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The Courier
She sees much more than you think . . .
Five years ago, Laurel Lovejoy had it all. The high-powered city job, the loving husband, the perfect daughter. Now, she is forty and alone, and working for a courier service. But she has discovered that being a delivery driver comes with a superpower: it makes her invisible. People accept her presence without question. They go about their lives, unaware of just how much she sees - how much she knows.
Laurel is particularly fascinated by the residents of Paradise Found, an exclusive gated cul-de-sac. She sometimes even finds her way there when she's not working, using her days off to soak up as much information about the inhabitants and their lives as she can. Everyone needs a hobby.
Then one day Laurel sees something in one of the houses - something that blows her whole world apart, and will have devastating consequences for everyone involved . . .
Perfect for fans of Clare Mackintosh, Adele Parks, Lisa Jewell and The Girl on the Train, THE COURIER will keep you up all night with your eyes glued to the page!
Five years ago, Laurel Lovejoy had it all. The high-powered city job, the loving husband, the perfect daughter. Now, she is forty and alone, and working for a courier service. But she has discovered that being a delivery driver comes with a superpower: it makes her invisible. People accept her presence without question. They go about their lives, unaware of just how much she sees - how much she knows.
Laurel is particularly fascinated by the residents of Paradise Found, an exclusive gated cul-de-sac. She sometimes even finds her way there when she's not working, using her days off to soak up as much information about the inhabitants and their lives as she can. Everyone needs a hobby.
Then one day Laurel sees something in one of the houses - something that blows her whole world apart, and will have devastating consequences for everyone involved . . .
Perfect for fans of Clare Mackintosh, Adele Parks, Lisa Jewell and The Girl on the Train, THE COURIER will keep you up all night with your eyes glued to the page!
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 30, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
August 4, 2021
2.5 rounded up
Have you met Laurel Lovejoy?
I felt like I had-many times before, in many other novels. Five years ago, she had it all- high powered job, loving husband and adorable daughter until……..something happened to take it all away.
Now she is a courier, for Zippi-delivering packages to houses whose families are living the idyllic life that she once had, especially those in the gated community of “Paradise Found”.
She feels like she knows them, and she wants them to know her-and greet her by name-but she is quite delusional and the amount of alcohol she drinks every night doesn’t help her to sort out what is fact and what is fiction. Yes, we have met characters like her before.
When Covid begins to affect London, the couriers must now take pictures of the packages being accepted instead of obtaining a signature, and that is when she becomes convinced that she sees “something” in one of the houses, as a door is opened-and she becomes obsessed with learning more.
Unfortunately, the synopsis of this book leads us to believe that we have an original concept-and the use of the job as Courier most certainly is-but the ACTUAL trope of this story has been done, again and again and again.
The ending does take an unexpected twist, so maybe this will be a hit for readers who only choose the genre on occasion and those who enjoy twists that come out of left field.
But, it didn’t quite work for me.
A buddy read with Dorie! Be sure to check out her fantastic review for additional thoughts!
I received a gifted copy from Hodder and Stoughton through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review! AVAILABLE September 30th, 2021.
Have you met Laurel Lovejoy?
I felt like I had-many times before, in many other novels. Five years ago, she had it all- high powered job, loving husband and adorable daughter until……..something happened to take it all away.
Now she is a courier, for Zippi-delivering packages to houses whose families are living the idyllic life that she once had, especially those in the gated community of “Paradise Found”.
She feels like she knows them, and she wants them to know her-and greet her by name-but she is quite delusional and the amount of alcohol she drinks every night doesn’t help her to sort out what is fact and what is fiction. Yes, we have met characters like her before.
When Covid begins to affect London, the couriers must now take pictures of the packages being accepted instead of obtaining a signature, and that is when she becomes convinced that she sees “something” in one of the houses, as a door is opened-and she becomes obsessed with learning more.
Unfortunately, the synopsis of this book leads us to believe that we have an original concept-and the use of the job as Courier most certainly is-but the ACTUAL trope of this story has been done, again and again and again.
The ending does take an unexpected twist, so maybe this will be a hit for readers who only choose the genre on occasion and those who enjoy twists that come out of left field.
But, it didn’t quite work for me.
A buddy read with Dorie! Be sure to check out her fantastic review for additional thoughts!
I received a gifted copy from Hodder and Stoughton through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review! AVAILABLE September 30th, 2021.
August 4, 2021
OK so I just finished this and I’m left thinking, what was the point??? The blurb certainly was stellar comparing this to Paula Hawkins and Clare Macintosh, two of my favorite authors of thrillers. The premise sounded promising, although similar to other books I’ve read. I went for it.
It's called a psychological thriller and there is at least one psychopath in the book!
So here are some thoughts:
We are thrown into the story not knowing anything about our main character (except for what the blurb said), if you read it!
We spend days and days driving along with Laurel as she delivers packages for an independent mail service. Everyday we get in that van and deliver packages with her while she fantasizes about the “perfect” families and “perfect” place, PARADISE FOUND. We are introduced to a group of characters whom I cared nothing about.
The pace is slow, parts are repetitive, we keep hoping we will finally find out the ‘ENTIRE STORY” OF WHAT HAPPENED TO THE LAUREL OF 5 YEARS AGO!!! What exactly happened to her daughter????
Simon, is another ancillary character. He is her ex-boyfriend, whom she was having an affair with while she was married. He is actually the only one who seems to care at all about Laurel.
Her parents refuse to talk to her, for some obvious reasons but there still must be something else???
Patrick lives in Paradise Found and Laurel is “infatuated” with him. I know that is such a “teenager” word but it describes her actions. In all fairness she is addicted to alcohol and it would have been nice to have a family member or friend who wanted to actually help her.
Really there isn’t anything else I can tell you without ruining any surprises for you in this novel. There is definitely a big twist at the end, so if you love stories like that, you may really enjoy it!!
I thought this book had a promising premise and some good writing. I think the comparison to other books always hurts a novel and doesn’t help it. I didn’t find myself racing through the pages, but I will definitely be watching for more from this author.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley.
This was a buddy read with my good friend Jayme. Please watch for her stellar review :)
The novel is set to publish on September 30, 2021
It's called a psychological thriller and there is at least one psychopath in the book!
So here are some thoughts:
We are thrown into the story not knowing anything about our main character (except for what the blurb said), if you read it!
We spend days and days driving along with Laurel as she delivers packages for an independent mail service. Everyday we get in that van and deliver packages with her while she fantasizes about the “perfect” families and “perfect” place, PARADISE FOUND. We are introduced to a group of characters whom I cared nothing about.
The pace is slow, parts are repetitive, we keep hoping we will finally find out the ‘ENTIRE STORY” OF WHAT HAPPENED TO THE LAUREL OF 5 YEARS AGO!!! What exactly happened to her daughter????
Simon, is another ancillary character. He is her ex-boyfriend, whom she was having an affair with while she was married. He is actually the only one who seems to care at all about Laurel.
Her parents refuse to talk to her, for some obvious reasons but there still must be something else???
Patrick lives in Paradise Found and Laurel is “infatuated” with him. I know that is such a “teenager” word but it describes her actions. In all fairness she is addicted to alcohol and it would have been nice to have a family member or friend who wanted to actually help her.
Really there isn’t anything else I can tell you without ruining any surprises for you in this novel. There is definitely a big twist at the end, so if you love stories like that, you may really enjoy it!!
I thought this book had a promising premise and some good writing. I think the comparison to other books always hurts a novel and doesn’t help it. I didn’t find myself racing through the pages, but I will definitely be watching for more from this author.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley.
This was a buddy read with my good friend Jayme. Please watch for her stellar review :)
The novel is set to publish on September 30, 2021
November 7, 2021
Unsatisfactory Read
This book was described as “the most gripping, page-turning psychological suspense of 2021”. It is certainly not that. It seemed as if the author was trying much too hard to be clever in the story-telling. Unfortunately, she missed the mark on that attempt. The story was not clever, but was disjointed with unfinished or irrelevant story lines. The “courier” (Laurel) was extremely unlikeable. Generally, flawed characters add the most to any story; however Laurel only had flaws - nothing else. She was a shallow alcoholic. She had nothing to draw the reader to her. As I was reading, I kept hoping there would be something about Laurel that would make me care about what happened to her. There wasn’t. The book was very disappointing. Once I started reading it, I kept going, thinking it would get better. It didn’t.
This book was described as “the most gripping, page-turning psychological suspense of 2021”. It is certainly not that. It seemed as if the author was trying much too hard to be clever in the story-telling. Unfortunately, she missed the mark on that attempt. The story was not clever, but was disjointed with unfinished or irrelevant story lines. The “courier” (Laurel) was extremely unlikeable. Generally, flawed characters add the most to any story; however Laurel only had flaws - nothing else. She was a shallow alcoholic. She had nothing to draw the reader to her. As I was reading, I kept hoping there would be something about Laurel that would make me care about what happened to her. There wasn’t. The book was very disappointing. Once I started reading it, I kept going, thinking it would get better. It didn’t.
October 4, 2021
Hey yo, writers all over the world!
Stop making "woman goes crazy bc of childbirth/child loss/fertility issues" trope a thing. It's not the 90s anymore.
It's gross, misogynistic and unrealistic in general.
This book could have been second Pride&Prejudice and I stil would give it one star.
Thanks for coming to my TED Talk.
Stop making "woman goes crazy bc of childbirth/child loss/fertility issues" trope a thing. It's not the 90s anymore.
It's gross, misogynistic and unrealistic in general.
This book could have been second Pride&Prejudice and I stil would give it one star.
Thanks for coming to my TED Talk.
December 27, 2021
This was probably not for me as I couldn't abide by the protagonist drinking so much. The overall story was okay where the courier of packets kept looking into houses. when she saw something.
April 4, 2022
Suspenseful
January 1, 2022
Seriously!!!!!!!!! I have never been so annoyed by an ending, what a pile of crap! Wish I'd never wasted my time in reading it now!
We are introduced to Laurel who is a courier, she leads a very solitary life and has major issues, she's also an alcoholic. She becomes fixated on this exclusive area of houses that she delivers to, Paradise Found, bit of a ridiculous name in my opinion. So she starts to date a man that lives there and becomes convinced that her missing daughter Sophie is there and that she has finally found her.
The thing is, she has told so many different stories regarding Sophie and her husband Dominic that it's impossible to know what is true and star isn't.
I really enjoyed this book and devoured it in a few hours. You can't help but be drawn to Laurel and I just wanted her to have some happiness, to get herself sober and come to terms with whatever happened to Sophie, then she could grieve properly.
So we finally find out the truth and it's shocking and makes you feel sympathy for Laurel, but then it just becomes bizarre and what happens next is just ridiculous. That ending is utterly crap and for that reason alone I would say to anyone not to read it. Why waste your time getting to know a character and feeling sympathy for her and bringing certain people in at the end, just to leave it there and do that to her!
It will have you gripped to the last page yes, but then you'll be left thinking WTF and wish you hadn't bothered reading it.
We are introduced to Laurel who is a courier, she leads a very solitary life and has major issues, she's also an alcoholic. She becomes fixated on this exclusive area of houses that she delivers to, Paradise Found, bit of a ridiculous name in my opinion. So she starts to date a man that lives there and becomes convinced that her missing daughter Sophie is there and that she has finally found her.
The thing is, she has told so many different stories regarding Sophie and her husband Dominic that it's impossible to know what is true and star isn't.
I really enjoyed this book and devoured it in a few hours. You can't help but be drawn to Laurel and I just wanted her to have some happiness, to get herself sober and come to terms with whatever happened to Sophie, then she could grieve properly.
So we finally find out the truth and it's shocking and makes you feel sympathy for Laurel, but then it just becomes bizarre and what happens next is just ridiculous. That ending is utterly crap and for that reason alone I would say to anyone not to read it. Why waste your time getting to know a character and feeling sympathy for her and bringing certain people in at the end, just to leave it there and do that to her!
It will have you gripped to the last page yes, but then you'll be left thinking WTF and wish you hadn't bothered reading it.
September 4, 2021
Umm...this was a very compulsive read, I literally couldn't stop! Also, this might be the first thriller I've read in which the covid pandemic was actively talked about. I loved it, it was great, kept me on my toes throughout, desperately wanting to know what actually happened all the while my mind was whirring with the possibilities. So basically it was a good one up until that ending! It's been days since I read this, and I'm still trying to make my peace with that ending, I mean, what even was that! 😅
I'm all for open endings, and I love stories where the reader gets to make of the endings what they want to, but this was...idek! I feel like the story fell from the top of the ladder at the end, I mean, the whole story just doesn't make sense with this ending, like, what was the point of it all! I feel like this desperately needs a sequel because I NEED TO KNOW! 😂 I was kinda mad at that end, but it sure made my mind whirr and I love open endings (which this wasn't but it very well could be) and for that, I'm not taking away more than a star, but I want to, lol!
I'm all for open endings, and I love stories where the reader gets to make of the endings what they want to, but this was...idek! I feel like the story fell from the top of the ladder at the end, I mean, the whole story just doesn't make sense with this ending, like, what was the point of it all! I feel like this desperately needs a sequel because I NEED TO KNOW! 😂 I was kinda mad at that end, but it sure made my mind whirr and I love open endings (which this wasn't but it very well could be) and for that, I'm not taking away more than a star, but I want to, lol!
August 3, 2025
I'd probably rate this a 3.5 stars. I liked how there were a couple of twists along the way, particularly towards the end where we manage to find out what really happened 5 years ago. What I probably enjoyed most about this story was the way she was spying on the residents of Paradise Found. It indulged my nosey side.
August 26, 2022
I. LOVE. THIS. BOOK. This is seriously one of my favorites! There are several major twists….none of which I saw coming, but all of which make sense given details provided throughout…my gosh the double twist at the very end!! LOVED IT! There weren’t really any loose ends, unless you count the ending, but I like that some characters’ fates were left up in the air…it gives your imagination something to run with long after you finish the book. Most uniquely though, the main character starts out pretty likable but, as the story develops, I started to despise her. It takes a lot of talent to write a character like that and I’m still amazed at the progression. Highly recommend this book!! Definitely one that I will read again!
November 28, 2021
The synopsis of this book is totally misleading. The writing approach or style of this author is the books undoing. Holly could take something as simple as getting ready for work, getting to work and actually starting working drag on for damn near 2 whole chapters. I mean, the utter word vomit of detail after detail of a detail detailed (see what I did there ). 20+ chapters in and you're still waiting for the synopsis to start to actually play out. By this time, you're more than half way through the book. At this point, I'm guessing at the breadcrumbs that have yet to reveal themselves. And, I've come this far so there's no turning back now, I have to finish the book!! So, I'm sorry Holly but this did not do it for me at all.
February 3, 2022
This book had me thinking about it for quite some time after I finished - and not in a good way. The synopsis doesn't match the actual story and I feel a bit ripped off. The author spends a lot of time with Laurel, getting into her head as she stalks a posh neighborhood in London called Paradise Found. Fantasizing about its residents and what it would be like to live there. So, we know that Laurel has some issues. We know that she lost her daughter 5 years ago and her life fell apart and now she's a delusional alcoholic who thinks she has it together. Then she starts to date one of the residents of Paradise Found and we find out we don't really know things at all. Getting to this point was long and tedious and we spend a lot of time in Laurel's head - too much time and too many details. The scenes where she is delivering her packages are the best and I was quite anxious over what line she was going to cross next during these situations.
But once Laurel has her foot in the proverbial Paradise Found world, this is when the story starts to fray, and all my questions begin. Is Laurel the real villain? Is her daughter dead or alive and living in Paradise Found? Why are Priyah and Simon introduced and nothing ever comes of their stories other than odd red herrings that don't end up mattering at all. Why are her parents so cold when they know what happened to her? Why is covid used as a plot point at all? Doesn't seem to work very well - other than I guess keeping people in their homes, but I wanted this story line to be bigger if it's going to be introduced.
Now the ending. There are two twists at the end, and I'm torn over one of them because I had a lot of anxiety over the last few chapters of this book as Laurels world unravels - which means I cared about the character, so, and here's yet another question, why do that to her in the end? Hmmmm
But once Laurel has her foot in the proverbial Paradise Found world, this is when the story starts to fray, and all my questions begin. Is Laurel the real villain? Is her daughter dead or alive and living in Paradise Found? Why are Priyah and Simon introduced and nothing ever comes of their stories other than odd red herrings that don't end up mattering at all. Why are her parents so cold when they know what happened to her? Why is covid used as a plot point at all? Doesn't seem to work very well - other than I guess keeping people in their homes, but I wanted this story line to be bigger if it's going to be introduced.
Now the ending. There are two twists at the end, and I'm torn over one of them because I had a lot of anxiety over the last few chapters of this book as Laurels world unravels - which means I cared about the character, so, and here's yet another question, why do that to her in the end? Hmmmm
August 23, 2021
Wow I can’t believe what I just read and that’s not a good thing.
Five years previously Laurel had it all. She had a high-powered job, a loving husband and a beautiful daughter. But one night everything went wrong, and she lost everything. Five years later now single and living alone. Working as a courier for Zippi delivering packages to a select part of London called Paradise Lost. A cul-de-sac of up market houses. Meeting residents and trying to be friend each one. As the only friend she has is a neighbour in her block of flats. While she delivers packages to the residents of Paradise Lost, she dreams of living in an area like this and always tries to get a glimpse inside the houses to see what the residents are really like. As she thinks each one of them are perfect in every way until a new family moves in and she thinks they have something to hide.
Thank you, Hodder and Stoughton, for a copy of the The Courier. But I am afraid for me personally it wasn’t for me. I found this story quite repetitive of Laurel just driving around and delivering packages and her excessive drinking. And trying to see into people houses but not knowing why? The constant writing of her drinking to be honest made me feel uncomfortable. And as for the ending. Don’t get me started. I found it quite pointless and disappointing. 2 stars from me.
Five years previously Laurel had it all. She had a high-powered job, a loving husband and a beautiful daughter. But one night everything went wrong, and she lost everything. Five years later now single and living alone. Working as a courier for Zippi delivering packages to a select part of London called Paradise Lost. A cul-de-sac of up market houses. Meeting residents and trying to be friend each one. As the only friend she has is a neighbour in her block of flats. While she delivers packages to the residents of Paradise Lost, she dreams of living in an area like this and always tries to get a glimpse inside the houses to see what the residents are really like. As she thinks each one of them are perfect in every way until a new family moves in and she thinks they have something to hide.
Thank you, Hodder and Stoughton, for a copy of the The Courier. But I am afraid for me personally it wasn’t for me. I found this story quite repetitive of Laurel just driving around and delivering packages and her excessive drinking. And trying to see into people houses but not knowing why? The constant writing of her drinking to be honest made me feel uncomfortable. And as for the ending. Don’t get me started. I found it quite pointless and disappointing. 2 stars from me.
February 24, 2024
This book was like 3 different books within one… honestly I don’t know how I feel about it, but the ending was good. Holly Down should have written more on this book about what happens to Laurel.. although I have questions, I hope Ms Down brings out another book to answer them for me.
December 4, 2021
More like Paradise lost.
February 19, 2023
3.5 stars
First of all, this is the first novel that I read where corona and social distancing is part of the plotline. I wasn’t too sure if I wanted to read about the lockdown in a novel but it actually felt more than okay. It certainly triggered memories to the days we were all confined in our homes and somehow I quite enjoyed this trip down memory lane. It was so recognizable for me but even in the future I actually think it’s great for next generations to read about too and to see how life was at that time. I wonder if they’ll think this part of the story was completely made up too. With the shops closed we ordered more than ever online and so I think it was quite clever of the author to introduce Laurel as a courier for a delivery company. As it was back then she had to keep her distance, but that is something she really doesn’t do!
Laurel wasn’t the most likeable character for a number of reasons but her unhealthy interest in the lives of the residents of the six houses of Paradise Found totally gets out of hand. How far can you go to get to know someone? She wants to know everything about her customers, who they are, what they buy, and one day she even goes through someone’s trash! That’s not the end of the line but only the start of everything. Laurel has major issues and with her drinking she’s a very unreliable narrator so I couldn’t be one hundred percent sure if what she thought she had found out was true or not, although I had my own ideas.
Laurel had it all, the husband, the child, the nice house and a great job but in the present it’s all gone. Laurel is all alone, trying to hold on to her job and the rest of her time is spent either at Missing Mums meetings or drinking at her apartment. I really didn’t like her drinking but to cut her some slack her grief over the loss of her daughter was in her every thought. It seemed Laurel lost her little girl Sophie at a young age and she feels guilty but it was unclear what had really happened until the end because she doesn’t want to share her story at Missing Mums but does remark on her feelings and her daughter on a regular basis.
There was a big twist in each of the two storylines and my enjoyment of these twists are essentially on opposite sides. I give big points for this one surprising twist where the author created some specific expectations about the disappearance of her daughter where I thought myself quite clever but it still turned out different from what I had expected. A good different, with a lot of emotions. The other twist came entirely out of left field and left the story open ended. Shock value guaranteed!
I didn’t like Laurel all that much for the majority of the novel, first because she doesn’t seem the best mother, also because of her indiscretions, her lying and crossing the line with her work. I even symphathised with some residents when she tries to engage them unwillingly in sharing information about themselves, but in the end I recognised she wasn’t a bad person, I understood her better and when she finally won me over I didn’t get the satisfaction of knowing everything would be all right so when I finally got to that place I also wanted a different ending, a more happy ending and I feel like I was cheated out of it. In theory the author left room for a sequel but I wasn’t a fan of this twist nor how it was wrapped up, so instead of 4 or 4.5 stars I’ve ultimately decided to give 3.5 stars.
First of all, this is the first novel that I read where corona and social distancing is part of the plotline. I wasn’t too sure if I wanted to read about the lockdown in a novel but it actually felt more than okay. It certainly triggered memories to the days we were all confined in our homes and somehow I quite enjoyed this trip down memory lane. It was so recognizable for me but even in the future I actually think it’s great for next generations to read about too and to see how life was at that time. I wonder if they’ll think this part of the story was completely made up too. With the shops closed we ordered more than ever online and so I think it was quite clever of the author to introduce Laurel as a courier for a delivery company. As it was back then she had to keep her distance, but that is something she really doesn’t do!
Laurel wasn’t the most likeable character for a number of reasons but her unhealthy interest in the lives of the residents of the six houses of Paradise Found totally gets out of hand. How far can you go to get to know someone? She wants to know everything about her customers, who they are, what they buy, and one day she even goes through someone’s trash! That’s not the end of the line but only the start of everything. Laurel has major issues and with her drinking she’s a very unreliable narrator so I couldn’t be one hundred percent sure if what she thought she had found out was true or not, although I had my own ideas.
Laurel had it all, the husband, the child, the nice house and a great job but in the present it’s all gone. Laurel is all alone, trying to hold on to her job and the rest of her time is spent either at Missing Mums meetings or drinking at her apartment. I really didn’t like her drinking but to cut her some slack her grief over the loss of her daughter was in her every thought. It seemed Laurel lost her little girl Sophie at a young age and she feels guilty but it was unclear what had really happened until the end because she doesn’t want to share her story at Missing Mums but does remark on her feelings and her daughter on a regular basis.
There was a big twist in each of the two storylines and my enjoyment of these twists are essentially on opposite sides. I give big points for this one surprising twist where the author created some specific expectations about the disappearance of her daughter where I thought myself quite clever but it still turned out different from what I had expected. A good different, with a lot of emotions. The other twist came entirely out of left field and left the story open ended. Shock value guaranteed!
I didn’t like Laurel all that much for the majority of the novel, first because she doesn’t seem the best mother, also because of her indiscretions, her lying and crossing the line with her work. I even symphathised with some residents when she tries to engage them unwillingly in sharing information about themselves, but in the end I recognised she wasn’t a bad person, I understood her better and when she finally won me over I didn’t get the satisfaction of knowing everything would be all right so when I finally got to that place I also wanted a different ending, a more happy ending and I feel like I was cheated out of it. In theory the author left room for a sequel but I wasn’t a fan of this twist nor how it was wrapped up, so instead of 4 or 4.5 stars I’ve ultimately decided to give 3.5 stars.
December 17, 2023
The unraveling of the "mystery" surrounding Sophie was somewhat interesting, but definitely not intriguing enough to overcome the many flaws here.
This main part of the whole novel also drags beyond interest. Denise and others -including the main's own parents-!- say things to her like "You need to admit your part in what happened..." and eventually banish her. It is realistic for people to finally have had enough with someone, for various reasons, for sure...but none of this rings true. We find later the parents would love a relationship with Sophie--but main or they'd never mentioned that during the thoughts or conversations...and so on. I was curious as first, but then just got the eye-rollie's with every new interaction with someone who alluded, at the same levels throughout, to terrible things, over and over and over.
The mention of alcohol intake was unnerving -there are other ways to prove a character is an alcoholic. The innumerable mentions turned my stomach. No empathy, no disgust for the main, after the 37th mention of her drinking, just annoyance. We get it. We got it early in, but the author chose to abuse the theme, and it turned into a lazy writer's crutch.
Knew early on, and not even from the heaps of hinting, there was another substance involved. Instead of investigating that, somehow, & make that point compelling, the author chose to try to make it a surprise later. Even as another character apparently shows up regularly to question him about someone, we get no insight into the possibilities of why he does what he does, or how he does it. This whole line, which turns out to be pivotal, failed miserably. Lots of questions and lost opportunities to make this a great point, but author instead chose use the tired old "overly kind but regular man (not a dr or anything that mightve given him any background) is actually a brilliant psycho" theme. Yawn.
Unfortunately, the main location of the book, and the reason for that location being special, makes zero sense. The author was, again, too lazy to try to make it mean anything. The main character "feels like it's home," or some other rubbish, while she's there less than a few hours a week...no link, no meaning. It would have taken nothing from the book if main character had a real, or even imagined, reason to link herself to the place; the lack of this effort from the author made the whole novel less believable or impactful.
Nothing worse when a writer pulls something out of thin air for his or her convenience, and can't back it up, so just hopes readers won't care about a total lack of realism.
Then-there's the end. It's not an end. No absolution, resolution, solution, nothing. As lazy, abrupt, and sudden as I've ever read. No speculation follows, because how can anyone care about not only the characters (the main in particular), but about how the author ruined her own book by not even trying to wrap it up well, much less save it? If I found out there was a "next book in the series," I wouldn't consider reading a preview, much less the whole thing.
This main part of the whole novel also drags beyond interest. Denise and others -including the main's own parents-!- say things to her like "You need to admit your part in what happened..." and eventually banish her. It is realistic for people to finally have had enough with someone, for various reasons, for sure...but none of this rings true. We find later the parents would love a relationship with Sophie--but main or they'd never mentioned that during the thoughts or conversations...and so on. I was curious as first, but then just got the eye-rollie's with every new interaction with someone who alluded, at the same levels throughout, to terrible things, over and over and over.
The mention of alcohol intake was unnerving -there are other ways to prove a character is an alcoholic. The innumerable mentions turned my stomach. No empathy, no disgust for the main, after the 37th mention of her drinking, just annoyance. We get it. We got it early in, but the author chose to abuse the theme, and it turned into a lazy writer's crutch.
Knew early on, and not even from the heaps of hinting, there was another substance involved. Instead of investigating that, somehow, & make that point compelling, the author chose to try to make it a surprise later. Even as another character apparently shows up regularly to question him about someone, we get no insight into the possibilities of why he does what he does, or how he does it. This whole line, which turns out to be pivotal, failed miserably. Lots of questions and lost opportunities to make this a great point, but author instead chose use the tired old "overly kind but regular man (not a dr or anything that mightve given him any background) is actually a brilliant psycho" theme. Yawn.
Unfortunately, the main location of the book, and the reason for that location being special, makes zero sense. The author was, again, too lazy to try to make it mean anything. The main character "feels like it's home," or some other rubbish, while she's there less than a few hours a week...no link, no meaning. It would have taken nothing from the book if main character had a real, or even imagined, reason to link herself to the place; the lack of this effort from the author made the whole novel less believable or impactful.
Nothing worse when a writer pulls something out of thin air for his or her convenience, and can't back it up, so just hopes readers won't care about a total lack of realism.
Then-there's the end. It's not an end. No absolution, resolution, solution, nothing. As lazy, abrupt, and sudden as I've ever read. No speculation follows, because how can anyone care about not only the characters (the main in particular), but about how the author ruined her own book by not even trying to wrap it up well, much less save it? If I found out there was a "next book in the series," I wouldn't consider reading a preview, much less the whole thing.
September 29, 2021
This novel starts at a gentle pace but slowly builds into a psychological mystery. Note that it is not a thriller because there is no apparent intention to thrill; indeed it slips from ‘gentle’ into ‘worrying’ and eventually ‘intense’ without flagging that the changes are happening. The style is light but very effective. The reader is led like the proverbial lamb. This is a powerful writing skill, but is it enough to carry what at first blush appears to be a first person flow of conscious tale of a young woman’s career problems?
It is February 2020 and Laurel is the eponymous ‘courier’. Her job involves collecting packages from a central depot and delivering them to homes on a prescribed route in North East London. She enlivens her day by fantasising about the people she meets, especially the people who live in a gated community called Paradise Found. Her interest extends to looking them up on social media and keeping extensive notes. Her own social life seems largely restricted to chatting to the guy next door while sitting outside their apartments in a so-so block in a low-quality area. And spending her evenings alone and drinking. She was once a high flying banker but her world fell apart five years ago when her husband and their two year old daughter, Sophie, disappeared; or died; or he died and the baby was stolen; or something else – for the mystery is what happened. In her waking moments Laurel is constantly on the lookout for Sophie, refusing to accept that she will never find her.
She becomes friendly with some of the people in Paradise Found, and more than friendly with Patrick, a famous writer. But the virus is spreading and people are becoming isolated. One of the couples leaves the community and their house is bought by Stan, who moves in with his wife and young daughter, aged seven. Laurel becomes convinced that she is Sophie.
In many ways this is a standard story arc, but there are interesting twist which stop it being predictable and, as we approach the ending, the gentle pace has become a gallop and the story is far from gentle. So, the answer to the question at the end of the first paragraph above is yes, not just because of the quality of the writing but also because the story is much more complex than it first appeared.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.
It is February 2020 and Laurel is the eponymous ‘courier’. Her job involves collecting packages from a central depot and delivering them to homes on a prescribed route in North East London. She enlivens her day by fantasising about the people she meets, especially the people who live in a gated community called Paradise Found. Her interest extends to looking them up on social media and keeping extensive notes. Her own social life seems largely restricted to chatting to the guy next door while sitting outside their apartments in a so-so block in a low-quality area. And spending her evenings alone and drinking. She was once a high flying banker but her world fell apart five years ago when her husband and their two year old daughter, Sophie, disappeared; or died; or he died and the baby was stolen; or something else – for the mystery is what happened. In her waking moments Laurel is constantly on the lookout for Sophie, refusing to accept that she will never find her.
She becomes friendly with some of the people in Paradise Found, and more than friendly with Patrick, a famous writer. But the virus is spreading and people are becoming isolated. One of the couples leaves the community and their house is bought by Stan, who moves in with his wife and young daughter, aged seven. Laurel becomes convinced that she is Sophie.
In many ways this is a standard story arc, but there are interesting twist which stop it being predictable and, as we approach the ending, the gentle pace has become a gallop and the story is far from gentle. So, the answer to the question at the end of the first paragraph above is yes, not just because of the quality of the writing but also because the story is much more complex than it first appeared.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.
January 14, 2025
I found this very interesting. We follow the life of our main character, Laurel, who works for Zippy, a London based delivery company.
Laurel's life is split into two sides. The past and the present. In the past, Laurel had it all, perfect husband, a daughter and a high flying career..
Unfortunately Laurel was selfish and wanted more, so she had an affair.
She clashes with her young daughter, mostly because she doesn't want children and her husband does. Sophie is two years old, spoilt and difficult, she prefers her Father who she gets a long with better. Laurel through out the book seems like a selfish Mother who puts no effort in and when she doesn't get love and cuddles and a relationship with her daughter she decides that having an affair is the next best thing.
Through out the book, we to and fro with the past and each chapter give more than the last. We see what Laurel really is, just another mother who should've took the emergency contraceptive pill. She makes it plain she adores her child but what Mother could have left her child in her car seat and abandoned her on the hottest day of the year.
Laurel in the present is a delivery driver, a decent job in lock down which kept keyworkers busy. Essential for brains that needed that sanity.
Patrick seemed nice but too nice. I didnt trust the fact that he slept with Laurel on the first date, always a no no in my book and also was getting her sloshed, that to me was a red flag. Waking up an not sure about having sex was also the next biggest red flag. The sister in law turning up looking for her sister at her brother in laws, red flag again.
There was enough flags to put Patrick on the map as a danger for me. I felt like I was screaming at Polly get away, get away and she did luckily.
Laurel is on self destruction mode, her drinking, her loss, her lies, shes being careful. I felt sorry for her until I got to the end, if she wanted her child back she would safe fought to have made it right.
In my eyes, the loss of custody of her child, her marriage, reputation and the life she used to have is punishment enough for me.
I think the author went one step too far with the Patrick story line. I really detest books that authors leave on a cliff hanger. You the author are the storyteller, leaving the story without a firm this or that is idle writing for me and is a bad way to end a show down.
Laurel's life is split into two sides. The past and the present. In the past, Laurel had it all, perfect husband, a daughter and a high flying career..
Unfortunately Laurel was selfish and wanted more, so she had an affair.
She clashes with her young daughter, mostly because she doesn't want children and her husband does. Sophie is two years old, spoilt and difficult, she prefers her Father who she gets a long with better. Laurel through out the book seems like a selfish Mother who puts no effort in and when she doesn't get love and cuddles and a relationship with her daughter she decides that having an affair is the next best thing.
Through out the book, we to and fro with the past and each chapter give more than the last. We see what Laurel really is, just another mother who should've took the emergency contraceptive pill. She makes it plain she adores her child but what Mother could have left her child in her car seat and abandoned her on the hottest day of the year.
Laurel in the present is a delivery driver, a decent job in lock down which kept keyworkers busy. Essential for brains that needed that sanity.
Patrick seemed nice but too nice. I didnt trust the fact that he slept with Laurel on the first date, always a no no in my book and also was getting her sloshed, that to me was a red flag. Waking up an not sure about having sex was also the next biggest red flag. The sister in law turning up looking for her sister at her brother in laws, red flag again.
There was enough flags to put Patrick on the map as a danger for me. I felt like I was screaming at Polly get away, get away and she did luckily.
Laurel is on self destruction mode, her drinking, her loss, her lies, shes being careful. I felt sorry for her until I got to the end, if she wanted her child back she would safe fought to have made it right.
In my eyes, the loss of custody of her child, her marriage, reputation and the life she used to have is punishment enough for me.
I think the author went one step too far with the Patrick story line. I really detest books that authors leave on a cliff hanger. You the author are the storyteller, leaving the story without a firm this or that is idle writing for me and is a bad way to end a show down.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 10, 2021
There is rarely a book that I read that I don't love or at least like. When I read the synopsis to this book I was under the impression that it was a mystery.
However, I have to say this book is not that. Not at all. (I hate spoilers but I'm making an exception for this book.) ...
This book gave me a bad case of anxiety. The reason I finished it is because I wanted to know if the ending was worth all of the extra angina I was having. It wasn't.
I respect the fact that someone put a lot of time, effort, and thought into this book. And sometimes you're just not going to enjoy a book.
I did like it at first but the farther in I went, it just became one big snarled mess of excuses, paranoia, irresponsibility, mental ineptitude, and well just a big giant bag of crazy.
I thought the characters were at least interesting and the writing was good. It's just that the story didn't do it for me. Especially not the ending. It just ends. It absolutely leaves you hanging and I have to admit that that is a huge pet peeve of mine.
Why do authors do that? Yes, the 'ending' is implied but my question is this... If the author cannot be bothered to put a proper ending then why as the reader should I invest my time to read it? Honestly, I feel angry and cheated.
I love reading and reviewing books to help out authors. It's one of my happy spots in life. So when I come to a book such as this I feel used. My time has been wasted that I could've read something else.
This was the first book for me by this author. I am not sure if I will read anymore of their works. I have a self imposed rule: any book that ends in a cliff hanger is an automatic delete and I don't read anymore of that author.
That may sound harsh but there are too many good authors out there who are actually interested in writing a complete book to waste time on someone who isn't interested in completely the story.
Now, in all fairness, if you don't mind cliff hangers and a bunch of psychotic crazy then this would be the book for you and in that case I would recommend it.
However, I have to say this book is not that. Not at all. (I hate spoilers but I'm making an exception for this book.) ...
This book gave me a bad case of anxiety. The reason I finished it is because I wanted to know if the ending was worth all of the extra angina I was having. It wasn't.
I respect the fact that someone put a lot of time, effort, and thought into this book. And sometimes you're just not going to enjoy a book.
I did like it at first but the farther in I went, it just became one big snarled mess of excuses, paranoia, irresponsibility, mental ineptitude, and well just a big giant bag of crazy.
I thought the characters were at least interesting and the writing was good. It's just that the story didn't do it for me. Especially not the ending. It just ends. It absolutely leaves you hanging and I have to admit that that is a huge pet peeve of mine.
Why do authors do that? Yes, the 'ending' is implied but my question is this... If the author cannot be bothered to put a proper ending then why as the reader should I invest my time to read it? Honestly, I feel angry and cheated.
I love reading and reviewing books to help out authors. It's one of my happy spots in life. So when I come to a book such as this I feel used. My time has been wasted that I could've read something else.
This was the first book for me by this author. I am not sure if I will read anymore of their works. I have a self imposed rule: any book that ends in a cliff hanger is an automatic delete and I don't read anymore of that author.
That may sound harsh but there are too many good authors out there who are actually interested in writing a complete book to waste time on someone who isn't interested in completely the story.
Now, in all fairness, if you don't mind cliff hangers and a bunch of psychotic crazy then this would be the book for you and in that case I would recommend it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 18, 2022
The Courier is one of those books that you find yourself invested but are raised questions the further one delves within the pages. Laurel Lovejoy once a prominent businesswoman now works for a courier service to escape the memories of the loss of her daughter who she believes was taken. Her marriage is over, human connection is at a nil and she is love with a quaint gated community that she delivers parcels to.
The characters are very interesting and love the community of the gated community and each neighbour has their own unique personality and mystery connected to them. Laurel does become a bit possessive and as we are hearing the story through her eyes, her behaviour is a bit alarming and unsettling. Whilst getting into the beginning of the story, she is quite annoying, but this all pans out in an explosive narrative that truly pays off and makes the beginning of the book make sense.
The plot is deeply disturbing but does not feel that way until the final third of the book when things get darker and more twisted. The ending will hit the reader from left field, but it does make sense and makes this a truly memorable. The book will stay with the reader long after they read the final paragraph and probably leave you with a what the hell???!!!
Overall, this is a excellent book that will burrow itself into the self-conscious long after finishing and though it started off in one direction and totally makes a left turn into a world that I was not expecting, I applaud this because what I thought was a run of the mill fiction became something truly unique. Holly Down has created a narrative and a story that will not be forgotten anytime soon. Truly recommend this.
The characters are very interesting and love the community of the gated community and each neighbour has their own unique personality and mystery connected to them. Laurel does become a bit possessive and as we are hearing the story through her eyes, her behaviour is a bit alarming and unsettling. Whilst getting into the beginning of the story, she is quite annoying, but this all pans out in an explosive narrative that truly pays off and makes the beginning of the book make sense.
The plot is deeply disturbing but does not feel that way until the final third of the book when things get darker and more twisted. The ending will hit the reader from left field, but it does make sense and makes this a truly memorable. The book will stay with the reader long after they read the final paragraph and probably leave you with a what the hell???!!!
Overall, this is a excellent book that will burrow itself into the self-conscious long after finishing and though it started off in one direction and totally makes a left turn into a world that I was not expecting, I applaud this because what I thought was a run of the mill fiction became something truly unique. Holly Down has created a narrative and a story that will not be forgotten anytime soon. Truly recommend this.
February 13, 2022
I've been an internet shopper for a long time but my internet shopping has grown over the last 2 years. And because I have been at home most of that time, I have come to recognise my regular delivery drivers. This book has now made me think about what those delivery drivers think they know about me and my life from the brief glimpses they have when they deliver to me, what they deliver to me, how frequently.
Laurel wasn't always a courier. She used to work in a high flying job, with her perfect family. Then things took a very serious wrong turn and Laurel's life is now very different. Delivering to one particular street holds a particular attraction for Laurel and gives her comfort. But as she becomes ever more attached to the street, is she getting closer to finding what she has lost or is she becoming more detached from reality?
I liked Laurel, and admittedly felt a bit sorry for how her life seemed to have turned out and the downward spiral she was on. I wanted her to have her happy ending, felt like she deserved it. But as we start to learn more about Laurel, there were points I did wonder if she did deserve a happy ending. I never thought she deserved to be miserable but that isn't the same as having a happy ending.
I won't spoil the ending but I will say it was unexpected, far from contrived but well suited to the whole story.
Laurel wasn't always a courier. She used to work in a high flying job, with her perfect family. Then things took a very serious wrong turn and Laurel's life is now very different. Delivering to one particular street holds a particular attraction for Laurel and gives her comfort. But as she becomes ever more attached to the street, is she getting closer to finding what she has lost or is she becoming more detached from reality?
I liked Laurel, and admittedly felt a bit sorry for how her life seemed to have turned out and the downward spiral she was on. I wanted her to have her happy ending, felt like she deserved it. But as we start to learn more about Laurel, there were points I did wonder if she did deserve a happy ending. I never thought she deserved to be miserable but that isn't the same as having a happy ending.
I won't spoil the ending but I will say it was unexpected, far from contrived but well suited to the whole story.
August 12, 2021
Paradise Found sounds idyllic. Courier Laurel Lovejoy is smitten with this cul-de-sac with its interesting residents. She was an executive, married and had a daughter but lost her family and job. So, she finds the ideal job which gives her a connection with people yet she has no colleagues to interact with. However, her connection becomes an obsession. She is not content with only delivering packages. She compulsively snoops and ingratiates and one day spots something which grabs her attention. The story is about her seeking companionship and belonging as she struggles to live without her daughter.
The Courier is chilling and unsettling...in a good way. One of my favourite aspects is the original premise and setting, very atmospheric and suspenseful. I had to know how it ended so read it in one sitting and was pleased. Cliff hangers are incredible if done well and it is here. Books which evoke emotions and questions are very engaging and memorable. I got pulled in and completely lost in it.
If you are intrigued by chilling and dark reads, this is for you. Thankfully there is no gore. There is adult language.
My sincere thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this immersive and tense book.
The Courier is chilling and unsettling...in a good way. One of my favourite aspects is the original premise and setting, very atmospheric and suspenseful. I had to know how it ended so read it in one sitting and was pleased. Cliff hangers are incredible if done well and it is here. Books which evoke emotions and questions are very engaging and memorable. I got pulled in and completely lost in it.
If you are intrigued by chilling and dark reads, this is for you. Thankfully there is no gore. There is adult language.
My sincere thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this immersive and tense book.
September 15, 2021
Another COVID-19 setting. This is probably the third one I’ve read thus far.
Laurel Lovejoy had a high paying job, a husband and a daughter - and then she lost all of it. She becomes a courier and develops an obsession towards the residents of Paradise Found.
In all honesty, Laurel wasn’t all that likable - the story was more than enough to keep me going so I could overlook her personality.
Interesting premise though, from the first chapter you read about the different homeowners she delivers and she easily gives you a brief description of what they’re like.
It really made me a little bit paranoid - am I being watched or judged for my purchases?
Does this really happen???
How much do couriers really know about us???
The blurb sort of lead me to believe one thing and then the conclusion ended up being another - from a very original concept the novel seemed to have settled for a familiar trope. The ending brought an unexpected twist - a little bit left field so it was a bit of a thrill if you enjoy that sort of thing.
It was a good enough read. Interesting and a bit surprising!
My sincerest thanks to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for my ARC!
Available on September 30, 2021!
Laurel Lovejoy had a high paying job, a husband and a daughter - and then she lost all of it. She becomes a courier and develops an obsession towards the residents of Paradise Found.
In all honesty, Laurel wasn’t all that likable - the story was more than enough to keep me going so I could overlook her personality.
Interesting premise though, from the first chapter you read about the different homeowners she delivers and she easily gives you a brief description of what they’re like.
It really made me a little bit paranoid - am I being watched or judged for my purchases?
Does this really happen???
How much do couriers really know about us???
The blurb sort of lead me to believe one thing and then the conclusion ended up being another - from a very original concept the novel seemed to have settled for a familiar trope. The ending brought an unexpected twist - a little bit left field so it was a bit of a thrill if you enjoy that sort of thing.
It was a good enough read. Interesting and a bit surprising!
My sincerest thanks to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for my ARC!
Available on September 30, 2021!
June 15, 2021
Laurel Lovejoy had it all - a high powered job, loving husband and beautiful daughter. Now, five years later, she lives alone in a dingy flat, working for a courier service delivering parcels. She likes her new job as it lets her be invisible and she sees more than everyone realises. Her favourite place to deliver to is the exclusive gated Paradise Found. She even enjoys visiting the street during her time off, watching the residents and trying to find out more about them. Other than her job, it's the only thing she has to occupy her time. Laurel feels herself get closer to some of the residents, and then she sees something that blows her whole world apart and may have devastating consequences for those involved...
A brilliant, well-written thriller that keeps you turning the pages to find out what will happen. There are an interesting set of characters and the story has some shocking twists and turns. I like how it takes place as the Covid pandemic is just starting, making it more relatable to the reader. Very much recommended.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of the book in return for my honest feedback.
A brilliant, well-written thriller that keeps you turning the pages to find out what will happen. There are an interesting set of characters and the story has some shocking twists and turns. I like how it takes place as the Covid pandemic is just starting, making it more relatable to the reader. Very much recommended.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of the book in return for my honest feedback.
August 3, 2021
“The Courier’ is a fantastic read, twisty and dark in all the right places! You are never sure exactly what is going, but in the very best way that just makes you want to keep turning those pages!
The plot is told from the perspective of Laurel, it is very much her story. She is a courier, living a sad and lonely life. We learn that she fell from grace some five years previously, once being a highly successful married executive and mother to 2 year old, Sophie. We learn she is obsessively looking for her daughter, and appears to be using her job as a courier to facilitate this search. We are never sure exactly what happened to her daughter (this is revealed later), and we are not sure what is pulling her to obsess over 'Paradise Found' on her delivery runs.
This book is set at the start of Covid 19 so takes in the introduction of Lockdown - I loved this, as it makes it instantly relatable and relevant.
This book is SO well written, on this basis of this book, I am eagerly anticipating the next novel by Holly Down!
My thanks to NetGalley, author and publisher for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review.
The plot is told from the perspective of Laurel, it is very much her story. She is a courier, living a sad and lonely life. We learn that she fell from grace some five years previously, once being a highly successful married executive and mother to 2 year old, Sophie. We learn she is obsessively looking for her daughter, and appears to be using her job as a courier to facilitate this search. We are never sure exactly what happened to her daughter (this is revealed later), and we are not sure what is pulling her to obsess over 'Paradise Found' on her delivery runs.
This book is set at the start of Covid 19 so takes in the introduction of Lockdown - I loved this, as it makes it instantly relatable and relevant.
This book is SO well written, on this basis of this book, I am eagerly anticipating the next novel by Holly Down!
My thanks to NetGalley, author and publisher for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 7, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
In this book, we meet Laurel. Laurel lives in London and works as a delivery driver for Zippi, a relatively new courier company. Laurel seems to enjoy her job, and is really inquisitive over the people she delivers to, especially the residents of Paradise Found, which is a gated community. She has notebooks where she notes down things she knows about the residents, and she seems to be “infatuated” with one particular resident called Patrick. Then the virus hit, and Laurel then starts to have to take pictures of the parcel being delivered rather than get a signature to minimise any contact. One day, she is sure she sees “something happen”.
Laurel wasn’t a brilliant character, she drank way too much, and behaved quite bizarrely for a courier. She wanted the residents to all know her name, and she felt like an extended member of their families. I didn’t relate to her in any way at all. The other characters were ok, but none seemed to realise that Laurel needed help, help mentally and with the excessive drinking.
The book had a really twisty, clever ending, which made the rest of the book worthwhile.
In this book, we meet Laurel. Laurel lives in London and works as a delivery driver for Zippi, a relatively new courier company. Laurel seems to enjoy her job, and is really inquisitive over the people she delivers to, especially the residents of Paradise Found, which is a gated community. She has notebooks where she notes down things she knows about the residents, and she seems to be “infatuated” with one particular resident called Patrick. Then the virus hit, and Laurel then starts to have to take pictures of the parcel being delivered rather than get a signature to minimise any contact. One day, she is sure she sees “something happen”.
Laurel wasn’t a brilliant character, she drank way too much, and behaved quite bizarrely for a courier. She wanted the residents to all know her name, and she felt like an extended member of their families. I didn’t relate to her in any way at all. The other characters were ok, but none seemed to realise that Laurel needed help, help mentally and with the excessive drinking.
The book had a really twisty, clever ending, which made the rest of the book worthwhile.
September 7, 2021
OK....I am having mixed feelings about the book.
Five years ago, Laurel had a steady, high paid job. But an incident changed Laurel's life--she lost both her husband and her daughter and now, she is working as a delivery person in a firm called Zippi. She then gets a chance to deliver parcels in a wealthy neighborhood and meets a man named Patrick. Then the story starts from here.
I feel there are more negative things about this book than positive things. Too much of repetition which seemed unnecessary to me in some parts, making this book boring and repetitive. The characters were flawed and I didn't really like Laurel's character much. Though there were some twists and turns, that were in most unexpected, the ending left me a bit confused. I thought, in my opinion, the ending was a bit sloppy, as if the author hurriedly finished off the book with this abrupt ending.
I feel in my opinion the plot was good. But the too much repetition of words made the whole story a bit boring with a sloppy ending made me not enjoy this book much. Worth only 2.5 stars.
Thank you Netgalley and Hodder for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.
Five years ago, Laurel had a steady, high paid job. But an incident changed Laurel's life--she lost both her husband and her daughter and now, she is working as a delivery person in a firm called Zippi. She then gets a chance to deliver parcels in a wealthy neighborhood and meets a man named Patrick. Then the story starts from here.
I feel there are more negative things about this book than positive things. Too much of repetition which seemed unnecessary to me in some parts, making this book boring and repetitive. The characters were flawed and I didn't really like Laurel's character much. Though there were some twists and turns, that were in most unexpected, the ending left me a bit confused. I thought, in my opinion, the ending was a bit sloppy, as if the author hurriedly finished off the book with this abrupt ending.
I feel in my opinion the plot was good. But the too much repetition of words made the whole story a bit boring with a sloppy ending made me not enjoy this book much. Worth only 2.5 stars.
Thank you Netgalley and Hodder for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.
September 15, 2021
Another COVID-19 setting. This is probably the third one I’ve read thus far.
Laurel Lovejoy had a high paying job, a husband and a daughter - and then she lost all of it. She becomes a courier and develops an obsession towards the residents of Paradise Found.
In all honesty, Laurel wasn’t all that likable.
Interesting premise though, from the first chapter you read about the different homeowners she delivers and she easily gives you a brief description of what they’re like.
It really made me a little bit paranoid - am I being watched or judged for my purchases?
Does this really happen???
How much do couriers really know about us???
The blurb sort of lead me to believe one thing and then the conclusion ended up being another - from a very original concept the novel seemed to have settled for a familiar trope. The ending brought an unexpected twist - a little bit left field so it was a bit of a thrill if you enjoy that sort of thing.
It was a good enough read. Interesting and a bit surprising!
My sincerest thanks to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for my ARC!
Available on September 30, 2021!
Laurel Lovejoy had a high paying job, a husband and a daughter - and then she lost all of it. She becomes a courier and develops an obsession towards the residents of Paradise Found.
In all honesty, Laurel wasn’t all that likable.
Interesting premise though, from the first chapter you read about the different homeowners she delivers and she easily gives you a brief description of what they’re like.
It really made me a little bit paranoid - am I being watched or judged for my purchases?
Does this really happen???
How much do couriers really know about us???
The blurb sort of lead me to believe one thing and then the conclusion ended up being another - from a very original concept the novel seemed to have settled for a familiar trope. The ending brought an unexpected twist - a little bit left field so it was a bit of a thrill if you enjoy that sort of thing.
It was a good enough read. Interesting and a bit surprising!
My sincerest thanks to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for my ARC!
Available on September 30, 2021!
July 21, 2022
This book started off really well, not giving much of the back story away to keep you intrigued. I like that the books keeps providing snippets of information so thay you find out more as you go through rather than all in one go. The main character wasn't to my liking and quickly becomes annoying, the character obviously has a tragic incident in her past which has lead her to drink but the constant emphasis on the drinking just gets tedious and this type of character is now quite over written. It would have been nice to see her try and better herself and have some character development. She also stalks a group of people living in a small community which comes across a bit weird. As their courier she is not part of the community, but constantly finds ways to be there. The blurb of the books states that she seems something, which makes it sound dramatic but its not. There are some good twists right near the end and it really pulled you in and made you want to know what happened, it's just a shame that the rest of the book doesnt have the same pace, and doesn't live up to the hype given to the book, which therefore brings the book down.
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