Be Mine
by Lizzy Barber
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Pub Date May 27 2025 | Archive Date May 13 2025
Datura | Datura Books
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Description
"Lizzy Barber returns with a thriller that’s as chilling as it is addictive... a treat you won’t be able to put down." – Emily Freud, author of Her Last Summer
"There’s no better escape than one of Lizzy Barber’s smart, seductive thrillers. – Abigail Dean, bestselling author of Girl A
When Beth joins wellness group ‘Elixir,’ she thinks it is the answer to everything. So why, ten years later, is she still running from them? And what do they want from her, now?
Beth is a new mother struggling to find her place in the world. She is exhausted, mentally and physically, but her anxieties are not simply the fears of a first-time mum. A terror burns in her, fuelled by a secret past she is lucky to have escaped. When a letter arrives, bearing only the infinity symbol, Beth knows immediately it is from them. And that her past is finally catching up with her…
Ten years earlier, on the heels of a messy breakup, Beth meets the effervescent Marissa who introduces her to “Elixir” – a health and wellness organisation that she promises will change Beth's life forever. She quickly becomes intoxicated and convinced it is the solution to all her problems. No task is too great, even as the gruelling exercise classes become more frequent, even as the therapy sessions become more costly, even as their ‘requests’ become ‘demands,’ Beth convinces herself this is what she wants.
Then, when she falls for the brand’s enigmatic leader, Tate, she can’t imagine life without Elixir. But as Beth’s star begins to rise, Marissa’s starts to fall. And though Marissa tries to warn her of the darkness lurking beneath the brand’s gleaming exterior, Beth finds she cannot let go.
Be Mine is a story about identity: finding our place in the world today, and where we turn to belong in a godless modern society.
Advance Praise
“A brilliant and elegant read... atmospheric and gripping, Be Mine is perfect for 2025 summer reading!”
– L.V. Matthews, author of The Twins
"Be Mine is a tense, richly textured and unsettling novel that will linger in my mind for a long time."
– B.P. Walter, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Dinner Guest
"A cultish, moreish page-turner."
– Emma Curtis, bestselling author of The Commuter
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781915523518 |
| PRICE | $18.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 400 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
ARCReviews b, Educator
One word gripping... If you're looking for atmosphere, drama and suspense then this is definitely book for you!
This book was totally unexpected and explosive, but you'll need to read it to find out why! I was glued to my kindle all evening until I finished it and devoured it in one sitting! I never expected the ending at all totally shocked me!
The blurb drew me in immediately I couldn't put it down! This was a wonderful 5 star read! Love, love, loved it!
Bianca B, Reviewer
“The Only Thing Holding You Back Is You.”
“Be Mine” is a gripping cult thriller that immerses readers in a world of psychological manipulation and suspense. The narrative is filled with unexpected twists and turns, keeping you on the edge of your seat. Just when you think you’ve figured out the ending, another surprise awaits, challenging your assumptions.
The incredible twist and turns, told by a multi-narrative perspective keeps you guessing until the very end. This has easily been one of my top 5 years of the year.
Thank you to Angry Robot, Datura Books & NetGalley for this incredible ARC.
#angryrobot #daturabooks #netgalley #arc
Julie B, Reviewer
Gripping twisty drama about a cult taking place in duel time.
I found this to be a great book, kept me up all night reading it. The ending was so unexpected. I've never read anything from this author before, but I'll definitely be checking out any other books she's got coming up as I enjoyed this tremendously ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Amelia D, Reviewer
Love Lizzy Barber , she not only writes good, twisty, atmospheric thrillers, but she takes you on a journey. Her writing style is beautiful, she really makes you feel like you're living alongside the characters.
Joe J, Reviewer
Be Mine is the kind of book that grabs you and doesn’t let go. It’s a wild, twisty ride into the dark world of toxic wellness cults, and I couldn’t put it down. The story follows Beth, who moves to San Francisco for a fresh start but gets sucked into an exclusive wellness group called Elixir. At first, it seems perfect—the classes, the vibe, the sense of belonging—but soon, it takes over her life. She’s waking up crazy early, skipping work, and doing whatever it takes to impress the cult’s mysterious leader, Tate. And let me tell you, Tate is the worst—a total narcissist who plays mind games with his followers, breaking them down just to build them back up under his control.
The book jumps between Beth’s past in the cult and her present life in London, where she’s trying to move on but can’t shake the fear that Elixir is still watching her. When an envelope with their logo shows up in her apartment, the paranoia kicks in hard. These dual timelines keep the suspense high—you’re constantly trying to piece together what happened back then and how it connects to the creepy stuff happening now. At first, the time jumps took a second to get used to, but once I got into the flow, I was hooked.
What makes this book so addictive is how real the cult feels. The manipulation, the mental abuse, the way Beth (and the others) get brainwashed into thinking they need Tate’s approval—it’s all so well-written and unsettling. You can see how someone smart could still fall into something like this, and that’s what makes it scary. The tension builds slowly, with little clues dropped along the way, until everything explodes in a way I never saw coming.
Lizzy Barber’s writing is sharp and immersive—she makes you feel like you’re right there with Beth, experiencing every high and low. The twists hit hard, and just when you think you’ve figured it out, another curveball comes flying at you.
If you love psychological thrillers with cult themes, unreliable narrators, and a plot that keeps you guessing, this is your next read. It’s dark, gripping, and impossible to predict.
5/5 stars—highly recommend!
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