As always, Jessica knocked it out of the park with this book! She's an amazing writer and definitely one of my top 5 favorites!

"Don’t Tell a Soul" is a thrilling psychological ride that keeps you hooked from start to finish. The story is about Elle, a young woman escaping an abusive home who ends up in a cozy small town. She gets a job as a waitress and meets Vera, a kind woman who offers her a room in her big house. But just when Elle thinks she's starting over, she discovers a dark secret hidden in Vera’s house.

Jessica is fantastic at creating well-rounded characters. Elle’s journey from being vulnerable to strong is really relatable. Vera, with her kind exterior and hidden depths, adds a lot of complexity to the story.

The book is super engaging and fast-paced, making it hard to put down. Jessica masterfully builds suspense, revealing just enough with each chapter to keep you hooked.

The story dives into themes like trust, betrayal, and the lengths people go to protect their secrets. It also explores the psychological effects of abuse and the struggle for independence and safety.

All in all, Jessica delivers a story full of unexpected twists and turns with a shocking ending!

Jessica Huntley's first traditionally published book - you would never know! Keep them coming girl, this was UNREAL!

After years of abuse, Elle decides to run away from home to a small town. Things seem to be looking up for her - she gets a job as a waitress, finds some friends, and meets Vera, a woman who offers Elle the attic room in her massive house. Elle and Vera instantly click. Vera feels like the mother Elle always wanted. However, Vera is hiding her own secrets. And she will stop at nothing to keep them safe.

There is one simple rule in Vera's house - do not enter the basement. Simple enough, right? Elle doesn't think much of it, until she finds herself down there one day. And what she sees will change her life forever...

Wow wow wow. I loved this book! Eerie, disturbing, heart pounding, and full of twists! I actually was unable to put this one down. I gobbled it up so quickly. And that ending?! WILD.

Character development was excellent. Jessica Huntley does an excellent job at building up our two main characters, Elle and Vera. Both characters are multifaceted and super interesting.

An absolutely crazy ride. A must read for any thriller fan! You will not be disappointed. Warning - you will want to finish it in one sitting.

Thank you nkubator Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was a great psychological thriller that kept me guessing throughout. A couple things seemed predictable but I was wrong! Vera was a creepy character to me, which made me enjoy the book that much more.

Wow! My first Jessica Huntley novel but definitely not my last. I read this in one day and could not put it down. The characters were crazy great and kept me totally engrossed in the story. Creepy and dark with fab reveals.
Thank you NetGalley and Jessica Huntley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Thank you Netgalley and Inkubator Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

"Don't Tell a Soul" by Jessica Huntley is a captivating psychological thriller that follows Elle, a young woman fleeing from her abusive father, as she attempts to rebuild her life in a small town. There, she befriends Vera, a mysterious woman with a similarly troubled past. Before going into this review, I do want to note a couple of content warnings, which include child abuse (described in detail) as well as some gore (also described in detail).

The book’s pacing transitions from a slow, tense build-up to a flurry of action and suspense, especially in the last 20% of the book. Huntley's storytelling skillfully leads readers from comfort to unease as there is psychological tension that keeps building and building that keeps the pages turning. There are little hints throughout that something isn’t quite right at Vera’s house. A lot of this book focuses on the inner dialogue of both Vera and Elle (there are two perspectives, for the most part, throughout this book), so there is a lot of “tell” and not a lot of “show” with the writing. Elle especially seemed to narrate every single thing, and I’m not really a fan of that type of writing style. This style caused a bit of a disconnect for me while I was reading. The prose, however, is very simple and made for a very fast read.

What I enjoyed the most with this book were the interactions between Elle and Vera, which highlight their shared experiences and the different paths they take to cope with their past traumas. This dynamic makes the story an interesting exploration of how people deal with similar circumstances in varied ways. The plot was pretty predictable with the twists, though I did enjoy learning the backstories of the different characters and their motivations.

Overall, "Don't Tell a Soul" is a fast-paced and absorbing read that will appeal to fans of psychological thrillers. Jessica Huntley has crafted a suspenseful and emotionally resonant story that explores the fine line between safety and danger, and the life-and-death stakes of trust.

When Vera offers to rent a room to newcomer Elle, it seems like she is not only being extremely nice, but also solving one of Elle’s problems. After all, no one has been in the house Vera once shared with her family for a very long time. Many years have passed, and the once stately home is slowly falling apart.
But Elle appreciates her kindness. Even though the people she meets in town, think there’s something off with Vera. Elle has secrets of her own and knows that there can be many reasons for a person’s silence.
Told in the past and in the present, I figured out one of the secrets early on. It did not stop me from flipping pages to see if I was right and to learn the other mysteries that were hidden between these pages. An enjoyable read on an oh so hot summer day.

This book kept me on the edge of my seat. I was franticly turning the pages of my kindle trying to figure out what would happen next. While I did see some of the twists coming, it was still overall a great story. I felt bad for Elle and Vera. I was glad to see they could both relate to each other with their childhood experiences, but finding someone like that can also be dangerous.

If you’re in the mood for a gripping, psychological thriller, Don’t Tell a Soul is the next book you should read. This book was great and I especially enjoyed the twist.

Don't Tell a Soul by Jessica Huntley is a gripping and suspenseful thriller that hooks you from the very first page. Huntley masterfully weaves a tale of secrets, lies, and chilling revelations that keep the reader on edge until the final twist.

The protagonist, with her complex and layered personality, drives the narrative forward with relentless determination. As she delves deeper into the mysteries surrounding her, the tension mounts, and the stakes become increasingly high. Huntley's ability to create an atmosphere of unease and suspense is commendable, making each chapter more intense than the last.

The pacing is excellent, with just the right amount of action and introspection. The plot twists are well-executed and genuinely surprising, ensuring that the reader is constantly guessing and re-evaluating their assumptions. The supporting characters are equally well-developed, each adding depth and intrigue to the story.

Huntley's writing is crisp and engaging, with vivid descriptions that bring the settings and scenes to life. The dialogue is realistic and adds authenticity to the characters' interactions, further immersing the reader in the story.

Don't Tell a Soul is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and anyone who enjoys a well-crafted, suspenseful narrative. Jessica Huntley has delivered a compelling and unforgettable story that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page.

It all starts with a bracelet, an abusive father, blood on the floor and no memory of the events. Our first introduction into the past of Vera.

Don't tell a soul then moves to the present day, and Elle escaping her abusive home. Running to a small town where she is quick to get a job and the offer of a place to stay.... with Vera, in her huge, rundown house.

Elle is enjoying her new found freedom, although nervous her secret will be found out. Vera is also terrified of her secret being found out and we learn how far she will go to protect it.

I thought the book was fast paced, intriguing (if not a bit far fetched in places) and ends with a good few twists and turns. I loved the remote small town setting, the various side characters who I alternated being trusting and being very skeptical of, and the haunted house feel of Vera's home.

I was rooting for Elle - hoping that she would move past her abuse and trauma, finally finding her feet but the odds were against her.

This was a great read. 4 stars.

I'm still not sure how I feel about this story. It definitely moves right along and is a quick read, but it just feels like something is unfinished in the writing itself. I easilyfigured out what was going on pretty quickly, so there wasn't a big shock for me as it all came together. A fun way to spend a few hours on a reading Sunday Funday for sure. I did not, however, care for the way this book wrapped up and it left me kind of scratching my head.

"Don't Tell a Soul" by Jessica Huntley is a riveting psychological thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. This masterfully crafted tale of suspense and hidden dangers is a must-read for fans of the genre.

The small-town setting is beautifully rendered, creating an atmosphere that is both charming and subtly ominous. Huntley expertly builds tension, using the contrast between the town's quaint exterior and its dark undercurrents to keep readers guessing at every turn.

Vera, the seemingly benevolent landlady, is a complex and intriguing character. The evolving relationship between Elle and Vera is beautifully portrayed, adding layers of emotional depth to the story while simultaneously ratcheting up the suspense.

The pacing is impeccable, with Huntley doling out clues and red herrings in perfect measure. The forbidden basement serves as a brilliant plot device, its mystery tantalizing readers until the shocking reveal.

What sets "Don't Tell a Soul" apart is its exploration of themes like trust, healing, and the sometimes deceptive nature of safety. Huntley delves into these issues with sensitivity and insight, elevating the novel beyond a mere thriller to a thoughtful examination of human nature.

The climax is heart-pounding and satisfying, bringing together all the carefully laid threads of the plot in a way that will leave readers breathless. Huntley's prose is crisp and evocative, painting vivid pictures of both the external setting and the internal struggles of her characters.

"Don't Tell a Soul" is a gripping, intelligently written thriller that will appeal to both genre enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

Great story! I've read a book by this author previously and really enjoyed it, and I enjoyed this one a lot as well! It had some great twists and turns, and I was always wanting to find out what happened next. The ending was really good! I would recommend this book and author to other thriller readers.

This is the real definition of a page turner! What a great story. I was so absorbed in the characters minds I read it in just a few days. I love reading from a teenager's POV trying to make her escape by adjusting to a new life in a small town. An interesting and unusual plot. Speaking of, this is a very intriguing plot. I've read some stories with similar suspenseful plots, but the authors tend to overcomplicate by incorporating too many twists and turns. This story fascinated me because it has just the right amount of twists to keep you guessing without being too much.
I loved every character and each character had a purpose to the story. Jessica Huntley is a magician when to it comes to balance. Everything is balanced: the number of characters, the plot twists, the description of the atmosphere in the village. The writing flows wonderfully.
Ok, I've praised this enough. You get the point. I really recommend it!

I read this in less than a day! I needed to know what was happening and what would go down next. Though I guessed one of the twists, I still enjoyed the story, and did not guess the twist in the epilogue. I liked the way the story went back and forth in POV and different timelines. The pace of the book was perfect, not too slow or rushed up, and I always enjoy the samll village vibes. Grear read!

Thank you NetGalley, publisher and author for the ARC!

Elle runs away from home, because of her abusive father. And she runs away to a small town. Where she thought her old friend had moved. Money is tight, so she has to get a job. And later the cleaner from her motel offers Elle to live with her? Both of them have similar pasts when it comes to their fathers. But they don’t know that. The thing is, Elle hears a lot of things in town. That nobody’s been in Vera’s house for twenty years for example… odd. But she doesn’t really think of it. So she moves in, and Vera is almost like a mother to her now. But she’s keeping secrets. Why can’t she go down to the basement??


SPOILERS:
It was so easy to get attached/hooked into this book. I have been in some sort of a reading slump… and on the second page I just knew I would eat this up. And it was also really short. Which I love when getting out of a slump. Anyway, I also really liked her writing. Wow. I have never heard of this author before but if she writes another thriller like this I will be first in line to read it. And also even though Vera was a bit odd I still found her super interesting.

There were many many great things about this book but of course there is always something bad… for a thriller this was too predictable. But the book was good so I didn’t really care that much. And the plot was kinda bad.. I’m sorry. Just my opinion. I do think Vera’s backstory is very interesting and I would read a full three hundred page novel about her life, and more about her past. But Elle’s background just wasn’t it. And what are the odds that Elle meets someone with the same past either the same day or second day she arrives in that town?? And let’s not forget Kevin… Vera’s brother. It was easy to figure out what he was gonna do…

Other than all that. I really enjoy it. And if the plot wasn’t so predictable I would probably have given it four stars instead of three.

Also thank you to net galley and inkubator books for a chance to read this as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Don’t Tell a Soul included topics of child abuse, domestic violence, alcoholism, and death.
This book begins with a glimpse into the past of Vera’s life and quickly draws you into the mystery. Then we meet Elle, a teen who was living in an abusive home and decides to run away. There she meets Vera, who offers to rent out the attic room for Elle and form a big sister/mother type relationship. The chapters vary in their perspectives and get a glimpse into the mystery, tragedy and possibly mental illnesses between them both. This is a quick read, and a fast-paced story with some good twists here and there. Although one thing that put me off was how Vera and Elle are quiet and maybe shy people, if not socially awkward, so it took a lot to not skip some of the dialogue/inner dialogue parts. However, I was able to get over that and enjoy this psychological suspense book! Many thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest thoughts!

This is a wild ride of a thriller. A teenager flees her abusive father. Her escape plan doesn't work out as expected, but she finds herself in a small town renting an attic room from an older woman who was in a similar situation as a girl. The arrangement is going well until she breaks her landlady's rules and goes down to the basement. If you don't insist on realistic situations and want a fast paced read with unexpected twists, this is a fun one.

This book was so good! I didn’t see any of the twists coming. I liked how the story started out a little slower and then seemed to almost explode into action with one thing happening after another. The characters were all well developed and the plot didn’t seem rushed at all, so I didn’t feel like there were any major questions I was left asking at the end. One of my favorite things about this book is that initially, Vera and Elle seem so completely different, but as the story goes on, there are so many similarities between the two. This story was a great example of how people can live the same experiences, but travel down completely different paths with how they deal with it. I had a hard time putting this book down. I feel like this is a great example of the psychological thriller genre and I cannot wait to read more from Jessica Huntley.

Thank you to NetGalley and Inkubator books for providing me with the ARC of this book. All thoughts expressed in this review are my own.

Ooof. I'm sorry to say this book was as implausible and convoluted as it could possibly get. The inner monologues of the entire 'cast' was cringe-worthy. And that whole thing about Kevin plucking away at the concrete of his basement room with a plastic spoon and then eating it... I mean, I just could not take any of it seriously.

Nonetheless, I do appreciate the opportunity to read the arc.