What do you think?
Rate this book
If He Wakes
You can always trust your best friend… can’t you?When Rachel discovers a Twitter message arranging a romantic liaison she assumes her husband is having an affair, and follows him. What she witnesses is so much a hit and run using his car.
Meanwhile, Rachel’s friend and business partner Suzie is increasingly worried about her fiancé, who’s not been in touch for days. When Suzie learns of huge debts racked up in her name she fears he has run out on her, but then the threatening calls start and she thinks something terrible has happened.
Rachel and Suzie are both about to learn shocking things about the men they love, worse than they could ever imagine… Can their friendship survive?
Praise for If He
'A tense, pulse-quickening tale. If you read the first chapter, you can’t help but read the second. I flew through this perfect summer read of best friends in turmoil in one feverish session.' Paula Daly
'I loved this book. So well written. I found this book unputdownable!!' Reader review
‘Fan Flipping tastic thriller! I was completely hooked from page 1 and could not put this book down!’ 4* Reader review
‘What can I say about this book?!!!!… it was so good. I read it in one day… I couldn't put it down.’ Reader review
‘Amazing book!!!!’ Reader review
‘I raced through this book in a desperate attempt to discover the answers which became darker and more horrific than I could imagine’ Reader review
'I really enjoyed this book from the off!… A real page turner with a twist that will keep you hooked.' Reader review
‘12 stars is possible… This was a brilliant debut novel that had be shocked, surprised, and dumbfounded page after page’ Reader review
‘It was a great storyline and I loved the way that it developed, it was fast flowing and I soon discovered that I was at the end. Well worth a read’ My Love of Reading
‘What a great debut novel and totally great main characters’ 4* Reader review
‘This book needs to be read’ BRMaycock Blog
Meanwhile, Rachel’s friend and business partner Suzie is increasingly worried about her fiancé, who’s not been in touch for days. When Suzie learns of huge debts racked up in her name she fears he has run out on her, but then the threatening calls start and she thinks something terrible has happened.
Rachel and Suzie are both about to learn shocking things about the men they love, worse than they could ever imagine… Can their friendship survive?
Praise for If He
'A tense, pulse-quickening tale. If you read the first chapter, you can’t help but read the second. I flew through this perfect summer read of best friends in turmoil in one feverish session.' Paula Daly
'I loved this book. So well written. I found this book unputdownable!!' Reader review
‘Fan Flipping tastic thriller! I was completely hooked from page 1 and could not put this book down!’ 4* Reader review
‘What can I say about this book?!!!!… it was so good. I read it in one day… I couldn't put it down.’ Reader review
‘Amazing book!!!!’ Reader review
‘I raced through this book in a desperate attempt to discover the answers which became darker and more horrific than I could imagine’ Reader review
'I really enjoyed this book from the off!… A real page turner with a twist that will keep you hooked.' Reader review
‘12 stars is possible… This was a brilliant debut novel that had be shocked, surprised, and dumbfounded page after page’ Reader review
‘It was a great storyline and I loved the way that it developed, it was fast flowing and I soon discovered that I was at the end. Well worth a read’ My Love of Reading
‘What a great debut novel and totally great main characters’ 4* Reader review
‘This book needs to be read’ BRMaycock Blog
257 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 30, 2018
479 people are currently reading
885 people want to read
About the author
Zoe Lea
5 books60 followersZoe Lea lives in the Lake District with her husband, their two children, three dogs and peregrine falcons.
She has previously worked as a teacher, photographer and freelance journalist and is a writer in the day and a reader by night.
She has previously worked as a teacher, photographer and freelance journalist and is a writer in the day and a reader by night.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 196 reviews
April 21, 2018
Rachel, a married mother of two, finds a sexually suggestive twitter message and assumes that her husband is having an affair. She decides she is going to follow him to his rendezvous and instead of seeing him with another woman, witnesses a hit and run.
Suzie, is Rachel's best friend and business partner. She learns some alarming news about her finances and cannot find her fiancé anywhere. In the process of looking for him, she learns that she is not the only one looking for him and that he has secrets and has not been honest with her.
In this book both women learn that those in their lives have been keeping secrets. This book proved to be a fast enjoyable read. There were plenty of twists and turns throughout. This book sucked me in almost instantly and had me turning the pages to learn what was really happening. Who was the victim in the hit and run, who was driving the car, was there an affair, what is going on with Suzie's finances, where is her finance. So many questions for the reader to ponder. Just when I thought I had this book figured out, there was a new twist, a new revelation.
A very enjoyable fast read.
Thank you to Canelo and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
See more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com
***This book does deal with an issue which may be a trigger for some. I feel I can't say what that would be without giving away the book - so I will say it deals with a sensitive subject.
Suzie, is Rachel's best friend and business partner. She learns some alarming news about her finances and cannot find her fiancé anywhere. In the process of looking for him, she learns that she is not the only one looking for him and that he has secrets and has not been honest with her.
In this book both women learn that those in their lives have been keeping secrets. This book proved to be a fast enjoyable read. There were plenty of twists and turns throughout. This book sucked me in almost instantly and had me turning the pages to learn what was really happening. Who was the victim in the hit and run, who was driving the car, was there an affair, what is going on with Suzie's finances, where is her finance. So many questions for the reader to ponder. Just when I thought I had this book figured out, there was a new twist, a new revelation.
A very enjoyable fast read.
Thank you to Canelo and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
See more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com
***This book does deal with an issue which may be a trigger for some. I feel I can't say what that would be without giving away the book - so I will say it deals with a sensitive subject.
April 26, 2018
Rachel and Suzie are best friends. One day Rachel, when going on her laptop, notices that a Twitter account has been left open and she reads the provocative private messages the account contains. Horrified because she knows it's not her daughters, Jessica and Katie, as they aren't allowed on Twitter which leaves only her husband Phil. How could he betray her like this?
Meanwhile, newly engaged Suzie attempts to use her debit card only to have it declined. Going to the bank in frustration she finds out that the account is in overdraft and it has been frozen. Adam, her fiance, handles all the finances. She calls Adam, who is on location for a photo shoot, only to receive no response to her many messages and texts. Where the heck has Adam gone?
The beginning of this book started a little slow for me. Yes, I was curious as to what was going on but some of the chapters in the first half were a bit repetitive. Once I hit the half way mark things definitely started to pick up and I was determined to see how this all played out. When the first part of the twist was revealed I automatically knew the 2nd part of the twist. I also found the ending to be satisfying. A solid 3.5 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo Publishing for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Meanwhile, newly engaged Suzie attempts to use her debit card only to have it declined. Going to the bank in frustration she finds out that the account is in overdraft and it has been frozen. Adam, her fiance, handles all the finances. She calls Adam, who is on location for a photo shoot, only to receive no response to her many messages and texts. Where the heck has Adam gone?
The beginning of this book started a little slow for me. Yes, I was curious as to what was going on but some of the chapters in the first half were a bit repetitive. Once I hit the half way mark things definitely started to pick up and I was determined to see how this all played out. When the first part of the twist was revealed I automatically knew the 2nd part of the twist. I also found the ending to be satisfying. A solid 3.5 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo Publishing for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
April 2, 2018
Rachel finds a Twitter message in her laptop that makes her suspect her husband is having an affair. She decides to follow him and then she witness something that makes her life fall apart. If He Wakes by Zoe Lea was an excellent thriller that hooked me from the first page to the last. It was a very exciting read and had me on the edge of my seat with twist and turns that I didn't see coming. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author. I would like to thank NetGalley and Canelo for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 29, 2018
Rachel Farrell opens her laptop and sees a provocative tweet that she believes is between her husband and another woman, planning a tryst. When she surreptitiously shows up at the location close to the appointed time, she witnesses a terrible hit and run accident and has her own minor one out of shock from what else she sees.
We begin at the accident and I found it interesting how without context I didn’t know how to take it all in. The story is told in first-person narrative from Rachel’s point of view and third-person narrative from Suzie’s, Rachel’s friend and business partner. That was initially a little odd but as the story progressed, it actually felt like a clever device to position the issues, reactions and reveals. What began as a potential marital conflict evolved into so much more and twisted terribly.
I liked this story, quite a bit, but would have enjoyed it more if the pacing had been tighter. Those times where significant action was unfolding, either Rachel or Suzie (more often) would often muse over inconsequential details or downright minutiae that did nothing but aggravate. Otherwise, the plot was really good and the convergence of Rachel and Suzie’s worlds was nicely done. Despite my issues, I flew through the story about 40% in and liked how it developed. I’d read more by this author. 3.5 stars
(I received an advance copy from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review)
We begin at the accident and I found it interesting how without context I didn’t know how to take it all in. The story is told in first-person narrative from Rachel’s point of view and third-person narrative from Suzie’s, Rachel’s friend and business partner. That was initially a little odd but as the story progressed, it actually felt like a clever device to position the issues, reactions and reveals. What began as a potential marital conflict evolved into so much more and twisted terribly.
I liked this story, quite a bit, but would have enjoyed it more if the pacing had been tighter. Those times where significant action was unfolding, either Rachel or Suzie (more often) would often muse over inconsequential details or downright minutiae that did nothing but aggravate. Otherwise, the plot was really good and the convergence of Rachel and Suzie’s worlds was nicely done. Despite my issues, I flew through the story about 40% in and liked how it developed. I’d read more by this author. 3.5 stars
(I received an advance copy from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review)
June 25, 2018
Rachel has discovered a strange Twitter message arranging what seems to be a romantic liason. The only likely culprit is her husband, and she follows him to find out the truth. What she finds has nothing to do with romance: she sees him hit a man with his car and simply drive off. Stunned, she doesn't know how to feel. Was it really her husband behind the wheel, could he be that callous? If he was having an affair, clearly she didn't know him very well at all...
Suzie is Rachel's business partner. She hasn't been able to get ahold of her fiance in a couple of days, but at first she doesn't worry very much. His job often makes him unreachable for some time, it isn't unusual. But now she really needs to speak to him: her bank is telling her she owes them money she had no idea about, and she's getting threatening phone calls from someone looking for cash.
This one got off to a bit of a slow start before really getting going. Between Rachel and Suzie, I'm not sure which woman I wanted to shake more. They were hard to connect with at times because they were both so very naive. It was easy to read if at times a bit predictable, but I was satisfied with the ending. A 3.5 from me.
Suzie is Rachel's business partner. She hasn't been able to get ahold of her fiance in a couple of days, but at first she doesn't worry very much. His job often makes him unreachable for some time, it isn't unusual. But now she really needs to speak to him: her bank is telling her she owes them money she had no idea about, and she's getting threatening phone calls from someone looking for cash.
This one got off to a bit of a slow start before really getting going. Between Rachel and Suzie, I'm not sure which woman I wanted to shake more. They were hard to connect with at times because they were both so very naive. It was easy to read if at times a bit predictable, but I was satisfied with the ending. A 3.5 from me.
September 12, 2020
You can find me....
Twitter |
Goodreads |
Blog |
Instagram |
Yep, I really liked this.
It had a few flaws, but as a debut it was amazing.
It starts off a little slow but kept me interested enough to find out as much as the character wanted!
Her husband, Twitter, secrets, missing, it has all the troops I love.
I’m naturally nosy (and I don’t apologise lol) so when the wife was suspect of her husband then finds out he’s now disappeared, just what in the hell was going on.
Then more happens, and just like her my suspicions were as heightened as her!
Another book read from my backlist......how did I miss this!
Twitter |
Goodreads |
Blog |
Instagram |
Yep, I really liked this.
It had a few flaws, but as a debut it was amazing.
It starts off a little slow but kept me interested enough to find out as much as the character wanted!
Her husband, Twitter, secrets, missing, it has all the troops I love.
I’m naturally nosy (and I don’t apologise lol) so when the wife was suspect of her husband then finds out he’s now disappeared, just what in the hell was going on.
Then more happens, and just like her my suspicions were as heightened as her!
Another book read from my backlist......how did I miss this!
February 24, 2019
Life doesn't always go the way you want it to. This is a story about 2 friends who find that out the hard way. The chapters alternate between the 2 women's perspective. I enjoyed one of the the storylines much more than the other. At first I could not see how the stories were going to interconnect and then they did. Once that happened the plot really took off and it became a book about making choices. This is the first I have heard of this author and would read more from her.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing this book to me in exchange for a fair review.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing this book to me in exchange for a fair review.
March 23, 2018
This started out having me on the edge of my seat - I love books that grab you RIGHT AWAY!!!! Kept me guessing till the end. Thank you for this complimentary copy of this book from Canelo through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
June 7, 2018
3.5 stars
From its first chapter, I was immediately hooked. The story was told in two point of views, Rachel and Suzie who are each living separate lives, in which their husbands are each keeping something from them. When Rachel thinks her husband is having an affair, she follows him, but what she witnesses instead is a lot worse. Suzie's husband has placed her in debt and he is nowhere to be found. What is going with each of them?
It's such an interesting novel because you don't know what to expect when you're reading it. The element of surprise is definitely major in the story as Lea shocks the readers with her twists. It was a very obvious one, and for me it took a little from the enjoyment of the novel since I knew where it was heading. But it did manage to keep me hooked until the end because I wanted to see what choices would be made.
I love a story with women as protagonists. The women in the story are perceived as strong and it's great to see how much progress we've made in society, especially with many movements on the go, and I think Lea incorporates the role of women very well in the story.
For me, some parts were uncomfortable to read because the topic isn't something that people enjoy reading about, it makes you cringe. But it also alludes to the real world because this happens all everywhere and it's just sickening. Again, I really liked how Lea brought problems in the real world and linked them to the story. It displays the fact that there are authors who are not afraid to shy away from the harsh truth (reality), which is something that I feel a lot of novels do these days.
This might not be a book for everyone, but the message that it delivers, I found to be meaningful.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Canelo for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
From its first chapter, I was immediately hooked. The story was told in two point of views, Rachel and Suzie who are each living separate lives, in which their husbands are each keeping something from them. When Rachel thinks her husband is having an affair, she follows him, but what she witnesses instead is a lot worse. Suzie's husband has placed her in debt and he is nowhere to be found. What is going with each of them?
It's such an interesting novel because you don't know what to expect when you're reading it. The element of surprise is definitely major in the story as Lea shocks the readers with her twists. It was a very obvious one, and for me it took a little from the enjoyment of the novel since I knew where it was heading. But it did manage to keep me hooked until the end because I wanted to see what choices would be made.
I love a story with women as protagonists. The women in the story are perceived as strong and it's great to see how much progress we've made in society, especially with many movements on the go, and I think Lea incorporates the role of women very well in the story.
For me, some parts were uncomfortable to read because the topic isn't something that people enjoy reading about, it makes you cringe. But it also alludes to the real world because this happens all everywhere and it's just sickening. Again, I really liked how Lea brought problems in the real world and linked them to the story. It displays the fact that there are authors who are not afraid to shy away from the harsh truth (reality), which is something that I feel a lot of novels do these days.
This might not be a book for everyone, but the message that it delivers, I found to be meaningful.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Canelo for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Read
May 6, 2018"They say that when you have a traumatic event, there is the 'before' and the 'after', that all things fall under those two categories, but no one talks about the precipice."
Rachel sees a man in a BMW who looks a lot like her husband hit and run. WHAT? That cannot be her Phil. They have two daughters (Katie and Jessica) and a wonderful life -- and is he having an affair? Rachel has worked so hard to start up a new events business with partner, Suzie, and now she's laid up with a broken ankle and everything is falling apart. Suzie is beside herself -- her fiancé, Adam, has vanished, her credit cards are frozen, and she's getting threatening calls from creditors demanding money that Adam has borrowed without her knowledge. Their nightmare has just begun.
This was a great fast-paced psychological thriller that I could not put down. I really enjoyed the narrative from the points of view of both Rachel and Suzie as they deal with the drama each faces. I don't want to give any spoilers, so I'll just say that the central issue was one I didn't anticipate at the outset but is very timely and important. Sometimes it's hard to DO the right thing -- or even know what the right thing is...
Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo for the e-book ARC to read and review.
Rachel sees a man in a BMW who looks a lot like her husband hit and run. WHAT? That cannot be her Phil. They have two daughters (Katie and Jessica) and a wonderful life -- and is he having an affair? Rachel has worked so hard to start up a new events business with partner, Suzie, and now she's laid up with a broken ankle and everything is falling apart. Suzie is beside herself -- her fiancé, Adam, has vanished, her credit cards are frozen, and she's getting threatening calls from creditors demanding money that Adam has borrowed without her knowledge. Their nightmare has just begun.
This was a great fast-paced psychological thriller that I could not put down. I really enjoyed the narrative from the points of view of both Rachel and Suzie as they deal with the drama each faces. I don't want to give any spoilers, so I'll just say that the central issue was one I didn't anticipate at the outset but is very timely and important. Sometimes it's hard to DO the right thing -- or even know what the right thing is...
Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo for the e-book ARC to read and review.
March 22, 2018
What I really liked about this book is that it grabbed your attention immediately in the beginning, it didn't have a long, drawn out build up that you can run into sometimes. "If He Wakes" is well written and takes you on a rollercoaster ride and puts you through some twists you would never see coming. I would definitely recommend this book to others. The only thing I wasn't too fond of was the ending was given away about 3/4 through the book, I think I would have enjoyed more build up.
April 19, 2018
This was a very good book. it had a few twist and turns that I wasn't expecting. I did find the storyline hard to read but it was sensitively done. I enjoyed the lay out of the book, been from the different points of view of Rachel and Suzie and I got a real insight into each of their lives and feelings. I look forward to reading more from Zoe Lea.
Thanks goes to net galley and the publishers for providing a copy In exchange for an honest review.
Thanks goes to net galley and the publishers for providing a copy In exchange for an honest review.
April 4, 2018
To use the most cliched of phrases, 'If He Wakes' is a real page-turner! The protagonist, Rachel, discovers a Twitter message arranging a secret rendezvous, and immediately assumes it's due to her husband having an affair. She sets out to investigate, and unfortunately she witnesses something much worse. What follows is how Rachel deals with her husband's alleged infidelity. Running parallel to this is Rachel's friend and business partner, Suzie, and the difficulties she is having in her relationship. As with every psychological thriller, there is soon to be twists and turns, with two explosive story lines that soon cross paths, creating a climactic ending.
The whole book leaves you questioning all of the characters, and I found that I very quickly alternated between trust AND distrust for each of the characters. I managed to read this book in just the one day, as I struggled to put it down, and the story moved pretty quickly.
My main gripe with this book is with the technicalities of the writing; Zoe Lea tends to use a lot of commas in her sentences and they don't seem to make much sense. A lot of her sentences come across as unfinished, and she uses a lot of 'lists' of separated by commas and without the important 'and' before the final item. I found her inappropriate use of commas completely irritating to read, and many sentences needed re-reading to make sense of them. Plenty of occasions the text would have benefited from use of a colon or semi-colon, and I found myself very frustrated by this - hence I only scored this book four stars.
The whole book leaves you questioning all of the characters, and I found that I very quickly alternated between trust AND distrust for each of the characters. I managed to read this book in just the one day, as I struggled to put it down, and the story moved pretty quickly.
My main gripe with this book is with the technicalities of the writing; Zoe Lea tends to use a lot of commas in her sentences and they don't seem to make much sense. A lot of her sentences come across as unfinished, and she uses a lot of 'lists' of separated by commas and without the important 'and' before the final item. I found her inappropriate use of commas completely irritating to read, and many sentences needed re-reading to make sense of them. Plenty of occasions the text would have benefited from use of a colon or semi-colon, and I found myself very frustrated by this - hence I only scored this book four stars.
May 2, 2018
Rachel thinks her husband is having an affair. She found a twitter message with a meeting point and time. She decides to follow him, but when she's there she doesn't see her husband with another woman. She witnesses a hit and run instead. Rachel is shocked because she recognizes the car. What should she do, she can talk to him immediately or look for more information. If she confronts her husband straight away without having more proof, she might never get her answers. Will Rachel eventually find out if it was her husband behind the wheel and what he was doing there?
Rachel has just started a business with her friend Suzie. They have a party to plan and Suzie should have taken over because of Rachel's issues at home, but she has problems of her own. She finds out her bank account has been emptied and a huge amount of money has been borrowed on her name. She knew nothing about this. She suspects her fiancé and business partner can give her the answers she needs, but he's missing. Where did he go and why did he borrow so much money? Will Suzie be able to find out the truth?
If He Wakes is a gripping story about two friends whose partners are keeping something from them. I was immediately curious to find out what they were hiding. Zoe Lea kept me glued to the pages from the beginning and I read If He Wakes in one sitting. Rachel's life appears to be perfect, but her world is about to be shattered. I was anxious to find out if she'd be able to handle this or not. While Suzie would normally support her she's dealing with something huge. She has no money left, while a loan shark is asking for payment and she has no idea where her fiancé is and what he's done with all of their money. Even though she's desperate and scared Suzie starts looking for the truth, which I found incredibly admirable. The two main characters of If He Wakes are both interesting women, which makes the story very fascinating.
Zoe Lea has written a terrific shocking book. She carefully divides her tension and the result is a fantastic spine-chilling, surprising and suspenseful story. The large number of unexpected twists and turns makes If He Wakes a compelling read. I went through a rollercoaster of emotions while reading this fabulous story, which is something I absolutely loved. Zoe Lea kept me on the edge of my seat with her amazing descriptions. I highly recommend this moving and mesmerizing book.
Rachel has just started a business with her friend Suzie. They have a party to plan and Suzie should have taken over because of Rachel's issues at home, but she has problems of her own. She finds out her bank account has been emptied and a huge amount of money has been borrowed on her name. She knew nothing about this. She suspects her fiancé and business partner can give her the answers she needs, but he's missing. Where did he go and why did he borrow so much money? Will Suzie be able to find out the truth?
If He Wakes is a gripping story about two friends whose partners are keeping something from them. I was immediately curious to find out what they were hiding. Zoe Lea kept me glued to the pages from the beginning and I read If He Wakes in one sitting. Rachel's life appears to be perfect, but her world is about to be shattered. I was anxious to find out if she'd be able to handle this or not. While Suzie would normally support her she's dealing with something huge. She has no money left, while a loan shark is asking for payment and she has no idea where her fiancé is and what he's done with all of their money. Even though she's desperate and scared Suzie starts looking for the truth, which I found incredibly admirable. The two main characters of If He Wakes are both interesting women, which makes the story very fascinating.
Zoe Lea has written a terrific shocking book. She carefully divides her tension and the result is a fantastic spine-chilling, surprising and suspenseful story. The large number of unexpected twists and turns makes If He Wakes a compelling read. I went through a rollercoaster of emotions while reading this fabulous story, which is something I absolutely loved. Zoe Lea kept me on the edge of my seat with her amazing descriptions. I highly recommend this moving and mesmerizing book.
May 6, 2018
Best friends and business partners Rachel and Suzie find their friendship tested and pushed to breaking point due to the actions of the men that they love in this gripping tale of friendship,secrets,lies,manipulations,misconceptions,relashionships and revenge.
After discovering a Twitter message arranging a romantic liaison,Rachel assumes that her husband is having an affair,so she follows him and is shocked and devastated when she witnesses him running someone over with his car.
Meanwhile Suzie is increasingly worried about her fiance who she hasn't heard from for days.When she learns that huge debts have been raked up in her name she fears he has run out on her,but after she starts receiving threatening phone calls she begins to wonder if something terrible has happened.
The chapters are quite long and alternate between Rachel and Suzie`s points of view.I thought that Suzie was a very likeable character but I didn't like Rachel very much for most of the book for various reasons.The author`s depictions of Rachel's reactions to having to use crutches were over dramatic and caused Rachel to come across as a bit of a drama queen.Both characters chapters contained some intreguing twists and turns and quite of number of them ended on a cliff hanger causing the reader to have a very bad case of just one more chapter syndrome.
This is a very well written debut thriller,the characters are realistic and vivid and the story holds the readers attention from the first page right through to the believable conclusion.The story is quite uncomfortable to read at times but the subject matter is written with sensitivity and isn't over graphic.This book would definitely cause some interesting discussions if it was read by a book group
Many thanks to Canelo for a arc of this book via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review
After discovering a Twitter message arranging a romantic liaison,Rachel assumes that her husband is having an affair,so she follows him and is shocked and devastated when she witnesses him running someone over with his car.
Meanwhile Suzie is increasingly worried about her fiance who she hasn't heard from for days.When she learns that huge debts have been raked up in her name she fears he has run out on her,but after she starts receiving threatening phone calls she begins to wonder if something terrible has happened.
The chapters are quite long and alternate between Rachel and Suzie`s points of view.I thought that Suzie was a very likeable character but I didn't like Rachel very much for most of the book for various reasons.The author`s depictions of Rachel's reactions to having to use crutches were over dramatic and caused Rachel to come across as a bit of a drama queen.Both characters chapters contained some intreguing twists and turns and quite of number of them ended on a cliff hanger causing the reader to have a very bad case of just one more chapter syndrome.
This is a very well written debut thriller,the characters are realistic and vivid and the story holds the readers attention from the first page right through to the believable conclusion.The story is quite uncomfortable to read at times but the subject matter is written with sensitivity and isn't over graphic.This book would definitely cause some interesting discussions if it was read by a book group
Many thanks to Canelo for a arc of this book via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review
October 10, 2018
Rachel suspects her husband is having an affair after finding messages on a Twitter account which has been left open on her laptop. She goes to the hotel she believes he is meeting someone, only to see her husband's car hitting a pedestrian and driving away from the scene of the crime.
Meanwhile, Rachel's friend and business partner Suzie, is having an embarrassing time at the bank after finding that her bank cards don't work. Her account has been suspended because of her massive unauthorised overdraft with the threat of her flat being called in as security. Suzie, of course, knows nothing of the debt.
Two very gripping and interesting storylines from the very start and the tension just keeps building.
The police question Rachel and her husband about the hit and run, and Suzie is trying to piece together what the missing money has to do with her missing boyfriend. This very quickly becomes one of the most gripping and suspenseful books I've read. There is an intense feeling of the runaway train having left the track and is heading towards disaster with nothing anyone can do to stop it.
Very well written, fabulous characters and nails bitten to the quick!
Meanwhile, Rachel's friend and business partner Suzie, is having an embarrassing time at the bank after finding that her bank cards don't work. Her account has been suspended because of her massive unauthorised overdraft with the threat of her flat being called in as security. Suzie, of course, knows nothing of the debt.
Two very gripping and interesting storylines from the very start and the tension just keeps building.
The police question Rachel and her husband about the hit and run, and Suzie is trying to piece together what the missing money has to do with her missing boyfriend. This very quickly becomes one of the most gripping and suspenseful books I've read. There is an intense feeling of the runaway train having left the track and is heading towards disaster with nothing anyone can do to stop it.
Very well written, fabulous characters and nails bitten to the quick!
Read
May 1, 2018I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book in exchange for my review.
I absolutely loved this book. It kept me guessing at every turn. Every initial impression it gives you is incorrect, and I had so much fun trying to pick apart the threads as I went along and solve the mystery! It was much more twisted than I had imagined (which I liked). Slightly reminiscent of Karin Slaughters writing style. I will definitely be seeking out more books by this author now. The distinctly British feel the book had added to the fun for me. Pick this one up for sure if you like to unravel a good mystery!
I absolutely loved this book. It kept me guessing at every turn. Every initial impression it gives you is incorrect, and I had so much fun trying to pick apart the threads as I went along and solve the mystery! It was much more twisted than I had imagined (which I liked). Slightly reminiscent of Karin Slaughters writing style. I will definitely be seeking out more books by this author now. The distinctly British feel the book had added to the fun for me. Pick this one up for sure if you like to unravel a good mystery!
July 1, 2021
Wow!! That was a page turner for sure...captured me right from the beginning. A bit of a mystery then turned super serious with very heavy content. **Warning**Not for the faint of heart!! It was hard to listen to at times. The narrator was excellent.
August 6, 2018
I really enjoyed this book! It held my interest till the very end!
June 25, 2018
A tale of everyday folk…….not!
Rachel and Suzie have recently started an events business together. You know the kind of thing - weddings, wakes, birthdays etc. They still work at their current jobs but are hoping to make a success of their new venture such that they can focus on it exclusively in the not-too-distant future.
Suzie has been unlucky in love and is now in a relationship with Adam who appears to have a shadowy past. On the other hand, Rachel appears to have everything; a successful husband, two lovely daughters and a nice house plus the money to maintain a reasonable lifestyle. All this is shattered by a sequence of events which starts when Rachel opens her laptop to a Twitter account, which is not hers and sees a message which strongly suggests her husband is having a steamy affair. Her decision to investigate has serious ramifications and, as a result, life for both the women will never be the same again.
The list of characters in the story is limited to the families and the police. I often find this to be an advantage in remembering who’s who but unfortunately, in this case, I found it difficult to relate to any of them. For the first part of the plot, both women were in denial (rightly in the case of one of them) and I questioned the motivation of husband, Phil. I was also a little unsettled by the use of Twitter to send a very personal message. WhatsApp or Kik maybe but Twitter??
On the plus side, the author’s style is modern and straightforward and therefore easy to read. The plot flows seamlessly as the protagonists drag themselves deeper and deeper into the mire. I wanted to reach the end to see how it all turned out which is a big plus for the story but I wasn’t engaged by the characters or their personalities.
Despite the excellent reviews received elsewhere, for me, it’s a 3-star novel to read around the pool on holiday and leave on the lounger for someone else to enjoy.
Now for a swim…..
mr zorg
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review
Rachel and Suzie have recently started an events business together. You know the kind of thing - weddings, wakes, birthdays etc. They still work at their current jobs but are hoping to make a success of their new venture such that they can focus on it exclusively in the not-too-distant future.
Suzie has been unlucky in love and is now in a relationship with Adam who appears to have a shadowy past. On the other hand, Rachel appears to have everything; a successful husband, two lovely daughters and a nice house plus the money to maintain a reasonable lifestyle. All this is shattered by a sequence of events which starts when Rachel opens her laptop to a Twitter account, which is not hers and sees a message which strongly suggests her husband is having a steamy affair. Her decision to investigate has serious ramifications and, as a result, life for both the women will never be the same again.
The list of characters in the story is limited to the families and the police. I often find this to be an advantage in remembering who’s who but unfortunately, in this case, I found it difficult to relate to any of them. For the first part of the plot, both women were in denial (rightly in the case of one of them) and I questioned the motivation of husband, Phil. I was also a little unsettled by the use of Twitter to send a very personal message. WhatsApp or Kik maybe but Twitter??
On the plus side, the author’s style is modern and straightforward and therefore easy to read. The plot flows seamlessly as the protagonists drag themselves deeper and deeper into the mire. I wanted to reach the end to see how it all turned out which is a big plus for the story but I wasn’t engaged by the characters or their personalities.
Despite the excellent reviews received elsewhere, for me, it’s a 3-star novel to read around the pool on holiday and leave on the lounger for someone else to enjoy.
Now for a swim…..
mr zorg
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review
August 20, 2021
If He Wakes
by Zoe Lea
I finished If He Wakes last night, and it most definitely gets all the stars from me.
Rachel and Suzie are friends and have started a business together. When we meet Rachel, she is concerned her husband is having an affair and follows him. What she sees is far worse!
When we meet Suzie, she is besotted with her photographer fiancé, Adam (who Rachel is yet to meet as he always seems to be too busy), but she is becoming increasingly anxious having not heard from him for a while and even more so after finding out her bank account is empty. That would have set my alarm bells ringing for sure, but Suzie is convinced there will be an innocent explanation. She trusts Adams implicitly. When she discovers where he is she is beside herself with worry, but nothing could prepare her for what she is about to discover.
There’s not much else I can say without spoiling it for those who haven’t read it yet, but I could happily chat about this book for hours!
The very moment I realised what was going on, and the way this story was leading, my stomach did a somersault. I can only imagine how Rachel and Suzie must feel. And Rachel’s husband. The devastation they face is heart-wrenching and I felt physically sick for them all.
This book is very cleverly written. I found myself completely invested in the characters. I was as desperate as they were to find out the truth, however painful. I could feel the emotion, the desperation, the anger, the sadness. It’s an extremely powerful and tense read. My heart rate increased on more than one occasion and I’m sure I was holding my breath at times.
An amazing debut novel! I highly recommend!
**Many thanks to the author and publisher for my review copy via NetGalley**
(I’m working my way through my shelf, slowly but surely!)
https://chataboutbooks.blog/2021/08/2...
by Zoe Lea
I finished If He Wakes last night, and it most definitely gets all the stars from me.
Rachel and Suzie are friends and have started a business together. When we meet Rachel, she is concerned her husband is having an affair and follows him. What she sees is far worse!
When we meet Suzie, she is besotted with her photographer fiancé, Adam (who Rachel is yet to meet as he always seems to be too busy), but she is becoming increasingly anxious having not heard from him for a while and even more so after finding out her bank account is empty. That would have set my alarm bells ringing for sure, but Suzie is convinced there will be an innocent explanation. She trusts Adams implicitly. When she discovers where he is she is beside herself with worry, but nothing could prepare her for what she is about to discover.
There’s not much else I can say without spoiling it for those who haven’t read it yet, but I could happily chat about this book for hours!
The very moment I realised what was going on, and the way this story was leading, my stomach did a somersault. I can only imagine how Rachel and Suzie must feel. And Rachel’s husband. The devastation they face is heart-wrenching and I felt physically sick for them all.
This book is very cleverly written. I found myself completely invested in the characters. I was as desperate as they were to find out the truth, however painful. I could feel the emotion, the desperation, the anger, the sadness. It’s an extremely powerful and tense read. My heart rate increased on more than one occasion and I’m sure I was holding my breath at times.
An amazing debut novel! I highly recommend!
**Many thanks to the author and publisher for my review copy via NetGalley**
(I’m working my way through my shelf, slowly but surely!)
https://chataboutbooks.blog/2021/08/2...
March 28, 2018
While no book, story or author is ever really perfect, there are some books which certainly hit the nail on the head and come pretty close! If He Wakes by Zoe Lea is one of these books. With only 225 pages, this story is action-packed without being confusing, heart-wrenching and very current. I am part of the If He Wakes blog tour on 2 May organised by Ellie Pilcher, where I will be giving an in-depth review and a Q&A with Zoe Lea, so I will keep my initial review short and sweet. If He Wakes by Zoe Lea will be published on 30 April by Canelo.
My brief thoughts…
If He Wakes concerns the integrated story lines of two women, Rachel and Suzie, who are both discovering that their husbands may not be all they seem. Rachel believes that her husband might be having an affair, while Suzie’s fiancee has drained all of the money from their accounts. As the two women try to investigate their partners’ discretions, many revelations come to light which prove who is the victim and who is the hero of this story.
This is another book that I just could not put down. I was hooked from the first couple of pages, with Rachel’s story kicking off the narrative with a bang (and a break!). The breaks between the friends’ narratives come at good moments, with the cliff hangers being obvious but not quite verging on cheesy. Rachel and Suzie’s characters are brilliant, as they are both trying to come to terms with their lives falling apart, while wanting to tell the other what’s going on desperately.
I love Lea’s descriptive nature throughout the book; the broken ankle chapter still makes me feel uncomfortable thinking of the way “it had increased in size since I’d been sitting, a large bulge to one side”. The author knows just how to hit the reader with the right feeling at the right time; I felt uncomfortable when I read scenes like the above, and my heart broke toward the end of the book multiple times. There was nothing I didn’t like about this book!
This is a book for lovers of a dramatic plot. This book is a mystery, but not a crime, thriller or horror so I feel that I could recommend this to nearly any reader. It’s also such a great length that it would suit busier readers, non-readers and commuter readers alike. The chapters are just long enough to maintain interest and include enough detail, and just short enough that you can read one on your coffee break, or between tube stops.
Thank you to Ellie Pilcher, Canelo and NetGalley for giving me access to an advance e-copy of this wonderful read in exchange for an honest review!
My brief thoughts…
If He Wakes concerns the integrated story lines of two women, Rachel and Suzie, who are both discovering that their husbands may not be all they seem. Rachel believes that her husband might be having an affair, while Suzie’s fiancee has drained all of the money from their accounts. As the two women try to investigate their partners’ discretions, many revelations come to light which prove who is the victim and who is the hero of this story.
This is another book that I just could not put down. I was hooked from the first couple of pages, with Rachel’s story kicking off the narrative with a bang (and a break!). The breaks between the friends’ narratives come at good moments, with the cliff hangers being obvious but not quite verging on cheesy. Rachel and Suzie’s characters are brilliant, as they are both trying to come to terms with their lives falling apart, while wanting to tell the other what’s going on desperately.
I love Lea’s descriptive nature throughout the book; the broken ankle chapter still makes me feel uncomfortable thinking of the way “it had increased in size since I’d been sitting, a large bulge to one side”. The author knows just how to hit the reader with the right feeling at the right time; I felt uncomfortable when I read scenes like the above, and my heart broke toward the end of the book multiple times. There was nothing I didn’t like about this book!
This is a book for lovers of a dramatic plot. This book is a mystery, but not a crime, thriller or horror so I feel that I could recommend this to nearly any reader. It’s also such a great length that it would suit busier readers, non-readers and commuter readers alike. The chapters are just long enough to maintain interest and include enough detail, and just short enough that you can read one on your coffee break, or between tube stops.
Thank you to Ellie Pilcher, Canelo and NetGalley for giving me access to an advance e-copy of this wonderful read in exchange for an honest review!
March 31, 2018
This book demands to be read in one sitting, as once you start reading you really won’t want to stop!
Rachel and Suzie become embroiled in a chain of events which looks set to destroy both of their lives forever as they must come to terms with not only their husbands indescretierins, but the fall out from them...
It’s twisty and pacey and completely engaging.
A must read for fans of Riley Sager and Jo Spain.
Thank you to Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
Rachel and Suzie become embroiled in a chain of events which looks set to destroy both of their lives forever as they must come to terms with not only their husbands indescretierins, but the fall out from them...
It’s twisty and pacey and completely engaging.
A must read for fans of Riley Sager and Jo Spain.
Thank you to Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
September 28, 2024
If He Wakes is a gripping story about two friends whose partners are keeping something from them. Zoe Lea kept me glued to the pages from the beginning with this terrific shocking book. The unexpected twists and turns makes for a compelling read. I went through a roller-coaster of emotions while reading this fabulous story that kept me on the edge of my seat. I highly recommend this moving and mesmerizing book.
May 22, 2018
Fantastic debut novel by this author that I would highly recommend. Only reason that I didn't give it 5 stars is because I felt it was a bit slow to get started and it took a good few chapters for me to get into it. However once it got going it certainly grabbed my attention and turned into a proper page turner. Look forward to reading more by this author.
March 25, 2018
This book got better as i was reading it, the ending is terrific. Great read.. would highly recommend to others.
Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for an early release of this book
Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for an early release of this book
April 21, 2018
With thanks to Netgalley and Canelo for this ARC in exchange for an open and honest review.
I was instantly drawn to this book from the first page. Rachel was following her husband Phil's car after finding a Tweet saying 'Meet me today at two, room booked at the hotel, I'll bring champagne'.
Phil was supposed to be in London that day and thought the message was written by one of her daughters. Unable to let go of the thought Rachel decided to follow Phil's car. As Rachel was queuing at the other end of the car park she spotted Rick behind the wheel deliberately colliding with someone outside a restaurant. The man's body sailed through the air and landed on the ground. Rick's car drove off without stopping and calling the police. From the other side of the car park Rachel drove her car into another vehicle in shock and broke her ankle.
Rick met Rachel at the hospital and explained he was in Crewe about to board the train to London when he received a call saying she was in hospital. When Phil arrived back at Chester station he realised that his car had been stolen. When Phil reported the stolen car to police he explained he was in Crewe when the theft occurred and showed them his train ticket. However Rachel was sure she had seen Phil behind the wheel, why would he drive off after deliberately running someone over?
Meanwhile Rachel's friend and business partner Susie is engaged to Adam. Adam and Susi are both photographers and run a business. When Adam is away on business her bank card is declined and finds out her account has been frozen. She finds out that Adam has taken out a loan forging her signature and had not made a payment to the bank in months.
Rachel and Susie are trying to organise a birthday party despite the worries in their personal lives. After Rachel confronts Phil about the day of the hit run both Rachel and Susie's change for ever.
I would like to congratulate Zoe Lea on her debut novel, she is certainly a great story teller. At first I was annoyed with Rachel. Instead of confronting Phil she went through his trouser pockets and found a parking ticket for the day of the accident and a tiny map for Chester. When Phil explained Rachel was like a terrier and would not let go. As the story progressed I guessed bits of the plot but the shocking revelation from Phil knocked me sideways.
I felt so sorry for Susie she thought she had found the perfect man who wanted marry her and have children. When she found out her fiancee had taken out a loan against her flat without her knowledge I felt her shock,betrayal and loss.
The conclusion was gripping and I held my breath hoping Rachel was not going to destroy her life in the heat of the moment.
If He Wakes was a fantastic, clever, twisty novel. I hope to read more from Zoe Lea in the future.
I was instantly drawn to this book from the first page. Rachel was following her husband Phil's car after finding a Tweet saying 'Meet me today at two, room booked at the hotel, I'll bring champagne'.
Phil was supposed to be in London that day and thought the message was written by one of her daughters. Unable to let go of the thought Rachel decided to follow Phil's car. As Rachel was queuing at the other end of the car park she spotted Rick behind the wheel deliberately colliding with someone outside a restaurant. The man's body sailed through the air and landed on the ground. Rick's car drove off without stopping and calling the police. From the other side of the car park Rachel drove her car into another vehicle in shock and broke her ankle.
Rick met Rachel at the hospital and explained he was in Crewe about to board the train to London when he received a call saying she was in hospital. When Phil arrived back at Chester station he realised that his car had been stolen. When Phil reported the stolen car to police he explained he was in Crewe when the theft occurred and showed them his train ticket. However Rachel was sure she had seen Phil behind the wheel, why would he drive off after deliberately running someone over?
Meanwhile Rachel's friend and business partner Susie is engaged to Adam. Adam and Susi are both photographers and run a business. When Adam is away on business her bank card is declined and finds out her account has been frozen. She finds out that Adam has taken out a loan forging her signature and had not made a payment to the bank in months.
Rachel and Susie are trying to organise a birthday party despite the worries in their personal lives. After Rachel confronts Phil about the day of the hit run both Rachel and Susie's change for ever.
I would like to congratulate Zoe Lea on her debut novel, she is certainly a great story teller. At first I was annoyed with Rachel. Instead of confronting Phil she went through his trouser pockets and found a parking ticket for the day of the accident and a tiny map for Chester. When Phil explained Rachel was like a terrier and would not let go. As the story progressed I guessed bits of the plot but the shocking revelation from Phil knocked me sideways.
I felt so sorry for Susie she thought she had found the perfect man who wanted marry her and have children. When she found out her fiancee had taken out a loan against her flat without her knowledge I felt her shock,betrayal and loss.
The conclusion was gripping and I held my breath hoping Rachel was not going to destroy her life in the heat of the moment.
If He Wakes was a fantastic, clever, twisty novel. I hope to read more from Zoe Lea in the future.
June 12, 2018
I received a digital ARC of #IfHeWakes from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Wow what a great book! I loved it! I thought I knew who the Twitter message was from and how certain people were involved, but I was wrong. Once it becomes clear what did happen, the people who were involved and the reasons for them being involved, I could not put it down. It was emotional and upsetting reading at times, but this is definitely a subject that needs highlighting, so well done to the author for doing such a great job! If this is her debut novel, then I can't wait for her to write more books. I will certainly be reading them.
August 28, 2023
2.5
The book started entertaining but then it became extremely slow. The "reveal" of what was really going on I honestly hated it. I'm not interested in story where Pedophilia is involved. I don't understand why the premise of the book is sold as "you really don't know your best friend" type of thing when Suzie and Rachel's relationship had nothing to do with what was really going on. And the "If he wakes" part of the book promised intrigue and there was none of it. No mystery or intrigue surrounding the "victim" wether something was really at stake if he did wake up.
The writing was fine, I really enjoy this author, but the book just wasn't for me.
The book started entertaining but then it became extremely slow. The "reveal" of what was really going on I honestly hated it. I'm not interested in story where Pedophilia is involved. I don't understand why the premise of the book is sold as "you really don't know your best friend" type of thing when Suzie and Rachel's relationship had nothing to do with what was really going on. And the "If he wakes" part of the book promised intrigue and there was none of it. No mystery or intrigue surrounding the "victim" wether something was really at stake if he did wake up.
The writing was fine, I really enjoy this author, but the book just wasn't for me.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 196 reviews