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Release date: January 31, 2017
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Blurb:
Why is everyone talking about the ending of Sarah Pinborough’s Behind Her Eyes?
Louise is a single mom, a secretary, stuck in a modern-day rut. On a rare night out, she meets a man in a bar and sparks fly. Though he leaves after they kiss, she’s thrilled she finally connected with someone.
When Louise arrives at work on Monday, she meets her new boss, David. The man from the bar. The very married man from the bar…who says the kiss was a terrible mistake, but who still can’t keep his eyes off Louise.
And then Louise bumps into Adele, who’s new to town and in need of a friend. But she also just happens to be married to David. And if you think you know where this story is going, think again, because Behind Her Eyes is like no other book you’ve read before.
David and Adele look like the picture-perfect husband and wife. But then why is David so controlling? And why is Adele so scared of him?
As Louise is drawn into David and Adele’s orbit, she uncovers more puzzling questions than answers. The only thing that is crystal clear is that something in this marriage is very, very wrong. But Louise can’t guess how wrong―and how far a person might go to protect their marriage’s secrets.
In Behind Her Eyes, Sarah Pinborough has written a novel that takes the modern day love triangle and not only turns it on its head, but completely reinvents it in a way that will leave readers reeling.
Review:
Let’s start with a few simple things. First, this will be difficult to review without spoiling your future reading experience, and boy is this an experience unlike any other I’ve had before with a book. I’ll mostly be discussing my feelings while reading this and won’t be going into plot details very much. You’ll thank me later. My motto here is blind and blurb. That’s all you need to know. (And my thoughts of course because I’ll never let things slip!) Secondly, I’ll be preaching continuously about how you have to get your hands on a copy. Again, you’ll thank me later. Third, take everything you’ve come to know and expect from psychological thrillers and throw it out of your mind. This isn’t your typical read, so open up your mind completely and hang on tight, it’s one hell of a ride.
So based on the blurb you know there’s an odd marriage between David and Adele, but whatever you think is happening, you’re wrong. Trust me. David meets Louise one night and they share a drunken kiss. Then Louise realizes that David is her new married boss. Awkward. Ready for more awkward? Louise and Adele become fast friends. It’s a love triangle the likes of which you’ve never seen before.
When you read this, (at this point I’m just assuming that you will because I’m persistent) pay very close attention. I had no problems doing this, but even though I was totally enraptured, I still wish I had looked closer. You’ll still want to go back and reread a few key parts, the opening chapter is especially brilliant in hindsight and upon a second glance you’re enlightened and you realize the true talent of Pinborough. She drops subtle clues all over the place but it’s only after you finish that you go, oohhh it all makes sense now. I felt like she turned me on my head over and over and I loved it every single time. This isn’t just a twisty plot, it’s downright knotted but unraveling it is more than half the fun. It’s dark, obsessive and it totally consumed my life. I must have asked myself, what the hell is going on here a few hundred times.
Let’s get to that ending. I mean, come on who could have seen it coming? I’m not even exaggerating when I say that I threw the book across the room. (Then snatched it right back up again so I could reread it) #WTFthatending A hashtag has never been more appropriate. It was so shocking and dizzying that hours later as I write this I’m still dumbfounded in a totally satisfying way.
That’s all I’m going to say except I’ll leave you with this. Get a copy as soon as you possibly can, don’t look at Goodreads reviews because there are already some slight spoilers there, and prepare yourself for some seriously messed up moments. Buy into the hype people, it is more than deserved and pretty soon everyone will be talking about it and you don’t want to be left out!
Overall rating: 5/5
Huge thanks to my girl Chelsea at The Suspense Is Thrilling Me for sending me her copy! Can’t wait to discuss with you. (Anyone else that’s read this please message me on Twitter or Instagram or email me so we can talk too!)
Loved this book. It’s definitely one you want everyone to read so you can talk about it x
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YES!! With an ending like that you have to be able to discuss it with someone, totally mind blowing.
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Loved this book, but feel some reviews I’ve read give to much away and could spoil it for others, yours is fab though Amy 😘
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Thank you! Luckily I stayed away from reviews until after I had finished but I agree, there are already some spoilery things out there. It’s a shame because it’s quite the experience when you go in blind.
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Sounds so good.
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It really was, completely unexpected and totally different but excellent!
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I’m going to request it from NetGalley. Keep your fingers crossed for me.
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I will!
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Awesome review!! I can’t wait to read this and discuss with you. I love that you didn’t discuss plot, I’m not reading anything about it, I didn’t even read the blurb!! It’s blind faith in all my blogging friends recommendations for this one:)!! Oh you have me so intrigued…throwing it across the room warrants a serious reaction for sure
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Oh that makes me so happy, I think you’re gonna love it!! Dying to chat about it I’ll get it in the mail ASAP
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Yay!! Thanks so much:)
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I agree… where the F did that ending come from? This one is such a glorious piece of craftsmanship. Sarah Pinborough can sit right next to Gillian Flynn, Sarah does creepy just as good in this novel. I hate when ‘reviewers’ tell you everything about the book/movie/play… Just be brief in synopsis and tell your comments, as you have done brilliantly.
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It totally blindsided me!! I agree, she does chilling and menacing brilliantly. I try not to regurgitate the blurb, seems redundant and I definitely stay far away from spoilers. Thanks so much!!
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Fantastic review dear!
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Thanks 😘 it’s a tough one to review!
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Fab review! You have me wanting to know!!!
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Thanks Donna! You gotta read this one.
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to be very honest , the blurb doesn’t sound all that , but your review makes it sound really intense and filled with mysteries . Guess that’s another book on my TBR now . Nice review
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Thank you! It’s not what you’re probably thinking from the review but I have a feeling you would like this one.
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well the release date is way into the Jan , so for now it’s on the TBR and wish list of Amazon .
You mentioned that one must buy a copy , does it have to be Paperback ? or a Kindle edition be OK?
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Oh yeah kindle version is fine however you prefer to read it! I haven’t seen it on Netgalley yet but I’m assuming it will be later.
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cool thanks 🙂
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Eeeeek! I think I need to add this to my TBR!
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You really do!!! It’s amazing.
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When you get excited about a book I know it’s a good one!
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Aww thanks! I’m excited for more people to read it so I can talk about it!!
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lol I can imagine so. I still can’t believe you threw the book. Lol and then ran to pick it up so you could read it again
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It was my first instinct!! Along with a shriek of delight and horror. I need to read the last chapter again actually. Insanity
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Lol sounds like an amazing read!
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Remember searching for people who’d read this so I could “argh!!” about it, especially the ending
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Right?! Totally one of those where you NEED to talk it out with somebody.
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This sounds so interesting! Great review!
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Thank you! It was shockingly unique
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Reblogged this on Angie Dokos.
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Thanks!
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Thank you! I can’t wait to read this one!
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So so want to read this now, I want to know !!
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Reblogged this on Mike Thomas.
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Oooo sounds like there could be some freaky shit going on in this one lol
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There is! And I loved it 😂
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This book is on my most anticipated books of 2017 list! I read your review on Goodreads and knew I had to read it!
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It’s so insane, but people either love it or hate it, doesn’t seem to be much middle ground. Hoping you love it as much as I did!!
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What a gifted and talented writer! Riveting to the very end! Had to read the last chapter several times to fully understand the twist to this novel. Thoroughly enjoyable. Thanks so much for allowing me the privilege of reviewing this book. A page turner like I haven’t read in a long time!
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