This in not an 'action packed" book but there is something about it that meant I couldn't put it down. In the end it didn't turn out to be the book that I thought it would be but it was none the worse for that. Really enjoyed it.

An interesting read involving Rob who is a prison inmate coming to the end of his sentence. It looks at relationships both inside the prison and those he meets during his time on day release from prison.
I enjoyed this book and would recommend it.

A brilliantly researched novel about a lesser seen element of our society. The dark sense of foreboding vibrates throughout, building into a deafening crescendo. I very much enjoyed this book and would heartily recommend it to anyone.

I found this book difficult to read in as much as it is quite sad in some respects. Rob found himself in prison for a punch thrown when drunk which robbed him of his twenties. As part of his rehabilitation the story was very sad in the main especially as he befriended a cellmate which turned out not to be such a good friend. I thought beautifully written he has day release to work in a charity shop and his life is turned upside down again by a (what he thought) a chance meeting was to change his life again. The story weaves in a way I did not expect and felt I rushed through the book as I needed to get to the end to find out what was happening. I so wanted Rob to benefit and get back a normal life outside prison but that was not to be and I am sure this happens many times. I felt the book was written sensitively and with foresight of someone who has been in prison for a lot of years and wondering how they will react on the outside. Well written and worth a read

Rob is a prisoner in Brixton Gaol, approaching his release and allowed to work in a charity shop.
On day while walking to the shop he literally bumps into Steph, and they have a conversation. The next day they speak again, and slowly start to build a relationship.
However, it appears that all is not as straightforward as it seems. Steph is hiding a lot from Rob and seems to have a plan.
The book is narrated by Rob and Steph, and this works very well. The way the story unfolds enables their characters to develop, and they are both likeable people in difficult situations.
The description of life inside prison was very detailed, and sounded very plausible

As the story progresses we are drip-fed details of Rob’s crime, and start to learn Steph’s true intentions.
The threads of their stories come together in unexpected ways, leading to a not necessarily happy, but fitting, conclusion.

Thanks to Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for the opportunity to read this book.

No-one is who he seems to be.

Rob has served 7 years in prison because of one unlucky punch. He is allowed out each day to work in a local charity shop and, if he keeps his nose clean, he can expect to be released on licence. Walking down the hill each day to sort through people’s unwanted items he sees an attractive woman. Over the subsequent days they develop a bit of a connection. The story evolves and follows their relationship until there is the hope it might blossom into something a little more fulfilling. However, all is not what it seems. Is Rob being used?

The storyline differed from anything I have read before and is all the better for it. I enjoyed the way in which we knew nothing about the main characters at the beginning and unlike many novels, where their characters were fleshed out at the start, in this book a significant part of the plot is in fact all about learning about Rob and Steph and Deller etc. It was fascinating.

The author was also able to paint such an accurate picture of the life of a prisoner. To do this we received very well observed touches such as a prisoner stumbling on a pavement after release as he has for so long been used to the smooth surfaces of a prison floor. These touches were small and almost mentioned as throwaways but were highly effective and the mark of a skilled practitioner.

One aspect let the book down in my opinion and it’s not possible to be precise without divulging spoilers. Suffice it to say that towards the end of the novel the actions of certain characters did not ring true – hence the 4 stars instead of 5.

mr zorg

Elite Reviewing Group received a copy of the book to review.

This multiple character view point novel offers a view inside the mind of a convicted criminal who is nearing the end of his sentence. Within that you experience his fears of being released and hopes for what his life could offer him when he is released from prison. You'll walk with him each day as he leaves the prison to volunteer in a charity shop and return back inside with him at the end of the day. Most days he is accompanied on his walk to and from his volunteer duty by a woman who he is very interested in and the feeling seems to be reciprocated but not all is as it seems and it Rob has to unravel what is actually going on before it is too late. Part thriller, part mystery, part love story, this novel is quite "brave" and like nothing I have read before. I found it a very satisfying read, but I am sure it will upset some readers, as do most cross genre books.

Rob ends a sentence of 7 years
He gets out of prison gates to walk to a local charity shop
He helps a lady when she trips or it seems to have a growing interest in him
I had an ARC

Tried really hard to get into this book but it was very slow and just didn't grip me. I didn't really like the characters which doesn't help.

This is a very interesting, different and well-written novel. Rob is coming to the end of a seven year prison sentence and mustn’t do anything to jeopardise his freedom. He’s on day release, working in a charity shop. His life changes when he meets a woman called Steph. The story starts gently with interesting details of prison life but becomes very tense and there are plenty of twists and turns. Who can Rob trust? And who can the reader trust? I felt involved in the characters’ lives and was desperate for things to work out. I enjoyed this book very much and would recommend it.

Wasn’t sure what to expect with this book. Premise seemed interesting and it was so filled with facts and detail of the lives of prisoners that it quickly grew on me. Didn’t expect to find all the minutia of life inside so interesting - but I did. Character of main protagonist well drawn and slowly revealed. Don’t want to say too much in case it spoils the plot. Really enjoyed the whole book and finished it quickly as I was keen to find out how it played out. I did guess the twists and turns, which is annoying, but didn’t take away from the pleasure of reading what is a very good book, would recommend.

Loved this dark tale where no-one is quite what they say they are. Rob has a release date from prison and is working outside each day in a charity shop. He encounters a woman on his daily commute, helps her up, carries on. But next day he sees her again, and again. They become friends and he is attracted to her. But is this seemingly random meeting really that? Prison life is described vividly and slowly details emerge which change perceptions. It is a slow burning thriller that will make you think.

Rob is nearing the end of his time in prison, and is on day release to work in a charity shop. After an apparently accidental meeting with Steph, she seems to keep on appearing in his life. Eventually Rob is involved in something which threatens all that he thinks he wants. A brilliant evocation of prison life, and the effects of guilt and regret on the human mind, this is a book which really gripped me. I cared about Rob even though he is hugely flawed. I highly recommend this book.

Well developed (if not always likeable) characters. I read this in two sittings and enjoyed it... A few twists and turns but nothing overtly shocking. An easy read, not too cheery, but I’d definitely recommend it. Not something I’d usually choose so thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an ARC.

Was expecting a little more but a nice story it is not however a thriller but a drama mystery. Rob is in prison close to release and gets involved with a women named Steph. Things seem to being going his way but things are changing and people are not who they seem to be. It is a very gentle story not the fast action stories I usually read but keeps your interest throughout. The author writes in a easy manner making it effortless to follow with no sudden changes of direction or misdirection, and like the characters in the book their secrets are revealed very slowly. As I said its not my normal read but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

I thought Lottie Moggach's Kiss Me First was a highly original debut novel: offbeat and disturbing. Brixton Hill takes her writing to a new level in a novel that in many ways defies genre identification. In one word it's good - in fact - in two words it's very good.
Rob is an inmate at that awful pre-Victorian mausoleum Brixton Prison. He is nearing the end of a long sentence for a violent crime and is allowed to work outside the prison. He spends his days in the backroom of a charity shop on Brixton Hill with little appreciation for his efforts. In many ways he is a reformed character.
And then he bumps into Steph, a well-dressed woman, apparently on her way to work as an estate agent. Out of his league for all sorts of reasons, thinks Rob. But again and again over subsequent days they walk the hill together. They both have secrets they need to keep.
Lottie Moggach lets her two main protagonists tell their stories in their own voice. A device that works exceptionally well and allows us into their inner thoughts. Character traits are front-and-centre in a plot that shows just how dangerous lies can be. There are shocks, surprises and twists aplenty and as I read the last page I couldn't help wanting to know what happens next ...

Really enjoyed reading this book because it has an interesting premise, focusing on a prisoner nearing the end of his sentence.

The book is well written and conveys the contrasts between prison life and life on the outside well.

Read if you enjoy books about human relationships and intense reads.

Rob is a inmate at Brixton prison. He is coming up to his release after 7 years inside. To help engage him back into life on the outside, he is on day release, where he gets to work in a charity shop, local to the prison. On one of his walks to work, he helps a lady who has dropped her bag, Stephanie. This brief meeting left Rob with quite an impression and when he sees her again, he looks forward to their 15 minute walk down the hill to his work and her to the tube.

If you had to use one word to sum up this book, it would have to be, deception. Rob doesn’t let on he is a prisoner, but then Stephanie is not without her own deception as she has an ulterior motive. The deceptions do not end there. This story has twists that centre around Rob and Stephanie deceiving each other.

This tale is a really well written and what felt very real account. The way the author described Rob’s view of his walk to work, was just like seeing the world in a completely different way. I really liked Rob’s character, you certainly felt for him. A reckless moment had cost him the life he could have had and now he finds himself in another position, which may have severe consequences on how the rest of his life will pan out. You also can empathise with Stephanie’s predicament and what lengths people have to got to to live a normal life.

I enjoyed this book, I give this 4.5/5 rounded down to 4. I felt it jumped and missed a few chapters near the end, which would have made it flow a little better, that is the only thing stopping it being a 5. I received this free advance copy from NetGalley in exchange for this review.

Rob is near the end of his seven year stretch after being convicted of Manslaughter. He is currently residing at Brixton Hill open prison. One of his conditions is to volunteer to work at the local Charity Shop sorting out the daily donations at the back of the shop. Never to be allowed at the front for obvious reasons.
One day after leaving the prison and walking down the hill towards the charity shop, Rob the model prisoner trying to abstain from the temptations around him. He meets Steph and there is an instant attraction. Rob starts taking risks to meet her every day. Beknown to Rob, Steph as an agenda.
Thank you, Little Brown Book Group, and NetGalley for a copy of Brixton Hill. This was an interesting story delving into a life of a prisoner near the end of his sentence. For me personally I found this quite hard to get into. The full picture of the story does not come clear until the last third of this story. This is well written and researched story that kept me engrossed through. But, just took quite a long time to kick in. 3.5 stars from me.

This is the first of her books I've read and I really enjoyed it. I had the feeling the author knows what it's like inside a prison and it comes across really well, as does the situation Rob finds himself in - how could he ever make a life for himself outside now? Very sad and I'm glad things sort of work out well in the end. I'll certainly read more of her books.