The suspenseful plot is propelled by a quest for revenge, maintaining the mystery's intrigue. Fast-paced with murder and chaos, the narrative keeps a swift pace. Cleverly placed red herrings add to the guessing game. The characters feel authentic, and the storyline is plausible, blurring the lines between fiction and nonfiction. The author's skill shines through in creating a gripping novel that's hard to set aside, making it suitable for adaptation into a compelling movie.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

What an ending for a book you need to read in one sitting too! Great work, thanks to the writer and NetGalley for the arc.

THE BLACKOUT was a confusing book from start to finish. The multiple timelines weren’t well done and the basis of the story wasn’t interesting or compelling. This novel was described as a “locked room mystery” - which was completely untrue. Would not recommend or read another one from this author.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books for the opportunity to read and review THE BLACKOUT.

This was the first by Sarah Goodwin that I have read, though this author has been on my TBR list for a while. Unfortunately, this book fell very flat for me. It felt a little drawn out, there was a very graphic scene that I wish had not been in the book, and I didn't care for the characters or plot. I'm sure this book is a good read for many readers, but just not for me.

I have not read anything else by Sarah Goodwin - but I will now.

This booked kept me gripped throughout and had twists I didn't see coming. I'd recommend this book.

The Blackout follows the story of Meg and her friend Cat, who are on a night out in Bristol. But the night doesn't end well when they run out of money and have to walk home, finding themselves being followed. As the story goes on, we follow Meg in her new life where she is trying to escape her past.

This book was so well written, it genuinely had me on edge and I could really feel the fear when reading some sections. I enjoyed how it was written across different timeframes as I like to see how the they all come together in the end.

I liked Meg and found myself really rooting for her. This book was an emotional rollercoaster and I enjoyed every minute. The ending is kind of crazy, but then it's a work of fiction!

My thanks to NetGalley and the Publishers for sending me this ARC in return for an honest review.

Wow what did I just read? I mean I devoured this in about 3 sittings, the first of which I wasn't completely convinced, but the second it got going, I was reading for longer and longer without a care in the world of what I probably should have been doing.

This was claustrophobic, it was addictive, it has twists that I didn't see coming, and it has a flawed main character that I seemed to have sympathy for, even after various secrets were revealed, which didn't show her in a flattering light.

I think this may be the third book I've now read from Sarah Goodwin and I have to say in all cases I've been totally amazed and she is now becoming an auto read author for me. I'm loving the various plots she is coming up with, and this one has left me open mouthed in shock.

There are though details in this book that could trigger you, if you have experienced them yourself, as horrific things and view points are detailed very clearly.

Meg and Cat's initial story is a situation that will unfortunately be familiar to many women, although not with the same outcome I hope, and it's this sense of realness and grit that can be found throughout the book.

All times there is a sense of possible danger, and darkness, and the lengths Meg has gone to to try to protect herself are rather shocking but understandable.

I was totally hooked on this, and just wow!

Thank you to Avon and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Overall an enjoyable read. I liked the alternating timelines as the story unfolds. I thought it was well written. There were some slow parts before the blackout. The tension and suspense are definitely cranked up during the blackout. I really liked the way the blackout, the storm and the isolated location gave the story a creepy feel as the tension builds towards the end.

I loved the beginning of this one, but then it kind of got too unrealistic and unfortunately I quickly lost interests in it! The pace was ok and it was overall very atmospheric. But the plot was just over the top for me! It just didn’t seem plausible. Obviously this is just my personal opinion and I’d still recommend it for I’ve seen quite a few positive reviews.
This is my second Goodwin I’ve read and I’m beginning to think her books might not be for me.

Thank you #netgalley for my advanced readers copy!

A little confusing at times, but it definitely all came together and was worth it in the end. Very descriptive writing that had me feeling as if I were there.

Meg and her best friend have a nightmare. Meg moves to the country to start a new life.
This book will have you on the edge of your seat. Something was constantly happening.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC and to the publisher Avon.

This book was insanely tense and fast-paced. Sarah Goodwin masterfully writes suspense. The scenes were jam-packed with action and extreme tension. I was seriously glued to the screen of my Kindle.

The plot was simple, and the characters weren't overly complicated, but I just enjoyed being along for the ride. It was a lot of fun! The Blackout was entertaining all the way through.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

3.5 stars.

It was one year from the horrific summer when Meg and Cat were forced to take dangerous shortcut home in the middle of the night followed by two men. This time, Meg barricaded herself into an isolated safehouse at the edge of a crumbling sea cliff. As a storm raged outside and a blackout came, the house and its surroundings plunged into darkness, and Meg was not alone.

Sarah Goodwin can really write suspense. The thrilling and action scenes in this one kept me glued to the pages (or in my case, glued to my earphones because I was listening to the audiobook, which was narrated really well!).

While the characters weren’t really fleshed out deeply, and the plot wasn’t anything complicated, I enjoyed the story for what it was, a simple, action-packed popcorn thriller. I actually read this in two days, it was so easy to follow.

All in all, a fun book and I was thoroughly entertained!

A night out for Megan and her friend Cat ends very badly and since then, Megan has been on the run. She’s been holed up in an old cottage in the country trying to be untraceable when her past catches up to her during a storm and subsequent blackout.

While I liked the premise enough and thought there were some interesting twists, the dual then triple timelines seemed disjointed. Also, the ending didn’t work well and didn’t make sense to me.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for this eARC. The Blackout is out now.

I just love this author! Everything she writes is beyond amazing. If you haven't read her books you need to start and not stop until you finish all of them. Seriously, they are so amazing. Great plot, mystery and twists that will throw you for a loop you won't believe. I usually read her books in just one sitting. Nothing else gets done in my house when a new Sarah Goodwin books comes out.

3.5 stars rounded up. I enjoyed my first book from this author and would read more from them in future. This book centres on Meg in 3 periods of her life with something awful happening in each one.

This book was a lot more graphic than I was expecting so look up trigger warnings before reading if you have triggers.

I enjoyed each of the time periods but the present day was the most interesting for me. With recent UK headlines this storyline was unfortunately all too believable and therefore more chilling.

The writing style was great, I thought the pacing was a little quick to begin with then realised why the beginning passed so quickly and the pacing then felt right.

Meg is in hiding - we dont know why for a while but she is keeping an exceptionally low profile. Her storyline is interspersed with flashbacks to a very different Meg, who is out on a wild night out with her best friend Cat. The two timelines unravel to a gritty conclusion.

The Blackout wasn't my favourite book by this author I'm afraid, the story was a bit disjointed and left more questions than it answered

Reading Between the Wines book review #116/115(met goal in Sept!) for 2023:
Rating: 2 🍷🍷
Book: The Blackout
Author: Sarah Goodwin
Available Now!!

Sipping thoughts: I was confused for part of this book because of the triple timeline. I think there were some good parts of this book but so much was happening that overlapped with other parts that I could not keep up. There were also so many lose ends that never got closed so it made the story less appealing.

Cheers and thank you to @AvonBooksUK and @Netgalley for an advanced copy of @TheBlackout.

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You can't outrun the past…

Summer, 2022. When Meg and Cat are forced to take a dangerous shortcut home one night, they notice two men silently following them. Suddenly running for their lives, they scramble into an abandoned building to hide and wait for help.

…for what’s done in the dark will come to light…

One year later. Attempting to escape the horrors of that fateful night, Meg barricades herself into a safehouse at the edge of a crumbling sea cliff. As a storm rages outside, a blackout plunges the house into darkness. But Meg’s not alone.

…and someone wants revenge.

If you are looking for a book that will keep your interest from the start and leave you wanting more, this is the book for you. I will we looking for future books by this author!

Meg & Cat are taking a shortcut on their way home after a night out, and are being followed by two men. They seek refuge in an abandonned house and hide themselves away as best they can. However, events of that night change the course of so many lives, not just theirs.
A fast paced, cat & mouse story, with Meg barricading herself into a small house on the edge of a cliff. A storm arrives and the house is plunged into darkness...... Will she stay safe? Will they find her?
Read to find out...