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The Girl Beyond the Gate
Welcome to Kensington Grove, the safest place to call home....
Jodie Madison can't think of a better place for a fresh start than the exclusive, gated community of The Grove. But from the moment she passes through the wrought iron gates, she starts to suspect she's made a mistake.
Despite her vow to keep apart from the other residents, Jodie can't help but feel drawn to her unnerving neighbour Norah Williams and terminally ill daughter, Lacey. Jodie knows she should stay away, but something draws her in.
When a murder shocks The Grove, Jodie vows to do everything in her power to save Lacey from her mother. But as more secrets emerge from Norah's shadowy past, Jodie is faced with the unthinkable - Norah's not so different to herself, and neither woman is innocent.
The past won't stay hidden forever. And The Grove will be an unforgiving witness.
Jodie Madison can't think of a better place for a fresh start than the exclusive, gated community of The Grove. But from the moment she passes through the wrought iron gates, she starts to suspect she's made a mistake.
Despite her vow to keep apart from the other residents, Jodie can't help but feel drawn to her unnerving neighbour Norah Williams and terminally ill daughter, Lacey. Jodie knows she should stay away, but something draws her in.
When a murder shocks The Grove, Jodie vows to do everything in her power to save Lacey from her mother. But as more secrets emerge from Norah's shadowy past, Jodie is faced with the unthinkable - Norah's not so different to herself, and neither woman is innocent.
The past won't stay hidden forever. And The Grove will be an unforgiving witness.
336 pages, ebook
First published March 22, 2022
3520 people are currently reading
4384 people want to read
About the author
Becca Day
6 books535 followersBecca Day lives in Surrey with her husband, two daughters and cocker spaniel. She studied acting at Guildford College and went on to start her own Murder Mystery theatre troup. It was this move that inspired her love of crime fiction, and when she sold the company she threw herself head first into crime writing. Her short fiction has won several prizes and The Girl Beyond The Gate is her first full-length novel. Aside from writing, she is also an avid reader and runs Reading Parties with fellow author William Shaw.
source: Amazon
source: Amazon
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 542 reviews
February 28, 2022
Solid 3.5 STARS
An entertaining page-turner that zipped along and kept me engaged.
Kensington Grove is a gated neighborhood and a safe place to call home, until it isn't.
Jodie is running from her past and trying to make a fresh start. She meets and has concern for her nextdoor neighbor's terminally ill daughter, Lacey. She feels something is not right with her mom, Norah. She can't put her finger on it and starts spying on them, googling, facebook digging.
The gossipy neighbors, some twisty twists and chapters that counted down to murder, kept me hooked until the end.
There was some predictability and I knew where things were most likely heading, which took it down a notch, but I was enjoying the ride anyway. I don't mind a little crazy train now and then! The ending seemed abrupt though(down another notch) and I have questions.....
Recommend if you don't mind stretching plausibility for a little break from reality. A good debut, I will absolutely read her next to see what she comes up with!
Thanks NG and the pub for my arc! OUT March 22, 2022
An entertaining page-turner that zipped along and kept me engaged.
Kensington Grove is a gated neighborhood and a safe place to call home, until it isn't.
Jodie is running from her past and trying to make a fresh start. She meets and has concern for her nextdoor neighbor's terminally ill daughter, Lacey. She feels something is not right with her mom, Norah. She can't put her finger on it and starts spying on them, googling, facebook digging.
The gossipy neighbors, some twisty twists and chapters that counted down to murder, kept me hooked until the end.
There was some predictability and I knew where things were most likely heading, which took it down a notch, but I was enjoying the ride anyway. I don't mind a little crazy train now and then! The ending seemed abrupt though(down another notch) and I have questions.....
Recommend if you don't mind stretching plausibility for a little break from reality. A good debut, I will absolutely read her next to see what she comes up with!
Thanks NG and the pub for my arc! OUT March 22, 2022
December 21, 2024
Strong 3.5 stars 🌟
The Girl Beyond The Gate by Becca Day narrated by multiple narrators was one I could not stop listening to it grabbed me from beginning to end.
Jodie Madison moved to a gated community to escape her past life, she thought it would be a safe haven for her but unfortunately it wasn’t .
She decides not to get to close to her new neighbours but she befriends a girl with Cystic Fibrosis , her mother Norah is not to pleased about the situation & keeps Jodie at bay Norah even reports her to the 👮 police after a murder in the community centre two deaths in a month.
This was one roller coaster ride that kept me engaged Norah got on my nerves she was over bearing, Neurotic & over protective of Lacey her daughter why was she this way?
I really enjoyed my first read by Becca Day the ending I loved didn’t see that coming highly recommended.
The Girl Beyond The Gate by Becca Day narrated by multiple narrators was one I could not stop listening to it grabbed me from beginning to end.
Jodie Madison moved to a gated community to escape her past life, she thought it would be a safe haven for her but unfortunately it wasn’t .
She decides not to get to close to her new neighbours but she befriends a girl with Cystic Fibrosis , her mother Norah is not to pleased about the situation & keeps Jodie at bay Norah even reports her to the 👮 police after a murder in the community centre two deaths in a month.
This was one roller coaster ride that kept me engaged Norah got on my nerves she was over bearing, Neurotic & over protective of Lacey her daughter why was she this way?
I really enjoyed my first read by Becca Day the ending I loved didn’t see that coming highly recommended.
January 7, 2022
This was such a fun roller coaster ride! I was on the edge of my seat the whole time and couldn’t wait to see what happens! The plot twists were so good! Definitely gave off some Darling Rose Gold vibes.
Jodie Madison is ready for a fresh start and buys a home within the gates of Kensington Grove. She begins to take a shine to her fourteen year old neighbor Lacey. Lacey is terminally ill and confined to a wheelchair. Her mother Norah is very controlling and overprotective of her daughter. She isolates Lacey from everyone and is suspicious of Jodie and her daughter’s friendship. Even the internet is off limits.
When a resident ends up dead, Jodie decides it’s time to take action, and save Lacey from her mother. Everyone has secrets in the Grove, and the place that was billed as the “safest community” suddenly becomes very dangerous.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Jodie Madison is ready for a fresh start and buys a home within the gates of Kensington Grove. She begins to take a shine to her fourteen year old neighbor Lacey. Lacey is terminally ill and confined to a wheelchair. Her mother Norah is very controlling and overprotective of her daughter. She isolates Lacey from everyone and is suspicious of Jodie and her daughter’s friendship. Even the internet is off limits.
When a resident ends up dead, Jodie decides it’s time to take action, and save Lacey from her mother. Everyone has secrets in the Grove, and the place that was billed as the “safest community” suddenly becomes very dangerous.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
February 12, 2022
Thank you Embla Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book before publication.
I'm writing this fresh off finishing. Oh, how I wish you could give .5 stars. 3 stars feels too low, but 4 a bit too much. So consider this a solid 3.5 rounded down to a 3. **UPDATE** After sleeping on this, I'm glad I gave it a 3 stars. Consider this just a solid 3 stars. Thinking through the ending and some of the major turning points in the book, I realize there's too many unanswered questions and plot holes to rate this above a 3 in good faith.
THE PLOT
Jodie is running from a tragic past and thinks she's safe in Kensington Grove. AHT AHT... It's never that easy Jodie. After meeting her neighbours, Norah and Lacey, a terminally ill 14-year-old girl, Jodie becomes convinced something is off. As she starts digging, she has no option but to dig up her own secrets too.
MY OPINION (SPOILERS)
Kudos to Becca Day for a great debut. It's not easy putting your words out there to be relentlessly judged and picked at.
*Rubs hands* Let's get into it.
The writing was decent. There were funny parts, thoughtful parts, sad parts, scary parts, the whole gauntlet. Too many descriptive details for ME, but the story flowed and the pace was decent. I liked the countdown to the big finale... It subconsciously gets you excited for the big reveal and keeps you engaged. A good strategy on the author's behalf. One particular scene at the end with Jodie and her daughter was especially heartbreaking. It was very well written. It reminded me of the scene from Woman in the Window when her family dies in an accident. It made me feel a lil something something in my cold black heart.
Ok... so why 3.5 stars only if the writing—usually my #1 gripe—wasn't soul-crushingly bad?
1)
2) The ending. I am confusion. So... you're saying... She wasn't lying? She was? Idk. I wanted a definite answer.
3) Too many strings left untied. I would've liked to know more about Allison, about Christian's involvement
PROS AND CONS
Pros: Decent writing, good pace, engaging chapter structure
Cons: Doesn't acknowledge Blanchard inspo, unsatisfying ending, too many unanswered questions
I'm writing this fresh off finishing. Oh, how I wish you could give .5 stars. 3 stars feels too low, but 4 a bit too much. So consider this a solid 3.5 rounded down to a 3. **UPDATE** After sleeping on this, I'm glad I gave it a 3 stars. Consider this just a solid 3 stars. Thinking through the ending and some of the major turning points in the book, I realize there's too many unanswered questions and plot holes to rate this above a 3 in good faith.
THE PLOT
Jodie is running from a tragic past and thinks she's safe in Kensington Grove. AHT AHT... It's never that easy Jodie. After meeting her neighbours, Norah and Lacey, a terminally ill 14-year-old girl, Jodie becomes convinced something is off. As she starts digging, she has no option but to dig up her own secrets too.
MY OPINION (SPOILERS)
Kudos to Becca Day for a great debut. It's not easy putting your words out there to be relentlessly judged and picked at.
*Rubs hands* Let's get into it.
The writing was decent. There were funny parts, thoughtful parts, sad parts, scary parts, the whole gauntlet. Too many descriptive details for ME, but the story flowed and the pace was decent. I liked the countdown to the big finale... It subconsciously gets you excited for the big reveal and keeps you engaged. A good strategy on the author's behalf. One particular scene at the end with Jodie and her daughter was especially heartbreaking. It was very well written. It reminded me of the scene from Woman in the Window when her family dies in an accident. It made me feel a lil something something in my cold black heart.
Ok... so why 3.5 stars only if the writing—usually my #1 gripe—wasn't soul-crushingly bad?
1)
2) The ending. I am confusion. So... you're saying... She wasn't lying? She was? Idk. I wanted a definite answer.
3) Too many strings left untied. I would've liked to know more about Allison, about Christian's involvement
PROS AND CONS
Pros: Decent writing, good pace, engaging chapter structure
Cons: Doesn't acknowledge Blanchard inspo, unsatisfying ending, too many unanswered questions
April 3, 2022
3.5 stars
Jodie Madison has moved to The Grove, a gated community she believes will be the fresh start she needs. But at closer look, it's not quite as perfect as it looks or rather the residents are as perfect as they look.
Jodie is drawn to her neighbor, Norah and her ill daughter, Lacey. She knows she should stay away but she can't. Then murder rocks the community and Jodie believes this is the time to get Lacey away from Norah.
Secrets are plenty in this book and everyone has a past. While you are busy spying on your neighbors, be careful, you might just find something - but will anyone find out about you?
I enjoyed how this book was set up in terms of how many days before, etc. Clever way to begin a chapter. If you have read this, you know what I mean. This one has nosey neighbors, not so perfect people (who is perfect), secrets and lies.
This was a fast read for me which had me going "Wait, What?" at the end. I enjoyed the drama and how thing unfolded. Not everything was tied up nicely or maybe I missed something - going back to my "wait, what?" moment at the end.
Either way, I enjoyed this and look forward to more books by this author.
Thank you to Embla Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
Jodie Madison has moved to The Grove, a gated community she believes will be the fresh start she needs. But at closer look, it's not quite as perfect as it looks or rather the residents are as perfect as they look.
Jodie is drawn to her neighbor, Norah and her ill daughter, Lacey. She knows she should stay away but she can't. Then murder rocks the community and Jodie believes this is the time to get Lacey away from Norah.
Secrets are plenty in this book and everyone has a past. While you are busy spying on your neighbors, be careful, you might just find something - but will anyone find out about you?
I enjoyed how this book was set up in terms of how many days before, etc. Clever way to begin a chapter. If you have read this, you know what I mean. This one has nosey neighbors, not so perfect people (who is perfect), secrets and lies.
This was a fast read for me which had me going "Wait, What?" at the end. I enjoyed the drama and how thing unfolded. Not everything was tied up nicely or maybe I missed something - going back to my "wait, what?" moment at the end.
Either way, I enjoyed this and look forward to more books by this author.
Thank you to Embla Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
April 27, 2022
I really liked this book, except the ending. It centers in Jodie, a young woman that moves to a gated community to start over after experiencing a tragedy. She takes a shine to the teenaged girl named Lacey next door, but the girl’s mother, Norah, is extremely protective and tries to keep them apart. Jodie grows more and more concerned about Lacey’s well-being as the book continues. The chapters alternate between the POV of Jodie and Norah.
Jodie was a relatable character and I could empathize with her and also forgive her sometimes unwise decisions. I am not sure if the author intended the reader to bond with Norah during her chapters, but I never connected with her at all. The gossip between the neighbors and pecking order was fun to read about, though I almost wish we got a little more of the other neighbors’ stories.
I raced through the book because I wanted to see what happened and then the end was somewhat abrupt and didn’t answer all my questions. I felt like a lot or action happened in just a few pages and I didn’t get enough detail about these pretty major happenings. Then I just didn’t feel satisfied by the overall culmination of the story.
Overall, this was a good book that i read quickly and I’d recommend it to others, though I hope the ending lands better with other readers. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Jodie was a relatable character and I could empathize with her and also forgive her sometimes unwise decisions. I am not sure if the author intended the reader to bond with Norah during her chapters, but I never connected with her at all. The gossip between the neighbors and pecking order was fun to read about, though I almost wish we got a little more of the other neighbors’ stories.
I raced through the book because I wanted to see what happened and then the end was somewhat abrupt and didn’t answer all my questions. I felt like a lot or action happened in just a few pages and I didn’t get enough detail about these pretty major happenings. Then I just didn’t feel satisfied by the overall culmination of the story.
Overall, this was a good book that i read quickly and I’d recommend it to others, though I hope the ending lands better with other readers. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 24, 2022
Just wow
I couldn’t put this book down. For me from the first page
Really enjoyed the twists and turns. Then ending for ne
Thank you to NetGalley
I couldn’t put this book down. For me from the first page
Really enjoyed the twists and turns. Then ending for ne
Thank you to NetGalley
January 23, 2022
Jodie is looking for a fresh start in her life. She moves into an exclusive community called The Grove. However, Jodie is having a tough time adjusting to the new community. She intends to keep her distance from the neighbors, but gets drawn into a situation with the terminally ill neighbor, Lacey, and Lacey’s mother, Norah. When a murder happens in the Grove, Jodie finds herself trying to protect Lacey from her own mother. As the past comes more to light with Jodie and Norah, it becomes unclear which one telling the truth and which really has good intentions.
THE GIRL BEYOND THE GATE is a quick and easy read that I thoroughly enjoyed. I loved how the author led you in one direction down a path and then would immediately pull you into a surprising u-turn! The psychological undertones kept me glued to the pages!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Embla Books for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This review will be posted to my Instagram Blog (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.
THE GIRL BEYOND THE GATE is a quick and easy read that I thoroughly enjoyed. I loved how the author led you in one direction down a path and then would immediately pull you into a surprising u-turn! The psychological undertones kept me glued to the pages!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Embla Books for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This review will be posted to my Instagram Blog (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.
January 25, 2022
Welcome to Kensington Grove, the safest place to call home....
Jodie Madison can't think of a better place for a fresh start than the exclusive, gated community of The Grove. But from the moment she passes through the wrought iron gates, she starts to suspect she's made a mistake. Even though she knows she shouldn't, Jodie becomes involved with Lacey, the young girl who lives next door and who suffers from cystic fibrosis. Lacey's mother Nora is extremely overprotective and does not like Jodie or the fact she has become a part of her daughters life.
A twisty story tale with a creepy feel about it, but I have to say that this book did not really grab me. To me the characters were unlikeable and except for Jodie there was not one I warmed to. I detested the ending which is always a big failure for me after investing my time in a story. I found it unsatisfying in that it felt like the author just needed to wrap things up and finish the book. A three star read for me.
Jodie Madison can't think of a better place for a fresh start than the exclusive, gated community of The Grove. But from the moment she passes through the wrought iron gates, she starts to suspect she's made a mistake. Even though she knows she shouldn't, Jodie becomes involved with Lacey, the young girl who lives next door and who suffers from cystic fibrosis. Lacey's mother Nora is extremely overprotective and does not like Jodie or the fact she has become a part of her daughters life.
A twisty story tale with a creepy feel about it, but I have to say that this book did not really grab me. To me the characters were unlikeable and except for Jodie there was not one I warmed to. I detested the ending which is always a big failure for me after investing my time in a story. I found it unsatisfying in that it felt like the author just needed to wrap things up and finish the book. A three star read for me.
April 20, 2022
Awful
Totally hated this book. All the characters were unlikeable, especially Jodie. The storyline was naff, and the ending abrupt as if the writer had run out of steam and couldn't think of anything else to say. I'll be deleting it from my Kindle as soon as I've finished writing this review.
Totally hated this book. All the characters were unlikeable, especially Jodie. The storyline was naff, and the ending abrupt as if the writer had run out of steam and couldn't think of anything else to say. I'll be deleting it from my Kindle as soon as I've finished writing this review.
December 14, 2022
I am not a fan of "neighborhood" books but I am a HUGE fan of author Becca Day.
"The Girl Behind the Gate" is Becca Day's impressive debut novel that did not disappoint.
The thriller is set in the exclusive gated community of Kensington Grove.
When a dead body is discovered, it's quickly discovered that Kensington Grove is not the "safest" place to call home and start afresh.
The book was fast-paced with strong characterizations.
I especially enjoyed the way the story unfolded from the days before the murder.
The book's ending was borderline predictable and eye-rolling but, overall, the book was entertaining and flowed well.
I recently listened to Becca Day's "All Her Little Lies" (5 stars!) and it was interesting to see the author's growth from her first thriller to her second.
I listened to the full-cast audiobook and all of the narrators did a superb job.
I look forward to listening to future books by this talented author.
3.5 stars, rounded up.
"The Girl Behind the Gate" is Becca Day's impressive debut novel that did not disappoint.
The thriller is set in the exclusive gated community of Kensington Grove.
When a dead body is discovered, it's quickly discovered that Kensington Grove is not the "safest" place to call home and start afresh.
The book was fast-paced with strong characterizations.
I especially enjoyed the way the story unfolded from the days before the murder.
The book's ending was borderline predictable and eye-rolling but, overall, the book was entertaining and flowed well.
I recently listened to Becca Day's "All Her Little Lies" (5 stars!) and it was interesting to see the author's growth from her first thriller to her second.
I listened to the full-cast audiobook and all of the narrators did a superb job.
I look forward to listening to future books by this talented author.
3.5 stars, rounded up.
January 10, 2022
Wow, what a rollercoaster ride of a story! The plot twists are incredible. Throughout the book, you'll be thinking and attempting to figure out what's going on.
Jodie Madison moves to Kensington Grove in the hopes of making a fresh start and overcoming her problems. What better place than Kensington Grove to do so? It's a gated community that was formerly an asylum before being refurbished.
Lacey, her 14-year-old neighbor, has grabbed her interest since she moved there. Lacey is restricted to a wheelchair due to her illness. Lacey's mother, Norah, is incredibly controlling and overprotective of her daughter. She is so protective of Lacey that she forbids her from making friends or communicating with anyone unless she is present. Lacey is completely powerless in Norah's presence. When Norah discovers that Lacey and Jodie have been communicating, she becomes enraged with Jodie. She warns Jodie to keep away from Lacey, but she doesn't seem to listen.
Jodie detects something strange about her neighbors right away, and she will go to any length to protect Lacey from her mother. Jodie feels she has to get Lacey away from her mother after discovering some information about her background after a resident turns up dead. The only difficulty is that Norah is aware of Jodie's background, which she is concealing.
I will say that I didn’t like the ending. I really wanted more.
*Thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review*
Jodie Madison moves to Kensington Grove in the hopes of making a fresh start and overcoming her problems. What better place than Kensington Grove to do so? It's a gated community that was formerly an asylum before being refurbished.
Lacey, her 14-year-old neighbor, has grabbed her interest since she moved there. Lacey is restricted to a wheelchair due to her illness. Lacey's mother, Norah, is incredibly controlling and overprotective of her daughter. She is so protective of Lacey that she forbids her from making friends or communicating with anyone unless she is present. Lacey is completely powerless in Norah's presence. When Norah discovers that Lacey and Jodie have been communicating, she becomes enraged with Jodie. She warns Jodie to keep away from Lacey, but she doesn't seem to listen.
Jodie detects something strange about her neighbors right away, and she will go to any length to protect Lacey from her mother. Jodie feels she has to get Lacey away from her mother after discovering some information about her background after a resident turns up dead. The only difficulty is that Norah is aware of Jodie's background, which she is concealing.
I will say that I didn’t like the ending. I really wanted more.
*Thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review*
April 25, 2025
3.5 rounded up
There is a lot going on here. I enjoyed most of the twists and turns.
There is a lot going on here. I enjoyed most of the twists and turns.
January 6, 2022
The Girl Beyond The Gate is a 4.5 Star 🌟 book.
Welcome to Kensington Grove, the safest place to call home.... or so it seems.
Jodie Madison moves into the gated community of Kensington Grove for that specific reason that the homes are inside a gated community so she will feel protected, but is it the outside she needs protecting from or has she locked herself inside with the biggest danger of all.
Oh I loved this book it was utterly dangerously unputdownable and beyond addictive it should come with a warning ⚠️
It was just brilliant from the characters to the story to the setting it was just edge of your seat fantastic, I don't want to give to much away as not too spoil it for other readers but as I was reading this I was trying to sole the mystery myself as what was going on I found myself really getting into it was it this was it that I was going back and forth, this book has plenty of twists and turns right up until the very last word on the page, I really did find this book addictive I didn't want to put it down because I just wanted to know what was going on who's got the biggest secret my mind was blown.
The ending- blew my mind!
I would highly recommend this book its beyond the gate brilliant 👏
Welcome to Kensington Grove, the safest place to call home.... or so it seems.
Jodie Madison moves into the gated community of Kensington Grove for that specific reason that the homes are inside a gated community so she will feel protected, but is it the outside she needs protecting from or has she locked herself inside with the biggest danger of all.
Oh I loved this book it was utterly dangerously unputdownable and beyond addictive it should come with a warning ⚠️
It was just brilliant from the characters to the story to the setting it was just edge of your seat fantastic, I don't want to give to much away as not too spoil it for other readers but as I was reading this I was trying to sole the mystery myself as what was going on I found myself really getting into it was it this was it that I was going back and forth, this book has plenty of twists and turns right up until the very last word on the page, I really did find this book addictive I didn't want to put it down because I just wanted to know what was going on who's got the biggest secret my mind was blown.
The ending- blew my mind!
I would highly recommend this book its beyond the gate brilliant 👏
September 2, 2022
This started off intriguingly with a prologue that makes it clear something serious has occurred. Then the main story sets off with chapters told from the first person viewpoints of two different women, both of whom have a secret. Jodie has just moved to a gated community and it becomes clear that she has lost someone close to her while her next door neighbour Norah has a daughter Lacey with cystic fibrosis and is viewed by nearly everyone as a saint for devoting her life to Lacey's care and fundraising for her etc. Jodie starts to suspect that not all is well at the house next door.
Unfortunately for me the pace dragged. I also got rather impatient with the constant drinking of Jodie, which seems a trope in a lot of crime novels currently - someone has a terrible tragedy and they turn to the bottle. This does happen in some cases in real life, but more people soldier on despite their heartache. Jodie therefore often does foolish things which derail her ability to truly help Lacey and lead to her being easy to discredit by Norah. So for me this was only an OK 2 stars.
Unfortunately for me the pace dragged. I also got rather impatient with the constant drinking of Jodie, which seems a trope in a lot of crime novels currently - someone has a terrible tragedy and they turn to the bottle. This does happen in some cases in real life, but more people soldier on despite their heartache. Jodie therefore often does foolish things which derail her ability to truly help Lacey and lead to her being easy to discredit by Norah. So for me this was only an OK 2 stars.
January 6, 2023
This could have been soo good ! I was hooked for the first quarter , then it just god so repetitive, the drinking to achieve a vision was getting dull, her grief could have been so much more visceral had we not been reading it through the fog of alcohol. Then there was Norah and Lacey maybe because I knew of the real life story of gypsy rose Blanchard that I guessed what was happening right from the start so when Jodie came the this conclusion I was a bit meh
Then there were the murders which were so flat , the doctor died and had a funeral, that was that
And then there was the ending…. What???
It was so abrupt that there were different threads of the story , the doctor and his involvement and the knowledge of murder in Norahs past, Norah and her treatment of Lacey, she was clearly unwell when the ending revealed but there was still so much more to unpack! The “suicide” of the neighbour who got too close, what happens now with Lacey??? So much more just left hanging and unexplained.
Like I said could have been really good but for me just fell so flat I’m so many ways
Then there were the murders which were so flat , the doctor died and had a funeral, that was that
And then there was the ending…. What???
It was so abrupt that there were different threads of the story , the doctor and his involvement and the knowledge of murder in Norahs past, Norah and her treatment of Lacey, she was clearly unwell when the ending revealed but there was still so much more to unpack! The “suicide” of the neighbour who got too close, what happens now with Lacey??? So much more just left hanging and unexplained.
Like I said could have been really good but for me just fell so flat I’m so many ways
July 23, 2022
Loved this!! Set in a gated community in London, Lacey who suffers from cystic fibrosis lives with her mum Norah when new neighbour Jodie moves in.
Told from the perspectives of Norah and Jodie the book starts with a murder but we don’t know who has been murdered, it then takes us on the days leading upto the murder. It’s a creepy little clique community full of secrets and it seems everyone is running away from something.
Littered with little secrets that spill out throughout the read I really enjoyed this one
Told from the perspectives of Norah and Jodie the book starts with a murder but we don’t know who has been murdered, it then takes us on the days leading upto the murder. It’s a creepy little clique community full of secrets and it seems everyone is running away from something.
Littered with little secrets that spill out throughout the read I really enjoyed this one
April 1, 2022
Thriller - 3.5*
People at The Grove have secrets. The protection of those secrets may result in murder.
This was a well done debut novel by Becca Day. Jodie Madison is trying to start her life over. She is escaping from some horrible event in her past. She moves into the gated community of The Groves. It used to be an asylum but the outbuildings have been turned into single family homes with the central building used for a variety of other things. Jodie's new neighbors are Lacey and Norah Williams. Lacey is 14 and has cystic fibrosis and Norah, her mother, is very protective of her.
Something besides overprotectiveness seems to be wrong with Norah and as Jodie grows closer to Lacey more and more red flags appear. Lacey confides in Jodie and Jodie cannot help but be drawn into their family dynamic. Norah's shielding of Lacey doesn't completely add up and Jodie's journalistic instincts take over. She stumbles onto a variety of secrets and then dangerous events start happening. Is someone trying to scare Jodie away?
The story is told in alternating POV's between Jodie and Norah. We also start with a murder and then skip back in time to a few months prior when Jodie moves to The Groves. It was a little bit reminiscent of Big Little Lies. I really liked this story and felt that it was very successful. I look forward to reading more from this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC of this novel.
People at The Grove have secrets. The protection of those secrets may result in murder.
This was a well done debut novel by Becca Day. Jodie Madison is trying to start her life over. She is escaping from some horrible event in her past. She moves into the gated community of The Groves. It used to be an asylum but the outbuildings have been turned into single family homes with the central building used for a variety of other things. Jodie's new neighbors are Lacey and Norah Williams. Lacey is 14 and has cystic fibrosis and Norah, her mother, is very protective of her.
Something besides overprotectiveness seems to be wrong with Norah and as Jodie grows closer to Lacey more and more red flags appear. Lacey confides in Jodie and Jodie cannot help but be drawn into their family dynamic. Norah's shielding of Lacey doesn't completely add up and Jodie's journalistic instincts take over. She stumbles onto a variety of secrets and then dangerous events start happening. Is someone trying to scare Jodie away?
The story is told in alternating POV's between Jodie and Norah. We also start with a murder and then skip back in time to a few months prior when Jodie moves to The Groves. It was a little bit reminiscent of Big Little Lies. I really liked this story and felt that it was very successful. I look forward to reading more from this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC of this novel.
October 10, 2023
Jodie Madison has just moved into Kensington Grove for a fresh start and where better than the exclusive gated community. The safest place to live ... or is it?
Jodie begins a friendship with her fourteen year old neighbour Lacey, who is terminally ill and in a wheelchair. Lacey's mother is overprotective of her daughter. She isolates Lacey from everyone and is suspicious of Jodie and her daughter's friendship.
When a murder shocks the neighbourhood, Jodie vows to save Lacey from her mother. The safest community suddenly becomes a dangerous place to live!!
I loved this book with its twists and and how all the neighbours had their own secret pasts.
I was totally gripped from the start all the way to the very end.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
Jodie begins a friendship with her fourteen year old neighbour Lacey, who is terminally ill and in a wheelchair. Lacey's mother is overprotective of her daughter. She isolates Lacey from everyone and is suspicious of Jodie and her daughter's friendship.
When a murder shocks the neighbourhood, Jodie vows to save Lacey from her mother. The safest community suddenly becomes a dangerous place to live!!
I loved this book with its twists and and how all the neighbours had their own secret pasts.
I was totally gripped from the start all the way to the very end.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 22, 2022
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
When I first opened this book I was immediately sucked in to the story and all the characters of Kensington Grove. I really enjoyed the authors writing style but at around 30 percent in, it just felt like the story was missing something to me. I was hoping it would pick up and not be nearly as predictable as I feared it was becoming, but unfortunately I could predict just about everything that happened in the second half of the book. The writing quality alone justified sticking with it and finishing the book.
When I first opened this book I was immediately sucked in to the story and all the characters of Kensington Grove. I really enjoyed the authors writing style but at around 30 percent in, it just felt like the story was missing something to me. I was hoping it would pick up and not be nearly as predictable as I feared it was becoming, but unfortunately I could predict just about everything that happened in the second half of the book. The writing quality alone justified sticking with it and finishing the book.
February 15, 2024
4.5 stars
Whew! Geesh... Twisty with more twists. No boring moments. I enjoyed every minute, even the irritating and abrupt ending! 😋
Whew! Geesh... Twisty with more twists. No boring moments. I enjoyed every minute, even the irritating and abrupt ending! 😋
May 13, 2022
In 'The Girl Beyond the Gate', Jodie Madison chooses Kensington Grove for a fresh start as this gated community offers privacy and no worries about unannounced visitors. However, the last thing she needs happens - she gets attached to the terminally ill teenage girl next door.
Several things were portrayed well, such as:
- Jodie being haunted by painful memories and guilt.
- The gated community's sense of exclusivity (residents only) and inclusivity (meetings and WhatsApp group), as well as false sense of security.
- Jodie forging an unintended connection with Lacey through watching television together.
- Norah being overbearing and controlling towards her daughter, Lacey and openly hostile towards Jodie.
Numerous things ranged from mediocre to poor, as follows:
- Jodie wanted privacy, hence moving to a gated community made no sense as there were bound to be community-related activities and tight-knitness. Worse still, she let herself get roped into things she did not want instead of putting her foot down.
- Only Norah, Jodie and Lacey showed any personality. The other characters were one-dimensional. I would have liked more of Sally who stood out in the chat group due to her straightforwardness and lack of tact.
- The relationships could have been better executed. For instance, showing how Lacey and Sally's son, Marcus got acquainted. Aside from that, the budding romance between Jodie and Christian was unconvincing. He was supposed to be super attractive and irresistible but came across as boring and full of himself.
- The whole Jodie versus Norah thing was repetitive. Whenever they crossed the line, the consequences were glossed over or strangely minor.
- The were about as interesting as watching paint dry. The police went around asking questions. That was it.
- The gated community was underutilized. By just zooming in on Norah, Jodie and Lacey, the rest of the residents and their secrets / messes were relegated to the background.
- The ending was terribly abrupt.
- There was ambiguity that needed to be cleared up.
Overall, 'The Girl Beyond the Gate' was emotive and tense in parts but greatly missed the mark owing to underdeveloped characters, underutilized setting and lack of explicitness.
Several things were portrayed well, such as:
- Jodie being haunted by painful memories and guilt.
- The gated community's sense of exclusivity (residents only) and inclusivity (meetings and WhatsApp group), as well as false sense of security.
- Jodie forging an unintended connection with Lacey through watching television together.
- Norah being overbearing and controlling towards her daughter, Lacey and openly hostile towards Jodie.
Numerous things ranged from mediocre to poor, as follows:
- Jodie wanted privacy, hence moving to a gated community made no sense as there were bound to be community-related activities and tight-knitness. Worse still, she let herself get roped into things she did not want instead of putting her foot down.
- Only Norah, Jodie and Lacey showed any personality. The other characters were one-dimensional. I would have liked more of Sally who stood out in the chat group due to her straightforwardness and lack of tact.
- The relationships could have been better executed. For instance, showing how Lacey and Sally's son, Marcus got acquainted. Aside from that, the budding romance between Jodie and Christian was unconvincing. He was supposed to be super attractive and irresistible but came across as boring and full of himself.
- The whole Jodie versus Norah thing was repetitive. Whenever they crossed the line, the consequences were glossed over or strangely minor.
- The were about as interesting as watching paint dry. The police went around asking questions. That was it.
- The gated community was underutilized. By just zooming in on Norah, Jodie and Lacey, the rest of the residents and their secrets / messes were relegated to the background.
- The ending was terribly abrupt.
- There was ambiguity that needed to be cleared up.
Overall, 'The Girl Beyond the Gate' was emotive and tense in parts but greatly missed the mark owing to underdeveloped characters, underutilized setting and lack of explicitness.
March 11, 2022
Kensington Grove and its residents are hiding dark secrets behind the façade of the secured, gated entrance in this debut thriller by Becca Day. The cast of characters are well-written and compelling; the plot is suspenseful and tense, full of unpredictable twists. Pick this one up for your next weekend read! I was grateful to receive an Advanced Reader's Copy.
January 14, 2022
In this twisty, suspenseful thriller, Jodie thinks she can hide from her past in the gated community of Kensington Grove--only to get drawn into a murder mystery and her neighbor's own dark secrets. If you love a fast-paced book that's full of surprises, pick this one up.
January 3, 2025
This is one of those books that is pretty good until it isn't. Even though the storytelling was compelling and left me anxious for the promised main event. Once arriving at the climax, the whole story goes sideways in an ugly way. Then it's just over and I was left disappointed.
January 21, 2022
This is a dark and compelling page turner. Great characters and awesome twists.
February 9, 2022
Weeellll, Butter Up My Baby Muffins! 😯🤯😳
Holy Fluff! Baby Fluff! WHAAATTT?! 😯 As soon as I started this novel, I was yanked in! I knew without a shadow of a doubt I'd love this unique, different premise. And let me tell you I was NOT disappointed. Jodie decides to move into a gated community full of the hoity-toity types. Except for her neighbour, Norah and her daughter, Lacey who had cystic fibrosis. Something about them appeals to Jodie, especially Lacey - feeling pulled in by their unusualness. But she doesn't know the past of her neighbours, and soon a murder happens in the close community. Each woman has a past they desperately want to keep under wraps, but The Grove will beg to pull it apart. Geez almighty! I did NOT see any of that coming! My word almighty. I'm absolutely gobsmacked. That ending!! 😳
Thank you to NetGalley and Embla Books for this ARC.
Release date: March 22, 2022
I give this 4.5 / 5 snowflakes! ❄️
Holy Fluff! Baby Fluff! WHAAATTT?! 😯 As soon as I started this novel, I was yanked in! I knew without a shadow of a doubt I'd love this unique, different premise. And let me tell you I was NOT disappointed. Jodie decides to move into a gated community full of the hoity-toity types. Except for her neighbour, Norah and her daughter, Lacey who had cystic fibrosis. Something about them appeals to Jodie, especially Lacey - feeling pulled in by their unusualness. But she doesn't know the past of her neighbours, and soon a murder happens in the close community. Each woman has a past they desperately want to keep under wraps, but The Grove will beg to pull it apart. Geez almighty! I did NOT see any of that coming! My word almighty. I'm absolutely gobsmacked. That ending!! 😳
Thank you to NetGalley and Embla Books for this ARC.
Release date: March 22, 2022
I give this 4.5 / 5 snowflakes! ❄️
February 27, 2022
This is a pretty good psychological thriller, a story of two women with secrets, two unreliable narrators, while the story is divided equally between the two of them, it seemed like the main perspective was of Jodie. It was a quick read as it counted down the days to a murder ( or two) about to happen
November 11, 2024
I was enjoying this, but the ending was so abrupt and poorly written.
February 16, 2022
The Girl Beyond the Gate by Becca Day, is full of all claws out cat fights! Can you say all out twisty drama?
Kensington Grove is a gated high end community. Just the perfect place to lead a quiet life. Jodie Madison moves in next door to Norah Williams and her daughter Lacey. 14-year-old Lacey has cystic fibrosis and is in a wheelchair. Jodie bonds with Lacey and soon realizes there is something off about the situation. Is Noah the loving mother she claims to be? Is Lacey in grave danger?
Becca Day's book has many interesting high points. The gated community sets the perfect tone for many juicy secrets in the neighborhood. The ending packs a punch. The tit-for-tat drama between the women is a little bit repetitive, but still noteworthy. The book is comparable in some aspects to "The Act" recently featured on Hulu. I gave this book 3 stars. I enjoyed it, but parts of the book were a bit unrealistic.
The Girl Beyond the Gate will be published March 22, 2022.
Thank you NetGalley and Embla Books, for allowing me to review this thriller. I really appreciate getting to read it.
Kensington Grove is a gated high end community. Just the perfect place to lead a quiet life. Jodie Madison moves in next door to Norah Williams and her daughter Lacey. 14-year-old Lacey has cystic fibrosis and is in a wheelchair. Jodie bonds with Lacey and soon realizes there is something off about the situation. Is Noah the loving mother she claims to be? Is Lacey in grave danger?
Becca Day's book has many interesting high points. The gated community sets the perfect tone for many juicy secrets in the neighborhood. The ending packs a punch. The tit-for-tat drama between the women is a little bit repetitive, but still noteworthy. The book is comparable in some aspects to "The Act" recently featured on Hulu. I gave this book 3 stars. I enjoyed it, but parts of the book were a bit unrealistic.
The Girl Beyond the Gate will be published March 22, 2022.
Thank you NetGalley and Embla Books, for allowing me to review this thriller. I really appreciate getting to read it.
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