Because of its unrealistic aspects and a few illogical storyline lines, "The Life Sentence" by Jackie Kabler left me feeling a little let down. I gave it a middling three stars.

Wow, Jackie Kabler has done it again and written a completely impressive book that has astounded me.

Jack Shannon is a brilliant villain, and I was never completely sure who I was meant to believe.

We have Amber who is in jail for a crime, that she is adamant she didn't commit. And her old best friend is contacted to try to find evidence that the crime didn't even exist, as they both had dated the same man.

There is a fabulous plot that is twisty, and I found myself not really trusting anyone. I knew what I was being told by the narrators but I was never quite sure!

I was totally gripped from this book, and couldn't get enough of it.

This is an author going from strength to strength and I can't wait to see what she writes next.

Thank you to One More Chapter and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

“The Life Sentence” is a domestic thriller which relies heavily on psychological pressures and games. It’s a very absorbing and engaging thriller which keeps your attention even though you know you’re being manipulated.

Heather has a nice comfortable life, with a job she loves, good friends, and a nice flat. She’s single, but not overly bothered by that – her last relationship has temporarily put her off men. She’s quite happy as she is.

And then a total stranger steals her handbag. When Heather goes to retrieve it, the stranger begs for help. Heather’s schoolfriend, Amber, is in prison serving a life sentence for a crime committed against Heather’s last boyfriend. But this stranger claims that it’s a miscarriage of justice – and only Heather can gather the evidence to correct it.

I will admit that I didn’t find Heather’s reasons for getting involved in the ensuing game of cat and mouse all that convincing. I think most people would have been a lot warier, and would have asked a lot more questions a lot earlier. Because I wasn’t all that on board with Heather’s motivations, I sometimes raised an eyebrow at her actions too.

But there’s no denying that this is a very successful novel; even though it was obvious that I, the reader, was being manipulated, it was still incredibly difficult to tell what was true and what was false, and what I should believe. In that regard, it was very easy to get swept into Heather’s mindset and experience her confusion and anxiety.

This is a highly readable thriller. Despite a few small niggles, it’s hard to put down. The readable style and tight plot keep you turning the pages, and Heather is an empathetic and vivid heroine. This is an excellent read.

The Life Sentence is a powerful and moving story that will stay with readers long after the final page. It is a testament to the human spirit and the resilience of the human heart.

Very very good indeed. Hard to put down. Clever plot with lots of twists neatly linked together. Will look forward to this author’s future books.

An enthralling psychological thriller that is a roller coaster of suspense and twists. The writing is crisp and evocative, painting vivid scenes that draws the reader into the world of the characters.
Many thanks to HarperCollins UK and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thanks to netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Amber Ryan is serving a life sentence for a crime that she didn’t commit, more importantly for a crime that never happened. Can her friend help her prove what really happened or will Amber have to serve her jail sentence.

Chilling, unpredictable and impossible to put down, The Life Sentence is the addictive new thriller from one of the genre’s most innovative and gifted writers: Jackie Kabler.

Amber Ryan is in jail serving a sentence for a crime she didn’t commit. She is aware that every single prisoner in the world affirms this, but in her case, she truly is innocent because she has been imprisoned for a crime which never happened. However, Amber has people in her corner. Friends who are willing to move mountains to ensure that Amber can leave prison once for and all and continue living her life. But what price is she willing to pay for her freedom?

Amber will need to pay a very high price to be acquitted because all of her secrets are about to come to light. Secrets that could not only spell danger for her, but also for her friend. Is Amber going to continue to be punished for something she didn’t do? Will she ever leave the four walls she has been unwittingly trapped in? Or has she swapped one life sentence for another?

Jackie Kabler stands heads and shoulders above many of her contemporaries. Her thrillers push the envelope, acutely explore the darker side of the human condition and shock, chill and terrify readers time and again and she is on superb form with The Life Sentence. A heart-stopping page-turner that will make the hairs on the back of readers’ necks stand on end, Jackie Kabler’s The Life Sentence is a dark, disturbing and sinister thriller that will leave them breathless.

I found this book slow for me although other reviews say it’s pacy. I think it was very atmospheric but hit the mark a little with me.

This book captivates with its brisk pace and exhilarating action sequences. The author's writing is both engaging and precise, immersing readers in a vividly crafted world. The plot is full of unexpected twists that keep the tension high and the story unpredictable.

Despite the gripping action, the narrative is tinged with a deep sense of sadness that adds emotional depth. This contrast between the intense thrills and the somber undertones creates a powerful reading experience. The book's ability to balance these elements makes it a memorable and emotionally resonant read, even if it leaves a lingering sense of melancholy.

Multiple POV, twisty and dark suspense. Well executed and interesting, although a tad flat at times.

Another twisty pacy thriller. I loved every aspect of this book. It kept me turning the pages and up far too late reading.

I really wanted to get into this book however the main character was boring and the story made no sense and is unbelievable.

An interesting premise drew me to this book - someone given a life sentence for a crime they didn't commit, and, as it turns out, didn't even happen. What happened to appeals? But that's what stories are all about. Having found Kabler's earlier book The Vanishing of Class 3B an intriguing read, I expected something similar.

However, from the start everything is rather unrealistic. A woman has her bag stolen and arranges a friendly meet-up in a coffee shop with the thief, the conversations between friends and strangers are long and I often forgot what the point of the talk was about. Plus the life sentence is for something that is not quite murder. And every man is absolutely gorgeous, even the nasty ones.

​Despite some of the incredulous aspects this is a readable tale. A breezy narrative from two first-person perspectives, and further into the book a third-person point of view from the antagonist. It is an engaging read (will she get caught rooting around someone else's house?) with a kind of P.D. James style ending. Great beach read.

This plot was original and thats what attracted me to the book in the first place. Loved the characters in this one. Told by 3 POV's , it was the characters who made the book for me.

This was a great find. My first book by Kabler and I really enjoyed the cat and mouse game!
It was a gripping crime thriller that kept me on the edge throughout the book.

The narrative begins with a strong statement of innocence from one of the protagonists, Amber Ryan, who finds herself imprisoned for a crime that never took place. This assertion sets the stage for a compelling exploration of justice and the lengths to which one will go to prove their innocence.

As the story unfolds, the reader is drawn into a world of twists and turns, unsure of whom to trust and where the truth lies.

Like a puzzle with missing pieces, the story kept me engaged, eager to unravel the mystery alongside the characters. While I kind of hoped for a grand reveal that would shock and surprise me, the straightforward nature of the thriller did not diminish my enjoyment of the plot.

The looming threat of danger is what kept me on the edge of my seat until the final climax.

Definitely an author I’ll be looking out for in the future.

Heather has her dream job. She works in a bookshop & attends book launches as well as creating book posts for Instagram. Growing up she was great friends with Amber but they drifted apart. When she is approached by a young woman who begs for her help. Amber is in prison serving a life sentence for an attempted murder- she claims she not only innocent but it is an attack that never happened. The victim was Amber's boyfriend, someone Heather knew too well having also been involved with. Jack is rich & charming but there was a good reason Heather had bowed out. She agrees to try & clear Amber's name- even though that means renewing their relationship.

There were a couple of reasons why I didn't really love this book. Firstly, the defence team seemed to have been pretty useless for Amber to have got such a sentence even though the 'victim' was alive & kicking. Secondly, the whole living by night struck me as far fetched but I suppose if you're richer than god... Thirdly, I got extremely fed up with the sexual antics of Heather!

Overall it struck me as being pretty far fetched & although fiction is all about suspending belief this was a bit of a stretch. However, I did finish it! Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.

There's potential, there's a good story even about a judicial error but I couldn't care for the characters and the story tell flat
Not my cup of tea
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Thanks to Netgalley, HarperCollins UK and Jackie Kabler for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed The Life Sentence. It was a tense and twisty read, full of suspense and drama.
I was immediately drawn in, and I couldn't put it down.

Heather and Jack were great characters. They were interesting and complex.
The storyline was compelling and unique.

This is the first book I've read from Jackie Kabler, but it definitely won't be the last. I love her writing style, so I'll be looking up her previous books after I leave this review.

I highly recommend. 4 stars from me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Amber Ryan is in prison for a crime she didnt actually commit. But her friend has not been dragged into it and she is going to find out what exactly happened. But that might end very badly for everyone included.

I really enjoyed this book and thought it was filled with lots of twist and turn. I wasnt expecting much with this book just because I thought it would be like every other mystery thrillers but it was far from it! The characters were interesting while also a few giving me the creeps. I would read again and recommend.