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Her
YOU WATCH HER. YOU WANT TO BE JUST LIKE HER. BUT DO YOU REALLY KNOW HER?
Rani's life is far from idyllic - with two small children and a partner in a tiny rented flat that has never felt like home, she has always wished for a different life.
Then, Natalie moves into the large house across the road - and Rani can't help but be drawn to her. To her life of luxury, to her perfect husband, her perfect house.
But not all is as it seems behind closed doors, and as Rani gets closer to Natalie, she discovers everyone has secrets - and some will stay with you for a lifetime . . .
A darkly compelling, emotive debut about two women who find themselves sucked into each other's worlds - with devastating consequences. Perfect for fans of Liane Moriarty and Sally Hepworth.
Rani's life is far from idyllic - with two small children and a partner in a tiny rented flat that has never felt like home, she has always wished for a different life.
Then, Natalie moves into the large house across the road - and Rani can't help but be drawn to her. To her life of luxury, to her perfect husband, her perfect house.
But not all is as it seems behind closed doors, and as Rani gets closer to Natalie, she discovers everyone has secrets - and some will stay with you for a lifetime . . .
A darkly compelling, emotive debut about two women who find themselves sucked into each other's worlds - with devastating consequences. Perfect for fans of Liane Moriarty and Sally Hepworth.
316 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 23, 2023
29 people are currently reading
476 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 141 reviews
February 16, 2023
A pristine property, a shiny front door but what lies behind the smart, expensive Highgate facade??
Agent Paul eagerly shows (not) Serena Rhodes the for sale high end property but he’ll be disappointed as it’s Rani posing as Serena who has house envy but lacks the necessary hefty bank balance. She lives in a flat opposite the coveted property with her partner Joel and two daughters, she’s a desperately job seeking fish out of water. Paul shows Natalie and Charles the house and if the Maserati Charles drives is anything to go by they do have the funds to purchase it. Newly married, the couple buy and duly move in but cracks soon begin to appear in both Natalie’s and Rani’s world and an unlikely friendship blooms.
The novel starts really strongly and the first half is a good compelling read. The couples dynamics are fascinating and it’s very interesting seeing how their two different worlds interplay. Rani’s portrayal is especially strong with her inadequacy, resentment and many struggles being eloquently conveyed. It’s hard to get a handle on Natalie and the friendship between the two does seem unlikely but neither are living the dream. This slow burner psychological/domestic drama becomes a multilayered tale with several elements including torment, toxicity and control. It becomes clear that danger lurks on the sidelines but you aren’t sure what form this will ultimately take. It has twists and turns and in places it’s intense reading.
However, unfortunately I think the intensity wanes, at times you get too much domesticity and it halts the pace which therefore becomes uneven. I find the ending to be overly dramatic and not entirely convincing and also somewhat rushed with a lot of events coming at once.
Overall though, this is a very promising debut, it’s obvious the author has a lot of talent and I’ll happily read whatever she comes up with next.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Hodder and Stoughton for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
Agent Paul eagerly shows (not) Serena Rhodes the for sale high end property but he’ll be disappointed as it’s Rani posing as Serena who has house envy but lacks the necessary hefty bank balance. She lives in a flat opposite the coveted property with her partner Joel and two daughters, she’s a desperately job seeking fish out of water. Paul shows Natalie and Charles the house and if the Maserati Charles drives is anything to go by they do have the funds to purchase it. Newly married, the couple buy and duly move in but cracks soon begin to appear in both Natalie’s and Rani’s world and an unlikely friendship blooms.
The novel starts really strongly and the first half is a good compelling read. The couples dynamics are fascinating and it’s very interesting seeing how their two different worlds interplay. Rani’s portrayal is especially strong with her inadequacy, resentment and many struggles being eloquently conveyed. It’s hard to get a handle on Natalie and the friendship between the two does seem unlikely but neither are living the dream. This slow burner psychological/domestic drama becomes a multilayered tale with several elements including torment, toxicity and control. It becomes clear that danger lurks on the sidelines but you aren’t sure what form this will ultimately take. It has twists and turns and in places it’s intense reading.
However, unfortunately I think the intensity wanes, at times you get too much domesticity and it halts the pace which therefore becomes uneven. I find the ending to be overly dramatic and not entirely convincing and also somewhat rushed with a lot of events coming at once.
Overall though, this is a very promising debut, it’s obvious the author has a lot of talent and I’ll happily read whatever she comes up with next.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Hodder and Stoughton for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
October 22, 2022
An addictive psychological thriller with two engaging and very different characters who strike up an unlikely friendship against the backdrop of dark emerging secrets.
This is very entertaining and not predictable, an intriguing premise with themes of memory and hindsight. A nice little twist in the tale works well.
Overall very good and hugely enjoyable.
This is very entertaining and not predictable, an intriguing premise with themes of memory and hindsight. A nice little twist in the tale works well.
Overall very good and hugely enjoyable.
July 30, 2023
Rani, her husband Joel and their 2 children are living in a cramped flat. She is struggling to get a job and becomes obsessed with her glamorous new neighbours who are living in her dream home, living the life she has always wanted!!!
Natalie and her new husband Charles have just moved into the neighbourhood,, they arrive in a Maserati looking very loved up!!! They seem to have the perfect life but who knows what goes on behind their front door!!!
The chapters alternate between Rani and Natalie's POV as their life's become entwined and secrets are revealed.
I loved this book and I look forward to this authors next book.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
Natalie and her new husband Charles have just moved into the neighbourhood,, they arrive in a Maserati looking very loved up!!! They seem to have the perfect life but who knows what goes on behind their front door!!!
The chapters alternate between Rani and Natalie's POV as their life's become entwined and secrets are revealed.
I loved this book and I look forward to this authors next book.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 19, 2025
Kind of meh, in my opinion.
I didn’t really like both characters, Rani and Natalie, but Rani grated on my nerves. And I found their POVs quite chaotic.
It also seemed like the story was incomplete, as some of the supporting characters just disappeared.
The best thing about this book was that it read quite quickly.
I didn’t really like both characters, Rani and Natalie, but Rani grated on my nerves. And I found their POVs quite chaotic.
It also seemed like the story was incomplete, as some of the supporting characters just disappeared.
The best thing about this book was that it read quite quickly.
February 13, 2023
Many things can be hidden behind a perfect facade.
When a wealthy and successful couple moves in next door, Rani becomes even more aware of her flaws, and she becomes increasingly preoccupied with her neighbor, particularly Natalie, who has everything. A successful career, a beautiful appearance, and a devoted husband. Rani misses her freedom with her husband and two children.
Natalie, on the other hand, is haunted by demons from her past and constrained by her toxic mother and controlling husband.
But danger lurks behind every mask.
The novel is about a woman's perspective on career, motherhood, marriage, balancing career and family, violence and control, toxic relationships, mental disorders, survival, and many other topics. The protagonists are likeable and relatable.
A good domestic thriller with lots of action and suspense.
When a wealthy and successful couple moves in next door, Rani becomes even more aware of her flaws, and she becomes increasingly preoccupied with her neighbor, particularly Natalie, who has everything. A successful career, a beautiful appearance, and a devoted husband. Rani misses her freedom with her husband and two children.
Natalie, on the other hand, is haunted by demons from her past and constrained by her toxic mother and controlling husband.
But danger lurks behind every mask.
The novel is about a woman's perspective on career, motherhood, marriage, balancing career and family, violence and control, toxic relationships, mental disorders, survival, and many other topics. The protagonists are likeable and relatable.
A good domestic thriller with lots of action and suspense.
November 20, 2023
I cannot tell you how long I waited to get my hands on a copy of the lovely @shahvmira’s debut - I just knew it would be brilliant!
This is a seriously dark and addictive read which had me turning the pages as fast as I could, knowing something terrible was coming. It helps that I get seriously obsessive about rich people’s lives and homes, and there was a good dose of privilege in this story - but things aren’t always as they seem from the outside, as we find out 👀
I found both female main characters really compelling, especially Rani who felt very real and easy to sympathise with. But mostly I loved the way those short, sharp chapters just left me desperately wanting more until we got to that explosive ending. So excited for more from Mira!
This is a seriously dark and addictive read which had me turning the pages as fast as I could, knowing something terrible was coming. It helps that I get seriously obsessive about rich people’s lives and homes, and there was a good dose of privilege in this story - but things aren’t always as they seem from the outside, as we find out 👀
I found both female main characters really compelling, especially Rani who felt very real and easy to sympathise with. But mostly I loved the way those short, sharp chapters just left me desperately wanting more until we got to that explosive ending. So excited for more from Mira!
March 12, 2023
An intriguing psychological thriller, intertwining the stories of two very different women who help each other find their own way. I wish the ending wasn’t so rushed. I would’ve liked to see a confrontation or two, tbh!
(Review copy from NetGalley)
(Review copy from NetGalley)
November 25, 2023
Really mixed bag, needed a lot of editing. Incredibly slow for 80% with absolutely nothing happening, just lots of things alluded to. Despite reading things from the first person, two characters I absolutely couldn’t get behind. Poor writing, jumpy, awful dialogue. Rushed ending, throwing everything and the kitchen sink at it - not surprising or thrilling, unfulfilling and unexplained. Poor.
April 8, 2024
Really enjoyed this book, really liked the characters and it kept me guessing the twist throughout!
Read
February 21, 2023Oooh I enjoyed this one!
Not sure what I enjoyed more, the really relatable characters or the mystery.
Rani is living with her husband and two children in a cramped flat. Struggling to get a job, she is feeling particularly unfulfilled when the glamorous and wealthy Natalie moves in to a beautiful, expensive property across the street.
We’ve all experienced that sense of envy looking at how the other half live and it was easy to identify with Rani's feelings of insecurity, curiosity and jealousy about Natalie and her husband.
I was fully prepared not to like Natalie and immediately took Rani's side but as the story develops and we get to know Natalie a bit more we see that she has her own struggles and self doubts and that the grass really isn’t always greener.
Lots of layers of intrigue in this one too as the two women become closer and Natalies past is slowly revealed.
A really strong debut and look forward to more from Mira
Thanks to Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for the chance to read an early copy
Not sure what I enjoyed more, the really relatable characters or the mystery.
Rani is living with her husband and two children in a cramped flat. Struggling to get a job, she is feeling particularly unfulfilled when the glamorous and wealthy Natalie moves in to a beautiful, expensive property across the street.
We’ve all experienced that sense of envy looking at how the other half live and it was easy to identify with Rani's feelings of insecurity, curiosity and jealousy about Natalie and her husband.
I was fully prepared not to like Natalie and immediately took Rani's side but as the story develops and we get to know Natalie a bit more we see that she has her own struggles and self doubts and that the grass really isn’t always greener.
Lots of layers of intrigue in this one too as the two women become closer and Natalies past is slowly revealed.
A really strong debut and look forward to more from Mira
Thanks to Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for the chance to read an early copy
October 22, 2022
I don't think a first chapter has ever captivated me as much as this one has. I felt absorbed, and simply had to read on immediately. Sadly, I think this book peaked a little too soon, as I felt I was drifting by the middle, and a predictable ending didn't give me any shock factor and I couldn't connect with the characters as much as I'd hoped.
This is well written with some smart descriptions; I just wanted a little more.
This is well written with some smart descriptions; I just wanted a little more.
March 4, 2023
Control and envy are the themes I got from this book!
The story is told alternating between Rani and Natalie's perspective. Each characters narrative was equally interesting; focusing on how their relationships are impacted by death, abuse and infidelity. I found that the reference to each of these areas was too brief (hence the 4⭐)- but then perhaps it would have been an entirely different book!
The last part of the book, quite quickly covered a lot in terms of revelations, but I did really like the ending.
Thanks NetGalley for an advance copy 😊
The story is told alternating between Rani and Natalie's perspective. Each characters narrative was equally interesting; focusing on how their relationships are impacted by death, abuse and infidelity. I found that the reference to each of these areas was too brief (hence the 4⭐)- but then perhaps it would have been an entirely different book!
The last part of the book, quite quickly covered a lot in terms of revelations, but I did really like the ending.
Thanks NetGalley for an advance copy 😊
December 25, 2023
YOU WATCH HER. YOU WANT TO BE JUST LIKE HER. BUT DO YOU REALLY KNOW HER?
Natalie moves into the large house across the road - and Rani can't help but be drawn to her. To Natalie’s life of luxury, to her perfect husband, her perfect house.
But not all is as it seems - What secrets is Natalie hiding?
Alternating chapters between Rani and Natalie's POV kept me on edge as their lives become entangled.
Read this in 2 days - Would NEVER have guessed the ending!
Natalie moves into the large house across the road - and Rani can't help but be drawn to her. To Natalie’s life of luxury, to her perfect husband, her perfect house.
But not all is as it seems - What secrets is Natalie hiding?
Alternating chapters between Rani and Natalie's POV kept me on edge as their lives become entangled.
Read this in 2 days - Would NEVER have guessed the ending!
April 22, 2023
Set around a beautiful and expensive house, Her is the story of two women living seemingly very different lives. Rani is a married mother of two, living in a cramped flat. She has given up her dreams of a career to raise a family and relies on her husband for financial support.
Natalie is everything Rani aspires to be - a polished and confident career woman, with an adoring husband and a dream house. But is Natalie actually living the dream?
Her sounded right up my street if you'll excuse the pun. Suggestions of past scandal, hidden undercurrents of menace, and the threat of everything coming to a head in explosive fashion.
The first part of the book certainly delivered on its promise. The ending was perhaps a bit much to take in at once, but it is fiction!
I will be adding Mira V Shah to my list of authors to look out for in the future.
Thanks to the author, Hodder and Stoughton, and NetGalley for the eARC of this book.
Natalie is everything Rani aspires to be - a polished and confident career woman, with an adoring husband and a dream house. But is Natalie actually living the dream?
Her sounded right up my street if you'll excuse the pun. Suggestions of past scandal, hidden undercurrents of menace, and the threat of everything coming to a head in explosive fashion.
The first part of the book certainly delivered on its promise. The ending was perhaps a bit much to take in at once, but it is fiction!
I will be adding Mira V Shah to my list of authors to look out for in the future.
Thanks to the author, Hodder and Stoughton, and NetGalley for the eARC of this book.
October 11, 2024
I absolutely loved this book it kept me guessing all the way through and constantly reading more for more snippets of information. The build up.to.the reveal at the end was amazing.
February 19, 2023
This was fascinating and so full of twists. Yes there are a lot of sub plots and you have to concentrate whilst reading but it works and thoroughly enjoy it.
I didn't see the end.
I was given an advance copy by netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely my own.
I didn't see the end.
I was given an advance copy by netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely my own.
March 19, 2023
When Rani meets Natalie and her husband Charles for the first time after they move to no.11 she envies them, she wonders how Natalie is always so well put together all the time.
Being a mom of 2 and looking for a job which seems to be never coming in Rani is really not having a good time. But as she gets to know more about Natalie and her family something seems to be off and there’s a terrible secret Natalie and her mom seem to be hiding.
This was an ok book for me, not everything had a closure – there was a time when I thought Charles and Natalie’s relationship was the center of the story and the “supposed twist” in the end was not a huge surprise.
Thanks to Netgalley, Mira V Shah & Hodder and Stoughton for sending the widget in exchange for an honest review.
Being a mom of 2 and looking for a job which seems to be never coming in Rani is really not having a good time. But as she gets to know more about Natalie and her family something seems to be off and there’s a terrible secret Natalie and her mom seem to be hiding.
This was an ok book for me, not everything had a closure – there was a time when I thought Charles and Natalie’s relationship was the center of the story and the “supposed twist” in the end was not a huge surprise.
Thanks to Netgalley, Mira V Shah & Hodder and Stoughton for sending the widget in exchange for an honest review.
January 19, 2023
Rani is tired. She's tired of her tiny flat that doesn't feel like home, she's tired of her strained relationship, tired of only ever being called 'Mum' instead of her name. And honestly, she's tired of everything.
But then, she meets Natalie and something about her just calls out to Rani. As Natalie moves into the luxurious house across from her with her perfect husband, high-flying career and flawless life, they become friends. She wants to be around Natalie, to know her - but she can't deny, there's something more than that. She wans to be her.
So she watches, and she listens. And that perfect life that Rani has been coveting may not be so perfect after all. As their lives intertwine, they both see the hidden sides to their new friend that they'd never had expected - and danger they'd never have imagined.
"I never once considered the sacrifices she's made to be here, to intertwine herself in my fate. And I have a strong sense of impending danger. But not to my life. To hers."
A compelling, convoluted story about an unlikely friendship that turns into something dark and dangerous. About obsession, ambition, desire - and the true power of real connections that can shed light on even the darkest moments.
Natalie and Rami were both exceptionally human - but aside from their astounding writing and relatability, their characters raised both timely and important themes about race, class, identity and relationships that are woven carefully into the story and raised naturally. Both women were much more than met the eye - Natalie was almost a caricature of a rich, privileged white woman at the start, but as you know privileged might remove obstacles but it doesn't stop someone adding more to your path. And Rami was a woman lost in her own life, trying her best in a world that doesn't want her to succeed and drowning in the current. They're both haunted by something, running from monsters - but maybe not just the ones in their nightmares.
I found empathy with them both, their relationship grew and evolved so naturally and clearly, their bond deepening with such authentic care and love as they really learned to see each other. We jump between both their perspectives, hearing directly as they try to figure out what's happening around them and learning things the same time they do. They spoke personally and candidly to the reader, letting us follow them on trains of thought and journeys down memory lane. It was intriguing to find myself giving compassion to these women as they judge themselves, compare themselves, edit themselves - wanting to comfort them and reassure them and then realising that I and others do the exact same thing with such conviction, so maybe we deserve some comfort in these moments too.
This was a slow-burner to me, quick to start and set the scene but then stopping to spend time in the domestic daily lives of our characters while the embers smoked in the background. Moments of intensity and action flared up before disappearing again, leaving us waiting for the next explosion. The detail in the setting was amazing - making a simple residential street feel alive. It felt like home, it felt a prison, it felt like a nightmare, almost like it was an active part of the story.
All the little details aren't revealed with a bang, but allow themselves to slowly be seen, layers quietly peeling back as the hidden links and connections appear and you have to question if you've really figured it out or if you're still in the dark. Now, I figured out a couple of things early on, but the journey to find out if I was right was delightfully anxious and just as nerve-wracking.
The quiet intensity of a domestic drama mixed with the cinematic highs of a psychological thriller and plenty of mystery set against the background of an unsuspecting suburbia - Her is a story about the monsters that leave our nightmares and sneak into real life. Shah is a powerful voice that is definitely going to be heard, and I can't wait to see what they do next.
"We're not the same people any more. We won't ever be again. But maybe that's okay."
But then, she meets Natalie and something about her just calls out to Rani. As Natalie moves into the luxurious house across from her with her perfect husband, high-flying career and flawless life, they become friends. She wants to be around Natalie, to know her - but she can't deny, there's something more than that. She wans to be her.
So she watches, and she listens. And that perfect life that Rani has been coveting may not be so perfect after all. As their lives intertwine, they both see the hidden sides to their new friend that they'd never had expected - and danger they'd never have imagined.
"I never once considered the sacrifices she's made to be here, to intertwine herself in my fate. And I have a strong sense of impending danger. But not to my life. To hers."
A compelling, convoluted story about an unlikely friendship that turns into something dark and dangerous. About obsession, ambition, desire - and the true power of real connections that can shed light on even the darkest moments.
Natalie and Rami were both exceptionally human - but aside from their astounding writing and relatability, their characters raised both timely and important themes about race, class, identity and relationships that are woven carefully into the story and raised naturally. Both women were much more than met the eye - Natalie was almost a caricature of a rich, privileged white woman at the start, but as you know privileged might remove obstacles but it doesn't stop someone adding more to your path. And Rami was a woman lost in her own life, trying her best in a world that doesn't want her to succeed and drowning in the current. They're both haunted by something, running from monsters - but maybe not just the ones in their nightmares.
I found empathy with them both, their relationship grew and evolved so naturally and clearly, their bond deepening with such authentic care and love as they really learned to see each other. We jump between both their perspectives, hearing directly as they try to figure out what's happening around them and learning things the same time they do. They spoke personally and candidly to the reader, letting us follow them on trains of thought and journeys down memory lane. It was intriguing to find myself giving compassion to these women as they judge themselves, compare themselves, edit themselves - wanting to comfort them and reassure them and then realising that I and others do the exact same thing with such conviction, so maybe we deserve some comfort in these moments too.
This was a slow-burner to me, quick to start and set the scene but then stopping to spend time in the domestic daily lives of our characters while the embers smoked in the background. Moments of intensity and action flared up before disappearing again, leaving us waiting for the next explosion. The detail in the setting was amazing - making a simple residential street feel alive. It felt like home, it felt a prison, it felt like a nightmare, almost like it was an active part of the story.
All the little details aren't revealed with a bang, but allow themselves to slowly be seen, layers quietly peeling back as the hidden links and connections appear and you have to question if you've really figured it out or if you're still in the dark. Now, I figured out a couple of things early on, but the journey to find out if I was right was delightfully anxious and just as nerve-wracking.
The quiet intensity of a domestic drama mixed with the cinematic highs of a psychological thriller and plenty of mystery set against the background of an unsuspecting suburbia - Her is a story about the monsters that leave our nightmares and sneak into real life. Shah is a powerful voice that is definitely going to be heard, and I can't wait to see what they do next.
"We're not the same people any more. We won't ever be again. But maybe that's okay."
March 26, 2023
To anyone wishing to study the art of writing a psychological thriller, you need to look no further. Mira Shah’s dazzling debut is the benchmark. It’s been a long time since I was gripped by a story like this. Her is ultimately a story of the friendship between two neighbours, both finding their current situation in life far from ideal. From the start the hints are there. Who is telling the truth? Who is good, who is not. Mira paints North London in bold colours, beautiful detail about the lives of Rani and Natalie. Rani is such a wonderful creation, so real and utterly compelling, she contrasts beautifully with the enigmatic Natalie. There are also some fabulous secondary characters, Jemima and Clarissa particularly who stole the scenes they were in.
Each chapter is related in turn by both women, as slowly the present finds the past with numerous breadcrumbs scattered along the way. The climax is both shocking but utterly believable. An accomplished debut and I look forward to reading more books in the future from Mira.
Each chapter is related in turn by both women, as slowly the present finds the past with numerous breadcrumbs scattered along the way. The climax is both shocking but utterly believable. An accomplished debut and I look forward to reading more books in the future from Mira.
November 18, 2023
Thank you to the Squadpod2021 for organising this absolutely stunning book for the November Book Club read. Also to Hodder and Stoughton for my copy of the proof in return for a fair and honest review.
Rani is a mother of two girls, who she loves dearly and the wife of Joel who is a school teacher. She had a promising career planned but that was cut short when she became pregnant she is quite unsatisfied with her life.
The book begins with her pretending to be someone else, a wealthy woman Serena, so that she can view one of the big houses that has come up for sale near to where she lives in a flat and dream about living in. Shortly after her visit a new couple move into Rani’s dream house and Rani befriends one of the new occupants Natalie.
Natalie is a high flying lawyer and has moved in with her husband Charles, Rani is jealous of their life and then she also finds out some home truths about her own life. Natalie starts to experience nightmares and Rani decides to try to help Natalie, but at what cost to her own life.
I really found this book engrossing the chapters alternate between Rani and Natalie’s perspective, Natalie has a lot of hidden secrets and Rani soon becomes involved in Natalies life much to the dislike to Charles and Luella, Natalie’s mother.
This book is full of surprises, I thought I knew where the plot was heading but I was surprised again and again. The characters are really well written as they really provoke a host of feelings in the reader. It is full of tension and some really shocking revelations, it is a book that you need to read in a couple of sittings because the further you delve into the lives of these women you realise that something very dark is about to play out.
What a fantastic debut !
Rani is a mother of two girls, who she loves dearly and the wife of Joel who is a school teacher. She had a promising career planned but that was cut short when she became pregnant she is quite unsatisfied with her life.
The book begins with her pretending to be someone else, a wealthy woman Serena, so that she can view one of the big houses that has come up for sale near to where she lives in a flat and dream about living in. Shortly after her visit a new couple move into Rani’s dream house and Rani befriends one of the new occupants Natalie.
Natalie is a high flying lawyer and has moved in with her husband Charles, Rani is jealous of their life and then she also finds out some home truths about her own life. Natalie starts to experience nightmares and Rani decides to try to help Natalie, but at what cost to her own life.
I really found this book engrossing the chapters alternate between Rani and Natalie’s perspective, Natalie has a lot of hidden secrets and Rani soon becomes involved in Natalies life much to the dislike to Charles and Luella, Natalie’s mother.
This book is full of surprises, I thought I knew where the plot was heading but I was surprised again and again. The characters are really well written as they really provoke a host of feelings in the reader. It is full of tension and some really shocking revelations, it is a book that you need to read in a couple of sittings because the further you delve into the lives of these women you realise that something very dark is about to play out.
What a fantastic debut !
November 22, 2023
This was another brilliant psychological thriller which I quickly became hooked on and couldn’t put down!
Rani leaves in a flat with her husband and two children. When Natalie and her new husband move in to a large house across the road with expensive clothes and high powered jobs Rani is envious of their extravagant lifestyles. Rani is drawn to Natalie and the two women become friends. Does Natalie have the perfect life or are there cracks under the surface with hidden secrets?
I found this such a compelling read and enjoyed getting to know both Rani and Natalie as their friendship developed. The dual narrative by these two main characters and short pacy chapters kept me turning the pages and I read this in just over a day!
Could they trust each other? Both characters were very believable and I loved the sinister undertone throughout the story with levels of intrugue building up. The book covers abusive relationships, mental health and female friendships very well.
If you enjoy twisty psychological thrillers I would recommend this one!
Rani leaves in a flat with her husband and two children. When Natalie and her new husband move in to a large house across the road with expensive clothes and high powered jobs Rani is envious of their extravagant lifestyles. Rani is drawn to Natalie and the two women become friends. Does Natalie have the perfect life or are there cracks under the surface with hidden secrets?
I found this such a compelling read and enjoyed getting to know both Rani and Natalie as their friendship developed. The dual narrative by these two main characters and short pacy chapters kept me turning the pages and I read this in just over a day!
Could they trust each other? Both characters were very believable and I loved the sinister undertone throughout the story with levels of intrugue building up. The book covers abusive relationships, mental health and female friendships very well.
If you enjoy twisty psychological thrillers I would recommend this one!
November 28, 2023
Any dark psychological thriller lovers out there?
If so, you’ll want to add Her @shahvmira to your tbr! With short and snappy chapters that switches POV from Rani to Natalie, these two women form an unexpected friendship when Natalie and her husband, Charles, move into the beautiful and expensive house across the road from Rani.
Nothing is as it seems as both women are dealing with their own insecurities and issues in their home life but something ties them together, but both women don’t seem to be telling the whole truth.
It’s hard to share much about this one without giving any plot twists but twists there definitely are, and right until the very end! It’s dark, obsessive and smart with the multiple layers that are woven into the narrative. It reminded me of Big Little Lies and how the shiny veneer of a perfect marriage, home and family is not what it seems beneath the surface…
It’s one that you’ll race through quickly to find out the ending. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author!
If so, you’ll want to add Her @shahvmira to your tbr! With short and snappy chapters that switches POV from Rani to Natalie, these two women form an unexpected friendship when Natalie and her husband, Charles, move into the beautiful and expensive house across the road from Rani.
Nothing is as it seems as both women are dealing with their own insecurities and issues in their home life but something ties them together, but both women don’t seem to be telling the whole truth.
It’s hard to share much about this one without giving any plot twists but twists there definitely are, and right until the very end! It’s dark, obsessive and smart with the multiple layers that are woven into the narrative. It reminded me of Big Little Lies and how the shiny veneer of a perfect marriage, home and family is not what it seems beneath the surface…
It’s one that you’ll race through quickly to find out the ending. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author!
October 7, 2024
Shah starts with the increasingly popular trope of a woman in a window watching the house on the other side of the street. Rani lives with husband Joel and her two daughters in a small flat. She feels unfulfilled with her life, her relationship is taking a hit, and she's struggling to get back to work after raising her daughters. Rani is a great and accurate representation of the battle between motherhood and womanhood.
Across the street Natalie, and new husband of barely a year, Charles move into a large townhouse. They seem happy, very in love, and extremely wealthy, all things Rani feels her life is missing - however, things are not always what they seem. We are quickly introduced to Natalie's mother, who she refers to as Louella (...red flag?) and discover she seems a little off and quite controlling of Natalie. It's clear Natalie is attempting to keep her at a distance, but not very successfully.
The two neighbours become friends, both secretly envying the other for very different reasons. Although living in very different spheres, marked by their household's different choices in wine, they quickly become each other's crutch as they navigate through their marital and career hurdles together.
It turns out (no spoilers) that Natalie has moved into this specific house for a reason. Between working nonstop in her corporate job and attempting to keep her husband happy whilst also keeping him at arm's length she becomes exhausted and has spells of fainting and falling. These episodes lead Natalie to recall to Rani about a childhood imaginary friend she used to speak with, Naomi. At the time her mother deemed this troubling and had her discuss this imaginary friend with a psychologist. This was really the only place the story fell down for me. The mention of the imaginary friend is shoehorned in several times in a short period, including Natalie thinking she see's her again during a confused dream like state. This shoehorning in of this idea instantly told me this was going to be a plot point later on and most probably lead to the big twist (you'll have to find out for yourself!). I think this could have been written more organically, maybe Rani or one of her daughters could have mentioned an imaginary friend and Natalie adds she also had one. The fact she was medicated as a child comes up later in another more organic way so it doesn't need to be over-egged the way it was.
Through different incidents, both women realise, in tandem, that they hold no power or control over their own lives. They are financially dependent on their husbands and they have no home security of their own. Then the parallels differ in that Rani realises she wouldn't be able to support her children if her and Joel were to split up and Natalie realises she does not want children. This reliance on a partner is something many women realise all too late, particularly in long-term relationships where they haven't married or contractually agreed on splitting finances etc.
The tying up of loose ends is done in a satisfying way. I will say I did predict the twists but only in the chapter before the big reveal. The characters are convincing and work well together even if Joel feels a little wet-fish like!
I really enjoyed this story. The plot and twists were believable, essentially all stemming from feelings of inferiority and manipulation. I'm not sure why this didn't receive the traction and praise it deserved, perhaps to do with the publicity team. I genuinely believe this story is up there with the twists of Gone Girl and is definitely much stronger than other psychological thrillers currently on the market.
Across the street Natalie, and new husband of barely a year, Charles move into a large townhouse. They seem happy, very in love, and extremely wealthy, all things Rani feels her life is missing - however, things are not always what they seem. We are quickly introduced to Natalie's mother, who she refers to as Louella (...red flag?) and discover she seems a little off and quite controlling of Natalie. It's clear Natalie is attempting to keep her at a distance, but not very successfully.
The two neighbours become friends, both secretly envying the other for very different reasons. Although living in very different spheres, marked by their household's different choices in wine, they quickly become each other's crutch as they navigate through their marital and career hurdles together.
It turns out (no spoilers) that Natalie has moved into this specific house for a reason. Between working nonstop in her corporate job and attempting to keep her husband happy whilst also keeping him at arm's length she becomes exhausted and has spells of fainting and falling. These episodes lead Natalie to recall to Rani about a childhood imaginary friend she used to speak with, Naomi. At the time her mother deemed this troubling and had her discuss this imaginary friend with a psychologist. This was really the only place the story fell down for me. The mention of the imaginary friend is shoehorned in several times in a short period, including Natalie thinking she see's her again during a confused dream like state. This shoehorning in of this idea instantly told me this was going to be a plot point later on and most probably lead to the big twist (you'll have to find out for yourself!). I think this could have been written more organically, maybe Rani or one of her daughters could have mentioned an imaginary friend and Natalie adds she also had one. The fact she was medicated as a child comes up later in another more organic way so it doesn't need to be over-egged the way it was.
Through different incidents, both women realise, in tandem, that they hold no power or control over their own lives. They are financially dependent on their husbands and they have no home security of their own. Then the parallels differ in that Rani realises she wouldn't be able to support her children if her and Joel were to split up and Natalie realises she does not want children. This reliance on a partner is something many women realise all too late, particularly in long-term relationships where they haven't married or contractually agreed on splitting finances etc.
The tying up of loose ends is done in a satisfying way. I will say I did predict the twists but only in the chapter before the big reveal. The characters are convincing and work well together even if Joel feels a little wet-fish like!
I really enjoyed this story. The plot and twists were believable, essentially all stemming from feelings of inferiority and manipulation. I'm not sure why this didn't receive the traction and praise it deserved, perhaps to do with the publicity team. I genuinely believe this story is up there with the twists of Gone Girl and is definitely much stronger than other psychological thrillers currently on the market.
January 15, 2023
Thanks to NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
Twitter has been absolutely awash with this book so I jumped at the chance to read an early copy of it. I had heard nothing but praise so I was excited. And boy did it live up to the praise.
For a debut to have this much attention pre-publication…well, she has to be doing something right.
There’s a number of characters but it’s Rani and Natalie that steal the show. I felt a kinship with Rani at first, yes she’s an Indian mum to two little girls, and I am not, but she was nearly 30 (as am I) unemployed (as am I) and grieving a parent to cancer (as am I). It shows that these themes can transcend ethnicity, education, social position.
I found it interesting that you’ve got Rani, who is down on her luck and wants to better herself, who is jealous of the rich couple over the world, and then Natalie, who seemingly has it all but yearns for the simple life. I loved this contrast in characters, they worked so well against each other.
Rani is an interesting character. At first she’s a bit put out, bored of being a stay-at-home mum, wanting more out of her life. And then Natalie has it all, the husband, the job, the car, the looks, the clothes, and yet she also wants more out of her life. There’s definitely more similarities between the two women than you first think. Their husbands, Joel and Charles, are great foils too. One good, one evil, perfectly balanced,
It’s like an eerie game of pass the parcel, you keep removing layers, discovering too late that not everything is as it seems. You’re desperate, in equal measures, to keep going and find out what is at the centre, but also to replace the paper, cover it all up and start again.
It is all encompassing. If you do pick this book up, I advise doing it on a day you have nothing else on, as once you’ve started you won’t want to stop.
It’s a proper exciting, dark psychological thriller. It’s full of twists and turns and surprises. It has a slow buildup - and by that I don’t mean boring - but it’s slow, controlled, biding it’s time. It sucks you in, and then by the time it all kicks off, you’re too invested to stop.
I admit I would have liked the ending to have been stretched out a bit more. I felt, for about 95% of the book you’re on this fabulous, fast paced, heart pounding race, and then suddenly everything comes clean and it’s finished. It’s not a bad ending at all, but I want more. Her writing is so good that I feel THAT scene (you’ll know what I mean when you read it) could have had more. But that’s just because I’m greedy and want to read more.
It touches on some important factors but without shoving them down your throat. It celebrates the imports of friendship, even during dark times. It looks at race and identity, as well as mental illness and controlling behaviour, which I think is handled very well. It doesn’t show us the stereotype of domestic abuse - not in the physical sense anyway - but we get this feeling of being worn down, of gaslighting.
It is a great first book and I can’t wait to see what she offers next.
Twitter has been absolutely awash with this book so I jumped at the chance to read an early copy of it. I had heard nothing but praise so I was excited. And boy did it live up to the praise.
For a debut to have this much attention pre-publication…well, she has to be doing something right.
There’s a number of characters but it’s Rani and Natalie that steal the show. I felt a kinship with Rani at first, yes she’s an Indian mum to two little girls, and I am not, but she was nearly 30 (as am I) unemployed (as am I) and grieving a parent to cancer (as am I). It shows that these themes can transcend ethnicity, education, social position.
I found it interesting that you’ve got Rani, who is down on her luck and wants to better herself, who is jealous of the rich couple over the world, and then Natalie, who seemingly has it all but yearns for the simple life. I loved this contrast in characters, they worked so well against each other.
Rani is an interesting character. At first she’s a bit put out, bored of being a stay-at-home mum, wanting more out of her life. And then Natalie has it all, the husband, the job, the car, the looks, the clothes, and yet she also wants more out of her life. There’s definitely more similarities between the two women than you first think. Their husbands, Joel and Charles, are great foils too. One good, one evil, perfectly balanced,
It’s like an eerie game of pass the parcel, you keep removing layers, discovering too late that not everything is as it seems. You’re desperate, in equal measures, to keep going and find out what is at the centre, but also to replace the paper, cover it all up and start again.
It is all encompassing. If you do pick this book up, I advise doing it on a day you have nothing else on, as once you’ve started you won’t want to stop.
It’s a proper exciting, dark psychological thriller. It’s full of twists and turns and surprises. It has a slow buildup - and by that I don’t mean boring - but it’s slow, controlled, biding it’s time. It sucks you in, and then by the time it all kicks off, you’re too invested to stop.
I admit I would have liked the ending to have been stretched out a bit more. I felt, for about 95% of the book you’re on this fabulous, fast paced, heart pounding race, and then suddenly everything comes clean and it’s finished. It’s not a bad ending at all, but I want more. Her writing is so good that I feel THAT scene (you’ll know what I mean when you read it) could have had more. But that’s just because I’m greedy and want to read more.
It touches on some important factors but without shoving them down your throat. It celebrates the imports of friendship, even during dark times. It looks at race and identity, as well as mental illness and controlling behaviour, which I think is handled very well. It doesn’t show us the stereotype of domestic abuse - not in the physical sense anyway - but we get this feeling of being worn down, of gaslighting.
It is a great first book and I can’t wait to see what she offers next.
November 28, 2023
Rani's life has not turned out quite as she was expecting. Living in a cramped flat with her husband and two small children, she feels just as much an outsider as she always has, and longs for the things that seem to have come so easily to her single, white friends. Every day, she looks longingly at her dream house across the street, wondering what it would be like to live there. So, when a pair of glamorous newly weds move into it she cannot help herself becoming fascinated by them.
The young bride, Natalie, represents everything Rani wishes she could be. Beautiful, with a high-powered legal career, and a wealthy husband who adores her, Natalie seems to be living the perfect life. Rani is determined they must meet, but when an unlikely friendship sparks between them, Rani glimpses something else going on beneath the glossy image that the couple portray to the world...
At first sight Rani and Natalie are two very different characters, living wildly opposite lives. However, when Shah lets you see behind closed doors on both sides of the street, you begin to realise there is a lot more to this situation than meets the eye. Both women feel they are living a lie, and Shah uses this to cleverly mix up threads of relatable domestic drama from Rani's side of the tale, with an unsettling psychological thriller plot about Natalie's past.
This novel gradually burgeons into a story that is rife with elements of mystery, and as the twists and turns unfurl, you find yourself rapidly flipping the pages to ferret out the truth. Even though I did see some of these twists coming, Shah still knocked me sideways with some lovely little surprises, which I really enjoyed. Along the way, Shah has a ball spinning the consequences of envy, rage, and manipulation throughout everything that happens, and she examines a bevy of complex themes around mental health, controlling relationships, unresolved trauma, and identity. Both women's stories throw up topical issues, but Rani's tale is particularly affecting, as her experiences allow Shah to do an excellent job of exploring self-worth, different facets of racism, and the conflicting emotions that come with motherhood - lots that will resonate widely here, I think.
I loved the journey from slow-burn creep to fast-paced thrills and spills in this book, and Shah's writing style is both engaging and entertaining. Highly recommended if you like a psychological thriller that will hold you fast to the bitter-sweet end!
The young bride, Natalie, represents everything Rani wishes she could be. Beautiful, with a high-powered legal career, and a wealthy husband who adores her, Natalie seems to be living the perfect life. Rani is determined they must meet, but when an unlikely friendship sparks between them, Rani glimpses something else going on beneath the glossy image that the couple portray to the world...
At first sight Rani and Natalie are two very different characters, living wildly opposite lives. However, when Shah lets you see behind closed doors on both sides of the street, you begin to realise there is a lot more to this situation than meets the eye. Both women feel they are living a lie, and Shah uses this to cleverly mix up threads of relatable domestic drama from Rani's side of the tale, with an unsettling psychological thriller plot about Natalie's past.
This novel gradually burgeons into a story that is rife with elements of mystery, and as the twists and turns unfurl, you find yourself rapidly flipping the pages to ferret out the truth. Even though I did see some of these twists coming, Shah still knocked me sideways with some lovely little surprises, which I really enjoyed. Along the way, Shah has a ball spinning the consequences of envy, rage, and manipulation throughout everything that happens, and she examines a bevy of complex themes around mental health, controlling relationships, unresolved trauma, and identity. Both women's stories throw up topical issues, but Rani's tale is particularly affecting, as her experiences allow Shah to do an excellent job of exploring self-worth, different facets of racism, and the conflicting emotions that come with motherhood - lots that will resonate widely here, I think.
I loved the journey from slow-burn creep to fast-paced thrills and spills in this book, and Shah's writing style is both engaging and entertaining. Highly recommended if you like a psychological thriller that will hold you fast to the bitter-sweet end!
December 12, 2023
As Natalie moves into her new home on the quiet street she has no idea her neighbour is watching. Her picture-perfect life, blissful marriage and beautiful house are all Rani has ever wanted but instead she’s stuck in a tiny flat, a stale marriage and plagued by regret. But what glitters isn’t always gold and there is something dark simmering underneath the polished image Natalie and her husband portray. And Rani is determined to find out what it is…
OMG. What a book! Heartpoundingly tense, twisty and addictive, Her is a sensational debut that left me reeling. A story of dark secrets, fractured people, complex relationships, trauma, obsession and the evil that can lurk inside us, it sucked me in from the opening pages. But this was nothing like I expected in all the best ways. Skillfully written, intricately plotted and addictive, there’s an inherent darkness and danger, a feeling that something is going to happen but you don’t know what it is keeping me on the edge of my seat. There were shocking revelations and surprising twists that never felt predictable, even when I guessed them correctly.
The story is narrated by both Rani and Natalie, giving us a glimpse into the inner thoughts and fears of both women. They are both unreliable narrators with secrets and things they are hiding from their husbands. I was suspicious of Rani and her obsession with her dream house from the start while Natalie appears much more sympathetic due to the nightmares that haunt her and the mystery of what is in her past. But both women also have something that draws you to them and makes you root for them, even when they are making the wrong choices and I was here for their blossoming friendship despite the hint of foreboding that lurked alongside it.
So if you’re looking for a tantalising and twisty psychological thriller that you won’t be able to put down, then pick up this book. Mira V. Shah is an author to watch and I will be excitedly picking up whatever she writes next.
OMG. What a book! Heartpoundingly tense, twisty and addictive, Her is a sensational debut that left me reeling. A story of dark secrets, fractured people, complex relationships, trauma, obsession and the evil that can lurk inside us, it sucked me in from the opening pages. But this was nothing like I expected in all the best ways. Skillfully written, intricately plotted and addictive, there’s an inherent darkness and danger, a feeling that something is going to happen but you don’t know what it is keeping me on the edge of my seat. There were shocking revelations and surprising twists that never felt predictable, even when I guessed them correctly.
The story is narrated by both Rani and Natalie, giving us a glimpse into the inner thoughts and fears of both women. They are both unreliable narrators with secrets and things they are hiding from their husbands. I was suspicious of Rani and her obsession with her dream house from the start while Natalie appears much more sympathetic due to the nightmares that haunt her and the mystery of what is in her past. But both women also have something that draws you to them and makes you root for them, even when they are making the wrong choices and I was here for their blossoming friendship despite the hint of foreboding that lurked alongside it.
So if you’re looking for a tantalising and twisty psychological thriller that you won’t be able to put down, then pick up this book. Mira V. Shah is an author to watch and I will be excitedly picking up whatever she writes next.
December 17, 2022
Rani is a tired mother of two, feeling frustrated and disillusioned with her life. Money is tight and her relationship with partner Joel feels stale. So when new neighbours Natalie and Charles move into the multimillion pound property across from her flat, her attention and longing is drawn by their wealth, good looks and perfect life. Natalie appears to have the life that Rami has always dreamed of. Except appearances are not always as they seem.
I really enjoyed this debut book by author Mira V Shah. It is fast-paced and full of intrigue, gripping me as soon as I started reading. As well as fitting the mould for an excellent psychological thriller, with unexpected twists and turns throughout this, this book also tackles issues of identity, race and mental health, layering these themes intrinsically and cleverly in the fabric of the narrative.
The character of Rami is one that I think readers will empathise and connect with - as a young mother, she faces difficulties of the sacrifice made as a mother of young children as well as insecurities that have plagued her from young adulthood around her background and worthiness. She is a kind-hearted woman frustrated by her life but making comparisons to others is fueling her unhappiness.
Upon meeting the character of Natalie, you immediately feel as a reader that she is not typical of the stereotype that is being presented and in fact there are clues immediately that she is in many ways being isolated and imprisoned by her circumstances. Despite her privileges, she has a deficit in so many things that money can't by, including love and understanding, and her husband Charles is truly unlikeable as a character despite the mask he wears for the world, as was the author's intention.
A fantastic first book for this author and I will look forward to her future work.
Thank you to Mira V. Shah, Hodder and Stoughton and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book as an ARC.
I really enjoyed this debut book by author Mira V Shah. It is fast-paced and full of intrigue, gripping me as soon as I started reading. As well as fitting the mould for an excellent psychological thriller, with unexpected twists and turns throughout this, this book also tackles issues of identity, race and mental health, layering these themes intrinsically and cleverly in the fabric of the narrative.
The character of Rami is one that I think readers will empathise and connect with - as a young mother, she faces difficulties of the sacrifice made as a mother of young children as well as insecurities that have plagued her from young adulthood around her background and worthiness. She is a kind-hearted woman frustrated by her life but making comparisons to others is fueling her unhappiness.
Upon meeting the character of Natalie, you immediately feel as a reader that she is not typical of the stereotype that is being presented and in fact there are clues immediately that she is in many ways being isolated and imprisoned by her circumstances. Despite her privileges, she has a deficit in so many things that money can't by, including love and understanding, and her husband Charles is truly unlikeable as a character despite the mask he wears for the world, as was the author's intention.
A fantastic first book for this author and I will look forward to her future work.
Thank you to Mira V. Shah, Hodder and Stoughton and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book as an ARC.
December 11, 2023
Rani wishes for another life, she views a house as someone else, the woman she wants to be, cashmere, heels and on the rich list. The truth is a tiny flat with two kids, no job and a husband.
Natalie has that life, perfect husband, perfect house, everything Rani wants to be. But underneath she is something else, secrets are kept and the consequences of getting sucked into someone else life are going to be apparent and devastating.
‘I know I need to be with them. But I also need my independence. Is it possible to have both or will I always feel this conflicted.’
This book certainly keeps you on your toes, it’s psychological and dark, twisting and turning and just so compelling!
With short chapters, it keeps you turning the page, I was very much ‘just one more’ to satisfy my need to know what happens and it barrels along at a slick pace.
‘How can this be the same man as yesterday?…I must be living with two versions of the same person. My very own Jekyll and Hyde.’
Although the I t contains largely unlikeable characters for me, I wasn’t hugely sympathetic to them, certainly intially, but I LOVED it!
‘But I feel nothing. This is not me.’
It’s heart thumping as the tension ratchets up, it feels claustrophobic, Shah makes you feel the fear and danger that the characters experience and at times I didn’t know what I should believe. The gaslighting is subtle until the plot simply blindsides you and I was like whaaat?!
A deliciously good psychological thriller, it just goes to show you never know what goes on behind closed doors, this one will pull you in and keep you til the very end!
Natalie has that life, perfect husband, perfect house, everything Rani wants to be. But underneath she is something else, secrets are kept and the consequences of getting sucked into someone else life are going to be apparent and devastating.
‘I know I need to be with them. But I also need my independence. Is it possible to have both or will I always feel this conflicted.’
This book certainly keeps you on your toes, it’s psychological and dark, twisting and turning and just so compelling!
With short chapters, it keeps you turning the page, I was very much ‘just one more’ to satisfy my need to know what happens and it barrels along at a slick pace.
‘How can this be the same man as yesterday?…I must be living with two versions of the same person. My very own Jekyll and Hyde.’
Although the I t contains largely unlikeable characters for me, I wasn’t hugely sympathetic to them, certainly intially, but I LOVED it!
‘But I feel nothing. This is not me.’
It’s heart thumping as the tension ratchets up, it feels claustrophobic, Shah makes you feel the fear and danger that the characters experience and at times I didn’t know what I should believe. The gaslighting is subtle until the plot simply blindsides you and I was like whaaat?!
A deliciously good psychological thriller, it just goes to show you never know what goes on behind closed doors, this one will pull you in and keep you til the very end!
October 7, 2022
A very accomplished psychological thriller from a debut author to watch! I think 2023 is going to be the start of something big for Mira Shah
Rina is a young mother to two lovely girls, her dreams of being a journalist put on hold whilst she raises her young family. She dreams of living in the luxurious North London townhouse that's vacant opposite her rented flat, but knows that the £3 million price tag is a pipe dream for her. When the glamorous and polished Natalie moves into the house with her wealthy and adoring banker husband Charles, their worlds couldn't be further apart.
But the two women envy each other's lifestyles - Rina would love the luxury and comfort that Natalie's husband and job bring to her, whilst Natalie admires the emotional freedom that Rina has to express her disappointment in how her life has turned out. The bond between them grows, and as they share their secrets and fears with one another, buried truths start to emerge as they can no longer be buried deep any more. I had an inkling about one of the plot twists but not until a long way into the story. I loved the character of Luella, Natalie's mum, and would love to know more about what makes her tick.
I loved the relationship between the two protagonists and the sense of 'the grass is always greener on the other side' came through so strongly. It was a real page-turner and I devoured the story in two sittings. I even dreamt about it inbetween!
Wishing Mira all the best luck for her debut novel - I am intrigued where she will go next with her writing.
Rina is a young mother to two lovely girls, her dreams of being a journalist put on hold whilst she raises her young family. She dreams of living in the luxurious North London townhouse that's vacant opposite her rented flat, but knows that the £3 million price tag is a pipe dream for her. When the glamorous and polished Natalie moves into the house with her wealthy and adoring banker husband Charles, their worlds couldn't be further apart.
But the two women envy each other's lifestyles - Rina would love the luxury and comfort that Natalie's husband and job bring to her, whilst Natalie admires the emotional freedom that Rina has to express her disappointment in how her life has turned out. The bond between them grows, and as they share their secrets and fears with one another, buried truths start to emerge as they can no longer be buried deep any more. I had an inkling about one of the plot twists but not until a long way into the story. I loved the character of Luella, Natalie's mum, and would love to know more about what makes her tick.
I loved the relationship between the two protagonists and the sense of 'the grass is always greener on the other side' came through so strongly. It was a real page-turner and I devoured the story in two sittings. I even dreamt about it inbetween!
Wishing Mira all the best luck for her debut novel - I am intrigued where she will go next with her writing.
December 2, 2023
My thanks to Hodder & Stoughton for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Her’ by Mira V Shah.
This was a domestic noir/psychological thriller that covers familiar territory for enthusiasts of the sub-genre. It is set in Highgate, a posh area of North London and focuses on a friendship between two women living across the street from one another.
Natalie appears to have the perfect life, she is a lawyer and recently married. She and husband, Charles, have just moved into one of Highgate’s elegant Victorian houses.
Meanwhile, Rani lives across the street in a small flat with her partner, Joel, and their twin daughters. When she became pregnant Rani gave up her fledgling career in journalism. She is rather frustrated and would love to return to work. Rani has long been fascinated by the house across the street and seeks to befriend Natalie.
It transpires that Natalie is harbouring secrets, possibly even from herself given that she has patchy memories of her earlier life. Rani becomes determined to help Natalie uncover them, despite the fact that it might well prove dangerous.
I initially found this a compelling psychological thriller that explored aspects of female friendship. However, as it progressed I felt that the plot became increasingly melodramatic and rather muddled. As a result, by time I reached the end I was less interested in the outcome and the fates of the characters.
Overall, I feel that ‘Her’ was an okay domestic thriller though the plot went a bit too ‘over the top’ for me making it difficult to remain engaged.
This was a domestic noir/psychological thriller that covers familiar territory for enthusiasts of the sub-genre. It is set in Highgate, a posh area of North London and focuses on a friendship between two women living across the street from one another.
Natalie appears to have the perfect life, she is a lawyer and recently married. She and husband, Charles, have just moved into one of Highgate’s elegant Victorian houses.
Meanwhile, Rani lives across the street in a small flat with her partner, Joel, and their twin daughters. When she became pregnant Rani gave up her fledgling career in journalism. She is rather frustrated and would love to return to work. Rani has long been fascinated by the house across the street and seeks to befriend Natalie.
It transpires that Natalie is harbouring secrets, possibly even from herself given that she has patchy memories of her earlier life. Rani becomes determined to help Natalie uncover them, despite the fact that it might well prove dangerous.
I initially found this a compelling psychological thriller that explored aspects of female friendship. However, as it progressed I felt that the plot became increasingly melodramatic and rather muddled. As a result, by time I reached the end I was less interested in the outcome and the fates of the characters.
Overall, I feel that ‘Her’ was an okay domestic thriller though the plot went a bit too ‘over the top’ for me making it difficult to remain engaged.
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