This was one of those books that took me a while to get into. I would put it down and think "I'm done. This is not my kind of book" only to pick it up later because I could not forget it. Eventually, I could not put it down until I finished it. Not a big fan of violence, I was turned off by it, but yet, the book called to me to finish it. Wow! I'm glad I did. If you like thrillers, this one is for you.
Thanks #NetGalley and #ERinKelly for the ARC of #HeSaidSheSaid. The opinions are my own.

This is a well executed book that lacks nothing. The plot is clever, intricate and sucks you in bit by bit. You will feel so many different feelings reading this book. At least I hope you do - I did.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.


​Whew. He Said/She Said is quite a ride. Before I really get started I want to make it clear that this book contains disturbing acts of violence toward women, including alleged rape (the latter of which is a major plot point in this thriller).

This psychological thriller is told largely from the perspective of Laura and her husband Kit over a period of time starting in 1999 & ending in 2015.

Laura and Kit are eclipse chasers & during one viewing when they’re just dating, Laura believes she’s seen a rape.

She serves as a witness at the trial where the alleged perpetrator maintains his innocence. During the trial Laura lies in an effort to put the alleged rapist behind bars, an act that she’s desperate to keep from Kit.

Also during the trial Laura makes contact with the alleged victim Beth, another thing she must hide.

After the trial is over, Beth makes herself part of Laura and Kit's life, only things with Beth aren’t quite as they initially seem & that’s what the book explores in each tense chapter as Laura & Kip wrestle with the past & its shadow over the present.

This book is intense, compelling, not entirely easy to read. There are scenes that left me with visceral dismay & distress & at the end I returned to certain details, piecing things together in ways I hadn’t been able to before. The poignancy of Laura & Kit’s relationship is moving & adds a lot to the thriller arc.

I definitely think that this book is doing really interesting things & I also can see how there’s a lot of potential to upset many readers by how those interesting things are being done. As one character articulates, whether or not Beth gave consent is questioned throughout the trial—but it’s questioned after, as well—& men’s manipulation (& worse) is considered at length throughout the novel.

Though there are some moments that feel a little too simplistic to me overall this is an engrossing read with a well-done twist that left me thinking “nooooo.”


4.5 ⭐️. He Said/She Said is available now.

CW:


​
Alleged rape of more than one woman (one incident on page). Beth is vilified by others in the book & the veracity of her story is repeatedly called into question. At one point the pregnant heroine Laura is threatened & her stomach is cut with a knife.

I really wanted to like this book so much more. I had heard so many good things about it. But I found it boring, repetitive, and something I have read a million times before in other books. This isn't to say I probably wouldn't try another book of hers. I might. But this one was not for me.

RATING: 3 STARS
(Review Not on Blog)

I really wanted to like this one, but the plot was predictable and did not have the suspense I expected. I did finish the novel as the audio helped me get over some of the slow parts. It didn't help that the characters seemed a bit blah and weren't endearing. This was an okay story, and I would try another Erin Kelly novel. I do think I am in the minority with this one, so make sure to read some more positive reviews.

***I received an eARC from NETGALLEY***

(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)

In the summer of 1999, Kit and Laura travel to a festival in Cornwall to see a total eclipse of the sun. Kit is an eclipse chaser; Laura has never seen one before. Young and in love, they are certain this will be the first of many they’ll share.
But in the hushed moments after the shadow passes, Laura interrupts a man and a woman. She knows that she saw something terrible. The man denies it. It is her word against his.
The victim seems grateful. Months later, she turns up on their doorstep like a lonely stray. But as her gratitude takes a twisted turn, Laura begins to wonder—did she trust the wrong person?
15 years later, Kit and Laura married are living under new names and completely off the digital grid: no Facebook, only rudimentary cell phones, not in any directories. But as the truth catches up to them, they realize they can no longer keep the past in the past.

*4.5 stars*

From the get-go, let me warn you - this is a slow-burner. It does take some time to really get going but, believe me, the payoff is definitely worth making it to the end...

There have been a lot of psychological thriller in recent years that claim to be "the best thriller you have read in years..." This one may not necessarily top all those others, but what it does do very well is the following:

* A cast of characters that never really let you settle into thinking you know what they are all about. I never felt comfortable with any of them...and the secondary characters really shone in this story, rather than just being bit players to Kit and Laura...
* The level of discomfort in the storytelling was amazing. Certainly one of the better constructed thriller novels I have come across for a while.
* It made me ask myself questions - what would I do in these situations? How would I react to these things? And that is a real talent. I can be a little closed-off to the intricacies of story-telling sometimes, just wanting to get to the "thriller" bits, but this book did more than that for me and, I guess that is the ultimate compliment, no?

This is a highly-recommended novel, not just for the thriller/suspense crowd, but for those who love a good domestic drama/mystery as well.


Paul
ARH

This story has some great twists and while at times I found it slow I did enjoy it. It makes you think a lot, a lot of situations they are in you will be wondering how you would react and what you would do. I think people will be mixed on this book, as I don't think the story will please everyone.

Listen. I really really liked this book. But I also cannot say that much about it. I cannot. It would not be safe. So this review will be short and sweet! I hope.

This book follows a couple who are hiding their identities. You know nothing about why, you know nothing about what happened - you just know they’re on the run. And you can feel the fear.

This is an incredibly slow-burn thriller that plays primarily with character dynamics and fear over who we can trust, and listen, I get it, that’s not everyone’s type, but that is my exact book taste in one paragraph.

I mean, I guess, here’s my list of why you should read this.
➽it was so fucked up
➽the slow pace really added dramatic tension
➽the characters were so compelling and 20/10
➽loved the time skips
➽I think the narrative is so brilliant in how it misleads
➽the last 25% is brilliant and basically changed me as a person
➽PLEASE read this if you like thrillers
➽please read this if you like thrillers!!

I gave it a four on Goodreads but I'm rounding it up for here because this book needs more love.

This suspenseful story is told with two timelines from two points of view. In August of 1999, Laura and Kit are in Cornwall hoping to enjoy a total eclipse of the sun, weather permitting, when she stumbles upon a rape in progress. They both end up testifying in court. Fifteen years later, that case is still haunting their lives; they have had to change their names and keep a low profile. Slowly but surely Erin Kelly reveals the truth of what's been happening in their lives--and we learn what secrets and lies can do to a seemingly perfect marriage. Explosive, edge-of-your seat ending!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this thriller. I'll be looking forward to reading more from this author.

Laura witnesses a brutal attack. She and her boyfriend Kit call the police, and in that moment, it is not only the victim’s life that is changed forever.

So, it wasn’t that this book was bad by any means. It’s just that it moved really slow, and didn’t really keep my attention. It took me forever to read it, and I often ditched it and went to something else. The last little bit of the book picks up and was more attention grabbing. I think if you don’t mind waiting til the very end of the book for a twist or thrill, then this would be good for you. I didn’t mind the alternating POV’s, but I wasn’t real big into metaphor of the solar eclipse and bright and dark people.

Bottom Line: If you like a slow developing thriller, then this might be for you.

**I received a copy of He Said/She Said from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are of my own.**

This book was okay. There were times where I really enjoyed it, and other times when I was bored. It took me a little while to get through because of that. Overall it was okay!

I do not post reviews that are one star. It doesn't seem fair to the author.

I.... have..

zero words.

This was amazing. There were moments where I was kind of annoyed at the characters but then when everything was explained in the end it all made sense!

HE SAID, SHE SAID by ERIN KELLY is a dark and twisted psychological thriller that move at a slow pace. The phases of this book conform to the five stages of a total eclipse of the sun. With each phase of the eclipse more details are revealed to us on a need to-know basis. I recommend going into this book totally blind.
“Eclipses brought them together.”

In the summer of 1999, Kit and Laura travel to a festival in Cornwall to see a total eclipse of the sun. Kit is an eclipse chaser; Laura has never seen one before. Young and in love, they are certain this will be the first of many they’ll share. This is the adventure of a lifetime.

But in the hushed moments after the shadow passes, Laura interrupts a man raping a woman. The man denies it. It is her word against his. What they witnessed will now change their lives forever!

Beth, the victim seems grateful. Months later, she turns up on their doorstep. But as her gratitude takes a twisted turn, Laura begins to wonder—did she trust the wrong person?

Now 15 years later, Kit and Laura are living under assumed names and completely off the digital map. But as the truth catches up to them, they realize they can no longer keep the past in the past.
The story is told told in alternating pov’s from the two main characters, Kit and Laura and two separate timelines, present day and 15 years earlier. This book started off a little bit slow for me, but I stuck with it and glad I did. It soon picked up and everything started to fall into place.

Sorry, but I can’t reveal more of the plot for risk of spoilers.
This is the story of two witnesses to the aftermath of a sexual assault, and how it changed their lives…and those around them.
“a gripping tale of the lies we tell to save ourselves, the truths we cannot admit, and how far we will go to make others believe our side of the story.”

Many thanks to Erin Kelly, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley, for the ARC.

With the solar eclipse this summer, the timing for this is perfect. There were twists and surprises, and should appeal to those who like psychological suspenseful fiction, alternating points of view - and of course, those who are fascinated with eclipses or are wondering what the draw is for eclipse hunters.

He Said/She Said by Erin Kelly is a slow building, atmospheric, and character driven thriller. I did have some trouble getting into the story in the beginning, as there were details about eclipses that didn’t entirely hold my interest. However, as the story went on more layers were revealed and it became so addicting that I did not want to put it down. If you are like me and have a hard time getting into this one, I encourage you to stick with it. I promise you it will be rewarding!

*Thank you to NetGalley, Erin Kelly, and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read He Said/She Said. It was my pleasure to write an honest review.*

Brilliant. Absolutely. Freakin’. Brilliant! Clever. Compelling. Addictive. Not intense necessarily, but a match is struck, slowly burning, flame getting brighter, until the very end when it finds an accelerant and poof! It all comes burning down.

Wow, did I ever love these characters. Laura, in particular, despite appearing to be a bit naïve, is as tried and true as they come. Highly ethical, and so kind-hearted. To have her gentle, free-spirited nature so changed by the major events of this story, was a bit heart-wrenching. Her relationship with Kit seems to be that real and rare kind of love, but not in a way that is sticky sweet, in a genuine way. They get each other. See each other. Make allowances for each other. It’s a real give and take. And Beth. Well, I feel as though my hands are a little tied here as I’m determined to not give anything away. I didn’t like her much in the beginning, despite feeling sorry for what she went through. And I didn’t grow to like her either.

The story is told by multiple narrators, mostly Laura and Kit, which is an approach I’m growing to love, especially for mystery/thriller/suspense. So, so effective at turning the tables, garnering sympathy, and creating confusion. The backstory about Kit following the eclipses was unique and intriguing, and oddly enough, I just happened to start reading this on the day of our most recent eclipse (which I missed because Maine wasn’t in the path), having no idea what the background of this story was. But that little fact somehow cemented for me that this was the right moment for me to be reading this book. And I was right.

I found the whole thing riveting, couldn’t wait to pick it up again, and see what was next. I didn’t want it to end. Can’t say that I loved the ending, but that is not a reflection of how well it was written or its appropriateness. It completely made sense. And it was probably the most likely way things would play out in the real world. It just made me a bit sad. Mostly though, I was just sad the story was over. I’m adding Erin Kelly’s previous books to my TBR as we speak, and I’ll be keeping an eye for what she puts out next.

DNF at 57%. I tried guys, I honestly did. It wasn't that this book wasn't good, but it was good enough to put down and have very little interest or desire to pick it back up. Anything that takes me more than 3 months to make 57% done honestly was more than enough. Sorry not sorry, but I just couldn't get into this enough to read more than a chapter every few days.

Just like the two sides of a coin, each person in a dispute can only tell his or her side of the story—their truth as they perceive it, or as they want to project it. Nobody puts this theory to the test better than Erin Kelly in her new novel HE SAID / SHE SAID, in which her main character Laura accidentally interrupts an encounter between a man and a woman during the total eclipse of the sun.