Anna O - Matthew Blake

There are a slew of new books being released in the first few weeks of January 2024. The one I've hearing the most about, is Matthew Blake's debut novel, Anna O. The novel is already set for publication in thirty territories!

Ok, what is it about Anna O that has triggered such a response? Have you heard about crimes being committed by those who sleepwalk? This alone had me going down a (fascinating) rabbit hole. Is it truly possible that someone would have no inkling of what they've done whilst asleep? Even murder?

Lead character Anna can't tell us or her doctors as she never woke up from the night in question. The night two people died was four years ago. Years! Dr. Benedict Prince thinks he can awaken Anna O with his new protocol. 

But Benedict is not the only one interested in the case of Anna O. Armchair detectives will not let the case fade way. Anna O's family, friends, enemies and the law, all want her to wake up and provide answers. The other person the reader hears from? Yup, we are privy to Anna O's thoughts, memories, past and what led up to the 'right now'. There are also many supporting players, each with their own secrets tightly tucked away.

Blake does an incredible job of toying with the readers. What's true? What and who should we believe? I like to think that I'm pretty good at sussing out the perpetrator in a plot. This time I (happily) I didn't. There are a number of twists that were really well done. But, I truly did not see that last twist coming at all!! Kudos Mr. Blake! 

It's hard to believe this is a debut novel. I can't imagine what Blake will write next - but I'll be waiting for his book. 

This is Not Over - Holly Brown

So, have you ever stayed in a Bed and Breakfast or booked a few nights in an Airbnb? Ever have any problems? Well, a problem with a rented stay is the the starting point for Holly Brown's new novel, This is Not Over.

Dawn looks forward to her 'getaways' with her husband Rob. A weekend rental in a luxurious home is a chance to imagine what life might be like for them. It's also a large financial outlay for them. So, when their latest 'host' Miranda deducts $200.00 from their deposit to 'replace the stained sheets', Dawn sees red. She knows that they did not ruin the sheets. And the rental was not perfect......

And so begins a war of sorts. Escalating nasty emails and texts, online stalking and more that threatens to consume each woman and their lives. Neither can let it go. They are each adamant that they are right and neither will back down. This is not over....

Each woman has a voice and as readers, we become privy to the details of their lives. We're observers, along for the ride, as the misconceptions compound and the resentment grows. I use observer as that was what I felt like as I read. I didn't become invested with either character as they are not likeable in any way, shape or form. I felt a bit like a rubbernecker, driving by an accident, unable to turn away but wanting to know what happened. I was curious as to where Brown was going to take things from that initial set of emails.

I had my suspicions about the ending as things progressed and I wasn't far off. I do feel the back and forth between the two women went on a bit too long in my opinion and could have tightened up a bit. And some of the plot devices need to be taken with a grain of salt. But that being said,  I can absolutely see how this would happen. Social media has become the public ring for battles of all sorts.  Read an excerpt of This is Not Over.

Brown is a practicing therapist and her descriptions of Dawn and Miranda's thinking and 'logic' benefits from her expertise. In the acknowledgments, Brown writes: "Thanks are also due to my 'host', who shall remain nameless. Sometimes inspiration comes from the most unlikely of places, and I am so grateful for that."

Cr: Yanina Gotsulsky

Holly Brown lives with her husband and toddler daughter in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she's a practicing marriage and family therapist. She is the author of the novel Don't Try to Find Me, and her blog, "Bonding Time," is featured on the mental health website PsychCentral.com. You can connect with Holly on Facebook.

See what other on the TLC book tour thought. Full schedule can be found here.

I received this book for review from HarperCollins and TLC Book Tours.