I enjoy the Inspector Tom Reynolds series by Jo Spain so had no hesitation in reading this standalone thriller. This is a fast paced thriller that I found very engaging and read it in one sitting. I was hooked on the story of Luke Miller, whose life is turned upside down when his wife confesses to killing a man who broke into their home.

Full of twists and turns, and I found myself constantly on the edge of my seat, eager to see what would happen next. Jo Spain has done an excellent job of creating a suspenseful and gripping story that keeps you guessing until the very end.

The two main characters are very well written, Luke and his wife Rose are both complex and well-developed, and I found myself invested in their story from the very beginning. Mickey Sheils, the woman Luke turns to for help, is also a fascinating character, and I loved the dynamic between her and Luke as they worked to unravel the truth.

A very addictive novel that is excellently paced and well written. The author handled sensitive topics like domestic violence and trauma with sensitivity and care.

This is an excellent thriller that will appeal to anyone who loves the genre. It’s a fast-paced, gripping read that will keep you guessing until the very end, and I can’t wait to see what Jo Spain comes up with next.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Quercus books for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

This book started out really strong and normally I love the authors books but unfortunately I found it dragged a bit and didn't find it thrilling like her usual books, I did still read this really quickly but just to see it out which isn't like me as they normally are page turners. I am looking forward to her more of the authors work as I have read all her back catalogue. Thanks to netgalley and quercus books for sending me this arc in exchange for my honest review

Recently married Rose and Luke are in holiday in the Caribbean when Rose makes a shocking confession. Their lives are instantly turned upside down. But is Rose to be trusted? What is Luke hiding? How well, after all, do they really know each other?

Former lawyer and friend of Luke, Mickey, who now devotes her life to helping women escape domestic violence, has her work cut out to figure out what the heck is going on. As, indeed, does the reader - we're forever on the back foot, and Jo Spain does a good job of pulling the rug out from under it.

The Caribbean island setting of St-Thérèse was reminiscent of Death in Paradise, though local police officer Inspector Alleyne is surely a Ngaio Marsh reference.

This was a very engaging read which kept me guessing throughout, although the truth, when revealed, didn't somehow feel entirely satisfying. I did like Mickey and her colleague Elliot - I'd be happy to see them return in future books.

Thanks for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy!

‘Don’t Look Back’ by Jo Spain may suit some readers looking for a ‘quick read and donate’ thriller. However, in this narrative, with the exception of Mickey Sheils, the characters and their situation are not particularly memorable.
The novel appears to be about domestic abuse and the rescue Mickey undertakes at the outset of the novel is gripping and convincing. However, when we are introduced to the central couple - Luke and Rose – and their sudden need to escape their London flat, it’s not long before we are presented with a great deal of backstory, not much of which is especially absorbing.
Jo Spain is an accomplished storyteller. She sets the various scenes from rural Ireland to the glamorous Caribbean convincingly and handles the various timelines effectively. However, I think the story would have been more compelling had the ramifications of domestic violence been explored more carefully and in more detail. Isn’t that what this book is about? Well, yes, up to a point, but there are twists and turns! If you are new to Jo Spain, look at her back catalogue for better reads.
My thanks to NetGalley and Quercus Books for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.

I usually love this authors books,this time the story just didn’t flow right for me and I couldn’t believe it enough so was a dnf,look forward to the authors next book

This book was wonderful! I longed to read a book this good.

The whole story was just so well written, the characters were so good. The way they eventually all had some mystery in them, every little thing was important to the book.
The way the story kept me guessing the whole time, I was confused and entertained all at the same time! Every chapter brought something new to the story, leaving the reader wanting more and more, at least for me! It was just so good reading a story so catching, so entertaining. I wanted to know every bit of it, I was just guessing everything and failing and getting so curious to know the truth behind them all...

I never read a book from Jo Spain and I regret it, because from now on I will need to read every book of hers. She is that good!

Don't look back starts off strong, but ultimately does not deliver.

The only redeeming character was Mickey, but even then, she could not save this story,

3.5 stars.

This one started strong. I was quickly intrigued and thought this was looking like a winner. But then, it just fell flat and got really boring to me.

What I liked about it:

🔸️The writing was mostly fab, it was easy and enjoyable enough to keep reading.
🔸️I think it portrayed the effects of DV well.
🔸️I loved Mickey and Elliot's work, and their characters for the most part.
🔸️It is told from multi POVs, as always it confused me a minute at the start but then was good.

As for what I didn't like and why I only gave it 3.5 stars:

🔸️It just wasn't 'thrilling', it was easy to put down (or cause me to fall asleep...).
🔸️It dragged on a bit too much.
🔸️It ended up being too predictable and at the one part it wasn't, it wasn't excuted very well.
🔸️I just get really tired of reading about money, rich people's decor and self importance. It was overdone.

All in all, I don't think this was bad and the writing was certainly good, but I don't think it's my cup of tea. I think many others will enjoy it so check out the book description and others' reviews.

⚠️ check TWs online - of note is DV (descriptive assaults and lasting effect on survivor) ⚠️

Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for my eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Publication date: 11 May 2023

I should probably start this review with an apology to both my Dad and Fred because I was so utterly absorbed in reading 'Don't Look Back' that I completely forgot about dinner and left them to fend for themselves! Before anyone calls the authorities, my Dad was well capable to look after himself and Fred, well he meandered off to the neighbours to complain (as any sensible cat would do).
Now, onto the review.
Rose surprises her husband Luke Miller with an expected trip to Saint Thérèse, in the Caribbean. Throughout the dream holiday, Rose has been strangely distance and now hours from their return home, she confesses the truth - she has murdered her abusive ex-boyfriend and left his body in their apartment. That is why she booked and surprised Luke with the holiday. Luke immediately reaches out to a friend for support and we soon realise that both Rose and Luke have complicated pasts and may not have been entirely honest with each other.
And so begins incredibly, pacey, edgy novel with the type of twists that are essential components of a Jo Spain thriller. The story is told across three locations: Sainte Therese, London and Donegal and told across multiple timelines, with various viewpoints and in the hands of a less-skilled author, could become confusing, but Jo Spain is a highly skilled and experienced author and she ensures that the reader can move smoothly become different aspects of the storyline and timelines.
Brilliant, simply brilliant.

I have read several of Jo Spain’s books and this one is my favourite so far. Intriguing right from the start, it keeps you turning the pages. Although plot driven, the reader gets a feel for the characters and the ending is in keeping with the narrative and the established characters despite the twist. An enjoyable read in this genre.

Another fantastic thriller from Jo Spain, she never disappoints! I read this book over two days, a real page turner!

I thought 'Don't Look Back' was going to be about a couple trying to clear up after Rose murders a man in their apartment. How wrong I was, there is so much more to this book and it is an electrifying read.
Spain has written in so many plot threads - all of them add something to the plot and all of them result in twists or red herrings being included. I never knew who to trust and it made for breathless and intense reading. I was absolutely hooked on this book and raced through it as I so desperately wanted to know the outcome.
I think Spain was clever with the characters, they are not immensely likeable but they are likeable enough and I did care about them and was rooting for them. They tell the story perfectly and I enjoyed seeing how they all intertwine with each other.
'Don't Look Back is an astonishing thriller that will leave you breathless.
Thank you to NetGalley and Quercus Books for an advance copy.

Thanks to Quercus for my copy of this new book coming out. It was a good thriller with plenty of twists and turns. Good writing and some good characters, though I didn’t warm to Rose at all! Overall another enjoyable read by Jo Spain.

I’ve long been a fan of Jo Spain and appreciated NetGalley giving me an opportunity to read Don’t Look Back. It’s another brilliantly plotted book, though I found I quickly tired of it being entirely written in the present tense (though I can’t put my finger on why), so I didn’t enjoy it quite as much as others in her catalogue. I also guessed the twist at the end about halfway through – not something I usually do.
But those are minor cavils; I found the plot highly original, and even though my guess of the ending happened to be correct, I certainly didn’t anticipate the many twists along the way!

I really enjoy Jo Spain's books, she is an auto read/ auto buy for me but unfortunately I did not enjoy this as much I have her previous books.

The book started strong I was immediately pulled in the story. I didn't really buy the main relationship in the book and Rose as a character didn't ring true. As the book went on there is a reason for this but being unable to connect with her as a character meant I was not too invested in what happened to her.
The first third of the book was good, well paced and love that Spain introduced the Caribbean setting although it was no Lapland, I love the destinations Spain adds to her novels and her descriptions of the island were vivid and detailed. However the plot slowed right down and there were stages were not a lot happens and there was little suspense or tension.
Mickey was a decent character and saved this book for me and the twists and turns towards the end of the novel brought a decent element of surprise.

Maybe my expectations were too high but I was a little underwhelmed by this one.

A solid enough 3* read but not a memorable read.

Jo Spain has done in again!! From the very first page I was gripped and unable to put this down. I loved the character of Mikey she was an iconic and brilliant character, and Luke and his wife Rose are well written characters, This book is excellent and the twists and turns keep on coming right to the very last page. Don't miss out on this superb book

This is just the perfect escapist beach read! The opening grabs the reader and drags you in amd I coukdnt out it down after that

The story has a hood pace and never reels rushed or like its dragging or not moving forward. Its set over a split timeline so you are going back and forth between characters, countries and times. Quite the feat fir sn author to make work without making it confusing but its done to perfection

The characters are well written with plenty secrets and mystery surrounding them. This isn't the most realistic thriller but it's a fiction book so that's what we're here for. Although the events may not be likely to happen, the characters do feel like real people. They're complex and original and I just needed to know more about them!

There are a few twists and turns, nothing too shocking to be honest but they tied in well and there weren't any plot holes in the end. In fact, the ending was really well done woth all these strands just coming together organically to a natural conclusion.

As I said, perfect for a beach read but if that's not possible then grab it anyways and enjoy the beach via the story instead

Jo Spain certainly has us travelling around the world with her thrillers. Last year it was Lapland - in Don't Look Back we travel to the Carribean. Her books are always addictive page turners, and I can't get enough of them. Anything could happen, and usually does. Yes, it is a bit wild and crazy, and I am there for it. I love a book when I am constantly surprised, and she manages to do it every single time.

Rose and Luke have had a whirlwind romance but never got a honeymoon. So, Rose decides to surprise her husband with a last-minute trip to Saint Thérèse. Sunshine, beaches and cocktails, what could be better. As they are packing to come home a week later, Rose drops a bombshell - there is a dead man in their apartment back in London and she killed him. - What the??? It is nonstop action from here, with twists and turns that you just have to read to believe.

A big thank you to Quercus Books for my advanced reading copy. Jo Spain is an author that I will always recommend. Publishes on May 11th.

Worth reading for the opening chapter alone, talk about gripping the reader from the get go! A twisty rollercoaster of a book, a lesson in trusting nobody set in London, a Carribbean island and Donegal. I just wish I'd been lying on a Carribbean beach reading it as at times the pace could have been a bit faster in my opinion. Thanks to @netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

My Rating: 2⭐️⭐️ mainly for the writing and the first quarter of the book otherwise what a flop!!!

Luke Miller has the perfect life, amazing wife, lot’s of money and a tribe of friends. Life gets even better when Rose, his perfect wife, surprises him with a belated honeymoon to a Caribbean paradise island.

It’s more than Luke feels like he deserves… but he is happy.

Rose becomes anxious as they pack their bags to leave the island and breaks down admitting to accidentally killing a violent man from her past. This man has been left in their London apartment for the past 7 days.

Luke knows he needs to do anything to keep Rose from harm, he calls the one person who never wanted to hear from him again… Mickey Shiels. Mickey can’t deny helping a woman in need no matter how angry she is at Luke for what he did to her.

Mickey promises to help Rose so she doesn’t have to keep running from her past… but everyone has secrets… but whose will get someone in big trouble??

This is my first Jo Spain book and it wont be my last, ONLY because I have one on the shelf to read AND I have it on good authority (Thanks Pink) that her police procedural is the goods… so I will come back.

As for Don’t Come Back… well thanks for the warning Jo Spain… I will not be coming back to this one unfortunately. So lets start with the good…

The writing was great, really exciting and punchy and I got into it easily at first. The chapters are a little long but nothing to worry about too much. I liked the alternative timeframes - not so much changes of POV (well there were but…)it was more timelines, and places which is good I am down with that. We jump back and forth in time and I really like that style… you know this already I am always down for that.

The story started off with a mystery, why is Rose so cagey, what does Luke have to hide and who is Mickey and what is she hiding??? All relevant and exciting points until you hit about the 30% mark and it was a snooze fest!!

So much story and nothing much happens, it gets really boring and just drags on and on and on all for a really boring twist and reveal. I was really hoping for something that was OMG exciting and really just got oh… cool thats what I kind of thought was going to happen but hoped it wouldn’t.

Also a big gripe I have with this is it completely corrupted my kindle. This is an ARC I got from NetGalley and the formatting was whack which I can deal with, but the file kept shutting down my kindle and then every time I finally got it to open again I had to go all the way back to the start and scroll through to find what % I was up to… cause no chapters…. Very annoying and makes for an unpleasant reading experience.

I am going to keep this short cause I don’t really have much more to say about it… many people will love this one… and it wasn’t that it was particularly bad it was just super boring in my opinion. A bit OTT which I definitely can handle… but it wasn’t even exciting OTT just stupid. There was some unrealistic stuff in it… again I can handle that… but also it was just boring!!!

In the words of Amy Santiago from Brooklyn 99 - YA BORING!!!!

Overall - if you like the author and want to see what this is about this is a well written book that probably most people will find entertaining… but if you are like me and really need a bit more substance to your books perhaps skip it…

Thank you to Quercus Books, the author and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review, all opinions are my own.