This novel was hypnotic and creepy as it deals with domestic violence and abuse. Freya meets charming, wealthy Kane and breaks up with her boyfriend as Kane worms his way into her life with lavish praise and gifts. Little does she know that she is being manipulated and will be tossed aside like others when her usefulness to him is over. The abuse begins slowly (as it always does) and of course she doesn't recognize it for what it is until it is too late. However, the book is told as a flashback so Freya brings the reader into her world as she speaks to us as she might a good friend: "You know how this is embarrassing to talk about, right?" And then she takes us on her journey of slow mental abuse that eventually leads to physical violence beyond her wildest dreams. And in whom can she confide? Really no one as she's embarrassed to tell her parents or friends as neither approve of this odd boyfriend anyway. When she finally learns some of his darkest secrets and desires, it's already gone too far and even as she tries to leave, she realizes he has ways to blackmail and humiliate her. It's heartbreaking to watch Freya deteriorate into a massive puddle of compliance as she feels trapped in her own apartment and life. This is not for the faint of heart as it's increasingly difficult and painful to read. But it's an important story that needs to be told--especially if you or someone you know has been through this experience!

Freya is just your everyday type of girl who sadly falls under the charms of Kane. Kane is a highly unlikable character. I don't think at any point did I ever feel sorry for him. He is a vile and nasty piece of work of who I was praying something bad would happen to him so it would free Freya.

Even for people who have been fortunate to not have been part of an abusive and controlling relationship, this still makes for very uncomfortable reading. I felt like I was going through what Freya was. It's so easy for people to say, why didn't you just leave, but the author shows how easy it is to become as such a hostage in these sorts of relationships. As much as I wanted Freya to get away, I could understand why she would feel that she couldn't. 

It's hard to say I enjoyed this book as it's such a hard subject to digest. It does make for a compelling read though and it shows just how strong people can be even when life feels like it can't get any worse. I hope that it may help people see the signs early on in a relationship though and get themselves well away before things get any worse. 

Over My Shoulder is a dark domestic noir story that draws you in and holds you there until the end. I actually read it in one evening as I felt I owed it to Freya to see the journey through with her. Whilst some parts made me very uncomfortable, I had to salute Freya with her strength at times and how she just picked herself up and carried on. It gives readers the brutal reality of what it is like to be in an abusive relationship and if anything it will help raise awareness.

I really liked this book for about a hundred pages. Then not so much. It was very repetitive and I got to the point where I had no pity for Freya. I made myself finish it but can’t really recommend it. Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read and review it.

Wows! Patricia Dixon has written what I believe, to be her best novel so far. This story is about Freya who is in her mid 20’s and has a fairly normal life with a boyfriend and a good job. One day she meets Kane at work and everything changes for her. Kane becomes very manipulating and starts keeping her away from friends and family. He then become abusive and as you are reading this novel you realize that This could honestly be a true story. Things like this happen all of the time. This was much darker than anything Patricia Dixon has done before which is why I so wanted to read it. I am so glad I did. It has been 6 hours since I finished the book and I still can feel every emotion that I encountered and want to hurt Kane in much the same way he hurt Freya. If you are familiar with this author, then you will know and love her writing style. Her verbiage is one that shows why we should all read. Reading is a great way to enhance your vocabulary. Overall, I would say that this is the best yet and really hope Dixon writes similar books. I will be first in line to purchase them.

5++ ⭐️ out of 5

Thank you to netgalley as well as the author/publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a dark and addictive story of how lovely Freya becomes manipulated and controlled by Kane. Freya's character is portrayed to be a normal working young woman of the 1990s. She has a very real personality, the sort of girl we could have worked with and from a family we could know of. She meets Kane whilst at work and quickly becomes quite besotted by him, even though she has a steady boyfriend. From the start, Kane is a manipulator and engineers meetings with Freya until their relationship takes off, just as he had planned it. Kane is a complex character and is a truly nasty piece of work. Kane has a beautiful and kind young woman by his side, but his cruel side surfaces when least expected, and as Freya becomes more isolated from her friends and family, her traumatic life becomes insufferable.

Much of the early and middle part of the book is set in 1990s Manchester and and shows a reflection of how times have changed in such a short time; the lack of technology, few mobile phones and attitudes of the police. Later, we move forward to the present day to conclude the story in a nail bitingly tense final few chapters. It is truly a gripping and shocking story from start to finish and just shows how easy it is to fall in with the wrong people.

Patricia Dixon writes in a very relaxed and northern style and her characters are totally believable. This book covers a lot of issues which might shock some readers, so be warned there is some violence and domestic abuse. Patricia Dixon has written sympathetically and emotionally about some very difficult issues and I think she's done a great job of giving realism to a fictional story. This is her first psychological suspense novel and I do hope she writes more in this genre.

A well-written and thoroughly entertaining book which I very much enjoyed reading. Recommended 5-star reading for crime fans. Don't miss this one.