My review
“Mirror, mirror on the wall
Who is the fairest of us all?
Wait a minute, mirror
The face I see, fills me with terror”
What do you do when you get up and don’t recognize the face in the mirror? When you don’t recognise You as You ?
Facial recognition is needed for survival, but there are many of us for whom this is not possible some by birth and some due to trauma – this is prosopagnosia. Ali gets up one morning and cannot remember her face. In fact she knows her face but what is seen in the mirror is unrecognizable to her. And there is a bump on head, marks of being restrained on her arms, and blood on her fingers…
What did happen on her date??
My first book by Louise Jensen, and I am so glad that I started with this book. The book was a crash, boom, bang into suspense with nary a moment to breathe or think. There is only free fall into the darkness along with the main character Ali, when she goes through the terror of not recognising anyone, the panic which strikes her when she realizes there is someone stalking her, and the sheer loneliness which prosopagnosia leaves her with. And there is also the amnesia of the date, thanks to the bump on her head. How does one deal with all of this and more?
That is the sheer brilliance of author Louise Jensen who holds me firm to the book without letting go. This is how a true thriller should be written. She beckons me with prosopagnosia, gently caresses my fingers with the amnesia, and then pulls my hand with the stalker. Everytime I think I know, Louise sees to it that I really don’t know. The pages of kindle went flying every few seconds, fastest I have ever read. Fabulous!!
The story is told in Ali’s POV, so every single emotion she goes through is felt. There are times when I want to hold her hand and tell her to think and analyze, but the massive overload to her brain is overwhelming. But yet, she persists and gets to the truth… slowly and steadily
The last scene has so many possibilities…is it, isn’t it?
“Mirror, mirror on the wall
Who is the fairest of us all?
Wait a minute, mirror
Face unknown, hair and voice are faintly dearer”
I received an ARC from NetGalley and publisher Bookouture, and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
My rating : 5 stars
About the Author
Louise is a USA Today bestselling author, and lives in Northamptonshire with her husband, children, dog and a rather naughty cat.
Louise’s first two novels, The Sister and The Gift, were both No.1 bestsellers, and have been sold for translation in sixteen territories. The Sister was nominated for The Goodreads Awards Debut of 2016.
Book blurb
Her Saturday night started normally. Recently separated from her husband, Ali has been persuaded by her friends to go on a date with a new man. She is ready, she is nervous, she is excited. She is about to take a step into her new future. By Sunday morning, Ali’s life is unrecognisable. She wakes, and she knows that something is wrong. She is home, she is alone, she is hurt and she has no memory of what happened to her.
Worse still, when she looks in the mirror, Ali doesn’t recognise the face staring back at her…
Product Details
Publication date : 21st June, 2018
Publisher : Bookouture
Language : English
Available on Amazon
Watch her forget, watch her remember
72 Responses
Brilliantly written review, Shalini!
Thank you Robbie
Wow stellar review! I am seeing a lot of positive feedback on this one and this author. It seems I need to add her to my list!
Yp.. It is a fabulous book on a different concept
Wonderful review, Shalini. Sounds like a very good book.
Heyyy Stephen thank you so much for your encouraging books. Yp it is a fab book
Great reviews
Thank you. How are you?
Fine n u
I am okay
Your five star rating is truly tempting me too shalini…
Thank you Akhila, it is worth getting tempted
Love your reviews Shalini. I’m glad to have learned what prosopagnosia is too.
Oooh! This sounds right up my alley. I’m going to go check it out. Thanks Shalini. Great review! 🙂
It is fab Leslie, start to finish did not allow me to breathe.
Wow sounds amazing another to add to my TBR list LOL Happy Reading 🙂
Thank you.. Enjoy yourself this is a great book
Thanks for the recommendation 🙂
😊
Fabulous review! I am in the middle of this and it is wonderful, probably the best book by her so a good place to start!💜
I agree. I haven’t read her others.. But this was fab..
OMG, great concept. I can’t wait to read it.
It is just a fab book. Read it in one sitting. Left all my work to read.
Sometimes, reading is more important. 😁
Agreed totally💃
Jo told me you’re having trouble with comments. Hoping we can sort it out!!
Yes… I have commented on many of your posts. But they have gone to your spam folder. I have mailed you too. But I think that is also in the spam. Could you please check?
Of course. Though email might be because I haven’t checked by specific waking email box. Will try to figure out why happening
I mailed WordPress and akismet, they asked me to request the bloggers to put me on the approved list. I tried contacting people whose blogs I remembered commenting on, Yours was one of them
Ok. Will do.
I just finished this book and it’s amazing. Great review, Shalini! 😊
Thanks Des. It was really fabulous
I am so intrigued…. so will you tell me, what did happen on that date? Please :-p
Oh yes… I will… Meet me elsewhere and I am all yours.
Wow. A five star! You are selling it well though!!!! Pretty cover, clever rhymes and a very compelling review.
Really… That’s the greatest compliment.. I was kind of blocked for words.
❤️❤️👏
💜❤️
Excellent review!😊
Thank you
The five star is you Shalini! Great review.
Thank you so much Dominique. How are you, I worry about you.
Your posts and pics are very beautiful
No worries. I’m just trying to find balance between work, family, blogging, some ME time and quality time with my hubby and friends… Help, I need a clone! I can’t wait for my Summer vacation. I will go diving with the kids and hopefully be able to read under a parasol. 😄 Hope you will have a great summer too. xoxo
Here the summer is done, it’s rains now…
Oups! Can I offer you a virtual cup of tea to warm up your day? 😄
Wish you a very very happy birthday Dominique
Thank you. xoxo
5 star one Shalini. Noted for future use
Thank you Kurian
You are always welcome Shalini
So glad you enjoyed this one Shalini! This is one that I need extra stars to show just how good it really is. 🙂
It was just thrilling from the first to the last
I agree, love that she found something real that’s rather unknown so it really made me think. 🙂
True
Sounds like all of my dates… 😉😂
Thrilling review!! I need a good thrill in my life, I’ll have to add this one to the list! 💖💖🍻
So do I babes, so do I
Nice review, 5 stars after a long time boss, you might have really enjoyed the book
This is a fab book. I agree Vijay
What a beautiful introduction to a book review. Thank you for your passionated reviewing. Michael
Hey Michael. Thank you for your kind words. I am glad you liked it
Oh yes Shalini! Every reviewer has her/ his own style. Your style is so amazing and carries to read the full review. Michael
Thank you so much Michael…
You are really a great reviewer. Nice, to have you online and here. Michael
Thank you Michael. You are very kind
Its true, Shalini. I also admire your reading speed.
I have to increase in the next month. I have been very slow past 2 months 😉😉
Reblogged this on Angie Dokos.
Thanks Angie, it is a honor❤️💜
I can’t wait to read this one in 2 weeks. I skimmed your review so I didn’t learn anything, but we will talk about it mid/late July!!!!
Hahaha you will learn that it is a fast book and well written. Great thriller