I would highly recommend this book the anyone. The main character shows strength and control subjecting her ex partner to some of the cruelty he showed her. It was well written handled in a sensitive manner but also gave a clear message of the strength of women. I would highly recommend you read it.

Sweats centres on one woman's abusive relationship with her ex-boyfriend, Liam, Told through a backwards/forwards timeline, the reader experiences how a toxic, abusive relationship can take hold and destroy a life, and how sometimes revenge is sweet.
The main character was ultimately a strong woman, who manages to turn the tables on her boyfriend, and subject him to some of the terrible things he did to her. This was a dark tale & very slickly written.

A captivating thriller full of tension that had me turning page after page until I knew how the story would end.

Intelligently plotted and a fabulous unique writing style had me immersed in Cassie's life. I really felt for her and the themes of abuse, revenge and obsession felt authentic and rang true.

Liam was a despicable character and his blindness created a palpable tension in the narrative and I was riveted to the story waiting to see what would transpire between them. I was never quite sure if he was faking it or not.

A powerful and emotive story.

This is an uncomfortable read which I admit I found challenging, it focuses on the impact an abusive and coercive relationship had on Cassie as well as looking back on difficult times in their relationship. I liked the concept of Cassie trying to exact revenge on Liam and the situation Liam was in offered a unique opportunity but the events that occurred seemed to be more detrimental to Cassie than Liam really. I really struggled with the hang over from her relationship which was extreme control over her calorie intake and obsession with exercise, overall the book needs a few trigger warnings. I had to persevere with this and I mostly did so to see how it concludes and there was a certain irony to the ending that I liked however that was the only strong part of this for me.

This book is a solid 5 star to me, I loved the character development, the storyline... it was perfect. Thank you so much for my arc. Highly recommended.

Sweat by Emma Healey
Rating: 3/5
Release Date: 30 January 2024


Cassie manages to break free from the clutches of her controlling ex, a fact revealed gradually as she shares glimpses of her past throughout the book. However, her world is turned upside down when she finds herself training her former abuser, Liam, as a client.

Confronted with the source of her trauma, Cassie struggles with the desire for revenge and how far she's willing to go to get it.

If you can suspend disbelief regarding the protagonist's ex-boyfriend failing to recognise her voice, even with a disguised accent, despite their past intense relationship, then this suspense-filled thriller is worth delving into. It delves into themes of stalking, coercive control, and the complexities of weight and body image.

I did however find the narrative of “Sweat”lacking in forward movement. Despite spanning over 300 pages, it felt like we were stuck in the same loop, with little character development or plot advancement.

Thank you so much to Netgalley, Random House UK Cornerstone, and the author, Emma Healey, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.

Ultimately, I felt like this never really went anywhere. We seemed to circle the same drain for 300+ pages, never really witnessing any character growth or plot progression. Cassie by the end of the book was identical to Cassie from the first page. As an exploration of coercive control, this book did a decent job, it just didn’t land as well as others of its type have. I think if this had been billed as a dark comedy, with Cassie’s revenge hijinks dialed up a bit (a lot), getting more and more twisted/peculiar, it would have been better at succeeding as more of a ‘good for her’ type.

4.5 stars rounded up! I really enjoyed this story. It was quick to read and the timelines were easy to follow and flowed into one another very seamlessly.

I found myself questioning the narrator if she was reliable as she did many questionable things as she goes further into her revenge and left me wanting to keep reading to see the conclusion. I would recommend checking up on trigger warnings before reading this as I understand it could be quite close to home to some people.

I really enjoyed the cat and mouse dynamic and not knowing how far things were going to go and think this will be a really popular book when it is published on 30th Jan 2025!!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publishers for this arc!

I wasn't sure based on the blurb what the book was going to be about - but it intrigued me enough to try it nonetheless. The story was good, it was well told and easy to read. It was broken up into short enough chunks that it kept me turning pages. I feel like it's description of victims of abuse and what they suffer after the relationship has finally ended made it very easy for non abuse survivors to understand what it is like. It was fascinating to watch Cassies own descent into obsession and confusion around Liam.

If you can put aside the fact that the protagonist's ex boyfriend wouldn't recognise the voice (albeit with a different, put on, accent) of his ex live-in girlfriend who he was more than a little obsessed with, after going blind... then read on. A suspense filled thriller dealing with stalking, coercive control, weight/body image etc.

Cassie had a lucky escape from an obsessive ex, who controlled her in many ways - all of which become clear as the book goes on through her telling snippets of her past. Now though, she's working as a personal trainer and ends up with her abusive ex, Liam, as a client. Obviously seeing him again sends her spiralling and she battles with giving him a taste of his own medicine, and just how far she can push it? (spoiler - very far)

But does he deserve it? You'll have to make your own mind up on that...

Loved the relationship between Cassie and her best friend, wanted to shake her mother and father...
Relationships (familial, friendly & romantic) are all explored with candour and wit, in fact a definite undertone of dark humour makes what could be a really awful topic bearable.

4.5 stars - because the ending felt a little rushed and I really did have to suspend belief that he'd not recognise her voice.

Sugar, sugar….

Cassie, a personal trainer, can finally look at Liam without fear. How so? These two have a difficult backstory which is narrated by Cassie in the present day and looks back at the relationship.

Inevitably, this isn’t an easy read as the central theme is about control and an abusive relationship which is difficult and makes you feel uncomfortable. The portrayal of Liam gives me the shivers and though you empathise and sympathise with Cassie, she isn’t always easy to like and some of her actions are questionable. The overriding emotion though, is one of anger on her behalf especially as few people believe her when she tries to explain the circumstances. The after effects of the relationship and its lasting impact on Cassie is very well done and her fears are totally understandable.

You also wonder about Liam in the present day as it becomes apparent that a ‘game’ of cat and mouse is afoot and you hope it won’t turn deadly but it sure gets twisty.

The novel is well written, the two timelines flow naturally between one and the other, allowing you insight although wondering about the reliability.

The pace is good once it gets going, the dialogue feels authentic and the principal backdrop of the sweaty gym is inspired where maybe we’ll get the truth along with a cardio high. The ending is excellent although requires some suspension of disbelief but it’s certainly very visual and dramatic.

Overall, this is a thought provoking novel. As well as shining a light on aspects of control, it makes astute observations about male and female perceived roles.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Random House UK, Cornerstone for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

This book tackles important issues and themes, and still manages to be an entertaining, vengeance thriller.
Please note that the synopsis reveals little, and be prepared to read about abuse, obsession, isolation, control and several other sub-themes that may be challenging or stressful.

I initially found the concept/premise a little far-fetched. I was not sure if what I was about to read would be a satire. It was not. There is still a hint of an underlying tone of black humour; the excess and the exaggeration, though this was more of a serious thriller otherwise. The final parts and the ending are witty.

The characters are not likeable, but they are interesting. Cassie, especially.

The style is easy to follow. Perhaps not very different, or new, but fits the bill.

I adored 'Elizabeth is Missing' by Emma Healey, so was super excited to read this. 'Sweat' is a very different book, and as such was a very different reading experience. It centres on one woman's abusive relationship with her ex-boyfriend, Liam, Told through a backwards/forwards timeline, the reader experiences how a toxic, abusive relationship can take hold and destroy a life, and how sometimes revenge is sweet. The main character was ultimately a strong woman, who manages to turn the tables on her boyfriend, and subject him to some of the terrible things he did to her. This was a dark tale, very slickly written, definitely on trend with its focus on women's struggles to conform with society's expectations of how they should look and act. It tackled the subject of eating disorders, misogyny, and sexism in an accessible way.

Cassie has recently started working as a personal trainer in a gym when, lo and behold, her emotionally absusive handsome super fit ex turns up as a client. He has a brain tumour and is now blind ( or is he?) and his body is now softer. What are the chances??? , Cassie decides to pretend she is a trainer called Steph and changes her accent as part of the ruse in order to exact revenge on Liam. I just couldn't get past how ridiculous this set up was. It's like a bad Monday night ITV drama. Also, Cassie isn't really serious in her efforts to seek revenge. She makes him work too hard butt hen he just gets fit again. We get lots of flashbacks into their relationship Cassie was soft when she met Liam at a bootcamp where he was trainer and soon he wanted to know her every calorie intake and movement. Classic coercive control and when she left he didn't like it and stalked her but because he was so handsome many of those close to Cassie gave him a pass. However, the book isnt comical, and it just circles around so the plot become dull and leaden and Cassie doesn't seem to grow as a person.

This is a good book. It is a slow read but explores abusive relationships and their impact well. It’s definitely one to discuss at book clubs!

I went into the book blind given the synopsis which excited me to pick it up, while without giving too much away. I think that works for the book to build intrigue.

I felt the book which is a psychological thriller is extremely unique and different from the others in the genre. There are several underlying themes of abuse, definitions of what it means, isolation and life post abuse. It goes beyond physical abuse to show what control and obsession mean and how difficult it is to categorise and the lack of support and conviction it brings. It also talks about body image issues, gaslighting and not everyone is what they seem to be and someone who's good looking and seems perfect might not really be so. Good on paper might not always be good. It was a slow with multiple timelines. Recommend this as a unique thriller which addresses multiple themes but in a context of a thriller.

Random House UK, Cornerstone, Hutchinson Heinemann and NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange of my unbiased review.

||: I thought about the Puma a lot afterwards. Kept an eye on the zoo’s social media for updates. Someone occasionally wrote posts as if they were by her: ’Enjoying my venison blood popsicle in the sun!’ The photo, a frozen puddle of gore melting against her sandy jaws. All the posts seemed slightly provocative (or was that just my interpretation?)
And I wondered if it was the crabby, stuffy, little man who was writing them. Then, one day, a picture of her tilting her head coquettishly, peering through the netting of her enclosure, which shaded her eyes like a veil : ‘Devastated! My beautiful sister, Delilah, was killed by her mate last week. Here I am performing puma funeral rights. The killing has happened at a zoo in Canada, where the Puma had been placed only a few months before.’

Cassie is the soul of the party, the long time singleton who is always there for her friends. She loves her job, has a great group of friends, has a goddaughter she dotes on and life is pretty cool.. until she meets Liam. Cool, sexy Liam with his god like features and patient but straightforward manner.
He was exciting, energising and methodical in his beliefs at first. He wanted Cass to be healthy to be the best version of herself..
But that would mean stripping everything back.
No more humility, no pride, no mistakes, no wrong choices.. no control.
But what happens when you strip someone so bare they have nothing left to give??

This thriller was exciting to read. I was honestly shocked at how much I could relate to it.
It was hard to not to relate to situations, the characters so life-like. It was so harrowing to see how the body and mind reacts to trauma. Often choosing a path we never thought it would go down.

Cassie felt like an old friend who I almost needed to find out how she was doing and needed to know whether her gut instincts were true even if I was upset with her decisions!!

I love it but at the same time found it traumatising. What a book!

Thank you to Emma Healey, Random house publishers and Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in return for honest and voluntary feedback. :||

I felt uncomfortable throughout the whole of this book. The abusive relationship, coercive control and lack of support from her parents made me feel sorry for Cassie. However at some point you really do have to try and help yourself - I kept wanting to shout STOP at Cassie, what on earth was she thinking? Even with all of the information in front of her, she still kept forging down the path of disaster. I think I am in the same camp as her friend Tanya who effectively washed her hands of Cassie when she was obviously playing with fire. Having finished the book I appear to be irritated by Cassie, but then does that make me as judgmental as her parents?

Sweat by Emma Healey is a compelling and suspenseful novel about coercive control and the balance of power in an abusive relationship.

This book had me gripped from the start. The plot was intriguing and different to anything I have read before. Although some bits of the main characters backstory were hard to read, it made you root for her even more. I was on the edge of my seat throughout reading, not knowing what was going to happen next! I was slightly underwhelmed by the ending, hence the 4 stars, but still very much enjoyed the read. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a tense read!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC.