An interesting but ultimately disappointing novel from Holly Seddon. For me this book is defined more by what it isn't than what it is. Although advertised as a psychological thriller, it's not really, I didn't feel any particular menace or build up of tension (except very briefly towards the end). It was more of a family drama, but the characters aren't really well enough drawn for this genre. So how to classify it I'm not really sure, it matters because if you read it (as I did) expecting a psychological thriller you may well be disappointed. Most of the book is quite slow with some sections based in the past and some here and now and split between the two twins Robin and Sarah's points of view, the writing style I found slightly confusing as it swung from third person to first person unnecessarily.

Most of the action takes place in the last 10 percent of the book with a plot twist, that I didn't see coming. However it left me feeling unsatisfied with unanswered questions. Thanks to Netgalley for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review, unfortunately this one wasn't for me.

Wow what a great spellbinding story that intrigued and gripped me from the outset. I loved the various characters and their voices were very distinct from each other. Great plot, great writing and thoroughly enjoyable.

I was attracted to Don’t Close Your Eyes because it features twins, and as a twin mum I do like reading books with twins in. But this book is a lot more than just a book about twins. It’s a twisty psychological thriller that has the reader questioning everything that they think is happening.

Robin used to be in a band, travelling the world, but now she spends her days locked in her home, scared to open the door and obsessed with the lives of the residents of the block of flats that she overlooks. She speaks to no one yet is convinced that someone is trying to get her. She thinks that she is doing ok, but it is clear that she isn’t, especially when she starts getting over involved in the lives of one family living behind her.

Her twin sister is Sarah, we know that they haven’t been in contact for years and we know that Sarah is doing no better than Robin. Kicked out of her home and desperate to see her little girl she doesn’t know where to turn for help, and without knowing that her twin needs Sarah as much as she needs her twin, Sarah tracks Robin down.

I really wasn’t sure where the story was going to take me, I really felt for Robin and how lonely she was, she had totally isolated herself and makes it very difficult to get herself out of it. What’s going on with Sarah is a bit more complicated and it wasn’t what I was expecting!

Despite the years of no contact Robin and Sarah still have a special bond which comes from being a twin, and together they are able to confront their fears and face the reality of their lives.

It’s hard to write this and not give spoilers, but I enjoyed Don’t Close Your Eyes, despite the majority of it being set inside one house it kept me reading and wanting to know more and see what would happen, it really is a tense and uncomfortable read at times.

An excellent psychological thriller with an unexpected twist. Kept me interested from start to finish. A well written book from a very talented author. I would highly recommend both this book and Author.

I really enjoyed Holly Seddon’s first novel 'Try Not to Breathe', and so I eagerly awaited her new book 'Don't Close your Eyes' - I was not disappointed! A brilliant psychological thriller that had me gripped me from the very first page. I could not put this book down. and cannot wait for more from this author! With many thanks to
NetGalley for the ARC in return for honest feedback.

This novel is a very unsettling novel which features a lot of sensitive issues. The domestic dynamics of two families changes drastically leaving all the family members damaged. The main two characters are twins, Robin and Sarah so it could be classed as a coming of age theme. Robin's life implodes to such a degree that you witness how it triggers chronic OCD. The effects of betrayal and acute rejection is well documented with some drastic results. What I did find a little muddling is the format and the switch between the twins, the switch in timelines added to the switch from first to third person. A gripping ending. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for letting me read it.

I found this hard to get into, and kept putting it down, which is not like me at all. However about halfway in, it grabbed me, and did not let go! Well worth a read,.

Sarah and Robin are twins however they were not close. They live with their mum and dad Angela and Jack. Their mum becomes very close to a couple that have moved in the area
Called Hilary, Drew and their young son Callum. But, becomes too close to Drew, which ends
Up Angela and Jack going their separate ways.
This resulted In Sarah moving to States to live with her mum and her new partner Drew.
Robin stays in the UK with her dad, Hilary and Callum, which become a family.
The twins are not happy about them being separated. Callum has suffered abuse from his father
Drew, when he was younger and their relationship does not get any better when he visits has Him in America. The book has short chapters and tells you about Sarah, Robin and Callum’s life whilst growing up and now.
I do not want to give too much away.

I felt this book was very slow to get where it was going. Plus, it only became fast pace and interesting towards the end of the book. The last few chapters was excellent but took a long
Time to get there. It was not one of my favourite books I have read this year.

Reviews on Amazon UK and Goodreads when site is up and running. Link will follow x

This is a brilliant story. Quality writing doesn't come along very often and I am pleased to give this story five stars! This book would make a terrific film. The main characters are twin girls, Robin and Sarah. The book is the story of their life, sometimes together, sometimes apart. There is a fantastic twist to the story which gives us a great ending!

I absolutely loved this novel the transition from past to present was superb so fast paced and literally had me on the edge of my seat. Could not put it down a proper page turner 10/10.

Fast paced and an incredibly complex inter-woven plot. A great psychological thriller which will keep you gripped and the pages turning. This was a bit of a slow starter for me, but the further in the book I read, the more gripping it became.

Written from a dual POV from both sisters, both past and present, this keeps the intrigue throughout.

This author has a great way with words and a wonderful style of writing. I will definitely check out more from this author in the future.

Great book. Excellent storyline and brilliant main characters. I would recommend this book.

Holly Seddon was a new author to me, so when I chose to read her book Don't Close Your Eyes, I really didn't know what to expect.

Well I have to say that I am in fact a little bit speechless and overwhelmed. This truly was an outstanding book and so very well written. The author Holly dealt with some very difficult and sensitive issues/situations throughout the story that really makes you think about things. A lot of thought has clearly gone into the story itself and that of all the characters to make to story believable and to come alive right before your very eyes or in your mind rather.

There was lots of twists and turns in this story, so you really never knew what was going to happen next. A real page turner from start to finish, and I was literally gripped throughout.

If you like a gripping page turner and rollercoaster of a ride sort of book then I can definitely recommend this.

I have mixed feelings about Don't Close Your Eyes. The concept was good but I felt the story began too slowly. It almost did not engage me as a reader at all until the inciting incident that Sarah witnesses in Chapter 10, 15% through the book. The earlier chapters read like back story to me.

I also didn't get much of a sense that Robin and Sarah were twins: it was more like Sarah was the older sister to Robin's younger neediness which, as adults, changed between them after they had no contact for many years. The twist at the end of the book didn't come as too much of a shock, and I felt it was unrealistic.

The skipping between time frames and past and present tense plus the two voices was also difficult to follow as the chapters were very short and I kept wondering who was speaking. A rather frustrating read overall of what could have been a better book. .Sorry to be so negative as I'm sure many readers will enjoy Don't Close Your Eyes but it's not one I feel I can recommend. Many thanks to NetGalley and Atlantic Books/Corvus for the opportunity to read and review the book.

I enjoyed this book, with its many twists and turns, some so unexpected that I actually gasped while reading.
Well written and good characters.

Holly Seddon writes with an intensity that just grabs the reader and doesn't let go until the book is over. That is quite a rare ability and one that has served Seddon well in both her bestselling debut novel, "Try Not to Breathe", and this book - the difficult follow-up.
As in her first book, Seddon uses the technique of switching point of view (between two quite different twin sisters) in each chapter - or rather in each subchapter - as each chapter is used for a switching back and forth in time between the childhood/adolescence and adult life some 25 years after. This technique once again works well for Seddon as it adds a dynamic development to the story that only lost its pace a couple of times throughout the book - most likely where it became a little predictable. Seddon makes up for the predictable parts with several credible twists and turns that breathes new life into the story.
Seddon deals with many difficult matters in this book, and it is not always a pleasant read, but her descriptions are delicate and never struck me as gross.
Summing up, Holly Seddon sticks to the style and technique that served her well in her bestselling debut novel and has written another very entertaining and thought-provoking novel that will most likely also become an international bestseller.

Don't Close Your Eyes is an unusual psychological thriller. Twin girls are raised apart after their parents separate, as adults, one lives alone, isolated after a successful music career whilst the other is banished from her child and husband. Flashbacks reveal an emotionally damaging childhood, dominated by weak or bullying parenting. Compelling with a plausible twist.

What a plot twist! Excellent. Didn't expect this ending at all. Was enjoying the story as an almost biopic of 2 sisters and their childhood, but then wham!! Great read.

Loved it! It is quite a slow burner, and it is a complex story, but there are a lot of questions and mystery right from the off. I love both a multiple viewpoint and a back-and-forth timeline which build towards a climax and both are well used here. Some of the themes are quite dark though. There are a good few twists and turns along the way and an absolute corker towards the end. The characters are interesting and realistic and I kept changing who I was rooting for! I will definitely go back to read Holly Seddon's first book and look forward to what she will do next.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atlantic Books for the ARC of Don't Close Your Eyes.

A mystery with a real sting in the tail that I absolutely didn't see coming. Robin and Sarah are twins, once close but as adults not in touch with each other for many years. Suddenly they are reunited as Sarah lands on Robin's doorstep one day out of the blue to find her twin riddled with anxiety, agoraphobic and being stalked by someone from her past. As they reconnect, the backstory is slowly revealed chapter by chapter and from the different viewpoint of the sisters. A sad tale of betrayal, abuse and secrets with the author slowly peeling back the layers, and then out of nowhere, that twist!