Lake District, but although she professes to be an ‘old soul’ she does come across as rather naïve sometimes. She’s likeable- if a bit touchy-feely with Sam- and is above all believable- which helps you empthasize with her as the situation between her and the two men becomes ever more fraught and confusing. You believe she wants the right thing for both boys, and loves them both, which is really nice.
Similarly, Wand does a great job of getting you to care about Sam, and does so much good work presenting him as a sympathetic, sweet boy at the start that his spiral downwards into aggressive and threatening behaviour later on hooks you and keeps you reading- well, it did me! Though I didn’t really like Jonty, and was kind of waiting for Lizzie to break up with him the whole way through, it was Sam’s character arc that was ultimately the most interesting of all of them: mostly because I didn’t know what was happening to him.
The plot itself races along: it starts off sedately and then slowly ramps up the tension, making innocent actions take on a whole new significance and the reader become as paranoid as Lizzie. Though the ending was a tad overdramatic, it still packed a punch: at one point, you didn’t know who to believe, even the main character, which added to the atmosphere of confusion and fear and was just how I liked it.
Above all, it’s an exploration about how precarious love is, and how easily it can be warped by other people. In an age where school grooming and paedophiles are in the news all the time, Trust Me is a worrying exploration of the blame game and how important it is to trust others.
December 11, 2018
There were so many absurd moments when I could’ve shouted at Lizzie to speak up and stop being so ridiculous, had I not been clear she was very much a fictional character. Apart from that, most threads were obvious and clear to follow, no major surprises ‘thriller’ wise, apart from the funny five minutes towards the end. It did raise some thought provoking scenarios & I’m hoping these were well researched, as my instinct would be that they would’ve been dealt with differently given my understanding of real life safeguarding practises. Overall a steady and reasonable read, feel rather neutral about it.
October 11, 2017
I have to say how disappointed I was with this first novel by a local writer I have admired for her other work, especially plays. It was supposed to be a "psychological thriller" and there was certainly a deal of psycho-analysis in it but I did not find it thrilling at all - too predictable and yet confusing at the same time.
The main character, Lizzie, comes across as an immature, impetuous hysterical woman, totally unsuited to her job as a Festivals organiser, and more obsessed with her 17 year old step-son than her partner for whom she has shallower feelings. Most of the characters are two dimensional, the wise old woman, the policeman with more pride than intelligence, even Sam, the gullible, over-sexed teenage boy.
Mostly, I wish to criticise the editor who allowed this book to be so long and repetitive: because it is written in the first person, Lizzie is able to verbalise her feelings over and over again, often the same feelings over and over again. At least a hundred pages could have been cut to tighten the plot and lessen the confusion. Writing in the third person may have made this less of a problem.
I did enjoy the local references and working out exactly where in Furness some of the places are - Tarnside is Ulverston with a tarn [Urswick?] added, Conishead Priory is mentioned and I felt I could identify with the festivals and committees. This was definitely a plus.
I won't comment on the ending to prevent spoilers but suffice it to say that the main outcome is obvious and the less predictable events depend overmuch on coincidence and contrived situations.
Sorry, Zosia.
The main character, Lizzie, comes across as an immature, impetuous hysterical woman, totally unsuited to her job as a Festivals organiser, and more obsessed with her 17 year old step-son than her partner for whom she has shallower feelings. Most of the characters are two dimensional, the wise old woman, the policeman with more pride than intelligence, even Sam, the gullible, over-sexed teenage boy.
Mostly, I wish to criticise the editor who allowed this book to be so long and repetitive: because it is written in the first person, Lizzie is able to verbalise her feelings over and over again, often the same feelings over and over again. At least a hundred pages could have been cut to tighten the plot and lessen the confusion. Writing in the third person may have made this less of a problem.
I did enjoy the local references and working out exactly where in Furness some of the places are - Tarnside is Ulverston with a tarn [Urswick?] added, Conishead Priory is mentioned and I felt I could identify with the festivals and committees. This was definitely a plus.
I won't comment on the ending to prevent spoilers but suffice it to say that the main outcome is obvious and the less predictable events depend overmuch on coincidence and contrived situations.
Sorry, Zosia.
November 27, 2018
I’m not sure why this book is described as a thriller, because it falls far from the mark and doesn’t really provide any of the twists and turns you expect from a good thriller. After reading the blurb, I was quite excited to read the book but was left cold and disappointed.
The opening chapter or so made me feel very uncomfortable in its description, and I had to actually reread the blurb to remind myself who was the ‘step son’ and who was the boyfriend. This didn’t bode well if I was supposed to be on the narrator’s side. In a book which was discussing the blurring of boundaries, I think it started off negatively and had no real place to go after that.
I found Lizzie unlikeable and very immature, and some of her thoughts confusing. Linking back to the first chapter, I found some of her thoughts inappropriate, then when she realised how she felt, it was really rammed home to remind the reader that she was never in the wrong. She also predictably does the obvious which leads to ‘problems’ a bit like the female victims do in horror films.
The character of Jonty is just awful and the situations unrealistic, especially the farcical climax.
I found the book very repetitive and drawn out. Very disappointed.
The opening chapter or so made me feel very uncomfortable in its description, and I had to actually reread the blurb to remind myself who was the ‘step son’ and who was the boyfriend. This didn’t bode well if I was supposed to be on the narrator’s side. In a book which was discussing the blurring of boundaries, I think it started off negatively and had no real place to go after that.
I found Lizzie unlikeable and very immature, and some of her thoughts confusing. Linking back to the first chapter, I found some of her thoughts inappropriate, then when she realised how she felt, it was really rammed home to remind the reader that she was never in the wrong. She also predictably does the obvious which leads to ‘problems’ a bit like the female victims do in horror films.
The character of Jonty is just awful and the situations unrealistic, especially the farcical climax.
I found the book very repetitive and drawn out. Very disappointed.
September 21, 2017
Did not like this at all. Got halfway through and it was so slow and boring I ended up skim reading the second half and can't say I feel like I missed anything. It was annoying how fixated on Sam Lizzie was and it was quite clear from the outset that Rebecca was involved with Sam and was odd so there wasn't even any intrigue. It gets 1 star because the prose and description was actually good it was the content and the storyline that was the problem.
November 22, 2018
I want to write ‘what utter piffle’ but it’s not utterly piffle and the writing style is fine. I just wonder at books where we are trapped in the mind of someone who is so hopelessly soppy. She can organise events, suggests she could be making a living doing something really prestigious yet she spends her time mooning over two children in a way that any woman who is holding down a more than full time job, having a social life and running a home would laugh at. As to her behaviour, well, whether you consider it appropriate or not it’s unreal to me. Yes I have nestled a child under my chin (not the other way round) when the child was under 10. If this woman is 27 and working with children she would be security checked (as would Rebecca) and would be mindful of what was appropriate, even at home. Don’t even get me started on the intense relationship with Nell formed in a few weeks to the point where it’s an insult to her actual mother, Kay. Poor Kay, both her parents die, her son doesn’t want to live with her and her daughter dotes on a live in girlfriend of her ex-husband who was a useless waste of space. Now there’s a story. And the repetition- I love him, I love him, I love him, I love him........
Also, how did they imagine she got broken ribs, and she certainly couldn’t have moved the way she did with them.
As to the positive, the way Rebecca insinuated herself into their lives was well done, the responses of the schools appalling but possible. The description of Cumbria very nice and realistic.
Also, how did they imagine she got broken ribs, and she certainly couldn’t have moved the way she did with them.
As to the positive, the way Rebecca insinuated herself into their lives was well done, the responses of the schools appalling but possible. The description of Cumbria very nice and realistic.
November 20, 2018
I found this book slow not the page turning thriller which was promised, saying that was a pleasant read. Found parts of the book repetitive when revisiting previous information shared. I felt the storyline was ok but could have been explored much further around Rebecca’s character. Then end was good although personally I don’t like books that tie up all the loose ends and prefer to be left wanting more which I didn’t get from this book.
November 29, 2018
So I caused some controversy at my Book Club by giving this book 5* ...but I LOVED it.
I thought the first chapter was a very clever device that lured you into thinking/feeling that Lizzie and Sam were in a relationship and made you feel the same doubts that all the other characters felt throughout the book. You didn’t trust her, but then, that was the whole point. We weren’t supposed to. Even though you wanted to be on her side and you accepted that, in any other situation, all the acts on her behalf were totally innocent and maternal, there was something that held you back. It was thought-probing and had me second guessing/checking myself throughout the entire story. I couldn’t put it down.
Admittedly, the ending got a little ridiculous. The whole debarcle with Rebecca stabbing herself and then the way she suddenly flipped and turned psychotic when Fi just happened to sleeping in Lizzie’s car (despite the fact that she hadn’t been able to stand being anywhere near Lizzie in previous chapters, let alone take advantage of a tenuous hospitality) seemed a bit fantastical. But not enough for me to knock a star off because it had me gripped from start to finish. A really good read.
I thought the first chapter was a very clever device that lured you into thinking/feeling that Lizzie and Sam were in a relationship and made you feel the same doubts that all the other characters felt throughout the book. You didn’t trust her, but then, that was the whole point. We weren’t supposed to. Even though you wanted to be on her side and you accepted that, in any other situation, all the acts on her behalf were totally innocent and maternal, there was something that held you back. It was thought-probing and had me second guessing/checking myself throughout the entire story. I couldn’t put it down.
Admittedly, the ending got a little ridiculous. The whole debarcle with Rebecca stabbing herself and then the way she suddenly flipped and turned psychotic when Fi just happened to sleeping in Lizzie’s car (despite the fact that she hadn’t been able to stand being anywhere near Lizzie in previous chapters, let alone take advantage of a tenuous hospitality) seemed a bit fantastical. But not enough for me to knock a star off because it had me gripped from start to finish. A really good read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 1, 2018
I was thoroughly disappointed with this book. Apart from the occasional nice description of the Lake District, this story is laborious from start to end. I couldn't empathise or sympathise with any of the characters and the plot is over stretched. As a narrator, Lizzie is annoyingly intense. About half way through I got the notion that maybe she's a ghost, which would make the story more exciting in my opinion. Throughout the read, I kept hoping for something more; sadly this was not to be.
September 10, 2022
Haunting
January 6, 2019
Keeps you on the edge of your seat.. never know what is going to come next .. you find yourself telling her what is going on before she works it out .. great storyline and a great read..
November 3, 2017
Twenty-seven-year-old Lizzie is closer in age to her stepson, seventeen-year-old Sam, than to her partner, Jonty. To Sam she doesn't feel like a mother but like a friend or a sister he can confide in and have fun with. They talk about everything, and spend a lot of time together, until Sam starts to behave in a strange way. He is moody and withdrawn and stares at her in ways that make her uncomfortable. His father doesn't seem to notice the change in Sam and Lizzie doesn't have many friends of her age to talk to, until she meets Rebecca, an exuberant woman who seems as lonely as she is. And as Lizzie's worry about Sam increases, her relationship with Jonty becomes more strained.
Personally, I couldn't really get into this novel and connect with the characters. The plot is suspenseful and dark but the story is nothing original, a bit predictable and it dwells too much on the psychology of the characters with little action. You will enjoy this novel if you are into psychological thrillers about obsession and family.
Personally, I couldn't really get into this novel and connect with the characters. The plot is suspenseful and dark but the story is nothing original, a bit predictable and it dwells too much on the psychology of the characters with little action. You will enjoy this novel if you are into psychological thrillers about obsession and family.
October 4, 2017
I bought this book as it was a suggested read when I finished another book, stating 'A page-turning thriller you won't be able to put down'...my kind of book. It started off great in the first few pages, then as stated I really couldn't put it down, I did keep turning pages waiting for something 'thrilling' to happen. ...and waited and waited. Once I was 1/3 of the way through I put it down for good. Whilst there was a tiny little bit of intrigue underneath the surface, I just got sick of waiting for it to turn into something and certainly found nothing thrilling about it. If I was looking for a different genre, it would probably be OK as I liked the characters, it just wasn't what it was marketed as.
September 16, 2017
This was an okay book. Not totally riviting. Would not rush to get her next one
October 17, 2017
I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from this book, it’s supposedly a psychological thriller but I feel family drama is a better definition.
It’s basically a saga about a fairly dysfunctional family, Lizzie is in a relationship with an older man, Jonty. While she doesn’t feel able to take on the classic step-mother role to his two children it explores the rather complicated connection between her and teenager Sam. With barely ten years between them it soon becomes apparent that Trust Me is going to veer down an inappropriate route.
Lizzie seems very immature and I have no idea why she was with Jonty, he is a prize jerk! She makes a rod for her own back the way she plays into Sam’s hands so when her world begins to fall apart it’s a bit difficult to care much about her considering she has bought a lot of it on herself.
Rebecca is another objectionable character, you will have to read to find out why! I did kinda like Pip (grandma) she has the wisdom that comes with maturity and speaks her mind, she tries to keep the family balanced.
The setting is nice based amid the lake district, not somewhere I have visited but it sounds worth a visit from the way it’s described. If you can accept the ‘child grooming’ aspect of this story it is surprisingly entertaining as a quick read but as I said I don’t think it warrants thriller status.
Thanks to the author and publisher for my copy which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
It’s basically a saga about a fairly dysfunctional family, Lizzie is in a relationship with an older man, Jonty. While she doesn’t feel able to take on the classic step-mother role to his two children it explores the rather complicated connection between her and teenager Sam. With barely ten years between them it soon becomes apparent that Trust Me is going to veer down an inappropriate route.
Lizzie seems very immature and I have no idea why she was with Jonty, he is a prize jerk! She makes a rod for her own back the way she plays into Sam’s hands so when her world begins to fall apart it’s a bit difficult to care much about her considering she has bought a lot of it on herself.
Rebecca is another objectionable character, you will have to read to find out why! I did kinda like Pip (grandma) she has the wisdom that comes with maturity and speaks her mind, she tries to keep the family balanced.
The setting is nice based amid the lake district, not somewhere I have visited but it sounds worth a visit from the way it’s described. If you can accept the ‘child grooming’ aspect of this story it is surprisingly entertaining as a quick read but as I said I don’t think it warrants thriller status.
Thanks to the author and publisher for my copy which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
October 13, 2017
Lizzie is a 27-year-old, with a 53-year-old boyfriend (Jonty) who has a 17-year-old son (Sam). Their family dynamic is unusual, but it works. Until Sam starts to act strangely. Lizzie is doing everything she can to keep their little family together, but everyone else thinks she’s to blame. How can she fix this when she doesn’t understand how it broke?
Although this book falls quite comfortably into the thriller category, it’s actually more of a family-drama and let me tell you, I was HOOKED. Lizzie is a great character. She’s relatable and real, and it was very easy to sympathise while her whole world fell apart around her. Jonty was the only real anomaly in the story because he was just generally an arse and I didn’t get why Lizzie was with him (I was actually rooting for the inappropriate Lizzie/Sam relationship, which I’m not sure we’re meant to). And then Rebecca. Just, ugh. Read the book and you’ll get it.
I really loved the way this book was written. The story unfolded kind of slowly, but this added a lot of depth and reality to it, and really built the tension. It was an easy and engaging read, full of excitement, confusion and drama. I would recommend Trust Me as a good introduction to the thriller genre, for those who don’t want something too intense or violent.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Although this book falls quite comfortably into the thriller category, it’s actually more of a family-drama and let me tell you, I was HOOKED. Lizzie is a great character. She’s relatable and real, and it was very easy to sympathise while her whole world fell apart around her. Jonty was the only real anomaly in the story because he was just generally an arse and I didn’t get why Lizzie was with him (I was actually rooting for the inappropriate Lizzie/Sam relationship, which I’m not sure we’re meant to). And then Rebecca. Just, ugh. Read the book and you’ll get it.
I really loved the way this book was written. The story unfolded kind of slowly, but this added a lot of depth and reality to it, and really built the tension. It was an easy and engaging read, full of excitement, confusion and drama. I would recommend Trust Me as a good introduction to the thriller genre, for those who don’t want something too intense or violent.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
December 17, 2018
At the age of 27, Lizzie is living in the Lake District with Jonty, her partner, and his son, Sam. Jonty is much older than Lizzie which means that she is nearer in age to Sam (aged 17) than she is to Jonty but this has never really caused an issue, until now. Lizzie has built up a good relationship with Sam over the years, although she had to work hard to gain his trust at first when he unexpectedly came to live with them. For some reason Sam is now starting to withdraw into himself and behave in inappropriate ways towards her. Even worse, some of her close friends and acquaintances seem to be implying that this is her fault and she starts to doubt not only her actions, but her own sanity.
This is a very well-rounded book that is not just a great story, but also has depth to it, tackling many issues which raise their heads in today’s world. In modern day society where divorce is commonplace, subsequent partners are often expected to take on the role of parenting teenage children. This book looks at the complex relationships that can develop and the potential pitfalls which may arise or be perceived to have arisen which, as this book reveals, is not necessarily the same thing. It is a thought-provoking study of one aspect of these relationships (age differences) and it also takes a look at child grooming, which adds another whole set of challenging issues. The plot is extremely well thought out and is often fast-paced and gripping. The characters are also entirely plausible and well developed.
My only criticism would be that I found the first half a little repetitive at times, even to the point where I was becoming a bit bored. However, the book gains pace towards the end and the denouement is so superbly executed that I can forgive it almost anything.
I would certainly recommend this book to anybody who enjoys a gripping narrative, but also to those who enjoy an interesting read. Apparently Zosia has written other books and if they even come close to being as good as this one I will certainly be looking out for them.
This is a very well-rounded book that is not just a great story, but also has depth to it, tackling many issues which raise their heads in today’s world. In modern day society where divorce is commonplace, subsequent partners are often expected to take on the role of parenting teenage children. This book looks at the complex relationships that can develop and the potential pitfalls which may arise or be perceived to have arisen which, as this book reveals, is not necessarily the same thing. It is a thought-provoking study of one aspect of these relationships (age differences) and it also takes a look at child grooming, which adds another whole set of challenging issues. The plot is extremely well thought out and is often fast-paced and gripping. The characters are also entirely plausible and well developed.
My only criticism would be that I found the first half a little repetitive at times, even to the point where I was becoming a bit bored. However, the book gains pace towards the end and the denouement is so superbly executed that I can forgive it almost anything.
I would certainly recommend this book to anybody who enjoys a gripping narrative, but also to those who enjoy an interesting read. Apparently Zosia has written other books and if they even come close to being as good as this one I will certainly be looking out for them.
May 11, 2022
I didn’t enjoy this as much as The Accusation, like The Accusation this was a book I listened to on Libby. I found the narrator’s voice quite annoying for this one. Lizzie was very repetitive, she would say the same thing every time and even during quite high stake confrontations she did a piss poor job of advocating or defending herself.
I’m also quite horrified with how poorly things were handled in this book. No one consulted the police? The school? Sam’s mother? Not once did Lizzie, Jonty or Pip get them involved. It left a bad taste in my mouth. For all Lizzie’s posturing and cries of loving Sam and being someone in his corner, what good did she actually do? Very infuriating.
Also there is no way Matt would be able to interview anybody he has a personal relationship with, right??
Are things just really weird and blasé in Cumbria? Wild. I do like this author though, I hope her other books or future books have more diverse protagonists. I noticed some similarities between Eve (from The Accusation) and Lizzie, they both have troubled childhoods and not much conviction or self-confidence.
I’m also quite horrified with how poorly things were handled in this book. No one consulted the police? The school? Sam’s mother? Not once did Lizzie, Jonty or Pip get them involved. It left a bad taste in my mouth. For all Lizzie’s posturing and cries of loving Sam and being someone in his corner, what good did she actually do? Very infuriating.
Also there is no way Matt would be able to interview anybody he has a personal relationship with, right??
Are things just really weird and blasé in Cumbria? Wild. I do like this author though, I hope her other books or future books have more diverse protagonists. I noticed some similarities between Eve (from The Accusation) and Lizzie, they both have troubled childhoods and not much conviction or self-confidence.
December 31, 2017
Lizzie was happy with the life she had made in the Lake District. She was happy with her lover, Jonty. The fact that there was a large age difference never bothered her.She welcomed his two children from an earlier relationship and even though Sam was nearer her age than Jonty's she never thought about him in any other way apart from a maternal one. When Sam begins to behave inappropriately towards her she is shocked, but as time goes on she becomes concerned for his safety. But what if she is the danger?
I think the 'page-turning thriller' line is stretching it rather a lot. This was an enjoyable read & I was keen to find out what was behind Sam's behaviour. I thought Lizzie was rather naive & was using Jonty's family to compensate for her own sad childhood. However if you really want a thriller this probably isn't for you!
Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.
I think the 'page-turning thriller' line is stretching it rather a lot. This was an enjoyable read & I was keen to find out what was behind Sam's behaviour. I thought Lizzie was rather naive & was using Jonty's family to compensate for her own sad childhood. However if you really want a thriller this probably isn't for you!
Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.
April 15, 2022
Well this book certainly surprised me. A new author for me and I understand that this is her first book, albeit written 5 years ago now.
I started it in the evening last night and what a foolish thing to do ! I was so hooked by the middle of the book that I had to finish it which meant another very late night/ early morning.
It is a bit of a psychological thriller concerning the young male leads teacher but I won't give any spoilers away. Psychopaths can be such convincing liars we have to wait to find out if people will believe our heroine or not.
I really enjoyed the book, yes it had a few slack parts with our heroines internal dialogues but overall a very intense and thrilling read. It kept me guessing until near the end.
I will certainly look out and see if this author has written any other books in the intervening years.
I started it in the evening last night and what a foolish thing to do ! I was so hooked by the middle of the book that I had to finish it which meant another very late night/ early morning.
It is a bit of a psychological thriller concerning the young male leads teacher but I won't give any spoilers away. Psychopaths can be such convincing liars we have to wait to find out if people will believe our heroine or not.
I really enjoyed the book, yes it had a few slack parts with our heroines internal dialogues but overall a very intense and thrilling read. It kept me guessing until near the end.
I will certainly look out and see if this author has written any other books in the intervening years.
September 11, 2022
Just came on here to ask if anyone else thought it was weird how it was never really suggested how Sam was literally a child and the possibility that a grown adult (Lizzie) had feelings for him would have been disgusting and paedophilic and not just wrong because she was dating his dad - like it was always 'I can't have sexual feelings for Sam because I'm like his step mum and it would be a betrayal of Jonty'.
ALSO I think the way the schools dealt with the accusations was really unrealistic considering Rebecca LITERALLY was TEXTING Sam asking him to meet her in the middle of the night (???) and this would absolutely lead to dismissal of a teacher regardless of the nature of the texts.
Had this been a story of a 27 year old man contemplating romantic feelings for a 17 year old girl the tone would have been WILDLY different and it shouldn't be!!!!!
ALSO I think the way the schools dealt with the accusations was really unrealistic considering Rebecca LITERALLY was TEXTING Sam asking him to meet her in the middle of the night (???) and this would absolutely lead to dismissal of a teacher regardless of the nature of the texts.
Had this been a story of a 27 year old man contemplating romantic feelings for a 17 year old girl the tone would have been WILDLY different and it shouldn't be!!!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 28, 2021
"Lizzie lives in the Lake District with her partner, Jonty, and his teenage son, Sam. Though she's only ten years older than her stepson, their set-up works. They are a family.
Then Sam becomes sullen and withdrawn, and Lizzie suspects something sinister is going on.
But no one will believe her.
They think Lizzie is to blame.
Are they right?"
I found this book to be a fascinating, if uncomfortable read, about boundaries, lines being crossed, lies and stories being told.
The writing was intense and I was drawn into the book and questioning all the way through who to believe, and empathised with Lizzie with her dilemma and who to tell and who to trust.
Unfortunately, I found the ending a bit rushed and disappointing, I wanted a final twist in the story maybe?
Then Sam becomes sullen and withdrawn, and Lizzie suspects something sinister is going on.
But no one will believe her.
They think Lizzie is to blame.
Are they right?"
I found this book to be a fascinating, if uncomfortable read, about boundaries, lines being crossed, lies and stories being told.
The writing was intense and I was drawn into the book and questioning all the way through who to believe, and empathised with Lizzie with her dilemma and who to tell and who to trust.
Unfortunately, I found the ending a bit rushed and disappointing, I wanted a final twist in the story maybe?
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