Wow! Although at times unpalatable due to the subject matter this is a fantastic book by one of my new favourite authors! We follow the story of Lou who ran away to France with her teacher Mike Hughes as a teenager, believing she was in love with a wonderful man who understood and loved her - she was wrong! Now 32 Lou returns to her home town and quickly discovers that Mike appears to be in another relationship with teenager Chloe Meadows. Lou feels that it is up to her to confront Mike and protect Chloe from what she herself experienced but this means facing Mike and everything he done to her all over again and unhealed wounds.
I will say no more for fear of spoiling but the ending was utterly incredible and I think my mouth actually dropped open!
An amazing read by a fantastic author - more please Ms Taylor!
Many thanks to Netgalley and Avon for the ARC in exchange for an honest review - a very easy 5 stars!

This is the first book I have read by CL Taylor and I enjoyed it enormously. The plot had pace and the back story of an adult revisiting her past as a victim of abuse was a good one even though parts of it were challenging to read. There were quite a few plot developments that seemed illogical and out of character however and those did leave me feeling a bit disappointed.
And one last complaint... This is the fourth book in a row I have read where the heroine's happy ending is granted solely by establishing a relationship with a man. This happens frequently in books where the female character has been strong, independent and fiercely intelligent up until the end, but then it appears can only be truly happy if she is in a relationship.

Lou Wandsworth realises history is about to repeat itself unless she is brave enough to stand up to her first love.

The Fear is an excellent thriller, keeping the reader guessing, with some definite white knuckle moments of tension. Along with great characterisation, the author writes sympathetically about a sensitive and timely subject. A chilling read.

I’ve not read many books like this and yes, I may sound like a broken record, but it’s true it’s bloody brilliant. It drew me in, messed with my emotions and then spat me back out. How could you do that to me? Anyway, it was ‘Wow’.

The Fear contains materials that some readers may find distressing. However, Taylor deals with it sensitively and appropriately. The main concept of the novel focuses on child grooming and the parties involved with one man’s actions. You’d expect it to be quite a difficult read yet it doesn’t make you feel uncomfortable, just angrier that things like this happen to vulnerable people.

During the ordeal, you read the POVs of three women Wendy, Chloe and Louise. They each have a relationship with Mike – whether that is through love or hate – and their stories are how he has affected them through his actions. There’s no denying he is a sex offender but will he ever change his ways? You’ll have to read to find out 

Prepare to be taken on an emotional rollercoaster of mind games, violence and infatuation.

Another great CL Taylor book. As with all their books I would highly recommend.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.

I immediately wanted to read The Fear by C.L. Taylor. Who could resist the cover for a start? But I was also attracted by the author.

I really enjoyed reading The Fear, the storyline sucked me right in and I desperately wanted to know what was going to happen and how Lou was going to stop Mike from ruining another teenagers life.

Although at times slightly unbelievable, the book was definitely a thrilling read. The author had captured how grooming takes place and I couldn’t help but think of my daughter at times when reading and how on earth I could protect her from something so determined and manipulative. The book also gives a good demonstration of how child abuse can impact the child’s life for many years to come.

Some other reviews talk about how things are mentioned in the book that didn’t exist in the year the book was set. Normally I have a radar for such things but I can honestly say that I don’t remember picking up on that at all, and the only explanation that I have for that is that I was so engrossed in the story that it passed me by.

The Fear is a clever book with plenty of twists and turns, while not always easy to read due to the subject matter it was still a great read and one that I’d highly recommend.

Thanks for Avon Books for a copy of The Fear by C.L. Taylor, I was under no obligation to review the book and all thoughts are my own.

Just brilliant!

CL Taylor pens another corker!

Disturbing and emotionally challenging a fantastic read that I devoured. More please!

Some people leave a lasting impression and, sometimes not in a very pleasant way. 32-year-old Lou is haunted by her past encounter with a pedophile. Events that never let her have any serious relationship. What happens when she decided to confront her past and lay it to rest once and for all?

“Hate is like a poison you make for your enemy that you end up swallowing yourself. Hating him gives him too much power, too much control over the way I live my life.”

The story explores a complicated relationship between two women, devastated by the same chain of events. The plot is unforeseeable and everything is a chance event, with multiple things going wrong. This makes the plot more enjoyable, and give it a casual appearance rather than a perfectly planned one.

Characters are rather simple, with a constant set of behavior and skills. The characters are evil/good in their own way, and it is easy to feel them around while reading the plot. The plot is fast-paced and I found the ending deeply satisfying.

The plot also deals with the scary world of children being groomed by pedophiles and then taking advantage of them for their own pleasure. Mike, the antagonist is a man I hated right from the start. He is downright creepy and is the master of scheming and manipulation. This is the central theme and the story revolves around it. Lives are visibly affected due to Mike and psychological trauma is intense.

As a fan of her books, this was not a very good example of her writing as well as storytelling skills, but I was definitely invested in the story, my mind constantly wondering what happens next.

Thrilling, engaging and intense, The Fear takes you to a world that is scarier than we think.

Another absolutely fantastic book from C L Taylor. 5* from start to finish. Difficult subject matter and an uncomfortable read in places but totally gripping. Highly recommended.
My thanks to the publisher & NetGalley for the advance reader copy.

After her fantastic YA debut, C. L. Taylor is back with a new clever and absorbing psychological thriller. In my opinion, she is one of the best authors in this genre and she did not disappoint at all with The Fear.

The Fear is slightly different than Taylor's previous books. I had the feeling that the pace was faster and the action was more intense. Also, in this story there was no woman being chased by her past or by an unknown evil but three women doing the chasing. As soon as I started reading, I couldn't stop and without realizing I was almost done. Time definitely flew by.

The three women all had a very strong voice. Thanks to the story being narrated by the three of them, we really get to know them and understand what their motivations and fears are. You soon realize that they have more in common than you first thought and the scenes they were together were the most unexpected and interesting ones.

The main theme of this story is a difficult one, with many uncomfortable scenes. But unfortunately, so is the reality with sexual predators. I think Taylor developed it in a very clever way and you wanted to keep reading as you never knew whether justice was going to be served.

Definitely a highly recommended read for fans of the genre, looking for something different and shocking.

There are a handful of authors writing at the moment whose books always excite me. CL Taylor is one of them. With her trademark black cover and compelling blurb, there's a definite air of excitement in this house when her latest novel hits the shelves.

Although I have really enjoyed all of this author's books, I do think that her writing improves with each and every book, and The Fear is, in my opinion, most certainly her best yet.

The Fear deals with one of the most disturbing themes imaginable; the male authoritative figure who takes advantage of young girls that he is trusted to care for. We know that it happens, but it's rare that this is the subject of a fictional novel, and CL Taylor has dealt with it so cleverly. She pulls no punches when she describes, via Lou's teenage diaries, just how Mike groomed her. The desperate need to be loved and cherished that screams through Lou's diary entries are heartbreaking at times.

Lou is now 32 years old and her experiences as a teen have shaped the rest of her life. She's unable to maintain a relationship and is still looking for that elusive feeling of being loved. She's returned to her childhood home after the death of her father; another man who let her down as a youngster, and despite his attempts to make up for the hurt that he caused, never really redeemed himself in Lou's eyes.

When Lou discovers that Mike, the guy who groomed and abused her all those years ago, is out of prison and up to his old tricks, she is determined to stop him, and to make him pay.
The reader then becomes a witness to Lou's deteriorating state of mind, as she desperately tries to get Chloe; Mike's newest victim and the police to believe her.
Lou has managed to create a life that on the surface appears quite stable and normal but as her fears grow and she realises that Mike is outwitting her at every step, she begins to crumble. Rash decisions and dangerous mistakes time and time again, which the reader witnesses ... and it's often a difficult and disturbing reading experience.

Lou is a brilliantly created character, but she's not the only one. Mike himself is sleezy, dangerous and completely bad, he will make your skin crawl, I can assure you. Nestled between Lou's story is the voice of Wendy; a character who begins as something of a mystery but turns out to be so integral to the plot. CL Taylors's teenage voices are incredibly well done too; both Lou's younger self and Chloe are desperately vulnerable, damaged and flawed.

The explosive scenes towards the end of the story are fast-paced and frantic as these three female characters are brought together to conclude the book with an unexpected but stunning finale.

Once again, CL Taylor has proved that she's up there with the very best of current psychological thriller authors. The Fear is without doubt, her best book yet.

I had heard all the hype about this book, and I was looking forward to reading it. In all honesty, I was disappointed. The book started off well, but the characters and circumstances soon became unrealistic. Towards the middle to end of the book, I thought it was just rather silly and rushed. It won't put me off reading more of this authors work though.

C L Taylor is one of my top three favourite authors. When I pick up one of her novels I know I am about to start a really good read, where I, as the reader, will be taken on a great ride where there is will be high drama, suspense and twists and turns that will throw me off the scent so many times and, usually, an ending which packs a punch and also throws in a sneaky curve ball right at the end and this ending was just that! I love the covers of her books, the darkness draws me in and the simple covers conveys the message that you are in for a great read.
C L Taylor was born in Worcestershire, where I also live, and I really enjoyed that the book was set in an area that I knew. It was great to be able to picture where the action was taking place and to follow the action as it happened.

The subject matter of The Fear is uncomfortable as an older man befriends a young girl, drawing her into an illicit relationship. It is uncomfortable to read, however it is also addictive as C L Taylor tells the story. The story swaps between two time lines which I really enjoyed as the effects of such a relationship is shown in both the past and present - as the girl who was historically groomed can never truly forget what happened.

I don't really want to tell my blog readers more about the storyline as I want them to read it and watch it unfold before their eyes, all I will say is that make sure you set aside a weekend to enjoy this book as it is truly addictive!

This is an excellent, albeit deeply disturbing, story about strong female characters who grow progressively stronger throughout the book. This is also a book for all those children who have suffered abuse from predatory or opportunistic monsters. I wish I could explain how important this book is....it's so much more than 'just' a novel. It comprehensively conveys the message that safeguarding children is everyone's business. I am so impressed with how this information is delivered that I have asked the librarians at the University to add this to the shelves so that I can add it to my recommended reading list for the safeguarding training that I lead on.

Lou has a fear of her past and when her father passes away she knows she needs to go and tidy up what she left behind.
When she was 14 she fell in love with her karate instructor, Mike, he was in his 30s. They decided to run away to France. This was 18 years ago and Lou's life hasn't been able to move on. To Lou 'love is control'.
The past is repeating itself and now it's Chloe who is under Mike's control. Wendy was his wife when he was also with Lou.
Their lives come together to all end the suffering they have experienced knowing Mike.

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 32, Lou discovers that he is involved with teenager Chloe Meadows. Determined to make sure history doesn’t repeat itself, she returns home to confront him for the damage he’s caused.
But Mike is a predator of the worst kind, and as Lou tries to bring him to justice, it’s clear that she could once again become his prey…

I have only recently discovered C L Taylor as an author and after reading the Escape felt drawn to this and I wasn’t disappointed. I couldn’t put it down, the fact that it was set locally to me too really helped to visualise the story.

I would definitely recommend this title.

First off, the book was a gripping, and CL Taylor is a great storyteller but the ending confused the hell out of me (the one year later part) it made no sense to me, but maybe I missed something? I also though it was great til it ended like it did. It leaves readers with a headache; a head full of questions. I liked how it ended BEFORE the epilogue.

I also struggled with liking the characters. I liked Lou to a certain extent but then again she seemed manic and stalkerish... just as much as Wendy was. The storyline is one that should be written carefully and this author certainly did. Though in places it was rather violent and unnecessary (not saying all the violence is unnecessary, but some places it definitely wasn’t needed), it still made for a great read.

I liked Chloe, her character seemed to be the only one that was written perfectly; the character well thought out and with the perfect mindset of a teenage girl). But... the bit in Priory Park to me was so unrealistic it almost made me laugh. In the real world the outcome would never have happened or the plan would never have worked etc etc etc.

Overall, a great read though unrealistic with unlikeable characters. It was a 4 star read for me all the way until the epilogue ending.

A new C.L. Taylor book is highly anticipated, by me and by tons of other readers too, so I couldn't wait to get my mitts on The Fear. As always with Taylor's books, there was this panicky, intense feeling to the story, the knowledge that something really not good was going to happen.

Lou Wandsworth was groomed as a 14 year old by her karate teacher, Mike. He took her away to France and, although she was able to return home, she's never gotten over it. It's not hard to imagine how far-reaching the consequences of Mike's behaviour would have been for Lou. She's been unable to form relationships or settle down. She hasn't seen him since she was 14 but then she discovers that he might be doing the same thing to another girl, 13 year old Chloe.

From thereon, it's clear that Lou changes, becomes angry and scared about what happened to her. Everything turns quite dark and sinister and the story just goes along at such a fast and exciting pace. There are two other 'voices': that of Wendy Harrison, and that of Chloe. We obviously know who Chloe is but Wendy is more of a mystery. I liked the way the action switched between the three of them, giving us different viewpoints.

As with most psychological thrillers, in order to excite the reader the story often has to be a little far-fetched and I thought that was the case here. But it doesn't bother me if it's well-written and thrilling and again, that was the case here. It's a disturbing story and it certainly had that effect on me, especially in the sections where we have a flashback to Lou and Mike's time in France, and also where we witness Chloe's thoughts. It's scary just how manipulative some people can be, and I saw that in Mike.

For a book with over 400 pages, it didn't feel like it was long as I raced through it. I really couldn't see how all the strands could be tied up and if everything was going to work out as I wanted it to, but Taylor did a fabulous job of bringing it all together whilst constantly turning it on its head, leading up to a frankly superb ending that I didn't see coming (although perhaps I should have).

All in all, it's a really gripping read about a dangerous man and his prey and I enjoyed it very much. I though it was dark, twisty and absorbing.

Wow what a brilliant read. Was completely hooked from the beginning and what can i say about the ending. I will definitely be reading more from this author

My Review: The Fear is CL Taylor’s latest psychological thriller and possibly in my opinion her best yet.

I am currently recuperating from an operation and have spent the past few days alternating between sky tv dramas and Netflix, so when the broadband failed this morning and I couldn’t watch TV I started this book.

I often try to work out what makes a book “stand out” for me and this one simply grabbed me from the start and actually didn’t let go until the final page.

Even when I put the book down to make coffee or eat lunch I was thinking about the story, the characters, the plot line, the subject matter. I think I actually may have become slightly addicted to this book.

Yes, it’s an uncomfortable subject matter, child grooming, paedophilia and child abduction. Yes, there is extreme violence and underage sex. However, unfortunately we know from recent news reports this does occur in the real world, but C.L. Taylor has managed to create a page turning, gripping thriller which I thought was brilliant and easily give 5 stars.