Alternating between past and present, this story is about an elderly woman who is unable to communicate following an accident and seek help from the dangers that might be following her from her past.

Unfortunately, I have not been able to read and review this book.

After losing and replacing my broken Kindle and getting a new phone I was unable to download the title again for review as it was no longer available on Netgalley.

I’m really sorry about this and hope that it won’t affect you allowing me to read and review your titles in the future.

Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity.
Natalie.

Thank you to HQ, NetGalley and Rosalind Stopps for the chance to read this novel in exchange for an honest review.

This book was not what I expected, but in a good way. Told in dual timelines, present-day May is sharp, witty, scathing and frustrated at the loss of her ability to speak and control her body after a stroke. Back in the late 70s young May is a woman living in fear who feels trapped in her life and too terrified to change it.

This is a book that is enjoyable but also hard to read as it tackles domestic and elder abuse in a raw and honest way. The isolation and hopelessness young May feels at a time when domestic abuse was even more hidden than today, and there was less help available, was distressing and made me thankful women in that position today have more options, even though that fear of leaving, self blame and hope things will improve is the same no matter what era you live in. Alain was a chilling character who was the perfect example of an abuser- controlling, nasty and vicious one moment and then apologetic, kind and loving the next. They put you in a tailspin and are so good at making you think you’re the one at fault or going crazy and the author did a fantastic job of showing this just how it is.

While we have all seen and heard of the appalling way some carers treat those in their charge it made it no less harrowing to read in this book. The lack of empathy and patience for such a vulnerable patient, the way they taunted her and dismissed her was sickening. Poor May would just be trying to point to something or communicate but they bully and belittle her saying she’s cantankerous and stuck up, and have no time to try and understand what she’s trying to convey. When May meets Bill her terror is palpable. You’re as sure as she is that there’s something menacing about him and all his actions seem to have an undercurrent of it. I kept willing her to find her voice again so she could unmask Bill and finally be treated as a real person by the staff.

I devoured this book in less than twenty-four hours. The tension is kept at a high throughout and the author communicates May’s feelings so vividly that you just want to reach into the book and embrace her while telling her she’s safe now. I was not prepared for that jaw-dropping conclusion. It shook me to the core and will stay with me for a long time. A gripping and touching read.

A heartbreaking story which totally grabbed me. Brilliantly written and an original storyline. Unfortunately the ending was a little confusing. But all in all, a good read.

This is a lovely book and one I found hard to put down. It has several thought provoking issues, some hard to read about, but a recommended read.

I really enjoyed this book although some of it was upsetting due to the nature of the story. I wasn't able to put it down once I started it and I certainly wasn't expecting the ending. I shall be recommending this book.

This book is a masterpiece of tension.
May, an elderly woman, has a stroke. She is non verbal and unable to talk. However, inside, she is as sane and active as the rest of us.
This really hit me hard - the way May was written really relayed the frustration and anger that someone who is trapped by their betraying body must feel. She can barely communicate, and her carers believe she is crotcehty and a pain when in fact she's just trying to point, or ask a question, etc. It's heartbreaking, but also creates a masterful sense of tension, as May comes to believe one of her fellow neighbours in the care home is not who they say they are - that they are dangerous.
Of course, she can't tell anyone that.
This is interspersed with snippets from May's younger life, where we explore her relationships and see the fuller picture of what makes May herself.
It's incredibly engaging, and for me, someone who reads a lot of books (and can normally tell what's going to happen in the first few chapters), was extra fun to read as I didn't know where it was going.
Lastly, it's an expert exploration of ageing, and mental health, and what happens to our faculties as we get older. I found myself asking - is May right? Is she confused? Has the stroke affected her memories? What *really* happened? We have to assume May is an unreliable narrator, and I'm still wondering now what exactly happened, as the book doesn't give an explicit ending, it allows you to make up your own mind. (normally I hate this, but on this occasion, in context, it seems perfect)
Highly recommended.