This is a fast paced read but you do need to suspend your disbelief.
There are lots of twists and turns.
It is an enjoyable book

You Never Said Goodbye by Luca Veste

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

The day she died was only the beginning...

Sam Cooper is on the verge of a happy life—a true feat after his disastrous childhood. Sam’s mother, Laurie, died tragically and his father was torn apart by grief. But now after years of silence, Sam’s father makes a shocking confession on his deathbed.

Who was Laurie Cooper? What happens when you discover you’ve been lied to for twenty-five years? Sam is determined to find out, but someone wants to silence the truth forever. Following a trail from London to Connecticut, Sam will have to uncover exactly what his mother did and why—no matter the cost.

My Opinion

This is a gripping thriller. I read this during my lunch break at work and managed to finish it in just two sittings. This was my first book by Luca Veste and I have to say that it took me on a journey. There are multiple viewpoints and multiple timelines but I found it all very easy to follow. There is a lot of action and you won't know what is going to happen next. A very enjoyable read.

This was a really fast paced plot filled with mystery, family values, a little romance and more than enough twists. Great main character who was relatable and fun to follow!

Very enjoyable book. Fast moving and exciting with lots of twists and surprises. Would definitely recommend.

I liked the concept of this book but to be honest, there was a little too much violence for me.

I liked the main character, Sam, but did feel it was far-fetched in that he seemed to get involved with the shootings and fighting that were way out of character for him.

Sam was in pursuit of his mother, who he had believed to be dead for the last 25 years after a drowning accident that also killed his little brother. I did like the plot and the settings but thought that it did lack a little depth.

I had mixed views on this book. The description had sounded great. But sadly it didn’t live up to my expectations. It wasn’t written very well Dull in parts. Sadly just wasn’t for me

Thank you Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley and apologies I didn't read sooner.

Wow, wow and wow again - why did I wait so long.

A brilliantly written, fast paced, great novel - more please

When ordinary man in the street, Sam, is swept up in a battle for survival, discovering the mother he believed to be dead, is still very much alive. Switching between past and present, the UK and the USA, it's a rollercoaster read that ensures you can't resist rooting for Sam, and wishing so badly for the best of endings you won't want to stop reading until you get there.

Another great read from Veste. Incisive, compelling and incredible twisty, I found myself under its spell pretty rapidly and devoted it in a single sitting. Highly recommended.

I haven't read much by this author before, but really enjoyed this one, and was thrilled, entertaining and intrigued until the end. You feel sorry for the poor boy's whose mother left him and is presumed dead. But is she? Where is she? This sets the plot for a thrilling read. Recommended.

I didny think I would but I really enjoyed this and haven't heard anyone talking about it. It's very fast paced and can be hard to keep up with at times but your constantly trying to tie up the loose ends and the style of writing works really well as if you are thinking a mile a minute. I did feel that it took a bit too long to get to the point and the overall ending was a bit dramatic given the plot but this was a fun read with lots to think about. Trigger warning for domestic abuse

Fast-paced, taut and almost exciting! Our main man, Sam Cooper, living in the UK, is on the hunt for answers and once he travels over to the US seems to be a hair-breadth from being bumped off at every turn. And the man pulling the strings is a truly great bad guy. Easy to read but lacks an emotional punch.

Thanks to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for ARC.

Sam Cooper has led a quiet life, marred by an early tragedy. He gets a call to go back to his home village to see his ailing father, and that sparks a turn of events he could never imagined. Why are people looking for his mother, who has been dead for years? Who is prepared to wreak so much havoc to get to her?
This moves at a cracking pace across two continents, and our hero Sam never possesses any particular training or skills to get him through, but you're rooting for him anyway. It's implausible, breathlessly plotted. At times the thin characterisation is a strain, and the 'why' doesn't quite satisfy , but you won't be able to put this one down!

Absolutely amazing read, it had me from the first page! I would definitely recommend this to my friends & family! The cover is also incredibly poignant.

A new author for me and I will be going back to read more from Luca Veste.
A great thriller which is action packed and with the twists and turns will keep you gripped from the first to last pages.

Whilst I feel this book had real potential unfortunately it just didn't grip me like I was expecting and hoping for.

In my opinion this story has been told many times before so felt overly predictable and obvious.

I couldn't connect with any of the characters which is a massive downside for me.

The 'over' description of everything ended up with me glazing over to be honest so I quickly lost interest.

With thanks to netgalley and Hodder and Stoughton for the ARC.

I’ve been a fan of this author for a few years now so I was looking forward to reading this one. While I liked the writing and the style, I found it a bit difficult to get into if I’m honest. I don’t think it was a problem with the book though, it’s very much a case of right book wrong time!

I really enjoy Luca Veste’s writing and this one didn’t disappoint. Sam Cooper receives a phone call from his father who is close to death, but what he tells David comes as a big shock, he had thought his mother dead, but David now tells him his mother Laurie is alive. Is his dad telling the truth? If his mum is alive where is she now? Sam now wonders if the whole of the last 25 years has all been a lie. What is he expected to believe when he has had the rug pulled from under his feet. He is now on a mission to find out the truth, but then so are others which could lead to who knows where.

The time line is set in the present and in 1982 forwards. This is one of those dark gritty reads that drag you in, gripping you with the suspense and tension as it gradually builds up. It’s a read that is fast paced (which I love) with a rising body count of murders, maybe some of it is a little beyond belief but it works, it’s fiction.

A story full of lots of twists and turns which makes for a good suspenseful read, who can be trusted. This book has it all, action, suspense, emotions and at times it’s heartstopping. What’s not to love about a read that keeps you hooked from start to finish.

I would like to thank #netgalley and #Hodder&Stoughton for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest unbiased review.

This was a fast paced action thriller with murder and chaos and rising body count. Where the MC Sam could fight his way out in any situation. The scenes were exciting but quite repetitive. But disbelief started coating me as I continued reading the book. So overall it was a good read.

Thank you to Netgalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I am a big fan of Luca Veste, this book is a great psychological thriller, gritty and dark and full of suspense. A recommended read.