I wanted to love this on. I read Darren’s debut and though he showed great promise, but sadly I just couldn’t connect with this one at all. The writing is good, and the premise is a clever one, but I didn’t warm to the characters at all, so I wasn’t invested in the outcome.

Very strong book, which grabbed me from the beginning! I thought this book was absolutely terrifying, in that way that I enjoy books being! It kept me interested and glued to the pages, because I needed to know all the answers! Authors writing was very good and the characters were developed amazingly!

Wow.. this book had me hooked very early on and didn't let go. I read this in 2 sessions, I just had to finish it.

14 years earlier Daniel woke from a coma unaware of who he was and with no memory of anything from his past. He has moved on with life and is happy... until he receives a phone call telling him to give it back or his family will die. He needs to remember his past or lose his son... and fast.

This book will have you turning pages and losing track of time.. it is so good. This is the first book by this author but I have already downloaded his debut novel to read.

Thanks to Digital HQ and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book to read and enjoy in exchange for my honest opinions

Wow, what a great book! Nice twist love it!
This author is becoming one of my new favorites


Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for an early release of this book

Sometimes, we come across a book where you’re gripped immediately! You rush around your home, getting everything you need to do, done, as quickly as possible, just so you can sit down with a cuppa and emerge yourself into its world. Then, it compels you to keep reading until you reach the end. Yeah… this is that book!

From the moment I started reading the prologue, I said to myself, “Uh Oh! I know I’m not sleeping tonight!’

Darren’s ability to emerge his readers into his fictional world is compelling, captivating their attention, feeding the intricate clues, which are interwoven through the plot. As you read about Daniel’s past, the threads of mystery unravel slowly as he members his past that his parents tried to bury.

When yo think you know where it’s going, suddenly you’re faced with the plot twist we all love about a thriller! And yes, its a great one!

The plot is gripping, following the emotional story of a fathers love for his child and the journey he goes through to get him back.

When Close Your Eyes arrives on your Kindle, don’t start it until you know you have a clear day ahead, because you’re going to need it!



Congratulations Darren O’Sullivan! You did it again!

Actually 4.5 stars but I have rounded up.
I really enjoyed this author's debut - Our Little Secret - when I read it last year so I was quite excited to get my hands on this, his follow up book. It's always a bit scary starting a book with high expectations but, on the whole, this follow up did match up quite nicely.
So, 14 years ago Daniel woke up from a coma after an accident he can not recall. More disturbing is that he actually can't remember anything from before his accident; not even his name. Fast forward to the present and, apart from the odd flashbacks which still do not add up to anything sensible, his memories of life before the accident have still not returned. But, he has got on with his life as best as he can. Living with Katie and sharing parental responsibility for Tom with his ex, Rachael, he seems to be ticking along quite nicely. Until that is he receives a phone call from someone who appears to know him. A rather nasty someone who wants what Daniel stole from him. A someone who called him Michael. Convinced that the caller has the wrong person, Daniel is about to hang up when he hears something that blows his world apart. He has 5 days to return what he stole or face some rather devastating consequences. But he has no memory of anything so how can he? And so begins a delicious game of cat and mouse as Daniel races to get to the truth and save the ones close to him.
Well, after a bit of a build up which was wholly necessary, the action kicks in and doesn't let up until the very end. OK so I did guess a couple of key things early but I think that was more due to the sheer volume of this genre book I read rather than the author being too easy to suss out, and I don't think that this early discovery marred my enjoyment of the book at all. I mean, I've been wrong before!
The story itself is narrated by several of the characters. each chapter is headed with who, where and when but, as they are all quite distinct voices, it is easy to follow and remember who is talking.
The plot is cleverly worked out and well executed. All the way through, we are drip fed elements from Daniel's past which sketch out the picture of his life before the accident and it soon becomes evident that that life is not quite as he thought. These are mostly in the form of flashbacks but there is also the added element of his remembering things from memory links connected to people and places he encounters as the story goes on. I found both these methods to be very effective and their inclusion was well timed to complement the present day narrative. Almost like giving the next clue in a treasure hunt. Which, in effect, was exactly what this book turned out to be for me. Albeit one with a bit more at stake than just getting the prize. Action and adventure and a thrilling ride all the way!
All in all, although it didn't quite hit the heady heights of his debut, only just missing mind, the author has followed up with a cracking read thus cementing him firmly on my watch list. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

This was thrilling, scary, and heart racing at its best.