Synopsis
She saved my life. I faked her death…
I only came back home to lie low and reconnect with my sister, Bryony. Her life with her gorgeous husband Alex is perfect – a far cry from the disaster mine has turned into…
But almost immediately I can tell something is wrong. My once bubbly sister’s skin is pale, her hair dull, her eyes unfocussed. She tells me Alex has turned obsessive, controlling her every move. A tear tracks down her cheek as I stare at her in horror.
‘I have to fake my death,’ she whispers and I jolt back in shock. ‘And I need your help to do it.’ As I start to shake my head, mouth trembling, she lays her winning card ‘You owe me, Jess. I saved your life.’
But after she’s successfully disappeared, I realise there are holes in her story – things she’s told me about Alex that can’t be true. Threatening messages that can’t have come from him. Rumours in the village about the way she’s been acting. She doesn’t contact me like she promised – and rather than being angry she’s gone, Alex seems completely devastated…
So when I learn Bryony never actually saved me all those years ago, I start to question everything. Have I just saved my sister, or helped her get away with something terrible? And when the truth comes out, will I be the one whose life is in danger…?
An utterly page-turning, edge-of-your-seat psychological thriller that will have you reading late into the night! Perfect for fans of The Housemaid, The Couple Next Door and The Family Upstairs.
Review
I Owe You One by Lauren North is one of those quick, page-turners that are the lifeblood of every thriller-girly's TBR. It’s an engaging, fast-paced read, and perfect if you’re in the mood for something eerily suspenseful where you don't know who to trust.
The premise is intriguing, centring on two sisters bound by a traumatic childhood event and a debt that can never truly be repaid. That emotional foundation adds a nice layer of tension to the story, and I absolutely understood Jess feeling as though she couldn't possibly say no to Bryony's request.
The most gut wrenching part of this was the fact that Jess didn't have long enough to truly consider the ramifications of what she said yes to. I mean, if you're going to pretend someone is dead, it's not just the one person you're trying to get away from that finds out, it's everyone, including close family members who will be DEVASTATED. It really was just an awful position for Jess to be in.
Aside from that, what also stood out most to me was the setting. I do read an awful lot of thrillers but here the coastal backdrop and the boating community really added a different flavour and made it feel unique. It’s always a bonus when a setting feels vivid enough to really cement the book in your memory, and that was definitely the case here.
That said, my only complaint is that the blurb gives a bit too much away. It nudged me to distrust a particular character from the outset, which meant some of the twists didn’t land as strongly as they might have otherwise. I found myself anticipating certain developments rather than being genuinely surprised by them.
Overall, this is a solid “popcorn thriller” style read. Short chapters, conflicting clues, and I do love a good sisters trope. (Are sisters a trope? You know what I mean!) Overall, it was entertaining, easy to get through, and a good choice if you’re looking for something fast-paced and twisty.
Aside from that, what also stood out most to me was the setting. I do read an awful lot of thrillers but here the coastal backdrop and the boating community really added a different flavour and made it feel unique. It’s always a bonus when a setting feels vivid enough to really cement the book in your memory, and that was definitely the case here.
That said, my only complaint is that the blurb gives a bit too much away. It nudged me to distrust a particular character from the outset, which meant some of the twists didn’t land as strongly as they might have otherwise. I found myself anticipating certain developments rather than being genuinely surprised by them.
Overall, this is a solid “popcorn thriller” style read. Short chapters, conflicting clues, and I do love a good sisters trope. (Are sisters a trope? You know what I mean!) Overall, it was entertaining, easy to get through, and a good choice if you’re looking for something fast-paced and twisty.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing an early copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
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