First Date by Sue Watson
I give this book 4 stars
Your new flame......
Your worst nightmare!
Hannah meets Alex on a dating app, he appears to be the perfect boyfriend but then scary things start to happen.....All is not as it seems, who can Hannah trust?

I loved that l got frustrated with Hannah for getting taken in and not listening to her work colleagues warnings and the way Alex managed to talk himself out of every incident.A plausible topic for a book,loved the book cover.

A great story of twisted love,obsession,lies and manipulation.A psychological thriller that l found a fast and entertaining if slightly sinister read.Well written with a steady build up of pace and tension and that last chapter....wow what a twist,l didn't see it coming!
A recommended read
With thanks to Netgalley,Bookouture and Sue Watson for my chance to read and review this book

3.5 Stars!

This is a wild and twisty ride about Hannah, who meets the "perfect" guy online and later finds out, he's not who he appears to be.

Having done extensive online dating, I could completely relate to Hannah and her situation. I had a hard time relating to her naivety regarding Alex. He was throwing up red flags the whole time and her friends were trying to help her to see them, but she wasn't. It was a bit frustrating to read.

I loved the crazy twist, though and it made for a higher ranking.

A special thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture, and Sue Watson for providing me with an ARC.

If ever there was a ever a reminder that I'm glad I'm not part of the dating scene, it's this book.

Hannah hasn't had much luck when it comes to men. Her being 36, I could feel her frustrations that she was not destined to find true love and settle down. That changes when she meets Alex. Things seem to move pretty fast when she meets him and the pessimist in me was just waiting for something to go wrong. I'm definitely one of those people that if something is to good to be true, it usually is.

The further into the story I got, the more the alarm bells were ringing in my head. Hannah at times I found to be quite naive but I couldn't blame her as when you're in love you tend to see everything through rose tinted glasses as the saying goes. The tension definitely starts hotting up and the author had me second guessing a couple of the characters intentions. So much so, I wasn't entirely sure who I could take at face value apart from Hannah herself.

First Date was a page turning, compulsive story that made me so glad I'm married! I was so engrossed with what was happening that time seemed to stand still as I lost myself into this book. I could feel my heart starting to race the nearer to the ending I got and boy should this come with a warning as I think I am still in shock days after having finished it. Never has an ending left me with the chills that this one did. Totally freaked me out! Another winner from Sue Watson.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
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Hannah meets Alex on a dating website and hits it off immediately on the first date. Alex is a handsome, attentive lawyer and they seem to have everything in common.
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Hannah has been longing for someone to love her and treat her special. They quickly move into the serious phase of dating, Alex spoils Hannah and lavishes her with attention. She is over the moon.....
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But, while Hannah sees Alex’s behavior as love and adoration, her friends see it as controlling and overbearing.
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Alex becomes increasingly more intense, sending up more red flags.
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Are Hannah’s friends just jealous or is something very wrong with Alex?
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This was only my second book by this author. I read Our Little Lies and enjoyed that one. This one was a little more Lifetime Movie-ish.
It’s a quick, entertaining read, but it is a bit frustrating because you really just want to shake Hannah the whole time.

I thoroughly enjoyed this twisty thriller, although it was slow to get going and the ending came quickly and felt a little rushed.

I didn’t outright guess who the villain was going to be, and the characters were well written.

Exactly the type of book I enjoy reading. I would recommend and will look out for more books by the author.

I tend to stay away from thrillers because I either lose interest or I can predict the end. This was not the case with Sue Watson's First Date.
I had heard a lot about this book on social media and the plot sounded interesting and really relevant to today's world of online dating. From the first chapter, I was hooked and instantly had that creepy-panicked feeling that only great thrillers can give.
Watson's characters were really thought out and well-developed, and I enjoyed that there were consistent themes throughout the book (i.e. Hannah's childhood trauma and abandonment issues, Alex's manipulative personality being portrayed as thoughtful/caring).
I was on the edge of my seat reading this and there were more than a handful of times where I thought I had everything figured out. But every time I thought I figured it out, Watson had a way to debunk my theory. I was completely satisfied with the ending and then I read the last chapter and my jaw hit the floor. This book was perfectly done and I'm so glad there was that final twist.

WOW what a book this is from the brilliant Sue Watson and if you ever think about going dating online read First Date and i promise it may very well put you off for life.Hannah meets Alex online and she is amazed just how much they want the same things in life Hannah thinks she has finally found her perfect man and soon she is falling in love.But with her workmate and best friend Jas urging her to show caution Hannah is bit put out with interfering ways and cracks start to show in their friendship especially as Alex doesn't like Jas or anyone for that matter being to close to Hannah he tries to do his best to turn her against Jas.This really is one of my best reads of the year and with a cracking ending which will have you gripped to the end i defy anybody not to enjoy this book.I can't praise this book highly enough, a superb 5 star read all the way..

I read this ARC for an honest review
All thoughts and opinions are mine

A new author to me
I absolutely loved this!
Great pace and suspense building
I found it very scary - but in a good way!! Couldn't put this down - I'd get to a scary bit and put down and then seconds later picking it up again to carry on !!! That's never happened with a book before

I think this is a book I will re-read and that it rare

Highly recommend

First Date Sue Watson
This book is everything a good psychological thriller should be, and I will be thinking about it for a long time after I have finished it.
After reading late into the night, I woke early next morning just dying to know how it would end, and the ending didn't disappoint.
So often I wanted to give Hannah a good shake! And tell her to wake up and see what's going on around her, but people do fall into these types of relationships all too often. Hannah isn't the most endearing of characters, but i felt I still willed her on.
I formed so many (wrong) theories, and thats the mark of any good psychological thriller for me.
Excellent writing and great storyline. Easy 5 stars from me, I devoured this book in two days.

Let me start off by saying, this book does exactly what you’d expect it to do from the title and the cover – it’s a psychological thriller played out in the dating world. As a concept it’s solid and I thought the author handled the premise really well. The building up is steady and thorough and by the last thirty percent I was just reading, reading, reading, looking for information, unable to stop, really. And that’s the funny thing about this book – so many books these days concentrate on the first ten percent that you get as a sample and then go downhill after that but I felt this was the opposite.

I actually had my doubts in the first couple of pages – I got hung up on a couple of silly points which instantly made me think Hannah was a fantasist or not quite all there. The first thing which threw me off was the mention of a ‘white picket fence’ I thought I was reading something set in the US and then they started talking about Devon, is that Devon, Pennsylvania? No, they’re definitely in the UK. So is Hannah an Americophile, a girl who dreams in Gilmore Girl accents? Then as they’re realizing how their aspirations are the same it felt very naïve, not just that she put so much stock in wanting the same dog, but because at 35 and first meeting the guy, she was still planning a three child family. I know you can, but having recently passed that milestone myself, I know how you feel, at 35, working all hours, still single wondering if you’ll even manage one kid!

I read on, honestly not sure, but the storytelling soon overcame the flaws of the protagonist. Yes she is ridiculously naive but some people are. In the end, I cared for her enough to want her to survive and at some point the plot thickened and flipped and turned into a better story than just one about a terrible first date with a weirdo which takes over your life. Also kudos to the author for not leaving any strands of the story flapping in the wind! I put the book down feeling satisfied and not annoyed. I will definitely look out for her next book and despite the niggles at the beginning would recommend this one too to anyone who enjoys dating world psychological thrillers.

Woah! This story was so thrilling and frightening. I was on edge the whole time I was reading. I almost put it down because it was creeping me out so much, but I also wanted to see what would happen next so I kept reading!

This is the second book I’ve read of the authors and it certainly won’t be the last. I love her writing style!

Hannah, a committed social worker, is a lonely woman who goes on a dating app and meets a man who she feels could be "The One". They have the same interests and, besides that, he's strikingly handsome. Hannah felt they were kindred spirits, stating "We were little more than children without roots, both searching for a family and a home, and believing we’d found that in each other." There are red flags...Hannah ignores them. Her friends have reservations about Alex...Hannah ignores them. Hannah ignores a lot...until she can't ignore any more.

This was a fun, quick read for me and I would definitely recommend it to others!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for an advanced copy of this book.

Thirty-six-year-old Hannah is an insecure, sweet girl, still hoping to find the man of her dreams. Her friends encourage her to go on a dating app, and there is Alex. He’s everything she’s ever dreamed of – good looking, considerate, treats her like a queen, and seems to have the same hopes and dreams as she does. Hannah is VERY naïve and overlooks all kinds of red flags in their relationship, but no one can tell her anything negative about Alex. As their wedding day approaches, it becomes clear that Hannah is exactly what Alex has been looking for too, but not in a good way! A lot of the actions of Hannah were unbelievable, like those horror movies where the girl is about to enter the house, and you wanted to grab her and scream in her face! A good look at obsession, internet dating, and a twisted love. Thanks to the publisher, the author and NetGalley for my copy of The First Date.

First Date grabbed my attention from the first page.


Hannah has the perfect first date with Alex. Alex wants all of the same things as Hannah. Alex answers every question the same way Hannah would from the amount of kids to the kind of dog to their ideal holiday. As the book goes on red flags start to be revealed. Is Alex really as perfect as Hannah thinks? Is anything Alex says true?


Weird things start happening to Hannah since she started dating Alex. Is this related to Alex? Is Alex responsible?

First Date is a crazy good book. It is something that any single person can relate to. After a promising first date, people tend to ignore red flags. Luckily most red flags people ignore are not as extreme as Alex’s red flags.

First Date starts out talking a lot about Hannah and Alex’s relationship developing. It is interesting to see how the characters interact and Hannah’s feelings throughout. I liked Hannah for the most part. The way Hannah was introduced in the story led me to like her from the beginning. Hannah did make some decisions that weren’t the most rational. However, I could see them being realistic for someone invested in a relationship.

Hannah and Alex’s relationship was interesting to read about. The relationship effected Hannah’s friendships and I enjoyed seeing how the friends handled things. Alex and Hannah’s best friend, Jas, do not get along. They are always saying bad things about each other. Which one is trying to help and which one is jealous of the other’s relationship?

Hannah’s coworkers and friends characters added to the story. Harry is always in his own world and only interjects himself in conversations when he feels like it. Jas is a widow and trying to find love again but very cynical after many failed attempts. Sameera is very focused on her wedding. She is cautious about Hannah’s relationship and not afraid to say things do not seem right.

If a thriller about the perfect first date I recommend First Date.

The ending was very unexpected in the best way. I recommend First Date to domestic thriller fans.


Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for First Date.

I keep seeing hype on First Date and it didn’t disappoint. Hannah thinks she’s found her match on her first date with Alex. They both want 3 kids, a lab and white picket fence. On the surface he has the job, the house - an overall well established life. Is he as perfect as he seems? Or does his lies and overprotective behavior make her want to run?

I’ll start out with my pet peeve. Hannah is an idiot, but blinded by the dream of being in love. Her reactions were predictable and she surely could have seen the witting on the wall much sooner. Even with this dynamic, this book was a page turner and full of twists. I really enjoyed it and was blown away by the end.

First Date by Sue Watson
As expected, another fine psychological thriller by accomplished Author Sue Watson whose books never disappoint.
The fine line between affection, infatuation, lies and control are scrutinised in this book; many red flags transpired that kept me contemplating the outcome, although a slow start the story finishes with a terrific twist.
Hannah Westons best friend Jasmine talks her into trying a dating app as romance has taken a back seat for a while as Hannah works hard at her job as a Social Worker. Through the app, Hannah meets lawyer Alex Higham, and the first date goes so well that Hannah feels he is 'The One', the relationship begins.
Hannah soon starts to see notice flashes of Alexs controlling personality, and alarm bells begin to ring. Boss and best friend Jasmine advises her to take her time and get to know Alex better, but Hannah sees everything through rose coloured glasses. Alex is perfect, isn't he?
A highly recommended read.
I want to thank NetGalley, Bookouture, Sue Watson, for a pre-publication copy to review.

Firstly, this was so close to getting a full 5/5 stars from me, but i've settled with a 4.5/5 stars. It is a great thriller.

The books begins with Hannah on a first date. It is going perfect, her and Alex seem such a perfect match. Finally, after a poor past relationship and no success dating yet, she seems to have met the perfect man. As the relationship blossoms, she falls in love with him and his beautiful home; a life she has always wanted. Merely weeks into their new relationship, weird things start happening. First a delivery of roses, but the threatening message with it would suggest they aren't from Alex. Hannah begins to wonder if her ex Tom is playing up again, he never took the break up well. Hannah is sure someone is following her around. It isn't long before their are faults in the relationship with Alex as the lies begin to unfold and the truth comes out. Her best friends don't trust him and find him controlling. Can she trust him? Is he controlling or is he just caring for her? All Hannah ever wanted was someone to care for her. Is it all too good to be true?

This kept me page turning. You almost know what is going to happen, and you want to scream at Hannah, what are you doing!? Part of me thought it dragged on, but actually, this probably made for good suspense. I really enjoyed all the plot twists and the ending was not expected at all. It makes leads for a great sequel potentially.

The only reason for not giving a full 5/5 stars is that despite the good suspense, for me it did drag ever so slightly. I feel we could have cut on the constant controlling behaviours of Alex, and potentially focused more on how the different lies were found out and how Alex found Hannah in the first place.
Overall, I would recommend this read to anyone who loves a good page turning and plot twisting thriller! Big thanks to Net Gallery and Bookouture for allowing me access to a copy of the book in return for an honest review!

Ooooh this is good. I couldn’t put it down it was so addictive. The ending is brilliant and I totally didn’t see it coming.

My Review:

Loved, loved, loved this book!!!!! I am so glad I listened to all the great reviews and decided to pick up this book. I kept hearing about a great ending and boy did this book deliver. I have read other Sue Watson books and they were all great but this one tops the cake. This will make it on my top 10 list for the year, it was just that good.

This book was about a woman who decides to try a dating app to find love since she had had bad luck in finding the perfect man herself. On her first date ever using the app she does find Mr. Right. Is it going to last? Is he really that perfect? What secrets is he hiding? You find this out and so much more by the end.

Ok, so when I first read the description of this book I thought it was just another story about a relationship that turned ugly. I was wrong, dead wrong. This book was so much more than that. Yes, Hannah made me so angry by missing all the red flags that this guy, Alex, was sending out. But I’m telling you her vulnerability made this book. I do believe woman especially at the beginning of a relationship can be so naive. The relationship is new and they will make every excuse just to try and make it work since they are in the love honeymoon phase. I also loved Alex, the guy she fell in love with. One minute I thought he was the sweetest man ever but then the next he would do something creepy that would make you wonder. You never knew what this guy was thinking and if he truly was a psychopath who wanted to murder Hannah. Now let’s get to my favorite part of the book. That ending. Wow, wow, wow!!!!!! I never expected that. Just when I thought the book had ended, boom, a bombshell had been dropped. That ended explained it all. No stone was left unturned. I couldn’t believe it. I’m still in shock!!!!!

Between the plot, characters and all the twists in this book it made it an easy and fast read. I would definitely recommend it and happily give it 5 Hearts❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

2.5 stars
I’m soo disappointed. I’ve read Sue Watson’s last book Sister in Law and enjoyed it. I had great expectations from this book. However it does not live up to those expectations at all. The book could do with some heavy editing. The first date for example, goes on and on and on and frankly I couldn’t wait for it to finish. Hannah behaves ridiculously, for somebody who is a social worker you would expect them to have seen a lot of the bad in the world and definitely be more levelheaded because of it. There were times in the book that she genuinely frustrated me to the point that I would want to shake her. Her character was not likable. While there were other characters that you did want to know about or get to know better, overall it felt like 80% of this book was going nowhere. The ending was a redemption to a certain extent, the twist in the tale was not so predictable. And that alone made me bump this up to a 2.5
This is a book I would be OK to miss reading, unfortunate since I really do think the author has great potential.