Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of The Life Sentence.

This is my first book by the author and I was excited my request was approved. I'm always looking for a new author to read.

Sadly, this didn't meet my expectation for a number of reasons:

1. I don't like the author's writing style. Lots of exposition, long paragraphs and no paragraph breaks of long wind=winded descriptions.

The style of writing is also immature, almost childish.

2. The premise is a lie; the incident that put Amber in prison did happen, but there are inconsistencies. It didn't not happen.

3. I'm not a lawyer and get all my legal knowledge from Law & Order reruns but I do know this: there's no way anyone would get life in prison for grand larceny and a stabbing. Rapists and pedophiles get less time in prison. Maybe this is how the law works in the UK.

4. Typical of the genre, the premise is drawn out with Felicity stealing Heather's bag and saying she can't say much, then punting her off to her brother, Nathan, before more long winded exposition is given.

I know the author is just trying to draw out the suspense but it didn't work here. It made me annoyed and frustrated and the poor writing also didn't help.

Characters speak in long, long paragraphs with no paragraph breaks. Real people don't speak this way unless they're telling a story.

5. Heather is boring and dull; she's pulled into this caper by the siblings and has to be convinced she's the only one who can do it. Things happens to her, not the other way around.

6. The narrative is tedious and repetitive; nothing happens until the last 10 pages. There's barely any suspense or urgency.

We're just reading about Heather looking for evidence, playing her part with Jack, getting the creeps from Rhona, the housekeeper, and having secret convos with Felicity and Nathan.

7. Chapters from Jack's POV unnecessary. Also, he's a psychopath because he's a momma's boy? Can someone page Dr. Freud?

8. The ending is hard to suspend disbelief for, but so was the whole story.

Some readers might enjoy this but the story and author wasn't for me.

I have read and loved so many books by Jackie Kabler so I was very excited to read this one and as usual Jackie always manages to draw me in with the build up of tension which culminates in twists that shock me. This was such an exciting and intense read overall.

Is it bad that I didn't like the way it was written? The book is constructed mostly of dialoques (which many consist of unnecesarry talking between characters) and inf dumb about what happened earlier. Maybe the concept of the novel was good, but for me it lacked depth. I couldn't connect with the characters, probably because of the language of the novel, I know some people will like it, and I recommed anyone who is interested in the plot to at least try to read it. It just wasn't for me.

I swear that there must be a hole in my kindle. Either that or my page turn clicks were on warp speed. I mean, I started reading this book and then - poof - it was done. Pacy, packed with intrigue and more than the off moment of threat and unease, this book captured my attention from the rather unexpected and mysterious opener, right to the high stakes ending. A one day read and just what I needed.

Given how the book starts - protagonist Heather attending a book launch event - you'd be forgiven for thinking that this was going to be a somewhat more pedestrian read. You'd be very wrong. If Heather thought that she was just going to meet a favourite author then head back to her happy and steady life as a bookseller ... well she'd be very wrong too. A strange meeting, a 'stolen' handbag and a very cryptic plea later, Heather finds that her very 'steady' life, is about to be thrown into turmoil. Asked by a stranger to help prove the innocence of Heather's one time best friend, Amber, Heather is all too keen to just say no. But, much as mine was, her interest is piqued and it's not long before she finds herself in a whole heap of trouble - trouble that could cost her everything>

From the very beginning of this book I was intrigued. It's a very easy book to fall into the flow of and although we don't really spend much time with the allegedly innocent, Amber, it was enough for me to become invested in her fate and in following Heather as she works alongside two strangers, Nathan and Felicity, to prove that the crime Amber was convicted of, never even happened. With chapters told mostly from Heather's point of view, with the odd chapter from Amber's point of view and also from a third party - the person they suspect of setting her up - it was Heather who I became completely fascinated by. I can see why she might want to walk away, but also why she became so invested in finding the truth, even if that was simply proving that Amber's conviction was sound. But the more she, and we, the reader, learn, the clearer it is that something is not quite right and the seemingly fanciful tale Heather has been told may just be true.

Now the story may seem a little off, and expecting Heather to rekindle a failed romance in order to get to the truth would be enough to raise objections in any rational person. That is certainly the case for Heather and, the more we learn of her ex, Jack, the more her decision to walk away from him makes sense. He should be the perfect catch - rich, good looking and a very capable lover - but, like all good things, there is such a thing as too good to be true, and for all of his good points, there are some very strange habits for the man too. There were times when I would have liked to shake Heather and ask her just what she was doing, but the way in which Jackie Kabler has framed the story, even the most dangerous of situations and the most unlikely of decision kind of felt plausible. Any which way, I didn't much care as I was completely invested in the story - frustrated by some of the maddening decisions Heather took, sure - but very interested to see just how the whole case would play out and what price everyone would have to pay, however it ended.

There is an undulating tension throughout the book. Not too intense, but just that sense of unease and an understanding that nobody really trusts anyone else. Even Heather feels sort of isolated, trusting the word of two virtual strangers against someone she know, albeit that she knows the darker side of Jack too. But as to how dark ... well that you can find out by reading the book. it really did fascinate me and I just found the pacing of the whole thing right on the money, finishing the book in around a day. As for the ending - well, I was definitely left with a wry smile and that feeling that things ended just as they should have. Was justice done - well, read the book and then you decide. A fun, intriguing and attention stealing novel. Really enjoyed it.

This book was only okay, in my opinion. Semi spoilers ahead.

The story itself was pretty good, and I enjoyed the ending. But that was about it, for me.

First of all, the alleged “crime that never happened”, did happen. It just didn’t happen the way it was alleged to have happened. And I’m no judge, but I don’t think it’s realistic whatsoever that someone would be given a life sentence for the alleged crime.

Second, this book is probably 25-30% longer than needed. There is far too much detail of Heather searching places in Jack’s house. It got to be repetitive and boring.

Third, this book wants the reader to believe someone was put in prison for LIFE for a far less serious crime than murder, but then another character has murdered someone, plus several other crimes(with proof, and a confession!) and they were released on bail because they’re “not dangerous?” That’s just not realistic, even if the person is rich.

Also, there just isn’t any wow factor to this story. No shocking plot twists, nothing super compelling…I just was not very impressed. Jack’s reasoning for his strange schedule and for what he did to his girlfriends are just not believable in my opinion.

Overall, this book was okay. But I wouldn’t recommend it.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins UK for the opportunity to read this advance copy!

I was interested initially to see what I would think of this book. The cover kind of gave me certain expectations and I didn't want to be disappointed by focusing too much on what I thought it would be. Needless to say I was very surprised at what I read and how much I enjoyed it because it was different than what I thought but still very good.

Firstly, I usually adore Jackie Kabler novels and look forward to the next one. the Life Sentence is the latest and while the first half grabbed me, the remaining half left me a little frustrated with Heather trying to take down an ex boyfriend Jack. I was expecting to be blindsided by a major twist at the end = never really happened.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter for providing this book, with my honest review below.

I’d had my eye on The Life Sentence by Jackie Kabler for a few months now and I’m happy to report that despite having some higher expectations from the mysterious premise and anticipation, this book delivered on them!

Amber Ryan is serving a life sentence for a crime she’s pretty sure she didn’t commit. Heather Harris, her old friend before some fall outs, is asked to help prove her innocence by a sister and brother whose lives could be at risk by the man who put Amber behind bars. It just so happens that man is Heather’s ex boyfriend and the things he’s suspected of - in addition to the set up of Amber - are horrifying.

The novel switched between Heather’s perspective and an occasional chapter by Amber and Jack, the ex-boyfriend. This was a lot of fun and great with wondering what exactly did happen since Amber isn’t quite sure, as well as understanding Jack’s twisted psyche. I would have enjoyed more vivid painting of Heather and Amber’s relationship to give a more emotional hook, as well as a better tie in between Jack’s past and why he is the way he is, but I enjoyed the ride without these things. I highly recommend for those wanting a tense thriller!

The Life Sentence by new to me author J. Kabler, published by Harper Collins UK/ One More Chapter is a full length, stand alone psychological thriller.
Heather is a bookseller in London and she loves her job. And she's determined to clear her friend Amber from prison sentence. So a plan is made and things move along nicely, just like they have planned.
A story full of unexpected twists and turns, I read with beated breath and was guessing til the last page.
A complex read that I couldn't put away, I recommend the book.

Thank you Netgalley and HarperCollins UK for the ARC. Overall, I thought this book was okay. I wish it was a little more heart pounding, on the edge of my seat type of thing. However, Amber Ryan is serving a life sentence for a crime she did not commit. In fact, the crime never even happened. In comes Heather who grew up with Amber. They had a falling out, but someone named Felicity reaches out to Heather for her help on proving Amber's innocence. In order to do that, Heather must connect with an ex-boyfriend who she feels is responsible for setting Amber up. Heather must try to collect evidence around his home, and discreetly speak to people close to him to prove he orchestrated Amber's "crime". Will Heather get caught? Will she end up dead? What happens?

I thought this an original, gripping drama which I thoroughly enjoyed. Heather's friend Amber has been wrongly imprisoned for a crime which she did not commit. I found it a joy to read with all the surprises and twists and turns.

I would like to thank the author, the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. I have read books by Jackie Kabler previously and enjoyed them but this one was another level. The tension throughout the book was tangible and kept me gripped, at times it was like when you are watching a film with your hand poised in front of your eyes, knowing something is going to happen but not wanting to watch it. I will be recommending this book to everyone I know.