I love a good thriller. Mainly because I am the perfect audience. I never see the twists coming. Take It Back by Kia Abdullah is a great example of a courtroom thriller that takes you on a journey. Abdullah presents you with a contentious issue and then throws in unreliable characters which make you question your beliefs. I love it when a
writer can tie their reader up in knots like that.

There are so many levels to Take It Back. Our perspectives on rape culture, our prejudices on religious communities, the roles of women. It has layers and attacks each one with care and consideration.

It is a great thriller to read as the long nights start to draw in.

Take it Back by Kia Abdullah is available now.

For more information regarding Kia Abdullah (@KiaAbdullah) please visit www.kiaabdullah.com.

For more information regarding HQ (@HQstories) please visit www.hqstories.co.uk.

Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

I struggled with this one as I think I would've liked to see more of the investigation and less of the court case. The double cross at the end was fantastic as was the critique of the media and crimes with no religious conflict but that are inflamed due to extremist views.

A brilliant suspenseful courtroom drama! Highly recommend

I would like to thank the publisher & NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review.

I confess that I read this book a fair few months ago but I am still thinking about it. It really makes you think and question everything. A he said/she said scenario that pulls you one way then the other.

Great characters that are well fleshed out and who you care about but are not perfect which makes them very relatable.

A fantastic book, incredibly well written with excellent court room scenes. Would recommend to everyone but could be triggering for some.

It has certainly stayed with me.

This book had me on the edge. Takes a short while to get into, but once you are in it takes you by surprise. Great writing I was hooked!!

I wouldn't have picked this up usually and when I did, it took me a while to get into it. But once I got going, it was a struggle to put it down!
I loved the way Take It Back made me think and I really distrusted anyone which kept me on my toes. It was easy to read and I was sad when it ended!

I have to admit to having shelved this book for a very long time due to its content. but having done a stint at jury service earlier in the year I can't seem to be able to read enough courtroom thrillers at the moment.
This book has two distinct main characters and they couldn't be more different from one another: Zara Kaleel who walked away from a successful career as a solicitor to become an advocate for victims of sexual assault and rape at Artemis House, a legal centre for those seeking support who might not otherwise be able to access such services. And Jodie Wolfe, facially disfigured from birth, whose father walked away because he could not cope and an alcoholic mother who does little to support Jodie either emotionally or financially.
Zara and Jodie cross paths at Artemis House when Jodie reports having been raped by a group of 4 youths from her school. Zara is immediately thrown into a dilemma: can she as a Muslim woman, support a white girl who is accusing 4 young Muslim men of one of the worst crimes? Her immediate answer is yes, she can; a young woman has had the courage to report the crime. Any other factors are secondary whether it's Jodie's disfigurement or the social/political implications of the defendants' religion.
The book follows the procedure from the moment Jodie reports the crime right through to Zara's thoughts after the verdict has been given in court. The reactions of Jodie's mum and her friends, the thoughts of the young men as they deal with the fallout from the accusation and ensuing trial. Input from Zara's strict Muslim family as they try to dissuade her from supporting Jodie and stressing how the case will reflect badly on her personally in the Muslim community. The whole book makes the reader consider what life must be like on both sides of the story: a young girl who already stands out and 4 young men who are already potential targets for abuse purely on religious grounds. Then social media start to discredit those supporting each side of the argument, with angry scenes taking place outside the courtroom purely down to the sensitive nature of the case.
It's an excellent novel which really makes you rethink the impact allegations such as these make on everyone involved. The author demonstrates a good knowledge of the legalities in such cases and has clearly researched her facts and figures to make sure the story, whilst totally fictional, is based in the harsh facts of the real world.
I was really unsure who was telling the truth in this gripping thriller but even after the case was over the author still managed to throw in one last twist to the tale which had me demanding a retrial! An excellent page turner which really gets you pondering some of the nastier things in life.

I was recommended this book so many times and I totally understand why. Take it Back is a brilliant thriller full of twists and absolutely compelling.

This was a fantastic read with so many twists and turns you will never guess the ending.
Jodie, a white girl with facial deformities, who claims four Muslim teenagers gang raped her. Zara Kaleel is the Muslim ex barrister who now works as sexual violence counsellor and Jodie becomes her client. The book takes you from the initial report to the courtroom case and it’s aftermath. The characters are all well developed and, in the main, likeable. The conclusion Is just breathtaking.
Thanks to HQ and NetGalley an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Another brilliant book by this very talented author. Again she deals with difficult subjects, rape, race and produces a gripping read

This is very much a he said/ she said tale. A disfigured teenage girl accuses 4 school mates of raping her. We get fed the story slowly. No one believes her as why would anyone even look at her. As soon as the CPS decide to prosecute her case then everyone's lives are destroyed.
I enjoyed this book, even if the material was harsh.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book4

sorry this one wasnt for me at all...gave it a good go though but its a dnf

I'm afraid I just couldn't get into this book, which is a real shame as I'd heard such good things about it. I didn't warm to Zara and thought the story was too slow to get going. I read as far as 30% and then gave up. I won't review this book on Goodreads, Amazon etc as it just wasn't for me.

I really enjoyed this book. It covers some difficult subject matter relating to rape, racial/religious hatred which I admit does not make it sound like an easy read but this is dealt with well in neither an inflammatory nor patronising way. The style of writing was engaging and kept me turning the pages at a rapid pace! I changed my mind several times throughout the book about who was telling the truth and didn't feel the outcome was predictable. The courtroom sections were particularly good and it was so easy to picture the scene in your mind whilst reading. Finished it in two days which is always an indication of a good read!

Quite a gripping read dealing with race and rape. I found it to be a real page turner and I would recommend this book.

A fantastic read, A real page turner with fascinating twists. Keeps you guessing until the end. I highly recommend this book.

There's been a lot of hype around this book so I was pleased to be accepted for it. I enjoyed it a lot and can see why it's been so well received

Another fabulous and thought provoking book by Kia. Very cleverly written and extremely tense in part, a book that is gripping throughout.

A harrowing tale well told. yet again. Having read Truth Be Told I realised I had an earlier title which is just as difficult a subject handled sensitively and with a very clever take. The language is not easy but is in keeping with the characters and the subject.. This is yet again well written with well developed characters which leaves me thinking about the book long after it is finished.

Many thanks to Netgalley/Kia Abdullah/HQ for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.