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Obsessed
Laura has a husband, children, a home in a city she loves. She thinks she can be happy, despite her past.
If they only knew my secret.
Until someone walks back into her life who she knows will shatter everything. Alexis was her first love. A love so exhilarating, it is impossible to resist.
I know I should end it. But I can't.
Then Alexis is found dead, and the police are knocking at Laura's door. They're asking her questions and she's telling them lies.
I didn't kill him. I promise.
Someone wants Laura to pay for what she's been running from. Someone with an obsession that they can't let go.
If they only knew my secret.
Until someone walks back into her life who she knows will shatter everything. Alexis was her first love. A love so exhilarating, it is impossible to resist.
I know I should end it. But I can't.
Then Alexis is found dead, and the police are knocking at Laura's door. They're asking her questions and she's telling them lies.
I didn't kill him. I promise.
Someone wants Laura to pay for what she's been running from. Someone with an obsession that they can't let go.
327 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 25, 2023
52 people are currently reading
617 people want to read
About the author
Liza North
2 books90 followersLiza North is a Scottish-based writer of psychological thrillers, OBSESSED and THE WEEKEND GUESTS. She has appeared at various crime and literary festivals and was longlisted for the Crime Writers' Association John Creasey ILP (New Blood) Dagger in 2024.
Also an academic and former journalist, Liza has a BA from Oxford University and a PhD in Philosophy from University College London, and has written for the Financial Times and Guardian. A reluctant runner, insatiable reader, and lover of fancy gin, she lives in Edinburgh with her husband and two daughters.
Find her on Bluesky, Facebook, X or Instagram as @lizanorthwriter.
Also an academic and former journalist, Liza has a BA from Oxford University and a PhD in Philosophy from University College London, and has written for the Financial Times and Guardian. A reluctant runner, insatiable reader, and lover of fancy gin, she lives in Edinburgh with her husband and two daughters.
Find her on Bluesky, Facebook, X or Instagram as @lizanorthwriter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
October 10, 2025
Just like this book is called Obsessed, this book is all about obsession. I was actually "obsessed" with how it was all going to play out. So glad I ignored the rating on this book because I actually enjoyed it.
* unpredictable ending
*second chance romance
* keeps you guessing
* timeline 1990-2018/2019
* slow pace
* gripping plot.
* unpredictable ending
*second chance romance
* keeps you guessing
* timeline 1990-2018/2019
* slow pace
* gripping plot.
January 26, 2024
My Rating: 4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I really enjoyed this…but am unsure why so much!!!
Laura has a husband, children and a lovely life. She lives happily… or so she thinks. Despite the secret from her past.
That is until Alexis appears back in her life, her high school sweetheart who she hasn’t seen since that day they swore never to talk about again. It is impossible for Laura to resist Alexis - even though she knows it is the worst thing she can do… she is drawn into her Obsession…
That is until Alexis is found dead and the police are knocking on her door asking some difficult questions. Someone wants Laura to pay… and they are not going to stop until she does.
Ok, I am going to be straight up front with you… It could be that I had two really shit books in a row and I found this really enjoyable cause the writing was good and it as fast paced. OR I was just running on pure vibes…. I wanted this book on NetGalley and was denied (RUDE)… and I just thought I would give it a whirl now its released.
Reading back over the synopsis I honestly don’t know why I wanted it… the cheating trope with a secret and dead lover thing is not usually my vibe. I am unsure why I got sucked in… the cover maybe its pretty nice. Either way… we will never know… one thing is for sure I was OBSESSED (haha) with this one most of the way through.
What the author did exceptionally well was the multi-POV and multi-timeline with a little hint of a secret email trail scattered throughout… I love having a story unfold with the back and forth and different POV that is one of my favourite if not favourite things in books. I don’t like to know everything up front (unless its that kind of book - but this is clearly a mysterious situation). So that was done so well that I was really enjoying myself.
I also was surprised that the affair was really tense… I wasn’t finding myself rolling my eyes at these stupid idiots throwing it all away to have a torrid love affair from their high school years… the author really paints the picture of why they can’t stop wanting and needing each other. I was invested…
And then you had Hope’s POV oooh I was so into that…I actually really wanted more and more and more of her POV. Her psycho mum intrigued me so much. Hope’s escalation into her wild behaviour made sense to me… Liza North really painted a picture of despair and fear that I really wish was explored even further… Hope’s mother was a religious fanatic and she was into the punishment in the name of god in a BIG way… like REALLY BIG… but I think we could have had more of it - Is it because I am sick and twisted maybe… moving on.
The writing was good it was interesting and it kept me clenched throughout… I had to keep reading and reading even on a work night so yes I was tired… but I was invested like it was stocks and bonds.
But where it loses a star for me was the ending… it felt kind of rushed and then became very predictable. To the authors credit it wasn’t predictable all the way through and she got me with one little twist… but the final ‘showdown’ as it were was… meh. I was also a little disappointed by the dark past reveal.. that to me was actually very predictable so much so that I was sure it would be something else. The very end though…I think that was done well… very abrupt with no prolonged monologue about why… you know why… it makes sense there is no reason for an explanation it just is.. accept it.
So we had a lot of ups and some down and a really good look at Obsession and Infatuation the author really captured that.. the ending to me was a let down - looking back over others reviews some people loved it.
Overall I think definitely give it a go if this domestic thriller/obsession trope is something you are into. The writing is good the multi-POVs are good its all pretty good… if this is your vibe you are likely to have a good time.
Laura has a husband, children and a lovely life. She lives happily… or so she thinks. Despite the secret from her past.
That is until Alexis appears back in her life, her high school sweetheart who she hasn’t seen since that day they swore never to talk about again. It is impossible for Laura to resist Alexis - even though she knows it is the worst thing she can do… she is drawn into her Obsession…
That is until Alexis is found dead and the police are knocking on her door asking some difficult questions. Someone wants Laura to pay… and they are not going to stop until she does.
Ok, I am going to be straight up front with you… It could be that I had two really shit books in a row and I found this really enjoyable cause the writing was good and it as fast paced. OR I was just running on pure vibes…. I wanted this book on NetGalley and was denied (RUDE)… and I just thought I would give it a whirl now its released.
Reading back over the synopsis I honestly don’t know why I wanted it… the cheating trope with a secret and dead lover thing is not usually my vibe. I am unsure why I got sucked in… the cover maybe its pretty nice. Either way… we will never know… one thing is for sure I was OBSESSED (haha) with this one most of the way through.
What the author did exceptionally well was the multi-POV and multi-timeline with a little hint of a secret email trail scattered throughout… I love having a story unfold with the back and forth and different POV that is one of my favourite if not favourite things in books. I don’t like to know everything up front (unless its that kind of book - but this is clearly a mysterious situation). So that was done so well that I was really enjoying myself.
I also was surprised that the affair was really tense… I wasn’t finding myself rolling my eyes at these stupid idiots throwing it all away to have a torrid love affair from their high school years… the author really paints the picture of why they can’t stop wanting and needing each other. I was invested…
And then you had Hope’s POV oooh I was so into that…I actually really wanted more and more and more of her POV. Her psycho mum intrigued me so much. Hope’s escalation into her wild behaviour made sense to me… Liza North really painted a picture of despair and fear that I really wish was explored even further… Hope’s mother was a religious fanatic and she was into the punishment in the name of god in a BIG way… like REALLY BIG… but I think we could have had more of it - Is it because I am sick and twisted maybe… moving on.
The writing was good it was interesting and it kept me clenched throughout… I had to keep reading and reading even on a work night so yes I was tired… but I was invested like it was stocks and bonds.
But where it loses a star for me was the ending… it felt kind of rushed and then became very predictable. To the authors credit it wasn’t predictable all the way through and she got me with one little twist… but the final ‘showdown’ as it were was… meh. I was also a little disappointed by the dark past reveal.. that to me was actually very predictable so much so that I was sure it would be something else. The very end though…I think that was done well… very abrupt with no prolonged monologue about why… you know why… it makes sense there is no reason for an explanation it just is.. accept it.
So we had a lot of ups and some down and a really good look at Obsession and Infatuation the author really captured that.. the ending to me was a let down - looking back over others reviews some people loved it.
Overall I think definitely give it a go if this domestic thriller/obsession trope is something you are into. The writing is good the multi-POVs are good its all pretty good… if this is your vibe you are likely to have a good time.
June 24, 2023
Terrible. Just terrible. Had to stop reading, it was hurting my eyes.
July 26, 2024
Multiple pov tale over multiple timelines seimgly unlinked grabbed my attention . I hungry to fund out the conclusion of both times lines. It's a tale of obsession in its various forms itcdeals with complex issues such as infidelity . Religion, child abuse and bullying. I was invested in the characters and it was actioned pacted. However the final end was a bit matter of fact and this disappointed as there was not enough explanation for me . It was basic. Recommended for anyone who likes a multiple pov over multiple timelines. It is axtionpacjed just ve careful with the ending.
Thank you netgallery and publisher and author
Thank you netgallery and publisher and author
November 3, 2025
3.25. This was super messy and I had fun with it! I love dual pov and dual timeline but this one had both and multi-not dual so it was a lot to keep up with. It was a bit predictable in the end but I enjoyed the fast paced journey to get there. Super suspenseful and I was locked in immediately!
September 30, 2025
Actual rating 3.5 ⭐️
This is a twisty turning thriller. It will keep you guessing.
This is a twisty turning thriller. It will keep you guessing.
December 26, 2024
It started with so much promise and excitement, but after the initial plot, I found myself turning pages, reading chapters waiting for something to happen, that didn't come. It became quite frustrating despite the slight twist in the final pages.
I was disappointed with all the detail in the back story of the school friend too, which (I found at the end) was almost irrelevant, yet detail of the more pertinent characters were left unexplored.
Unusually, it resulted in me disliking the main character, not being able to sympathise with her, and glad of her fate.
I was disappointed with all the detail in the back story of the school friend too, which (I found at the end) was almost irrelevant, yet detail of the more pertinent characters were left unexplored.
Unusually, it resulted in me disliking the main character, not being able to sympathise with her, and glad of her fate.
August 12, 2024
The author is clearly an intelligent, talented writer. But I felt the timelines took away from this book. I felt like I couldn’t be grabbed into the story because I was too confused about where I was within the story.
September 3, 2024
Need to concentrate when reading as jumps characters and timescales.
Some of the recent times are pre Alexis and others post Alexis.
But wow what a read.
Kept trying to guess how it would end up, but got it totally wrong.
Some of the recent times are pre Alexis and others post Alexis.
But wow what a read.
Kept trying to guess how it would end up, but got it totally wrong.
September 22, 2024
Confusing time lines.
The mystery element wasn’t that great and the main character was just annoying
Had to force myself to finish it
The mystery element wasn’t that great and the main character was just annoying
Had to force myself to finish it
March 12, 2023
This story is about a woman who has the perfect life, a husband, children, and good job, but she also has a lot of secrets from her past. Her biggest secret is the fact that she has never fully gotten over her high school boyfriend. When he comes back into her life and ends up being murdered after leaving her house, her entire life comes crashing down, she might just lose everything.
I honestly had a tough time getting through this one. I didn’t like the main character at all, but the biggest thing for me is although I have read books that go back and fourth between timelines, this one was hard to follow. I felt like there was too much going on to fully follow along.
I feel as though it took away from the book quite a bit. There were a few twists in the book that caught me by surprise but none that really made my jaw drop. This book was just mediocre for me.
I honestly had a tough time getting through this one. I didn’t like the main character at all, but the biggest thing for me is although I have read books that go back and fourth between timelines, this one was hard to follow. I felt like there was too much going on to fully follow along.
I feel as though it took away from the book quite a bit. There were a few twists in the book that caught me by surprise but none that really made my jaw drop. This book was just mediocre for me.
January 11, 2025
the multiple timelines made the book confusing to read and such a drag. building up Hope's character, all those chapter POVs for it all to have no connection to Alexis' murder at all???
the ending felt very rushed too.
the ending felt very rushed too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 2, 2023
I did not enjoy reading this book. The main character Laura is very annoying. The writing style is not what I expected, however, I managed to finish the book.
October 7, 2023
3.5 stars. Took me a while to get my head around the different time lines with Laura. It was a good book, but the ending felt a little abrupt and I think the plot with Hope and Yazzie was thrown in.
June 1, 2023
This was a compelling story, brilliantly told. It’s convincingly grounded in its Edinburgh milieu, and it is certainly not written as an allegory, but it had an archetypal power that I loved.
We meet Laura just as her world is falling apart. Her everyday life with her young kids is beautifully rendered, and it makes the intruding circumstances all the more shocking. I was instantly dying to know how Laura could have possibly found herself in such a mess.
As the novel unfolds, we encounter a heady mixture of passions, stark personal choices, misunderstandings and moral dilemmas that are completely convincing. You don’t need to have experienced the characters’ extreme situations to relate to their inner conflicts around finding love, acquiring family responsibilities, ageing, and coming to terms with one’s past.
The combination of a cleverly-plotted mystery and a dark-dreamy (but highly recognisable) reality was really very affecting and haunting.
I noticed one reviewer questioning the likeability of Laura as a protagonist, and at a recent author’s talk, even North herself expressed qualms. But for me, the psychological honesty of the portrayal was a more compelling measure. Given that the demand to be likeable is often a trap for women, I personally found it refreshing to see the shadow side of female characters exposed. We can both marvel AND cringe to see them giving themselves licence to behave badly, and then fighting to cope as the consequences inexorably play out.
We meet Laura just as her world is falling apart. Her everyday life with her young kids is beautifully rendered, and it makes the intruding circumstances all the more shocking. I was instantly dying to know how Laura could have possibly found herself in such a mess.
As the novel unfolds, we encounter a heady mixture of passions, stark personal choices, misunderstandings and moral dilemmas that are completely convincing. You don’t need to have experienced the characters’ extreme situations to relate to their inner conflicts around finding love, acquiring family responsibilities, ageing, and coming to terms with one’s past.
The combination of a cleverly-plotted mystery and a dark-dreamy (but highly recognisable) reality was really very affecting and haunting.
I noticed one reviewer questioning the likeability of Laura as a protagonist, and at a recent author’s talk, even North herself expressed qualms. But for me, the psychological honesty of the portrayal was a more compelling measure. Given that the demand to be likeable is often a trap for women, I personally found it refreshing to see the shadow side of female characters exposed. We can both marvel AND cringe to see them giving themselves licence to behave badly, and then fighting to cope as the consequences inexorably play out.
May 31, 2024
This was a nice enough read, kind of boring but realistic in that sense, and quick to read. Laura was an entirely unsympathetic character though, she had a massive victim mentality, but she was the one who willingly cheated on her husband, who imagined a fantasy life with Alexis and all their kids together, who chose Alexis again and again and again over her own children and Simon. The story with Hope was the only thing that made me feel sorry for her and that was just the stalking part, her and Alexis were tormented by 'murdering' her, but Hope was already on the ledge and had a knife, she cut Alexis, they just pushed her a little and she fell....
But the whole Hope thing wasn't really necessary to the story, Laura and Alexis didn't need a whole 'traumatic' backstory to justify their unhealthy, useless, selfish codependency 20 years later.
And the fact that it was Laura deserved that. She promised herself to her family, she took on the role of stepmother to Simon and yet she was ready to throw away all of it for Alexis? Have some dignity please. I mean it doesn't excuse Alexis' murder but I didn't have any strong feelings for him or Laura either way. Yazzie, Diana and Mhairi were what Laura should have been but no, threw everything away for some guy from 20 years ago.
The final moment is the ONLY selfless thing she ever did in her adult life. And I still don't feel sorry for her, I was just constantly frustrated with her and her horrible decisions.
But the whole Hope thing wasn't really necessary to the story, Laura and Alexis didn't need a whole 'traumatic' backstory to justify their unhealthy, useless, selfish codependency 20 years later.
And the fact that it was Laura deserved that. She promised herself to her family, she took on the role of stepmother to Simon and yet she was ready to throw away all of it for Alexis? Have some dignity please. I mean it doesn't excuse Alexis' murder but I didn't have any strong feelings for him or Laura either way. Yazzie, Diana and Mhairi were what Laura should have been but no, threw everything away for some guy from 20 years ago.
The final moment is the ONLY selfless thing she ever did in her adult life. And I still don't feel sorry for her, I was just constantly frustrated with her and her horrible decisions.
September 28, 2023
This book is so well named, there are obsessions by the score, religious, historic and romantic and all have serious consequences.
This was a hard read for two reasons, firstly because there are three viewpoints and three timelines, set over 10 years so you need to read the chapter headings carefully to avoid confusion. It’s also a hard read because half way through I had to keep on reading I read the second half in one go. Essentially I became obsessed.
It’s not the traditional whodunnit of who, where, when, how and why but more the long history of how we got to this point in the lives of the protagonists of how tragedy shaped them, broke them apart and brought them back together and the consequences of that meeting again.
Set in Edinburgh, which is beautifully described , it tells of the rekindling of a long lost illicit love affair and the consequence of that affair not only to those directly involved but those affected as a byproduct. It certainly chronicles that all encompassing obsession of a new or rekindled love and it is so reminiscent of how it felt at the time. The things you do to see the person of your obsession, the lies you tell and the chances you take. Then comes the realisation of what you have done and how you can redeem yourself. The book is certainly about obsession but it’s also about redemption and well worth a read
This was a hard read for two reasons, firstly because there are three viewpoints and three timelines, set over 10 years so you need to read the chapter headings carefully to avoid confusion. It’s also a hard read because half way through I had to keep on reading I read the second half in one go. Essentially I became obsessed.
It’s not the traditional whodunnit of who, where, when, how and why but more the long history of how we got to this point in the lives of the protagonists of how tragedy shaped them, broke them apart and brought them back together and the consequences of that meeting again.
Set in Edinburgh, which is beautifully described , it tells of the rekindling of a long lost illicit love affair and the consequence of that affair not only to those directly involved but those affected as a byproduct. It certainly chronicles that all encompassing obsession of a new or rekindled love and it is so reminiscent of how it felt at the time. The things you do to see the person of your obsession, the lies you tell and the chances you take. Then comes the realisation of what you have done and how you can redeem yourself. The book is certainly about obsession but it’s also about redemption and well worth a read
September 27, 2024
This book captured my interest with its absolutely stunning cover. However, I must admit that until 60ish pages from the end, I had no idea what the plot line was… It felt like the author changed the plot every few chapters. The whole book was building up to this big event that happened surrounding Laura and Alexis and Hope but when it was revealed it was just disappointing and then I started to feel like Hope was just thrown in for the sake of having new characters. A lot of things thrown into the plot didn’t really serve a purpose like the whole Alexis sleeping with Yazzie plot line… was there really any need for that to be built up from early on in the book?? That reveal was shocking but inevitably boring, same with the Kai/Isaac reveal - what was the purpose other than to increase shock factor?
The last 20 pages felt so rushed and missed a lot of key information like Laura telling Ryan about Simon killing Alexis and although she does the ‘good samaritan’ act of turning herself in in place of Simon to show her love for them, it literally messes up the whole plot line of the book and proves it could’ve been over in the first half… heavily disappointed in the ending.
Overall, it was an okay book but I won’t be reading again.
The last 20 pages felt so rushed and missed a lot of key information like Laura telling Ryan about Simon killing Alexis and although she does the ‘good samaritan’ act of turning herself in in place of Simon to show her love for them, it literally messes up the whole plot line of the book and proves it could’ve been over in the first half… heavily disappointed in the ending.
Overall, it was an okay book but I won’t be reading again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 14, 2025
Now I haven’t really seen this book anywhere online so I went in completely blind to this one. It was ok. There were some surprises along the way and I do feel everything was revealed well and at the right time. However, I had guessed/worked out some of the twists and turns before the reader was told. For me, this can spoil a thriller as I don’t get the ‘no way’ moment at the end. I usually enjoy a novel told from multiple perspectives and timelines however some of the timelines were very close together and that made it a little more difficult to follow. I had to keep going back and checking where I was. I still think this was clever though and I did enjoy it.
Blurb
Laura has a husband, children, a home in a city she loves. She thinks she can be happy, despite her past.
If they only knew my secret.
Until someone walks back into her life who she knows will shatter everything. Alexis was her first love. A love so exhilarating, it is impossible to resist.
I know I should end it. But I can't.
Then Alexis is found dead, and the police are knocking at Laura's door. They're asking her questions and she's telling them lies.
I didn't kill him. I promise.
Someone wants Laura to pay for what she's been running from. Someone with an obsession that they can't let go.
Blurb
Laura has a husband, children, a home in a city she loves. She thinks she can be happy, despite her past.
If they only knew my secret.
Until someone walks back into her life who she knows will shatter everything. Alexis was her first love. A love so exhilarating, it is impossible to resist.
I know I should end it. But I can't.
Then Alexis is found dead, and the police are knocking at Laura's door. They're asking her questions and she's telling them lies.
I didn't kill him. I promise.
Someone wants Laura to pay for what she's been running from. Someone with an obsession that they can't let go.
August 6, 2023
'Obsessed' by Liza North is an absolute rollercoaster of a thriller that keeps you on edge all the way through.
Laura lives in Edinburgh with her husband and two children. She has secrets in her past but is attempting to live the best life she can. A person from her past reappears in her life, Alexis and she begins an obsessive affair with him. Alexis is then found dead and everything falls down around Laura.
This novel tells its story through Laura now and Laura before Alexis was found dead. There is also narrative from Hope who is a friend Laura had when she was at school. There is also another character who you don't find out the identity of until the end.
You go through so many emotions with these characters from anger to pity and lots in between and they are so well described.
The plot in ingenious and will leave the reader guessing until the very end and I very much did not know what was going to happen or who had killed Alexis.
This is an amazing debut novel and is highly recommended to fans of thrillers and books that keep your attention.
Roll on the next novel by Liza North.
Thanks to the author and publisher for allowing me to read in return for a review.
Laura lives in Edinburgh with her husband and two children. She has secrets in her past but is attempting to live the best life she can. A person from her past reappears in her life, Alexis and she begins an obsessive affair with him. Alexis is then found dead and everything falls down around Laura.
This novel tells its story through Laura now and Laura before Alexis was found dead. There is also narrative from Hope who is a friend Laura had when she was at school. There is also another character who you don't find out the identity of until the end.
You go through so many emotions with these characters from anger to pity and lots in between and they are so well described.
The plot in ingenious and will leave the reader guessing until the very end and I very much did not know what was going to happen or who had killed Alexis.
This is an amazing debut novel and is highly recommended to fans of thrillers and books that keep your attention.
Roll on the next novel by Liza North.
Thanks to the author and publisher for allowing me to read in return for a review.
April 17, 2023
Rooted in both the past and the present with a narrative that shifts between the two and also a mystery ‘voice’ via emails this is a decent to slow paced mystery and tale of betrayals. The past times are in secondary school with the awkwardness and intensity of first loves and peer friendships and relationships. The story caught the feelings and atmosphere of these times quite well. The present is a wife and mother to young children who is desperately balancing her home life with that of work and when her first love reappears in her life they embark on an affair, until, that is a murder rocks her life and she is forced to face secrets from her past and her life imploding in the present.
I didn’t find the characters entirely likeable so wasn’t as invested as I could be, I also found the pace a little slow at times and I wasn’t entirely sure which direction t was taking. I also guessed (most) of the twists which was a bit disappointing. Overall though a pretty good read and definitely worth it.
I didn’t find the characters entirely likeable so wasn’t as invested as I could be, I also found the pace a little slow at times and I wasn’t entirely sure which direction t was taking. I also guessed (most) of the twists which was a bit disappointing. Overall though a pretty good read and definitely worth it.
February 12, 2023
Loved this book!!
Set in Edinburgh, this book ticks a lots of boxes for me, as a fan of psychological fiction. Laura, mum to young children, bumps into her childhood sweetheart at nursery drop off one day. It soon becomes clear that the spark is very much still there - the author captures this passion perfectly. In 2 distinct time lines we learn of the romance back in the day, along with the current timeline in which Laura has to hide her devastation following the murder of her lover, so that her husband does not find out, to make matters worse, she is chief suspect!
The past time line has an intriguing narrative from a peer, a troubled girl, which is gripping, and becomes truly relevant as the story unfolds.
This is a superb novel, well written and captivating to the end.
My thanks to NetGalley, author and publisher for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an advance copy.
Set in Edinburgh, this book ticks a lots of boxes for me, as a fan of psychological fiction. Laura, mum to young children, bumps into her childhood sweetheart at nursery drop off one day. It soon becomes clear that the spark is very much still there - the author captures this passion perfectly. In 2 distinct time lines we learn of the romance back in the day, along with the current timeline in which Laura has to hide her devastation following the murder of her lover, so that her husband does not find out, to make matters worse, she is chief suspect!
The past time line has an intriguing narrative from a peer, a troubled girl, which is gripping, and becomes truly relevant as the story unfolds.
This is a superb novel, well written and captivating to the end.
My thanks to NetGalley, author and publisher for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an advance copy.
May 10, 2023
This is my first read by author Liza North. I loved the blurb on this novel, it sounded right up my street. I did find that the novel seemed quite slow to start off with but it did hot up towards the end.
We meet main character Laura, who seemingly has it all, but obviously is not the case. Laura is still in love of sorts with her first love Alexis, and he re-appears and they strike up their long lost love affair. The new love entanglement comes under fire when Alexis is found killed and the fingers start to point.
Told through present and past chapters, Liza North weaves a good story that is quite captivating and I really enjoyed it. I did not really relate to any of the characters and found in parts, them to be quite annoying but I would not let this put me off reading this novel.
Thanks to Netgalley, Liza North and the publishers for allowing me a copy of this novel in exchange for my review.
We meet main character Laura, who seemingly has it all, but obviously is not the case. Laura is still in love of sorts with her first love Alexis, and he re-appears and they strike up their long lost love affair. The new love entanglement comes under fire when Alexis is found killed and the fingers start to point.
Told through present and past chapters, Liza North weaves a good story that is quite captivating and I really enjoyed it. I did not really relate to any of the characters and found in parts, them to be quite annoying but I would not let this put me off reading this novel.
Thanks to Netgalley, Liza North and the publishers for allowing me a copy of this novel in exchange for my review.
May 21, 2023
Thank you Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for this ARC.
Love. Affairs. Betrayal. Family.
Main character Laura has a great life. Lovely husband, 3 kids and a good job. But not all is as it appears and everything changes when she runs into her first love, Alexis.
This was an okay read. Bit slow to begin with but picked up steadily half way through.
I guessed the plot pretty early on. I really couldn’t vibe with Laura. She just seemed so stupid with all of her choices and annoyed me.
I’m pretty good with books written in past and future timelines but this seemed too much. There was a lot going on ALL of the time and it was hard to relate to it all.
Still, a good days read and enjoyed it enough to finish it quickly.
Love. Affairs. Betrayal. Family.
Main character Laura has a great life. Lovely husband, 3 kids and a good job. But not all is as it appears and everything changes when she runs into her first love, Alexis.
This was an okay read. Bit slow to begin with but picked up steadily half way through.
I guessed the plot pretty early on. I really couldn’t vibe with Laura. She just seemed so stupid with all of her choices and annoyed me.
I’m pretty good with books written in past and future timelines but this seemed too much. There was a lot going on ALL of the time and it was hard to relate to it all.
Still, a good days read and enjoyed it enough to finish it quickly.
May 21, 2023
Thank you Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for this ARC.
Love. Affairs. Betrayal. Family.
Main character Laura has a great life. Lovely husband, 3 kids and a good job. But not all is as it appears and everything changes when she runs into her first love, Alexis.
This was an okay read. Bit slow to begin with but picked up steadily half way through.
I guessed the plot pretty early on. I really couldn’t vibe with Laura. She just seemed so stupid with all of her choices and annoyed me.
I’m pretty good with books written in past and future timelines but this seemed too much. There was a lot going on ALL of the time and it was hard to relate to it all.
Still, a good days read and enjoyed it enough to finish it quickly.
Love. Affairs. Betrayal. Family.
Main character Laura has a great life. Lovely husband, 3 kids and a good job. But not all is as it appears and everything changes when she runs into her first love, Alexis.
This was an okay read. Bit slow to begin with but picked up steadily half way through.
I guessed the plot pretty early on. I really couldn’t vibe with Laura. She just seemed so stupid with all of her choices and annoyed me.
I’m pretty good with books written in past and future timelines but this seemed too much. There was a lot going on ALL of the time and it was hard to relate to it all.
Still, a good days read and enjoyed it enough to finish it quickly.
November 23, 2024
I picked up this book, seeing on a shelf of debut books at my local library. The name and the cover intrigued me.
4 different viewpoints in this book. The current timeline where Alexis has been murdered and we don't know who killed him. A few months prior, Alexis and Laura are in the passionate throws of an affair. Someone has been messaging Alexis before he starts his affair with Laura. Who was he seeing before Laura? 10 years ago, while at school, Hope becomes insanely jealous of Laura's budding romance with the new kid Alexis.
This book gripped me and sucked me into the various stories! There were unanswered questions right up until the near end, but it didn't feel like a rushed ending, which some books do when wrapping up a story.
4 different viewpoints in this book. The current timeline where Alexis has been murdered and we don't know who killed him. A few months prior, Alexis and Laura are in the passionate throws of an affair. Someone has been messaging Alexis before he starts his affair with Laura. Who was he seeing before Laura? 10 years ago, while at school, Hope becomes insanely jealous of Laura's budding romance with the new kid Alexis.
This book gripped me and sucked me into the various stories! There were unanswered questions right up until the near end, but it didn't feel like a rushed ending, which some books do when wrapping up a story.
February 25, 2023
I know I should end it but I can’t.
Laura has the dream life, husband, house, children but the added extra of dangerous secret in the form of Alexis. He is her sweetheart from school and she soon realises some things are better left in the past.
I found the majority of this book a slog to read and as in a lot of thrillers it flicked between past and present which usually I’m ok with but this seemed to be a bit tedious. It really picked up towards the end and I found myself enjoying it. Thanks to @netgalley for the opportunity to read and I’m sure thriller fans will look forward to it.
Publication Date - 25/05/2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️
#Obsessed
#LizaNorth
Laura has the dream life, husband, house, children but the added extra of dangerous secret in the form of Alexis. He is her sweetheart from school and she soon realises some things are better left in the past.
I found the majority of this book a slog to read and as in a lot of thrillers it flicked between past and present which usually I’m ok with but this seemed to be a bit tedious. It really picked up towards the end and I found myself enjoying it. Thanks to @netgalley for the opportunity to read and I’m sure thriller fans will look forward to it.
Publication Date - 25/05/2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️
#Obsessed
#LizaNorth
April 27, 2023
This is a novel about obsession and yes maybe the title gives it away a little bit!
How can someone's obsession with another person destroy not only one life but a few lives?
How far will you go if you are obsessed with someone and what is the ultimate price that you will pay not only for your obsession but for the consequences of your actions?
The story kind of gave me vibes of a Jeremy Irons movie from years ago called Damage.
A very enjoyable and entertaining read and a very well-written debut!
Thank you to Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion
How can someone's obsession with another person destroy not only one life but a few lives?
How far will you go if you are obsessed with someone and what is the ultimate price that you will pay not only for your obsession but for the consequences of your actions?
The story kind of gave me vibes of a Jeremy Irons movie from years ago called Damage.
A very enjoyable and entertaining read and a very well-written debut!
Thank you to Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion
May 24, 2023
Thank you NetGalley, and Little, Brown Book Group UK for a gifted copy of ‘Obsessed’.
A mysterious and unexpected entertaining story, that had me racing through to the conclusion. I was unable to predict the final few moments of this read, and was delighted to be kept guessing.
Despite not really connecting with Laura, the protagonist, I didn’t dislike her. This is also a bit of a slow starter, but the second part definitely makes up for that. The plot flows well over two timelines, and it would make a great TV drama!
This has been categorised as a thriller, but I would say it’s more of a murder mystery. I would be open to reading more of this author’s work in the future.
I recommend this to anyone who likes to play detective in a twisted who-done-it setup!
A mysterious and unexpected entertaining story, that had me racing through to the conclusion. I was unable to predict the final few moments of this read, and was delighted to be kept guessing.
Despite not really connecting with Laura, the protagonist, I didn’t dislike her. This is also a bit of a slow starter, but the second part definitely makes up for that. The plot flows well over two timelines, and it would make a great TV drama!
This has been categorised as a thriller, but I would say it’s more of a murder mystery. I would be open to reading more of this author’s work in the future.
I recommend this to anyone who likes to play detective in a twisted who-done-it setup!
May 30, 2023
A debut dual timeline thriller set between nowadays in Edinburgh and 1990s secondary school.
It’s a story of first love and infatuation.
Laura was head over heels with Alexis at 17. But that was 20 years ago and she’s married with a daughter now.
So when she bumps into Alexis at her daughter’s nursery, the infatuation rekindles and they start an illicit affair.
4 months later Alexis is dead and Laura is top of the police’s suspect list.
Perfect dual timeline twisty thriller, with a compelling, well plotted storyline - I couldn’t put it down.
Thanks @lizanorthauthor @littlebrownuk & @netgalley for the eARC
It’s a story of first love and infatuation.
Laura was head over heels with Alexis at 17. But that was 20 years ago and she’s married with a daughter now.
So when she bumps into Alexis at her daughter’s nursery, the infatuation rekindles and they start an illicit affair.
4 months later Alexis is dead and Laura is top of the police’s suspect list.
Perfect dual timeline twisty thriller, with a compelling, well plotted storyline - I couldn’t put it down.
Thanks @lizanorthauthor @littlebrownuk & @netgalley for the eARC
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