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snazzybooks's review against another edition
4.0
Book reviews on www.snazzybooks.com
Close To Me is an intriguing read that kept me guessing. It’s not exactly what I was expecting – I thought it would be more focused on why and how Jo fell down the stairs, but actually that 'occurrence' sort of acts as a starting point for other aspects – and in a way, the more interesting aspects – of the story: her and husband’s Rob’s relationship, and the relationship between her and her children and those around her, too.
Close To Me is less of a thriller-type story, instead focussing on the family dynamics between characters, and despite being a crime/thriller addict I found I really enjoyed finding out more about the life Jo led before her accident. The characters themselves are interesting and well-developed – though that’s not to say I liked all of them straight off. Obviously, Rob’s views and opinions on many things really grated on me, but we’re obviously not supposed to like him anyway! Jo, however, was a tough cookie to crack – she seemed a bit unreasonable at the start, but as the story develops I warmed to her and started to understand more of why she was behaving the way she was. It’s unclear throughout the novel whether she is a reliable narrator or not, and there are parts which made me think strongly in one direction, and parts which turned me the other way, and I really enjoy books that do this.
The writing is great, and really skilful, and though the story itself – a wife losing her memory and unsure if she can trust those around her, particularly her husband – isn’t particularly different or original, it is written in an engaging, enjoyable way and so I found myself engrossed in the story!
A recommended read, particularly if you like interesting character development and a good dose of drama!
Many thanks to Headline and Netgalley for providing a copy of this novel on which I chose to write an honest and unbiased review.
Close To Me is an intriguing read that kept me guessing. It’s not exactly what I was expecting – I thought it would be more focused on why and how Jo fell down the stairs, but actually that 'occurrence' sort of acts as a starting point for other aspects – and in a way, the more interesting aspects – of the story: her and husband’s Rob’s relationship, and the relationship between her and her children and those around her, too.
Close To Me is less of a thriller-type story, instead focussing on the family dynamics between characters, and despite being a crime/thriller addict I found I really enjoyed finding out more about the life Jo led before her accident. The characters themselves are interesting and well-developed – though that’s not to say I liked all of them straight off. Obviously, Rob’s views and opinions on many things really grated on me, but we’re obviously not supposed to like him anyway! Jo, however, was a tough cookie to crack – she seemed a bit unreasonable at the start, but as the story develops I warmed to her and started to understand more of why she was behaving the way she was. It’s unclear throughout the novel whether she is a reliable narrator or not, and there are parts which made me think strongly in one direction, and parts which turned me the other way, and I really enjoy books that do this.
The writing is great, and really skilful, and though the story itself – a wife losing her memory and unsure if she can trust those around her, particularly her husband – isn’t particularly different or original, it is written in an engaging, enjoyable way and so I found myself engrossed in the story!
A recommended read, particularly if you like interesting character development and a good dose of drama!
Many thanks to Headline and Netgalley for providing a copy of this novel on which I chose to write an honest and unbiased review.
readingactually's review against another edition
4.0
This book grabbed me right from the beginning. It was a great plot with a real psychological twist. I thought the writing was really great and the characters well written. I could not put this one down.
slowackii's review
4.0
"Blisko mnie" podobało mi się i myślę że może przeczytać coś więcej z gatunku sensacja, thriller. Polecam Wam sięgnąć po książkę Amandy Reynolds od Wydawnictwa Kobiece!
http://readwithstars.blogspot.com/2018/10/blisko-mnie-amandy-reynolds-czyli-jak.html?m=1
http://readwithstars.blogspot.com/2018/10/blisko-mnie-amandy-reynolds-czyli-jak.html?m=1
lisa_butler79's review against another edition
2.0
I've had the drama adaptation recorded for ages and being as I'm off work and having enforced rest due to covid I knew I would have to sit and watch the series so first had to read the book.
This book should have had so much thriller potential but I was left feeling bored. I felt that the main character Jo was a boring wimp and her reliving her accident in every chapter got tedious and the thriller it should have been was unexciting.
I felt I was on a treadmill reading this, lots of words and no progress.
Although the adaptation was OK even the drama didn't excite me.
This book should have had so much thriller potential but I was left feeling bored. I felt that the main character Jo was a boring wimp and her reliving her accident in every chapter got tedious and the thriller it should have been was unexciting.
I felt I was on a treadmill reading this, lots of words and no progress.
Although the adaptation was OK even the drama didn't excite me.
angelerin's review
1.0
I tried to read this one a little while back and I couldn't get into it at all.
turningpagesmm's review
3.0
I discovered this one when I saw the trailer for the TV adaption coming soon, my Mum and I were instantly intrigued and both started reading it at the same time.
Frustratingly addictive and suspenseful, once I got into it I couldn’t put it down. I was hoping for more of a conclusion and felt like I was always waiting for something big to happen but I cannot wait to see how this one is adapted.
I always find books like this so frustrating, when you as the reader knows what has happened but the character is trying to figure it out but that makes it all the more intriguing.
Frustratingly addictive and suspenseful, once I got into it I couldn’t put it down. I was hoping for more of a conclusion and felt like I was always waiting for something big to happen but I cannot wait to see how this one is adapted.
I always find books like this so frustrating, when you as the reader knows what has happened but the character is trying to figure it out but that makes it all the more intriguing.
kmmi_booklover's review against another edition
4.0
In this very well executed debut thriller, Jo Harding wakes from a head injury with no memory of the past year. Things have changed drastically with her husband and two adult children, and Jo wonders what they are keeping from her. This novel switches between two time periods. The first is the present with Jo slowly remembering parts of the last year. The second starts a year back telling her story from there forward. I thought Amanda Reynolds did a great job marching these two storylines toward each other, building suspense along the way. I really enjoyed the dynamics of Jo's relationships with her family members and her reactions to the memories as they came forth. .
I look forward to reading more from Amanda Reynolds. Thank you to Quercus USA for sending me a review copy.
I look forward to reading more from Amanda Reynolds. Thank you to Quercus USA for sending me a review copy.
eloisebell's review
3.0
AHHH I was so excited to read this book and it didn’t disappoint.
Jo Harding wakes up in hospital after falling down the stairs with no recollection of the last year. As she struggles to find out who she has become and what has happened only her family stand in the way of her answers, but why? What don’t they want her to know?
Told in alternating chapters from before and after the accident and told entirely from Jo’s POV the author did an amazing job of conveying Jo’s thoughts and feelings; confusion, terror, suspect and doubt, made all the more realistic by Jo being a truly dislikeable human being.
I loved the fact that the story kept me guessing from beginning to end. If you have read any of my previous reviews you will know I am a huge fan of family drama thrillers, I just love watching the dysfunction play out.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and knew from the first chapter that I would read it all in one sitting. It had great pacing and enough intrigue to keep my attention.
A great read for any BA Paris or Alice Feeny fans.
Jo Harding wakes up in hospital after falling down the stairs with no recollection of the last year. As she struggles to find out who she has become and what has happened only her family stand in the way of her answers, but why? What don’t they want her to know?
Told in alternating chapters from before and after the accident and told entirely from Jo’s POV the author did an amazing job of conveying Jo’s thoughts and feelings; confusion, terror, suspect and doubt, made all the more realistic by Jo being a truly dislikeable human being.
I loved the fact that the story kept me guessing from beginning to end. If you have read any of my previous reviews you will know I am a huge fan of family drama thrillers, I just love watching the dysfunction play out.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and knew from the first chapter that I would read it all in one sitting. It had great pacing and enough intrigue to keep my attention.
A great read for any BA Paris or Alice Feeny fans.
zupa_czyta's review
3.0
I mamy tu kolejnego średniaczka ;)
Nie wiem, czy książki z motywem amnezji już mi się trochę przejadły, czy po prostu "Blisko mnie" nie trafiło do do mnie tak, jak powinno. Bo przecież powieść ma potencjał, żeby pochłonąć czytelnika: jest kobieta, która po upadku ze schodów nie pamięta całego poprzedniego roku; jest jej dziwna rodzina, która coś przed nią ukrywa; jest mąż, który wydaje się opiekuńczym misiem, ale coś nam w nim nie pasuje; są tajemnice i jest w miarę udane - chociaż nie do końca zaskakujące - zakończenie. Mimo to coś nie pykło. Mam wrażenie, że gdyby ta książka była krótsza o jakieś 100 stron, to byłabym jej bardziej przychylna. Zdecydowanie za dużo tu rozkmin i nużących przemyśleń głównej bohaterki. Tak, wiem, powinniśmy jej współczuć sytuacji, w której się znalazła. Moja imienniczka jest jednak taką jęczybułą, że z tego powodu moja reakcja na jej smęcenie była mniej więcej taka: ojej, biedna Joanna, tak mi jej żal, że aż wcale ;) Żadna z postaci nie wzbudziła mojej sympatii i mimo, że powieść miała swoje momenty, w których wydawało mi się, że zaczynam się wkręcać w fabułę, to po chwili znów następował jakiś niepotrzebny przestój, tempo akcji zwalniało, a ja czułam się odrobinę znudzona.
Powieść Reynolds to całkiem w porządku, delikatny thriller z tajemnicą w tle, nie spodziewajcie się jednak fajerwerków. W ostatnich miesiącach przeczytałam kilka książek skupiających się na motywie utraty pamięci i "Blisko mnie" wypada przy nich dość blado.
Nie wiem, czy książki z motywem amnezji już mi się trochę przejadły, czy po prostu "Blisko mnie" nie trafiło do do mnie tak, jak powinno. Bo przecież powieść ma potencjał, żeby pochłonąć czytelnika: jest kobieta, która po upadku ze schodów nie pamięta całego poprzedniego roku; jest jej dziwna rodzina, która coś przed nią ukrywa; jest mąż, który wydaje się opiekuńczym misiem, ale coś nam w nim nie pasuje; są tajemnice i jest w miarę udane - chociaż nie do końca zaskakujące - zakończenie. Mimo to coś nie pykło. Mam wrażenie, że gdyby ta książka była krótsza o jakieś 100 stron, to byłabym jej bardziej przychylna. Zdecydowanie za dużo tu rozkmin i nużących przemyśleń głównej bohaterki. Tak, wiem, powinniśmy jej współczuć sytuacji, w której się znalazła. Moja imienniczka jest jednak taką jęczybułą, że z tego powodu moja reakcja na jej smęcenie była mniej więcej taka: ojej, biedna Joanna, tak mi jej żal, że aż wcale ;) Żadna z postaci nie wzbudziła mojej sympatii i mimo, że powieść miała swoje momenty, w których wydawało mi się, że zaczynam się wkręcać w fabułę, to po chwili znów następował jakiś niepotrzebny przestój, tempo akcji zwalniało, a ja czułam się odrobinę znudzona.
Powieść Reynolds to całkiem w porządku, delikatny thriller z tajemnicą w tle, nie spodziewajcie się jednak fajerwerków. W ostatnich miesiącach przeczytałam kilka książek skupiających się na motywie utraty pamięci i "Blisko mnie" wypada przy nich dość blado.