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Consent

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She never said no... she never said yes.

Sometimes the men we think we can trust are the ones we really shouldn’t trust at all.

When the lines of consent are blurred how do you ever know who is telling the truth?

Was it a night of drunken passion or a night of terror?

Molly Smith doesn’t know.

Jacob Walker-Kent did not attack her. He did not lure her down a dark alleyway. He did not beat her up.

She did not scream. She did not fight him off.

He walked her home. He was her friend. Or was he?

When the courts fail to protect us sometimes there is so much more at risk…

A compelling courtroom drama with a shocking twist, a harrowing outcome, that tackles an area of the law where justice sometimes seems impossible.

Lizzie Greenaway's unmissable new psychological thriller Consent will appeal to fans of authors like K.L. Slater, Adele Parks and B.A. Paris.

327 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 12, 2021

180 people are currently reading
178 people want to read

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Lizzie Greenaway

2 books4 followers

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5 stars
156 (37%)
4 stars
138 (33%)
3 stars
85 (20%)
2 stars
27 (6%)
1 star
11 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
Profile Image for Linda Strong.
3,878 reviews1,710 followers
January 12, 2021
4.5 STARS

SHE SAYS : Molly Smith was a little drunk. Her friend, Jacob, insisted he walk her home. She invited him in. Her boyfriend was upstairs sleeping. She also fell asleep .. downstairs on the sofa. She woke up when he placed his hands across her mouth and kissed her neck. She remembers thinking .. I don't want this. Why is he doing this? Struggling he held her firm, removed her clothes, and his. She didn't scream .. she didn't really fight him off.

When he was done, she picked up her clothes and went into the bathroom where she had a meltdown. When she was done, he was standing outside the door, leaned into her and tried to kiss her. She demanded that he leave.

HE SAYS : Jacob was slightly tipsy after drinking a few with his friend, Molly. He always found time to be with her .. he had a crush on her, but the timing never seemed right to make his move. He did the courteous thing and walked her home. When she invited him in, his heart soared. Finally! she was looking at him with new eyes. As she was sleeping on the sofa, he was already making plans. Kissing her ever so gently, she woke... she didn't say NO .. she didn't fight him off. She accepted him fully and without any drama. She was his!

Was this just a night of passion, albeit drunken passion? Or was this a night of terror?

This is a riveting courtroom drama featuring characters solidly drawn. Was this simply a misunderstanding ... or was there something more sinister at play? Both their voices are heard through alternating chapters. There are twists and turns that swirl in the midst of mystery and suspense.

Just because there is alcohol involved, and she's wearing a short skirt and she doesn't fight him off or scream NO .. is it reasonable to think this act was consensual? A judge and jury will decide.

Many thanks to the author / Bloodhound Books for the digital copy of this most thought-provoking legal thriller. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Profile Image for Kathy T.
326 reviews
February 1, 2021
I can not believe...

I read the whole book. I was a lecture. A boring, lecture. The characters in the book were dull. Unfulfilled. I read till last page and screamed ! What a freaking ending.
Profile Image for Adele Shea.
723 reviews21 followers
March 4, 2021
I found this book at little hard to get into at first but I don’t know if that was because I haven’t read a book so far this year.
The majority of the book is from a four person point of view. “Victim”, “rapist” and both solicitors. I enjoyed parts but I also found some parts drawn out. 3.5 stars.
Profile Image for Donna Morfett.
Author 9 books71 followers
January 20, 2021
The story follows Molly and Jacob, after Jacob rapes Molly.
It follows the court case and the feelings of the 2 involved and their lawyers. It shows how badly the justice system fails the victims of rape but does give an interesting insight into the views of men.
I felt like it could have been stopped around 70% in where it became drawn out and a bit preachy. The end is good so worth sticking with
Profile Image for Lisa-Jaine.
661 reviews4 followers
January 20, 2021
An incredible book that should be read by absolutely everyone. Highlights the travesty of rape trials and the added trauma placed on the survivor in Court should it even get that far.

Rather than impress in females the need to stay safe, dress plainer and not become intoxicated we need to teach males it is NOT ok to rape. This book covers the various points far better than I can.

A fictional account of Molly and how her life is shattered after her trusted friend rapes her.
Profile Image for Sarah.
68 reviews3 followers
January 30, 2021
When Molly Smith asks her male friend, Jacob Walker-Kent, to walk her home after an alcohol-fuelled night and then invites him in for a cuppa, the last thing she expects to happen is for him to rape her while her boyfriend is sleeping upstairs. Molly is shocked by events and asks him to leave.

Her life slowly unravels as the effects of the incident cause her to become distracted at work and she loses her job. When her friend and former colleague, Alison, accompanies her to the police station to report the crime, so begins a prolonged court case.

The story is told from the viewpoints of Molly, her prosecuting barrister, Richard Clarke, Jacob and his defence barrister, Stephanie Beaumont, and makes fascinating reading as we follow the case and learn about how it has deeply affected them all.

The story has hidden depths and, as we get to know Molly and Jacob, there are some rather disturbing revelations. It's a compelling novel and very thought provoking; a great read despite the distressing subject matter.
4 reviews
March 19, 2021
I would have liked a slightly different ending....

This book would be ideal for any crime fiction fan. I had hoped it would have ended a bit differently but maybe there's a sequel perhaps, it's certainly left open for one!
Profile Image for Melissa Suslowicz Bartz.
556 reviews14 followers
January 31, 2021
My Review:

Wow, what a debut novel this was!!!!! There were many things about this book that I loved but there were also things that I didn’t love as much about this book. Let’s talk about the things I loved first. I loved the way how each chapter was set up. There were four main characters in this book and each of their story alternated throughout the chapter. This made each chapter go faster and leave you wanting more. You were trying to get to the next chapter as fast as possible to find out more. I also loved the plot and how the author handled the topic of rape. Rape is a very hard topic to write about and she dealt with it very delicately and in a way that wouldn’t offend anyone. I also loved how this was not a stranger rape but someone she knew and trusted. It really made you think how well do you really know someone. On to the things I didn’t like as much. I felt some of this book was very slow and unfinished at times. There was something that happened after the rape to the victim and I felt that could have been explored more and wished it went in a different direction than what it did. It would’ve made for an interesting story. I also felt it could’ve changed one of the characters dramatically if they found out about it. I also didn’t like the rape victim or the alleged rapist very much. Both of them gave off bad vibes to me. One gave off more bad vibes than the other. Even though there were some bad things about this book I stilled enjoyed it very much. I think for a debut book that tackled the topic of rape it was very good book and I look forward to see what this author writes next.

Between the plot, characters and all the twists in this book it made it an easy and fast read. I would definitely recommend it and happily give it 4 Hearts❤️❤️❤️❤️

Author: Lizzie Greenaway
Title: Consent
Publication Day: January 12, 2021

Description:

She never said no... she never said yes.
Sometimes the men we think we can trust are the ones we really shouldn’t trust at all. 
When the lines of consent are blurred how do you ever know who is telling the truth?
Was it a night of drunken passion or a night of terror?
Molly Smith doesn’t know.
Jacob Walker-Kent did not attack her. He did not lure her down a dark alleyway. He did not beat her up.
She did not scream. She did not fight him off.
He walked her home. He was her friend. Or was he?
When the courts fail to protect us sometimes there is so much more at risk…
A compelling courtroom drama with a shocking twist, a harrowing outcome, that tackles an area of the law where justice sometimes seems impossible.

Lizzie Greenaway's unmissable new psychological thriller Consent will appeal to fans of authors like K.L. Slater, Adele Parks and B.A. Paris.
604 reviews34 followers
January 3, 2021
Actual rating 4.5 stars

The storyline of this psychological thriller focuses on the subject of acquaintance rape so my review begins with a word of warning to anyone who may find the content here deeply distressing. Jacob Walker-Kent and Molly Smith are friends and this is their story of how events of one drunken night leads to an allegation of rape. If you’re expecting a courtroom drama based along the lines of he said/she said then to a certain extent you’d be right but Consent is so much more than what occurs between the victim and defendant, the barristers and judge and jury. The author explores the repercussions from this alleged incident, not just in the immediate aftermath but in the years following the trial and not only on Jacob and Molly but Stephanie the defence barrister and Richard the barrister for the prosecution too.

Told very simply from the perspectives of these four main players what struck me initially is the detached, almost clinical writing style the author employs to present the salient facts in the lead up to the trial. Much of it feels devoid of real emotion and at times I felt I was being lectured at in terms of the laws surrounding sexual assault/rape. Whilst informative and thought provoking this approach lent a textbook tone to the narrative so I almost forgot this is a piece of fiction. However I liked that she doesn’t just place Jacob and Molly under the spotlight but Stephanie and Richard too,dipping into their personal lives so you gain an impression of these individuals outside of their professional sphere, witnessing the impact significant relationships have on their own lives. As you would expect with this kind of storyline, issues of consent, capacity to give consent, power and entitlement all come into play, providing the reader with plenty of food for thought. So too does the inevitability of the injustices of an adversarial approach when trying cases of this nature and how the victim is often the one placed on trial, under great scrutiny and forced to relive their horror all over again. I think the author has succeeded in giving a fair hearing to both sides, acknowledging the impact this accusation will undoubtedly have on their lives whatever the verdict, the rippling effects reverberating for years to come. At all times she endeavours to remain impartial and regardless of whose version of events you choose to believe this novel is full of important messages regarding the issue of consent.

This is definitely a book of two halves because yes, I’ll be honest and say I wasn’t totally enamoured with this thriller from the beginning. It’s quite slow which may be off putting for some readers BUT I implore you to persevere! Somewhat surprisingly, the courtroom drama element is dispensed with relatively quickly but it’s at this point I started to engage with all the characters, even the one I despised with a passion! The effects on all concerned are far reaching and as time elapses you learn how their lives are shaping up for the future, some more hopeful and happier than others. Molly and boyfriend Luke’s relationship is placed under the microscope, as too is the relationship between Jacob and his mother and his behaviour towards women in general. Stephanie and Richard’s relationship with their work and the effects of their caseloads are integral to their lives post trial and I found a depth to the writing here that surprised me. The loneliness Richard in particular experiences because of his work/life imbalance and Stephanie’s relationship with best friend Matthew showcases writing that is compassionate and in tune with all manner of human emotions. This sudden switch from a clinical detached tone into one that is warmer and humane and sensitive to the thoughts that occupy the minds of all involved ,setting them all on different trajectories is one I welcomed. I would even go so far to say this second half felt like it was written by another author entirely. It’s a storyline which will provoke intense emotions within you, from anger, abhorrence, sadness, incredulity, hopefulness and eventually shock.

I suppose it’s not until years after the trial and other characters are introduced that the storyline lives up to its psychological thriller status with an ending that is designed to shock and surprise. Up until this point I would categorise this novel as more of a dark drama, wavering between giving it a 4 or 4.5 star review. By the time I finished my overall impression had greatly improved thanks mostly to the unexpected twist the author throws in that gives it that ‘oh my goodness did that really just happen’ factor. Consent is most definitely a novel worth exploring, despite its slowish start and will appeal to fans of Kia Abdullah in particular. My thanks to Bloodhound Books for giving me the opportunity to read.
Profile Image for TagReads.
156 reviews6 followers
April 17, 2022
***********************************************

- Part of The 52 Book Club Reading Challenge, Author with an X, Y, or Z in their name
- Part of Around the Year in 52 Books Challenge, A book with fewer than 5000 ratings on Goodreads

***********************************************

This was a highly anticipated read after watching the TV show “Liar” which follows a similar he said/she said story with a rape accusation. The book is told from 4 different perspectives: the victim, the accused, and their respective lawyers. I have to say I wasn’t really invested in the lawyers’ perspectives, I was more intrigued to follow the thoughts of the accuser and the accused. The way the book is written makes you forget that you are reading a fictional story as some passages read more like an article or essay about rape and the judiciary system and society, it is too many info dump that it takes you out of the story itself.

The book also dragged in so many parts, I was more than ready for it to be done by the 80% mark. But it does make a turn in the last 10% which was totally unexpected. I am not sure how I feel about that ending though…
64 reviews
February 9, 2021
It's a must read

I loved loved loved this book. I love the fact the author has 4 different points of view and two are female and two male, yet their views are opposing. Two are based as third party writing, two as the protagonist views as they happen. The points raised for every single character are actually valid ones, and as you're reading they draw you in and make you agree and disagree at the same time. It is challenging and it is relevant and I can't remember a time I read a book this engaging. Even better at the end the publisher asks you to point out typos, my particular nemesis.. I don't know if I can be bothered because the book was really that good, along with I never read a book twice unless it's a fantasy work 25 books in the series but yeah there were a couple, I can forgive them simply die to the compelling and very relevant narrative. If I could read a book a day of this calibre my life would be complete
Profile Image for Demi.
27 reviews2 followers
February 8, 2021
I found the majority of the characters interesting and dynamic. I felt personally connected with the women in this novel, even if what they stood for wasn't something I agreed with (and it seemed at times something they didn't always agree with either). There were a handful of characters that made me sick to my stomach! Consent is so well written, and I loved having the accounts of each person, from a different side of the story.

This book left me feeling so frustrated and let down, I so, so wanted justice to be served, I wanted the preparator to be punished for his repetitive crimes and his absolute lack of ability to see them as what they were. I suppose though, in the real world, it doesn't always end the way it "should". Justice isn't always served.


A brilliant debut novel 👏
1,059 reviews10 followers
January 12, 2021
Overall 4.5*
This maybe not be the book for everybody as it deals with a case by a close acquaintance - or is it rape? It starts off quite slowly too introducing us to the two main characters and their lawyers and the trial. And then there is the second half where the story suddenly takes off and as the reader, you don't want to put it down. This deals with the aftermath of the trial and how this still has many repercussions for those involved both in their private and professional lives. Then there is the ending........!!
This is a book worth sticking with. Thanks to Bloodhound Books for the ARC to review.
Profile Image for Sophie Sheppard.
341 reviews
March 30, 2021
This book was an interesting read on the grey areas surrounding rape. When Molly reports she was raped by Jacob the area is grey, she didn’t consent but at the same time she didn’t say no. This book bravely looks at this area from the points of view of the victim, the accused and both of their barristers. It shows how rape and rape claims affect everyone that’s involved.

Although I found this book an interesting read I wouldn’t have said it was a thriller. At times I found it really dragged on and I felt more like I was reading a lecture script rather than reading a thriller. I also found all the characters quite dull and boring and never at any point could I say I liked any of them.
Profile Image for Helen Thomson.
33 reviews
January 29, 2021
What a topic to cover! Rape has long been a difficult subject filled with so many emotions. I like to think that Jacob eventually got what he should. That he was sent to jail. It scares me to think of all the women he hurt, all the women whose lives had to change and who he sexually abused.
Molly had come full circle and healed herself. Obviously the hope is Jacob never went in that Spanish bar and saw her and the old wounds opened up.
I found this book very interesting and struggled to put it down but tiredness got the better of me!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Christine Rennie.
2,974 reviews42 followers
February 3, 2021
Consent by Lizzie Greenaway is a thought provoking book about sexual consent, if she didn’t say yes and she didn’t say no, is it still rape?
The storyline tells the story of Maggie, Luke and Jacob and then later Richard and Stephanie the two main protagonists legal teams. The book is absolutely fascinating and looks at all sides of the issues with reference to rape. It looks at the issues from the female victim’s side and also the male side. It demonstrates how the court case influences and changes the behaviour of all the main characters.
Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Bobbi Wagner.
5,028 reviews65 followers
January 13, 2021
I loved this book. It is my first book by this author and I look forward to seeing what is next for her. This is a book that is full of action and supsense. This is a well written story that kept me turning pages to the end. I was pulled into the story right from the beginning. I found this book easy to read as well as entertaining. The courtroom suspense was my favorite parts. The characters brought the story to life and I was glad I picked up this book. I highly recommend this book.
Profile Image for Lou.
242 reviews3 followers
January 24, 2021
Raises many questions

This is the perfect book for a book club discussion should you be brave enough to confront the questions it raises.

For the most part this didn't feel like a novel. It felt like a foray into the different psyches involved in a true crime and so was often a difficult read. The ending was what cemented it's status as a novel and I found it very difficult to decide whether I liked it or not. In fact, I'm still not sure.
Profile Image for Claire Ingledew.
1,099 reviews13 followers
January 31, 2021
This is not a gripping Psychological suspense thriller

I am so shocked at the amount of 5 star this book has got, the story is of girl who is raped by a so called friend. The author show just how wrong the system is but for me you made the barristers life sometimes more important than the victim.You took away how the attacker was disturbed that would of made this a psychological drama 🙁
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Lisa Lotter.
139 reviews
May 5, 2021
A tough subject matter but really well written for the most part. The story tells from the victim,rapist and both lawyers points of view which I really loved. How such an awful experience can affect so many lives. The book would have been a 4* had it not been for the ending which just escalated into almost another type of genre and just silly and unfinished. I didn’t finish the book wanting more, but more of a satisfactory ending!
As a result 3.5 *
Profile Image for Tash Mccormack.
68 reviews4 followers
January 20, 2021
Good read

Overall I felt this was a really good book, it gives an insight into both parties mindset and also the legal team and the difficulties that are faced within rape cases.. I gave this book 3 stars only because I felt that some parts dragged too much and wasn’t necessary for the story
Profile Image for Misfits farm.
2,097 reviews86 followers
July 4, 2022
Wow! A hard hitting very well researched read. Molly is in a relationship with Luke but has a friend in Jacob. On a night out when Luke leaves early Molly wants some fun and beings to dance with Jacob. What transpires is a court case and a story of the victim and defendant and their respective barristers.
A story that pulls no punches, most certainly one to remember.
Profile Image for Christine Hodgkiss.
24 reviews
January 20, 2021
Gripping! It certainly is!

This book kept me enthralled from start to finish! I did find it a little distracting as each chapter was about a different character and interwoven into the story. The storyline was well told.
Profile Image for Gill T.
245 reviews2 followers
February 2, 2021
A very well written book examining a difficult subject. I liked the way the author wrote the story from the different character’s viewpoints . These viewpoints make you question the rights and wrongs of a court of law and the clever questioning of lawyers. A very thought provoking read.
2 reviews
March 7, 2021
Brilliant book!

This is a riveting read. I'm disappointed that I've finished the book, didn't want it to end. Highly recommend this and will be looking out for others by Lizzie Greenaway
60 reviews
May 30, 2021
Without her consent

Didn't like this book I didn't realise it was one of those that slipped from character to character I prefer a straight story so found this one somewhat disjointed what a disappointment
Profile Image for Sally Bish.
20 reviews
July 1, 2021
Consent

What this guy got by with is unbelievable. Jacob raped Molly and was found not guilty. He continues on with his life while Molly is trying to pick up the pieces of her life. Jacob continued to abuse women. Sad story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews

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