All For You by Louise Jensen is a suspense filled story about the Walsh family who, it is fair to say, have a lot on their plate. Mother, Lucy, has given up her job as an orthopaedic surgeon to care for her 13 year old son, Kieron, who had been diagnosed with an unusual chronic liver disease which is life threatening. Their elder son, Connor, is 17 and just returning to school for his last year of A Levels after a few months absence following a serious incident during a residential school trip. Aidan, their father is trying to hold his fragile family together but has his own demons to deal with which distract him from his family and his job as a vet.

I found the first half of the book a little slow going as it focuses on building tension with short, terse sentences and much signalling of the school trip incident without the reader knowing what happened. We know that maybe Connor’s best friends, Ryan and Tyler, might have been involved with this incident as they too are only just returning to school. Shortly after the start of term Ryan and Tyler both disappear a few days apart and Connor and his family are scared that Connor is going to be next.

I had to suspend belief a few times in this story, not least when Connor is left alone despite his friends having been ‘taken’ and his family worrying that his life is in similar danger. If that were my son he would not be out in public or left alone until whatever had happened to his friends was resolved. The last 40% of the book moved at a much better pace but there continued to be sections where I had to suspend belief that people would truly behave in this way.

I am a little undecided about this book and there was one aspect, of something that happened to Ryan at the start of Part Two, that I found deeply disturbing and that made me wish I hadn’t started reading this book.

With thanks to NetGalley and HQ for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Louise Jensen goes from strength to strength with her psychological family dramas and All For You is no exception. It is more complex than her previous books and I found it gripping.

Lucy Walsh is filled with foreboding while driving home to her sick younger son, 13-year-old Kieron. When she arrives it is to find her older child, 17-year-old Connor has disappeared, shortly after two of his closest friends have been abducted.

Told from three points of view: Lucy, Connor, and his father, Aiden date back to events that occurred before Connor's vanishing and each of them has secrets and worries they do not want to reveal. There is a great sense of foreboding throughout and the question of how far would you go for your children is ever present.

Many thanks to NetGalley and HQ for the opportunity to read and Review All For You.

All For You by Louise Jensen is a twisty thriller narrated from three different perspectives. Lucy, Aiden and Connor. I had a feeling the title would be significant, but how significant isn’t revealed until near the end. The prologue tells us something terrible has happened to Connor, Lucy’s eldest son. There are flashbacks, taking us back to their time at school and a teenage dare that went horribly wrong at summer camp. A truck-load of secrets provide tension and panic and a family weighed down with anxiety and guilt. What happened to Connor’s girlfriend, Haley? Who can we trust?

Lucy, whose chapters are narrated through first person point of view, is an orthopaedic surgeon. She has given up her career to car for her teenage son, Kieron who has chronic liver disease. Looking for a liver transplant would be enough to knock her to the kerb, but there are too many problems aside from something as serious as this. The author really holds Lucy’s feet to the coals and we see her tested almost to breaking point. Through her narrative we see a dedicated wife and mother, and a child suffering from the sickness. Connor’s chapters show a conflicted teenager, whose love for his brother is paramount. But he is traumatised and struggling to cope and the truth of what happened is clawing at his sanity. As are all the secrets each Walsh family member keeps. Aiden, Lucy’s husband is a vet. His secrets threaten to destroy his career and his marriage and there’s something in his past that is relevant to the present. The fact that someone is watching them, only intensifies the pace even more.

With different characters alternating their stories, the novel gets darker and darker. There are plenty of red herrings to keep you on your toes. The ending was not one I was expecting. It was so out there, I was treated to the gnawing question - how far will people go for their loved ones?

All For You is one of the twistiest thrillers I’ve read this year. Many thanks to the publishers, HQ, the author Louise Jensen and to Netgalley for the privilege of reading an advance copy of this book.

I found this book such a compelling read, right from the first chapter which immediately threw up so many questions when seventeen year old Connor disappears.
He is the third teenager to go missing following the disappearance of his two friends who become known in the media as 'The Taken'
Who has taken Connor and why? What are the secrets that Connor's parents are both trying to protect?
The story is told from multiple perspectives and sinister family secrets are slowly revealed as the book progresses. The first part of the book counts down the days to Connor's disappearance and the events leading up to it.
There are so many twists and turns that I found it impossible to predict. Despite being a gripping read I did find the ending a bit far fetched. A great family thriller that will certainly keep you turning the pages!
Thank you to NetGalley and HQ Publishers for this EARC.

Louise Jensen’s psychological thriller starts full on with the disappearance of the 17-year-old Connor. He is the last one of a group of three friends who mysteriously vanished – The Taken, as the media refers to them.

The first part of the book is the day-by-day countdown to Connor’s disappearance, during which we learn that something really bad had happened that now implicates the three friends as well as Connor’s mum Lucy, who all seem to be guilt-ridden and highly protective of the secret that binds them. Connor’s behaviour borders on self-harm following the (yet unknown to us) event that is haunting him and makes him think that he forfeited his claim to a happy life. The reader is left in the dark, led up many a garden path and allowed to make many wrong assumptions – those twists and turns are a real strength of the story, holding you in tight suspense as the plot develops.

The second part starts shedding some light on what happened but contains enough decoys that have you guessing until the very end. For me, the machinations of the plot when it came to solving the many riddles seemed to be a bit far-fetched. Overall, I would have preferred a bit more restraint where there was a tendency to be over-dramatic in the description of feelings and events. The constant pushing of ‘something is wrong’ does create an atmosphere of foreboding but one the reader simply gets used to, which – at least in my mind – defeats the purpose of the exercise.

The story is not anchored in any particular contemporary or historical context – so could have happened anywhere, which makes it less appealing to me but will certainly be enjoyable for those who are looking for a straight-forward nerve-racking crime story with plenty of unknowns and a fast paced plot.

I enjoyed reading it – but not my favourite.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am a huge fan of Louise Jensen and All For You did not disappoint in any way. It's a gripping, sinister psychological thriller told with skill and pace. The tension the author creates is almost unbearable.

Two of Connor's friends have gone missing and he fears he will be next. The inevitable occurs and his mother, Lucy, is desperate to find him. That is just the start of a hectic and disturbing series of events.

The novel is full of the unexpected and the plot is expertly developed. All the characters have intriguing backstories. It was a fabulous read.

Thank you to NetGalley and HQ Stories for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

All For You is another well written thriller that had me reading at all t8mes of the day and night.
The Walsh family are having a tough time at the moment. Lucy, Aidan and eldest son Connor have some big secrets that they are keeping very well hidden whilst the youngest son, Kieron is ill and in need of a transplant.
This book is very well written, it has a lot going on and a lot of twists, I didn’t get the main twist until it was spelt out for me. I am not going into the plot line as you are definitely best coming n with no knowledge of this book at all for it to have maximum effect.
I would like to thank Netgalley and HQ for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.

All For You does not disappoint.
It is full of suspense, secrets and such an interesting plot. Each time I thought I’d worked out the twist I hadn’t. There are a couple of twists and I didn’t think Kieron’s illness would play such a big part.
It’s written with multiple points of view, goes between the past and the present but isn’t at any point confusing.
Everything that happens in this book is because of grief, loss and love and I thought it was brilliant.

The Walsh family do not have it easy. Their youngest son is suffering from a liver disease that may kill him, Connor, the older brother is a ball of teenage angst & although he loves his brother her often feels left out. His parents are struggling to juggle life with memories of an event that changed things for them & their group of friends. Connor has a secret along with his two friends. When first one, then the other goes missing Connor fears he will be next. Told from Connor & his parents point of view, the reader gets rushed along at a fast pace trying to guess exactly what is at the root of it all. It was a really engaging read. However when it came to the last third it somehow became more & more difficult to buy into it & one major plot element really bothered me (& still does) It was a story I couldn't put down but the last part stopped me giving it five stars. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.

Fast paced psychological thriller.
Lucy and Aiden have 2 sons: Keiron who has a rare liver disease and is in and out of hospital and Connor his big brother who feels left out and less loved by his parents.
Connor has 2 best mates, Tyler and Ryan. They do lots together. Then Tyler and Ryan go missing. Who is watching the boys and Connor's family in the white car?
Believable characters, many twists and turns and at times it was very uncomfortable to read with a thought provoking end. Would you behave as they did?

This is such a family-focused thriller that explores how fragile a persons mind can truly be. It provides insight into what one individual is capable of when they are driven to breaking point and is gripping from start to finish.

I enjoyed the alternating POV's between the main characters. You really get an insight into how they each blame themselves for what happened to Connor. They all have secrets that they are trying to protect and they will each take a different direction to protect both their family and their secret.

This was such an exhilarating story from start to finish. Anyone who dares to say they guessed the ending is lying as there is WAY too much going on for anyone to be able to predict the mindblowing revelations of this book!

This isn't my first Louise Jensen book and definitely won't be my last. She never fails to disappoint!

Thank you so much to NetGalley ad HQ for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This family-centred contemporary psychological thriller is full of twists and turns, and it will keep you guessing right up to the end.

MEET THE WALSH FAMILY
Lucy: Mother. Wife. Falling to pieces...
Aidan: Father. Husband. In too deep...
Connor: Son. Brother. Can never tell the truth...

Everyone in this family has something to hide, but what are they trying to protect, and at what cost?

IT WAS ALL FOR YOU.

At it's heart, this is a tale of psychological torment and heart-breaking dilemmas. Although the story is told through the eyes of Lucy, Aidan and Connor, there is a fourth member of this family. Kieron is the couple's youngest son, who is suffering from an ongoing medical condition which affects the family in every aspect of their lives.

There are dark secrets in the family's past. All three narrators have secrets, some of them sinister, some upsetting, and all of them continuing to rule the character's lives.

And then there are 'The Taken', the missing teenage boys with strong links to the family and its past. The novel opens with Connor himself being found to have been 'taken'. Where have these boys gone, and is it all linked to a Sixth Form residential that took place last term?

I really enjoyed reading this book, and appreciated it's fast past and strong characters. My only hesitance in terms of giving this novel full marks would be that there is one scene (and you'll know which one it is when you read it) that is so graphic that it really turned my stomach - and it came out of nowhere in a complete contrast to the family drama of previous scenes. I like my shockers to come with a warning!

I'd particularly recommend this book to fans of Lisa Jewell and Gillian Flynn.

Thank you to Louise Jensen, Harper Collins Publishers and NetGalley UK for an ARC of this novel is return for my honest review.

This is a very well written book leaving you rooting for the characters even when they’re in the wrong . I definitely recommend this book and loved the twists and turns and unusually didn’t expect that ending . I will definitely be reading more from this author . A 5 star read for this book l absolutely loved it

Lucy's teenage son Connor and his two friends were involved in a tragic accident on a school camp; the repercussions of the incident are still being felt in their community and in Connor's school. One day, one of the two friends goes missing, shortly followed by the other - and Lucy can only fret that Connor will be next in line. The story is told in flashbacks and present day, from the viewpoint of Lucy, her husband Aidan, Connor and his friends - and all of the information helps to present a rounded story. I enjoyed reading it - some of the twists were definitely unexpected. A decent 3 star read

A book which keeps it’s secrets well hidden!

Lucy, Aiden and their elder son Connor each find themselves in an impossible situation ; they are each convinced that they – and only they – are fully responsible so, naturally, keep their fears to themselves. When the truth finally emerges, who will be left standing?

What a cleverly crafted story! I always admire writers who can produce a book such as this, where there is so much going on but the reader is aware that there is still an awful lot to find out! At the very beginning, I was a little puzzled but it didn’t take long for me to pick up the thread of the story and from then on it was a compulsive read and when it wasn’t in my hands, it was playing on my mind. Did I work it all out? Not a hope! This is so smartly written with everything tightly woven together it shows what an awesome talent Louise Jensen has. Plenty of surprises along the way – this author knows how to keep her cards close to her chest and only reveal details in a timely manner, and her timing is spot on! Gripping doesn’t seem to even begin to cover this one; my attention was seized and nothing was letting it go until the very final page. A very impressive novel, one which I’m very happy to give both my recommendation and a full five stars!

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley; this is – as always – my honest, original an unbiased review.

A twisted, clever and unpredictable thriller book!

This is the first book I have read by Louise Jensen and it won't be the last. I lived and breathed this book, waiting to finish work to keep reading it, anticipating for my son to go to bed early so I can sneak on to my quiet little corner and get absorbed in the life of the Walsh family.
I am a huge fan of thrillers and mystery genre but most of the time I can guess the ending of a book. This ending I could not have predicted and this is what I love even more about this book and the author. It keeps you guessing without creating a plot that is too far fetched or just for the sake of twists. Louise Jensen is a master of characters, making all 3 main characters: Lucy, Aidan and Connor feel as true to the human nature as possible with their flaws, insecurities and fears... just perfectly imperfect beings. I don't know if the author has some degree in psychology as I could not find anything relevant online but she seems to have a very good understanding of human behaviour and psychology.
My favourite character is Lucy as she is such a complex character that gave me a lot of ambivalent emotions . As a mother, I could resonate with her a lot and this book made me think of what I would do in similar situations. I am not even sure how to write this review without giving away anything from the plot as there is a lot more I would like to say and even discuss with others who have read the book. I started reading it the moment I received it but it took me 3 months to write a review as I wanted to go back and revisit it. This is a book that stays with you, a book that makes you think about your own limits, your family and what would you be capable of doing for the people you love. Last but no least it makes you reach deep into your soul to find a huge amount of empathy and understanding for anyone in a similar situation as the characters in the book. I highly recommend this book!

Thank you Netgalley and HQ for providing this book. It was also the first book I got after creating my Netgalley account in June 2021.

I’m never let down by a Louise Jensen book! All For You is a gripping page turner and I found it incredibly hard to put down. I enjoy a good family focused thriller and this one is written really well. The characters are strong and well-formed and the further into the story I got, the more my opinions of each of them changed based on what we learn about them. Main character Lucy’s thoughts and feelings are frighteningly relatable and portray what a seemingly ordinary person is capable of when pushed to the brink.

Big thanks to Netgalley and HQ for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Walsh family, Told from POV from Lucy, Adam and Connor.

What a fantastic griping read, great characters, fast paced and full of surprises and twists.

I was kept hooked throughout and kept totally engrossed.

When I thought I had worked it out I was proven wrong oh so wrong.

Highly recommend you pick this beauty up.

A bit of a rollercoaster this one , all this happening to one family , the Walsh family . Mother Lucy , a Doctor who has given up work to care for her seriously ill son Kieron . A father Aiden tied up in a web of deceit . The older son Connor not communicating and partly blaming his brother for having all the attention .When 2 of Connor's friends disappear it comes out that all 3 were involved in a tragic incident involving Hailey , Connor's girlfriend and Lucy expects him to become the next victim . A family story with many great twists along the way .

This certainly has lots of twists and despite my trying to guess 'whodunnit' I didn't come close. I didn't come close because of the amount of secrets the characters have. Obviously this keeps the plot ticking along but personally I found it a bit annoying. Bearing in mind there are young lives in potential danger why would the various grown ups not disclose everything? Why do so many of them ignore their phones? I know authors often 'tweak' medical facts to suit a story better than the actual facts and that there are nearly always exceptions to the rules but (trying to avoid any spoilers) there was one big 'howler' that was important for the plot but definitely took the edge off for me.