You Can’t Hide by Emily Shiner published June 2023 EXTREME TRIGGER WARNING RELENTLESS EMOTIONAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SCENES. Having had experienced a relationship of this kind. This was the hardest book to read I have ever read! If you enjoy thrillers. This is the book for you

Entertaining but crazy predictable.

Triggers: Physical abuse, child abuse, sadism, manipulation, torture, infertility

This story could have been great I figured out everything from the jump. Every single twist was so untwisty!

Possible spoilers: how is it so freakin' easy to change your identity in this book?
Why is it so easy to hide crimes with fire when duh, the person doesn't breathe in smoke cuz they're already dead?
Why does this person have such ridiculously rotten luck?
Even the "good husband" was annoying and downright unlovable.

Maybe I'm just crazy but the psychological thriller wasn't all that thrilling. Kept me distracted but didn't thrill me.

You Can't Hide by Emily Shiner a psychological thriller that has two timelines to follow. One is a wife trapped in a marriage to husband who wants her to be the perfect wife, but he controls everything she does and goes. The other timeline is a couple who needs to go through ivf treatments so they agree to sell the husbands family cabin. How do these two timelines connect? You just need to read, or listen to it to find out.
I enjoyed the twist and turns that are in this story had me at the edge of my seat.

The construction of You Can't Hide spurs the listener to want to continue onward and unravel the mysterious story. With a dual POV between Beth in a cold NY cabin wilderness thriller and Lizzie in a domestic thriller situation in Alabama, the story creates a tension that has the reader/listener invested in the survival of both narrators and interested to see how the two stories are connected. I would recommend this listen to any thriller lovers.

I really enjoyed this book. It took me awhile to understand the dual narratives, but once I got into it, I think it made the story flow well. This is great for fans of Gillian Flynn and Catherine Steadman.

As I started this audio I really wasn't sure where it was going, except to a cabin in the middle of nowhere in the middle of a snow storm.
Quite quickly the darkness evolves and you get sucked in to the psychological aspects of the story line. There is anger, secrets, lies and hatred. with a good level of scary thrown in. It is written well and the pace is set that its builds and builds then, bam! what an ending!
The narrator is very good at creating a tense atmosphere and really holds your attention. I recommend to all readers who like a book with no faff and straight into the plot . A good read/listen.

Two couples-this is a psychological thriller so you know they have to be connected. A deserted cabin in the woods in a snowstorm-perfect setting for terror. A few unexpected twists. An audiobook narrator that amps up the suspense. Ingredients for a good psychological thriller. This is a fast paced book told by an unreliable narrator, and Emily Durante did a good job as this narrator. Her voice was easy to listen to and believable as Beth and Lizzy. I had no trouble following the story or characters. The story is dark and creepy. Some of the twists weren't totally unexpected but still good. The character develop could perhaps been a little deeper, but we gradually learn the characters' back stories throughout the book. This is the first novel I have read by this author. I enjoyed it and will look for more of her work.

This was a fast-paced thrill ride. While it leaned towards predictable and a little unbelievable it was still a compelling listen.
I think that the book suffered some from the length. There was a lack of development in the characters. Backstories were alluded to but no deep dive to fully understand the characters motivation. There was no development with Lizzy and Zachary’s marriage to understand the arch of their initial meeting to the series of events that lead to his abuses. Lack of information on Beth and Ian’s relationship.
I loved the setting for Beth’s portion of the story. An isolated cabin, while cliched, is one of my favorite settings for a thriller.
The twist at the end was unexpected and feels like it somewhat makes up for how the story got there.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a captivating and entertaining read from the start till the end. It kept me interested, sometimes frustrated but I had to see what will happen next. Two stories are somehow connected...Secrets, a person that is pure evil, blackmail, torture, and manipulation...twists and turns that surprised me. All in all, it was an addictive joyride. I have to say that Emily Durante did an exceptional work in narrating this book, I enjoyed listening. Emily Shiner is a new author to me and this book was my first by her but it won't be my last.

I finished this book about a week and an half ago. I really enjoyed listening to this one it had me hooked from the very start, all the way to the end! I’m also so glad I went into it blind because I feel like that is the only way to go into a psychological thriller. This is the second book I’ve read from this author, and I can’t wait to read more! I gave this book 5⭐️‘s.

A short, dark(ish) thriller with a few surprises along the way.

Two separate storylines you know are somehow connected… you just need to find the common denominator to put the puzzle together.

Lizzie thinks she’s met the man of her dreams. The new doctor in town, who proceeds to sweep her off her feet. Up to and including providing her with a home of her dreams. Every thing seems quite rosy until her dream home turns into a prison she cannot escape from.

Beth and Ian head off to Ian’s remote family cabin to prep it for sale. There they find Ryan the caretaker who’s been hired to look after the place. Only Ryan has been waiting for the couple with an agenda of his own.

The author did a great job keeping me guessing. Though the breadcrumbs were there for me to follow, I just overlooked most of them!🤦🏻‍♀️. This was my first read by this author and I am definitely interested in reading more of her works!

I listened to the audio and enjoyed the narration.

⚠️Be aware. There is a lot of (domestic) violence in this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media.

The story about a woman running from her past, and it slowly catching up with her.
I figured out one of the major twists pretty early on, which kind of bummed me, but I still enjoyed seeing the story through. I will definitely be seeking out more books by Emily Shiner because I loved her writing style. It was a fast paced, easy read, and I quite enjoyed it.

Secrets never rest—they demand to be uncovered in the relentless pages of 'You Can't Hide’……

Book Information

You Can’t Hide, written by Emily Shiner, is a 225-page thriller published on February 19, 2023. The audiobook, narrated by Emily Durante, spans 6 hours and 15 minutes. Thank you to Dreamscape Media for providing me with an advance reader copy of this book for review.

Summary

Beth's past catches up with her just when she thought she had escaped. Desperate for a child, she and Ian sell a family cabin to fund IVF. However, the caretaker, Ryan, knows her dark secret and blackmails her. Beth faces a devastating choice: reveal the truth and risk losing everything or commit unspeakable acts to protect her secrets.

My Thoughts

In 'You Can't Hide,' the past returns with a vengeance, turning lives into twisted puzzles waiting to be solved. The book, by Emily Shiner, is a captivating psychological thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. With an atmospheric setting, an intricate plotline, and plenty of twists, this book is a truly enjoyable read.

The story unfolds through two different timelines and is written from multiple points of view, offering insights into the thoughts and perspectives of the main characters. This adds depth to the narrative and helps maintain a sense of believability, even during moments that might stretch plausibility.

Shiner's writing is exceptional, with vivid descriptions that bring the scenes to life and immerse readers in the story. The pacing is fast, with constant action and short chapters that make it difficult to put the book down. The suspense is palpable, and the book delivers all the elements one would expect from a gripping psychological thriller.

While the book offers an engaging reading experience, it's important to note that it includes graphic portrayals of sadistic domestic violence, which may be distressing for some readers.

The ending of the book may also divide opinions. Personally, I found it somewhat dissatisfying and felt that the story could have concluded a bit earlier. However, individual preferences may vary, and others have expressed great satisfaction with how the book wraps up.

The audiobook narration by Emily Durante is excellent, as she skillfully brings the characters to life. Her ability to vocally manage multiple characters and distinguish their voices adds an immersive layer to the storytelling.

Recommendation

"You Can't Hide" is a compelling psychological thriller that offers a suspenseful and immersive reading experience, filled with twists and tension that will keep readers hooked until the final pages. Recommended.

Rating

4 Snowy Cabin Stars

After reading the blurb I thought I knew where this was going and I was only partially correct. Told over two time periods, the story was initially confusing until I connected the time difference- this may have been because I listened to the audiobook and was a little distracted at the beginning.

The trigger warnings about abuse and SA are correct and, as a cancer survivor myself, there were a few comments about cancer that weren't appreciated so close to the anniversary of my finishing treatment. Having recently completed 'The Housemaid', the abuse situations weren't too much to handle. If you've read 'The Housemaid' you'll be okay with this.

The main character was likeable enough however I did have to question why she would stay with her abusive husband when she didn't know how he gained certain information about her past or knew what proof he had to implicate her.

The plot did extend a bit further than I expected. I do question if there will be a sequel or if the author intended to imply that Beth was beginning another cycle.

All in in, I enjoyed this story. Worth a try if you enjoy thrillers.

First of all, I want to thank the author and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. You can’t hide by Emily Shiner is coming out on June 20, 2023.

This audiobook was great! The two timelines were a bit hard to follow at times but other than that, it was a decent book. There may want to be a trigger warning added to it though. Some of the scenes were a bit hard to listen to. #YouCantHide #NetGalley

You Can't Hide by Emily Shiner

This was a tough one for me. I had to power through the first couple of chapters as the level of cheesy boy meets girl was not what I was expecting and is not a bit of me. The description of the book also confused me as I expected one thing and was faced with something else entirely. I really liked the dual chapters, back and forth, and the descriptions were spot on. But I did figure out the twist early in the book and found much of the content fairly predictable. Overall, it was a good story and an easy listen via @netgalley. I'd recommend going in blind if you want to give it a go, but the description is here should you be intrigued:


Beth and Ian are desperate to have a child. So much so that they decide to sell his family cabin in upstate New York to pay for IVF. When they arrive at the cabin, they meet Ryan, the caretaker. But Ryan is not who he says he is… He’s here because he knows Beth has a dark secret. And now he intends to use it against her. He threatens to tell Ian everything about Beth's past unless she does exactly what he says. Beth finds herself caught in a nightmarish trap. If Ian discovers what she’s been hiding from him, she’s sure he’ll leave her. She’ll lose everything she cares about, including the chance to have a child of her own. On the other hand, what Ryan wants her to do is so dark and twisted it’s beyond horrifying. Either way, Beth is sure her life is over, she can see no way out. Unless… Unless she digs deep and finds a part of herself that is willing to do something so awful it doesn’t even bear thinking about…

Ok, so this one was a little bit out there. Threw me off a bit with the alternating chapters/people, and I honestly had no idea how they were going to end up intersecting for this book!
Starts off with Lizzie, who works at a diner, getting stranded on the road after her old jalopy of a car breaks down. She’s trying to get to work, and so she looks to hitchhike, with no luck… until a handsome guy that she’s never seen before stops to offer her a ride.
He tells her he’s a new doctor in town, but she’s never seen him. Once he drops her off he asks for her car keys and says he’ll take a look at her car. If he can fix it he’ll drop it off to her at work. If not, he’ll have a friend look at it, and he’ll pick her up after work to drive her home. She gives him her keys and runs in to work. She has no illusions that he’ll be back for her. After all he’s a really good looking guy, and a doctor!
Sure enough, he’s waiting for her at the end of her shift…with her car.
A romance blossoms, and they get married. But all is not as it seems. Dr. Zachary is a twisted, psychotic man with a dark past and he is set out to make Lizzie the perfect wife…whether she wants to be or not. And if she doesn’t obey his every rule…she will pay…dearly.
Then we have Beth and Ian who are married and desperately trying to have a baby. They are unsuccessful and decide to try IVF. But it’s very expensive. And the only way they can afford it is by selling the family cabin Ian has inherited in upstate NY. They travel there to clean it up and get ready to sell it. But Beth finds evidence that someone has been living in the house. Ian blows it off saying that he has a guy that comes intermittently to clean and keep up the cabin. BUT he isn’t supposed to be there now. And…Ian told him they were coming up…so what’s going on?
And, there’s a huge snowstorm…and they lose power. And the fireplace had hot cinders in it when they arrived…but no one is in the house?
Very dark and twisted from here on (although lots of gory stuff earlier too that I did not mention…) Beth needs to figure out how to get out, alive, with Ian…and it is not easy. Especially since her past has come back to haunt her!
The book DID keep you on the edge of your seat, and turning pages, but I felt like the connection that came was not done well. I also felt like the book cut off at the end, and I was left with a lot of unanswered questions.
All in all, 3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me.
The narrator was terrific!
Thank you to Net Galley and Dreamscapes Media for the ARC Audiobook of this. It was just released this week, so you should be able to find it.

A woman gets picked up after her car breaks down, and her life unravels from there...

This story was absolutely wild. It had two different timelines merged into each other, which is something that I really enjoy in a book when it's done well. For this title, I would say it was done well.

The real issue here is that the series of events were so utterly and completely unbelievable, that it had me wondering how much further it was going to fly off the rails as it progressed.

The narration was done well, and it was an ultra-quick listen. Would be a great 'light' read, if it weren't for how sickening several of the scenes were with domestic violence. You really can't let yourself think too much about this one if you're going to dive in.

All in, I'm going with 2.5 stars on this one. It wasn't awful, but it won't be on the top of my 'Thrillers You Have To Check Out ASAP!' list for 2023 either.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for an ARC of the audiobook.

This book made me so angry, not because it was poorly written or narrated, because it was not. But some of the characters were so absolutely horrendous, I wanted to punch each of them. However, keeping that in mind, I really enjoyed the story.

dnf at 27%

Now what on earth is this depiction of an abusive relationship... That is almost cartoon-villain behaviour right here. I doubt many victims of domestic abuse will see their own experiences reflected in this book, and that bothers me to no end. There can be years of subtle manipulation and gaslighting before the perpetrator's actions escalate to downright crime - and as short as this novel is, I don't believe that justifies a caricature simplification of those situations. Beyond that, in general, not much of the other interactions I witnessed in the first quarter of You Can't Hide were especially believable, which makes me think it's not a me-thing, it's an author thing.