Overall, I believe this book had a lot of great attributes. The character development, the shock value, and the twists and turns were all gripping and kept me on my toes for the entire read. Usually thriller novels can be a hit or miss, and I feel like this one was a true hit.

This book has so many twists and turns! Definitely a must read! Completed in one sitting and would definitely recommend! Love when you cannot predict what will happen next!

Talk about toxic, controlling relationships & psychopaths! This book was a full on rollercoaster. When Robbie & Michael first pop into Seline’s life, I knew something was off, but I was not expecting the constant twists and turns with this story! I could not put it down! This was definitely worth the wild ride it took me on and the ending was chefs kiss.

I would like to point out that this story dives into a really toxic and controlling relationship that could be a trigger for some, so keep that in mind before jumping into this book. For me, it definitely made my blood boil and I wanted so badly to help Seline, and she’s a fictional character! However, I would rather share this info with everyone first because there aren’t any trigger warnings before going into this book, and this isn’t a topic to take lightly, especially if you’ve gone through something similar.

Other than that, I really enjoyed this book and I look forward to reading other books by this author!

"The Girl in the Painting" is a masterpiece that transcends the boundaries of time and space. With its evocative imagery and thought-provoking themes, it serves as a testament to the enduring power of art to move and inspire. Whether you're a seasoned art aficionado or simply appreciate beauty in its purest form, this painting is not to be missed.

In Caleb Crowe's "The Girl in the Painting," the fast-paced and accessible writing style makes the book engaging, with a plot full of twists and well-developed characters. While the suspenseful quality of the writing keeps readers hooked, some may find Robbie's controlling nature overwhelming and Seline's initial naivety a downside. Despite these drawbacks, the satisfying ending wraps up the story effectively, offering a compelling reading experience overall.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

This was a delightfully fast pace thriller with a different theme to anything I’ve read and that’s saying something considering how much of this genre I regularly devour.

This had me hooked from the very beginning and only drew me in further and even though I’d begun to work out some of it I wasn’t prepared for most of the twists and turns it took me on!

This one was pretty creepy to me. While it lulled in some places, overall it was interesting and kept my attention enough to finish it.

"The Girl in the Painting" by Caleb Crowe is a suspenseful thriller that explores the dark and dangerous depths of a toxic relationship, art, and hidden truths. The captivating writing style and quick pace of the novel kept me engaged from start to finish, with unexpected twists and turns that added an element of suspense and intrigue.
Set in a quaint Yorkshire village, the story follows Seline, a young art teacher who finds herself swept off her feet by the charismatic and unpredictable Robbie. As their relationship progresses, Robbie's controlling and domineering tendencies come to light, trapping Seline in a web of manipulation and fear. Seline's only solace is found in her artwork, where she grapples with hidden truths and disturbing revelations.
The character development throughout the novel is notable, with Seline's growth and evolution from a naive young woman to a strong and resilient individual being a central focus. The dynamic between Seline and Robbie is unsettling and intense, eliciting strong emotions from the reader as the story unfolds.
While the plot is engaging and the writing style is accessible, there are drawbacks to the novel that may divide readers. Robbie's character, depicted as manipulative and abusive, may be difficult for some readers to stomach, while Seline's initial naivety and questionable decisions may also be a point of contention. The constant warning signs and twists in the narrative may feel excessive at times, detracting from the overall reading experience.
Despite the flaws, "The Girl in the Painting" delivers a satisfying conclusion that ties up the story effectively and leaves the reader with a sense of closure. The exploration of themes such as control, manipulation, and hidden truths adds depth to the narrative, making it a compelling read for fans of psychological thrillers.
Overall, Caleb Crowe's novel offers a gripping and suspenseful tale that delves into the complexities of relationships, art, and personal growth. While some aspects of the story may be divisive, the overall reading experience is both thrilling and thought-provoking, making it a worthwhile addition to the thriller genre.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for a fair and honest review.

Seline has finished school, left home, and has taken her first job as an art teacher with the help of Michael, an old family friend.. On her first morning at work she meets Robbie and quickly moves in with the handsome, charismatic young man. Selene should be happy, but her job is not going well and Robbie has some issues, one of which is a locked door in the apartment that he claims is filled with the property of his deceased brother. Robbie has also become possessive and abusive, and Seline is wondering how she can escape what is quickly becoming a frightening and dangerous relationship.

This was a quick read and I enjoyed it for the most part. There were no surprises as all twists are easily discernible. I could not, for the life of me, figure out what Selene saw in Robbie and their relationship was completely unbelievable to me. He was, from the moment he enters the scene, toxically aggressive and unlikeable. To make matters worse, she moves in with him immediately before even knowing anything about him, which was very strange. Three out of five stars.

The Girl in the Painting was one wild and crazy ride; a true definition of psychological suspense! I raced through because I had to know how it ended. A well written thought out psychological suspense with twists and turns I never saw coming? My favorite kind if story. You think you know where it's going then BOOM! You find out you were wrong all along. Which makes it that much sweeter!

Seline Henderson, a young woman from Manchester, starts her teaching job as an arts teacher at a small town. Things take a turn when she meets Robbie, a reckless young man with whom she quickly enters a relationship. However, Robbie's behavior becomes increasingly controlling, suffocating Seline in every aspect of her life.

As Seline's situation worsens, mysteries unfold around her, including strange happenings with her artwork and her parents' secretive past. While the story started slowly, it picked up, keeping me engaged with twists and turns. Caleb Crowe skillfully sprinkles hints here and there, making the guessing game enjoyable. The latter half of the book and its conclusion made up for any earlier shortcomings, delivering a satisfying ending.

Title: The Girl in the Painting
Author: Caleb Crowe
Pub date: Jan 28, 2024
Publisher: Inkubator Books

This is a 3.5 for me. There are twists and turns some of which seem fairly predictable at least to me anyway. In all fairness, I approach every book trying to figure it all out as I read. The writing doesn’t flow well for me until the end. However, for those of you who like a quick read, this would fit the bill.

Seline decides to embark on her future by accepting a teaching job away from her parents and apparently the sheltered life she has led. We all have to grow up sometime and sometimes we stumble.

She meets Robbie and becomes enamored with him despite how he lives and acts. The description of how he lives was so detailed that personally, I’d have been running out the door right then. Unfortunately for Seline, she doesn’t run and gets herself in deeper not knowing where or who she can turn to.

The story gets twisted and lives are intertwined in various ways. We are along for the ride as Seline learns the hard way how to navigate her life. Will she figure it out before it’s too late?

Thank you #NetGalley and #InkubatorBooks for the opportunity to read this tale.

I was lucky enough to receive this book as an ARC, and I’m so happy I get the chance to review it!

Overall, I believe this book had a lot of great attributes. The character development, the shock value, and the twists and turns were all gripping and kept me on my toes for the entire read. Usually thriller novels can be a hit or miss, and I feel like this one was a true hit.

The only thing I personally didn’t love about the novel was the way the writing was structured. The language overall felt very choppy to me, and at times I was finding it hard to pay attention because I didn’t feel like the words were flowing together in a way that made sense to my brain. The story itself however was flawless. I cannot wait to read more from Caleb Crowe.

Caleb Crowe's 'The Girl in the Painting' is a wild ride! The story is totally unhinged, and the ending? Shocking! I mean, the stuff that happens to the main character is seriously over-the-top. The book keeps you hooked with unexpected twists.

I really liked this story! The writing style was a bit difficult to keep up with, but the overall plot kept me entertained. Will definitely read more by this author!

Spoiler alert!

This book kept me guessing. Though I really wanted the protagonist to succeed in both love and her job, the story was too drawn out. Overall, the novel is well written, but I was unhappy with the poor ending when she killed a guy just to cover her crime.

One of the best thriller book!!

The story was well written in a intriguing world building and the plot twists came out of where left and right and my mind was left spinning! Such an amazing book with all the thrilling elements!

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for giving me an opportunity to read!

I did enjoy reading this, but there were some aspects that just were not quite *there*for me. The general plot of the book and the twist at the end were very good, but parts of it felt a little like they were just filler. Some of the descriptions went a bit too into detail, and parts did feel predictable, but I did read it quickly once I got into it as I had to know how it ended.

The overall writing style was enjoyable and easy to read!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Intrigue sets in when the wild and wonderful whirlwind of romance turns sinister. An interesting read start to finish.

I did not enjoy this title. The characters feel a little flat. Was hoping for more. The premise seemed hopeful, but ultimately ended up being a bit disappointing.