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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
Elle, a published author with a severe case of writer's block and a deadline to meet for her second book goes on a writers retreat and rents her house on "airbnb". On her return all sorts of unusual things start to happen and her past comes back to haunt her. This is my first book by this author which i received as an ARC from Netgalley and I am really excited to review it.
There are 2 different narratives throughout the book but more threads than a spider's web. Elle's story is preceded by writing tips for the aspiring author - usually i dislike such things but these really work and in fact are, to some extent, being followed by the author of this book. She certainly draws the reader straight in with her lit fuse I was hooked from the outset. I like how there are a limited number of important characters with an equally small supporting cast but they are all memorable. The storyline is revealed slowly like unwrapping a present and this really is a gift of a book. I had several different characters cast as the culprit and did guess at part of Elle might have been hiding from the past but The reveal was held back well and I enjoyed the ending twist.
I will certainly read more by this author
There are 2 different narratives throughout the book but more threads than a spider's web. Elle's story is preceded by writing tips for the aspiring author - usually i dislike such things but these really work and in fact are, to some extent, being followed by the author of this book. She certainly draws the reader straight in with her lit fuse I was hooked from the outset. I like how there are a limited number of important characters with an equally small supporting cast but they are all memorable. The storyline is revealed slowly like unwrapping a present and this really is a gift of a book. I had several different characters cast as the culprit and did guess at part of Elle might have been hiding from the past but The reveal was held back well and I enjoyed the ending twist.
I will certainly read more by this author
Visit: the locations in the novel
Now I can be very hit and miss with novels that get inside your head. But this was a hit as it was so believable and possible AND it contained so many things, many people can identify with.
A woman has split from her husband and is now living in a very nice cliff house with glass frontage in Cornwall they both planned and dreamed of. Think "Grand Designs" with style.
Same women is a writer who is way behind deadline on her second novel. The first one was such a hit, she struggles with her confused thoughts, feelings of inadequacy and nerves. When she attends a library visit, I could feel the tension through the page! I've not read a novel where a writer examines all the worries and thoughts a writer goes through when writing and submitting a book and this was really interesting.
Now the REALLY fascinating part was the fact this woman then rented her home out on Air B and B and when she returns, certain things have been moved....the house just doesn't feel right... someone is watching the house from the beach, she is receiving messages on social media from her 'number one fan'
There's so much to make a person nervous in this especially if you're a reader, writer, or have rented out your home or let someone stay. It's creepy and nerve jangling.
Cornwall is the ideal setting too as it's usually so idyllic and envy inducing. Not here it's not! The book locations are vague in that it's somewhere in Cornwall but the fun would be to go there and try and find a glass fronted cliff house you could imagine it would be...
Finally, I've managed to review the first of the books that have been gathering dust on my NetGalley shelf for the past three years. It's only taken me until March!
I've heard several bloggers saying good things about this novel, so I thought I'd bump it up on my list.
You Let Me In follows Elle is a writer struggling with writer's block after the international success of her first book. She's just arrived back from France after a writer's retreat, having rented out her new house. Something's not right. The person who rented her house seems to have been inside rooms, which Elle locked up. As her deadline approaches, there are minor incidents that seem innocuous and messages appear around the house. Is it all in her head or is something more going on?
This is a dual narrative book, switching between current Elle and events that happened around the age of eighteen that transformed her life.
This is definitely a slow burner of a novel but the tension builds nicely, we see Elle's mental health decline rapidly where she's not even sure if things happening around her are real.
Elle is one of those characters I'm not entirely sure I like. A struggling writer, tortured by events in her past and the breakdown of her marriage, I had sympathy for her, but she seemed quite self-involved and a little selfish at times.
There were some good shocks and surprises along the way, but there are still parts of the book that are bothering me as I'm writing this review. I can't really go into detail as it could be classed as spoilers, but the overall story didn't quite live up to my expectations.
You Let Me In was a solid psychological thriller and definitely worth a read if you love the genre.
I've heard several bloggers saying good things about this novel, so I thought I'd bump it up on my list.
You Let Me In follows Elle is a writer struggling with writer's block after the international success of her first book. She's just arrived back from France after a writer's retreat, having rented out her new house. Something's not right. The person who rented her house seems to have been inside rooms, which Elle locked up. As her deadline approaches, there are minor incidents that seem innocuous and messages appear around the house. Is it all in her head or is something more going on?
This is a dual narrative book, switching between current Elle and events that happened around the age of eighteen that transformed her life.
This is definitely a slow burner of a novel but the tension builds nicely, we see Elle's mental health decline rapidly where she's not even sure if things happening around her are real.
Elle is one of those characters I'm not entirely sure I like. A struggling writer, tortured by events in her past and the breakdown of her marriage, I had sympathy for her, but she seemed quite self-involved and a little selfish at times.
There were some good shocks and surprises along the way, but there are still parts of the book that are bothering me as I'm writing this review. I can't really go into detail as it could be classed as spoilers, but the overall story didn't quite live up to my expectations.
You Let Me In was a solid psychological thriller and definitely worth a read if you love the genre.
This was a really good read! Hood points....... you do keep questioning who is guilty, why would they do the things their doing. Kept me up half the night a few times! Lol! Then when I did go to bed I couldn’t sleep going over the plot lol. Lucy has a special gift with twists and turns. I didn’t love it as much of a couple of the others though, the negatives were instead of jumping back and forth per chapter it did it several times in one chapter, and for me that was hard as I struggle to concentrate. I also found the ending a let down in comparison to all her previous novels. That said she is still a cracking author and I anticipate her next book release already! Just hope it’s this year and not next! As I can’t wait that long lol! What I really loved about this one though was the characters tips on being an author! They were valid and true and as it’s my dream for so many years I will take on board all the advice! Fiction or not 😍🙏
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Elle Fielding’s debut novel was published to great success, and she has people clamouring for her second book. Having just returned from a writing workshop, Elle feels there is something off in her beautiful beach-side home. Objects moved or broken, a brooch missing and a room open that she is convinced she locked. When she tries to contact the woman she let into her home through Airbnb she finds the account has been closed. Elle’s sister tries to convince her that she’s overwrought and nothing is wrong. But Elle is convinced that’s not the case.
Initially it’s hard to work out why Elle acts like this. Dipping into her past life at university, however, starts to give us some answers. Elle has secrets, lots of secrets.
Throughout the book there’s a great sense of tension maintained. There’s a number of characters that could be responsible for events taking place. At times we even wonder whether Elle is imagining these occurrences.
Elements of the book made some of it overly elaborate. I wasn’t totally convinced by some of the links that became apparent, but the idea behind the main thread was great.
Initially it’s hard to work out why Elle acts like this. Dipping into her past life at university, however, starts to give us some answers. Elle has secrets, lots of secrets.
Throughout the book there’s a great sense of tension maintained. There’s a number of characters that could be responsible for events taking place. At times we even wonder whether Elle is imagining these occurrences.
Elements of the book made some of it overly elaborate. I wasn’t totally convinced by some of the links that became apparent, but the idea behind the main thread was great.
Excellent! So pleased I have finally started Lucy Clarke’s novels….no idea why I waited so long!?
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
I loved this book, it had me gripped and I didn’t want to put it down because I had to find out what happened and how the story ended. Great book!
I loved this book, it had me gripped and I didn’t want to put it down because I had to find out what happened and how the story ended. Great book!