An interesting read which evolved throughout the book. I wasn't sure about the tie in with the eclipse but it did add to the storyline with an ending I hadn't guessed which is always a good thing.

My thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of this book in Kindle format in return for an honest review. I requested it having thoroughly enjoyed “The Poison Tree” a few years ago. This was even better., in fact one of the best books that I’ve read for a while. Here we have the joy of an intelligent novel well written, researched, devised and plotted. It’s a study in how the unforeseen consequences of an act can ripple out and spread down the years, affecting many other people.

The two principle protagonists are Laura and Kit who live and work in London. We first meet them in the present time, (2015), as Kit is preparing to go to Scandinavia to witness a lunar eclipse. Laura, being pregnant with their twins, will remain at home. Now in their mid thirties they have been going to eclipse festivals together ever since they met.. Kit was introduced to eclipse watching, with his twin brother Mac by their father. He is now a scientist,, an Oxford graduate., who met fellow student Laura before they graduated. They fell and remain deeply in love. The story then reels back sixteen years to a lunar eclipse festival at The Lizard in Cornwall and events that happen there that will effect all their lives. The narrative is told in the first person, sometimes by Laura, sometimes Kit and in fairly short chapters. It also switches between 1999 and 2000 and 2015. Both devices can be off putting to the reader but the skill of this author makes the tale run seamlessly. It’s obvious from the start of the book that some big event took place sixteen years ago that is still affecting them in the present day. We learn that in fact it was a rape, at the Cornish festival, of an unknown girl called Beth and it was witnessed by Laura. There is subsequently a trial and the consequences follow down the years.

The rape and all it’s side issues are explored as are the ways that it affects those apparently just on the periphery . Laura and Kit’s lives change. The symbolism of the lunar eclipse is very cleverly worked into the story. Many things are hidden. What is apparently visible is hiding what is behind that really happened. This all becomes clear in the later parts of the book. Avery clever novel that I will ,in time, reread to appreciate the full skill of this author.

I've been a fan of Erin Kelly's since reading the excellent 'The Poison Tree' on holiday last year. While 'He Said/She Said' isn't quite as good as that, it's definitely an excellent, gripping thriller. I tore through this in the space of three days and found myself reading the last part while walking down the street as I didn't want to miss my train OR miss out on what was going to happen to the characters in the book! (PSA: don't do this, it's daft, you might get run over, etc, etc.)

It's a real hall of mirrors of a book, resting around the key plot point of two people witnessing a horrific sexual assault on a young woman during a festival to celebrate the solar eclipse. Did they really see what they thought they saw? Who is telling the truth? And is Beth - the young woman they saw being assaulted - really their friend or their foe?

It's difficult to say too much about this book without giving the plot away, but I really enjoyed how accurately Kelly writes about anxiety - the ways in which it rules your life, ties you in knots and can make even the most rational person turn into a seething ball of paranoia. This only adds to the atmosphere of tension which simmers like a pressure cooker throughout the book. Add in some great insights into the debts we owe to others - our parents, our partners, our siblings, our children and even the debts we owe ourselves and you've got all the ingredients of a thoughtful, well plotted thriller. Definitely one of the best books I've read so far this year. Thanks Netgalley!

I will willingly devour anything written by Erin Kelly, not only because of the quality of her writing, but also because of the way she structures a novel and the clever twists and turns she weaves so convincingly into her storylines. For this reason, I was desperate to get my hands on ‘He Said / She Said,’ so, a huge thank you to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for giving me a pre-publication copy and offering me an opportunity to review this book.
I was intrigued to discover how Erin Kelly would handle rape; a subject matter such as this, in the hands of a novelsit could have the potential to be over-dramatized or complicated, perhaps too focussed on fast-paced courtroom drama? However, Erin Kelly’s ability to cleverly choose a unique slant on a potentially sensitive subject matter and write from a compellingly different perspective is a breath of fresh air in an already saturated psychological thriller market. Kelly writes so well, demonstrating that a fast-paced commercial plot within this genre can still result in beautifully crafted characters with a believable plotline, gripping you in and hooking you right from the get-go.
‘He said/She said’ alternates between present-day and past day and is narrated by girlfriend Laura, and boyfriend Kit, in turn. The past deals with Laura and Kits visit to witness the Eclipse of 1999 in Cornwall where they stumble across what looks like a rape. Testifying about what she saw and feeling pressured and angry by the accused (Jamie's) Barrister, Laura tells a lie in court and although her response wasn’t pre-planned, was still a lie, nonetheless. Fast forward 16 years to present day when the lie has the potential to come back and haunt Laura, as we meet obsessive Beth — the victim of the alleged rape — who — weirdly — refuses to leave Laura and Kit alone.
This novel has us instantly wondering why Laura and Kit live in constant fears, careful not to leave any evidence of themselves or their lives on the Internet. We also wonder what has happened in the intervening years that sees Beth morph from an innocent victim into a psychopathic stalker who appears determined to ruin Laura and Kit’s lives. Throw in a sense that Laura is hiding something she saw after the Cornwall eclipse, and you realise Kelly has written yet another page-turner.
As ever, Kelly writes beautifully and convincingly, giving us a writing master class, not only structurally, but also in terms of characterisation. Kelly appears to have a knack of writing as if she’s, taking the reader with her on a compelling journey through the eyes of her characters.
The potentially sensitive subject matter of, He Said/She Said is handled superbly, making Beth’s character, actions and motivations both realistic and shocking. Although Beth is a bit of a psychopathic stalking type, it’s impossible not to create a real sense of sadness/empathy for her, which almost makes her behaviour acceptable (through her eyes). Although I didn’t particularly like Beth, she moved me and stayed with me for a few days after I’d finished the novel.
Overall, this was a really gripping and compelling story that kept me guessing right until the very end.
Rape isn't the only thread though; the story is also about truth in relationships and what people are prepared to revel about themselves to others –how well do we really know those close to us, and how can one lie change the direction life can take?
As always, Erin Kelly can be relied upon to provide a good page-turning read. This is no exception. It really does contain ‘No way’ moments, much to the annoyance of my fellow commuters one rainy Monday morning, when I literally screamed aloud. Kelly has managed to put her own twist on a difficult subject matter and turn it into a compelling psychological thriller.

I thoroughly recommend it.

For me this book was a success on two counts: I learnt some interesting facts about I topic I knew nothing about (eclipses) and I wasn't able to predict the plot twists. Even the last page wrong-footed me! A well-written book with plausible characters; I hope this get dramatised for TV in due course.

A well crafted and credible read based on a tough subject. More twists and turns than a turkey twizzler but all the more fun. The dual perspective presentation which can sometimes be very irritating worked well as did the timeline jumping. All was made relevant not only as one progressed through the story but added value as the tale unravelled towards the end. Anyone who guessed the end should get a medal. This was first class writing and an original plot. I recommend it to everyone because it has mystery, topicality, suspense and a good solid end based on real justice.

It took me a little while to get into this book, but once I did I was hooked. The story is of Kit and his girlfriend Laura who are eclipse chasers and travel the world to view eclipses from the best vantage points. Whilst at a festival to view the eclipse they come across a girl being raped. This sets off a set of events, with more twists and turns than a rollercoaster. Who is telling the truth, and who is hiding secrets? Once you are hooked you won't want to put it down until you get to the rather surprising conclusion.

He Said She Said is a great story that picks up pace the further you get into it, the second half is particularly gripping. I found it a little difficult to get into it as the chapters are narrated by the 2 main characters in turn and they go from the current day to a decade and a half earlier - to start with I had to keep going back in the book to familiarise myself with details etc. Having said that, once I was into the flow of the story I couldn't put it down. He said She Said starts off as a thriller but then the psychological edges also come into it - and there are quite a few of them! The 2 main characters weave their story, there's twists and turns when you don't expect them and from around halfway through it really picks up pace - at times I found I was actually holding my breath as plots/deceits etc. came to light. I'm glad that I persevered!

Thanks to Net Galley & St Martins Press for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review. Wow, - no hesitation in giving this book 5 stars. A gripping read, cleverly written.
Kit & Laura are at a festival in Cornwall to see an eclipse, their first one together, its special. Just after the eclipse is past Laura finds a purse and in her quest to return it to its owner she stumbles upon a couple, it's immediately obvious to her that something is wrong, the man says 'it's not what it looks like'. Laura decides to call the police, the young man scarpers, but later hands himself in
The case goes to trial, its traumatic for Beth the victim, Laura also finds giving evidence difficult and tells a lie while in the witness box. Jamie the accused is found guilty.
Laura is not the only one who has told an untruth. One lie leads to another and another and another. The story is gripping from start to finish. Highly recommend for those who enjoy a page turner with lots of drama.

Excellent page turner. Background story of chasing eclipses around the world was interesting.. The story: Laura witnesses a rape on Beth by James..........is James innocent? Is Beth stable? And why is Kit, Laura's husband, so anxious to get Beth out of their lives? no spoilers from me, just a recommendation to read the book.

I enjoyed this book for the most part but just a bit too much about solar eclipses for me. I would recommend this book as it has plenty twists and turns to keep the reader in suspense . I would definitely read another book by this author.

I simply devoured this book. Cover to cover in just a couple of sittings, only putting it down when life really needed me. It's the story of Laura and Kit, a young couple in the early days of their relationship and starts with Laura witnessing a brutal attack on Beth by a young man called Jamie, at an eclipse festival in Cornwall. We flash forward 15 years, Laura and Kit are still together, married and soon to be parents, but living in fear. Flitting between the past and present, we are shown what happened after the attack. The court case, the blossoming friendship between Laura, Kit and Beth, as well as what happened to Jamie. We know that Laura and Kit are in hiding, having changed their names and gone "off-grid" and how Laura has been plagued by crippling anxiety, compounded by the imminent birth of her twins, especially with Kit off chasing yet another eclipse. We know a lot, but do we really? This book has so many cleverly crafted twists and turns that, at times, I was completely dizzy as well as being breathless as the past slowly started revealing the truth and merged with the present. Throw in the secrets, lies and trust issues that rear their ugly heads and you've got on heck of a roller coaster ride!
The four main characters in this book were extremely well crafted. This meant that I was well able to connect with them on some kind of level. Obviously I didn't like them all,any of them? But I was able to emote with them just the same. The way that they were brought together by the attack and held together by what happened next. Four lives forever intertwined by secrets and lies. Some of which, when revealed, made me shriek. I do have one little niggle which, when taken in the context of the story is a big thing, but, as it is integral to the whole plot, I can understand its inclusion and, to be honest, who am I to judge what someone would or wouldn't do given a certain scenario. The rest of it, the he said/she said of the title had me chopping and changing who I believed several times throughout. Kept me nicely on my toes as I flitted between the characters as more of each was revealed. It wasn't easy trying to cut through the noise to uncover the truth of the matter, also hard was working out who was being duplicitous for the right reasons and who was just downright bad. I used to think I was good at working characters out, but I was powerless here and totally in the author's grasp. I also lost count of the number of times I shouted at the characters for their, shall we call it, daft behaviour.
The first part of the book is a little slower paced than the later chapters but I found the pacing was completely appropriate to the storyline. It has to build up this way, the psychological elements slowly bubbling under until they come to the surface and, when they eventually break through, the pace just escalates as all hell breaks loose. It is very busy towards the end, there's a lot thrown in that sent me off every which way but loose but nothing more than I could handle. I did try and slow my reading down to try and digest what was happening, give my poor heart a chance to slow down but, once I was in the grip of things, I was powerless to do anything but get whisked along with the action as it unfurled.
And then, at the end, when all was finally revealed, as we reached the final page. The final sentence even, just one more little twist that left me reeling. Talk about end on an up. I usually pretty much go straight onto my next book after finishing one but this one left me with a bit of a book hangover that needed some time out to resolve. Been a while since that happened!
This is the first book I have read by this author but, on the face of what I just read, it definitely won't be the last.

My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Absolutely genius I loved it , kept me guessing and practically on the edge of my seat for every second I was reading it , I couldn't put it down I give it a big fat 5 stars ...epic read I highly highly recommend it.

Just got to love a twisty psychologically involving drama with characters who lead you to second, third and fourth guess their actions and words! Kit and Laura are a young couple watching the eclipse in Cornwall in 1999. When Laura witnesses a rape on a stranger, their lives are drawn into a story which will have consequences throughout the years that follow. The narrative continues in 2015, when Kit & Laura eschew all online presence, have changed their surnames and are in hiding...but why? What exactly has led to this state of fear? And what will happen when the past breaks into the present?

A very compelling and detailed read, with plenty of meat on the bones of some very intriguing characters.

This book was amazing, i was gripped. It's so good and handles difficult subjects well, i never saw the twist at the end coming. I would definitely recommend.

This book follows one couple, Laura and Kit and shows how one eclipse changed the course of their lives.
Cornwall 1999 and Laura and Kit are there for the eclipse but Laura stumbles across a couple having sex.
Is it rough consensual sex or is it rape?
That is the question but what's the answer?
The woman face down in the dirt is Beth who looks traumatised and Laura comes to the conclusion it's rape. This event shapes the next fifteen years of their lives.
There's a lot of twists and turns in this book so I'm not going to say anymore for fear of giving something away.
This was a different read for me I generally stick to romance but the blurb intrigued me so much I had to give this a go.
Initially I found it difficult to get into, it seemed slow and I was struggling and skimming and if I'm being totally honest I only continued on because I'd requested this and felt I needed to write a review otherwise I would have quit.
I did however continue on and the book picked up pace and nothing and no one was quite as they seemed. I found the second half of the book to be a much quicker read but at times it felt a little too much had been thrown in there. I know, I know there's no pleasing some people.
My main problem was I didn't particularly like any of the characters the one I did think I liked turned out to be......okay I'm not spoiling this so we'll stick with me not liking the characters.
This could just be me or a result of the fact that I usually read romance but I need to like at least one of them or it doesn't work for me.
I can understand the great reviews this book has received, it's clever and interesting but for me the first part was too slow and I didn't like the characters so I'm sorry I can't give more than 3*.

I voluntarily read a review copy kindly provided by NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton

This took me a while to get into, and the jumping between then and now didnt help. I think the end suddenly became obvious close to the end, there were clues there but I think the purpose of the book was more to try and decided if it was or wasn't rape.
The storyline picks up pace as it goes through and I got more into it but i didnt feel a connection with any of the characters.

Sorry this book is not for me, I have given it my best shot but I have found it very frustrating and have failed to finish it. Thank you for the ARC

He Said She Said is a wonderful physiological thriller that sucks you into believing one thing and then knocks you back when the truth is revealed.When you actually realise the truth it takes your breath away so clever I didn't see this coming fabulous !! Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book would give it 10 stars if I could .!!!!

Laura and Kit love to travel the world to view Luna Eclipses, but one eclipse will change their lives forever when they witness a brutal attack and become intertwined in the victim's life forever.

I have very mixed feelings about this book. The first part was very court-based and I found it intriguing because law cases have always interested me. Then as the story progressed, we learned more about the events of that night and the months following on from it. Throughout the first two thirds of the book I was utterly confused, and if you've read it you may know why. I felt uncomfortable not knowing which characters I could trust and the atmosphere that Kelly created within this book was amazingly suitable for the genre. Once answers started to be revealed, I found myself shocked but not overly pleased with the outcomes. If you've read this book, I'd love to discuss spoilery details with you! But for now, if you're into twisty thrillers and you're not afraid of dark content full of trigger warnings, He Said/She Said is a good choice.