Don’t Turn Around

I’d like to thank HarperCollins UK and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Don’t Turn Around’ by Amanda Brooke in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Ten years ago Jen’s cousin and best friend Meg commits suicide by hanging herself to get out of an abusive relationship and although the police found no evidence to convict her boyfriend Lewis Rimmer, Meg’s mother and father Ruth and Geoff have always believe he was responsible. In memory of Meg, Ruth and Jen start ‘Lean On Me’, a help-line to help other young men and women. When they learn that Lewis has moved back to the area and receive a phone call from a young woman who calls herself Ellie, they fear that Lewis is doing to his girlfriend exactly when he did to Meg. Ruth and Jen step in to save her but will they be able to, or are they making matters worse?
‘Don’t Turn Around’ is a disturbing psychological thriller with a well-thought-out plot that had me hooked from the start. As the story progressed it became emotionally charged as discoveries were made of Meg's experiences and her deteriorating life. When Lewis returned to the area I felt afraid that he’d confront Jen and harm her when she was walking home in the dark, and I became so involved with the story that the conclusion left me feeling shocked with the turn of events. Although the story was disquieting at times I couldn’t stop reading and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Having read several of this author’s previous books, I was looking forward to this one and it certainly lived up to my expectations.

Ten years ago, teenager Meg committed suicide when she found herself trapped in an abusive relationship. Subsequently, her mum Ruth set up a helpline for abused women. On the anniversary of Meg’s death, Ruth wants publicity to keep the helpline in the spotlight and reach any women in need.

Jen is Meg’s cousin and when she finds out the person they blame for Meg’s death is back in the area, she confronts him. On discovering that he is possibly abusing another young woman, Ruth and Jen do everything they can to help her.

A story told by both Jen and Ruth as they try to find out what happened to Meg and the shock of what they finally discover. An excellent book with a good cast of characters, a tale of manipulation, secrets and lies with a excellent twist.

OMG ! Wow ! This is a beaut of a book. I was up to the early hours reading this :) I absolutely loved it ! I couldn’t put it down ! Kept me right on the edge of my seat ! Fabulous ! 10/10

A real page turner. Plenty of twists and turns to keep me enthralled. Very emotional read. I never guessed the ending. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it

DON'T TURN AROUND tells the sad story of Meg, a seventeen-year-old who committed suicide. Now it's ten years later, but her family are still trying to deal with it. The main characters are Jen (cousin), Charlie (Jen's boyfriend), Ruth (Meg's mum), Geoff (Meg's dad), and Lewis (the big bad?!)

The story itself seemed quite straight forward, with the 'secrets' being quite easily recognisable, although the way the story twisted and weaved itself made it a good read. Lewis is cast as the thug boyfriend, but it quickly becomes apparent he isn't as one-dimensional as that. Charlie is a character I never warmed too, even when he hadn't done anything wrong. Told from the perspectives of Jen and Ruth, this story takes you with them as they go through a huge change on the tenth anniversary of Meg's death.

This was an interesting read, with no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow. I didn't find it as 'edge of your seat' as I did the previous book by Amanda Brooke I have read, but I still enjoyed reading it.

I have no hesitation in recommending it, but be warned, it does touch on some sensitive subjects - abuse and suicide being two of them.