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Do I Really Know You?
She’s your oldest friend and you tell each other everything. So you’d know if she’d done something terrible, wouldn’t you?
Maddie and Kiara have been best friends since they met on their first day at university. They have always shared everything with each other, everything except one big secret, which Kiara knows would tear them apart…
When the police knock on Maddie’s front door as she and husband Nick are getting ready for the morning school run, she’s not expecting to hear what they have to tell her.
Kiara is dead.
And when Kiara’s death is ruled as suicide, Maddie can’t believe it. She knew everything about her best friend, didn’t she?
Walking into the plush apartment Kiara only recently moved into, Maddie soon discovers that her best friend’s life wasn’t as happy as she thought. Is that blood on the kitchen floor? And why didn’t Kiara tell her about secret meetings with a man Maddie knows well?
What Maddie learns next has her questioning who her best friend really was. And now she’s discovered Kiara’s web of lies, could her own life be in danger?
Perfect for fans of The Girl on the Train, Gone Girl and The Wife, Do I Really Know You? is a gripping new psychological thriller from bestselling author Sheryl Browne. Once you start reading, you won’t be able to stop!
Maddie and Kiara have been best friends since they met on their first day at university. They have always shared everything with each other, everything except one big secret, which Kiara knows would tear them apart…
When the police knock on Maddie’s front door as she and husband Nick are getting ready for the morning school run, she’s not expecting to hear what they have to tell her.
Kiara is dead.
And when Kiara’s death is ruled as suicide, Maddie can’t believe it. She knew everything about her best friend, didn’t she?
Walking into the plush apartment Kiara only recently moved into, Maddie soon discovers that her best friend’s life wasn’t as happy as she thought. Is that blood on the kitchen floor? And why didn’t Kiara tell her about secret meetings with a man Maddie knows well?
What Maddie learns next has her questioning who her best friend really was. And now she’s discovered Kiara’s web of lies, could her own life be in danger?
Perfect for fans of The Girl on the Train, Gone Girl and The Wife, Do I Really Know You? is a gripping new psychological thriller from bestselling author Sheryl Browne. Once you start reading, you won’t be able to stop!
370 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 19, 2022
327 people are currently reading
838 people want to read
About the author
Sheryl Browne
38 books884 followersHi, I’m Sheryl Browne writing psychological thriller. My latest psychological thriller MY LOVING HUSBAND is published by fabulous BOOKOUTURE. A member of the Crime Writers’ Association and the Romantic Novelists’ Association, I have several books published and two short stories in Birmingham City University anthologies, where I completed my MA in Creative Writing. I live in Worcestershire with my partner and a variety of disabled dogs. According to readers of my thrillers, I also apparently make an excellent psychopath. ;) Follow my @Bookouture Mailing List and grab a FREE short: https://t.co/bIigwwALCs
𝘼 𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙝𝙤𝙢𝙚. 𝘼 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙞𝙛𝙚. 𝘼 𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙠𝙞𝙡𝙡…
MY LOVING HUSBAND – Can I really trust the man I married?
Do I Really Know You? – She's the friend you trust with your life. But can she trust you with hers?
The Invite – Kaitlin has been looking forward to her engagement party for weeks, but as the champagne corks pop, her dream party soon becomes her worst nightmare…
The Liar's Child – I’ll do anything to protect my daughter…
My Husband's Girlfriend – She told my little boy a secret and now he’s gone…
The Second Wife – SHE MADE HER BED. YOU'LL LIE IN IT.
The Affair – You trusted her. You shouldn't have.
The Babysitter – She's perfect. Too Perfect.
After She's Gone – He's killed your child and kidnapped your wife. What would YOU do?
Sins of the Father - What if you’d been accused of one of the worst crimes imaginable?
Deadly Intent - Tormented to the edge of sanity …
The Rest of My Life - “You can’t run away from commitment forever … “ Two damaged hearts, a sizzling sexual connection. Can love find a way to bring Adam and Sienna together?
Learning to Love – Sometimes help comes from the most unlikely places …
Somebody to Love – Sigh with contentment, scream with frustration. At times you will weep.
Warrant for Love - Blackmail, lies, adultery, heartache. Three love stories wrapped up in one sexiliciously hilarious package.
A Little Bit of Madness – White Knight in Blue rescues The Harbour Rest Home.
𝘼 𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙝𝙤𝙢𝙚. 𝘼 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙞𝙛𝙚. 𝘼 𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙠𝙞𝙡𝙡…
MY LOVING HUSBAND – Can I really trust the man I married?
Do I Really Know You? – She's the friend you trust with your life. But can she trust you with hers?
The Invite – Kaitlin has been looking forward to her engagement party for weeks, but as the champagne corks pop, her dream party soon becomes her worst nightmare…
The Liar's Child – I’ll do anything to protect my daughter…
My Husband's Girlfriend – She told my little boy a secret and now he’s gone…
The Second Wife – SHE MADE HER BED. YOU'LL LIE IN IT.
The Affair – You trusted her. You shouldn't have.
The Babysitter – She's perfect. Too Perfect.
After She's Gone – He's killed your child and kidnapped your wife. What would YOU do?
Sins of the Father - What if you’d been accused of one of the worst crimes imaginable?
Deadly Intent - Tormented to the edge of sanity …
The Rest of My Life - “You can’t run away from commitment forever … “ Two damaged hearts, a sizzling sexual connection. Can love find a way to bring Adam and Sienna together?
Learning to Love – Sometimes help comes from the most unlikely places …
Somebody to Love – Sigh with contentment, scream with frustration. At times you will weep.
Warrant for Love - Blackmail, lies, adultery, heartache. Three love stories wrapped up in one sexiliciously hilarious package.
A Little Bit of Madness – White Knight in Blue rescues The Harbour Rest Home.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
July 22, 2022
4.5 stars
WOWZA! This book grabbed my attention on page one and had me on the edge of my seat, flipping the pages, as I did not want to put this book down. What an aptly titled book as well! Do I Really Know You? looks at relationships and how well you know people in your life. Browne has outdone herself with this book!
Maddie and Kiara have been friends since university, and they get together with their husbands as often as they can. They share everything including a secret which Kiara trusted Maddie with at university. The foursome has shared many things together including what their phobias are. Kiara, for instance is terrified of spiders. It's a common fear but for her it is a full-blown phobia which has an impact on her daily life.
Everything changes when Maddie feels that Kiara is trying to avoid her. Something is going on but what???? Then Maddie gets a knock on the door - the worst kind of knock- it's the police informing her that Kaira is dead.
As Maddie is processing her friend's death, it becomes clear that her friend has been keeping things from her. Secrets that once exposed, could change everything.
Secrets and lies are the name of the game here folks! This book was full of juicy twists and turns which kept me on my toes. As usual, Browne's writing was top notch and the book moved at a very nice pace. I enjoyed watching the characters and their reactions. I felt like the proverbial spider (fly) on the wall watching as everything unfolded. This was such a clever and well thought out whodunit. I love doing my own detective work while reading and I did not see the reveal coming!
If you have not read a book by Sherly Browne, this is a great place to start. Is it too soon to be on the lookout for her next book??
Clever, well thought out, well written and gripping!
#DoIReallyKnowYou #NetGalley #Bookouture
Thank you to Bookouture 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
WOWZA! This book grabbed my attention on page one and had me on the edge of my seat, flipping the pages, as I did not want to put this book down. What an aptly titled book as well! Do I Really Know You? looks at relationships and how well you know people in your life. Browne has outdone herself with this book!
Maddie and Kiara have been friends since university, and they get together with their husbands as often as they can. They share everything including a secret which Kiara trusted Maddie with at university. The foursome has shared many things together including what their phobias are. Kiara, for instance is terrified of spiders. It's a common fear but for her it is a full-blown phobia which has an impact on her daily life.
Everything changes when Maddie feels that Kiara is trying to avoid her. Something is going on but what???? Then Maddie gets a knock on the door - the worst kind of knock- it's the police informing her that Kaira is dead.
As Maddie is processing her friend's death, it becomes clear that her friend has been keeping things from her. Secrets that once exposed, could change everything.
Secrets and lies are the name of the game here folks! This book was full of juicy twists and turns which kept me on my toes. As usual, Browne's writing was top notch and the book moved at a very nice pace. I enjoyed watching the characters and their reactions. I felt like the proverbial spider (fly) on the wall watching as everything unfolded. This was such a clever and well thought out whodunit. I love doing my own detective work while reading and I did not see the reveal coming!
If you have not read a book by Sherly Browne, this is a great place to start. Is it too soon to be on the lookout for her next book??
Clever, well thought out, well written and gripping!
#DoIReallyKnowYou #NetGalley #Bookouture
Thank you to Bookouture 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
July 11, 2022
This book is full of spiders! That’s what sucked me in.
Maddie and Kiara have been best friends since their University days as have their husbands - Nathan and David respectively. The two couples socialise a lot. Also in the picture are Jake, Kiara’s boyfriend before David and Sophie, Jake’s girlfriend after Kiara. These two also get married and feature later in the story when the wheels start to fall off.
Kiara and David are living in a lovely semi rural cottage that they plan to jazz up but Kiara, who is pathologically terrified of spiders, doesn’t like living there as there are too many spiders around and it’s doing her head in. She convinces a reluctant David to move into a modern fourth floor apartment but to her horror there are still spiders. She starts to wonder if David is bringing them in so he can be her ‘saviour’. It all starts to go bad one New Year’s Eve which the couples traditionally celebrate together. Nathan is comforting Kiara in the kitchen and Maddie and David seem to read more into it than there is. Or do they? Meanwhile, Sophie has appeared again working in the hair salon that Kiara owns. It seems all is forgiven and forgotten or is it a convenient ploy?
David becomes convinced that Kiara is seeing someone else. Then comes the shocking news that Kiara is dead. That she killed herself by jumping from the fourth floor balcony. Maddie is devastated. Jake turns up at the funeral and seems like he has settled down and turned into a lovely guy from the party animal that dumped Kiara all those years ago. Or has he?
Yet Maddie can’t get her head around Kiara committing suicide and she starts to dig into things. She has questions for Nathan about that night yet Maddie herself has periods of lost time due to the sleeping tablets she often takes to deal with her insomnia. The two start to argue a bit. Nathan is a forensic entomologist and travels extensively to South America for his job. Maddie begs him not to go on his latest trip but he says he must. Then he goes dark and no one has heard from him or knows where he is! Has he come to harm, or is he done a disappearing act?
It is clear that someone knows more than they are telling about Kiara’s death - but who? This book could have been a little shorter and, in places, was a little repetitive but overall I enjoyed it. Everyone had secrets and most of the narrators were somewhat unreliable so it was not easy to work out who was doing what. It’s one of those train wreck, guilty pleasure stories that you can’t look away from! Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
Maddie and Kiara have been best friends since their University days as have their husbands - Nathan and David respectively. The two couples socialise a lot. Also in the picture are Jake, Kiara’s boyfriend before David and Sophie, Jake’s girlfriend after Kiara. These two also get married and feature later in the story when the wheels start to fall off.
Kiara and David are living in a lovely semi rural cottage that they plan to jazz up but Kiara, who is pathologically terrified of spiders, doesn’t like living there as there are too many spiders around and it’s doing her head in. She convinces a reluctant David to move into a modern fourth floor apartment but to her horror there are still spiders. She starts to wonder if David is bringing them in so he can be her ‘saviour’. It all starts to go bad one New Year’s Eve which the couples traditionally celebrate together. Nathan is comforting Kiara in the kitchen and Maddie and David seem to read more into it than there is. Or do they? Meanwhile, Sophie has appeared again working in the hair salon that Kiara owns. It seems all is forgiven and forgotten or is it a convenient ploy?
David becomes convinced that Kiara is seeing someone else. Then comes the shocking news that Kiara is dead. That she killed herself by jumping from the fourth floor balcony. Maddie is devastated. Jake turns up at the funeral and seems like he has settled down and turned into a lovely guy from the party animal that dumped Kiara all those years ago. Or has he?
Yet Maddie can’t get her head around Kiara committing suicide and she starts to dig into things. She has questions for Nathan about that night yet Maddie herself has periods of lost time due to the sleeping tablets she often takes to deal with her insomnia. The two start to argue a bit. Nathan is a forensic entomologist and travels extensively to South America for his job. Maddie begs him not to go on his latest trip but he says he must. Then he goes dark and no one has heard from him or knows where he is! Has he come to harm, or is he done a disappearing act?
It is clear that someone knows more than they are telling about Kiara’s death - but who? This book could have been a little shorter and, in places, was a little repetitive but overall I enjoyed it. Everyone had secrets and most of the narrators were somewhat unreliable so it was not easy to work out who was doing what. It’s one of those train wreck, guilty pleasure stories that you can’t look away from! Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
October 4, 2022
Who can you trust? Who is the villain? This thriller gives new meaning to the phrase, "A wolf in sheep's clothing." Evil comes in many forms. Some are obvious, where others may be disguised as a friend, lover, or the reflection in the mirror. This twisted tale of deception and betrayal was a rollercoaster ride all the way to the shocking conclusion. Entertaining, original and fast paced describe this addictive thriller. Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my copy.
July 7, 2022
Gaslighting and Spiders….a creepy combination that works well to intrigue the reader in this ‘whodunit thriller with psychological elements’ read
The beginning needs a clear head so you can work out the main players and the various timelines but once I got to 10% and all had ‘fit’ the book took off and was an ever changing mix of ‘who has done this?’ and ‘why would they have done this?’, kept me guessing tbh and red herrings a plenty caused it to be a head scratcher as the plot thickened
As always with the author a good read and with a heartfelt acknowledgement given with explanation of experience of both of the main subjects covered, this author always without fail researches facts around what she is writing about and as always this came through in the writing, which leaves you asking the question ‘Do I Really Know You’?…….
9/10
5 Stars
The beginning needs a clear head so you can work out the main players and the various timelines but once I got to 10% and all had ‘fit’ the book took off and was an ever changing mix of ‘who has done this?’ and ‘why would they have done this?’, kept me guessing tbh and red herrings a plenty caused it to be a head scratcher as the plot thickened
As always with the author a good read and with a heartfelt acknowledgement given with explanation of experience of both of the main subjects covered, this author always without fail researches facts around what she is writing about and as always this came through in the writing, which leaves you asking the question ‘Do I Really Know You’?…….
9/10
5 Stars
August 8, 2022
I was invested in what was between
what happened to chiara in the past
and her apparent suicide at present,
but as for maddie's point of view, just
how wrong can someone get things? :x
what happened to chiara in the past
and her apparent suicide at present,
but as for maddie's point of view, just
how wrong can someone get things? :x
July 14, 2022
Maddie and Kiara have been beat friends since they met on their first day at university. They have always shared everything with each other, everything except one big secret, which Kiara knows would tear them apart....
When the police knock on Maddie's front door as she and her husband Nathan are getting ready for the morning school run, she's not expecting to hear what they have to tell her. Kiara is dead.
Maddie, Kiara, Nathan and David are all friends who have known everything about each other. But Maddie and Kiara have recently drifted apart. There's lots of lies and deceptions to get through before we get to the truth. Each character has their own story to tell. We find out what happened over the years they were all friends in flashbacks. There's twists galore in this well written thriller. The suspense grows as you try to unravel the mystery. There was only one thing wrong with this book, SPIDERS - LOTS OF THEM!! The characters were an interesting bunch.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookouture and the author #SherlyBrowne for my ARC of #DoIReallyKnowYou in exchange for an honest review.
When the police knock on Maddie's front door as she and her husband Nathan are getting ready for the morning school run, she's not expecting to hear what they have to tell her. Kiara is dead.
Maddie, Kiara, Nathan and David are all friends who have known everything about each other. But Maddie and Kiara have recently drifted apart. There's lots of lies and deceptions to get through before we get to the truth. Each character has their own story to tell. We find out what happened over the years they were all friends in flashbacks. There's twists galore in this well written thriller. The suspense grows as you try to unravel the mystery. There was only one thing wrong with this book, SPIDERS - LOTS OF THEM!! The characters were an interesting bunch.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookouture and the author #SherlyBrowne for my ARC of #DoIReallyKnowYou in exchange for an honest review.
July 23, 2022
While Maddie and Kiara had been very close friends for years, they had a falling out and their relationship suffered. However, when Maddie is informed by the police that Kiara has died, apparently due to suicide, Maddie just had to know what would drive Kiara to take such action.
Kiara was married to David and she really wasn't happy. In fact, when Kiara died, she and David were separated. Even before she separated from David, Kiara wasn't happy. She insisted that they move because she kept on finding spiders in their cottage. Being a real arachnophobe, it got to be too much for her. Was her home really infested by spiders or was there gaslighting going on? If she was indeed being gaslighted by David, why would she kill herself after they had separated?
Meanwhile Maddie is married to Nathan and things between them become strained. Then there are Jake and Sophie. Jake was Kiara's previous boyfriend before she married David and Jake married Sophie. A lot of players in this intriguing book by Sheryl Browne. Not only are there are bevy of characters, but the term unreliable narrators comes to mind, especially when the cause of Kiara's death might not have been as it was ruled.
Now, if someone is afraid of spiders, then this might not be the book to read. They play a huge role in this book - in fact, Nathan's job as an entomologist comes into play in this thrilling read. How devious of Sheryl Browne! Everything and everyone comes full circle in this book. While it was Kiara who lost her life, readers may begin to wonder if there is more than one victim.
Then there is the fact that while Kiara had her fear of spiders, Maddie had her addiction to sleeping pills. Both women were interesting protagonists in this story. Maddie's actions, mainly due to insomnia and said sleeping pills, really jazzed up this intriguing story. Then, let's talk about David. What a character! Nathan keeps going to South America for his research work. David sticks around. Perhaps too close?
What a sensationally well-layered story! While the crux of the matter might be the apparent suicide of Kiara, there are so many additional layers that come into play through the pages of this book. How well this is done. Yes, the various characters, fears, addictions, actions and more all come together for a compelling read that will catch even the most seasoned reader by surprise.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Kiara was married to David and she really wasn't happy. In fact, when Kiara died, she and David were separated. Even before she separated from David, Kiara wasn't happy. She insisted that they move because she kept on finding spiders in their cottage. Being a real arachnophobe, it got to be too much for her. Was her home really infested by spiders or was there gaslighting going on? If she was indeed being gaslighted by David, why would she kill herself after they had separated?
Meanwhile Maddie is married to Nathan and things between them become strained. Then there are Jake and Sophie. Jake was Kiara's previous boyfriend before she married David and Jake married Sophie. A lot of players in this intriguing book by Sheryl Browne. Not only are there are bevy of characters, but the term unreliable narrators comes to mind, especially when the cause of Kiara's death might not have been as it was ruled.
Now, if someone is afraid of spiders, then this might not be the book to read. They play a huge role in this book - in fact, Nathan's job as an entomologist comes into play in this thrilling read. How devious of Sheryl Browne! Everything and everyone comes full circle in this book. While it was Kiara who lost her life, readers may begin to wonder if there is more than one victim.
Then there is the fact that while Kiara had her fear of spiders, Maddie had her addiction to sleeping pills. Both women were interesting protagonists in this story. Maddie's actions, mainly due to insomnia and said sleeping pills, really jazzed up this intriguing story. Then, let's talk about David. What a character! Nathan keeps going to South America for his research work. David sticks around. Perhaps too close?
What a sensationally well-layered story! While the crux of the matter might be the apparent suicide of Kiara, there are so many additional layers that come into play through the pages of this book. How well this is done. Yes, the various characters, fears, addictions, actions and more all come together for a compelling read that will catch even the most seasoned reader by surprise.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
July 26, 2022
Maddie and Kiara have been best friends since University. They are both married to different men and Maddie has two children. After a detective comes to her house one morning to tell her the Kiara has died, Maddie tries to figure out what really happened to her friend and if she really ever knew her as well as she thought.
Another quick and entertaining book by Sheryl Browne. I enjoyed the short chapters and the flashbacks from the past to the present. I was not very surprised by the ending, as I thought, I had it figured it out but I still really enjoyed this one. I'm looking forward to her future books and would recommend this to others.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Another quick and entertaining book by Sheryl Browne. I enjoyed the short chapters and the flashbacks from the past to the present. I was not very surprised by the ending, as I thought, I had it figured it out but I still really enjoyed this one. I'm looking forward to her future books and would recommend this to others.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
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July 8, 2022Do I Really Know You? by Sheryl Browne had me literally on the edge of my seat. There are some beautifully played red herrings which makes the twists even more breath taking. My heart is still racing now just thinking about this story!
June 29, 2022
This book shouldn’t really come under the genre of thrillers. It’s more of the drama genre than an actual thriller.
The start and the most of the middle was slow, not so gripping. I wish the story picked up pace at some point but I was simply trying to finish the book somehow.
The character profiles were given more depth than actually required and some of them lacked depth when they were genuinely needed. Some conversations dragged on more than was actually needed for the story build up. The story tried to keep the suspense alive, but it was more like the suspense was on life support.
Overall, I’d say the book is readable if you have nothing else to read, which isn’t the case, I hope.
I was provided with a review copy from NetGalley and this is my honest review.
The start and the most of the middle was slow, not so gripping. I wish the story picked up pace at some point but I was simply trying to finish the book somehow.
The character profiles were given more depth than actually required and some of them lacked depth when they were genuinely needed. Some conversations dragged on more than was actually needed for the story build up. The story tried to keep the suspense alive, but it was more like the suspense was on life support.
Overall, I’d say the book is readable if you have nothing else to read, which isn’t the case, I hope.
I was provided with a review copy from NetGalley and this is my honest review.
June 27, 2022
Relying on first-hand knowledge, author Sheryl Browne explores what it’s like to be both vulnerable and suffer from a phobia, while at the same time, continuing to give others permission to be dismissive of one’s feelings. The result is a compelling psychological thriller.
Gaslighting is one of the many weapons Browne’s character has in their arsenal. They are hell-bent on getting their way and are adept at subtle and covert means of conning others. To them, having an advantage over others is of utmost importance. I felt the fear, had the goosebumps and increased pulse, and, yes, headed to the front door to make sure the deadbolt was on! I could not have predicted what Browne had in store for this character!
Misinterpretation of another’s body language and emotions is a common mistake, but when we focus on it, we give others ammunition to question if what we have assumed is reality or if it’s really “all in our head.” Using the first-person point of view, Browne allows readers to enter the minds of her characters and for this exploration, it’s perfect. The paranoia becomes exaggerated for readers and the vulnerability is exacerbated. Browne really had me full of doubts and questioning reality.
Browne’s execution is exemplary. Her twists are well-orchestrated and surprising! I’ve come to trust this author to deliver a compelling narrative with a twist I couldn’t predict. The explosive prologue had me biting my nails and feverishly turning pages…it didn’t let up until the final page! I was left reminded that just because I’ve known someone for a long time, doesn’t mean I really know them. Now, I’m left pondering If I can fully trust them, either!
I was gifted this advance copy by Sheryl Browne, Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Gaslighting is one of the many weapons Browne’s character has in their arsenal. They are hell-bent on getting their way and are adept at subtle and covert means of conning others. To them, having an advantage over others is of utmost importance. I felt the fear, had the goosebumps and increased pulse, and, yes, headed to the front door to make sure the deadbolt was on! I could not have predicted what Browne had in store for this character!
Misinterpretation of another’s body language and emotions is a common mistake, but when we focus on it, we give others ammunition to question if what we have assumed is reality or if it’s really “all in our head.” Using the first-person point of view, Browne allows readers to enter the minds of her characters and for this exploration, it’s perfect. The paranoia becomes exaggerated for readers and the vulnerability is exacerbated. Browne really had me full of doubts and questioning reality.
Browne’s execution is exemplary. Her twists are well-orchestrated and surprising! I’ve come to trust this author to deliver a compelling narrative with a twist I couldn’t predict. The explosive prologue had me biting my nails and feverishly turning pages…it didn’t let up until the final page! I was left reminded that just because I’ve known someone for a long time, doesn’t mean I really know them. Now, I’m left pondering If I can fully trust them, either!
I was gifted this advance copy by Sheryl Browne, Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
June 14, 2022
Great story about love and friendship and how much do you really know someone. Marnie and Kiara first met at university and have been extremely close friends ever since. Both are now married and Marnie has two children, Kiara acts as a great auntie to them both.
Marnie opens the door one morning to find two police officers asking for her. She is told that Marnie has died and it was by suicide. Marnie is shocked to the core and wonders how much she really knew about Kiara as she cannot believe she would have done this, what secrets was she keeping? This then opens a big door when Marnie starts to try to discover some answers as to what was really going on with Kiara.
I really enjoyed the book, although I knew what was coming in the end and was I right in my assumptions. I highly recommend this book and once again found that Sheryl Browne has produced another great story. Thank you to Netgalley , the author and publisher for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion
Marnie opens the door one morning to find two police officers asking for her. She is told that Marnie has died and it was by suicide. Marnie is shocked to the core and wonders how much she really knew about Kiara as she cannot believe she would have done this, what secrets was she keeping? This then opens a big door when Marnie starts to try to discover some answers as to what was really going on with Kiara.
I really enjoyed the book, although I knew what was coming in the end and was I right in my assumptions. I highly recommend this book and once again found that Sheryl Browne has produced another great story. Thank you to Netgalley , the author and publisher for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion
July 15, 2022
This is a great read.
Maddie and Kiara are very close friends and spend a lot of time together and also as a group with their husbands.
Maddie is shocked to get a visit from the Police one morning telling her that Kiara is dead, and it looks like suicide.
We then have chapters from a few months and weeks before to see what was happening before her death.
It seems Kiara was hiding stuff from her husband and Maddie and it all comes to light before one frightening incident for Maddie.
This is a gripping psychological thriller that I really enjoyed.
I did guess some of the story but it didn’t spoil it for me.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
Maddie and Kiara are very close friends and spend a lot of time together and also as a group with their husbands.
Maddie is shocked to get a visit from the Police one morning telling her that Kiara is dead, and it looks like suicide.
We then have chapters from a few months and weeks before to see what was happening before her death.
It seems Kiara was hiding stuff from her husband and Maddie and it all comes to light before one frightening incident for Maddie.
This is a gripping psychological thriller that I really enjoyed.
I did guess some of the story but it didn’t spoil it for me.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
August 18, 2022
Thrilling. Packed with twists. I could not put this amazing book down. Read it in one sitting. A gripping, wonderful thriller.
July 19, 2022
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'Do I Really Know You? ' by Sheryl Browne.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Sheryl Browne, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 19th July 2022.
This is the fourth book I have read by this author. I have previously read 'My Husbands Girlfriend', 'The Invite' and 'The Liar's Child' which I highly recommend.
I was originally drawn to this book by its eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that 'Perfect for fans of The Girl on the Train, Gone Girl and The Wife, Do I Really Know You? is a gripping new psychological thriller from bestselling author Sheryl Browne. Once you start reading, you won’t be able to stop!' I am a huge fan of 'Gone Girl' and 'The Wife' so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I am also a huge fan of Sheryl and if this is half as good as 'My Husband's Girlfriend', 'The Invite' and 'The Liar's Child' it is sure to be a page turning read. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists a prologue, 65 chapters and an epilogue. The chapters are medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in Worcestershire, UK 🇬🇧. The bonus for me of books that are partly or fully based in the UK is that I live in the UK and have sometimes visited places mentioned in the book which makes it easier to picture.
This book is written in third person perspective with the main protagonists being Maddie, Kiara, David and Nathan. The benefits of third person perspective with multiple protagonists are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything.
'Do I Really Know You?' discusses some topics that may upset some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book Sheryl discusses/includes gaslighting and spiders.
Wow!!! What did I just read!!! What twists and a half fairplay, I most certainly was NOT expecting any of that!!! Anyway, we shall return to that!!! This book is extremely well written and completely drew me in from start to end. The synopsis, title and cover worked perfectly with the storyline.
One of the best books I have ever read!!! Don't even think about even looking at the first page until you have cleared your schedules as you won't be able to put it down!!
The storyline was extremely compelling and I was completely addicted from the beginning starting with a prologue putting my heart in my throat to absolutely explosive ending!!! I started it this morning and finished it in a day!! It was filled with mysteries, twists and surprises and had me completely absorbed throughout. It was filled with suspense, lies, romance, twists, heartbreak, deceit and shocks!! It had me on tenterhooks on the edge of my seat and biting my nails to get to the truth. I absolutely loved how it completely shocked me at the end!! There's not much worse in a book than when you have already figured out what is going on by 50%!! I love that the fact that Sheryl has done her research shined throughout. One of my pet hates is when an authour picks a subject to include in their novel but hasn't done any research, it litters the books with mistakes and errors and it can spoil a storyline. This book is not only an epic psychological thriller filled with twists and turns that I would have never expected all the way to the end but it is also quite sad and heartbreaking when it comes to the end and when we find out what really happened to who and why. In this book Sheryl discusses a very important subjects that are gaslighting and phobias I won't go into too much detail and Sheryl explains it all beautifully in her letter at the end of the book so make sure you continue to the end to read it. I love the fact that she has based this book from her own experiences and that she shares this with her readers and how she overcame both of the above. A huge well down to you Sheryl you should be extremely proud of yourself!! I would love to see this book turned into what would promise to be a massive hit movie!!
It is set over multiple time lines. When books show what has happened in the past and what is happening in the present I find it really helps the reader (if it is well done) understand why things are happening and what has lead to the present activities and decisions. It also shows the bigger picture.
Absolutely addictive, unputdownable and most definitely EXPLOSIVE!!!
The characters were vivid, realistic, unique and very compelling. Throughout the book I liked, disliked and questioned most of the main characters unsure of who was to blame and who was doing what wrong and right. After I had done all that I was still wrong!!! Throughout the book I flicked from feeling sorry for either Maddie, Dave, Nathan or even Kiara and then by the next chapter I thought that same character seriously needed help or were just horrific. I became suspect of them all. There was an additional character my heart completely broke for at the end but I won't be saying any more on who or why as, again I don't want to spoil it for future readers. I felt the book ended perfectly the way it did and everything was explained with no loose ends, another pet hate of mine. Well done Sheryl!!! The perfect eclectic mix of strong and realistic characters came together to make this book a real page turner!!!
This book would make a truly captivating movie which I would love to see and I am definitely looking forward to reading more books by Sheryl. Congratulations Sheryl on yet another amazing read!!! Here's to your next success 🥂
This is exactly why Sheryl is one of my favourite authors. I love every book yet she still manages to make them better and better which is not an easy feat!!
Overall a page turning, gripping and addictive psychological thriller that will shock you at times and break your heart on others!!
Genres covered in this novel include Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Crime Fiction, Noir Fiction, Crime Fiction and Psychological Fiction amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of 'Gone Girl' , Shalini Boland, 'The Girl On The Train', 'The Wife', Lisa Jewell and anyone looking for an explosive novel with a bombshell twist!!!
370 pages.
This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
#DoIReallyKnowYou #Bookouture #SherylBrown #NetGalley #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour
@SherylBrowne @Bookouture @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86
https://kcmw86.wixsite.com/bookworm86
https://m.facebook.com/Bookworm1986/?...
https://m.facebook.com/Bookwork86/?__...
https://www.instagram.com/bookwormwhi...
Review for 'Do I Really Know You? ' by Sheryl Browne.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Sheryl Browne, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 19th July 2022.
This is the fourth book I have read by this author. I have previously read 'My Husbands Girlfriend', 'The Invite' and 'The Liar's Child' which I highly recommend.
I was originally drawn to this book by its eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that 'Perfect for fans of The Girl on the Train, Gone Girl and The Wife, Do I Really Know You? is a gripping new psychological thriller from bestselling author Sheryl Browne. Once you start reading, you won’t be able to stop!' I am a huge fan of 'Gone Girl' and 'The Wife' so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I am also a huge fan of Sheryl and if this is half as good as 'My Husband's Girlfriend', 'The Invite' and 'The Liar's Child' it is sure to be a page turning read. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists a prologue, 65 chapters and an epilogue. The chapters are medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in Worcestershire, UK 🇬🇧. The bonus for me of books that are partly or fully based in the UK is that I live in the UK and have sometimes visited places mentioned in the book which makes it easier to picture.
This book is written in third person perspective with the main protagonists being Maddie, Kiara, David and Nathan. The benefits of third person perspective with multiple protagonists are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything.
'Do I Really Know You?' discusses some topics that may upset some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book Sheryl discusses/includes gaslighting and spiders.
Wow!!! What did I just read!!! What twists and a half fairplay, I most certainly was NOT expecting any of that!!! Anyway, we shall return to that!!! This book is extremely well written and completely drew me in from start to end. The synopsis, title and cover worked perfectly with the storyline.
One of the best books I have ever read!!! Don't even think about even looking at the first page until you have cleared your schedules as you won't be able to put it down!!
The storyline was extremely compelling and I was completely addicted from the beginning starting with a prologue putting my heart in my throat to absolutely explosive ending!!! I started it this morning and finished it in a day!! It was filled with mysteries, twists and surprises and had me completely absorbed throughout. It was filled with suspense, lies, romance, twists, heartbreak, deceit and shocks!! It had me on tenterhooks on the edge of my seat and biting my nails to get to the truth. I absolutely loved how it completely shocked me at the end!! There's not much worse in a book than when you have already figured out what is going on by 50%!! I love that the fact that Sheryl has done her research shined throughout. One of my pet hates is when an authour picks a subject to include in their novel but hasn't done any research, it litters the books with mistakes and errors and it can spoil a storyline. This book is not only an epic psychological thriller filled with twists and turns that I would have never expected all the way to the end but it is also quite sad and heartbreaking when it comes to the end and when we find out what really happened to who and why. In this book Sheryl discusses a very important subjects that are gaslighting and phobias I won't go into too much detail and Sheryl explains it all beautifully in her letter at the end of the book so make sure you continue to the end to read it. I love the fact that she has based this book from her own experiences and that she shares this with her readers and how she overcame both of the above. A huge well down to you Sheryl you should be extremely proud of yourself!! I would love to see this book turned into what would promise to be a massive hit movie!!
It is set over multiple time lines. When books show what has happened in the past and what is happening in the present I find it really helps the reader (if it is well done) understand why things are happening and what has lead to the present activities and decisions. It also shows the bigger picture.
Absolutely addictive, unputdownable and most definitely EXPLOSIVE!!!
The characters were vivid, realistic, unique and very compelling. Throughout the book I liked, disliked and questioned most of the main characters unsure of who was to blame and who was doing what wrong and right. After I had done all that I was still wrong!!! Throughout the book I flicked from feeling sorry for either Maddie, Dave, Nathan or even Kiara and then by the next chapter I thought that same character seriously needed help or were just horrific. I became suspect of them all. There was an additional character my heart completely broke for at the end but I won't be saying any more on who or why as, again I don't want to spoil it for future readers. I felt the book ended perfectly the way it did and everything was explained with no loose ends, another pet hate of mine. Well done Sheryl!!! The perfect eclectic mix of strong and realistic characters came together to make this book a real page turner!!!
This book would make a truly captivating movie which I would love to see and I am definitely looking forward to reading more books by Sheryl. Congratulations Sheryl on yet another amazing read!!! Here's to your next success 🥂
This is exactly why Sheryl is one of my favourite authors. I love every book yet she still manages to make them better and better which is not an easy feat!!
Overall a page turning, gripping and addictive psychological thriller that will shock you at times and break your heart on others!!
Genres covered in this novel include Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Crime Fiction, Noir Fiction, Crime Fiction and Psychological Fiction amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of 'Gone Girl' , Shalini Boland, 'The Girl On The Train', 'The Wife', Lisa Jewell and anyone looking for an explosive novel with a bombshell twist!!!
370 pages.
This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
#DoIReallyKnowYou #Bookouture #SherylBrown #NetGalley #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour
@SherylBrowne @Bookouture @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86
https://kcmw86.wixsite.com/bookworm86
https://m.facebook.com/Bookworm1986/?...
https://m.facebook.com/Bookwork86/?__...
https://www.instagram.com/bookwormwhi...
April 16, 2023
I found this to be an incredible slow, boring and uneventful read with little suspense.
🕷️ Storyline 🕷️
Maddie, Kiara, Nathan and David have all known one another since university. Maddie and Kiara have always been close but lately Kiara has been distant with Maddie. Then the unthinkable happens; Kiara is found dead. Everybody suspects that it's suicide but Maddie thinks that Kiara was murdered.
🕷️ Strengths 🕷️
-Boomer the dog was literally the only thing I liked about this book.
🕷️ Weaknesses 🕷️
-The story and the writing was really bland, slow-paced and unexciting. I ended up skipping parts.
-Apart from Kiara's death, literally nothing happened in the story. It was mostly Maddie's ramblings about her suspicions of whether her husband Nathan had an affair with Kiara.
-I didn't care for any of the characters. Kiara and David were unlikeable and poorly developed. Kiara just seemed like a b*tch and David a weirdo.
Maddie was naive, dumb and weak. For example when Nathan went missing she was so worried but did NOTHING! If my dear husband went missing, I'd be frantic with worry and would send out a search party. I'd be on at police and authorities to find him. Maddie also claimed that she would still take Nathan back if he had an affair with Kiara or even killed her.
-The story was so predictable! I guessed the "twists" pretty early on. There was very little suspense.
-There were so many irrelevant things that didn't add any intrigue or suspense to the story. Maddie's mum being in jail and Maddie not remembering the night that her mum killed her dad were just irrelevant and had nothing to do with the main story. The writer spent so much time trying to develop Maddie's character that the other characters were poorly developed as a result.
🕷️ Conclusion 🕷️
Don't waste your time on this book. I would definitely not recommend to anyone unless they like super slow and uneventful thrillers with little character development or suspense.
🕷️Grading🕷️
Characterization: E-
Setting: E
Story: E
Suspense: E
Writing style: E-
Overall grade: E-
🕷️ Will I add this to my bookshelf?: 🕷️
Hell no! Well it's on my Kindle actually but I'll definitely be removing it from my library it was that crap.
🕷️ Storyline 🕷️
Maddie, Kiara, Nathan and David have all known one another since university. Maddie and Kiara have always been close but lately Kiara has been distant with Maddie. Then the unthinkable happens; Kiara is found dead. Everybody suspects that it's suicide but Maddie thinks that Kiara was murdered.
🕷️ Strengths 🕷️
-Boomer the dog was literally the only thing I liked about this book.
🕷️ Weaknesses 🕷️
-The story and the writing was really bland, slow-paced and unexciting. I ended up skipping parts.
-Apart from Kiara's death, literally nothing happened in the story. It was mostly Maddie's ramblings about her suspicions of whether her husband Nathan had an affair with Kiara.
-I didn't care for any of the characters. Kiara and David were unlikeable and poorly developed. Kiara just seemed like a b*tch and David a weirdo.
Maddie was naive, dumb and weak. For example when Nathan went missing she was so worried but did NOTHING! If my dear husband went missing, I'd be frantic with worry and would send out a search party. I'd be on at police and authorities to find him. Maddie also claimed that she would still take Nathan back if he had an affair with Kiara or even killed her.
-The story was so predictable! I guessed the "twists" pretty early on. There was very little suspense.
-There were so many irrelevant things that didn't add any intrigue or suspense to the story. Maddie's mum being in jail and Maddie not remembering the night that her mum killed her dad were just irrelevant and had nothing to do with the main story. The writer spent so much time trying to develop Maddie's character that the other characters were poorly developed as a result.
🕷️ Conclusion 🕷️
Don't waste your time on this book. I would definitely not recommend to anyone unless they like super slow and uneventful thrillers with little character development or suspense.
🕷️Grading🕷️
Characterization: E-
Setting: E
Story: E
Suspense: E
Writing style: E-
Overall grade: E-
🕷️ Will I add this to my bookshelf?: 🕷️
Hell no! Well it's on my Kindle actually but I'll definitely be removing it from my library it was that crap.
January 11, 2025
"Do I Really Know You" by Sheryl Browne is a pretty standard thriller. This one also has a whodunnit mystery. This is set in the UK in modern times. I read this as a Kindle e-book.
Maddie and Kiara were best friends in University. Years later, they both married the men they dated in Uni, Nathan, and David. Maddie and Nathan had two children, Josh (7) and Ellie (4). Nathan is a medical entomologist.
Kiara had a phobia of spiders. Maddie is phobic of the dark. David has a fear of heights. There is gaslighting manipulation in this.
The dialogue feels authentic. The plot is plausible. There's a lot of action. And it really kept me guessing. If you love thrillers, you might like this one.
Characters - 3/5
Writing - 4/5
Plot - 4/5
Pacing - 3/5
Unputdownability - 3/5
Enjoyment - 3/5
Cover - 3/5
Overall - 23/7 = 3 2/7 rounded to 3 stars
Thank you to Netgalley, Bookouture, and Sheryl Browne for providing this e-book in exchange for my honest review.
Maddie and Kiara were best friends in University. Years later, they both married the men they dated in Uni, Nathan, and David. Maddie and Nathan had two children, Josh (7) and Ellie (4). Nathan is a medical entomologist.
Kiara had a phobia of spiders. Maddie is phobic of the dark. David has a fear of heights. There is gaslighting manipulation in this.
The dialogue feels authentic. The plot is plausible. There's a lot of action. And it really kept me guessing. If you love thrillers, you might like this one.
Characters - 3/5
Writing - 4/5
Plot - 4/5
Pacing - 3/5
Unputdownability - 3/5
Enjoyment - 3/5
Cover - 3/5
Overall - 23/7 = 3 2/7 rounded to 3 stars
Thank you to Netgalley, Bookouture, and Sheryl Browne for providing this e-book in exchange for my honest review.
September 1, 2023
Maddie and Kiara have been best friends since they met at University. They have always shared everything with each other, well except for a big secret which Kiara knows would tear them apart.
When the police knock on Maddie's front door as she and Nick are getting ready for the school run, she is not expecting to hear that her friend Kiara is dead!!
I loved this book, WOW there are so many secrets, lies and twists galore until we get to the truth.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
When the police knock on Maddie's front door as she and Nick are getting ready for the school run, she is not expecting to hear that her friend Kiara is dead!!
I loved this book, WOW there are so many secrets, lies and twists galore until we get to the truth.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 7, 2022
Sheryl Browne never seems to not amaze me with the way she can weave a storyline in so many directions. I swear I was thinking one thing, then another not really ever knowing what the finish story would become. Brilliant.
I devoured this book as I do with all her books!!
A little itchy from the bugs. Lol
A definite must read..
Thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an early release of this book.
I devoured this book as I do with all her books!!
A little itchy from the bugs. Lol
A definite must read..
Thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an early release of this book.
December 16, 2022
I thought this book was unnecessarily long and dragged out. The plot was not well thought out and I thought it was fairly predictable. It took me longer than usual to finish this one, The main characters are two couples that have know each other since college. David and Kiara. Nathan and Maddison. They have remained close since graduating college, but ever since they spent the most recent New Years together something seems off. One of more of them are hiding something, When Kiara commits suicide, the secrets start to come out. Did she really commit suicide or did someone else have something to do with her death?
March 23, 2023
Nope
thought this was the worst of this author's books that I've encountered so far. the beginning was mundane, the middle predictable and confusing at times and the finale totally unbelievable. kept hoping , but no it did not fulfil any real pleasure in the reading of it.
thought this was the worst of this author's books that I've encountered so far. the beginning was mundane, the middle predictable and confusing at times and the finale totally unbelievable. kept hoping , but no it did not fulfil any real pleasure in the reading of it.
July 24, 2022
This, my eighth novel by the talented author Sheryl Browne was as absorbing and exhilarating as the previous ones, including The Marriage Trap, The New Girlfriend, The Invite and The Liar's Child. In Do I Really Know You? Maddie and Kiara have been friends since meeting at University. They met their respective husbands, Nathan and David there as well and have remained close friends since. One day, Maddie is getting the children, Ellie and Josh ready for school, there's a knock at the front door and when Nathan answers, interrupting his Zoom meeting, the police reveal that Kiara is dead...
With red herrings and curveballs, this well-told fabulously layered and plotted tale of friendship, addiction and abuse is a fantastic read. The author's characterisation is as tremendous as ever. Very highly recommended.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Bookouture via NetGalley at my request and this review is my own unbiased opinion.
With red herrings and curveballs, this well-told fabulously layered and plotted tale of friendship, addiction and abuse is a fantastic read. The author's characterisation is as tremendous as ever. Very highly recommended.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Bookouture via NetGalley at my request and this review is my own unbiased opinion.
July 23, 2022
Do I Really Know You? That’s a big question I mean do we ever really know anybody? As children we see our parents one way as adults another. In fact I’m pretty positive the only person we truly know is ourselves, but what happens when someone undermines that? Makes us question the words we have spoken, choices we have made or even our own sanity.
Maddie and Kiara had terrific back stories which gave you an understanding into how and why they are who they became. How things that happen in adolescence can change your whole persona and the life you will lead. While some information you feel is hiding in the background like the ticking of a countdown other shocks happen like the detonation of bomb.
The use of fear is cleverly ramped up by the manipulation of phobias. You don’t even want to know about the jar scene? For some this will be absolutely terrifying, luckily I’m hardcore and the only thing that has the ability to scare me is my mum (even though I’m nearly 50 all it takes is that look, you know the one I’m talking about!)
I was completely wrong at the reveal and it was all down to the author using her own devious form of manipulation. This is one of those books where as you are looking out the window the killer strides right in through the front door. If this was a horror movie I would have been shouting at you to turn around and probably too late.
Maddie and Kiara had terrific back stories which gave you an understanding into how and why they are who they became. How things that happen in adolescence can change your whole persona and the life you will lead. While some information you feel is hiding in the background like the ticking of a countdown other shocks happen like the detonation of bomb.
The use of fear is cleverly ramped up by the manipulation of phobias. You don’t even want to know about the jar scene? For some this will be absolutely terrifying, luckily I’m hardcore and the only thing that has the ability to scare me is my mum (even though I’m nearly 50 all it takes is that look, you know the one I’m talking about!)
I was completely wrong at the reveal and it was all down to the author using her own devious form of manipulation. This is one of those books where as you are looking out the window the killer strides right in through the front door. If this was a horror movie I would have been shouting at you to turn around and probably too late.
July 4, 2022
Title: Do I Really Know You?
Author: Sheryl Browne
Publisher: Bookouture
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Pub Date: July 19, 2022
My Rating: 3.4 Stars
This is my first Sheryl Browne novel. I am a big fan of psychological thrillers which is her genre. How have I missed her?
While reading her bio, my interested was peaked when she mentioned that according to her readers ~ she would make an excellent psychopath.
Maddie and Kiara have been best friends for years, now both are married and they have continued their friendship including their husbands David and Nathan.
As Maddie and her husband Nathan are getting the children ready for the day, the police arrive to inform them that Kiara had committed suicide.
Maddie cannot believe Kiara would do such a thing!
Maddie wonders if Kiara was hiding something if so ~ what? Perhaps she really doesn’t know Kiara.
Story kept me interested, however wasn't the twisty- turny suspense I was expecting.
My first Sheryl Browne and I will read another.
Want to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for July 19, 2022
Author: Sheryl Browne
Publisher: Bookouture
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Pub Date: July 19, 2022
My Rating: 3.4 Stars
This is my first Sheryl Browne novel. I am a big fan of psychological thrillers which is her genre. How have I missed her?
While reading her bio, my interested was peaked when she mentioned that according to her readers ~ she would make an excellent psychopath.
Maddie and Kiara have been best friends for years, now both are married and they have continued their friendship including their husbands David and Nathan.
As Maddie and her husband Nathan are getting the children ready for the day, the police arrive to inform them that Kiara had committed suicide.
Maddie cannot believe Kiara would do such a thing!
Maddie wonders if Kiara was hiding something if so ~ what? Perhaps she really doesn’t know Kiara.
Story kept me interested, however wasn't the twisty- turny suspense I was expecting.
My first Sheryl Browne and I will read another.
Want to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for July 19, 2022
June 9, 2022
This book started out pretty good but it got bogged down in the middle and then finished in a melodramatic way. for me, this was not a favorite, but it was interesting enough and a quick read. Lots of suspects in the suicide or murder of her best friend and the main character was an unreliable witness due to blocked childhood memories and addiction to sleeping pills. I would try others by this author
June 26, 2022
Maddie and Kiara are best friends they at University together and share a house with Nathan David and Jake. but one night someone attacked and rapped Kiara and she never knew who it was she and Jake split . Maddie and Nathan marry and have two children .Kiara and David marry . Kiara has a bad phobia of spiders .and she wants to move house as its old and a lot of spiders .so they move to a new apartment . and then Kiara and David split up .one morning Nathan answers the front door and its the police Kiara had committed suicide but Maddie does not believe it and as she starts digging in to Kiara s life she does not know who to trust its so dam good very addictive .another brilliant read from this author ,
July 18, 2022
★★★★★ 4.5 stars (rounded up)
I am excited to be taking part in the #BooksOnTour #BlogTour for Sheryl Browne's tense and creepy psychological thriller DO I REALLY KNOW YOU?
You've known each other for years. Since you were young...much younger. You've been there for each other through all the good times, the bad and even the downright ugly. You've endured turmoils together, picked up the pieces together and come through the other side together. You have always been there for each other. No matter what. Yet...how well do you really know each other?
The story opens with a heart-stopping prologue that sets your pulse racing and those tiny little hairs standing on end as shivers tingle down your spine as two terrifying phobias assault the reader within the first electrifying pages. Yes, phobias. The most terrifying of them all...spiders. And lots of them!
The mystery of "who" had me guessing throughout. Who did who not really know? Who had cornered who in the dark and let loose a terrifying cluster of eight-legged little ferals? Who was gaslighting who? And who wasn't all they appeared to be?
Maddie and Kiara have been best friends since university but in recent months have had a falling out. Why, Maddie isn't sure, but Kiara had been distancing herself from her and she was left wondering why. Every time she tried to speak to her friend, Kiara would either make excuses or simply avoid her altogether. Which left Maddie wondering just how well she knew her best friend.
Then one morning the police arrive to inform Maddie that Kiara was dead, an apparent suicide, and Maddie is left bereft. Why hadn't she tried to find out what was bothering her friend? Why hadn't she made more of an effort? She should have known, shouldn't she? But then she remembers their sudden rift the past few months and finds herself questioning just how much she really knew about Kiara and what secrets her friend had been keeping. I mean, she had to be, didn't she? For her to take such drastic action in ending her life. Was she really that unhappy?
Since university, Maddie and Kiara had married their respective boyfriends Nathan and David. And while Maddie had a happy life with Nathan and their two children, she wondered just how happy Kiara had been with David. After all, they were separated at the time of her death. But David adored Kiara and would have done anything to make her happy. In fact, he had...by moving from their beautiful country-styled barn conversion into the minimalist clinical fourth floor apartment. All in the name of Kiara's terrifying arachnophobia. She saw spiders in every corner of the old barn and yet in this new-build apartment high off the ground there would be no chance of them invading her space. Here, she would be safe...and happy.
So why did she take her own life? What made Kiara plunge to her death from her fourth floor balcony? Was it really suicide? Or was it an accident? Had her phobia elicited the one thing she would run from irrationally over a balcony in an attempt to escape them?
Maddie is sure there is more to Kiara's death than meets the eye. But when she tries to confide in Nathan he brushes her concerns off as her imagination conjuring up things that didn't happen due to her reliance on sleeping pills. The same pills that gave her hallucinations as well as imagining things. And yet if she didn't take them she'd be exhausted from lack of sleep or nightmares that plague her even in her waking moments. Either way, Maddie is a mess. And Kiara's death only adds to her stress and worries. Of course it doesn't help that Nathan is always away in some far flung country examining bugs for research which, as an entomologist, is his job. But is it her imagination that Nathan seems to be withdrawing from her?
And so we return to the question of "who". This cleverly told multi-layered story, which unfolds through the eyes of several unreliable narrators, throws us twists and red herrings that we are left questioning who it is that we really don't know? Someone is certainly not who they appear to be...to anyone. I laid out all the pieces of the puzzle I had thus far and closely examined them...and came up with a working theory around 40% in. It's like a game of cat and mouse reading one of Sheryl's books as I ponder if she could outwit me again? Sorry, Sheryl, not this time. I had it worked out long before the gradual reveal. But of course, that didn't affect my enjoyment of this creepy spine-tingling thriller.
DO I REALLY KNOW YOU? is definitely creepy and spine-tingling but not in the usual sense. It's the hundreds of creepy eight-legged little psychopaths terrorising Kiara, and the reader, that is enough to send shivers down anyone's spine. Spiders are not your friend. Not in my world. And if you are afraid of spiders, beware...because they feature heavily in this book and play a huge role to the story. But not only that, fears are being played upon as well. Because at the beginning, each of the friends all reveal their fears to one another...paving the way for who it is that is wearing a mask to play on those fears.
I thoroughly enjoyed DO I REALLY KNOW YOU? (despite the eight-legged psychopaths). Gaslighting is one of my favourite weapons in psychological thrillers. It is the subtle and covert manipulation that leaves readers questioning if what they are reading is real...if the characters are truly that unreliable or if something else is making it seem that way. The paranoia is delicious and the vulnerability chilling. And Sheryl's execution is brilliant.
Again, I love the short snappy chapters that keep the pace moving even quicker and the flashbacks from the past to the present helped put everything into perspective...albeit, a little unreliable maybe. But Sheryl revealed just enough at the right time as she drip-fed us information to both intrigue and maybe hoodwink us. The ending was a slow and gradual reveal that I saw coming but may well shock others. And leaves us questioning how well do we really know those we thought we knew?
Sheryl's often told me, after reading previous books, she would have to work harder at outwitting me as I've become something of a master at guessing her villains. Or is it that I just know at which angle to look? Having stated in her bio that she would have made an excellent psychopath, I'm now left wondering if I have an inner psychopath too...lol
I would like to thank #SherylBrowne, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #DoIReallyKnowYou in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
I am excited to be taking part in the #BooksOnTour #BlogTour for Sheryl Browne's tense and creepy psychological thriller DO I REALLY KNOW YOU?
You've known each other for years. Since you were young...much younger. You've been there for each other through all the good times, the bad and even the downright ugly. You've endured turmoils together, picked up the pieces together and come through the other side together. You have always been there for each other. No matter what. Yet...how well do you really know each other?
The story opens with a heart-stopping prologue that sets your pulse racing and those tiny little hairs standing on end as shivers tingle down your spine as two terrifying phobias assault the reader within the first electrifying pages. Yes, phobias. The most terrifying of them all...spiders. And lots of them!
The mystery of "who" had me guessing throughout. Who did who not really know? Who had cornered who in the dark and let loose a terrifying cluster of eight-legged little ferals? Who was gaslighting who? And who wasn't all they appeared to be?
Maddie and Kiara have been best friends since university but in recent months have had a falling out. Why, Maddie isn't sure, but Kiara had been distancing herself from her and she was left wondering why. Every time she tried to speak to her friend, Kiara would either make excuses or simply avoid her altogether. Which left Maddie wondering just how well she knew her best friend.
Then one morning the police arrive to inform Maddie that Kiara was dead, an apparent suicide, and Maddie is left bereft. Why hadn't she tried to find out what was bothering her friend? Why hadn't she made more of an effort? She should have known, shouldn't she? But then she remembers their sudden rift the past few months and finds herself questioning just how much she really knew about Kiara and what secrets her friend had been keeping. I mean, she had to be, didn't she? For her to take such drastic action in ending her life. Was she really that unhappy?
Since university, Maddie and Kiara had married their respective boyfriends Nathan and David. And while Maddie had a happy life with Nathan and their two children, she wondered just how happy Kiara had been with David. After all, they were separated at the time of her death. But David adored Kiara and would have done anything to make her happy. In fact, he had...by moving from their beautiful country-styled barn conversion into the minimalist clinical fourth floor apartment. All in the name of Kiara's terrifying arachnophobia. She saw spiders in every corner of the old barn and yet in this new-build apartment high off the ground there would be no chance of them invading her space. Here, she would be safe...and happy.
So why did she take her own life? What made Kiara plunge to her death from her fourth floor balcony? Was it really suicide? Or was it an accident? Had her phobia elicited the one thing she would run from irrationally over a balcony in an attempt to escape them?
Maddie is sure there is more to Kiara's death than meets the eye. But when she tries to confide in Nathan he brushes her concerns off as her imagination conjuring up things that didn't happen due to her reliance on sleeping pills. The same pills that gave her hallucinations as well as imagining things. And yet if she didn't take them she'd be exhausted from lack of sleep or nightmares that plague her even in her waking moments. Either way, Maddie is a mess. And Kiara's death only adds to her stress and worries. Of course it doesn't help that Nathan is always away in some far flung country examining bugs for research which, as an entomologist, is his job. But is it her imagination that Nathan seems to be withdrawing from her?
And so we return to the question of "who". This cleverly told multi-layered story, which unfolds through the eyes of several unreliable narrators, throws us twists and red herrings that we are left questioning who it is that we really don't know? Someone is certainly not who they appear to be...to anyone. I laid out all the pieces of the puzzle I had thus far and closely examined them...and came up with a working theory around 40% in. It's like a game of cat and mouse reading one of Sheryl's books as I ponder if she could outwit me again? Sorry, Sheryl, not this time. I had it worked out long before the gradual reveal. But of course, that didn't affect my enjoyment of this creepy spine-tingling thriller.
DO I REALLY KNOW YOU? is definitely creepy and spine-tingling but not in the usual sense. It's the hundreds of creepy eight-legged little psychopaths terrorising Kiara, and the reader, that is enough to send shivers down anyone's spine. Spiders are not your friend. Not in my world. And if you are afraid of spiders, beware...because they feature heavily in this book and play a huge role to the story. But not only that, fears are being played upon as well. Because at the beginning, each of the friends all reveal their fears to one another...paving the way for who it is that is wearing a mask to play on those fears.
I thoroughly enjoyed DO I REALLY KNOW YOU? (despite the eight-legged psychopaths). Gaslighting is one of my favourite weapons in psychological thrillers. It is the subtle and covert manipulation that leaves readers questioning if what they are reading is real...if the characters are truly that unreliable or if something else is making it seem that way. The paranoia is delicious and the vulnerability chilling. And Sheryl's execution is brilliant.
Again, I love the short snappy chapters that keep the pace moving even quicker and the flashbacks from the past to the present helped put everything into perspective...albeit, a little unreliable maybe. But Sheryl revealed just enough at the right time as she drip-fed us information to both intrigue and maybe hoodwink us. The ending was a slow and gradual reveal that I saw coming but may well shock others. And leaves us questioning how well do we really know those we thought we knew?
Sheryl's often told me, after reading previous books, she would have to work harder at outwitting me as I've become something of a master at guessing her villains. Or is it that I just know at which angle to look? Having stated in her bio that she would have made an excellent psychopath, I'm now left wondering if I have an inner psychopath too...lol
I would like to thank #SherylBrowne, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #DoIReallyKnowYou in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
July 14, 2022
I loved this book from the first chapter! I was hooked, believe me when I say they’re not lying when they say it’s addictive! Do I really know you follows four friends; Maddie, Nathan, Kiara, and David who have known each other since university. Life appeared to be going well, until Kiara committed suicide. But as the story unfolds you begin to wonder whether Kiara’s death was a suicide. This is one of those books where you can’t say too much without giving away too much. This book consistently has you on edge and forever guessing who was involved in Kiara’s death. This is by far one of my favorite books of the year. I highly recommend this read! In fact, it would make for a perfect pool / beach read! Thank you to NetGalley and Bookoture for this ARC.
July 19, 2022
Another ‘edge of the seat’, compelling read from Sheryl Browne. Sheryl has a skill at getting into her character’s heads and portraying their fears, weaknesses and emotions. This story details the friendship of four uni friends, who later marry – Maddie and Nathan, Kiera and David - and how when Kiera, is thought to have committed suicide, that friendship starts to fall apart. Told in multiple viewpoint but with Maddie the main character, it is a gripping tale which leaves Maddie – and the reader – wondering who to trust. Sheryl draws on her own experience of gaslighting in a relationship and fear of spiders, and this shows in the writing. The continuous manipulation by someone who is gaslighting you, often with a smile on their face and a soft, understanding voice assuring you that you are imagining things, and the confusion and self-doubt it causes is expertly portrayed. Maddie wonders if she is really is imaging things, if she is being paranoid, if she really knows any of her friends, or her husband. I devoured the last few chapters, eager to know how it ended. Highly recommended.
July 1, 2022
My Review:
OMG!!!! This was definitely a roller coaster ride that I never wanted to end. There was a shock in every chapter. I was speechless by the end. I couldn’t believe it. I am no stranger to this author. I have read most of her books and have loved them all. This one was no different. I do have to say that the very beginning started off slow for me. I wasn’t sure what I had gotten myself in to. It did change and by the middle of the story this book really took off. All the characters were untrustworthy and I didn’t know who or what to believe throughout the whole book. This is what made the book great. There was an interesting plot and so many twists going on. Then came the shocking conclusion. I would have never guessed what was going to happen. I held my breathe the entire time. Sheryl Browne I can’t wait to read more of your books.
In conclusion, the plot, the characters and all the twists in this book made this book an enjoyable read. I would definitely recommend it and happily give it 4 Hearts❤️❤️❤️❤️
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