Natalie has just been released from prison and she has a single purpose in mind - to get custody back of her son. She knows he won't remember her but she never once stopped thinking about him Three years is just like the blink of an eye when Natalie remembered holding her son in his arms. But, her ex-husband has cut her son out of his life. In fact, he has remarried.

What one wants and what one gets is easier said than done. Despite the challenges, Natalie is determined to go to the ends of the earth to see her son again. Natalie has another goal in mind. Feeling she was charged and imprisoned unfairly, she is determined to find out who was responsible?

I have read more than a few books by Rona Halsall, and loved them all. I love how she writes psychological thrillers, and as it turns out, this book was previously published as Guilty Little Secrets in 2018.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Initially I was stunned that the case against the main character went anywhere as I couldn't see how it could have been anything other than cirumstantial, but I think it's necessary to build her up as someone who hasn't actually done anything wrong and that's where the sense of injustice builds.

However I found her difficult to like - and I didn't really feel connected to any of the characters. I did guess a twist early on - but I'm not sure it was that obvious, might just be the way I tend to overthink where people are concerned.

I was frustrated by some decisions or lack of what should have been obvious steps to me, by the main character, but that may be that this just isn't the book for me.

I was expecting a twisty thriller and this is not how I would describe this book. If you want a read about an injustice where you can't be sure who to trust, then this is for you however.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my advance copy of this book.

From the start I liked Natalie’s character and was delighted with the way it was revealed.

The storyline flowed quickly and easily and I found myself walking ‘just another ten minutes’ because I couldn’t stop listening now!!!!

This was the first book I have read or listened to from the author and I'm glad to have found a new author. I liked the narrator and found it easy to get into and found to be an interesting thriller twisty listen and I also didn't see the twist coming! Hope to listen to more of the authors books in the future. Thanks to netgalley and bookouture for the advanced audio copy.

My favorite Rona Halsall book so far! This one was not only thrilling (wow!) but had all the feels. What wouldn't a mother do for love of her young son? And the twists -- I don't want to spoil it for anyone else, but this one will catch you by surprise!

Halsall has once again delivered a fast paced and deliciously wicked tale. The characters are well rounded and come across as believable, whether you love them or hate them. Her characters are well-developed though not necessarily likeable. None of them are whom they appear to be. This provocative, somewhat dark and twisted story grabs you from the first page and keeps you guessing until the very end! It was so captivating and exciting that I simply couldn't put it down.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio who provided me with a copy of this book. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

This is the story of Natalie who works together with husband in his finance company.
When their baby-son Harry is a few months old her husband encourages her to return to work. All fine so far until Natalie is arrested for money laundering.
But as much as she tries to, she doesn't remember that she ever did anything like this!
It doesn't help and she ends up in prison- seperated from her beloved son because her husband never takes Harry on a visit. On the contrary: he moves away!

Natalie is desperate to get her child back and throughout the book we discover what really happened!

A psychological as well as domestic thriller that is perfectly narrated by Sarah Durham. I really could relate to Natalie's situation and wanted to know, how things turned out for her!

Thank you #NetGalley #Bookouture Audio for this audiobook

**4 Captivating Stars **

"Keep You Safe," Rona Halsall's well-written thriller, plunges us into the gut-wrenching ordeal of Natalie, a new mother wrongly accused of embezzlement. The frustration of being unjustly imprisoned for a crime you didn't commit simmered within me, bringing back a personal memory of having a check stolen and the homeowner's association's infuriating skepticism – albeit nowhere near the nightmarish confinement Natalie endures. Despite her memory lapses, Natalie clings to her innocence, while her unsupportive husband, Tom, readily believes the police. To make matters worse, Tom relocates with their son, Harry, to another country, leaving Natalie yearning for her baby amidst the cold walls of her prison cell.

My heart ached for Natalie. Upon release, her sole mission becomes finding Harry. The narrative seamlessly switches between Natalie's present struggles and past events, building suspense and illuminating her harrowing journey. An unsettling, third-person perspective creeps in at times, adding an intriguing layer of mystery. While glimpses of prison life were insightful, certain aspects felt reminiscent of another recent book. Nonetheless, I fiercely rooted for Natalie and her desperate quest for a reunion with Harry. Predictable or not, witnessing their story unfold was a captivating experience.

Highly recommend this gripping debut! I eagerly await Rona Halsall's next masterpiece.

**Many thanks to Bookouture for my copy of this book.**

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for an audio arc in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 Stars

Rona Halsall returns with a new domestic thriller. Natalie went to prison soon after her son, Harry, was born, because she was accused of stealing money from a client. Due to her incarceration her ex husband fled to the Ilse of Man where laws would be more in his favor and cut off all contact between them and her. After her release she skips out on her parole attempting to track down her ex-husband and son. Not only does she want her son back but it may be the only way that she can keep him safe because people she met in prison have threatened Harry's life. With the help of her former best friend and some new people she meets along the way she might just be able to find them before its too late.

This thriller is told from the perspective of Natalie both during her time in prison and after her release, with flashbacks filling in the details of Natalie's life. I really liked the concept of the story but the execution fell a little flat for me, especially compared to Halsall's other work. I liked Natalie as the main character and was able to sympathize with her plight. However, I figured out the twist early on and kept hoping I was wrong. It felt like a twist for the sake of having a twist with the character's motivation being flimsy and a lot of holes in the story. It would have been stronger for me with less side characters and storylines because at the end I had more questions then answers. This was an okay read but I highly recommend and anticipate Halsall's other novels.

I had the audio version read by Sarah Durham who gives another great performance. She is enjoyable to listen to, has good inflection and excellent pacing.

Natalie is just been released from prison after being charged with fraud that she didn’t commit. She has just had her little boy Harry and he is now 4 years old. She can’t wait to see him, but not her husband who set her up. She’s scared for Harry and can’t wait to meet him again. She has a plan, but will it work.

This is a gripping psychological thriller that has a great twist. I enjoyed reading about Natalie, but her husband Tom is a horrid person. It’s an easy read/listen that will keep you engaged.

The narrator is very good, good different accents for each character and is easy to follow.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

Definitely did not see the twist in the end! A very good mystery, a woman on the quest of getting back her child, has to unravel a complex web of lies she's been entangled in. Characters were solid especially the MC and protagonist... I look forward to more from this author

Solid 3.5 stars

Rona Halsall's "Keep You Safe," is my second book by this author after previously reading "Love You Gone." I listened to the audiobook and I found the experience to be decent but not as captivating as "Love You Gone".

The storyline, though okay, lacked the gripping appeal that I have come to expect from a psychological thriller. Unlike the twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat in "Love You Gone," "Keep You Safe" unfolded at a more leisurely pace, and unfortunately, it felt a bit too predictable. The narrative, while solid, failed to deliver the unexpected jolts that make this genre so engaging.

On a positive note, the narrator did an excellent job bringing the characters to life. The distinctions between voices were clear, making it easy to follow the story. The skillful narration added a layer of enjoyment to the audiobook experience.

However, the predictability of the plot, including the ending, left me yearning for the unexpected. A psychological thriller should be a rollercoaster of suspense, but "Keep You Safe" felt more like a leisurely stroll.

In conclusion, while Halsall's writing remains proficient, "Keep You Safe" falls short in delivering the heart-pounding excitement expected from the genre. It might be a suitable choice for those seeking a milder thriller experience, but for those hungry for intense twists and turns, this book may not fully satisfy that craving.

Thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author Rona Halsall for my advanced copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

#KeepYouSafe #NetGalley

This audiobook told a decent story of heartbreak, revenge, fear and the lengths a mother will go to for her child...

This story begins with Natalie, a woman who has been released from prison and is not afraid to break a few bail conditions in her pursuit of the young son she was parted from following hr arrest and subsequent imprisonment for a crime she was utterly unaware of committing. This is the story of her pursuit of her son, and also the backstory of events leading up to her imprisonment, and her time behind bars (an excellent story in itself!)

Both story telling and narrative are on point in this audiobook, and it is most definitely a story that is well worth listening to. Another quality story from Rona Halsall!

My thanks to NetGalley, author and publisher for the opportunity to review this audiobook in exchange for an advance copy.

Thank you Netgalley, Rona Halsall, and Bookouture Audio for the advanced audiobook copy! This was a great head turning psychological thriller (which is always the case with Rona) and a great listen from narrator Sarah Durham! A must read/listen!!

In the book Keep You Safe, author Rona Halsall follows Natalie Wilson who has just been released from prison for a crime she believes she did not commit. And she is now on a mission – to get her son back. But Natalie is not allowed to see her son Harry and what is her ex-husband hiding? She enlists her old friend for help. But is her friend really helping her? This was a good story and idea, but it was slow at times. The back and forth from present to past was a bit confusing at times. I would recommend this book. The audio-book narration was OK but added to the slowness of the story. I received a copy of this audio-book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Keep You Safe by Rona Halsall
(Narrated by Sarah Durham)

First of all the narrator did a great job to bring the characters alive. The tension she created was right at the point. She played Natalie really well.

Natalie married to a successful man Tom, and they have a child called Harry. The relationship between Natalie and Tom was not as perfect as the outsider seen. They had their own secrets and problem. The author used a dual timeline to present the story. - why Natalie was hurry to look for Harry. The love and caring of a mother which was perfectly shown here. I especially loved the part in the prison and the people there.

The ending was definitely twisty and I seriously could not expect that.

This is a solid 4-star read with well-created characters, fast-paced and in-depth storyplot.

I loved this book. The characters are well written leading to a real emotional link with Natalie especially. You are lead to believe initially that she may be lying and be the one in the wrong, then that she was mentally ill. As the story unfolds the events that come to light are shocking and you stand with this poor, wronged character.
Another great read

This was a good book. It kept me entertained. Natalie was just trying to be a good mom and find her little boy but her husband didn't believe her and took her son. This is her journey to get him back while stuck in prison for a crime she didn't do.

Rona Halsall returns following The Bigamist with her latest psychological thriller, KEEP YOU SAFE. When a woman is gaslighted and set up, everything is taken from her, including her most precious son.

How will this mother, who has lost it all, regain her life in this gripping domestic suspense when everything seems to be working against her?

Natalie was married to a successful businessman, Tom, and worked for him. They had a son, Harry. After the birth, she was not herself and wanted to stay home longer with the baby, but Tom rushed her into going back to work.

Then, the day all came crumbling down. Her life is in pieces. She is accused of embezzlement and put in prison. Her husband did nothing to support her. She is on her own. She did nothing. Someone has set her up, but how will she have the resources to prove her innocence?

Her husband has stopped all contact and money. She is unable to see her son. And on top of that, if it could not get any worse, she is hooked on OxyContin. Even though she never took drugs— Tom had made her smoothies, so did he intentionally drug her? Why?

Mind-bending, how could this be happening? What motive did Tom have for setting her up, or was it someone else? He did have a gambling problem, though.

Natalie has a best friend, Sasha, an actress, but she is doing little to help support her cause. Can she count on her?

In prison, she meets some colorful characters, some helpful and some not. Her goal is to get out of prison, find her son, and be reunited with him, but it appears Tom has taken him. She thinks Tom is dangerous and must find her son before he takes him out of the country. How will she find the resources to get her life back?

Trust no one!

KEEP YOU SAFE is a cautionary tale of how the smartest women can get pulled into a web of lies, deceit, and gaslighting by a powerful man due to greed and money— when no one is as they appear. Note: Never work for your husband. It is a haunting story of a mother's strong love for her son. You will sympathize and root for her to the end.

I enjoyed the ending and how everything wrapped up!

I listened to the audiobook narrated by the super Sarah Durham, which I enjoyed, making the characters come alive with her performance.

For fans of K.L. Slater, Miranda Rijks, and Emily Shiner.

Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for a gifted ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Note: the original title GUILTY LITTLE SECRETS

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 4 Stars
Pub Date: Jan 10, 2024
Jan 2024 Must-Read Books

I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was great with difference voices and emotions. I guessed the baddie pretty early on but still enjoyed listening to the story unfold for Natalie. The whole time I kept thinking about poor Harry! Definitely worth a listen, fast paced and suspenseful.