An insight into what the future could be like. A thought provoking book that was a huge conversation starter for me at home and in work. I love the premise and the way the whole story was told! Will be recommending this to everyone!

Your partner can hear your thoughts. You can hear theirs. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? Before reading Always On My Mind, I’ve often thought that I wouldn’t mind knowing what my husband was thinking but I have swiftly changed my mind. Some thoughts should never be shared.

So, the positives. It was an interesting plot that felt very John Marrs’y’ and I’ve loved his dystopian/sci-fi reads so couldn’t wait to pick this one up. I loved how the story played out and how we were drip fed the flaws and faults of the characters. Nothing was given away too quickly.

I absolutely loved the ending. I can’t say too much without going anything away but I outwardly smirked to myself😏.

Now the reason I didn’t rate this higher is because I found it easy to put down and not so easy to pick up. I wish I could pinpoint why. Whilst I enjoyed being drip fed, I do think it was a little slow at times which may contribute towards me not picking up constantly.

Overall a very good read👏🏽.

I did enjoy this book despite the 3 star rating. I read this copy via Netgalley and I'm afraid the experience was severely ruined by the formatting of the eBook. I'm not solely judging the book based on the formatting but I do think if it had been formatted better, I would have connected more with it.

It's an interesting concept. And I did guess a lot of the twists. The MC wasn't exactly likeable either so I struggled to connect with her. However, it's a clever story. I didn't understand the reasoning behind the husband wanting the unity chip. Surely there were easier ways!

Anyway, a decent story but I'm loathe to call it a proper thriller.

Thankyou NetGalley for this arc copy,
This book highlighted the true factors of narcissism; the futuristic undertone reminded me of John marrs, I loved the concept of the book on how the chip was perceived to make the couples life more better and more stronger. Elijah lived up to his name on being a true narcissist, I devoured this book it was a really good read: the deception the secrets and the mid revenge made the book I would highly recommend

I could not put this book down - which is unusual for me when I don't like most of the characters. Elijah is controlling, Anna is a bit of an easily manipulated wimp, Gavin is dull and Helen is two dimensional.

In spite of this I was completely drawn in to this story set in the near future where tech can be so seductive that people are happy to have a chip inserted that means that you and your partner can hear each other's thoughts - surely a terrible idea! What could possibly go wrong? Quite a lot as it turns out. The story rattles on at a rollicking pace with secrets being uncovered as the story moves on.

Some of the story doesn't quite ring true but it is written so well that I read late in to the night and finished it in a couple of days. I would definitely recommend it if you fancy an entertaining read

This sounded perfectly thrilling and really unique. I read A LOT of thrillers, it's probably my most read genre, but after a while they do become a bit samey, but this was completely new for me.

What was worrying is how real this book could be. What with more of our lives being online, there's not much privacy anymore, and so our mind and our thoughts are sacred. And with the inventions in technology and AI, it feels like this sci-fi future could very much become fact.

This is freaky and unfair. It doesn't matter how much you love someone, I wouldn't want them reading every single thought, and that's not because I have anything to hide. It's just an invasion of privacy. Whether it's my friend, my partner, or my Mum, my thoughts are mine alone.

It is mostly set in the present time, but every so often there's a flashback to Anna and Elijah's younger years, as well as testimonials from other people who have had the Unity chip added. This helps add context and backstory to the novel.

It's a slow, careful, psychological thriller. It lulls you in, you get to know these characters, how happy they are, and how surely nothing can go wrong. But slowly, you start to read between the lines. And you realise things are just slightly off. Not enough to notice initially. Like, when you walk into a room and immediately notice something has moved but you're not quite sure what, but it's thrown everything off.

A very strong theme in this book is that of coercive control. It's not that physical violence that we all perceive abuse to be, that isolating fear. But Elijah always wants to know where Anna is, who she's with, what she's doing, and it was him who suggested getting the chip. It's seen as a loving, caring way, that he's worried about her. But it's very subtle, as it can be in real life. It's very powerful and very uncomfortable.

We have four main characters I would say:

Anna is our main woman; I flipped and flopped with her. I felt for her as she was clearly struggling in her professional life and personal life. She's quite subdued, controlled (but she doesn't always realise it). She's a bit naïve and clearly hiding something. But in all, I did feel sympathy towards her.

Then Elijah is Anna's husband. He was a charming, slimy little man. He's charismatic, oozes charm, he worms his way in, but has a short fuse and is clearly very controlling.

And then their friends Helen and Gavin. Gavin was unredeemable for me, for reasons I won't spoil. He tried to win me over but I wasn't having any of it. Helen is Anna's friend and she's like the devil's advocate, questioning everything, not always supportive, but I think her heart is always in the right place.

It's not always believable, and if you focus on those elements then you'll drive yourself mad. Some bits worked better than others and in context of what is a fantasy sci-fi thriller, it works. Just don't think about it too much (pun very much intended).

It is paced well. It's slow enough to let you in, get to know the characters, and feel comfortable in their world, but fast enough to be exciting and frantic.

I read some reviews that said they didn't like the ending, and I'm not sure why. I support it does all end rather abruptly but I'm not sure that's a negative, at least it wasn't for me. I felt the plot interested me and carried on this great storytelling right to the end. A very promising debut.

i was gripped from the beginning with this book straight away you are concerned for the safety of anna and automatically dislike elijah even though you dont know whats going to happen to get to the point in the prologue - the whole concept of unity is interesting hearing another persons thoughts i dont think i could do it.
I am sorta happy with the end but still fearful.

This was super chilling and interesting food for thought, in our world of advancing technology.

Anna and Elijah have been married for ten years. Elijah is…well, not exactly controlling, but he always wants to know where Anna is and what’s she is doing, to the extent that he has installed cameras all around their high spec tech home. For Elijah, this is simply because he adores Anna and wants to know she is safe, but for Anna, Elijah’s behaviour is stifling.

On their anniversary, Elijah’s gift to Anna is for them to take their relationship to the next level and to have chips inserted that allow them both to hear the other one’s every thought, Anna is horrified, but how can she tell her husband that? She has no choice but to go ahead.

Trapped in a prison she can’t escape, Anna starts to have unusual dreams, which she realises are Elijah’s memories and which are also deeply disturbing. Does this mean he can access her memories? And therefore her secrets? Who is this man she is married to and is she in danger?

The book is really well written and the plot is fantastic!
Refreshingly original, this compelling read is highly recommended.

5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Carys Green and Random House Vintage for an ARC in return for an honest review.

I really liked the concept of this book, but I felt it lacked a cohesive plot. It was a lot of repetitive dialogue between the main characters, and I don't agree that saying something out loud means you aren't thinking it. It was a good idea but maybe too difficult to put into practice.
Thank you NetGalley for my advance copy.

I liked the premise of the novel but not the theme of coercive control and the unlikable characters. The relationship between the two main characters was unrealistic and lacking in chemistry. I failed to finish.

Would you want your partner to hear your every thought? Would you want to hear theirs? That's exactly the premise of this thriller meets sci-fi novel.

The husband Elijah is a wealthy man all about technology, to the point of their whole home being digitised. All controlled by an app. Including doors and windows. Yet it's mentioned several times throughout the book that His wife, Anna, doesn't have the app, which for me didn't make sense of seeing as it controlled the front door. I just found that all a bit weird!! His latest obsession was with the Unity chip, which he then buys them for their anniversary. It was clear Anna wasn't keen on the idea, and it seemed she was hiding something from him.. but she goes ahead and gets it anyway. Again, this is odd, and honestly made the storyline a little less believable as if you were hiding something from someone you wouldn't, then let them have complete access to your thoughts.. hmm?!?

Honestly, from the get-go, they seemed a rather strange match & Elijah didn't seem like a very nice person at all, so why Anna was even with him? It'll never know.

The concept was highly intriguing but I just don't think some of the storyline itself added up or made sense and it definitely wasn't believable [ which is what I like about books ] Shame really as this had great potential.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a digital copy.

What a fascinating premise for a book. Would I chose to share all my thoughts with my partner? Definitely not but in the book that is what happens. The story is quite dark and tumultuous and covers the time from university to adult life and as the thoughts become shared an interesting glitch is found that includes the sharing of dreams and memories.

This is a great read. Futuristic, dark and thrilling. The possibilities are endless with an app for everything in the home and now an implant to read each others minds.

Great book, one I would definitely recommend with a good ending that was not what I expected.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

YOU CAN HEAR HIS EVERY THOUGHT... BUT HE CAN HEAR YOURS TOO.

Never again wonder where they are
Never again doubt their feelings for you
Know your partner intimately
OneMind: for the ultimate closeness

In a modern tech advanced world, Anna is a traditional girl, who doesn't understand tech, whereas her husband Elijah always has to have the latest gadget before getting bored of it. So when Elijah announces that he wants them to get a Unity, OneMind chip, Anna is reluctant to say the least.

A chip in which you can hear each others thoughts! What could possibly go wrong? What secrets will be unearthed?

I don't want to give too much away, but safe to say we all have parts of us we don't fully share with others and thoughts we wouldn't want others to hear, but when you are hiding secrets this is amplified.

This book is so well written and really delves into the idea of sharing all your private thoughts every waking moment with your partner. The characters are believable, in their flaws and thinking, touching on controlling behaviours, obsession and idolisation.

This is such a compelling read I was hooked and didn't want to put it down. Such a great concept for a book and really well executed.

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers, Random House for this ARC.

I'm grateful to the publisher for allowing me to read this book early, especially as it was such a pleasure to read. Far more than just being about coercive control, it also touches technology and privacy also, with a deft and skillful touch.
As a debut novel, it shows much promise for what can come, as the book is strong, measured and very enjoyable to read. I loved reading about the dynamics about the relationship and the secrets that we all have that should never be shared.

I found the storyline in the book fascinating, technology that enables you and your partner to hear each others every thought - no thank you! It’s amazing how quickly the marriage can fall apart when they get you, all of you, uncensored. It was truly a brilliant read and I couldn’t put the book down.

With a theme in the tone of ‘Black Mirror’ or a John Marrs book, this slightly futuristic story centering around a technology that allows parters to read each other’s minds was initially exciting.
For me, the interest started to wane somewhat around the middle when it was clear that no major surprises would happen and that what you think of the characters in the beginning, is exactly how they are towards the end.
The blatantness of ‘what’s going to happen’ is disappointing because this book is incredibly well written, the dialogue is impactful and the general idea is first rate.
Sadly, the ultimately simplicity in the resulting story and the obvious outcomes are what stop me from giving this full marks.

Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for the ARC.

This was interesting psychological sci fi type thriller.
A young couple celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary elijah loves his gadgets and wants them to have a chip installed within their 'mind'. Anna however is not at all that way inclined with regards to modern technology but relents. I willl leave tge reat of the story for you to enjoy. It was totally enthralling read for me.
Thank to Netgalley and Random House Uk Vintage for an early copy to enjoy.

I had no idea what to expect when I started this book, but I’ve always had a fascination with new technology and the darker side of it. Our two main characters definitely showed that we don’t always know our partner as well as we thought. I would not want that much access to my partners thoughts. Always on My Mind was a great read but has given me a lot to think about.

Fabulous price of writing! I really wasn’t sure about this book before I started but gave it a go and 100% glad I did.

Unity ….. Anna and Eli…. United together forever.

Such a futuristic concept but worked really well. Great thriller for a cold Scottish winter!

The premise of the book drew me in, it was my first attempt at reading a thriller which is not normally the book genre that I gravitate to but I have been wanting to expand my horizons, and I think Always on my Mind was a good choice to do so. The fact that Anna let her husband put the chip in her mind had me reeling, I understand it was part of the thriller story, that she is concealing a secret that she doesn't want out and that her husband is abusive but it didn't quite click for me as I couldn't connect with Anna in the way that I thought I was supposed to as this was a thriller. Because of this I didn't continue with the book.

Thank you to Random House UK, Vintage and Harvill Secker for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.