If you can't remember being bad, does that make you good?
Meet M who works in publishing and enjoys watching people.
M suffers from memory lapses and has established an unhealthy relationship with Caleb across the street.
Caleb doesn’t know M exists…
But when M starts to practice memory recall exercises, to learn the truth about past behaviours, it sheds light on this fascination with the man across the street.
Is M dangerous or just disturbed?
And is Caleb about to find out?
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All I See Is You is a gripping psychological thriller that is the perfect read for fans of authors like S.E. Lynes, Shalini Boland and Samantha Hayes. Charlotte Barnes is also the author of the critically-acclaimed DI Melanie Watton mystery series.
All I See Is You by Charlotte Barnes (Author), Penelope Rawlins (Narrator)
M is an odd duck. She thinks she rubbish at so many things but in reality the head honcho at her work thinks she is the best at her job as a Social Media Manager. She avoids her co-workers other than for appearance's sake and she is very vague about her dating life. She is seeing someone, Caleb, but he doesn't know it. Once a week M makes a nice dinner, wears something appropriate for the mood, puts on some music, moves her dining room table to the living room window, and has her meal while she watches Caleb in the apartment across from hers.
What is it with people in novels not ever closing their curtains and blinds? M gets an eyeful from Caleb, especially since Caleb's sexual escapades all seem to take place in his living room. You'd think the women he's with might want some privacy but maybe sex that can be seen by anyone in the apartment across from you is better than private sex. These are smart people, surely they'd realize that people can see in, if they can see out.
Anyway, M is a stalker deluxe. There's this one time when she's stalking Caleb to a bar and she's just four steps behind him and then she sits two stools over from him. She's got it bad for Caleb but he has no idea, especially since Caleb has a regular hookup with a blond. Things don't look serious at first but then it appears that they might make their thing public.
Oh yeah, M has memory problems and takes meds and sees a specialist who is helping her to retrieve her memories. Once she starts getting some of them back, breaking down what's real and what is misplaced, she seems to get worse with her gaps in her memories. Her parents are no help, they don't want her to remember what she can't remember. And, where is Caleb?
M is smart, funny, sarcastic, and a liar. The narration really fits M well and I liked that I could picture M because of the creepy book cover. Except for the stalking and lying, M seems so nice, but is she really?
Published May 4, 2021
Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for this ARC.
“If you didn’t remember doing something did you really do it at all?“ This is a story about obsession and how memories can shape reality. M is secretly seeing her neighbor. It’s so secret the neighbor doesn’t even know it. She is a voyeur and becomes obsessed with Caleb, her neighbor from across the street. M suffers from memory lapses. Significant parts of M’s life is a mystery. When Caleb suddenly goes missing, M is determined to unlock her lost memories to discover what happened to her latest obsession. What actually occurred on the night Caleb went missing? Should this Pandora’s box be opened, or should the unknown stay locked away forever? This story is creepy, disturbing and twisted. The narrator, Penelope Rawlins, expertly brings M to life in this unsettling, psychological thriller. Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for my audiobook.
"There are times when the future should also be left in the past."
This is a suspenseful and twisty psychological thriller that kept me guessing throughout. M's memory (or lack thereof) is what this story is based on, and I found that to be unique. It was interesting to follow M as she experiences memory lapses, meets with her therapist, and performs memory-recall exercises. Pieces of information are revealed through these memory exercises, and along with M the reader gets to make sense of it all.
2-Stars - "It was (barely) OK" Audiobook - 7:58 Hours - Author: Charlotte Barnes Narrator: Penelope Rawlins
It happens sometimes, but only rarely. A book's blurb sounds 'interesting' and I buy the book, despite plenty of other indications that it could possibly be a loser. The most evident indication? Only one of my followed/friends reviewed or rated it in a positive manner. In fact, only one rated it at all! I should have known better, but I ploughed on with the purchase anyway, using up a valuable Audible credit in the process.
I don't have much to say about "All I See Is You". It sounded interesting, it wasn't, but I did finish the book. The story meandered in and out of two timelines, the plot was fairly predictable, and while the ending was unpredictable, it was also unsatisfactory in a 'roll-my-eyes' way.
Penelope Rawlins's vocal characterisations and narration were good, but, probably because of the 1st person POV, the main character's thoughts seemed to meld with her dialogue and I was often unable to distinguish one from the other.
This is a strange and twisted psychological suspense about a bizarre character named M.
M has blackouts/memory lapses, sees a therapist, and is trying memory recall exercises. She is trying to fill in some missing pieces from her past. Some things might be better off forgotten! She has made inappropriate comments about coworkers that have caused issues and she doesn’t remember them. She has dysfunctional relationships with both parents, who are now divorced and have forced her to keep secrets from the other. She enjoys watching people and she’s obsessed with her neighbor, Caleb. She’s a mess!
She has dinner with Caleb every Tuesday night. She makes a special meal, dresses up, and then sits down at her table and watches Caleb through the perfect view she has into his flat. He doesn’t ever seem to close his windows. Even during intimate times with his girlfriend! Lesson learned!! She stalks him on social media, keeps a diary of his schedule, and follows him during some of his nights out. He doesn’t know who M is, but he might find out!
This is my first read by this author and it was edge-of-your-seat suspenseful! And I have my eye on her upcoming book, “Sincerely Yours”.
Sincere thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
My Rating: 4 ⭐️’s Published: August 31 2021 Audio: 7 hours 59 minutes Recommend: Yes
ALL I SEE IS YOU is a standalone psychological suspense novel by Charlotte Barnes.
This novel is written in the first person from the perspective of “M” aka Em.
M is a quiet person who works in publishing and enjoys watching people. She has one friend and divorced parents. Not much of a life?
M suffers from memory lapses/blackouts that relate to her past and present life. and has established an unhealthy secret relationship with Caleb, her neighbor across the street.
Caleb doesn’t know M exists…and M has secrets…
When M starts to practice memory recall exercises, to learn the truth about her past and childhood, it sheds light on her obsession with the man across the street.
The book is divided into sections that relate to M’s memories as they return.
Is M dangerous or just disturbed? Will Caleb find out? Who can M trust?
I found the storyline started off slow but once it got going, I felt sorry for M and was totally engrossed in the story coming together.
Many thanks to the author and bloodhound Books for my digital copy.
M is a people watcher ... or is that just a euphemism for stalker? She holds a responsible job but doesn't exactly get along with everyone. She suffers from panic attacks, but her medication and therapy helps with that. She also has memory lapses ... and she's had this problem since she was a teenager.
What she really enjoys is watching the man in the building across from her. His name is Caleb and although they've never meet, M has imagined this whole relationship with him. She watches him with abandon .. him and his girlfriends, his friends. She follows him on Instagram and Facebook .. and then visits places he mentions.
Her therapist has given her 'homework' ... practicing recall memories. Some things are never meant to be remembered.
And when she does start remembering, what kinds of things will she remember? The teenage girl who was murdered? The things that happened between her parents? The party she attended and evidently said some hurtful things to her co-workers?
And now Caleb has disappeared. Is she dangerous ... or just disturbed?
What a ride! The first part of this book is just learning about M .. how she views things, the things that worry her, her relationship with her mother, the relationship with her father and his girlfriend, how she relates to people in general, especially those she works with. The suspense begins building when she begins remembering .. or are they memories? It's a well-written novel as told by M with some twists and turns along the way. The ending is incredible, totally unexpected. Highly recommended for anyone who really loves psychological thrillers.
Many thanks to the author / Bloodhound Books for the digital copy of this psychological thriller. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
This was a very interesting audiobook to listen to. The narrator has problems with memory and somehow seems to block out pretty much anything unpleasant. It’s a fascinating concept and her therapy sessions and memory recall exercises were very interesting. The narrator goes by M which is not their name or initial but what everyone at work calls her. M is kind of seeing someone but he doesn’t know it. Her window looks into his and she watches him with the girls he brings home. This story had a story creepy factor but I liked it. When the man M has been watching goes missing she becomes intent on recovering memories from her lost night - which happens to be the night he goes missing.
Such a great psychological thriller! M suffers from memory loss. She can lose minutes, hours, or entire days.
She's also a stalker who has a huge crush on her neighbor, Caleb. She's been having an illicit romance with Caleb for some time. Caleb just doesn't know it yet.
A lot goes on completely in M's mind. Even more goes on that she has no memory of.
When her doctor helps her begin to recover her lost memories, things will come to light that perhaps should remain hidden.
This is one of those psychological thrillers that spoon feeds the reader tiny bits of information throughout the novel. Every new thing you learn just leads to more questions. I thought the pacing was great. I never stopped wondering or thought I had it figured out. It kept me in suspense the whole way through.
I acutally have no clue how to rate this book its about a young woman named M who has trouble with her memory things take a turn its a thrilling time I did the audio version and the narrator was amazing and made me laugh while I have a lovely toothache happening its a messed up book but I enjoyed it.
This is a slow burner but when it gets going it is engrossing. I really rooted for M to get her memories back. (I was confused part of the way whether M was female or male). I haven't read a book like this in a long time it really grew with time and I needed to know what happened.
I read this in two settings - one the first bit (then read the reviews and decided to continue) and then I got hooked.
I was given an advance copy by Bloodhound books but the review is entirely my own.
A thriller with some definite twists. M has some memory issues which cause her to question her present day. Memory exercises bring her to fill in the gaps of blackout periods - only to find out things she didn't want to know. Not entirely unpredictable but the twists happen at the right moments. The last twist...literally within the last few sentences, so if you are someone who reads the last page...DON'T.
This was narrated by Penelope Rawlins and she’s one of my favorites. This mystery thriller was different than what I’m use to and I felt like it wasn’t very clear. It did have a lot of mystery behind it but I just couldn’t really figure out what was going on and how it was supposed to fit together. Lots of potential but fell flat for me. Thanks Dreamscape Media via Netgalley.
I've joined a Facebook group called The paperback writers & discovered this book being promoted there, so thought I'd give it a whirl 📖
This book was definitely a slow burner all the way through, yet it was compelling & I was intrigued to see where it went. I won't ruin the ending, but I didn't see it coming!
It had a cleverly written plot, with a strange, disturbing lead character which led to this being a suspense filled enjoyable read & I whizzed my way through it. This was my first book by this author & it certainly won't be my last.
'If you can't remember doing something, does that mean you didn't do it?'
I literally read this book in practically one setting! This book was amazing! I loved every bit of it. I will admit I was starting to get a little nervous when the “crazy” started happening. M forgets things, what happens when she does? Who does she become? I loved the story line and the edge of your seat tension as the story starts to come together. I have never read anything by this author but I would for sure check out her other works now!
Well that was a real psychological thriller. The protagonist was clearly either disturbed or ill but the former definitely seemed more likely. Although this wasn’t full of action, with rafts of dead bodies lining up, it was completely absorbing. Written by an author who is clearly a great storyteller I was quickly hooked by the story as it unfolded.
Briefly, M is quiet woman, who works for a publishing company, and when not in work she keeps herself to herself. She also has blackouts; times when she can remember nothing. She has just one good friend who she sees occasionally, and her parent who are divorced. But she also has a secret ‘boyfriend’ called Caleb. Only one problem, they have never met. Why does she have memory lapses? Can her psychiatrist help her remember?
I would really recommend this book, if you are like me you will find yourself feeling equally sorry for M and finding her very disturbing. This was addictive reading; I just needed to find out who M really was. Give it a go. 5*.
M is a Social Media Manager - spending her entire day on Facebook and Twitter. She has trouble remembering things both good and bad. a new tenant moves into the building opposite of hers. She watches ( basically stalks) him from her living room window. She is infatuated with him. Something triggers her memory of a girl from school that was never seen again. Something that she has seen, but what is it? I am not sure what the writer was trying to do with this story, that is why I gave it three stars. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this ARC.
Thanks to the publisher for providing the audiobook for All I See Is You in exchange for an honest review.
While I recognize that not all psych thrillers have to be mysteries, I think it really helps draw you into the story when they are. While All I See Is You definitely has a lot of mysterious elements, I think the lack of concrete mystery made it more difficult for me personally as a reader to get invested in the story. Some of the twists still got me though.
Thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for this advance listener copy in exchange for my honest review.
This was one of those mystery novels that are just "okay". There was nothing special or new about this novel, but I did enjoy the ending. And, the writing style was great.
Our main character is M, short for Em (as though that needs to be shortened). I believe the name was to give her some sense of anonymity. M has serious memory problems and has blocked out a huge chunk of her past, including what happened to her best friend in high school. M is seeing a therapist and doing memory recall exercises and since the book is written in the first person, we are "remembering" as she does, in flashes and pieces. We experience her panic attacks as she remembers. As she remembers more and more, she realizes that she may not want to uncover the truth.
All the while, M's neighbor in a nearby apartment goes missing. M has a sort of "relationship" with this man, Caleb, and while M is trying to remember her past, she's also trying to figure out what happened to Caleb. There are essentially two mystery plotlines going at the same time.
I will say that this book is a testament to a parent's love for their child and what lengths they will go to to help their children.
This was a good book, just not a great one. Overall, 3 stars. As for the audio, the narrator was okay. She also narrated another book I just listened to, the Past is Red, and I liked her better in that book.
M is a mysterious character from the start, with no clue to their full name, it feels that this person could be male or female. Unhappy at work, M has a ‘relationship’ with Caleb in the apartment in the opposite building but he is totally unaware of M. The watching is unsettling as Caleb brings his girlfriends back and you feel like you’re curtain twitching too! The story gradually gets more intense as it’s revealed that M has memory problems and can’t remember being places or doing things. The faces of a woman and a girl begin to haunt M as they try to untangle what happened. A finely woven tale that will keep you hooked from start to finish as this story pulls you deeper into the life of M. An excellent read.
This is a story where the female is the main character and the life she lives through her eyes, mind and feelings. The events have great details, and you get to know her as the storylines goes on. What she views the points of the mysteries, why. Her memories she lost and how it comes back in pieces, moments. There is another surprise in this book that is twisted , she has a father and mother they are divorce the a parents she have to love and endure. Her father remarried , and her mother is single and the still fighting like when they were married. You have to read to know, how entertaining of a plot this novel have.
This is a fantastically told story from the perspective of Em aka M. Seemingly like every young woman trying to make her way through life. She has a career she tolerates, insufferable coworkers, a few friends, ok just one friend, and divorced parents who can be both distant and suffocating.
But unlike everyone else, she has secrets. Big secrets. At least she feels as though she does. M has no memory recall and, in her attempt to unravel convoluted memories from her childhood she’s altering the reality of her daily life. Who can you trust when you can’t trust your memory?
I couldn’t put this down! I loved the pace of the story and Em’s perspective. Is she a woman unhinged, or has she been living a lie? The only way to know is to read this book.
This book is written in the first person & the tale is told extremely well. M suffers memory lapses; almost blackouts & these relate to their past as well as present day. They are seeing a counsellor to try & unlock these missing segments of their life but to add a little more confusion, they become obsessed with Caleb who lives in the opposite block of flats & who they deem to be in a ‘relationship’ with. The book is written in parts which relate to memories returning & each chapter is a character or place. I found this really easy to read & I was on M’s side as their memories became clearer but their life gradually unravelled. A recommended read & I enjoyed spotting author names as some of the secondary characters.
I have to say, this one had SO much promise but fell on the execution. In the end, it really fell flat for me and will not remain a memorable one for me. This is one where I kept waiting for the climax and felt like it just plateaued and and then had a big anticlimax. The narration was done by Penelope Rawlins and she’s one of my favorites so I was quite excited for this listen. This mystery thriller was different than what I’m use to because I felt like it wasn’t very clear in what was happening. It was decidedly more mystery than thriller. It was so hard to figure out how it was supposed to fit together until it was all revealed, so it was hard for me to keep interested in this because I felt so confused by what I was even reading. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a slow burner to begin with but one that I couldn't put down because I was intrigued to see where it went. It didn't disappoint and left me pondering at the final chapter. It all centred around one character and her faltering memory, following her efforts to fill in the gaps. A very clever novel.
This book is very cleverly written and grabs you from the first moment. M suffers from missing memories and you walk with her as she tries to unlock the missing moments. M is very taken with Caleb who lives opposite her and you believe she is just a lonely lady who is a little obsessed- or is she? As she starts to find pieces of her memory an episode from her past begins to be unrevealed and you are left wondering whether she is the person you thought. I couldn’t put this down and read in a couple of sittings - I didn’t see the ending coming although now, looking back, I can see the clues cleverly left along the way. A fantastic read.
I was given a free Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
My thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for this audio to review.
Did not get this story at all. I was not sure what I was listening to. The description made it sound like psychological suspension, but most of the book had a Bridget Jones feel. M, the main character is just talking about her life as a social media manager ,her interactions with her co workers, parents,therapist, and new neighbor Caleb. Then we jump to a past story of the death of her friend Fern when she was younger. Then throw in memory exercises. M keeps forgetting things but you don't know if that is a justification for her behavior. Then Caleb disappeared. I get an answer way near the end. Difficulty connecting to the heavy dialect of the narrow. This was a mess.
M lives in a block of flats in Birmingham which is walking distance from her workplace. She has a job in publishing promoting authors, their new books and publication dates with any launches via social media. M’s very good at her job and is usually very organised plus full of good ideas. Her mum and dad have been separated for ages although her dad has a new partner. She sees or talks to them both but her mum thinks it’s only rarely with her dad!
Where M lives, she can see straight into the flat of the block opposite hers. She doesn’t take much notice till a dishy young man, Caleb moves in and she develops a bit of a crush. Then she starts regularly watching him when he is home, arranging nights to suit his schedule once she’s tracked him down on social media which he usually updates fairly often.
M goes to see a therapist sometimes once a week as it seems she suffers blackouts, something she has done since she was younger. He is now getting her to try some memory recall exercises which she finds hard. Also, her mum brings over some stuff from her childhood which includes a scrapbook. Whilst looking at the pictures, she can’t remember all the names of her friends in them. She works out who she does know then friends them on Facebook and gets help from there. She then asks her mum and dad about the girl again plus finds out there is a book written about her too. M orders a copy but by the time it arrives, she doesn’t even remember ordering it.
Unfortunately, combined with the memory recall exercises and reading the true crime book about her friend’s murder which she has totally blocked out, this sends M over the edge...her worst blackout since she was younger. What does she do?
I found this slow going to start with but I was gripped halfway through till the end! M was a complicated character so took a while to build a profile through small chapters all sensibly titled and relevant. It was well written with a good descriptive style and covered a subject I didn’t know much about which I found interesting. This is a new author for me and I would like to read more of her work.