Be Mine
Lizzy Barber
05/27/2025
Datura Books

DON’T DRINK THE KOOL-AID!
Be Mine follows Beth, who relocates from London to San Francisco in search of a fresh start and a clean break from her past. But despite the change in scenery, her daily life remains monotonous—just a cycle of work deadlines and unfulfilled potential. She still hasn’t found her place or purpose—until she meets Marissa and is introduced to a mysterious program called Elixer.
At first, Elixer seems like exactly what Beth needs—a holistic wellness initiative focused on both mental and physical health. But as Beth becomes more involved, it becomes clear that there’s much more to Elixer than meets the eye.
This is a slow-burn, addictive psychological thriller that delivers jaw-dropping "holy shit, I did not see that coming" moments. A chilling cult thriller, Be Mine pulls you into a world of manipulation, control, and creeping dread. With twists and turns at every corner, it keeps you second-guessing everything—and just when you think you’ve figured it out, the story takes another shocking turn.
Told across dual timelines and locations, and interwoven with excerpts from the Elixer manifesto, this novel demands to be devoured at breakneck speed. If you're drawn to dark, twisty psychological thrillers with cult themes, unreliable narrators, and truly unpredictable endings, Be Mine needs to be your next read.

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Lizzy Barber’s novel Be Mine is a fascinating cult thriller that engrosses readers in the world of psychological manipulation and suspense about a wellness cult. It has lots of twists and turns. It is disturbing, fascinating and keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

"I want to protect you, but in doing so I've deprived you of the world."

Lizzy Barber's new novel tells the story of Beth, she was a different person who believed she was living her dream life with the enigmatic wellness group, Elixir. But when that dream became a nightmare, she had no choice but to run away and leave that life behind. Ten years later, she is struggling with the pressures of motherhood, she receives a mysterious letter bearing an infinity symbol that belongs to Elixir. Can Beth run away from a past that has caught up with her? What price is she willing to pay?

The story is split between two timelines, one where Beth is living in San Fransisco where she joins Elixir and the other in ten years later in London where she is living her new life. As far as stories with "cult" theme go, this one was quite addictive.

It does suck you in quickly into this wellness world and soon you find yourself trying to figure out the significance of the two timelines in solving this mystery that is looming from the start. There are many twists that one may anticipate however they are quickly followed up with revelations the reader does not see coming.

I found this one to be a suspenseful thriller which I couldn't put down. If you are looking for an engrossing read then this one may appeal to you.

There has been a plethora of thrillers and horror novels diving into the world of wellness cults. Be Mine stands out among the crowd. Barber really broke down the intricacies of how and why the characters get sucked into these situations. I can say with confidence that I did NOT see one of the main twists coming whatsoever. I was in disbelief. The ending felt a tad rushed and I wish the big confrontation had a bit more meat to it, but overall I really enjoyed this story and it flowed perfectly. The back and forth between storylines flowed perfectly into one another and it all felt very cohesive and easy to read.

I love cult themed stories and this is one of the best. Beth gets sucked in to a wellness group, Elixir. It seems just perfect with Tate, the charismatic and totally controlling leader. But it’s toxic and there are devastating consequences. There’s a dual timeline between the cult activity in the last and Beth’s present life, now in London.
The scenes are so cleverly set. It’s easy to be swayed into the magic of belonging to a group of like minded people but but by bit, the reader is privy to the effect on Beth’s life. It’s one of those stories where you want to grab hold of her and try to talk some sense into her. In other words, it’s emotive and I connected with the characters, good and bad. Packed with the unexpected, it’s going to be a huge success because plotting is superb and the final twist a real shocker.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

Be Mine is psychological thriller exploring when health and wellness becomes toxic, and a detriment to your health.

I found it was slow starting, however 3/4 of the way through there are so many twist and turns it’s hard not to get whiplash! I certainly enjoyed this part of the book, although the ending was somewhat predictable.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and Dature books for access to this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

My head can't stop spinning! This crazy novel opens with family Beth, Adam, and baby Etta. Adam knows nothing about Beth's past: ten years ago she had gotten an invitation to join Elixir with famed founder/director Tate Larsen. Now in the present she must relive many of those memories when she finds an hourglass that reminds her of the time she spent there. M0ney, blackmail, secrets, lies...what's not to like?
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

“Be Mine” is a gripping cult thriller that immerses readers in a world of psychological manipulation and suspense. The narrative is filled with unexpected twists and turns, keeping you on the edge of your seat. Just when you think you’ve figured out the ending, another surprise awaits, challenging your assumptions.

The incredible twist and turns, told by a multi-narrative perspective keeps you guessing until the very end. This has easily been one of my top 5 years of the year.

Thank you to Angry Robot, Datura Books & NetGalley for this ARC.

Loved this one by Lizzy Barber. Dark and twisted and really well written - this one kept me guessing until the end. Five Stars

This is a gripping psychological thriller that immediately captivates the reader with its look into a toxic wellness cult. The story centers on Beth, who relocates to San Francisco seeking a new beginning but becomes entangled in the seemingly idyllic Elixir group. What initially appears to be a supportive community gradually reveals its sinister nature as Beth falls under the sway of the manipulative leader, Tate. The narrative skillfully alternates between Beth's past within the cult and her present life in London, haunted by the lingering fear that Elixir's influence persists. This dual timeline creates constant suspense, compelling the reader to unravel the mysteries of Beth's past and its connection to her present-day anxieties.

The book's strength lies in its disturbingly realistic portrayal of cult dynamics, highlighting the insidious manipulation and mental abuse employed to control members. Barber's sharp and immersive writing draws the reader into Beth's experience, amplifying the tension as subtle clues accumulate towards unexpected revelations. This is a highly recommended read for enthusiasts of psychological thrillers, particularly those interested in themes of cults and unreliable narration, delivering a dark, compelling, and unpredictable narrative.

I loved it and give it a rare 5/5 rating. Thank you to NetGalley and Datura for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Was a slow start but once I finally gave in and got into it, I ate it up. Has the drama and toxic you want to keep going but also wondering where the story will go.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc. It took me quite some time to get through this book because the flipped perspectives were hard to decipher sometimes. It was a twisty read and definitely showed the struggle of a sleep deprived, new mom and her background of a culty relationship.

Wow. This book is gripping, twisty, and definitely hooked me right from the start. I could not put this book down. Set over 2 time periods but very easy to follow which is which.
High on my list of my favourite reads this year so far.

Be mine by Lizzie Barber

This book was an absolute head trip. Following a very toxic but believable wellness style cult like creeper group.

This book follows a young woman named Beth who is trying to get away from her previous life in the UK, she is invited to this exclusive club like atmosphere that has her striving for the higher levels of success by the instructors and classmates. She is entranced by the instructor named Tate that has her smitten from the get go.

This story takes place in a past and present like storytelling atmosphere that has you guessing and wondering where the story may lead. As Beth in current times has gotten away from the outlandish expectations of Elixir and is now a mother, a sleep deprived mother who is questioning herself as she receives a mysterious letter from her old life.

I enjoy the book however it took sometime to get use to the bouncing of the storyline. Thank you NetGalley and Datura for this advanced copy!

Be Mine is the kind of book that grabs you and doesn’t let go. It’s a wild, twisty ride into the dark world of toxic wellness cults, and I couldn’t put it down. The story follows Beth, who moves to San Francisco for a fresh start but gets sucked into an exclusive wellness group called Elixir. At first, it seems perfect—the classes, the vibe, the sense of belonging—but soon, it takes over her life. She’s waking up crazy early, skipping work, and doing whatever it takes to impress the cult’s mysterious leader, Tate. And let me tell you, Tate is the worst—a total narcissist who plays mind games with his followers, breaking them down just to build them back up under his control.

The book jumps between Beth’s past in the cult and her present life in London, where she’s trying to move on but can’t shake the fear that Elixir is still watching her. When an envelope with their logo shows up in her apartment, the paranoia kicks in hard. These dual timelines keep the suspense high—you’re constantly trying to piece together what happened back then and how it connects to the creepy stuff happening now. At first, the time jumps took a second to get used to, but once I got into the flow, I was hooked.

What makes this book so addictive is how real the cult feels. The manipulation, the mental abuse, the way Beth (and the others) get brainwashed into thinking they need Tate’s approval—it’s all so well-written and unsettling. You can see how someone smart could still fall into something like this, and that’s what makes it scary. The tension builds slowly, with little clues dropped along the way, until everything explodes in a way I never saw coming.

Lizzy Barber’s writing is sharp and immersive—she makes you feel like you’re right there with Beth, experiencing every high and low. The twists hit hard, and just when you think you’ve figured it out, another curveball comes flying at you.

If you love psychological thrillers with cult themes, unreliable narrators, and a plot that keeps you guessing, this is your next read. It’s dark, gripping, and impossible to predict.

5/5 stars—highly recommend!

✨4 stars✨

Wow what a rollercoaster this book was!

Set against the backdrop of toxic wellness cults, this book follows Beth dual timelines, one in San Francisco in 2013 and one in London a decade later. I really enjoyed the pace in which the author allowed the reveals to take place as from the beginning I was hooked.

Throughout, I became suspicious of every character, including our narrator so whilst I may have figured a few twists out, there were far more that had me stumped and my jaw on the floor.

There were many uncomfortable part of the book, especially when seeing how easy it can be to become involved in these wellness cults, and how history may repeat itself!

I would definitely recommend this book!

I received an ARC from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

OMG.
What a freaky read. The ending my Jaw is still on the floor.
This book is about a wellness cult (it reminds me of the MLM cults that exist right now, there was also the whole works and other wellness cults that existed in previous years.) If you are or were a part of them, I'm sorry, but this is what the book reminded me of. You meet Beth and Marissa who become fast friends in San Fran! Where Marissa invites her to join Elixer.

Oh, she joins alright and becomes entranced by Tate the company's leader. Oh, then things change. I can't go into what happens next but at the end your jaw will be dropping. Completely on the floor. Lean over pick it up and word of advice stay away from the wellness cult. If you want to join its okay too but if your life turns out like this then don't come for me.

Also, the last chapter..OMG! OMG! OMG! Where is part two?

Beth, newly moved to San Francisco in 2013, in the wake of a difficult breakup, is vulnerable to the approaches of a friendly stranger who introduces her to the mysterious Elixir organisation, which promises to change her life - mind, body and spirit. Soon, she's in deep.

In the present day, back in the UK, Beth is a new mother to baby Etta, but her life is shadowed by the fear that Elixir has a long reach. Are they really still watching her, sending her messages?

The story develops over these two timelines as we learn more about Elixir, its well-named leader Tate (I kept thinking "Andrew") and its impact on Beth and others.

Elixir is clearly a cult, with all the attributes including a supposedly charismatic leader (although from the outset Tate is obviously weird and creepy). Fine by me, I love a scary (fictional) cult. Psychological and physical abuse is rife in Elixir world, and despite the healthy living claims, they have no objection to alcohol, drugs and extreme eating restriction. It's hard to believe an intelligent woman like Beth falls for it all, though I guess it does happen.

The "Extraction" sessions, among a few other things, were reminiscent of Scientology's "auditing".

There are some odd word choices which jarred at times ("he wielded his body" - yikes! - "she worried her head", the use of "distinctively" instead of "distinctly") and some that are just wrong (a man in a queue "inferred" that she should move forward).

It all got a bit crazy towards the end, and I didn't like or see the point of the very end. I wasn't sure what I was meant to conclude from it. The main twist was good, and I didn't see it coming at all - though I'm not entirely sure it would work in real life.

There's generally quite a lot of suspension of disbelief required here, which is not to say weird and scary cults don't exist, because they clearly do! It was an engaging read, though.

This is a very engaging book that had me thinking about similar toxicity and cult behavior that I see around me every day. The ending was a bit of a cheesefest but overall this is a pretty good read with plenty of twists and tension.