A fantastic tense novel that really kept me hooked throughout. I could feel Jodie’s fear - wonderful writing.

Absolutely brilliant thriller with a fabulous plot which I could not put down. Brilliant characters, and twists and turns. Highly recommend to other fans of this genre. Jaye Ford's books are always unmissable.

I found this to be an enjoyable read, keeping me on my toes throughout. The storyline was written well and flowed seamlessly. I look forward to reading more by this author!

I very much enjoyed this book. It has a good story and excellent main characters. I would definately recommend this book.

A weekend away with just the girls, what can possibly go wrong? This time it was Jodie’s turn and she chose a luxury barn conversion out in the Bush. Hopefully next time she’ll choose a busy city centre hotel! I was into this from the first page and it soon became “I’ll just read one more page, one more chapter” until I reached the end. It’s a high adrenaline, a derring-do for ladies. There’s not a page where something isn’t happening - I loved it! First time I’ve read anything by this author and will definitely read more from her.

Firstly, thank you to the Publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked this book. I felt on the edge on my seat and it was non-stop action the whole book. The story is set in Australia where 4 Women/Moms take a break once a year and go on a weekend vacation away from their husbands and kids. Right from the get go the action starts with a broken down car on a dark and deserted highway.
I enjoyed all the characters in the book, but did get annoyed at times with the behaviour of some of the women at different times but I felt it was all part of how the story was playing out. It definitely invoked some uncomfortable feelings in me when our main lady, a former victim of a seriously violent crime, was just not getting a break but she is a major trooper in this novel and it keeps the reader going.
I'm looking forward to reading more by Jade Ford. Definitely a recommended read from me.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Four women’s girls’ trip starts off stressful with car difficulties and becomes hair raising and unbelievable. One of the women, Jodie, was a past victim of violence and seems to have a case of paranoia due to the fear in her past. She has flashbacks and dreams while on the trip. Her friends feel she’s overreacting or blowing out of proportion innocent events. A police officer, Matt, also has a recent episode and feels he’s not capable to be an effective police officer. He’s also nursing an injury from the episode. The first half of the book sets the stage for the drama. The book moves slow while the foundation is set but becomes a page-turner when several men join them at the barn (turned into lodging).

The book was somewhat predictable but has a litany of scary moments. Because of its predictably I downgraded it. A quick read and somewhat entertaining once the reader gets passed the character building and foundational information.

Four friends enjoy having a trip away, taking it in turns to choose the destination. Their trip doesn't get off to a great start with a car accident - but things take a more sinister turn. Jodie, one of the ladies is completely on edge- but her friends think she is over reacting. Is she just seeing danger in perfectly innocent events?
I loved this book- kept you turning the pages to see whether there was a chilling event about to happen.
I would definitely read more by this author.

A little slow to start with but once something happened the plot was fast paced.
The resolution took quite a long time with many dead ends but overall I enjoyed this book.

Single plot story, which just seemed to drag on and on. Very predictable. No cliffhangers. Too much dialogue. I felt like abandoning it several times, it frustrated me so much.

Beyond Fear is Jaye Ford's debut crime novel. Jodie, a Mum of two, is the sole survivor of a vicious attack on her and her best friend. Years later, Jodie has a new group of friends and never speaks of her traumatic past. Jodie and her friends go on their annual girls weekend away. They rent a renovated barn in outback NSW. Their fun weekend of relaxing, drinking wine, catching up on gossip and spending time away from their families soon becomes a nightmare. Jaye's book is a fast, thrilling ride! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital copy.

This book was about a group of girlfriends spending a weekend together, and then all hell breaks loose!
Jodi as a character was sooooooo badass - I mean - she had been thru a HORRIFIC trauma earlier in life and had become a woman strong but very scared and cautious.
Her friends think she's imagining things when she picks up on clues that they arent quite alone in this lovely refurbished barn in the middle of nowhere. Her friends at some points get downright snarkish at times which made me think hmmm what kind of friends are these and then ive thought of real life and thought yep thats our "friends"
alright!! haha
As things intensify, which doesnt take long, the author keeps your finger on that quivering pulse of anxiety, and doesnt let up until the very end.
My favorite character is OF courseeee Jodi bc who in real life could EVER be so brave? I really admired her resolve of steel to protect her friends at all costs. They say in times of flight or fight people often will pick flight to save themselves bc that is such an intense flight reaction to fear, but mannnn Jodi's running days are over and when this girl puts up a fight, hell itself couldnt stop her - and believe me - it tried.
So this is not a thriller people, it has no plot twists but it IS a suspense novel and it will make you shiver with anxiety and fear.
A great read, I highly recommend it for the suspense thriller readers out there.

It was ok. Nothing particularly stood out that made it memorable. Some parts were predictable. I’ve read a few others books that were fairly similar. It wasn’t terrible but it wouldn’t really babe anything I would recommend.

Beyond Fear by Jaye Ford is so intense it *begins* with an almost fatal car accident. Jodie survived a horrific act of violence as a teenager that continues to haunt her, even as she sets out for a weekend vacation with her best friends. After Matt, a policeman on leave who's haunted by his own memories, transports Jodie and her friends to their weekend destination, the anxiety that Jodie feels after the car accident morphs into terror as unsettling things begin to happen at their rental: loud noises and torches at night, mysteriously open doors and two overfamiliar strangers. The first part (a bit less than half) of the book is a slow, frightening build while the second part is an adrenaline-filled ride. I stayed up past my bedtime as I raced to the end of the book because I had to know what was going to happen to Jodie, Matt and her friends. In addition to being a thriller, Beyond Fear explores violence-- both its effects on the victims and the mindset of the perpetrators, trauma and memory. If you're looking for a compelling read that will make you think about the aftermath of terrifying events, even as it relates them, pick up Beyond Fear.,

Beyond Fear is the first novel by award-winning, best-selling Australian author, Jaye Ford. The weekend starts badly. The accommodation Jodie Cramer has booked for what is dubbed the Fringe Dwellers Weekend Away Episode Eight looks good: a converted barn near Bald Hill that meets the approval of her three best friends once they finally get there, although it is quite a bit more isolated than the website had implied.

But an hour out of Newcastle, some hoon had virtually run them off the road, and Jodie’s car was undriveable. The tow truck was prompt, and the driver efficient, but lack of space meant that she and Corinne had to wait by the side of the road for the cab that never arrived. The cold and dark had unnerved Jodie, triggering a flashback to her teens: a terrifying episode of which her friends are unaware.

Thereafter, an encounter with a drunk at the pub, coupled with Jodie’s hyperawareness of personal safety mean that when the two campers(?) turn up at the barn, she is thoroughly spooked. Her friends are sceptical, think she’s overreacting. Can’t they see the danger? Jodie begins to second-guess herself; maybe she is paranoid…

A Newcastle detective on stress leave, Matt Wiseman is back in Bald Hill helping out at his dad's service station while his head sorts itself out and his knee heals. Doing the tow job on this Friday night as a favour, when he first meets this group of four women, he’s surprised at their destination: clearly the ad for the B&B hasn’t mentioned the place’s disturbing history.

This is a thriller that grabs the reader from page one and doesn’t let go. Ford is skilled at setting the scene and her characters are multi-faceted and credibly flawed. Jodie is a gutsy heroine and her determination spurs Matt on. The villains are truly frightening and at times the reader will want to give Jodie’s friends a good shake.

The story is fast-paced and adrenaline-filled: anytime the reader gets a bit complacent, Ford ramps up the tension another notch, sometimes so high that you have to do the reading equivalent of “hands in front of the eyes in a scary movie”: shut the book and walk away for a bit. But not for long: this page-turner is addictive and multiple heart-thumping climaxes build up to a nail-biting finish.

In a story that features PTSD (at least three characters have/had) and self-reliance, Ford demonstrates the strength of friendship, the power of directed anger and the importance of trusting your instincts. A stunning debut from a talented author.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Independent Book Publishers Association

Imagine if your worst fears came true … again.

At seventeen, Jodie Cramer survived a terrifying assault at the hands of three strangers. Now thirty-five, she is a teacher and mother, her memories of that past horror are buried deep – so when she sets out for a weekend in the country with friends, all she has in mind are a few laughs and a break from routine.

Unfortunately the weekend starts out as it means to go on -terrifyingly - with the ladies being run off the road by a big truck, at what must be the darkest part of the highway and Jodie then being accosted at the pub as they wait for a loan car. Thank goodness for Matt the handsome local garage mechanic who helps the ladies out that evening.

As the weekend progresses the friends start to argue and disagree which leads them into a dangerous situation bringing back all Jodies worst fears.

Gosh this book was intense! I really enjoyed the story, I liked Jodie, fell in love with Matt and bit my nails to the quick as their weekend unfolded.
I haven't read Jaye Ford's books before but I will be on the lookout now. Such a well written book with loads of terrifying details and heart stopping moments, with a great finish. Loved every minute!
Thank you so much to Netgalley, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles and Jaye Ford for the opportunity to read this advance copy of Beyond Fear. Another contender for best book of 2020 for me.

This book was a bit of a slow burner at the start but once it got going it was so good. The suspense was next level. I had no idea what was going to happen and how or if they were going to get out of the mess they were in. Jodie was my favourite and such a badass character. I loved that she was totally human in her reactions to everything. In fact all the characters worked so well with the story.

Beyond Fear is such a good thriller. It had me hooked with no idea how it would end. Definitely got some Scream vibes from it which is one of my favourite horror films.

I really liked this book. It has a slow start with the four friends start their yearly girls weekend after the first day out they slide off the road. It goes downhill from there. They arrived at the Barn which is isolated B&B. This thriller continues with very interesting turns. Yes I like this thriller ending.

Review for 'Beyond Fear' by Jaye Ford

Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Members Titles and Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA)

This is the first book that I have read by this author. I would be interested in reading more of her books.

This book gets into the action quite quickly and is like a roller-coaster that slowly builds up with tension and suspense before it rockets towards the action packed ending.

THE characters were all well developed and well rounded although Corinne annoyed me a few times with her bratittude. However, there's always got to be one or the characters would all be too likeable. Although she annoyed me I did find she came through towards the end. I found myself flying towards the end of the book in the hope they all survived, especially Matt.

THE book itself was well written with plenty of descriptions to keep me dragged 'in' the book and I felt I was in the barn with them while my pulse was racing.

THE cover is very appealing, works well with the storyline and was one of the things that attracted to me when I chose to read and review this book.

I would recommend this book to fans of thrillers, suspense, crime and action.

384 pages

£4.02 to purchase on kindle. I think this is a good price for this book.

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I had never heard of Jaye Ford and normally only pick authors I know of, the style is not my normal kind and I really struggled to get into this book.
I was ready to give up by chapter 3 as this really didn't grip me unfortunately I gave up by 45 mins at chapter 7.