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Gloria: A tale of suspense and self-discovery
She just needed to get through this one night, and then she could leave. Forever. For all intents and purposes, Gloria Harrison has the perfect a rich husband, a beautiful home, and all the free time she needs to work on her art. And yet, she is deeply unhappy. Initially resigned to be pushed around by her snobbish, manipulative husband, Greg, she discovers a shocking truth about him she simply cannot ignore, and has to get out.
As Gloria’s world unravels around her, she has to team up with friends new and old to escape not only her husband’s clutches, but also the country, even if that means giving up everything.
Gloria must rediscover who she used to be and realise her true worth to finally free herself from Greg’s stranglehold forever, or risk losing the person she holds most dear in the world – her daughter.
Gloria is a poignant, tense and surprising contemporary thriller guaranteed to grip you from start to finish. Grab your copy now!
As Gloria’s world unravels around her, she has to team up with friends new and old to escape not only her husband’s clutches, but also the country, even if that means giving up everything.
Gloria must rediscover who she used to be and realise her true worth to finally free herself from Greg’s stranglehold forever, or risk losing the person she holds most dear in the world – her daughter.
Gloria is a poignant, tense and surprising contemporary thriller guaranteed to grip you from start to finish. Grab your copy now!
- GenresThriller
175 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 8, 2021
1 person is currently reading
36 people want to read
About the author
Katherine Shaw
11 books13 followersKatherine Shaw is a multi-genre writer and self-confessed nerd from Yorkshire in the United Kingdom, spending most of her time dreaming up new characters or playing D&D. She has a passion for telling stories of injustice and battles against oppression, often with a focus on female protagonists.
You can find out more about Katherine at her website (www.katherineshawwrites.com), where you can also sign up to her Mail Club to receive exclusive news and updates.
You can find out more about Katherine at her website (www.katherineshawwrites.com), where you can also sign up to her Mail Club to receive exclusive news and updates.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
April 20, 2023
From the moment I picked it up, I didn’t want to put Gloria down. The author really took care to highlight how subtle manipulation and abuse can sometimes be at the beginning of this story, to a point where the MC doesn’t realise she’s a victim at first — one of the things I was most impressed with. On the surface, Gloria doesn’t have a terrible life, but it soon becomes clear she has lost her independence with a controlling, narcissistic partner, which already gives her a complexity that I’m sure a lot of people, particularly women, can relate to.
The suspense quickly turns to thriller when Gloria discovers that her marriage is built on lies, and Greg’s secret felt like a really unique and intriguing one to me - it gave me Orphan Black vibes, an aspect that kept me turning page after page as she uncovered her husband’s schemes and betrayals.
I particularly loved the way the character grows stronger as the plot develops - she relies on a lot of people to help her through at the beginning, which is such an authentic way of representing signs of emotional abuse. Gloria’s character was muddied a little bit for me by the relationship she has with her daughter, and I must admit, I was hoping for a little bit more work to be put in to her fixing things after the climax. It was understandable why Gloria was a little bit absent with Iris but my inner child got a little bit angry with the poor parenting. However, the found family themes were a great addition to the plot, and I adored the side characters and their willingness to help.
All in all, this is an intense story with all the makings of a great thriller, including plot twists, fast-paced storytelling, a strong protagonist who really comes into her own, and a nail-biting climax. From friendship to romance to suspense, there’s something in this story for everyone. The only reasons I rated this four stars rather than five was because the resolution mostly relied on the drama and not the healing that begins afterwards. I wanted a nice little “we’re all safe again!” scene before the closing one I think. Plus sometimes I wanted to shake Gloria, as her reactions to the main conflict flitted between understandably dramatic to quite blasé, especially when it came to introducing the love interests. I also think she could have been more layered in that sense, especially knowing she has a gritty back story.
Still, it was great to see a northern lass come out fighting, and I’d recommend this for anyone looking to dive into something new and exciting!
The suspense quickly turns to thriller when Gloria discovers that her marriage is built on lies, and Greg’s secret felt like a really unique and intriguing one to me - it gave me Orphan Black vibes, an aspect that kept me turning page after page as she uncovered her husband’s schemes and betrayals.
I particularly loved the way the character grows stronger as the plot develops - she relies on a lot of people to help her through at the beginning, which is such an authentic way of representing signs of emotional abuse. Gloria’s character was muddied a little bit for me by the relationship she has with her daughter, and I must admit, I was hoping for a little bit more work to be put in to her fixing things after the climax. It was understandable why Gloria was a little bit absent with Iris but my inner child got a little bit angry with the poor parenting. However, the found family themes were a great addition to the plot, and I adored the side characters and their willingness to help.
All in all, this is an intense story with all the makings of a great thriller, including plot twists, fast-paced storytelling, a strong protagonist who really comes into her own, and a nail-biting climax. From friendship to romance to suspense, there’s something in this story for everyone. The only reasons I rated this four stars rather than five was because the resolution mostly relied on the drama and not the healing that begins afterwards. I wanted a nice little “we’re all safe again!” scene before the closing one I think. Plus sometimes I wanted to shake Gloria, as her reactions to the main conflict flitted between understandably dramatic to quite blasé, especially when it came to introducing the love interests. I also think she could have been more layered in that sense, especially knowing she has a gritty back story.
Still, it was great to see a northern lass come out fighting, and I’d recommend this for anyone looking to dive into something new and exciting!
February 4, 2024
Gloria isn't my usual type of read, which makes it even more exciting that I found it such a gripping and memorable debut that touches on many important issues all whilst spinning an exciting edge-of-your-seat narrative that made it hard to stop turning the pages.
Right from the start, Gloria paints a picture of domestic unease. It's an image that quickly moves from blurry watercolour to vivid lines of control and coercion under a brittle veneer of affection. The depiction of Greg is haunting. The way he plants seeds of doubt in Gloria and tends them attentively from sprouts to fully bloomed things of dread and shame to control her are extremely uncomfortable and illustrate nuances of emotional, psychological, and financial abuse not frequently seen in stories. Things shift from there to an absolutely 'wait, what the fuck?' reveal that had me completely sucked in. As everything collapses from there, we get fast paced chapters that thrum with tension and anxiety like a heartbeat. Gloria makes for a brilliant hero as she breaks away and begins to pull back together the parts of who she is, just in time to overcome the dangerous return of her desperate ex that threatens not only her, but her daughter.
The writing brilliantly captures everything from claustrophobic panic of being trapped in an abusive relationship to the satisfying journey of rediscovery of power and reclamation of freedom and autonomy. It definitely gives a vibe intense British miniseries tv show that would have everyone talking about it the next day at work as each part unfolds.
Right from the start, Gloria paints a picture of domestic unease. It's an image that quickly moves from blurry watercolour to vivid lines of control and coercion under a brittle veneer of affection. The depiction of Greg is haunting. The way he plants seeds of doubt in Gloria and tends them attentively from sprouts to fully bloomed things of dread and shame to control her are extremely uncomfortable and illustrate nuances of emotional, psychological, and financial abuse not frequently seen in stories. Things shift from there to an absolutely 'wait, what the fuck?' reveal that had me completely sucked in. As everything collapses from there, we get fast paced chapters that thrum with tension and anxiety like a heartbeat. Gloria makes for a brilliant hero as she breaks away and begins to pull back together the parts of who she is, just in time to overcome the dangerous return of her desperate ex that threatens not only her, but her daughter.
The writing brilliantly captures everything from claustrophobic panic of being trapped in an abusive relationship to the satisfying journey of rediscovery of power and reclamation of freedom and autonomy. It definitely gives a vibe intense British miniseries tv show that would have everyone talking about it the next day at work as each part unfolds.
September 15, 2021
I really enjoyed this book.
It's more interesting, I think, than many suspense/thriller stories because of its focus on its main character's growth (sure, that happens in all good books, but something about the way it's done here really resonates) and because of a bit of a twist that puts it into very slight speculative territory. It never becomes a sci-fi book, though; it's more just that there's a science-adjacent motivation that informs the antagonist's reasons for chasing Gloria and bolsters her resolve to escape.
I thought it was well-written throughout; the prose feels of a really high standard and professional quality. It's not a long book, and when the end came I found myself wishing we'd spent a little more time with some of the characters (there's one major character introduced in probably the last 20%, and having known about them earlier might've made their appearance feel more significant), but I think the pacing is spot-on for keeping the tension right up while giving just enough breathing space.
It's more interesting, I think, than many suspense/thriller stories because of its focus on its main character's growth (sure, that happens in all good books, but something about the way it's done here really resonates) and because of a bit of a twist that puts it into very slight speculative territory. It never becomes a sci-fi book, though; it's more just that there's a science-adjacent motivation that informs the antagonist's reasons for chasing Gloria and bolsters her resolve to escape.
I thought it was well-written throughout; the prose feels of a really high standard and professional quality. It's not a long book, and when the end came I found myself wishing we'd spent a little more time with some of the characters (there's one major character introduced in probably the last 20%, and having known about them earlier might've made their appearance feel more significant), but I think the pacing is spot-on for keeping the tension right up while giving just enough breathing space.
January 17, 2023
One word: wow!
I made a vow to myself to read more books from fellow indie authors in the writing community last year. 2023 really couldn't have got off to a more perfect start with Katherine's page turning thriller.
The titular Gloria is a talented artist, but her husband reveals an abusive nature from the start in discouraging her talent and putting her down at every opportunity.
But where this book differs from other similar premises is in its execution. This is no simple tale of domestic abuse.
The essence of any good thriller is to get the reader to want more. One of the most effective ways of doing that is to end each chapter (or most of them anyway) on a cliffhanger. Throw that into a gripping storyline and you'll easily fly through this in a day or two, just like I did!
I made a vow to myself to read more books from fellow indie authors in the writing community last year. 2023 really couldn't have got off to a more perfect start with Katherine's page turning thriller.
The titular Gloria is a talented artist, but her husband reveals an abusive nature from the start in discouraging her talent and putting her down at every opportunity.
But where this book differs from other similar premises is in its execution. This is no simple tale of domestic abuse.
The essence of any good thriller is to get the reader to want more. One of the most effective ways of doing that is to end each chapter (or most of them anyway) on a cliffhanger. Throw that into a gripping storyline and you'll easily fly through this in a day or two, just like I did!
October 30, 2022
I would come back later on, probably, and write something more, but for now, I just have to put some thoughts down.
The plot is not perfect, and there are some things that work only if you want them to work. You have to spend your disbelief for a bit, here, or you would probably roll your eyes and be done with the story. But the suspense part was amazing. The author builds it up perfectly and gives you a book that would keep you on the edge of your seat for all of it!
It starts really slow, and you know that there is something that is not quite right, but it is so hard to pinpoint what it is, because it is just a vibe, a thing that you glimpse from dialogues but that you can't see at all. And then, slowly. you start to see it, and it reaches a point in which it all escalates and it starts getting worse and worse. And it is done so well!
We have a villain here that is so well-developed! It is so easy to despise him, sure, but he is scary as hell because he is (sadly) real.
But the title of the book delivers fully, because it is yes a story of suspense, but it is also a self-discovery one and Gloria cover a lot of miles on this road.
The plot is not perfect, and there are some things that work only if you want them to work. You have to spend your disbelief for a bit, here, or you would probably roll your eyes and be done with the story. But the suspense part was amazing. The author builds it up perfectly and gives you a book that would keep you on the edge of your seat for all of it!
It starts really slow, and you know that there is something that is not quite right, but it is so hard to pinpoint what it is, because it is just a vibe, a thing that you glimpse from dialogues but that you can't see at all. And then, slowly. you start to see it, and it reaches a point in which it all escalates and it starts getting worse and worse. And it is done so well!
We have a villain here that is so well-developed! It is so easy to despise him, sure, but he is scary as hell because he is (sadly) real.
But the title of the book delivers fully, because it is yes a story of suspense, but it is also a self-discovery one and Gloria cover a lot of miles on this road.
August 12, 2021
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Picked up while she was down, Greg seemed like a dream come true for Gloria. He kept her safe, fed, and even let her live her dream of being an artist. She had her own studio and her freedom, and had all the luxuries she could ever dream for. Where she was from, even something as simple as hot water was a treat.
But it was not as perfect as it seemed.
Gloria was a housewife doing her favourite thing in the world, but still only considered her painting a hobby. To Greg, Gloria was a possession that was too stupid to think for herself and, to avoid any spoilers, had a much darker secret just beneath the surface. Once this secret is uncovered, Gloria needs to get out before it’s too late.
Well, this was one Hell of a ride. A thriller full of self-discovery, and something that hits close to home in subtle ways for me.
I was given a bit of a vague blurb before reading this book, and thus had an idea of what to expect. From the very beginning we see the underlying problems in the relationship, and the mental abuse of Greg. Gloria never felt ‘at home’ in their marriage and it becomes very clear why. However, between her childhood and damage over time, she likely became desensitized to a lot of the negativity.
Now everyone would catch on fairly early that the relationship was bad, but the big twist that comes around? It does seem believable and realistic, and you’d never see it coming. But not only is Gloria at risk, her daughter living with her ex is as well. It wasn’t only getting out and keeping herself safe, but getting to her daughter and keeping her safe as well. This takes all the fears someone might have in an abusive relationship and makes for one messed up, realistic and scary villain.
Some of the events in the book felt expected and cliche, while others felt a little more far-fetched and highly unlikely. There were also bits that were a little more confusing, but perhaps that played on the fact Gloria was stressed and confused? We all do strange things when anxiety gets high, I suppose. Still, some of the occurrences in the book made me either confused or made me go back questioning whether I had missed something, or misunderstood something else.
Overall, I give this great story a 3.5 out of 5 stars. Can’t wait to read more from this author!
Picked up while she was down, Greg seemed like a dream come true for Gloria. He kept her safe, fed, and even let her live her dream of being an artist. She had her own studio and her freedom, and had all the luxuries she could ever dream for. Where she was from, even something as simple as hot water was a treat.
But it was not as perfect as it seemed.
Gloria was a housewife doing her favourite thing in the world, but still only considered her painting a hobby. To Greg, Gloria was a possession that was too stupid to think for herself and, to avoid any spoilers, had a much darker secret just beneath the surface. Once this secret is uncovered, Gloria needs to get out before it’s too late.
Well, this was one Hell of a ride. A thriller full of self-discovery, and something that hits close to home in subtle ways for me.
I was given a bit of a vague blurb before reading this book, and thus had an idea of what to expect. From the very beginning we see the underlying problems in the relationship, and the mental abuse of Greg. Gloria never felt ‘at home’ in their marriage and it becomes very clear why. However, between her childhood and damage over time, she likely became desensitized to a lot of the negativity.
Now everyone would catch on fairly early that the relationship was bad, but the big twist that comes around? It does seem believable and realistic, and you’d never see it coming. But not only is Gloria at risk, her daughter living with her ex is as well. It wasn’t only getting out and keeping herself safe, but getting to her daughter and keeping her safe as well. This takes all the fears someone might have in an abusive relationship and makes for one messed up, realistic and scary villain.
Some of the events in the book felt expected and cliche, while others felt a little more far-fetched and highly unlikely. There were also bits that were a little more confusing, but perhaps that played on the fact Gloria was stressed and confused? We all do strange things when anxiety gets high, I suppose. Still, some of the occurrences in the book made me either confused or made me go back questioning whether I had missed something, or misunderstood something else.
Overall, I give this great story a 3.5 out of 5 stars. Can’t wait to read more from this author!
July 5, 2022
A great thriller with an relatable character at its heart. I was rooting for Gloria all the way and Shaw does a great job of keeping the tension up, to the point where I was legit anxious reading this at times.
I also loved the character exploration aspect of this book. It was interesting to learn more about Gloria as the book progressed, and how she had ended up in this situation, and then watch her slowly build in confidence.
My one small gripe is that I never fully understood Greg's plan. To me, it felt there was surely an easier, less elaborate, way of achieving what he wanted. I suspect the answer though might just be 'he did it because he's an evil controlling b******' - which yeah, unfortunately plausible...
Overall, a great read that definetely delivers on it subtitle of suspense and self-discovery.
I also loved the character exploration aspect of this book. It was interesting to learn more about Gloria as the book progressed, and how she had ended up in this situation, and then watch her slowly build in confidence.
My one small gripe is that I never fully understood Greg's plan. To me, it felt there was surely an easier, less elaborate, way of achieving what he wanted. I suspect the answer though might just be 'he did it because he's an evil controlling b******' - which yeah, unfortunately plausible...
Overall, a great read that definetely delivers on it subtitle of suspense and self-discovery.
September 27, 2021
I read this in one sitting. I found it to be a well written and gripping read.
Looking in it seems as if Greg and Gloria has the perfect marriage. When she finds out his secret she needs to escape and will do what she can to succeed.
This was a great thriller. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Some bits were a bit far fetched for me but then again that’s why I read fiction. Would definitely read more from this author in the future.
Looking in it seems as if Greg and Gloria has the perfect marriage. When she finds out his secret she needs to escape and will do what she can to succeed.
This was a great thriller. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Some bits were a bit far fetched for me but then again that’s why I read fiction. Would definitely read more from this author in the future.
April 25, 2024
A brilliant domestic/psychological thriller all about self discovery and escaping abuse.
My only small niggle was the reason why Gloria was being trapped in her marriage by Greg but other than that, this book is brilliant.
I couldn't put it down! I read it in 2 days in 2 sittings because the writing is so addictive, the pace is fast and I was just absorbed into Gloria's world and rooting for her from the start.
As for Greg, I could have easier seen him suffer a lot more than he did and not feel bad 🤣
If you're a fan of domestic thrillers and psychological thrillers then pick this up. You won't regret it.
My only small niggle was the reason why Gloria was being trapped in her marriage by Greg but other than that, this book is brilliant.
I couldn't put it down! I read it in 2 days in 2 sittings because the writing is so addictive, the pace is fast and I was just absorbed into Gloria's world and rooting for her from the start.
As for Greg, I could have easier seen him suffer a lot more than he did and not feel bad 🤣
If you're a fan of domestic thrillers and psychological thrillers then pick this up. You won't regret it.
October 6, 2021
Gloria: A tale of suspense and self-discovery by Katherine Shaw is a contemporary thriller that by the synopsis sounded just my type of story. I was rather looking forward to starting this story. Let's have a look at what the tempting synopsis says.
For all intents and purposes, Gloria Harrison has the perfect life: a rich husband, a beautiful home, and all the free time she needs to work on her art. And yet, she is deeply unhappy. Initially resigned to be pushed around by her snobbish, manipulative husband, Greg, she discovers a shocking truth about him she simply cannot ignore, and has to get out.
As Gloria’s world unravels around her, she has to team up with friends new and old to escape not only her husband’s clutches, but also the country, even if that means giving up everything.
Gloria must rediscover who she used to be and realise her true worth to finally free herself from Greg’s stranglehold forever, or risk losing the person she holds most dear in the world – her daughter.
A book, that once I started it I struggled to put my kindle down. Gloria looks like she has it all, but behind closed doors it's a different story. I didn't trust or like Greg, her husband, a horrible man and I expected him to be being unfaithful or something similar. This is a perfect book that just proves that you should always expect the unexpected. The twist in the tale is exactly that...unexpected!
As Gloria discovers Greg's secret she needs to get out before it's too late and she no longer can. It isn't just her that will be at risk if she doesn't get out, her daughter who lives with her dad is as well. This makes for an unnerving read, it takes an abusive relationship and snowballs everything so you realise just how dangerous Greg is.
As the story develops we see Gloria is a damaged woman, between Greg and her childhood, she has normalised the negative behaviour she is used to.
This is a thriller brimming in self-discovery and it makes for a truly immersive read for me. I could relate to parts of this story and that really touched me.
The suspense and drama in the book along with the shocking twists from the characters makes for a highly recommended thriller.
Thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and Arteminion Books for the copy of the book.
For all intents and purposes, Gloria Harrison has the perfect life: a rich husband, a beautiful home, and all the free time she needs to work on her art. And yet, she is deeply unhappy. Initially resigned to be pushed around by her snobbish, manipulative husband, Greg, she discovers a shocking truth about him she simply cannot ignore, and has to get out.
As Gloria’s world unravels around her, she has to team up with friends new and old to escape not only her husband’s clutches, but also the country, even if that means giving up everything.
Gloria must rediscover who she used to be and realise her true worth to finally free herself from Greg’s stranglehold forever, or risk losing the person she holds most dear in the world – her daughter.
A book, that once I started it I struggled to put my kindle down. Gloria looks like she has it all, but behind closed doors it's a different story. I didn't trust or like Greg, her husband, a horrible man and I expected him to be being unfaithful or something similar. This is a perfect book that just proves that you should always expect the unexpected. The twist in the tale is exactly that...unexpected!
As Gloria discovers Greg's secret she needs to get out before it's too late and she no longer can. It isn't just her that will be at risk if she doesn't get out, her daughter who lives with her dad is as well. This makes for an unnerving read, it takes an abusive relationship and snowballs everything so you realise just how dangerous Greg is.
As the story develops we see Gloria is a damaged woman, between Greg and her childhood, she has normalised the negative behaviour she is used to.
This is a thriller brimming in self-discovery and it makes for a truly immersive read for me. I could relate to parts of this story and that really touched me.
The suspense and drama in the book along with the shocking twists from the characters makes for a highly recommended thriller.
Thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and Arteminion Books for the copy of the book.
September 30, 2021
BOOK TOUR REVIEW
This is a gripping thriller that I struggled to put down. Katherine Shaw is a new author to me, so I didn’t have expectations regarding this book. However, I was well and truly absorbed into Gloria and Greg’s story from the first few chapters and this is written really well.
Due to the sensitive issues in this book, some readers may find this upsetting, and it is advised that you do your research before picking this up. Despite this, Katherine creates Gloria with depth and some readers may actually find themselves relating to her and her situation. The underlining subject of abuse, is handled with the fragility it warrants. This author should be commended for this.
The plot developed well and the only reason why this is not a five star read for me, is because some parts are rather predictable. However, this is recommended for anyone who likes to read “a tale of suspense and self-discovery!”
Thank you Rachel’s Random Resources for a gifted copy of this book in exchange for a honest and voluntary review.
This is a gripping thriller that I struggled to put down. Katherine Shaw is a new author to me, so I didn’t have expectations regarding this book. However, I was well and truly absorbed into Gloria and Greg’s story from the first few chapters and this is written really well.
Due to the sensitive issues in this book, some readers may find this upsetting, and it is advised that you do your research before picking this up. Despite this, Katherine creates Gloria with depth and some readers may actually find themselves relating to her and her situation. The underlining subject of abuse, is handled with the fragility it warrants. This author should be commended for this.
The plot developed well and the only reason why this is not a five star read for me, is because some parts are rather predictable. However, this is recommended for anyone who likes to read “a tale of suspense and self-discovery!”
Thank you Rachel’s Random Resources for a gifted copy of this book in exchange for a honest and voluntary review.
May 10, 2022
I was a big fan of this book. It's a suspenseful thriller, following the artist Gloria, and her dawning realisation of the abusive control her husband has over her - and her plans to escape. It's not easy, when he's subtly made her (and her daughter) rely on him financially over the years.
It feels very much like a story of two halves. The first half is slow build up of tension and raising the stakes, then the second half is everything kicking off and going places that surprise the reader. I won't spoil what happens, as it's worth reading for the reveals.
A controlling relationship may be upsetting for some to read about - t's worth noting that it's very well written, in a way that makes you empathise strongly with Gloria. In a lot of ways, the books is also about female friendships, and how these can be a protective force.
A short read that I'd definitely recommend.
It feels very much like a story of two halves. The first half is slow build up of tension and raising the stakes, then the second half is everything kicking off and going places that surprise the reader. I won't spoil what happens, as it's worth reading for the reveals.
A controlling relationship may be upsetting for some to read about - t's worth noting that it's very well written, in a way that makes you empathise strongly with Gloria. In a lot of ways, the books is also about female friendships, and how these can be a protective force.
A short read that I'd definitely recommend.
May 14, 2023
Well, that was unexpected! I thought this was going to be a standard man cheating on woman and woman going on the road to self discovery / independence story. Oh no. It was much more than that. This book is perfect for any thriller lover who wants a bit of weird and wonderful.
I wasn't expecting Gloria to find out what she did about Greg, what he was up to etc. He was a walking talking red flag from the get go and I hated him (like seriously!).....but still, that was quite a wild surprise. I'm glad Gloria made the decision she did to try and get out, her story became intense. I was particularly frightened for her daughter.
A wild ride this one, under 200 pages so you can deffo devour it in a few wide eyed sittings!
I wasn't expecting Gloria to find out what she did about Greg, what he was up to etc. He was a walking talking red flag from the get go and I hated him (like seriously!).....but still, that was quite a wild surprise. I'm glad Gloria made the decision she did to try and get out, her story became intense. I was particularly frightened for her daughter.
A wild ride this one, under 200 pages so you can deffo devour it in a few wide eyed sittings!
July 10, 2022
I'm usually a very slow reader, but Gloria is one of those books that grabs you immediately and knows how to keep you turning the pages even when you know you need to go to sleep. Katherine Shaw has an incredible way of progressing the plot and getting you hooked so that you need to know what happens to her loveable and empathetic characters. Plenty of suspense, mystery, and even a little romance! The perfect book for reading by the beach or curled up with a cup of coffee!
April 5, 2023
I'm going to start this review by saying that I don't normally read thrillers, so I can't really comment on the use of plot and storytelling as much as I usually would. That being said, I enjoyed this book and here are my thoughts as someone new to the genre.
Gloria is a fast-paced book, that takes us on a whirlwind journey as Gloria discovers her marriage is not all that it seemed and she and her daughter are in grave danger. In order to escape she must learn to trust both herself and her new friends, overcoming a lifetime of doubting herself which had been amplified by years of her husband's emotional abuse.
This book made me feel anxious for Gloria, rage at Greg (her husband), and gratitude for the love and kindness Gloria is shown by others during her darkest hours. As someone who has struggled with low self-esteem throughout my own life, I can see how Gloria could have found herself in this situation in the first place, and how much strength it took to claw her way out and finally realise her own worth.
I want to say that the scale of Greg's influence and ability to chase Gloria right to the very end feels unrealistic, but the past few years have certainly taught us that those with money and power really will do anything to keep them.
All in all this was an enjoyable, if anxiety inducing, read.
Gloria is a fast-paced book, that takes us on a whirlwind journey as Gloria discovers her marriage is not all that it seemed and she and her daughter are in grave danger. In order to escape she must learn to trust both herself and her new friends, overcoming a lifetime of doubting herself which had been amplified by years of her husband's emotional abuse.
This book made me feel anxious for Gloria, rage at Greg (her husband), and gratitude for the love and kindness Gloria is shown by others during her darkest hours. As someone who has struggled with low self-esteem throughout my own life, I can see how Gloria could have found herself in this situation in the first place, and how much strength it took to claw her way out and finally realise her own worth.
I want to say that the scale of Greg's influence and ability to chase Gloria right to the very end feels unrealistic, but the past few years have certainly taught us that those with money and power really will do anything to keep them.
All in all this was an enjoyable, if anxiety inducing, read.
December 31, 2021
Aside from certain sub-plots, the most poignant one becomes clear quite early on in the book. The toxic nature of Gloria's relationship with Greg. Her entire life - each and every decision and moment is influenced by her husband. Is she allowed to breathe? I don't know, let's ask Greg. He certainly has an opinion about the way she spends her days, the clothes she wears and how she moves forward in life.
When Gloria is given an opportunity to follow her heart in regards to her art and creativity. Initially she is overjoyed until Greg puts a 'realistic' perspective on her potential and whether anyone would be interested in anything she creates. The pattern of behaviour between the two of them is a flourishing flowerbed for the plot that evolves from this initial encounter with the characters.
The multiple threads are all good storylines, the combination is perhaps to the detriment of all of them. Perhaps make one a focus, especially when it comes the genre jumping. Not that you cant go from dark domestic thriller into something more speculative with an adjacent sideline of fluttering of romance. You can, but each individual great idea doesn't come to fruition completely. It will be interesting to see where Shaw goes from here.
When Gloria is given an opportunity to follow her heart in regards to her art and creativity. Initially she is overjoyed until Greg puts a 'realistic' perspective on her potential and whether anyone would be interested in anything she creates. The pattern of behaviour between the two of them is a flourishing flowerbed for the plot that evolves from this initial encounter with the characters.
The multiple threads are all good storylines, the combination is perhaps to the detriment of all of them. Perhaps make one a focus, especially when it comes the genre jumping. Not that you cant go from dark domestic thriller into something more speculative with an adjacent sideline of fluttering of romance. You can, but each individual great idea doesn't come to fruition completely. It will be interesting to see where Shaw goes from here.
April 21, 2024
I enjoyed this domestic thriller between an artist, Gloria, and her husband, Greg, with other interesting and intriguing characters.
Gloria feels trapped in her marriage to Greg, who dominates her in every aspect of her life. She discovers a secret about his work and leaves him. But this is full of challenges and adversity, as Greg tries everything in his power to stop her from leaving.
She meets her old friend, Kate, who helps her flee and makes a new friend in Meryl who owns an art gallery. She has a daughter and ex-partner in Amsterdam and soon reunites with them.
As Gloria leaves England to navigate her way to Amsterdam safely, she comes across obstacles and finds that her situation escalates and her loved ones are in danger.
What I loved about this story too was how Gloria had developed from a timid character with little self-esteem to one who became stronger and more resilient through her adverse experiences.
I loved the way it ended and how it tied up all loose ends. I especially liked the diversity of characters and the interesting plotline, which is all too familiar in this world. The story is so highly recommended and for me, was a page-turner.
Gloria feels trapped in her marriage to Greg, who dominates her in every aspect of her life. She discovers a secret about his work and leaves him. But this is full of challenges and adversity, as Greg tries everything in his power to stop her from leaving.
She meets her old friend, Kate, who helps her flee and makes a new friend in Meryl who owns an art gallery. She has a daughter and ex-partner in Amsterdam and soon reunites with them.
As Gloria leaves England to navigate her way to Amsterdam safely, she comes across obstacles and finds that her situation escalates and her loved ones are in danger.
What I loved about this story too was how Gloria had developed from a timid character with little self-esteem to one who became stronger and more resilient through her adverse experiences.
I loved the way it ended and how it tied up all loose ends. I especially liked the diversity of characters and the interesting plotline, which is all too familiar in this world. The story is so highly recommended and for me, was a page-turner.
September 28, 2023
Nothing gets my goat and makes me turn pages faster than a truly despicable and seemingly unstoppable villain and there is a classic one in this thriller with a twist. Thought I was getting into a typical abusive husband with wife desperate to escape his clutches type scenario, but there are surprises along the way that take this in an unexpected direction. Whether you buy into them or not will vary by reader, I imagine but I thoroughly enjoyed having my expectations upended by the original touches included here. Gloria is lucky (maybe unrealistically lucky?) to meet some of the most generous souls and helpers on her journey to save her daughter and herself, but I loved this glimpse of a world where people are willing to sacrifice their own comfort and safety to help a near stranger. We could use a lot more of that in our modern societies. Keeps up the suspense until the very end with a satisfying conclusion. Recommend for fans of thrillers who can appreciate an emotional and endearing view of the possibilities of humanity and kindness in an often cruel world.
July 29, 2024
This book was impossible to put down; I flew through this book in just a couple sittings! The suspense was done really well, and as Gloria navigated her escape from her abusive relationship, I found myself on the edge of my seat rooting for her to get away and finally get her happy ever after. Right off the bat, it broke my heart the way Gloria was treated by Greg, from the small put-downs right to the final moment she decides it's time to leave. What an absolutely fantastic book that tackles a difficult subject while also being such an intense thrill ride throughout!
February 15, 2023
This was a short and engaging thriller! While I found some of it to be far-fetched, it didn't take away from the story at all. I loved to see Gloria blossom from a frightened woman to a strong and capable character! I also liked the showcasing of female friendships and familial love. All in all, a strong piece of fiction from Katherine Shaw!
April 16, 2024
This was an enjoyable read with a plot point I wasn't expecting. The author's writing style is smooth and almost hypnotic, which keeps you turning the pages to find out what happens next. I liked Gloria and thought she was a relatable character, though I hope Greg was nicer when she first met him, he didn't have too many redeeming qualities!
June 1, 2023
DEFINITELY had a hard time putting this one down for sure. The author really knows how to keep the reader engaged and needing to know what happens next. This book just had a great way of flowing!
Such a great suspense novel, exactly Sam. He was such a weird and useless character I felt 😅
Such a great suspense novel, exactly Sam. He was such a weird and useless character I felt 😅
June 17, 2022
Easy and short read for my book club and was really into the premise, however I was left with more questions then answers and couldn't really get a grip on the characters
March 8, 2023
I was boring, then good, then boring, then good, and ended boring.
September 2, 2022
I recommend this book, I couldn't put it down. It deserves more than 5 stars. This book needs to become a movie
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