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The Storm
Doesn't every marriage have a dark side?
‘Beautifully written, chilling and absorbing’ Adele Parks, Sunday Times No. 1 bestselling author of Lies Lies Lies
‘Her best novel yet… Twisty, malevolent and gripping’ Lisa Jewell, No. 1 bestselling author of The Family Upstairs
To the outside world Hannah married the perfect man. Behind the closed doors of their imposing home it’s a very different story. Nathan controls everything Hannah does. He chooses her clothes, checks her receipts, and keeps her passport locked away. But why does she let him? Years before, in the midst of a relentless storm, the tragic events of one night changed everything. And Hannah has been living with the consequences ever since. Keeping Nathan happy. Doing as she’s told.
But the past is about to catch up with them.
Set against the unforgiving backdrop of a Cornish fishing port in the ‘90s, this is a devastating exploration of the power of coercive control in a marriage where nothing is quite as it seems…
Praise for The Storm:
‘Beautifully written, chilling and absorbing’ Adele Parks
‘Her best novel yet. This twisty, malevolent and gripping story of a controlling husband and his oddly compliant wife was virtually impossible to put down. The dark and craggy Cornwall backdrop is exquisitely drawn and the sense of foreboding that runs through the whole novel is masterfully done’ Lisa Jewell
‘An evocative story of coercive control and the decisions – often disastrous – that we make in order to protect the ones we love. Amanda Jennings is a fantastic storyteller and she’s at her very best here: warm-hearted, darkly atmospheric, and wholly addictive' Lucy Atkins
‘Suspenseful, beautifully written, and utterly compelling’ Alice Feeney
‘A brilliant book. Gripping, intelligent, and beautifully written’ Cass Green
‘Vivid and evocative, the beautifully drawn characters and Cornish setting will linger in your mind long after you’ve turned the final page’ Lucy Dawson
'Unravelling the secrets that lie beneath a toxic marriage. Both beautifully crafted and chilling. A compelling tale you won't want to put down’ Colette McBeth
‘Beautifully written, chilling and absorbing’ Adele Parks, Sunday Times No. 1 bestselling author of Lies Lies Lies
‘Her best novel yet… Twisty, malevolent and gripping’ Lisa Jewell, No. 1 bestselling author of The Family Upstairs
To the outside world Hannah married the perfect man. Behind the closed doors of their imposing home it’s a very different story. Nathan controls everything Hannah does. He chooses her clothes, checks her receipts, and keeps her passport locked away. But why does she let him? Years before, in the midst of a relentless storm, the tragic events of one night changed everything. And Hannah has been living with the consequences ever since. Keeping Nathan happy. Doing as she’s told.
But the past is about to catch up with them.
Set against the unforgiving backdrop of a Cornish fishing port in the ‘90s, this is a devastating exploration of the power of coercive control in a marriage where nothing is quite as it seems…
Praise for The Storm:
‘Beautifully written, chilling and absorbing’ Adele Parks
‘Her best novel yet. This twisty, malevolent and gripping story of a controlling husband and his oddly compliant wife was virtually impossible to put down. The dark and craggy Cornwall backdrop is exquisitely drawn and the sense of foreboding that runs through the whole novel is masterfully done’ Lisa Jewell
‘An evocative story of coercive control and the decisions – often disastrous – that we make in order to protect the ones we love. Amanda Jennings is a fantastic storyteller and she’s at her very best here: warm-hearted, darkly atmospheric, and wholly addictive' Lucy Atkins
‘Suspenseful, beautifully written, and utterly compelling’ Alice Feeney
‘A brilliant book. Gripping, intelligent, and beautifully written’ Cass Green
‘Vivid and evocative, the beautifully drawn characters and Cornish setting will linger in your mind long after you’ve turned the final page’ Lucy Dawson
'Unravelling the secrets that lie beneath a toxic marriage. Both beautifully crafted and chilling. A compelling tale you won't want to put down’ Colette McBeth
384 pages, Paperback
First published July 23, 2020
89 people are currently reading
858 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Jennings
13 books271 followersAmanda is mother to three daughters and lives in chaotic contentment just outside Henley-on-Thames with a houseful of pets and a husband. She is the author of five books, Sworn Secret, The Judas Scar, In Her Wake, The Cliff House and The Storm which is coming out in July 2020. She is currently working on her sixth novel. A psychological thriller set on the wilds of Bodmin Moor, in Cornwall. If she isn't by the sea then she would like to be.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 203 reviews
January 25, 2023
Amanda was married to the perfect man, had the perfect house & life but behind closed doors their family life was totally different, you see Nathan controlled everything Hannah did she had no bank account in her name Nathan goes through all her receipts & has no mobile phone.
Amanda suffered post Paton depression after having her son Alex who has now grown up he sticks up for his mother as Nathan as you can guess is a control freak. The relationship between them is very cool to say the least Amanda even fakes having sex with him even though she can’t stand being with him they are hiding a secret that both want to stay hidden WHAT IS IT & WILL IT IMPACT OTHERS?
This was my first read by Amanda Jennings it was fast paced filled with infidelities secrets & the odd murder I enjoyed this one the reveals were surprising to say the least a solid 4 stars ⭐️ I forgot to mention the setting was in beautiful Cornwell England.
Amanda suffered post Paton depression after having her son Alex who has now grown up he sticks up for his mother as Nathan as you can guess is a control freak. The relationship between them is very cool to say the least Amanda even fakes having sex with him even though she can’t stand being with him they are hiding a secret that both want to stay hidden WHAT IS IT & WILL IT IMPACT OTHERS?
This was my first read by Amanda Jennings it was fast paced filled with infidelities secrets & the odd murder I enjoyed this one the reveals were surprising to say the least a solid 4 stars ⭐️ I forgot to mention the setting was in beautiful Cornwell England.
May 29, 2020
Hannah is married to lawyer Nathan Cardew, they live in Trevose House, Cornwall, which is impressive and the residue of the once large Cardew estate which was gambled away by Nathan’s father. They have a teenage son, Alex whom Nathan tries to control as he does every aspect of Hannah’s life. As a teenage girl Hannah had strong feelings for Cam(eron) Stewart, a fisherman from Newlyn. The story is told from the perspectives of Hannah, Cam and Nathan and goes backwards and forwards from the present day to the 1980’s.
First of all, I love the Cornish setting which is always a winner for me especially if I know the places, such as Newlyn and lovely Mousehole. I love the smattering of Cornish words and I was all in with the saffron buns 😋. The characterisation is good, I love the deep bond between Hannah and Alex and the devoted friendship of Vicky to Hannah. What can you say about Nathan? He twists, he manipulates, he controls and never ceases to rub in the contrasting ‘social’ backgrounds between them. . So yes, he’s a snob and all about veneer and appearances. Sounds delightful doesn’t he? The family dynamics between the characters is good and you feel the tension and toxicity of the marriage. Trevose House provides an excellent and claustrophobic atmosphere which mirrors the intensity of events in the household. I like the contrast between the joyous Hannah of the 1980’s and the almost zombie like character of now so that you feel for Hannah with her husbands controlling aggression and relish the mini victories she has over him. There are surprises in the unfolding story and when you get to the truth it’s a shocker.
However, the story does take a bit of getting into as it’s slow to begin with. I do not find the sections where Cam is at sea with all its perils especially interesting although the dynamics between the fishermen is good. Although the book is well written it’s overly detailed at times which gets in the way of the drama. I do love the ‘storm glass’ and I didn’t know about these items to predict storms - whether they work or not is debatable but it’s a nice idea!
Overall, some sections are three star, most are four so the star rating is rounded up. I like the stormy premise with storms at sea, the storm glass, various stormy relationships, storm clouds hanging over a family which permeates the storytelling and which comes to a thunderous head when the truth emerges and sets Hannah and Alex free.
Thank you to NetGalley and HQ for the ARC.
February 18, 2021
I didn’t like this book one bit and basically forced myself to finish because it was an arc.
I heavily skimmed throughout and found myself bored and completely disinterested in the eventual outcome, It was tedious and very slow and not much really happened here.
I absolutely detested Hannah immensely she was just so bland and uninspiring she had absolutely no backbone and the way she appeases Nathan with her sly manipulations and passive-aggressive actions was just irritating and annoying.
I wanted her to grow a backbone and just stand up to him the way she lets him treat her teenage son well that was the icing for me that really got to me and I just didn’t get it at all, I heavily struggled to understand any of the whys or even like her at all.
She really wasn’t a great character and I couldn’t identify with her in any way whatsoever.
Then there’s the husband, Nathan, he was basically awful.
He’s a complete control freak whose been allowed to run amok he may not be physically abusive to Hannah and Alex but emotionally and psychologically that’s a whole different story.
And Hannah has just spent the last fifteen years stroking his ego and acting the doormat.
Allowing him a free rein as a sort of self-induced punishment and atonement for what she considers her penance, A form of metaphorical Flagellation she beats herself up with every day.
I kind of could see why she had decided that she deserved to be unhappy and living this life now though I did not actually agree with her conclusions one bit and thought it was kind of Martyrish of her, but her son certainly didn’t deserve to be treated thus and she had a duty as his mother to protect him and in my opinion, it’s a task Hannah failed miserably at.
Instead of pandering to her abusive husband, she should have been making plans to remove herself and her child away from all his controlling manipulations.
I didn’t find any of the twists here that shocking and I had no interest in the long fishing trip descriptions we got either the whole thing for me just sank rather swiftly.
It’s told from three POV’s Nathan Hannah and Cam and considering two of those individuals I don’t like I just wasn’t enjoying myself.
With Cam I actually felt really sorry for him I think he kinda got a bit of a raw deal to be fair poor man.
It flips from present time to the past as the story unfolds and the prior events have a ricochet effect.
The writing itself is fine and this is well written and it’s mostly the characters and there awful personalities that spoilt this for me that and the slow pace and also the fact it was just so depressing.
This is described as a psychological thriller personally I wouldn’t describe it that way, I would say It’s more of a family drama type story.
Unfortunately, this one didn’t hit the mark for me and I didn’t really enjoy it.
I voluntary reviewed a copy of The Storm.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com
April 22, 2020
Hannah is married to Nathan and they have a son called Alex. Nathan is a control freak and wants to know where Hannah is every minute of the day. He keeps an eye on her spending, making sure she keeps the receipts!! She doesn’t even have her passport or a debit card of her own.
To the outside world Hannah is a very lucky woman living in a big house, with her handsome Lawyer husband, who has just won the award for citizen of the year for his charity work. The reality is that he is like a bomb about to explode and Hannah can never guess his moods, he doesn’t need to be violent towards her, when his words can cause as much harm as a slap or punch could!!!
The story goes back to 1998 when Hannah was in love with Cam a rugged fisherman, but something tragic occurs and they part ways.
I was addicted to this book. I hated creepy Nathan with a vengeance and I was so desperate that he would get his comeuppance, especially as it becomes apparent that Hannah is only with with Nathan, as he holds a big secret over her head ( intriguing - I hear you say)
A must read book where you will be transported to Cornwall with its vivid description of the sounds and smells of the sea.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.
To the outside world Hannah is a very lucky woman living in a big house, with her handsome Lawyer husband, who has just won the award for citizen of the year for his charity work. The reality is that he is like a bomb about to explode and Hannah can never guess his moods, he doesn’t need to be violent towards her, when his words can cause as much harm as a slap or punch could!!!
The story goes back to 1998 when Hannah was in love with Cam a rugged fisherman, but something tragic occurs and they part ways.
I was addicted to this book. I hated creepy Nathan with a vengeance and I was so desperate that he would get his comeuppance, especially as it becomes apparent that Hannah is only with with Nathan, as he holds a big secret over her head ( intriguing - I hear you say)
A must read book where you will be transported to Cornwall with its vivid description of the sounds and smells of the sea.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.
July 1, 2020
Hi review for ‘The Storm’ below and next up ‘Trading Time’ by Owen Martin
A complex tale of a triangle of hate more than love that I almost really enjoyed
The story centres around Cam and Nathan and Hannah, for reasons that eventually become apparent Hannah is married to Nathan, Cam resurfaces into Hannah’s life years later ( ie now )
Nathan is an abuser, not physically but manipulatively and with severe controlling, even up to making Hannah show her receipts and show the change left from the daily allowance he gives her, he demands his favourite meals on rotation and tbh he is abhorrent, even more scary he is convinced he loves Hannah and is treating her well......it takes a long, a very long time for Hannah to ‘fight back’ and this waa frustrating, frustrating for her, her son Alex and for me as a reader but when she did as the story progressed she did!
The story goes from present to the past and basically explains why Hannah is in the life she is and what terrible event caused her to be in this predicament
Based in Cornwall, the scenic descriptions were mouth wateringly good and I love there is a place called Mousehole, as you know I love stories that include villages and local bakeries and coffee shops and places you are a stranger even after 50 years, this is all in abundance and gave me a break from the dark subject matter
There is a lot of talk of the seas and fishing, Cam was a fisherman, and this, including ‘The Storm’ was riveting reading and not a subject I would have thought would find so interesting, that of course is kudos to the author for making it so
What I did find a bit off putting, and this isent the only book by far it happens in, is where a phrase and sometimes a word was over used, and in quick succession so for instance one character flushed pink then the next did and then all seemed to be flushing pink every other page, I hope that makes sense?
But thats nit picking really and this is a thought provoking and involving read that needs concentration and a clear head but is on the whole made worthwhile
8/10
4 Stars
A complex tale of a triangle of hate more than love that I almost really enjoyed
The story centres around Cam and Nathan and Hannah, for reasons that eventually become apparent Hannah is married to Nathan, Cam resurfaces into Hannah’s life years later ( ie now )
Nathan is an abuser, not physically but manipulatively and with severe controlling, even up to making Hannah show her receipts and show the change left from the daily allowance he gives her, he demands his favourite meals on rotation and tbh he is abhorrent, even more scary he is convinced he loves Hannah and is treating her well......it takes a long, a very long time for Hannah to ‘fight back’ and this waa frustrating, frustrating for her, her son Alex and for me as a reader but when she did as the story progressed she did!
The story goes from present to the past and basically explains why Hannah is in the life she is and what terrible event caused her to be in this predicament
Based in Cornwall, the scenic descriptions were mouth wateringly good and I love there is a place called Mousehole, as you know I love stories that include villages and local bakeries and coffee shops and places you are a stranger even after 50 years, this is all in abundance and gave me a break from the dark subject matter
There is a lot of talk of the seas and fishing, Cam was a fisherman, and this, including ‘The Storm’ was riveting reading and not a subject I would have thought would find so interesting, that of course is kudos to the author for making it so
What I did find a bit off putting, and this isent the only book by far it happens in, is where a phrase and sometimes a word was over used, and in quick succession so for instance one character flushed pink then the next did and then all seemed to be flushing pink every other page, I hope that makes sense?
But thats nit picking really and this is a thought provoking and involving read that needs concentration and a clear head but is on the whole made worthwhile
8/10
4 Stars
December 27, 2021
To the outside world Hannah married the perfect man. Behind closed doors it's a very different story. Nathan controls everything Hannah does. He chooses her clothes, checks her receipts and keeps her passport locked away. But why does she let him?
Years before, in the midst of a relentless storm, the tragic event of one night changed everything. Hannah has been living with the consequences ever since.
Set in Cornwall, the story is told mainly from Hannah's point of view. It's told from the past, 1988 and the present day. We learn about Hannah's past and the terrible tragedy which would change her life and others. The pace is steady as the suspense just kept building. I was shocked and surprised by some parts of the story. It kept my interest throughout. The ending was a little predictable.
I would like to thank NetGalley, HQ and the author Amanda Jennings for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Years before, in the midst of a relentless storm, the tragic event of one night changed everything. Hannah has been living with the consequences ever since.
Set in Cornwall, the story is told mainly from Hannah's point of view. It's told from the past, 1988 and the present day. We learn about Hannah's past and the terrible tragedy which would change her life and others. The pace is steady as the suspense just kept building. I was shocked and surprised by some parts of the story. It kept my interest throughout. The ending was a little predictable.
I would like to thank NetGalley, HQ and the author Amanda Jennings for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 18, 2020
This was a gripping book from the first page to the last . It held my interest all the way through. I just couldn’t put it down and wanted to fund out what happens next that I could have read it in one sitting. I loved the fact that it had a dual time line and I was really gunning for the wife to get away from her controlling husband or just stand up to him for once. At times I was irritated by her meek attitude but that didn’t spoil the story for me at all.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
August 7, 2020
To the outside world Hannah married the perfect man. Behind closed doors it's a very different story. Nathan controls everything Hannah does. He chooses her clothes, checks her receipts and keeps her passport locked away. But why does she let him?
Years before, in the midst of a relentless storm, the tragic events of one night changed everything. Hannah has been living with the consequences ever since.
Set in Cornwall, the story is told mostly from Hannah's point of view. It's told from the past, 1988 and the present day. We learn about Hannah's past and the terrible tragedy which would change her life and others. The pace is steady as the suspense just kept building. I was shocked and surprised by some parts of the story. It kept my attention throughout. The ending was a little predictable.
Years before, in the midst of a relentless storm, the tragic events of one night changed everything. Hannah has been living with the consequences ever since.
Set in Cornwall, the story is told mostly from Hannah's point of view. It's told from the past, 1988 and the present day. We learn about Hannah's past and the terrible tragedy which would change her life and others. The pace is steady as the suspense just kept building. I was shocked and surprised by some parts of the story. It kept my attention throughout. The ending was a little predictable.
April 2, 2020
I really enjoyed The Storm, with its dual narrative and two fascinating characters with whom I developed a real love/hate relationship.
Hannah stays in a controlling marriage more by choice than anything else- for reasons that become clear- whilst Nathan watches her every move, yet you occasionally feel sympathetic as what drives him comes to light.
Therein lies the clever nature of "The Storm". This is not a path of least resistance novel about coercive control- it looks a little deeper than surface level and judges less, instead choosing to explore the psychological reasons why couples end up in these relationships and what holds them within.
That's not to say it excuses these things and there are plenty of character twists and turns along the way, leading into a thought provoking finale that quietly hones in on the message of the narrative rather than exploding in the readers face.
I thought it was great. Definitely recommended.
Hannah stays in a controlling marriage more by choice than anything else- for reasons that become clear- whilst Nathan watches her every move, yet you occasionally feel sympathetic as what drives him comes to light.
Therein lies the clever nature of "The Storm". This is not a path of least resistance novel about coercive control- it looks a little deeper than surface level and judges less, instead choosing to explore the psychological reasons why couples end up in these relationships and what holds them within.
That's not to say it excuses these things and there are plenty of character twists and turns along the way, leading into a thought provoking finale that quietly hones in on the message of the narrative rather than exploding in the readers face.
I thought it was great. Definitely recommended.
July 20, 2020
To outsiders, Hannah and Nathan Cardew have the perfect family life and marriage. They have a lovely house, Nathan is a successful lawyer and a pillar of the community but looks are deceiving. Behind closed doors, life is very different. Hannah is a prisoner in her marriage, not having any money of her own and having to account for any time she spends away from the home. Nathan makes her account for every single penny she spends, even making her produce receipts. He says he loves her. Why on earth does she tolerate someone treating her in that way.
The story flits between past and present. The past being when Hannah was a confident young girl, fun-loving and working in her father’s bakery. She catches the eye of both Nathan and Cameron, a young fisherman. Despite Nathan’s money and posh restaurant dinners, its Cameron she really likes however tragedy looms and lives are changed.
This book invoked such strong emotions for me. I loathed Nathan with a passion and I felt angry with Hannah for going along with it and allowing him to treat her so badly. Nathan was an awful character and his manipulative, controlling, coercive treatment of Hannah in humiliating her, making her doubt herself was no less than psychological abuse. I couldn’t understand why she didn’t leave him. Of course she didn’t. She put up with everything because of her love for their son Alex.
This is not a straightforward tale of coercive control and manipulation. There is far more to the story and as the layers unfold, we see what has happened to lead to this situation and why Hannah chooses to stay. I was completely taken by surprise at the way events unfolded, not everything was as it seemed and things began to fall into place.
It’s called The Storm for a reason – part of the story focuses on a dramatic and traumatic event at sea and shows how fisherman are at the mercy of the weather and the dangers they face. The story is set in Cornwall and there is a tremendous sense of place with atmospheric and vivid description.
The Storm is an emotive and powerful story that begins slowly but gradually the pace increases as more is revealed. Written mainly from Hannah’s perspective but also with chapters told from the POV of Nathan and Cam, it is a powerful story of love, loss, actions and consequences. Whatever you may feel about the characters, they have been perfectly drawn in this gripping and totally engrossing domestic thriller that has a sinister undertone bubbling away underneath. Beautifully written, I love how the author pulled it all together at the end. Definitely recommended.
The story flits between past and present. The past being when Hannah was a confident young girl, fun-loving and working in her father’s bakery. She catches the eye of both Nathan and Cameron, a young fisherman. Despite Nathan’s money and posh restaurant dinners, its Cameron she really likes however tragedy looms and lives are changed.
This book invoked such strong emotions for me. I loathed Nathan with a passion and I felt angry with Hannah for going along with it and allowing him to treat her so badly. Nathan was an awful character and his manipulative, controlling, coercive treatment of Hannah in humiliating her, making her doubt herself was no less than psychological abuse. I couldn’t understand why she didn’t leave him. Of course she didn’t. She put up with everything because of her love for their son Alex.
This is not a straightforward tale of coercive control and manipulation. There is far more to the story and as the layers unfold, we see what has happened to lead to this situation and why Hannah chooses to stay. I was completely taken by surprise at the way events unfolded, not everything was as it seemed and things began to fall into place.
It’s called The Storm for a reason – part of the story focuses on a dramatic and traumatic event at sea and shows how fisherman are at the mercy of the weather and the dangers they face. The story is set in Cornwall and there is a tremendous sense of place with atmospheric and vivid description.
The Storm is an emotive and powerful story that begins slowly but gradually the pace increases as more is revealed. Written mainly from Hannah’s perspective but also with chapters told from the POV of Nathan and Cam, it is a powerful story of love, loss, actions and consequences. Whatever you may feel about the characters, they have been perfectly drawn in this gripping and totally engrossing domestic thriller that has a sinister undertone bubbling away underneath. Beautifully written, I love how the author pulled it all together at the end. Definitely recommended.
September 17, 2020
The Storm is a fantastic read, well plotted and has a good variety of characters - one of which... I loathe him!!
From the beginning my interest was piqued and I couldn't wait to get into the heart of the story.
Hannah is a woman who I believe to be lost. She has sadly lost herself, but how has she become to feel like this?
This storyline is absolutely gripping and as the story unfolds, everything becomes clear and falls into place.
I liked Hannah more and more as the story progressed and I honestly do not know how she coped, but she did. And how on earth could she live in Trevose House?
As well as liking the general plot of the story, I loved the scenes on the trawler. The author describes the work that the Fishermen did and I found it really interesting. It wasn't described in too much detail and wasn't too little that we only saw the Fishermen on a boat fishing. One scene in particular upset me and I thought of all the men who, years ago, would have suffered a similar ordeal.
My heart rate went up so many times reading this, it was intense and at times I felt sad and angry.
The chapters alternate between Hannah, Cam and Nathan, so we get to know their feelings and which part they played in the story.
The ending surprised me a couple of times and I was sorry when I got to the end as I was so engrossed in the story.
I highly recommend this book and I look forward to more books by this author.
My thanks to HQ via NetGalley.
This is my honest and unbiased opinion.
From the beginning my interest was piqued and I couldn't wait to get into the heart of the story.
Hannah is a woman who I believe to be lost. She has sadly lost herself, but how has she become to feel like this?
This storyline is absolutely gripping and as the story unfolds, everything becomes clear and falls into place.
I liked Hannah more and more as the story progressed and I honestly do not know how she coped, but she did. And how on earth could she live in Trevose House?
As well as liking the general plot of the story, I loved the scenes on the trawler. The author describes the work that the Fishermen did and I found it really interesting. It wasn't described in too much detail and wasn't too little that we only saw the Fishermen on a boat fishing. One scene in particular upset me and I thought of all the men who, years ago, would have suffered a similar ordeal.
My heart rate went up so many times reading this, it was intense and at times I felt sad and angry.
The chapters alternate between Hannah, Cam and Nathan, so we get to know their feelings and which part they played in the story.
The ending surprised me a couple of times and I was sorry when I got to the end as I was so engrossed in the story.
I highly recommend this book and I look forward to more books by this author.
My thanks to HQ via NetGalley.
This is my honest and unbiased opinion.
July 24, 2020
I really enjoyed Amanda Jennings' previous book, The Cliff House, and her beloved Cornwall is once again the location for her latest novel, The Storm. Set mainly around the fishing village of Newlyn and moving between the present day and twenty years earlier, the reader witnesses how the lives of a number of people were changed by the dramatic events of one night in 1998. Fragments of that eventful night are glimpsed in the prologue but the full picture will not become clear until the end of the book.
For Hannah, the events of that night led to her marriage to Nathan, a kind of Faustian bargain she entered into to protect others. Nathan's obsessive jealousy has seen him control every aspect of Hannah's life. She steels herself to complicity in this out of guilt - "Our marriage is punishment for what I did" - and for the sake of their son, Alex. So she plays the part expected of her and recites her lines in order to keep the peace. Alex is pretty much the only source of joy in Hannah's life along with her best friend, Vicky.
Nathan is one disturbing individual. Outwardly he's a model citizen and pillar of the community, but inside he's something quite different. As Hannah remarks, he's "my very own Jekyll and Hyde". A damaged individual, a traumatic event in Nathan's childhood explains, if not excuses, his actions towards Hannah.
In the scenes set in 1998, the author vividly depicts the back-breaking work of the six-man crew aboard a small trawler and the dangers they face on a daily basis. Taking such risks out of economic necessity, a safe return to harbour is never guaranteed but when it occurs, the crew seek release through drink, and sometimes drugs, in the local pub. When the Atlantic storm of the title hits the trawler, the awesome force of the sea is evident. "Six men, no more than specks of dust on an ocean so powerful and unpredictable, so savage, they could be swallowed up in the blink of an eye." The consequences of the storm will change lives forever.
I'm not sure which element I found more compelling: the chilling portrait of Hannah and Nathan's toxic relationship or the scenes set on the storm-lashed trawler. The Storm is an intensely atmospheric and compelling drama that shows even the most carefully guarded secrets have a way of coming to the surface. The final lines sent chills down my spine.
For Hannah, the events of that night led to her marriage to Nathan, a kind of Faustian bargain she entered into to protect others. Nathan's obsessive jealousy has seen him control every aspect of Hannah's life. She steels herself to complicity in this out of guilt - "Our marriage is punishment for what I did" - and for the sake of their son, Alex. So she plays the part expected of her and recites her lines in order to keep the peace. Alex is pretty much the only source of joy in Hannah's life along with her best friend, Vicky.
Nathan is one disturbing individual. Outwardly he's a model citizen and pillar of the community, but inside he's something quite different. As Hannah remarks, he's "my very own Jekyll and Hyde". A damaged individual, a traumatic event in Nathan's childhood explains, if not excuses, his actions towards Hannah.
In the scenes set in 1998, the author vividly depicts the back-breaking work of the six-man crew aboard a small trawler and the dangers they face on a daily basis. Taking such risks out of economic necessity, a safe return to harbour is never guaranteed but when it occurs, the crew seek release through drink, and sometimes drugs, in the local pub. When the Atlantic storm of the title hits the trawler, the awesome force of the sea is evident. "Six men, no more than specks of dust on an ocean so powerful and unpredictable, so savage, they could be swallowed up in the blink of an eye." The consequences of the storm will change lives forever.
I'm not sure which element I found more compelling: the chilling portrait of Hannah and Nathan's toxic relationship or the scenes set on the storm-lashed trawler. The Storm is an intensely atmospheric and compelling drama that shows even the most carefully guarded secrets have a way of coming to the surface. The final lines sent chills down my spine.
October 25, 2025
A good, twisty tale.
August 21, 2020
Before I've read The Night Swim a few days ago, I started to doubt myself. I was seriously questioning myself. Am i too hard on the ratings? Am I jaded? Are the books actually good and I can't see it? And then I read the Night Swim, which is, in my opinion, an excellent book and my faith was restored. Nope, it's not me, the books are simply not good.
This is another example of a very long, convoluted story about too little. There is hardly a story. There is a lot of drama and complaining and chatter but nothing happens. And then in the last 10 pages of the book you get to see what is all the big mystery about. Well, you can also do yourself a favor and go straight to the end.
This is another example of a very long, convoluted story about too little. There is hardly a story. There is a lot of drama and complaining and chatter but nothing happens. And then in the last 10 pages of the book you get to see what is all the big mystery about. Well, you can also do yourself a favor and go straight to the end.
August 1, 2020
Oh boy what a dud! I like a good chick flick, ‘beach reading’, but this was so thin and predictable. Wife in a controlling marriage, long lost first love... no twist of plot could save this.
I was seduced by a week of seing it advertised in The Times.
Sure I want lighter reading, and a psychological thriller is fun, but this did absolutely nothing for me...
I was seduced by a week of seing it advertised in The Times.
Sure I want lighter reading, and a psychological thriller is fun, but this did absolutely nothing for me...
March 13, 2021
Typical marriage story read the first few pages and lost interest quickly
July 19, 2020
The Storm is a dark, disturbing and exceptional story from the fabulous wordsmith, Amanda Jennings. Not only is there a storm in the book of the same name, but it's almost as if a storm has been written into the book itself. The atmosphere is so charged and the tension is palpable that you really do need to brace yourself for the inevitable boom of thunder that heralds the peak of the storm.
Something terrible happened after the storm that saw a Cornish fishing boat lucky to return to port; sometimes it's more dangerous on land than at sea. The storm caused more destruction than it planned as it changed Hannah's life forever and drove her into the arms of Nathan. Nathan is an repulsive man; he's handsome, successful and rich on the outside but psychotic, controlling and completely unstable underneath. Hannah is trapped in the marriage as Nathan holds something over her that he threatens to reveal when he thinks she has stepped out of line. Hannah succumbs to Nathan's control to protect their son, Alex, but now he is a teenager he's starting to answer back and this causes Nathan's temper to flare even more.
Oh Hannah, what have you done? I couldn't understand her marrying Nathan after such a short space of time but it all becomes clear through the flashbacks to that fateful night in 1998. Nathan is a bully and an abuser, hiding it all under the banner of love in his twisted little mind. My heart really went out to Hannah who was just about to start a relationship with fisherman, Cameron Stewart before the storm blew her into the path of rich lawyer, Nathan Cardew. It really felt like Nathan was holding Hannah underwater and only letting her up for air now and again in order to keep her alive; that's no way to live and Hannah has no life to speak of. I don't know how she didn't poison his hotpot, is all I can say!
The Storm is a dark and brooding tale from the immensely talented wordsmith, Amanda Jennings. It's a compelling read and so very difficult to put down that you just need to ride the waves until the storm has unleashed its fury. An absolutely outstanding novel and highly recommended.
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
Something terrible happened after the storm that saw a Cornish fishing boat lucky to return to port; sometimes it's more dangerous on land than at sea. The storm caused more destruction than it planned as it changed Hannah's life forever and drove her into the arms of Nathan. Nathan is an repulsive man; he's handsome, successful and rich on the outside but psychotic, controlling and completely unstable underneath. Hannah is trapped in the marriage as Nathan holds something over her that he threatens to reveal when he thinks she has stepped out of line. Hannah succumbs to Nathan's control to protect their son, Alex, but now he is a teenager he's starting to answer back and this causes Nathan's temper to flare even more.
Oh Hannah, what have you done? I couldn't understand her marrying Nathan after such a short space of time but it all becomes clear through the flashbacks to that fateful night in 1998. Nathan is a bully and an abuser, hiding it all under the banner of love in his twisted little mind. My heart really went out to Hannah who was just about to start a relationship with fisherman, Cameron Stewart before the storm blew her into the path of rich lawyer, Nathan Cardew. It really felt like Nathan was holding Hannah underwater and only letting her up for air now and again in order to keep her alive; that's no way to live and Hannah has no life to speak of. I don't know how she didn't poison his hotpot, is all I can say!
The Storm is a dark and brooding tale from the immensely talented wordsmith, Amanda Jennings. It's a compelling read and so very difficult to put down that you just need to ride the waves until the storm has unleashed its fury. An absolutely outstanding novel and highly recommended.
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
August 10, 2020
Hannah appears to have it all, the perfect husband, a loving son and a beautiful house in a Cornish fishing port, but nothing is ever as it seems because, behind closed doors, she lives a totally different life where her husband, Nathan, controls everything she does. He chooses what she wears, decides what she spends and never lets her do anything without his say so, what hold does he have over her and who is the person she thinks about when she's with Nathan, the one that enables her to live through this sorry existence and sham of a marriage. Rewind 15 years, during a relentless storm, a tragedy occurs which changes everything and Hannah is left to deal with the consequences of that night for the rest of her life, ensuring Nathan is kept happy, but some things can't stay a secret for ever and the past has a habit of rearing its head when least expected. The question is, how will Hannah and Nathan deal with it when it does?
This story is told over two timelines, the present day and 1998. It's a tale of dark secrets, obsession and coercive control. The plot is executed perfectly and I soon developed a dislike for Nathan, with his controlling ways. I couldn't understand why Hannah was allowing him to behave the way he did towards her and their son Alex, but, as the story unfolded, it soon became clear that Hannah had an awful lot to lose if she didn't toe the line and her description of Nathan as 'my very own Jekyll & Hyde' was spot on, because she just never knew what mood he would be in from one minute to the next. This is a dark and atmospheric read that kept me gripped throughout, with a great twist. It's the first I've read by this author, although I do have some of her other titles on my kindle, so it won't be the last.
I'd like to thank HQ and Netgalley for the approval, I will post my review on Goodreads and Amazon.
This story is told over two timelines, the present day and 1998. It's a tale of dark secrets, obsession and coercive control. The plot is executed perfectly and I soon developed a dislike for Nathan, with his controlling ways. I couldn't understand why Hannah was allowing him to behave the way he did towards her and their son Alex, but, as the story unfolded, it soon became clear that Hannah had an awful lot to lose if she didn't toe the line and her description of Nathan as 'my very own Jekyll & Hyde' was spot on, because she just never knew what mood he would be in from one minute to the next. This is a dark and atmospheric read that kept me gripped throughout, with a great twist. It's the first I've read by this author, although I do have some of her other titles on my kindle, so it won't be the last.
I'd like to thank HQ and Netgalley for the approval, I will post my review on Goodreads and Amazon.
July 19, 2020
The Storm is a beautifully written book with themes of obsession and loss that felt as oppressive as the air before a huge storm arrives. Set in the county of Cornwall, where the sea plays it’s part in the lives of those living there, I quickly became wrapped up in Hannah’s existence. I say existence because that is all she is really all she is doing. Her home life wasn’t easy but the more I read the more angry I became! Why on earth would Hannah allow herself to be so downtrodden by her controlling husband? And what is the secret she is hiding? I thought I knew but believe me, this storyline doesn’t go the way in which I had expected it to!
Amanda Jennings creates her fictional world with expressive prose and a visually descriptive narrative that gradually cuts you off from reality with its tide of intensity. I became as wrapped up in and obsessed with Hannah’s world as her husband was, unable to put this darkly atmospheric book down until I uncovered the secrets of the past. And let me tell you that it takes a lot to be able to pull the wool over my eyes but Amanda Jennings managed it perfectly. Plus she left me chilled to the bone with an intelligently crafted ending that left me feeling very uncomfortable indeed! Those quiet moments, when the storm has passed and the sun comes out again, will never quite take away the fear of losing all you hold dear.
The Storm was a 5 star read for me and is already on my favourite books of the year list! A wonderfully crafted book from start to finish!
Amanda Jennings creates her fictional world with expressive prose and a visually descriptive narrative that gradually cuts you off from reality with its tide of intensity. I became as wrapped up in and obsessed with Hannah’s world as her husband was, unable to put this darkly atmospheric book down until I uncovered the secrets of the past. And let me tell you that it takes a lot to be able to pull the wool over my eyes but Amanda Jennings managed it perfectly. Plus she left me chilled to the bone with an intelligently crafted ending that left me feeling very uncomfortable indeed! Those quiet moments, when the storm has passed and the sun comes out again, will never quite take away the fear of losing all you hold dear.
The Storm was a 5 star read for me and is already on my favourite books of the year list! A wonderfully crafted book from start to finish!
September 22, 2020
Well written and engaging.
Good story, good mix of characters. Some likeable, some not.
Would read more by this author.
Good story, good mix of characters. Some likeable, some not.
Would read more by this author.
August 9, 2020
The Storm by Amanda Jennings is a wonderfully evocative tale of love, control, obsession and long-held secrets.
The reader is introduced to the Cardews - Nathan and Hannah, a happily married couple to all intents and purposes, living in the Cornish fishing village of Newlyn. They have a life of privilege, as they appear to be living the dream in their idyllic home, known as Trevose House. Nathan is a highly successful lawyer and businessman and a real pillar of the community. But behind closed doors he is a control freak, manipulating Hannah and their teenage son, Alex's, every move at all available opportunities. From the way Hannah dresses to her confiscated passport, and till receipts - all are open to close scrutiny and observation. Hannah lets this happen because of a monumental event from her past and a previous relationship with a man named Cam(eron) Stewart, a local fisherman of whom she still dreams, and the haunting night of the storm...
The story is set mainly around Newlyn fishing village and moves between the present day and twenty years earlier, as the reader gets to see how the lives various people were altered by the dramatic events of one night in 1998. I was completely wowed by Amanda Jennings' entertaining and well drawn, if less than perfect, characters. I was really impressed at the way that she created such a fabulous sense of place with expressive prose and visually descriptive narrative. I became completely preoccupied in Hannah’s bubble, unable to put this darkly atmospheric novel down. Evoking a magnitude of emotions, and with an abundance of the less savoury aspects of human nature on display, I revelled in reading The Storm and felt 100 per cent invested in the outcome. I was left chilled to the bone with the superbly crafted finale.
A wonderfully toxic and intense book from start to finish!
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from HQ via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.
The reader is introduced to the Cardews - Nathan and Hannah, a happily married couple to all intents and purposes, living in the Cornish fishing village of Newlyn. They have a life of privilege, as they appear to be living the dream in their idyllic home, known as Trevose House. Nathan is a highly successful lawyer and businessman and a real pillar of the community. But behind closed doors he is a control freak, manipulating Hannah and their teenage son, Alex's, every move at all available opportunities. From the way Hannah dresses to her confiscated passport, and till receipts - all are open to close scrutiny and observation. Hannah lets this happen because of a monumental event from her past and a previous relationship with a man named Cam(eron) Stewart, a local fisherman of whom she still dreams, and the haunting night of the storm...
The story is set mainly around Newlyn fishing village and moves between the present day and twenty years earlier, as the reader gets to see how the lives various people were altered by the dramatic events of one night in 1998. I was completely wowed by Amanda Jennings' entertaining and well drawn, if less than perfect, characters. I was really impressed at the way that she created such a fabulous sense of place with expressive prose and visually descriptive narrative. I became completely preoccupied in Hannah’s bubble, unable to put this darkly atmospheric novel down. Evoking a magnitude of emotions, and with an abundance of the less savoury aspects of human nature on display, I revelled in reading The Storm and felt 100 per cent invested in the outcome. I was left chilled to the bone with the superbly crafted finale.
A wonderfully toxic and intense book from start to finish!
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from HQ via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.
June 6, 2020
I have mixed feelings about this book. I was so drawn in by the blurb and there were somethings I liked and some I did not, but I am afraid for me personally it did not deliver.
Hannah is married to Nathan Cardew a Lawyer and a pillar of the local community. He has even won an award for his charity work. They live on a large estate in Cornwall. But when he is at home with Hannah, he is a completely different person. He is a controlling man, who wants to know where Hannah is 24/7. He even checks the receipts. She is not allowed he own bank account or her own passport. So, she goes along with her life as punishment for what happen in 1998. When she was with Cam Stewart a local fisherman who she spent time with before Nathan. She dreams of the life she had with him. But she hasn’t seen him since.
When her son Alex disappears one day and then turns up two days later with Cam. Hannah’s memories of Cam and her feelings towards him resurface.
Thank you NetGalley and HQ for copy of The Storm by Amanda Jennings. I was looking forward to reading this by the blurb. But as I read on, I thought this was completely different book than what I was expecting. Don’t’ get me wrong, this book is cleverly written, and the author is good at playing with your emotions. But for me I wanted more about Hannah and Nathan but, also of this was about the character Cam and his life on a fishing trawler and to be honest I did not much care about. The premise of this story was good, but it lacked oomph. There was nothing to wow me and by the time I got nearer the end I just wanted it to end.
Hannah is married to Nathan Cardew a Lawyer and a pillar of the local community. He has even won an award for his charity work. They live on a large estate in Cornwall. But when he is at home with Hannah, he is a completely different person. He is a controlling man, who wants to know where Hannah is 24/7. He even checks the receipts. She is not allowed he own bank account or her own passport. So, she goes along with her life as punishment for what happen in 1998. When she was with Cam Stewart a local fisherman who she spent time with before Nathan. She dreams of the life she had with him. But she hasn’t seen him since.
When her son Alex disappears one day and then turns up two days later with Cam. Hannah’s memories of Cam and her feelings towards him resurface.
Thank you NetGalley and HQ for copy of The Storm by Amanda Jennings. I was looking forward to reading this by the blurb. But as I read on, I thought this was completely different book than what I was expecting. Don’t’ get me wrong, this book is cleverly written, and the author is good at playing with your emotions. But for me I wanted more about Hannah and Nathan but, also of this was about the character Cam and his life on a fishing trawler and to be honest I did not much care about. The premise of this story was good, but it lacked oomph. There was nothing to wow me and by the time I got nearer the end I just wanted it to end.
May 22, 2020
Hannah has it all a son a loving husband . but does she Nathan is very controlling never lets her do what she wants ,but something happened that she lets him do this am not saying no more but it is a brilliant and a must read
July 22, 2020
Nothing about Hannah and Nathan Cardew’s life is normal. Living in Cornwall with son Alex, I felt Hannah’s life was unbearably sad. She’s kept a prisoner within her own home by her manipulative, controlling husband, denied access to a job, a car or even money. Hannah is literally at his mercy and has developed strategies over the years to cope with the enormity of such a depressing situation, her resilience humbling. Once an ordinary, sociable young woman, I wondered how on earth she’d ended up so miserable and isolated. Conversations and words are forever twisted by Nathan and she feels unable to escape. Fear of losing her son Alex (and of course having no means with which to escape) keeps her by Nathan’s side, firmly rooted in a very toxic relationship. Hannah is Alex’s safe harbour, stuck in the middle of a warring relationship between husband and son, desperately trying to keep the peace. I can only imagine how living with such a cowardly bully must be. Terrifying, demeaning and debilitating, constantly treading on eggshells, her life must be exhausting, her personality slowly eroded over time to fit her husband’s mould. Yet tiny glimpses of her true character shine through occasionally as evidenced by her snatched smoking opportunities and secret weekly meetings with best friend Vicky. Top marks to Vicky for sticking by her friend through thick and thin but when Alex suddenly disappears, it’s not clear whether Hannah’s life as she knows it is about to implode and whether anyone can help her. With her son’s disappearance acting as a catalyst for events that unfold, Hannah’s past is about to collide with her present.
One of the main themes of this psychological drama is jealousy and long held rivalry for Hannah’s affections. In her past life, a blossoming relationship with fisherman Cam Stewart looked promising with a faint hint of what her life could look like in the future. But then there was Nathan and how he wheedled his way into Hannah’s life, claiming her love is up for the reader to discover. It’s a slow reveal but it will keep you guessing. I desperately wanted to know why Hannah chose Nathan over Cam. I wanted to know where Cam was now, unsure whether he was dead or alive. Brief recollections of a happier past were obviously painful for Hannah to bring to mind so I couldn’t help thinking what had prompted her to exclude Cam from her life.
As the title suggests it’s a storm with a near fatal fishing trip for Cam and his fishermen buddies that sets in motion a tragic chain of events, steering Hannah’s life in a particular direction. Lies, guilt and shame all stem from this one night with an incident long buried that shouldn’t never have been covered up. Misjudgments and misunderstandings have led to years of wrongly made conclusions that beg to be challenged if Hannah is ever to experience happiness again.
The author makes is easy for the reader to despise Nathan as a character since coercive controlling behaviour is a much loved tool for muddying the waters in any psychological drama. Automatically my allegiance was with Hannah and Alex whilst also knowing that nothing is ever as black and white as it seems. I knew Hannah wouldn’t be entirely blameless but exactly why was the hook that reeled me in, turning the pages rapidly in search for answers to my questions. I had no doubt that Hannah believes the life she is living with Nathan is all she deserves, that it is punishment for some past misdemeanour. Whatever secret it is that she is trying to hide must have the potential to create huge repercussions for herself and Alex if her willingness to stay with Nathan is anything to go by.
I loved the nautical theme and the author’s descriptions of the life of a fisherman. The gruelling work, the long hours, the time spent away from family together with the unforgiving and cruel nature of sea seemed to be an analogy for Hannah’s lonely miserable life imprisoned within her home at the mercy of a vindictive and manipulative bully. The banter between the fishermen provides some light relief from the more hazardous aspects of a fisherman’s life although the scenes at sea with the storm raging felt very real. (Not that I would know since I’ve only to step one toe onto a boat before I start throwing up!!) I most certainly don’t possess sea legs like Slim and Davy and Geren and Cam do but however much research was needed for this piece, I give credit to the author for convincing, heart pounding action aboard the Annamae.
With such a range of emotions provoked by the storyline and plenty of the less savoury aspects of human nature on show, I enjoyed reading The Storm and felt invested in the outcome. All too often storylines are concluded neatly with no ends left untied so I appreciated the ambiguity of the ending with the reader left to make up their own mind what the future might hold for Hannah. Intriguingly I felt that might not even be the end of her story.....Definitely worth a read and a solid 4 stars in my opinion. My thanks as always to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read.
One of the main themes of this psychological drama is jealousy and long held rivalry for Hannah’s affections. In her past life, a blossoming relationship with fisherman Cam Stewart looked promising with a faint hint of what her life could look like in the future. But then there was Nathan and how he wheedled his way into Hannah’s life, claiming her love is up for the reader to discover. It’s a slow reveal but it will keep you guessing. I desperately wanted to know why Hannah chose Nathan over Cam. I wanted to know where Cam was now, unsure whether he was dead or alive. Brief recollections of a happier past were obviously painful for Hannah to bring to mind so I couldn’t help thinking what had prompted her to exclude Cam from her life.
As the title suggests it’s a storm with a near fatal fishing trip for Cam and his fishermen buddies that sets in motion a tragic chain of events, steering Hannah’s life in a particular direction. Lies, guilt and shame all stem from this one night with an incident long buried that shouldn’t never have been covered up. Misjudgments and misunderstandings have led to years of wrongly made conclusions that beg to be challenged if Hannah is ever to experience happiness again.
The author makes is easy for the reader to despise Nathan as a character since coercive controlling behaviour is a much loved tool for muddying the waters in any psychological drama. Automatically my allegiance was with Hannah and Alex whilst also knowing that nothing is ever as black and white as it seems. I knew Hannah wouldn’t be entirely blameless but exactly why was the hook that reeled me in, turning the pages rapidly in search for answers to my questions. I had no doubt that Hannah believes the life she is living with Nathan is all she deserves, that it is punishment for some past misdemeanour. Whatever secret it is that she is trying to hide must have the potential to create huge repercussions for herself and Alex if her willingness to stay with Nathan is anything to go by.
I loved the nautical theme and the author’s descriptions of the life of a fisherman. The gruelling work, the long hours, the time spent away from family together with the unforgiving and cruel nature of sea seemed to be an analogy for Hannah’s lonely miserable life imprisoned within her home at the mercy of a vindictive and manipulative bully. The banter between the fishermen provides some light relief from the more hazardous aspects of a fisherman’s life although the scenes at sea with the storm raging felt very real. (Not that I would know since I’ve only to step one toe onto a boat before I start throwing up!!) I most certainly don’t possess sea legs like Slim and Davy and Geren and Cam do but however much research was needed for this piece, I give credit to the author for convincing, heart pounding action aboard the Annamae.
With such a range of emotions provoked by the storyline and plenty of the less savoury aspects of human nature on show, I enjoyed reading The Storm and felt invested in the outcome. All too often storylines are concluded neatly with no ends left untied so I appreciated the ambiguity of the ending with the reader left to make up their own mind what the future might hold for Hannah. Intriguingly I felt that might not even be the end of her story.....Definitely worth a read and a solid 4 stars in my opinion. My thanks as always to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read.
June 18, 2020
Hannah is married to Nathan her VERY controlling husband. He controls everything from what she wears, how much she spends, she even needs to produce the pennies change from the supermarket and provide receipts to prove she has bought what she says she has. They live in Cornwall in an old Manor House with large grounds. Nathan is a lawyer known for his work in the community. He is handsome, successful and rich. From the outside, their marriage and lifestyle appears idyllic. No-one knows about his numerous affairs. They have a teenage son, Alex who is becoming rebellious and has a fractured relationship with his father.
Stepping back, Hannah introduces us to people from her 22 year-old past. Vicky, her best friend who she still secretly meets on a Tuesday morning. Cam Stewart her ex-boyfriend and first real love of her life.
Cam was a fisherman with a crew on board The Annamae, setting off from Newlyn. Times had been hard for them so they were desperate to get out to sea and catch their trawl in order to make their money again. Cam had only just met Hannah but knew that it was love.
They set off in high spirits with a young deckhand on board. One or two weren’t too kind to him but Cam took him under his wing. The trawl was going brilliantly until “The Storm” hit and it was all that the crew could do to hang on. The accident that took place was life changing and devastating.
The book flits between the past and present which was easy to follow. I enjoyed the book initially and couldn’t put it down. I was actually totally invested in Hannah and her life with Nathan. However, I found the story dragged in the middle with the fishing trip and the past. Part of me felt like saying “just move on now”.
I also felt irritated with Hannah’s actions and thought this seemed out of character compared to the way she’d been described. I don’t think she would have missed Cam for two weeks at sea then preferred to have got drunk in the pub flirting with the crew, rather than leave with him. Secondly, knowing Nathan’s possessiveness, would she really lie and spend a night away with another man? This made the book lose credibility for me sadly.
I rate it 3 stars due to these anomalies 🌟🌟🌟
Thanks to the author and publishers HQ for this ARC in exchange for an independent review.
Stepping back, Hannah introduces us to people from her 22 year-old past. Vicky, her best friend who she still secretly meets on a Tuesday morning. Cam Stewart her ex-boyfriend and first real love of her life.
Cam was a fisherman with a crew on board The Annamae, setting off from Newlyn. Times had been hard for them so they were desperate to get out to sea and catch their trawl in order to make their money again. Cam had only just met Hannah but knew that it was love.
They set off in high spirits with a young deckhand on board. One or two weren’t too kind to him but Cam took him under his wing. The trawl was going brilliantly until “The Storm” hit and it was all that the crew could do to hang on. The accident that took place was life changing and devastating.
The book flits between the past and present which was easy to follow. I enjoyed the book initially and couldn’t put it down. I was actually totally invested in Hannah and her life with Nathan. However, I found the story dragged in the middle with the fishing trip and the past. Part of me felt like saying “just move on now”.
I also felt irritated with Hannah’s actions and thought this seemed out of character compared to the way she’d been described. I don’t think she would have missed Cam for two weeks at sea then preferred to have got drunk in the pub flirting with the crew, rather than leave with him. Secondly, knowing Nathan’s possessiveness, would she really lie and spend a night away with another man? This made the book lose credibility for me sadly.
I rate it 3 stars due to these anomalies 🌟🌟🌟
Thanks to the author and publishers HQ for this ARC in exchange for an independent review.
November 28, 2020
The Storm is a dual-timeline psychological suspense novel set on the Cornish coast. Hannah is trapped in a toxic marriage to a man she does not love; the only good things in her life are her teenage son, Alex, and her dog, Cass. This is a realistic and chilling portrayal of coercive control, but why does Hannah tolerate Nathan’s treatment of her?
The story is mainly told from Hannah’s point of view, with some chapters by her husband, Nathan, and others by her old boyfriend, Cam, who was a trawlerman. After an argument with his father, Alex runs away. This is the catalyst that destroys the status quo, brings Cam back to Newlyn, and forces everything out into the open.
To begin with, the secrets of the past are gradually revealed in short flashbacks that keep the story moving along, but it drags a bit in the middle with a long section on the ill-fated fishing trip and the storm. With a bit of judicious editing the reader would still have got the point, and the narrative would have flowed better. The descriptions of life at sea on a fishing trawler were both convincing and terrifying, but some of the other members of the crew were shown in a particularly unflattering light.
The characters are well drawn, even the horrible ones. Nathan is a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde character, with his public persona a complete contrast to how he behaves behind closed doors. He is truly abhorrent, but what is worse is that he seems to believe he loves Hannah, and is treating her well. Even allowing for the passing of time, Hannah is unrecognizable and a shadow of her younger self. It’s as if Nathan has literally sucked the life out of her.
The strong sense of place shows in the vivid descriptions of the Cornish coast; I’d quite like to visit Newlyn sometime and see it for myself. I had not read any other books by Amanda Jennings, but will remedy that as soon as I can.
Thanks to HarperCollins HQ and NetGalley for a digital copy to review.
June 15, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley and HQ for the arc of The Storm by Amanda Jennings.
Thank you to Amanda Jennings for writing this book which I couldn't put down.
This follows a woman who is called Hannah and she is the wife of Nathan, they have a son called Alex. Her husband is very controlling and a control freak in which is because she always wants to know where she is every single minute of the day... he watches her spending habits and she has to keep receipts when she buys something and she is not even allowed her own bank card or even her own passport... like what? who even does that?....
People in the real world thinks she is a very lucky woman as she is married to a good looking lawyer for a husband who's living in a great huge house, as her husband has won an award which is for "Citizen Of The Year". He got this for his involvement with a lot of charity work with Charities. Nobody knows what really happens behind closed doors... he is like a bomb waiting to explode.... as you'll never know in which mood he may be in.. and he is very verbally abusive towards her so when he says things it has the effect in which being hit would...
Then it goes back to 1998 when Hannah was in love with a fisherman whose name was Cam and something horrific and tragic happens... so they end up splitting and go seperate ways.
This was set in sunny Cornwall and this was told in dual narratives and perspectives of Hannah, Nathan and even Cam alternating from each of them and from past to present which i love so well done Amanda Jennings for such an amazing gripping, captivating book
Definitely Recommend
5 Stars⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you to Amanda Jennings for writing this book which I couldn't put down.
This follows a woman who is called Hannah and she is the wife of Nathan, they have a son called Alex. Her husband is very controlling and a control freak in which is because she always wants to know where she is every single minute of the day... he watches her spending habits and she has to keep receipts when she buys something and she is not even allowed her own bank card or even her own passport... like what? who even does that?....
People in the real world thinks she is a very lucky woman as she is married to a good looking lawyer for a husband who's living in a great huge house, as her husband has won an award which is for "Citizen Of The Year". He got this for his involvement with a lot of charity work with Charities. Nobody knows what really happens behind closed doors... he is like a bomb waiting to explode.... as you'll never know in which mood he may be in.. and he is very verbally abusive towards her so when he says things it has the effect in which being hit would...
Then it goes back to 1998 when Hannah was in love with a fisherman whose name was Cam and something horrific and tragic happens... so they end up splitting and go seperate ways.
This was set in sunny Cornwall and this was told in dual narratives and perspectives of Hannah, Nathan and even Cam alternating from each of them and from past to present which i love so well done Amanda Jennings for such an amazing gripping, captivating book
Definitely Recommend
5 Stars⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
September 17, 2020
To the outside world Hannah married the perfect man. Behind the closed doors of their imposing home it’s a very different story. Nathan controls everything Hannah does. He chooses her clothes, checks her receipts, and keeps her passport locked away. But why does she let him? Years before, in the midst of a relentless storm, the tragic events of one night changed everything. And Hannah has been living with the consequences ever since. Keeping Nathan happy. Doing as she’s told. But the past is about to catch up with them. Set against the unforgiving backdrop of a Cornish fishing port in the ‘90s, this is a devastating exploration of the power of coercive control in a marriage where nothing is quite as it seems.
Firstly, this has a stunning setting, the beautiful, foreboding Cornwall offers the perfect backdrop to what proves to be an intense, atmospheric read. I was not expecting this to be such an atmospheric read but it really is, Jennings builds an exquisite intensity that only increases as the book goes on. I was left with a sense of foreboding of danger to come, it really added excitement to the read and ensured I was very invested.
'The Storm' is firmly set around our main characters; Hannah and Nathan, the secrets they share and the secrets they hold back from each other. I liked both of the characters in that they serve their purpose extremely well. Hannah is very likeable yet clearly damaged and I rooted for her. Nathan is more of an interesting character and I enjoyed how Jennings unveils more of his background and personality as the read progresses. Together, their story is powerful and beautifully written.
This read is full of secrets and mysteries that Jennings slowly unveils. This only adds to the already intense atmosphere and left me wanting more. 'The Storm' is a very gripping read. As well as this, Jennings writes about some very difficult subjects and does so with sensitivity and aplomb. Nothing is present for shock value, rather everything is carefully placed to tell Hannah's story and ensure the reader is invested in their very powerful story.
'The Storm' is an atmospheric, foreboding read set in the beautiful yet desolate landscape of Cornwall.
Thank you to NetGalley and HQ for an advance copy.
Firstly, this has a stunning setting, the beautiful, foreboding Cornwall offers the perfect backdrop to what proves to be an intense, atmospheric read. I was not expecting this to be such an atmospheric read but it really is, Jennings builds an exquisite intensity that only increases as the book goes on. I was left with a sense of foreboding of danger to come, it really added excitement to the read and ensured I was very invested.
'The Storm' is firmly set around our main characters; Hannah and Nathan, the secrets they share and the secrets they hold back from each other. I liked both of the characters in that they serve their purpose extremely well. Hannah is very likeable yet clearly damaged and I rooted for her. Nathan is more of an interesting character and I enjoyed how Jennings unveils more of his background and personality as the read progresses. Together, their story is powerful and beautifully written.
This read is full of secrets and mysteries that Jennings slowly unveils. This only adds to the already intense atmosphere and left me wanting more. 'The Storm' is a very gripping read. As well as this, Jennings writes about some very difficult subjects and does so with sensitivity and aplomb. Nothing is present for shock value, rather everything is carefully placed to tell Hannah's story and ensure the reader is invested in their very powerful story.
'The Storm' is an atmospheric, foreboding read set in the beautiful yet desolate landscape of Cornwall.
Thank you to NetGalley and HQ for an advance copy.
July 18, 2020
The Storm by Amanda Jennings is a marvellous contemporary psychological read that will consume your thoughts.
The action alternates between 1998 and fifteen years later from various points of view. The reader becomes completely caught up in it all. We know that there was a defining moment but we do not know when or what. As we read we search for clues.
Guilt consumes. Guilt ruins lives. When guilt and lies are all you know, the truth is hard to find. We must tell the truth in order to live in freedom. Only then can a character shed the chains of the past and move forward.
First love never dies. The ties and the memories remain. The reader can sense the regret, the pain and the love. In contrast there is a twisted love that imposes rules and imprisons. Love will never blossom when it is chained. Love needs to be free to fly.
The characters were well drawn and the plotline is cleverly executed. Amanda Jennings grabbed my attention from the start as I worked my way through the novel trying to decipher the clues.
I always enjoy Amanda Jennings novels. They are gripping, consuming reads.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
The action alternates between 1998 and fifteen years later from various points of view. The reader becomes completely caught up in it all. We know that there was a defining moment but we do not know when or what. As we read we search for clues.
Guilt consumes. Guilt ruins lives. When guilt and lies are all you know, the truth is hard to find. We must tell the truth in order to live in freedom. Only then can a character shed the chains of the past and move forward.
First love never dies. The ties and the memories remain. The reader can sense the regret, the pain and the love. In contrast there is a twisted love that imposes rules and imprisons. Love will never blossom when it is chained. Love needs to be free to fly.
The characters were well drawn and the plotline is cleverly executed. Amanda Jennings grabbed my attention from the start as I worked my way through the novel trying to decipher the clues.
I always enjoy Amanda Jennings novels. They are gripping, consuming reads.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
November 7, 2020
3.5 stars
Perfect life, perfect house and perfect family, no? One can never know what actually happens behind the closed doors, and many times , the truth is unsetting.
Firstly, i want to go visit all the beautiful places where this story is plotted because the author has a magical way with her words to draw you in a place of such beautiful scenarios that you will never want to leave.
The story tackles a lot of topics that may trigger some readers and it's definitely not a case of love triangle, but a case of living in fear and abusive relationship because she though is the right way to pay for a past mistake. The husband is so controlling and will always decide what she wears or where she goes, who she can see, so that's a hard part of the book to read because , in all honestly, we all know these kind of men are real but , in fiction i try to stay away of these characters.
The story is beautifully written but i was put off by the plot overall as i stated beforehand why.
Perfect life, perfect house and perfect family, no? One can never know what actually happens behind the closed doors, and many times , the truth is unsetting.
Firstly, i want to go visit all the beautiful places where this story is plotted because the author has a magical way with her words to draw you in a place of such beautiful scenarios that you will never want to leave.
The story tackles a lot of topics that may trigger some readers and it's definitely not a case of love triangle, but a case of living in fear and abusive relationship because she though is the right way to pay for a past mistake. The husband is so controlling and will always decide what she wears or where she goes, who she can see, so that's a hard part of the book to read because , in all honestly, we all know these kind of men are real but , in fiction i try to stay away of these characters.
The story is beautifully written but i was put off by the plot overall as i stated beforehand why.
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