Title: In Her Words
Author: J.S. Ellis
Genre: Thriller
Type: Standalone
POV: First Person
Expected Publication: May 7, 2019
4.25 Stars!
On the surface, Sophie Wright appears to have it all – a successful career, a loving husband and financial security. However, she also is trying to mask her pain with alcohol. Hiding her secret is a daily task, but it’s one she’s been able to manage until waking up one morning with no recollection as to how her body is bruised and her dress is ripped. Without sufficient facts or evidence, she is powerless especially knowing she will be labeled as a drunk.
“I knew what they were thinking – ‘Look at her, pretending to be posh. She’s just a drunk, so much for prim and proper.’”
As she tries to get answers, Sophie’s problems begin to compound. Though she has been loyal to her husband during their eleven-year marriage, Sophie’s insecurities resurface and she becomes distracted by a young, pretty musician. Trying to recapture the intangible is causing her to spiral downward.
“The thing about secrets is they are dangerous, and they can be seductive.”
Narrated from the protagonist’s POV in the form of diary entries, her intimate thoughts are uncensored and open to ridicule. Based on the content of her writing, the tone evokes an uneasy reaction, as it becomes clear what a precarious act Sophie is balancing. From the outset, the ramifications of Sophie’s bad choices are apparent, yet there is still some hope that she stops this reckless behavior.
Going into this book, I was expecting a thriller and the storyline certainly delivered on that point. But it also delves into the emotional aspects of what fuels Sophie’s unhappiness and the fallout when it all explodes. Adding to the tension is how her innermost thoughts – the highs and lows – are included in her diary. Because Sophie is a volatile and troubled character, it creates empathy for her vulnerability, but I was also steaming mad at her times.
Effectively, the storyline takes the reader down Sophie’s dark, destructive path. Though I had my suspicions early on, it didn’t detract from the tension or twists. However, I would have liked a bit more elaboration about a certain character’s motivations. When it all unravels, the impact is felt on multiple levels.
In Her Words is a thriller that will capture a reader’s curiosity until the very last page.
*An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review.*
