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Keep You Safe
What if trying to protect your child only put them in danger?
Natalie is desperate to find her little boy. It has been more than three years since she saw Harry. Three long years in prison for a crime she knows she didn’t commit.
But her husband believed the police, and took their son.
Who has gone to such great lengths to destroy Natalie’s life? Everyone she once trusted – friends, family, everyone close to her – what secrets do they hide?
If Natalie finds the truth, will she get Harry back, or lose him forever?
A totally gripping psychological thriller– perfect for fans of Big Little Lies, The Girl on the Train and C.L Taylor.
Previously titled GUILTY LITTLE SECRETS
Natalie is desperate to find her little boy. It has been more than three years since she saw Harry. Three long years in prison for a crime she knows she didn’t commit.
But her husband believed the police, and took their son.
Who has gone to such great lengths to destroy Natalie’s life? Everyone she once trusted – friends, family, everyone close to her – what secrets do they hide?
If Natalie finds the truth, will she get Harry back, or lose him forever?
A totally gripping psychological thriller– perfect for fans of Big Little Lies, The Girl on the Train and C.L Taylor.
Previously titled GUILTY LITTLE SECRETS
342 pages, Paperback
First published August 17, 2018
799 people are currently reading
918 people want to read
About the author
Rona Halsall
20 books530 followersRona is the #1 best selling author of twisty psychological thrillers and loves to create mayhem in her characters' lives to keep her readers guessing. She lives halfway up a mountain in Snowdonia, North Wales with her three dogs - Maid, Evie and Sandy who are the writing support team.
She is an outdoorsy person, who loves nothing better than stomping up a mountain, and wandering round forests and woodlands while she's plotting her next book. Outside is where the ideas are!
The peak of her writing career was being short-listed for the International Thriller Writers Awards 2024, for THE BIGAMIST. The translation was also shortlisted for an award in Holland.
For the latest news and information on all her books you can check out her website: https://ronahalsall.org/
You can also sign up to her newsletter here:
https://bit.ly/RonaHalsallNews
Also...If you follow her Author page on Amazon, you'll get notifications when a new book is out. You can have a look here:
UK - https://tinyurl.com/yfk4ydyt
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Go on... hit that Follow button!
She is an outdoorsy person, who loves nothing better than stomping up a mountain, and wandering round forests and woodlands while she's plotting her next book. Outside is where the ideas are!
The peak of her writing career was being short-listed for the International Thriller Writers Awards 2024, for THE BIGAMIST. The translation was also shortlisted for an award in Holland.
For the latest news and information on all her books you can check out her website: https://ronahalsall.org/
You can also sign up to her newsletter here:
https://bit.ly/RonaHalsallNews
Also...If you follow her Author page on Amazon, you'll get notifications when a new book is out. You can have a look here:
UK - https://tinyurl.com/yfk4ydyt
US - https://tinyurl.com/26cwfkc7
Go on... hit that Follow button!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 198 reviews
September 25, 2018
OMG What a nasty piece of work. The poor lass.
Update.
Natalie is happily married and works for her husband in his finance company but leaves to have their baby Harry. Life is looking good for Natalie but when Harry is a few months old her husband encourages her to return to work. One day the police come calling and arrest Natalie for money laundering. Large sums of money have disappeared and what's more there is evidence that points to Natalie's guilt. The only problem is she doesn't remember that she ever commited this crime and even her own husband seems convinced of her guilt. When Natalie is handed a large prison sentence she is in despair at being separated from her baby son. By the time Natalie is able to leave prison she will be a stranger to her child.
Once his wife has been sentenced her husband sells the family home and takes baby Harry to live on the Isle of Man. He refuses to bring the baby to visit his wife and as far as he is concerned Natalie will never see her child again. There are a different set of legal rules on the island and locked up in prison there is absolutely nothing she can do that will enable her to hold her child once again. Will things come right for Natalie and why will no one believe her story.
This was a brilliant audiobook and I enjoyed every second of this story. There are quite a few twists and turns and the ending really took me by surprise. The narration was absolutely brilliant, in fact this audiobook ticked all the boxes for me.
Update.
Natalie is happily married and works for her husband in his finance company but leaves to have their baby Harry. Life is looking good for Natalie but when Harry is a few months old her husband encourages her to return to work. One day the police come calling and arrest Natalie for money laundering. Large sums of money have disappeared and what's more there is evidence that points to Natalie's guilt. The only problem is she doesn't remember that she ever commited this crime and even her own husband seems convinced of her guilt. When Natalie is handed a large prison sentence she is in despair at being separated from her baby son. By the time Natalie is able to leave prison she will be a stranger to her child.
Once his wife has been sentenced her husband sells the family home and takes baby Harry to live on the Isle of Man. He refuses to bring the baby to visit his wife and as far as he is concerned Natalie will never see her child again. There are a different set of legal rules on the island and locked up in prison there is absolutely nothing she can do that will enable her to hold her child once again. Will things come right for Natalie and why will no one believe her story.
This was a brilliant audiobook and I enjoyed every second of this story. There are quite a few twists and turns and the ending really took me by surprise. The narration was absolutely brilliant, in fact this audiobook ticked all the boxes for me.
October 13, 2024
It could have been good if it wasn’t for that looong backstory from the prison. We didn’t need all the details, it added almost nothing.
January 15, 2024
**4 Captivating Stars **
"Keep You Safe," Rona Halsall's well-written thriller, plunges us into the gut-wrenching ordeal of Natalie, a new mother wrongly accused of embezzlement. The frustration of being unjustly imprisoned for a crime you didn't commit simmered within me, bringing back a personal memory of having a check stolen and the homeowner's association's infuriating skepticism – albeit nowhere near the nightmarish confinement Natalie endures. Despite her memory lapses, Natalie clings to her innocence, while her unsupportive husband, Tom, readily believes the police. To make matters worse, Tom relocates with their son, Harry, to another country, leaving Natalie yearning for her baby amidst the cold walls of her prison cell.
My heart ached for Natalie. Upon release, her sole mission becomes finding Harry. The narrative seamlessly switches between Natalie's present struggles and past events, building suspense and illuminating her harrowing journey. An unsettling, third-person perspective creeps in at times, adding an intriguing layer of mystery. While glimpses of prison life were insightful, certain aspects felt reminiscent of another recent book. Nonetheless, I fiercely rooted for Natalie and her desperate quest for a reunion with Harry. Predictable or not, witnessing their story unfold was a captivating experience.
Highly recommend this gripping debut! I eagerly await Rona Halsall's next masterpiece.
**Many thanks to Bookouture for my copy of this book.**
"Keep You Safe," Rona Halsall's well-written thriller, plunges us into the gut-wrenching ordeal of Natalie, a new mother wrongly accused of embezzlement. The frustration of being unjustly imprisoned for a crime you didn't commit simmered within me, bringing back a personal memory of having a check stolen and the homeowner's association's infuriating skepticism – albeit nowhere near the nightmarish confinement Natalie endures. Despite her memory lapses, Natalie clings to her innocence, while her unsupportive husband, Tom, readily believes the police. To make matters worse, Tom relocates with their son, Harry, to another country, leaving Natalie yearning for her baby amidst the cold walls of her prison cell.
My heart ached for Natalie. Upon release, her sole mission becomes finding Harry. The narrative seamlessly switches between Natalie's present struggles and past events, building suspense and illuminating her harrowing journey. An unsettling, third-person perspective creeps in at times, adding an intriguing layer of mystery. While glimpses of prison life were insightful, certain aspects felt reminiscent of another recent book. Nonetheless, I fiercely rooted for Natalie and her desperate quest for a reunion with Harry. Predictable or not, witnessing their story unfold was a captivating experience.
Highly recommend this gripping debut! I eagerly await Rona Halsall's next masterpiece.
**Many thanks to Bookouture for my copy of this book.**
August 8, 2018
Natalie Wilson, a young mother having trouble coping with the strains of new motherhood to baby Harry, found herself experiencing lapses of memory and making expensive purchases. Soon after returning to work in her husband's wealth management business, she is charged and imprisoned for embezzling 1.2 million pounds from a client's account, something she doesn't remember doing. While she is in jail all she can think about is getting out and seeing her little boy again. But first she has to find her ex husband and son while evading someone who she is sure is following her and wants to harm her and Harry.
Told in two time frames, the present and past, the story of Natalie's hunt for Harry unfolds in parallel with her arrest and time in jail. I really felt for Natalie and all she had been through to survive her 3 and a half years in jail so that she could reconnect with her son. I had my suspicions about what had happened and who was following Natalie from early in the book (maybe I just read too many thrillers) but the plot was still tense and compelling and I had to keep reading straight through to the end to find out if my suspicions were correct. 3.5★
With thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for a digital copy of the book.
Told in two time frames, the present and past, the story of Natalie's hunt for Harry unfolds in parallel with her arrest and time in jail. I really felt for Natalie and all she had been through to survive her 3 and a half years in jail so that she could reconnect with her son. I had my suspicions about what had happened and who was following Natalie from early in the book (maybe I just read too many thrillers) but the plot was still tense and compelling and I had to keep reading straight through to the end to find out if my suspicions were correct. 3.5★
With thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for a digital copy of the book.
July 24, 2018
Guilty Little Secrets by Rona Halsall is a thriller that is mainly told from the point of view of it’s lead character Natalie. There are chapters in the now and then there are chapters from four years before but there is also an unknown voice in the present that is keeping tabs on Natalie.
Natalie has just been released from prison a bit early and the only thing Natalie wants in the world is to find her son and see him again. You see, Natalie’s son was only a baby when police showed up at her front door and took her away. Natalie had no clue what she would have done to have the police needing to question her but she was having problem with her memory at the time and struggling after having her son.
When the police go her to the station they began to question Natalie about missing money from one of her clients. Natalie worked for her husband in his finance company and right at six months leave being up he expected her to return to work no matter how she was feeling. Well, with money gone missing and all signs pointing to Natalie she is arrested for theft and her husband leaves the country with her son so when released she will do anything to find him.
Looking at my rating one might think I have a ton of issues with this debut novel but I really didn’t. It read rather easily with smooth writing going back and forth from the past and the present. The story was also one that was compelling although I would note it did get a tad slow in the middle but not bad overall. My rating though for me reflects the fact that I solved this one in the opening chapters. I really really hoped I would be wrong and there would be a great twist I didn’t see coming but unfortunately not so it was hard to be overly excited about the story but I would be interested in seeing what the author has up her sleeve in the future.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Natalie has just been released from prison a bit early and the only thing Natalie wants in the world is to find her son and see him again. You see, Natalie’s son was only a baby when police showed up at her front door and took her away. Natalie had no clue what she would have done to have the police needing to question her but she was having problem with her memory at the time and struggling after having her son.
When the police go her to the station they began to question Natalie about missing money from one of her clients. Natalie worked for her husband in his finance company and right at six months leave being up he expected her to return to work no matter how she was feeling. Well, with money gone missing and all signs pointing to Natalie she is arrested for theft and her husband leaves the country with her son so when released she will do anything to find him.
Looking at my rating one might think I have a ton of issues with this debut novel but I really didn’t. It read rather easily with smooth writing going back and forth from the past and the present. The story was also one that was compelling although I would note it did get a tad slow in the middle but not bad overall. My rating though for me reflects the fact that I solved this one in the opening chapters. I really really hoped I would be wrong and there would be a great twist I didn’t see coming but unfortunately not so it was hard to be overly excited about the story but I would be interested in seeing what the author has up her sleeve in the future.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
January 2, 2024
I've just finished reading my third novel by this author and to be honest, it didn't quite live up to my expectations. The story follows a mother who has been wrongly accused and is now desperately trying to get her son back. However, her ex-husband is not making it easy for her. I was hoping for an edge-of-the-seat thriller, with unexpected twists and turns, like the author's other works. But, the storyline was predictable and the ending was too easy to guess. Don't get me wrong, it's an okay read, just not as thrilling as I had hoped.
If you're an avid reader of thrillers, I'll say skip this one. However, I highly recommend checking out Love You Gone and The Bigamist.
***Thank you to NetGalley, Rona Halsall, and Bookouture Audio for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
If you're an avid reader of thrillers, I'll say skip this one. However, I highly recommend checking out Love You Gone and The Bigamist.
***Thank you to NetGalley, Rona Halsall, and Bookouture Audio for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
February 10, 2024
This is a heartfelt thriller that centers around a mother's love and her obsession to be reunited with her young son. I enjoyed how the story was told in alternating timelines of then and now. There was also a mysterious unknown narrator whose voice gave me chills, it was so ominous. Rona Halsall masterfully creates a main character that I cared about. The final ending twists were shocking and explosively wrapped up this tale of deception, betrayal, and desperation. The narration added a layer of suspense, intrigue, and emotion. Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for my audiobook.
August 17, 2018
The only thing that kept Natalie from giving up throughout the years she spent in prison for a crime that she didn't commit was looking forward to seeing her beloved young son Harry again.Only not only had her husband Tom demanded a divorce but he had taken Harry and fled to The Isle Of Man where they had their own laws and she had no legal right of access to Harry. As soon as she is released Natalie makes her way to the island determined to find her son and take him somewhere where they will never be found.But unbeknownst to Natalie she is being stalked by a deadly enemy,someone who is prepared to go to any lengths to stop their secrets and lies from being uncovered.
This gripping thriller is mainly voiced by Natalie in short,snappy chapters that alternate between then and now.The then chapters cover events leading up to Natalie`s arrest,the changes in her character as she adjusts to life in prison whilst coming to terms with the extent of her so called husbands betrayal. Trying to get through every day whilst living with the constant treat of violence she has to learn to toughen up and protect herself. I struggled to like Natalie at times during these parts of the story due to her snobbish,judgemental behaviour. The now chapters cover Natalie`s desperate search for her son whilst trying to stay one step ahead of her mysterious pursuer. These chapters were gripping,action packed and intense and were my favourite parts of the story.Interspersed throughout the book are short chapters that give the reader an insight into the twisted thoughts of the antagonist. But who is this person and why do they dislike Natalie so much?
This is a well written,debut thriller, the prison scenes were realistic,the characters were vivid and believable. Natalie`s life threatening confrontation with her antagonist was action packed,breath taking and intense. The story held my attention throughout, I would happily recommend this book to fellow thriller readers and I look forward to reading more books by this author in the future.
Many thanks to Bookouture for a arc of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
This gripping thriller is mainly voiced by Natalie in short,snappy chapters that alternate between then and now.The then chapters cover events leading up to Natalie`s arrest,the changes in her character as she adjusts to life in prison whilst coming to terms with the extent of her so called husbands betrayal. Trying to get through every day whilst living with the constant treat of violence she has to learn to toughen up and protect herself. I struggled to like Natalie at times during these parts of the story due to her snobbish,judgemental behaviour. The now chapters cover Natalie`s desperate search for her son whilst trying to stay one step ahead of her mysterious pursuer. These chapters were gripping,action packed and intense and were my favourite parts of the story.Interspersed throughout the book are short chapters that give the reader an insight into the twisted thoughts of the antagonist. But who is this person and why do they dislike Natalie so much?
This is a well written,debut thriller, the prison scenes were realistic,the characters were vivid and believable. Natalie`s life threatening confrontation with her antagonist was action packed,breath taking and intense. The story held my attention throughout, I would happily recommend this book to fellow thriller readers and I look forward to reading more books by this author in the future.
Many thanks to Bookouture for a arc of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
August 16, 2018
'Keep You Safe', previously entitled 'Guilty Little Secrets', is crime writer Rona Halsall's debut psychological thriller, and unfortunately it didn't quite work for me. Despite this, I will try her second book that is expected in November 2018. I do hope it lives up to my expectations a little more than this one did.
Our main protagonist, Natalie Wilson, has been imprisoned for the last three years for a crime she didn't commit. She stands accused of embezzling 1,2 million pounds from one of her clients accounts whilst working at her husbands wealth management business, but she doesn't remember doing it. After giving birth to son Harry, Natalie started having lapses in memory and spent lots of money on expensive impulse purchases. Naturally, she is desperate to reunite with her son after so many years away from him, but someone really wants to stop that from happening. Natalie resolves to find the truth about who is behind this attempt to keep her from her family.
You can tell that the author is a great storyteller but for regular thriller readers I would imagine they would find this too predictable, as I did. Quite a substantial part of the plot is rather far-fetched and unrealistic, so if you like your crime writing to be as believable as possible this is probably a novel to skip. Otherwise, the pace is sound, and the chapters are short leading you to read on and on. The chapters alternate between Natalie's past and her present, so we get plenty of background information on her. Due to this, I feel she is a well developed protagonist and the author adeptly cultivates empathy for her and her situation. This is a multi-layered mystery which has many positive elements, and if you can suspend your disbelief you will have a great time reading it. Unfortunately, it just didn't work for me.
Many thanks to Bookouture for an ARC. I was not required to post a review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
Our main protagonist, Natalie Wilson, has been imprisoned for the last three years for a crime she didn't commit. She stands accused of embezzling 1,2 million pounds from one of her clients accounts whilst working at her husbands wealth management business, but she doesn't remember doing it. After giving birth to son Harry, Natalie started having lapses in memory and spent lots of money on expensive impulse purchases. Naturally, she is desperate to reunite with her son after so many years away from him, but someone really wants to stop that from happening. Natalie resolves to find the truth about who is behind this attempt to keep her from her family.
You can tell that the author is a great storyteller but for regular thriller readers I would imagine they would find this too predictable, as I did. Quite a substantial part of the plot is rather far-fetched and unrealistic, so if you like your crime writing to be as believable as possible this is probably a novel to skip. Otherwise, the pace is sound, and the chapters are short leading you to read on and on. The chapters alternate between Natalie's past and her present, so we get plenty of background information on her. Due to this, I feel she is a well developed protagonist and the author adeptly cultivates empathy for her and her situation. This is a multi-layered mystery which has many positive elements, and if you can suspend your disbelief you will have a great time reading it. Unfortunately, it just didn't work for me.
Many thanks to Bookouture for an ARC. I was not required to post a review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
November 23, 2021
This is the debut novel by author Rona Halsall and probably the weakest of the her novels that I have read. I still enjoyed it but the previous reads set such an high standard.
It has been more than three years since Natalie saw Harry, her little boy. For the last three years she has been a resident in prison for a crime she didn’t commit. Her wealthy husband believed she was guilty and took care of their son and moved away to protect him. But if Natalie is completely innocent, then who has gone to such great lengths to destroy Natalie’s life?. She now doesn’t know who to trust, including her friends and family. But Natalie is desperate to get Harry back and will stop at nothing to do so.
It was still an enjoyable read but maybe lacked the experience and skills the author shows in subsequent novels. I don’t want to be too critical because Rona Halsall has set such high standards.
It has been more than three years since Natalie saw Harry, her little boy. For the last three years she has been a resident in prison for a crime she didn’t commit. Her wealthy husband believed she was guilty and took care of their son and moved away to protect him. But if Natalie is completely innocent, then who has gone to such great lengths to destroy Natalie’s life?. She now doesn’t know who to trust, including her friends and family. But Natalie is desperate to get Harry back and will stop at nothing to do so.
It was still an enjoyable read but maybe lacked the experience and skills the author shows in subsequent novels. I don’t want to be too critical because Rona Halsall has set such high standards.
August 14, 2018
Keep You Safe appeared to be a book that I could really get into. Unfortunately it fell a bit flat for me. It was enjoyable but predictable and felt like I had read it all before. I struggled to stay interested
Natalie is sent to prison for a crime that she didn't commit. Whist locked up her husband takes her sons away. The first things she wants once released is to find her son and find out who was responsible for sending her to jail.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased
Natalie is sent to prison for a crime that she didn't commit. Whist locked up her husband takes her sons away. The first things she wants once released is to find her son and find out who was responsible for sending her to jail.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased
January 23, 2019
2.5 Stars
This didn’t have quite the amount of thrills I was hoping for. It oscillates between Natalie’s past and present (in jail and then trying to find her son) as well as an anonymous first person who’s following Natalie. While the premise is interesting, I think I am over the near hysteria character with a shady past in thrillers.
This didn’t have quite the amount of thrills I was hoping for. It oscillates between Natalie’s past and present (in jail and then trying to find her son) as well as an anonymous first person who’s following Natalie. While the premise is interesting, I think I am over the near hysteria character with a shady past in thrillers.
August 17, 2018
One of the best books I have ever read! Suspenseful and absolutely thrilling, with a cracking pace. I lived this amazing book! Hard to believe this is the author's debut! Very highly recommended to everyone.
August 16, 2018
I thought this was going to be a book that I could really get into, but unfortunately, it just didn't happen for me.
Natalie spent three very long years in prison for a crime she says she didn't commit. They say she embezzled over 1 million pounds from a clients account, but the only problem is she just doesn't remember doing it. Now she's been released and is on the hunt to find Harry, her little boy, who she has missed so much. One problem, while in prison her husband took off with Harry and she doesn't know where he is. Will Natalie ever see Harry again? What secrets are those close to her hiding?
I really loved where the author was going with this novel, and it is definitely well-written. I guess if I hadn't predicted everything right away it would have been a 5-star read. I can't wait to see what she writes next!
*Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC of this book.
Natalie spent three very long years in prison for a crime she says she didn't commit. They say she embezzled over 1 million pounds from a clients account, but the only problem is she just doesn't remember doing it. Now she's been released and is on the hunt to find Harry, her little boy, who she has missed so much. One problem, while in prison her husband took off with Harry and she doesn't know where he is. Will Natalie ever see Harry again? What secrets are those close to her hiding?
I really loved where the author was going with this novel, and it is definitely well-written. I guess if I hadn't predicted everything right away it would have been a 5-star read. I can't wait to see what she writes next!
*Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC of this book.
February 18, 2024
Omg what a fantastic debut. This is a 5 star highly entertaining and compelling listen. The narrator puts real feeling into the story.
The plot itself is told mainly from the pov of Natalie. Her back story is skillfully woven into the story which centres on her quest to be reunited with her son after going to prison for a crime she didnt commit. This is full of great twists and turns and side chatacters. I did guess the true identity of the person following Natalie but thr ginal act and reveal was out of this world.
This high quality audio is a must for thriller fans who love s slow burn .
Thank you netgallery and publisher and author and narrator.
The plot itself is told mainly from the pov of Natalie. Her back story is skillfully woven into the story which centres on her quest to be reunited with her son after going to prison for a crime she didnt commit. This is full of great twists and turns and side chatacters. I did guess the true identity of the person following Natalie but thr ginal act and reveal was out of this world.
This high quality audio is a must for thriller fans who love s slow burn .
Thank you netgallery and publisher and author and narrator.
February 12, 2024
Definitely did not see the twist in the end! A very good mystery, a woman on the quest of getting back her child, has to unravel a complex web of lies she's been entangled in. Characters were solid especially the MC and protagonist... I look forward to more from this author
Solid 3.5 stars
Solid 3.5 stars
August 14, 2018
I loved this book and was desparate for things to work out for Natalie.
The book begins with Natalie getting out of prison and we join her on a ferry, planning to get her son back.
She’s lost three years of her life in prison for something she knows she wasn’t guilty of, but it was taken out of her control.
This is a gripping story which leads you down one path, only for it to twist and it will leave you gobsmacked.
Natalie faces all sorts of obstacles whilst trying to find her son and at times this is a real nail biter.
We also learn what happened whilst Natalie was in prison and this really made me like this character, as she’s been through so much.
I can’t wait to read more books by this author.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
The book begins with Natalie getting out of prison and we join her on a ferry, planning to get her son back.
She’s lost three years of her life in prison for something she knows she wasn’t guilty of, but it was taken out of her control.
This is a gripping story which leads you down one path, only for it to twist and it will leave you gobsmacked.
Natalie faces all sorts of obstacles whilst trying to find her son and at times this is a real nail biter.
We also learn what happened whilst Natalie was in prison and this really made me like this character, as she’s been through so much.
I can’t wait to read more books by this author.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
July 9, 2018
Since joining Netgalley, I have become much more interested in the author of the book I’m reading. After finishing Guilty Little Secrets, the first thing I did was visit the Netgalley website to research the author. The site listed this title as Rona Halsall’s only book. I was surprised and thought there must be titles listed elsewhere. So I Googled her and discovered that sure enough this is her first book! I was so surprised because this most definitely does NOT read as if it’s an author’s first book but rather one of many! I was convinced it was the work of an experienced author that has honed her writing skills over many years and lots of titles.
This is a fast paced, great read. The story flows well and held my interest from beginning to end. The characters have depth and the author does a great job of conveying the emotions of the various characters along the way. The story takes a lot of interesting twists and turns. I really liked the small sections throughout that are written by the antagonist. They really leave you guessing as to who is doing the talking. I would look forward to reading another book by this author. As I said to my husband after finishing this title, “Well Done Rona!”. #Netgalley
This is a fast paced, great read. The story flows well and held my interest from beginning to end. The characters have depth and the author does a great job of conveying the emotions of the various characters along the way. The story takes a lot of interesting twists and turns. I really liked the small sections throughout that are written by the antagonist. They really leave you guessing as to who is doing the talking. I would look forward to reading another book by this author. As I said to my husband after finishing this title, “Well Done Rona!”. #Netgalley
August 21, 2018
The fact I started this book one day and finished the next is a review in itself!
The tension is there throughout and you really put yourself in Natalie's shoes and wonder how easily your life could turn upside down.
I loved the prison sequences and genuinely didn't know who to trust.
This book is filled with really beautiful lines throughout and the author uses words like pictures.
I read it so quickly because I really wanted to know what happened but it's one I will go back over and read again, digesting the descriptions.
It's an ideal book club read!
The tension is there throughout and you really put yourself in Natalie's shoes and wonder how easily your life could turn upside down.
I loved the prison sequences and genuinely didn't know who to trust.
This book is filled with really beautiful lines throughout and the author uses words like pictures.
I read it so quickly because I really wanted to know what happened but it's one I will go back over and read again, digesting the descriptions.
It's an ideal book club read!
August 28, 2018
Really gripping storyline
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters were vivid and I felt that I was there with Natalie the main character willing her to succeed against the odds. It shows the amazing strength of a Mother's spirit to survive
for the sake of her child when the justice system has let her down, leaving her to fend for herself in prison for a crime she did not commit. I just could not put it down, it failed to disappoint and I usually don't read psychological thrillers. Loved it.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters were vivid and I felt that I was there with Natalie the main character willing her to succeed against the odds. It shows the amazing strength of a Mother's spirit to survive
for the sake of her child when the justice system has let her down, leaving her to fend for herself in prison for a crime she did not commit. I just could not put it down, it failed to disappoint and I usually don't read psychological thrillers. Loved it.
August 31, 2018
I found KEEP YOU SAFE by Rona Halsall to be an engaging and well-paced book. Told primarily from character Natalie’s point of view, I enjoyed the switch between the present, where she is not only searching for her son, but running from people who have threatened her and her family’s lives, and the past, where we learn about how she ended up in prison serving time for a crime she claims she did not commit.
The author does a fine job of keeping up the tension throughout the book. Both in prison and outside, Natalie struggles in knowing who to trust. She can only rely on her wits; wits that her prison stint has helped her hone typically via unpleasant experiences. In fact, I quite enjoyed reading about time Natalie spent in prison. Her experiences inside shaped her and she certainly was not able to leave behind that life once outside.
One of my ‘buts’ with this story is that I guessed who the unknown narrator was much earlier than I would have preferred and this diluted part of the mystery for me. Also at times, I did feel the need to suspend belief with respect to some storylines. Having said all this, the book more than held my interest and I was happily turning the pages to find out what was going to happen next.
I learned after reading this book that it is the author’s debut novel. Well done! I hope she continues writing because I am keen to read what she comes up with next.
3.5 stars
The author does a fine job of keeping up the tension throughout the book. Both in prison and outside, Natalie struggles in knowing who to trust. She can only rely on her wits; wits that her prison stint has helped her hone typically via unpleasant experiences. In fact, I quite enjoyed reading about time Natalie spent in prison. Her experiences inside shaped her and she certainly was not able to leave behind that life once outside.
One of my ‘buts’ with this story is that I guessed who the unknown narrator was much earlier than I would have preferred and this diluted part of the mystery for me. Also at times, I did feel the need to suspend belief with respect to some storylines. Having said all this, the book more than held my interest and I was happily turning the pages to find out what was going to happen next.
I learned after reading this book that it is the author’s debut novel. Well done! I hope she continues writing because I am keen to read what she comes up with next.
3.5 stars
August 18, 2018
**4 Goodreads Stars**
Natasha finds herself in a world of trouble in Rona Halsall's Keep You Safe (formerly titled Guilty Little Secrets) with few friends or family to help her out. Her picture-perfect life of comfort, wealth, and new motherhood is ripped away from her when the police arrest her for embezzling. Taken complete off-guard, she is confused and destitute, her only potential help a solicitor (lawyer for American readers) who seems disinterested in Natasha's case and doubtful of Natasha's innocence.
Natasha is encouraged to plead guilty to the crime to lessen her sentence so that she can get out in 2 years to see her son. Seeing no hope, she does it. She is immediately sentenced to prison for 3 years. When incarcerated, the prison doctor discovers she has opioids in her system. She has no recollection of ever taking them and believes her husband, a businessman who comes from old money, was drugging her. Her husband immediately files for a divorce from her, leading Natasha to believe that he may have been involved in both shady business practices that went unnoticed by her and an affair. He never writes or visits her in prison, leaving her to sort out the truth alone in prison - so far away from her baby son and the life she once knew.
The story seesaws between the past and present. The current timeline picks up with Natasha's unexpected early release from prison due to overcrowding. She is on the hunt for her husband in the hopes of finding her son. She gets in touch with an old friend, Sasha, who Natasha hopes will help her find her baby boy. We also hear the voice of an unknown predator, someone who is following Natasha's every move with malicious intent. Is it Natasha's ex-husband or someone associated with her prison time?
The story unfolds methodically. It's clear the author took great care in writing the story, pacing it so that only certain parts of the story were revealed to the reader as to avoid spoiling the mystery. It was fun to guess what may be going on. Is Natasha a reliable narrator? Is she telling the reader the truth? And who is this person stalking her? What parts of the story has Natasha left out? Why, for instance, hasn't her friend Sasha regularly visited her in prison? Why does Natasha's mother despise her so much that she, too, refuses to visit her in jail and doubts her daughter's innocence?
What also drew me into this story was the author's writing. She writes beautifully composed sentences that paint a vivid picture of what is going on in the characters' heads and what their surroundings look like. Here's one example of Halsall's writing:
"My first clenches around the phone, my patience a thin veneer."
Halsall takes the most ordinary, mundane parts of life and makes them come to life with her prose. That's what kept me turning the pages on top of wanting to know what was happening with Natasha.
Thank you to the author, Rona Halsall, the publisher, Bookouture, and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of this thrilling book!
For more of my book reviews visit me here:
Book Review Blog | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
Natasha finds herself in a world of trouble in Rona Halsall's Keep You Safe (formerly titled Guilty Little Secrets) with few friends or family to help her out. Her picture-perfect life of comfort, wealth, and new motherhood is ripped away from her when the police arrest her for embezzling. Taken complete off-guard, she is confused and destitute, her only potential help a solicitor (lawyer for American readers) who seems disinterested in Natasha's case and doubtful of Natasha's innocence.
Natasha is encouraged to plead guilty to the crime to lessen her sentence so that she can get out in 2 years to see her son. Seeing no hope, she does it. She is immediately sentenced to prison for 3 years. When incarcerated, the prison doctor discovers she has opioids in her system. She has no recollection of ever taking them and believes her husband, a businessman who comes from old money, was drugging her. Her husband immediately files for a divorce from her, leading Natasha to believe that he may have been involved in both shady business practices that went unnoticed by her and an affair. He never writes or visits her in prison, leaving her to sort out the truth alone in prison - so far away from her baby son and the life she once knew.
The story seesaws between the past and present. The current timeline picks up with Natasha's unexpected early release from prison due to overcrowding. She is on the hunt for her husband in the hopes of finding her son. She gets in touch with an old friend, Sasha, who Natasha hopes will help her find her baby boy. We also hear the voice of an unknown predator, someone who is following Natasha's every move with malicious intent. Is it Natasha's ex-husband or someone associated with her prison time?
The story unfolds methodically. It's clear the author took great care in writing the story, pacing it so that only certain parts of the story were revealed to the reader as to avoid spoiling the mystery. It was fun to guess what may be going on. Is Natasha a reliable narrator? Is she telling the reader the truth? And who is this person stalking her? What parts of the story has Natasha left out? Why, for instance, hasn't her friend Sasha regularly visited her in prison? Why does Natasha's mother despise her so much that she, too, refuses to visit her in jail and doubts her daughter's innocence?
What also drew me into this story was the author's writing. She writes beautifully composed sentences that paint a vivid picture of what is going on in the characters' heads and what their surroundings look like. Here's one example of Halsall's writing:
"My first clenches around the phone, my patience a thin veneer."
Halsall takes the most ordinary, mundane parts of life and makes them come to life with her prose. That's what kept me turning the pages on top of wanting to know what was happening with Natasha.
Thank you to the author, Rona Halsall, the publisher, Bookouture, and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of this thrilling book!
For more of my book reviews visit me here:
Book Review Blog | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
January 26, 2024
Natalie has just been released from prison and she has a single purpose in mind - to get custody back of her son. She knows he won't remember her but she never once stopped thinking about him Three years is just like the blink of an eye when Natalie remembered holding her son in his arms. But, her ex-husband has cut her son out of his life. In fact, he has remarried.
What one wants and what one gets is easier said than done. Despite the challenges, Natalie is determined to go to the ends of the earth to see her son again. Natalie has another goal in mind. Feeling she was charged and imprisoned unfairly, she is determined to find out who was responsible?
I have read more than a few books by Rona Halsall, and loved them all. I love how she writes psychological thrillers, and as it turns out, this book was previously published as Guilty Little Secrets in 2018.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
August 3, 2018
Old friends or new ones. They are there to watch your back, aren't they ...
One of the worst things is not being believed, especially by the people you love. It's hard to fight against a wall of hard evidence. How can you pull through? The best way is to keep your eye on the ball and go for it, no matter what ...
It's Natalie's story we read here. We are taken back to the past to see what went on and follow her in the present. But we also get little chapters where we can see into the mind of someone whose intentions are to be questioned.
It's great to see Natalie's change during the book. I have read it in one go and once again I had put my money on the wrong horse. I will never make it as a DI, but I thoroughly enjoyed trying to figure out who was capable of doing all those things.
I do believe a mother is like a lion when she wants to protect her child, but once you have that little person in your arms again, you can relax, can't you ...
My heart went out to Nathalie and her little boy.
Thank you, Rona Halsall, Bookouture and Netgalley
https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com
One of the worst things is not being believed, especially by the people you love. It's hard to fight against a wall of hard evidence. How can you pull through? The best way is to keep your eye on the ball and go for it, no matter what ...
It's Natalie's story we read here. We are taken back to the past to see what went on and follow her in the present. But we also get little chapters where we can see into the mind of someone whose intentions are to be questioned.
It's great to see Natalie's change during the book. I have read it in one go and once again I had put my money on the wrong horse. I will never make it as a DI, but I thoroughly enjoyed trying to figure out who was capable of doing all those things.
I do believe a mother is like a lion when she wants to protect her child, but once you have that little person in your arms again, you can relax, can't you ...
My heart went out to Nathalie and her little boy.
Thank you, Rona Halsall, Bookouture and Netgalley
https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com
January 13, 2024
Loved the end, it definetly was a good twist. I just didnt like the back and forth, got thrown off a few times. Solid 3 stars!!
January 10, 2024
Wow - this book had me going from page one. I thought the hubby was a piece of work to begin with and thought man how could this happen to her. Kept reading and was like lost on how this could happen. As a mom, I would go to the ends of Earth to protect my child which this made me connect to Natalie instantly. Natalie was desperate to get her son back after being locked away for a crime she had no memory of and didn't commit. I was immediately blaming her hubby since his behavior became very closed off and not willing to help her get to the truth to the claims of her wrongdoing. Her husband not only cut her off but divorced her, and took her son, Harry.
In the facility she was sent to it was found that she was taking medication that she clearly was unaware she was taking, again I am thinking her husband is sick and awful. Then the there was the friend in lock up who has a side business and saw Natalie as a mark. So many crazy side stories that kept me guessing.
I like how the book was written in then - Natalie's time in jail and now narrated by Natalie hunting for Harry and a mystery narrator who is following Natalie after her release. Which was well done and kept me wanting more from each viewpoint. I love how she met the performer on the ferry and how he became a very important to the story. I love how the he friend accidently ran into her and gaslit her about being there.... foreshadow much? I didn't see if yet.....
The pace of this book was so good and I didn't want to put it down. We lost power due to storms so candles were found and I finished in one sitting. Bravo Rona Halsall - great book and look forward to reading more of your work. Keep Reading and find your next adventure...
Thank you to NetGalley for the copy of this book for a fair honest review.
In the facility she was sent to it was found that she was taking medication that she clearly was unaware she was taking, again I am thinking her husband is sick and awful. Then the there was the friend in lock up who has a side business and saw Natalie as a mark. So many crazy side stories that kept me guessing.
I like how the book was written in then - Natalie's time in jail and now narrated by Natalie hunting for Harry and a mystery narrator who is following Natalie after her release. Which was well done and kept me wanting more from each viewpoint. I love how she met the performer on the ferry and how he became a very important to the story. I love how the he friend accidently ran into her and gaslit her about being there.... foreshadow much? I didn't see if yet.....
The pace of this book was so good and I didn't want to put it down. We lost power due to storms so candles were found and I finished in one sitting. Bravo Rona Halsall - great book and look forward to reading more of your work. Keep Reading and find your next adventure...
Thank you to NetGalley for the copy of this book for a fair honest review.
July 23, 2018
Natalie was framed for a crime she did not commit and has spent the last four years in jail.
Her husband Tom, divorced her, and took their son Harry to the Isle of Man, never visiting with him, while she was in prison.
Now that she has been released, she is determined to find Harry, and to be a mother to him again. But, she may need some help along the way...
The story is told in the alternating chapters:
Then-Natalie’s time spent in prison
Now -her search for Harry
Mystery narrator-following Natalie Since her release
Usually this style propels a reader forward quickly because each narrative leaves the reader hanging, and wanting to get back to where that narrative left off-but for some reason, it did not work for me this time.
Perhaps, I wasn’t interested in the THEN chapters because I had recently read the excellent “Jar of Hearts” by Jennifer Hillier, which also had a jail narrative and a present tense narrative, and I could not help but compare?
Perhaps, it was just bad timing, as I did not want to read about a woman in jail again so soon, and had no idea half of the book would take place in that setting when I requested it?
But beyond that, I guessed who Natalie’s real enemy was and did not like how she conveniently met all of the people who could help her with her predicament and deliver an ending wrapped up neatly like a package with a bow.
Others readers have enjoyed this, so, if it sounds like a story you might like, you can pick up your copy on Aug 17th, 2018!
I would like to thank Netgalley, Bookouture and the author for the ARC provided in exchange for my CANDID review.
Her husband Tom, divorced her, and took their son Harry to the Isle of Man, never visiting with him, while she was in prison.
Now that she has been released, she is determined to find Harry, and to be a mother to him again. But, she may need some help along the way...
The story is told in the alternating chapters:
Then-Natalie’s time spent in prison
Now -her search for Harry
Mystery narrator-following Natalie Since her release
Usually this style propels a reader forward quickly because each narrative leaves the reader hanging, and wanting to get back to where that narrative left off-but for some reason, it did not work for me this time.
Perhaps, I wasn’t interested in the THEN chapters because I had recently read the excellent “Jar of Hearts” by Jennifer Hillier, which also had a jail narrative and a present tense narrative, and I could not help but compare?
Perhaps, it was just bad timing, as I did not want to read about a woman in jail again so soon, and had no idea half of the book would take place in that setting when I requested it?
But beyond that, I guessed who Natalie’s real enemy was and did not like how she conveniently met all of the people who could help her with her predicament and deliver an ending wrapped up neatly like a package with a bow.
Others readers have enjoyed this, so, if it sounds like a story you might like, you can pick up your copy on Aug 17th, 2018!
I would like to thank Netgalley, Bookouture and the author for the ARC provided in exchange for my CANDID review.
August 31, 2018
What a fantastic, suspenseful read! I love the way Rona Halsall builds up suspense in this book: layer upon layer, it’s skillfully done. The characters are complex, and the settings and situations varied. The book includes a great mix of psychological suspense and action-packed drama which makes for a gripping read. I was up until all hours racing through the pages to find out what would happen!
January 27, 2024
Keep You Safe has a great plot that had me hooked from the beginning. The story follows a young mother who was wrongly imprisoned for a crime she didn't commit. In the 3 years she was there, her husband disappeared with their 8 month old son. Not telling her where there were going.
My heart ached for Natalie. Her sole purpose upon her release was to find her little boy. And as a mother myself, I was with her every step of the way.
The story switches between "pre incarceration" and present-day explaining her arrest and then her present hunt for her child and dealing with a mysterious pursuer.
Who is this mysterious person?
These chapters were so exciting and action-packed, and the audio contributed immensely to the book.
Halsall knows how to build up suspense layer upon layer, keeping the reader engaged, and I would never have guessed this is her debut novel! It's a little more predictable than her more recent releases, but a great read all the same.
My favorite book by Rona is The Bigamist, and I can't wait to read more of her books in the future.
Thanks to Netgally and Bookature Audio for the arc.
My heart ached for Natalie. Her sole purpose upon her release was to find her little boy. And as a mother myself, I was with her every step of the way.
The story switches between "pre incarceration" and present-day explaining her arrest and then her present hunt for her child and dealing with a mysterious pursuer.
Who is this mysterious person?
These chapters were so exciting and action-packed, and the audio contributed immensely to the book.
Halsall knows how to build up suspense layer upon layer, keeping the reader engaged, and I would never have guessed this is her debut novel! It's a little more predictable than her more recent releases, but a great read all the same.
My favorite book by Rona is The Bigamist, and I can't wait to read more of her books in the future.
Thanks to Netgally and Bookature Audio for the arc.
June 30, 2018
Wow!!! Absolutely fabulous debut book by this Author. The story gripped me from the start and didn't let go until the last page. Natalie is married to Tom and they have an infant son Harry. Tom runs a wealth management company and Natalie works in his office after a short maternity leave. Natalie is imprisoned for stealing a large amount of money from a client. There are a lot of Guilty Little Secrets in this book. I will not tell you what they are. I highly recommend this book. Thank you NetGalley, Bookoutre and the Author for allowing me to read and review this book.
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