Quick, fast paced novel. Bounces from then to now between Emma and Jane. It started off slow for me, but it did not take long for me to get hooked. Good book!

I absolutely loved The Girl Before. From the very first page you are drawn into this thriller of a book.

It's written both in the past: Emma and present: Jane and is so well written. It's cunning, sinister and just a fabulous read.
I would definitely recommend this to anyone to add to their to be read pile.

Thank you to NetGalley, Quercus and the author for the chance to review.

I was only sent a sample chapter for review. I did later read the whole book but found it too far-fetched and unbelievable (even for a thriller). I have not reviewed it online.

I thought this book was well written and I liked the way the chapters were laid out. However the story was rather implausible though this didn't stop my enjoyment of the book.

Since Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn proved such a big hit with readers and cinema-goers there’s been a whole slew of domestic noir thrillers – think chick-lit with a dark side, a twist and usually a grisly murder or two.
Some have stretched credulity too far, others have had a big reveal you could spot before the end of chapter one. But among the tsunami of psychological thriller/romances have been some gems.
One was I Let Go by Clare Mackintosh, founder of the Chipping Norton Literary Festival, and now another Oxfordshire author has come up with a goodie. The Girl Before by JP Delaney – the pen name of Beckley writer Tony Strong – offers a fascinating premise.
An architect has built a stark but beautiful home in London which he lets at a very reasonable rent.
However, prospective tenants must go through a strict vetting procedure and agree to a set of exacting rules.
The story follows, and is split between, present tenant Jane and Emma, who lived there previously: the catchline to the title being “Everything that’s yours was once hers”.
As well as being a gripping read, it throws up some thought-provoking questions: What possession couldn’t you live without? being the first thing asked by the house’s enigmatic creator.
It builds tension nicely as Jane finds herself wondering just what happened to Emma at One Folgate Street.
A film version is being made by Academy Award-winning director Ron Howard making it the third Girl book adaptation to hit the big screen after the excellent Gone Girl and the less impressive (in celluloid, the book was better) The Girl On The Train by Paula Hawkins. Delaney says he’d decided on the title long before those books were published but the novel does fit in well with them as a clever thriller that’s a real page-turner.
The Girl Before by JP Delaney, Quercus, hardback £12.99, paperback £7.99, kindle £1.99

Can't imagine the horrors of WWII but I'm afraid there was just too much going on in this book to make me like it.

I did not download this book before it became archived - as I felt that I could not give a valid review of a manuscript, based only on a sampler.

This was when I had just joined Netgalley, and I was unaware at that time that it would affect my Feedback Ratio.

My apologies for this oversight.

Unfortunately I really couldn't on with this book and I had to give up after a few chapters. i found I could not relate to the 2 main characters and the story line just seemed rather silly.

An architecturally designed flat for rent with conditions attached seems the perfect arrangement for two separate women. Emma and her partner Simon are flat hunting after a terrifying home invasion at their previous address. Jane is single and recovering from the loss of her stillborn baby. One of them will die.
This was a fantastic read and I found the whole flat ‘thing’ a very interesting concept. At the time of reading I wasn’t aware it was a sample so it was a bit of a mental 'Oh no' when I reached the end. The last page definitely left me wanting to read the rest of the book.
Based on the sample I recommend this book to lovers of mystery, thrillers and possibly crime.

I received this book electronically to review. I loved it so much when it was available in hardback I bought it. I NEVER buy hardbacks. This is an unique read and a book that makes you want to read in the wee hours.

Only had a sample of this to read but it definitely go me intrigued and I was disappointed when I go to the end of the sample as I wanted to read more. I'll be looking this one up for sure.

I didn't realize this was only a sample when I requested it. But it sucked me right in. Now I have bought the book so I can finish the story and see how this will end.

I downloaded a free sample of the first few chapters of this book, courtesy of Net Galley, and was intrigued enough by the beginning to purchase the whole book. I was disappointed.
I’m not a fan of the whole ‘Fifty Shades’ idea that women fall into bed with sadistic, controlling and creepy men just because they’re rich. Edward, the architect who designed and controls One Fogle Street, is a really nasty piece of work, and someone that any sane woman would run a mile from. And yet both of the women who agree, for some unfathomable reason, to live in his house, despite the invasive and ridiculous conditions of their tenancy, embark on an affair with him instead. And while Emma’s involvement with him is perhaps the more believable storyline, when the truth is revealed about her story, that is hugely disappointing too. While Jane has suffered the trauma of a stillbirth, and while I do appreciate that that can be a life-changing event, with far-reaching emotional consequences, I didn’t see why it would lead to this intelligent, successful woman becoming totally manipulated by this man because he’s handsome and a bit mysterious. And rich. Of course. Because that’s what all women want, isn’t it?
It’s a shame because the writing, on the whole, is good. There are some scenes that are so disturbing and evocative that they really stay with you. The plot is well -paced, and there is a good idea at the heart of this. But it is sorely let down by the portrayal of both the men and women - the men are all cruel, or slimy, or weird. And the women are unbelievable.
I’m sorry to give such a negative review, but I was so disappointed in this.

This was just a sample with a few chapters. In the few chapters that I read, I had a hard time getting into the story.

I'm really sad to say this one just wasn't for me, too much going on, and really who on earth with move into a place with so many rules and restrictions. Maybe I'm in the minority I don't know, but I felt it was trying too hard to be too many things. I didn't actually manage to finish the book to be honest so maybe I should give it another go at some point but on first read it simply wasn't my sort of thing. I was intrigued by the premise it has to be said but ....no.

A little slow to get going but hang in there. A most eerie, different and intriguing read. Well worthy of some of the great reviews this book is getting. Kept me awake for a while, a must read!

Well, this was fun. I raced through it in a day, and it turns out I'm really into architectural thrillers. Is that a genre? It should be. This book is like 50 Shades of Grey (but with Christian as the controlling creep he would be in reality), mixed with a domestic thriller and a dash of haunted house.

I'll keep this short. Author writes well, especially for teens. Although, the big climax was predictable if paying attention, I enjoyed this book. The relationships in the family was especially well done. The parents and their conflicts was a twist, but I'm not sure why it was necessary. I would absolutely recommend The Girl Before to students in my library. The suspense and circumstances this family finds themselves in is something right out of our current headlines.

I was quite intrigued by the blurb for this book but I only had a chance to read a section of the book. Thank you to NetGalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. It seemed to me to be along the lines of “Gone Girl” and “the Girl on the Train” in its initial premise. The story alternates between Emma (from the past) and Jane (the present). They are both women who take up residence in the house at 1 Folgate Street.
The house comes with a set of rules , starting with “Please make a list of every possession you consider essential to your life”. It was with this statement that I thought it was going to be a bit creepy and that I would be moving out pretty soon if it was me!
Emma is struggling with the aftermath of being attacked by burglars and Jane is mourning the loss of her baby. It was these two events that give the story its tragic sense. However, it is only with Jane’s meeting Edward Monkton, the architect behind the design of the house, that events take an interesting turn. However, this was where the story ended for me – what a cliffhanger!

I didnt realise this was a sampler i loved what i read i just wish it was the full book i would probably given 5 stars once ive read the full book i will change the stars apropreatly.