★★★★★ 4.5 stars (rounded up)

If something seems too good to be true, then it probably is.
But that didn't stop Hannah.

As a huge Sue Watson fan, I literally pounced on the chance to take part in this blog tour, thereby requesting the book. I've not read her romance books...but her thrillers? She has the genre mastered! And she almost always creates a character that gets so under your skin you want to throttle them!

Enter Hannah. Thirty six, single, somewhat content...but lonely. After coming out of a loveless relationship where she felt taken for granted, she's content with her life in her messy little flat and her job as a social worker. Her life is a long way from her unstable childhood growing up in the foster care system. But she secretly feels that she might never find that "Mr Right" and fall in love.

Until her best friend, and boss, Jas encourages her to join a dating app "Meet Your Match". After a few hilarious experiences with some of the dates - from one of them shaving his legs and dressing in women's clothes to another wanting to brush her hair with his mother's hairbrush, who has been dead ten years - Hannah just can't find anyone that she connects with. And then, she meets Alex. Not only is he gorgeous but he loves the same music as her, the same food, even the same wine. They both want a golden Labrador, three kids and escaping to a cosy cottage in coastal Devon. It's like he's made for her. Soul mates. This in itself is a red flag. No one is THAT perfect...surely.

The morning after their first date, Hannah comes in to work all loved up and on cloud nine. She regales Jas with every aspect of their perfect evening, oblivious to her friend's reservations. Hannah believes him to be kind and considerate but Jas isn't so sure. But Hannah has waited too long for "Mr Right" that she isn't going to let her friend's unfounded suspicions deter her. After all, Jas hasn't even met him and already she is pointing out "red flags". But Hannah refuses to see them, perceiving "love and kindness" for what Jas recognised as "possessive and controlling". And it only got worse.

When a gorgeous bunch of roses arrive at work, her colleagues start jeering "he's a keeper" and "I don't recall my husband every buying me flowers and we've been married 30 years!" but Hannah is secretly thrilled by Alex's attentive thoughtfulness. Until she opens the attached card. The message on there is so bitter and threatening even I recoiled when I read it. Hannah's immediate thoughts go to her ex Tom, who took their break-up badly. But I wasn't so sure...and I don't think Jas was either. And then climbing into her car one evening after work, she can smell a woman's perfume and the blanket she keeps on the back seat has moved. Who has broken into her car...and why?

But it doesn't stop there.

Soon Hannah is jumping at shadows in the belief that Alex's crazy ex is wanting to harm her, justifying his appearance at every place she goes. She can't even enjoy one night out with her friends without Alex turning up, citing "Helen was in the area" and he wanted to make sure she was safe. In reality, what was screaming at me by this point was "coercive control" and that he just wanted Hannah to himself and couldn't bare her having a life that didn't include him. But Alex was creating a world that just involved him and Hannah...but Hannah couldn't see it. Being all loved up made her blind to his faults...and even when she did begin to question his behaviour she then talked herself out of it and justified it instead!

Hannah has to be the dumbest, naivest, most brainless woman I have ever read. To have all those red flags and STILL she didn't see them. Who is that stupid? OK, so he was to perfect on their first date...but then who isn't? It's all about being on your best behaviour to impress. But Alex didn't just impress, he reeled her in without even trying. But my first real red flag was when she was "lost" trying to find her way to his house...and he suggested finding her through a location app. I was like NOOOO! Don't be so stupid, woman!! Who would even allow location access to their phone to another person...a person you had only just met. Hannah. Then he double locks the doors, keeping the keys in his pocket. Another red flag. And this is just their third date! The rest of the red flags just keep coming thick and fast...while Hannah remains thick and slow.

Honestly, Hannah doesn't belong in a thriller. She belongs in a rom-com or some chick lit where everyone lives happily ever after. I didn't dislike her. I just thought she was an idiot. And Alex? Don't get me started on him. Manipulative, possessive and controlling should cover it. But she's a woman who's meant to have a brain...clearly she didn't throughout most of the story. I would have left Alex long ago if I were Hannah. I don't care what sob story he fed me. He lied, he stalked, he lied, he was overbearing, he lied, he lied, he lied. What part of that did she not get? Even after he was caught out, she continued making excuses for him. And when she finally did show some gumption, I didn't cheer exactly...more like shouted "about bloody time, woman!" I didn't particularly like either of them but perhaps we weren't meant to.

The ending, when it came, gave a shocking twist that most won't see coming. I admit to getting an inkling towards the end in about the third last chapter, suspecting there was something else at play that we weren't seeing. And when it was revealed I wasn't surprised but I was shocked that I hadn't seen it coming before I did. But in true Sue Watson style, it didn't end there. She gives us a final twist at the very end that brings everything to a neat and satisfying conclusion. Well done, Ms Watson!

Suffice to say, as irritating as Hannah was, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Thankfully she didn't get under my skin like Ella did in her previous thriller "The Sister in Law" . Ella was smart, but Hannah was naive to the point of stupidity. I don't think I can say that enough because I doubt any woman would ignore all warning signs and red flags that Hannah did.

A compelling read that pushes all your buttons, FIRST DATE is addictive and fast paced from beginning to end. It may even seem a little predictable as the reader can clearly see what's happening even if the blinkered main character can't, but don't let that predictability fool you...because nothing is as it seems.

A clever and well written domestic thriller, FIRST DATE is a gripping read of twisted obsession that will send you through a range of emotions and leave you shocked by the end.

Such a brilliant read I read in one sitting...with an even better ending!

Perfect for fans of domestic thrillers.

I am excited to be taking part in the #BooksOnTour #BlogTour for Sue Watson's addictive thriller FIRST DATE.

I would like to thank #SueWatson, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #FirstDate in exchange for an honest review.

A good twisty thriller. It is slow to start but picks up pace. I didn’t guess who the perpetrator was.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

First Date by Sue Watson
I give this book 4 stars
Your new flame......
Your worst nightmare!
Hannah meets Alex on a dating app, he appears to be the perfect boyfriend but then scary things start to happen.....All is not as it seems, who can Hannah trust?

I loved that l got frustrated with Hannah for getting taken in and not listening to her work colleagues warnings and the way Alex managed to talk himself out of every incident.A plausible topic for a book,loved the book cover.

A great story of twisted love,obsession,lies and manipulation.A psychological thriller that l found a fast and entertaining if slightly sinister read.Well written with a steady build up of pace and tension and that last chapter....wow what a twist,l didn't see it coming!
A recommended read
With thanks to Netgalley,Bookouture and Sue Watson for my chance to read and review this book

3.5 Stars!

This is a wild and twisty ride about Hannah, who meets the "perfect" guy online and later finds out, he's not who he appears to be.

Having done extensive online dating, I could completely relate to Hannah and her situation. I had a hard time relating to her naivety regarding Alex. He was throwing up red flags the whole time and her friends were trying to help her to see them, but she wasn't. It was a bit frustrating to read.

I loved the crazy twist, though and it made for a higher ranking.

A special thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture, and Sue Watson for providing me with an ARC.

If ever there was a ever a reminder that I'm glad I'm not part of the dating scene, it's this book.

Hannah hasn't had much luck when it comes to men. Her being 36, I could feel her frustrations that she was not destined to find true love and settle down. That changes when she meets Alex. Things seem to move pretty fast when she meets him and the pessimist in me was just waiting for something to go wrong. I'm definitely one of those people that if something is to good to be true, it usually is.

The further into the story I got, the more the alarm bells were ringing in my head. Hannah at times I found to be quite naive but I couldn't blame her as when you're in love you tend to see everything through rose tinted glasses as the saying goes. The tension definitely starts hotting up and the author had me second guessing a couple of the characters intentions. So much so, I wasn't entirely sure who I could take at face value apart from Hannah herself.

First Date was a page turning, compulsive story that made me so glad I'm married! I was so engrossed with what was happening that time seemed to stand still as I lost myself into this book. I could feel my heart starting to race the nearer to the ending I got and boy should this come with a warning as I think I am still in shock days after having finished it. Never has an ending left me with the chills that this one did. Totally freaked me out! Another winner from Sue Watson.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
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Hannah meets Alex on a dating website and hits it off immediately on the first date. Alex is a handsome, attentive lawyer and they seem to have everything in common.
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Hannah has been longing for someone to love her and treat her special. They quickly move into the serious phase of dating, Alex spoils Hannah and lavishes her with attention. She is over the moon.....
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But, while Hannah sees Alex’s behavior as love and adoration, her friends see it as controlling and overbearing.
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Alex becomes increasingly more intense, sending up more red flags.
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Are Hannah’s friends just jealous or is something very wrong with Alex?
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This was only my second book by this author. I read Our Little Lies and enjoyed that one. This one was a little more Lifetime Movie-ish.
It’s a quick, entertaining read, but it is a bit frustrating because you really just want to shake Hannah the whole time.

I thoroughly enjoyed this twisty thriller, although it was slow to get going and the ending came quickly and felt a little rushed.

I didn’t outright guess who the villain was going to be, and the characters were well written.

Exactly the type of book I enjoy reading. I would recommend and will look out for more books by the author.

I tend to stay away from thrillers because I either lose interest or I can predict the end. This was not the case with Sue Watson's First Date.
I had heard a lot about this book on social media and the plot sounded interesting and really relevant to today's world of online dating. From the first chapter, I was hooked and instantly had that creepy-panicked feeling that only great thrillers can give.
Watson's characters were really thought out and well-developed, and I enjoyed that there were consistent themes throughout the book (i.e. Hannah's childhood trauma and abandonment issues, Alex's manipulative personality being portrayed as thoughtful/caring).
I was on the edge of my seat reading this and there were more than a handful of times where I thought I had everything figured out. But every time I thought I figured it out, Watson had a way to debunk my theory. I was completely satisfied with the ending and then I read the last chapter and my jaw hit the floor. This book was perfectly done and I'm so glad there was that final twist.

WOW what a book this is from the brilliant Sue Watson and if you ever think about going dating online read First Date and i promise it may very well put you off for life.Hannah meets Alex online and she is amazed just how much they want the same things in life Hannah thinks she has finally found her perfect man and soon she is falling in love.But with her workmate and best friend Jas urging her to show caution Hannah is bit put out with interfering ways and cracks start to show in their friendship especially as Alex doesn't like Jas or anyone for that matter being to close to Hannah he tries to do his best to turn her against Jas.This really is one of my best reads of the year and with a cracking ending which will have you gripped to the end i defy anybody not to enjoy this book.I can't praise this book highly enough, a superb 5 star read all the way..

I read this ARC for an honest review
All thoughts and opinions are mine

A new author to me
I absolutely loved this!
Great pace and suspense building
I found it very scary - but in a good way!! Couldn't put this down - I'd get to a scary bit and put down and then seconds later picking it up again to carry on !!! That's never happened with a book before

I think this is a book I will re-read and that it rare

Highly recommend

First Date Sue Watson
This book is everything a good psychological thriller should be, and I will be thinking about it for a long time after I have finished it.
After reading late into the night, I woke early next morning just dying to know how it would end, and the ending didn't disappoint.
So often I wanted to give Hannah a good shake! And tell her to wake up and see what's going on around her, but people do fall into these types of relationships all too often. Hannah isn't the most endearing of characters, but i felt I still willed her on.
I formed so many (wrong) theories, and thats the mark of any good psychological thriller for me.
Excellent writing and great storyline. Easy 5 stars from me, I devoured this book in two days.

Let me start off by saying, this book does exactly what you’d expect it to do from the title and the cover – it’s a psychological thriller played out in the dating world. As a concept it’s solid and I thought the author handled the premise really well. The building up is steady and thorough and by the last thirty percent I was just reading, reading, reading, looking for information, unable to stop, really. And that’s the funny thing about this book – so many books these days concentrate on the first ten percent that you get as a sample and then go downhill after that but I felt this was the opposite.

I actually had my doubts in the first couple of pages – I got hung up on a couple of silly points which instantly made me think Hannah was a fantasist or not quite all there. The first thing which threw me off was the mention of a ‘white picket fence’ I thought I was reading something set in the US and then they started talking about Devon, is that Devon, Pennsylvania? No, they’re definitely in the UK. So is Hannah an Americophile, a girl who dreams in Gilmore Girl accents? Then as they’re realizing how their aspirations are the same it felt very naïve, not just that she put so much stock in wanting the same dog, but because at 35 and first meeting the guy, she was still planning a three child family. I know you can, but having recently passed that milestone myself, I know how you feel, at 35, working all hours, still single wondering if you’ll even manage one kid!

I read on, honestly not sure, but the storytelling soon overcame the flaws of the protagonist. Yes she is ridiculously naive but some people are. In the end, I cared for her enough to want her to survive and at some point the plot thickened and flipped and turned into a better story than just one about a terrible first date with a weirdo which takes over your life. Also kudos to the author for not leaving any strands of the story flapping in the wind! I put the book down feeling satisfied and not annoyed. I will definitely look out for her next book and despite the niggles at the beginning would recommend this one too to anyone who enjoys dating world psychological thrillers.

Woah! This story was so thrilling and frightening. I was on edge the whole time I was reading. I almost put it down because it was creeping me out so much, but I also wanted to see what would happen next so I kept reading!

This is the second book I’ve read of the authors and it certainly won’t be the last. I love her writing style!

Hannah, a committed social worker, is a lonely woman who goes on a dating app and meets a man who she feels could be "The One". They have the same interests and, besides that, he's strikingly handsome. Hannah felt they were kindred spirits, stating "We were little more than children without roots, both searching for a family and a home, and believing we’d found that in each other." There are red flags...Hannah ignores them. Her friends have reservations about Alex...Hannah ignores them. Hannah ignores a lot...until she can't ignore any more.

This was a fun, quick read for me and I would definitely recommend it to others!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for an advanced copy of this book.

Thirty-six-year-old Hannah is an insecure, sweet girl, still hoping to find the man of her dreams. Her friends encourage her to go on a dating app, and there is Alex. He’s everything she’s ever dreamed of – good looking, considerate, treats her like a queen, and seems to have the same hopes and dreams as she does. Hannah is VERY naïve and overlooks all kinds of red flags in their relationship, but no one can tell her anything negative about Alex. As their wedding day approaches, it becomes clear that Hannah is exactly what Alex has been looking for too, but not in a good way! A lot of the actions of Hannah were unbelievable, like those horror movies where the girl is about to enter the house, and you wanted to grab her and scream in her face! A good look at obsession, internet dating, and a twisted love. Thanks to the publisher, the author and NetGalley for my copy of The First Date.

First Date grabbed my attention from the first page.


Hannah has the perfect first date with Alex. Alex wants all of the same things as Hannah. Alex answers every question the same way Hannah would from the amount of kids to the kind of dog to their ideal holiday. As the book goes on red flags start to be revealed. Is Alex really as perfect as Hannah thinks? Is anything Alex says true?


Weird things start happening to Hannah since she started dating Alex. Is this related to Alex? Is Alex responsible?

First Date is a crazy good book. It is something that any single person can relate to. After a promising first date, people tend to ignore red flags. Luckily most red flags people ignore are not as extreme as Alex’s red flags.

First Date starts out talking a lot about Hannah and Alex’s relationship developing. It is interesting to see how the characters interact and Hannah’s feelings throughout. I liked Hannah for the most part. The way Hannah was introduced in the story led me to like her from the beginning. Hannah did make some decisions that weren’t the most rational. However, I could see them being realistic for someone invested in a relationship.

Hannah and Alex’s relationship was interesting to read about. The relationship effected Hannah’s friendships and I enjoyed seeing how the friends handled things. Alex and Hannah’s best friend, Jas, do not get along. They are always saying bad things about each other. Which one is trying to help and which one is jealous of the other’s relationship?

Hannah’s coworkers and friends characters added to the story. Harry is always in his own world and only interjects himself in conversations when he feels like it. Jas is a widow and trying to find love again but very cynical after many failed attempts. Sameera is very focused on her wedding. She is cautious about Hannah’s relationship and not afraid to say things do not seem right.

If a thriller about the perfect first date I recommend First Date.

The ending was very unexpected in the best way. I recommend First Date to domestic thriller fans.


Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for First Date.

I keep seeing hype on First Date and it didn’t disappoint. Hannah thinks she’s found her match on her first date with Alex. They both want 3 kids, a lab and white picket fence. On the surface he has the job, the house - an overall well established life. Is he as perfect as he seems? Or does his lies and overprotective behavior make her want to run?

I’ll start out with my pet peeve. Hannah is an idiot, but blinded by the dream of being in love. Her reactions were predictable and she surely could have seen the witting on the wall much sooner. Even with this dynamic, this book was a page turner and full of twists. I really enjoyed it and was blown away by the end.

First Date by Sue Watson
As expected, another fine psychological thriller by accomplished Author Sue Watson whose books never disappoint.
The fine line between affection, infatuation, lies and control are scrutinised in this book; many red flags transpired that kept me contemplating the outcome, although a slow start the story finishes with a terrific twist.
Hannah Westons best friend Jasmine talks her into trying a dating app as romance has taken a back seat for a while as Hannah works hard at her job as a Social Worker. Through the app, Hannah meets lawyer Alex Higham, and the first date goes so well that Hannah feels he is 'The One', the relationship begins.
Hannah soon starts to see notice flashes of Alexs controlling personality, and alarm bells begin to ring. Boss and best friend Jasmine advises her to take her time and get to know Alex better, but Hannah sees everything through rose coloured glasses. Alex is perfect, isn't he?
A highly recommended read.
I want to thank NetGalley, Bookouture, Sue Watson, for a pre-publication copy to review.

Firstly, this was so close to getting a full 5/5 stars from me, but i've settled with a 4.5/5 stars. It is a great thriller.

The books begins with Hannah on a first date. It is going perfect, her and Alex seem such a perfect match. Finally, after a poor past relationship and no success dating yet, she seems to have met the perfect man. As the relationship blossoms, she falls in love with him and his beautiful home; a life she has always wanted. Merely weeks into their new relationship, weird things start happening. First a delivery of roses, but the threatening message with it would suggest they aren't from Alex. Hannah begins to wonder if her ex Tom is playing up again, he never took the break up well. Hannah is sure someone is following her around. It isn't long before their are faults in the relationship with Alex as the lies begin to unfold and the truth comes out. Her best friends don't trust him and find him controlling. Can she trust him? Is he controlling or is he just caring for her? All Hannah ever wanted was someone to care for her. Is it all too good to be true?

This kept me page turning. You almost know what is going to happen, and you want to scream at Hannah, what are you doing!? Part of me thought it dragged on, but actually, this probably made for good suspense. I really enjoyed all the plot twists and the ending was not expected at all. It makes leads for a great sequel potentially.

The only reason for not giving a full 5/5 stars is that despite the good suspense, for me it did drag ever so slightly. I feel we could have cut on the constant controlling behaviours of Alex, and potentially focused more on how the different lies were found out and how Alex found Hannah in the first place.
Overall, I would recommend this read to anyone who loves a good page turning and plot twisting thriller! Big thanks to Net Gallery and Bookouture for allowing me access to a copy of the book in return for an honest review!

Ooooh this is good. I couldn’t put it down it was so addictive. The ending is brilliant and I totally didn’t see it coming.