Man, this book felt long.

I'll start off by saying that I really really wanted to like this book. I did. The premise of a lie told during a rape trial intrigued me and usually I love a book that examines that nature of morality. But He Said/She Said just didn't work for me. Even now, I'm not entirely sure why this is. Laura and Kit were believable, three-dimensional characters, the storyline was solid, and the book was well-written. What's not to like?

For me, it just dragged. Particularly the first half. I felt myself having to force myself to go back to He Said/She Said and found myself repeatedly checking how much longer I had until I had finished it. Now, this may not be entirely fair. As I've already said, there are some very strong elements that make up He Said/She Said and I can actually see it doing very well once it is released. I just think that for whatever reason, unfortunately, it didn't work for me.

Two Stars **

Firstly, thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me a pre release copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I'm sad to say that this is a first for me. More often than not I get a Thriller that is generally just that - it keeps you guessing and keeps you holding on wanting more and struggling to put the book down, even when reality demands your attention. This, I have to say, was quite the opposite. I really was struggling to want to pick it up and start again. It wasn't holding my attention in the slightest.

The plot centres around Kit and Laura, who are Total Eclipse chasers, and who a few years ago were involved with witnessing Jamie raping Beth while at an Eclipse festival in Cornwall.

It's taken me over a fortnight to get a third of the way into the book and, to be honest, I really have lost interest. It's spent that long bouncing around between 2000 and 2016 but not actually getting anywhere that I no longer care whether it really was rape or not - which from what I can tell is what the whole novel is based around. I've never abandoned a book part way through before, but this one, I'm afraid to say, is going to be the first. I can't think of anything good to say about it so I'm going to leave it there.

3.5 stars - a really engaging and "different feeling" read, but sometimes the pacing suffered. I enjoy a dual-timeline structure but Kit's 2015 parts dragged. What started off as an interesting look at how the criminal justice system fails rape victims turned a bit OTT and overblown by the end. Having said that, it was very readable and at times the writing was incredibly strong, with striking, beautiful passages, particularly those dealing with Laura's anxiety, pregnancy, and guilt. I'd definitely recommend this dark thriller to fans of the genre.

Review on Goodreads and will post to Amazon UK when book is live.

The title cleverly describes both one of the main story strands throughout the book, and the writing style of telling the story in a first person perspective by the two main characters, The story is additionally told across a few different periods and although it is usually easy enough to pick up which period the current narrative relates to on a few occasions I had to check back to the chapter title to confirm..

The story was different to the one I was expecting. I thought it would be more about the primary assault and the ensuing case but this is simply a back story to what is to come. Overall the story was compelling enough and teased of hidden secrets to be revealed which kept my interest until the final chapters.

Unfortunately everything becomes a little too manic with the final showdown between the primary players in the story.

The final reveal of secrets juxtaposed against the continued secrecy which haunted Laura's story took a little of the shine off the story for me.

I really enjoyed this read due to its original plot revolving around eclipse chasers. The twists kept coming, even in the last paragraph. Being fed snipets from each timeline and perspective created suspense to the point where I couldn't stop reading as I needed answers to all of my questions. I will be recomending this book to everyone I know.

This is a well written book, very descriptive. Took a while for it to get going but once it did I was hooked.

Very clever and with unexpected moments. I enjoyed this book.

A little white lie can destroy everything

'He Says/She Says' has a story line unlike anything I've read before. When you first pick up this book you'll be dying to discover exactly what happened in the past that has caused Laura and Kit so much pain and trouble in their later life. As the story progresses you're itching to find out just what will happen next in the present. A turbulent ride with characters you can get really invested in is what makes this book the gripping page turner it is. One thing is for sure, you will never really know which side you're on.

Everyone has their own little white lies, but be careful - it might just destroy you...

I was so disappointed when I finished this book. Not because it was bad but because I could have read on and on forever. I was completely enthralled by 'He Said, She Said' and the characters that made up the story. Ultimately this is not just a story about rape and I need to emphasise this because it touches on so many different issues that you cannot help but empathise with various characters as the book progresses.

One thing I will say is that the moon phase animation (if that's the right word) that appeared at the start of the chapter did completely confuse me initially - I did think I was seeing things but I also found it very clever at the same time.

The introduction of the main storytellers Laura and Kit introduces us to a world of eclipse chasing that seems to be laced in a world of drugs and alcohol initially. Their hedonistic lifestyle seems to be all-encompassed as they chase the ellipse to Cornwall during their more formative years and it is at this point that the story takes a turn for the dark. After experiencing the 'heavenly' and surreal eclipse Laura happens to stumble upon a young woman, Beth, being raped. Laura is quick to act and quickly involves Kit who chases the perpetrator off while Laura deals with the aftermath of the rape.

The book quickly flashes between two different timelines. Present day and the past. It is only in the present day narration we see that this intervention has obviously has had serious consequences for Laura, Kit and Beth who seems to be presented as neurotic.

Flashing back Beth's rape case does make it to court but then we are presented with a moral dilemma. How far would you go to ensure that your word is taken for truth? Laura faces this very dilemma when cross examined in the witness box.. How will she cope with her little white lie? Will she be found out? What would Kit think of her indiscretion? These very questions shape the quality of Laura's life in the present day narration of the book and I personally found that I could sympathise with her.

As we read on it is clear that Beth, the 'victim' has obviously had her life impacted negatively by the rape and the trial she faced afterwards. In fact as the book progresses you can't help but wonder was she truly raped or is she just a crazy person seeking out attention? At this stage I could identify with Kit who also seemed to be questioning Laura about this very matter.

The book is fast paced and gradually comes to an exciting climax. Without giving too much away my jaw nearly dropped when I realised that characters who I had completely discounted were actually more involved in this story than initially anticipated. There is a complete twist midway which will leave you breathless and actually in my case quite devastated. But at the same time I recognise this to be very clever writing that will keep the reader hooked until the very end.

It definitely demonstrates that the moon can completely manipulate and influence someone's behaviour.

Overall, this is an amazing read by Erin Kelly. If you're a fan of psychological thrillers it is a must read. I've enjoyed this so much I'm sure that I will be looking out more Erin Kelly books in the future.

It's 1999 and Laura and Kit are at a festival at the LIzard in Cornwall to see the total eclipse of the sun. The weather spoils the spectacle and on the way back to their tent Laura stumbles across a man assaulting a woman. Now over fifteen years later their lives are still somewhat controlled by the events at the festival and the court case which followed. Laura is pregnant with twins and Kit is off to the Faroe Isalnds to view another total eclipse but their lives are going to turned upside down again and secrets they have kept from each other since 1999 will come to light. I don't often enjoy books that switch back and forth in time and from one character to another but I was soon gripped by the story and eager to find out what would happen. Really enjoyable read.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publishers for allowing me to read and review this book.

This is unlike any other psychological thriller I’ve read and I’ve read a lot of psychological thrillers. The book is about a couple, Laura and Kit, who are eclipse chasers and who during one of their trips to watch an eclipse in Cornwall in 1999 chance upon the aftermath of a rape. Being the only witnesses, they have to call the police and so begins the long and protracted case of whether Jamie raped Beth.

The book alternates between Laura and Kit’s viewpoints and a series of flashbacks. These are very well done and rather than leaving the reader confused, as with some books I’ve read that follow this format, they show us a complex picture of flawed characters, all fighting for their own survival.

This is not a thriller that hurtles along at breakneck speed, twisting and turning every which way, but instead the tension is built slowly and ingeniously and the twists are clever and unexpected. One particular twist caught me so off guard that I gasped out loud with surprise,

Over all, this is a thought-provoking book that slowly peels back its many layers and will make you ask yourself whose version of the truth you believe.

I definitely recommend this book and look forward to reading more of Erin Kelly’s books soon.

Absolutely loved this books.

Gritty psychological thriller. Not the typical who done it mystery.

Kit and Laura witness a violent attack. What follows are a whole load of twists and turns that no one could predict.

Totally didn't see where this was going, and the ending floored me. Amazing. Will be looking for more by this author.

My kind of book. A real page turner. I was sorry when I read the last page. Will definitely lookout for this author in future.

This is a gripping story with plenty of twists and turns that will keep you hooked until the very end. It is well written and researched and the characters are believable, if not completely likeable.
If you like thrillers you won't be disappointed - highly recommended.

Thank you Netgalley. This has to be the best book that I have read this year. I have always liked this authors books but this time she has excelled herself. This was a real page turner and could not put it down, was reading everywhere in the house, at work and have recommended this to other readers.

Brilliant. This book is full of surprises right up to the end. The ending totally blindsided and shocked me. The whole book is very cleverly written. All the characters are believable and well developed. I was totally caught up in this book from start to finish. I definitely recommend this book.

Wow, this book is like a slippery snake, full of twists and turns , which will keep you on your toes right to the end, this is the story of four main characters Kit and Laura, Beth and Jamie and has been set over a time period of 15 years, and what happens when you try to do the right thing by telling a lie and how the whole thing just keeps snowballing, secrets and lies always have a way of coming out and the impact on everyone's lives will leave a massive impact.
The story started of a little slowly but it steadily picks up pace, so persevere and it does jump around a bit which can be a little of putting but for the sake of the story it does work in the end.
Definitely worth reading.

He Said She Said Erin Kelly

Another book which uses flash backs to a previous crime. Is it me or are these becoming more and more common.

The story centres around Laura and Kit, and their family and “friends”.

Kit is a bit of a strange character, introverted when younger, and not much of a change when he is older. But he has one unique quality, he is an Eclipse chaser. Wherever a total eclipse of the sun occurs, wherever it happens in the world, Kit must be there.

In the present-day Laura is his wife, and she’s pregnant. This wouldn’t normally be a problem but there is an eclipse due and it means Kit is going to travel to the Faroe Isles, not a trip suitable for his wife.

This will be their first time apart for some time, but worst of all, it will mean that both are isolated from each other since the incident they refer to as The Lizard.

The Lizard was an incident that happened during the total eclipse of the sun in 1999. An eclipse that Kit and Laura witnessed in Cornwall at the Lizard.

The flashback crime happens during the festival which marked the 1999 eclipse. Laura witness a vicious attack and becomes a key witness.

Ramifications ripple out to start to affect the couple in 2015.

The isolation of the Faroe Islands would be an ideal place to get to Kit on his own. Laura is more isolated than she thinks at home.

This story is very original, at times for me it’s a bit rambling, but it is worth persevering with for the twists and turns in the plot.

It will keep you guessing till the end, and may even have you a little bit frustrated that you didn’t see the outcome earlier, but that’s never a bad thing.

This is the type of book I like to read on holiday when I have time to luxuriate in deep descriptions and dead-end sub-plots.

However, right now, I found myself skimming through chunks of it that were all a bit unnecessary.

This was a book which held such mystery until at least half way through but.....It wasn't over. As the plot begins to unfold and the time lines merge, you think you are understanding what, why and who but don't be fooled into a self satisfied sense of knowledge. All is not as it first seems. A clever and captivating read.

This is a dark, murky and atmospheric psychological thriller, it is a tale of Laura and her boyfriend, Kit, chasing an eclipse in Cornwall where Laura happens to see a violent attack being carrried out on Beth by Jamie. Laura insists on calling the police. A traumatic and brutal court case ensues with Jamie on trial for rape. Laura is the only eye witness. Jamie's family are there to support him and the defence run Beth ragged, it becoming a case of he said, she said. Jamie finally ends up being convicted, in a crime where there is such a low percentage of convictions.

After the trial, Beth comes to visit and she and Laura begin to build a friendship, only for things to go awry and ends up with Laura and Kit's home burning down. Laura and Kit change their names, go on the run and get married with the hope that they are untraceable. Years later in the present, Laura is pregnant and Kit is off to chase another eclipse as the past comes back to threaten their lives once more. This is a story where nothing is as it appears, there are secrets, lies. issues of trust and multiple twists. It is an intricately plotted story revolving around the four characters, their relationships and interactions with each other and the issue of perception. On occasion the story feels a little over egged for the sheer sake of it. However, overall I found it an entertaining and absorbing story steeped with an air of menace and fear. Thanks to Hodder and Stoughton for an ARC.

A really good read. Harrowing and so completely believable. The author takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions and makes you look to yourself and question what would you have done or do.