Well-developed characters. Interesting plot. Vivid descriptions. A good, solid read.

*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.

This was a brilliant read. As soon as I started reading this book I just knew I was going to love it. Highly recommended

Omg talk about a roller coaster read wow this book kept me on the edge of my seat threw out I just couldn't put it down this writer keeps you hooked and once your hooked your not letting go I found this book thrilling the characters were fantastic and well thought out and the little clues all the way threw keep you guessing until the end this book stays with you long after you close the book this book is well worth the read I promise you wont be disappointed

Even though I peeked ahead to see whodunnit, there were still surprises in store. Though the adultery stuff is kind of tedious, I can overlook that for how engrossing the last third of the book is. Made me think back over the rest of the book, the clues I may have overlooked, recurring themes - it's clever crafting. The author's note is correct, that the story really is about relationships. The ending may not be for everyone, but I appreciated it.

I've been glomming the author's Bookouture stand-alone backlist, albeit out of publication order. I don't expect authors to keep lists of every named character so they're not reused, but it is a bit weird too see a character with the same name from another book. Is the Ken in this novel the same Ken from THE LIAR'S WIFE? Other reused names but clearly different characters: Jack, Archie, and variations of Elizabeth (Liz, Libby, Beth). (Seems nitpicky of me, I know. Though actually I rarely remember secondary character names, and sometimes even primary characters. But since I glommed...)

This book was twisted and fast paced. Lorna, a therapist, has a past that is affecting both her professional career and personal life. She can’t seem to shake this past, and lets it consume her. Just when you figure out what is going on with Lorna, another aspect of her past is revealed and you second guess everything. As much as I wanted to absolutely love this book, a lot was holding me back. Lorna, the main character was extremely unprofessional with more than one of her patients, and has very little sense of herself which becomes annoying. She was so impulsive that there seemed to be little connection between her actions. The men in this book came across as creepy, and obsessive. This type of characterization tends to tire by the end of the book.

I want to thank NetGalley, Samantha Hayes, and Bookouture for an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I really liked this author and this book did not disappoint, it was an appropriately paced, page turner that will have me hooked throughout the story.

I did enjoy this books, it was a twist and turn all the way along.
When the penny finally dropped oh my word. I have to sit back amd wait for a while in order to take it all in.
Well written and very good.

I read this book in one day!!! Intense. Pulls you in from page one and does not let go. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC of this book in return for my honest review. Receiving the book in this manner had no bearing on my review.

This was a good psychological mystery. Of course there were some eye rolling behaviors by the main character, but there were some surprises as well. This is the first book I have read by this author, but I will be checking out her other work.

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.

I simply adore a good thriller book by Samantha Hayes. I could not turn the pages fast enough. Whenever I need a good mystery/thriller book, she is my go to author.

Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for this early copy,

It was a interesting and intense thriller. I recommend for those who enjoy thrillers, warning: sexual content.

Genre: Psychological thriller, mystery, and suspense (that’s what it says on the cover)

Length: 360 pages

Blurb:

Lorna is a psychotherapist. (This is something I really want you to remember as you read on… really, really remember!) She lives her life by an uber tight schedule because she’s trying hard to not allow herself a moment to think about the dark secret she holds. A new client of hers turns out to be someone familiar – Andrew, who she’s tried hard to forget, and failed. Aware of the risk to her marriage, family, and career, Lorna signs up on a dating site and messages Andrew anonymously (again, she’s a psychotherapist). Then Andrew dies – is murdered – but messages from him keep coming. Someone knows Lorna’s secrets and is out to destroy her. What happens next?

Overall Rating: 1 out of 10

Plot: 2 out of 10 (and most of this is for the climax)

Characterization: 1 out of 10

Primary Element: 1 out of 10 since it was too annoying to be thrilling, mysterious, or suspenseful

Writing Style: 1 out of 10

Part of a Series:

No. (Thank everything good in this world for that!)

Highlighted Takeaway:

The characters proving true the adage – You attract what you are – because they’re all idiots, surrounded by other idiots.

What I Liked:

The final few plot twists – not the best or even surprising, but definitely the best part of this book.

What I Didn’t Like:

Jotting down a quick list here:

Lorna, who spent most of the book going, “Oh, I know this is a mistake but let me make it anyway and now let me regret making it but continue making it while continuing to regret it and making it, which brings me back to the regret as I continue making it… you get the gist!
The constant use of, “I know I’m a therapist, but…” before Lorna makes another stupid decision. Honestly, that’s just lazy writing and the most ridiculous justification for a character’s actions.
The fact that all the men in the book were literally nothing more than props to move the women’s stories ahead. They were insignificant, convenient, and had an incredible lack of any character other than that trait which suited the women’s story at the moment.

Who Should Read It:

Those who love books with highly dysfunctional, self-destructive persons and families, like The Couple Next Door or Daddy Darkest.

Who Should Avoid:

Anyone who doesn’t like books with characters that have multiple chances, but never seem to learn, while being aware that that’s what is happening.

Read It For:

The knowledge that Gone Girl (review here) may have been the only successful attempt at a psychological thriller based on dysfunction that actually made sense.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC ecopy for my Kindle.
Although I enjoy most psychological thrillers, the last few chapters was a little too dark for me.
A therapist who has an affair and falls in love with a patient but decides to break it off and save her marriage by working for another group. Be aware that her husband isn't the innocent, loving, and generous person he portrays to be.) The marriage appears to be o.k. but there are issues with Jack, the husband's college age son from a previous marriage, and their young daughter, Then the sexual scenes of the affair, well, I skipped those pages. So, in all, this book was just o.k. for me.

I thought this book was absolutely stunning. It’s one of very few books where you have to go back a page as you can’t believe what you’ve just read and now the whole story is turned on it’s head. I have read Samantha Hayes previous books and she just keeps getting better. She will definitely be added to the top of my to be read pile in the future.

Tell Me A Secret is a crazy ride of a read full of twists and turns along the way!  This is a very fast paced read and read the majority of this in a single day.
This story is told in multiple perspective alternating between Lorna and Niki though the timeline is continuous picking where the other left off.  In addition there is some backstory filled in with the use of Lorna’s past diary entries.  I really like the use of alternate story telling methods, I feel that it adds a bit of character to the text, and the use of the diary in this instance allowed for us to get more insight into Lorna’s secret.
I really thought that I had this one figured out, but there was a lot of misdirection going on, and boy was I surprised.  I did not see that one coming at all!  This story was well written and well thought out and will keep you and turning the pages until the very end.  Highly recommended.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

Anything involving therapists that are flawed and broken themselves is a good book in my mind! I am glad I gave this author another chance after not totally liking one previous book she wrote. The characters are well written and I was stumped with the main villain was the whole time! I do have issues with characters that have affairs and that just added to my unease.

Thanks to Net Galley for another great read.
TELL ME A SECRET is by Samantha Hayes.
Lorna.... A psychotherapist far more messed up than most of her clients. We get to watch as she derails her life because of past secrets. Makes me think of physician heal thyself. Can't wait to read Reunion.

This was one fast paced compulsive read. A true roller coaster ride of thrills! A must read for psychological thriller junkies like myself! I am officially a Samantha Hayes fan!

Shit. Wholly shit! Ok, sorry for the cursing but wholly F$(&!!! This is and I mean this when I say it - this is the absolute BEST book I’ve read this year! I’m reeling! Wow. Ok.... breathe.... deep breaths.... so where the heck do I begin?

The book begins with a nine years old little girl finding her father hanging from the rafters. He’s committed suicide and it’s all her fault. You see, he killed himself after the little girl caught Daddy piddling the “lodger” while Mommy was at work. And, so kind of him, Daddy dearest left a note for her:

“This is what happens when you watch people, when you tell secrets. It’s your shame now.....”

But, what poor Daddy never realized is that watching is what she does. But telling dirty little secrets? Never.

Tell Me A Secret is just... well... bloody brilliant- it’s breathtaking. Hayes toys with you, she taunts you up the ladder, and just when you find yourself so taken aback with what you’re reading mesmerized by her words - Bam! It’s too late my friends, when you weren’t paying attention Hayes slipped the noose around your neck and kicked the ladder out from under you! And you’re left hanging, gulping, clawing through the pages until the end. Wow. Again, wow. 500+stars for this must must read!