An emotional thriller which is just excellent – Forgive Me by Susan Lewis is a must-read.

The plot:

This is Claudia Winters’s last chance for a fresh start. Changing her name and leaving her old life behind, she has fled to the small town of Kesterly with her mother and daughter. Here, she hopes they can be safe for the first time in years.

But the past can’t stay hidden forever. And even as Claudia makes new friends and builds a new life, she can’t help feeling it’s all about to catch up with her… Until one disastrous night changes everything forever.

I can already tell that it’s not one I’ll be forgetting quickly

I really really  loved the plot for this one – I wasn’t expecting it to go the way it did, and you’re hit with a shocking twist and the book just gets better and better. You’re immediately thrown in with letters, and the tone of this, for at least half of the book, is as if they’re directed to you as the reader. This element really draws you in to the story, and once you realise why it’s been done that way, I found myself being pulled deeper into the plot.

I’ve not read anything by Lewis before and now I’m wondering why – it’s immediately made me want to haul all of her other books.

The writing is good – a lot of conversation which is appreciated during the longer chapters, but also different viewpoints seamlessly flowed in the text, giving you a real understanding of each character.

You’re fed information early on about why Claudia needed the fresh start, so you’re consistently waiting on edge for something to happen – I realised I’d read a good 100 pages without meaning to!

When the shock comes, everything pieces together very well – and what follows it just beautiful. Well thought-through, emotional (yes I cried a few times), and intense, whilst offering a human touch – it seems slightly unrealistic but wow!

I really adored this book, and I can already tell that it’s not one I’ll be forgetting quickly. It’s marketed as an emotional suspense thriller, which fits perfectly.

Thoroughly impressive and just a beautiful read – I got heavily invested both when I was reading it and when I had to put it down, I just wanted to keep reading. Topics include: forgiveness, mental health, trauma and family relationships.

Extremely well done and just ‘wow’. Not what I expected and a book I’m incredibly glad I read. A roller-coaster ride for your emotions.

Forgive Me, Susan Lewis, RRP £12.99 (hardback); Book Depository 

Pages: 416

Publisher: Harper Collins

Genre: Thriller