Member Reviews
I have never read anything from this author. I really enjoyed the writing. I was hooked from the beginning and need to know what was going to happen. It was very interesting learning about acting and small producers as well. I thought that part would have been boring but honestly it was packed with so much drama I hardly noticed. I wasn't expecting the twist at the end. Since I read a lot of these types of books that is really hard to do. I just felt like the twist was hard to guess.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
This one took a while to get into because it was difficult to figure out what exactly was going to be happening. As the book unfolded it became clear Jem was not a reliable narrator and that she had something to hide. This book was full of twists and turns, but was slow moving at points.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. I dont know if it’s because I went in thinking this was 100% a thriller or that I’ve just read so many ‘typical’ thrillers, but I think my expectations of what this book was going to be was very different than what it was. This is not a critique of the writing at all. I think 90% of this book is more of a dramatic theater fiction than a thriller.
The book was fast pace, interesting, and good!! I did like Jemima’s character and her progression throughout the story.
If you enjoy a good British, theatrical, dramatic story, this is for you!!
Josie Charles, the narrator, did a fantastic job! She has the perfect voice for an English spooky thriller book. Her voices for all of the characters were phenomenal!
Thank you to Dreamscape Select, NetGalley, and Becky Alexander for the ARC audiobook!
Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for the chance to listen to an early copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. Someone Like You by Becky Alexander releases on January 10th, 2024.
If I was someone who could DNF a book, this would have been one of those books. I don't know what exactly it was about this story that had me struggling, but it just did not keep my attention. I found myself having to go back because I zoned out and couldn't follow what was happening. The whole thing felt repetitive and like it just dragged on.
"Someone Like You" is a story about two women with contrasting life goals. The plot of the book had great potential, but unfortunately, Jemima's character ruined it for me. At first, she appears to be sweet and innocent, but as the story progresses, she turns out to be vicious and exploitative. Her character was delivered in an odd, needy way that made me dislike both her and the plot very quickly. Additionally, the author tried to shift focus from the more vicious villain and put it on Jemima, but that didn't feel right from the beginning, which is another reason why the book lost my interest. To make matters worse, the finale of the book was even more disappointing, as the "plot twist" felt plain.
Thank you, NetGalley for a free and advanced copy of the novel.
Jemima is a struggling actress who finally got her big break...... or did she???
I really enjoyed uncovering Jemima's secrets throughout the book and her connections to the characters, as well as the whole "theatre" aspect to the plot. I could almost see this happening in the real world.....
This is very much so a psychological thriller that keeps you guessing.. is Jemima crazy? is Rebecca crazy? AM I CRAZY??????
The story was interesting enough that I was invested the entire time, but things really slowed down once it moved to New York. The ending definitely made it all worth it though.
I knew something was up with brother Mark and when we found out what was up I was like.. dang kind of a let down, BUT THEN!!!!!!! Huge bomb drop.
Someone Like You follows the story of Jemima, a struggling wannabe actress who is thrilled to be cast in an upcoming play alongside one of TVs hottest stars. But things don't quite go to plan and her co-star ends up dead, meaning Jemima's path takes a different turn.
I enjoyed this audiobook and thought it started really strong; I was hooked from the beginning and couldn't wait to see how it all played out. It tailed off a little in the middle, but I did enjoy the ending .
I can't say that I particularly 'liked' any of the characters, but there were some that I loved to hate and I thought they were well written. A great read for anyone with an interest in what goes on behind the scenes of the acting world of those who like an unreliable narrator.
My thanks to NetGalley and the Publishers for sending me this ALC in return for an honest review.
This book was definitely slow going and took some time to get through but it all pays off in the end. Some of the characters are very annoying but I feel like that is what the author was trying to portray about the theater industry and how cut throat and fake it is. The ending was not what I was expecting at all.
I had to dnf this at 30%. The writing style and narration were driving me nuts and I wasn't going to sit through several more hours being bored and annoyed. At 30% nothing remotely interesting has happened, and I feel no suspense.
SOMEONE LIKE YOU by Becky Alexander narrated by Josie Charles
NARRATION
Becky Alexander's psychological thriller, "Someone Like You," is skillfully brought to life by Josie Charles' compelling yet subtly emotional narration. Charles successfully captures the nuances of class and gender differentiators as she embodies various characters and vividly portrays Alexander's versions of London, Cornwall, and New York. Despite occasional slowdowns in the story, Charles' narration maintains an engaging quality that keeps listeners hooked.
SUMMARY
After graduating from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), Jemima Evans is still struggling to get her first professional acting break. So she spends her days working in a coffee van, going to auditions, and living in cramped conditions on a tiny houseboat called the Seagrass. While her classmates seem to be working, she’s still trying to land a role. So when she gets an audition for a play that will be produced by Sheridan Productions, Jemima is thrilled.
However, success doesn’t look anything like she imagined. There’s something strange about the whole affair. The legendary Rebecca Sheridan's involvement which at first seemed so promising, sets off a weird string of events leading from the audition and casting to the production. As Jemima delves into the two-person play called "Poison," she realizes that nothing is quite what it seems. Was Rebecca the unseen voice playing the second part during her audition? Why did Rebecca cast her in the play? Why would a big star like Olivia Goldsmith take the demanding role last minute just because Rebecca asked?
But her big break is finally in sight, so Jemima pushes all the questions aside and puts everything she has into making the most of the opportunity But she’ll soon learn that what Rebecca wants from her is much more than a good performance.
THOUGHTS
Reading the synopsis of SOMEONE LIKE YOU sets expectations for a novel that will dig deep into uncovering Jemima Evan’s secrets but the reality is much different. The disconnect between the promotional material and the actual narrative is stark. The novel fails to adequately address pivotal questions about Jemima's identity, accent, and connections to the other characters. The psychological thriller promised by the synopsis is hindered by a slow setup, with crucial details either briefly mentioned or omitted entirely. Jemima's assertion that "there's no way she can know who I really am" remains vague and unexplored.
The narrative primarily revolves around Jemima's self-doubts and her struggle to trust those around her. Internal monologues dominate the story, becoming repetitive as Jemima obsesses over Rebecca Sheridan, the state of the play "Poison," her co-star Olivia, and other encounters. Jemima's lack of curiosity, such as not researching Rebecca or Greg before forming relationships, feels unrealistic in a world where ‘googling’ is a verb and every bit of information is easily accessible.
In the cutthroat theatre environment, the characters in SOMEONE LIKE YOU lack sympathy, with Jemima's likability diminishing as the story progresses. The ending fails to elicit any care or even interest in Jemima's fate or true identity.
RECOMMENDATION
3 Stars SOMEONE LIKE YOU. Josie Charles deserves 4 stars for her narration which draws the listener into the story and brings it to life. Sadly, the novel itself is convoluted with unlikeable characters, a repetitious style, and an ending that destroys whatever goodwill the rest of the story may have engendered.
Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for access to this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 10 Jan 2024
#SomeoneLikeYou #NetGalley
Book Title: Someone like You
Author: Becky Alexander
Narrator: Josie Charles
Publisher: Dreamscape Select- Storm Publishing
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Pub Date: January 10, 2024
My Rating: 3.6 rounded up
Pages: 324
Story is told then and now and based in London and New York.
Jemimah has always wanted to be an actress. She was in Drama class as well as the Drama Club while in high school and then went on to study acting in college- a school known to produce famous actors. . She finally got a big break - it appears that the plays’ producer Rebecca Sheridan wanted her in the play. When she meets Rebecca in person Rebecca states
"It’s nice to finally meet you, Jemima,"
Jemimah was curious why she said ‘finally’
She then wondered – “Why am I really here? Am I just a pawn in some twisted game?
There’s no way she can know who I really am! What I did. What I'm capable of…
Right?
Audiobook narrator Josie Charles did a fantastic job performing ALL the characters- she made it clear which character was speaking. Her performance certainly made the story enjoyable!
I am a big mystery/thriller fan so the mystery part of this story had me curious.
When Jemimah goes to New York the story s l o w s down and become more character based.
I was anxious for the story to speed up and get back to the mystery and Rebecca.
Yep it sure did.
This story is a good example of ‘”Do not give up!”
Want to thank NetGalley and Dreamscape Select-Storm Publications for granting me this early
Audiobook
Publishing Date scheduled for January 10. 2024.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the Arc audiobook of Someone Like You by Becky Alexander in exchange of an honest review.
"Becky Alexander's 'Someone like you' takes readers on a captivating journey through the cutthroat world of acting. The story follows Jemima as she strives to make her mark in the industry, encountering both allies and adversaries along the way. While the book initially promises a thrilling experience, the suspenseful elements take a backseat, giving rise to a slow burn mystery that gradually builds up until the final quarter. The author skillfully portrays the relentless competition and manipulation among colleagues, shedding light on the sacrifices and compromises one must make for fame. Though the pacing may test some readers' patience, the book's immersive storytelling and exploration of the entertainment industry keep it undeniably entertaining.
Overall, 'Someone like you' offers an insightful perspective on the pursuit of fame, even if it falls short of delivering a consistently thrilling experience." It's a 3.5 Stars for me.
I haven't read a story about the acting industry before and this was a fascinating read. Clearly defined characters and an exciting story line, leading up to a great conclusion.
Thank you to #netgalley for this #arc
This is JUST THE KIND OF BOOK I LIKE!! With LIES, TWISTS and SECRETS lol.
The narrator did a good job of taking care of all the characters. Jemima is an out of work actor that is trying to succeed and make it via multiple auditions. These characters were brutal to each other trying to get ahead.
This could fall under several categories: thriller and drama. It did move a little slow in the beginning, but it ended up coming together.
Thanks to Dreamscape Select, NetGalley, author Becky Alexander and narrator Josie Charles for an opportunity to listen to advance audiobook of Someone Like You. Wow! Talk about a twister of a thriller. I enjoy books set in the theater and this one did not disappoint but oh my goodness you need a scorecard at times to keep track of who is stabbing who in the back. The first half of the book I was genuinely feeling sorry for the main character Jemima but in the second half you quickly realize she is not quite the same person you were lead to believe in. By the end of the book I was ready to chuck the whole cast of characters in harbor but there are a couple of little things that save the story and make it worth reading through to the end.
This thriller had a different slant and I found it intriguing. It did keep me interested through the entire book. It was a slow build but did not have a shocking ending like I was suspecting. Overall a decent read
This is an entertaining, slow burn mystery. We follow Jemima who is a struggling actor in London. When she is offered a role, she jumps at the chance. The new role isn’t what she expected, but embraced that it was better than nothing … or was it?
I enjoyed all the theatre and broadway references and the life of the actors inhabiting that world. While not quite a psychological thriller, I felt the tension throughout the narrative. It was unsettling, suspenseful and overall enjoyable audiobook. The narrator, Josie Charles did a great job covering all the characters.
Many thanks to @netgalley @dreamscape for an ALC 🎧
Thank you Netgalley, Becky Alexander, and Dreamscape Select for the advanced audiobook!! This was a great listen with great narration by Josie Charles. The mystery that unfolded was a mind game and this was a very enjoyable listen!!
Someone Like You - Becky Alexander
I have two different points of view on this and could easily argue with myself over it!
Sometimes you can never truly count on a “friend” even the best of friends go behind your back for their own benefit and it makes you question yourself for even trusting them to start with.
On the flip side - It’s not unheard of for people to sleep their way to the top but what goes around comes around and you shouldn’t expect any good from it.
Great book, would definitely read a follow up if there was/is one. 👏
The thriller has an intriguing start and it then moves slowly.
There are few characters that have much potential in building up the tension and the storyline. I enjoyed the drama between Jemima, Rebecca and Olivia. I can see the story can have more in depth development and I think the narrator saved the book.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Dreamscape Select, Storm Publishing and the author for my copy.
Pub date: Jan 10, 2024