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.

Another great story from Jo Spain with lots of twists and turns and interesting characters.
This would make a great Netflix series!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC.

Luke Miller is surprised with a unplanned trip by his new wife Rose, Saint Therese is a beautiful location and who wouldn't want a spontaneous trip. All is not as it seems and Rose actually brought him away because going home wasn't an option, she's killed her abusive ex and he's lying dead in their bedroom.
Luke knows someone who can help- Enter Mickey a former barrister who now works with women fleeing abuse. But Mickey and Luke have their own past.

This story is told in multiple timelines, helping you to understand Luke and Rose's quick marriage and taking you through the abuse she was subjected to as she relates it to Luke.

The real highlight of this book is Mickey and her 'sidekick@ Elliot. They are determined to make the world a better place, one abusive man at a time.

I found the main story good, but by the conclusion it felt a little flat.

Thank you to Netgalley who sent me this ARC in return for an honest review.

Tense, Thrilling Suspense…
Be prepared for a rollercoaster ride in this twisting and turning suspense which takes the reader across the globe and also into the darkest recesses of the human mind. A belated honeymoon for Luke and Rose is just the beginning - from there events begin to take a dark and dismal turn as lies and secrets come tumbling out of the woodwork at breakneck speed. With a deft pen the author creates a plot populated with credible characters and an edgy narrative as numerous threads are cleverly woven and gradually collide. Tense, page turning, one sit thrilling suspense.

Don't Look Back begins with newlyweds Rose and Luke who are taking a belated honeymoon to a remote Caribbean island. At the end of their trip, Rose admits that her violent ex had tracked her down to their London flat, there was an altercation and she ended up killing him. Luke is shocked that there is a dead body in the home they are about to return to and calls his friend, Mickey, for advice.

This is a fast paced and action packed story set in Sainte Therese, London and Donegal and told across multiple timelines. I was quickly drawn in to the story and empathised with the characters throughout.

There were SO many twists and turns along the way, I felt that I couldn't be sure who to trust for certain.

My thanks to NetGalley and the Publishers for sending me this ARC in return for an honest review.

This was my first book by Jo Spain, and I have already ordered two more. While I figured out right away who was all in on this, i didn't figure out why or the connections. So this book had really good suspense and kept my attention. I powered through it in one day. This book shows true dedication but also show how you can easily let love sway their mind and actions. Highly recommended!

What a story, the twists and turns were incredible. I’d love to see this one brought to life on the telly. Brilliant characters and superb writing. I will check out the authors back catalogue. Thank you!

I'm a huge fan of Jo Spain novels as they are always full of twists and turns. This is no exception and was a brilliant read from start to finish.

Luke Miller works for a pension fund and is wealthy, good looking and quite the catch. He married Rose after a whirlwind romance and even his friends thought it was too quick.

However, she surprises him with a last minute honeymoon trip to the Caribbean. On the evening they are due to return she confesses that she has killed a man in their apartment.

Now, we are introduced to a clever character, Mickey, who will always help women who have been mistreated.

Everything snowballs. Excellent read and highly recommended

I've loved all the Jo Spain novels I've read and Don't Look Back was no exception.
The novel is so skilfully plotted - I started the novel expecting one thing and it went in a completely unexpected direction with brilliant twists, great characterisation and sense of place. I loved the character of Micky and would love to see her return.
Jo Spain is a go to author for me and I'd highly recommend this.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.
4.5 stars

My first book from Jo Spain and won’t be my last, I was hooked from the beginning and read this over the space of a couple of evenings. Fast paced, intriguing, twisty, basically all the things I love in a novel.

Don't Look Back by Jo Spain

Luke Miller used to work in a more high stakes financial ring but he now works in the much more sedate pension fund sector. He's wealthy, good looking, quite the catch. His last serious relationship was long ago but less than a year ago he met the most remarkable woman and fell head over heels in love and they are already married and celebrating a late honeymoon trip in a Caribbean paradise. His wife, Rose, surprised him and whisked him off on this trip without even letting him go home from work first. It's been a wonderful week although Rose is acting a little off.

Now he knows why Rose was off. She killed a man! A violent man from Rose's past tracked her down and now he's dead. Luke will do anything to protect Rose, he won't let her come to harm. He knows who can help them, an old friend Mickey Sheils who is a crusader for battered women. Luke hates to ask for her help because of their past but he has no where else to turn.

So many secrets! Luke has them, Mickey has her own. What about Rose? There is so much she doesn't want to talk about, there is a deep sadness about her, walls that are hard to knock down. And now she wants Luke to just walk away from her as she disappears into the unknown.

And I was not sure I could trust any of them. Dreamboat Luke with all that money and things he regrets. Mickey, with her strange marriage that seems held together with money and guilt. And Rose, she seems so meek, so touchy, so afraid to trust, holding back way too much.

The story will take you places, beautiful places, dark places, and be sure to bring your raincoat because you go to cold, wet places. There are some very interesting side characters here, friendship comes from some far off places, and help comes from where it's least expected. Ride the roller coaster and see who gets off in one piece.

Thank you to Quercus Books and NetGalley for this ARC.

my first read from this author and I so enjoyed a very addictive read. Rose has fled an abuse relationship she leaves Ireland and restarts her life in London she then meets Luke and they fall in love and marry. Rose is always looking over her shoulder. then one day when she arrives home her ex partner is in her home something happens and she books her and Luke a holiday and picks him up from work. and on the last day she tells him something. Mickey helps women who are in abusive relationship s she does what the police system does not. her and Luke are old friends she not heard from him in years and she gets a phone call off him he needs her help I won't say no more but its so good so twisty you think you got the plot but nope

Another brilliant one by Jo Spain. I found this incredible easy to sink into. Characters were very familiar and there was a certain ease to reading the book. Thank you for the couple of hour escape that it offered me while I read it. A must read.

Rose confesses to new husband Luke, during their honeymoon, that she accidentally killed someone and this person is still in their apartment. Luke enlists friend Mickey to help try and sort out the problem. What follows is a suspenseful, twisty tale.

I really enjoyed this story and found my self absorbed in all parts of the story. The book is action backed with plenty of twists to keep you on your toes. The characters are well rounded and I found myself really liking the character Mickey and colleague Elliot. Overall this is definitely a thrilling read. I have only read one other book by this author previous to this but will be checking out the rest! Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for my early copy.

Your dream island, the love of your life, a secret that changes everything.

After a whirlwind romance Luke is coming to the end of his surprise honeymoon with Rose when she breaks down and explains they can’t go home. Before they left Rose killed a man and the body is on the floor of their apartment. Luke turns to Mickey, the only person he can trust to get them out of this mess but does their loyalty from the past endanger present day?

My first book by this author and it won’t be my last. Action packed from the start and it intrigued me throughout. I really liked Mickey’s character and what she stood for. Thank you @netgalley and @quercusbooks for the opportunity to read this book and I wish the author well on its release.

Publication Date - 11/05/2023

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#DontLookBack
#JoSpain

4.5 rounded up

Saint Thérèse, Caribbean. It’s the last day of Luke and Rose Millers’ honeymoon and as he treads the white sand he appreciates normality will arrive all too soon. He’s so relaxed and he’s seen an improvement in Rose in the first few days as she rarely feels safe. However, he also reflects that over the last couple of days something is off kilter, she appears desolate, further thought brings the realisation that she’s actually terrified. He returns to the hotel to talk to her and she says she can’t go home. He’s dead. Who is dead? What’s worse apparently the body is in their London apartment. Luke turns to Mickey Sheils for help, she promises she will despite never expecting to hear from him again. Has Mickey promised the impossible? The story is told in the present day in Saint Thérèse and in several timelines in London and Donegal, Ireland which flows well.

Let’s establish from the start that I love Jo Spain’s novels! As per usual she effortlessly pulls me into the storyline which starts with several wows as the desperate tension is palpable almost immediately. The terror of Rose and the shock that Luke feels at the situation they find themselves in makes for compelling and immersive reading in a plot that’s constantly on the move. I really like the multilayered way the author chooses to tell this story as she makes you feel the dread and trepidation, to wince at some of the madness of decisions but also to feel sympathy and understanding. It’s edgy, twitchy, characters are spooked and vulnerable, on more than one occasion in great danger and clearly not processing rationally. The tension builds to holding your breath levels and thankfully the release with some backtracking to add to your understanding or perhaps not!! On more than one occasion you are left in suspense until the next bombshell drops. The unpredictable plot is clever as it keeps you guessing often wrongly (!), the pace is spot on and of course as this is Jo Spain, there are some excellent jaw dropper twists and I might, just might, have uttered the odd naughty in shock! There are secrets in abundance with situations you don’t see coming some of which end disastrously.

The characterisation is excellent, you realise some are not entirely what they seem so your feelings fluctuate which is very enjoyable. You are full of questions about what some of them are up to which is very intriguing. I love Mickey, she’s someone you would want on your side and she sure goes an extra mile. Others are stand up guys like Detective Marcel Alleyne in Saint Thérèse who is immensely likeable and fair whilst others are devious, vicious and evil.

Overall, this novel takes you on a journey of unforeseen causes and outcomes with the ending dovetailing the plot strands well. There’s everything from love and courage to fear and violence, from humiliation to tragedy and everything in between. It’s another winner for me as it keeps me glued to the pages and often perched on the edge of my seat. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Quercus Books for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

I found this book hard to put down. The plot was different and the twists had me second guessing on who was telling the truth or not. The settings were described well and the characters were easy to like/hate. The abuse back story was believable and made me sympathise with Rose. A book I would recommend reading.

Firstly, thank you to Netgallery, Quercus Books and Jo Spain for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

This is the first book I’ve read from this author and it won’t be the last! This book totally gripped me from the first page to the last, suspicious of everyone and everything, it was good I read it in a day! A tense, faced paced thriller that will keep you up at night.

The twist and turns in the book were so clever that I was left thinking about it for days after. Jo Spain definitely should be on everyones shelf!

Luke and Rose are having the perfect honeymoon until Rose drops a bombshell. She has been stalked by her very violent ex and now there is a dead body in their apartment back home. So now begins a very twisted and exciting tale.

I always find something magical about the way authors have the ability to create a situation that has the reader totally engrossed in their writing. There is nothing better than being taken away from reality for a few hours and Jo Spain definitely has this skill, I have always been a fan.

There are some great supporting characters, Mickey in particular, who provide another layer to the story and you cannot help but be taken in by this whole situation. This is another fabulous book by Jo Spain, the action is fast paced and once you begin it is really hard to put this book down. It is one of those books where you will read it in a couple of sittings, it really is that good.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions are my own.