I was really excited to start this book as I loved the premise of it. Unity OneMind allows partners to read each other's every thought (sounds like hell to me) A complete connection is promised and testimonials sing its praises.

Enter Anna and Elijah, a married couple celebrating their ten year anniversary. Now I strongly disliked Elijah from the very beginning. Red flags galore and so when he presents Anna with a card and an appointment to have a chip implanted, I was horrified. Anna herself had strong reservations but she felt obliged to keep him happy. And so she agrees.

The build up is rather slow, for three quarters of the book I was longing for the pace to pick up. But when it did, boy was it tense. There was no way I was putting this book down until I'd finished it and it did not disappoint.

Though fiction, I fear it's not too far from the way we're heading with technology and AI galloping ahead at an alarming pace. Please let this book be a cautionary tale. In a world of over sharing and big brother watching, our thoughts are our last bastion of privacy and I dread to contemplate a future where people willingly insert chips into their brains.

Anna was a brilliant character and the ultimate decisions she makes had me cheering.

'Always on My Mind' is an utterly chilling premise, whereby one's every thought - and possibly more - can be heard by your significant other, and vice versa. In today's technological world, it's not only highly plausible but potentially possible, which adds a sinister undertone to this already very creepy and occasionally unsettling book, making it one of the best reads in defining the psychological thriller genre.

While I agree with some other reviews that it is occasionally difficult to like the characters in this book, I counter that it's been done deliberately. None of them are innocent, and it's not just a case of the characters being flawed; you're not meant to know who the goodies or baddies are until they reveal themselves. This is done with care and precision, adding to the palpable tension that makes this slow burn thriller one you'll want to read with the lights on. Just don't forget your nursery rhymes...

Firstly, the cover on this is absolutely beautiful and I am absolutely obsessed with it !

The story was a whole vibe from start to finish and I loved it ! .

I would recommend this book to everyone and anyone who loves to read !!

This thriller with futuristic sci-fi was a thought-provoking (pun intended), gripping read , delving into the aspects of power dynamics, technological issues, morality and the consequences of concealed truths. Love or hate this, you will absolutely not want to put this down!

Ironically, I am giving my thoughts on a book about reading them haha. So this is the first thriller I have read this year, for the first time in about a decade. I devoured this in the one sitting, which is when you know it’s good! Through the ingenious use of dual timeline, shifting between the Then (life in university with her friend Helen, and meeting Gavin, Elijah and Oscar) and Now (10-year anniversary), we learn more about Anna’s backstory and fill in blanks as the tale progresses. Quite early on I had the gist of the upcoming plot twists.

The vibes of this book remind me of Before I Go to Sleep by S.J. Watson with a small touch of the tv show Sex/Life. I say this because Before I Go to Sleep has a husband having more to him than meets the eye, and the Sex/Life has both the dual timeline storytelling, and the main female character choosing a life of money and security over the man she actually would be happier with.

This whole thing just proves to show, ladies: never ever settle because the man you picked might be a psychopath and a murderer! And always, always pick someone who brings out the best side of you.

There is a fascinating look into the difficulty of living with a narcissist and abuser when they have access to so much technology at their fingertips. I feel this book really does raise awareness to this issue, and this aspect was done very well.

The reader can tell Elijah Weston will be the antagonist from the very beginning, wanting to know where Anna is at all times by tracking her location via her phonedesiring to know her thoughts too by getting the microchip. He has all these technological gadgets within the house, which he has linked up to an app on his phone, all of which he controls. Big stalker, and bigger red flags. I do like the way this is all introduced as this comes into play later on: he is always watching her via cameras, he uses the gadgets against her.

He has so much of a hold over her. The thoughts she hears from Elijah are in bold and hers are italicised, which is incredibly symbolic of their relationship dynamic: he is the bold one, dominant, in control; she is subservient, normal, follows the flow.

In January 2024, the company Neurolink reported that they have successfully implanted the first microchip into a human brain, designed to assist neurological conditions. It is fascinating that we have got to this point where technology will (hopefully) change lives for the better. This story is set some time in the upcoming future where normal people are getting microchips installed to be closer to their partner. A very intriguing and unique concept! This sparks an interesting debate about whether or not it would be useful to hear the thoughts of your significant other. It also questions morality having your privacy invaded in that way, as it could, as we see here, be used in the wrong hands like narcissists who already emotionally manipulate victims.

There are a lot of things I wish had been explored more, such as characters and settings that had a lot more potential. For example, Anna never bothers learning the technology. There is a moment where Anna says to herself she should install the app where she can control everything in the house. I thought this may open up a plot twist about her husband, or that she outwits hi. That never happens. We never find out if Anna succeeds with her art. A few characters are only at the start and I thought they would have made more of an appearance or had more of an impact on the plot. Marcus’ art shop and Celine, Elijah’ secretary are both solely mentioned at the start.

As a special anniversary present, Anna’s husband, Elijah, buys them both OneMind, a chip which is implanted just behind your ear and allows you to her the thoughts of your loved one.
This honestly sounds like the worst idea ever, but it’s clearly even worse if both of you have dark secrets, and one of you is a jealous control freak! Anna starts being able to access dreams of Elijah’s which seem to be actual memories of something dreadful, which makes her realise that her own private dreams involving an incident with one of the mutual friends they met at university might be heard by Elijah. And if so, he’s not going to like it.
A real page turner, with a horribly prescient feel regarding the use of technology, I raced though this. Good stuff. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Interesting examination about what happens when we literally let someone into our head and how technology can be used as a tool for abuse in the hands of the wrong person. The concept felt a little stronger than the actual story, but overall an interesting read.

What do you give a technophile? The latest gimmick. What do you give his technophobic wife? Anything but that. But what if the wife is subservient? Anna and Elijah have been married for ten years, ever since University. He is rich and has a high powered job in the city; she is an unsuccessful artist and totally dependent on him – but also totally in love. Their house is a monument to tech, every device available and every function run from the control hub. Elijah controls everything from his phone, Anna controls nothing, in fact hates the concept and won’t engage with it. The latest gimmick is Unity, in which a chip is inserted behind the ear of each partner which gives them access to each other’s thoughts, but only direct thoughts. Against her better judgement, Anna agrees to this because she loves Elijah and it is only direct thoughts. However, there are some problems with her chip. It causes head aches and nausea (“Don’t worry, it will settle, just teething troubles” says the rep), she can’t block him although he seems to be able to block her, and she seems to be getting his memories not just his thoughts. Which reveal secrets which cause her anxiety, not only because of their content, but also because it might mean he can see her memories, and so discover things he must never know.
The story is set in the near future, so most things are the same as, or only slightly enhanced versions of, the present. The mind reading bit makes it a science fiction story, but doesn’t really change anything, since the plot could work just as well if eavesdropping and phone tapping replaced the Unity chip. The only exception to that observation is the denouement which relies on the chip for its resolution. Most of the time the tale is fairly dull and repetitive, as are the characters. It’s not a hard read, and many people will find it thrilling, so I’m pitching the rating in the middle.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.

Always On My Mind presents a tantalizing premise: a couple, Anna. and Elijah, opt for a revolutionary implant that allows them to share each other's thoughts, aiming for the "ultimate intimacy" on their tenth anniversary. However, the promise of a unique thriller, free from tired tropes, ultimately falls short of its potential.
The concept itself is undeniably compelling. The exploration of shared consciousness and the potential for both profound connection and devastating vulnerability is ripe for psychological tension. Anna's initial apprehension, coupled with her desire to please Elijah and compensate for a personal failing, creates a solid foundation for conflict. Unfortunately, the execution struggles to maintain the initial intrigue.
The primary issue lies in the pacing. The narrative is bogged down by excessive, often mundane, conversations between Anna and Elijah. This padding dilutes the suspense and diminishes the impact of the central premise. While the initial novelty of mind-to-mind communication is explored, the prolonged focus on everyday interactions becomes tedious.
The latter part of the book does introduce a more compelling element: Anna's experience of foreign memories, presumably Elijah's. This development raises the stakes and forces Anna to confront the terrifying possibility that her own secrets may be exposed. However, even this promising turn feels somewhat predictable, lacking the sharp twists and unexpected revelations that define a truly gripping thriller.
Furthermore, the characters are largely unlikable, making it difficult to invest in their plight. Anna, while initially sympathetic, often comes across as passive and frustrating. Elijah, despite his supposed loving intentions, remains distant and lacks depth. Only Mandie, a supporting character, manages to break through the monotony and offer a semblance of relatability.
Despite its flaws, Always On My Mind isn't entirely without merit. The exploration of the potential dangers of technology and the erosion of privacy is timely and thought-provoking. The core concept of shared consciousness offers a fascinating glimpse into the complexities of human relationships and the fragility of trust.
Ultimately, Always On My Mind feels like a missed opportunity. While the premise is strong and the potential for psychological suspense is evident, the execution fails to deliver a truly captivating experience. The slow pacing, unlikable characters, and predictable plot points detract from the overall impact. While it earns a "good" rating for its intriguing concept, it ultimately leaves the reader wanting more.

Once I got past the - why in the heck anyone would agree to doing this, especially when their partner is already a bit controlling - issue with this book. I was able to just buckle up and enjoy the ride... And what a ride it was...
We start with Anne whose husband Elijah likes to know where she is EVERY SINGLE MOMENT. For her own safety, obviously! They are coming up on their 10 year anniversary and Elijah wants to do something special to mark it. He wants them to go to OneMind and get their revolutionary implants. Now, these allow two people to hears each others thoughts - all the time they are conscious. Not really a good idea for someone with secrets eh Anna, but, for some inexplicable reason, she eventually agrees. Coercive control I guess, but even so...
All goes swimmingly - well... sort of. Until Anna starts to have dreams that are very vivid but also not her own. And also, rather realistic. They feature her husband, she is playing him, and a holiday he went on with his two friends. A holiday where 3 went, but only 2 came back.
She is worried by what she sees, especially as they appear to be more like memories than dreams, but also worried that if she can see his memories, what can he see of hers...?
Ooo this was a bit juicy. And I absolutely loved the ending. But shhhh it's OK I won't spoil it for you.
I still have issues over why anyone in their right mind would want this technology. It beggars belief to me. But it is what it is and, to be honest, it makes for a cracking story. Especially the novel way that Anna manages to keep Elijah out of her head, although it did get a wee bit annoying after the novelty wore off for me. It also hilighted that just cos you can doesn't mean you should... Although if you didn't then you'd be missing out on a lot of cracking speculative fiction books which are out there!
All in all, if you can suspend your belief and just go with the flow and accept what you are reading, you will have a great time with this book. Just keep an open mind...
Also note that Carys Green also writes as Carys Jones - if you like her style and want to stuff your tbr further.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

thank you to netgalley and the publishers for an arc of this book, i was so thrilled to receive a copy!!

have you ever wanted to hear someone else's thoughts?? me too, or so i thought...but i think carys has swerved my opinion drastically after this book!! I for sure asked my partner his thoughts before and after this book, for a bit of fun, and we were both a no by the end!

i was on the edge of my seat from starting until finishing this book, i think i fell on the floor to be honest!

the fmc, anna, was such a great character, relatable and very likeable. as i was reading i felt like shouting at the book as if she could hear me. as for mmc, elijah, my opinion was and still is very mixed on him... at times i felt like i was feeling bad for him, but i think that was the whole idea of his character, to not only manipulate those around him but us as readers!

i am obsessed, and i will be for sure buying a copy of this one upon release, it deserves a spot of my shelf within my thriller section, and potentially a reread - because WOW

i highly recommend if you haven't grabbed this one already!!

I couldn't wait to read this book. The premise, I thought was so original and different.
A tiny chip that is inserted into the head of you and your significant other, so you can literally hear each others thoughts. Bringing you a closeness that is unmatched.
Personally, I can't imagine anyone wanting to know, really know, what's going on in my head.

Anna and Elijah have been married for 10 years and for their wedding anniversary, Elijah buys them the hot new thing "Unity"
Anna had been hoping for a holiday and isn't particularly happy when she unwraps the gift. She really doesn't want this but Elijah is really into having all of the latest tech. She reluctantly agrees to it, hoping that he'll soon get bored.

I didn't get the whole Anna and Elijah relationship though. I couldn't understand how they ended up together, although I didn't get the impression that Anna was a particularly strong person. After they started their relationship at uni, maybe it was just easier to go with the flow.

The ending was good though I felt that there was SO much more that could have been explored with this.

oh this had me hooked. in a good way. in a bad way. in intriguing and disturbing ways. i made me ask questions and ponder things all the way through. both of our characters and our real life world. sadly this concept doesnt feel all to unbelievable of our own futures. things are sinister out there in the tech world at the moment. and im not sure i like where its going at all. quite why i put myself through this book then i do not know! ha but im glad i did as it was a thrill ride and a brilliant one. and it had that added human layer. and another more sinister troubling one that stayed with you and made you more nervous all the way through. it had me in a choke hold all the way through.

dont we all sometimes think breezily that we wished we could know what someone was thinking at certain times. be that family,friends, colleagues or strangers. i quickly relent from this thought though as i really actually dont want to know!
so when our two characters get the opportunity to do this in their relationship they take up the chance. and of course nothing is ever as good as we think it might be when you are messing with the mind. and definitely when messing with peoples thoughts, inner demons and inner memories or thought processes.

ugh ive got to admit this was one of those times when i was tempted(wrongly of course) to be screaming at the wife to get away from this red flag of a man. to me it seemed like he was sinister and his beavuour all so wrong and coercive before the mind reading even began.
so when Anna starts to learn more and fear he will learn more of her that she wants to know, things start to get too too complicated....and perhaps dangerous.
this was a stunning book with thrill thrill edge of your seat woven right through it.

Elijah and Anna approach their 10 year Anniversary, technology enthusiast Elijah proposes the perfect gift to Anna as a means of making them more connected. An implant, that goes behind the ear. That. Connects. Their. Thoughts 🙃. As soon as Elijah mentioned this I sat there and said ‘no way’ because honestly that is insane, I would not want to be inside someone’s head and hear their every thought.

This book was such a wild ride, Elijah gave me the ick real early on in the book and he just got worse. He was such a walking red flag I wanted to crawl into my kindle and shake Anna to wake her up to his actions and manipulative behaviour.

I liked the concept of the book but it was slightly predictable, some of the turns were expected or were easy to identify after certain things happened. I read this quite quickly as it was an easy read.

Please go into this knowing that Elijah is controlling and this may be triggering for some people. Also that the impact of Elijah’s actions do effect Anna and her personality and state of mind.

Free courtesy of Netgalley

I have never read a Carys Green book before but if this is the quality of her work, I will definitely be seeking more of her books.

I have struggled with how to write this review and even left it playing in my mind whilst I read another book. Let me start by saying it is a wonderful written book, and I really enjoyed reading it. But, oh my goodness it was so thought provoking and even when I put it down, I couldn't stop thinking of the implications of what my life would have been like if I had this technology of my ex husband being able to hear all my thoughts, I'm sure we would have separated a lot sooner than we did.

The book follows the story of a married couple Elijah, who is completely tech mad and Anna who really doesn't engage with tech at all. For me Elijah comes across as a very controlling and possessive husband, making Anna keep her data on her phone so he can track her movements. It all feels just a little uncomfortable, so it comes as no surprise that he purchases a new bit of technology that has come into the market for their anniversary. He presents Anna with an appointment to go and get implanted chips, just behind their ear, so they can hear each other's thoughts and can communicate with each other through thought wherever they are. Even though Anna doesn't really want to do this, she wants to please her husband so goes along with it. Can they hide their past from each other and what devastating effect will it have on their marriage.

The book takes many twists and turns and is so thought provoking, I hope that this technology never comes to pass, as your thoughts are private and I believe should stay that way.

I would recommend this book to everyone, it touches on coercive control and what that looks like without even acknowledging it. I could not put this book down and as I said made me really think about the validity of this tech and how bad it could be.

Gripping and fast paced.

From the first page, it was clear something sinister was on the horizon. Following the events from Anna's point of view, was chaotic and so oddly fun!

I loved this, and if you love the Technology based books by John Marrs or Upload on Prime.. you'd love this!

Well this was dark, twisted, sinister, somehow believable and unbelievable at the same time.

Themes include technology and toxic/controlling relationships.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

I’m not entirely sure what I was expecting from the his book but I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. From the title it would seem to be a fluffy romance.

We meet our couple Elijah and Anna who met during their first year at university. They are now seemingly happily married but true to life have some struggles. A new technology called the Unity Chip allows you to be in each others minds all the time. Elijah pushes for him and Anna to have the chip so they are even closer than they show to the outside world. This is where their problems really start.

Without giving any spoilers Anna appears to be able to access Elijah’s dreams and memories and it is making her feel very uncomfortable. The story gathers speed at some pace and culminates is a particularly satisfactory way!

I will definitely look out for this author in the future

An interesting idea well explored. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to ARC this book.

3.5 ⭐️
As a big fan of Severance, the concept of this novel really intrigued me and for the most part it delivered!

I felt certain aspects of the story felt predictable but it was such a tense uncomfortable read that I didn’t really mind this too much!

Really unique enjoyable thriller - once you get past 'who on earth would sign up for this?'

Anna and Elijah have been married for a decade and for their anniversary she thinks he's going to surprise her with a much needed holiday but no...he's only gone and arranged for them to have chips implanted into their heads so they can hear each others every thought. He's already been shown to us as a very controlling husband so what could go wrong?

Well as expected quite a lot. It was fun to read a thriller with such a different concept.