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lisbeth88's review
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
cfogg's review
3.0
I have to say that I do enjoy reading books by Jane Corry - this one was no exception. Chapters went backwards & forwards between two main characters and it kept me gripped until the end. Can’t wait for the next one.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher & Jane Corry for the ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher & Jane Corry for the ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
kazza27's review
5.0
Thank you to Ellie Hudson at Penguin Books for the invitation to be part of the tour and for my gifted copy of the book in return for a fair and honest review.
I have read all of Jane's book and I have also been lucky enough to host author events with her at the library that I work at.
Jane's writing is captivating and as soon as I pick up one of her books I know that I will not want to put it down
I Looked Away is no exception.
The book begins with a really shocker and I knew from the end of the prologue I was going to be hooked. Jane writes really strong characters and I really enjoyed the unravelling the lifes of Ellie and Jo the two main characters in the book as their stories develop.
Although, there were bits of Jo and Ellie's stories that made me very sad, as they both go through so much.
The book has a real tension about it as both the characters have awful backgrounds.
There are also some truly awful characters in the book but I will let you discover those for yourselves. I don't want to spoil the plot.
As I am from the South West I feel very at home reading Jane's books with there descriptions of familiar places such as Boscastle and The Lizard.
This is another fast paced, gritty story which looks at homelessness, mental health and bereavement written in an empathetic manner.
If you like a suspenseful, high tension thriller with a clever killer twist, you will love this book.
Thank you Jane for another fantastic read.
I have read all of Jane's book and I have also been lucky enough to host author events with her at the library that I work at.
Jane's writing is captivating and as soon as I pick up one of her books I know that I will not want to put it down
I Looked Away is no exception.
The book begins with a really shocker and I knew from the end of the prologue I was going to be hooked. Jane writes really strong characters and I really enjoyed the unravelling the lifes of Ellie and Jo the two main characters in the book as their stories develop.
Although, there were bits of Jo and Ellie's stories that made me very sad, as they both go through so much.
The book has a real tension about it as both the characters have awful backgrounds.
There are also some truly awful characters in the book but I will let you discover those for yourselves. I don't want to spoil the plot.
As I am from the South West I feel very at home reading Jane's books with there descriptions of familiar places such as Boscastle and The Lizard.
This is another fast paced, gritty story which looks at homelessness, mental health and bereavement written in an empathetic manner.
If you like a suspenseful, high tension thriller with a clever killer twist, you will love this book.
Thank you Jane for another fantastic read.
windy_witch's review
4.0
My first book by Jane Corey and it did not disappoint!
Ellie is in prison for doing something bad, it takes some time to untangle the story. We meet Jo, a homeless woman who is hiding from someone and something that has happened to her.
Ellie believes that her grandson is dead and she is the reason behind this, however it turns out that she has been through a lot of trauma in her life, from her early years when her mother died, to when her stepbrother also died in a tragic accident.
As we follow Ellie’s story we discover how her life has become intertwined with Jo’s and the tragedy surrounding her.
I really enjoyed the twists and turns in this story, it was a great read and I really felt for Ellie and all she had lost in her early childhood and the way she was treated. The aspect of mental illness was handled with great care.
jessikaanctil's review
4.0
All her life, Ellie had it rough. Nothing ever came easy for her. However, she found her way in life : she now has a husband, two kids and a grandson, Josh, whom she loves more than anything in life. One afternoon, Roger gets a call from that other woman, and Ellie, furious, takes her eyes off of Josh for two seconds. What happens after will change her life forever.
Starting this one, I sometimes felt bored, wasting my time. Yet, I quickly changed my mind and became trapped inside Ellie’s and Jo’s tumultuous lives.
It’s definitely not a light read, as it tackles tough subjects. But it also brought compassion and emotional complexity along the line. Some may say a plot twist or two could be predictable, but in my opinion, this thriller will keep you on the edge the whole time.
I would recommend this thriller to you if you are looking for a great story that’s not husband-crazy/wife-trapped related.
[You can also find my reviews and some pretty book-related photos on Instagram @jessiereadz]
Starting this one, I sometimes felt bored, wasting my time. Yet, I quickly changed my mind and became trapped inside Ellie’s and Jo’s tumultuous lives.
It’s definitely not a light read, as it tackles tough subjects. But it also brought compassion and emotional complexity along the line. Some may say a plot twist or two could be predictable, but in my opinion, this thriller will keep you on the edge the whole time.
I would recommend this thriller to you if you are looking for a great story that’s not husband-crazy/wife-trapped related.
[You can also find my reviews and some pretty book-related photos on Instagram @jessiereadz]
lottie_c's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
zooloo1983's review
5.0
What a fricking book! I had no idea how this book would all work out, what the heck was happening but I was hooked!!!!!!!!
Just wow.
Ellie’s storyline damn broke my heart. She had endured so much and I feared for her. Jo, she was the same. But I couldn’t quite work out how she slotted in. Then I began to doubt something and I figured out a twist. One I wasn’t sure if I was correct in doing so but man what a clanger! Such an awesome reveal.
This story is not easy to listen to/read, mental abuse is something I have experienced and I thought that Jane handled this so well. Ellie was mentally abused and coerced and just trodden on, but she fought for everything she believed in. She is a true heroine! She needed to forgive herself for some things though! Her stepmother Shelia, oh my god! If I ever wanted to climb into a book and give a character a good slap – it would be her! She was toxic and vile and everything in between. She made me so angry. I loved the narrator for this book because she gave Shelia such an annoying voice that it just made you hate her more!
God, so many emotions with this one, but definitely a book I would recommend. It is such a character-driven story and you become so protective of Jo and Ellie. Their struggles and lives, become your own, along with the frustrations and pain.
When you read this, do be sure to read the entry at the end by Jane. She discusses the book but more importantly the amazing and important work she does to help the homeless. This book is an eye-opener for sure and I will not hesitate to pick up a book by Jane again, in fact, I want to see what to get next!
I have been put through the wringer, this story may haunt me for a little longer. So much pain and heartbreak and none, none of it should have happened. That is the hard thing about this book. The bits of information you find out after the event and in the last third of the book, well my jaw dropped as I was shouting Noooooooooo. I was shocked and saddened. This is a powerful book but I love that in the end, no matter what you are left with hope. And who doesn’t love a book with hope?
Just wow.
Ellie’s storyline damn broke my heart. She had endured so much and I feared for her. Jo, she was the same. But I couldn’t quite work out how she slotted in. Then I began to doubt something and I figured out a twist. One I wasn’t sure if I was correct in doing so but man what a clanger! Such an awesome reveal.
This story is not easy to listen to/read, mental abuse is something I have experienced and I thought that Jane handled this so well. Ellie was mentally abused and coerced and just trodden on, but she fought for everything she believed in. She is a true heroine! She needed to forgive herself for some things though! Her stepmother Shelia, oh my god! If I ever wanted to climb into a book and give a character a good slap – it would be her! She was toxic and vile and everything in between. She made me so angry. I loved the narrator for this book because she gave Shelia such an annoying voice that it just made you hate her more!
God, so many emotions with this one, but definitely a book I would recommend. It is such a character-driven story and you become so protective of Jo and Ellie. Their struggles and lives, become your own, along with the frustrations and pain.
When you read this, do be sure to read the entry at the end by Jane. She discusses the book but more importantly the amazing and important work she does to help the homeless. This book is an eye-opener for sure and I will not hesitate to pick up a book by Jane again, in fact, I want to see what to get next!
I have been put through the wringer, this story may haunt me for a little longer. So much pain and heartbreak and none, none of it should have happened. That is the hard thing about this book. The bits of information you find out after the event and in the last third of the book, well my jaw dropped as I was shouting Noooooooooo. I was shocked and saddened. This is a powerful book but I love that in the end, no matter what you are left with hope. And who doesn’t love a book with hope?
fizreads's review
4.0
Soooo good!
She is so good!
I Looked Away is a psychological thriller following Ellie, where one day whilst she is looking after her grandson Josh who she loves more than anything in the world, her husband is one the phone talking to the other women in their marriage, so what happens when she takes her eyes of Josh for a minute.
This is so cleverly written, with plotlines interweaving and so unputdownable. Compared to her other books I would say it is less thrillery (if that's even a word) but this one is proberly the most strongest written. With flashbacks of Ellie's life with her mother/stepmother/father to Jo the homeless person who has no attachment to Ellie (or does she-best plot twist ever) and of course Corry raises awareness of PTSD and the effects of it in a fictionalised way which made me learn a lot. The research, the details, the characters, the storylines. Utterly gripping, you would be a fool not to pick this up.
Also the flowers and the dangers of it. Loved it.
She is so good!
I Looked Away is a psychological thriller following Ellie, where one day whilst she is looking after her grandson Josh who she loves more than anything in the world, her husband is one the phone talking to the other women in their marriage, so what happens when she takes her eyes of Josh for a minute.
This is so cleverly written, with plotlines interweaving and so unputdownable. Compared to her other books I would say it is less thrillery (if that's even a word) but this one is proberly the most strongest written. With flashbacks of Ellie's life with her mother/stepmother/father to Jo the homeless person who has no attachment to Ellie (or does she-best plot twist ever) and of course Corry raises awareness of PTSD and the effects of it in a fictionalised way which made me learn a lot. The research, the details, the characters, the storylines. Utterly gripping, you would be a fool not to pick this up.
Also the flowers and the dangers of it. Loved it.
molly_janeeley's review
4.0
WOW! I absolutely loved this book! It had me hooked from the get go and never let go. To say it was thrilling would be to downplay it.
Character development was superb, and the story line was even better! I did not expect the ending and I loved the twist!
The story is beautifully written and I suggest you read it now!
Character development was superb, and the story line was even better! I did not expect the ending and I loved the twist!
The story is beautifully written and I suggest you read it now!
andshe_reads's review against another edition
4.0
REVIEW!!! .
.
Well I didn't see that coming! Jane Corry certainly had me gripped. I found myself unable to put the book down for wanting to know what happened to both Ellie and Jo.
The story starts off with Ellie as a young girl in the midst of a tragedy within her family but then switches to Ellie being in Prison reflecting back on her life. When she was young her mother died and her father re-married. Ellie's step mother was cruel and vindictive and when Ellie's brother came along it was clear Shelia, Ellie's stepmother detested Ellie being around. It's clear that a tragedy occurred and results in Ellie being taken away from the family home and put in an institution. .
Jo was homeless and has her own experiences that relate to Ellie's however she keeps must of her past hidden. Ellie and Jo have a huge amount in common - unhappiness, psychological abuse, being vulnerable and cerceptable to mind games from others and this creates a bond you'll not see coming. .
The book touches on some really delicate subjects such as homelessness and psychological abuse and prison but it's been fantastically researched and done so sensitively and I really feel a connection with both Ellie and Jo. I guess it made me realise that this situation could happen to any of us. .
I highly recommend this emotional yet absorbing thriller.
.
Well I didn't see that coming! Jane Corry certainly had me gripped. I found myself unable to put the book down for wanting to know what happened to both Ellie and Jo.
The story starts off with Ellie as a young girl in the midst of a tragedy within her family but then switches to Ellie being in Prison reflecting back on her life. When she was young her mother died and her father re-married. Ellie's step mother was cruel and vindictive and when Ellie's brother came along it was clear Shelia, Ellie's stepmother detested Ellie being around. It's clear that a tragedy occurred and results in Ellie being taken away from the family home and put in an institution. .
Jo was homeless and has her own experiences that relate to Ellie's however she keeps must of her past hidden. Ellie and Jo have a huge amount in common - unhappiness, psychological abuse, being vulnerable and cerceptable to mind games from others and this creates a bond you'll not see coming. .
The book touches on some really delicate subjects such as homelessness and psychological abuse and prison but it's been fantastically researched and done so sensitively and I really feel a connection with both Ellie and Jo. I guess it made me realise that this situation could happen to any of us. .
I highly recommend this emotional yet absorbing thriller.