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The Blackout
When Meg and Cat arrange a night out in Bristol, it’s the perfect distraction from Meg’s grief over her brother. But, after accidentally spending their cab money on drinks, they must walk home all the way across the city. Hungry, exhausted and barefoot, they decide to take a shortcut along a dark canal path.
That’s when they notice the two men silently following them.
Suddenly forced to run for their lives, Meg and Cat scramble into an abandoned house and hide for hours before eventually the police show up to rescue them.
But then the night goes from bad to worse…
That’s when they notice the two men silently following them.
Suddenly forced to run for their lives, Meg and Cat scramble into an abandoned house and hide for hours before eventually the police show up to rescue them.
But then the night goes from bad to worse…
384 pages, Paperback
First published August 31, 2023
529 people are currently reading
1233 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Goodwin
22 books756 followersAlso writing as Amy Cunningham (The Serial Killer's Party) and Amelia Wildwood (rom-com coming in summer 2026)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 289 reviews
September 11, 2023
Attempting to escape the horrors of one fateful night, Meg barricades herself into a safehouse at the edge of a crumbling sea cliff. As a storm rages outside, a blackout plunges the house into darkness. But Meg’s not alone and someone wants revenge.
Unfortunately this book fell a bit flat for me. The plot was all over the place with no real clear direction and left me a bit confused at times. The writing style was good. I could not relate to any of the characters or form any real connections with them. I did like the past and present timelines as it helped to piece some of the plot.
Overall the story was a bit slow and I would expect a bit more from a book labeled as a thriller.
Thank you Netgalley and Avon Books UK for the opportunity read and review this ARC.
Unfortunately this book fell a bit flat for me. The plot was all over the place with no real clear direction and left me a bit confused at times. The writing style was good. I could not relate to any of the characters or form any real connections with them. I did like the past and present timelines as it helped to piece some of the plot.
Overall the story was a bit slow and I would expect a bit more from a book labeled as a thriller.
Thank you Netgalley and Avon Books UK for the opportunity read and review this ARC.
June 11, 2023
3.5 rounded down
Cat and Meg have a great night out in Bristol but the journey home turns into a nightmare. They have no money left and are forced to walk but on their route home they soon realise that they are not alone. They run for their lives, finding an abandoned building in which to hide, hoping that help will come before it’s too late.
One year on, one of them has left Bristol and tried to make themselves scarce in Norfolk in a crumbling, cliffside cottage, which she has turned into a safe house. One wild night, there is a blackout, a perfect opportunity for those trying to find her……..
This starts out as a deadly game of cat and mouse which at times has tension levels so high you can scarcely breathe. The girls scary walk home is fear ridden and is palpable. There are some terrifying scenes where you just hope for the best. In the later narrative it’s chock full of creepy atmosphere provided by the season, the blackout which are bit scary at the best of times, this is further heightened by wild weather with the damp, isolated cottage exuding atmosphere to. So far so good. In addition, there are multiple questions about what has happened in the past with dark hints lurking in the background that are very intriguing.
Unfortunately in my opinion, the many positive elements of the book fall away in the latter part. It loses pace, becomes long-winded and repetitive, it’s definitely far-fetched although recognising this is fiction and the ending is odd and I don’t know what to make of it.
Overall though, it is an entertaining quick read with plenty of good features.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Avon Books U.K. for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
Cat and Meg have a great night out in Bristol but the journey home turns into a nightmare. They have no money left and are forced to walk but on their route home they soon realise that they are not alone. They run for their lives, finding an abandoned building in which to hide, hoping that help will come before it’s too late.
One year on, one of them has left Bristol and tried to make themselves scarce in Norfolk in a crumbling, cliffside cottage, which she has turned into a safe house. One wild night, there is a blackout, a perfect opportunity for those trying to find her……..
This starts out as a deadly game of cat and mouse which at times has tension levels so high you can scarcely breathe. The girls scary walk home is fear ridden and is palpable. There are some terrifying scenes where you just hope for the best. In the later narrative it’s chock full of creepy atmosphere provided by the season, the blackout which are bit scary at the best of times, this is further heightened by wild weather with the damp, isolated cottage exuding atmosphere to. So far so good. In addition, there are multiple questions about what has happened in the past with dark hints lurking in the background that are very intriguing.
Unfortunately in my opinion, the many positive elements of the book fall away in the latter part. It loses pace, becomes long-winded and repetitive, it’s definitely far-fetched although recognising this is fiction and the ending is odd and I don’t know what to make of it.
Overall though, it is an entertaining quick read with plenty of good features.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Avon Books U.K. for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
August 30, 2023
A night out in Bristol turns into a nightmare for Meg and Cat, two friends who spent their cab money and had to walk home. They decide to take a shortcut and see two men following them. They run to get away only to find even worse trouble awaiting them....
This book is told in two timelines showing the past when the two friends must walk home after spending all their money and in the present. I found the beginning of the book to be very atmospheric as the two friends were walking home.
There is a fair amount of tension, dread, and mounting danger in the book. I was intrigued by the synopsis, but this book never fully won me over. The book felt choppy at times. I had an ARC and at times, in the beginning of the book, had to figure out what timeline was being told. There are sections that say a certain time leading up to the blackout. After my initial confusion, things flowed better for me, and it was then easy to follow.
There is a mystery as to why some of the things are happening in the book. As readers are given more information, things become clearer (at least they did for this reader). Unfortunately, this explanation was not enough to make the book more enjoyable for me.
Many are enjoying this book more than I did, so please read their reviews as well.
Thank you to Avon Books UK, 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
This book is told in two timelines showing the past when the two friends must walk home after spending all their money and in the present. I found the beginning of the book to be very atmospheric as the two friends were walking home.
There is a fair amount of tension, dread, and mounting danger in the book. I was intrigued by the synopsis, but this book never fully won me over. The book felt choppy at times. I had an ARC and at times, in the beginning of the book, had to figure out what timeline was being told. There are sections that say a certain time leading up to the blackout. After my initial confusion, things flowed better for me, and it was then easy to follow.
There is a mystery as to why some of the things are happening in the book. As readers are given more information, things become clearer (at least they did for this reader). Unfortunately, this explanation was not enough to make the book more enjoyable for me.
Many are enjoying this book more than I did, so please read their reviews as well.
Thank you to Avon Books UK, 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
August 3, 2023
Rounded up.
Well that was disappointing. These characters were just awful and I struggled to feel anything for them. I don't mind a multi timeline story but this one jumped around way too much for my liking.
There just wasn't anything really surprising about the story, no twists or shocks. I did like the way the author created atmosphere during the blackout though. I was bored about 30% in.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this advanced reading copy. Can't love them all
Well that was disappointing. These characters were just awful and I struggled to feel anything for them. I don't mind a multi timeline story but this one jumped around way too much for my liking.
There just wasn't anything really surprising about the story, no twists or shocks. I did like the way the author created atmosphere during the blackout though. I was bored about 30% in.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this advanced reading copy. Can't love them all
July 15, 2023
This was a good story, but I felt that the book dragged a bit while reading. It centers on Meg, who is hidden away after experiencing a tragedy; she knows that there are people out to get her and it’s only a matter of time before they figure out where she is. When it all comes to a head, the rest of the book is a cat and mouse game between Meg and her assailants.
The style of the story worked for me, where you get alternating chapters about what happened in the past that piece together the story of the current situation. The villains are truly horrible people and I found it chilling that there are people out there like that. I got bogged down a bit by so much of the narrative being in Meg’s head- that took away from the action for me. The end of the book worked though I did think it was drawn out a bit.
Overall, the book was slower than it should’ve been for the action throughout but it’s an interesting and unique story. I’d give it 3.5 stars. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The style of the story worked for me, where you get alternating chapters about what happened in the past that piece together the story of the current situation. The villains are truly horrible people and I found it chilling that there are people out there like that. I got bogged down a bit by so much of the narrative being in Meg’s head- that took away from the action for me. The end of the book worked though I did think it was drawn out a bit.
Overall, the book was slower than it should’ve been for the action throughout but it’s an interesting and unique story. I’d give it 3.5 stars. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 15, 2023
Had no expectation of this book as chose it purely on cover and title and so was pleased when turned into one of those books you are not hyped about and really enjoy
Without giving anything away it has in it one of those ongoing scenes where you are shouting ‘no, something is wrong’ and the author cranks it up and up and you can taste the fear of when the characters realise what is really happening, it was really tense and written so well….scary
The story continued well and with hi energy ( if your singing your love is lifting me then we like the same music 😎 ) and there wasn’t a lame page to be found, however we got to the end and the epilogue was almost brash and abrupt and I kept re reading the last sentence and for me sadly fell flat, still on balance am glad chose this book and went on this adventure and met these not perfect it has to be said characters who had massive decisions to make in a blackout…..
Without giving anything away it has in it one of those ongoing scenes where you are shouting ‘no, something is wrong’ and the author cranks it up and up and you can taste the fear of when the characters realise what is really happening, it was really tense and written so well….scary
The story continued well and with hi energy ( if your singing your love is lifting me then we like the same music 😎 ) and there wasn’t a lame page to be found, however we got to the end and the epilogue was almost brash and abrupt and I kept re reading the last sentence and for me sadly fell flat, still on balance am glad chose this book and went on this adventure and met these not perfect it has to be said characters who had massive decisions to make in a blackout…..
August 27, 2023
I have read and enjoyed Stranded by Sarah Goodwin so I was looking forward to reading her latest novel, published on 31st August.
The story follows Megan, a young woman who has had a difficult few years. Hiding in a ramshackle cottage at risk of falling off the cliff edge, she’s paranoid and in fear for her life. The story follows a dual timeline, allowing you to, eventually, find out why she’s on the run.
For me, I found the story too slow paced. It dragged for large sections and it seemed to take forever to get to the point. There are parts which could have been really tense and kept you turning the pages, but it fell flat for me. The book is dual timeline but it’s not always clear which time period you’re in and it jumps about so can be a bit confusing to follow.
The descriptions of the weather and the cottage were good and quite atmospheric, but it wasn’t enough to redeem the story.
I found the police officers part in the story implausible and if they wanted to cover themselves they should have used fake names.
Most of the characters are pretty unlikeable, and I found them all to be two dimensional.
I thought the ending was underwhelming and I was quite disappointed with the book overall. It had potential to be a tense and gripping novel but it missed the mark for me. I’m not sure if I would read more by this author. I would recommend her other novel, Stranded, instead.
The story follows Megan, a young woman who has had a difficult few years. Hiding in a ramshackle cottage at risk of falling off the cliff edge, she’s paranoid and in fear for her life. The story follows a dual timeline, allowing you to, eventually, find out why she’s on the run.
For me, I found the story too slow paced. It dragged for large sections and it seemed to take forever to get to the point. There are parts which could have been really tense and kept you turning the pages, but it fell flat for me. The book is dual timeline but it’s not always clear which time period you’re in and it jumps about so can be a bit confusing to follow.
The descriptions of the weather and the cottage were good and quite atmospheric, but it wasn’t enough to redeem the story.
I found the police officers part in the story implausible and if they wanted to cover themselves they should have used fake names.
Most of the characters are pretty unlikeable, and I found them all to be two dimensional.
I thought the ending was underwhelming and I was quite disappointed with the book overall. It had potential to be a tense and gripping novel but it missed the mark for me. I’m not sure if I would read more by this author. I would recommend her other novel, Stranded, instead.
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September 15, 2023Not finishing, stopped reading, turned pages in order to find out what happened to the unloved heroine. I simply cannot read something which seems uncared for and unloved by the author. The acknowledgements at the end seem to confirm my assumption.
No rating, but I would warn other readers, this is depressing.
No rating, but I would warn other readers, this is depressing.
August 30, 2024
I rooted for Meg, I didn't love her immediately but I could understand why she had done some things. She had done some unlikable things, but she had have a pretty rough life.
There were several super thrilling scenes! It was pretty hard to put the book down. I really loved the feeling. I also loved the isolated setting.
Writing was now and then a bit repetitive but this was easy to read.
There were several timelines and everyone was interesting & thrilling to read. Some twists were a bit much but oh well. I enjoyed so much that I didn't mind that at all.
There were several super thrilling scenes! It was pretty hard to put the book down. I really loved the feeling. I also loved the isolated setting.
Writing was now and then a bit repetitive but this was easy to read.
There were several timelines and everyone was interesting & thrilling to read. Some twists were a bit much but oh well. I enjoyed so much that I didn't mind that at all.
July 20, 2025
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Three stars might be a little generous on this one...
Three stars might be a little generous on this one...
September 7, 2023
THE BLACKOUT by Sarah Goodwin is a propulsive thriller that had me hooked!
We meet Meg as she is starting her night out with her best friend Cat, who insists on getting Meg out.
Jumping into a timeline surround the night of a blackout, Meg is clearly not OK, a year into the future, and using a new name.
What happened that night and what happens the night of the blackout converge in unexpected ways that had me turning the pages quickly!
For a thriller with more than 350 pages, this was a really fast read! I was very much interested in what was happening and why. I enjoyed the cat-and-mouse aspect of this story, and when the why's were revealed, it became intense. I am not sure I loved the why's, but the story kept me engaged throughout!
Ultimately, by the time I finished, I had a couple things besides the why's that left me with this story feeling just OK. It was a bit far-fetched, and for me it has to be way out there for that to matter to me.
It was still quite entertaining, so for a fast-paced thriller fan, I'd recommend a look!
Thank you to @netgalley and @htpbooks for sharing this digital ARC and letting me share my thoughts. It was published August 31st, so available now!
We meet Meg as she is starting her night out with her best friend Cat, who insists on getting Meg out.
Jumping into a timeline surround the night of a blackout, Meg is clearly not OK, a year into the future, and using a new name.
What happened that night and what happens the night of the blackout converge in unexpected ways that had me turning the pages quickly!
For a thriller with more than 350 pages, this was a really fast read! I was very much interested in what was happening and why. I enjoyed the cat-and-mouse aspect of this story, and when the why's were revealed, it became intense. I am not sure I loved the why's, but the story kept me engaged throughout!
Ultimately, by the time I finished, I had a couple things besides the why's that left me with this story feeling just OK. It was a bit far-fetched, and for me it has to be way out there for that to matter to me.
It was still quite entertaining, so for a fast-paced thriller fan, I'd recommend a look!
Thank you to @netgalley and @htpbooks for sharing this digital ARC and letting me share my thoughts. It was published August 31st, so available now!
July 9, 2023
The Blackout is a standalone psychological thriller by author, Sarah Goodwin. This is my third novel by this author and my favorite so far. Told across multiple timelines, this one is sure to shock and chill mystery fans. The author uses the blackout as a way to ramp up suspense and the isolated setting brings all the atmosphere. We know something horrifying has driven our main character to the current predicament but not why and the author slowly drip feeds us information as the book climbs towards the unsettling and intense conclusion. This author knows how to write suspense. I’ll certainly be reading more books by this author in the future.
August 3, 2023
**Listened to the audiobook**
I enjoyed the start of this book, but the more the book went on the more confused I got. This book felt like multiple books in one - I felt like Goodwin was trying to do too much with it, and therefore it felt very disjointed. It kind of went all over the place, and not in an interesting page-turner way - more like the author didn't know where the book was going.
The narrator was OK, but I just wasn't enjoying the plot so I didn't enjoy the listening experience.
I enjoyed the start of this book, but the more the book went on the more confused I got. This book felt like multiple books in one - I felt like Goodwin was trying to do too much with it, and therefore it felt very disjointed. It kind of went all over the place, and not in an interesting page-turner way - more like the author didn't know where the book was going.
The narrator was OK, but I just wasn't enjoying the plot so I didn't enjoy the listening experience.
July 16, 2023
Megan is in hiding in a dilapidated cottage at the edge of a cliff.
She has run away after a terrible incident that happened one year ago in her home town.
Now people are after her and she is scared for her life.
A thriller with a story that kept me on the edge of my set, with plenty of action and scary situations.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
She has run away after a terrible incident that happened one year ago in her home town.
Now people are after her and she is scared for her life.
A thriller with a story that kept me on the edge of my set, with plenty of action and scary situations.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 9, 2023
This is a standalone physiological novel set during a bkackiut. The atoey is told over multiple timelines which cime together nicely. The interwoven story compells you to carry on listening as you want to find out how things turn out
The narrator does q good job of different characters in places lacks la bit of emotion and tension which took me out of the story.. some of the plot feels a bit too far fetched but its essence is reality.
A good solid l4 star listen really quick
The narrator does q good job of different characters in places lacks la bit of emotion and tension which took me out of the story.. some of the plot feels a bit too far fetched but its essence is reality.
A good solid l4 star listen really quick
August 29, 2023
Missing money, no phone and the only choice Meg and Cat have is to walk home. A drunken night that, so often, would have no ill-effects other than a hangover. On this occasion, the girls are followed. They hide in an abandoned house. When the police turn up, we expect them to be safe. Unfortunately, those meant to protect them have their own agenda.
We’re not, initially, sure what happened to Cat. We see Meg trying to survive in an old cottage in Cornwall, desperate to stay under the radar and worried that someone is hunting her.
A blackout is the setting for the main part of our story where Meg’s past catches up with her. As we follow her through the night, we learn why she feels such guilt, what she’s running from and just what she’s prepared to do to survive.
With Stranded being a 5 star read for me, I had high hopes. I was disappointed. With characters that I felt little compassion for (apart from the initial victim), there was a disconnect throughout my reading of this. The basis for Meg’s behaviour came from a position of vulnerability, but that doesn’t justify many of her decisions. We know, sadly, that there are police like Craig…but linking him to Scarlett and her vendetta felt like an attempt to brush under the carpet the ramifications of such behaviour by those we should trust.
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and review this before publication. I’ll have to chalk this one up to experience, and keep my fingers crossed for Goodwin’s next offering.
We’re not, initially, sure what happened to Cat. We see Meg trying to survive in an old cottage in Cornwall, desperate to stay under the radar and worried that someone is hunting her.
A blackout is the setting for the main part of our story where Meg’s past catches up with her. As we follow her through the night, we learn why she feels such guilt, what she’s running from and just what she’s prepared to do to survive.
With Stranded being a 5 star read for me, I had high hopes. I was disappointed. With characters that I felt little compassion for (apart from the initial victim), there was a disconnect throughout my reading of this. The basis for Meg’s behaviour came from a position of vulnerability, but that doesn’t justify many of her decisions. We know, sadly, that there are police like Craig…but linking him to Scarlett and her vendetta felt like an attempt to brush under the carpet the ramifications of such behaviour by those we should trust.
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and review this before publication. I’ll have to chalk this one up to experience, and keep my fingers crossed for Goodwin’s next offering.
October 22, 2023
This book was insanely tense and fast-paced. Sarah Goodwin masterfully writes suspense. The scenes were jam-packed with action and extreme tension. I was seriously glued to the screen of my Kindle.
The plot was simple, and the characters weren't overly complicated, but I just enjoyed being along for the ride. It was a lot of fun! The Blackout was entertaining all the way through.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
The plot was simple, and the characters weren't overly complicated, but I just enjoyed being along for the ride. It was a lot of fun! The Blackout was entertaining all the way through.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
October 13, 2023
The Blackout is a fast-paced thriller with alternate timelines a year ago and the present.
The blurb made me want to read it as soon as possible it was so enticing.
It was an intense read, and quite scary if you put yourself into the main character’s shoes.
Both timelines were good, we learn the backstory to why things are happening in the present. I wasn’t keen on any of the characters.
Overall it was a good quick read. It kept my attention from start to finish.
The blurb made me want to read it as soon as possible it was so enticing.
It was an intense read, and quite scary if you put yourself into the main character’s shoes.
Both timelines were good, we learn the backstory to why things are happening in the present. I wasn’t keen on any of the characters.
Overall it was a good quick read. It kept my attention from start to finish.
July 6, 2023
Rating: 3.2/5
This is my second experience of Sarah Goodwin's work, having previously read "The Resort". I enjoyed the first half of "The Resort", which was full of suspense, but felt that it was let down by a disappointing and overly simplistic second half. Frustratingly, there is some evidence of a similar trait in this novel, too - although, overall, the standard of this one is markedly better.
Once again, Sarah Goodwin, shows that she is very adept at creating a tense and darkly suspenseful atmosphere. For the first 50-70% of this thriller I was suitably enthralled and the author was keeping me very much on the edge of my seat. The writer had created a premise that was all the more scary, because it was so easy to imagine the scenario happening in a real life situation. There was a well-handled switch between events on a drunken night out in Bristol and the action developing in a secluded part of Norfolk twelve months later. The author also cleverly dropped some hints into the narrative that there may be other historical happenings exerting an influence on proceedings too. This really was shaping up to be one of the better examples of a book from this genre.
Unfortunately, Sarah Goodwin wasn't quite able to maintain the same high calibre in the latter stages of "The Blackout". The quality of the content doesn't deteriorate to the same degree that it did in "The Resort", but I did get a similar sense of the storyline being rushed and plot developments being a touch too convenient and stretching credulity beyond the acceptable parameters of fictional literature. "The Blackout" is certainly an enjoyable read, but it still left me feeling frustrated, because it was so close to being something even better.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review.
This is my second experience of Sarah Goodwin's work, having previously read "The Resort". I enjoyed the first half of "The Resort", which was full of suspense, but felt that it was let down by a disappointing and overly simplistic second half. Frustratingly, there is some evidence of a similar trait in this novel, too - although, overall, the standard of this one is markedly better.
Once again, Sarah Goodwin, shows that she is very adept at creating a tense and darkly suspenseful atmosphere. For the first 50-70% of this thriller I was suitably enthralled and the author was keeping me very much on the edge of my seat. The writer had created a premise that was all the more scary, because it was so easy to imagine the scenario happening in a real life situation. There was a well-handled switch between events on a drunken night out in Bristol and the action developing in a secluded part of Norfolk twelve months later. The author also cleverly dropped some hints into the narrative that there may be other historical happenings exerting an influence on proceedings too. This really was shaping up to be one of the better examples of a book from this genre.
Unfortunately, Sarah Goodwin wasn't quite able to maintain the same high calibre in the latter stages of "The Blackout". The quality of the content doesn't deteriorate to the same degree that it did in "The Resort", but I did get a similar sense of the storyline being rushed and plot developments being a touch too convenient and stretching credulity beyond the acceptable parameters of fictional literature. "The Blackout" is certainly an enjoyable read, but it still left me feeling frustrated, because it was so close to being something even better.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review.
September 3, 2023
I didn't really like or understand the ending. I guess it was meant to be ambiguous but I just didn't get it.
The time jumps felt very similar and the main character's logic strayed so far from realistic that I lost touch with her.
It had it's plus sides and I did stay engaged if somewhat baffled.
The time jumps felt very similar and the main character's logic strayed so far from realistic that I lost touch with her.
It had it's plus sides and I did stay engaged if somewhat baffled.
August 29, 2023
I must admit that drugs and revenge aren't typically my preferred subjects to delve into, but with the support of my fellow book enthusiasts, I found myself surprisingly engaged with this novel.
The storyline evoked a genuine sense of empathy for the characters and their struggles. As the events unfolded, I couldn't help but feel sorry for everything they went through. The author's skillful storytelling made their experiences relatable and heartrending, despite the challenging themes.
What really stood out to me was the fast-paced nature of the narrative. The plot moved at a rapid clip, and the suspenseful twists and turns kept me eagerly turning the pages. This brisk tempo injected a sense of urgency and excitement into the story, making it a real page-turner.
Despite my initial reservations about the subject matter, I'm glad I gave this book a chance. It's a testament to the power of skilled writing that can make even challenging topics accessible and captivating. In the end, I discovered a novel that balances an emotionally charged plot with a gripping pace, resulting in a read that's both thought-provoking and exhilarating
The storyline evoked a genuine sense of empathy for the characters and their struggles. As the events unfolded, I couldn't help but feel sorry for everything they went through. The author's skillful storytelling made their experiences relatable and heartrending, despite the challenging themes.
What really stood out to me was the fast-paced nature of the narrative. The plot moved at a rapid clip, and the suspenseful twists and turns kept me eagerly turning the pages. This brisk tempo injected a sense of urgency and excitement into the story, making it a real page-turner.
Despite my initial reservations about the subject matter, I'm glad I gave this book a chance. It's a testament to the power of skilled writing that can make even challenging topics accessible and captivating. In the end, I discovered a novel that balances an emotionally charged plot with a gripping pace, resulting in a read that's both thought-provoking and exhilarating
September 6, 2023
Oh hey, Sarah Goodwin, you really got me with this one...
The Blackout, just slipped right into one of my most favored books and I can almost guarantee it will do the same for you.
I sat down with my kindle, not knowing what I was going to pick next. I don't have any particular order, Im basically a cover snob and pick up whatever speaks to my mood at that moment. I suppose I must have been in a dark mood as I settled in with The Blackout. I had promised myself I would only read "a few chapters" before I had to start dinner.
Im such a liar....
My husband knew what it meant when he walked in and I had a book in my hand. He went straight for a cup of noodles.
THIS BOOK IS WILD!!!!!!!!!
I got completely lost within the pages, I was at the edge of my seat, eyes bulging, fearing what lurked in the next chapter. I couldn't get there fast enough and there was no way in heck I was putting this one down.
My mind is completely blown
BESTSELLER right here.
Don't read the reviews, don't read the back of the book, go into this one blind and feel all the suspense that this book holds. I loved it! 5 stars!
Check out this teaser :
Don’t miss the new, totally addictive psychological thriller from Sarah Goodwin, with bombshell twists that will leave you stunned. Fans of The Sanatorium, The Paris Apartment and One of the Girls will be hooked from the very first page.
You can't outrun the past…
Summer, 2022. When Meg and Cat are forced to take a dangerous shortcut home one night, they notice two men silently following them. Suddenly running for their lives, they scramble into an abandoned building to hide and wait for help.
…for what’s done in the dark will come to light…
One year later. Attempting to escape the horrors of that fateful night, Meg barricades herself into a safehouse at the edge of a crumbling sea cliff. As a storm rages outside, a blackout plunges the house into darkness. But Meg’s not alone.
The Blackout, just slipped right into one of my most favored books and I can almost guarantee it will do the same for you.
I sat down with my kindle, not knowing what I was going to pick next. I don't have any particular order, Im basically a cover snob and pick up whatever speaks to my mood at that moment. I suppose I must have been in a dark mood as I settled in with The Blackout. I had promised myself I would only read "a few chapters" before I had to start dinner.
Im such a liar....
My husband knew what it meant when he walked in and I had a book in my hand. He went straight for a cup of noodles.
THIS BOOK IS WILD!!!!!!!!!
I got completely lost within the pages, I was at the edge of my seat, eyes bulging, fearing what lurked in the next chapter. I couldn't get there fast enough and there was no way in heck I was putting this one down.
My mind is completely blown
BESTSELLER right here.
Don't read the reviews, don't read the back of the book, go into this one blind and feel all the suspense that this book holds. I loved it! 5 stars!
Check out this teaser :
Don’t miss the new, totally addictive psychological thriller from Sarah Goodwin, with bombshell twists that will leave you stunned. Fans of The Sanatorium, The Paris Apartment and One of the Girls will be hooked from the very first page.
You can't outrun the past…
Summer, 2022. When Meg and Cat are forced to take a dangerous shortcut home one night, they notice two men silently following them. Suddenly running for their lives, they scramble into an abandoned building to hide and wait for help.
…for what’s done in the dark will come to light…
One year later. Attempting to escape the horrors of that fateful night, Meg barricades herself into a safehouse at the edge of a crumbling sea cliff. As a storm rages outside, a blackout plunges the house into darkness. But Meg’s not alone.
August 21, 2023
It was OK, not my favorite by the author. None of the characters were likeable. How did Scarlett and Craig track down Meg after a year? They did such a horrible job trying to kill her, multiple times. Scarlett hated Megan for what she did, but she allowed Craig to be a predator. She turned a blind eye to all the women he victimized. Meg must be a cat with nine lives, because she always survives. Why can't Megan go back to her life? Why does she need to keep off the grid. I hated the epilogue. I'm guessing Meg is now Maxine. It was confusing and didn't add anything to the story. The best part of the book was finally finding out the reason Meg was targeted. For the longest time I thought Meg left because she was scared of the guys who stole her purse and license. She must have been extremely scared for her life with all the booby traps in the house and the security system. I hate to say it, but I kept wondering if Duzzy found his way back home after Meg pushed him out of the car on her way out of town. I felt more for the cat than the actual people. I didn't even feel bad for what happened to Craig. I kept wondering why Meg was trying to help him.
Definitely recommend giving the book a try. Look forward to reading more books by the author.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Avon Books UK, through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Definitely recommend giving the book a try. Look forward to reading more books by the author.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Avon Books UK, through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
June 18, 2023
After reading and enjoying Stranded and The Last Resort by this author, I figured that The Blackout would be another great read. Unfortunately, not, and I am so disappointed. I could not get into this book at all. The writing was a hot mess and seemed off. Did Goodwin even write this? I was confused for the first part of the book. By the time I figured out what was happening, I was so bored that I had to skim through the rest. There were a few exciting moments, but not enough for me to enjoy the story. I think if my attention had been grabbed in the beginning, instead of veering off into a different time line unaware, I possibly would have enjoyed this book more. I would recommend labeling the chapters with a year or date, too.
Thank you to the author, Avon Books UK and NetGalley for allowing me digital access in exchange for my honest review!
Thank you to the author, Avon Books UK and NetGalley for allowing me digital access in exchange for my honest review!
July 5, 2023
i received an arc for this book. thank you avon books and the author.
rating is 2.5 stars rounded up.
this book was a bit of a... shaky ride for me. let's start with what i liked about it: the atmosphere was great, and i was really invested in getting to know what was happening. it had a few twists i couldn't anticipate (and one i did, but not the most important, which is what i care about when it comes to thrillers), and this is a quick read so it kept me turning the pages. overall, i really did want to know what had happened in the past and how it was going to end in the present.
there were a few characters i didn't particularly liked, although that may be a personal preference of the type of character who i find annoying rather than anything else. the writing at times was odd, and the epilogue really pulled me out of it, it made me end up in a really low note compared to the final chapter (and the final portion in general) which i had really enjoyed. there were some things that bordered on a bit unbelievable for my taste which pulled me out at times. i don't know, it's hard for me to pin-point what i didn't enjoy because there were parts that just felt strange. i may read another book by the author because i feel like it might go better, but this one i wanted to like a lot more than i ended up doing.
rating is 2.5 stars rounded up.
this book was a bit of a... shaky ride for me. let's start with what i liked about it: the atmosphere was great, and i was really invested in getting to know what was happening. it had a few twists i couldn't anticipate (and one i did, but not the most important, which is what i care about when it comes to thrillers), and this is a quick read so it kept me turning the pages. overall, i really did want to know what had happened in the past and how it was going to end in the present.
there were a few characters i didn't particularly liked, although that may be a personal preference of the type of character who i find annoying rather than anything else. the writing at times was odd, and the epilogue really pulled me out of it, it made me end up in a really low note compared to the final chapter (and the final portion in general) which i had really enjoyed. there were some things that bordered on a bit unbelievable for my taste which pulled me out at times. i don't know, it's hard for me to pin-point what i didn't enjoy because there were parts that just felt strange. i may read another book by the author because i feel like it might go better, but this one i wanted to like a lot more than i ended up doing.
July 24, 2023
3.5/5
For those who suffer from anxiety, I would recommend going into this book with heartburn medication by your side.
Now don't get me wrong, I love Sarah Goodwin's books. The books' plots (including this one) are well thought-out, the pacing is SO GOOD and the characters' mysterious backgrounds keep the story going.
Now for The Blackout, I had a jolly good time. I was however confused with the story-telling, because first the bad guys were two men talking in Sally's home, and then two chapters later (or maybe a little more when the background was given) they become a man and a woman. Now yes, I know it could be that that is how Goodwin wanted us to think of it, but it left me so confused, I had to go back and read to make sure I didn't miss anything (I might have though, it was late at night when I read this.)
The ending also left me questioning what exactly is happening. It's a "interpret it how you want" ending and I kinda wanted closure. Actually just one... Who were the cops coming for???
Now as for why my anxiety was heightened 10 fold? The book is just SO GOOD at playing with your emotions. I was constantly on edge like Sally, wanting her to look over her shoulder. Even her backstory had me on edge and what happened should not have come as a surprise.
In the end, I did enjoy the story and would really recommend picking it up if you love thrillers.
*Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC*
For those who suffer from anxiety, I would recommend going into this book with heartburn medication by your side.
Now don't get me wrong, I love Sarah Goodwin's books. The books' plots (including this one) are well thought-out, the pacing is SO GOOD and the characters' mysterious backgrounds keep the story going.
Now for The Blackout, I had a jolly good time. I was however confused with the story-telling, because first the bad guys were two men talking in Sally's home, and then two chapters later (or maybe a little more when the background was given) they become a man and a woman. Now yes, I know it could be that that is how Goodwin wanted us to think of it, but it left me so confused, I had to go back and read to make sure I didn't miss anything (I might have though, it was late at night when I read this.)
The ending also left me questioning what exactly is happening. It's a "interpret it how you want" ending and I kinda wanted closure. Actually just one... Who were the cops coming for???
Now as for why my anxiety was heightened 10 fold? The book is just SO GOOD at playing with your emotions. I was constantly on edge like Sally, wanting her to look over her shoulder. Even her backstory had me on edge and what happened should not have come as a surprise.
In the end, I did enjoy the story and would really recommend picking it up if you love thrillers.
*Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC*
August 8, 2023
I listened to this as an audiobook and finished it within a few days - it really kept me interested and was full of suspense.
Meg and Cat are on a night out in Bristol when they run out of money to get home and are followed. Sally is living in Norfolk and keeping everyone at arms length when a storm causes a blackout. What happened on that night a year ago, and who is trying to find Sally in the blackout?
The narrative skips from a year ago to the night of the blackout, and I was kept guessing what would happen next. The blackout sections were hugely atmospheric and had Home Alone meets Scream vibes for part of it. The author did a great job at making me hate one of the characters and I liked that the main character was flawed too.
Dropped a star due to the ambiguity of the ending as I needed closure here!
My first Sarah Goodwin book, and I would definitely pick up another in the future.
My first NetGalley ARC review!
Meg and Cat are on a night out in Bristol when they run out of money to get home and are followed. Sally is living in Norfolk and keeping everyone at arms length when a storm causes a blackout. What happened on that night a year ago, and who is trying to find Sally in the blackout?
The narrative skips from a year ago to the night of the blackout, and I was kept guessing what would happen next. The blackout sections were hugely atmospheric and had Home Alone meets Scream vibes for part of it. The author did a great job at making me hate one of the characters and I liked that the main character was flawed too.
Dropped a star due to the ambiguity of the ending as I needed closure here!
My first Sarah Goodwin book, and I would definitely pick up another in the future.
My first NetGalley ARC review!
August 12, 2023
This was an action-packed thriller.
A real page turner to begin with, it did slow down a little bit towards the end, but I still thoroughly enjoyed it.
I got through this book quickly as I the storyline kept me hooked, and I couldn't put it down
A must-read for all thriller fans!
19 days until #TheBlackout
A real page turner to begin with, it did slow down a little bit towards the end, but I still thoroughly enjoyed it.
I got through this book quickly as I the storyline kept me hooked, and I couldn't put it down
A must-read for all thriller fans!
19 days until #TheBlackout
December 17, 2024
I liked this alright. The premise was different, and the twists were pretty good.
July 19, 2025
on the bottom of my SG list but still enjoyable! pacing was excellent but just didn't have the same sparkle as her other books.
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