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She Chose Me
'Not having a child can change your life as much as having one.'
Grace has returned to London after twenty years abroad to manage her dying mother's affairs. When she receives a blank Mother's Day card in the post, she is confused and unsettled. Who could have sent it to her and why? She isn't a mother.
Another Mother's Day card arrives. Then come the silent phone calls. Haunted by disturbing flashbacks, Grace starts to unravel. Someone is out to get her. Someone who knows what she has done.
Grace has returned to London after twenty years abroad to manage her dying mother's affairs. When she receives a blank Mother's Day card in the post, she is confused and unsettled. Who could have sent it to her and why? She isn't a mother.
Another Mother's Day card arrives. Then come the silent phone calls. Haunted by disturbing flashbacks, Grace starts to unravel. Someone is out to get her. Someone who knows what she has done.
284 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 15, 2018
417 people are currently reading
491 people want to read
About the author
Tracey Emerson
1 book17 followersThis author is also published under T.J. Emerson.
Tracey’s latest psychological thriller, The Last Resort, is published by Boldwood Books. Before writing fiction, she worked in theatre and community arts. As well as acting, she ran drama workshops in healthcare settings, focusing on adults with mental health issues. Her short stories have been widely published in anthologies and literary magazines, and her feature writing has appeared in Stella magazine, Woman’s Own and The Sydney Morning Herald. Her first psychological thriller for Boldwood, The Perfect Holiday, was published in April 2022 and was an Amazon bestseller.
She has a PhD in Creative Writing from The University of Edinburgh and works as a literary consultant and writing tutor. She is also the Creative Director of The Bridge Awards, a philanthropic organisation that provides micro-funding for the arts.
Tracey lives in Scotland and spends most of her time in the hills of Perthshire. She can often be found tramping around the countryside and, occasionally, braving a dip in the chilly rivers and lochs.
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Tracey’s latest psychological thriller, The Last Resort, is published by Boldwood Books. Before writing fiction, she worked in theatre and community arts. As well as acting, she ran drama workshops in healthcare settings, focusing on adults with mental health issues. Her short stories have been widely published in anthologies and literary magazines, and her feature writing has appeared in Stella magazine, Woman’s Own and The Sydney Morning Herald. Her first psychological thriller for Boldwood, The Perfect Holiday, was published in April 2022 and was an Amazon bestseller.
She has a PhD in Creative Writing from The University of Edinburgh and works as a literary consultant and writing tutor. She is also the Creative Director of The Bridge Awards, a philanthropic organisation that provides micro-funding for the arts.
Tracey lives in Scotland and spends most of her time in the hills of Perthshire. She can often be found tramping around the countryside and, occasionally, braving a dip in the chilly rivers and lochs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
October 4, 2018
She Chose Me by Tracey Emerson sounded like a book that I would love... unfortunately it fell a bit flat for me. I didn't hate it but I didn't love it. For about 30% of this book I was really confused as to what was happening and who's viewpoint we were on. Once it became clear it then became quite predictable and I found myself skimming.
Grace returns to London as her mother is dying and she needs to get her affairs in order. She starts to receive Mothes Day cards but she is not a mother. Then strange calls start and unexplainable events. Who is doing this to Grace?
Thanks to Legend Press and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased
Grace returns to London as her mother is dying and she needs to get her affairs in order. She starts to receive Mothes Day cards but she is not a mother. Then strange calls start and unexplainable events. Who is doing this to Grace?
Thanks to Legend Press and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased
October 15, 2018
She Chose Me is Tracey Emerson's debut psychological thriller, and a powerful and emotional journey on the issue of motherhood. The author not only provides a gripping tale but one that is thought-provoking and a lot deeper and more philosophical than most in the genre. It's essential to really concentrate to keep up with all that is happening, although at certain points it did verge on convoluted.
I always appreciate a story with the creep factor turned up to maximum, just as it is here. However, the constantly changing point-of-view was difficult to live with at the beginning, but once you become accustomed to the structure it flows a lot better. You also feel much more engaged when you work out exactly how each of the characters contributes to the overall plot and with more twists and turns than Brexit, this is a superb and highly accomplished debut. Not all of the characters are likeable but they are easy to relate to and feel empathy for. I did feel a little patronised in parts as everything was spelt out to the reader when it needn't have been as the clues left along the way were enough that the reader knows exactly what is going on, despite it only being implied.
Elegantly written, addictive and impossible to put down, I thoroughly enjoyed this. The line between reality and perception is a substantial part of what creates such a great storyline. Deft plotting and a dramatic and unpredictable conclusion make this one of my favourite reads of the year. I look forward to reading what Emerson produces next time around!
I always appreciate a story with the creep factor turned up to maximum, just as it is here. However, the constantly changing point-of-view was difficult to live with at the beginning, but once you become accustomed to the structure it flows a lot better. You also feel much more engaged when you work out exactly how each of the characters contributes to the overall plot and with more twists and turns than Brexit, this is a superb and highly accomplished debut. Not all of the characters are likeable but they are easy to relate to and feel empathy for. I did feel a little patronised in parts as everything was spelt out to the reader when it needn't have been as the clues left along the way were enough that the reader knows exactly what is going on, despite it only being implied.
Elegantly written, addictive and impossible to put down, I thoroughly enjoyed this. The line between reality and perception is a substantial part of what creates such a great storyline. Deft plotting and a dramatic and unpredictable conclusion make this one of my favourite reads of the year. I look forward to reading what Emerson produces next time around!
November 24, 2018
My thoughts
An original plot with no shortage twists!
My first thought on this book was...confusing! The book alternates between the POV of Emma and Grace, in both past and present. Since the chapters aren’t identified by the character, this was hard to figure out in the beginning and I was ready to give up. I would have been totally engrossed in the story, if I hadn’t been so confused at the start.
When I started Part Two...I was glad I hadn’t given up! There is a real shocker and the story becomes easier to follow. It started out as 3.5 ⭐️’s, but advanced to 4 ⭐️‘s because of some great shockers!
Excerpt
Book Description
‘Not having a child can change your life as much as having one.'
Grace has returned to London after twenty years abroad to manage her dying mother's affairs. When she receives a blank Mother's Day card in the post, she is confused and unsettled. Who could have sent it to her and why? She isn't a mother.
Another Mother's Day card arrives. Then come the silent phone calls. Haunted by disturbing flashbacks, Grace starts to unravel. Someone is out to get her. Someone who knows what she has done.
Thank you to Netgalley / Tracey Emerson / Legend Press for this digital ARC in exchange for my honest review! #SheChoseMe #NetGalley
An original plot with no shortage twists!
My first thought on this book was...confusing! The book alternates between the POV of Emma and Grace, in both past and present. Since the chapters aren’t identified by the character, this was hard to figure out in the beginning and I was ready to give up. I would have been totally engrossed in the story, if I hadn’t been so confused at the start.
When I started Part Two...I was glad I hadn’t given up! There is a real shocker and the story becomes easier to follow. It started out as 3.5 ⭐️’s, but advanced to 4 ⭐️‘s because of some great shockers!
Excerpt
”Grace is a sinner.”
Book Description
‘Not having a child can change your life as much as having one.'
Grace has returned to London after twenty years abroad to manage her dying mother's affairs. When she receives a blank Mother's Day card in the post, she is confused and unsettled. Who could have sent it to her and why? She isn't a mother.
Another Mother's Day card arrives. Then come the silent phone calls. Haunted by disturbing flashbacks, Grace starts to unravel. Someone is out to get her. Someone who knows what she has done.
Thank you to Netgalley / Tracey Emerson / Legend Press for this digital ARC in exchange for my honest review! #SheChoseMe #NetGalley
October 29, 2018
I chose this book on the off chance and big am I glad I did.
She Chose Me, is written in the point of view of Grace, a forty something woman who went to work abroad twenty years previous after having an abortion, and of Emma who stumbles across Grace one day after Grace returns home to visit her dying Mum.
Emma becomes fixated with Grace and is adamant she is Grace's daughter.
What is the truth? And what has been made up in each woman's heads.
She Chose Me, is written in the point of view of Grace, a forty something woman who went to work abroad twenty years previous after having an abortion, and of Emma who stumbles across Grace one day after Grace returns home to visit her dying Mum.
Emma becomes fixated with Grace and is adamant she is Grace's daughter.
What is the truth? And what has been made up in each woman's heads.
October 27, 2018
This is a very good debut novel. I really enjoyed it.
Grace returns to London after twenty years abroad as her mum is dying and she needs to sort out her dying mums affairs. She starts getting blank Mothers Day cards which is very confusing as she isn’t a mother. Then the strange phone calls starts. What’s going on?
This kept my attention. The only negative is I was pretty confused who’s point of view was being told. I would have liked it to be more clearer. Having said that I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.
Grace returns to London after twenty years abroad as her mum is dying and she needs to sort out her dying mums affairs. She starts getting blank Mothers Day cards which is very confusing as she isn’t a mother. Then the strange phone calls starts. What’s going on?
This kept my attention. The only negative is I was pretty confused who’s point of view was being told. I would have liked it to be more clearer. Having said that I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.
September 19, 2018
I probably did this book a great disservice selecting it immediately after reading an infinitely superior suspense thriller. But then again She Chose Me made its own bed with its mediocre plot, trite narration twists and complete lack of originality (and this includes the title and the cover, I’ve just added the cover, you’d think this is something the author or the publisher might want to do, but apparently not always). Given the insane popularity of these female authored female driven thrillers, one really has to offer something quite singular to stand out and this book didn’t even try. Instead it chose to concentrate on guess what cliché…babies. Well, mothers and daughters. Specifically a disturbed young woman who’s looking for her birth mother and a 42 year old English teacher who becomes the focus of her obsession. Mind you, this book isn’t terrible by any means, in fact it checks all the boxes for what it is, spit narrative, tantalizing (kinda) glimpses of the past, is she or isn’t she drama, certain amount of suspense even and what can be generously referred to as some surprises, but…her comes the but…not only is it all entirely too obvious, the author has also made a choice of hanging the crucial 50% of the plot on a thoroughly unlikable, obnoxious and tedious kid, who you just sort of want to slap. We’re told from fairly early on about her mental state, so you can’t really expect too many surprises. Oh, and everyone follows everyone in this novel. Not just online, but actually in person, like they are all playing at spies. It gets silly after a while, but the author goes on with it until the very final act. Talk about commitment. And so behold the drama of messed up girls and baby mamas. With a plot is tragically thin for the page count. The only thing elevating this and actually making it a surprisingly decent read despite all the criticism and intellectual protestations is the writing, quite good particularly for a debut. So if you’re not too choosy, this formulaic estrogeny tale might be ok for you. Interestingly enough while all of these types of books are describes using the investable comparisons to similar (usually superlative) works, this one actually got it quite accurately comparing it to Girl Before, another thoroughly mediocre thriller. So that’s some accurate advertising for a change. Thanks Netgalley.
October 22, 2018
She Chose Me is a gripping,chilling tale of obsession,abandonment,regret,mental illness and the fragility of the bond between a mother and a daughter. The author casts her spell on the reader,keeping you captivated as the heart string pulling stories of her two protagonists unfolds. Holding you in a ever tightening vice like grip,building up the tension until you are finally released. Leaving you gasping,breathless and wanting more.
After twenty years abroad Grace has returned to London to sort out her Mother Polly`s affairs. Grace has been forced to move Polly into a care home,something that despite their tempestuous relashionship Grace can't help feeling guilty about. But it was for the best and Polly will be fine. She has a lovely room,the staff are really kind and friendly especially Polly`s carer Emma. Lovely,warm and caring Emma,who always has a smile and time for the residents especially Polly. Knowing that her mother is safe and being properly cared for lifts a massive weight from Grace`s mind. Now if she could only stop having the terrifying nightmares that plague her every night. And figure out who keeps sending her Mothers Day cards and making all the silent phone calls she keeps receiving.
Someone is out to get her,someone who knows her secret. A secret that she has spent twenty years running away from.
This intricately plotted thriller is told in chapters that alternate between Grace and Emma and flip back and forth between the present day and the past. The chapters are clearly dated but not marked with the name of who is voicing that chapter. This causes the story to be a bit confusing when you first start reading the book but you get used to it and it gets less confusing the further you get into the story. It is understandable why Grace had some serious psychological issues but not so understandable why Emma did. Emma had had a privileged upbringing and loving parents so why was she so obsessed with Grace and 100% convinced that Grace was her birth mother? My feelings for Grace and Emma flipped and changed as often as the time frames of this story. I wouldn't say that they were very likable characters but it was difficult not to feel a little bit of sympathy for both characters at different times during the story.
This is a enthralling,well written debut thriller that had me hooked in from the first page.You have to fully concentrate on what you are reading to enable you to comprehend which character`s voice you are reading. The characters were well rounded and realistic,the story was intense,chilling and held my attention throughout the whole book. Highly recommended,I loved this book and look forward to reading more books written by this author in the future.
Many thanks to Legend Press for a arc of this book via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review
After twenty years abroad Grace has returned to London to sort out her Mother Polly`s affairs. Grace has been forced to move Polly into a care home,something that despite their tempestuous relashionship Grace can't help feeling guilty about. But it was for the best and Polly will be fine. She has a lovely room,the staff are really kind and friendly especially Polly`s carer Emma. Lovely,warm and caring Emma,who always has a smile and time for the residents especially Polly. Knowing that her mother is safe and being properly cared for lifts a massive weight from Grace`s mind. Now if she could only stop having the terrifying nightmares that plague her every night. And figure out who keeps sending her Mothers Day cards and making all the silent phone calls she keeps receiving.
Someone is out to get her,someone who knows her secret. A secret that she has spent twenty years running away from.
This intricately plotted thriller is told in chapters that alternate between Grace and Emma and flip back and forth between the present day and the past. The chapters are clearly dated but not marked with the name of who is voicing that chapter. This causes the story to be a bit confusing when you first start reading the book but you get used to it and it gets less confusing the further you get into the story. It is understandable why Grace had some serious psychological issues but not so understandable why Emma did. Emma had had a privileged upbringing and loving parents so why was she so obsessed with Grace and 100% convinced that Grace was her birth mother? My feelings for Grace and Emma flipped and changed as often as the time frames of this story. I wouldn't say that they were very likable characters but it was difficult not to feel a little bit of sympathy for both characters at different times during the story.
This is a enthralling,well written debut thriller that had me hooked in from the first page.You have to fully concentrate on what you are reading to enable you to comprehend which character`s voice you are reading. The characters were well rounded and realistic,the story was intense,chilling and held my attention throughout the whole book. Highly recommended,I loved this book and look forward to reading more books written by this author in the future.
Many thanks to Legend Press for a arc of this book via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review
October 29, 2018
Happy Monday everyone! I am so excited to kick off the week with a wonderful book. I have been lucky recently with my reads but this one is special and I only needed one sitting to finish it! That's just how good it is!
I received an e-copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. This is my thank you to the Legend Press team!
Let’s be honest. I am addicted to psychological thrillers. But sometimes when you binge-read a genre, it become more difficult to find surprises, good or bad!
I picked She Chose Me for its title. There was something about the statement that sounded like fate, like a doom over someone’s head. An active verb that just seemed so ominous I had to know what it was hiding. The synopsis is perfectly balanced to give you as little as possible and this is how I love them. Sometimes when a blog tour date gets near and I haven’t read the novel yet, I refresh my memory with a quick glance at what the book is about and most of the time, I end up disappointed. Either because it creates expectations or throws big hints at you to make sure your brain will connect the book to a different but successful psychological thriller, hoping you’ll get into the right mind set and get hooked before you know it, at times when the story itself doesn’t deserve all the love.
No such nonsense here. Actually, diving into She Chose Me was like walking in a snow storm without a coat. No landmark, no (too) familiar pattern. I was one of those characters in the Silent Hill video games, surrounded by fog and disorientated. I knew right there that I wouldn’t be able to tear myself away from the book.
The novel hit me where it hurts from the first chapter as our main character Grace explores the feelings of leaving her sick mother behind, to the care of a home that can take care of her. As an only child, she has the responsibility to do what’s best for her aging mother and this weight is tremendous and hard on the guilt-inducing part of our brain.
‘I am abandoning her’
This first sentence, so strong, so sad, and so mysterious, could have had so many explanations, but the author jumped into the story of a mother and a daughter, role reversed, and the unfairness of life. Each word felt genuine. Too genuine for me not to sympathize with Grace, nor to visualize and feel the emptiness, the helplessness, and the dull ache of this kind of decisions. What a brilliant start. Few authors can turn this experience into words, but Tracey Emerson mind-blowingly fills the pages with the said and the unsaid, the intricate family bonds and the inevitable fate of life.
Mother’s Day cards. I don’t receive them. I have a good reason for it, I don’t have kids. I’d be completely freaking out if I were to receive one… Grace does. Except she’s living a single life, back to care for her mother, and has no idea who is behind this bad joke. If that’s not a signal something is wrong, I don’t know what is!
Motherhood. A big word that I have issues with for lots of uninteresting reasons! The other voice in this novel finds her mother too. In a very different way. In a ‘creepy-what-am-I-reading’ way. It took me a few pages to understand what was going on, and it only added to the thrill I was already feeling rushing through my veins since page one.
What was the link between those mothers and daughters? Why did the chapters echo each other in such a magical and painful way? You get three parts. The first sets the lines and gives you time to appreciate the writing, the building of characters, and the burgeoning tension slowly crawling in. The second part makes you want to whisper at the two main characters, Grace and Cassie. The third grabs your throat and take obsession to its highest level.
The main thread in this novel is a need, a bound that is as beautiful as it is complex.
Originality I wanted, originality I got! It was so fun to explore mother/daughter relationships. Well, fun because it wasn’t me and my mom in those pages! But far from the husband/wife, best friends, or neighbors tropes, She Chose Me gives a taste and a view on what it feels to be on each side of the rope. An abandoned daughter, a punished daughter, a childless mother, a disappearing mother. More than just a character-driven fiction, this novel is the picture of life gone wrong. If you’re anything like me, you’ll be gripped. I never felt the need to judge. I did my best to understand everyone’s motives, sketchy or not, and I was reminded how there are more than one side to every story, how being one of those sides can blind you or trap you in your own version of the truth. Never ever do the novel starts running in circles. Instead, emotions take over. All kinds of emotions. Anger, sadness, joy, despair. Each reaction from the protagonists creates a butterfly effect that leads to a shocking and heartbreaking finale, taking a piece of your heart with it, whether you are a mother or a daughter. And if you happen to be a guy, this book is a good reminder that a kid is a two-people responsibility on top of offering you a glimpse into the world of women, with their strengths and weaknesses.
I Chose It and I don’t regret it! She Chose Me is a beautifully human, riveting and unique psychological thriller! It is hard to believe this is a debut novel!
January 3, 2019
The writing and build up to the drama in this story was excellent, but it is definitely a book you have to persevere with at the beginning. I very nearly gave up, as I just couldn't figure out which characters point of view the chapter was describing and found myself swiping back through pages trying to make sense of things. However, the writing is compelling so I continued reading, and I'm so glad I did as there is a definite 'lightbulb moment', when you suddenly realise what is going on and the confusion dissipates and turns to excitement. I thought the story was highly original with well crafted characters and made for a really good debut novel. I would certainly look for future books from this author.
*I received a copy of the book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
*I received a copy of the book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 15, 2018
Grace Walker, age 42, has spent the last 20 years teaching in Singapore and living in other parts of the world. She has returned home because her mother, Polly Walker, has become ill and needs to be placed in a care home. She and her mother have not always been very close. Twenty years ago, Grace became pregnant and against her mother’s wishes, decided to have an abortion. It caused much contention between Grace and Polly which is the big reason Grace decided to move away. Now, she has to clear things out of her mother’s home and put the place up for sale. Giving away her mother’s things is difficult. But when she receives a couple of Mother’s Day cards with no message inside, she’s confused and becomes quite nervous about it. Who sent these to her and why?
At the care home, a young and perky gal named Emma is such a help with the patients and has taken to Polly giving her extra attention and excellent care. But Emma is not who she seems and is keeping some dark secrets of her own.
I found myself frowning quite often as I read this book. There were a few times I considered making it a Did-Not-Finish. However, since I don’t like to do that, I pressed on. There is a lot of confusion which I think is how many of today's thrillers are written. As pieces of the puzzle started to come together, and I completed reading the book, I wasn’t as impressed as I hoped to be. This story is dark, sad, and depressing. I certainly hope other readers enjoy it more than I did.
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
At the care home, a young and perky gal named Emma is such a help with the patients and has taken to Polly giving her extra attention and excellent care. But Emma is not who she seems and is keeping some dark secrets of her own.
I found myself frowning quite often as I read this book. There were a few times I considered making it a Did-Not-Finish. However, since I don’t like to do that, I pressed on. There is a lot of confusion which I think is how many of today's thrillers are written. As pieces of the puzzle started to come together, and I completed reading the book, I wasn’t as impressed as I hoped to be. This story is dark, sad, and depressing. I certainly hope other readers enjoy it more than I did.
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
October 16, 2018
This is the authors debut novel and its superb!
The story centres around Grace and her past, a past that is hurtling back towards her and without giving too much away people in Grace’s life are not who they seem to be!
The book is confusing at first as the story is told in 3 narrations but at the start of the chapter there is no indication as to who is narrating BUT once you take a second, realise who is who and who is speaking it quickly falls into place
I loved the characters and how cleverly they were written and how my feelings towards them changed as often as the chapters!!
A real psychological thriller in every sense of the term that had me fooled more or less all the way through and cleverly lulled you into thinking you had it ‘all worked out’ when you ( well me ) hadn’t!!
One of those books you cant put down but then are kinda disappointed when you’ve finished it....however thats the only disappointing thing I felt about this book and look forward to the authors next book!
Clever, dark, thrilling, cheeky in parts😃 and a really good read
10/10 5 stars
October 22, 2018
This is such a clever book – beautifully crafted and full of suspense with twists and turns all over the place. I was dying to get to the end, but doled it out bit by bit, pondering clues, motivation, emotions. By the time I got to the last few pages, I was still guessing.
I don’t want to say too much more about the story than you will read on the blurb, but some of the issues tackled on the theme of an unwanted pregnancy are heart-wrenchingly authentic. The characters of Grace, Cassie and Emma are complex right from the start. This is an easy book to read, but really puts your brain to work.
My only recommendation is to read the book in paperback. Each chapter has a different voice and is set in a different time, and while it’s easy to flick back the pages to double-check whether the character is moving forward in time or backwards, it’s a real pain doing it on the Ebook.
Nevertheless, thanks to Legend Press for the (kindle!) preview in exchange for an honest review. It was a great read!
I don’t want to say too much more about the story than you will read on the blurb, but some of the issues tackled on the theme of an unwanted pregnancy are heart-wrenchingly authentic. The characters of Grace, Cassie and Emma are complex right from the start. This is an easy book to read, but really puts your brain to work.
My only recommendation is to read the book in paperback. Each chapter has a different voice and is set in a different time, and while it’s easy to flick back the pages to double-check whether the character is moving forward in time or backwards, it’s a real pain doing it on the Ebook.
Nevertheless, thanks to Legend Press for the (kindle!) preview in exchange for an honest review. It was a great read!
November 18, 2023
La obra debut de Tracey Emerson (que en libros posteriores ya pasa a llamarse T.J. Emerson) es un thriller/drama que gira entorno a la maternidad. Está narrado bajo el punto de vista de dos mujeres, Grace y Cassie. Grace es una mujer de cuarenta y tantos que durante los últimos años ha estado trabajando de profesora en Asia, pero que ha tenido que volver a Inglaterra para ocuparse de su madre, que tiene Alzheimer avanzado. Cassie es una chica de veinte años que está convencida de que Grace es su madre, que la abandonó recién nacida, y está dispuesta a todo para formar parte de su vida.
She chose me no es un thriller que esté lleno de sorpresas o giros (la mayoría de revelaciones son bastante obvias), pero que sí resulta bastante entretenido por su formato. Al principio, los capítulos de Grace y Cassie se van intercalando pero cronológicamente los de Grace van después que los de Cassie, por lo que a medida que Grace se da cuenta de que alguien la está acosando, vemos a continuación como Cassie hizo lo que sea que Grace descubre en sus capítulos. Más adelante ya ambas líneas temporales se alinean a medida que vamos conociendo más sobre ambas mujeres, y los límites a los que llega Cassie para hacerse notar por Grace están muy bien. Además, también vamos encontrando extractos de un diario que escribió Grace cuando era joven y tuvo una grave crisis que la llevó a ser internada.
La autora explora el tema de la maternidad bajo diferentes ángulos. Por un lado tenemos a Grace, una mujer soltera y sin hijos que cuando era joven tuvo que tomar una decisión muy difícil tras quedarse embarazada que además rompió la relación con su madre. Grace sabe que hizo lo correcto pero aun así la relación con su madre, y más en el estado en el que está, es muy difícil de reparar, y ocuparse de ella le está resultando muy duro. Por otro lado tenemos a Cassie, que perdió a su madre adoptiva hace poco y que mentalmente no está bien, lidiando desde que era pequeña con el hecho de haber sido abandonada por su madre biológica y obsesionándose con la idea de que esa mujer es Grace.
El clímax está muy bien llevado, una vez Cassie se descubre ante Grace y toda la verdad termina por salir a la luz. Me gustó mucho cómo Emerson resuelve la trama y ahí sí que las sorpresas finales están bien ligadas y no son tan fáciles de adivinar.
Un debut bastante notable, sin duda seguiré leyendo a la autora. Todos sus libros están de momento disponibles en Kindle Unlimited.
She chose me no es un thriller que esté lleno de sorpresas o giros (la mayoría de revelaciones son bastante obvias), pero que sí resulta bastante entretenido por su formato. Al principio, los capítulos de Grace y Cassie se van intercalando pero cronológicamente los de Grace van después que los de Cassie, por lo que a medida que Grace se da cuenta de que alguien la está acosando, vemos a continuación como Cassie hizo lo que sea que Grace descubre en sus capítulos. Más adelante ya ambas líneas temporales se alinean a medida que vamos conociendo más sobre ambas mujeres, y los límites a los que llega Cassie para hacerse notar por Grace están muy bien. Además, también vamos encontrando extractos de un diario que escribió Grace cuando era joven y tuvo una grave crisis que la llevó a ser internada.
La autora explora el tema de la maternidad bajo diferentes ángulos. Por un lado tenemos a Grace, una mujer soltera y sin hijos que cuando era joven tuvo que tomar una decisión muy difícil tras quedarse embarazada que además rompió la relación con su madre. Grace sabe que hizo lo correcto pero aun así la relación con su madre, y más en el estado en el que está, es muy difícil de reparar, y ocuparse de ella le está resultando muy duro. Por otro lado tenemos a Cassie, que perdió a su madre adoptiva hace poco y que mentalmente no está bien, lidiando desde que era pequeña con el hecho de haber sido abandonada por su madre biológica y obsesionándose con la idea de que esa mujer es Grace.
El clímax está muy bien llevado, una vez Cassie se descubre ante Grace y toda la verdad termina por salir a la luz. Me gustó mucho cómo Emerson resuelve la trama y ahí sí que las sorpresas finales están bien ligadas y no son tan fáciles de adivinar.
Un debut bastante notable, sin duda seguiré leyendo a la autora. Todos sus libros están de momento disponibles en Kindle Unlimited.
October 18, 2018
Well, this one kept me guessing pretty much all the way through. I really thought I had it all worked out quite early on but, although I was partly(ish) right about some things, I was way off the mark with others right up until the very end.
It's hard to say anything about the book without giving too much away but it centres around Grace who has returned to London to sort out her mother's affairs since she went into a care home. The two of them have not had the best relationship and have indeed been estranged for a fair while due to something that happened in the past. If that wasn't enough for Grace to cope with, she starts to receive strange things including a mother's day card when she isn't a mum. Flustered by this, she starts to get a bit paranoid. Could someone know her and what happened in her past? And, if so, what do they want? At least Grace has help with her mum as a young care assistant in the home has taken quite a shine to her. That'll be a big weight off Grace's shoulders... won't it?
OK, so before I write more about this book I will give you a bit of a tip. Read the beginning carefully. Please try and have your wits about you when you start the book. It's one of those that maybe is deliberately confusing but, for me anyway, I thought it went a bit above and beyond that and actually got a wee bit muddled. Well, it did for me anyway. I realised something and had to go back and start again. Luckily I wasn't too far through.
As things start to unravel and, at the same time, become clear depending on your viewpoint, it became a little odd to say the least but, as more was uncovered, it all started to make more sense and I started to change my opinions about certain things that had happened. I'd love to say more but what I am talking about is a bit of a spoiler so I am trying to be discreet and just hint. Suffice to say that things aren't always as they seem for anyone really. Behind closed doors and all that. It's just a shame that so many innocent people get caught up in the crossfire.
Characterisation was very well done. I changed my opinion about the main characters quite a bit along the way which is quite normal for a book of this genre. At times I wanted to slap them, other time I thought they could just do with a hug. Not sure I liked them but then that doesn't matter as long as there is some connection.
All in all, a well written debut that will work as long as you keep your wits about you and suspend belief and believe in coincidence along the way. I'm definitely interested in seeing what the author has for me next time. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
It's hard to say anything about the book without giving too much away but it centres around Grace who has returned to London to sort out her mother's affairs since she went into a care home. The two of them have not had the best relationship and have indeed been estranged for a fair while due to something that happened in the past. If that wasn't enough for Grace to cope with, she starts to receive strange things including a mother's day card when she isn't a mum. Flustered by this, she starts to get a bit paranoid. Could someone know her and what happened in her past? And, if so, what do they want? At least Grace has help with her mum as a young care assistant in the home has taken quite a shine to her. That'll be a big weight off Grace's shoulders... won't it?
OK, so before I write more about this book I will give you a bit of a tip. Read the beginning carefully. Please try and have your wits about you when you start the book. It's one of those that maybe is deliberately confusing but, for me anyway, I thought it went a bit above and beyond that and actually got a wee bit muddled. Well, it did for me anyway. I realised something and had to go back and start again. Luckily I wasn't too far through.
As things start to unravel and, at the same time, become clear depending on your viewpoint, it became a little odd to say the least but, as more was uncovered, it all started to make more sense and I started to change my opinions about certain things that had happened. I'd love to say more but what I am talking about is a bit of a spoiler so I am trying to be discreet and just hint. Suffice to say that things aren't always as they seem for anyone really. Behind closed doors and all that. It's just a shame that so many innocent people get caught up in the crossfire.
Characterisation was very well done. I changed my opinion about the main characters quite a bit along the way which is quite normal for a book of this genre. At times I wanted to slap them, other time I thought they could just do with a hug. Not sure I liked them but then that doesn't matter as long as there is some connection.
All in all, a well written debut that will work as long as you keep your wits about you and suspend belief and believe in coincidence along the way. I'm definitely interested in seeing what the author has for me next time. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
October 22, 2018
This is a chilling thriller that you think you have worked out, until the end, when you haven't.
Polly is in a retirement home with dementia. Daughter Grace has returned from the Far East to arrange her care and to settle her. She has no plans to return, taking a temporary post teaching English at a London language school.
She rents a rundown furnished flat and doesn't seem to feel that she deserves any better. She travels to the care home on the weekend, and that is her life for the moment Packing up her mother's house brings back mixed memories.
Fiesty Emma has just begun working at the home and appears to be a hit with the residents and staff. This is the nice side of her. The darker side is unhappy Cassie, rootless and not needing to work thanks to a generous allowance from her father.
She has many issues, not least the drive to find her birth mother. The fallout is immense.
The characters are likable and you cannot help but feel sad for the main characters in this. An ill-fated affair, lies and a double life keeping you on the edge of your seat throughout.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are all my own and completely unbiased. My thanks to NetGalley for this opportunity.
Polly is in a retirement home with dementia. Daughter Grace has returned from the Far East to arrange her care and to settle her. She has no plans to return, taking a temporary post teaching English at a London language school.
She rents a rundown furnished flat and doesn't seem to feel that she deserves any better. She travels to the care home on the weekend, and that is her life for the moment Packing up her mother's house brings back mixed memories.
Fiesty Emma has just begun working at the home and appears to be a hit with the residents and staff. This is the nice side of her. The darker side is unhappy Cassie, rootless and not needing to work thanks to a generous allowance from her father.
She has many issues, not least the drive to find her birth mother. The fallout is immense.
The characters are likable and you cannot help but feel sad for the main characters in this. An ill-fated affair, lies and a double life keeping you on the edge of your seat throughout.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are all my own and completely unbiased. My thanks to NetGalley for this opportunity.
February 17, 2020
Exciting and fast paced. Got me hooked as soon as picked it up. Really good plot. Never quite knowing how it’s going to play out then it completely blows your socks off at the end. Was not expecting that at all. Highly recommend this book
February 25, 2022
Thrilling
September 24, 2023
actually pretty good after the 60% mark.
November 14, 2018
This book was like a book sandwich for me. The middle was really good but I didn't like the beginning or the end. At first it was very hard to follow who was speaking. Throughout the entire book it usually took me a couple sentences to determine whose point of view I was reading. That doesn't make for a relaxing enjoyable read. As for the end, I liked it but it should have stopped 2 chapters before it did. Again, an author felt the need to tie everything up, answer all the questions even though the answers were already implied throughout the story, and make it pretty. Why? I really feel like someone in the industry must have decided that readers need everything spelled out for them and tidied up. We don't. Give us some credit. But the middle was good. We had a woman who thinks she is being followed while she tries to deal with her dying mother and a younger woman who thinks she is the first woman's daughter and is trying to get closer to her. There were some great moments and nice twists. Overall the book is probably worth the trouble, just stop after Chapter 62.
A copy of this book was received from NetGalley and Legend Press in exchange for an honest review.
A copy of this book was received from NetGalley and Legend Press in exchange for an honest review.
October 15, 2018
A good read that deserves some thought afterwards. Are we bound to our parents by blood or experience? I often wonder if there is some collective unconscious. Since we spend 9 months listening to our mother's heartbeat and living snuggled up to her, is there some connection that is forged during this time? I feel this book gave a good try at answering this.
April 11, 2019
I am a huge fan of psychological thrillers and was excited to read She Chose Me by Tracey Emerson after reading the book description and it didn’t let me down.
Each chapter was told by Cassie, Emma, Grace or Grace 20 year’s previous points of view. Sometimes I did struggle with who was telling which chapter until I was a little further down. That did not spoil the enjoyment of it though.
There was so much tension in this, quite frightening at times when you really think about it and think this could happen and probably does.
It was emotionally packed and had an ending I was not expecting.
Well written, fast paced and absolutely compelling, I would definitely recommend it.
Each chapter was told by Cassie, Emma, Grace or Grace 20 year’s previous points of view. Sometimes I did struggle with who was telling which chapter until I was a little further down. That did not spoil the enjoyment of it though.
There was so much tension in this, quite frightening at times when you really think about it and think this could happen and probably does.
It was emotionally packed and had an ending I was not expecting.
Well written, fast paced and absolutely compelling, I would definitely recommend it.
May 17, 2019
This is an astoundingly good thriller. The compelling, nail-biting plot snakes about surprisingly – I defy anyone to guess what's going on – but feels so rooted in authenticity that it's always completely - horribly - plausible. What elevates this above most of the genre is the subtle, complex character development and the sparkling quality of the prose. A bloody good read.
February 4, 2020
Brilliant different plot and keeps you guessing.
Such a different storyline to the usual thriller I go for, but a fantastically refreshing one all the same. Following main character Grace, I thought I had this story sussed out from the moment I started but it gave some great twists and ended entirely how I would never of guessed. A fab story.
Such a different storyline to the usual thriller I go for, but a fantastically refreshing one all the same. Following main character Grace, I thought I had this story sussed out from the moment I started but it gave some great twists and ended entirely how I would never of guessed. A fab story.
June 19, 2019
This wasn't a difficult book to read but it was difficult to rate. I didn't find any of the characters particularly likeable - mostly they annoyed me. It wouldn't put me off reading anything else by the author but I wouldn't read this again. It still gets 3 because the premise of the story is good
February 20, 2019
I was sent a copy of the new novel, She Chose Me by Tracey Emerson, by the publishers Legend and have read the book. I now provide an honest review for this debut psycholgical thriller.
There are two main protagonists, Grace and Cassie. Grace has returned to the UK after working abroad for many years because her mother is terminally ill and is being cared for in a nursing home. Cassie was adopted shortly after her birth but as her adoptive mother has recently died, Cassie sets about finding her birth mother.
Grace receives a blank Mother’s Day card in the mail, she is upset by this because she isn’t a mother. Later, another Mother’s Day card arrives and after that she is subjected to a series of silent phone calls. These haunt Grace and she has disturbing flashbacks. She worries that someone is out to take revenge on her because they know what she has done. She finds herself having to face a past she has tried hard to ignore and has run from for years.
Cassie has been brought up by wealthy, adoptive parents but she feels there is something missing in her life: her birth mother. Cassie identifies her birth mother and sets out to get to know her before revealing her identity.
While the ending is quite satisfying, if a bit predictable, I found the method of narrating She Chose Me through the two women quite confusing and it took me a long time to establish Cassie’s identity in my own mind. That irritated me. As a debut novel, it was interesting in parts but not as engaging as I had hoped.
The Author
Before writing fiction, Tracey worked in theatre and community arts. As well as acting she ran drama workshops in healthcare settings, focusing on adults with mental health issues. She has a PhD in Creative Writing from The University of Edinburgh and works as a literary consultant and writing tutor. She is also the Creative Director of The Bridge Awards, a philanthropic organisation that provides micro-funding for the arts.
Her short stories have been widely published in anthologies and literary magazines, and her debut psychological thriller, She Chose Me, is published by Legend Press.
You can find out more about Tracey and her writing at: http://www.traceyemerson.com
Val Penny
There are two main protagonists, Grace and Cassie. Grace has returned to the UK after working abroad for many years because her mother is terminally ill and is being cared for in a nursing home. Cassie was adopted shortly after her birth but as her adoptive mother has recently died, Cassie sets about finding her birth mother.
Grace receives a blank Mother’s Day card in the mail, she is upset by this because she isn’t a mother. Later, another Mother’s Day card arrives and after that she is subjected to a series of silent phone calls. These haunt Grace and she has disturbing flashbacks. She worries that someone is out to take revenge on her because they know what she has done. She finds herself having to face a past she has tried hard to ignore and has run from for years.
Cassie has been brought up by wealthy, adoptive parents but she feels there is something missing in her life: her birth mother. Cassie identifies her birth mother and sets out to get to know her before revealing her identity.
While the ending is quite satisfying, if a bit predictable, I found the method of narrating She Chose Me through the two women quite confusing and it took me a long time to establish Cassie’s identity in my own mind. That irritated me. As a debut novel, it was interesting in parts but not as engaging as I had hoped.
The Author
Before writing fiction, Tracey worked in theatre and community arts. As well as acting she ran drama workshops in healthcare settings, focusing on adults with mental health issues. She has a PhD in Creative Writing from The University of Edinburgh and works as a literary consultant and writing tutor. She is also the Creative Director of The Bridge Awards, a philanthropic organisation that provides micro-funding for the arts.
Her short stories have been widely published in anthologies and literary magazines, and her debut psychological thriller, She Chose Me, is published by Legend Press.
You can find out more about Tracey and her writing at: http://www.traceyemerson.com
Val Penny
November 2, 2018
'Not having a child can change your life as much as having one.'
I was intrigued straightaway by this tagline, especially when I read further into the blurb and the whole idea of these Mother's Day cards being sent to someone who isn't a mother. What's that all about?
Well, Grace is the one receiving those cards. She's just returned to London from teaching English in Singapore. The only reason for her return is her mother, who is suffering from dementia and is now very ill. Other than that, Grace seems like a free spirit, one who has sought out a life away from home, the reasons for which become clear as the story progresses. There's another main character, the person sending the cards, and that person is really very disturbed. I can't say anything about who they are or why they are sending the cards but let's just say it all came together nicely and everything was not what it seemed!
I would advise taking note of the chapter headings as the book begins. I didn't, and regretted it as I became a little confused. Both strands of the story are told in the first person without defining who is talking but it becomes quite obvious (especially if you pay more attention than I did!). I do love a book that challenges me in this way and so I really enjoyed the way it unfolded bit by bit and that I had to think about who was telling me which bits of the story.
There are some sinister events in this novel, not only the cards but Grace is spied on and monitored. You know when you sometimes get that feeling you are being watched? Grace has quite a bit of that going on. I thought she was a decent person, someone whose past had had an effect on the rest of her life. The other main character is really interesting and completely unstable but they certainly made for fascinating reading.
She Chose Me is a fast-paced psychological thriller that drew me in and kept me turning the pages, faster and faster as I raced towards the conclusion. It explores strong themes of loss, of being let down and abandoned, and I thought it was very well-plotted.
I was intrigued straightaway by this tagline, especially when I read further into the blurb and the whole idea of these Mother's Day cards being sent to someone who isn't a mother. What's that all about?
Well, Grace is the one receiving those cards. She's just returned to London from teaching English in Singapore. The only reason for her return is her mother, who is suffering from dementia and is now very ill. Other than that, Grace seems like a free spirit, one who has sought out a life away from home, the reasons for which become clear as the story progresses. There's another main character, the person sending the cards, and that person is really very disturbed. I can't say anything about who they are or why they are sending the cards but let's just say it all came together nicely and everything was not what it seemed!
I would advise taking note of the chapter headings as the book begins. I didn't, and regretted it as I became a little confused. Both strands of the story are told in the first person without defining who is talking but it becomes quite obvious (especially if you pay more attention than I did!). I do love a book that challenges me in this way and so I really enjoyed the way it unfolded bit by bit and that I had to think about who was telling me which bits of the story.
There are some sinister events in this novel, not only the cards but Grace is spied on and monitored. You know when you sometimes get that feeling you are being watched? Grace has quite a bit of that going on. I thought she was a decent person, someone whose past had had an effect on the rest of her life. The other main character is really interesting and completely unstable but they certainly made for fascinating reading.
She Chose Me is a fast-paced psychological thriller that drew me in and kept me turning the pages, faster and faster as I raced towards the conclusion. It explores strong themes of loss, of being let down and abandoned, and I thought it was very well-plotted.
December 25, 2018
You made a choice and now someone is using it against you. Grace is trying to keep everything together, her mother is ill and she is seeing a married man. And someone has just sent her a mother's day card in the mail it is just strange. As she isn't a mother so hopefully it is just a mistake.
Emma knows that she will do whatever it takes to find her mother she wants to know why she was abandoned as a baby. She knows that she has found her and now it is time to put her plans in action. Emma has
found the job that will allow her to get to know her grandmother and to see her mother as well. Now it is time to make sure that she finds out everything about her family. Emma has started living a double life so that she can learn everything about Grace.
Grace is grateful for the new girl that has started working at the home where her mother is as then she doesn't feel so guilty about not always been there. But there is something about Emma that worries her and she follows her one day and it raises even more questions. Should she ask Emma what is going on or is it best to leave it?
Emma knows that she needs to make Grace pay for her sins and if that means hurting her she will do it. Can Grace figure out why Emma thinks that she has sinned ?
A good solid read. I was lucky enough to receive a copy via Netgalley & the publishing house in exchange for my honest review.
Emma knows that she will do whatever it takes to find her mother she wants to know why she was abandoned as a baby. She knows that she has found her and now it is time to put her plans in action. Emma has
found the job that will allow her to get to know her grandmother and to see her mother as well. Now it is time to make sure that she finds out everything about her family. Emma has started living a double life so that she can learn everything about Grace.
Grace is grateful for the new girl that has started working at the home where her mother is as then she doesn't feel so guilty about not always been there. But there is something about Emma that worries her and she follows her one day and it raises even more questions. Should she ask Emma what is going on or is it best to leave it?
Emma knows that she needs to make Grace pay for her sins and if that means hurting her she will do it. Can Grace figure out why Emma thinks that she has sinned ?
A good solid read. I was lucky enough to receive a copy via Netgalley & the publishing house in exchange for my honest review.
February 16, 2019
A clever psychological thriller that takes motherhood as its central theme. I really enjoyed this page turner, but it took me a while to get properly hooked as I found the two-narrator format confusing initially. Once I worked out whose voice I was reading, I raced through in just a couple of sittings. On one level, this is a tautly written thriller with unconventional female lead characters, and on another level it presents a moving but unsentimental picture of mental health issues, describing extraordinary events in a non-judgmental and gripping way.
The novel takes motherhood as its central theme, and I loved the sensitive, complicated picture of familial female relationships it presents. As a mother myself, the author’s portrayal of motherhood fascinated me, in all its chaotic and messy complexities. I liked the fact that this idea formed the central pivot for the plot, driving all the twists and turns, right up to the unexpected ending. Racing towards the end I had to remind myself to breathe!
This isn’t a cosy image of motherhood. It's gutsy, raw, messed up and completely convincing. An exhilarating read, and one I have already recommended to my friends.
The novel takes motherhood as its central theme, and I loved the sensitive, complicated picture of familial female relationships it presents. As a mother myself, the author’s portrayal of motherhood fascinated me, in all its chaotic and messy complexities. I liked the fact that this idea formed the central pivot for the plot, driving all the twists and turns, right up to the unexpected ending. Racing towards the end I had to remind myself to breathe!
This isn’t a cosy image of motherhood. It's gutsy, raw, messed up and completely convincing. An exhilarating read, and one I have already recommended to my friends.
October 18, 2018
Cleverly Crafted.
Cleverly crafted with an opening chapter that really packs a punch - She Chose Me is the debut that everyone should be talking about this autumn.
Enter Grace, a women who has her own crosses to bear, complex and intriguing - I was immediately drawn to her like a moth to a flame. Her past, hidden up until now, rears its head at the worst possible time. Her Mother, Polly, is living the last days of her life and secrets from Grace’s past are not high on her agenda.
Shifting back to twenty years previous the story begins to unfold and what a story it is! Nothing is what it seems, twist after twist washed over me and left me reeling but hungry for more.
The hard-hitting themes of loss, abandonment, grief, illness and obsession are dealt with sensitively and only serve to heighten the tension that flows throughout. The characterisation is finely tuned meaning that even as I shuddered at the overwhelming creepiness I still wished for a happy resolution.
She Chose Me is an accomplished and fascinating debut that I have no doubt will fly - highly recommended.
Cleverly crafted with an opening chapter that really packs a punch - She Chose Me is the debut that everyone should be talking about this autumn.
Enter Grace, a women who has her own crosses to bear, complex and intriguing - I was immediately drawn to her like a moth to a flame. Her past, hidden up until now, rears its head at the worst possible time. Her Mother, Polly, is living the last days of her life and secrets from Grace’s past are not high on her agenda.
Shifting back to twenty years previous the story begins to unfold and what a story it is! Nothing is what it seems, twist after twist washed over me and left me reeling but hungry for more.
The hard-hitting themes of loss, abandonment, grief, illness and obsession are dealt with sensitively and only serve to heighten the tension that flows throughout. The characterisation is finely tuned meaning that even as I shuddered at the overwhelming creepiness I still wished for a happy resolution.
She Chose Me is an accomplished and fascinating debut that I have no doubt will fly - highly recommended.
December 4, 2020
This was such a bizarre book. I really liked the idea behind it and the alternative points of view but there was something about this book that was just, meh to me.
- The writing was good and I think Tracy really knows how to set up a good book. I could tell she made an effort to plan this book out and everything seemed to neatly wrap up in the end which I could appreciate.
- The characters. I would have much preferred the entire book from Cassie/Emma's point of view as her character was so interesting. I really liked her chapters and found myself skipping over the others as they lacked in comparison.
- I thought the plot was good, but unoriginal and I could kind of see where it was heading before the first half of the book happened. I liked the ending and thought the execution was good.
Overall, this was an average thriller with strong points but just didn't have the same gripping pace i wanted.
- The writing was good and I think Tracy really knows how to set up a good book. I could tell she made an effort to plan this book out and everything seemed to neatly wrap up in the end which I could appreciate.
- The characters. I would have much preferred the entire book from Cassie/Emma's point of view as her character was so interesting. I really liked her chapters and found myself skipping over the others as they lacked in comparison.
- I thought the plot was good, but unoriginal and I could kind of see where it was heading before the first half of the book happened. I liked the ending and thought the execution was good.
Overall, this was an average thriller with strong points but just didn't have the same gripping pace i wanted.
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