I've read several of this author's books but sadly this one just didn't grab me like the others. Sorry just not for me this one.

This is the second novel by C.L. Taylor that I have read. And I am so glad to have had an ARC of this book! Even though, I wasn't completely blown away by it (the way it happened when I read "The Escape"), I still really enjoyed reading it. It was everything you might expect from a good suspense novel. It was chilling, suspenseful and kept me at the edge of my seat most of the time. Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGally for an ARC of this book.

When Lou was a schoolgirl she ran away with her martial arts instructor Mike, a man old enough to be her father. She thought she loved him and that he loved her.....but she learns some hard lessons early and realising his true colours leaves her devastated. Now in her thirties, she learns another girl has fallen into his clutches. He's now grooming another girl, Chloe, who at 13 is even younger than she was. Lou is determined to stop him. But history is repeating itself in more ways than one as Lou makes the same mistakes again in underestimating just how dangerous Mike is...

It feels as if CL Taylor it's almost stalwart of this genre so it is surprising to realise that this is only her fifth book. Somehow when you pick up one of her books it's like settling down with an old favourite. You kind of know what you're going to get - great psychological thriller that's almost impossible to put down. Are there cleverer books out there with more twists and turns and trickery afoot - almost certainly but it doesn't matter. Imagine a literary MSG. CL Taylor has found that ingredient that will make us want to devour her seriously addictive books. Are there books that are more worthy and wordier? Of course but who cares? This just so darned enjoyable. So to hell with those books - I just want my CL Taylor fix. Here's to looking forward to number 6

A good thriller that had me gripped. I've read a few other books by C.L Taylor and they have all been enjoyable. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy of this ebook in exchange for my honest opinion

This was my first C L Taylor book but it won't be my last. I was gripped from page one and loved each and every pager thereafter, This is the story of grooming and revenge and is a thoroughly good read.

Great fast-paced easy read.Lots of twists and turns.I sped through this.Great beach read for summer hols.Very difficult subject matter but I thought the author handled it really well.

Superb story which I finished in one go. All the characters were very believable and in some ways relatable. A must read!

A tense and well written thriller that keeps the reader guessing.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

My first C.L.Taylor novel and what a pleasure reading this book! There are some books which gives you jolts of twists and turns, but The Fear continuously keeps you in the loop and fearful all throughout the book. There wasn't a moment I wasn't worried about the characters. I was worried about Lou because I didn't want her to fall back into the trap. I was worried about Chloe because I didn't want her to get hurt. There wasn't a moment I didn't prayed that they all saw how pathetic Mike Hughes is. He is so bad that he had me second guessing too! Oh! There's another point I liked about this book regarding the antagonist. I can't say much as it'll spoil the book for you. All I'll say is that he is stuck, and even after that he creeps the hell out of you. Add to this the flashbacks and you get to see what kind of twisted mind is our antagonist. There is a sub-plot with Wendy which kept me at the edge of the seat too. I simply couldn't understand what she wants and why is she doing what she's doing until the last 25% of the book and it had me reeling too. The ending is what absolutely each of the characters deserved and I loved it! I loved how everything was brought into a neat and satisfying end. If you love psychological thrillers where the antagonist really starts to play with your brains, The Fear by C.L.Taylor is for you.

The Fear by C.L.Taylor gets 5 out of 5 stars from me.

Knowing how fantastic C.L.Taylor's books are, I found this book lacking the punchiness of previous books.
It was good, the story was interesting, but I was hoping for something more sinister and twisted. I also found the police procedural to be lacking.

I very much enjoyed reading this book. It is the first time I have read a book by C.L.Taylor and I will certainly keep my eyes open for more.
It was a different tale, of kidnapping and grooming and paedophilia. It is dealt with in an unobtrusive way. This is a modern story in keeping with our time. Tasteless but nonetheless it is happening in our society, however this book is very interesting and pacy.

I am a huge fan of C. L Taylor’s novels; they’ve all been such brilliant reads but I have to start this review by saying The Fear is her best yet!

The Fear is the story of Lou who was groomed and kidnapped by a paedophile when she was 14 years old. It’s now 18 years later and Lou is still affected what happened to her; this is brought to the fore when she was to move back to her hometown to clear out the home of her late father. Lou finds out that Mike is now preying on another young teenage girl and she feels she must do something about it.

The Fear is a very prescient novel as it looks at young girls being groomed by a predatory man, and really makes you think about the fine line between protecting yourself and taking revenge. I loved the way this book made me think as well as being such a gripping thriller.

I picked this book up after having a few days where nothing was holding my attention and I felt I was heading for another reading slump but The Fear grabbed me from page one and I literally didn’t put it down until I’d finished it! There is a real undertone of menace in this book, it always felt like something awful was going to happen and it was tense waiting to see what that thing might be.

I found Lou to be a really intriguing character, and I hoped she would find some peace by the end of the novel. I know personally how the damage from your teenage years can be something that holds you back in some aspects of life until you’ve dealt with it. She is quite clearly damaged and this holds her back from forming relationships – both platonically and romantically. It was also interesting to see Mike’s wife’s perspective as the novel went along. I found her deeply unsympathetic and unlikeable for the attitude she held but I came to understand her thought process, and to see her grow too. By the end of the novel I felt like I’d come to know her and I had much more sympathy for her.

Some of the reveals in this book were things I’d guessed and others had me gobsmacked! I loved the way there were two parts to the ending of the novel: the first was satisfying and the second was a real shock! The novel is tied up perfectly though. It takes a great novel for me not to work out how it’s all going to end so it’s high praise for The Fear that it had me stunned as I read the final pages!

I highly recommend The Fear; it’s fast-paced, full of tension and it will keep you hooked until after you’ve turned the final page!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.

I really enjoyed this thriller- telling the tale of Lou- a victim of Mike- a paedophile- whom although went to prison for his crimes- is now grooming 13 year old Chloe- another young girl- and Louise feels she must stop him.

The story is based around 3 females- Lou, Chloe and Wendy.

This book reveal all its twists pretty early on- but it doesn't stop the enjoyment of the story- I read this book in 2 days- I was hooked and I wanted to see justice (even if it is fiction)

I've never read any other of this authors works- but after reading this I wont hesitate.

As for the ending- very well done!!

Wow what can I say another fantastic book from C.L Taylor she is one of my favourite authors so love seeing her having new books realesed,
Only critisism is that the don’t come fast enough for my liking lol
5 out 5 once again.
Waiting patiently for the next book now.

Although I saw this book through, I wasn't that enamoured by the characters or the plot. It was a sad indictment of teenage loneliness though which is, unfortunately, very relevant today and I'm sure will resonate with others in similar predicaments.

I have just read The Fear by C L Taylor. I have read CL Taylor's books before and have always enjoyed them. I recieved things book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The book is told by 3 people Lou who had recently moved back into the area, Wendy and 13 year old Chloe. Lou was groomed by Mike 18 years previously when she was just 14. Parts of her story are told reliving what happened to her when Mike ubducted Lou and also as she tries to stop Mike grooming Chloe.

It is a difficult subject as it is not something you ever want to happen. The book is a classic psychological thriller.

I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more of Cl Taylor's books in the future.

When Lou Wandsworth ran away to France with her teacher Mike Hughes, she thought he was the love of her life. But Mike wasn't what he seemed and he left her life in pieces. Now aged 32, Lou discovers that he is involved with teenager Chloe Meadows. So that history does not repeat itself, she returns home to confront him for the damage he caused.
The fear is a thought provoking read as you can see just how easily young people can be manipulated and groomed. It’s not an easy read but I hope this encourages people to talk to young people about dangers they may face and how to keep safe.

Thanks to Avon Books UK for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Imagine being in love with an older man, thinking he loves you, only to realise you had been groomed and abused. That is what happened to Lou as a child, now 32 and still living with the effects from everything she survived Lou finds herself confronting her past. Upon returning home Lou finds out Mike is still up to his predatory ways and Lou won’t allow him to get away with it any longer.

Oooh I wasn’t too sure where this book was going to go, so much kicks off quickly you are left guessing what will happen next. Four main characters, three real view points coming from Lou, Wendy and Chloe. Chloe is Mike’s latest interest, Wendy we aren’t too sure who she is or what her part will be and Lou you know from the outset. We learn about Mike from their outlook and what is transpiring when it is their chapters, clearly marked as you head into each chapter.

I sank this story in six hours, I would have got through it quicker had I not had to stop for wee tasks throughout the day. Taylor carves out characters that, whether you like them or not, you are drawn to what happens next in their stories. Whilst the book covers paedophilia there aren’t any scenes that are heavily graphic although enough to make you uncomfortable, especially the glimpses of manipulation and control used. It does a fantastic job of hooking the reader, dark, suspense but also a look at the emotive side from the victims. It shows the reader how something like that in childhood can have lasting effects as an adult and impact on so many aspects of the persons lives. I have read all of Taylor’s books I think she just goes from strength to strength, an absolute page turner 4.5 stars out of 5 for me this time. Thanks to Netgalley for sending me a copy, if you enjoy intrigue and a book that keeps you on your toes then this is absolutely for you!

This is the shocking and chilling story of Lou (Louise) who was taken to France by an older man who she thought of as her boyfriend when she was just fourteen. It's told over two timelines, when Lou was fourteen, and eighteen years later when she wants to confront the man who took advantage of her.

Louise as an adult is still fragile and has so many hang-ups from what happened in her past that she can't maintain a relationship as an adult. When she suspects that another girl is being groomed by Mike, Lou has to step in to try and stop him. Things go way more crazy than she ever anticipated when Mike becomes locked in a cage! I don't want to give any more of the story away, but take it from me, this gets seriously gripping and just when you think the end is sorted there's another knock out twist.

C.L. Taylor has a natural talent for suspense and maintaining a good pace. She knows how to pull the reader in and leave them gasping for more at the end of each chapter and always has a brilliant twist at the end of her books.

This is a modern thriller. When Lou was 14 she was in a relationship with Mike, a much older man. He was arrested and jailed. He has now been released. When Lou's father dies she returns home after 18 years to clear out the old house. She also wants to get closure by speaking to Mike. Shockingly when she goes to see him she witnesses him kissing a teenage girl. The book gets slightly manic after that but it comes together at the end.