Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, Avon, for the ARC.

I read a lot of books - too many perhaps, when I should be writing my own. I've been lucky this year so far; most have been great, the occasional one was not, and then last night, one absolutely blew my socks off.

Obsession is compelling, horrifying, disturbing, gripping...

The story is told in turns by each of the four main characters, husband and wife Rob and Carly, and the other couple Jenni and Craig. Each of them is narrating the tale to one of the others, and it is thoroughly enthralling.

I don't want to give any more of the plot away; because I think each reader should be as shocked as I was. Never before have I been so betrayed by characters in a book. They play with my emotions - at first I detested the seemingly brash, selfish Carly, but later found myself wavering between sympathy and revulsion, an unsettling mixture felt for each of the characters as they seek to disarm and deceive us. I simply did not know who to trust.

The story gets bigger and more terrifying, the characters becoming more and more awful and their actions even worse. Honestly, this book wrong-footed me so many times, I had to read it in almost one sitting (I had to stop at 2am then carried on again at 8am!).

I've heard it said that for a book to be successful, you have to fall in love with at least one of the characters. Well, Obsession smashes the mould.

Extremely good debut novel. Not exactly what I thought from the blurb but better! The blurb gives the basis of the story but there’s so much more involved in the book. No spoilers in this review though!

Two married couples are the four main characters and each chapter is written from a different character’s perspective as the story progresses. Not an uncommon writing technique and I’ve read alternating narratives before with perhaps two or three characters but the author does this equally well with four by keeping the chapters short and to the point . It works really well and keeps you focused on which character you’re reading, where they’re at in the story and how they’re affecting the other three (which some other multi narratives I’ve read haven’t been as successful at). The author has further aided this by cleverly overlapping one character’s last sentence in their chapter with the first sentence in the next character’s chapter. So, they end and begin with the same sentence but both are seen from a totally different perspective. This really helped me understand exactly what each one was thinking and was a very good tool for seeing it from their side thus building empathy with each of them too.

Then, once the characters are individually established, there are so many different ways the plot can go and it had me thinking well ahead that I knew what was going to happen … then something else did instead. Always a good thing for me. If I correctly predicted everything, why bother to invest my time and read on? I want an author to take me down an unexpected path and this one certainly did. In this book, even when you think you are absolutely, positively sure what’s definitely about to happen, … there’s a surprise … even to the very end!

Each character goes through a sort of cycle of emotions and their progression from one to another is all so seamless. Nothing out of sync or jumpy. If it’s suddenly moved on 6 months, the author immediately makes that obvious. The character development is so good all round that I was continuously questioning whether they were good or bad and trustworthy or not. I suspected every one of them was capable of something, then wasn’t, then was again. Then wasn’t, then was! Again!!

It’s a really easy to read book which I didn’t like putting down but, when I had to, I really looked forward to coming back as soon as possible to continue. There doesn’t seem to be anything or any extra character who is superfluous to the story.

If the author continues to write such good, undpredictable plots and characters as in this debut, then she’ll fast become a firm favourite. I look forward to further offerings from this author and have high expectations of them.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in return for an honest review.

The first page of this book is set in a courtroom and we know from the judge that something quite bad has happened. The story centres on two couples, Stacey & Rob and Jenni & Craig. This is mainly a story of jealousy & mental illness. It is hard to reveal much more of the actual story without spoiling it. I think that this is one of those books that you need to go into without knowing too much. The story is told from each characters point of view which I always like. I loved the short snappy chapters. It was just a book that I really wanted to keep reading to find out the truth of what was happening. I surprised myself by liking a book so much were none of the four main characters were particularly likeable. The only characters that I felt any sympathy for were the children of the two couples. I would highly recommend this book and will look out for more titles by this author.

Carly and Rob are seemingly happily married with three lovely children. Whilst away on holiday she light heartedly asks him if, the opportunity arose, was there was another women he would like to see. She gets an answer, but he names her best friend Jenni who is also blissfully married to Craig - it is not what she expected him to say and she cannot stop,herself from thinking about it obsessively. Things spiral out of control both Jenni and Carly have affairs with very different outcomes. Carly's mental health suffers and she battles to get her life back on track.
Jenni is religious and looks to God for help but doesn't really find it there. there are some twists and turns as the book reaches it conclusion and I certainly did not guess the ending. Overall I enjoyed the book, I did feel the use of language and descriptions of the sex scenes was a bit over the top - for me a down side to the book.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book but at times I did find it confusing. Parts of the story, from my understanding, were the person's imagination/fabrication of what is happening.

The story begins with an innocent question. The answer to this question starts off a very dark and twisted obsession. Jenni and Craig, Rob and Carly are friends. I did not particularly have a connection or feeling for any of the main characters. They were all complex and throughout the story I really did not know who to trust.

The book did keep my interest and I would have given it 5* if it hadn't confused me so much. Recommend to readers of dark thrillers

What a page turner Amanda ! A really superb novel where you never knew what was going to happen next.

I really enjoyed this book. Obsession is an interesting and fascinating read exploring friendships and relationships, straight away I was gripped to the pages wanting to know more.

None of the characters are particularly likeable, I didn't much like any of them and there were times that I could have shaken and shouted at them, especially Jenni.
A brilliantly written debut book by Amanda Robson, a chilling dark pyschological thriller with shocking moments, I have no hesitation in urging others to read it.

Thank you!

Obsession by Amanda Robson

Sometimes it is just better to say nothing, nothing at all. When Carly asked her husband Rob who he would go for at her insistence he replies that he quite liked Jenni. Meantime, Carly is fanaticizing about Jenni’s husband Carl. From this point the friendship between the four seems to sour.

This has everything, jealousy; infidelity, betrayal, instability, murder and more. We are witness to two different women, each playing their own game in their own unique way. Can we like one more than the other; can we like either of them?

A really great plot that draws you in and is beyond belief – how can anyone do that; how can he/she not see what is happening?

A brilliant, dark psychological tale which I thoroughly recommend.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing an ARC via my Kindle in return for an honest review.

Oh god I really liked this book, how one simple question can lead to what happens next I'll never know! Mind you I can see how haha I try not to ask those kind of questions, god forbid I'm actually a Carly!...amazing book great storyline, fast paced and brilliant characters I could relate to them all in different ways, I hated Carly then I hated Jenny then loved them both! So confusing and the twists and turns are all over the place, my kinda book I might just save it and read it all over again on a rainy day!! Brilliant 5 stars!!! ✨

Obsession was a highly addictive read, I couldn't warm to any of the characters but i really enjoyed reading it!

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was brilliant! The two main characters, Carly and Jenni pitted violently against each other mentally, emotionally and physically until the very end. Both wanting the same thing and thinking they can outsmart each other. But it all comes tumbling down and not what either of them expected!

​This book had me hooked from the beginning and each time I thought I knew where the storyline was going...I was proved wrong!! The chapters were nice and short, sometimes just a few lines, which helped to keep  interest in the story. The clever twists regarding each character had me continuously guessing who was sane and who was not, and who was the real culprit!

​This book was a truly gripping psychological thriller and another good read for 2017!

​5 out of 5 stars

This is a gripping psychological thriller which had me enthralled to the last page. The twisted relationships of the two couples are so complex that the reader is continuously trying to work out who is the innocent party - it turns out that none of them are! An excellent read - I will look for other books by this author.

Thankyou to the publishers and net galley for an arc in return for an honest review.

I did finish this book, but it was a slog. The premise sounded intriguing, but the author just didn't manage to pull it off. The story is told from the viewpoint of each of the characters, but there is no intrigue or nuance. Rob, Carly, Craig and Jenny are all equally unlikeable and incredibly 1 dimensional and flat. Attempts at misdirection from the author, or potential ambiguities come across as confusing and contradictory.
Jenny's doe eyes and cherry lips are repeatedly referred to, as is Carly's voluptuous figure and Marilyn-like blonde hair. Short skirts are "pussy pelmets" and the women in the book seem very clearly divided into "good" and "bad". The men are there to be adored, and the women are there to wait on the men and stroke their ego's.
There's a bit about mental health thrown in, that felt really badly handled.

Not one I would recommend.

It is not very often that you finish reading a book...a book that you just couldn't put down and read in pretty much one sitting...and say that you did not like a single one of the main charachters. All four of them in their own way were vile.....and yet you couldn't stop reading.
The story was gripping and fantastically written. I read it with something close to disgust as the characters slowly tore away at each other, mentally wearing each other down.
The story is written from four different perspectives, so you're reading the same events as each person saw it. Centered around two couples that are friends, the drama starts to unfolds as the wife of one of the couples asks her husband.....If you could who would you hook up with. Stupidly he answers and then it all starts to unravel before you.....it's uncomfortable, it's painful at times but you just can't look away.
The only quibble I would have with this story is there are one or two unanswered questions when the book finishes but it's not enough for me to feel that I've been short changed.
A corker of a debut novel.

A tangled web of lies, desire and jealousy becomes increasingly destructive to the lives of Carly and Rob, and Jenni and Craig. Only one of them survives...............Thank goodness the grandparents are there to look after the Children.. not my usual read but enjoyed it immensely. Would recommend.

I would like to thank Avon Books UK and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Obsession’ by Amanda Robson in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
During a holiday in France, Carly asks her husband Rob ‘Who else would you go for, if you could?’. On the face of it a simple question, but the answer Rob gives will eventually destroy their lives. Carly and Rob have been friends with Jenni and Craig for many years. They thought nothing could break their friendship but when Carly starts an affair with Craig, Jenni starts stalking Rob and their lives spiral out of control.
Amanda Robson’s ‘Obsession’ is a dark menacing thriller full of twists and turns. I was enthralled from the start and even at the tragic end couldn’t decide who was telling the truth, Carly or Jenni.

I don't know where to start with this one, I hated all characters in this book there all just vile horrible people but I quite like to not like people so that's ok. It was a good messed up story of two couples where one of the couples wife starts messing with the other couples husband and from there a downward spiral commences. Some of the plot is a little far fetched and I struggled to believe it but having said that I strangely enjoyed it. Prepare for NO happy beginnings..... or endings lol

A seemingly uninteresting question, a response that shocks and a whole list of events that makes this book easy to read and difficult to put down.
Two couples appearing happy,intertwined by friendship and the answer to the question triggering an effect within these marriages that makes you question whether you really know someone or what they are capable of.
Carly and Rob appear to start all this off,Carly showing the first signs of struggling to be a mum of three and the implication this has to her mental health. We all know a Carly and she is so well written that you don't know whether to love or hate her.
Jenni s character evolves throughout and again your opinion changes, as it does with the men.
This book is written from four different view points and builds a picture which explores marriage,deceit,relationships,mental health and makes you reflect upon your own views and beliefs.
This is a must read that you will not want to put down.
Thank you to Netgalley,the publisher and author for this preview read.

Obsession, A shocking psychological thriller where love affairs turn deadly, Amanda Robson
Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: General Fiction (Adult) , Mystery & Thrillers

This is an amazing debut book but a very, very uncomfortable read. The characters are not exactly likable, yet at the start they could be any of us, they're fairly ordinary types, there's nothing to suggest just what is going to unfold, how dark their lives are going to turn. 
Its not a happy ever after read, so take note! It is a rivetting read though, I found myself saying internally "just one more chapter" as I just had to see how things would progress. And of course that led to one more and then one more chapter after that :-) 

We meet Carly and Rob on holiday, he's a GP, she works on the practice part time and looks after their kids with her mother Heather's help. They seem innocuous, though its clear Carly doesn't feel motherhood particularly satisfying. there's lots of parents like that though, its not all Johnson's baby powder and sweet kisses in real life, and not everyone is cut out to be a full time parent.

She's an odd woman is Carly, feels a bit...brittle and insecure though pushes this outward appearance of being very confident and capable. Then she asks Rob That Question, and the answer has repercussions you just can't imagine. Would things have turned out differently if he'd answered another way? Would something else have been the catalyst, and events happen regardless?
There's any number of points where looking back one of them could have said "if only I'd done/hadn't done... " Hindsight is a wonderful thing as the saying goes. 

I didn't really like Carly but I did feel for her unhappiness. Rob was just a typical busy parent and didn't look far into what was going on underneath. Like most people he was satisfied by the surface appearance of everything and assumed they were all happy. 

Then there's the second couple, Jenni and Craig. Jenni, she seemed such a gentle, quiet soul and deeply adored her family. Is that love or smothering? Was she as she seemed, content, happy to be a parent, basking in husband Craig's adoration? 
They were two very different people - Jenni was quiet, shy, strongly religious, while Craig was handsome, outgoing and a real play -the-field guy. What brought them together? And could they have stayed in that same happy state they seemed to be when we first met them or were threads already unraveling?

Its a tough look at human nature and behaviours, depression, family life, how we're all tightly knit in groups and one thread unwinding affects the whole group. Like I said its really uncomfortable reading. I kept thinking "no, she/he wouldn't do that" and if we'd been plunged right into those dramas I could believe it, but we're led carefully and slowly down a path of destruction, til almost without realising everything we thought we knew about the characters had changed, and I really couldn't predict how things would pan out. 


Stars: five, a fabulous debut, but its dark and definitely not a HEA! Its not one I'd reread, tending to only read again the lighter, happier ones. there's enough dark in my life without reading it too often!

ARC supplied for review purposes by Netgalley and Publishers

I found this book to be enjoyable, but very confusing. I thought for half of the book that Carly (one of the main characters) was the one who was obsessed with Craig, and she would not only do harm to his wife Jenni, but also her husband and children. Then the book switches and shows us that Jenni is the one who is dangerous and truly crazy, but the ending is what throws you the most because Carly's husband Rob- says a white lie is all it takes- a white lie and maybe both of his girls (meaning his wife, and Jenni who he was apparently having an affair with) would still be alive. I also found the language and references used to be difficult to understand for an American reader, since many words and references only english (London, Britian etc) would understand what most of those meant. Overall i did enjoy it, but wouldn't be a book i would buy for a friend here in the USA.