I just love Jenny Blackhurst.
You always get what you want spect from this author……..a story you never want to put down with characters you love and some you just may think twice about.
One of my favorite authors for sure.

Karen, Eleanor, and Bea have been best friends since childhood, intricately involved in each other's lives. Eleanor is a young wife and mother; Bea is a carefree single woman; and Karen is a psychiatrist with a secret relationship. When a new patient raises Karen's suspicions, will the danger spread to those she loves the most?

I am a huge fan of psychological thrillers but, as of late, I have been less than impressed. Unfortunately, Before I Let You In falls into the aforementioned category. This novel follows a predictable formula and the writer's trick of using a character's own words against was disappointing. Having read other novels with similar plot lines and characters, there was not much here that I found interesting or exciting to read. Before I Let You In was sluggish in places and expected in others, leaving me wanting more despite the twisting plot. For these reasons, I would not recommend the novel to other readers.

Disclaimer: I was given an Advanced Reader's Copy via NetGalley and the publisher, Atria/Emily Bestler Books. The choice to review this book was my own

Before I Let You In by Jenny Blackhurst may be a slow burn, but man I thought it was good! Nothing is as it seems in this one, and the ending came as quite a shock for me. Karen, Eleanor, and Bea's friendship was very interesting if not a bit toxic at times, and I thought this book took an interesting look at female friendships. I thought it was very suspenseful all the way through, even though a lot of it is just about these women's daily lives and how they interact with each other. There do end up being quite a few revelations though and I can't say I saw any of them coming. Things get more interesting as the book goes on, and it is told from various viewpoints with one basically being an unknown. I thought I had it figured out but nope, I sure didn't.

I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed Jennifer Ness as the narrator. She was easy to understand and I was excited to see she voices a lot of books that I want to read which I will clearly now do on audio knowing she narrates them. I listened to the book in just a couple of days, and it felt very short which to me makes this a 'page-turner.' I really loved how complex Before I Let You In ended up being, and it even touches on some sensitive subjects which I don't think I was really expecting. I would call this a psychological suspense novel more than anything, and there was a little bit of a mystery in there as well surrounding the characters and Karen's patient.

Overall, Before I Let You In was a very satisfying read/listen for me and I am excited to read more from Blackhurst now. I have her debut sitting on my shelf and will be trying to make room for that one soon. The pacing was great, and I love the depth I got from this book. If you want a fresh, suspense novel with great writing, I recommend checking this one out ASAP.

Thank you to the publisher for my advance review copy via NetGalley. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Though I liked the book, I made the decision when I finished not to review it on my site because it didn't fit into my editorial schedule. I may include it in a review post or possibly a book list post in the future.

This was a solid psychological, suspense novel. There were a few surprises, some good characters, and enough suspense to keep the book moving quickly.

Karen, Eleanor, and Bea have been best friends since they were little. Now in their thirties, they are all living very different lives. Karen has a serious boyfriend, Eleanor is married with children, and Bea is single.

But they are always there for each other. They know everything about each other.

Or at least ….they think they do.

The truth is they are all keeping secrets.

Eleanor loves being a mother, though she is still getting used to it. She has also been forgetting things lately and Eleanor NEVER forgets things. It must be because she’s tired. She wonders what her friends would think if they knew the truth.

“Eleanor the star, Eleanor the super-mum. Eleanor the selfish, lying actress.”

Bea loves being single….she says. She can do what she wants when she wants. Though there are times that she's lonely. And lately things have happened that have triggered memories of her past, things she thought she put behind her. The nightmares that she hasn’t had in a long time are back, and she wakes screaming… “Don’t go…don’t go…don’t go.”

Karen is a psychiatrist. She’s also the “fixer” when it comes to her friends. Her friends know they can rely on her. She's proud of what she has achieved. She loves her job, her boyfriend, and her friends. But Karen has some secrets of her own.

Karen is about to meet a new client, Jessica Hamilton. All she knows is that Jessica is twenty-three years old and that she has been having tension headaches and irrational thoughts. When they first meet the first thing Jessica says is…

“You can’t fix me”

Jessica is aggressive and seems to want to challenge Karen. The more Jessica talks, the more unsettled Karen feels. Things Jessica says hit a bit too close to home. Jessica likes to shock Karen with her answers and seems to know quite a bit about Karen’s private life....

But how could that be?

How could Jessica possibly know so much about Karen AND her friends? Or could this just be a coincidence? Are the people in her life in danger? And if so, what can Karen do about it?

Well, this was quite a book. I enjoy stories about friendship and I liked the fact that these women had been friends since early childhood. When you’ve known someone so long, you really think you know all there is to know about them…but that's not always the case.

Jenny Blackhurst has written a story that shows just how complex friendship can be. This novel has it all… secrets, betrayal, and obsession. This was an excellent read with well-developed, interesting characters and a gripping plot.

I devoured this novel. I had so many different ideas about what was going on that I just had to see if I was right about any of them. This was a compelling and intense read. Though I was correct about a few things, some great twists caught me by surprise and I was shocked by how it all played out.

“ Before I Let You In” was my first read from Jenny Blackhurst. This was an excellent psychological suspense novel that pulled me in from the start and held my interest until the very last page. I am excited to read more from this talented author.

I'd like to thank Atria Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

I picked this up completely on a whim because the cover grabbed my attention. I’ve never heard of Jenny Blackhurst before and I probably should’ve read the blurb but I went into this one completely blind. And I’m so glad I took a chance on this book. Jenny Blackhurst is a talented writer, there’s no doubt, and she managed to capture my interest in a twisty story that almost sneaks up on you.

I don’t really want to give too much away. This is a story about a group of women that have are childhood friends. They now find themselves at different points in their lives but they still try to make time for each other. But things start going sideways for all of them when Karen takes on a new patient and a lot of constructed lies and secrets start to unravel.

The most fascinating thing about this book is that it really does sneak up on you. I was captivated by the way the author narrates this to make it feel fast paced but at the same time was very laid back. I know that makes no sense at all. But there was a very slow unfolding of pieces that start to fall into place and she really does take her time laying those where she wants them while never making you feel like the book is dragging. I thought it was superbly crafted!

Of course this is also a thriller that feels low on the danger side until the very end when it’s all ramped up. But it gets you thinking throughout the whole book. Thinking about so many different secrets everyone is hiding. Where is the truth and who could be responsible for the way people are hurting. Who is right and who is wrong. The process of reading this and analyzing every second of it was one of my favorite things. I love books that can’t completely fool me and while I had the main plot figured out there were still things that were twisty. The end managed to give me some shock.

If you are looking for something that will get your mind going with possibilities then pick this one up! I will be looking for more books by Ms. Blackhurst in the future for sure.

I loved the setup of the Psychiatrist analyzing the patient (who was at the same time analyzing the doctor). AAH

The doctors name is Karen and she is very close to her friends Bea and Eleanor. They are like three peas in a pod. Someone is playing tricks and mind games with them. Just who is the crazy one? The story spins off into many situations that leaves you wondering…. who it is. You know when you lose things and can’t find them, and end up feeling a little crazy, this is happening to the ladies (in some uh um…compromising situations).

An entertaining and fast read, even though I had it figured out early on. It is twisty with a never-ending supply of suspense. I would recommend!

Three best friends, Karen, Bea and Eleanor. They are always there for each other. In a heart-beat they’d drop whatever they’re doing to help. I mean, that’s what best friends do…right?

Karen is busy creating a successful psychiatrist practice, and another new client just walked through the door. Only this new client seems to want more than a therapy session from Karen. It’s not long before she realizes this patient will rock the foundation of the tight bonds between these 3 women.

Told from points of view of all three friends. The storyline weaves back and forth between the women as they desperately struggle to hold on to their friendship and their families. Lies will be revealed, leaving all three wondering how well they ever really knew one another. If indeed they ever did.

This was my first read from this author and I just loved how she effortlessly spun the storyline together between these friends. I was joyfully hooked from the first chapter and enjoyed it right to the very end. Highly recommend!

A Traveling Sister read with Brenda and Jennifer! 🌸

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books and Jenny Blackhurst for an ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

Please visit Brenda and Norma’s fabulous blog for more Traveling Sister Group reviews:
https://twosisterslostinacoulee.com/

Karen, Bea, and Eleanor have been the best of friends since they were kids. Karen was always the one Bea and Eleanor could count on, come hell or high water. One day a threat presents itself to this friendship, in the form of a new patient who seems to know far too much about Karen and the lives of her friends. Wanting to protect them as she has always done, Karen struggles with how much information she is able to share since giving away too much would breach patient confidentiality. Tensions mount under the stress of too many secrets that even these best of friends have kept hidden from each other, and the dangers that lurk may threaten not only friendships but lives.
This was a brilliant psychological thriller full of suspense and domestic drama.

Karen, Bea and Eleanor have been friends for a long time, but Karen is the “rock” of the group. Her being a psychiatrist, they feel they can come to her for just about everything. Karen has a new patient, that is a little on the scary side. This patient, Jessica, know way more than she should about Karen and her personal life.

From the start it was fairly clear that something bad happened. So with the multiple POV’s it gave some great insight to some events that have happened. The eerie feeling that Karen, Bea and Eleanor are in some kinda danger fills the entire story, and while I did figure out the mystery fairly early, it did not take away from my enjoyment of the stroy. There was plenty of suspense, heart pounding moments, and certainly plenty of drama too.

Overall, this was a quick read for me, and turned out to be a great thriller.

Thank you to Atria Books and Netgalley for the advanced ebook copy in exchange for my honest review

BEFORE I LET YOU IN was my introduction to Jenny Blackhurst. I had heard great things about her other books, so I was ready to pick this one up! While this one is being marketed as more of a thriller, I'd probably put it more in the domestic thriller/drama end of the spectrum.

Childhood best friends, Karen, Eleanor, and Bea are now in their thirties and know everything about each other, even their secrets. They lead different lives but always remained close. Eleanor is a young wife and new mother that is struggling. Bea is loving the no responsibilities that go with the single life. Then Karen is a successful psychiatrist that feels like the glue that holds the group together.

Things begin to get rocky when she takes on a new patient, Jessica. She seems to know more than she should about the three friends. The problem that Karen continues to run into is the patient confidentiality between her and Jessica. How is she supposed to find out more about her if she can't share anything?

Jenny Blackhurst knows how to write and tell a story. There's absolutely no doubt about that! There was a good amount of suspense to the story and had a great pace throughout. Just enough keep you pulled in. While some thriller fans might have the ending figured out early, there are still some good twists and turns. If you like the more domestic drama type thrillers, then this will be one you'll want to pick up!

I give this 4/5 stars

5 Oh My Stars! to Before I Let You In! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

I saw an ecstatic teaser from my friend, Melisa, and knew I had to read Before I Let You In asap. Not only did I have it in my hot little hands the same day, I devoured it in 24 hours!

The scoop. Before I Let You In is about three close friends who seem to have it all. Bea is single and enjoying it. Eleanor is happily married with kids. Karen is a psychiatrist in a long-term relationship. One day, a new patient of Karen’s starts offering information piece-by-piece that could only be about Karen and her friends. Shake all those ingredients up and BAM. Explosions in all kinds of directions.

So what? I may have figured out most of the twists before they were revealed, but it did not matter. I had to keep reading because 1. The book is perfectly written with exceptional pacing. 2. You bet your sweet bippy I had to know if I was right.

Bottom line. Before I Let You In is a fresh thriller in a market where that’s not always easy! Having a main character as a psychiatrist instantly lured me in, and I enjoyed every racing heartbeat I experienced playing detective while devouring this remarkable story.

Thank you to Jenny Blackhurst (please keep writing!), Atria/Emily Bestler Books, and Netgalley for the ARC. Before I Let You In is now available!

From my blog: Always With a Book:

My thoughts: This is the first book I've read by Jenny Blackhurst, but it certainly won't be the last. I was completely mesmerized from the very opening chapter and had a hard time putting this one down!

This is one fast-paced, crazy, twisted psychological thriller that had me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going on, what was going to happen next, and how it was all going to play out in the end. You know something bad is going to happen - it's hinted at all along - so there is this sense of foreboding that is there all along, and at times, it really gets under your skin! And this just adds to the tension and suspense - I just couldn't put the book down and read it in two sittings.

The characters are so dynamic and whether you like them or not, you just want to know what is going on with them, why the things that are happening to them are happening, and who is really behind them. This is an intimate look at friendship and how it can come unraveled by one loose thread. I had my guesses as to who was behind everything - and this changed a few times - but WOW, I certainly did not put it all together in the end. That final twist really got me!

This book is full of surprises and the short chapters will have you flying through, frantically flipping those pages as you desperately try to figure out what is going on. It's complex and cleverly written and you will be totally engrossed with this one once you start it, so be forewarned! I cannot wait to read more from this author...she certainly knows how to hook a reader!!!

Karen, Eleanor and Bea have been best friends since early childhood. Now that they are grown and with each having a life of their own, they are still very close friends. Karen is a psychiatrist and one day a new patient comes in. From there, things begin to happen in their lives with lots of twist, turns and a surprise ending. I really liked this book but it is rather confusing at times and I found myself going back to see if I had missed something.

Fast paced psychological thriller that kept me guessing until the end. Hard to put this one down.

Holy schmoly, man! Where have I been?! Jenny Blackhurst, you are one amazing writer! You know a book is good when you take the time to stop and thank the author on Facebook for putting out some stunning work, which is exactly what I did.

Fast-paced, addictive, suspenseful - couldn’t put it down, loved it all. And can we talk about cover love? Gorgeous!

A story about deep-seeded, long term friendship and how someone comes along who knows way more about them than they should - I’m not saying any more as this is all you need to know.

I was blown away with this one, even though I figured out the twist early on (seriously wish I could turn of my inner detective and just enjoy the story, but it persists) - usually if I figure it out it’s a bummer for me but this one was so good I didn’t even care!

There are one or two steamy scenes, so heads up, reader. They didn’t feel gratuitous at all, but definitely complemented the storyline.

So glad this one is coming to the US. Now to go check out this author’s other books. Seriously, where have I been?!

Thank you to Netgalley, Jenny Blackhurst, and Atria Books for a copy of this fab book in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars

Before I Let You In by Jenny Blackhurst is a psychological thriller that switches the point of view between three friends and an unknown threat. This book was one that as soon as I began reading I got totally caught up in and didn’t want to put the book down until the very last page.

Karen is a psychiatrist who has taken on a new patient that she begins to suspect has ulterior motives for choosing Karen as her doctor. Bea and Eleanor have been Karen’s best friends since childhood with the three being as close as friends can be. Eleanor is the married mother of the group and Bea is the carefree single lady, or so she let’s her friends believe.

Karen’s new patient comes in with claims that she’s in a relationship with a married man but she refuses to let Karen lead the sessions as she normally would and only drops hints as to her motives for being there. Karen begins to suspect that this patient is a danger to herself and her friends when events begin happening to the ladies that her patient hints to being responsible for.

Having read another title by Jenny Blackhurst I was really excited to dive into Before I Let You In and thankfully it was one that lived up to my expectations with writing that was easy to lose myself into for a few hours. There is plenty of drama in the lives of this trio of friends to become completely invested in as the author begins to twist the story to keep a reader on their toes until that very last page. Definitely recommend this one to the psychological thriller fans out there.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

Holy hell, what a crazy, compelling, intense, nail biting, psychological thriller! This story really blew my mind and had an insane twist at the end that i did not see coming! It’s amazing that this is only the authors second book because it was utterly phenomenal! I will be going to check out her first book ASAP and look forward to seeing what she writes next! * I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review *

Karen, Eleanor, and Bea have been best friends since childhood. They know everything about each other’s lives, or at least they think they do. Now in their thirties, though their lives are beginning to diverge: Eleanor is a young wife and mother who is struggling to cope with her many responsibilities; Bea is happy being single—or so she lets people think; and Karen is a psychiatrist who, despite the secrets in her past, considers herself the anchor of the group.

But when she takes on a new patient with issues she just can’t quite put her finger on, she begins to realize she may have put her dearest friends in danger. Because her patient knows more about these three women than anyone outside their circle possible could. Or should…