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Mine
A divorced, middle-aged woman finds herself the victim of blackmail in this psychological thriller by the author of Her Secret.
After you’ve been betrayed, who can you trust?
When loner Lucy Harper accepts a Facebook friend request from Jasmine, an old school friend, the last thing she expects is for Jasmine to run off with her husband, Andrew.
Now, newly divorced, Lucy lives in the flat she still part-owns with Andrew. After a drunken night out, she wakes up with Teddy Fallon. But this is the least of her worries . . .
The night before, a text came through claiming someone knows her secret. But what is Lucy hiding?
Before Lucy has time to process everything, her ex drops a bombshell—fiancée Jasmine is pregnant, and he wants his share of the money from the flat.
Then the blackmail begins. Who is after Lucy and why? Love isn’t always innocent, and Lucy is about to learn a lesson the hard way . . .
A great choice for fans of authors like S.E. Lynes, Lisa Jewell, and Adele Parks.
After you’ve been betrayed, who can you trust?
When loner Lucy Harper accepts a Facebook friend request from Jasmine, an old school friend, the last thing she expects is for Jasmine to run off with her husband, Andrew.
Now, newly divorced, Lucy lives in the flat she still part-owns with Andrew. After a drunken night out, she wakes up with Teddy Fallon. But this is the least of her worries . . .
The night before, a text came through claiming someone knows her secret. But what is Lucy hiding?
Before Lucy has time to process everything, her ex drops a bombshell—fiancée Jasmine is pregnant, and he wants his share of the money from the flat.
Then the blackmail begins. Who is after Lucy and why? Love isn’t always innocent, and Lucy is about to learn a lesson the hard way . . .
A great choice for fans of authors like S.E. Lynes, Lisa Jewell, and Adele Parks.
224 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2021
323 people are currently reading
264 people want to read
About the author
Kelly Florentia
14 books48 followersKelly Florentia was born and bred in north London, where she continues to live with her husband Joe. HER SECRET (2018) is her third novel and the sequel to NO WAY BACK (2017).
Kelly has always enjoyed writing and was a bit of a poet when she was younger. Before penning her debut The Magic Touch (2016), she wrote short stories for women’s magazines. To Tell a Tale or Two… is a collection of her short tales. In January 2017, her keen interest in health and fitness led to the release of Smooth Operator – a collection of twenty of her favourite smoothie recipes.
As well as writing, Kelly enjoys reading, running, drinking coffee, scoffing cakes, watching TV dramas, and spending way too much time on social media.
Website: www.kellyflorentia.com
Twitter: @kellyflorentia
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KellyFlorent...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kellyfloren...
Kelly has always enjoyed writing and was a bit of a poet when she was younger. Before penning her debut The Magic Touch (2016), she wrote short stories for women’s magazines. To Tell a Tale or Two… is a collection of her short tales. In January 2017, her keen interest in health and fitness led to the release of Smooth Operator – a collection of twenty of her favourite smoothie recipes.
As well as writing, Kelly enjoys reading, running, drinking coffee, scoffing cakes, watching TV dramas, and spending way too much time on social media.
Website: www.kellyflorentia.com
Twitter: @kellyflorentia
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KellyFlorent...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kellyfloren...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
January 28, 2021
MINE is a psychological suspense thriller Mine by Kelly Florentia.
Lucy Harper’s ex-husband, Andrew, ran off with one of her old school friends, Jasmine. Now Andrew and Jasmine are planning to get married.
Now, newly divorced, Lucy lives in the flat she still part-owns with Andrew. Her best friend, Alison, married with three children sets Lucy up on a blind date with her attractive gardener Teddy Fallon, as a distraction to her ex’s upcoming wedding. After a drunken night out, she wakes up with Teddy Fallon…the night before a blur.
The night before an anonymous text came through claiming someone knows her secret, an event between Lucy and Alison’s husband Simon.
“I know what you did with your best friend’s husband.”
Who could have sent this? What is Lucy hiding?
Before Lucy has time to process everything, her ex drops a bombshell – fiancé Jasmine is pregnant, and he wants his share of the money from the flat.
Then the blackmail begins.
Who can Lucy trust? The reader flips from one character to the next, trying to deceiver truth from lies, from one suspect to another to figure out the identity of the blackmailer. Who is after Lucy and why?
Mine was an absorbing and enjoyable read, even though I was able to identify the culprit. Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the author and Bloodhound Books for my digital copy.
Lucy Harper’s ex-husband, Andrew, ran off with one of her old school friends, Jasmine. Now Andrew and Jasmine are planning to get married.
Now, newly divorced, Lucy lives in the flat she still part-owns with Andrew. Her best friend, Alison, married with three children sets Lucy up on a blind date with her attractive gardener Teddy Fallon, as a distraction to her ex’s upcoming wedding. After a drunken night out, she wakes up with Teddy Fallon…the night before a blur.
The night before an anonymous text came through claiming someone knows her secret, an event between Lucy and Alison’s husband Simon.
“I know what you did with your best friend’s husband.”
Who could have sent this? What is Lucy hiding?
Before Lucy has time to process everything, her ex drops a bombshell – fiancé Jasmine is pregnant, and he wants his share of the money from the flat.
Then the blackmail begins.
Who can Lucy trust? The reader flips from one character to the next, trying to deceiver truth from lies, from one suspect to another to figure out the identity of the blackmailer. Who is after Lucy and why?
Mine was an absorbing and enjoyable read, even though I was able to identify the culprit. Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the author and Bloodhound Books for my digital copy.
February 1, 2021
There seems to be a black cloud hanging over Lucy's head.
After accepting a facebook friend request from Jasmine, an old school chum, Jasmine winds up walking away with Lucy's husband.
Now single, she's being urged by her best friend to get out there and start living again. Winding up drunk and inviting Teddy Fallon to spend the night was not what her friend meant.
When Lucy's ex-husband dumps the news on her that his new wife is pregnant and he now needs the money from selling their apartment .. the one she still lives in.
And then the blackmail begins. Someone knows her secret .. the one she's been keeping from everyone.
Some way, some how she's going to make people pay ....
The intricate plot is fast-paced and suspenseful filled with intriguing characters .. not all of them likeable. There are a few twists and turns that make this a real page turner.
Many thanks to the author / Bloodhound Books for the digital copy of this psychological thriller. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
After accepting a facebook friend request from Jasmine, an old school chum, Jasmine winds up walking away with Lucy's husband.
Now single, she's being urged by her best friend to get out there and start living again. Winding up drunk and inviting Teddy Fallon to spend the night was not what her friend meant.
When Lucy's ex-husband dumps the news on her that his new wife is pregnant and he now needs the money from selling their apartment .. the one she still lives in.
And then the blackmail begins. Someone knows her secret .. the one she's been keeping from everyone.
Some way, some how she's going to make people pay ....
The intricate plot is fast-paced and suspenseful filled with intriguing characters .. not all of them likeable. There are a few twists and turns that make this a real page turner.
Many thanks to the author / Bloodhound Books for the digital copy of this psychological thriller. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
February 1, 2021
Goodness, I really did not connect with the narrative. I had guessed one of the outcomes before the first five chapters, and then the rest was blindingly obvious. As a result, I felt this a prolonged, painful read that I was glad to finish.
I think there are stronger thrillers with the theme of betrayal. I grew to dislike Lucy because of how weak she is. Frequently drinking, I was uncomfortable with the focus given on how much alcohol Lucy was consuming. It influenced me to dislike her and reach the conclusion that if she drunk less, she might be able to get her act together.
Following Lucy as her marriage has broken down, we start the narrative with Lucy being woken up with a severe hangover with a stranger in her bedroom. As she gets to know the stranger, who turns out to be her best friend’s gardener, they begin to have feelings for each other. However, at the same time, Lucy starts being blackmailed about an accident that happened with her best friend’s husband. As paranoia grows, Lucy’s list of suspects grows and she does not feel she can trust anyone – including her ex-husband and his new fiancée. Poor Lucy, wherever she turns she is either spurned or fed lies. Thankfully, her new boyfriend is there to pick up the pieces.
It becomes pretty clear, pretty quickly, what is happening to Lucy. I do not feel that this was the most original of plots and I think this is why I deduced the outcome so early on in the narrative. Furthermore, because I wanted to see if my theories would be proven correct, I felt the story lacked pace and development. For example, the scene where Lucy is stranded by the roadside in the darkness felt like it took far too long to reach a climax, leaving me bored and restless. The chapters are relatively long and I think this added to the slow plot development.
As you may have guessed, I was not fully satisfied with this read and I feel disappointed in myself to not have got more from this book. It has all the great foundations of a thriller, but I don’t believe it had enough originality to get me excited. If you are after a story focusing on lies and relationships, then this may appeal. There are plenty of twists and turns but I don’t think this was enough to redeem the novel for me.
With thanks to Bloodhound books for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I think there are stronger thrillers with the theme of betrayal. I grew to dislike Lucy because of how weak she is. Frequently drinking, I was uncomfortable with the focus given on how much alcohol Lucy was consuming. It influenced me to dislike her and reach the conclusion that if she drunk less, she might be able to get her act together.
Following Lucy as her marriage has broken down, we start the narrative with Lucy being woken up with a severe hangover with a stranger in her bedroom. As she gets to know the stranger, who turns out to be her best friend’s gardener, they begin to have feelings for each other. However, at the same time, Lucy starts being blackmailed about an accident that happened with her best friend’s husband. As paranoia grows, Lucy’s list of suspects grows and she does not feel she can trust anyone – including her ex-husband and his new fiancée. Poor Lucy, wherever she turns she is either spurned or fed lies. Thankfully, her new boyfriend is there to pick up the pieces.
It becomes pretty clear, pretty quickly, what is happening to Lucy. I do not feel that this was the most original of plots and I think this is why I deduced the outcome so early on in the narrative. Furthermore, because I wanted to see if my theories would be proven correct, I felt the story lacked pace and development. For example, the scene where Lucy is stranded by the roadside in the darkness felt like it took far too long to reach a climax, leaving me bored and restless. The chapters are relatively long and I think this added to the slow plot development.
As you may have guessed, I was not fully satisfied with this read and I feel disappointed in myself to not have got more from this book. It has all the great foundations of a thriller, but I don’t believe it had enough originality to get me excited. If you are after a story focusing on lies and relationships, then this may appeal. There are plenty of twists and turns but I don’t think this was enough to redeem the novel for me.
With thanks to Bloodhound books for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 1, 2021
Something I always look for in a book – whatever its genre – is characters I can believe in. I don’t really need to like them – and I’ll admit I was a bit ambivalent about Lucy at first, but she very quickly got under my skin. Her life really is such a total train wreck – she drinks far too much, makes so many questionable decisions in her life, swings one way then another – and she soon moves from being someone you watch with horror and detachment to being someone you really care about.
A blind date set up by a friend – and she doesn’t have many of them – brings Teddy into her life. He’s still there, in her flat, the morning after another difficult-to-remember night – but although she kicks against it, he seems intent on becoming a fixture. But her life just gets worse and worse – her ex needs her to sell the flat, there’s a bit of an incident with her best (her only) friend’s husband, and then the blackmail starts. She knows who must be responsible – the friend (her other one…) who stole her husband, and in her usual haphazard way she sets about finding the evidence.
From that point on the pace becomes increasingly frenetic – things go from bad to worse, the situation escalates, and the whole feel of the book changes from suspense to edge-of-the-seat threat and danger. There’s a whole shoal of red herrings, of people and situations not being quite what they appear to be – and just when you think you’ve worked out who the real villain of the piece really is, you doubt yourself within minutes. There’s a brief respite midway, when the pace slows just a little, while Lucy and Teddy debate what to do next – and then it’s off again, with more really dramatic discoveries and developments, and the outcome you might have expected moves away from your grasp once more.
The plotting is very clever indeed – there are so many possible plausible endings, and I’ll admit that the final few revelations took me entirely by surprise. But it’s really not one of those jaw-dropping twists that have something emerging from left field (and that I’m rarely a fan of, if I’m honest) – the pieces just fall into place, and the signs were always there if I’d taken the time to notice them.
I’ll be honest and say that this book isn’t really my usual kind of read, but I thoroughly enjoyed it – despite the fast beating heart at every new crisis and unexpected twist. Psychological thriller books are a crowded market, but I thought this one stood out – the characterisation was excellent, the writing was particularly taut and compelling, and the whole premise of the story was something a little different from the norm. And I enjoyed its sheer breakneck pace – for the most part it provided a real adrenalin rush, but some of the twists and clues got me thinking a bit too while waiting for the next punch to land. Nicely done – however far outside my personal comfort zone, this was a book I really rather enjoyed.
A blind date set up by a friend – and she doesn’t have many of them – brings Teddy into her life. He’s still there, in her flat, the morning after another difficult-to-remember night – but although she kicks against it, he seems intent on becoming a fixture. But her life just gets worse and worse – her ex needs her to sell the flat, there’s a bit of an incident with her best (her only) friend’s husband, and then the blackmail starts. She knows who must be responsible – the friend (her other one…) who stole her husband, and in her usual haphazard way she sets about finding the evidence.
From that point on the pace becomes increasingly frenetic – things go from bad to worse, the situation escalates, and the whole feel of the book changes from suspense to edge-of-the-seat threat and danger. There’s a whole shoal of red herrings, of people and situations not being quite what they appear to be – and just when you think you’ve worked out who the real villain of the piece really is, you doubt yourself within minutes. There’s a brief respite midway, when the pace slows just a little, while Lucy and Teddy debate what to do next – and then it’s off again, with more really dramatic discoveries and developments, and the outcome you might have expected moves away from your grasp once more.
The plotting is very clever indeed – there are so many possible plausible endings, and I’ll admit that the final few revelations took me entirely by surprise. But it’s really not one of those jaw-dropping twists that have something emerging from left field (and that I’m rarely a fan of, if I’m honest) – the pieces just fall into place, and the signs were always there if I’d taken the time to notice them.
I’ll be honest and say that this book isn’t really my usual kind of read, but I thoroughly enjoyed it – despite the fast beating heart at every new crisis and unexpected twist. Psychological thriller books are a crowded market, but I thought this one stood out – the characterisation was excellent, the writing was particularly taut and compelling, and the whole premise of the story was something a little different from the norm. And I enjoyed its sheer breakneck pace – for the most part it provided a real adrenalin rush, but some of the twists and clues got me thinking a bit too while waiting for the next punch to land. Nicely done – however far outside my personal comfort zone, this was a book I really rather enjoyed.
February 1, 2021
I enjoyed this thriller. This is a well rounded story that will make you question every decision, every character. The characters made the story engaging, easy and entertaining. They are connectable and they made the story feel realistic. This is my first book by this author and I look forward to seeing what is next for her. I highly recommend this book.
January 18, 2021
I was so chuffed to get my paws on Mine - and after reading it, that anticipation was well warranted! I’ve read all of Kelly’s novels and her engaging, observant and warm writing is a real treat once again, but I felt this was a really mature and developed book beyond the others. It had me hooked with red herrings and curveballs and Lucy was so frustrating at times with her decisions, it made her so real and relatable. I’m in awe of how Kelly weaves her threads of the stories and keeps her readers on track, and this was full of suspense and intrigue that I genuinely didn’t want to stop reading. There are no ‘natural breaks’ here where you’d put it down - it’s just a brilliant thriller. It had the atmosphere of Lisa Jewell and Karen Hamilton, but I also loved that Harry and Emma from the Magic Touch appeared too. It was reminiscent of the Tara Road characters in Maeve Binchy novels that always added a familiar link. I’m going to be telling everyone to read this - just when you think you and Lucy have solved it, there’s something else to make your jaw drop. One of my favourite female writers for sure. Thank you!
April 5, 2021
Lucy is a flawed heroine. She is a likeable young woman with good friends but beneath the surface she is insecure, surviving her unhappiness by drinking too much and burying her memories of an unhappy childhood. In this dramatic story we see her life falling apart. She begins to receive blackmailing texts and soon she loses the trust of her best friend, Alison. Former husband, Andrew is trying to force her to sell their flat so should she accept help from Teddy, the young gardener she has recently met?
Kelly Florentia excels in writing novels about young women in mid-life, set in busy city life. I always admire her ability to show the mindset of different characters of various ages and circumstances. But this story has an extra edge. We feel Lucy’s fear and inability to choose the right course as the tension rises. Who is her enemy? There are several possibilities and even in the nail-biting conclusion there is an amazing twist in the tale. Highly recommended if you enjoy reading late into the night!
Kelly Florentia excels in writing novels about young women in mid-life, set in busy city life. I always admire her ability to show the mindset of different characters of various ages and circumstances. But this story has an extra edge. We feel Lucy’s fear and inability to choose the right course as the tension rises. Who is her enemy? There are several possibilities and even in the nail-biting conclusion there is an amazing twist in the tale. Highly recommended if you enjoy reading late into the night!
February 26, 2022
Well that was quite the rollercoaster of a ride, this story definitely sent you all over the place, making you question everything.
It was a good story, relatively well written although I did think it was somewhat drawn out in places, dragged on a bit especially in the middle. But the beginning and the ending were great, highly entertaining and fast paced.
The characters were well thought, a couple of them I was constantly thinking throughout, are you lying, being honest, are you a good guy or a bad guy, one of the characters I kept changing my mind about, he was just that good an actor, very believable.
I’m looking forward to reading this authors other books as this was my first time reading this authors work.
It was a good story, relatively well written although I did think it was somewhat drawn out in places, dragged on a bit especially in the middle. But the beginning and the ending were great, highly entertaining and fast paced.
The characters were well thought, a couple of them I was constantly thinking throughout, are you lying, being honest, are you a good guy or a bad guy, one of the characters I kept changing my mind about, he was just that good an actor, very believable.
I’m looking forward to reading this authors other books as this was my first time reading this authors work.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 14, 2021
The main character was a bit odd but it's understandable from her past. The story line was interesting and you feel frustrated for the characters who ate dealing with the drama. It all comes together in the end and it's a bit surprising! The writing was good but a few terms had me searching Nevada they are unusual for the U.S. but it was a good read!
February 5, 2021
Lucy Harper McLaughlin after a date in the Fox and Hound finds herself the next morning confused, her date Teddy Fallon a gardener stayed the night and Lucy cannot remember a thing. He ex husband Andrew ran off with an old school friend a relationship is not what she needs right now and he is in no hurry to leave recapping everything they did. After Teddy does leave to get to work Lucy receives an anonymous text, I know what you did with your best friends husband, what? Is this a hoax? Then a photo is sent through that shakes Lucy her best friend Alison Maxwell husband Simon is on the screen in a embrace with Lucy locking lips, this was a stupid mistake that has been forgotten obviously someone was watching and a warning Lucy has till Wednesday to come clean or Alison will be told, this is blackmail, so who is behind it?
Gosh this book, who do you believe Lucy gets told so many lies and has slowly lost it big time and also her best friend Alison. Who does she trust, I was kept on the edge of my seat reading all the way through, totally traumatic that will blow your mind away. Exceptional writing from the author it's definitely a must read for all reader's.
February 7, 2021
Well this didn't disappoint! Had me shouting at the kindle in frustration!! Highly recommend, & looking forward to what comes next. 5 stars 🌟
June 19, 2021
Didn't thrill me.
Actually it seemed to drag on and on. The main character had absolutely no backbone. To me her street smart age was more like 18 and not 38. Drinking til you can't remember. Getting drunk in nearly every other chapter. Naive and needy. I saw most of the scam half way through and in retrospect there was not one likable character in this story.
Actually it seemed to drag on and on. The main character had absolutely no backbone. To me her street smart age was more like 18 and not 38. Drinking til you can't remember. Getting drunk in nearly every other chapter. Naive and needy. I saw most of the scam half way through and in retrospect there was not one likable character in this story.
February 1, 2021
Narrated almost entirely from the perspective of our flawed main character Lucy,this is a enthralling tale of deception,lies and manipulation. Luck hasn't exactly been on Lucy's side recently,her now ex husband ran off with her old school friend Jasmine,who is now apparently expecting his baby. And,despite promising that Lucy could stay in the flat that they had shared,he has suddenly decided that it has to be sold because he needs the money. So,the last thing she needs is someone sending her malicious text messages and using a incriminating photography to blackmail her. Apart from drinking herself into a stupor,the only good thing in Lucy's life is her new man Teddy,who she met through her best friend Alison. At first Lucy understandably had reservations about getting involved with Teddy but she gradually finds herself being drawn in by his charm and persistence. He's good looking,kind and caring,in fact he's perfect but as we all know,nobody is perfect especially in the world of fiction. So is he as perfect as he appears or is he hiding his true identity behind a mask? What about the other people in her life, would Andrew go to such extreme measures to ruin her life and drive her out of the flat? Was Jasmine playing puppet master behind the scenes and controlling Andrew's actions for her own personal reasons? Could Lucy really trust Alison,her husband Simon or Karen and what about her apparently friendly neighbours? There was numerous suspects but who was terrorising Lucy and what was the motive behind their actions.
Lucy was a complex character who caused me to experience mixed emotions as the story unfolded. I really loved her witty sense of humour and I felt empathy towards her whenever she experienced panic attacks but there was also aspects of her character that I didn't like. Some of her actions and decisions were so frustrating that at times I felt like reaching into my kindle and giving her a good shaking. The question was,how reliable was her narrative? Was she telling the whole truth? Did Lucy have a hidden dark side?
The author draws the reader into the story with a chilling opening chapter,her words hold you captive and keep you glued to your kindle. The story was perfectly paced,had numerous untrustworthy characters,builds in intensity,keeps you guessing and has a unexpected conclusion. I was so captivated by the plot twists and turns that I would have happily read this book in one sitting but my old brain and eyes had other ideas. A gripping,addictive read and very very highly recommended.
Lucy was a complex character who caused me to experience mixed emotions as the story unfolded. I really loved her witty sense of humour and I felt empathy towards her whenever she experienced panic attacks but there was also aspects of her character that I didn't like. Some of her actions and decisions were so frustrating that at times I felt like reaching into my kindle and giving her a good shaking. The question was,how reliable was her narrative? Was she telling the whole truth? Did Lucy have a hidden dark side?
The author draws the reader into the story with a chilling opening chapter,her words hold you captive and keep you glued to your kindle. The story was perfectly paced,had numerous untrustworthy characters,builds in intensity,keeps you guessing and has a unexpected conclusion. I was so captivated by the plot twists and turns that I would have happily read this book in one sitting but my old brain and eyes had other ideas. A gripping,addictive read and very very highly recommended.
January 10, 2021
I was thrilled when I got the chance to read Kelly’s newest book , I am a fan of her previous books and this newest addition to her writing sounded exciting , and that’s exactly what it was .
The story begins soon after the main character and her partner split up and you get a real sense that her friends are really keeping her afloat during this tumultuous time when the main character Lucy is really struggling . As Lucy does keep her inner circle tight someone else finding their way past her armour now is unusual so when her very best friend recommends a man she is more willing to give this Pre approved person a chance .
From very early on something seems not quite right , something is a little off in Lucy’s life and quickly this escalates to a terrifying degree bringing the reader along for the ride . I was totally a willing passenger ! There is more then one red herring in the story which leaves you with plenty to think about and and not much urge to set the story down which I love about a story . What starts as a rather light read gets increasingly tense and dangerous as I began reading faster to see if I could figure out what was going to happen , the pace of the book is fast , no resting on your laurels here , the story is packing punches all the way to the surprising end .
If you love a thriller that will make you question everything then check out this new book by Kelly Florentia .
January 15, 2021
I read this book so fast the pages set on fire! Okay, not really, but it was extremely hard to put down this fast-paced and intense suspense. Kelly Florentia conjures a stellar cast of characters, all of whom could be the baddie, or baddies, maybe even including the protagonist herself. I suspected everyone…well, almost everyone. I didn’t guess ‘whodunnit’! The writing is excellent and the story so intricate and suspenseful, I felt like I’d been on a roller coaster at the end of every chapter. Lucy, the protagonist is determined to find out who is blackmailing her and lurches (as I did) from one suspect to the other, while trying to ensure she stays safe. Lucy’s been cheated on in the worst way, and dumped by the husband who she thought she’d grow old with. She’s an endearing character, flawed and vulnerable - all she wants is a happy ending. Thankfully, she’s got friends, family and a new relationship to help her through…but could one of them be out to make sure that Lucy’s happy ending never happens? You’ll have to read it to find out. I can’t wait for the next book by Kelly Florentina! Highly recommended.
September 15, 2021
A new author for me & I was lucky enough to get an ARC copy. This psychological thriller will be published on 1st February 2021.
Lucy Harper, still raw from her recent divorce is set up on a blind date, with Teddy Fallon, by her friend.
This story describes their fledgling romance, the fallout from Lucy being blackmailed & ostracised by her friends & the nagging feeling that something is not quite right with the world.
A good, twisty plot with sound characters who share my love of Queen.
Recommended.
Lucy Harper, still raw from her recent divorce is set up on a blind date, with Teddy Fallon, by her friend.
This story describes their fledgling romance, the fallout from Lucy being blackmailed & ostracised by her friends & the nagging feeling that something is not quite right with the world.
A good, twisty plot with sound characters who share my love of Queen.
Recommended.
February 8, 2021
This story is quite the twisty, turny, and intriguing read. The main character, Lucy Harper, I found to be gullible and pliable when it came to her judgment of the people in her life which of course is what helps keep the story moving since as you read you never are sure if you can rely on her perspective of who is in her life and what is happening around her. The ending was a bit of a surprise for me but it fit right into the puzzle of the story.
February 8, 2021
Not really for me
I started off liking this quite a lot but as it wore on it started to irritate me. I can’t put my finger on why to be honest, Lucy just got on my nerves after a while. She went all around the houses at times trying to find answers and I ended up speed reading and hopping through whole pages to escape her inanities. I was glad to finish it. The story was so so in my opinion. Sorry.
I started off liking this quite a lot but as it wore on it started to irritate me. I can’t put my finger on why to be honest, Lucy just got on my nerves after a while. She went all around the houses at times trying to find answers and I ended up speed reading and hopping through whole pages to escape her inanities. I was glad to finish it. The story was so so in my opinion. Sorry.
January 21, 2021
I loved Kelly's writing style. It felt like I was a friend of Lucy's and she was talking directly to me, at times i was so frustrared with her I just wanted to shake her! There were some cracking one liners. I felt pretty confident early on who it was but there was a massive surprise at the end which I was not expecting! Great read, 4 stars.
January 21, 2021
I really liked this book. It kept me wanting to know what exactly was going on. As much as I think it was obvious, I loved the little curveball in the end. I love the humor in it as well, like some things had me in stitches. All in all I think it's a worthy 5 star from me 📚📖
March 5, 2021
I’ve so enjoyed reading this novel by Kelly Florentia. It is, by turns, entertaining, gripping, psychologically slippery (ideal for the genre), and has a shocking final twist beyond the principal twist near the end.
I’ve enjoyed this author’s other books, and Mine shows she is at home with the psychological thriller as she is with romance and short fiction. What an admirable versatility to have.
Lucy is an engaging and sympathetic central character, and I appreciate how she takes the reader into her confidence and reveals all sides and layers of herself. It’s the closest we can get to actually knowing another person, as who does this as fully in real life? We get to see and know her both from the inside and outside. I’ve noticed this as a great skill in all of Kelly’s stories, this ability to create a relationship between the central character and the reader. You are pulled in, become complicit in the drama, and thereby feel for the character, almost as though you were them – it’s an uncanny feeling at times – and not dependent on gender either.
Teddy Fallon is also very well drawn, as are Lucy’s friends Alison and Karen. Minor characters are sketched in really well, and do just enough. Lucy’s inner life, as well as her history is convincing and makes you care about her – her back story makes absolute sense for where she currently finds herself in life, her strengths and vulnerabilities.
I enjoyed the sense of London in this novel, whether on a busy inner-city street, or in one of the many other Londons of the suburbs – where neighbourliness still has some value and meaning. As with her other novels, Kelly is excellent at scene-setting and with deftness creates a busy bar or restaurant where the main action is convincingly surrounded by people either doing their own thing, or sometimes glancing into the action from the peripheries – it gives an overall feeling of connectedness, and social reality, rather than individual characters moving in a world of their own, or simply in their heads.
Many of the chapters have their own inherent momentum – and are their own mini white-knuckle rides of tension and drama before the hook of the ending lines of revelation or further enticement. Dialogue is natural, up to the minute in its argot, and technology – mobile phones, computers, cameras – all play a part in developing the mystery and tension throughout.
The psychological slipperiness in the story was very enjoyable and tantalising. It turns you, the reader, into a detective or amateur psychologist over the time spent reading it – as well as between bouts of reading, because the story and characters stay in your head, as you mull over them, trying to work out what the truth is – and who might be behind the torment of poor Lucy. The prologue sets up this sense of menace very powerfully and instantly.
In Mine you get a cast of characters that are both ordinary yet highly individuated, and none seem superfluous to the plot or the texture of the novel.
I think this novel would be ideal for adaptation – either into a film or two-part TV drama, and was wondering about Billie Piper to play Lucy and Paddy Considine to play Teddy Fallon. Each reader will probably have their own cast list in mind, during or after reading.
As intimated at the beginning of this review, the final reveal in this novel is certainly something to look forward to, and is genuinely shocking and surprising. I did not see it coming.
I highly recommend all three of Kelly Florentia’s other novels, as well as her collection of short stories. I’ve read them all, and am very keen to see what she will give us next. Whatever genre it is in, and wherever it is set, I will certainly be reading it!
I’ve enjoyed this author’s other books, and Mine shows she is at home with the psychological thriller as she is with romance and short fiction. What an admirable versatility to have.
Lucy is an engaging and sympathetic central character, and I appreciate how she takes the reader into her confidence and reveals all sides and layers of herself. It’s the closest we can get to actually knowing another person, as who does this as fully in real life? We get to see and know her both from the inside and outside. I’ve noticed this as a great skill in all of Kelly’s stories, this ability to create a relationship between the central character and the reader. You are pulled in, become complicit in the drama, and thereby feel for the character, almost as though you were them – it’s an uncanny feeling at times – and not dependent on gender either.
Teddy Fallon is also very well drawn, as are Lucy’s friends Alison and Karen. Minor characters are sketched in really well, and do just enough. Lucy’s inner life, as well as her history is convincing and makes you care about her – her back story makes absolute sense for where she currently finds herself in life, her strengths and vulnerabilities.
I enjoyed the sense of London in this novel, whether on a busy inner-city street, or in one of the many other Londons of the suburbs – where neighbourliness still has some value and meaning. As with her other novels, Kelly is excellent at scene-setting and with deftness creates a busy bar or restaurant where the main action is convincingly surrounded by people either doing their own thing, or sometimes glancing into the action from the peripheries – it gives an overall feeling of connectedness, and social reality, rather than individual characters moving in a world of their own, or simply in their heads.
Many of the chapters have their own inherent momentum – and are their own mini white-knuckle rides of tension and drama before the hook of the ending lines of revelation or further enticement. Dialogue is natural, up to the minute in its argot, and technology – mobile phones, computers, cameras – all play a part in developing the mystery and tension throughout.
The psychological slipperiness in the story was very enjoyable and tantalising. It turns you, the reader, into a detective or amateur psychologist over the time spent reading it – as well as between bouts of reading, because the story and characters stay in your head, as you mull over them, trying to work out what the truth is – and who might be behind the torment of poor Lucy. The prologue sets up this sense of menace very powerfully and instantly.
In Mine you get a cast of characters that are both ordinary yet highly individuated, and none seem superfluous to the plot or the texture of the novel.
I think this novel would be ideal for adaptation – either into a film or two-part TV drama, and was wondering about Billie Piper to play Lucy and Paddy Considine to play Teddy Fallon. Each reader will probably have their own cast list in mind, during or after reading.
As intimated at the beginning of this review, the final reveal in this novel is certainly something to look forward to, and is genuinely shocking and surprising. I did not see it coming.
I highly recommend all three of Kelly Florentia’s other novels, as well as her collection of short stories. I’ve read them all, and am very keen to see what she will give us next. Whatever genre it is in, and wherever it is set, I will certainly be reading it!
February 1, 2021
Lucy’s life is about to take a turn for the worse!
With a dramatic and threatening opening, and a hugely surprising epilogue, Mine is a compelling thriller that kept me hooked throughout. Part of the appeal comes through the fact that the plot often hinges on fairly ordinary actions, such as too much to drink or a phone call or text, which means the narrative is all the more believable, and all the more tense, for the realisation it could possibly happen to any of us. The title, Mine, is so apt because it relates to many different aspects of the story, from physical items to over possessive relationships, with characters claiming or rejecting people and things as the narrative progresses, making for real interest.
Settings are reduced, with much of the action happening in Lucy’s flat so that there’s a tense atmosphere of claustrophobia underpinning the story and making it even more gripping. With themes of identity, trust, friendship, revenge, family and betrayal there’s a menace behind the plot that I thought gave added layers of interest too so that I was intrigued throughout. Although I had my suspicions, I had no idea how Mine would end and whilst I guessed some aspects, I was treated to some surprises too so that Mine kept my attention completely.
Lucy’s first person narrative is clear and strong and I have to admit that I didn’t much like her. She’s unreliable as a friend, not entirely trustworthy, rash in her behaviour, frequently far too gullible and often drunk. Consequently, I found it fascinating that Kelly Florentia made me care about what happened to Lucy and I was totally invested in her success. Whether she achieves it, I can’t say for fear of spoiling the story. I didn’t feel I got to know the other characters as deeply as Lucy and this is by no means a criticism. One of the key drivers of Mine is the fact that we don’t ever really know others completely and we don’t always know their ulterior motives. It’s an intriguing aspect of the story. I loved trying to work out who could be trusted and who was a danger.
I found Mine thoroughly enjoyable and very entertaining. It’s left me wanting to read more of Kelly Florentia’s work and wondering I haven’t done so sooner.
With a dramatic and threatening opening, and a hugely surprising epilogue, Mine is a compelling thriller that kept me hooked throughout. Part of the appeal comes through the fact that the plot often hinges on fairly ordinary actions, such as too much to drink or a phone call or text, which means the narrative is all the more believable, and all the more tense, for the realisation it could possibly happen to any of us. The title, Mine, is so apt because it relates to many different aspects of the story, from physical items to over possessive relationships, with characters claiming or rejecting people and things as the narrative progresses, making for real interest.
Settings are reduced, with much of the action happening in Lucy’s flat so that there’s a tense atmosphere of claustrophobia underpinning the story and making it even more gripping. With themes of identity, trust, friendship, revenge, family and betrayal there’s a menace behind the plot that I thought gave added layers of interest too so that I was intrigued throughout. Although I had my suspicions, I had no idea how Mine would end and whilst I guessed some aspects, I was treated to some surprises too so that Mine kept my attention completely.
Lucy’s first person narrative is clear and strong and I have to admit that I didn’t much like her. She’s unreliable as a friend, not entirely trustworthy, rash in her behaviour, frequently far too gullible and often drunk. Consequently, I found it fascinating that Kelly Florentia made me care about what happened to Lucy and I was totally invested in her success. Whether she achieves it, I can’t say for fear of spoiling the story. I didn’t feel I got to know the other characters as deeply as Lucy and this is by no means a criticism. One of the key drivers of Mine is the fact that we don’t ever really know others completely and we don’t always know their ulterior motives. It’s an intriguing aspect of the story. I loved trying to work out who could be trusted and who was a danger.
I found Mine thoroughly enjoyable and very entertaining. It’s left me wanting to read more of Kelly Florentia’s work and wondering I haven’t done so sooner.
March 21, 2021
I adore Kelly’s contemporary novels so I was thrilled when I found out she was releasing a psychological thriller and it did not disappoint.
Mine is a thriller highly driven by its characters. It’s cleverly developed so the reader has no idea who to trust and I’d like to say I guessed correctly BUT…..I guessed at every scenario I could think of so I’m not sure that counts. It had me creating theories and changing them constantly all the way through and I still wasn’t sure what was truly happening until the very last chapters.
Lucy is an intriguing character but potentially an very unstable and unreliable witness. Struggling with PTSD and crumbling after being deceived by her best friend and her marriage has fallen apart, Lucy isn’t in a good place. So when someone begins to blackmail her it’s the last straw and risks sending Lucy over the edge. Can she trust anyone?
Lucy’s issues are revealed slowly throughout the first half of the novel and as I discovered each one, I felt a little closer to Lucy and gained a little more understanding around her thought processes and behaviours. She’s a vulnerable character but there is an element of unreliability around her and it was hard to know how much of her experiences were reality and ho much were exasperated by her ongoing struggles. Despite this, I loved her and felt really protective over her. I wanted to shield her form the badness and encourage her to seek help and support. I also felt a little as though I was looking through Lucy’s eyes at everything, slightly intoxicated most of the time and actually felt this ways sometimes too. Very clever!
Other characters include her ex-husband who is a bit of an arse, her ex best friend who stole her husband, current best friend who has the seemingly perfect marriage and of course new love interest Teddy. Not everything is as it seems with anybody.
The novel moves at a quick pace and kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end.
Highly recommended for lovers of psychological thrillers.
Mine is a thriller highly driven by its characters. It’s cleverly developed so the reader has no idea who to trust and I’d like to say I guessed correctly BUT…..I guessed at every scenario I could think of so I’m not sure that counts. It had me creating theories and changing them constantly all the way through and I still wasn’t sure what was truly happening until the very last chapters.
Lucy is an intriguing character but potentially an very unstable and unreliable witness. Struggling with PTSD and crumbling after being deceived by her best friend and her marriage has fallen apart, Lucy isn’t in a good place. So when someone begins to blackmail her it’s the last straw and risks sending Lucy over the edge. Can she trust anyone?
Lucy’s issues are revealed slowly throughout the first half of the novel and as I discovered each one, I felt a little closer to Lucy and gained a little more understanding around her thought processes and behaviours. She’s a vulnerable character but there is an element of unreliability around her and it was hard to know how much of her experiences were reality and ho much were exasperated by her ongoing struggles. Despite this, I loved her and felt really protective over her. I wanted to shield her form the badness and encourage her to seek help and support. I also felt a little as though I was looking through Lucy’s eyes at everything, slightly intoxicated most of the time and actually felt this ways sometimes too. Very clever!
Other characters include her ex-husband who is a bit of an arse, her ex best friend who stole her husband, current best friend who has the seemingly perfect marriage and of course new love interest Teddy. Not everything is as it seems with anybody.
The novel moves at a quick pace and kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end.
Highly recommended for lovers of psychological thrillers.
March 6, 2021
Gripping!
I’ve read all of Kelly’s books and loved them. She has a way of keeping you guessing throughout and doubting your suspicions. I thought I was going to be disappointed by the last chapter but the Epilogue just finished it off perfectly. Kelly interweaves characters from her other books as “side” characters and it offers a sense of familiarity. Would definitely recommend.
I’ve read all of Kelly’s books and loved them. She has a way of keeping you guessing throughout and doubting your suspicions. I thought I was going to be disappointed by the last chapter but the Epilogue just finished it off perfectly. Kelly interweaves characters from her other books as “side” characters and it offers a sense of familiarity. Would definitely recommend.
February 10, 2021
Good read but predictable.
This is the first book I've read by KF. It's a good book but slightly predictable, hence the four stars. Plenty of tension and suspense. The characters were relatable and I really liked the main character Lucy, she was so down to earth and rather funny in what she was thinking. Teddy was the slightly predictable character, bit full on and weird. The plot was believeable, main focus on cheating spouses and lies. Their was a good twist at the end and I would recommend you read this book if you like a bit of psychological mind games.
This is the first book I've read by KF. It's a good book but slightly predictable, hence the four stars. Plenty of tension and suspense. The characters were relatable and I really liked the main character Lucy, she was so down to earth and rather funny in what she was thinking. Teddy was the slightly predictable character, bit full on and weird. The plot was believeable, main focus on cheating spouses and lies. Their was a good twist at the end and I would recommend you read this book if you like a bit of psychological mind games.
March 20, 2021
As psychological thrillers go Mine by Kelly Florentia is very clever and has plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. It is easy to read, the storyline is interesting and intriguing and some of the characters are very sleazy.
Recommended
Recommended
February 12, 2021
I don’t normally write reviews. I have trouble retaining information since I had a stroke 6 years ago and can’t remember details so feel like I can’t do books justice. This was brilliant, I really enjoyed it and read it in 24 hours and didn’t guess the twist at the end. Read it!!
February 16, 2021
Enjoyable
I enjoyed the book but felt the ending a little far fetched. Why would an intelligent woman take off with a virtual stranger like that. He seemed too good to be true, and it did backfire. That said, it gripped me in places.
I enjoyed the book but felt the ending a little far fetched. Why would an intelligent woman take off with a virtual stranger like that. He seemed too good to be true, and it did backfire. That said, it gripped me in places.
March 5, 2021
I’ve so enjoyed reading this novel by Kelly Florentia. It is, by turns, entertaining, gripping, psychologically slippery (ideal for the genre), and has a shocking final twist beyond the principal twist near the end.
I’ve enjoyed this author’s other books, and Mine shows she is at home with the psychological thriller as she is with romance and short fiction. What an admirable versatility to have.
Lucy is an engaging and sympathetic central character, and I appreciate how she takes the reader into her confidence and reveals all sides and layers of herself. It’s the closest we can get to actually knowing another person, as who does this as fully in real life? We get to see and know her both from the inside and outside. I’ve noticed this as a great skill in all of Kelly’s stories, this ability to create a relationship between the central character and the reader. You are pulled in, become complicit in the drama, and thereby feel for the character, almost as though you were them – it’s an uncanny feeling at times – and not dependent on gender either.
Teddy Fallon is also very well drawn, as are Lucy’s friends Alison and Karen. Minor characters are sketched in really well, and do just enough. Lucy’s inner life, as well as her history is convincing and makes you care about her – her back story makes absolute sense for where she currently finds herself in life, her strengths and vulnerabilities.
I enjoyed the sense of London in this novel, whether on a busy inner-city street, or in one of the many other Londons of the suburbs – where neighbourliness still has some value and meaning. As with her other novels, Kelly is excellent at scene-setting and with deftness creates a busy bar or restaurant where the main action is convincingly surrounded by people either doing their own thing, or sometimes glancing into the action from the peripheries – it gives an overall feeling of connectedness, and social reality, rather than individual characters moving in a world of their own, or simply in their heads.
Many of the chapters have their own inherent momentum – and are their own mini white-knuckle rides of tension and drama before the hook of the ending lines of revelation or further enticement. Dialogue is natural, up to the minute in its argot, and technology – mobile phones, computers, cameras – all play a part in developing the mystery and tension throughout.
The psychological slipperiness in the story was very enjoyable and tantalising. It turns you, the reader, into a detective or amateur psychologist over the time spent reading it – as well as between bouts of reading, because the story and characters stay in your head, as you mull over them, trying to work out what the truth is – and who might be behind the torment of poor Lucy. The prologue sets up this sense of menace very powerfully and instantly.
In Mine you get a cast of characters that are both ordinary yet highly individuated, and none seem superfluous to the plot or the texture of the novel.
I think this novel would be ideal for adaptation – either into a film or two-part TV drama, and was wondering about Billie Piper to play Lucy and Paddy Considine to play Teddy Fallon. Each reader will probably have their own cast list in mind, during or after reading.
As intimated at the beginning of this review, the final reveal in this novel is certainly something to look forward to, and is genuinely shocking and surprising. I did not see it coming.
I highly recommend all three of Kelly Florentia’s other novels, as well as her collection of short stories. I’ve read them all, and am very keen to see what she will give us next. Whatever genre it is in, and wherever it is set, I will certainly be reading it!
I’ve enjoyed this author’s other books, and Mine shows she is at home with the psychological thriller as she is with romance and short fiction. What an admirable versatility to have.
Lucy is an engaging and sympathetic central character, and I appreciate how she takes the reader into her confidence and reveals all sides and layers of herself. It’s the closest we can get to actually knowing another person, as who does this as fully in real life? We get to see and know her both from the inside and outside. I’ve noticed this as a great skill in all of Kelly’s stories, this ability to create a relationship between the central character and the reader. You are pulled in, become complicit in the drama, and thereby feel for the character, almost as though you were them – it’s an uncanny feeling at times – and not dependent on gender either.
Teddy Fallon is also very well drawn, as are Lucy’s friends Alison and Karen. Minor characters are sketched in really well, and do just enough. Lucy’s inner life, as well as her history is convincing and makes you care about her – her back story makes absolute sense for where she currently finds herself in life, her strengths and vulnerabilities.
I enjoyed the sense of London in this novel, whether on a busy inner-city street, or in one of the many other Londons of the suburbs – where neighbourliness still has some value and meaning. As with her other novels, Kelly is excellent at scene-setting and with deftness creates a busy bar or restaurant where the main action is convincingly surrounded by people either doing their own thing, or sometimes glancing into the action from the peripheries – it gives an overall feeling of connectedness, and social reality, rather than individual characters moving in a world of their own, or simply in their heads.
Many of the chapters have their own inherent momentum – and are their own mini white-knuckle rides of tension and drama before the hook of the ending lines of revelation or further enticement. Dialogue is natural, up to the minute in its argot, and technology – mobile phones, computers, cameras – all play a part in developing the mystery and tension throughout.
The psychological slipperiness in the story was very enjoyable and tantalising. It turns you, the reader, into a detective or amateur psychologist over the time spent reading it – as well as between bouts of reading, because the story and characters stay in your head, as you mull over them, trying to work out what the truth is – and who might be behind the torment of poor Lucy. The prologue sets up this sense of menace very powerfully and instantly.
In Mine you get a cast of characters that are both ordinary yet highly individuated, and none seem superfluous to the plot or the texture of the novel.
I think this novel would be ideal for adaptation – either into a film or two-part TV drama, and was wondering about Billie Piper to play Lucy and Paddy Considine to play Teddy Fallon. Each reader will probably have their own cast list in mind, during or after reading.
As intimated at the beginning of this review, the final reveal in this novel is certainly something to look forward to, and is genuinely shocking and surprising. I did not see it coming.
I highly recommend all three of Kelly Florentia’s other novels, as well as her collection of short stories. I’ve read them all, and am very keen to see what she will give us next. Whatever genre it is in, and wherever it is set, I will certainly be reading it!
January 9, 2021
This book had me completely hooked. The synopsis was gripping but once the story got going, the book was so much stronger than I had imagined!
I've read all of Florentia's books and really enjoyed them but Mine is in a different league all together! A lot of authors are wandering into darker novels recently and I have followed along. Lisa Jewell and Adele Parks are 2 that come to mind and I would absolutely put this book up there with them
It's very twisted and dark, thought provoking, emotional, a little confusing (in a goos way!) and very compelling. A huge 5 stars from me!
I've read all of Florentia's books and really enjoyed them but Mine is in a different league all together! A lot of authors are wandering into darker novels recently and I have followed along. Lisa Jewell and Adele Parks are 2 that come to mind and I would absolutely put this book up there with them
It's very twisted and dark, thought provoking, emotional, a little confusing (in a goos way!) and very compelling. A huge 5 stars from me!
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