Robin and Sarah are twin sisters but they haven’t spoken or seen each other in years. Robin spends her days shut in her house in Manchester, obsessed with routine and terrified of the outside world and the unseen stranger who she believes is trying to get to her. Sarah has been thrown out by her husband and forbidden from seeing her young daughter and is desperate to get her back. As Sarah seeks out her sister for help, both of them don’t realise that their past may be catching up with them – the past that is filled with loss, secrets and suffering that has made both of them into the damaged young women that they are today.

This is a complex and enthralling family drama told in multiple parts from the POV of both Sarah and Robin in the past and present-day. We follow the girls from when they were inseparable but very different in their childhood, through their parents’ splitting up and the complex family dynamics that arise when the twins are torn apart and Sarah is sent to live in America. Despite switching between the past and present and also between the twins regularly, the narrative doesn’t become confusing and expertly builds up a picture of what has happened in the two girls’ lives to make them as dysfunctional as they are. The characters are vividly imagined and sympathetic, although the behaviour or the ‘adults’ in the past sections is pretty appalling considering what it ends up doing to the twins, and the voices of Sarah and Robin are distinctive and believable. The author has done very well to craft a complex but easy to follow a story that flows from chapter to chapter and never feels disjointed. She also addresses many difficult mental health issues in a sensitive way and her story provides a lot of food for thought on these areas.

However, I found it difficult to fully connect with either of the two protagonists and this lessened the impact that this story had on me. Because their individual narratives swapped over so much and spanned such a long period of time, it was difficult to really get to know them as characters, especially as their personalities changed so much in response to their circumstances. When the past finally caught up with the present, I couldn’t help but feel that the problems the two sisters were facing hadn’t been fully explained by their past traumas and, whilst this may be harsh on my part, their extreme issues didn’t seem fully attributable to the difficulties of their childhood. It felt as if I’d missed a chunk of the story, as all the upsetting events discussed in the past sections seemed to end multiple years before the mental health issues, the girls were experiencing in the present day, became severe. The narrative was also a bit slow moving at times and the ending didn’t bring things together or address the past as neatly as I had hoped.

Altogether, I enjoyed reading this book but nothing about it stuck out particularly in my mind once I finished. It is definitely worth a read for fans of family drama and sibling animosity, although I didn’t find it tense enough to really call it a thriller. Regardless, it was an entertaining novel and has earned a four-star rating.

Daenerys
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review

I loved this book, the plot twist towards the end of the book was great as it was very unexpected. Very easy to read and hard to put down. This was my first book by Holly Seddon but it definitely won't be my last! Great book, highly recommend!

Two sisters: as children, Sarah, the golden girl, Robin the squeaky wheel. As adults, maybe it's the same: or is it?
Their parents and their up-and-coming new friends shatter the cosy domesticity of Sarah and Robin's lives. The results are interesting, and unpredictable.
An interesting look at some less pleasant aspects of family dynamics, and a good read.

Superb book! Loved every minute of it. Quite a few twists and original storylines! Definitely recommended!

The blurb on this book sounded great and I loved the short chapters but unfortunately this book lacked something for me. It wasn't exciting and it just seemed to plod along for me. There was only one shock in the book for me.

A thoroughly enjoyable read, and far and above your average thriller, this book took me back in time to a younger, happier family whose lives were about to be torn apart. A family drama of love, loss and consequences that runs alongside the thriller aspect.
Short sharp chapters kept the flow of the book moving, constantly changing my thoughts of who did what to whom...loved it

This was an amazing book , developing the kinds of problems which can devastate any family and presenting them in a believable way. Some very good characters which it was easy to identify with. The conclusion was a masterpiece on the resilience of humankind. Loved it

I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it, it had some unexpected twists in it.

I am afraid this's book was very slow to get going and was only about two thirds od the way through that it became more interesting. The twist at the end was good but the rest not for me

Absolutely brilliant. A great story, moved me to tears at times. Some readers may consider one aspect to the story to be unrealistic, but I know of a similar case in real life, so yes, parents can be so cruel. The characters are sympathetically drawn, and likeable (well, except one or two, who we're not meant to like). The book moves between the past, as the twins are growing up, and present day, but this is clearly defined and never confusing. A few surprising twists at the end that I hadn't seen coming. All in all, a great read, and thoroughly recommended.

You’ll find it hard to close your eyes for sleep once you delve deep into Don’t Close Your Eyes and lose yourself in its gripping story. This captivating read had me in its thrall right from the start, due in no small way to having a non-identical twin sister myself, just like the main characters, Sarah and Robin. I loved the early narrative for the way it wove each sister’s strong individuality into the mix, setting the scene for all that ensues.

Sibling relationships are often complex and this union of twins is more twisted than most, particularly as the girls grow up and their divided family lives (splintered and fractured in their youth) become a great bone of contention between them, one that gnaws away at links with their blended family and friends and destabilises them as well.

The plot takes us into challenging arenas, including mental health issues, unplanned pregnancy, infidelity, marital breakdown, sexual identity and assault, revealing the pain these things can bring. It’s also rife with jealousy and strife, full of twists and turns, shattered hopes and dreams, plus emotional pain. And it concludes with a resolution that can only come about through an unanticipated reconciliation and reunion. A recommended read.

Don't Close Your Eyes by Holly Seddon is a marvellous contemporary psychological read that will have you glued and guessing from the start. I just could not put it down.
The novel is written from two points of view - twin sisters, Sarah in the first person and Robin in the third person. The action alternates between childhood and present day.
The main theme is that of messed up childhoods having far reaching affects into adulthood. The actions of adults behind supposedly closed doors are seen and heard by young eyes and ears. Messed up adults project their messy lives onto their children who suffer in both the long and short term.
There are blended families, domestic abuse, homophobia, self harm, obsessive compulsive behaviour, drugs and alcohol themes within the novel. All are sensitively done, eliciting sympathy from the reader.
There is a hint of menace that gets the reader questioning - who is it? What do they want? Why now? Certainly an edge of the seat read at times.
Guilt and forgiveness go hand in hand. The reader understands the cause and the need to forgive.
Over the whole novel, there is love. The love of a sister. The love for a family. Love remains even when everything else is torn apart.
There is also loss. Loss affects us all in different ways and this can be seen within the novel.
Don't Close Your Eyes was definitely a compulsive read that created varying emotions within me. It was cleverly constructed and I shall be looking out for more by Holly Seddon.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

The saying “Blood is thicker than water” is fully envisaged in this tale of two sisters (Sarah and Robin) coming to terms with parental differences and decisions. The consequences of the families’ turmoil and upsets which they suffered at childhood is clearly reflected in their adulthood.
A captivating read which catapults you into the minds and emotions of both sisters. The reader’s inquisitively is kept on full alert as you turn page by page to find the hidden lies and truths.

When the words came up to describe this book as chilling thriller they weren't exaggerating.
This is a story of two family's that are inextricably intertwined in the most complex way. In the middle are twin girls who are complete opposites but can only survive together. They are pulled continents apart but still come back together until finally all the secrets and lies are understood. But is it the happy ending you think it is ??

OMG! What a book! I would highly recommend this to all psychological book lovers. Each turn of the page provides more clues as to the big twist and I couldn't of guessed the ending, even if I tried. I am so excited to see what Holly Seddon does next and I shall be reading her debut novel as well.

Once it takes hold, this psychological thriller refuses to let go until the final page has been turned. Holly Seddon is a fantastic storyteller and is one I will definitely look out for in the future.

With short, punchy chapters that keep you wanting to read more, this fast moving and twisty thriller is a must read for anyone who loves a good family drama with the added bonus of a dark twist to the tale.

An impressive 4 stars.

First book I have read by this author but it won't be the last.This story was told from different points of view and went back in time and bang up to date and told the story of twins Robin and Sarah.It was twisty the short chapters worked well kept me page turning and the pace of the book and the characters was very good.I wasn't sure if what I was reading was completely accurate and the ending was a revelation ,well worth reading and very entertaining.

To be published in numerous magazines in September: Sarah is the good girl, the one her parents can always rely on to behave. Robin is the impetuous one, who can always be relied on to cause havoc. The twins are devastated when their parents’ divorce separates them. Now in her 30s, Robin lives alone, trapped in her home by crippling agoraphobia. Sarah has built what seems to be the perfect life, but after being forced to leave it all behind, she goes in search of the only person she feels she can turn to – Robin. There’s just one person missing, their step-brother Callum.

Firstly thanks to Atlantic Books and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book pre publication.
I have not been paid for this review and the contents are my honest opinion.
Hadn't heard of the author prior to invite to review this, but have to say I found this an enthralling read and found myself always wanting to read just one more chapter before going ot sleep at nights.
The plot follows two twins who are cruelly seperated as a result of their mother's infidelity and living on opposite sides of the Atlantic.
The story flits from present day to past as the story unflods eventually catching up with them being reunited in the present day.
Strong characters, good solid story line which has left me keen to read more of Holly Sneddon

This is the story of non identical twins whose lives are changed forever by their Mum's infidelity. The book is in chapters telling the story from each girl's point of view. You get Robin and Sarah in the present and also when this all came about when they were young. It shows just how much a marriage split can effect the children involved for the rest of their lives not just when it's happening. There are twists and turns right through the book until the end. This is a great book I throughly enjoyed reading and definitely recommend