Thank you to Grove Press and to Netgalley for this ARC! I am obsessed with Paula Daly. I have had this book on my To Be Read for mooooonths. Months before it had a title, months before it had a cover, and then a cover revamp. Paula Daly is one of those authors whose books I will never forget reading the first time, and Open Your Eyes is no exception. While it did jump erratically from time to time in the middle, everything else about this book was - pun intended - thrilling! Needless to say, I LOVED it. I was so excited initially to be introduced to a spunky couple who actually still loved each other, who actually still laughed and joked and played around. I don't think in the almost 200 thrillers I've read since discovering The Girl in the Title Craze that I have met a fictional couple that has actually liked each other and it was beyond refreshing. It almost made the story line more heartbreaking. This horrible nightmare of a thing happens that I was so not expecting - my jaw literally dropped - and there is an undercurrent of loss because they love each other! And what a strong woman. What a strong character! I loved Jane. I loved her spunk, her determination, her ability to persevere. She was admirable, likable and multi-dimensional. This book was a complete winner for me, down to the last sentence. I am absolutely obsessed with this one and I will automatically hyperventilate in anticipation of another thriller from Paula Daly.

I loved this book. thank you so much #netgalley for my preview copy in exchange for an honest review. I have read other books by this author and really enjoyed those this book had me completely gripped from the start. the book begins with the family getting ready to go to Leons parents for his birthday and he's in the car with his wife and two children. but when his wife Jane returns he is found with 2 nails in his head. He gets taken to hospital but ends up in a coma he has no memory of anything not even his family. gradually as things unfold Jane finds out things were not as she thought he owed money to a few people and she suddenly realises she doesn't know Leon at all. there are lots of twist and turns but such a good read that keeps you wanting more till the end. Will deffinetley read more from this author thank you again #netgalley.

Thank you Netgalley, Paula Daly and Grove Atlantic for the free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Jane’s husband is attacked in the car while Jane was inside getting some last minute things for Leon’s birthday celebration. He is now in the hospital in a coma and Jane and the police are unsure who attacked Leon so Jane feels unsafe in her own home, raising her two young children. Jane needs to face the problems of their lives and finds out that Leon has been keeping many secrets from her.

This novel drops you right into the thick of things in Jane’s life and the crime that committed and leaves you unsure of who could be guilty of attacking Leon is those few minutes Jane is gone. I loved the atmosphere of the novel and I could understand Jane’s troubles and her need to find out who committed this crime on her family. Jane has to go through a lot to get her husband back on his feet and she becomes his caregiver and I can relate to that and how difficult it is. There were many twists and turns in this novel that kept me interested right up until the end!

I did feel like after the first half of the novel, Jane and Leon’s families dropped out of the novel and she was left to fend for herself and care for the children and Leon alone. It makes you feel guilty for life getting in the way, but unfortunately working in the health field, this is how you see things go. There are only so many resources and only the people in the worst condition will be able to use them. I felt the author did a wonderful job of portraying the struggles of a brain injury and how hard it is for the family to deal with it. The ending really knocked my socks off! I loved it and I really didn’t see it coming.

Pick it up October 9th!

A best-selling author is attacked in broad daylight with no witnesses and his wife deals with the repercussions of his ensuing traumatic brain injury and the police investigation into the attack. This was a unique set-up for a domestic suspense novel. It was interesting to delve into the effects of traumatic brain injuries. I also enjoy novels about authors that give insights into their craft and daily lives. Something about the actual crime seemed too far-fetched too me so I had trouble concentrating on the who-dun-it aspect. The author did such a great job portraying how the main character felt overwhelmed that it gave me a sense of mild anxiety while reading.

Thanks to NetGalley, Grove Press and the author Paula Daly for an advanced electronic reading copy.

Jane Campbell's perfect life is turned upside down when her husband is viciously attacked in front of their young children. With her husband in a coma, the responsibility of caring for the family (and everything else) falls on Jane. She is terrified the attacker might come after her and the children, but she needs to find out who hurt her husband, and why. As she searches for answers, Jane comes to realize her life wasn't as perfect as she thought...

Open Your Eyes is a psychological thriller worthy of the genre. A brutal crime committed in broad daylight, in the presence of children, after the wife goes inside the house for a couple of minutes. She comes back out, and her entire world is changed. How terrifying is that?!

It's not a stretch of the imagination at all to picture something like this actually happening, so I was immediately drawn in. I was just as shocked as Jane was as she began to discover things her husband kept hidden from her, and with each clue that surfaced, I began to suspect more than one person of the crime. Leon's recovery provided few answers, and I was just as frustrated as Jane with his lack of memory.

The reveal of the culprit, and why they did it, was a complete surprise. I thought I had it all figured out, but I was completely wrong (per usual). Jane's ingenuity in trapping the guilty party into a confession was brilliant, and I enjoyed every moment of it.

The writing was very well done, and while this is the first novel I've read by Paula Daly, but it certainly won't be the last.

I received an advance reading copy of this book courtesy of Grove Press via Netgalley.

It’s Leon’s birthday!

The author, his wife Jane, and their two small children are off to his mother’s house to celebrate....although it’s not what Leon really wants to do. Before they can leave the driveway, however, their neighbor intercedes to discuss the family cat. (Trigger warning, animal lovers!)

An argument ensues, and Leon asks Jane to retrieve beer from the house, to bring to the celebration, as this day is NOT shaping up to be his best birthday...

When she returns, their car has plowed into the neighbor’s wall, and they end up leaving for the hospital instead.

It turns out that Leon has been brutally attacked in his own driveway, in front of the children, though he seemingly has no enemies. But Jane is about to discover a lot about her husband that she never could’ve imagined....

For the first 25% of the book, I felt like I was being told a story about something that happened, and I was not immediately drawn in, but then the pace picked up as the author began revealing Leon’s secrets. And, insight on the sometimes “cut throat world” of writing and publishing.

By the last 25%, I was wondering how so much could be wrapped up in the few pages that were left!!

This was my first book by Paula Daly, but I will definitely seek out her other work! It will be available in the U.S. on Oct. 9th, and I would recommend it to readers who enjoy DOMESTIC NOIR (suspense)

I would like to thank Netgalley, Corgi publishing and Paula Daly for the ARC I received in exchange for a candid review!

Jane and Leon are married with two children. Jane appears to think that they're a happy couple despite minor fights that all married couples have.
Leon is a successful writer while Jane is trying to start her writing career. Yikes.. how hard would this be having your hubby be successful and you failing at the same career?

Before we know it, Leon lands himself in the hospital and is in a coma. He thankfully awakens but doesn't recognize Jane and is convinced he’s married to his first wife. He starts accusing Jane of things that aren't true or are they??!

Jane becomes anxious and starts investigating on her own. Jane starts to unbury some heavy secrets.. and the more she uncovers the more dangerous she lands herself in.

Open Your Eyes is a domestic thriller that's entertaining keeping you on edge! Overall, I felt that it was a tad unbelievable and dragged in some spots but overall was enjoyable.

3.5 stars rounded down on this one.

Thank you to Grove Atlantic and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Publication date: 10/9/18
Published to GR: 9/9/18

I am an enormous fan of this author--upon reading the first of her works I binged on her entire back catalogue. I will admit my heart sank when I saw a very familiar thriller trope deployed --the husband who is incapacitated/missing/dead who got in trouble and spent all the family money unbeknownst to the wife.

However, sometimes plot devices are cliche's/tropes for a reason--because they touch on common visceral fears. This novel didn't fall into the typical traps of how/why the husband spent the money, lending itself to a great twist in the plot and elevating it above novels that use the plot device as exactly that--just a device.

A feature I found outstanding that you don't often find in thrillers is the incredibly tender but realistic depiction of how mental incapacitation of a family member compromises the rest of the family. Our protagonist faces the challenge with honestly, clarity, and no sentimentality, which I found so very relatable.

I finished this book in two days and hope you find the same enjoyment I did!

Open Your Eyes is a light, household thriller. Jane and Leon are a married couple who go through typical marriage fights... until they don't. Jane has to convince Leon that he knows her and that they are married. Leon is not buying it.

What a great, fun read!

3.5 Stars* (rounded up)

Jane and Leon are married with two children. Happy, of course, or at least Jane thinks so, though they fight like all couples do. Leon is an uber successful crime writer while Jane is just a wannabe. She tries not to be jealous of her husband’s success but it’s a difficult task. One afternoon while getting ready to leave for his mother’s house - Leon gets into an argument with their neighbor - over their outside cat, Bonita, of all things! (To think someone doesn’t like cats!!).

Jane steps away, not wanting to get involved. Next thing she knows, Leon is in the hospital having surgery and is put into a medically induced coma. When he awakens he doesn’t recognize Jane and is convinced he’s married to his first wife Gina! He even accuses Jane of causing his injury!

While waiting for her husband to recover, Jane starts investigating on her own, fearful that any day she’ll get arrested. Her investigation leads to secrets - lots and lots of them - and the more she uncovers, the more danger she’s in.

“Open Your Eyes” by Paula Daly is a fun and intriguing domestic thriller. I found it to be somewhat campy, yet wholly entertaining. While there were a few parts of the story that I felt were a bit superfluous, all in all, it was an easy, enjoyable read.

This was a buddy read with Kaceey!

Thank you to NetGalley, Grove Atlantic and Paula Daly for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Published on NetGalley and Goodreads on 9.7.18.

3.5 Stars

Jane and Leon are on their way out to celebrate Leon's birthday when they have a confrontation with their neighbor in the driveway. Jane goes back inside to get something and when she returns to the car she finds that her husband is acting strangely and her neighbor is nowhere to be found. It soon becomes clear that her husband was in fact attacked and is placed in a medically induced coma. Jane must now take care of her kids, pay all the bills, and spend time at Leon's bedside. All under the watchful eyes of the detectives who have been assigned to Leon's case. As she begins to look on Leon's computer for house related issues she finds secrets that he's been keeping from her. She has so many questions for him and when he finally wakes up he is not the same person as he once was, and none of those questions can be answered. She starts to do some investigating on her own and soon finds her self the target of the same person who may have injured Leon.

This was the second book I've read by Paula Daly and I enjoyed it once again. Her books are very easy to read. All of her characters are well developed and I couldn't find any holes in the plot. Some may have seen the twist at the end, but I was surprised and unable to guess what happened. I also liked how the story is realistic. The ends aren't tied up nicely at the end. Leon isn't ever going to be the same person he used to be, and Jane will constantly struggle with that. I don't know that I would necessarily call this a "thriller" it was more a suspenseful family drama.

I've been a fan of Paula Daly for a while, and I'm always eager to get my hands on her latest book. This one was pretty good--it stands up with her other titles, but I was a little disappointed that it didn't feature the DS Joanne, who makes appearances in all of her other novels. This book still features multilayered and complex characters, a compelling and emotional storyline, and plenty of suspense. But like I said, Joanne didn't factor into this one, and I find her to be a very relate-able presence throughout the rest of Daly's books.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately, I have tried reading this book on 2 separate occasions and during this 2nd attempt, I have only managed to make it halfway through so I'd rather stop here and state that this book just wasn't for me.
I wish the author, publisher, and all those promoting the book much success and connections with the right readers.

Things start out alright our main character Jane is in the car with her husband Leon and her children getting ready to go out to celebrate Leon's birthday. Forgetting something she runs back into the house to quickly grab it. When she returns however, her husband is bleeding shot in the head by a nail gun. Rushed to the hospital Jane wonders what happened to her husband in those few moments she was gone and who could have done such a thing? This book was amazing. You really felt four our main character having to try to figure out what actually happened to her husband, having to protector herself and her children from someone she doesn't even know is out there. This book was very fast paced but it really pulled me in as a reader. After every chapter if left me with a new question that I had to find the answer to. I loved all of the twists and every time I thought that I couldn't be more shocked I was wrong. This book threw everything at you but in a good way. I also found the characters very easy to relate to and you really felt their struggles both Jane for having all of this thrown on her all of a sudden and not knowing how to cope or what is going to happen to her husband but also to Leon. Why did this happen to him in the first place? This fast paced thriller really kept me on my toes. If you like thrillers than this is one that shouldn't be missed. I think that this book will put Paula Daly on the map with authors like Gillian Flynn, and Karin Slaughter. This is my first book by her but after this one it definitely won't be my last. Great read and I'm glad I got the chance to check it out.

I received an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review

This was not her best- this author’s very good and writing naughty women and it was a shift reading her through a beliguired wife. The twists were interesting however and the book was all around enjoyable. 3.5 rounded up

Thank you so much to Paula Daly and GroveAtlanta for the opportunity to read and review this book. I love Paula Daly's books and this latest book won't let you down. Filled with drama and suspense, it will keep you guessing about the main characters lives. Jane is married to Leon a successful author,who is one day shot in the head. Why would some one want to hurt him. Jane begins a search to find out the truth and soon starts to realise her life is not all it seems. Will keep you hooked.

I opened this book, on the day of receiving a rejection letter to see, guess what? A rejection letter! This was the start of our insight into the world of Jane Campbell, who is an author looking for representation for her latest book. She has received none for any of her books to date and it smarts. She’s wondering if this is it for her as she considers a talk she once heard by the great Nick Hornby, who told a lady struggling with rejection (and obviously looking for a ‘keep trying’ comment) that maybe she should just find something different to occupy her time.

Actually if I had one thing that stood out for me with this book, it was that, as a writer, it is not very inspirational. It looks at the struggles of getting published, then the struggles of being published, as her husband Leon is, and all in all paints a very dismal picture, at no time providing the positivity we generally need to keep writing.

Now, as a reader, gosh what a book!(;)) So we are given a shocking start where Jane nips into the house, leaving her husband arguing with a neighbour and returns to find he’s been attacked, with the two children sitting in the back of the car unaware. The book is about Leon’s fight for survival, Jane’s dealing with knowing there’s someone out there who wants to hurt her husband and why, and also coming to turns with a new Leon, who isn’t the loveable bear he was before, while finding out some home truths about their life. I flew through this book, gobbling up every word, being thrown a number of times as I tried to figure out what had happened and jumping when Leon’s demeanor changed. Jane wasn’t the strongest or most likeable character I’ve ever met, and I found the ending wasn’t quite my cup of tea but all in all I really enjoyed and look forward to reading more from the author. Thanks so much to Transworld Digital and Netgalley for the book in return for an honest review.

Rating: 4/5

We're all in some kind of recovery.

It's Leon's birthday and the car is packed with little Martha and Jack in the back seat. Jane, his wife, swallows down the unsettling thought of another celebration at Leon's mother's house. The car is idling in the driveway when Leon insists that Jane go back into the house to retrieve a few cans of his favorite beer. She spots Lawrence and Rose, the next door neighbors from hell, outside their house. Lawrence starts to argue with Leon about how their family cat relieves itself in their garden. Jane dashes inside gladly.

But when Jane slides back into the front seat, she is horrified to find Leon incoherent behind the steering wheel and bleeding badly. They rush him to the hospital. Leon is suffering from a traumatic brain injury and remains in a coma. What could have happened within the moments when Jane left her family in the car?

Paula Daly has an uncanny talent for getting into the inner workings of her main characters. If you read Just What Kind of Mother Are You? you will know exactly what I'm talking about. She smacks her female lead character alongside the head with almost insurmountable challenges throughout the book. Before his injury, Leon was a successful crime novel author. Jane taught creative writing courses at the local college with never having the joy of being published. Daly touches on the book publishing world in her novel as well and we, as readers, will heighten our antennae.

And with a bricklayer's finesse, Paula Daly counterbalances level after level of hidden secrets about ol' Leon that Jane never saw coming. Her feelings become mixed with sizzling frustration as her world begins to fall apart. She must take care of Leon, while at the same time, keep the family home from going under. Daly makes it clear that this is reality for those who are caregivers for brain injury victims. In a word: Overwhelming.

With no definitive leads, the police begin to suspect Jane herself. But Jane knows someone is watching their house. What in the world did Leon step into in his past? This one is a mighty read that will be calling your name
.........over and over again. Whoa! (Make that a double Whoa!!)

I received a copy of Open Your Eyes through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Grove Atlantic and to Paula Daly for the opportunity.

Jane and Leon are married with two small children. He is a fairly successful author, she is an aspiring one. The marriage is happy, and other than for small ups and downs the average family.

When Leon is faced with a confrontation with his neighbour Lawrence and is subsequently found injured, and badly bleeding while Jane was inside the house fetching a beer the whole scenario changes. Leon was attacked with an implement which had only Jane and Leon's fingerprints on it the whole attitude of the police changes with Jane being a major suspect.

While Leon is seriously injured and his whole life has changed, Jane is faced with upheaval after upheaval. After having left all financial decisions and planning to her husband and taking a backseat where money is concerned, she now finds herself locked out of their accounts, no money in the bank, having to take decisions and charter a course for survival for not just her and her two children but also for Leon who is now like the third child in the marriage.

Leon's recovery is going to be slow but he is unlikely to become the man he was before. The Leon that Jane knew and loved is gone and she has to come to terms with this new man, whom she does not quite like or trust anymore.

A story of how fickle life can be, how it change in an instant, betrayal by friends and at the same time how many of us cannot live in isolation however independent we may be. Extended family and friends are needed in times of crisis.

A good story. Well told.

Read this in two days, fab book - being from Liverpool, I loved even more that the story was set there.

Jane and Leon are living their life pretty much as planned, Leon is a successful author, Jane is teaching creative writing whilst still dreaming of her own writing career. They have two young children and a lovely house in a gorgeous part of Liverpool!

Everything is fine until Leon has an row with his neighbour over the road - Jane nips into the house until the confrontation blows over, when she next her husband,he's been attacked and has serious head injuries.

Leon survives the attack, but at first he has no recollection of who Jane is....she is left to try and piece together what happened, whilst waiting for Leon to finally remember who she is, but even when that happens, Leon's recall and memory are damaged beyond repair and his persona has completely changed.

There are many suspects in this tale, I do love it when my suspicions are proved right and everything I'd pieced together came to fruition - felt like I was on Jane's side in trying to solve the mystery.

LOVED the final line in this book - you knew it was coming, but it still packed a punch.

Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book, this is my honest opinion