Well, that isn't where I thought it was going at all! I love to be surprised. I got stuck at about 30% and had to push myself to finish, but I am glad I did because I honestly didn't see the twist of this one coming. Fran was so awkward that it pained me to read her character at times.
While "following" her childhood crush and friend Charles, she witnesses the death of another schoolmate and struggles because she thinks it wasn't the accident that they are saying it was. As he fell, she thought she saw something in his gaze that suggested he recognized someone there.. someone who wanted to harm him.
We meet many more school friends that seem shady and they seem to be hiding a secret.
Fran and her sister Ellie had a falling out and she can't get in touch with her and right now, Fran just needs her sister. You can tell something happened to Ellie in her past that she is not eager to come back to face though. I hurt for Fran because she was so utterly alone in a sea of people that seemed so untrustworthy.
Once the story really got moving, I didn't want to put the book down. This was a great thriller, I really started to suspect the villain but I didn't think it would be as sinister as what it was.
Thank you to Netgalley, Avon Books UK and the author for an early copy of this book.

There’s always that one boy at school that is seemingly perfect. That boy is now Charles and he has been Fran’s obsession ever since. Fran, aka Freaky Fran at school, is now in her 30’s works in a bookshop and is at best a strange lonely woman and at worst a bit of a deranged stalker.

The only family Fran has is her younger sister Ellie and a niece she has never met as Ellie fled after an argument. She only gets news of them and their whereabouts via social media and email.

After following Charles at the tube station she witnesses him with Dickie another old school, well I would say friend but seeing as his face was scratched out on the school photo that really isn’t the right word. Dickie seems to have spotted something then before you know it he’s fallen from the platform and under an oncoming train. Or was he pushed?

I loved the characters in this book and I found myself comparing them to people I went to school with. A school will always have a Fran, a Charles and a Dickie. I loved that Fran worked in a bookshop and a few lines about customers made me chuckle, I have to apologise as I’m one of those who may well have said well the cover was green. There was also the inclusion of some classic literary references.

Told in first person by such an unreliable narrator really made me question what I was being told and whether Fran was just sad and lonely or whether they had got it right at school and she was Freaky Fran. The first half of this book is slower paced allowing you to get to know the characters and their backgrounds. The second half the pace speeds up and there are twists and turns as the truth comes to light. I saw it like a jigsaw puzzle where the pieces will gradually fit together to reveal the big picture.

Wow, this is a rollercoaster ride of a book!

It starts off as a slightly chilling and creepy story of obsession, with a hint of dark secrets beneath. Suddenly, the secrets are revealed and a switch is flipped, and it turns into a full blown psychological thriller. Disturbing and shocking past secrets are unveiled. The pace then really ramps up, and you will not be able to put this book down.

Twist upon twist appear as the book nears the end, and just as the blurb says, you really won’t see the ending coming.

This dark and thrilling story shows how our childhood experiences shape us and also how strong the bond between sisters can be.

This is a book that totally consumed me, and one that will stay in my mind for quite some time. Definitely one of my top books of the year so far.

Kinda Brideshead Revisited with a stalker in it
I read quite a few reviews of this whilst thinking what to put and a few said ‘not really for me but for some reason I had to finish it’ and I would concur with that, sums my thoughts up well
Fran has idolised Peter since their private schooling days, now as adults living in London Fran follows him everywhere and one night she witnesses a mutual friend ( Dickie ) accidentally falling in front of a tube train, Peter is devastated as is Dickie’s wife ( Fran uses the situation to get close to her thereby getting closer to Peter ) add in the mix a ‘not seen for 3 years’ Sister of Frans and her daughter and as questions start to be asked about the accident truths unfurl from the past
I loved that Fran worked in a bookshop and the descriptions of her day to day life there, customers, colleauges etc but I really didn’t enjoy the random ‘classics’ quotations that appeared throughout the book , especially in character’s conversations, something that works once then loses its poignancy if used again and again
Fran was a well written character and I loved how she spoke to herself and the thoughts she was having whilst having seemingly normal conversations with other characters
There were some quite sad descriptions of loneliness as well
Mmmm maybe I enjoyed it more than I thought but one thing was for certain I did want to finish it and the ending was good if not abrupt

6/10
3 Stars

Honestly? I didn't find this to be a breath-taking suspense, nor (with the exception of the ending) did I find it to be full of twists and turns like the blurb claims.

This could be do in part because of the fact that I couldn't connect with Fran at all. Honestly, I found her more pathetic than anything else. She has been obsessed with the same person since they were in school (even going so far as to have a box of things pertaining to him that she keeps to present day - including an old pair of his rugby socks). Added to that, she often goes to his house (where he lives with his wife and his twin daughters) and sits outside, watching the house (and this is when she isn't following him around like some kind of stalker). In fact, most of the book was based around her obsession with Charles, something that became old quick.

Because of this, she has no friends and only a handful of acquaintances (mostly people she works with) so whenever anyone shows her the slightest bit of attention she takes it to the extreme. Lady you're in your thirties and should know by now that just because someone invites you to tea, they are not suddenly your best mate.

It was sad really, because the concept of people having secrets that no one else knows about was solid. And the writing flowed just enough to keep me interested (although I was by no means glued to the pages). Hands down the best part of this story was the ending - while I had my suspicions about what had happened with one character, I was completely caught off guard by how everything came together.

I would definitely give this author another chance in the future!

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

Being completely honest this thriller was a little on the slow side for me. Up to about 40% of the way through it was story setting with nothing much of interest happening. But the last half WOAH! My heart was pounding. I would say for this to get 4/5 stars it needed to have gripped me earlier on. The last half of the book contained all the excitement. If this was any other book I probably wouldn't have DNF’ed it way before, but it was only from seeing other rave reviews on netgalley I kept on reading.

I’m not a huge fan of the whole stalking storyline, it felt outdone and there weren’t any near misses which felt strange.

This was a bit of a slow burner but it picked up towards the end.
Fran is a bit of a loner - she has few friends and is estranged from her sister.
When she was at school Fran developed a thing for Charles and has stayed in touch with him.
After following him to the tube station, she sees another person from school fall in front of the train. But was he pushed?
Fran desperately wants to talk to Charles about it but then she’d have to admit to following him so she tries to find out more information from the widow.
Fran then stumbled upon some other secrets and the book has a great ending.
This is a good read where the truth unravels slowly over time.
Thanks to Avon Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

Francesca Knight is in her thirties, works in a bookshop, and is a loner, with few friends. She has been obsessed with Charles Fry, since attending Chesterfield Boarding School in Derbyshire. One night, she follows him home, only to see him chatting to another school acquaintance Dickie Graham. However, she witnesses a tragic accident and it is from this point on, that Fran’s life changes.
This was a fascinating read. It moves between presenting the obsessive love felt by Fran which prevents her from seeing the reality in front of her, to be a psychological thriller. The story of Fran’s estranged sister, Ellie is interwoven into the story, and its complexity is gradually revealed.
The book is full of suspense and intrigue and gained momentum halfway through. A good read!
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Twisting Psychological Suspense....
A slow build of tension leads to fast moving action in this twisting, psychological suspense with a compelling narrative. Fran is a likeable enough protagonist, although perhaps without some empathy, and the cast of characters a solid and credible one.

I loved it!

Well written, captivating from the start. Even though a little bit slow at first it then gets better and better.

Good plot, interesting characters, well developed storyline, good ending.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the ARC of this book. This is my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Despite the interesting premise, I did not find this story too original. It felt slow and dull: too obvious on the theme of stalking and not enough surprises to engross me.

Fran is a social outcast who seems to have lived on the outside all her life. When readers are introduced to her, she is presented as obsessing over her school-girl crush. Fran follows Charles from a distance and reminisces about her school days. The circle of old school friends remain and they way that they treat Fran illustrate they are critically aware of her behaviour. Throw into the plot Fran’s absent sister, Ellie, and readers see that there is a mystery to solve. Not only do we need to find out what happened to Dickie on the night of his death, but why and where Ellie has disappeared to.

The writer explores the idea of obsession. Over the course of the novel, readers learn that it isn’t just Fran and her obsession with Charles: each major character has a secret fixation that drives them forwards. I enjoyed this element of the plot and how it linked so cleverly to the title. You and Me isn’t just about Fran and Charles, but Fran and Ellie, Charles and Dickie… the couplings could go on.

Throughout the story, the omnipresent feeling of isolation and claustrophobia adds to the overall atmosphere of the book. This intensifies Fran’s unhealthy feelings and also the separation she experiences from her old school friends. Social groups, expectations and bullying form the background to this story and I think it is a set of topics that many readers will relate to.

As I mentioned, I found the story quite slow and tricky to get engrossed with. It did not grab me from the beginning as I was expecting and I found that henceforth, I was constantly seeking that magical, mind-blowing event in the plot. Whilst it did come towards the end of the story, as facts are beginning to emerge, for me, it was just a little too late. Consequently, in terms of thrillers and mysteries, I sadly feel that there are stronger books out there.

This entertained but did not grip me. I was curious but not connected to the narrative. It’s a shame, but I think making the story progress a bit quicker would have created a more captivating narrative.

With thanks to Avon books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Fran is a stalker. She has never been able to let go of her feelings for Charles Fry, someone she was at school with. Now in her late thirties, she still regularly shadows him, whether it is in London where they both work, or down at his house in the country. But Fran’s agenda is not a violent or vengeful one. She still dreams of being with someone who protected her from the bullies at school and who she feels shares a common emotional bond with her. While following Charles down to the Tube one evening she sees him in the company of one of her past tormentors, Dickie Graham. As she observes both of them she witnesses a tragic accident. Fran is concerned; she needs to clarify exactly what she saw on that platform and this gives her the excuse to get in touch with Charles again.

Nicola Rayner has created a great cast of characters, some likeable, others not so much. It’s an addictive read and there’s no letting up on the pace or the twists and turns. The ending? Well I didn’t see it coming, not at all. This has to be one of the best psychological thrillers I’ve read so far this year.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for an ARC of You and Me in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first time reading Nicola Rayner but it won't be my last. I loved this story! The main character, Fran, is just the right amount of creepy/obsessive and sympathetic/likable. For most of the story I couldn't help but root for her. The other characters were also very interesting and enjoyable to read about. This book kept me hooked from beginning to end. Loved the twist and turns and an ending I didn't see coming! Highly recommend!

A good read overall. This is a good suspense read. There is a lot going on in places and there was a few times I found it hard to keep reading. It was predictable in places but there are some good twists.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

This is a very creepy and effective thriller about an unreliable narrator, Fran, who is a bit odd....and also VERY obsessed with Charles. Charles is now with Fiona, but Fran still can't get him out of her mind. She is obsessed. In the beginning of the book a mysterious death happens on a subway platform that Fran witnesses. But also, Fran is not quite in her right mind.

The beginning of the book was a little slow but once it got going it got very good. I liked the fact that the first-person narrator was unusual, obsessive, and odd - I get tired of reading books about perfect and beautiful narrators who are just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Fran has Issues with a capital I, and you never know if you can totally trust her narration, but she remains totally interesting and you are invested in her story throughout.

I was genuinely shocked by the ending twist, which was really well-executed and rewarding. All in all, a very fun, twisty thriller with some innovative ideas and characters. 4 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley and to the publisher for the ARC which I received in exchange for my honest review. You and Me is a psychological thriller which offers a bit of an unusual take on the theme of unrequited love and obsession. The book is a bit slow and unfortunately many of the characters are simply unlikeable. While there is no doubt that we are shaped by events which take place in childhood, the main character Fran, is stuck there as if in a time warp.

While the book does pick up during the second half and there are some suspenseful and thrilling moments towards the end, it took too long to get there and the reader was accompanied by one too many annoying characters during the ride.

Author Nicola Rayner is obviously very talented, and I enjoyed her debut novel The Girl Before You. Although this particular novel was simply not for me, I will definitely give the author another try.

This was my first time reading one of Rayner's books and I loved it! Already I am adding The Girl Before You to my 'To Be Read' list.
Initially I found the book started off a little slow and it was hard to know where it was going but quite quickly we start to see through the layers of deception and lies that have encompassed the lives of the characters and you are completely hooked in unraveling this disturbing and chilling story.
Fran has to be one of the strongest characters I have come across in a long time. She reminded me of Eleanor Oliphant in the way that she isn't really the leading lady in her own story and lurks in the background. The level of loneliness that she feels in throughout the book is so raw and real. Feeling emotion like that through a story is so powerful and a true indication of how great a writer Rayner is. I felt a huge range of emotions towards Fran throughout the whole story; frustration, pity, empathy, impatience, and I think it is a testament to how well she was brought to life by Rayner.
The story itself, as I said started off a bit slow but as soon as it gains momentum you embark on a rollercoaster of twists and turns and you don't see many of them coming. From the description of the book, I imagined this to be a standard enough story of someone with an obsession over another person but there is so much more to this story. There were times where I thought I had figured everything out and just when it would be revealed, Rayner would present us with a whole new twist and the ride would continue.
In the end, I flew through this book. It had the right level of suspense, eeriness and mystery that is so hard to find these days. I can't wait to see Rayner's path takes her!
Big thank you to Net Galley for allowing me to read this before its publication.

This is a story about obsession, and the qualities we assign to people we admire.

It's difficult to rate this book as the first half didn't capture me, and the main character's fixation on a married man made me slightly uncomfortable. Then, the second half blew me away! This was full of twists and turns, and I admire the author's ability to create a character who is not likeable, but is still somehow compelling. In general, I would say this book will appeal to fans of domestic thrillers, or readers who are in it for the twists.

3.5 stars

Thank you Netgalley & Avon books UK for this e-ARC!

This is my second book by Nicola Rayner and while I didn't love her first book I am thrilled to say that I thought this one was pretty darn good and I am so happy to have given her a second chance.

This story is about Francesca Knight an awkward and somewhat prudish woman who is still obsessed with her boarding school crush, Charles. Charles, of course, is happily married with beautiful twin daughters but that doesn't stop Fran from following him at work, at play, and at home. It's easy for Fran to hide in the shadows because no one ever notices her anyways.

One night while she is following Charles at the tube station she notices that he is with Dickie, another classmate from their boarding school days, and he is someone that she does not have fond memories of. The tube station is crowded with people and Dickie falls to his death in front of the train. It appears to be an accident but Fran isn't so sure.

After attending his memorial service the people from her past begin to intrude on her quiet life and with it her memories of being Freaky Fran the girl they all took pleasure in picking on.

As the mystery of what happened to Dickie plays out we also learn about Frans boarding school days. Something terrible happened at the school that has caused her and her younger sister Ellie to become estranged and on reflection of these memories Fran is beginning to question everything she thought she knew which shines a light on a whole new mystery, where is Ellie?

I found Fran to be a fascinating character to read about. For as odd as she was I was still able to like her and from what I gather from other reviewers is that I may be alone in that opinion. I thought Raynor did a marvelous job of intertwining the two mysteries and I found both mysteries to be equally compelling. The pacing was perfect, not too fast but not too slow, and the conclusion was satisfying and somewhat shocking. Sometimes the people we think we know best we hardly know at all. 4 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is better than The Girl on the Train! The characters are so vividly described, it is full of suspense and I was kept intrigued right to the chilling finale. Even though Fran is a social misfit you can't help empathising with her as she struggles to weigh reality against her fantasies and recognise people for what they really are.. Strongly recommended for anyone who loves a psychological thriller