This book was ominous at times, and had you really thinking as you read it. It had some twists and turns, and the characters are written wonderfully. Beth is looking forward to moving to a new town with her new husband and step daughter. Trying to bond with her new step daughter Dolly is a young teen poses to be a challenge. Dolly is sweet as pie in public but can be cruel and calculating at home. Leaves Beth questioning if she really is welcome or not.
I enjoyed the way the book was written, found it to be slightly slow in some chapters but then fast pace and couldn’t get enough in others.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this book.

This book starts off really well but then ... I found it to be too predictable. To be honest I was very disappointed as I was hoping for so much more.

She wants you gone by Joanna Dodd is an intriguing and unsettling story about a step-daughter who wants her step-mother gone.

Beth is excited for a fresh start. She is excited to move to a remote place with her new husband and stepdaughter, Dolly. She quickly finds that the town of Hamlet where they have moved has a dark history and there is something odd about the residents there.

Dolly is a lovely child to everyone, everyone except Beth that is. When they are around others she is polite but when they are alone she sees a very different side of her. Beth soon realizes that Dolly wants her gone for good. But just how far is Dolly willing to go to make that happen?

Thank you to Joanna for writing this intriguing story and for working with NetGalley. I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

#SheWantsYouGone #NetGalley.
Beth is excited to move to a remote, tiny hamlet in Suffolk with her new husband and stepdaughter, Dolly – but she quickly finds that all is not what it seems. The hamlet has a dark history and there is something odd about its tiny population. Beth tries hard to build a bond with her new stepdaughter but although Dolly is lovely to everyone else, when the two of them are alone, she is a very different child. Beth soon realises that Dolly wants her gone. For good. How far will she go to get what she wants?
Thanks to NetGalley and Hera Books for giving me an advance copy.

This book was a quick read but didn’t offer anything g particularly original. The hamlet setting was twee and in these days unrealistic. Nevertheless I persisted with it and there were some twists I didn’t see coming.

She Wants You Gone by Joanna Dodd is a twisty thriller with just the right amount of suspense, tension, and unease!

When Beth, her husband Noah and Dolly, Noah's daughter from a previous relationship, move to a tiny village outside of London, Beth feels uneasy. She can't quite put a finger on what is wrong. Things have never been easy with Beth and Dolly, but Beth is hopeful that the change of scenery might do wonders for their strained relationship. But after just a few days Beth begins to get a sense of Dolly's real feelings of her. Dolly shows a completely different side of herself to other people but Beth can see the cruelty in Dolly's glare. And the dark unsettling history of the village does nothing to ease Beth's fears, especially when a dead body is found..

This novel had me gripped as I raced through the pages to find out more about the relationship between Dolly and Beth! A deep sense of tension and ominous vibes was prevalent throughout this novel which definitely amped up the creepy factor. Overall a great twisty read that absolutely had me hooked!

Thank you to NetGalley, Joanna Dodd, and Hera Books for this ARC. Expected publication day is March 20th 2025.

She wants you gone, will have you locking all the doors and flipping pages in order to find out what happened… Seriously one of the best psychological thrillers I’ve read in a long time!… Your heart will be pounding!

⭐ Rating: 4.5/5
📖 Genre: Psychological Thriller
📅 Publication Date: March 20, 2025

🌟 Summary: Beth is thrilled to start anew in a secluded Suffolk hamlet with her husband and his thirteen-year-old daughter, Dolly. However, the picturesque village harbors unsettling secrets, and Dolly's seemingly angelic demeanor masks a sinister side known only to Beth. As Dolly's malevolent intentions become increasingly apparent, Beth realizes that her stepdaughter will stop at nothing to remove her from their lives. This chilling psychological thriller delves into the complexities of blended families and the dark lengths to which jealousy can drive a person.

🖋️ My Thoughts:

✔ Compelling Protagonist: Beth's character is portrayed with depth and authenticity, capturing her escalating anxiety and isolation as she grapples with Dolly's manipulative behavior. Her resilience in the face of mounting terror evokes both empathy and admiration.

✔ Chilling Antagonist: Dolly's dual nature—sweet and innocent in public, but cruel and calculating in private—is masterfully depicted, creating a palpable sense of dread. Her psychological manipulation adds a disturbing layer to the narrative, keeping readers on edge.

✔ Atmospheric Setting: The remote hamlet, with its eerie ambiance and enigmatic residents, serves as an ideal backdrop for the unfolding suspense. Dodd's vivid descriptions immerse readers in a setting that is both charming and unsettling.

✔ Engaging Plot: The storyline is intricately woven, with tension escalating as Beth uncovers the village's dark history and Dolly's true nature. The plot twists are well-executed, leading to a climax that is both shocking and satisfying.

🔸 Minor Drawbacks:

▫ Pacing Variations: Certain sections of the book progress at a slower pace, which may momentarily lessen the suspense. However, these moments are brief and do not significantly detract from the overall tension.

▫ Secondary Character Development: While the focus on Beth and Dolly is compelling, some secondary characters could have been more fully developed to enhance the narrative's depth.

✨ Final Verdict: She Wants You Gone is a gripping psychological thriller that masterfully explores the sinister dynamics within a blended family. Joanna Dodd's skillful storytelling and ability to evoke genuine fear make this novel a standout in the genre. Despite minor pacing issues, the book delivers an intense and chilling reading experience that will linger long after the final page.

📌 Recommended For: Fans of psychological thrillers, readers intrigued by complex family dynamics, and those who appreciate narratives that delve into the darker aspects of human nature.

Great book. There were plenty of twists and turns. You will never see where this book is heading or guess the ending.

Thanks to the publisher and author for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.
A brilliant plot that tells the story of Beth who has met & married widowed Noah and moves to his childhood home with his daughter dolly to kickstart a home baking business. Full of twists and turns, I was hooked from the start. Things are not what they seem in the new house and the tiny hamlet in which it resides and nor are things are they seem with young Dolly, Noah’s daughter. Beth feels isolated in this new small community and isn’t sure who she can trust. Then Noah is called away abroad and things come to a head. A gripping read. Highly recommended

This is your typical step mom and step daughter thriller drama story. There were twists that had me going 'Huh, didn't see that comming' but it took a lot to keep my interest. I trudged through and appreciated the finality of the ending but overall was not the most interesting thriller I have ever read.

Eeesh the undertone of this was dark. And I loved it! The skill from this author at being able to write to give a tone of eerie.and unsettled all the way through. I didn't know why or what was happening but it felt off. And lage after lage kept m hooked.
A.step.daughter can't be demonic can she,can't be evil. Why would a.child, or can a child.ever be so horrid. I was ready for some.weird twist or 'other' explanation as to this child..and that kept me.reading.
As soon as he family moved to this little community it wasn't looking good. Leave!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this eARC!!

Beth, along with her husband and stepdaughter Dolly, relocates to a quaint hamlet. From the moment they arrive, Beth senses an unsettling atmosphere, while 13-year-old Dolly is thrilled about their new home. However, Dolly's excitement quickly turns to torment as she makes Beth's life a nightmare. Despite Dolly's mean-spirited nature, Beth makes every effort to connect with her.

I became thoroughly engrossed in this novel. It's dark, mysterious, and deeply unsettling, filled with an eerie tension. The characters are richly developed, with some exuding a sinister quality. I was captivated from the very first page to the last. The ending left me heartbroken.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing the ARC!

This story follows the relationship between Beth, the new stepmother, and Dolly the stepdaughter. There is a layer of darkness that is prevalent throughout this story and it made for some major surprises. I enjoyed Joanna Dodd's ability to keep the reader engaged and her ability to have an unpredictability about the story. The flow and pacing of the story worked well with the important elements of the story which made for a great read. Definitely recommend!

Overall, this book has a very interesting storyline and kept me engaged. In my opinion, I was shocked at the end.

First, thank you for the opportunity to read this as an ARC.

My first book by this author and WOW. I plan to read her one soon!

Beth becomes a stepmom to a girl named Dolly when she marries Dolly's dad, Noah. Moving them back to where Noah grew up sounds like an amazing idea. The place is picture perfect. Or is it? With myths and stories running rampant, a strange death and minimal suspects, something isn't as it appears. Or is someone? The twists keep this fast paced thriller moving until the very last page. Then, you ask what you just read! Highly recommend this to anyone who loves well developed characters with unique twists.

Whoa - unpredictable in the best of ways and had me on the edge of my seat!

Beth marries widower Noah, and becomes a step-mom to his teen daughter Dolly. After Beth has been mugged near their home in London, they jump at the chance to move into his parents home in the rural countryside in a small hamlet. What a wonderful fresh start in a place with so much history!

Only Beth senses something feels off the minute they arrive. But she can't put her finger on exactly what it is... Dolly, who appears to have perfect manners and on her best behavior in front of her dad (and anyone else) begins to act out when it's just her and Beth - whether it's ignoring her or making cruel remarks under her breath. This just feeds into the weird vibe Beth gets from the place.

As Beth learns more about the history of the area, and the more she gets to know her two neighbors, the more she feels something isn't right. Isolated, Beth doesn't know what to think, and maybe she's overreacting? So she continues to try to build her relationship.

Blended families are tough, and the author did a great job reinforcing this. I felt there was too much reference/reliance of the main character on a website resource for new step-parents. It felt a bit superfluous. Also some portions felt disjointed - I had difficulty tracking some of the timeline referencing Dolly's early years. That aside, the build of tension was done with precision, and I did not predict how things unfolded - many twists!

Thanks to NetGalley, Hera Books & Joanna Dodd for the eARC.

Pub Date Mar 20 2025 #SheWantsYouGone #NetGalley

Such a great book. Couldn't stop reading it. Thank you for my advance reader copy. Can't wait to look up other books from this author.

3.5/5

Thriller based around new stepmum Beth and family relocating to an isolated hamlet that leaves her unsettled. Thirteen-year-old Dolly is polite and charming but Beth sees another side to her. And the small community's interest in the dark history of the hamlet does little to quash her feelings, especially when Dolly becomes fascinated with 'Hannah', an all-powerful woman according to the historic lore.

This was a quick read that held my attention but I would have liked to see Beth grow more throughout the novel and for more of the other characters viewpoints to be shared.

Overall this book was very entertaining and kept you guessing for a bit, although ultimately, I felt like the ending was a bit of a let down as I would have have liked for a bit less of a final ending and more of a open ending that saw Beth coming back to health and able to move on.