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4.59 AVERAGE
4.59 AVERAGE
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
An interesting plot from the get-go, told in two POVs - that of the main character, Natalie, and of the lead investigator, Stratton. Both sides weaving the story together and really immerse you in what's happening.
Whilst the book covers some sensitive topics (TW: r*pe) I felt it gave a unique spin on a crime plot, with everything revolving around Natalie's past trauma and how it's affected her and her loved ones.
All in all, a fantastic twisty crime thriller with psychological elements in a debut novel that is well worth a read!
'Believe' is out on June 19th 2025.
Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
Whilst the book covers some sensitive topics (TW: r*pe) I felt it gave a unique spin on a crime plot, with everything revolving around Natalie's past trauma and how it's affected her and her loved ones.
All in all, a fantastic twisty crime thriller with psychological elements in a debut novel that is well worth a read!
'Believe' is out on June 19th 2025.
Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I really enjoyed Believe and couldn't put it down, staying up way past my bedtime to finish it. The dual POV storyline and short snappy chapters made it just too easy to think ... just one more!
The premise behind the story is very timely and relevant and instantly intrigued me. I was hooked from the first pages. It draws you in and doesn't let you go.
A survivor of SA who wasn't believed. Her husband accused of the same horrific crime 10 years later. He's also now the prime suspect in murder.
The premise behind the story is very timely and relevant and instantly intrigued me. I was hooked from the first pages. It draws you in and doesn't let you go.
A survivor of SA who wasn't believed. Her husband accused of the same horrific crime 10 years later. He's also now the prime suspect in murder.
"Women don't lie about that"
I felt Natalie's anguish and pain as she struggles to know who to believe and what to think - even questioning herself. I appreciated how this reflects back on the reader, making them question themselves, is Natalie an unreliable narrator? Who do we believe?
Helen Stratton is the lead detective in the case and she's far from perfect but deep down, there's a softer person in there. I found her caustic and funny and I enjoyed her little quips. We are given a glimpse into her backstory and why she joined the force - I very much hope that this is indicative Belive is the beginning of a Stratton series! I'd love to see more from Helen, giving her the chance to endear herself to more readers.
Believe is very twisty - just when you think you've solved it, another plot twist appears. I thought the ending was brilliant, a real penny drop moment.
A brilliant debut, I thought it was clever, assured and the definition of a "page turner." I definitely recommend this book to thriller and crime fans. I also think it would make a great holiday read.
There is just not enough plot progression. The two lead narrators keep cycling through the same thoughts. I don't find either one likeable. I keep putting it down and not wanting to go back.
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Ten years ago, Natalie was raped by her boss. But when it went to caught the verdict was not guilty. The aftermath of the ordeal leaves her with PTSD and blackouts after the traumatic event. She now works from home,
Her Husband Ryan, who is also her rock. Who is always there when she needs him is accused of raping his assistant Alice. But before she could officially report the ordeal Alice is find dead. Natalie doesn’t know if she can trust Ryan again after breaking their marriage vows and Ryal arrested for being a rapist. He says he didn’t do it, but does Natalie believe him?
Believe by S. M Govett is a fantastic page turner from start to finish. This is a gripping fast paced read that I couldn’t stop reading to the small hours of the morning. This writer is very accomplished and if you wasn’t aware that this was the authors first book. You would have they would have a couple of best sellers under their belt. This book is so good I can’t imagine what the author will write next I can’t wait. 5 stars
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I have just finished reading the brilliant Believe by Sarah M Govett and the first thing that pops into my head is that this book lends itself well to become a film or a televised series. Its that good in my opinion. The brilliantly written phycological thriller is gripping, myserious, cerebral and full of surprises. Sarah really keeps you on the edge of your seat with this. I had to force myself to hit the sack at 1.45am this moring as I was about 75% of the way through this book and as soon as I woke up I had to finish it as its a real page turner. The story follows four main charachers with many support cast like pavarotti which incedentially has goto be my favorite character. Ryan and Natalie seem to have the perfect life with a nice suburban house in a posh area of london, good careers and a bright future untill you scratch below the surface and see things aint quite as they seem. DI Stratton and DS Bradley are a new partnership who investige a murder near to where Ryan and Natalie live. Stratton seems to have tunnel vision and goes with her gut instinct all the time while Bradley is more collected and by-the-book leaving no stone unturned and seems to follow every lead. Up untill the last few pages I had a few suspects in my mind never thinking what was about to happen, Sarah Govett really pulls the rug from underneath your feet with this one and I have no issues with rathing this fine novel fove out of five stars. If you are a television producer reading this then please pick up this book and turn it into a mini-series or a film, its that good. This is an incredibly strong debut novel and a complete triumph that is full of tension, dark intrugue and utterly compulsive. Thank you to Sarah Govett and Net Galley for an advaced vopy of this ARC for my complete and Honest review.
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was lucky enough to receive this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This book was said to be a gripping psychological thriller, but it didn’t meet my expectations. This book follows Natalie Campbell who has had a traumatic past, her husband story becomes intertwined with a woman who has recently been found murdered, but who is the real killer? This story also follows a subplot going on for our detective. I found this storyline didn’t add much to the story and made it more confusing than anything. I wish it stuck solely to the main focus of the story without adding extra layers that weren’t needed. It was by no means a bad book, but it just didn’t grip me as much as I wanted it to. I wish the plot twists shocked me a bit more. Up until the 60/70% I was intrigued so that’s why I have rated it 3 stars!