Believe Me Now is a tightly woven and engrossing dual-narrator thriller that had me hooked from start to finish. S. Govett masterfully builds suspense, layering clues thickly throughout the narrative while keeping the reader guessing until the very end. The pacing is spot-on, and every twist feels earned, making the eventual answers all the more satisfying.

What really stood out to me were the characters. Both Natalie Campbell and DI Helen Stratton are deeply flawed yet authentic, with backstories that feel genuine and inform their actions in believable ways. Natalie’s struggles with PTSD and her fight to discern the truth about her husband’s potential guilt kept me emotionally invested. Meanwhile, Helen’s personal connection to missing and vulnerable women added a poignant depth to her determination as a detective.

The story unfolds with precision, and as the pieces came together, I found myself appreciating how well-plotted the book was. The ending delivered a fulfilling sense of closure, which can be rare in thrillers.

If this were to become a series, I’d eagerly pick up the next installment without hesitation. This debut novel is an incredible achievement, and I’m looking forward to seeing more from S. Govett. Fans of Hayley Scrivener and Lisa Jewell will absolutely love this.

4.5 stars. I loved this book. It had me hooked from the beginning. The pacing was great. I actually thought this was very predictable at first and didn’t think there would be any big twists…boy, was I foolish! It had the best twist. And when I look back, it all makes sense. I see it now. This was a very well crafted mystery thriller. A great adult debut. Well done!

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this digital arc in exchange for my honest review which is not affiliated with any brand.

𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬
Natalie Campbell feels like time is constantly slipping through her fingers. She often wakes up in strange places, with no memory of how she got there. These lapses are linked to her PTSD, which emerged after she was sexually assaulted by her boss, who was later acquitted. Everything shifts when Ryan (Natalie’s husband) faces accusations of the same crime that shattered her life. While Natalie wants to trust in his innocence, her uncertainty deepens when Alice Lytton, the woman who accused him, is discovered dead in the woods near her home. Meanwhile, Detective Inspector Helen Stratton is on her own journey of healing. Her sister disappeared when she was just 16, and the police did nothing to help. Driven to protect other vulnerable girls, she joined the police force. Now, she is resolute in her mission to find the killer and bring justice for both her sister and Alice

𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬
What a rollercoaster this was! Initially, I found it a bit slow, but then the action really kicked in. The narrative flips between two characters: Natalie, a young woman grappling with PTSD blackouts from a past trauma, and Stratton, the detective investigating the case when Natalie's husband is accused of the same crime that caused her issues. This book had me on my toes until the very end. I thought I had the ending figured out, but the reveal was a total shocker! I do wish there had been a bit more buildup regarding the real villain, but all in all, it was a great read. I’d totally recommend it!

Okay, this one was WILD. Govett threw out a ton of red herrings, making me think I had this one figured out. This story alternates between two POVS: Natalie, a young woman suffering PTSD blackouts from a previous event, and Stratton, the detective working on the case when Natalie's husband is accused of the same crime that caused her PTSD. I thought I had the ending mapped out, but it felt like whiplash once I really learned who was behind it! I wish there was a little more foreshadowing/buildup with the true criminal, but overall it was a shocking and enjoyable read. Thanks for the ARC!

A woman wronged and the detective investigating her husband’s suspected crime must work through a chilling and puzzling case! Great read! This book had suspense, intrigue, action, murder, mystery, a great who done it and a few twists and turns. The story was interesting! I definitely recommend reading this book! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

This was a strong suspenseful novel, it had that element that I was looking for in this type of book. The characters felt like they belonged in this world and had the tense atmosphere that I was looking for. S. M. Govett has a strong writing style and can't wait for more.