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Focus #1
Focus
Are our pasts ever really behind us?
We all have a dark past... Nicole Smith's just happens to involve covering up a murder for her ex-boyfriend, Noah, a couple of years ago.
But that's all in the past.
At least that's what she thinks when she moves out for college and meets her cute new neighbor, Jason. But when Noah finds his way back into her life again and Jason will do anything to find out what he's hiding- she finds herself at a new depth of lies and secrets that she never could have imagined.
We all have a dark past... Nicole Smith's just happens to involve covering up a murder for her ex-boyfriend, Noah, a couple of years ago.
But that's all in the past.
At least that's what she thinks when she moves out for college and meets her cute new neighbor, Jason. But when Noah finds his way back into her life again and Jason will do anything to find out what he's hiding- she finds herself at a new depth of lies and secrets that she never could have imagined.
- GenresThriller
291 pages, Paperback
Published August 11, 2020
3 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
About the author
Naomi Charles
4 books21 followersNaomi Charles is the author of Focus. She was born, raised, and still resides in New York City. When Naomi isn't writing she is helping others as a speech-language pathologist. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, listening to a good audiobook, traveling, and getting too emotional over a sappy movie that she has already seen a bunch of times.
Connect with Naomi:
→INSTAGRAM
www.instagram.com/naomi_charles/
→TWITTER
https://twitter.com/TheNaomiCharles
→EMAIL
naomicharlescontact@gmail.com
Connect with Naomi:
www.instagram.com/naomi_charles/
https://twitter.com/TheNaomiCharles
naomicharlescontact@gmail.com
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
October 12, 2020
Told in a series of flash backs and present day. Focus is story that is full of twist and turns, it grabs you and keeps you coming back for more.
Nicole got into something so much deeper then she ever imagined possible the day she walked into Noah's, her then boyfriend's house, two years earlier. When he told her to leave, when she saw all the blood, when she promised to help cover for him, to help cover the murder of his uncle.
She wasn't prepared for him to just up and go, to never see or speak to him again. She wasn't prepared to have nightmares, to be jumpy. She doesn't like surprises now. So now two years later, she's moving forward in her life, she's in NYU, she's made a new friend, of the boy type, Jason. She wasn't prepared to run into Noah, to have all the memories flood back. To have the worry and fear come to the surface because the new guy is pre-law and some how he has stumbled upon the murder of Noah's uncle. And this case getting looked into isn't good for anyone involved.
She's now looking over her shoulder, trying to throw Jason of the case and get through her first semester away from home.
Like I said twists, on top of twists.
This book did not disappoint, unless you are talking about it ending in a cliffhanger. I'm disappointed that I have to wait to know more. Because that ending. That ending left me going , 'oh shit'. What is going to happen next. It just ends, and I'm hanging and I want more. I need to know what is going to happen. What has just went down?
This story is like an onion, so many layers, I can't even talk about it, because spoilers and you need that shock and information discovery yourself. So if you like cover ups, twisty twisty turns, and to be glued to your book then this will not disappoint you.
But yes that ending....is the second book written yet???
Thank you Naomi Charles for giving me the opportunity to read and review your book. I'm on the edge of my seat needing to know what next.
Nicole got into something so much deeper then she ever imagined possible the day she walked into Noah's, her then boyfriend's house, two years earlier. When he told her to leave, when she saw all the blood, when she promised to help cover for him, to help cover the murder of his uncle.
She wasn't prepared for him to just up and go, to never see or speak to him again. She wasn't prepared to have nightmares, to be jumpy. She doesn't like surprises now. So now two years later, she's moving forward in her life, she's in NYU, she's made a new friend, of the boy type, Jason. She wasn't prepared to run into Noah, to have all the memories flood back. To have the worry and fear come to the surface because the new guy is pre-law and some how he has stumbled upon the murder of Noah's uncle. And this case getting looked into isn't good for anyone involved.
She's now looking over her shoulder, trying to throw Jason of the case and get through her first semester away from home.
Like I said twists, on top of twists.
This book did not disappoint, unless you are talking about it ending in a cliffhanger. I'm disappointed that I have to wait to know more. Because that ending. That ending left me going , 'oh shit'. What is going to happen next. It just ends, and I'm hanging and I want more. I need to know what is going to happen. What has just went down?
This story is like an onion, so many layers, I can't even talk about it, because spoilers and you need that shock and information discovery yourself. So if you like cover ups, twisty twisty turns, and to be glued to your book then this will not disappoint you.
But yes that ending....is the second book written yet???
Thank you Naomi Charles for giving me the opportunity to read and review your book. I'm on the edge of my seat needing to know what next.
October 21, 2020
This book was sooo good i cannot even try to explain it. From the first page I was intrigued by the mystery and the characters. It was such a good, quick read and i definitely recommend you check it out. I literally read it in one sitting, because once you start you can’t stop. And that ending- I need book 2 now.
August 28, 2020
"Are our pasts ever really behind us?"
This is such a powerful line because my dark past is something that I've struggled with a lot, and it's taken time to put it to rest, so I can't imagine if one of my ex-boyfriends came back into my life after a messy relationship (and we didn't have anything like murder in our story). Nicole thought her past was behind her when she went away to college, but unfortunately, that past came back in the guise of her ex Noah. Before that happened, she was getting to know her neighbor Jason, so when Noah was back in the picture, Jason was determined to find out what he was hiding. This is a story that is full of secrets that don't make friends, lies, suspense with twists in spades, and even hilarious inner monologues and/or banter as Nicole entertains us with her story. It all leads to a cliffy which has me impatiently waiting for the next book, and I believe you'll feel that way as well after you hit those one click buttons! HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
This is such a powerful line because my dark past is something that I've struggled with a lot, and it's taken time to put it to rest, so I can't imagine if one of my ex-boyfriends came back into my life after a messy relationship (and we didn't have anything like murder in our story). Nicole thought her past was behind her when she went away to college, but unfortunately, that past came back in the guise of her ex Noah. Before that happened, she was getting to know her neighbor Jason, so when Noah was back in the picture, Jason was determined to find out what he was hiding. This is a story that is full of secrets that don't make friends, lies, suspense with twists in spades, and even hilarious inner monologues and/or banter as Nicole entertains us with her story. It all leads to a cliffy which has me impatiently waiting for the next book, and I believe you'll feel that way as well after you hit those one click buttons! HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
July 27, 2022
Loved this book I was interested the whole time. I love how it’s a little mystery and romance at the same time.
August 20, 2020
This is the 1st on a series and what a fascinating beginning this story is! Nicole has move out for college, and she meets Jason who is her new neighbour. When Nicole’s ex Noah comes back into her life, Jason is determined to find out what he is hiding. We all have pasts where we have made choices and questionable decisions, and the need to live with those decisions and move forward with life, which is what the characters in this engaging story do. This is a well written story which is filled with lies, secrets, suspense, and humour, which all had me intrigued and hooked throughout this addictive page turner, I cannot wait to read the next book in this series, and will certainly be looking out for this authors’ work in the future.
November 12, 2020
I went in blank, and at first I thought it would be a typical contemporary. But holy cow was I wrong. I soon noticed there was a lot more going on, and I found myself compelled to continue reading. The ending was extreme, I need the next book now, I need to know how this continues!
August 8, 2020
I loved this book! It was suspenseful, interesting, and kept me on the edge of my seat.
December 12, 2021
This is the first on a series and what a captivating starting this story is! Nicole has moved out for school, and she meets Jason who is her new neighbour. At the point when Nicole's ex Noah returns to her life, not set in stone to discover what he is stowing away. We as a whole have pasts where we have simply decided and problematic choices, and the need to reside with those choices and push ahead with life, which is the thing that the characters in this drawing in the story do.
The storyline is loaded up with so much, it's a multi-type book that has a mix of rush, secret, and a trace of sentiment, it's a book that simply doesn't leave its perusers, Nicole is a person I just can't forget about and is the main book in the series it opens a new world for the perusers which are exceptionally astonishing. The composing is astounding and it's loaded up with exciting bends in the road, it additionally has a dim part however it's again so very much taken care of. I loved the narrating and portrayal since it's not exceptionally high speed or extremely lethargic paced it's an ideal thing for the substance. I loved Nicole as a person, she is shrewd and brilliant, I could identify with her partially. The book is loaded up with vulnerabilities yet as it were, it will show you not terrible, but not great either much.
The book covers interracial connections, just as addresses emotional wellness a subject painfully distorted and disregarded regularly in the artistic world. This is an elegantly composed story that is loaded up with lies, mysteries, anticipation, and humour, which all had me fascinated and snared all through this habit-forming exciting read, I can't hold on to peruse the following book in this series, and will positively be paying special mind to this present writers' work later on.
The storyline is loaded up with so much, it's a multi-type book that has a mix of rush, secret, and a trace of sentiment, it's a book that simply doesn't leave its perusers, Nicole is a person I just can't forget about and is the main book in the series it opens a new world for the perusers which are exceptionally astonishing. The composing is astounding and it's loaded up with exciting bends in the road, it additionally has a dim part however it's again so very much taken care of. I loved the narrating and portrayal since it's not exceptionally high speed or extremely lethargic paced it's an ideal thing for the substance. I loved Nicole as a person, she is shrewd and brilliant, I could identify with her partially. The book is loaded up with vulnerabilities yet as it were, it will show you not terrible, but not great either much.
The book covers interracial connections, just as addresses emotional wellness a subject painfully distorted and disregarded regularly in the artistic world. This is an elegantly composed story that is loaded up with lies, mysteries, anticipation, and humour, which all had me fascinated and snared all through this habit-forming exciting read, I can't hold on to peruse the following book in this series, and will positively be paying special mind to this present writers' work later on.
October 20, 2020
This is the first book in the Focus series and definitely one of those books that didn't leave me even for a moment.
Nicole Smith's just happens to involve covering up a murder for her ex-boyfriend, Noah, a couple of years ago.
But that's all in the past.
At least that's what she thinks when she moves out for college and meets her cute new neighbor, Jason. But when Noah finds his way back into her life again and Jason will do anything to find out what he's hiding- she finds herself at a new depth of lies and secrets that she never could have imagined.
.
.
The storyline is filled with so much, it's a multi genre book which has a blend of thrill, mystery and a hint of romance, it's a book that just doesn't leave it's readers, Nicole is a character I just cannot get out of my mind and being the first book in the series it actually opens a complete new world for the readers which is very amazing. The writing is amazing and it's filled with twists and turns, it also has a dark part but it's again so well handled.
.
.
I definitely liked the storytelling and narration because it's not very fast paced or very slow paced its actually something that is perfect for the content. I liked Nicole as a character, she is smart and bright, I could really relate with her personally to a certain extent. The book is filled with uncertainties but in a way it will teach you so so much.
.
.
It's a book that will be in my favourites list forvever, I am also very excited to read the second book in the series and see what happens. I am so thrilled, I really enjoyed this one and will highly recommend it. Go for it.
.
Rating: 4.5🌟
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August 31, 2020Thank you to Naomi Charles for sending me a free copy of her debut YA novel in exchange for an honest review!
Focus follows a young college student, Nicole Smith, as she navigates her first year away from her parents at NYU...and getting caught in the crosshairs of a boyfriend who can't leave well enough alone, and an ex with whom Nicole helped to cover up a murder years ago.
What I enjoyed:
- This was a quick read with lots of cliffhangers sprinkled throughout, including one giant cliffhanger at the end. I'm wondering if this is set to be a series.
- The world needs more novels with BIPOC representation in which the characters are simply living their lives. Not every BIPOC novel needs to cover heavy topics. The BIPOC community has experienced a lack of representation in general in novels and it's refreshing to see the representation here.
- The book covers interracial relationships, as well as touches on mental health- a subject sorely misrepresented and glossed over quite often in the literary world.
What didn't work for me:
- I felt that it took a long time for the plot to really thicken and I found myself getting irritated that the characters wouldn't just be open and honest with each other- it would save them a lot of grief!
- I found the plot to be tinge far-fetched, but that's what makes for a fun read.
- Some of the writing felt a bit choppy at times, but I enjoyed the wit and humor sprinkled throughout.
TW: Murder, mental health triggers
Focus follows a young college student, Nicole Smith, as she navigates her first year away from her parents at NYU...and getting caught in the crosshairs of a boyfriend who can't leave well enough alone, and an ex with whom Nicole helped to cover up a murder years ago.
What I enjoyed:
- This was a quick read with lots of cliffhangers sprinkled throughout, including one giant cliffhanger at the end. I'm wondering if this is set to be a series.
- The world needs more novels with BIPOC representation in which the characters are simply living their lives. Not every BIPOC novel needs to cover heavy topics. The BIPOC community has experienced a lack of representation in general in novels and it's refreshing to see the representation here.
- The book covers interracial relationships, as well as touches on mental health- a subject sorely misrepresented and glossed over quite often in the literary world.
What didn't work for me:
- I felt that it took a long time for the plot to really thicken and I found myself getting irritated that the characters wouldn't just be open and honest with each other- it would save them a lot of grief!
- I found the plot to be tinge far-fetched, but that's what makes for a fun read.
- Some of the writing felt a bit choppy at times, but I enjoyed the wit and humor sprinkled throughout.
TW: Murder, mental health triggers
October 17, 2020
📚Book Review📚
FOCUS by Naomi Charles
@Naomi
____
✨The cover of the book looks classy and is simply designed. It represents the book is going to be an intensive read for everyone along with the title which is perfect.
✨This book revolves around a young college student, Nicole Smith.
✨Nicole has move out for college, and there she meets Jason, her new neighbour.
But, her ex, Noah finds his way back into her life again .
Couple of years back, Nicole covered up a murder for Noah...
But that's all was the past..
After Noah comes back into her life.. Jason is so determined to find what he's hiding.
Nicole finds herself in trouble hiding things and lies.
✨Nicole thought her past was behind her when she went to college, but unfortunately, that past came back...but I loved how determined Nicole was. She was able to see what her choices were.
✨ Like nicole everyone have their pasts and when the past gets brought up we need to focus on ourselves and our choices.
✨This is a well written story which is filled with lies, secrets, suspense, and humour . Loved the writing style and the flow of the book.
✨it had brilliant language and narration that one doesn’t feel the pinch of boredom.
✨The author has kept the characters simple and genuine . All the events throughout the course of the novel seem credible.
✨ I'll Highly recommend this book to people who like lots of drama.
Can't wait until the next book!!!.
FOCUS by Naomi Charles
@Naomi
____
✨The cover of the book looks classy and is simply designed. It represents the book is going to be an intensive read for everyone along with the title which is perfect.
✨This book revolves around a young college student, Nicole Smith.
✨Nicole has move out for college, and there she meets Jason, her new neighbour.
But, her ex, Noah finds his way back into her life again .
Couple of years back, Nicole covered up a murder for Noah...
But that's all was the past..
After Noah comes back into her life.. Jason is so determined to find what he's hiding.
Nicole finds herself in trouble hiding things and lies.
✨Nicole thought her past was behind her when she went to college, but unfortunately, that past came back...but I loved how determined Nicole was. She was able to see what her choices were.
✨ Like nicole everyone have their pasts and when the past gets brought up we need to focus on ourselves and our choices.
✨This is a well written story which is filled with lies, secrets, suspense, and humour . Loved the writing style and the flow of the book.
✨it had brilliant language and narration that one doesn’t feel the pinch of boredom.
✨The author has kept the characters simple and genuine . All the events throughout the course of the novel seem credible.
✨ I'll Highly recommend this book to people who like lots of drama.
Can't wait until the next book!!!.
August 16, 2020
I really really enjoyed this book. I was a little skeptical as the author was a first-time indie author, but it was an absolutely marvelous read. I also think the author's story is very interesting and I recommend, if you are interested, looking her up.
Anyway, to the review!
I loved how the protagonist and narrator, Nicole, engages us as the story is going on. I feel like some literary works are very stuffy and formal. In this, I felt like she spoke to us as if she knew us and was telling us her crazy story. I loved how sarcastic and funny her comments were to what was happening. Her descriptions were also so vivid. The way the situations were explained had me at the edge of my seat.
I believe this story really soared in terms of dialogue. I loved how real the exchanges were between the characters. Everyone seemed to have their own voice. By the time I got to the end, I was saying "Yeah Noah would totally say that" or whoever was speaking.
I'm really excited for book two. The book does end on a cliffhanger, but I don't think I could think of a better place for the story to stop before the next book.
I 100% recommend this book to people who like lots of drama and like being at the end of their seats. I definitely was! Can't wait until the next book!!!
Anyway, to the review!
I loved how the protagonist and narrator, Nicole, engages us as the story is going on. I feel like some literary works are very stuffy and formal. In this, I felt like she spoke to us as if she knew us and was telling us her crazy story. I loved how sarcastic and funny her comments were to what was happening. Her descriptions were also so vivid. The way the situations were explained had me at the edge of my seat.
I believe this story really soared in terms of dialogue. I loved how real the exchanges were between the characters. Everyone seemed to have their own voice. By the time I got to the end, I was saying "Yeah Noah would totally say that" or whoever was speaking.
I'm really excited for book two. The book does end on a cliffhanger, but I don't think I could think of a better place for the story to stop before the next book.
I 100% recommend this book to people who like lots of drama and like being at the end of their seats. I definitely was! Can't wait until the next book!!!
January 21, 2021
I loved this book so much! The cover art? Beautiful. The story? Amazing. I found myself unable to put this book down. I had read the summary on the back of course, but there was just so much more that happened. At one point, I even started reading it out loud with my boyfriend because I needed to share everything I was feeling with someone else. There were so many twists and turns that I felt like I was on a rollercoaster. It only got better and better. I want to write so much more about it, but I am at a loss for words. Even if I could think of the right ones to say, I don't think I could. This is a book that needs to be read and discovered on your own because nothing I say would be able to prepare you for the utter shock and suspense that you might feel while reading this. ALSO, everyone needs to feel the emotions that are coursing through my body right now because of the absolute cliffhanger that Ms. Naomi Charles left her readers with. I don't believe this to be a book that will disappoint anyone. I highly recommend purchasing and supporting this author on her journey! I cannot wait for book 2!!
October 23, 2020
3.75/5 stars
What a cover! This one had me hooked from the beginning. The best way for me to describe the vibe of this book is: To All the Boys: P.S I Still Love You meets Riverdale (season 1&2 before they turned it into mysterious supernatural events or whatever).
Nicole is off to college and she’s looking forward to leaving her past behind; her past being accidentally helping her ex boyfriend cover up a murder. Things are looking up, she’s settling in at school and even befriends a cute guy named Jason but she realizes she can’t outrun her past when she realizes her ex, Noah who she hasn’t seen in nearly two years, is also attending the same college as her.
This was a cute YA contemporary mixed with more than a side of mystery. Every character is charming in their own way for the most part. My favourite was actually Rachel, Nicole’s younger sister. She has such a lovely and hilarious personality and I wished I could read more about her shenanigans.
If you enjoy a good love triangle and teenagers who spend more time playing detective than they do on homework then this one’s for you!
Thanks to the author for sending me a copy of this book! #gifted
What a cover! This one had me hooked from the beginning. The best way for me to describe the vibe of this book is: To All the Boys: P.S I Still Love You meets Riverdale (season 1&2 before they turned it into mysterious supernatural events or whatever).
Nicole is off to college and she’s looking forward to leaving her past behind; her past being accidentally helping her ex boyfriend cover up a murder. Things are looking up, she’s settling in at school and even befriends a cute guy named Jason but she realizes she can’t outrun her past when she realizes her ex, Noah who she hasn’t seen in nearly two years, is also attending the same college as her.
This was a cute YA contemporary mixed with more than a side of mystery. Every character is charming in their own way for the most part. My favourite was actually Rachel, Nicole’s younger sister. She has such a lovely and hilarious personality and I wished I could read more about her shenanigans.
If you enjoy a good love triangle and teenagers who spend more time playing detective than they do on homework then this one’s for you!
Thanks to the author for sending me a copy of this book! #gifted
August 15, 2020
I was asked to review this book by the author. So I want to say thank you very much. I loved the writing style and the flow of the book. I loved how the characters were in the book. I loved how Nicole was able to see what her choices were and how she focused on them. Nicole was brave in focusing on her studies. Like nicole we all have our pasts and when the past gets brought up we need to be able to focus on ourselves and our choices. Once again a big thank you to Naomi charles for the opportunity to read her book. Thank you. And read on! I would highly recommend this book to everyone who loves reading 📚 books as much as i do.
August 21, 2020
This was a good debut book. Although I personally struggled to connect with the characters and plot for most of the book, I still found myself turning pages to try get answers.
I commend the author for taking the plunge and publishing a book. Although you could tell she was new, it definitely held promise.
I commend the author for taking the plunge and publishing a book. Although you could tell she was new, it definitely held promise.
February 18, 2022
Charles' first book is a hit, holding all of your focus as you run from one page to the next. I was unable to put Focus down once I started reading. She nicely balances the the past and the present as she pushes forward a compelling narrative full of harrowing twists and turns. I'm excited to continue to read her series and see her continued growth as an author.
November 21, 2023
The angst, the tension and the CLIFFHANGER! I love how absolutely perfect this book is. The pacing of this book is immaculate, especially when you see glimpses of Nicole and Noah’s relationship from before. You get a good sense of how deeply they felt for each other, despite how young they were and how much that event (no spoilers here) broke them apart.
This book is a fantastic mix of mystery, college new adult, and romance put into a nice blue bow! Plus the cliffhanger makes it impossible to not reach for the second book to see Noah’s POV
This book is a fantastic mix of mystery, college new adult, and romance put into a nice blue bow! Plus the cliffhanger makes it impossible to not reach for the second book to see Noah’s POV
September 2, 2022
9/01/2022: 2nd read. I didn’t care for this that much the second time around. It didn’t really keep my attention or was as intriguing. I remember how shocked I was at the ended in 2020 but this time I didn’t really care. I’m giving it a 3.5
9/21/2020: 1st read
FIVE STARS!!!!!!!! PERFECTION!!!!!! I NEED MORE. I read this in one sitting and I totally regret it because I forgot it’s book one in a series and I need book two now
9/21/2020: 1st read
FIVE STARS!!!!!!!! PERFECTION!!!!!! I NEED MORE. I read this in one sitting and I totally regret it because I forgot it’s book one in a series and I need book two now
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews