With You Always is engaging because many of us know what it’s like to find ourselves in an uncomfortable, sometimes even unsafe, relationship, where you don’t see the twists coming, and so therefore it’s easy to empathize with the MC in Rena Olsen’s latest thriller. As always, the plot is tense, the characters are unpredictable, and it’s well worth the lost sleep to indulge.

Decent suspenseful, dark and twisty thriller. Some parts were slightly annoying. Rena Olsen warns you that "this is no fairy tale."

Thank you so much for the opportunity to review this book and to be an early reader via NetGalley! However, I will not be writing a review for this title at this time, as my reading preferences have since changed somewhat. In the event that I decide to review the book in the future, I will make sure to purchase a copy for myself or borrow it from a library. Once again, thank you so much for providing me with early access to this title. I truly appreciate it. Please feel free to contact me with any follow-up questions or concerns.

Not dealing well with a breakup Julia is lost then Bryce comes along and you have to wonder if she'll really lose herself.

This book deals with super important topics and I really loved the premise of it. The book was a bit predictable to me though.

I was definitely very tense while reading this. It hit a little too close to home at times for me, so that made it a little uncomfortable to read, but I enjoyed it none the less.... I don't want to say way too much, simply because I honestly did skip some parts when I couldn't bring myself to read and further, and don't feel I can give a full and accurate review. Because of that, I also will not publically review this anywhere else. My rating of 4 stars is based on the parts I did read.

Julia Hawthorne, fresh out of a messy break-up, is completely focused on her career. It's fate that brings her face-to-face with charming, handsome Bryce Covington --- or so he believes. What follows is an intense, predictable story that is too often only whispered about instead of dealt with, head-on. 

When Julia first starts dating Bryce, things are perfect. He's a well-connected lawyer who holds nothing back when it comes to wooing her. Expensive restaurants, surprise lunches, and he even wants her to meet his family very early on in the relationship. Still reeling in her heartbreak over her previous relationship, Julia is swept up by everything Bryce is offering her. Does it matter that, just because she didn't answer her phone, he showed up at her office? Nope. Or, that he just happens to be at the same bar she goes to with her friends one night? It's just a coincidence, an opportunity to tell her that he loves her. 

Slowly, and without her realizing it, Julia begins to shape her life entirely around Bryce. This includes spending time with his family: the Reverend and Nancy, who adopted Bryce when he was a teenager, and head The Church of the Life.  Julia knows she needs to impress Bryce's family, to get in good with them, but doesn't realize until later how important their blessing actually is. 

What Olsen creates in With You Always is a story about domestic abuse wrapped up in a way that's not ordinarily seen. Taking familiar elements of cult or religious brain-washing, and mixing them with key personality points of someone who is narcissistic, she creates a deadly environment that Julia doesn't realize she's in until it's too late. The red flags are there from the beginning of the relationship, if only Julia knew to look, or trusted her sister's judgment. Instead, she let Bryce isolate her completely. 

In doing a deep read of this story, you can see Julia's gut telling her something is wrong with this relationship right off the bat. But she mistakes this instinct as being insecure with herself: not deserving Bryce's affection, rather than being alarmed at how fast their relationship moves, how quickly he forces her to give up her friends and family. When Julia finally understands the reality of her situation, she feels there's no way out. Until there's only one way out. 

An important read for anyone struggling to understand the mind of abuse victims and survivors.

I have read Rena Olsen's previous book, "The Girl Before" and thoroughly enjoyed it. I thought that "With You Always" followed a similar suit. The storyline was similar to the usual female with a hidden life of abuse not readily known about. With You Always kept me engaged throughout, even in its slow points. I would recommend!

Really wanted to like this book, but it was kind of predictable and did not have anyone to root for. Classic case of a woman falling too deep for a bad man.

*Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

I have not read the author's first book, but after this, I just might. I thought that the writing was very good. The story was good to okay, not great. There were times where I really related to and liked the main character and other times where I thought she was the dumbest person around. Still, I didn't feel compelled to put the book down, so that's good.

I really enjoyed Rena Olsen's first book, "The Girl Before," but "With You Always" just didn't grab me. I made it about 40% of the way through the book before I gave up on it. It was just too slow moving for me.

The story of a woman trapped in a mentally and physically abusive relationship is not new. We have seen this story play out in books and movies. Usually these stories end with the woman killing her abuser or the abuser killing her then moving onto to his next victim. What makes Always With You original is the circumstances which lead to the main character's dangerous situation. Unfortunately the story does not live up to its potential.

Meet Julia Hawthorne. In her early 30’s working as an assistant in a marketing firm. Still healing emotionally from a broken engagement, she meets Bryce, a handsome and successful lawyer. Julia is very quickly taken in by Bryce’s charm and they marry. Soon after they marry, Julia learns there is much more to Bryce than she first thought. Julia is now entangled in a web of deceit and danger with no way of getting out.

Always With You has a very original premise. Julia is not only trapped in a troubled marriage, she is also trapped in a religious organization. Bryce is a devout member of the Church of Life. The Church of Life has many loyal members but is also clouded by rumors and mystery. Many of Julia’s friends and family express concerns about the church and Bryce’s dedication, but Julia ignores their concerns. The addition of a religious element to the story of an abused woman is new to me. This is the main reason why I was excited to read Always With You. Sadly the story did not live up to my expectations, I found Always With You predicable and superficial.

Julia’s story has been told many times in fiction, but in my opinion the author missed a great opportunity to make build a more substantial story by not exploring the religious aspect more. The corruption within the Church of Life was implied more than explained. I would have enjoyed the story more if I could have learned details about what the church was up to. When Julia finally realizes she is in danger and decides to stand up for herself, she begins to rebel against Bryce and the church. The way the high ranking members of the church, including Bryce, reacted seemed extreme and a bit over the top. Since I never really learned what was happening within the church, I did not understand why it is so important to keep Julia in line.

Always With You moves at a very fast pace and can be read within a few days, which makes it a perfect read for summer. I am sure there are some readers who will enjoy Always With You and will find Julia relatable. I did enjoy Olsen’s first book The Girl Before, so my lack of enjoyment of Always With You will not stop me from reading other books by Olsen. Readers looking for a lighter fast paced read should add Always With You to their list of must reads.

Murder and Moore Rating :
3 out of 5 Stars

This book was okay, a little bit too focused on religion for my liking though. I feel like the story could have been told with more focus on the relationships. It didn't really get good until the last 10% of the book. I don't really like weak female lead characters either.

SERIOUSLY!!!! Everything I needed in a book. It's hard to tell you why I loved this book without giving much of it away. Let me just say that I originally thought this was going to be about an abusive relationship and how this low-esteemed woman falls for a manipulating man... which to an extent it was.... but it was SO MUCH MORE. I have found a new author to love and binge read. If you need something full or suspense this is the book for you. And once you read it hit me up so I can discuss the OMGness of it all!!

4 ominous creepy stars

On this sunny Saturday morning, I am reviewing the very dark With You Always

When one is hurt and suffering, it is easy to fall into traps, places that you know you shouldn't be, relationships that can make you wonder if this is just too good to be true. Oftentimes, your gut feeling is right and you know eventually you have tumbled into something you need to get away from, something threatening, something evil.

Julia is adrift coming off of a bad relationship when into her life strolls the handsome, charismatic Byrce. He is beyond wonderful, a successful lawyer, a respectful man, and Julia finds herself being swept off her feet. Their relationship goes forward in record breaking speed because you know when something is right, and one does sometimes fall madly in love.

Byrce does have a few tiny idiosyncrasies though. He refuses to speak of his parents and he adores his church having latched onto the Reverend and his wife as surrogate parents. Byrce encourages Julia to join his church and originally she is put off by the goings on, but she loves Byrce and wants to please him so she climbs aboard for this religious experience. Julia embraces the church and its followers and all seems destined to be a bit of heaven on earth.

However, that little bit of heaven becomes a large piece of hell as Julia descends down a road she never thought she would be traveling. As always, all is not what it seems and Julia is in for a very rude awakening.

This was a well done story that kept this reader actively involved in the scenario it depicted.. Rena Olsen did an admirable job with developing her characters and created a mysterious, ominous and chilling moodiness.

Thank you to Rena Olsen, G.P. Putnam's Sons, and NetGalley for a copy of this chilling book.

What a totally fantastic read that I absolutely loved. Julia is still getting over a relationship when she meets Bryce Covington, a charming, charismatic and handsome lawyer. He introduces her to his l cult-like church and after a whirlwind courtship, they are married. He makes her sever ties with family and friends and prince charming turns into a devil in disguise. Lots of surprises in this book with a real surprise ending. If you are looking for a great psychological thriller, this is the book for you.

I really enjoyed this. Quick read and slightly predictable but I would recommend. It deals with a topic we see in life far too often—someone marries in a whirlwind and finds out horrible things afterward.

The author did an amazing job detailing how an abusive relationship develops. Julia was so desperate for happiness that she didn't see any of the warning signs, which happens to some abuse victims. The author did a great job of allowing the reader to experience what Julia was thinking and feeling throughout the book. Great writing!

3.5 stars

The synopsis of this book pretty much says it all. This is not going to be a fairy tale romance. It starts out that way but things, like life. have a way of changing. Julia meets Bryce by chance and is quickly swept off her feet by this handsome, charming and confident man. Julia wants to please Bryce and is open to meeting his adopted family and attending Church services with him. This is where things get interesting!

Soon, with each small concession, Julia's life begins to change...

This book is what I would call escapism reading. It was entertaining, and I enjoyed it. Will I be sitting around thinking about his book for months to come? No. But I did enjoy it while I was reading it and hence the 3.5 stars. I feel this book makes a great plane or beach book. I enjoyed how this story was told. I also enjoyed the italicized sections. Yes, they do break up the story a little, but I enjoyed trying to make sense of them and made guesses as to who each part was about.

Thank you to Penguin Group Putnam and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

4/5 Stars
This was a compelling read. We're taken along as Julia succumbs to the charms of Bryce Covington, and falls under the spell of the charismatic reverend at his church. As time passes it becomes clear all is not as perfect as it seems. Julia is pulled in, and for me the most disturbing part was how long it took her to recognize what was happening to her.