I need to read more book from this author. This book was a wild rollercoaster of a read. It held me from the first page and I just held on till the end. I loved it !

Well that was disappointing. These characters were just awful and I struggled to feel anything for them. I don't mind a multi timeline story but this one jumped around way too much for my liking.

There just wasn't anything really surprising about the story, no twists or shocks. I did like the way the author created atmosphere during the blackout though. I was bored about 30% in.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this advanced reading copy. Can't love them all

This book was a HUGE disappointment compared to her last two books. It broke my heart because this gal knows her suspense. The main character is completely unlikeable and unsympathetic, even before you hear all her dirty little secrets. I was hoping for some big surprise plot twist that would redeem the book for me but sadly it never came. I will give her next one a try in hopes this one is just a slump. If you truly love Sarah Goodwin, skip this one so it doesn't diminish your memories of her wonderful nail-biter prior novels.

Thanks to Avon and Netgalley for this ARC. My opinions are my own.

WOW! If you are looking for a book that will grip you from the start and leave you breathless this is for you.
A fun night out takes a tragic turn for Meg and Cat when they find themselves having to walk home. Traumatised, Meg runs away to an abandoned cottage teetering on a cliff edge. One year later, just as Meg is beginning to think she may have a future, she discovers you can't always escape the past. As a violent storm rages and the power is cut off Meg will have to rely on her instincts if she is going to survive until daylight.
Once I started this I didn't want to put it down. I was totally immersed in the story and needed to find out what happened. So many twists that I wasn't expecting. Just brilliant.

Fast paced, enjoyable thriller. I really liked it despite a less than likeable protagonist - somehow I was still rooting for her. This is the third I've now read by this author and I'll keep looking out for her others.

Unfortunately I found the opening pages of this novel to be very clunky and the writing very amateurish. As a consequence I decided not to continue reading.

I picked up The Resort by this author and, though I found the resolution to be really silly, I had a really great time reading it. Since then, I have been reading through the author's backlog--so I jumped at the chance to get to read something NEW from this author! I think that this was okay: the storm aspect created an intersting tone and atmosphere for the story, but the actual plot was a bit...far-fetched? I found it hard to suspend my belief at times while reading this, though that is not really anything new during the reading experience of Sarah Goodwin's stories, it was just a more prevalent feeling in this read. I also wish the ending was a bit different? I wish it was a bit more of a choice made by the author and not a choose-your-own-adventure ending, haha. The main character, like all of Goodwin's stories, is not one that I liked very much but that didn't stop me from finishing this in, like, two days. Fast-paced and fun, this read is not deep or profound, but it is entertaining (even though the ending made me want to throw my Kindle).

Sit down just a second and let me tell you about this book! loved it so stinking much!! It was so good! Great job Sarah Goodwin on this work of art!!

I'd like to thank Netgalley and Avon Books UK for this advanced copy, I'm under no obligation to leave my review

Meg and Cat are on a night out to take Meg's mind off the anniversary of her brothers death, but the night takes a tragic turn. Fast forward a year and Sally is living in a dilapidated cottage and just about surviving. But a storm is raging in and 2 people she never thought she'd see again come looking for her. Having survived a year ago is her luck about to run out?
I found this an OK read, the storm creates a tense atmosphere and a fight or flight situation but I found the storyline a bit implausible at times, and the ending had me slightly perplexed and wanting it a bit more cut and dried.

The story starts with Meg and Cat who are forced to walk home after a night out. This is followed by a series of events that result in Meg hiding out in a disused house on the edge of a cliff.
There are some very tense scenes in the novel and unexpected twists to the story. However, some parts of the plot are far-fetched and the ending is confusing.
A reasonably good thriller but not as gripping as I expected.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc. All opinions are my own.

Sarah Goodwin's "The Blackout" is an absolute tour de force in the realm of gripping and atmospheric thrillers. From the very first page, readers will find themselves on a nerve-wracking rollercoaster ride, unable to tear their eyes away from the enthralling narrative.

Meg and Cat's night of terror sets the stage for a heart-pounding, life-or-death situation that compels them to seek refuge in an abandoned building. Fast forward one year, and Meg's attempt to find safety in a remote safehouse is shattered when an ominous blackout engulfs her, unleashing a malevolent presence from her past.

Goodwin's writing style is nothing short of remarkable, infusing each sentence with suspense and evocative details that keep readers on the edge of their seats. The pacing is relentless, propelling the story forward with such urgency that readers will be captivated, yearning to unravel the mysteries behind the characters' predicaments.

Meg's journey is a powerful focal point, as she grapples with her haunted past while facing the looming threat of revenge. These complexities add depth and authenticity to the characters, making them highly relatable and emotionally engaging.

Beyond the well-crafted characters, the novel's atmospheric setting is brilliantly portrayed. The crumbling sea cliff and storm-ridden night create a haunting backdrop, enhancing the overall sense of fear and unease that permeates the story.

Prepare for a whirlwind of twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the very last pages. Sarah Goodwin's mastery of suspense and her ability to craft an immersive atmosphere make "The Blackout" a must-read for any lover of psychological thrillers. Brace yourself for an intense and chilling journey through the dark and treacherous world of this exceptional novel.

Brilliant book with an excellent story and characters that make it so real I look forward to more from this author I can highly recommend this book 5*

3.5/5 stars

Meg and Cat go on a night out in Bristol, only for Meg to have her purse stolen, her phone broken and neither of them have any money to get home so they decide to walk. The night ends horrifically, with one dead and the other on the run. Meg ends up at an isolated holiday home on the edge of a cliff and waited. A cat and mouse chase follows, with the pursuer's finally catching up to Meg to silence her and exact revenge for an event that Meg was involved in during her teens, but no one is supposed to know about it. However, the night they chose for this was

Overall, this was a good read. I like that there were multiple timelines that were easy to follow. The pace of the book was varied, so although some bits were captivating, there were other times I felt the book dragged a little. I wasn't really keen on the main character. I don't think the first event during her teens affected her really, so who knows what type of person she becomes in the end because the author leaves it for you decide as the book ends two women living on the same estate with two very different lives.

After a night out on the town, Meg and Cat are unable to get home and stumble into a girl worst nightmare. After witnessing the awful events Meg is on the run and hoping to never be found. But what happens when the people Meg is running from, finally catch up to her?

The Blackout is a fast and fun read, perfect for cuddling with a blanket during a thunderstorm. The story does jump around a bit with flashbacks and a time skip, but I felt it really help give the full picture as to what was going on. The reader doesn't have to wait until the end of the story for all of the big reveals, which I really enjoyed.

On a night out Meg and Cat have a run of bad luck. A stolen purse, a broken phone and no money, leaves them to walk home from a night out, very late at night. Attempting to take a shortcut through an abandoned part of town they notice two men following them. They run and hide in an abandoned building. What happens next ends up with Cat dead, and Meg running for her life, to a cottage at the edge of a sea cliff on the outskirts of a tiny village. Nobody from her old life knows about the cottage. Keeping her head down, using a false name, and going off grid, Meg turns the cottage into a fortress and keeps hidden.

However, a year later, during a raging storm, a blackout strikes the entire village. Isolated, Meg hunkers down to ride out the storm. But then her past comes looking for her.

This story is told from the perspective of Meg, who we soon learn in pieces via flashbacks in time, has a past that she is hiding from. On their night out they run into trouble that they never could have anticipated, which ends up killing Cat, and completely derailing Meg’s life. She was already suffering after the loss of her brother a year ago, so she goes on the run, and does her best to hide.

I found the story started well, with the tension and drama building impressively. The terror of the night walk and being followed was well captured, and any woman who has experienced it will feel for Meg and Cat as their fear levels rise. It is what happens next, and Meg’s subsequent flight where the story started to lose me. It all became too far-fetched. The event that led to Cat’s death (no spoilers) and Meg’s flight to the cottage, and her Home Alone-esque traps and barricades just didn’t sit right with me. The pace also slowed dramatically while Meg was wallowing in guilt in her hideout. Their attackers coming back a year later was also quite eyebrow raising, and the subsequent events, even further eyebrow raising. This was a quick read, with some good moments in it, but the middle and ending let it down. Overall it didn't quite hit the mark for me.

*I received this book from NetGalley for review, but all opinions are my own.

The Blackout is told mainly from the perspective of Megan who we soon learn has a past she wants to escape from.
Cat and Megan are both broke, but Cat persuades Megan into a drunken night out in Bristol. In their drunken state, they end up with no money for transport home so end up walking. However, on their way home, the sound of footsteps alerts them to the fact they are not alone. They speed up and so do the footsteps. Eventually, they run for their lives and hide in an old, derelict building.
Cut to a year later. One girl is no longer with us and the other has been forced to leave Bristol and seek sanctuary in a dilapidated cottage on the edge of a clifftop. During a night of extreme stormy weather, a blackout occurs and it appears the owners of the footsteps have not given up their pursuit.
The constant state of chase and pursuit does create a high-tension read. As does the fact that both girls are truly scared. Once you get to the clifftop scenes the blackout and awful weather add to the scary atmosphere.
Unfortunately, all the tension is not maintained throughout the book. In my opinion, this is because the reason that the girls are being pursued is drip fed far too early in the book so it ultimately has nowhere to go.
Also, the ending which is no ending at all, is very unsatisfactory. The book is not suited to an ending where you just put your own interpretation and it jars very awkwardly.

Taking the book as a whole, it is a quick read, you do want to find out what happens, and it is averagely entertaining. It could, however, be a lot better.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Avon Books, and Sarah Goodwin for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

2.5 stars rounded up. The Blackout is a novel centered on Meg, a 30 something year old woman living in Bristol; After a night at the club, Meg witnesses something so Incriminating, she must go completely off the grid and hope that she is never found. From here on out, it is a game of cat and mouse.

Overall, the read was entertaining and quick. However, the story did drag (especially the second half of the book) and the narration felt repetitive. I did enjoy the timeline jumps, which gave good clarity on Meg’s character values. Although I liked Meg’s character, she lacked a lot of common sense which became irritating.

The lackluster ending left me disappointed, there are so many other directions the ending could have taken!

This is my first book from this author and it will not be the last! I made the mistake of reading this one at night, and I would jump up with every creak I would hear. Definitely not for the faint of heart. We get dual timelines, one past one present. Although at the beginning I was thrown off and confused, I was able to keep up and desperate to find out the whys of everything. This book was sad, scary, made me angry, and shocked me until the very end. Let me recommend it because it’s a great thriller! I do have to say the epilogue took away from my enjoying the story, so don’t be eager and stop with the final chapter. Definitely recommend. 4⭐️ from me!

3.5/5

For those who suffer from anxiety, I would recommend going into this book with heartburn medication by your side.
Now don't get me wrong, I love Sarah Goodwin's books. The books' plots (including this one) are well thought-out, the pacing is SO GOOD and the characters' mysterious backgrounds keep the story going.

Now for The Blackout, I had a jolly good time. I was however confused with the story-telling, because first the bad guys were two men talking in Sally's home, and then two chapters later (or maybe a little more when the background was given) they become a man and a woman. Now yes, I know it could be that that is how Goodwin wanted us to think of it, but it left me so confused, I had to go back and read to make sure I didn't miss anything (I might have though, it was late at night when I read this.)
The ending also left me questioning what exactly is happening. It's a "interpret it how you want" ending and I kinda wanted closure. Actually just one... Who were the cops coming for???

Now as for why my anxiety was heightened 10 fold? The book is just SO GOOD at playing with your emotions. I was constantly on edge like Sally, wanting her to look over her shoulder. Even her backstory had me on edge and what happened should not have come as a surprise.

In the end, I did enjoy the story and would really recommend picking it up if you love thrillers.

*Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC*

‘The Blackout’ joins a host of other contemporary thrillers built on the starting blocks of ‘one stupid mistake’. The mistake in this novel is made Meg and Cat who take some understandable but ill-advised decisions after a night out in Bristol that put both of them at risk. Twelve months later, one of the female friends is dead and the other woman is in hiding in a remote location in Norfolk under an assumed name. One day, she is confronted with reminders of that fateful night. We are then presented with a terrifying, and often rather improbable, hide-and-seek run of the surviving friend. At times I felt the clues could have been more nuanced and the pace slowed down for some additional depth and suspense, but overall, this was a satisfying novel to read. Thank you to NetGalley and to the publishers for the free ARC I received in exchange for this impartial book review.