What do you think?
Rate this book
Make Me Disappear
By the time I realized the truth about Daniel it was too late. But the truth about me? He never saw that coming…
Dr Daniel Ashcroft was perfect: handsome, romantic, protective. I thought I was so lucky.
But then I heard the rumors about his previous girlfriend, that she had vanished without a trace. That’s when I found the cameras in my apartment.
I was trapped. Daniel made it clear I couldn’t leave him, not without risking everyone I loved. I had to disappear, so I arranged my own kidnapping.
I should have known Daniel would never let me get away that easily. But he could never have predicted what I’d do next…
Dr Daniel Ashcroft was perfect: handsome, romantic, protective. I thought I was so lucky.
But then I heard the rumors about his previous girlfriend, that she had vanished without a trace. That’s when I found the cameras in my apartment.
I was trapped. Daniel made it clear I couldn’t leave him, not without risking everyone I loved. I had to disappear, so I arranged my own kidnapping.
I should have known Daniel would never let me get away that easily. But he could never have predicted what I’d do next…
370 pages, Paperback
First published May 16, 2022
1384 people are currently reading
6470 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Payne
5 books448 followersJessica lives in the Pacific Northwest where the mountains and Puget Sound are home. Beyond writing, she loves to run, rock climb, and explore the great outdoors with her daughter and husband. When holding still, which isn’t often, you’ll find a book in her hand and a cat or dog in her lap. Jessica writes suspense and thriller and is the host of #MomsWritersClub on Twitter and YouTube. You can find out more about her at her website, jessicapayne.net
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 657 reviews
May 19, 2022
3.5 ⭐
A hard to put down debut!
Nurse Noelle is dating dreamy Dr. Daniel Ashcroft, a brilliant, rich, and handsome anesthetist. Everything seems to be perfect but is he too much of a control freak? When Noelle has to stage her own kidnapping to get away, I'd say yes!
I like that Make Me Disappear is told in the first person from two POVs between Noelle and Daniel. It makes for a very exciting and suspenseful cat and mouse.
I do have one question why Noelle? The "perfect" doctor most likely can date any girl he wants. I may have missed that part. The plot is a little too far-fetched and has a predictable ending, but I was entertained and enjoyed this crazy ride. This is the book I keep picking back up while reading multiple books at once. Both Josh Wichard and Amelia Sciandra did a great job narrating each character.
Thank you Bookouture Audio and Netgalley for this DRC.
Available May 16, 2022!
A hard to put down debut!
Nurse Noelle is dating dreamy Dr. Daniel Ashcroft, a brilliant, rich, and handsome anesthetist. Everything seems to be perfect but is he too much of a control freak? When Noelle has to stage her own kidnapping to get away, I'd say yes!
I like that Make Me Disappear is told in the first person from two POVs between Noelle and Daniel. It makes for a very exciting and suspenseful cat and mouse.
I do have one question why Noelle? The "perfect" doctor most likely can date any girl he wants. I may have missed that part. The plot is a little too far-fetched and has a predictable ending, but I was entertained and enjoyed this crazy ride. This is the book I keep picking back up while reading multiple books at once. Both Josh Wichard and Amelia Sciandra did a great job narrating each character.
Thank you Bookouture Audio and Netgalley for this DRC.
Available May 16, 2022!
June 5, 2022
3.5*
Talk about OTT!🤪
I had mixed feeling after finishing this one. The premise was…well, just so far-fetched it became borderline silly.
Noel thought she hit the jackpot when she started dating well known Dr. Daniel Ashcroft. But it’s not long before things begin going seriously wrong. So bad in fact, she realize she needs to get away before the relationship turns even more dangerous for her and her family.
This, after discovering the good doctors’ two previous girlfriends both mysteriously vanished. And what better way for her to do a disappearing act of her own. Perhaps by arranging her own kidnapping. Ummm…ok?
The whole storyline got a bit bonkers after that as Noel and Daniel played power games with one another.
The saving grace for me was Jessica Payne's character, Dr. Daniel Ashcroft. Oh My Gosh! Loved (to hate) him!! And Josh Wichard’s narration of him had me in stitches! Absolutely stole the show! If you listen to this audio you’ll understand!
This character is up there among my favorite sociopathic men. As in Joe from Caroline Kepnes’ You series and Paul, from Kaira Rouda’s Best Day Ever! Seriously! That good!
Is it worth the time to listen to Dr. Daniel Ashcroft? Yes! Absolutely! Bumping my rating up to 4* just for this character!
I can’t wait to see what you all think of him!
A buddy read it Susanne that left us both laughing at the good doctor!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio 🎧
Talk about OTT!🤪
I had mixed feeling after finishing this one. The premise was…well, just so far-fetched it became borderline silly.
Noel thought she hit the jackpot when she started dating well known Dr. Daniel Ashcroft. But it’s not long before things begin going seriously wrong. So bad in fact, she realize she needs to get away before the relationship turns even more dangerous for her and her family.
This, after discovering the good doctors’ two previous girlfriends both mysteriously vanished. And what better way for her to do a disappearing act of her own. Perhaps by arranging her own kidnapping. Ummm…ok?
The whole storyline got a bit bonkers after that as Noel and Daniel played power games with one another.
The saving grace for me was Jessica Payne's character, Dr. Daniel Ashcroft. Oh My Gosh! Loved (to hate) him!! And Josh Wichard’s narration of him had me in stitches! Absolutely stole the show! If you listen to this audio you’ll understand!
This character is up there among my favorite sociopathic men. As in Joe from Caroline Kepnes’ You series and Paul, from Kaira Rouda’s Best Day Ever! Seriously! That good!
Is it worth the time to listen to Dr. Daniel Ashcroft? Yes! Absolutely! Bumping my rating up to 4* just for this character!
I can’t wait to see what you all think of him!
A buddy read it Susanne that left us both laughing at the good doctor!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio 🎧
April 12, 2022
Totally bonkers!
Sometimes you read a read a book that is over the top, implausible and that requires your disbelief suspenders and it just set doesn’t work for you. At other times you read a book that is over the top, implausible and that requires your disbelief suspenders and you love it - that was this book! It was insane but it was so much fun I loved fed every minute of it.
Noelle Thomas is a nurse and her boyfriend, Daniel Ashcroft is an anaesthetist working at the same hospital. He is urbane, stunningly good looking and very well off. Perfect boyfriend material, yes? Not quite! He is also very controlling and thinks nothing of gaslighting Noelle. He is also keen to get a ring on her finger so she can produce a child as soon as possible. Why? Wait until you meet mother!
Noelle is starting to have doubts about the relationship and has resisted moving into Daniel’s stupendous home. Naturally Daniel is not impressed. Not one bit! Noelle realises that it is not going to be so easy to break out of this relationship. When her beloved aunt dies after routine bypass surgery, and she knows Daniel was in the vicinity of her room at the time, Noelle becomes really afraid. She is aware that Daniel has installed cameras in her home. She also knows his previous girlfriend disappeared without a trace before she, Noelle, came on the scene. Her cousin, Kari, is pregnant and when Daniel talks about her pregnancy being high risk she takes that as a veiled threat. She is now petrified and doesn’t know what to do. Then she hears about a Kidnap For Hire service available online. Could this be her way out? For $1,000 she could be hopefully free of Daniel.
Of course things don’t go according to plan and the result is a hilarious cat and mouse chase around the country. It was bonkers and totally entertaining. Poor Noelle she didn’t know who to trust for a while there but when the real villain of the piece was exposed it all made sense. If you like a bit of a revenge plot, cat and mouse chases, dastardly deeds and karma coming to those who deserve it you will most likely enjoy this book. Just don’t expect it to be plausible, but strap in and enjoy the ride! Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
Sometimes you read a read a book that is over the top, implausible and that requires your disbelief suspenders and it just set doesn’t work for you. At other times you read a book that is over the top, implausible and that requires your disbelief suspenders and you love it - that was this book! It was insane but it was so much fun I loved fed every minute of it.
Noelle Thomas is a nurse and her boyfriend, Daniel Ashcroft is an anaesthetist working at the same hospital. He is urbane, stunningly good looking and very well off. Perfect boyfriend material, yes? Not quite! He is also very controlling and thinks nothing of gaslighting Noelle. He is also keen to get a ring on her finger so she can produce a child as soon as possible. Why? Wait until you meet mother!
Noelle is starting to have doubts about the relationship and has resisted moving into Daniel’s stupendous home. Naturally Daniel is not impressed. Not one bit! Noelle realises that it is not going to be so easy to break out of this relationship. When her beloved aunt dies after routine bypass surgery, and she knows Daniel was in the vicinity of her room at the time, Noelle becomes really afraid. She is aware that Daniel has installed cameras in her home. She also knows his previous girlfriend disappeared without a trace before she, Noelle, came on the scene. Her cousin, Kari, is pregnant and when Daniel talks about her pregnancy being high risk she takes that as a veiled threat. She is now petrified and doesn’t know what to do. Then she hears about a Kidnap For Hire service available online. Could this be her way out? For $1,000 she could be hopefully free of Daniel.
Of course things don’t go according to plan and the result is a hilarious cat and mouse chase around the country. It was bonkers and totally entertaining. Poor Noelle she didn’t know who to trust for a while there but when the real villain of the piece was exposed it all made sense. If you like a bit of a revenge plot, cat and mouse chases, dastardly deeds and karma coming to those who deserve it you will most likely enjoy this book. Just don’t expect it to be plausible, but strap in and enjoy the ride! Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
June 20, 2022
An exciting and gripping psychological thriller!
I really enjoyed this novel. I thought it was original and so entertaining!
A terrific and suspenseful story that has me looking forward to reading more from this talented author.
April 2, 2023
4⭐ for this thrilling debut.
Featuring ~ dual 1st person POV, dual timeline, controlling boyfriend, psychological thriller
From one abusive relationship to the next.
Noelle Thomas escapes her abusive relationship with Michael and moves away to start over in Seattle.
She is a nurse at Seattle General where she meets her current boyfriend, Dr. Daniel Ashcroft.
Daniel seems perfect ~ a well loved anesthesiologist, handsome and protective. Soon she starts to see a different side to Daniel and Noelle comes up with quite the clever way to get away from Daniel. I can't believe that's a real thing either!
Back and forth between Noelle and Daniel's perspective ~ their story begins in the now and then flawlessly goes 14 months earlier moving its way to the present. Most of Daniel's parts are written as if he's directly speaking to Noelle, which I thought was a great way to really show how controlling he is.
Although I did have most of the twists figured out, there were still a couple zingers in there. That's the price I pay for having read 100's and 100's of thrillers. I didn't find it to be really fast paced, but sometimes I was on the edge of my seat.
If I have to nitpick about something I felt like Puget Sound was brought up way too many times. Also,
I loved Jack and I wish there was more of him! I never really cared for Kari.
Overall, I was impressed with this well executed debut novel. Everything wrapped up just as it should.
I really liked reading the letter from Jessica at the end. She seems really excited to finally reach her dream of becoming a published author. I look forward to see what other twisty thrillers Jessica writes.
*Thanks to Bookouture, Jessica Payne and NetGalley for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Follow me here ➡ Blog ~ Facebook
Featuring ~ dual 1st person POV, dual timeline, controlling boyfriend, psychological thriller
From one abusive relationship to the next.
Noelle Thomas escapes her abusive relationship with Michael and moves away to start over in Seattle.
She is a nurse at Seattle General where she meets her current boyfriend, Dr. Daniel Ashcroft.
Daniel seems perfect ~ a well loved anesthesiologist, handsome and protective. Soon she starts to see a different side to Daniel and Noelle comes up with quite the clever way to get away from Daniel. I can't believe that's a real thing either!
Back and forth between Noelle and Daniel's perspective ~ their story begins in the now and then flawlessly goes 14 months earlier moving its way to the present. Most of Daniel's parts are written as if he's directly speaking to Noelle, which I thought was a great way to really show how controlling he is.
Although I did have most of the twists figured out, there were still a couple zingers in there. That's the price I pay for having read 100's and 100's of thrillers. I didn't find it to be really fast paced, but sometimes I was on the edge of my seat.
If I have to nitpick about something I felt like Puget Sound was brought up way too many times. Also,
I loved Jack and I wish there was more of him! I never really cared for Kari.
Overall, I was impressed with this well executed debut novel. Everything wrapped up just as it should.
I really liked reading the letter from Jessica at the end. She seems really excited to finally reach her dream of becoming a published author. I look forward to see what other twisty thrillers Jessica writes.
*Thanks to Bookouture, Jessica Payne and NetGalley for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Follow me here ➡ Blog ~ Facebook
April 26, 2022
What a great debut! Just when you think there can’t be too many new ways to spin a psychological suspense along comes something totally original like this.
Noelle thought she had met the perfect man in anaesthetist Dr Daniel Ashcroft at the hospital where she works as a nurse in Seattle. Handsome, wealthy, suave and romantic he swept her off her feet. At first his desire to protect her was also sweet but gradually crossed the line into being controlling and coercive, especially when she discovered his hidden cameras in her apartment. Daniel’s previous girlfriend had been reported missing and was never found, so when he started making veiled threats about ruining her career or hurting her family if she left him, she came up with a radical plan to escape from his grasp.
The narrative is told alternately from Noelle’s and Daniel’s point of view and is not only suspenseful but also very entertaining as Noelle tries not only to escape from Daniel but also to cause him some grief. With great characters, lots of twists and an exciting ending, perhaps somewhat far fetched, but totally fun and addictive reading. 4.5★
With thanks to Bookouture via Netgalley for a copy to read
Noelle thought she had met the perfect man in anaesthetist Dr Daniel Ashcroft at the hospital where she works as a nurse in Seattle. Handsome, wealthy, suave and romantic he swept her off her feet. At first his desire to protect her was also sweet but gradually crossed the line into being controlling and coercive, especially when she discovered his hidden cameras in her apartment. Daniel’s previous girlfriend had been reported missing and was never found, so when he started making veiled threats about ruining her career or hurting her family if she left him, she came up with a radical plan to escape from his grasp.
The narrative is told alternately from Noelle’s and Daniel’s point of view and is not only suspenseful but also very entertaining as Noelle tries not only to escape from Daniel but also to cause him some grief. With great characters, lots of twists and an exciting ending, perhaps somewhat far fetched, but totally fun and addictive reading. 4.5★
With thanks to Bookouture via Netgalley for a copy to read
June 17, 2023
So what is the last book that you can say #bookstagrammademedoit ??? This is definitely that book! My FOMO was out of control!! Guess what?! I LOVED it!! 😍 Yes...yes I know technically we are on GR right now...but Bookstagram did make me do it! LOL
I love love love crazzzy books!! She arranged her own kidnapping! 😳😳😳I know right??! Dating the handsome Dr. Ashcroft… I mean she’s one lucky girl 👱♀️right?!!! Until she figures out what Daniel really is…. Controlling…Conniving and Fricking Crazy!!! 🤫 This girl wants out…🏃♀️… no matter what the cost! 😉
This book was such a page turner!! Twisted..Edge of my seat.. and Revenge served at its best!! 😂 You go Noelle!! We nurses 👩⚕️ have to stick together!! 🙌🙌 I can tell you I was team Noelle alll the way!! 🖤
I seriously don’t know how this is a debut!! I can’t wait to read @jessicapayne.writer next book!! She killed it! ❤️
❤️❤️ Have you read this one?? Is it on your list?? Do you think you could pay 💰 someone to make you disappear?? Umm 🤔 my answer is no!! Too much could go wrong.😂🤷♀️
I love love love crazzzy books!! She arranged her own kidnapping! 😳😳😳I know right??! Dating the handsome Dr. Ashcroft… I mean she’s one lucky girl 👱♀️right?!!! Until she figures out what Daniel really is…. Controlling…Conniving and Fricking Crazy!!! 🤫 This girl wants out…🏃♀️… no matter what the cost! 😉
This book was such a page turner!! Twisted..Edge of my seat.. and Revenge served at its best!! 😂 You go Noelle!! We nurses 👩⚕️ have to stick together!! 🙌🙌 I can tell you I was team Noelle alll the way!! 🖤
I seriously don’t know how this is a debut!! I can’t wait to read @jessicapayne.writer next book!! She killed it! ❤️
❤️❤️ Have you read this one?? Is it on your list?? Do you think you could pay 💰 someone to make you disappear?? Umm 🤔 my answer is no!! Too much could go wrong.😂🤷♀️
May 6, 2022
Noelle's relationship with Daniel is a complicated one. He see's hearts and stars and Noelle is looking for a way out. Daniel is quiet the control freak and a bit too obsessive over his girlfriend, with a fixation on pleasing his mother.
A really fast paced debut novel with a few twists along the way. The character building was really well developed and the storyline kept you invested. The ending was great, although not shocking enough to my liking.
Still a great listen and worth it to keep an eye on any upcoming books from this Author!
Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture Audio for this audiobook ARC.
A really fast paced debut novel with a few twists along the way. The character building was really well developed and the storyline kept you invested. The ending was great, although not shocking enough to my liking.
Still a great listen and worth it to keep an eye on any upcoming books from this Author!
Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture Audio for this audiobook ARC.
July 1, 2022
3.5 ⭐️ I received a signed copy of Make Me Disappear by Jessica Payne in a goodreads give away. Make Me Disappear was Jessica Payne’s debut novel. It was a well written, fast paced, twisty psychological thriller. The characters were well developed and the premise for the story was well plotted for most of the book. Parts of the plot were a bit Over The Top for my liking.
Noelle had left her home to escape an abusive relationship. She settled in near Seattle, Washington. Her aunt and cousin lived nearby and welcomed her with open arms. Noelle was a nurse and found employment at one of the local hospitals. She was living modestly but glad to be far away from the abuse she encountered in her last relationship. Shortly after arriving and settling in, Noelle was hit by a car and suffered serious injuries. Dr. Daniel Ashcroft happened to be at the scene of the accident and saved Noelle’s life. What a way to meet! He was a very handsome, charismatic and successful anesthesiologist at the same hospital where Noelle was a nurse. Noelle couldn’t believe her luck. Daniel was attentive and out to please. He was perfect or at least he was at first. Slowly his true colors became obvious and apparent to Noelle. Daniel was manipulative and controlling. Noelle once again found herself in an unhealthy relationship. Then Noelle started to hear rumors about Daniel’s past girlfriends. One of them had disappeared. It was at about this time in their relationship that Noelle discovered that Daniel had secretly installed hidden cameras in her apartment and bugged her phone. Daniel wanted nothing more than for Noelle to move into his beautiful and opulent home with him, marry him and have children together. Noelle tried to put distance between her and Daniel but he would not stand for it. She was trapped. How could she escape the web he masterfully created? Noelle was so desperate that she hired someone to stage her own kidnapping. She arranged for it to happen at her apartment where it would all be caught on the cameras Daniel had installed. However, the best thought out plans do not always go off as predicted. What happened next was not what Noelle had signed up for or bargained for.
Up to that part, I was invested in the plot and the characters. The middle of the book went a bit over the top and I was able to guess the ending before it was revealed. Jessica Payne told the story through alternating short chapters that concentrated on what was occurring now and what occurred in the past. I enjoyed a lot of Make Me Disappear but some parts just didn’t work for me. I will definitely look forward to reading more books by Jessica Payne and I recommend this one.
Noelle had left her home to escape an abusive relationship. She settled in near Seattle, Washington. Her aunt and cousin lived nearby and welcomed her with open arms. Noelle was a nurse and found employment at one of the local hospitals. She was living modestly but glad to be far away from the abuse she encountered in her last relationship. Shortly after arriving and settling in, Noelle was hit by a car and suffered serious injuries. Dr. Daniel Ashcroft happened to be at the scene of the accident and saved Noelle’s life. What a way to meet! He was a very handsome, charismatic and successful anesthesiologist at the same hospital where Noelle was a nurse. Noelle couldn’t believe her luck. Daniel was attentive and out to please. He was perfect or at least he was at first. Slowly his true colors became obvious and apparent to Noelle. Daniel was manipulative and controlling. Noelle once again found herself in an unhealthy relationship. Then Noelle started to hear rumors about Daniel’s past girlfriends. One of them had disappeared. It was at about this time in their relationship that Noelle discovered that Daniel had secretly installed hidden cameras in her apartment and bugged her phone. Daniel wanted nothing more than for Noelle to move into his beautiful and opulent home with him, marry him and have children together. Noelle tried to put distance between her and Daniel but he would not stand for it. She was trapped. How could she escape the web he masterfully created? Noelle was so desperate that she hired someone to stage her own kidnapping. She arranged for it to happen at her apartment where it would all be caught on the cameras Daniel had installed. However, the best thought out plans do not always go off as predicted. What happened next was not what Noelle had signed up for or bargained for.
Up to that part, I was invested in the plot and the characters. The middle of the book went a bit over the top and I was able to guess the ending before it was revealed. Jessica Payne told the story through alternating short chapters that concentrated on what was occurring now and what occurred in the past. I enjoyed a lot of Make Me Disappear but some parts just didn’t work for me. I will definitely look forward to reading more books by Jessica Payne and I recommend this one.
May 17, 2022
As if this is a debut thriller! I am absolutely astounded this is a debut, because it is truly exceptional. It has everything a thriller fan wants in a novel- strong characters (and these are seriously intense and creepy) a protaganist you root for, and the fast pace and twists to keep you reading into the night. The thrills through this book are crazy. A little (a lot) messed-up crazy, but also crazy-good.
I adored this, and I will now read anything Jessica Payne writes. She is a thriller writer to watch.
Thrilling read.
I adored this, and I will now read anything Jessica Payne writes. She is a thriller writer to watch.
Thrilling read.
April 29, 2022
Thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture and the author for the arc!
Read my review first on my book blog
RTC!
tHIS LOOKS FUCKING AWESOME
Read my review first on my book blog
RTC!
tHIS LOOKS FUCKING AWESOME
September 25, 2022
3★
“NOELLE
‘Now’
There are rules to survival:
Always agree with him.
Never stop smiling.
Don’t mention anyone you care about—'anyone’—because they might become his next victim.
But soon, I’ll be able to forget these rules. Soon, I’ll have my life back.
‘I’ll be free.’”
That is the opening of the book, Noelle’s point of view, and the time is NOW. She is a cardiac nurse. “He” is Dr. Daniel Ashcroft, an anaesthesiologist, handsome, popular, and rich. He’s also a darling of many charities.
So what does he see in her? She doesn’t know, but he seems truly smitten, keen to know what she’s doing and where she goes. She’s beginning to think he may be a little too keen. She had an abusive boyfriend in the past, which makes her wary now.
The story is told in first person from both Noelle’s and Daniel’s points of view. I was pleased that the author introduced each chapter with the character’s name and the timeline. The timeline goes back to 14 months ago and moves forward a month or so in subsequent chapters, alternating with now, today.
It is easy to follow, because of the introductions, and the content of their internal monologues.
Her best friend, Kari, is another nurse and she has no time for Daniel at all. They talk and text all the time, so Kari is always up to speed with what is happening in the relationship.
“Kari’s been right all along. ‘He’s bad news, Noelle’, and ‘Why would a man like him be interested in a woman like you?’ She hadn’t meant it to be mean. She’d been honest. And she knows men better than I do, knows that a woman once a victim is twice as easy to victimize again. But my aunt had adored Daniel, and I adored him, and he was so perfect in the beginning.”
Daniel lives in a glamorous, ultra-modern house, unlike Noelle’s tiny apartment and Kari’s small, cluttered house. When he first began earning big money, he bought his mother, Eve, a house on Puget Sound. [Incidentally, it is always referred to here as “the” Puget Sound, a phrase I’ve never heard, although I have family living there. I must ask them about that.]
Daniel’s early interest is attractive, so Noelle takes with good grace his suggestions on what to wear when visiting his mother: conservative, modest, but smart clothing. No jeans and sandals. He takes her to dinner every Friday night at “their” restaurant (his favourite, not hers) to sit in their booth.
She starts getting annoyed when he greets her with a frown because of her casual look, even if she has just come off duty at the hospital where they both work. She tells Kari everything.
Daniel begins taking her to Sunday dinners with his mother – the pressure is on to name the date.
“DANIEL . . .
My mother has already given me my grandmother’s ring. I have a plan to keep you close.
Soon, Noelle, you’ll be mine.”
Daniel’s monologues get creepier as the book goes on, while Noelle’s get more anxious. There are some suspicious deaths, disappearances, and then a kidnapping.
“The tea falls from my hand, splattering on the ground. I turn around. I walk away. There is nowhere I am safe.
. . .
The reality is I cannot escape Daniel. This knowledge settles inside me with certainty. He knows too many people. He has too much money, has his claws sunk too far, too deep for me to get away.”
This isn’t my kind of read, but I’m sure it will find many fans. Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the preview copy from which I’ve quoted (so quotes may have changed).
“NOELLE
‘Now’
There are rules to survival:
Always agree with him.
Never stop smiling.
Don’t mention anyone you care about—'anyone’—because they might become his next victim.
But soon, I’ll be able to forget these rules. Soon, I’ll have my life back.
‘I’ll be free.’”
That is the opening of the book, Noelle’s point of view, and the time is NOW. She is a cardiac nurse. “He” is Dr. Daniel Ashcroft, an anaesthesiologist, handsome, popular, and rich. He’s also a darling of many charities.
So what does he see in her? She doesn’t know, but he seems truly smitten, keen to know what she’s doing and where she goes. She’s beginning to think he may be a little too keen. She had an abusive boyfriend in the past, which makes her wary now.
The story is told in first person from both Noelle’s and Daniel’s points of view. I was pleased that the author introduced each chapter with the character’s name and the timeline. The timeline goes back to 14 months ago and moves forward a month or so in subsequent chapters, alternating with now, today.
It is easy to follow, because of the introductions, and the content of their internal monologues.
Her best friend, Kari, is another nurse and she has no time for Daniel at all. They talk and text all the time, so Kari is always up to speed with what is happening in the relationship.
“Kari’s been right all along. ‘He’s bad news, Noelle’, and ‘Why would a man like him be interested in a woman like you?’ She hadn’t meant it to be mean. She’d been honest. And she knows men better than I do, knows that a woman once a victim is twice as easy to victimize again. But my aunt had adored Daniel, and I adored him, and he was so perfect in the beginning.”
Daniel lives in a glamorous, ultra-modern house, unlike Noelle’s tiny apartment and Kari’s small, cluttered house. When he first began earning big money, he bought his mother, Eve, a house on Puget Sound. [Incidentally, it is always referred to here as “the” Puget Sound, a phrase I’ve never heard, although I have family living there. I must ask them about that.]
Daniel’s early interest is attractive, so Noelle takes with good grace his suggestions on what to wear when visiting his mother: conservative, modest, but smart clothing. No jeans and sandals. He takes her to dinner every Friday night at “their” restaurant (his favourite, not hers) to sit in their booth.
She starts getting annoyed when he greets her with a frown because of her casual look, even if she has just come off duty at the hospital where they both work. She tells Kari everything.
Daniel begins taking her to Sunday dinners with his mother – the pressure is on to name the date.
“DANIEL . . .
My mother has already given me my grandmother’s ring. I have a plan to keep you close.
Soon, Noelle, you’ll be mine.”
Daniel’s monologues get creepier as the book goes on, while Noelle’s get more anxious. There are some suspicious deaths, disappearances, and then a kidnapping.
“The tea falls from my hand, splattering on the ground. I turn around. I walk away. There is nowhere I am safe.
. . .
The reality is I cannot escape Daniel. This knowledge settles inside me with certainty. He knows too many people. He has too much money, has his claws sunk too far, too deep for me to get away.”
This isn’t my kind of read, but I’m sure it will find many fans. Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the preview copy from which I’ve quoted (so quotes may have changed).
April 23, 2022
What an incredible debut novel Jessica Payne! I could very easily have read this in one sitting if I didn't have to get up for work! This twisty thriller certainly kept me guessing all the way through and went to places I did not see coming at all. Always a good thing in my opinion.
Now this was a story we have heard before - but it is nothing like you have read before, believe me!
In the beginning, Daniel, a charming and handsome doctor, is the perfect boyfriend. Noelle is happy. But soon she starts to see another side to him - he is controlling to the point of hiding cameras in her home, knowing her passwords and work schedule. She has tried to get away once and it didn't end well so she has to try harder this time. Arranging her own kidnapping - now there is a plan. But things never so smoothly do they? This is the start of a wild ride but who will win this race?
I highly recommend this book, it will have you turning pages into the night.
Thanks to Jessica Payne, Netgalley and Bookouture for my advanced copy of this book to read. Published May 16th.
Now this was a story we have heard before - but it is nothing like you have read before, believe me!
In the beginning, Daniel, a charming and handsome doctor, is the perfect boyfriend. Noelle is happy. But soon she starts to see another side to him - he is controlling to the point of hiding cameras in her home, knowing her passwords and work schedule. She has tried to get away once and it didn't end well so she has to try harder this time. Arranging her own kidnapping - now there is a plan. But things never so smoothly do they? This is the start of a wild ride but who will win this race?
I highly recommend this book, it will have you turning pages into the night.
Thanks to Jessica Payne, Netgalley and Bookouture for my advanced copy of this book to read. Published May 16th.
May 11, 2022
Noelle is engaged to Dr Daniel Ashcroft. He's everything a woman wants in a man - smart, protective, handsome, controlling. Okay maybe not controlling, but Daniel believes he is quite the catch and so does Noelle initially.
But his controlling ways, are really making it difficult for Noelle to keep that loving feeling. There are secret (not so secret) cameras in their apartment and then there was his last girlfriend who went missing.
Noelle wants out. Daniel is not willing to let her go. So, Noelle comes up with a plan....
I listened to the audiobook and thought the two narrators did a tremendous job. I especially loved hearing Daniel's part mainly because of how he thought about himself and others! He was quite the arrogant over the top character!
This book was fun and dramatic. Such a great way to spend the day. This book reminded me of an over-the-top-I-can't-stop-watching nighttime soap/movie. Very fun and very dramatic!
Thank you to Bookouture Audio 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
But his controlling ways, are really making it difficult for Noelle to keep that loving feeling. There are secret (not so secret) cameras in their apartment and then there was his last girlfriend who went missing.
Noelle wants out. Daniel is not willing to let her go. So, Noelle comes up with a plan....
I listened to the audiobook and thought the two narrators did a tremendous job. I especially loved hearing Daniel's part mainly because of how he thought about himself and others! He was quite the arrogant over the top character!
This book was fun and dramatic. Such a great way to spend the day. This book reminded me of an over-the-top-I-can't-stop-watching nighttime soap/movie. Very fun and very dramatic!
Thank you to Bookouture Audio 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
June 12, 2022
Outlier Alert.
Can I just say that this wasn't for me and leave it at that? No? Ok, well here goes.
Noelle is a nurse at a hospital where she meets Dr. Daniel Ashcroft, who sweeps her off her feet. Though the relationship moves fast, she's all in. Even though her last boyfriend was an abusive narcissist, the fact that Daniel is controlling and manipulative doesn't give her any pause at all.
Eye roll.
After months and months, Noelle finally catches on. I'd ask what took her so long but I think it was the cameras in her apartment that finally clued her in.
Major Eye Roll.
In the end, I just found this to be way over the top. The fact that I guessed what was going to happen, didn't help either. That said, the male narrator did make me laugh from time to time. While he wasn't the best narcissistic/sociopathic character in a novel ever, he did bare a teeny tiny resemblance to Paul Strom in Kaira Rouda's The Best Day Ever, which made this novel bearable.
I listened to this audiobook with Kaceey and she liked it more than I did.
Thanks to Bookouture Audio for the alc.
Can I just say that this wasn't for me and leave it at that? No? Ok, well here goes.
Noelle is a nurse at a hospital where she meets Dr. Daniel Ashcroft, who sweeps her off her feet. Though the relationship moves fast, she's all in. Even though her last boyfriend was an abusive narcissist, the fact that Daniel is controlling and manipulative doesn't give her any pause at all.
Eye roll.
After months and months, Noelle finally catches on. I'd ask what took her so long but I think it was the cameras in her apartment that finally clued her in.
Major Eye Roll.
In the end, I just found this to be way over the top. The fact that I guessed what was going to happen, didn't help either. That said, the male narrator did make me laugh from time to time. While he wasn't the best narcissistic/sociopathic character in a novel ever, he did bare a teeny tiny resemblance to Paul Strom in Kaira Rouda's The Best Day Ever, which made this novel bearable.
I listened to this audiobook with Kaceey and she liked it more than I did.
Thanks to Bookouture Audio for the alc.
May 20, 2022
I thought Make Me Disappear was an outstanding debut novel! Something like this appears just when you believe there can't possibly be any more inventive ways to twist a psychological thriller.
The story alternates between two perspectives, the ones of Noelle and Daniel. He works as an anesthesiologist and she as a nurse at the same hospital, but they first met when he saved her life after she was in a car accident, and they became a couple shortly after.
Dr. Daniel Ashcroft appears to be the ideal boyfriend: he's handsome, wealthy, charming, and romantic, but he's also strangely overprotective and borderline stalkerish as we soon find out. As she starts hearing rumors about a previous girlfriend that vanished a while back and then discovers the hidden cameras he planted in her apartment, she realizes Daniel isn't as flawless as he appears to be. He's becoming more controlling by the day, and she strives not just to get away from him, but also to cause him some distress along the way. So she organizes her own kidnapping and what follows is both suspenseful and intriguing, as she is not really prepared for any of it.
From the beginning, I thought this book had a “You” vibe. Daniel is similar to Joe, with the exception that Joe is more relatable and likeable, whereas Daniel is an arrogant and self-absorbed jerk who I despised the moment he first opened his mouth. Anyway, Make Me Disappear is a fun read with great characters, plenty of twists, and a thrilling conclusion.
Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.
The story alternates between two perspectives, the ones of Noelle and Daniel. He works as an anesthesiologist and she as a nurse at the same hospital, but they first met when he saved her life after she was in a car accident, and they became a couple shortly after.
Dr. Daniel Ashcroft appears to be the ideal boyfriend: he's handsome, wealthy, charming, and romantic, but he's also strangely overprotective and borderline stalkerish as we soon find out. As she starts hearing rumors about a previous girlfriend that vanished a while back and then discovers the hidden cameras he planted in her apartment, she realizes Daniel isn't as flawless as he appears to be. He's becoming more controlling by the day, and she strives not just to get away from him, but also to cause him some distress along the way. So she organizes her own kidnapping and what follows is both suspenseful and intriguing, as she is not really prepared for any of it.
From the beginning, I thought this book had a “You” vibe. Daniel is similar to Joe, with the exception that Joe is more relatable and likeable, whereas Daniel is an arrogant and self-absorbed jerk who I despised the moment he first opened his mouth. Anyway, Make Me Disappear is a fun read with great characters, plenty of twists, and a thrilling conclusion.
Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.
March 30, 2022
What a stunning debut! This had everything a good psychological thriller should have; An original plot, chapters packed with suspense and interesting characters.
Synopsis:
Dr Daniel Ashcroft was perfect: handsome, romantic, protective. I thought I was so lucky.
But then I heard the rumors about his previous girlfriend, that she had vanished without a trace. That’s when I found the cameras in my apartment.
I was trapped. Daniel made it clear I couldn’t leave him, not without risking everyone I loved. I had to disappear, so I arranged my own kidnapping.
I should have known Daniel would never let me get away that easily. But he could never have predicted what I’d do next…
……………..
This was a real page-turner. And the ending was absolutely perfect! I never could have guessed it, and know many readers will love it as well. I also liked the chapters from Daniel’s POV. You really get into his head and how his view of the world shapes the life of his wife. It just shows how deranged a mind can be from the outside, at the same time that you get the logic when you discover the whole thought process the person has. In his world, everything he did made perfect sense, but from the wife’s view she felt controlled and manipulated. I simply loved this aspect of the book, it was very well done and convincing.
I highly recommend this book, and hope the author will write more books.
Thanks to Netgally and bookouture for this ARC in exchange for my honest review
Synopsis:
Dr Daniel Ashcroft was perfect: handsome, romantic, protective. I thought I was so lucky.
But then I heard the rumors about his previous girlfriend, that she had vanished without a trace. That’s when I found the cameras in my apartment.
I was trapped. Daniel made it clear I couldn’t leave him, not without risking everyone I loved. I had to disappear, so I arranged my own kidnapping.
I should have known Daniel would never let me get away that easily. But he could never have predicted what I’d do next…
……………..
This was a real page-turner. And the ending was absolutely perfect! I never could have guessed it, and know many readers will love it as well. I also liked the chapters from Daniel’s POV. You really get into his head and how his view of the world shapes the life of his wife. It just shows how deranged a mind can be from the outside, at the same time that you get the logic when you discover the whole thought process the person has. In his world, everything he did made perfect sense, but from the wife’s view she felt controlled and manipulated. I simply loved this aspect of the book, it was very well done and convincing.
I highly recommend this book, and hope the author will write more books.
Thanks to Netgally and bookouture for this ARC in exchange for my honest review
Read
April 20, 2022My debut novel coming out May 2022 tells the story of a desperate woman who arranges her own kidnapping to escape her narcissistic, sociopath boyfriend, but when things don't go quite as planned, instead of running, she turns the tables in order to beat him at his own twisted game, pitched in the vein of Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen meets Caroline Kepnes's YOU. 😈
May 4, 2022
3.5 ⭐
I have the perfect future in mind for you. Carefully sculpted and planned. I just need to find you, and then— then, we will be perfect. You’ll remember how much you need me.
For a debut, this was quite good. Make Me Disappear is a fun thriller that follows a desperate woman trying to get away from an abusive relationship. But things go unexpectedly wrong.
The plot was original, and the writing was quite good. There were many things I enjoyed about this read. However, there were also a few things that were bugging me the whole time. But they are spoilers, so I won't mention them here.
If you want to see my much more in depth review, you can check it out on my book blog NovelOnMyMind.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Make Me Disappear by Jessica Payne in exchange for an honest review.
💐🌺💐
I have the perfect future in mind for you. Carefully sculpted and planned. I just need to find you, and then— then, we will be perfect. You’ll remember how much you need me.
For a debut, this was quite good. Make Me Disappear is a fun thriller that follows a desperate woman trying to get away from an abusive relationship. But things go unexpectedly wrong.
The plot was original, and the writing was quite good. There were many things I enjoyed about this read. However, there were also a few things that were bugging me the whole time. But they are spoilers, so I won't mention them here.
If you want to see my much more in depth review, you can check it out on my book blog NovelOnMyMind.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Make Me Disappear by Jessica Payne in exchange for an honest review.
💐🌺💐
December 28, 2021
Five Reasons why you should read MAKE ME DISAPPEAR:
1. Noelle’s sociopathic boyfriend is a deliciously sick boy. His chapters were my favorite (I’m choosing not to examine what this says about me, and all you psychology majors can keep your two-cents to yourself.)
2. Hot dude with tats and shifting alliances. Make that SUPER HOT dude.
3. Fake dating (did I mention it’s with Super-Hot dude?)
4. Bad ass women wielding their power (I may have yelled, “YEAH, GIRL!” at one point, which earned me a lot of side-eye from hubby. Allegedly).
5. Best. Revenge. Ever.
Enough said?
1. Noelle’s sociopathic boyfriend is a deliciously sick boy. His chapters were my favorite (I’m choosing not to examine what this says about me, and all you psychology majors can keep your two-cents to yourself.)
2. Hot dude with tats and shifting alliances. Make that SUPER HOT dude.
3. Fake dating (did I mention it’s with Super-Hot dude?)
4. Bad ass women wielding their power (I may have yelled, “YEAH, GIRL!” at one point, which earned me a lot of side-eye from hubby. Allegedly).
5. Best. Revenge. Ever.
Enough said?
August 15, 2022
MAKE ME DISAPPEAR is debut psychological thriller novel by Jessica Payne. Having been fortunate enough to receive a digital copy of her second novel, “The Lucky One” from NetGalley, I decided to start with her debut novel.
Her Stand-alone Novels Include:
Make Me Disappear (2022)
The Lucky One (2022)
This is my review of Make Me Disappear.
The novel is set in Seattle, where Noelle Thomas meets Dr. Daniel Ashcroft, a doctor, an Anesthesiologist, at the hospital where she works as a nurse. She thought she had met the man of her dreams. Boy was she wrong! Soon after dating Daniel, she discovers that Daniel, while Daniel is handsome…he is also a controlling narcissist, a sociopath. He also has a history of girlfriends going missing.
How did she get into this mess…and more important how was she going to get out!
By the time she realized the truth about Daniel it was too late. He was tracking her whereabouts and controlling her every move.
She found cameras in her apartment and GPS spyware on her phone.
Noelle was trapped. Daniel made it clear she couldn’t leave him. She had to disappear, so she arranged her own kidnapping.
The story is told in the first person between Daniel and Noelle.
Make Me Disappear is a suspenseful twisty psychological thriller guaranteed to keep your attention until you reach the end.
Her Stand-alone Novels Include:
Make Me Disappear (2022)
The Lucky One (2022)
This is my review of Make Me Disappear.
The novel is set in Seattle, where Noelle Thomas meets Dr. Daniel Ashcroft, a doctor, an Anesthesiologist, at the hospital where she works as a nurse. She thought she had met the man of her dreams. Boy was she wrong! Soon after dating Daniel, she discovers that Daniel, while Daniel is handsome…he is also a controlling narcissist, a sociopath. He also has a history of girlfriends going missing.
How did she get into this mess…and more important how was she going to get out!
By the time she realized the truth about Daniel it was too late. He was tracking her whereabouts and controlling her every move.
She found cameras in her apartment and GPS spyware on her phone.
Noelle was trapped. Daniel made it clear she couldn’t leave him. She had to disappear, so she arranged her own kidnapping.
The story is told in the first person between Daniel and Noelle.
Make Me Disappear is a suspenseful twisty psychological thriller guaranteed to keep your attention until you reach the end.
September 19, 2024
What I enjoyed most about this book was the twists. I didnt see alot of them coming. I love a book thats unpredictable. I love being kept in suspense and this one certainly did that for me. Told by 2 POV . Daniel ( the doctor very unlikeable !) and Noelle ( the nurse ) who I was really cheering for . This book will have you second guessing the whole way through. Loved it.
April 28, 2022
3.5 stars rounded up
Dr Daniel Ashcroft was perfect: handsome, romantic, protective. I thought I was so lucky. But then I heard rumours about his previous girlfriend, that she had vanished without trace. That's when I found the cameras in my apartment. I was trapped. Daniel made it clear I couldn't leave him, not without risking everyone that I loved, I had to disappear, so I arranged my own kidnapping.
Dr Daniel Ashcroft is a good looking man who oozes charisma But he's also a controlling sociopath. He's a doctor at the hospital and that's where he meets Noelle, who's a nurse. The plotline is tense and creepy. There's also lots of suspense and the pace is fast. The story started out good, but there were too many complications which then made me doubt some of the events that took place. This is a good debut novel.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookouture and the author #JecssicaPayne for my ARC of #MakeMeDisappear in exchange for an honest review.
Dr Daniel Ashcroft was perfect: handsome, romantic, protective. I thought I was so lucky. But then I heard rumours about his previous girlfriend, that she had vanished without trace. That's when I found the cameras in my apartment. I was trapped. Daniel made it clear I couldn't leave him, not without risking everyone that I loved, I had to disappear, so I arranged my own kidnapping.
Dr Daniel Ashcroft is a good looking man who oozes charisma But he's also a controlling sociopath. He's a doctor at the hospital and that's where he meets Noelle, who's a nurse. The plotline is tense and creepy. There's also lots of suspense and the pace is fast. The story started out good, but there were too many complications which then made me doubt some of the events that took place. This is a good debut novel.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookouture and the author #JecssicaPayne for my ARC of #MakeMeDisappear in exchange for an honest review.
March 17, 2022
Holy crapitola!!! This book grabbed my face with the first few lines and never let go!!! I devoured the entire book in mere hours! I am freaking obsessed with the alternating chapters told in first person. I’m obsessed with Daniel’s chapters being in first and second person perspectives. There are so many little mysteries that unraveled and unpacked slowly over the course of the entire book! I cannot believe that this is Jessica Payne’s first novel! It’s phenomenal!!! Her writing style is amazing and everything just flowed so well!!!
August 15, 2023
What do you do when you're dating a narcissistic sociopath you can't seem to escape? You stage your own kidnapping. Make Me Disappear is everything you want in a twisty psychological thriller. I couldn't turn the pages of this perfectly-paced and highly addictive debut fast enough. With storytelling this electrifying, Payne isn't disappearing anytime soon.
May 16, 2022
Make Me Disappear is the first novel by American author, Jessica Payne. Fourteen months after meeting popular and strikingly handsome anaesthesiologist Dr Daniel Ashcroft, Seattle cardiac nurse Noelle Thomas understands that desperate measures are needed, and getting herself abducted is the answer. Daniel exercises coercive control, watching her every move via her phone and hidden cameras.
Noelle wonders about one, perhaps two previous girlfriends who have gone missing and, while she has no proof, she believes he murdered her Aunt Beatrice after heart surgery. Noelle had tried to ease away from him, warning that she would need to devote more time to her beloved aunt post-op, but she realises that didn’t suit Daniel’s need for her undivided attention.
Her biggest fear, though, is for her pregnant cousin, Kari, Beatrice’s daughter. She interprets Daniel’s comments about the dangers of pregnancy and childbirth as veiled threats designed to manipulate her into behaving exactly as he wants her to.
His influence at Seattle General, the same hospital where she works, also puts her job in jeopardy. Daniel has decided she is the perfect wife for him: they are meant to be together, and a wealthy doctor’s wife won’t need to work as a lowly nurse.
But getting herself kidnapped: surely that’s a bit drastic? It will mean giving up her job, never seeing Kari again… She rationalises: if Daniel’s cameras show her being taken, Kari will be safe, and Noelle will be free of him. She sets it up, and waits. And is duly kidnapped, but it’s soon clear that her kidnapper is not from Ultimate Kidnapping, but someone else entirely.
Trying to guess who has had her kidnapped (Daniel, so he can heroically rescue her? Her violent ex from Idaho?) is doing her head in, but she does know she needs to escape from the man keeping her captive. Eventually Noelle resolves not to live her life on the run, in hiding, but to take control. Her creativity as she gives this narcissistic sociopath a taste of his own medicine is an absolute delight to witness.
The story is told through two dual-timeline first-person narratives, with Daniel’s words being addressed to Noelle. This makes for a fast-paced tale that is both gripping and entertaining.
Astute readers will have settled on the person behind all the nastiness early on, but that in no way diminishes the enjoyment of the journey to the jaw-dropping climax, and even if disbelief suspenders need to be donned for the more extreme aspects of characters and plot, it’s easy to just go with the flow. This is an outstanding debut novel.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Bookouture.
Noelle wonders about one, perhaps two previous girlfriends who have gone missing and, while she has no proof, she believes he murdered her Aunt Beatrice after heart surgery. Noelle had tried to ease away from him, warning that she would need to devote more time to her beloved aunt post-op, but she realises that didn’t suit Daniel’s need for her undivided attention.
Her biggest fear, though, is for her pregnant cousin, Kari, Beatrice’s daughter. She interprets Daniel’s comments about the dangers of pregnancy and childbirth as veiled threats designed to manipulate her into behaving exactly as he wants her to.
His influence at Seattle General, the same hospital where she works, also puts her job in jeopardy. Daniel has decided she is the perfect wife for him: they are meant to be together, and a wealthy doctor’s wife won’t need to work as a lowly nurse.
But getting herself kidnapped: surely that’s a bit drastic? It will mean giving up her job, never seeing Kari again… She rationalises: if Daniel’s cameras show her being taken, Kari will be safe, and Noelle will be free of him. She sets it up, and waits. And is duly kidnapped, but it’s soon clear that her kidnapper is not from Ultimate Kidnapping, but someone else entirely.
Trying to guess who has had her kidnapped (Daniel, so he can heroically rescue her? Her violent ex from Idaho?) is doing her head in, but she does know she needs to escape from the man keeping her captive. Eventually Noelle resolves not to live her life on the run, in hiding, but to take control. Her creativity as she gives this narcissistic sociopath a taste of his own medicine is an absolute delight to witness.
The story is told through two dual-timeline first-person narratives, with Daniel’s words being addressed to Noelle. This makes for a fast-paced tale that is both gripping and entertaining.
Astute readers will have settled on the person behind all the nastiness early on, but that in no way diminishes the enjoyment of the journey to the jaw-dropping climax, and even if disbelief suspenders need to be donned for the more extreme aspects of characters and plot, it’s easy to just go with the flow. This is an outstanding debut novel.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Bookouture.
April 8, 2022
Jessica Payne's brand-new novel Make Me Disappear is a suspenseful edge of your seat psychological thriller that will be published May 16th.
Noelle is engaged to Dr. Daniel Ashcroft, and the relationship is very abusive. Noelle is shocked to find out Daniel's former girlfriend disappeared without a trace. Even more tragically, Daniel has never been honest and told Noelle about this juicy little tidbit. Hummm...can you say big red flag? Noelle is afraid for her life and develops a plan to get away from Daniel by faking her own kidnapping. Can she pull it off?
Readers need to suspend beliefs in order to fully enjoy this thriller. If you analyze it too close you will find holes in the story. It is definitely full of intriguing and tense moments. A sequel about Jack, a "rough-n-tough character in the book would be great! Fingers crossed! (4⭐⭐⭐⭐)
Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley, for the joy of reading this brand-new fast paced adventure.
Noelle is engaged to Dr. Daniel Ashcroft, and the relationship is very abusive. Noelle is shocked to find out Daniel's former girlfriend disappeared without a trace. Even more tragically, Daniel has never been honest and told Noelle about this juicy little tidbit. Hummm...can you say big red flag? Noelle is afraid for her life and develops a plan to get away from Daniel by faking her own kidnapping. Can she pull it off?
Readers need to suspend beliefs in order to fully enjoy this thriller. If you analyze it too close you will find holes in the story. It is definitely full of intriguing and tense moments. A sequel about Jack, a "rough-n-tough character in the book would be great! Fingers crossed! (4⭐⭐⭐⭐)
Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley, for the joy of reading this brand-new fast paced adventure.
December 28, 2021
Whether I like a book (or LOVE it) in any genre, comes down to the character. Usually just one who I can really identify with. I got an early copy of Make Me Disappear, and I bonded immediately with Noelle. She is beat down and desperate, but has such a fire inside. So it was amazing to go on this ride with her, and root for her to become the woman who can fight this fight. That's the heart of this book for me--but then you also get all the fun of the ride! The major creep factor of Noelle's 'boyfriend,' all the twists and turns, the powerful psychological forces at work on all the characters, the setting (I could feel the cold and the fog!)
Highly recommend. I for one am eagerly awaiting what Jessica Payne comes up with next!
Highly recommend. I for one am eagerly awaiting what Jessica Payne comes up with next!
May 17, 2022
It kept me engaged from the first chapter to the last page. I did not know what’s going to happen next.
Probably, like most people, have had my theories set up early in the book. But the author created an amazing plot by giving so many clues and still adding a huge twist at the end that changed everything and made me rethink of each scene I have read.
The novel is told in dual perspectives from the main characters and the flashbacks helped solidify my interest to keep reading it in one sitting.
The final twist was really unpredictable, but it just made so much more sense.
I know that this might be a different opinion, but I really feel bad for Daniel’s mother. I think she needed more help along the way, and while this is a fictional story, it can easily be someone's reality.
NetGalley arc
Probably, like most people, have had my theories set up early in the book. But the author created an amazing plot by giving so many clues and still adding a huge twist at the end that changed everything and made me rethink of each scene I have read.
The novel is told in dual perspectives from the main characters and the flashbacks helped solidify my interest to keep reading it in one sitting.
The final twist was really unpredictable, but it just made so much more sense.
I know that this might be a different opinion, but I really feel bad for Daniel’s mother. I think she needed more help along the way, and while this is a fictional story, it can easily be someone's reality.
NetGalley arc
March 28, 2022
The debut game is strong with this one! I read this book in one sitting as I was totally invested in the story from the first page.
Noelle is desperate to break free from her controlling boyfriend, Dr. Daniel Ashcroft. He hasn't gotten physically abusive yet, but he controls her with an iron fist. There are cameras in her house, a keystroke app on her computers and phone...there is little that Noelle can do that Daniel won't find out about. He loves to make comments about the high mortality rate in pregnant women, which Noelle takes as a threat against her pregnant cousin. Because she fears him hurting her loved ones, Noelle doesn't leave him.
She eventually becomes so desperate to escape that when she goes into an Internet cafe one day to browse anonymously, she stumbles onto something so crazy, so desperate, that it just may work. An extreme kidnapping site, run by ex-felons who have experience and will do whatever the customer pays for, is her ticket out. She'll flee the state and will send word to her pregnant cousin when it's safe. She pays, she anxiously waits, and sure enough, one night she's in her bedroom when she hears the front door open. A masked man grabs her and puts her in the trunk of his car. Her relief soon turns to terror when she hears several voices, and they are talking about "scaring her a little" and then "turning her over" to 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭.
Has Noelle run from one bad situation into one that is infinitely worse? I could not believe the twists and turns this story took, and the chapters from Daniel's POV were so vile, I wanted to scream. The character development is stellar, and the plot races along with absolutely no filler; everything is integral to the story. I absolutely can't wait to see what she come up with next!
I always read the author's notes at the end of a book, and this struck me to my core: 𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒘𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝒔𝒐 𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒖𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒕𝒘𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔...𝒕𝒐 𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑵𝒐𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒇𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒔 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒂 𝒏𝒆𝒈𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑 𝒊𝒔𝒏'𝒕 𝒏𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒚 𝒘𝒆𝒂𝒌, 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒉𝒖𝒎𝒂𝒏.
Definitely familiarize yourself with the trigger warnings before you read. A huge thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for this ARC.
Noelle is desperate to break free from her controlling boyfriend, Dr. Daniel Ashcroft. He hasn't gotten physically abusive yet, but he controls her with an iron fist. There are cameras in her house, a keystroke app on her computers and phone...there is little that Noelle can do that Daniel won't find out about. He loves to make comments about the high mortality rate in pregnant women, which Noelle takes as a threat against her pregnant cousin. Because she fears him hurting her loved ones, Noelle doesn't leave him.
She eventually becomes so desperate to escape that when she goes into an Internet cafe one day to browse anonymously, she stumbles onto something so crazy, so desperate, that it just may work. An extreme kidnapping site, run by ex-felons who have experience and will do whatever the customer pays for, is her ticket out. She'll flee the state and will send word to her pregnant cousin when it's safe. She pays, she anxiously waits, and sure enough, one night she's in her bedroom when she hears the front door open. A masked man grabs her and puts her in the trunk of his car. Her relief soon turns to terror when she hears several voices, and they are talking about "scaring her a little" and then "turning her over" to 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭.
Has Noelle run from one bad situation into one that is infinitely worse? I could not believe the twists and turns this story took, and the chapters from Daniel's POV were so vile, I wanted to scream. The character development is stellar, and the plot races along with absolutely no filler; everything is integral to the story. I absolutely can't wait to see what she come up with next!
I always read the author's notes at the end of a book, and this struck me to my core: 𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒘𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝒔𝒐 𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒖𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒕𝒘𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔...𝒕𝒐 𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑵𝒐𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒇𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒔 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒂 𝒏𝒆𝒈𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑 𝒊𝒔𝒏'𝒕 𝒏𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒚 𝒘𝒆𝒂𝒌, 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒉𝒖𝒎𝒂𝒏.
Definitely familiarize yourself with the trigger warnings before you read. A huge thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for this ARC.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 657 reviews