Enjoyed this book very much.  While there were some holes in the story and the stalking/paranoia got a bit too dramatic at times, overall it was definitely suspenseful.  I finished it in one day!

For a first novel this author is dead on.  I would recommend this book to all my friends.  It's fast moving, characters you like and always has you guessing.

Initially I found this a little hard to get into, however if, like me you find it slow to start, persevere!  It slowly pulls you into the story and all of a sudden you cannot stop reading - the need to find out what is happening is so strong!

Found this book a fascinating read and a real page turner . The main character Jenna  is 6months after having heart transplant and ready to return to work but she keeps getting dreams and flashbacks from another life .. love Louise's easy style of writing. My thanks to netgalley and bookouture for my arc which I have chosen to review

Jenna is given a second chance at life when she is given a new heart thanks to Callie who tragically died too young. But Jenna suddenly starts seeing things in her dreams that seem to be have happened to Callie. Happy dreams then dreams full of fear. Feelings of panic and fear when she meets Callie's friends and family. What happened to Sophie her sister? Can Jenna find her and help her parents to heal. A book that takes you on a roller coaster of a ride with quite a few heart stopping moments. One of the things I enjoyed was the exploration of the belief of some people that having a heart transplant can change memories and tastes of the recipient. It also explores the reasons behind not contacting the doners family without proper support and counselling. A really well-written story with a few red-herrings. Great read.

Jenna was happily living her life, she was a vet nurse and in a happy relationship with Sam. But all that changed in a flash when Jenna got sick, so sick that her heart was giving up and she needed to have a heart transplant. Having been happy and healthy, life is suddenly very different for Jenna, she’s reliant on medication that has difficult side effects, the strain of her illness caused her parents to separate and for Jenna to break up with Sam, believing that he was better off without her.

Jenna also wants to know more about her donor, whose heart now beats in her chest? Frustrated with the boundaries that rule any official contact between the recipient and the donors family Jenna hires a private investigator and contacts the donors family herself. At first she feels positive about this, she just wants to know more about Callie, the donor, and there can’t be too much wrong with that?

But gradually Jenna starts to loose her grip on reality, she is having dreams and flashbacks that she is sure are Callie’s memories. Is Callie trying to tell her something? Jenna researches this and comes across cellular memory a theory that supports Jenna’s belief that she is experiencing Callie’s memories. Everyone Jenna tries to tell about this thinks that she is simply experiencing the side effects of her medicine but she remains convinced that Callie is trying to tell her something, especially when she learns that there are some questions around how Callie died.

I found the premise of The Gift really interesting, I firmly support organ donation and both myself and my children are on the register for this, and the idea that the recipient changes because of the donor’s organ is fascinating.

I have to admit that when I was reading The Gift I couldn’t help but think that it would not be a good book for someone who is waiting for an organ to read, and I did wonder whether it would put people off donating. However, I have read that the author has been contacted by people who say that after reading The Gift they have joined the register which is blooming fantastic.

As the book progresses Jenna really loses her grip on reality, she thinks that she is being followed, she is obsessed with Callie and her fiance Nathan and she can think of little else. An attempt at returning to work doesn’t go well and Jenna is gradually pushing everyone around her away.

Things come to a head in a gripping finale and I have little doubt that by the end of the book Jenna wishes that she had respected the boundaries when contacting Callie’s family. It is definitely a case of all not being as it seems.

The Gift is a great read, it is gripping and keeps the reader guessing. Definitely a good choice for any fan of the psychological thriller genre. Louise Jensen skillfully weaves a tale that keeps the reader engaged and wondering.

I received a copy of The Gift from the publishers, Bookouture, via Netgalley but was under no obligation to review the book. All thoughts are my own.

The Gift by Louise Jensen is the follow up novel to her phenomenal success, The Sister. I had high hopes for The Gift, but I felt, on a few levels it fell short. Jenna the main character is in dire need of a heart transplant, and a donor finally becomes available. The donor heart is from a young woman named Callie. After Jenna has her transplant and begins the healing journey, she begins to experience something called cellular memory, i.e., she can feel some of the same emotions the donor felt, wants to eat the same foods, very strong strange dreams, etc. This was something I wasn't completely aware of, and for that reason, it was sort of interesting. Beyond that, Jenna becomes determined to meet the donor's family, even though she is strongly advised against doing so, even by her therapist. It just doesn't seem like a good idea, and I do concur with that. However, that finding of, and getting to know the donor's family is an integral, if flawed part of this story. A false premise so to speak. Jenna became obsessed with Callie, obsessed with finding out how she died, and ultimately solving a great mystery. While a strong story on the surface, I could not overcome that storyline bias, and also found the writing needed some more editing for the book to read more smoothly. Netgalley kindly provided me a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was so excited to start this book!  I stopped everything else I was reading as soon as I got this and started immediately.  I listened to the audio book for Louise Jensen's first book The Sister last year and adored it.  

This book was just as enjoyable, Louise Jensen is an engaging writer who provides us with interesting storylines with a strong family theme as well.  

Sometimes you worry when you pick up a book and it says "psychological thriller" as they are all the range these days but this does not disappoint.  There is mystery, there is intrigue, there are fun and strong characters but there's also something different.  A lot of talk about Cellular Memory Theory as the main character of the book receives a donor heart and with it seemingly the previous owners memories/likes/dislikes and fears!  It reminded me a lot of this show I watched in the 90s...I wonder if anyone else remembers it where a girl gets a boys heart and she starts skateboarding and hanging off the back of a truck.  Random thoughts.  Anyway, back to the review.  I cannot wait to see what Louise Jensen writes next, she's rapidly becoming one of my favourite authors.  I stayed up far past my bedtime wanting to finish this book even though I was exhausted.  Certainly the mark of a good book.  Her writing is gorgeously poetic.

I loved The Sister and so was really looking forward to reading Louise Jensen’s next book, but slightly worried it wouldn’t live up to her first. I was wrong – The Gift was – a gift!! A gift that I couldn’t put down, and didn’t want to finish!

Captivating, tense, and full of secrets and intrigue, this book was packed with it all. The main character, Jenna, has received a donor heart and is on the road to recovery thanks to Callie and her parents’ generosity. But Jenna is curious to know more about the original owner of the heart now beating inside her, and so tracks down and makes contact with Callie’s family. 

That is the start of a baffling plot that made me wonder who and what to believe. I became an amateur detective trying to work out if Jenna’s discoveries were real, hallucinations, and what the hell to believe! The author has crafted this book so well through characters that jumped off the page for me. I loved the suspense of knowing what is real and what isn’t. The author has used great descriptions to help readers picture the surroundings, and has developed characters that could be either good / bad / or even imaginary. 

I also liked that the storyline was unique. I haven’t read any books where the main character has been the recipient of an organ, and it got me thinking. What must it be like to have a living part that belonged to someone else inside of you, and the fact that someone else’s death is the reason you are alive. All quite deep and thought provoking, and the book did leave with those thoughts to mull over. The story also made me think about how it must be to lose a daughter in the prime of their life, and just how unimaginable that grief must be. I thought this was handled very well by the author, and again left me mulling it over even after the last page had ended. 

Early on I found myself stuck in the ‘just one more chapter’ loop of promising myself that I would put the book down and get on with stuff…. but just one more chapter first. Before I knew it lunch time had become later afternoon and the sun was setting. Just as well it was the new year period or I would have a very unhappy boss!! 

If you are looking for an edge of your seat thriller that will have you wondering what is real and what is make believe this could be the one for you. I loved it and can’t wait to see what Louise Jensen has in store for readers next.

I absolutely loved The Sister,it was one of my favourite books of last year so I was really looking forward to reading this and was thrilled when I was approved by netgalley for a advanced copy.It started off really well but by the time I finished it I felt really disappointed.I wasn't hooked in by the story like I was with The Sister and although I did enjoy the book I wasn't disappointed when I got to the end.

The story is narrated by Jenna who has had a heart transplant and has suddenly started having dreams about the donor of her heart Callie.Ignoring the advice of her therapist and people who care about her Jenna becomes obsessed with finding out the truth about Callie`s death.As a reader you want to like and feel a connection with the main character/heroine but to me Jenna came across as unlikable,selfish and irritating.

I don't know anything about cellular memory,it's not something that I have heard or read about and I am not one of those people that says that something is unbelievable and unrealistic just because I know nothing about the subject.It is certainly a intreguing subject that was well researched and a interesting premise for a book.

The story has short chapters many of which ended on a cliff hanger and there is a number of unexpected twists but there is also a part of the book where Jenna does something to a character that was completely forgotten and never mentioned again.I did enjoy the story enough to finish the book and although I was disappointed with this one it hasn't put me off reading more books by Louise Jensen in the future.

Throughout the story I felt varying degrees of tension and there was an underlying feeling of unease that I couldn't shake as Jenna digs into Callie's life. Louise Jensen did a fantastic job of keeping me on the edge of my seat as the story unravels and things are revealed. My interest was kept completely and I loved the way the story was revealed bit by bit.

I became totally immersed in Jenna's life and I really didn't want to put the book down. To the point of missing my stop on the bus! Yes, I know it's a little embarassing (maybe I shouldn't have admitted that) but the story had grabbed me that much I pretty much forgot where I was, oops!

Jenna is a complex and well developed character. Louise Jensen really brought her to life and it felt as if I was experiencing everything with her.

From every snatched moment of reading I thoroughly enjoyed this thrilling story. I wish I could have read The Gift in one go but then real life gets in the way. I couldn't wait to find out the truth and the premise was so interesting. Jenna is such an intriguing character everything about The Gift made it a such a gripping story!

This book kept me on my toes all the way through especially as the tension builds and builds. There were plenty of moments when I didn't trust anyone. I would think I had things sussed and then I was like okay maybe not. I am so glad I picked up this book I can't recommend it enough!

The one word I can use to describe The Gift is simply - Captivating!

Five stars from me!

Thank you to Bookouture & Netgalley for my copy. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.

Having had a heart transplant, Jenna finds herself experiencing the memories of her donor, Callie. Against the advice of her friends and her therapist, Jenna finds herself becoming more and more involved with Callie's family and fiancé becoming convinced that her death wasn't an accident. 

I really enjoyed this novel; the writing wasn't particularly challenging but it rattled along at a good pace and held my interest throughout. The only minor criticism I have is that some of the connections between characters seemed a little too coincidental and tidy, but it didn't detract too much from the book as a whole. 

It was an interesting concept which was dealt with sensitively and I'd be very happy to read another book by this author.

Jenna feels a bit under the weather. She's got the flu along with her boyfriend Sam. Sam gets better, but unfortunately for Jenna, the infection gets into her heart and she gets Viral Myocarditis, which leaves her in a serious condition in hospital. Her consultant tells her family that the only hope for Jenna is to have a heart transplant. Amazingly, this is what she receives and Jenna slowly starts to recover from her horrendous ordeal. The opening chapters of this story could fill a book alone with everything that happens! This, however, is only the start of Jenna's new life. Unable to work, she soon spirals into a deep depression, and starts to experience dreams and thoughts and feelings that don't belong to her. She knows, against the rules, that she needs to contact the donors family to see what the girl who's heart she was given was like. Jenna learns that the donor, Callie, died suddenly, and she wants to find out more. As she starts to have more frightening experiences, she is in a race against time to find out what actually happened to her. The closer she gets to Callie's family, the more her new life is now in serious danger. 
The Sister, which is Louise's previous book, was equally as gripping. I think from this second offering we can now safely say that Louise is fantastic at telling a thrilling tale that keeps you guessing right till the end!

This book takes a little bit to get into but once you dive in you are hooked!  The setting is beautiful and eerily perfect.  The mystery takes hold of you and the lies, deceit, and twists take you for a wild ride!  I would definitely recommend this and add this author to one I want to read more from!

After devouring Louise Jensen's debut novel The Sister I couldn't barely contain my excitement when it was announced that The Gift was due to be published at the end of 2016.  Louise has fast become a firm favourite with many readers and bloggers for obvious reason, she writes amazingly good novels that push a reader to think outside the box, consider the unthinkable and plunges them through the rabbit hole into a world of dark intrigue. 

As far as psychological thrillers go, this one has to sit right there up on a pedestal.  Not only is is taut and gripping, the plot itself is clever and intricately woven so that the reader is helplessly dragged in and held captive.  The concept of organ donation and cellular memory is fascinating and to see it written with so much detail made for an incredibly gripping read, and whilst I am aware this is a work of fiction I really want to go on to find out more about cellular memory based on what I read here. 

Jensen has proved herself as a skilled and able writer, her flowing style of writing works so well here, the intensity builds slowly but is almost claustrophobic at times.  Cleverly weaving events and details from both the past and present gives the reader the feeling they know what has happened and can almost predict where things might be going....wrong!  There are twists and red herrings aplenty here to keep the reader on their toes and shrewdly keep them reading on at a frantic pace to find out just where it will all end up.  

Characterisation is excellent, the contrast between the likeable and unlikeable characters adds to the engaging and thrilling edge of this novel.  The emotional rollercoaster that Jensen sets in motion for her characters and readers is immense, I really felt that I'd "been put through the wringer" with this one - superb writing!! 

This is a book that would be amazing to see on "the big screen", it screams blockbuster to me!

The Gift is a suspenseful psychological thriller by Louise Jensen about a woman, Jenna, who, after receiving a heart transplant, begins experiencing some strange and unexplainable feelings. Jenna is convinced that these mysterious side effects to her transplant is connected to the mysterious death of her donor, Callie, and she decides that she owes it to Callie to investigate and uncover the truth behind her death. 

I love reading these kinds of books- psychological thrillers and mysteries are probably my favorite genre. Perhaps it is because I read so many of them that I felt that this one was, while enjoyable, a bit lacking. The premise is great- the idea of a person receiving some of the memories of their heart transplant donor, and I did enjoy the novel over all, but I did not love it. I felt like the first half of the novel dragged on, and the main character was very unlikeable. Many of her motivations felt shallow and she showed very little personality despite being the narrator. I did enjoy the final twists at the end, which I think were well planned out without being too obvious or farfetched, but it took a lot of effort to stay interested. However, I do think that Louise Jensen shows a lot of potential as a writer of this genre and I will probably check out her other novel.

Wow! This book was incredible from the very first page.  It is one of those books that you don't want to put down and when you do put it down to continue on with real life, it's all you can think about.  The Gift is a psychological thriller that really affects your own personal thoughts.  This was the first book I've read by Louise Jensen and immediately I want to read anything else she has written.  The book follows main character Jenna as she goes through the first 6 months of her life after a heart transplant.  All Jenna can think about is the donor and quickly she weaves her way into the lives of the donors family only to find out things may not have been so simple as she thought.

With every twist and turn, Jensen makes you fall in love and out of love with many characters.  You will find yourself thinking you have the mystery all figured out and then Jensen seamlessly throws a wrench in everything you started to believe to be true.  If you enjoyed books like Gone Girl, Girl on the Train or other psychological thrillers, then you will love The Gift.

Note: I received a preview copy from Netgalley.  This is not a paid review.

Jenna receives a donor heart from Callie. She is determined to find out what happened to Callie. This is the second Louise Jensen book I have read. I have also read The Sister. Both are really good books. The Gift is a fast paced page turner that I read in one afternoon. The plot is a fascinating topic. Would a donor heart give you feelings and memories? Would you want to know who your donor was and how they died? Whilst reading I really wanted to know what happened to Callie and if Jenna got her happy ending.

Sadly this novel was too far-fetched for me and I found it hard to get into it. The start seemed too repetitive, and the end too over the top. Not for me.