Afraid by Lisa Jackson, Alexandra Ivy and Lisa Childs brings readers three thrilling tales of romantic suspense. The commonality between the three stories in Afraid is the fact that all the women once attended a boarding school together. The stories are all told by changing the point of view between the characters and with some flashing back to the past.

Retribution is the first story in Afraid and it introduces readers to Lucy Champagne. Lucy had been sent to St. Cecilia’s after a traumatic event in her childhood. Lucy’s mother had been attacked by her then boyfriend and Lucy at only eight had been the one to testify against the attacker who is now out of prison sending Lucy into hiding.

Ghosts features Rayne Taylor who’s roommate and friend, Natalie, at St. Cecilia’s had committed suicide. Rayne finds things that belonged to Natalie in her old school things and returns them to Natalie’s brother who never thought Natalie’s death was a simple suicide. Rayne also has questions and wants to get to the truth of what happened.

Alone features Erin MacDonald who had been sent to St. Cecilia’s after Erin and her sister had been kidnapped but when the ransom was paid only Erin had been returned to her family. Now years later no one has ever found out what happened to Erin’s sister, Anna Beth, and now after Erin’s father’s passing she returns home to Detective Rafe Montego still poking around in the old case.

Being familiar with all three of the authors writing Afraid of course I felt that I would enjoy this one before I even picked it up. All three stories were entertaining in their own ways as they were different from one another with my only real complaint coming from the length which is normal for me to want a bit more depth with novellas. Overall though this was full of solid writing one would expect and I flew right through waiting to see what happened with each new tale.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

Loved this book. so suspenseful. The main author Lisa Jackson is never disappointing, but the other two author I have never read, but all the authors were so amazing together.

Thank you net gallery for giving me this chance to read this exceptional book.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of Afraid by Lisa Jackson, Alexandra Ivy and Lisa Child’s that I read and reviewed.
This book contains three stand alone novellas by that are linked by three women who when to a boarding school in Austria and had something happen to them as children that that led to a mystery that almost cost them their lives as adults.
I don’t want to get into each book because it may lead to spoilers but all three were excellent reads and I enjoyed each one of them. This book was put together very well and eac story was an excellent read.
I am giving Afraid five out of five stars.

Thank you Netgalley and Kensington Books for the chance to read Afraid by authors Lisa Jackson, Alexandra Ivy and Lisa Childs. This is an anthology of 3 novellas, one by each author. Each a separate story, but woven together; three former friends who attended St. Cecilia boarding school. Each story was a quick read, filled with suspense and romance. All three authors are favourites, and I enjoyed the stories.

Three stories blended together about three young girls who become friends at St. Cecilia’s School for Girls. Each girl has been sent to the school for a specific reason. In “Retribution”, Lucy Champagne, daughter of actress Tina Champagne was sent to the school after testifying against her mother’s boyfriend Ray, who tried to kill her mother. Years later and released from prison, he swore vengeance against Lucy, who is now on the run with her own daughter. Is it only Ray that she needs to worry about? In “Ghosts”, Rayne Taylor is friends with Lucy and they believe another young girl, Natalie, committed suicide. Years later, when Rayne returns home, she discovers items belonging to Natalie in with hers and they lead her to believe that she may be the next one to die. In “Alone”, Erin MacDonald was kidnapped along with her older sister, Anna Beth, but only Erin came home. Years later she returns home for her father’s funeral and learns that she has been left her father’s estate…then the attempts on her life begin. With the assistance of a detective, will she find out what really happened to her sister so long ago? I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

AFRAID is a compilation of three novellas by three different and amazing authors, with the stories having a boarding school in common. All of the stories were tantalizing, with elements of suspense as well as romance in each one. The first one by Lisa Jackson is called “Retribution” and is about a woman named Lucy running from her past and determined to keep her daughter safe.The second one, “Ghosts”, is about a young woman who is caught up in solving what happened to her roommate at St. Cecelia’s School for Girls. The official finding was suicide, but Rayne doesn’t believe that is true. The final story is about Erin MacDonald, a poor little rich girl who returns home for her father’s funeral and to face the ghost of her missing sister. Entitled “Alone”, this was the creepiest of the trio of stories, although each was eerie and sinister in its own way. Cue the music from the old horror movies and turn the lights down low in order to set the mood for these macabre and fascinating tales of self-discovery as well as surprise twists. The characterization was well done, especially in the format of a novella in which characters have to be explained thoroughly and quickly in order to stage the story. The three stories flowed together seamlessly and I really enjoyed the setting of the school in Austria that was what Lucy, Rayne and Erin had in common. With a thread of horror and more than a little suspense, this book should not be missed by fans of suspense with a touch of romance to whet the appetite for love. I don’t remember ever enjoying a collection of novellas more as I raced through the pages to make sure that each woman was safe from the threat, both known and unknown ones.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the authors via Kimberly Bradford Scott and the Fiction Addiction Review Team online. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

Three suspenseful stories by three masters of the genre. This collection is a fast paced read full of twists. The main characters of each are loosely connected. Each stands alone though. For a quick escape read you won't be disappointed in picking this one!

Three novellas by three masters of the suspense genre. All three of the novellas are centered around St Cecilia's School for Girls and while they interlock in a sense, as the three women are friends there, they are perhaps better read one at a time as standalone. Each of the women- Lucy, Rayne, and Erin- has trauma in their past and present. It's a good opportunity to read the three authors who collaborated on it. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC.

Too much romance for me, to the point of stretching credibility. Good writing, and the structure of this short story collection was strong, but overall the plot lines were just too “Hallmark movie material” for my taste. Thanks for allowing me the opportunity to read and review.

Afraid is a collection of short, suspenseful romance stories written by Lisa Jackson, Alexandra Ivy and Lisa Childs. The heroines in all three stories are all former students from St. Cecila’s, an elite boarding school for girls, in Salzburg, Austria. Fame, riches, dark secrets, and revenge are the common themes that link these stories.

Retribution is the first book in this collection and features Lucy Champagne, Ian Thompson and their daughter, Renee. Lisa Jackson has written a second chance suspenseful romance that focuses on Lucy’s struggle to deal with the traumatic events in her childhood. Ray Watkins is set to make Lucy pay for her damning testimony that sent him to jail for twenty-five-year sentence. Or is he? Read it and find out!

Ghosts, written by one of my favourite authors, Alexandra Ivy, features heroine Rayne Taylor and hero Niko Scantlin as they work together to uncover the truth about his sister’s death. Will the intense connection they briefly felt years ago blossom into something more, or will someone put an end to their quest and romance before begins? Read it and find out!

Alone, written by Lisa Childs, is the final story in this amazingly intense collection of short stories. This story follows Erin MacDonald and Detective Rafe Montego as they look to solve the twenty-five year old unsolved kidnapping and disappearance of her sister Anna Beth. The connection between Erin and Rafe grows and intensifies as they deal with flashes from Erin’s memory, but will they solve the mystery before the past pays them a final and deadly visit? Read it and find out!

Jackson, Ivy and Childs did an amazing job creating their stories and intertwining the past and present events of all three heroines. The themes of fear, standing up for yourself and facing your fears are common through this collection and well portrayed. I strongly recommend “Afraid” to any and all readers who enjoy as good romantic, suspense thriller.

This is a voluntary review of an advanced readers copy received from Netgalley.

Oh man, what a ride. These three stories were very loosely interconnected, but the ending in each surprised me.

Three short books by three amazing authors all intwined made for a great book. Full of twists and turns I couldn’t put this book down. Murders from the past, suicide, love, secrets and more are all explored.

Afraid is a collection of three linked never released novellas by bestselling suspense authors.
Enjoyed reading these and the connections between the stories. Quick and easy reads but fully developed plot lines and character development.

AFRAID by Lisa Jackson, Alexandra Ivy, & Lisa Childs
Afraid is written by three authors, Lisa Jackson, Alexandra Ivy, and Lisa Childs. They each are excellent with their thriller/suspense stories. This collaboration is a collection of novellas that weave three stories of the wealthy girls that were sent to a girls school in Austria, but they are still independent of each other. I enjoyed these stories. This is a 4 star read.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this exciting book

3 novellas in one with each one attending St. Cecilia’s School for Girls in Salzburg, Austria at more or less the same time

each short story has enough depth and intrigue to keep you reading on and i have to admit i love finding new authors to add my ever growing list of authors to keep an out for

Secrets, lies, scandal and sinister doings are all hidden away here but for three former students evil is about to come back to haunt them. Expertly done and nicely woven making for a compelling read.

BRAVO! An excellent book!!! I had a hard time putting it down!!!! I loved how each of the short stories - or novellas - intertwined with each other. Each character had tragedy that followed them through life and presented them with danger as adults. Being raised far from home in Austria at a boarding school, Rayne, Lucy and Erin grow up to be fiercely independent women.

There was mystery, danger and a little romance thrown in....all things to love in a good book.

Afraid is a book of three short stories about three girls from wealthy families that attended St. Cecilia's School for girls. A series of events have brought them together. In the present they are grown and forced to face their fears from the past.

Lisa Jackson is one of my all-time favorite authors. I look forward to reading each of her books. This is a little different than some of her others, but I enjoyed how each story was connected.

This book is rare in the best possible way. Three brilliant authors (Lisa Jackson, Alexandra Ivy, and Lisa Childs) each wrote a novella, gave the stories a common bond, and made a fantastic book. It's as if the readers are served a scrumptious 3-layer cake topped with icing! It's sinfully delicious! 🎂

The intricate book centers around three young girls (Lucy, Rayne, and Erin). The characters grow up and become independent beautiful women. Although they do not keep in touch, each is forced to revisit their past to finally resolve childhood tramas. The result is what thriller readers absolutely adore reading about... (murder, secrets, lies, and deception with a touch of romance sprinkled in).

I really enjoyed reading this unique novel presented from the combined efforts of these mega talented authors. In fact, one could say, it's like 3-for-1 at a goldmine!

"Afraid" will be published February 22, 2022.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books, for allowing me to review this e-book. I really appreciate your kindness.

Afraid is an anthology made of three unpublished stories written by Lisa Jackson, Alexandra Ivy and Lisa Childs. I know these authors, of course, but as much as I love Alexandra Ivy, I’ve never read (or once a long time ago) the two others.
We could say I was discovering them with this anthology and after my reading, as much as I will go on with Alexandra, I won’t read books by the two others.
The 3 novellas are connected by the heroines who at one time in their life went together in the same institution, St Cecilia’s school, a girls’ school in Austria. It’s a super select establishment where only rich families and celebrities who can afford it send their daughters.

Retribution – Lucy’s story – written by Lisa Jackson.
Lucy is the daughter of a famous actress. She was sent at the school very young after witnessing an attempt murder on her mother. Her testimonial sent Ray Watkins, then her mother’s boyfriend, in prison. He never forgave Lucy and vowed to get revenge. When the novella begins, Lucy is on the run with her daughter because Ray has been released. While she’s hiding, her ex-husband, Ian, her daughter’s father, is looking for her. Between the memories coming back to her, the feelings still there for her ex-husband, and the threat on her, Lucy is going to live difficult moments. I didn’t like this novella at all, whether it is the characters, the heroes, or the secondary characters, one shadier than the other. At the end of the story, the suspense is solved and we have huge surprises.

Ghosts – Rayne’s story – written by Alexandra Ivy.
Rayne Taylor was roommate and friend of Natalie Scantlin, a boarder who suicided on graduation day. When her story begins, some time after the previous novella, she decides to pick up some stuff Lucy sent her that were stored in her mother’s attic. In the box, she finds a note that makes her question the circumstances of her friend’s death. She decides to contact Niko, Natalie’s brother, and after some incidents, they join forces in order to find answers to her questions. Niko and Rayne had met shortly before Natalie’s suicide, and the attraction had been immediate. However they hadn’t seen each other after the tragedy. While they’re investigating, of course their attraction returns. It’s the only novella where there’s a clear love story (at the same time it’s Alexandra and for her it’s an important element in her books, I hope it will still be!). The suspense is well done and just like for the previous story, we have surprises. It’s the only story I liked even if it isn’t the one I prefer from the author.

Alone – Erin’s story – written by Lisa Childs.
Erin McDonald was sent to the institution after being the only survivor when her sister and she were kidnapped. Her sister’s body was never found.
Alone is a very strange novella and it’s very difficult to say more about it without spoiler while trying not to confuse those who’ll read my review. I’ll just say two things:
1 - Erin’s sister was a famous model when she disappeared. She was then 14 years old. Nobody got over this tragedy and through the years, reporters said they took pictures of her at different places.
2 – The heroine doesn’t remember at all what happened this night, so she doesn’t know if her sister is dead or alive.

The novella begins when Erin comes back at her father’s home for his funeral. After the discovery of a body, the investigation is reopened and incidents against the heroine occur.
I didn’t like the characters in this novella, whether that is the heroine, the hero or the different important secondary characters. However, clearly, once again we have surprises concerning the resolution of the suspense.

The novella ends with an epilogue 10 years later in which Erin organizes a party to which Lucy, Rayne and their respective families are invited.

To conclude, this anthology can perhaps please fans of thrillers. As for me, I didn’t like it and my best rating goes to Alexandra Ivy’s story.