I did find this book a little predictable but I didn't expect it to stick in my head so much. I felt the end was a little rushed but that is just my opinion. The characters are easy to empathise with.

This book deals with the serious issue of domestic abuse which happens to both men and women. The diary of the woman being subjected to domestic abuse really got to me as I think it is more common then we dare to think, it made me want justice for the characters.

A clear 5 star read for me. The book is about the complexities of domestic abuse and the way in which women can be controlled and manipulated to such an extent that they are trapped, live in fear and suffer violence and psychological damage. There might not be a key locking these women behind a door but still they are unable to escape and be free. The book is not autobiographical or a self-help manual. It is a highly readable and enjoyable work of fiction. That isn't to say the topic isn't distressing but some very strong messages for the reality of domestic abuse are conveyed within a story that allows us into the fictional lives of Ria and Janice who head up SafeMe, a refuge and support centre for women and children, providing accommodation and all sorts of support services for victims as well as the perpetrators. I am well aware that domestic abuse can affect men but in this book it is the women who are trying to survive abusive relationships with their menfolk.
The book is also a thriller as at the heart of the story is the danger that Superwoman Ria faces from a man from the past. The plot is intricate and tells the stories of many different women, some who survive and one in particular who doesn't. There are links to a past event in Ria's teenage life, the very difficult relationship she has with her parents and frequent 'flashbacks' to friend Alice which leaves you wondering what did happen to Ria's best friend
There are sections of the book where the writing is faint.to signify the disintegration of a woman's strength and ability to fight back. Such a clever tool for illuminating the very real plight of how women in abusive relationships cease to exist, for themselves and also to the outside world, which often cries 'Just leave!'
Tender, uplifting, inspiring and heartbreaking this fictional story is a more palatable way of providing real insight into real women's lives and the real plights they suffer. And as this is a real problem in the real world, there is a section at the back of the book dedicated to supplying any reader who is experiencing domestic abuse with real helplines and support networks to contact.

A story about a woman's refuge, the fight to maintain the funding and the stories behind why the refuge must stay open. There isn't too much graphic detail but just enough to get you all fired up, I cannot stand the controlling behaviour that is portrayed in the book and it it did wind me up but this kind of book needs to be out there. Yes it's fiction but this kind of behaviour has to be stamped out and the perpetrators made to pay the price for their actions. In my opinion it is not a pleasant read but a compelling one.

I have to be honest and say this book was a little hard for me to read, I hadn’t realised when I picked it completely what the subject matter was.

Having been a victim of domestic abuse, there are triggers in this book which can be a little difficult to read. But people do need to be aware of the statistics and what happens behind closed doors. Not always the ones you think either.

Ria is happily married to Danny and they have 2 children, Ria is the manager of a women’s refuge called Safe Me. The only thing that can be a struggle is the finances, which is probably the same for most young families. So when Danny is offered a months work in Dubai they jump at it as the pay will help them put a deposit on a property of their own.

The story is told in a dual point of view that of Ria managing the refuge, and the other in the form of a diary written by Tanya a victim of abuse from her partner Alan, who is clearly a vile, evil man. From Ria’s point you get to learn why she works in a refuge. The two points of view or plots do join at a stage later in the book. Whilst Danny is away a burner phone is delivered to the refuge and Ria starts getting some nasty messages and threats. Who is sending them? Why? Is it one of the angry husbands? Is it related to Ria’s past? She is told she is being watched, so with Danny not being there she feels more vulnerable.

One thing I didn’t understand with Ria’s part of the story is why she let the person take control? Why keep the phone? She runs a refuge and would know the one thing you can’t let happen is the abuser get control.

Ria’s dialogue with the women was well written and handled sensitively, at times upsetting as to what some women have been through, but will still return to that relationship when the abuser promises to change. Some feel they can’t leave, seeing the system letting them down time after time. The lack of justice that the abused gets, which also makes them less likely to leave in the first place, or to just not take any action at all because they are either too afraid to make that step, and secondly they know little will happen to the abuser. Also the lack of funding for support and the refuges. There is a little more running through the story with the battle to keep the centre open, corrupt politicians in league with a high profile local criminal who isn’t a stranger to wife beating as well as some of Ria’s backstory.

The author has certainly done research in the field of abuse, it’s affects on the abused, and the mentality of the abusers. What is sad is that if these women don’t get out of the abusive relationship there us a high probability that they will be killed by their partner or ex partner. The story highlights some of the problems the abused have. Some of the characters are likeable, some not so which was the point. For people who have lived through this it may be a little hard to read. But for people who haven’t it may make them more aware of the reality of the situation, and why some stay with their abusers.

I would like to thank #netgalley and #Corvuspublishers for an eARC of this book in exchange for a fair, honest and unbiased review.

This book did not really engage my interest fully. There were too many inconsistencies in Ria’s story, and I found it hard to believe that as deep in debt as she and her partner were, that it would only take one month of him working overseas to clear all their debts and also give them a sizeable deposit towards a bigger house in a good area. Naive or what?

The narrative around Ria and her job at SafeMe, for domestic abuse victims was disjointed, spending a lot of time describing Ria’s concerns for one particular lady, who seemed to reject her efforts to help.
I didn’t get a real sense of Ria’s working environment or her colleagues.

Why on earth would Ria, given her working background and experience, become involved in text dialogue on a burner phone, and not just immediately report it to the police? For me, Ria made too many bad and wrong-headed decisions which I would not expect from someone in her position and with her experience.

I am sure many readers will enjoy this novel. I’m sorry to say I did not.

My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance copy of this title.

Sorry but this one was just not for me. A good premise for a story with a difficult subject to write about but was quite slow and repetitive in parts. It had a very rushed ending as well. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it.

Couldn't get into this, I found myself skim reading the pages after 15%, because I didn't care about the characters and it wasn't gripping me. The theme of domestic violence was well portrayed, however, there was not enough about the main character's past to keep me interested.

This book is about domestic abuse, the victims, the abusers and the crimes, there is also a short section where a sexual assault/rape is described, pertinent to the ongoing story, this is a hard hitting story that actually felt like an autobiography, not light hearted or an easy read for a lot of the book

Ria runs SAFE ME, a home for survivors of domestic abuse and their families and this book deals with the centre, with Ria’s life, some of the women and children who live there, funding issues, successes and failures and all with a running story around Ria’s past and her ex best friends life now, the book is written in 2 forms of chapters, 1 is Ria’s story telling, including her ongoing stalker and 2 . In diary form of her ex best friend who is enduring abuse currently ( and has in the past ), I am probably making it sound more complicated than it is as it works well and both stories meet up to make the ending!
I found Ria’s narrative almost like when a child takes a breath and goes full on, no full stops until what needs to have been said is said, a different style of writing but worked surprisingly well as it kept the book rapid and ever changing
The diary chapters were horrifying and emotive but very well written, a cold calculating abuser’s victims words that chilled me
The characters are earthy and real and no pretence given, what you see is what you get
Very hard to say enjoyed the book, its based on real life experiences ( as told in the authors acknowledgments ) and its certainly not a feel good book, but then its not meant to be and on that point for doing what it is meant to do it achieves its goal
Thought provoking, not perfect but one I wont forget, for that it has to be
10/10
5 Stars

This book it's a very interesting read. Apart from the triggers and whatnot, it's an eye opener for any kind of abuse towards women and how they deal with it afterwards.
Told in dual pov, was interesting to see and read how each woman felt and thought about the process of overcoming the abuse and the feelings of despair, not worthy and depression.
It has a few twists that I didn't see coming but it definitely kept me guessing and wanting to read more.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my review copy.

Thanks to net galley for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Trigger warnings: domestic abuse, physical abuse, psychological abuse, rape plus others.

Ria is a superwoman. She runs SafeMe a centre for women to escape domestic abuse. Her husband is away for a month with work and she's started getting threatening messages. How to play dead follows Ria through this scary time and brings up things from her past that she's tried to forget.
The characters were great, I really enjoyed Ria and was curious about Tanya- her story comes into play nearer the end. I felt there were some underdeveloped characters, Ria's dad for example, completely 2d.
The atmosphere was good. Kept me guessing and interested. Likewise with the plot, I thought I had it all figured out halfway through, I was wrong!
I enjoyed the writing style, the dual views of Ria and Tanya were confusing at first but made sense later on.
Overall, I enjoyed this book a lot. Again, there are a lot of trigger warnings, so be aware, but if you can read it, I'd recommend it.

A slow burner, a thriller that was predictable. Saying that I am sure other readers of this genre will enjoy it more just not for me. A good holiday read.
I would like to thank the author, publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.

This is a hard hitting book set around domestic abuse both physical and mental. Set around two main characters.
Ria Taylor the manager of a domestic abuse centre. And Tanya a woman at the heart of domestic abuse.

I struggled to get into this book. However, as the plot developed I really started to enjoy the plot line.

A difficult subject tackled in a great way by the author.

An enjoyable and intriguing read. Interesting characters the reader cares about. Fast moving and gripping story-line dealing with domestic abuse.
My thanks to Net Galley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

This took me a while to get into and I really didn’t enjoy as much as I thought I would! It was great to see the novel tackle issues but it just didn’t keep me interested.

I really enjoyed this book as a holiday read. It took my mind off anything and I kept reading. My only reservation is the pace, it was a bit slow and off pace at some times. Other than that, really intriguing and interesting.

Good thriller.

Thanks a lot to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in exchange for an honest review.

I’m afraid I didn’t enjoy this book. It’s well written and I hope will be useful for those who need it, it’s a thought provoking read, but, not for me.
An OK 2*

Ria Taylor has dedicated her life to helping women suffering from abusive relationships and runs a special women's shelter in desperate need of council funding. When Ria begins to receive strange messages, she ignores it at first, presuming it's the ex of one of her clients seeking petty revenge. But as the messages become more threatening and the stranger begins to infiltrate Ria's family life, she begins to grow concerned for her, and her children's, safety.

This book is a really good highlight at the work service workers do for people living in abusive homes and just how important safe places/ safe houses are for families fleeing such circumstances. You can definitely tell the author has put work into really getting to understand the lives of the victims, and what real victims have to go through - the trauma they face, how long it can take to overcome the trauma and begin real life again, and then how easy it is to give up hope and go back to an abuser/or be duped by the abuser into thinking they've changed.

I loved the services aspect of this book - as for the plot around Ria, it was fine but the book itself didn't overly excite me and I was totally gripped to the story. Tanya's diary entries were quite interesting, especially as it became obvious who she was.

I felt some of Ria's reactions to the text messages and her 'stalker' a bit frustrating, particularly for someone who has so much direct knowledge of such men and what they can. Why she didn't repeatedly go back to the police irked me. And why she didn't just throw the phone away was a really odd decision.

I felt the ending was a bit underwhelming. I was expecting a bit of a showdown - particularly when Dhonelle became involved. But the fact we didn't really see much was a bit disappointing.

This book turned out to be a slow burner. Initially, the story dragged a little but became more of a page turner as events developed. Ria is an engaging character who provides real insight into domestic violence and the vital importance of refuges and support workers in enabling women to regain control of their lives.

That such a strong woman can in turn feel threatened and intimidated adds extra weight to one of the novel's key themes - that women are not to blame for the controlling, abusive or violent behaviour of their partners.

The twists in this tale are rather predictable but do not release the tension. The diary entries are quite harrowing and issues are raised in a sensitive way. There is nothing sensationalist in this story. It is sympathetic and insightful.

I urge others to read this book and the author's comments in the acknowledgements.

(I was given an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review)

Ria is the manager at SafeMe, a refuge for abused women. Her husband, Danny has went tomwork on an international contract. They have two children. Ria is sent a burner phone at the refuge not long after Danny had left to fulfill his months contract. Ria starts getting sinister messages on the phone telling her she's being watched. Is she being threatened because of the work she does? Or is there something in her past that's finally caught up with her.

For me, this was quite a predictable read, but that did not stop me from enjoying this story. Domestic abuse is quite a traumatic subject to read about. The characters are complex. It also makes you aware just how little the women in this situation can do.. The story starts off slow. Ria is a strong likable character. A story of domestic abuse, sexual abuse and psychological abuse. There is also a dual plot line that eventually links up. I really enjoyed this book.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Atlantic Books and the author Jacqueline Ward for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Whenever a book tackles a difficult and delicate subject it’s always a gamble as to how it will come across to the readers. Jacqueline Ward has managed to broach of domestic violence delicately and sensitively, although some of the more graphic descriptions of events may be a trigger for anyone who has had experience of an abusive relationship.

Ria is the main character, a wife, mother and manager of a women’s refuge whose partner Danny has gone to work on an international contract which will earn him more money in 30 days than he would usually make in many months. They want to put the money aside and buy a house, something Danny has wanted for a very long time.

Not long after Danny leaves, Ria is nervous and unused to being alone with their two children. At the centre, she receives a mobile phone, upon which frightening messages begin to appear. From here, things escalate quickly, Ria’s is being stalked, and is even physically threatened – but why? Is this something from her past that is catching up with her, or is it someone angry that their abused wife has found somewhere safe to escape to?

There are a couple of side threads here, a harrowing account of an abused partner, an ongoing battle to save the centre from corrupt politicians who are in league with a high-profile local criminal who is no stranger to wife-beating himself, and Ria and Danny’s respective families, and what they bring to the story.

While I enjoyed this book overall, there were a couple of things that niggled me. I guessed one of the major twists just after it was introduced at around 20% through the book. That thread was really predictable to me, and although I wasn’t quite sure how it was going to fit in, I knew what was happening. The dialogue between Ria and the abused women at the refuge is very well written, and it’s frustrating and upsetting in equal measure when you begin to understand why some of them keep going back, or why they can’t really leave, and how the system fails them again and again. There were certain things that Ria did in relation to the sinister messages that she was receiving that left me thinking…why - why would someone experienced in this field allow this type of behaviour to continue? Why, knowing that you mustn’t give control to an abuser, didn’t she just throw the random phone away the second she got a frightening message on it? It seemed really odd to me that she continuously read and replied to the messages and I think it felt a bit too obviously like a plot device. Also, the last day of the contract decision really annoyed me – it seemed like a massive waste of time to go through what they did to make that kind of choice – but I don’t want to spoil it, if you get to the end, you’ll know what I’m talking about.

All that said, it is a challenging and thought-provoking book, and although I felt it dragged sometimes, I did need to read to the end to find out what happened. It’s not perfect, but there is plenty to recommend it and the author does deal with an incredibly delicate subject with sensitivity and insight.