This was a gripping story that I finished within 2 days and I didn’t want to put it down. I couldn’t help but try work out the truth behind the twisting tales as I read… I had a list of possible suspects but the story kept you guessing right until the end and constantly changing; what seemed certain was suddenly uncertain many times!

The style of writing was great, flipping between two female leads, both of whom were very different and had distinct characters brought to life through the writing. I was a little saddened by some of the events on behalf of the characters (I’m also a sucker for a happy ended deep down!) but that all added to the hard-hitting and emotive narrative.

Overall, a fantastic, gripping and twisty story.

A well- written psychological thriller which kept me guessing until the end. Bit slow-paced to start, but I was quickly engrossed. Highly recommended!

A great who done it thriller.
Bit slow to start with but i soon became engrossed.
Twists and turns galore.
Exciting and well worth reading.
My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy.

I was really surprised to discover this was debut novel after I’d finished reading , this is one of the best crime thrillers I’ve read in ages.

Nathalie has spent the last decade trying to get over two horrific events. After being subjected to a harrowing sexual assault in the law firm where she worked, her boss was then found not guilty for taping her. Nathalie has made efforts, with the support of her husband, to rebuild her life and has shrunk her life to make it more manageable as she is still haunted by flashbacks and severe psychological symptoms. However , she is managing until once again, her world is upended when her husband Ryan is accused of raping a co-worker.

This was a super read. Tightly plotted, well written and paced , that kept me turning pages late into the night and kept me guessing right up to the conclusion. So many layers, great characterisation and a well told story. There’s potential for further books featuring one of the main characters. I hope this is the case, I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.
4-4.5

A bit of slow burner but glad I persevered, I struggled with Natalie's character the build up was dragged out, but when DI Stratton was introduced I loved her character and as the story is told from both of them I am glad I didn't give up.
Natalie has had trauma in the past and is like a bag of nerves blacking out and losing time whenever triggered, she was a victim 10 years previous but he was found not guilty. Now her husband has been accused of the same thing, does she stand by him or leave., Someone is sending her anonymous notes and she thinks she knows who!
Stratton has a Newby Fasttrack detective working with her to solve the murder of a young woman and it leads them to Natalie's door.
So many twists and turns and an ending I didn't see coming at all
I'd like to see more of Stratton in future books

WOW I really enjoyed Believe Me Now (kindle edition) a debut psychological Whodunit crime thriller by S.M. Govett title also known as Believe. S.M. Govett has also co-written T.I.M. on Netflix about an A1 humanoid. Release date for Believe is 19th June 2025.

Natalie survives the trauma of the verdict of a court trial which involved her boss assaulting her and getting of scott free which leaves her experiencing episodes of blackouts with no memory of what occured at the time.

Natalie's husband Ryan commits the same assault but this time the victim ends up dead and Ryan is accused of murder. DI Stratton and fast track Bradley are on the case.

DI Stratton's older sister's body has never been found and believed to have been murdered many years ago. Stratton's heart jumps a beat everytime a body of a dead young woman turns up with a tattoo.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️FIVE STAR BOOK REVIEW⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

It’s only 8 days in but think I may have found my Book of the Year! 😳

Psychological Thriller at its best and to think this is an adult fiction debut for @sarahgovett

Not released until June and am very lucky that @netgalley allowed me to read and review.

Natalie and Ryan are happy with their marriage but haunted by Natalie’s past. But life takes a turn when Ryan is accused of the one thing that haunts them. Twists twists and more twists and I 💯 did NOT see that ending coming.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

If you do one thing this week or this month then please pre order this book!

This book had me gripped from the start! I loved both the main characters, despite being very different! The book is written from both their perspectives and chapters alternate between the 2, but they are super easy to follow, the timeline slightly overlapping.

I thought I had the plot figured out, but a few twists threw me off, it wasn’t until near the end I figured it out!

This was such a good book, I will definitely be looking out for more books by this author.

This at times was quite a dark read covering some very tragic topics.

It was a but of a slow burner but the chapters from Stratton's POV really started to get the story flowing.

Natalie finds herself in a nightmare situation when her husband is accused of murder

A police thriller with a variety of suspects for whodunnit, it seemed too obvious that Ryan, Natalie's husband was the killer. There were a lot of red herrings during the plot but for me., a throw away thought of Natalie's about another character sealed the deal for me for who the real killer was. There was no other reason for that line to be in there unless it was going to be revisited later on.

Enjoyed this read. thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book. This is my honest opinion.

Here is my 50 word review, thank you to both the publisher and Sarah for giving me the opportunity to read this brilliant book.

Tense, fast-paced and gripping, I was grabbing for my kindle at every opportunity. The story switches between two female voices and as their moving and devastating stories unravel and twist and turn, flow and crash, we are fed the perfect breadcrumbs to be shocked yet not at the final conclusion.

This book was brilliant. A great suspense crime thriller with great characters that sucked you in. Highly recommend and would love to read more from this author.

An excellent psychological thriller. It kept me guessing until the very end. Well written with believable but often flawed characters. It’s worthy of 5 stars from me. Thank you netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book




characters

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

A fantastic crime thriller!

I really enjoyed this one! It had a great plot, characters and police procedurals that kept me gripped throughout. For a crime thriller debut I thought the writing was brilliant too, I read it in a few days and didn’t want to put it down!

The only reason this didn’t get a five stars from me is purely because the twist didn’t completely blow me away. Don’t get me wrong, it was good and I didn’t see it coming, but for some reason it just didn’t make my jaw drop. Not every thriller needs to have crazy twists though, this was still a really enjoyable read.

Overall, a solid crime thriller debut, definitely one to add to your 2025 tbr! I’ll be looking out for more work by this author.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the advanced copy.

What an amazing debut novel! Gripping and intense with an emotionally powerful voice from both of the main female characters, I raced through this whilst trying to draw it out till the incredibly moving moment everything fell into place. I can’t wait to read more from this author as she has stories she obviously loves to tell and that I adore to read! Magnificent!

Believe is a dark thriller which is very well told. Rape and it's effects along with a modern day trial in which the suspect is declared innocent gives this book and emotional and tense vibe.

There are a few twists and I could not tell what would happen come the end.

I enjoyed my reading time and feel that this is a story I will remember for a while..

Natalie had been a victim of rape ten years ago. Her past doesn't seem to be leaving her to move on and get on with her life as she struggles with relationship challenges and blackouts associated with PTSD.
She is being haunted by her past and the leading detective is also working through her own personal trauma of a missing sister.
The whodunit leaves the reader guessing up until the very end. I enjoyed the narrative, the portrayal of the detective was strong and multidimensional.

elieve by S.M. Govett is a gripping, heartfelt novel that delves into the intricacies of self-doubt, the power of personal belief, and the complexity of human relationships. The story is both a deep psychological exploration and an emotional journey, driven by strong character development and a compelling plot.

Plot Overview:
The novel centers around its protagonist, who finds themselves at a crossroads in life, battling with issues of self-worth and external expectations. The book’s central theme revolves around the idea of belief—whether it's belief in oneself, in others, or in something greater. The narrative intertwines various characters, all of whom are grappling with their own crises, making for an engaging story that feels both intimate and universal.

Character Development:
One of the most notable strengths of Believe is its rich character development. The protagonist’s evolution is compelling and nuanced, and the secondary characters add depth and complexity to the narrative. Govett does an excellent job of illustrating the internal conflicts of each character, making them relatable and multifaceted. The way each person wrestles with their own set of beliefs creates a captivating dynamic that keeps the reader invested in their journeys.

Writing Style:
Govett’s writing is evocative and insightful. The prose is accessible yet thought-provoking, with a rhythm that keeps the narrative flowing smoothly. There’s an almost poetic quality to some of the descriptions, especially when the characters are reflecting on their internal struggles. The dialogue feels natural, and the pacing is steady, allowing for both the quieter, introspective moments and the more dramatic events to shine.

Themes and Symbolism:
Believe is not just a story about a single character—it’s a broader exploration of how belief shapes our lives. Whether it's personal conviction, faith in others, or the courage to keep going in the face of doubt, the book uses its themes to encourage readers to reflect on their own beliefs and how they define their identities. The symbolic elements—particularly those related to trust, faith, and inner strength—are seamlessly woven into the plot, giving the story added layers of meaning.

Emotional Impact:
The novel is emotionally charged, offering moments of both tension and tenderness. There are moments that may feel challenging or even painful for the characters, but the overall arc is uplifting and ultimately about growth. Govett skillfully captures the complexities of the human condition, making the emotional payoff all the more rewarding.

Final Thoughts:
Believe by S.M. Govett is a beautifully written exploration of belief, self-discovery, and resilience. It’s a story that resonates with readers who appreciate emotional depth and character-driven narratives. With its compelling themes, well-developed characters, and powerful emotional journey, Believe is a book that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page.

If you’re looking for a story that challenges your perspective on life and belief, this is certainly a novel worth picking up. It’s both a reflective and inspiring read, one that encourages self-exploration and a deeper understanding of the power of belief in shaping our lives.

What a journey this read was, I kept sneaking time to read as I just wanted to know what was going to happen next. It is certinly an indepth psychological thriller wih many twists and turns that I could not keep up with trying to guess who was the murderer and why. A fantastic well paced read with so many suspects to Alice's murder but they all kept being dismissed.Although the book is centred upon the murder of Alice there is another plot and story in the background, both are extremely well intertwined. The characters were so realistic and indeed all were complex in the story which added to all the intrigue. I cannot wait for another book by this extremely talented author.. Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin for letting me read this amazing book.

S.M. Govett’s Believe is an addictive and twisty psychological thriller that grips you from the start and keeps you guessing until the final page. With a well-crafted narrative that shifts between the perspectives of Natalie and Detective Stratton, the book explores themes of trauma, trust, and the shadow of doubt.

Natalie’s life was shattered a decade ago when her boss assaulted her and a jury deemed her a liar. Haunted by this injustice, she struggles to move forward, her attempts to escape the past often leaving her with alarming memory gaps. Her fragile world is rocked once more when her husband, Ryan, is accused of the same crime. Natalie is torn between her instinct to defend him and her growing suspicions, particularly when the accuser’s body is discovered in the woods near their home.

The story’s brilliance lies in its constant ambiguity. As the investigation unfolds, every character seems a potential culprit, and even Natalie begins to doubt her own actions and memories. Govett’s writing weaves tension with precision, keeping the reader in a state of unease. The pacing is excellent, balancing the procedural elements of Stratton’s investigation with Natalie’s emotional turmoil.

The final reveal is both shocking and satisfying, offering a resolution that many readers will not see coming. Believe is a well-written debut with a smooth flow and compelling characterisation, making it a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers. S.M. Govett has delivered a solid and entertaining story that will leave readers eagerly anticipating their next book.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

A good fast paced read that made me second guess a few times. Just what you need in a psychological thriller. Thank you netgalley & S M Govett for an advanced copy of this.