This was such a fantastic book! The plot is beautiful and so unique - I loved reading about Elise's life before, and seeing how everything slowly changes around her as she descends into paranoia - but is she right to be so scared?

I don't want to give too much away, but there are some truly incredible twists in this - those that you don't see coming, but don't feel forced or artificial at all. The progression of the novel was very quick, which I enjoyed, and the ending was just mind-blowing.

The novel was a good length too, not too long that it felt dragged out, but not so short that it felt rushed. I ended up reading it in one sitting, which I imagine would be difficult not to do given how gripping the novel is!

A crazy, phenomenal read. Cannot praise enough. An absolute MUST read for book clubs! I cannot wait to order and recommend!!

I continue to like Banner's writing style, it really draws you in. This book really kept me guessing and all the twists weren't super obvious which kept me wanting to turn the pages. I also enjoyed the shorter length of this book because there was no need for any added fluff. I will definitely continue to read Banner's books!

3.5 stars for AJ Banner's latest psychological thriller, The Poison Garden.

I absolutely LOVED Banner's previous book, After Nightfall, but unfortunately, the paranoia of the main character was so frustrating it ruined my enjoyment of the book. This book started out all over the place but started to come together a bit more around the midpoint, which is when my interest level really picked up and continued to build to an ending that I thought was really great, hence, my review being rounded up to a 4 in terms of stars (we need half stars already!)

This book is under 300 pages which makes it the excellent beach thriller, back it for the day, lay back and be glad you are not our protagonist, Elise, or anyone in her vicinity!

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC copy.
This is not an author I have read before and I enjoyed the book and all the twists and turns. Reminds me that you never know who you can trust!

The Poison Garden was quick and compelling read. Since this was a short thriller, I didn't expect too much in terms of character development and overall story quality, but I generally enjoyed the book from an entertainment perspective. I enjoyed the twists in the story, but I felt like some things were a bit overdone. I think the book might've been stronger if the characters and their motivations were a bit more developed and complex, so it wasn't just a bunch of crazy people doing crazy things. Elise seems to be the only normal person after everything that happens, but we also don't get much about her character besides wanting to do the right thing and being paranoid. The writing is decent and the story was compelling enough to keep reading. However, I feel like something else was missing, so while I enjoyed the book, nothing really stood out for me.

Once again A.J. Banner writes another fantastic book!!

I knew from the first page that I needed to read this in one sitting. It was face-paced and what a unique idea for a storyline. What a great idea for a story!! I haven't come across this kind of psychological thriller and thoroughly enjoyed it. I do not like to much away in my reviews, but the twists and turns in this book kept me guessing throughout the story.

I have read every book that A.J. has written and have not once been disappointed. This story has a great storyline and keeps you guessing. You begin to doubt the characters and even yourself because you believe you have everything figured out, but do you?

I want to thank A.J. Banner and Netgalley for the ARC and this is my honest review. Looking forward to the next book!!

Thank you Kathleen Carter and A.J. Banner for gifting me both a physical copy and an E-ARC in exchange of an honest review.

I rate this book a 3 out of 5 Stars.

Sadly, I didn’t love this one as much as I’d hope to, and not nearly as much as I’ve LOVED all of Banners other books. For this one, I think it was just a case of full steam ahead, no time for an actual buildup to the climatic ending, a weak minded, paranoid female who bounces around with what guy is out to get her. It progressed quickly, like 0 to 60. However, I really enjoyed the ending, and that makes me rate the book a bit higher.

I know this review is going to come off harshly, but I am honest when it comes to reviews, no matter how much I love an Author. I won’t ever sugar coat and lie.

I will say, for those of you who aren’t fans of heavy thrillers, or just want to dip your toes in, and see if this is a Genre you would like, than this book is absolutely perfect for that! It’s not insanely dark and heavy, and it’s well under 300 pages. It’s a very fast read, as I read it in just a matter of hours.

The story is fast paced, but I felt that there were too many holes in the plot to be believable at all. Thanks for Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for allowing me to read this early in exchange for an honest review.

Another hit by author, A.J. Banner! Banner has a way of developing the unreliable narrator that keeps the reader intrigued throughout. A definite 5 star!

“Funny, I thought, the way we know certain intimate things about people we love, or have loved, and yet maybe we never know them at all.”

For Elise Watters, this quote is certainly true. After being away for several days, Elise returns home to a shocking discovery, setting off a dramatic chain of events that causes her to question the loyalties of friends, family members, and even her husband. Who can she trust? Who might be out to get her? And most importantly, can she even trust herself?

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC of The Poison Garden by A.J. Banner. For those suspense lovers out there, this is a fast-paced read full of red herrings and twists. Sometimes it’s hard to find likable characters in books from this genre, but I found myself rooting for the main character, Elise the whole time. And, let’s just talk about the gorgeous cover for a second...eye catching for sure!

This book is full of twists and turns, but for whatever reason, it ended up being slightly predictable for me. I would definitely recommend picking this up when it releases on October 22nd if you need a quick weekend read!

I could not put down this book. It was so interesting and the writing was great. I will definitely be recommending this to customers at my work!

Where to start...One of the best psychological thrillers out there! Elise doesn't know if she's going crazy or if someone else is setting her up. Twists, mystery and suspense. Everything comes together for a perfect chilling end. A.J. Banner does not disappoint.

** spoiler alert ** This throws you right into the thick of the action,and from there it's a rollercoaster ride.
Because it would seem in our small cast of characters,they're all nuts,and all trying to kill each other.
Actually quite good fun if you try not to let believability get in the way.
One sitting read for me.

Thank you for the ARC. I really enjoyed The Poison Garden. I loved all the twists and turns in the plot, not knowing who you can and cannot trust.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I found it was fast-paced and enthralling. It is the first book by this author that I have read and I will be looking out for more! My favourite character was Elise and I found her to have many hidden depths. Thank you!

I received an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review

If only there was a way to post a “sad trombone” gif as a review...

#The Poison Garden #NetGalley

What grows in a poison garden? ?

You will find out when you read the exciting new psychological thriller, The Poison Garden, by A. J. Banner! This was my first read by this bestselling author, but it certainly won't be my last. I found this novel to be an excellent, easy flowing and very suspenseful story, filled with vivid characters and a setting so real that I could almost smell the beautiful flowers and herbs in the lush gardens.

Set on an island in the Pacific Northwest, Elise Watters lives in a blue Victorian house amid lush gardens. She lives here with her handsome, charismatic husband, Kieran, and runs her late mother's herbal boutique, located behind her home. Seemingly, her life is perfect until the eve of her first wedding anniversary. Then Elise makes a horrifying, life altering discovery that shakes her world and turns her life upside down! Subsequently, her tranquil life has become a nightmare, and each event that follows leads Elise further down a dangerous trail of betrayal and horror. The trail is twisty with unexpected turns, and keeps the reader trying to read faster and faster!!

Truly well developed characters, that make you seem to really know them and a fast paced and suspenseful plot insure that this novel is a real page turner. Twists and turns galore keep the reader guessing who the real villain is until an exciting and unexpected ending. I literally read unti 2 Am to finish this thriller. And then I was sorry I had come to the end!! And yes, I discovered what grows in a poison garden!

Thank you to A J Banner, the publishers and NetGalley for this advanced digital copy of The Poison Garden. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

AJ Banner write so deliciously and thrilling! So addicted to her thrillers. Give her a try if you love domestic thrillers, gritty and suspenseful.

Wow, this was spooky and creepy in all the best ways. So many great twists and turns.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.