Enter the thrilling realm of “The Life Sentence,” where innocence is incarcerated, and justice is hard to find. Amber Ryan, the central character, ends up behind bars for a crime that not only she had not committed but had never happened. Simultaneously, one of her friends starts on a hazardous quest to discover the truth. Hang on for an exciting journey as they explore the insides of a mysterious place where life is questionable. Will justice triumph, or will they die? I strongly suggest this thriller to anyone looking for an exciting read!

Thank you to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, NetGalley, and Rachel's Random Resources for allowing me to read and review this book.

I loved the premise and was keen go get completely sucked in but I just found it really hard to get into since it all seemed a bit illogical and far fetched. I know its a fiction so it doesn't have to be accurate to real life but I just find it easier to get lost in a story when I'm not constantly being brought out of the plot because it all sounds so far fetched. So many of the characters just seemed unlikeable and made the worst decisions so this one wasn't for me

This story is one of those that require something of a suspension of disbelief, but it is entertaining and fast paced.

Amber is in jail for assaulting her boyfriend Jack. Although she seems to have some not-entirely-explained memory issues, there is something suspicious about what's happened to her.

Then her ex best friend Heather, who also dated Jack at one point (the reason behind their falling out), mix Felicity and Nathan, a brother and sister duo, who claim that Amber has been framed by Jack. Heather than decides to find a way of discovering whether or not this is true (cue the suspension of disbelief), and we're off on a weird and wild ride that makes for very engaging reading! It gets 3.5 stars.

Within the first few chapters of the book I was completely hooked. I really liked Heather’s PoV and the whole “bag stealing” thing was such an ingenious way to drop us straight in to the story. I read nearly 60% in one sitting, and finished the book in a single day. The pacing was great and, even though a lot of it was covering the same thing in a different location, it felt like the plot was constantly moving forward.

Kabler also does a really good job of making you question the motives of pretty much every character we meet.

Heather’s actions, or inactions, are often really infuriating to read but they don’t make the story any less enjoyable. The plot felt a little over-the-top but, again, that wasn’t a bad thing. It was a fun, if also at times very disturbing, story.

This one started well and I was intrigued by the premises of the book but it all just got a bit far fetched and annoying.

This is the first book by Kabler that I have read. I think i may have set my expectations to high. I often found it hard to follow the characters as they just didn’t seem too likable at times.
I don’t think there is fault with the author just my expectations were too high

This book sounded like something I'd really enjoy so was excited to get stuck in,I definitely set my expectations to high because even though I did persevere it just didn't grip me as much as I hoped.
Sadly just not for me but other readers may find this book perfect for them.
Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins UK for the ARC.

I’ve read and enjoyed several titles by Ms. Kabler so I was excited at the premise of this plot. I do not live in the UK so I don’t know crime sentencing laws there. The ones in this story seemed harsh. I found this story contained several things that were a slight stretch of plausible. I just don’t know if a regular person would trust total strangers as much as Heather seemed to. I liked many of the characters and found them relatable. One person even completely fooled me. The villain was eccentric and unique. He was evil and every woman’s worst nightmare. His Idiosyncrasy didn’t seem well explained in the conclusion. There was also vagueness about Amber’s memory issues. The outcome wasn’t a surprise for me but was nicely tied up. I liked Heather’s determination and could see her in a series as an undercover agent or private investigator. Again, I really appreciated the idea of being framed for a crime that wasn’t committed. The story was easy to read and follow. I will keep watching for the author’s next novel.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing an advance reader copy of “The Life Sentence” by Jackie Kabler, HarperCollins UK publishing, publication expected 05/09/2024. These are all my own honest personal thoughts and opinions given voluntarily without compensation.

I struggled with this book .I loved the sound of it, it sounded and was very original ,but I wasn't captivated by the characters or the story .I wanted to enjoy it more than I did .I wouldn't want to put other readers off but it wasn't for me.

So, while this isn't the best thriller I've ever read, some of the storyline was new which is why I'm giving this 3 stars. I legit wanted to get to the end so that I knew what the heck would happen to Heather! But there were some misses as well.

Enjoyed:
- Johnny. Super small part but the most likeable character.
-Rhona is a bad ass.
- the twist with felicity and her phone was a good one.
- fast paced and chugged along at a decent clip. I never found myself bored.


Far fetched:
- The fact that Heather just chooses to go back to sleeping with and dating a man who she believes may have hurt other women and sent one to jail. She seemed almost uncaring about her own safety and flippant about what Jack may have done.
- that jack doesn't go out into the sun and the reason why. That... was almost unbelievable.
- that jack got out on bail and the entire ending with Amber. I actually rolled my eyes.
- the camera detector
- that Heather is that good at avoiding cameras.

The story flowed well and the characters were well developed. I recommend this book and look forward to more from this author.


****Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review****

Heather is approached by a woman named Felicity regarding the imprisonment of Heather’s former best friend, Amber. Amber was convicted of assaulting her boyfriend at the time, Jack. He also happens to be Heather’s ex-boyfriend and the reason she and Amber fell out. Felicity and her brother, Nathan, are convinced that not only did Amber not assault Jack, but that the whole assault was staged. By Jack. It takes quite some convincing, of course, but Heather eventually decides to help – by getting back together with Jack. It would be strange enough if he was your typical boyfriend, but Jack was anything but typical.

She needs to get back into his life to search for evidence of what Jack did. The evidence may not even exist, Nathan’s just basing that off some drunken ramblings of Jack’s. But if it does exist and Heather can get the proof she needs, Amber’s days in jail may well be numbered. Of course, that’s only if she survives dating Jack a second time.

As far as men go, Jack’s not as horribly abusive as I imagined based on the build-up in the story. He has his quirks and is plenty controlling, but Heather was (a little too easily) able to search his estate. The suspense lies in whether he’ll catch on to what she’s doing before she has her proof. There was less conflict than expected, and I was waiting for a twist or reveal that never came. The book was a quick read – I finished in only a few sittings, and it kept me entertained, but it was pretty anodyne. Maybe the author will ramp up the thrills in her next one – I’ll be checking it out, for sure.

Heather lives a quiet life working in a bookshop. She lives alone and enjoys her solitude. On visiting another bookstore for an author talk she picks up her bag at the end and realises it isn't hers, but there is a note in it inviting her to call a number to meet up with the person who has her things. When she finds they are talking about someone she used to know who is now in prison, she really isn't comfortable but one thing leads to another and her interest is piqued. Can she help to find the truth and get her friend out of prison?

Oh wow! I had only read a couple of chapters of this before I found myself engrossed and wanting to read more. There’s that air of uncertainty and tension between the pages which Jackie does brilliantly. I read The Vanishing Of Class 3B of Jackie's last year and was on tenterhooks the whole way through so when the opportunity to read this arose, I jumped at the chance, and wasn't disappointed. A read I wanted to race through. A brilliant premise so beautifully executed. A crime that didn't quite happen as portrayed, yet it put someone behind bars. A rollercoaster of tension, a clever plot. One I highly recommend.

Imagine going to prison for a crime you not only didn't do, but that didn't even happen... Can your old friend help you? Lives are in danger in this tense and exciting thriller... I loved this, it was brilliant and kept me turning the pages.

I have enjoyed all of this authors books so when I seen this I could not wait to read it and wow I was not disappointed it was fantastic.

Amber has been convicted and is serving time for a horrific crime says she is innocent but is she. Her ex friend is going to try to prove it that she didn’t do it but by proving Amber is innocent she has to put her own life at risk is she going to make it out alive or find out Amber did do the crime.

This was such an original story which had me gripped throughout I could not put it down. The writing style was great it just flowed throughout. There was many twists in the story which I did not see coming. Highly recommended. Amazing! Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my advanced copy.

This was a little disappointing for me. The author is a very good writer -- I've read other novels by her. I had reasonably high expectations going in, which unfortunately were not reached. That is not to say I was not entertained -- i absolutely was. I just was waiting for the one big twist, the other shoe to drop...which never came. The plot felt slightly unrealistic on several counts -- the friend's life sentence for one - but I was inclined to accept them. I enjoyed the book -- I just hoped for a little meatier story. I will reader more from the author if I get the chance.

I received a complimentary copy of the novel from the publisher and NetGalley, and my review is being left freely.

The Life Sentence by Jackie Kabler is advertised as a psychological thriller. It was a pretty good read.

Amber Ryan is convicted and jailed, all for a crime that never even happened (or did it?). She says she is innocent. Now, her friend is going to try to prove it. But to do that, she has to go back, but will she make it out alive?

The book's premise was intriguing and drew me in, although some parts of the story were a bit slow; there were too many details in certain scenes (Heather searching Jack's house).

The story is told from various points of view (Heather, the friend; Amber, in jail; Jack, the ex; and one chapter by Yiannis, a friend of Jack's).

I thought the story was okay. It wasn't as page-turning or heart-pounding as I thought it would be. I would still recommend the book as it was an enjoyable read and had a bit of a surprise ending.

#NetGalley @OneMoreChapter_

Amber has been convicted and jailed for a crime that never even happened.

Heather hasn’t spoken to her best friend, Amber, in a long time, not since Amber was found guilty of a violent crime. She doesn’t expect to ever speak to her again until two strangers mysteriously enter her life and tell her that not only is Amber innocent, but the crime never even happened. The action in this book starts from the first chapter and doesn’t let up until the end. The story is told from multiple points of view and it was fun putting the puzzle pieces together as the main characters try to prove Amber’s innocence while putting their own lives in danger. Highly recommended for mystery and psychological thriller readers!

I’ll recommend at publication and also suggest for my book club. Thanks so much for the opportunity to read!

My name is Amber Ryan. I'm in prison, but I’m innocent. And I’ve been jailed not just for a crime I didn’t commit, but for a crime that never even happened. Now, my friend is going to try to prove it. But to do that, she has to go back. And I know she may not get out alive! Wow! Great book! This book had a bit of everything! It had suspense, intrigue, action, murder, mystery, gas lighting, and some crazy twists and turns! The storyline was very interesting and kept me glued to my kindle! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one! I highly recommend reading this book as it was well worth reading! Thank you Netgalley and Harper Collins publishing for sharing this book with me!

I absolutely adored this book! I could not put it down, probably the fastest I have read a book… A brilliant rollercoaster of a ride… I read this book in one sitting in less than a day and loved every minute of it