The Quiet Space Between Us

by N.A. Cooper

Can anyone really stay hidden from the world? A powerful novel of solitude, survival, and psychological suspense from the author of Unravelling Alice . . .

For three years, Ida has been living in the remote Welsh countryside to stay safe from a world ravaged by illness. The only person she has contact with is Cal, her fiancée, who brings supplies and news about their crumbling society before returning to his military work.

When she wakes up in a stranger’s hut after being injured in a fall, Ida panics about possible exposure to the virus. But she soon learns that the occupant, a mysterious man who is a recluse, is unlikely to be infected.

As the pair strike up a friendship, a series of shocking revelations will test Ida’s trust. Will she have to take her survival into her own hands?

Genres: Thriller, Fiction

243 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 8, 2023

About the author

N. A. Cooper is the author of Ripple Effect, Unravelling Alice, The Quiet Space Between Us and The Affair. She is an avid reader and writer and loves to discuss all things books on her social media accounts.

Connect with N.A. Cooper on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook:

Instagram (@n.a.cooperauthor)

Twitter (@NACooperAuthor)

Facebook (N.A. Cooper)

Reviews

[Rain · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew right from the beginning, this was not going to be the usual post-apocalyptic story. This one will not be for everyone, but I inhaled this psychological, introspective, moody, mysterious story. Not a romance, but has romantic elements.

It begins with a somewhat unreliable narrator named Ida. She is living in a tiny cabin in the woods, waiting for her man to return with supplies. He will stay for a few days, reminding her how important it is that he is helping to save the newly recovered world. Even though she misses him deeply when he is gone, she knows he is doing important work.

There are some wildly unique and clever ideas here. After reading thousands of stories, it’s rare to have one that is so refreshingly new.

Very slow to start, but this feels purposeful. The reader gets to understand Ida’s perspective, as she calmly sorts seeds, waters her seedlings, and fetches water from the creek. The gentle way she gardens, being so careful and cautious, speaks volumes for her backstory.

One day she falls near the creek, and hits her head on a rock. A man with a dog helps her. She doesn’t trust him, but should she?

After the buildup and intensity of what happens next, I expected more of a resolution. While the story ends on a hfn, it left me feeling unsettled and adrift. Ultimately, this is a book about survival and personal growth. It would have been an astounding 5 star had the ending been more developed.

Ida tilted her head back to look at the sky. The stars were starting to appear, little specks of light among the darkness.

Ida watched them, focusing all her attention on the light.

[The Cats’ Mother · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Quiet Space Between Us is a suspense novel set in a world destroyed by an unnamed virus, by an author who is new to me. I like post-apocalyptic stories, and was intrigued to know where this was going to go, only to be disappointed by the reveal. It’s difficult to say too much about why without spoilers, but let’s just say the switch in genres was not what I was hoping for.

Ida lives alone in the Welsh countryside, visited only by her fiancé Cal, who insists she must stay there to avoid the infection which has decimated the population, while he works in London to try and save the remains of society. Hungry, lonely and bored, she lives for the brief interludes with him, but when her house is damaged in a storm, Ida reaches out to the only other person around, a scary looking loner. As a tentative friendship begins, Ida will discover a shocking truth that changes everything…

This was well written, but very slow - almost nothing happens in the first third, it’s all Ida growing vegetables, doing puzzles, and pining for her man. She’s an annoying wet blanket, but as we learn more about her past, things start to make more sense. Then the big twist happens and the book gets more interesting - there is finally some suspense, before it peters out to a frustrating ending.
Recommended to those looking for a variation on the domestic suspense genre and who don’t mind the heroine being so feeble she needs a man to rescue her.

Thanks to Bloodhound Books for the ARC, I am posting this honest review voluntarily. The Quiet Space Between Us Is published on February 8th.

[My Books and Crafts · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Quiet Space Between Us is a tale of survival told from the viewpoint of the main character Ida. Ida is living in a rural part of Wales in a place of safety away from a pandemic that has spread around the world.

It is a bit of a slow burner but is well worth persevering with, you feel you are going on the journey with Ida, and the latter half of the book is full of action, twists and turns and suspense. It has a great storyline and is very topical for todays reading. It is very well written and flows well and has strong and interesting characters. The tension builds nicely and I found it gripping, quite haunting and all consuming.

The Quiet Space Between Us is a really good read with a twist you will not see coming. It is both tense and enjoyable but the ending is a bit abrupt. It leaves you with a few loose ends and questions?

Overall I did enjoy reading this tense Psychological thriller and would like to thank Bloodhound Books for the free eARC and opportunity to read it 😊

[Sara Pickering · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tense and topical, I enjoyed this book. It's very well written from Ida's viewpoint so we only know what she knows. This really helps with the suspense part of the book - we learn what she learns as she learns it.

The tension builds nicely - there's a couple of twists which caught me by surprise until I went back and realised that they had been cleverly foreshadowed.

Agree with the other reviewers that the ending was a little abrupt but overall this was a good read and I'll look out for other books by this author.

I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher but this did not affect my review.

[Sheelagh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was totally gripped by this book and ended up reading long into the night as I was worried for Ida's safety and needed to see how her story played out. The story line of a virus running rampant through the world causing society to collapse is very relevant to the past few years and I could imagine how easily Ida's story could have been truth rather than fiction. I was a little bit disappointed by the ending, it could have done with an epilogue to tie things up, but it didn't spoil the book and I will be looking for other books by this author

[Lisa Whitaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely wonderful! Three years ago a devastating virus attacked people, and Ida and her partner Cal retreat to live off-grid in isolation. Cal feels the need to return to civilization in order to offer help to the military as they attempt to restore order to the area. He returns occasionally to provide Ida with what meager supplies he can find

Ida spends her time learning about growing and harvesting food, doing jigsaw puzzles and wondering about the whereabouts of her sister and niece. I found the descriptions of the isolated off-grid life quite true to life as I live the same way. I could in some ways relate to Ida.

What really came across perfectly to me was watching Ida grow from a fairly meek woman accepting everything Cal told her, to suddenly questioning the way everything seemed to be, to eventually becoming stronger and capable of making her own choices and determining the outcome. Ida evolves right before our eyes and the transformation helps her realize the truth about things she hadn't questioned before.

It's suspenseful, very well written and I can say that for me, this is an unforgettable book. I received an advanced copy to read for an honest review and all ideas and feelings I have expressed are my own.

[Lyd · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars from me. Loved this authors first book & was very excited to get an ARC of this one. I found this a slow burner & was disappointed it wasn't as exciting as I'd hoped. It was descriptive & we gradually got to know why Ida was where she was. I was surprised at the quick ending. Overall an ok read but wasn't gripping enough for me

[June · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't be put off at the mention of the virus, you will be very surprised.
I absolutely loved this gripping book, it had my mind working overtime guessing, I did get it partly right in the end.
The storyline and plot, are so cleverly written, with very strong characters.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. It's one of those books that captures you into the story, and you find it hard to put down, because you just have to know more.
I wasn't disappointed with the ending, except leaving me wanting to know what happens next.,
My thanks to Bloodhound books for the copy. This is my honest unbiased review.

[Dobby [on hiatus] · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another all-the-stars read by my new favorite author, N.A. Cooper.

The book's description hooked me at the first paragraph. Could this be any more topical? The panic and confusion at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic is still fresh in my mind.

For three years, Ida has been living in the remote Welsh countryside to stay safe from a world ravaged by illness. The only person she has contact with is Cal, her fiancée, who brings supplies and news about their crumbling society before returning to his military work.

Cooper's love of language and skill with getting the words right immerses me into the world and characters she has created:

He stood and held out his hand and Ida looked at him, this tall figure of a man with all the hair. She thought how little she knew him; how he let her into his physical world so unquestioningly yet closed off the rest entirely. It was the opposite for Ida, she had little to offer physically yet Walker seemed to know so much about her life. It made her feel vulnerable and exposed at times, the imbalance. But other times she saw it as even – they both gave whatever they could.

This book is so poignant and so real that it's one that I'm already looking forward to reading again.

She didn’t see it as moving in with him, and neither did Walker, it was just a temporary arrangement that suited them both for the time being, while Ida recovered from the wounds no one could see and Walker learned to let his guard down, one day at a time.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book about survival, in all its forms. It’s a story of the strength of human nature.

Ida is living a solitary life in the middle of the Welsh countryside. She’s dependent on her fiancé, Cal, to bring her supplies and anything she can grow/forage. A deadly virus has swept the world and Cal is keeping her safe whilst he works for the military to make the world safe again. He’s also looking for her sister.

But is all as it seems?

A short way north of Ida’s house, a man lives in a hut he built himself with his dog.

When a chance encounter brings them together, we start to learn more about the reality of the world. In order to make sense of it all, Ida looks back over her life and relationships.

What will she do?

This book is a page turner. It keeps you on the edge of your seat. You only know what Ida knows. The twists are good but you also have an ‘I knew it’ moment when they happen. Very cleverly crafted by the author.

Disclosure: I received an advanced reader copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. This is genuinely mine thoughts on the book.

[Drew Boswell · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging and enjoyable read, the conflict at the heart of this story smolders slowly, flaring violently before being snuffed out abruptly near the end. It's a satisfying journey emotionally, and meanwhile the reader is treated to wonderful prose and a well-imagined main character whose narrative is not quite trustworthy. Author N.A. Cooper lets us see inside Ida's thoughts, but no one else's. During the slow buildup and confrontation we are never completely certain that Ida's knowledge is genuine. Even though we are privy to her inner thoughts, we cannot know that that her thoughts reflect an objective truth. Our own uncertainty makes for a compelling read with a mostly satisfying ending that leaves enough ambiguity for hope to slip in. "The Quiet Space Between Us" is well worth your time.

[Vivian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book, at least for me, starts a little slow and at times hard to understand, but along the way picks up the pace and grabs your attention. I like the way the characters grow and evolve, especially Ida, we see her at the beginning of the book as a completely dependent of Cal but then she becomes this strong person questioning everything and making decisions by herself.
The description of the Welsh countryside is very riveting making you feel you are accompanying Ida in her life journey.
I wish there was more explanation about the motives of Cal’s actions since the scenes leading up to the ending of the book, and especially the ending, felt a little abrupt, but maybe this was so because there’s going to be a sequel?

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great read after the recent pandemic, Ida and Cal have left their home to live in solitude away from the devastation of a virus. Cal is working in the military and flits from their house in the forest to returning to helping with the aftermath, bringing her supplies every time he returns to the forest. All is fine with this arrangement until she has a fall and gets help from a stranger in a nearby hut. What transpires from there on makes for a very interesting twist in the tale.
Unfortunately the sudden end to the novel left me wanting, my hope is that the author left it this way ready for a sequel.

[Sue Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

The quite space between us by N.A. Cooper.
For three years, Ida has been living in the remote Welsh countryside to stay safe from a world ravaged by illness. The only person she has contact with is Cal, her fiancée, who brings supplies and news about their crumbling society before returning to his military work.When she wakes up in a stranger’s hut after being injured in a fall, Ida panics about possible exposure to the virus. But she soon learns that the occupant, a mysterious man who is a recluse, is unlikely to be infected.
I did enjoy this book. It was slow in places and I sort off guessed but I was partly wrong. I liked Ida and walker but Cal I didn't. 4*.

[Sandra Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story come out February 8, 2023. The paperback is available January 25, 2023. This is a story of a woman living in solitude, survival, and psychological games, with Callum or Cal. You will have to read to find out who is living a few miles from her, Ida place. The man in solitude name Jake she calls Walker with his dog named Chief. Ida found companionship with walker, and he also with Ida. the simplicity of the wilderness, the uncomplicated relationship with Walker and his dog Chief. There is so much happening. This book is emotional, entertaining, compelling, and intriguing to reading. Wonderful this novel. I hope you give it a try.

[Bobbi Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not my first book by this author but it is one of my favorites yet. This is an author that I have enjoyed reading from the first book I picked up. I found this book to be well written and hard to put down. A story of friendship, trust and survival. A story where the characters pull you into the story. They kept me coming back for more and added so much to the story. This is a fast paced story that is engaging and has great growth. I enjoyed the suspense of the story which had me sitting on the edge of my seat just waiting to see what would happen next. I really enjoyed this story and I highly recommend it.

[Sharon Rimmelzwaan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new author to me , N.A Cooper has written a story that slowly builds until you begin to realise you really can't put it down.
Told from the main character, Ida's perspective you get to know her so well that she could be real. N.A.Cooper's world building is so well done and characterisations are so detailed, that you care what happens to Ida.
As the pace picks up the tension and intrigue just grows to the point that you need to know what's going to happen.
Such an addictive read with a fabulous ending!
I will be looking out for more books by this author.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for the ARC to bring my honest review.

[Joanne Watt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the book,although definitely a slow burner ,keep going as the last half of the book is full of action ,twists and suspense.The story is well written and the author has great insight into the impact of domestic violence in relation to mental health and the devastating effects on the person’s self image and view of the world aswell as how perpetrators operate .
I thought the ending was a little abrupt and would have enjoyed learning what happened to all of the characters,but also thought this may be due to plans for a sequel.
Would definitely recommend reading .

[Kate Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really great book, it did take me a few pages to get into, but then I didn't want to put it down!

You know what's happening is wrong, and there is a lie somewhere, but you don't know who it is and it keeps you turning the page.

It kept me on the edge of my seat, wondering what would happen next.

An epilogue at the end would have been good, but I think that's more to do with me caring for the characters and wanting to know what happens next!

Overall a really good read.

[Caron McKinlay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cooper's books are always so well written and her characterisations are always authentic. The Quiet Space between us is no exception. In fact I would say that it feels even more mature in its execution.

Pitch perfect world building combined with a character to love and an intricate plot makes it a tense, page turning read.

But what blew me away was the fabulous ending. Such a clever climactic reveal.

I cannot wait to read more from this author.

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book I have read from this author but it's definitely not going to be my last. Very timely with our recent pandemic, I was intrigued by how Ida would survive and as I got to know her became worried for her safety. The plot is well thought out and appealing. The characters are likeable and well developed. I enjoyed this one from the start but I felt the ending was blunt and unfinished. I think this book had the potential to be a series and despite the ending it was a great read.

[Faye Ridpath · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book for free from Bloodhound Books.

I don't normally read this type of book. I typically get bored by books of this sort.

But the blurb intrigued me.

I'm so glad I gave this a chance.

I was so absorbed by this book.

I just wish it had included more detail as to Cal's motivation for his actions.

[The Book · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cool idea, but paper-thin execution and way too predictable (I knew early on what the situation was going to be and was not proved wrong). Would have been way more interesting with more character development and leaning less on the same old stereotypes, we've seen so many of this type of thing in novels recently and it's no longer original or exciting enough.

[Doreen Dickinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. it is a unique psychological thriller that profiles DV in a slow moving yet haunting way. I agree that I longed for a more expository ending for my own emotional well-being. however I think it probably ended just how it should have. I would read a sequel though. I was equally moved and horrified by Ida and would live to see what she does next.

[Heather Cairns · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this one as it was topical but it just lacked a bit of excitement for me. I thought it was a bit predictable but left us wanting more of Cal & Walker. I’ve enjoyed other books by this author more than this one but it hasn’t put me off reading more.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unique pandemic thriller.

Set in a post pandemic world, this is a first class read. The suspense is well developed between the three main characters. Keeps you guessing until the last page. Would make great tv.

[Daenerys Targaryen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short book.
The story is mostly about a vulnerable women and the abuser who took advantage of her. I think the ending could have been better. Lot's of gas lighting in this book if that's a trigger for you.

[Judy Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sorry not my cup of tea!

[Nicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much. I cried, I smiled, I swore! It has everything I want. Strong characters, rural setting, tale of survival…
I strongly think there needs to be a sequel!

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Very unpredictable, several big shocks throughout the book.