Posted on Les Romantiques - Le forum du site
Reviewed by Fabiola
Review Copy from the Publisher
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Afraid is an anthology made of three unpublished stories written by Lisa Jackson, Alexandra Ivy and Lisa Childs. I know these authors, of course, but as much as I love Alexandra Ivy, I’ve never read (or once a long time ago) the two others.
We could say I was discovering them with this anthology and after my reading, as much as I will go on with Alexandra, I won’t read books by the two others.
The 3 novellas are connected by the heroines who at one time in their life went together in the same institution, St Cecilia’s school, a girls’ school in Austria. It’s a super select establishment where only rich families and celebrities who can afford it send their daughters.
Retribution – Lucy’s story – written by Lisa Jackson.
Lucy is the daughter of a famous actress. She was sent at the school very young after witnessing an attempt murder on her mother. Her testimonial sent Ray Watkins, then her mother’s boyfriend, in prison. He never forgave Lucy and vowed to get revenge. When the novella begins, Lucy is on the run with her daughter because Ray has been released. While she’s hiding, her ex-husband, Ian, her daughter’s father, is looking for her. Between the memories coming back to her, the feelings still there for her ex-husband, and the threat on her, Lucy is going to live difficult moments. I didn’t like this novella at all, whether it is the characters, the heroes, or the secondary characters, one shadier than the other. At the end of the story, the suspense is solved and we have huge surprises.
Ghosts – Rayne’s story – written by Alexandra Ivy.
Rayne Taylor was roommate and friend of Natalie Scantlin, a boarder who suicided on graduation day. When her story begins, some time after the previous novella, she decides to pick up some stuff Lucy sent her that were stored in her mother’s attic. In the box, she finds a note that makes her question the circumstances of her friend’s death. She decides to contact Niko, Natalie’s brother, and after some incidents, they join forces in order to find answers to her questions. Niko and Rayne had met shortly before Natalie’s suicide, and the attraction had been immediate. However they hadn’t seen each other after the tragedy. While they’re investigating, of course their attraction returns. It’s the only novella where there’s a clear love story (at the same time it’s Alexandra and for her it’s an important element in her books, I hope it will still be!). The suspense is well done and just like for the previous story, we have surprises. It’s the only story I liked even if it isn’t the one I prefer from the author.
Alone – Erin’s story – written by Lisa Childs.
Erin McDonald was sent to the institution after being the only survivor when her sister and she were kidnapped. Her sister’s body was never found.
Alone is a very strange novella and it’s very difficult to say more about it without spoiler while trying not to confuse those who’ll read my review. I���ll just say two things:
1 - Erin’s sister was a famous model when she disappeared. She was then 14 years old. Nobody got over this tragedy and through the years, reporters said they took pictures of her at different places.
2 – The heroine doesn’t remember at all what happened this night, so she doesn’t know if her sister is dead or alive.
The novella begins when Erin comes back at her father’s home for his funeral. After the discovery of a body, the investigation is reopened and incidents against the heroine occur.
I didn’t like the characters in this novella, whether that is the heroine, the hero or the different important secondary characters. However, clearly, once again we have surprises concerning the resolution of the suspense.
The novella ends with an epilogue 10 years later in which Erin organizes a party to which Lucy, Rayne and their respective families are invited.
To conclude, this anthology can perhaps please fans of thrillers. As for me, I didn’t like it and my best rating goes to Alexandra Ivy’s story.