💧 ‘Sweat’ by Emma Healey combines suspense and psychological thriller elements to create a compelling study of the long-term effects of a toxic relationship. The story follows Cassie in the present day as she deceives Liam, her ex-boyfriend and personal trainer, in a bid for closure—and revenge. In the past timeline, we uncover more about Cassie’s relationship with Liam and the controlling behaviour he subjected her to.

💧 ‘Sweat’ is unlike any other novel I’ve read. The premise felt fresh and original, and I was engrossed not only in seeing how far Cassie would go in her present-day deception (keeping this intentionally vague to avoid spoilers) but also in the past timeline, where her harrowing experiences contextualise her current motivations.

💧 These dual timelines result in two very complex and compelling characters, which sets ‘Sweat’ apart from your typical psychological thriller. At times, I wasn’t sure whether to root for Cassie or feel sorry for Liam—and often felt both emotions simultaneously. However, I also felt immense empathy for Cassie, as Healey tactfully details the psychological warfare she endured.

💧 This is a harrowing read at times, particularly in Healey’s exploration of themes like coercive control, disordered eating, and body image. Healey handles these themes with care, but they may be difficult for some readers, so it’s worth proceeding with care.

💧 I highly recommend this novel, especially for fans of character-driven psychological thrillers or those interested in the intersections of fitness culture, control, and trauma. It’s a thought-provoking read that’s sure to keep you guessing right up until its explosive climax.

Final rating; 4.25/5

‘Sweat’ by Emma Healey is out on 30 January 2025 and available for pre-order now!

Many thanks to Cornerstone/Penguin Random House UK for providing this e-book for review consideration via NetGalley.

This was a tense dark read, with a protagonist I LOVED for her dark humour and imperfection. I wondered where we were going to start with but the tension built up to a brilliant finish.

What an unusual storyline but it really worked and had me gripped. I really couldn't see (pun intended) where this was going! Loved it!