Overall, this was a solid debut. It felt a little slow in parts, but that's expected when it's a more character focused suspense. I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for more from Amanda Reynolds in the future! The story moves easily from past to present and it really worked as the reader gets to learn the events of the past year before Jo actually remembers it and this really adds to the momentum and tense atmosphere of the book overall. There were a few times where I felt that the story dragged out just a little bit, but overall it was a well-paced and riveting read. If you like psychological thrillers with plenty of creepy undertones, then you should definitely read CLOSE TO ME by Amanda Reynolds. I’m sorry to downmark, the authors writing is fine, but the storyline has been done so many times before and so much better. So this was a great psychological read, it kept my interest and pulled me in, the writing was superb, and the storyline very easy to follow.

Close to Me by Amanda Reynolds - Fantastic Fiction Close to Me by Amanda Reynolds - Fantastic Fiction

This is a story of lies, secrets, families and betrayals. The chapters alternate between before and after the fall. The characters are believable but mostly they are unlikable. The book is fast paced, tense and with just the right amount of drama. The twists and turns will keep your attention. The ending for me was not unexpected. All in, it's a really good debut novel. Really enjoyed Close To Me by Amanda Reynolds, wasn't sure what to expect this being a debut author but I certainly wasn't disappointed. And then there's the mystery of her mobile phone. Jo is sure that she didn't break it during her fall. But she has no reason to believe that anything her husband is telling her isn't the truth. When Jo Harding falls down the stairs at home, she wakes up in hospital with partial amnesia - she's lost a whole year of memories. I liked the family drama portions much more than the mystery element (did she fall or was she pushed) especially the relationship Rob and Jo have with their two children, growing pains for everyone as they leave home and make questionable choices.Sunner, Amber (7 November 2021). "Where to look for the Close to Me filming locations". BristolLive . Retrieved 6 December 2021. I turn away from my husband, shifting my weight on to my side, as far from him as the bed will allow. The movement is instinctive, dulled by the fact I'm only half awake, in the place between reality and unreality."

Close To Me by Amanda Reynolds | Goodreads

What spoilt this for me was the childish and spoilt behaviour of Sasha especially (Jo's 'adult' daughter) and Jo herself. I mean they're just so self absorbed, weepy and whingey. Towards the end of the book they were really pissing me off and I was beginning to lose patience. You know those characters whose thoughts you don’t mind fishing around in? Well, I was kind of bored with Jo’s and didn’t really connect with her. Her thoughts were on a loop that I couldn’t wait to exit from and the conclusion was unsurprising.

Presumably, Jo could have her husband arrested for manslaughter or, at the very least, assault, but we’ll never know whether Rob ends up in prison or starts a new life with Anna and their baby (that is, if she is mad enough to take him in).

Close to Me ending explained | What happened in Christopher

The following morning, Jo realises that she has somehow forgotten all that has happened in the past year. Her Son hasn't just left for University, he has in fact left University early. Her Daughter has a boyfriend that the family don't really approve of, but she can't work out why. To be fair Jo has every right to be upset after everything she's been through but Sasha has NO excuses! What a dreadful woman. If you are looking for an entertaining novel about the ups and downs of a happy family with a positive outcome, this novel may not appeal to you . On the other hand, if you enjoy reading about troubled families and unloving relationships with a little bit of mystery and twisted characters, this may be a good book for you. The story-line is told from Jo’s POV from before and after the fall as she tries to regain her memories from the last year. As the 2 timelines converge, the facts surrounding what occurred before vs after the fall became very confusing.What begins as an intriguing twist on a tired trope ultimately falls prey to ill-defined stakes and underdeveloped characters.