My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I’m reviewing the book Love Me Not by M.J Arlidge (Helen Grace, #7) .
After a stint in prison, Helen Grace is put through her paces as she comes up against a couple causing violence and mayhem in Southampton. Knowing it’s a race against time, Grace and her team throw all they have at this case, hoping to crack it before things spiral completely out of control. Here are my thoughts about what I’ve read:
^^ I can hardly contain myself. This was an ebook copy from NetGalley and I read to 89% before I noticed how far in I was. Hence to say I enjoyed this story immensely and I’m already looking to find the backlist of this author. But hey, I’m getting ahead of myself. What made this such a great read for me?
^^ The writing was superb. Well-written. Race-against-the-clock stuff. The short timeline of everything happening in 24 hours made the whole read even more gripping.
^^ There was just something about his writing style I could relate to. Maybe because a lot of the (perhaps typically English?) expressions used in this book I use a lot myself. I don’t know, but I felt like I connected. The narrative appeared comfortable and familiar. Oh my! Why have I not read the previous 6 books? Clearly, I don’t need to have read them all first to enjoy this one. Although, come to think of it, there was a talk of Helen’s earlier prison ordeal, but I’d forgotten about that in my race to finish the book, so it can’t have affected the story – or at least my reading fun – if I’ve only just remembered it!
^^ Having not known what to expect when I picked up this book, my first impression of this theme was that is was rather like a Bonnie and Clyde episode, in a Natural Born Killers in England kind of way. A couple on a killing spree for seemingly no real reason than – they can. Then, as the story develops, we find out more about the antagonists and the real reason they are murdering innocent victims.
^^ Incidentally, there’s even a quick mention of Eeny Meeny* in this book. Is this a reference to the first book of this series with the same title? (Helen Grace, #1)
*I’ve not read Eeny Meeny, but it’s one of the old (Summer 2014 Richard and Judy Book Club reads), so I hope to get hold of a copy to read for the Richard and Judy BC Goodreads group challenge I’m currently hosting, as I loved this latest book, Love Me Not! (Helen Grace, #7)
I would like to thank both Net Galley and Penguin UK – Michael Joseph for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
View all my reviews on Goodreads.
Book Beginnings:
Southampton glowed blood red.
Friday 56:
Sanderson eyed the line of cars in front of her. A huge network of roadblocks was being established around central Itchen, in an effort to cut off any possible escape routes.
A quick post today as I’m aware I’m late joining in, but I wanted to get this review read this month, uploaded this month, so I start afresh in July.
Hope you’re having a great weekend!
Luv Sassy
X
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VERY NICE blog…thanks for coming by my blog.
Ooooo…this book sounds really good.
I read LIAR, LIAR by the same author and LOVED it. Great twist in the end.
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
My Book Beginnings
Thank you! Yes, I really want to go through his backlist now. I’ve heard a lot of this author, but it’s just one of a few I’ve let slip by. Not any more!
This sounds like something I would like! I am glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for your great review and recommendation!
Thank you! Glad it’s interested you. 😀
Sounds great! Happy reading!
Thank you, Lauren!
Sounds like a real thriller. I love that you fell so deep into the story that it completely flew by for you. Always a good sign with a book. Hope you enjoy your July!
I found out later the chapters were also very short, but in ebook format, I didn’t really notice. I would have mentioned it had I read the physical book…
This sounds incredible! I will have to check out the rest of the series 🙂
Me, too! lol I’ve been thinking about these, and may have even read one of the older ones…
Looks like a great read! Have a great week ahead!
Thank you!
This book and series look fab! Will be picking these up! Thanks for linking to the British Books Challenge x