Member Reviews
The Perfect Patient by Luana Lewis follows a teenage girl who is accused of brutally murdering a man in a hotel room, with no recollection of the event. Tara a therapist is brought in to help the young woman recover her memory, but uncovering the truth is not easy.
First off I'd like to thank Luana Lewis and Net Galley for my free ARC of the Perfect Patient. Unfortunately, this one just fell a bit short for me. The pacing was mixed up between super slow and racing through important parts. I also wasn't a fan of any of the characters. The plot held some promise and did have a surprising climax, but again, the ending was slow with no real resolution. While this certainly wasn't my favorite, I give it 3 stars due to its surprises and overall concept. If you decide to read this one, it will be available for purchase in September 2023.
The Perfect Patient was a little bit of a slow burn for me but did pick up in the end. Great writing but I felt it needed a little more. Overall a good first book for the author.
Thanks to Luana Lewis, Bookouture, and NetGalley for the ARC!
I unfortunately did not care for this book and I love psychological thrillers and anything to do with mental health. I felt it was slow for a shorter book and anticlimactic. I didn’t even realize I was finished with the book when I read the last page.
Woah!! Now this was a book!! The premise was so original, I've literally never read anything eve remotely like it. The characters are pretty unlikeable but they're still fully fleshed out and made real in their unlikeability lol. I genuinely had no clue who to trust or what had happened until the author wanted me to know. The twists and turns may have been a bit overdone but I still loved the whiplash from having everything I knee flipped in seconds. Some parts felt a bit slow and there are multiple povs and timeliens to keep track of but the author has done it well so you don't get too on fused about when or who. Definitely recommend
Jade wakes up in her father's hotel, only thing is, there is a man who's been stabbed to death. She has no recollection of what transpired before. As she is covered in blood, Jade is the number one suspect.
The family's attorney hires a therapist to help her memories surface as to what happened on that horrible night. Tara Black is drawn to Jade as she senses fear and uncertainty. As Tara dives deeper to uncover the truth, her family becomes uncooperative. Is Tara getting to close? Are there more secrets that could harm the family? Soon, it is apparent that digging could end up putting you six feet under.
I absolutely love stories involving psychologists and psychiatrists. They mesmerize me. The brain is a peculiar thing. The beginning started strong, the middle dragged a bit with repetition, and by the end I flew through this. This was an easy read. I just felt the twist has been overdone. Still an interesting read, no doubt.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Expected publication date is September 28th 2023
3.5 stars
This psychological thriller is a slow burn with many twists. Dr. Tara Black is a psychologist that has to interview Jade, a 17 year old girl who has no memory of being in a hotel room with a dead man who had been stabbed 11 times. She has to determine if Jade truly has no memory from that night or if she is faking. Jade''s family is very wealthy and her father will do anything to stop Dr. Black from investigating.
The book has multiple POV and timelines. Although the author does a good job of providing background on the characters, I found all of them to be unlikeable. Even Dr. Black made silly, impulsive decisions in the case.
The ending has many unresolved elements such as Daniel's murderer and where Tara's brother is. I was eager for more answers and felt like the ending was leading to a sequel.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookourture for the ARC in exchange for an honest review,
I found this book to be totally captivating and intriguing in equal measure
The book was really well paced and the storytelling was immaculate blending
Past and present so seamlessly
Highly recommend
This book was honestly WOAH for me. It was very good. I liked the plot very much and it did not disappoint at all.
Wow I was super impressed by this book. Lots going on that had me hooked from page 1. I couldn't put it down and am currently in a long conversation with a friend who has also just read it. Please tell me there will be a sequel?
Gripping, intriguing and one to keep you up late into the night. Cracking read
A twisty and gripping medical thriller.
Jade is accused of murder and her therapist wants to discover the truth.
This book is fast paced and keeps you guessing but I felt I still needed answers by the end.
What a read! I was swallowed up by this book from the start to the very end and could not put it down for love nor money.
This is the first book I have read by this author but it most definitely not be the last, what a storyteller.
I absolutely loved the mix of characters within this book. The quiet, polite and timid, the bolshy, arrogant and controlling... all mixed up and blended beautifully to produce this simmering pot of brilliance.
This is only one of a few books I've read that portrays DID Syndrome and with each one I grow more and more intrigued.
Dr Tara Black is called upon as an expert witness in a case where 17 year old Jade is accused of killing a man in a room at the hotel her father owns. Jade doesn't have any recollection of anything about that night. Her parents have the money to get her the best legal help possible, they just need Tara on side to diagnose amnesia, but Tara wants to dig deeper and the further she digs the more resistance sue is met with. With resistance comes secrets... just what those secrets are is what Tara wants the answers to.
Can Dr Black get the answers she needs before too much trouble comes her way?
I loved the small snippets of the past timeline which were slipped in seamlessly throughout the story, these not only awarded the reader with information to build the trepidation but it built up the atmosphere fantastically.
There were a few unanswered questions at the end... who really killed Daniel? What happened to Matthew? Who was the man in the balaclava?.. usually this would really grate on me but for some reason in this book it didnt feel unfinished. Not everything in life can be answered now can it?
This was one hell of a captivating, spine tingling, twisty read that is still sat in my brain and still leaving me reeling now.
Huge thanks to netgalley and Bookouture.
Great book and well written. The characters were interesting. The storyline was different. I never knew who to trust. The chapters were short, which is a big plus for me.
Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture, and Luana Lewis for providing the opportunity to read this book!
The Perfect Patient grabbed my attention early on, then waned. I was not pulled in by Jade, her family, or her possible victim. The plot that kept me going was Dr. Tara's background, which was never fully resolved. The story picked up in the last third for me with the reveal of a few twists, but fell flat when we did not see more resolution. It almost felt like the set up for a series of books where we learn more about Tara's past - but I don't feel there is enough to keep going with Jade's story for that to be true,
I understand the value of nuanced characters - no one is completely good or bad. However, the number of open ended questions felt frustrating and incomplete at times.
One element I enjoyed was Tara's clinical perspective. It was refreshing to hear someone cut to the point, consider all theories, and think through every possibility in a realistic, level-headed manner. Basically, Tara is thinking what the reader is thinking. This was a great departure from characters we see in other thrillers who are in denial or don't see the bigger picture.
Overall - I think fans of psychological thrillers would still enjoy this book's unique plot and twists. 3.5/5 stars!
Jade, a young woman, wakes up next to a dead man -- with absolutely no recollection of anything about the night before or the man.
As part of the legal system into which she falls, she is sent to see Dr. Black. Black is a psychotherapist who specializes in trauma and Jade trusts her right away. However, Black herself has a background and may not be as trust worthy as she initially seems.
A fast paced psychological thriller, I heartily recommend this book
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the published for the advance copy to read.
I absolutely inhaled this book. It was a fast paced, gripping and suspenseful read.
The book follows Tara, a psychologist, as she is writing an assessment on Jade who has possibly murdered a man but has no recollection of it.
There are a few twists that I saw coming but still very enjoyable to read.
It would have been a 5 star read apart from the ending left me with more questions than answers. It would have been nice to have everything untangled by the end.
Overall a great exciting read.
"The Perfect Patient" is a medical thriller that attempts to explore the darker side of medical practice and the pursuit of perfection within the field. While the premise is promising and the story raises important ethical questions, the execution falls short of its potential.
The plot follows Dr. Rebecca Lawson, a renowned doctor known for her exceptional skills and dedication to her patients. She has earned the nickname "The Perfect Patient" due to her flawless track record. However, when one of her patients dies unexpectedly after a routine procedure, Dr. Lawson's reputation and ethics are put to the test. The story tries to delve into the complexities of medical malpractice, the pressures of maintaining a pristine image, and the internal struggles faced by healthcare professionals.
The pacing of the book is uneven, with some parts dragging on while others feel rushed. The character development is also lacking depth, leaving the reader disconnected from the protagonist and the supporting cast. Dr. Lawson's internal conflict could have been more fleshed out to make her journey more relatable and engaging.
The author's attempt to shine a light on the intricacies of medical procedures and the moral dilemmas within the medical field is commendable. However, the narrative often feels overly didactic, with heavy-handed explanations that can disrupt the flow of the story. Subtle storytelling would have allowed readers to draw their own conclusions and engage more deeply with the ethical issues presented.
While the book offers a glimpse into the high-stakes world of medicine, it falls short in building suspense and maintaining tension. The twists and turns in the plot are often predictable, diminishing the impact of the supposed revelations. The resolution of certain storylines is unsatisfying, leaving loose ends that leave the reader wanting more closure.
In conclusion, "The Perfect Patient" has an intriguing premise but struggles to fully deliver on its potential. The exploration of medical ethics and the quest for perfection within the medical field could have been more engaging with stronger character development and a more nuanced approach to storytelling. While the book raises important questions, its execution prevents it from becoming a truly compelling medical thriller.
Synopsis (from Netgalley, the provider of the book to review)
******************************************************
As I walk into my therapist’s office, I’m finally ready to answer the question on everyone’s lips… Am I a murderer?
It’s been six months since I woke up next to the body of the man I’d chatted to in a bar the night before. I still remember the metallic scent of his blood, the stillness of the room, and the panic that rose in my throat when I realized he was dead.I remember him buying cocktails. We talked. We went up to my room. And then… nothing. But I know I didn’t kill him.
Now, as my whole world is picked apart by the police, the only hope I have of clearing my name is with my therapist, Dr Tara Black. As soon as we meet, I feel at peace. Her kind, dark eyes make me want to talk for hours, and she tells me she can help me access my memories of that night. But it soon becomes clear there is more to my past than even I remember…
Why does a flicker of recognition cross her face as I talk about the crime scene? And why do my parents look scared when I tell them I discussed my childhood with Dr. Black? Did I put my trust in the wrong person? And how far will I have to go, to prove I’m innocent?
This is a twisty book full of memorable characters that you will want to bitch slap (sorry best description) as you wonder why you ever trusted them. Dr. Black is a horrible person, really- why do therapists end up this way or did they become therapists so that they could judge from their ivory tower how awful their patients really are? Do they do it as they are lacking inside and want to take it out on us … their patients? This book will make you think twice about who you can trust with your secrets and who you cannot. Fabulous book.
#shortbutsweetreviews
From the synopsis I was keen to read this book. It’s billed as a gripping, psychological thriller that will have you hooked from the start with a jaw dropping twist. I did enjoy this book, it’s a fast paced read that I did find hard to put down but for me it just felt like there was something missing. I would rate this book 3.5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the chance to review.
"The Perfect Patient" by Luana Lewis is an enthralling psychological thriller that delves deep into the complexities of memory, trust, and self-discovery. From the moment I started reading, I was drawn into a world of uncertainty, intrigue, and gripping emotions.
From the very first page of "The Perfect Patient" by Luana Lewis, I was instantly captivated by the electrifying atmosphere and the intriguing premise. The brisk pacing of the narrative propelled me forward with an urgency that was hard to resist. The way the story unfolded at such a swift tempo ensured that I was constantly engaged, eager to uncover each layer of mystery as they unraveled. This seamless blend of a gripping storyline and swift pacing made for an incredibly enjoyable reading experience that held my attention from start to finish.
I enjoyed how Lewis gradually revealed layers of suspense and mystery with each page-turn. The palpable internal struggle and confusion of the protagonist, Jade, raise profound questions about her involvement – or lack thereof – in the crime. The narrative isn't just intriguing; it is a psychological journey, allowing us to accompany Tara as she endeavors to uncover the truth behind Jade's memory loss.
However, my reason for awarding "The Perfect Patient" four stars is that the ending left a few crucial plot points unresolved. The identity of the person wearing the balaclava, the true murderer of Daniel, and the whereabouts of Tara's brother are left open-ended. While I appreciate a sense of mystery, I was hoping for a more conclusive resolution to these central elements. The lack of closure left me both intrigued and slightly frustrated, as I longed for more answers.
Thank you to Netgalley for giving me this book as an arc to review! I’m giving this 4 stars. I requested this book as an Arc because the plot instantly interested me. I love anything that has to do with psychology and thrillers. I was hooked from the beginning, and it was a very fast read! I needed to know the secrets to this family, and what actually happened in that hotel room.
I will say that I did call the main twist with Jade before it was revealed at the end, only because the author gave subtle hints in her memories. However, I still liked that twist! There was another big one later on that I did not guess! There were a lot of secrets with this family, and it was fun getting to the bottom of them.
The ending was a little confusing to me is my only complaint, and I had to read the ending a couple times to make sure I wasn’t missing something. I’m still a little confused, but it almost seems like it’s leaving it to be a sequel?
Overall I did enjoy this thriller! I would definitely read another book by this author in the future.