Published by Bookouture on November 26 2018
Genres: Thriller
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Also by this author: The Girl Across the Street
‘I know all your secrets, Lauren.’
Lauren has spent years running away from her home town, her childhood and the memories of her best friend, Hannah.
Until the tenth anniversary of Hannah’s death forces her to return home and to the group of friends she abandoned there. It should be a quick visit, just so Lauren can pay her respects.
At home, Lauren finds Hannah’s old diary. A diary full of secrets. The terrible things Lauren did, the lies she’s told, the reason she ran away. And she receives a message:
‘I don’t know why you’re back, but I know why you left.’
But no-one else has seen the diary, and Hannah’s dead, isn’t she?
A suspenseful psychological thriller full of twists and turns – you won’t be able to stop turning the pages of The Diary. Perfect for fans of The Sister, The Girl on the Train and We Were Liars.
This book has the essence of Pretty Little Liars and trying to figure out who “A” was in that because in that show everyone is a suspect. Well, the same could be said here! I spent 90% of this book screaming with my need to have answers and all the while Ms Patis just kept dangling a carrot in front of me like you would a donkey, if I was said donkey I would be bloody skinny because I would never catch the carrot!!
We venture through this book with a mixture of then and now chapters, always shown through Lauren’s eyes. Her life with Hannah when they were younger and their friends, Natalie, Sophie, Nicole and Yasmin. Then Lauren’s life as an adult without Hannah. We meet Lauren when it is the 10th anniversary of Hannah’s death, as she travels home to Hitchin when the crazy happens.
I surprised myself here, near the end of the book knowing this was a psychological thriller, it made me get something in my eyes. The secrets when they were uncovered were heartbreaking and the group of girls left behind had to learn to understand and deal with it
I was speeding my way through this book quickly, I had to know what was going on. It was like being on a speeding train, next stop crazy town, screaming with excitement and frustration because you just did not know what revelation, if any, was about to be dropped! Initially, I thought that Hannah and Lauren’s friendship was toxic, they may call each other sissy but Hannah was so overbearing and controlling of Lauren. However, I think I may be slightly wavering on my thinking.
This is so much more of a character-driven thriller, in the respect that yes someone is sending the messages to all the girls and yes you are dying to know who is sending them, but the story focuses on the secrets they have all kept. The guilt they feel and the hopelessness of what it was like as a teenager without the ability to control the world around them.
Thanks to Emma at Damppebbles for the tour invite and the author for a copy of the book in return for my honest and unbiased review
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
devouringbooks2017 says
I love the cover on this one! I also loved Pretty Little Liars, so maybe I should throw this on my TBR
Zoe says
I loved PLL too! Yeah it has that feel to it! Oh you should try and check it out! It kept me intrigued throughout
devouringbooks2017 says
That’s wonderful! I am going to check it out! Thanks!
Zoe says
Hope you enjoy! You will have to let me know what you think
likeherdingcatsblog says
I really enjoyed this too and felt it was less a thriller and more about grief, guilt and letting go. I predicted the twist easily but it didnt take away ftom how good the book is xcx
Zoe says
Yeah I kind of guessed the ending, but I completely agree. It had you guessing how it would end, and as you say guilt and grief. Glad you enjoyed it too! x
likeherdingcatsblog says
Yes. It was very different. Not pacey or high suspense but a journey.
Zoe says
Yes! I completely agree! It made a nice change!
Tessa - Narratess says
This would be perfect for by the pool or beach. A book so good you have to finish it in one sitting. Thank you for sharing!
Zoe says
Yes! You can easily read this in one go! I would have done if I didn’t need sleep lol. There was a lot of mystery and intrigue throughout which was fab