Until I Met Her

Emma Fern #1

by Natalie Barelli

She should never have said 'yes'...
When Beatrice said she wanted to publish her next novel under Emma's name, Emma thought she was joking. Why on earth would Beatrice, the famous crime writer, not want to publish her new book under her own name?

Precisely because she was so famous, Beatrice had explained. This time, Beatrice wanted to write something different, and publish it as an unknown author, and she wanted Emma to help.

After everything Beatrice had done for her, Emma could hardly refuse. But what was meant to be a favor has turned into a betrayal, and now Emma has done something terrible, something shocking, and the consequences are terrifying...

A twisted, gripping psychological thriller perfect for fans of Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Fiction, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller, Suspense, Psychological Thriller

300 pages, Paperback

First published June 16, 2016

About the author

Natalie Barelli lives in Australia with her family where she is forever thinking up ways of killing people and getting away with it.

Reviews

[MarilynW · Rating 4 out of 5]

Until I Met Her (Emma Fern #1)
by Natalie Barelli, Kate Rudd (Narrator)

Fern seems so nice. Very humble and snarky, but mostly in her head, because she's a nice person. She tries to be the best wife she can be for her husband since he's so brilliant and smart and above her in almost every way and he needs a good little wife to take care of things on the home front. He doesn't expect his wife to meet his brilliance, after all, how could she?

But things are changing. Fern had wanted to write a book once and now she has her chance, sort of. Now she's actually able to put a real book out there, kind of. And it's all because she has met her favorite author, Beatrice Johnson-Greene, and Beatrice actually likes Fern. She wants to be Fern's mentor and she wants to spend time with Fern. She also wants Fern's help.

Things do go all cattywampus at some point but as anxious and off her rocker as Fern may get at times, she's up to the task of fixing what needs fixing. Just you watch her! It's a mistake to underestimate Fern and just about everyone has done so.

Pub June 16, 2016

This was a Kindle Unlimited audiobook.

[Kaceey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic traveling sister read with my wonderful sisters Norma, Brenda and Lindsay!

An intriguing debut thriller!
Emma lives a rather ordinary life. She owns a small furnishings store and is married to an economist who never seems to fully appreciate her. One fateful day, Beatrice Johnson-Greene, an award-winning and bestselling author walks into her shop…and into her life. Emma is awestruck. What grand fortune! See, Emma has secretly, desperately always wanted to be an author. Her dream since childhood.

All it takes is one little lie from Emma “I wrote a novel once.” And with that, their chance meeting blossoms into a new friendship. Only Beatrice has a deeper motivation behind this new whirlwind of a friendship! She wants Emma to be the name and face of her latest novel. And for Emma to take ownership of it. (Why she would want this I could never understand!?)

It's a dream come true for Emma. To become the successful author she always wanted to be. But how far will she take this farce? When is it no longer a far-fetched fantasy but a reality?

I found Emma's quirky and sarcastic inner dialogue both entertaining and endearing. It was great fun watching her deal with the consequences and fallout of this very bizarre experiment. Emma truly was the best part of this book! You couldn't help but love her!

The books reads very fast and held my attention throughout. There were parts I thoroughly enjoyed and was hopeful the intensity would hold till the end. But it left me wanting more. (Is that good or bad??). I can't imagine what the author has in store for Emma (or us readers) in book two After He Killed Me due out in Oct 2017.

To find this review along with our Traveling Sister Review, please visit the Traveling Sister Review section of Norma and Brenda’s fantastic book blog:
http://www.twogirlslostinacouleereadi...

Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and Natalie Barelli for a copy to review.

[Norma ~ The Sisters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Traveling Sisters NetGalley Review by Norma with Brenda, Lindsay and Kaceey’s thoughts.

A book within a book – how can we go wrong with that?  We all absolutely love reading books that are about or have books within the storyline.

UNTIL I MET HER (The Emma Fern Series, Book 1) by NATALIE BARELLI is a fun, clever, exciting, compelling, and character-driven debut thriller novel that grabbed our attention right away and had us all totally engaged and curious throughout this story as we were trying to figure out the direction, motivation, and intentions of all the characters involved.

NATALIE BARELLI delivers a wonderfully written story here with the most standout character that we have ever read and the highlight of this book was our main character’s personality.  The snarky commentary of Emma Fern was one heck of an entertaining, amusing, and the most enjoyable aspect of this novel!

To sum it all up it was an intriguing, mysterious, fast-paced, and a quick and easy read that will keep you entertained right to the very end with the help of our main character’s quirky and sarcastic inner dialogue which will leave you wanting more in the end.  We are looking forward to what the author has in store for Emma Fern in the next book of this series, AFTER HE KILLED ME which is due out in October, 2017.  Would recommend!!

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and Natalie Barelli for the opportunity to read a copy of this book for a fair and honest review.

Our full Traveling Sisters Review along with Brenda, Lindsay, and Kaceey's thoughts can be found on your sister blog:
https://www.twogirlslostinacouleeread...

[Lindsay L · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars! This was a quick, entertaining, character-driven read.

A book about a book – how can you go wrong with that? I enjoyed reading about the life of a writer and the accomplishment of publishing a highly successful debut novel. The author, Natalie Barelli, did an excellent job keeping me curious as to the intentions and motivations of each of the characters throughout the story – it kept my interest from start to finish. With that being said, I did feel that the ending wrapped up a little too quickly and neatly. I would have liked a more dramatic finish (my ‘sisters’ and I agree that we love drama in our books, not in our lives 😊).

I loved the main character, Emma Fern. Her snarky inner thoughts and comments were highly entertaining, often making me laugh out loud. I enjoyed following Emma on her crazy journey - her character was, by far, my most favourite part of this novel!

As always, it was a pleasure reading along with my sensational sisters – Norma, Brenda and Kaceey! To find this review, along with our full Traveling Sister Read review, please visit Brenda and Norma’s fabulous book blog at :

https://twogirlslostinacouleereading....

A big thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and Natalie Barelli for providing a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review!

[Brenda ~The Sisters~Book Witch · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun, pleasant and clever little gem Until I Met Her was for a Traveling Sister Read with Norma, Lindsay and Kaceey.

Until I Met Her is a wonderful and delightful web of deceit, lies and betrayal that had me engaged, interested and excited to find out the consequences to the deception.

Natalie Barelli does a great job creating such unlikeable characters it was hard not to love them. Emma’s wit, snarkiness and inner thoughts had me laughing and cheering her on in her web of deceit and in the things she did to maintain that deceit.

The ending wrapped up a little too neatly and quickly and had Kaceey yelling out loud again with “A little more drama please”. I too could of used a little more in the ending I will definitely be looking out for the second book to see what web of deceit Barelli might have in store for us.

Thank you so to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and Natalie Barelli for a copy to read and review.

Our full Traveling Sister review by Norma along with Kaceey and Lindsay's thoughts can be found on your sister blog
https://twogirlslostinacouleereading....

[Berit☀️✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW there were some pretty f***ed up people in this book...
Not really sure if anybody was really a victim, it was kind of like the craziest person will be the last standing... I thought the author did a really good job with the evolution of Emma from a pretty normal person, to just straight up psycho.... it really wasn’t like there were a tremendous amount of twists that you did not see coming, it was just such a crazy ride spending time with Emma and her inner dialogue.... was so glad the second book came out today, so I could spend more time in this crazy girls brain, not sure what that says about me???

[Phrynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a clever little book, full of twists and turns and highly unusual in that you know who the murderer is going to be right from chapter one when she tells you herself!

So the fun is not in the who but in the why and how and in all the twists and turns that take place. The characters are very well written. None of them are nice, in fact they all deserve whatever happens to them, but you find yourself rooting for Emma - just because:)

I cannot imagine what is going to happen to Emma and Jim in book 2 and will not be waiting long before I read it and find out!

[Sarah Joint · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compelling and addicting. I finished this book in a day. Though by the end it was hard to identify with or even like the characters, they were so fascinating. Fame, money, and success can certainly change everything and make you think and do things you wouldn't have dreamed of before to keep it. This is a quick and easy read that'll definitely keep you turning pages.

Imagine your favorite author walking into your workplace. Most of us would be thrilled, nervous, maybe even speechless. As a voracious reader myself, it was easy to put myself into Emma's position at first. She's perfectly willing to do the little favor author Beatrice Johnson Greene asks her, even though it's inconvenient. Just a simple delivery is how it begins. She is pleased about their little encounter, expecting it to be a cute story she can tell about helping a famous customer. But it isn't.

Beatrice asks her to lunch to thank her, and she's stunned. Even more so when that lunch evolves into a friendship. Beatrice is a little uppity, but still charming. It's not long before Emma is focusing more on her famous friend than her little shop. She starts to emulate her, telling her she had always dreamed of being an author herself, starting to act and dress more like her.

Beatrice has another favor to ask... you see, she's written a new book, but it isn't her usual genre. Writing out of her wheelhouse has gone badly in the past. She wants to see if her latest work would succeed without her famous name attached... and without the embarrassment if it doesn't. She could just release it under a different name, but that plan has flaws. She needs a fresh face to do interviews and promote the book. She wants Emma.

Emma refuses at first, but consents after realising she doesn't want to disappoint this woman who has become her dearest friend. Soon she begins to think of it as her book. After all, she's promoting it. It's her face on the jacket, her name on the cover. Who knows if it would even have succeeded without her? No one knows the truth but Beatrice and Emma, not even their husbands. She is thrilled with the attention, finally feeling like her success is equal to her incredibly intelligent and educated husband, or even surpassing it. The only way the truth could come out is if Beatrice confesses... but that can't happen.

I received a copy of this book from Net Galley and Thomas & Mercer, thank you! My opinion is honest and unbiased.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emma, owner of a small antique store has always dreamed of becoming a writer so when Beatrice a famous crime writer walks into her store Emma bends over backwards to be helpful. After getting to know each other Beatrice offers to mentor Emma in her writing and then asks Emma if she would agree to publish a book of Beatrice's, outside her usual genre, under Emma's name. Although reluctant at first Emma falls in with Beatrice's plan and the book goes on to be very successful and is nominated for an award. It's at this point, about half way through the novel that Beatrice's plan all starts to fall apart and Emma does something truly shocking that will make you realise just how good this book is. Neither Emma or Beatrice are likeable characters (and Emma's husband certainly isn't) but I found myself cheering Emma on as she weaves a web of deceit and lies and couldn't wait to find out if she got away with it. Definitely a very accomplished debut novel.

[Nancy (post-vacation catch up) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't think there was one likable character in this book. Not a single one. While I didn't like the protagonist, Emma, and found myself annoyed with her actions, I admit that I did find her internal dialogue entertaining. This is a totally OTT story with unrealistic dialogue and excessive use of the word "darling", but I think it was meant to be OTT. Quick and easy listen. 3.5 stars.

[Constantine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 5.0/5.0

Genre:
Mystery Thriller

Wow, what a good surprise. I honestly did not expect to like this one that much. This is not your normal thriller which is full of twists and turns, nope. The story is more like a drama that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Emma Fern meets a famous crime author Beatrice Johnson. A friendship develops between them and one day Beatrice asks Emma a favor. The favor is to publish a book in a different genre than what she usually writes under Emma's name! You don't need to know more.

I doubt any reader will like any of the characters in this novel. There is lots of backstabbing, lots of deceit and lies. And I feel this is what made this story like a dangerous hilarious ride full of bumps. Natalie Barellí's writing style and storytelling way are so engaging. I can't believe this was her debut book because it is so fantastic for a first book. I am definitely going to read more from her work.

Though there is a second book for this story there is no cliffhanger in this book. So if one wants to read it as a standalone it is still valid to be read and considered that way. But of course, since I enjoyed this very much I am going to read the sequel soon.

Available on Kindle Unlimited

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emma Fern owned and ran an antique store, and the day Beatrice Johnson Green walked in to purchase an item as a gift for her mother-in-law was the day Emma’s life changed. Beatrice was a well-known author; plus she was also Emma’s favourite author, so she was completely awestruck that Beatrice was in her shop, let alone speaking to her. When Beatrice invited Emma out to lunch a few days later, Emma was at the stage of being willing to do anything that Beatrice asked.

With Emma’s friendship with Beatrice complete, she told her things she hadn’t even told Jim, her husband. She told Beatrice she’d written a novel – but when Beatrice asked Emma to do her a special favour, Emma initially refused. When she finally agreed to Beatrice’s request, once again, life changed for Emma. What would be the outcome of the deceit and lies that came from that one simple request?

Until I Met Her is the debut novel, and #1 in the Emma Fern series for Aussie author Natalie Barelli, and although we know who the murderer is at the beginning of the novel, we have no idea of the why or how. The twists, secrets and devious moves form a clever plot which Barelli has handled well. The characters aren’t particularly likeable – but that’s part of the attraction. Recommended.

[Purple Country Girl (Sandy) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of Until I Met Her from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

3.5

Emma Fern is working in her quaint home decor shop when best-selling author Beatrice Johnson Greene walks in. (This chance meeting will change Emma and Beatrice’s lives forever.) Beatrice buys a lamp as a gift for her mother-in-law and convinces Emma (a big fan of Beatrice’s) to deliver it for her even though Emma needs to get to a function for her husband.

A few days later, Beatrice calls Emma and invites her to lunch as a thank you. During their conversation, Emma mentions that she had written a novel years ago but had thrown it out. Beatrice offers to mentor Emma and help her complete her novel. Emma eagerly accepts. Later at home, she tells her husband, Jim, about her fantastic news but he is skeptical and rather hurtful about the endeavor. Upset, Emma decides to give up on her dream and tells Beatrice she can’t go through with it but the ever-persuasive Beatrice convinces her to stay the course.

After several shopping trips and lunches, Beatrice’s motivations become clear. She has written a new novel which is a major departure from her best-selling crime novels and having tried to deviate before and having failed, she wants this new work to stand on its own. She wants it to be taken seriously but knows she is typecast as a crime thriller writer. The upshot: Beatrice wants the novel to be published under Emma’s name. Initially uninterested, Emma eventually agrees to become the “author” of Beatrice’s latest work. The novel is a success and Emma takes to the fame and praise like it’s a drug. This arrangement will have devastating consequences.

Until I Met Her has a brisk pace and lots of twists and turns. The plot is quite unusual and intriguing. By the end of the first chapter, my interest was piqued but it was not always the case. There are some lulls, especially around the get-togethers Emma attends for her jerk of a husband. Unfortunately, the characters are not very likeable. Emma is weak in the beginning, easily duped and manipulated. Her husband, Jim, is an ass who seems to keep Emma on the verge of tears. Beatrice is selfish and arrogant not to mention a first rate manipulator.

I had some issues with Until I Met Her but, most of all, I think there could have been a bit more character development for Emma. You can see things building inside her and changing her but the outcome is extreme and more depth to her character would help make her actions more believable.

All in all, Until I Met Her is a good, quick read. As I mentioned, I did have a few issues but those don’t keep me from recommending it to fans of thrillers who don’t mind unlikeable and unreliable characters.

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emma has a happy marriage, runs a successful small business and dreams of becoming an author. When her friend Beatrice, an already successful author asks Emma to put her name to her new novel Emma agrees. Beatrice is writing a different genre than she normally does and is hesitant to put her name to it, worried what may happen to the sales of her other books and her reputation. Emma becomes totally besotted with her new role as an author and revels in the attention, it is all she can think about. As her fame increases many will turn against her, not only strangers but people she already knows. Totally addictive, loved this story.

[Bren fall in love with the sea. · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Why is it always 3:00 a.m., I wondered, when the dark, silent world of naked truth slides in beside us in bed, keeping us from the relief of sleep?”
― Natalie Barelli, Until I Met Her



3.5 stars.

This is a highly rated book and I wish I could have loved it as much as many. While this was an enjoyable read, there were a few things that I did not like.

I loved the premise which is why I put it on my list of books to read. I like reading about writers and this premise..a writer asking her friend to assume her identity..seemed fun. And it was at first. I loved the first half. The writing is so good. It's fresh and energetic and makes one want to keep turning the pages. But, for me anyway, things at some point, took a nosedive.

SPOILERS:

I really did not love the twist. It seems every mystery these days needs a twist and I do not see why. The book went quickly from a fun book about a writer to a Psycho killer book. This type of book I have read alot of but I did not think Until I met her was going to go down that path and I was a little let down when it did.

I also found the ending difficult to stomach. I found the whole thing unbelievable and could not buy Emma as a mass murderer. That is not where I expected the book to go and I found that the way things played out was unrealistic to say the least.

It was a double let down because, unlike books that are just OK and then goes sideways, this one was absolutely terrific to start. I loved the plot in the beginning and thought it was so fresh and original but then I thought it just turned into another thriller and I really did not like that.

Although I did not really care for where this book went all that much I’d still give it 3.5 stars because the first half was riveting. I just felt it went down a path I could not believe.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two authors. One successful. One aspiring. One mentor. One devotee.

What happens next creates a page turning, twisty, suspense thriller that had me on the edge of my seat. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good read.

I was captivated by the story of a struggling writer obsessed with her mentor, a famous crime novelist. Emma yearns to be a successful author and when she is befriended by her favorite writer Beatrice, she is awe struck. She is taken under Beatrice’s wing and shown a life never before available to her – the life of a well known and highly popular writer.

Beatrice has a plan that she shares with Emma. This plan takes on a life of its own and therein lies the story. A story that definitely delivers a satisfying and thrilling suspense thriller.

I don’t like to read spoilers when I am reading reviews, so I will leave it to you to discover this book on your own. The author really delves into Emma’s psyche and some of the thought processes made me laugh out loud as I felt the emotions and joy and pain of this character.

Simply put, I loved this book and look forward to more of Natalie Barelli's brilliant work.

Thank you NetGalley for a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.

[Mandy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Full disclosure: I skimmed the last third of this book because it was so awful. And by awful I mean self-published (I assume), two-dimensional and flat throughout. So, yes, awful. I hate-read it simply to be able to "finish" it and warn everyone else in my friends list to stay away.

Let's begin with the plot, which is actually the one redeeming feature of this book. There's a murder (or are there two murders? NOT TELLING) - Emma Fern, bestselling author and literary prize nominee has killed her best friend, author Beatrice. This is not a secret - we're told this in the first chapter so I'm not spoiling everything for you. How she comes to have killed her is the tale we're told from Emma's perspective.

Emma is a mild-mannered shop owner who comes from poverty and now lives with her super-smart economist husband, Jim, and enjoys a boring life until she meets her FAVOURITE author, Beatrice, one day in her shop. What follows is a request from Beatrice (who quickly becomes Emma's BEST FRIEND IN THE WHOLE WORLD) to pretend to have written a book by Beatrice and be her stand-in because the book is totally different to anything she's ever written and no agent will take it seriously. Obviously Emma descends into a spiral of jealousy and delusion which culminates in murder. Interesting, right?

EXCEPT all the characters are completely flat and so two-dimensional that they'll give you paper cuts. Emma is obviously unhinged from the beginning so there's no descent into delusion that would be necessary to make the day she "snaps" believable. Her husband Jim obviously detests her from the start despite the author trying to tell us that their marriage was super happy and perfect. Beatrice is so craven and rude that you actually want to reach in and throttle her and, well, the story is told in such a way that you might think you're reading the outline instead of the fleshed out book.

And this is before I even talk about the dialogue, because AWFUL. There are no words but I'll try find them: stilted like a stick man walking on stilts does not even come close. I'd come up with examples but just trust me, awful.

[AnisaAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Until I met her….But you wish you hadn’t!

Beatrice Hodgson-Green a renowned author of crime fiction, dies tragically from a fall from the top of a staircase. The books begins at her funeral where Emma Fern is morning the loss of her dear friend and mentor. We are told a story from Emma’s perspective of the events that have led up to this moment.

In a chance meeting Emma met Beatrice in the previous year and sets off in a world wind friendship and mentoring relationship. Beatrice extends an invitation to place Emma’s name as front a book she has written in another genre. At the acceptance of this invitation, Emma is unaware of how her life will be caught up in the limelight and a web of deception. How far will she go to protect the lies?

This is a well written psychological thriller with an intriguing plot with well developed characters and relationships. I loved seeing Emma’s transformation from an unassuming character to all out force to be reckonned with. I highly recommend this book by Natalie Barelli!

Thank you Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[BIBLIOMANIAC MJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!!! Congratulations to the author for coming up with a fresh, unique & witty novel that I could not get enough of, leaving me with a record book hangover.

Let me just say I am VERY stingy with rating novels. When most rate a novel as 5, I will on average rate it as 3. To rate this as 5 therefore means I thoroughly enjoyed everything about this book and I am eagerly waiting in anticipation for Natalie Barelli's next novel.

I enthusiastically and wholeheartedly recommend this one!

Many thanks to Netgalley, Natalie Barelli and the publishers for allowing me the opportunity to read this treasure in exchange for an unbiased review.

[Nina (ninjasbooks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Barelli knows how to write an engaging story. My problem was with the main character who changed from an empathetic and humble woman to a narcissistic megalomaniac in a heartbeat. It grated on me and disturbed an interesting plot that otherwise would have been very appealing.

[Jenni · Rating 4 out of 5]

I cracked this book open and immediately felt like I’d stumbled into a literary crime scene — the kind where everyone is smiling, lying, and plotting while holding a cup of tea like it’s a weapon. Emma Fern is the kind of woman who wants to please everyone, which is adorable until you realise she’s about to be emotionally mugged by a bestselling crime writer.

Beatrice Johnson Greene?
Oh, she’s a menace.
A bestselling author with the energy of someone who has never asked nicely for anything in her life. She meets Emma by chance, takes one look at her, and thinks, “Yes. That one. That’s the perfect patsy.”
And Emma — sweet, desperate‑to‑please Emma — says yes before even checking the fine print.

All Emma has to do is lend her name to Beatrice’s next novel.
Her first book in a new genre.
No big deal.
Except the book becomes a massive hit, Emma becomes the toast of the literary world, and suddenly she’s walking around like she’s Hemingway reincarnated even though she hasn’t written a single word.

It’s her masterpiece, after all.
It says so on the cover.
And Emma? She believes the cover.

Beatrice, meanwhile, is watching her creation — her puppet — turn into a monster with a publicist. Emma gets her first taste of success and immediately wants more. More fame. More praise. More spotlight. More everything. And Beatrice is the only one who knows the truth, which is delicious because you can practically hear her grinding her teeth.

The tension between them builds like a slow‑burn explosion.
Emma’s ambition grows claws.
Beatrice’s resentment becomes a hobby.
And the whole thing spirals into that perfect psychological‑thriller mess where you’re muttering, “Oh no, Emma, sweetheart, you’re becoming the villain,” while also whispering, “Beatrice, you absolutely started this.”

It’s twisty, petty, manipulative, and full of that Barelli flavour where every character is one bad decision away from ruining their own life.

A 3.5‑star read — entertaining, sharp, messy, and absolutely the kind of thriller where you finish a chapter muttering, “Emma, mate, you need to sit down before you accidentally commit a felony.”

[Lesa Divine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read.

Readers know someone is dead and find out right away who did it. But the story takes the readers on a journey to learn more about the characters. Emma a business owner and wife who runs into a famous writer and they become friends. But soon Emma asked to do something for the writer and the story takes off from there.

With fame comes a lot of responsibilities even death.

I enjoyed and will read book 2.

[Katie T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear Mrs. Barelli,

I owe you an apology. I hated the first book I read by you (The Loyal Wife) and dare I say I was a bit childish (who me???) in my review. I was mean. Unnecessarily so. I have since read almost all your books and I love them all.

You write crazy so well. You give your characters interesting careers and usually some crazy shit stems from that and I love it. If I were going to be needlessly crazy and brazen yet loveable I would be Emma Fern.

Please forgive me. I'm fickle and irrational but I have fallen for you.

Faithfully yours,
Katie

[Chelsea 🏳️‍🌈 · Rating 5 out of 5]

** Received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review **

“Surely murder is a lot like having children, or getting a pet: it’s the first one that changes your life. After that, well, it’s just incremental.”

I adored this book!

I regret that it took me so long to get into it but it’s really a phenomenal story.

This novel follows Emma Fern, a shopkeep that’s in love with the works of successful crime novelist, Beatrice Johnson Greene. One day, Beatrice walks into Emma’s shop and befriends her with the intent of using her for her latest novel. Beatrice is burned out from writing crime novels, her last two weren’t very good, and she’s written a manuscript for a literary fiction novel. After her last attempt at switching genres bombed, she came up with a scheme to use someone as her decoy to sell the book and she thinks Emma is the perfect person.

I don’t know where to begin!

This book was such a pleasant surprise for me. I haven’t read a ton of crime fiction novels but I’ve seen quite a few movies so pretty much no plot can surprise me at this point. This is your typical jealous/rage murder plot with the adoring fan as the culprit. The gradual transition from shy, eager to please Emma to delusional, jealous, and paranoid Emma was beautifully done. It was paced perfectly and at no point did I feel like she’d simply flipped a switch into crazy town.

I knew what kind of demanding, parasitic person Beatrice was from the get go. (I love that the presumptuous demand of a fan’s time is called back later with Emma and Nicole, by the way). We’ve all seen this character before and it was still amazing to me that Emma couldn’t see it. The description of Emma’s tension and nerves around Beatrice meeting Jim was really well done, as well!

Jim. Ugh, I hated Jim. I wanted to feel some measure of sympathy for him in the end but I just couldn’t. He was a terrible husband and that was made more annoying by the fact that he seemed utterly realistic. You wanted to believe Beatrice’s remarks about him just being jealous of Emma’s success was part of Beatrice trying to worm her way into Emma’s life but I really don’t think they were. Jim was just a bad person. The fact that he used Emma’s money all the while knowing he was planning to divorce her was just despicable.

The only minor complaint I had was the obvious foreshadowing of the fated piece of carpet above the stairs. There was a little too much emphasis placed on it so it was obvious what would come later. Compared to the scene where Emma and Hannah switched shoes, it’s especially noticeable. I had no clue how the shoe size thing would come back and I found that call back to be very clever.

I just really loved this book! I can’t recommend it enough!

5 stars!

[Zoe Kindle Queen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A twisted quick read that kept me up late reading.

Emma meets Beatrice who is an author she admires by chance, when there friendship blossoms Beatrice gives Emma a proposition. A proposition that will end up deadly. The story progresses focusing on the change in Emma and leaves the ending open for the second book in this 2 part series

[Delia Dye · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm done with Emma

The books description was intriguing enough to download, but I really dragged my feet trying to finish it. The protagonist, Emma Fern, is an author wannabe who stands in for an established crime drama writer (Beatrice) who wants her novel published in another genre without the prejudicial constraint of the publishing world. So worldly Beatrice convinces Emma to publish her work of art novel under Emma's name, and before you know it Emma's ego is out of control.

Emma's transformation from puppy dog doormat to brilliant murderer was hard for me to buy. Mostly I really disliked Emma. What a silly despicable protagonist. I liked Beatrice better, even though her role was that of the anti-heroine.

[Tannaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

" این دقیق‌ترین راهی است که می‌شود با آن واقعیت را از خیال تشخیص داد. واقعیت وزن دارد و خیال نه." ( از لحظه‌ای که دیدمش- ناتالی بارلی)

[Wendi Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review*

Wow! This is like a modern retelling of 'All About Eve.' Emma is flattered when her favorite crime writer, Beatrice Johnson Greene, buys something from her home decorating store. She and Beatrice quickly become friends, and then Beatrice offers her the chance of a lifetime: to publish Beatrice's literary novel under Emma's name! At first, this seems crazy. Emma has always wanted to write, but other than a few pages years ago, she never attempted it. But soon Emma agrees that this is a great opportunity.

Emma is not the doting little puppy dog that Beatrice assumes, however. Emma enjoys being a published writer, to the point that she convinces herself that the novel is actually hers. She cuts her hair like Beatrice's, and starts frequenting the stores Beatrice does. She loves doing interviews, and when Beatrice threatens to reveal the truth - well, Emma will prove that she's no push-over.

The pacing in this novel is quick as lightning - secrets are revealed from the very first chapter, and we get to see Emma unravel as she becomes more and more enmeshed in Beatrice's world. No one is likable here, as everyone if out for him/herself. But it's impulsively readable, and I see from the title that it's the first in a planned series. I can't wait to read more about Emma!

[Jayme C (Brunetteslikebookstoo) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. As a person who dreams of giving up her day job and writing a book, I enjoyed the peek into an author's world. A fun thriller, which held my interest despite the dialogue...really, darling...does anyone talk like that?

[Barbie Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

YESSSSSSS

This was simply amazing! I wanna love Emma, and hate her at the same time. Can’t wait to read the next one in the series!!!