A Crime Never Committed?…
Has Amber been imprisoned for a crime that she did not commit? Or also, for a crime that actually never happened at all? Will former friend Heather help prove her innocence, or will she be put in perilous danger trying? An engaging and interesting suspense with a fluid and compelling narrative, a well crafted cast of characters and an intriguing premise which is well executed.

This was an addictive thriller. I loved the short chapters, it definitely kept me turning the pages. This was my first book by this author, and I'm definitely a fan.

I highly recommend!

I have really enjoyed the previous novels I’ve read by the author and was intrigued by the synopsis of The Life Sentence. It’s told primarily from the point of view of Heather who becomes involved in a plan to help release her old friend Amber from prison. Amber has received a life sentence for a crime she claims she did not commit that involves Heather’s ex boyfriend Jack.
The novel had a promising start and I liked the characterisation of Heather and her job in a bookshop, However I found what followed completely unrealistic, the plot was a bit clunky and the writing didn’t flow. It’s very different to the author’s previous novels and lacked the tension of those. A disappointing read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

Jackie Kabler can do no wrong in my eyes and this one was no different. Hooked me from the first chapter and really kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. I really enjoyed the ending and finding out all the secrets, twists and turns that were in the earlier part of the story. I will always pick up any book by this author, just a fantastic writer with a talent for keeping us in suspense!

I enjoyed The Life Sentence, however my biggest gripe is I find it hard to believe Amber was given a life sentence for the crime that was committed. Setting that aside, it was a great concept - being sent to prison for a crime that didn't happen. Whilst it was Amber in prison, the story was mostly told from Heather's point of view. Heather was once Amber's best friend, and she was tasked to get to the bottom of the crime that put Amber in jail. This meant getting back with Jack, an old boyfriend of Heather's, who lived his life during the nighttime and was a clever but very sinister, man. We also got a few chapters from Amber's and Jack's viewpoints and I really liked these. There was plenty of suspense as Heather, working with some allies, tries to get evidence of what Jack had done. I liked the relationship Heather had with Nathan and Felicity, the ones who get her into this situation of helping Amber, and I liked how the housekeeper was portrayed. I could never quite tell whose side she was on. It had a great ending and was an enjoyable story.

The Life Sentence had me completely hooked from start to finish. It was full of twists and turns that made me want to keep reading. A great story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC .

I couldn't help it, I kept screaming "GET OUT" at the main character!

Okay, so it was bad enough Heather threw herself back into what she knew was a bad, even dangerous, relationship, but then when she knows she shouldn't, she goes back again? Perhaps out of some mis-guided guilt? Also, the beginning of the book almost had me thinking I was reading a cozy. But wait - suspend your disbelief and enjoy the great sense of tension and suspense. It happens every day - people in jail for a crime they didn't commit - but framed by the pure evil that is Jack? Yikes!

When I read The Murder List and The Vanishing of Class 3B by this author, I felt like I had made a discovery for a new auto-buy. I will continue to read Kabler, because I like the originality and suspense that she brings to the field.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollinsUK, One More Chapter for an advance reader's copy.

As thriller writers strive to find original plots and angles some of the stories can get a little bit unfeasible. A few steps beyond ‘framed for a crime they didn’t commit’ The Life Sentence plot starts with ‘framed for a crime that never happened’.

I don’t mind unbelievable and unrealistic if the story drags me in, but sadly, this one didn’t.

It wasn’t bad, just a little bit awkward. There’s lots of dialogue, it took me a while to get involved and then I was interested rather than compelled. An original idea than didn’t quite come off for me.

Thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK

Thank you for the advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest opinion.

This is a psychological thriller, that hooked me from the start. This writer has a style that makes you feel as if you are the character and having the conversations yourself.

This book didn’t disappoint. Pick up your copy to find out about heather.

Because of its unrealistic aspects and a few illogical storyline lines, "The Life Sentence" by Jackie Kabler left me feeling a little let down. I gave it a middling three stars.

The idea was really captivating. Who wouldn't be intrigued by the prospect of being framed for a crime they didn't commit? Nevertheless, this is where things start to get dubious since some of the events in the novel feel a little too fantastical. While I can accept suspending disbelief, is it really appropriate to give someone a life sentence for a seemingly absurd crime? That was a little bit too much for my imagination.

As much as I enjoy a crisp, sharp exchange of ideas, the dialogue between the characters in this book? Instead of engaging in casual conversation, it seems as though they are making speeches. People in real life don't only talk at each other. Regarding the characters, I found it difficult to connect with many of them. While I acknowledge that they are not perfect, I found myself rolling my eyes so much at some of their choices that I worried they would become stuck!

To tell the truth, though, not everything was bad. Despite these flaws, the book was still enjoyable enough because the plot was easy to follow. Even though the plot did not have me on the edge of my seat as much as I had hoped, the unexpected twist at the end was a welcome surprise.

If you're looking for something to pass the time and don't mind a few bumps along the way, "The Life Sentence" might be worth a try. You never know, it might even take you by surprise!

I loved The Murder List and The Vanishing of Class 3B, prior thrillers written by Jackie Kobler, so I was excited to read the latest by this author. The Life Sentence has a very likable main character who wants to do what's right for her former best friend. Amber received a life sentence for a crime she didn't commit, but nobody believes in her innocence. Heather feels bad that her long friendship with Amber has ended and would love to be able to help her now, especially when new information about the case is brought to her attention.

I can somewhat understand Heather's motivation, but I had a hard time getting on board with the premise of Heather putting herself at risk to get the necessary evidence. She pretended to want to reconcile with the dangerous man she and Amber had both dated to get access to his home to search for information. Something just didn't click for me with this story, but I still loved the ending which has a fun twist and resolves things in a satisfying way. (3.5 stars) I am a fan of this author and will definitely continue to seek out other books she has written.

I received an advance copy of this ebook at no cost by NetGalley and One More Chapter/Harper Collins UK. My review is voluntary and unbiased.

I found author Jackie Kabler's books a while back and I must say I devour everything she writes now. She is a fantastic author and not enough is said about her books on social media. She needs to shine so much more.
We meet an array of characters in this story.
Amber Ryan is in prison for something she may not have committed.
We meet Heather Harris in this story. Heather has ended her relationship with a man names Jack Shannon. It didn't have a happy ending but she is delighted to be away from him.
So when her best friend tells her she is now going out with Jack, Heather is astonished and slightly bewildered. Amber isn't listening to her advice to steer clear of Jack so Heather lets her to it.
Now Amber is in trouble, in prison and protesting her innocence or what she can remember of it.
Heather must find strength from somewhere to go back and try to help her friend.
She is frightened, scared but possesses an inner strength to do what she has to do.
I loved this story. It's dramatic telling, the suspense of it all.
I couldn't help wondering where the author would take it so I turned each page with baited breath..
Well worth your time...

(PS I am on the blog tour for this on the 10th so I will come back and add the link to my post.)

Thank you for this advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review. I loved this book. I found the twists and turns kept me engrossed from start to end.

Thank you NetGalley for giving me the chance to read this book ahead of time in exchange for a review. It didn't disappoint! Must read!!

I have enjoyed Jackie Kabler’s books before but this one isn’t her best. The main character, Heather was unbelievable in her motivation to get re-involved with her strange ex, Jack who she thinks has framed her one time best friend for a crime that apparently never happened. The story is told from first person points of view, mainly Heather but to a small extent, Amber the friend and Jack the boyfriend. Heather is persuaded to take on the potentially dangerous task of finding out the truth by two others who were strangers to her, which again I thought was slightly far fetched. I think the pace of the book was well judged but overall I was left without a WFT moment, which I admit I like to have.

Unfortunately this one wasn’t for me and although I did finish it I found it a struggle . It lacked excitement and I just found some of the things that went on a bit too far fetched, Especially the ‘life sentence’ part. However it won’t stop me trying other books by this author it’s just this one wasn’t for me.

I flew through this book in a day. I wanted to know there and then how everything will fall into place and what happens next.

Amber Ryan is in jail. For something she hasn't done. But, how on earth can she prove it? Enter Heather Harris. Her and Amber have something in common. Now Heather must go back to that common feature and delve into the murky secrets and put herself on the line for her ex friend.

The story is told from a first person point of view of both main characters Amber and Heather. I like this type of narrative as we really get into the mind of the characters. Jackie Kabler uses up all the senses to set the scenes well.

I like to play detective when I read mysteries. And, this is what I did whilst reading Life Sentence. I did actually figure out a few plotlines along the way. But, this didn't deter me from wanting to carry on.

The pace of this story was well executed. Clues were drip fed to us. Enough to pique our interest and want more. But, not slowly drip fed that we get impatient. And as the case starts to unravel the pacing ramps up.

This is a story about Jack, Heather and Amber. Jack is a very successful businessman and is a night dweller who cannot stand sunlight. Heather is his ex and works in a book shop in London. Amber and Heather are or rather were best friends but Amber is now in prison serving a life sentence for aggravated assault on Jack. Told from multiple POV’s, mainly Heather but also Amber and Jack, this is a real page turner.

Briefly, one day Heather is approached by a stranger whilst at a book reading. Felicity tells Heather that Amber has been imprisoned for a crime she neither committed and indeed never took place but was revenge by Jack for Amber leaving him. She wants Heather to help find the truth. Heather agrees knowing that this means she has to get back together with Jack. Terrifying as this is to her she needs to get back inside his house to discover any evidence that might help Amber.

This is a taut physiological thriller that delves into the deep horrors of how easily people can be manipulated. Heather finds herself getting deeper and deeper into danger and to me seems to be a bit too trusting and her actions are reckless. That said this is a good fast paced and exciting read with plenty of twists and turns that will keep you on your toes from beginning to end.

The Life Sentence by Jackie Kabler is a tense and twisty thriller interspersed with gritty bits. Friendship and other relationships are highlighted as well as enthralling mystery.

Heather and Amber were childhood best friends who later became estranged. But when Amber was imprisoned and maintained she didn't commit a crime, Heather decided she was the only one in a position to help dig deeper and prove her innocence. She made questionable and unrealistic choices to get there. The story including prison visits captivated me but I was not as satisfied as I had anticipated. It was an ok read but it didn't hit me in the right spots. The premise is fantastic but Heather didn't ring true. Her acting on her continued attraction to Jack in spite of their history was infuriating. In my mind she compromised too much. But the writing is excellent and I liked the suspense.

My sincere thank you to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this intriguing novel.

This book kicks off STRONG! I was pulled in from the first chapter. Told from the POV of Heather and Amber, both thirty somethings who have been best friends since childhood.
Amber is currently in prison serving a life sentence for a crime she claims she didn’t commit. Heather and Amber had fallen out before Ambers arrest, but Heather is approached in a secretive manner by someone who says Amber is innocent as the crime didn’t even happen, with a mix of nervousness and excitement Heather visits Amber is prison to formulate a plan to help her overturn her conviction.

EXCERPT “I will never trust anyone again! What’s wrong with people?”

I couldn’t put this down, I started it this afternoon and stayed up late to finish as I was fully invested in Heathers quest to find the truth. There were parts where I had to read as fast as possible because I was so anxious and my heart was in my mouth, it was definitely tense as we ploughed toward the end. This is a brilliant thriller, fantastic believable storyline and great writing.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher & author for my advanced copy.