oh. my. god.

This book was INCREDIBLE! Every time I thought I had figured it out, I was wrong. I was gasping with every reveal, and this book was such a page turner it was almost impossible to put down.

I'm almost at a loss for words, that's how good this book is. There is not a single thing I disliked about it. It's written in a way that made me feel like I was right there in the story, watching the events play out as they unfolded. And I LOVED the way the chapters jumped back and forth, keeping me on the edge of my seat & throwing in twists and turns I could've never guessed.

This was my first book by Lauren North, and safe to say I'll definitely be checking out her other books after this one.

A quick read. No one is really likable and everyone could be lying. The different POV changes make it a little jumpy and disconcerting. In the end, it didn’t really matter to me who did what. There are a lot of twists and turns to make the story go quickly. This is a good weekend read. You can finish it and move on.

This is a really fast paced, read in one sitting book.

The twists and turns and breakneck speed really add to this psychological thriller which I think will appeal to anyone who enjoys thrillers.

I received this ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve read Lauren’s previous book and I was OBSESSED so I was smiling with joy when I started this one.

The opening page is in the form of text messages that will give you chills and have you thinking “ what’s next?”.

What a heart pounding read this was, everyone’s story had my on the edge of my seat, OMG the twists just kept on coming and coming.

The story is told from three perspectives Celia’s, Sam’s & Lucie’s and every chapter is filled with twists and turns, just when you thing you have the story straight in your head it gets turned upside down again.

I recommend this book to all thriller lovers, it’s one of the best.

★★★★ 4.5 stars

Both of us are lying...one of us is a killer...

Wow! This book was one messed up tale that kept you second guessing all the way through. Just when you thought you knew what was happening, another little tidbit is thrown in to make you question what you thought you knew. And by the end of it, I found it all just a little bit creepy and whole lot chilling.

Celia hasn't heard from Lucie in thirteen years so when she calls her up one afternoon just as she's about to leave work, Celia's perfectly ordered world is thrown into chaos. What does Lucie want? And why has she contacted her after all these years? Why now?

But then things take a dramatic turn when Celia is suddenly carjacked and her abductor demands that she drive him three hours to Leeds whilst holding her at knife-point. For the entire journey, Celia tries to hatch a plan of escape but her abductor is younger and quicker than her. The next thing she knows, a screech of tyres and the point of impact releases the airbags as the knife glides into her side. She fumbles for the door handle and stumbles out, clutching her side before collapsing in a heap on the street.

The police arrive in a kaleidoscope of blue and in the distance a siren wails. The police will come to her rescue. They will save her from the madman who held her at knife-point and arrest him. They will see him for the dangerous criminal that he is and she's just an innocent victim. Before she loses consciousness, her last thought was of her son Henry waiting for her back home in Essex. How worried he must be that she hasn't come home from work...and the pasta that was to be tonight's meal.

The following morning, Celia is discharged from hospital and makes her way back home by train. It's long and arduous but necessary. The police have the man is custody, along with her statement; they'll know what happened now. They have to...because they can't know the truth. Not what happened last night or what happened thirteen years ago. Her life and Henry's were nearly destroyed and Celia won't let that happen again. Everything she has done has been for Henry.

MY WORD AGAINST HIS begins with Celia. It's her story against another's. It's the truth against the lies. It's secrets buried so deep when they threaten to resurface, it's one mother's love for her son above all else. It's about self preservation and protection. It's about everything but the truth. And just when you thought you knew the direction the story was taking along comes a plot twist to throw it right out of the water.

The story is told from multiple perspectives and is in three parts. Each part is very telling and brings with it new reveals. And twists that will leave you going "I never saw that coming". Admittedly, I wasn't a whole lot surprised by the reveals...all but one that I certainly DID NOT see coming. Not in a million years. But all the others made a lot of sense and I kind of figured them out for myself anyway. But then there is that ending when everything comes full circle...and you just get that spine-tingling chill as if someone has walked over your grave. Just wow. I loved that ending.

Overall, MY WORD AGAINST HIS is not at all what I expected but it is a solid thriller that kept me entertained and thoroughly engaged throughout. I can't wait for her next one "She Says She's My Daughter".

I would like to thank #LaurenNorth, #Netgalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #MyWordAgainstHis in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

I read this book in one sitting- I needed to know what the heck was happening. Just when you think you know what is going on.. you don't. THIS is a true psychological thriller. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time and I was not expecting the ending. Now that I know what I know.. I need to go back and re-read certain parts.. because they will make more sense.

Hoo boy! This is a bit of a wild rollercoaster ride that probably should have come with a whiplash warning.

Talk about beginning a story with a bang. Celia is in her car when a young man with a knife jumps into the passenger seat and demands that she drive him to Leeds. Someone is in the wrong place at the wrong time here. But who? Lives are about to be changed irrevocably once Celia decides what to do. Her word against his. Surely Celia will be believed. She's a loving mother, a law-abiding citizen. Whereas the young man who kidnapped her can't be seen as anything else but dangerous. There is no line Celia won't cross to protect her family.

Not a particularly likeable character, our Celia here. At first glance, she comes across a woman who is merely very much set on daily routines. But it soon becomes clear there is far more to it than that. For the most part, she drove me completely crazy and I couldn't imagine having to share a house/life with someone like her. She's a tad ... flawed, let's say. But she's not the only one.

There isn't very much I can stay about this story. Every word that comes out of my mouth seems to be a spoiler and we don't want that, do we. The book blurb is really the only thing you need. A delightfully intriguing sneak peek that leaves you wanting more. I'm pretty sure you will not be prepared for the level of messed-up-ness (totally a word) you'll come across while reading.

'My Word Against His' is a twisty and twisted psychological thriller full of suspense and lies. I had a hard time figuring out what was going on, and just when I thought I had the whole thing sussed, Lauren North threw me off again. Nothing, or nobody, is what/who it seems. There is a constant sense of doom, a threatening vibe, a feeling of unease, that sense that danger is lurking but you just can't work out where it might be coming from.

This is one of those books where I sit back once I've finished it and wonder if everything actually all made sense. I don't know that it did - I'd have to re-read it - but I also don't care because I had a wonderfully entertaining afternoon with "My Word Against His" and I think you, dear reader, will too. An absorbing, addictive page-turner, for sure.

I really enjoyed this book. It was different from the usual trope and it made it enjoyable to read. The story bounces between then, now, and flashbacks, but it was easy to keep track of the timelines. Celia is definitely a character that you are not going to like in the end, because she is completely screwed up, but Lucie and Henry are not what they originally seem either. There was a good twist at the end which I didn't see coming.

This book is a case of expect the unexpected and you'll still get a shock. The author drew me in on the first page and that was me hooked, I didn't lift my head from the book until the very last line. Definitely a book to read when you don't have to get up the next morning because there's no way you'll be able to put it down.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book

My Word Against His had me questioning the truth and becoming a detective.

It disliked going from first person to third person in the same chapter. It made my brain hurt, but regardless it was a fun read and a nice pallet cleanser.

'It's me,' says the voice on the other end of the line. It's been thirteen years and I still recognise it. Thirteen years of nothing. Silence. Not even a birthday card. It's time for you to tell the truth. It's life or death. Three hours later, car tyres screech and the air bags release. For a second, nothing happens. There's only stunned silence and a ringing in my ears. I peel open my eyes. What have I done? There's a groan and I gasp, terrified, at the sight of the man next to me. This is all his fault.

With so many twists and turns I never knew what or who to believe. Who was lying? Who was telling the truth? Nobody is who they seemed to be. There were a few surprises along the way. The story starts of strong and just gets stronger as the plot unfolds. I was hooked, I didn't want to put this book down. I liked the past and present timelines, making us aware of what had happened thirteen years ago. Told in alternating points of view and nearly every chapter is prefaced with Facebook messages, but who are they from? And what do they mean? This is a quick and easy book to read.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookouture and the author #LaurenNorth for my ARC of #MyWordAgainstHis in exchange for an honest review.

Overall Rating: 4/5⭐️
Character Development: 4/5
Plot: 4/5
Readability: 4/5
Overall Enjoyment: 4/5

What a gripping, mind bending psychological thriller. This book is full of twists and turns and leaves you in utter shock when it all comes to a head. No one is safe, no one is innocent….no one can be trusted.
I loved this book. A true psychological thriller that I can’t stop thinking about! I devoured this book in almost one sitting.
This was my first time reading Lauren North and I love her writing style and can’t wait to read more by her!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

A gripping, twisty thriller that keeps you guessing. I love Lauren North’s books and this was another winner! 5 stars from me.

‘It’s me,’ says the voice on the other end of the line. It’s been thirteen years and I still recognise it. Thirteen years of nothing. Silence. Not even a birthday card. ‘It’s time for you to tell the truth. It’s life or death.’

Once this call is made, many secrets are going to be unveiled. This will provide the reader with what is happening in the present and what happened years ago that is now having deadly consequences. Celia's world is about to explode and many other will feel the effects of this.

Some great characters in the book that, especially that of Celia and Sam and Lucie. I felt that I got to know them quite well and they were very well rounded and developed. As the book progressed it felt like you were able to put yourself in the shoes of Lucie and Sam. Celia is a more difficult one to get to know, their are many secrets she is withholding and she has quite an obscure point of view of life so you realise very early on that disaster is on the horizon, you just have no idea how destruction this will cause.

I have to say this was an excellent read and I read it in one afternoon sitting in a hospital room watching my mother who was quite ill and also this is why I am a little behind on my reviews. I would highly recommend this book to others, 4 stars from me.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks so much to the publisher and to Netgalley for providing me with an e-ARC copy of this book!

I have scheduled promotional posts around release day for this book and I will provide a full review on my Instagram once I am able to get to this read.

Rating 5 stars on Netgalley as a placeholder for me to update later once the review is complete.

Will also complete a review on Goodreads once read.

Thanks again!

I wasnt sure about this book when i first started to read it but wow 5 stars for me i absolutely loved everything about it. I didnt want to put it down it kept me interested every page i read. I loved the authors wrighting style i will def read more of her books to come. Thank you netgalley and to the publishers for this arc copy of the book

LOTS of secrets, lies, and twists in this tale of Celia, her husband Martin, and Lucie, Someone is abusive, but who? Someone is kidnapped, but who? It's over the top in spots but it's also a page turner that will keep you engaged during a long flight. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

Well I didn't know where this was going, there were so many little hints which were going to take it one way. It really kept my attention throughout (apart from the first few pages) but this was definitely an afternoon read as I had to keep going as I wanted to know how it was going to end. It was just brilliant - I felt for one of the characters so much (cant say more due to spoilers)

I was given an advance copy by netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely my own.

On a night out, after hearing from a former student insisting on meeting, a woman is carjacked. Near the end of the two hour car ride, she manages an escape resulting a grisly discovery. The events are the catalyst for a look into the events of 13 years ago and uncovering what happened the night of the carjacking.

This was a fun thriller. The story was a well paced, engaging 'ride.' While I didn't feel particularly shocked at any of the twists, there were multiple surprises sprinkled throughout the book, making for a fun time trying to figure things out and reanalyzing things as new details come to light.

An abusive relationship can’t end well. What lengths will a parent go to in order to protect their child? How does the abuse affect the family? A mom befriends a teenage girl who soon bonds with her and the young child finally feeling a pet of a family. Time passes. The mom is kidnapped and forced to start driving with a knife against her ribs. The car crashes. Who is telling the truth? It is her word against his, the kidnapper? This book was filled with twists and turns and kept me engaged the entire time. Highly recommend