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Seaview House
The unearthing of a long-hidden body stirs up a woman's memories of a troubled relationship-and teenage trauma-in this suspenseful, emotional novel.
When she was just fourteen, Jill's family moved to Walney Island. Initially intoxicated by the freedom of the seaside setting-and fifteen-year-old Andrew Brownstone-she came to learn that her first impressions were very wrong. After making a shocking discovery in Seaview House, Jill fled the scene-a guilty secret she's carried with her ever since.
Now, thirty years later, when the decrepit Seaview House is being demolished, a body is found buried in the garden. But who is the deceased?
Jill is soon drawn back into the past when police question her about the relationship she had with Andrew all those years ago. Yet as the pieces of the puzzle start falling into place, she discovers she's not the only one hiding something . . .
When she was just fourteen, Jill's family moved to Walney Island. Initially intoxicated by the freedom of the seaside setting-and fifteen-year-old Andrew Brownstone-she came to learn that her first impressions were very wrong. After making a shocking discovery in Seaview House, Jill fled the scene-a guilty secret she's carried with her ever since.
Now, thirty years later, when the decrepit Seaview House is being demolished, a body is found buried in the garden. But who is the deceased?
Jill is soon drawn back into the past when police question her about the relationship she had with Andrew all those years ago. Yet as the pieces of the puzzle start falling into place, she discovers she's not the only one hiding something . . .
306 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 27, 2023
65 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
February 4, 2023
Thank you to Bloodhound Books for the advanced copy to read and review of Seaview House by Paula Hillman. Although it started out slow for me, it was intriguing enough to make me want to find out more. The author writes so eloquently, that I felt like I was floating along on a song with her words. Good twist at the end that I didn’t see coming. Great first book! Will look forward to reading her future books.
May 31, 2023
Seaview House is a great debut novel from Paula Hillman. It’s a real page turner and I found myself reading it quickly because I wanted to know what was going to happen. Jill is such a great main character, she is haunted by the past and it’s difficult not to wonder just what her secret is. The ending of this novel caught me by surprise. It’s a complex, surprising and satisfying novel. I am looking forward to reading more novels by Paula Hillman.
I received a gifted copy of this novel. This review is my honest opinion and written voluntarily.
I received a gifted copy of this novel. This review is my honest opinion and written voluntarily.
February 5, 2023
With many thanks to Bloodhound Books for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book is written in my favourite time hop style set between 2018 and the late 70s early 80s. It tells the story of Jill who as a naïve 14 year old attracts the attention of Stoney a boy 18 months older than her and a lot more worldly wise. Between the two timelines we learn about their developing relationship and how it has impacted upon adult Jill.
This is a page turner, with wonderfully atmospheric writing. Parts were uncomfortable reading but were necessary to the story. A very strong 4* read for me.
This book is written in my favourite time hop style set between 2018 and the late 70s early 80s. It tells the story of Jill who as a naïve 14 year old attracts the attention of Stoney a boy 18 months older than her and a lot more worldly wise. Between the two timelines we learn about their developing relationship and how it has impacted upon adult Jill.
This is a page turner, with wonderfully atmospheric writing. Parts were uncomfortable reading but were necessary to the story. A very strong 4* read for me.
February 6, 2023
An amazing debut by Paula Hillman. It’s full of descriptive narration which really makes the reader feel like they’re there with the characters.
The story is written in the past and the present following the lives of Jill and Andrew Brownstone “Stoney”. Their relationship is filled with despair, meanness, abuse and the want of helping someone in the depths of helplessness.
A great read which kept me reading into the late hours wanting to see how the characters develop and overcome their life challenges.
The story is written in the past and the present following the lives of Jill and Andrew Brownstone “Stoney”. Their relationship is filled with despair, meanness, abuse and the want of helping someone in the depths of helplessness.
A great read which kept me reading into the late hours wanting to see how the characters develop and overcome their life challenges.
June 5, 2023
I really enjoyed the narrative of this story, especially how it is told in two different timeframes. – past and present. This really allowed me to invest in Jill the main character, also the author does a great job of character development throughout the story – allowing you to really build a picture of what’s going on.
This story touches on some very deep topics, but the author really does handle them well. I especially liked the descriptive style of this book, really immersing you into the page and the hot summer setting.
This book kept me guessing, and just when I was convinced the story was heading a certain way – a plot twist landed just in time. This really does keep you turning the pages wanting to know more.
This is my first read by Paula Hillman – but I will certainly be on the look out for further reads in the future.
Thank you Love Book Tours and BloodHound Books for a chance to join the tour.
This story touches on some very deep topics, but the author really does handle them well. I especially liked the descriptive style of this book, really immersing you into the page and the hot summer setting.
This book kept me guessing, and just when I was convinced the story was heading a certain way – a plot twist landed just in time. This really does keep you turning the pages wanting to know more.
This is my first read by Paula Hillman – but I will certainly be on the look out for further reads in the future.
Thank you Love Book Tours and BloodHound Books for a chance to join the tour.
March 29, 2023
The central character, Jill, must be the most annoying person in fiction. I read to the end expecting the book to improve. It didn't.
January 28, 2023
Firstly thanks to bloodhound books for an advance copy to read and review. Here is my honest thoughts after reading seaview.
The story revolves around headteacher Jill of today and the school girl Jill at 14 and her time spent with her boyfriend Andrew “Stoney”. The relationship was a young Jill’s first and is one of pressure and force rather that the love Stoney professes.
Police arrive at Jill’s door in present day asking questions about Seaview house which bring back memories Jill has tried to bury surrounded in lies and secrecy. There is no surprise for Jill when she hears of a body being found in the garden as the house was being demolished.
The story goes back and forth telling the story of young Jilly and how that evolves to the place she finds herself now and the questions which follow.
I found the book slow moving and had to stick with it even up till 45% through I wasn’t necessarily gripped.
Half way through we are at a point of Jill having been away at uni then back home and once again her oath crosses with Stoney on and off while she trains to become a teacher living back at her family home.
Still 3/4 way through I found the book slow going and still waiting for “the story” to have something happen and each page expecting to have a ahhh this is where it’s heading moment! It never came. For me this was a slow placed read which although full of description was a boring storyline with little intrigue or excitement.
Seeing other reviews people enjoyed the book for me it was just a little dull so maybe that’s more a reflection on me rather than the book! It was just not gritty and brutal enough for me with little suspense and fairly predictable.
Jill was a well written character and the book was full of depth and detail with excellent scene setting and description but underwhelming for my taste.
The story revolves around headteacher Jill of today and the school girl Jill at 14 and her time spent with her boyfriend Andrew “Stoney”. The relationship was a young Jill’s first and is one of pressure and force rather that the love Stoney professes.
Police arrive at Jill’s door in present day asking questions about Seaview house which bring back memories Jill has tried to bury surrounded in lies and secrecy. There is no surprise for Jill when she hears of a body being found in the garden as the house was being demolished.
The story goes back and forth telling the story of young Jilly and how that evolves to the place she finds herself now and the questions which follow.
I found the book slow moving and had to stick with it even up till 45% through I wasn’t necessarily gripped.
Half way through we are at a point of Jill having been away at uni then back home and once again her oath crosses with Stoney on and off while she trains to become a teacher living back at her family home.
Still 3/4 way through I found the book slow going and still waiting for “the story” to have something happen and each page expecting to have a ahhh this is where it’s heading moment! It never came. For me this was a slow placed read which although full of description was a boring storyline with little intrigue or excitement.
Seeing other reviews people enjoyed the book for me it was just a little dull so maybe that’s more a reflection on me rather than the book! It was just not gritty and brutal enough for me with little suspense and fairly predictable.
Jill was a well written character and the book was full of depth and detail with excellent scene setting and description but underwhelming for my taste.
June 2, 2023
The twists and turns in this book will keep you scratching your head and wondering right until the final chapter.
I will admit the characters in this one weren’t my favorite, but it still drew me into the story to figure out what was going on. Did our main character kill the person they find? Why is she so terrified? All good questions that need answers. All of which you have to earn from the secretive heroine Jill who has spent a lifetime of hiding her true self from everyone.
This is a very serious story that deals with some big topics. Even having spent a portion of my life working with a domestic abuse organization through my job, I kept asking myself “Why?!” and yelling at the main character about her choices. But life is hard and difficult. I see what the author was attempting to do here, and I feel like she didn’t quite hit the mark. I’m also uncertain if the main character was supposed to be neurodivergent, but she absolutely came off that way. In which case, I can definitely understand her choices and her feelings more.
It felt like a train wreck I couldn’t look away from but in a good way. Or more like it was something real that I needed to bear witness to. I enjoyed the book, especially the big twists and payoff at the end. But I had a hard time connecting with the characters – something which may have been on purpose.
The book is incredibly atmospheric. I could feel each place vividly, which is an effect I adore. As a fellow writer, I’m quite jealous of writers who can use that atmospheric effect, and it’s one of my favorite things. I look forward to reading other books by the author.
Content Warning: Adult Situations, Adult Language, Relationship Abuse, Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Drug Addiction/Use, Overdose, Blackmail
I will admit the characters in this one weren’t my favorite, but it still drew me into the story to figure out what was going on. Did our main character kill the person they find? Why is she so terrified? All good questions that need answers. All of which you have to earn from the secretive heroine Jill who has spent a lifetime of hiding her true self from everyone.
This is a very serious story that deals with some big topics. Even having spent a portion of my life working with a domestic abuse organization through my job, I kept asking myself “Why?!” and yelling at the main character about her choices. But life is hard and difficult. I see what the author was attempting to do here, and I feel like she didn’t quite hit the mark. I’m also uncertain if the main character was supposed to be neurodivergent, but she absolutely came off that way. In which case, I can definitely understand her choices and her feelings more.
It felt like a train wreck I couldn’t look away from but in a good way. Or more like it was something real that I needed to bear witness to. I enjoyed the book, especially the big twists and payoff at the end. But I had a hard time connecting with the characters – something which may have been on purpose.
The book is incredibly atmospheric. I could feel each place vividly, which is an effect I adore. As a fellow writer, I’m quite jealous of writers who can use that atmospheric effect, and it’s one of my favorite things. I look forward to reading other books by the author.
Content Warning: Adult Situations, Adult Language, Relationship Abuse, Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Drug Addiction/Use, Overdose, Blackmail
February 1, 2023
What a fantastic debut novel from Paula Hillman, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.
The book was written from the viewpoint of Jill Francis it opens in 2018 while she is out running and runs past Seaview house this is where the author reveals that there is a connection with Jill in the house when she was younger but did not disclose the nature, you have to read on for that.
When she arrives home and sends her husband off to work, we see Jill’s first flash back to April 1976 when she is a teenager and went to live on the island. The police then pay her a visit about a body that has been found when Seaview house was being demolished. This is where the book takes off and we see Jill remembering back to 1976 and her first meeting with Stoney at the beach how their relationship unfolds and then how she tries to escape the toxic relationship.
The book moves between the past and up to the last time she see’s Stoney and the present day, I loved they way the book took me on a journey through Jill’s life and see how the past shaped Jill into the head she is in 2018. A truly fantastic read I would highly recommend this book.
The book was written from the viewpoint of Jill Francis it opens in 2018 while she is out running and runs past Seaview house this is where the author reveals that there is a connection with Jill in the house when she was younger but did not disclose the nature, you have to read on for that.
When she arrives home and sends her husband off to work, we see Jill’s first flash back to April 1976 when she is a teenager and went to live on the island. The police then pay her a visit about a body that has been found when Seaview house was being demolished. This is where the book takes off and we see Jill remembering back to 1976 and her first meeting with Stoney at the beach how their relationship unfolds and then how she tries to escape the toxic relationship.
The book moves between the past and up to the last time she see’s Stoney and the present day, I loved they way the book took me on a journey through Jill’s life and see how the past shaped Jill into the head she is in 2018. A truly fantastic read I would highly recommend this book.
February 13, 2023
14 year old Jill Francis can’t help but be flattered when she attracts the attention of local bad boy, Andrew ‘Stoney’ Brownstone. Despite its destructive nature she can’t help but be drawn into a relationship with him, one that will seemingly end in tragedy. As an adult Jill - now married with an adult son and having followed her dream to peruse a career in education - is haunted by the events of one winters evening, which she has kept secret from everyone around her.
As debut novels go, this one is up there with the best. Hillman uses glimpses of the past in a ‘time hop’ style to tease the reader as to what Jill has been keeping secret over the past 40 or so years. I had my own thoughts on what that secret might be, but Hillman does a great job at throwing out a few red herrings, and it wasn’t until the end when it all finally clicked. The novel was finished up neatly, with no loose ends to leave the reader tearing their hair out to know what happened! Hillman is definitely an author to look out for.
Thank you to Bloodhound Books for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.
As debut novels go, this one is up there with the best. Hillman uses glimpses of the past in a ‘time hop’ style to tease the reader as to what Jill has been keeping secret over the past 40 or so years. I had my own thoughts on what that secret might be, but Hillman does a great job at throwing out a few red herrings, and it wasn’t until the end when it all finally clicked. The novel was finished up neatly, with no loose ends to leave the reader tearing their hair out to know what happened! Hillman is definitely an author to look out for.
Thank you to Bloodhound Books for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.
February 18, 2023
I found this novel very slow reading. It is well written but lacks the vigour and pace that distinguishes a well plotted novel. It jumps back and forth in time from Jill as a fourteen year old school girl on Walney's Island in 1976 to the older Jill who is a school administrator in 2018.
The younger Jill becomes fascinated with Seaview House and Andrew Stoneman (Stoney) who lives there with his parents. Stoney is older than Jill. He pretends to love her but actually preys upon her vulnerability. Something terrible happened at Seaview House in the late 70s but "what" hangs over the story like an awful secret waiting to be revealed.
In 2018 Seaview House is being demolished. A body is uncovered buried in the back garden. Who is buried there? We are led to think it is Stoney and that Jill has been keeping a secret that haunts her.
The author springs a surprise upon us near the end which I did not foresee.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for providing me with an Advance Review Copy of this novel.
The younger Jill becomes fascinated with Seaview House and Andrew Stoneman (Stoney) who lives there with his parents. Stoney is older than Jill. He pretends to love her but actually preys upon her vulnerability. Something terrible happened at Seaview House in the late 70s but "what" hangs over the story like an awful secret waiting to be revealed.
In 2018 Seaview House is being demolished. A body is uncovered buried in the back garden. Who is buried there? We are led to think it is Stoney and that Jill has been keeping a secret that haunts her.
The author springs a surprise upon us near the end which I did not foresee.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for providing me with an Advance Review Copy of this novel.
May 12, 2023
Jill has been carrying around a dark secret for decades. Carefully hidden away from her family and coworkers but now her secret threatens to come crashing down upon her when the discovery of a body is found at an old abandoned house. The house holds too many of Jill’s secrets and she fears it will finally force her to reveal them to the world.
Told in alternating timelines; we get to know Jill present day and her mental state as she wrestles with her past coming to light. In the past timeline, we learn about the summer that changed everything for Jill and how it continued to hold a tie to her future until one fateful day. As the past timeline accelerates, you as the reader constantly wonder what Jill has done that has caused her to carry around such guilt until it’s finally revealed. I won’t say it was necessarily anticlimactic but it wasn’t this shocking revelation that I was hoping for based off of all the build up. The setting of the island and the looming presence of the old house definitely made this read engaging.
Thank you @lovebookstours and @bloodhoundbooks for this gifted e-copy and a spot on the book tour.
Told in alternating timelines; we get to know Jill present day and her mental state as she wrestles with her past coming to light. In the past timeline, we learn about the summer that changed everything for Jill and how it continued to hold a tie to her future until one fateful day. As the past timeline accelerates, you as the reader constantly wonder what Jill has done that has caused her to carry around such guilt until it’s finally revealed. I won’t say it was necessarily anticlimactic but it wasn’t this shocking revelation that I was hoping for based off of all the build up. The setting of the island and the looming presence of the old house definitely made this read engaging.
Thank you @lovebookstours and @bloodhoundbooks for this gifted e-copy and a spot on the book tour.
February 10, 2023
Told in a dual timeline, the book tells the story of Jill, starting as a fourteen year old up until her twenties and then thirty years later, in the present.
For me the book was at times a little slow and some of the characters’ inner selves or motivations hard to read, like Stoney’s mom, she was a mystery to me.
I liked the description of the island and of Seaview house, making them both main characters of the book. The writing of the book is very good and it has some twists that make it interesting, especially at the very end, this one is the one that “make” the book.
There are themes of manipulation, sexual advantage, drug abuse, neglect, but also a sense of family and self fulfillment, but I think the most important subject in the book is that traumas in the childhood will hunt and follow you through adulthood if they remain unresolved.
For me the book was at times a little slow and some of the characters’ inner selves or motivations hard to read, like Stoney’s mom, she was a mystery to me.
I liked the description of the island and of Seaview house, making them both main characters of the book. The writing of the book is very good and it has some twists that make it interesting, especially at the very end, this one is the one that “make” the book.
There are themes of manipulation, sexual advantage, drug abuse, neglect, but also a sense of family and self fulfillment, but I think the most important subject in the book is that traumas in the childhood will hunt and follow you through adulthood if they remain unresolved.
June 2, 2023
Can I start by saying, I would love to live in the house on the cover, looking out on the sea. The Story is wrote in the past and the present as we follow the lives of Jill Francis and Andrew Brownstone (Stoney). Jill is the person tell us the story. Jill and her family moved to Walney when she was a teenager and meet Stoney. After dating for a few years things didn't work out for them. Jill is now a headteacher, married with a son and enjoying her life that she has made for her and her family. Everything starts to go wrong when she see "The Westmorland Gazette" and Seaview House is being pulled down, which means her life might not be the same for much longer. I read this book in one sitting as I found it easy and the storyline flowed well. I don't like saying to much to spoil it for you, but I will say keep an eye on PC Rose Atherton.
February 6, 2023
Overall 4.5*
Written mainly in a dual timeline of 1976 and 2018, the appeal of this story when I started it was that the main character of Jill was 14 years old in '76 - as was I and so I could relate to so much of what happens to her as well as remembering the intense summer of that year which seemed to go on forever!! Ms Hillman's descriptions are so spot on in regards to the youth of that time (especially the boys), parental attitude, fashion and socially too. I personally found it an intriguing tale and did have me turning the pages but not for the same reasons that I usually do! It is a really good solid debut novel which I would recommend .
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for the ARC to review
Written mainly in a dual timeline of 1976 and 2018, the appeal of this story when I started it was that the main character of Jill was 14 years old in '76 - as was I and so I could relate to so much of what happens to her as well as remembering the intense summer of that year which seemed to go on forever!! Ms Hillman's descriptions are so spot on in regards to the youth of that time (especially the boys), parental attitude, fashion and socially too. I personally found it an intriguing tale and did have me turning the pages but not for the same reasons that I usually do! It is a really good solid debut novel which I would recommend .
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for the ARC to review
February 14, 2023
I enjoyed reading this suspenseful story. This is a newer author for me which I enjoyed her writing style as well as her attention to details that gave her story a realistic feel. I can't wait to see what is next for this author. I found this book to be well written and hard to put down. A story where the past can never stay there and what happens when it comes crashing into the present. I enjoyed how the characters pulled me into their world from the beginning. They are connectable and added so much to the story. This is a fast paced, engaging story where the twists and turns had me sitting on the edge of my seat. A great story with growth throughout the story that made it easy and entertaining to read. I highly recommend this book.
May 26, 2023
Seaview House has a chilling history and it's being uncovered bit by bit when a body is found buried in the grounds. Stoney is a real character who has a reputation, and not a good one. Jill gets caught in his trap as a teenager and fights to break free. This is a real page turner and kept me entertained throughout. Love Annie's character and personality. I loved the dated chapters as it goes forward and back, picks up where it left off when it returns to the dates. Great!
My first book by Paula and it won't be my last as I love the writing style, the cover design fits perfectly. Still unsure of my feelings for Stoney! Would recommend!
My first book by Paula and it won't be my last as I love the writing style, the cover design fits perfectly. Still unsure of my feelings for Stoney! Would recommend!
May 31, 2023
This book was different for me I really enjoyed it and it definitely kept me guessing and wow definitely didn't see what happened happen.. I really loved the characters in this book.
I felt for Jill and how her childhood was taken from her and how she dealt with that and how it effected her growing up. She really couldn't move past it! Stoney was that character you just wanted to hate but couldn't cause you felt for him and his desire to just be loved and accepted and how no matter what either did they kept crossing each others paths and how one night and decision changing everything !! I won't say anymore cause I don't want to give away so y'all need to just go get this book !!!
I felt for Jill and how her childhood was taken from her and how she dealt with that and how it effected her growing up. She really couldn't move past it! Stoney was that character you just wanted to hate but couldn't cause you felt for him and his desire to just be loved and accepted and how no matter what either did they kept crossing each others paths and how one night and decision changing everything !! I won't say anymore cause I don't want to give away so y'all need to just go get this book !!!
January 29, 2023
Secrets of the past rise to the surface in this suspenseful mystery. Twists and turns keep you guessing right up to the end and the back-and-forth timelines cleverly reveal pieces of the puzzle. The oppressive summer heat, salt on the skin and sunlight glinting off the surface of the sea transport you so you’re right on the scene with the protagonist, Jill, as she tries to hold on to the threads of her life that are threatening to unravel. A total page-turner - I dare you not to finish it in one sitting!
January 31, 2023
This is an intriguing first novel which shows a promise for future novels. It is told in 2 time lines approximately 30 years apart reflecting the story from Jill's viewpoint. The story covered some harrowing subject matters including gas lighting, drug abuse, domestic violence and the lies and guilt which come from this.
Although I enjoyed the premise of this novel I did find it slow at times. It was however not predictable and I found the difficult subject matters sensitively managed.
I am grateful to Bloodhound books for my copy of this novel.
Although I enjoyed the premise of this novel I did find it slow at times. It was however not predictable and I found the difficult subject matters sensitively managed.
I am grateful to Bloodhound books for my copy of this novel.
February 5, 2023
The discovery of a buried body at Seaview House is the backdrop to this story. It flits between many years ago and the current day and is told from the point of view of Jill. When she finds out about the body, long-buried memories of her teenage years and her boyfriend Stony come racing back.
I found this a very slow read and it took a long time to build up. The characters are not likeable and Jill is quite infuriating. The story covers a lot of issues such as teenage relationhips and anxieties, domestic abuse, drugs. It was enjoyable but I would have preferred things to have eventually moved a bit quicker. I did enjoy how events turned out at the end.
My thanks to Bloodhound Books for an advance copy of this and this is my honest review.
I found this a very slow read and it took a long time to build up. The characters are not likeable and Jill is quite infuriating. The story covers a lot of issues such as teenage relationhips and anxieties, domestic abuse, drugs. It was enjoyable but I would have preferred things to have eventually moved a bit quicker. I did enjoy how events turned out at the end.
My thanks to Bloodhound Books for an advance copy of this and this is my honest review.
May 31, 2023
This story is told in dual timeline, the late 1970 and 80’s and 2018. In 2018, a body is found at an abandoned house when they were preparing to tear it down. For Jill the discovery of the body brings back memories of her old boyfriend. As the timelines alternate you can see the differences in social norms and how they impacted the characters. I was fascinated by the 1970’s and 80’s. This is a slow burn book with the characters keeping you engaged. I love the premise of the book and the gorgeous cover.
June 7, 2023
I read this in one sitting. It had me so captivated. I did find it was a bit slow starting but it did pick up and once it did it was so gripping.
I really like how it jumps from the present to the past so clearly as it wasn’t confusing.
I did not see the twist coming and that was an unexpected ending.
I liked the writing style and found it easy to read and found that it helped with visualisation. I will definitely be reading more by this author.
Thank you to Love Books Tours, Paula Hillman and Bloodhound books for the #gifted copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I really like how it jumps from the present to the past so clearly as it wasn’t confusing.
I did not see the twist coming and that was an unexpected ending.
I liked the writing style and found it easy to read and found that it helped with visualisation. I will definitely be reading more by this author.
Thank you to Love Books Tours, Paula Hillman and Bloodhound books for the #gifted copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 31, 2023
jill Francis has history with the Seaview House, it's not a nice history. But that was many years ago when she was a young woman. So why are the police asking her about it and Andrew Brownstone now? The paper said the house was to be torn down. What has caused the police to stir up all these questions and Jill's memories she would rather forget after 30 years? I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
February 5, 2023
This is the story of Jill, told in present day, and at various points in the 1970s and 80s. It follows her relationship with local boy Andrew. I found it beautifully descriptive, but the storyline was very slow. I was constantly waiting for something to happen. The storyline about descent into drug use was very sensitively written, but on the whole I didn’t really feel the story went anywhere. The characters of Jill and Andrew were explored in great depth, but I’d have liked to attach to the other characters too. If you enjoy a gentle story, this is the one for you. Thank you to Bloodhound Books for the ARC.
February 5, 2023
This is Paula Hillman’s debut novel, and set in the place where I live, so I thought I’d give it a go. I loved how the landscape became a character in Jill’s story, and also the creepy slow burn of ‘Stoney’ was brilliant. I got a good sense of the famous summer of ‘76’ but it wasn’t overdone. There are some tough issues dealt with in this story but I felt they were handled by the characters that was redeeming, in the end. I will definitely be looking to read more from this author.
February 10, 2023
First off i would like to thank Bloodhound Books for the Advanced Readers Copy of this book. The story started out a little bit slow at the beginning for me. However the author did a fantastic job of keeping me intrigued so that I wanted to keep reading on. The author did a good job developing the characters and their stories so that by the end I felt connected to them. I would definitely recommend this book.
February 14, 2023
This story comes out February.10, 2023. The paperback edition is available January.27, 2023. This is a story about a thirty-year-old mystery. The died body at Seaview house has been found. The past of years of 1976 comes to the present year of August 2018. You will meet Jill Francis, whom is married Stevie Francis and then their son, Phil Francis. You will meet characters like Andrew Brownstone nicknamed Stoney. And so many others. Jill Francis has a charmed life. But Jill past comes to haunt her, and her dealing with Stoney. I hope you enjoy the surprise ending to a complex, and interesting entertaining story. It really great, and kind of emotional. I enjoyed every turn of the book pages all the way to the end.
June 2, 2023
I really liked how this book skipped from past and present, it didn’t get confusing at all and really helped tell the story! I did find the start a bit slow but it picked up nicely as the story went on, and you’ll want to keep reading just to find out all their secrets 👀 It’s full of suspense and kept me guessing, and I really liked the twist, which I didn’t see coming (do I ever? 😂). This is definitely the sort of book that you could easily read in one sitting!
June 4, 2023
I really enjoyed this book, it was a fast paced book and the plot kept me interested. For once I guessed the end - just not how it happened 🤣 The character of Jill frustrated me at times but it does show how easily a lie can tumble into something so huge. The ending fell a bit flat for me in a way but I’m not sure how else it could have ended. I would recommend for those who enjoy a fast paced thriller!
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