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The Locket
A tainted past. A hopeful future. An unexpected twist of fate.
Katie Upton has spent nine years running from a town that terrorizes her every thought. Suffering from PTSD and unable to escape the memory of her past, she never stays in one place long. That is, until fate lands her in Victoria, Texas. With a newly forged friendship and a job that she loves, Katie finally feels like life is settling down. But when an unknown visitor stops by her work, it ignites a fear that her past has come back to haunt her. Katie begins to question everything, including her own sanity, and when her missing locket shows up in an unexpected place, she knows ... there's no one left to trust.
The Locket is a gripping thriller that dives into the meat of PTSD and the daunting journey to recovery. It will leave you questioning the purpose of everyone that's ever crossed your path. Just know, when fate has a plan, it will find a way.
Katie Upton has spent nine years running from a town that terrorizes her every thought. Suffering from PTSD and unable to escape the memory of her past, she never stays in one place long. That is, until fate lands her in Victoria, Texas. With a newly forged friendship and a job that she loves, Katie finally feels like life is settling down. But when an unknown visitor stops by her work, it ignites a fear that her past has come back to haunt her. Katie begins to question everything, including her own sanity, and when her missing locket shows up in an unexpected place, she knows ... there's no one left to trust.
The Locket is a gripping thriller that dives into the meat of PTSD and the daunting journey to recovery. It will leave you questioning the purpose of everyone that's ever crossed your path. Just know, when fate has a plan, it will find a way.
242 pages, Paperback
Published June 21, 2022
3 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
June 21, 2022
This book was amazing. It was beautifully written. I don’t want to spoil anything but I didn’t see the ending coming! I loved the characters, TY was my favorite, and the scenery, specifically the cabin. It hit hard because I know several people, including myself, who have been sexually assaulted and I loved the justice this book gave in the end! People never want to talk about the dirty, ugly things that happen when we really need to be aware of what is happening and help every single person that’s been assaulted sexual or not. The authors note was fabulous too. I hope she writes more! I’m a fan! Go read this book! NOW!
June 9, 2022
Haven’t read a nonfiction book in over a decade! This book was read in two days, in two settings. Super easy to read!
This isn’t even my genre of book. More Stephen King type of guy.
Very good read from start to finish. I like the jumping back and forth in the timeline and was continually drawn to see what happened to Katie - very good main character.
I literally have nothing negative to say. Write another one and include Katie. She has that draw of a recurring character, IMO. Well done!
This isn’t even my genre of book. More Stephen King type of guy.
Very good read from start to finish. I like the jumping back and forth in the timeline and was continually drawn to see what happened to Katie - very good main character.
I literally have nothing negative to say. Write another one and include Katie. She has that draw of a recurring character, IMO. Well done!
June 8, 2022
Reading is one of my favorite things to do, when I tell you that this book knocked my socks off then came back for seconds.. I’m not even kidding! This was one of the best reads I have ever completed! I couldn’t put the book down for one minute! If you want a book that will glue to yourself in order to not forget it no matter where you are… this is the one! Oh, and don’t count on getting any sleep till it’s done either, I’m not kidding when I say… you can’t put it down!
June 7, 2022
I started and finished this book in one sitting.
The writing and the story pulled you in so quickly, you didn't even see it coming. The switching of past and present is one of my favorite ways to read a story. It all just worked and quickly pulled you into the world that Katie was navigating. The story breaks your heart but puts it back together in a way you never knew you needed.
Keeping telling stories Brittany - I will read them all!
The writing and the story pulled you in so quickly, you didn't even see it coming. The switching of past and present is one of my favorite ways to read a story. It all just worked and quickly pulled you into the world that Katie was navigating. The story breaks your heart but puts it back together in a way you never knew you needed.
Keeping telling stories Brittany - I will read them all!
August 2, 2022
A note to the author: I am so honored to have been able to read and review this book for Brittany!! ❤️ Thank you for trusting me with your work and allowing me to give my honest review!!
*Trigger Warning! ⚠️ This novel contains explicit references to sexual and physical assault, mentions of suicide/suicidal ideation, anxiety, OCD and PTSD. If these topics are a Tigger for you, skip this one!*
The other reviews on the books back cover were not lying! This book draws you in immediately and for me, all it took was the description!
The Locket follows Katie, a survivor of a brutal assault, as she navigates life with Anxiety related to PTSD and finds her own version of peace and happiness.
Set in Texas, the southern charm of this novel is an instant appeal. Told through a variety of perspectives from Katie in the present, to recounts of her past, and the perspective of the detective working her case (my personal favorite!) It was a pleasant combination of flashbacks and current storytelling.
Bessonett handled the subject matter with grace, respect and care and told Katie's story in a captivating way! I was hooked from the first chapter and really was drawn into the back and forth, "puzzle piecing" method of writing.
The last 20 pages (including the epilogue) provide suspense and an unexpected (yet not totally shocking) twist, just when you think Katie is in the clear. There were several points in this story where I was gripping to the next page or the edge of my seat and had to finish the chapter!!!
For a debut novel, still in the early stages, I was impressed with the writing style and professionalism of this novel.
My only critique is that I found the plot point on how Ty got the locket a bit unbelievable...I feel that there could have been a more practical ending for this story line as I am not personally a believer in supernatural experiences such as ghosts/people visiting us after death etc.
BUT a small detail that could be completely rational to come and ignored or overlooked in the overall conclusion to the story. The ending is unchanged and I was very satisfied with the story's events overall.
If you're a young author reading this review and would like to send me YOUR book for review, you can find me on IG @your_geekygf or on YouTube by the same name. Go check out my full review of the book over there as well! 😊
*Trigger Warning! ⚠️ This novel contains explicit references to sexual and physical assault, mentions of suicide/suicidal ideation, anxiety, OCD and PTSD. If these topics are a Tigger for you, skip this one!*
The other reviews on the books back cover were not lying! This book draws you in immediately and for me, all it took was the description!
The Locket follows Katie, a survivor of a brutal assault, as she navigates life with Anxiety related to PTSD and finds her own version of peace and happiness.
Set in Texas, the southern charm of this novel is an instant appeal. Told through a variety of perspectives from Katie in the present, to recounts of her past, and the perspective of the detective working her case (my personal favorite!) It was a pleasant combination of flashbacks and current storytelling.
Bessonett handled the subject matter with grace, respect and care and told Katie's story in a captivating way! I was hooked from the first chapter and really was drawn into the back and forth, "puzzle piecing" method of writing.
The last 20 pages (including the epilogue) provide suspense and an unexpected (yet not totally shocking) twist, just when you think Katie is in the clear. There were several points in this story where I was gripping to the next page or the edge of my seat and had to finish the chapter!!!
For a debut novel, still in the early stages, I was impressed with the writing style and professionalism of this novel.
My only critique is that I found the plot point on how Ty got the locket a bit unbelievable...I feel that there could have been a more practical ending for this story line as I am not personally a believer in supernatural experiences such as ghosts/people visiting us after death etc.
BUT a small detail that could be completely rational to come and ignored or overlooked in the overall conclusion to the story. The ending is unchanged and I was very satisfied with the story's events overall.
If you're a young author reading this review and would like to send me YOUR book for review, you can find me on IG @your_geekygf or on YouTube by the same name. Go check out my full review of the book over there as well! 😊
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 20, 2022
Definitely a page turner. Katie is suffering from PTSD following a vicious attack during her cross country training. She has moved from city to city and finally settled in Victoria, Texas. Working in a flower shop, with few friends; Katie suffers from nightmares and never stops looking over her shoulder. The assault changed her life in a day.
When her missing locket turns up, Katie questions all she believes in.
The book alternates from present day, to nine years ago.
When her missing locket turns up, Katie questions all she believes in.
The book alternates from present day, to nine years ago.
June 9, 2022
This book just grabs you by the collar and sucks you in! The story flows so beautifully, you don't want to put it down. I got so invested in the characters, I truly felt what they were feeling.
January 16, 2023
⚠️ If you are a sexual assault victim, I would imagine this would be a tough book for you. ⚠️
For anyone else, what an amazing read! I started and finished this book in record time. Looking forward to your next book, Brittany!
For anyone else, what an amazing read! I started and finished this book in record time. Looking forward to your next book, Brittany!
October 20, 2022
Such a good book , I couldn’t put it down! If you love a story of triumph and healing this is for you. And those last couple of chapters are a real roller coaster so hang on but you’ll be glad you did. Brittany is a brilliant writer and really brings you into her stories. So here’s to all the young ladies that are still lost in the woods may you find peace and love .
January 6, 2023
I devoured this book! It had lots of unexpected twists and turns and had me guessing until the very end! The author does a fabulous job of writing anxiety and overcoming trauma. I will definitely be recommending this to friends!
August 26, 2022
Read in one day was so good I couldn't put it down
July 19, 2024
4.5 rounded up. SO GOOD! This book had it all from thrill to the sweetest moments. I waited way too long to take this one off my TBR list. Definitely recommend!
July 19, 2024
Surprising book, loved it! Unexpected twists brought this story full circle and what a sweet ending for Katie’s traumatic story ❤️
October 1, 2022
A fantastic debut novel! It had a little bit of everything: family feels, thriller, suspense, romance, and what was most impressive and also relatable: the mind of a victim of sexual assault. Katie’s PTSD was written so very well along with the thoughts that she had throughout her recovery.
The detail that went into this novel…it’s so very carefully crafted. Everything came full circle, I especially adored the foreshadowing, and it all fell together so perfectly. Sometimes the dialogue came across as a little stiff, but I really enjoyed how descriptive the characters’ actions were. Fantastic adjectives and alliteration throughout.
I read a review where someone said that they could see Katie as a recurring character in other stories, and I 100% agree. She’s a super strong female character and we need more characters like her. The care and effort that the author took to incorporate part of her own story as well as her dear friend’s is very evident. You can feel the tenderness toward those storylines and it makes it seem so real and raw and heartfelt. It’s a beautifully written book and I would definitely read more by Bessonett!
The detail that went into this novel…it’s so very carefully crafted. Everything came full circle, I especially adored the foreshadowing, and it all fell together so perfectly. Sometimes the dialogue came across as a little stiff, but I really enjoyed how descriptive the characters’ actions were. Fantastic adjectives and alliteration throughout.
I read a review where someone said that they could see Katie as a recurring character in other stories, and I 100% agree. She’s a super strong female character and we need more characters like her. The care and effort that the author took to incorporate part of her own story as well as her dear friend’s is very evident. You can feel the tenderness toward those storylines and it makes it seem so real and raw and heartfelt. It’s a beautifully written book and I would definitely read more by Bessonett!
July 26, 2022
Read this book because Brittany is a friend of my sisters and my sister bragged about it being so good. Wowza...it is SO good. The way Brittany builds the characters with ease, and her effortless writing with twists and turns, leaves you captivated, chapter after chapter. Can NOT wait to read her next book.
July 19, 2022
This book started out a little slow for me, but once past the first few chapters it started to pick up. I love how the Author went back and forth between past and present to tell the main characters story. Every chapter almost ended on a cliff hanger to keep you guessing what was next. The ending took me by surprise and wasn't how I expected it to end. From the beginning I thought I knew what was going to happen, but then there was a twist in the story that completely changed what I thought was going to happen.
Loved it and would recommend for others to read.
Loved it and would recommend for others to read.
June 14, 2022
Fantastic book! It drew me in in a way that I haven’t had in a long time! I could see the characters and scenes, feel the tension and almost smell the coffee at the little coffee shop, and the flowers at the shop where Katie worked! I couldn’t stop reading it and was laughing and talking out loud while I read!
July 3, 2022
Moving story
This book held my attention from the beginning. My heart broke for Katie... losing her mom, and suffering such a horrendous attack. I felt her anguish and was so relieved to know that she found justice. If only all victims of such attacks find that justice! What a great book, Brittany Bessonett! I can't wait for the next one!
This book held my attention from the beginning. My heart broke for Katie... losing her mom, and suffering such a horrendous attack. I felt her anguish and was so relieved to know that she found justice. If only all victims of such attacks find that justice! What a great book, Brittany Bessonett! I can't wait for the next one!
September 7, 2022
So amazing , I couldn't put it down.a rollercoaster of emotions Loved it!
July 5, 2022
The Ending!!
I thought I had this book figured out, but that ending?! I couldn’t stop reading, the author is great with words, and I was in tears when I finished. Such a great novel, I hope she writes more!
I thought I had this book figured out, but that ending?! I couldn’t stop reading, the author is great with words, and I was in tears when I finished. Such a great novel, I hope she writes more!
September 2, 2022
I can not say enough about this book!! I smiled, I had goosebumps, I cried but this is by far one of the best books I have read in a long time. I was captivated by page one and held onto it the entire time. Outstanding Job!!
August 30, 2025
Great read!
Enjoyed this first publication by Mrs. Bessonett. Enjoyed the mystery unraveling between the time split, and the attention to detail. Excited for any future publications!
Enjoyed this first publication by Mrs. Bessonett. Enjoyed the mystery unraveling between the time split, and the attention to detail. Excited for any future publications!
July 22, 2022
A definite page turner!!
Wonderfully written with twists and turns right up to the end!! I can’t wait to read your next book! I’m sure it will just as suspenseful.
Wonderfully written with twists and turns right up to the end!! I can’t wait to read your next book! I’m sure it will just as suspenseful.
March 14, 2023
Very engaging book
It is a horrific topic dealt with in a thorough and respectful manner. Katie became real on the pages of the book and the torment she felt.
It is a horrific topic dealt with in a thorough and respectful manner. Katie became real on the pages of the book and the torment she felt.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews