Enjoyed and recommended

This is a really tricky subject and one that is difficult to approach without shock value. The author strikes the right balance of story telling without gratuity or graphic descriptions. The younger protagonists are written in a manner that isn’t patronising and out of touch and a real connection is made with them. With a satisfying ending also, this was very enjoyable.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Tension builds...

What starts out as just an obviously too-good-to-be-true scenario soon descends into darker territory, in this grooming and gaslighting thriller that really gets its hooks into you and has some good surprises up its sleeve.

A superb performance by Eilidh Beaton... not easy to carry off voices of young girls, older men, Bristolian and Brummie accents, but she really elevates the whole story to another level. Couldn’t wait to get to bed to listen to what happened next, which kind of says it all.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Excellent read.

From the minute I started this book I couldn’t stop listening. Well written and narrated covering a subject too often hidden away, it was without sensationalism or graphic detail.

I would certainly recommend and will be looking for other books by this author.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Interesting story

Emily and Jack are damaged characters whose past has defined where they have ended up. As Emily is manipulated by her step-father it sends a shudder down your spine as you realise there are people like this. Once on the run and having found Jack can they both escape their demons and come through the other end. You could sense the fear of Emily, who was always looking over her shoulder waiting for her step-father to catch up with her. An interesting audio book dealing well with a difficult subject and superb narration.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Gripping

On the whole, is quite a disturbing story yet it happens for real. Emily's mother falls in love with David and of course, he takes on Emily pays for her to go to a private school and lives in a nice big house so dreams do come true but there is a dark side to David he goes to Thailand for business and is also a reasonable painter with his own studio. David having this dark side soon starts to groom Emily and of course, it's our little secret, mum is happy doing the flower business and Emily is also quite good at painting and loves having some tips on painting in his studio but things start to show cracks and Emily soon realizes that she is not always his special little angel and she feels she has to leave home.
Emily soon knows how dangerous it is to rough sleep and a character called Jack saves her from being raped and takes her to his clapped out abode but he is the perfect gent and he and his girlfriend let Emily help with cooking and cleaning up behind them and he gets her a job in the cloakroom at his club where he works, but to Emily, she is always worried that David will find her and she is not about to tell Jack where she is from and how old she is.
As I said it's disturbing in places but a must listen. Have read AA Abbott before but this is the 1st audio and a very compelling listen.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

An excellent, dark, psychological thriller

An excellent, dark, psychological thriller which really pulls you into the plot as stepfather David sets about grooming Emily by offering to help her develop her artistry. Superb character development which makes you feel for Emily - and the predicament she finds herself in, whilst equally making David dis-likable for his manipulative nature. Whilst on the run Emily meets Jack, but will he become her knight in shining armour or is she destined to end up back in the clutches of David? Although this is a chilling story, it could easily be real life and is really worth the read (or listen, as I did, with some terrific narration by Eilidh Beaton). Highly recommended.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Left my heart and stomach in emotional turmoil

Review Of Bright Lies
By: AA Abbott
Narrated by: Eilidh Beaton
Length: 8 hrs and 48 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 02-08-21
Language: English

I must start by saying thank you to the Author and our lovely Anne Miller for giving me the chance to listen to and review this well written and narrated book. The book had me hooked and left my stomach and heart in some turmoil, and dealt with a very difficult subject matter very well and sensitively.

The book starts in the present day then goes back in time to tell the story of two individuals, Jack and Emily. I really felt for Jack, so misunderstood, and having been through so much and its quite clear to see he has such a good heart. I felt in different circumstances his life would of been very different. Both Jack and Emily are victims of abuse, one psychological the other sexual.

Jack and Emily's paths eventually cross, and they have more in common than they both know, well that is until the last few chapters where the story pulls all the characters together.

I felt the ending was really sad, but very realistic and I liked the way a character from the start of the story reappeared.

All in all I would give this book a big thumbs up, its well worth a audible credit.

If you have enjoyed my review please click on Like/Helpful

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Eye opening realistic story

This is the first book I ‘read’ on audible by AA Abbott. I had no idea what the book was about but once I started it I was immediately drawn into this sad story. The subtle abuse of this young teenage girl horrified me. The harsh reality of the story is mind blowing.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Deals sensitively with a difficult subject

I found this book a little confusing at first due to the different stories and large amount of characters, but as I got into it I couldn't stop listening. This book deals sensitively with the very difficult subject of sexual abuse and grooming. All the characters are realistically written. Emily and Jack are both brilliant but damaged characters and I was rooting for them all the way through. Abbott's portrayal of David allows us to see how Emily and everyone else could be taken in by him, while the listener realises how evil and depraved he really is.

I enjoyed the narration by Eilidh Beaton.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Dark but very well written

When budding artist Emily, meets David at an art gallery her life appears to take a turn for the better. Her single mum and David fall in love and quickly start to plan a life together. David is cool, funny and keen to help Emiky realise her talents as an artist. But all too soon, the picture perfect family life takes a sinister turn.

Firstly thankyou to the author and the audio club for the opportunity to listen to and review.

This story is written very well. It is a dark subject matter, but the author and narrator lead you through the story by your hand. You very quickly (and we'll before Emily's mum!) realise David's intentions and I wasn't sure how I would feel. My heart hurt for Emily but I feel that the author wrote the tale with a lot of sensitivity and didn't go for shock tactics.

I will.loom out for more from this author and narrator!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!