This novel was imperfectly perfect. Taking the trope of a younger woman copying and then trying to best her older role model, that trope doesn't account for them both  being total narcissists. Perfectly capturing the mores of todays' twenty-somethings and then juxtaposing it with the feelings of a woman in her 40s wondering if she's now irrelevant to society, this book makes important statements on the value of women in work and in relationships and how their age, beauty, youth and morals make them more or less valuable. I found the two main protagonist very interesting as character studies and many elements were very recognisable of people I've known. A thought-provoking and challenging but ultimately gripping read.

“She’s got your job. She wants your life.” This sounded great but sadly I just didn’t really like or get it.

It’s a really dark psychological thriller full of destructive characters – not least main character Katherine or KR. Katherine is or was a talented journalist, a girl done good despite hints of a difficult upbringing but she’s also inappropriately offensive (slightly racist, disparaging about anti millennials or ‘snowflakes’ as she calls them and swears profusely) and slightly toxic leading a drink, drug and sex fuelled existence, abusing her position to get what she can where she can. She brings a lot of things upon herself which didn’t resonate with me because she was supposedly smart, and is truly unlikeable which makes it hard to really care.  

There’s also Lily – the life stealer - another disturbed, dark character. The book is mostly Katherine’s point of view with much shorter chapters from Lily every so often. And, perhaps because of this bias I just didn’t really get Lily, there wasn’t enough to help me understand her motivations. 

This was also a slow unravel. There were a few twists towards the end but by then I didn’t really care because unlike with most thrillers I wasn’t actually rooting for anyone, invested in the story or hoping for a particular outcome. 

A totally toxic, screwed up thriller that many have loved but sadly I just didn’t.

Not for me... a very acerbic view of millenials which is unfortunately not supported by a good storyline.

This sounded so good, I couldn't wait to read it and page by page I was hooked, eager to know what the story was behind the behaviour ... unfortunately for me the storyline started feeling silly and pointless, with both characters possessing no redeeming features I didn't found myself rooting for either of them. And by the time I semi guessed the twist I no longer cared. It's shame because I really enjoyed the style of writing, it was the story that was unfulfilling.

What a page turner .
I didn’t like any of the characters  but was fascinated and. mesmerised . The final reveal was. satisfying and unexpected

Meet Katherine and Lily one in her prime but starting to struggle with turning forty and the other young beautiful and confident,  Lily reminds Katherine of everything she once was.   As they start working together and their relationship develops perhaps things aren’t all that they seem.  And so starts a power struggle between the two women...

This is a really accomplished debut novel.  It is such a good book, a sexy and chilling thriller.  It is a real page turner even though there are parts where you can see what is about to happen and almost have to read without looking as it is hard to bare what you know is going to happen next.  The suspense and thrills keep you hooked right until the last page.  Brilliant book,

This is the story of Katherine, a 41 year old editor of a business magazine. She has just returned from work from a period of absence with depression that she hasn't quite got over yet but her magazine needs her, specially as they have just been bought out by a new owner. Katherine returns to work to find herself landed with yet another 20 something intern, Lily, only this intern is a little bit different....she is the new owners niece and isn't afraid to flex her family connection to get what she wants. Soon Lily is taking over Katherine's life, taking control of the parts of Katherine's job that she loves best, and now she has Katherine's partner in her sights too...

Written from the perspective of both characters, Katherine's in third person and Lily's in first person. The gaslighting that Katherine suffers is quite frustrating because it is done in a way where you don't know whether it is really happening or whether she is making it seem worse than it is - which is I guess the true nature of gaslighting. 

I really enjoyed the first 75% of this book, even though it was a little but slow moving, but then it just got silly. The ending was particularly disappointing and unrealistic and was a real let down to the rest of the book.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A really decent psychological thriller that is an engaging read. The storyline is a little OTT, however it’s still a very good book. 
Overall, I enjoyed this one and will look out for other books from this author in future.

Excellent! I loved this book, a dark thriller with lots of twists and turns, and fantastic characters and storyline. Thank you so much to the author and publisher for the advance copy.

There are a lot of life-stealing stories out there at the moment, but this one is brilliant. Talented but burnt-out Gen X/Yer Katherine Ross is the editor of a struggling trade magazine (the workplace is described brilliantly - the author has clearly done her time on one of these publications). She's already hanging on by a thread when a new intern shows up. The new girl, Lily ('Aren't they all called that?' her partner asks) systematically dismantles Katherine's life, culminating in a pile-up of twists that hit the reader with the force of an out of control accident. Absolute lunacy, involving a very embarrassing scene with some coke at a millennial party and a doomed awards evening, set in a very recognisable part of London (you can practically see the Castle Climbing Centre towers from the characters' part of Manor House/Stokey). More from Helen Monks Takhar please!

I really enjoyed Precious You. As well as enough humour and unpredictable twists to keep you engaged, it raised some pretty illuminating questions about consent and the role of the female predator in the #MeToo age. Katherine is a nuanced and problematic "heroine" and it was fun to follow her on her rather dark journey. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good psychological thriller, with a bit of OTT action thrown in!

This was an incredible book! I was so lost in the words that I felt red hot anger at one point and had to leave it a day to go back to. I nearly threw my kindle across the room. I think it is because I used to know a girl like Lily and it wasn't nice at all - that is the only reason a star has been removed from my rating.

The Characters 
Katherine Ross, an old-timer in the media industry, editor or whatever her job title was actually called, at Leadership. She had her life with her job and partner, the future clear in her mind. But then there was Lily. Now, she was the worst, and most deranged, manipulative, uncaring and unhinged character I think I have ever read about. She made me angry; red hot anger. Coming across all sweet and gorgeous to boot, but the mind of a complete bully. I didn't like her, couldn't connect with her on any level but she was a vital importance to the story.... she and Katherine were the story. 
Iain (I think that was how it was spelt) - A bit of a drunkard, but perfect for Katherine. He was a typical middle-age man who was dangled a bit of dangerous fruit and the temptation was too strong. To me, he was a complete sleaze. 
I totally felt sorry for Katherine that whole way through and still don't believe that everything Lily did was deserved, even when it all exploded at the end. 

The Storyline 
Was incredible! I have not ever read a book quite like this one. The words were addictive and I was completely hooked from the get go. This story stirred so many different emotions; love, empathy, anger, pity and sympathy. It is one of those psychological mind-game books that give you a headache because you are constantly trying to work it all out, trying to fit the puzzle pieces together but you can't until the end... but even then the ending for me felt a little weak, could have been more 'juicier'.

Writing Style 
Perfect and mind-blowing. This author is creative and imaginative and definitely knows how to write a story! I would love to see what more this author can bring to this genre as I adore are style.

Overall, a fabulous mind-screwing book but maybe Lily comes across a little too strong and I didn't like that anger it stirred in me.

A clever and entertaining battle between a Gen-X editor-in-chief and a precocious millennial intern, Precious You takes a lot of the assumptions people make about both generations and flips them. None of the characters are likeable or appealing, but there is enough intrigue to keep you invested as the story hurtles forwards. It's pacey and bold. I wasn't wild about the ending, but I enjoyed getting there.

Precious You is a dark, emotional, gut-wrenching psychological thriller that is written on multiple levels. Darkness seeps through every chapter and emotional terrorism builds to an affecting conclusion, which pulls the rug right out from under you...

Katherine Ross has edited Leadership magazine for over 20 years. When the company is bought out, a new intern called Lily joins the business. Lily is not who she first seems and it’s soon clear that she has far sinister ulterior motives for Katherine. A sick and disturbing power struggle ensues, which may ultimately lead to the destruction of both women. As Katherine and Lily’s professional and personal lives are intertwined in a never ending spiral of torture, just who is Lily and why is she doing this to Katherine? As Lily’s motives are unraveled, so might the illusions of Katherine’s once comfortable life...

Helen Monks Takhar’s debut is a powerhouse of a psychological mind bender! This intelligently and lyrically written novel is exhilarating, tense, emotional and ultimately heart-breaking. At the core of the narrative is the ugly cat and mouse game between Katherine and Lily, but themes of ageism, sexism, inequality and inter-generational conflicts permeate throughout. The gradual disintegration of Katherine’s life - both at home and at work - is truly horrific and acts as a reminder that none of us are genuinely indispensable to anyone or anywhere. The breakdown of Katherine and Iain’s relationship exudes real pain, as well as a scarily plausible outcome for many relationships when Katherine is forced to live in her car. The title Precious You could easily refer to the lives of the key characters, as this novel clearly shows how quickly and easily our worlds can come crashing down, broken beyond repair forever more.

One of the real strengths here is Monk Takhar’s decision to blur the lines between an outright heroine and villain. There is a lot about Katherine that is frustrating and at times makes you question if she really has bought this all on herself, as well as allusions to something truly despicable in her past that might mean she has exactly what is coming to her. Similarly, whilst Lily is certainly reprehensible and painted as a serial “bad egg”, there’s also some sympathetic aspects to her character. She’s certainly a product of her childhood and her current circumstances, but it raises big questions about inequalities and struggles that millennials are facing daily in the real world. In the end, the reader both likes and dislikes both characters, which is a sign of truly great writing!

Precious You is a must-read for 2020. It’s powerful, relevant and deeply engaging. I highly recommend this 5 star psychological thriller!

Katherine is convinced Lily is trying to destroy her life. Heading up Leadership magazine, it all seems to unravel with her new intern's arrival. No matter how sure she is, she can't convince anyone else, or pinpoint a motive. "Snowflakes" - so says Katherine - vs Gen Xers, it's a power play of the old guard and new, of control and losing everything, of revenge 

Two women playing the highest stakes chess with one another's lives, each continuously upping the ante. It's unsettling, confusing, wild - recommend for thriller fans. The creep of You, the mental gymnastics of Gone Girl.

Thrilling, pacy and deliciously dark, Precious You is one of my favourite thrillers of the year. Cracks along at an incredible rate, switching between two narrators who are equally as twisted and obsessed as the other. I felt completely immersed in the drama, by the end I had no idea who I was rooting for. I got through it in less than a day, the perfect summer read. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!

This is an 'ok' psychological thriller. It sort of ticks all the boxes, but, there was just something missing for me to give it more than a 2* OK read.

The book takes us on a relationship journey, between 2 females; one, Katherine (41) a middle aged (and gosh but she's whiney) magazine editor and the other, Lily, a spoilt twenty something, poised on the brink of her career and starting off as Katherine's intern. Petty jealousy appears instantly between Katherine and Lily, but, there's also an attraction / connection. Why?

The storyline takes us on the downfall of one and the rising of the other and it's devastating effect on both their lives.

It's an easy read, albeit an uncomfortable one at times, I just didn't care enough about either character and found the storyline somewhat predictable and slow.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to preview.

This is a compelling psychological thriller that kept me hooked.

It’s a very tense read which I expect from a thriller but what makes it stand out is the other themes of the book like aging and female relationships which I related to and enjoyed reading about.

I was sadly very disappointed with this book. I struggled to start it and did not feel the end was worth the effort, not a favourite at all

This is going to be a divisive one. Perhaps a 'marmite' book where you're either going to love it and sing it's praises, or hate it. Sadly, I fall closer to the latter on this spectrum. The writing style is reminiscent of Caroline Kepnes' 'You' - all second person, all mildly psychopathic - and there's a running tonality of bitterness and pessimism, which makes for difficult reading. It takes away what could have been a cleverness about the plot - because the concept is really interesting. I just don't think it was played out well. I'm so critical of thrillers because they're so easy to screw up (and lots of them are), so it makes me sad to leave this review, but there you are.