Sweat is a clever and disturbing thriller that delves into the complexities of coercive control and toxic relationships. At its core, the book follows the intense and unsettling dynamic between Liam and Cassie. Liam, obsessed with physical perfection, believes that by pushing Cassie to her limits, he’s helping her reach her full potential. Their relationship, once fuelled by exercise and a shared desire to be their "optimum selves," becomes suffocating as Liam controls every aspect of Cassie’s life.

When Cassie finally walks away, leaving Liam and their unhealthy relationship behind, she rebuilds her life, becoming stronger and healthier in every way. But two years later, when she unexpectedly crosses paths with Liam, the sight of him reignites something within her. However, this time the tables have turned—Cassie holds the power, and it’s Liam’s turn to sweat.

The book brilliantly captures how controlling behaviour can quietly infiltrate a relationship, gradually tightening its grip. The portrayal of body image issues and the obsession with exercise as a tool for control is both realistic and thought-provoking. The dual timelines, seamlessly switching between Cassie’s past and present, are handled expertly, adding depth without confusion.

Sweat is a gripping, cleverly crafted story that will resonate with readers, particularly in its exploration of power, control, and reclaiming one’s life. Highly recommended for those who enjoy psychological thrillers with substance.

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This was a really enjoyable read. The main character was well written and relatable. It does delve into some difficult relationship dynamics which could be hard for some to read.

I was drawn in quite quickly and found myself NEEDING to know how it played out. I enjoyed some of the dark humour that was included throughout the book. It felt like Cassie got the opportunity to act on all those things you think you would do if you could get away with, and I thought her struggling with that was well written.

I'd recommend this to anyone looking for a good thriller.

This is a clever and disturbing thriller which demonstrates really authentically how coercive and controlling behaviour can creep into relationships. There's also some really interesting themes of body image and 'excercise for weight loss'. As a surivior of domestic abuse, I found the descriptions really familiar and believable. It's a really gripping and clever premise too.



With thanks to Cornerstone and Netgalley for the ARC.

Such an uncomfortable read, a coercively controlling toxic 'relationship'. I agree with other reviews that all of the forms of coercive controlling behaviour should have been named and put under the spotlight.

TW: emotional/mental abuse, control, food control, eating disorders, attempted murder.

This was an emotional uncomfortable read but it was executed brilliantly. Cassie's a personal trainer who thinks she's managed to get rid of her abusive ex boyfriend Liam. Until one day he turns up at her gym but he's different. A brain tumor has made him blind so Cassie decides it's time for a little payback but nothing with Liam can ever end well. This shows how easy it is to end up in an abusive relationship without even really knowing it's happening and how it feels when no one believes what you're saying and how it can continue to affect your life even after you think you've healed. This goes back and forth between Cassie and Liam's relationship and their time together now and I honestly think this was the best way to really get a feel for the characters. I felt for Cassie and it makes it so much worse knowing women and men all over the world are going through things like this all the time. This is a hard read so I'd go into it knowing that but it had me gripped from the first page and I couldn't put it down I needed to know how it would end. Highly recommend.

Triggers: abusive r’ship. I did find the first few chapters a bit drawn out. But, it was overall a thought provoking and juicy read. FMC development and personality is ever changing and keeps you reading.

Didn't love this, found it to be quite slow - but the ending picked up and would recommend for the strong voice.

This book is incredible!

I loved how well written it was, I loved Cassie and her character. I think the growth of her character is one of the best I have read this year so far!

The dual timelines flowed perfectly, and you didnt find them confusing.

Check trigger warnings - but this read is great! Go in blind.

I did struggle a little with this book. I felt it was a little dragged out and found myself rushing through parts.

However I did like the concept and the book did explore some difficult issues like addiction and obsession. There was an aspect of control between the characters and the way in which it was presented was interesting as I didn’t always know what to believe which extended the theme of manipulation.

There were plenty of twists to keep me reading and overall it wasn’t a disappointing read. Definitely worth a go.

I didn't enjoy this book. I found the idea that the ex-boyfriend couldn't identify the protagonist as unbelievable. However, I thought combining the control over food and exercise was an interesting concept.

Another strong novel from Healey. Sweat had me gripped and had solid pacing and characterisation. However, it was a tough and (at times) harrowing read.

I was really hoping to get into this book but to say I persevered with it it is a true remark.

The story could have been cut down by at least a third. The storyline set out interesting and covered an emotional issue, but I did feel it went on.
Emotional blackmail the others could see but not the victim herself.

Not a book for the young impressionable.

Sweat by Emma Healey is a raw and evocative exploration of the complexities of modern life and the weight of everyday struggles. Healey's writing is both sharp and introspective, capturing the nuances of human emotion and the ways in which stress, fear, and desire manifest in our lives. The story delves into the inner worlds of its characters, exploring themes of anxiety, self-worth, and the often-overlooked toll of simply getting through the day. With its compelling prose and relatable insights, Sweat is a thought-provoking read that resonates deeply, reminding readers of the shared challenges and quiet victories that shape our existence.

Hooked from page one. Absolutely loved the dark humour that rippled through in parts. Sweat by Emma Healey is one of those books you’ll find hard to put down. Thanks to NetGalley, Emma Healey and publishers for the arc.

I wanted to like this book as the subject matter was interesting. However, try as I might, I couldn't get into it. I wasn't at all drawn in by the writing style and found myself really not caring about the characters. Maybe a 'marmite' kind of book? Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the advance copy in exchange of an honest review.

I devoured Sweat by Emma Healey, in all its cringe inducing uneasiness, and evil.

Perhaps evil is too harsh.

But it’s fair to say that not many good decisions are made in this book. Cassie is a personal trainer. She helps people get fit and takes excessive pride in curating her own fitness. But she wasn’t always that way. Once she was just getting by, and it was Liam who showed her the way.

Two years late and it’s Cassie leading Liam, in more ways than one.

This story of love, addiction, and abuse is more enjoyable that the subject matter might lead you to expect. For me, Cassie’s journey to physical fitness and beyond was hard to read. The development from health the more extreme end of fitness culture is a painful read. Add to this the role of Liam in forcing the mind-set, and it becomes easier to understand why Cassie is tempted by revenge.

Healey’s ability to create in Cassie a character who is both victim and ultimately abuser is amazing. At times I found Cassie’s actions frustrating and really needed her to do the right thing. Whatever that may be.

Sweat is a psychosocial thriller like I’ve never read before, and I couldn’t recommend it more.

Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is an original and contemporary psychological thriller, and I could easily write a review peppered with cliches. Oh, alright, here it is: it had me on the edge of my seat; there are twists and turns at every point; it really hooked me; I couldn't put it down; the cliffhangers - oh... the cliffhangers... Maybe this last one isn't so much a cliche as an actual reaction to the plot. This is, as others have said, a story about a protagonist who is in an abusive relationship and nobody believes her. It's a simple premise, but Healey manages to keep those methods of control by the antagonist coming. It's superbly done. As a reader, I found myself wondering whether what I was being told was, in fact, true. I mean, that's excellent writing... I was manipulated, myself. Great stuff, that (there goes another cliche...) Seriously, I was hooked. Totally. So, and here it is bluntly, I was expecting a more satisfying ending. I won't tell you how it ends, and the ending is fine - perhaps a bit rushed and maybe guessable, but I thought it would be - I don't know - somehow cleverer. Look, read it yourself, you won't be disappointed and you will be hooked, on the edge of your seat and won't be able to put it down, seriously. Highly recommended, and my grateful thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for the ARC.

This was very different to the other work I read by this author but still very enjoyable. I found it very readable, but also felt so on edge and uncomfortable throughout (it literally made me sweat)... Would recommend if you want something easy to read but with a bit of substance too.

I’m a fan of Emma Healey but I felt this book was not her best. Much preferred Elizabeth is Missing and Whistle in the Dark. It felt like someone else had written it.

This was not what I was expecting, yet as it unfolded, I found it as haunting and brutally accurate as it was important for us to understand the complexities of what being in a coercively controlled relationship can entail and the repercussions for so many that are involved. When you are in such a situation, it is not only damaging, but enduring such crazy behaviour, can in return make you do crazy things to try unpacking what happened to you, to regain control or to survive and feel safe again. It is incredibly hard to explain the why’s, so often you don’t, it is furthermore isolating and a slippery slope into the cycle of abuse.

So, when Cassie gets the opportunity to face Liam, her ex, without him knowing it is her, she see’s her opportunity for revenge, to face her fears and trauma head on and find some sort of closure. But when somebody has got in your head so incomparably, letting them back in in any capacity is a dangerous game.

This one will stay with me for some time.